I Don’t Need a Guillotine for My Revolution

Chapter 200: Holy War of the Abyss - War Preparations (1)

Episode 200. The Abyss Holy War - Preparations for War (1)

What was bound to happen, finally did.

When the Abyss Corporation formally declared war and entered into conflict with the Eastern Empire, all the nations of the Central Continent held their breath, watching the war of Demons that had begun for the first time in 400 years.

However, that was only for a moment; as if to mock the tension of the human nations, nothing happened on the Central Continent.

Although the Eastern Empire’s territory on the Central Continent included their capital, Tsargrad, their fleet was insignificant and stood no chance against the fleet of Wrath Inc. Likewise, the Abyss Corporation did not choose to directly attack Tsargrad, which was protected by a formidable coastal fortress.

In the end, for a long time after the war began, no significant news was heard, and it was too quiet to feel the reality of the war, so the interest of the Central Continent nations naturally waned.

...Perhaps this was why the Demons intentionally did not attack the Eastern Empire's territories on the Central Continent.

But Revolutionary Francia was the only nation on the Central Continent with diplomatic ties to the Eastern Empire, and through Christine's National Intelligence Service, we were grasping the war situation to some extent.

And that was why we were taking this situation seriously.

*Half a year after the start of the war, at Lumiere, the capital of Francia.

A meeting was being held in the National Assembly to discuss the war situation in the Eastern Empire.

“So just how many of these Drones is the Abyss Corporation operating?”

Upon receiving the question from a member of the National Assembly, Christine tilted her head slightly and answered slowly.

“It is impossible to estimate the exact number. The Eastern Empire tries to hide the war situation as much as possible, and while the agents of the National Intelligence Service are excellent, there is a significant time lag before their reports reach us.”

We were gradually grasping the true state of the Eastern Empire through National Intelligence Service agents dispatched openly or through secret routes.

Their words were not empty boasts.

Their territory was vaster than the distance from the Iberian Peninsula to the western end of the Eastern Empire, and its population was so immense that it could not be compared to Francia.

Thanks to this, by the time reports from the agents Christine had infiltrated arrived, there was already a time difference of nearly two months with the local situation, which was causing problems with our situational awareness and response being delayed.

And the Eastern Empire’s attitude of constantly making claims different from the war situation we were aware of, perhaps due to their prestige, only added to the confusion.

Honestly, if it weren't for Christine, an expert in information warfare, the time it would have taken us to properly grasp the situation would have increased exponentially.

Or we would have been completely misjudging the war situation by listening only to the Eastern Empire.

“However, based on estimates from the reports so far, it is presumed that the Abyss Corporation is operating a Drone army of at least 500,000 and laying waste to the eastern part of the Eastern Empire. This is based on the time the last report was received, so it's possible the number has increased by now.”

“500,000...! Weren’t all the Drones destroyed on the Iberian Peninsula?”

“It is certain that at least the Drones that appeared on the Iberian Peninsula were all destroyed. I saw it with my own eyes, and there are countless witnesses in the Revolutionary Army.”

The members of the National Assembly must have received the reports, and I myself fought a desperate battle against the Drones with Kroxx's brothers.

I had hoped that their failure would make Abyss Corporation give up on Drone technology itself.

If Gremory wasn't deceiving me, it seems that Succubus had hoped for the same, but unfortunately, that's not how it turned out.

“Then where on earth did such a force come from? They should have been expelled from the Iberian Peninsula, so where could they get the materials to create such a terrible existence?”

Deputy Nicolas Brisseau asked, unable to hide his disgust.

For a man as relatively gentle and moderate as him, such a weapon, horrifying even to hear about, would be impossible to like.

Not to mention me, who had experienced it firsthand.

“There are two possible scenarios we can consider.”

Christine’s uniquely deep, dark eyes glinted as she spoke calmly.

“First. The Abyss Corporation has succeeded in replicating Drones. ...Regrettably, in this case, we have no way to respond. A war against a nation that can endlessly generate such weapons, I coldly see no chance of victory.”

All the assembly members let out a groan and swallowed dryly.

“Then shouldn't we reconsider our policy of antagonizing the Abyss Corporation right now?”

“After all that boasting, the Eastern Empire will be destroyed in an instant.”

As they began to mutter amongst themselves, Christine slapped her palm with the fan in her hand, making a sharp tak- sound to draw their attention again.

