I Don’t Need a Guillotine for My Revolution

Chapter 205: Abyssal Holy War - Preparations for the Start of War (6)

Episode 205. The Abyssal Holy War - Preparing for War (6)

Lumiere, the capital of Francia.

All the core commanders under my command were gathered in the meeting room of the Revolutionary Army's General Headquarters.

“We have secured the participation of the Iberian Brotherhood, the Germania Empire, the Krafte Kingdom, the Northern Allied Kingdom, the Holy Theocracy, and even the support of the Magic Tower.”

Nearly every nation on the Central Continent had confirmed their participation in the war.

The Hundred Years' War, which turned Francia into a battlefield 400 years ago.

This would be the first war of the united forces of humanity since then, a Holy War against the abyss of those demons.

The generals swallowed dryly at the sheer scale, incomparable to any war fought thus far.

“Since all the nations of the Central Continent will be assembling, we have no need to worry about the qualitative or quantitative aspects of the expeditionary force.”

Not to mention Francia’s Revolutionary Army, which had survived all manner of fierce battles, but also Kroxx’s subordinates, the undisputed elites of the Krafte Army, the Holy Theocracy’s Paladin Order, and even the mages of the Magic Tower will be joining us.As for the number of troops, with the Germania Empire joining such a multi-national alliance, it will be close to the maximum that the Central Continent can project.

“Um, but isn't the problem that the enemy position is across the sea? And that sea is guarded by the fleet of the Wrath company, which is said to be the strongest.”

I replied to Louis Desaix’s valid question with a wry smile.

“Yes, that’s the biggest problem. The Francian Navy is quite powerful, but it’s no match for them. Still, the fleets of the Iberian Brotherhood, the Northern Allied Kingdom, and the Holy Theocracy should be of some help.”

We can’t expect much from the navies of the Germania Empire or the Krafte Kingdom, as they are practically landlocked nations; they are the main force of the army, after all.

“And the fleet of the Eastern Empire, which will make up for our lack of strength, should be passing the southern continent by now.”

“Uh… is that really possible? It’s been months already. Is it possible for them to sail while procuring food supplies locally?”

“...I wonder.”

In any case, it was a frequently used route, so it shouldn't be impossible to traverse.

But for them to come all this way, carrying dozens of warships with massive personnel and munitions like cannonballs, while resupplying locally?

The Eastern Empire claimed it was possible, and Christine said it was theoretically possible, but...

It would be astounding if even half the fleet made it, and even if they succeeded in arriving, I honestly don't know if they could maintain their discipline.

If such a thing were possible, wouldn't that admiral be a god of discipline?

“It will take time for each country to mobilize its troops and prepare for war anyway. So for now, we’ll just wait for the Eastern Empire’s fleet.”

“Umm…”

The generals looked a little uneasy, but they reluctantly agreed.

To be honest, I’m a little anxious too.

The Eastern Empire's fleet is the best card we have, and when I asked them to draw up a plan in case they didn't arrive, all sorts of crazy ideas came out.

Things like, since the strait between northern Francia and Abyss Corporation's island is narrow, we should just gather the mages at the strait, smash all approaching ships with magic, and cross with only transport ships.

Or even launching a surprise landing at dawn.

Even if we managed to land, we don't know what's on the other side of that sea. What kind of suicide squad would that be?

These ideas are coming out because the enemy is so unrealistically strong that a common-sense solution won't work, but I'm afraid that if we run out of common-sense methods, some guys will actually suggest we do such things.

“Then, putting naval battles aside, even on the premise that a landing operation is possible, it would take an enormous amount of time and ships for the entire multi-national alliance to land on their island. It doesn't end with crossing the sea; if we have to transport supplies as well, I can’t imagine how many ships we’ll need…”

Alexandre Berthier brought up a point worthy of a Chief of Staff.

Even if we set aside the matter of transporting the troops to the island, once the troops are over, we have to transport just as many supplies, so the number of ships required increases exponentially.

There's a reason why operating an expeditionary force across the sea is so difficult.

“A valid concern. And for this part, a somewhat constructive solution has been prepared. First, the ships requisitioned from the Northern Allied Kingdom will be used for the transportation of troops.”

The Northern Allied Kingdom is a country whose territory itself is scattered, consisting of territory connected to the Central Continent along the northern sea, an island in the central region, and a peninsula to the north.