“However, that is merely the worst-case assumption, and even if such technology exists, it's unlikely they wouldn't use any resources. In any case, it is an objective fact that the Abyss Corporation is currently prioritizing a war against the nation with the most ‘materials’ for Drones that we estimate, while at the same time showing an attitude of avoiding drawing the attention of the Central Continent.”

Christine paused for a moment before adding.

“Secondly, the source we have estimated is the New Continent.”

Beyond the western ocean lies a continent said to have been discovered by the Abyss Corporation.

While the Central Continent was heated with wars amongst themselves, they discovered the New Continent, and for a short while, information about new local specialties and Natives flowed in.

At some point, it was cut off, so I thought it was just an absurd story or that there was less to gain than expected…….

It seems they've been monopolizing it and developing it as an outpost.

“If they are replenishing Drones with the Natives residing on the New Continent, and also ‘dronifying’ the residents in the occupied territories of the Eastern Empire, it explains how they are operating such a large force.”

“Hmm, I don't know whether to call that hopeful.”

“Certainly, that side of the argument makes more sense.”

As the members chattered, Deputy Maurice Talleyrand spoke up.

“The Eastern Empire has already requested Reinforcements on three occasions. This is proof of how desperate they are.”

“Tsk! And what good is that! According to the Intelligence Service's investigation, they are suffering repeated Crushing Defeats in the east, yet they demand we join the war, claiming they can win?”

“The fact that they themselves would say, ‘it’s not a situation where we are winning alone,’ tells you everything you need to know. The problem is….”

Talleyrand gave a bitter smile and turned his gaze toward me.

“If we join the war, is it possible to win against the forces of those Demons?”

“In a ground war, it is impossible.”

I said flatly, and the assembly members' expressions darkened further.

“Realistically, we have no means to move the Revolutionary Army, and the path to supply them is even more distant. Since the Eastern Empire and our military systems are different, we would have to provide our own supplies, but the moment we join the war, the sea lanes will be blocked by the fleet of Wrath Inc.”

The Germania Empire wouldn't block the land route if the enemy is the Abyss Corporation, but the amount of supplies needed for logistics basically increases exponentially with distance.

Supply soldiers also need to eat, livestock like horses are needed to carry goods, and the farther the distance, the amount of feed for them increases explosively.

And with that, a continental crossing? No way that's possible.

No matter how great a general or ambitious a warmonger, they can't do anything with a starving and exhausted army.

“Even if it were possible to enter the Eastern Empire, moving our troops to their far eastern territories, which are currently being ravaged, is even more difficult. The reason the Eastern Empire is suffering successive defeats is probably rooted in that.”

The capital of the Eastern Empire is in the eastern part of the Central Continent, but from their perspective, it's completely skewed to the far west.

It's absurd to think that such a huge nation has had balanced development, and all its major infrastructure must be in the west, so they are being helplessly beaten on the distant battlefield.

The population and army size of the Eastern Empire may be enormous, but the capacity to properly project that great power to the far east is a separate issue.

If they can't even properly project their own forces, what difference would sending the Revolutionary Army make?

“The Eastern Empire must be aware of that, so as expected, it's about the usual….”

Count Anjou, who had been stroking his beard, furrowed his brow slightly and spoke.

“They want our cooperation in attacking the Abyss Corporation's mainland, I presume?”

“That is correct. At least, judging by the current War Situation, it will be difficult for the Revolutionary Army to reverse the immediate situation even if dispatched to the Eastern Empire.”

Now, everyone’s gaze fell upon Christine.

An attack on the Abyss Corporation's mainland.

To make this happen, it was obvious that we had to break through the fleet of Wrath Inc.

The Eastern Empire had proposed a combined fleet operation for that purpose.

Christine spoke with a calm face.

“First of all, there is a significant fact that has changed from what the Eastern Empire proposed before the war.”

And a major problem had arisen with that operation.

“Judging by the Eastern Empire's attitude and the facts uncovered by the Intelligence Service, it appears that the Azure Dragon Fleet they promised to send to Francia's territory has been effectively annihilated.”

“What in the….”

“Wasn't that the most powerful fleet in the Eastern Empire?”

“As I thought, the idea of confronting the fleet of Wrath Inc. was absurd!”