Naturally, in such a country, maritime transport is bound to develop, and they possess a large number of merchant ships and warships.

So, surprisingly, the country with the most powerful transport capacity across the sea was the Northern Allied Kingdom.

Honestly, I thought it would be difficult to win them over since we’ve already burned them before, but Christine guaranteed it was possible and actually persuaded them.

“And, you’ve all received the report on the ‘Gate’ discovered in the Eastern Empire, correct?”

“Ah, yes. We have.”

The Eastern Empire, a military power in its own right, was not being defeated completely helplessly.

A unit led by Archduke Elsion, dispatched to the south under the Tsar's command, achieved the first victory against Abyss Corporation, and after advancing, he was able to confirm that troops and supplies were being moved to the area through a 'Gate' installed by the demons.

Although the Archduke himself had to retreat after suffering a crushing defeat from a demon counterattack as soon as he secured the Gate, he at least confirmed the reason why the demon forces were pouring out endlessly despite the Eastern Empire having naval supremacy.

When this was first reported, it caused a major turmoil on the Central Continent.

The concept of waging war by teleporting such a large-scale force between continents was something we, at least, had never even imagined.

In other words, it meant that the same thing could be done on the Central Continent, and ironically, thanks to that, war sentiment against Abyss Corporation within the Central Continent grew even stronger.

No nation would want to face the endless stream of Drones pouring out of a Gate.

“The Magic Tower is currently analyzing the fragment of that ‘Gate’ sent by the Eastern Empire, and they say they should be able to replicate some of its functions once the analysis is complete.”

“Oh, is that possible?”

“The principle itself is the same as the teleportation magic circles we use now. The problem is its ridiculous scale and the transcendent transfer distance that reaches the Eastern Empire from the main island of Abyss Corporation. The Magic Tower says they should be able to replicate it, at least for a transfer from northern Francia to the enemy island.”

And that alone resolves a significant portion of our difficulties in having to launch an expedition to the island.

If we can just succeed in connecting the Gate, from that point on, it’s no different from being connected by a land route.

“Oh…”

Seeing the color return to everyone’s faces, I gave a light smile.

“Now for the most important problem here.”

Somehow, we achieve victory, or at least a standoff, in a decisive naval battle and then attempt a landing. Let's assume we get that far.

“We need an advance party to land on the fog-covered mainland of Abyss Corporation and hold out until the Gate can be built.”

In an instant, everyone’s face hardened.

The distance itself is short.

The island of Abyss Corporation is visible to the naked eye even from the northern coast of Francia, so if naval supremacy is secured, the crossing itself would take less than half a day.

The problem is that the entire island, so close by, is covered in an ominous purple mist, and we have no idea what its layout is or what state it is in...

“Most likely, the main island of Abyss Corporation is teeming with Drones, not to mention filled to the brim with demons.”

It would not be easy to land blindly without knowing anything and hold on until the moment the Gate is built.

In a sense, this really could be a suicide mission.

“The Magic Tower, which must build the gate, goes without saying, and the Holy Theocracy has offered to send their Paladin Order as the vanguard of the advance party.”

Funnily enough, for what is supposed to be a Holy War for humanity, the Holy Theocracy had originally planned to dispatch only a group of priests.

But Eris went to the Holy Theocracy herself, visited the Paladin Order, and personally persuaded them to join the Holy War of humanity by giving each and every one of them her blessing.

The paladins, who were already fanatics to begin with, naturally went wild, and the Pope had no choice but to approve, as they were all prepared to desert and participate if he didn't give his permission.

To be able to bring in the Paladin Order that the Pope cherished so much he was worried about losing them, well, long live Her Majesty the Saintess Queen.

To think she could pull the entire Paladin Order that the Pope was hoarding and refusing to let go, Eris might not have intended it, but I never imagined she would get her revenge from her past life in such a way.

“...Furthermore, the Krafte Army and the Iberian Brotherhood are also planning to land their finest elites, so as the mainstay of this alliance, we can’t very well back out, can we?”

“Please put me in the vanguard!”

The one who suddenly shouted was, as expected, Nicolas Nere.

“Excellent, General Nere. Your valor will be a model for the Revolutionary Army.”

“It is my glory!”