Before the members could get noisy again, Christine made a tak- sound with her fan to focus their attention.

“However, it is certain that the fleet of Wrath Inc. also suffered considerable damage in that engagement.”

“How can you be so sure of a naval battle that happened on the other side of the continent, Countess Aquitaine?”

To the question that immediately flew in, Christine gave a slight smile.

“Because their Black Tortoise Fleet, which is in charge of their far east, won the initial battle and absorbed the remaining ships of the Azure Dragon Fleet, and is still maintaining control of the sea.”

“The Black Tortoise Fleet? Hmm. That was the Far East defense fleet, wasn't it?”

The fleet the Eastern Empire prided itself on most was the Azure Dragon Fleet, which defended their southern Shore, but there was also the Black Tortoise Fleet, which defended the far east.

The proud Azure Dragon Fleet was shattered, but the Black Tortoise Fleet survived, what in the

“Does it make sense that the Abyss Corporation is launching an offensive with over 500,000 troops while the Eastern Empire maintains control of the sea?”

“We have not yet figured out the principle behind it. After winning the fleet battle against the Azure Dragon Fleet and succeeding in their first landing, the Abyss Corporation has never made any move to resupply via the sea. After consulting with the Magic Tower, they are a kind of…”

Christine tilted her head slightly and added.

“...We are speculating that they are supplying through something like a transcontinental teleportation magic circle.”

“Ho ho, teleporting supplies to operate an army of 500,000? And across a continent?”

As Deputy Nicolas Brisseau let out a hollow laugh, Christine shrugged and replied.

“Given the characteristics of the Drones reported by Marquis Lafayette, it's possible since they don't require that many supplies. Still, it is a fact that despite the sea being blocked, their forces are continuously being replenished and the offensive continues.”

The members began to talk amongst themselves.

“I can't believe it. Do they really have such technology?”

“Considering what the Abyss Corporation has shown so far….”

After a brief commotion, Deputy Talleyrand asked.

“This is what's important. So, is there a chance of victory, Admiral of Francia's navy?”

“The Black Tortoise Fleet is led by a man called Admiral Yi, and it is said he won a victory against the Abyss Corporation's fleet in the first naval battle. Of course, it was likely possible because the main force of Wrath Inc. was concentrated on the Azure Dragon Fleet, but considering he is still holding control of the sea even after the great defeat of the Azure Dragon Fleet, his ability and fleet maintenance skills must be considered proven.”

Christine was silent for a moment before speaking.

“The Eastern Empire must know that protecting the eastern sea rights has already lost its meaning, so contrary to the original plan, they intend to send all their surviving fleets. That is, Admiral Yi and the entire main force of the Black Tortoise Fleet, to Francia.”

And if that happens, all the remaining navies of the Eastern Empire and Francia's fleet will face the fleet of Ras Inc., which has suffered no small amount of damage.

Moreover, it's not just us.

Christine turned her gaze toward me, and I stood up from my seat.

“If the Abyss Corporation devours the Eastern Empire, then no one will be able to stop them.”

“Hrmm….”

There are already 500,000 Drones.

If they devour the entire Eastern Empire, how many will there be? A million? No, it would surely exceed at least 10 million.

An army of tens of millions that moves without pain or fear and never tires. What nation could possibly stop that?

They must be stopped here.

“It's not just Francia and the Eastern Empire. The Iberian Brotherhood, after unifying the Iberian Peninsula, declared the Abyss Corporation their Main Enemy, and has been steadily building up their navy through a technology exchange agreement with the Francia Navy.”

“Mm, so you're saying they can be brought into the war?”

“Yes. As a Brother to their King Kroxx, I am confident they will lend us a hand. And they are not the only ones, are they, Deputy Talleyrand?”

Receiving my gaze, Talleyrand answered with a faint smile.

“Yes. For the past half year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has laid the groundwork to bring in other possible nations. We will need to work a little harder for it to fully bear fruit, but we have time while the Eastern Empire's fleet reaches the Central Continent, so if we do well, we might be able to draw out the cooperation of the continental nations against the Demons for the first time in 400 years.”

As Talleyrand turned his gaze, the eyes of all the National Assembly members fell upon Christine.

Christine kept her eyes closed as their gazes focused on her, then revealed her jet-black eyes and spoke.

“There is a chance of victory. Perhaps, it's our first and last chance to win against those Demons.”