That reckless valor is good for setting the mood at times like this.

“Now, then…”

I then turned my gaze to the next most valiant, Jerome Morelle.

“Uh, I apologize, Your Excellency the Marquis. But light cavalry is not quite suited for a defensive battle at a landing site.”

“...Hmm, that’s true.”

It is.

Transporting horses is already an extra effort, and unlike being able to conduct mobile warfare on the vast lands of our homeland, the use of light cavalry is extremely limited on an unknown coast.

“Please allow me to assist you, Your Excellency!”

“Thank you, Gaston.”

The person who stepped forward without hesitation right after was Gaston.

He may be a newlywed with Shandra, but I can't rest easy without him.

Well, his wife Shandra is now part of our army too, and she's the type who would get sulky if she wasn't sent to the very frontline.

“Wait, is His Excellency the Marquis going?”

Instead, it was Louis Desaix who was greatly surprised.

“Should I not? I'm the one who has fought against the Drones on the Central Continent, and I'm the one who organized this expeditionary force.”

Besides, my name itself is now known throughout the continent, surpassing even the Blue Knight.

From the Francian Civil War to the wars with the Germania Empire, on the Iberian Peninsula, and against Krafte.

I’m known as humanity’s greatest commander who defeated the Great King. If I, having orchestrated everything, were to back out now because it’s dangerous, the morale of the advance party would plummet immediately.

“But Your Excellency the Marquis. As you know, the advance party is extremely dangerous. Please send me instead and remain in our homeland. If, by any chance…”

“If we fail by any chance, the expedition is over. Surely you don’t think second-line troops can accomplish a mission that the Paladin Order, mages, and the elites of Krafte and the Iberian Brotherhood failed at?”

“...I apologize.”

Desaix bowed his head to me, and I walked over and patted him on the shoulder.

“You’re the acting Commander-in-Chief, as always. You know that, right? I'm counting on you.”

Louis Desaix replied with a wry smile.

“This time, too, I’ll probably end up as just the acting commander.”

“Haha.”

I turned my gaze, and—

The person who met my gaze flinched and looked away.

“Shouldn't you be used to this by now?”

“W-W-What in the world do you mean…”

Damien De Millbeau, sweating profusely, darted his eyes back and forth.

“Master of Defense.”

Damien’s body flinched.

“Guardian of Dilrus.”

Why, you used to say it yourself with such pride.

“Y-Your Excellency the Marquis. I apologize, but I, with those horrifying Drones…”

“The only renowned commander of humanity to have fought against the Drones alongside me.”

Ah, why not? You fought quite well.

Somehow I don’t quite believe it either, but that’s the reality.

“The man who defeated the Krafte Royal Guard at Barua.”

In reality, he was tricked and caught off guard by a decapitation operation, but in the end, he held off the continent’s strongest Royal Guard and won the battle.

“Surely, a legendary commander as famous throughout the Central Continent as yourself, second only to Pierre de Lafayette, wouldn’t want to miss out on such a glorious battle?”

Damien trembled like an aspen tree, then opened his mouth with a very sour look on his face.

“I-If I wanted to miss out… what would happen?”

“Ah, well. I wouldn’t do much.”

No matter how much of a Commander-in-Chief I am, Damien De Millbeau’s reputation is now a bit too high for me to just order him around as I please.

“I’d just mention to two beautiful ladies that Count Millbeau is slacking off because he misses them so.”

Damien’s face went completely pale.

Eris and Christine would surely take pleasure in making this timid man repent or educating him, a task ill-suited to his ability.

After sweating buckets for a long while, Damien replied with a soulless voice.

“I-I’ll do it. A-As if I’d die just from fighting some demons… I guess. Ha, haha…”

Hmm, good.

…Wait, now that I think about it, this is unpleasant.

So this bastard is saying that my beloved wife and my cute Saintess Queen are scarier than demons?

“Y-Your Excellency the Marquis? Why the expression on your face…”

“Ah, how dependable, Count Millbeau. I shall be sure to entrust you with a key role befitting your great fame.”

“What? B-But I don't need anything like that… Your Excellency the Marquis?”

Good, anyway, with this, the plan is all finalized.

“Your Excellency the Marquis! Your Excellency the Marquis-! Please save me!”

All that remains now is to finish preparations, and execute the plan.