novelraw Chapter 256: Epilogue (4)
Chapter 256: Epilogue (4)
Episode 256. Epilogue (4)
A literal storm raged through the National Assembly.
Debates raged chaotically for days, and I had to endure the denunciations of the Central Party members, who pestered me to somehow persuade Eris.
But Eris pushed forward forcefully, as if to say there would be no compromise on this matter, and frankly, knowing how hard it was to persuade her when she was like this, I had half given up.
To state the conclusion, the National Assembly passed Eris's agenda item.
Though it was somewhat comical that they each had their own reasons.
The Revolutionary Party was relatively relieved that Eris's reform plan, which concentrated power in a head of state named President by Nicolas Brisseau, was not an overthrow of the revolution.
After all, they had been concerned that if the Queen extended her term for another eight years, with the Central Party's influence growing from consecutive victories in war, it would truly mark a regression of the revolution.
Unlike the Revolutionary or Central Parties, the Liberal Party could hardly dream of assuming power, but they voted for it, as it wasn't an overthrow of the revolution and because the Queen had sought advice from Nicolas Brisseau for this reform plan.
In any case, it would be difficult for them to expect a leading role in the upcoming election without a drastic upheaval.In such a situation, it would be difficult for them to refuse an opportunity to gain legitimacy by showing that the beloved Queen—the spiritual pillar of the Central Party—was aligning her will with theirs.
And finally, the Central Party.
As they were centered around the nobility, they were the most vehemently opposed to Eris's reform plan.
But ironically, as the very ones who had backed her enthronement and called themselves Royalists, they had the hardest time directly opposing the Queen's will.
It might have been different if Eris were a mere figurehead queen and they hadn't shed their Old Regime aristocratic mindset, but Eris was a queen with absolute support, and they were men who had adapted for nearly a decade in the National Assembly and the changed society after the revolution.
In the end, once it became clear they could not break Eris's will, the Central Party turned its eyes to the benefits they could take from this situation.
After all, if they won the election, they would gain the driving force to lead a Francia that had been divided and stagnant, and could change policies they considered radical into something more moderate by their standards.
In that case, it could be seen as an easier way to rule Francia than serving a radical queen who was uncontrollable and lacked sufficient authority.
And so, the queen who made everyone protest, yet also made everyone reluctantly find a positive side to agree, sat before me, smiling brightly.
“……You've certainly stirred up quite a storm, Your Majesty.”
“I'm sorry for not telling you sooner, Marquis. But you are radical in some ways, and conservative in others.”
Eris replied slyly, as if nothing had happened.
‘...As if she doesn't know perfectly well why I'm like that.’
I only push for reform, even radical reform, when neglecting the issue would become a threat to Christine or my people, or when I'm certain the reform plan will yield a better result.
Conversely, for matters that have little effect on Christine or my people, I prefer to maintain the status quo as much as possible.
This is something based purely on experience.
“Most people accept what's good for them and want things that don't concern them to stay as they are. Your Majesty is the strange one.”
Eris laughed awkwardly.
“But, you didn't think I would stay on the throne forever, did you?”
“That's true, but.”
Eris has a strong sense of responsibility.
She's the one who endured the pressure from Central Party members who, despite numerous oppositions, even used me to pester her about producing a successor; there's no way she'd try to continue a royal line that is bound to end.
In the end, I had anticipated the termination of the monarchy in one way or another.
But I never imagined it would happen this way, when Eris's popularity was at its peak after leading us to victory in the war.
Eris quietly sipped her tea, then looked at me with a gleam in her eyes.
‘…She usually says something troublesome when she gets that look.’
As soon as I thought that, Eris opened her mouth.
“Marquis. I would like you to decline the position of presidential candidate.”
‘...Of course.’
I made a subtle expression.
It was obvious if you thought about it, but one of the reasons the Central Party reluctantly passed Eris's reform plan was me.
I had led the Revolutionary Army in consecutive battles against the old Francia Kingdom, the Germania Empire, the Krafte Kingdom, and Abyss Corporation, and defeated them all.
As a result, I had already surpassed the Blue Knight, who was once Francia's strongest, and was being praised as the greatest renowned commander in human history, and right now, the lingering feeling of victory against the demons remained.
So, the Central Party thought I would win unconditionally if I ran as a presidential candidate, and they were actually planning to put me forward.
“……I'd like to ask your reason for making such a request of me, Your Majesty.”
“It's simple. I don't think the Central Party should take power.”
Well now.
If Count Anjou and the Central Party members heard this, they would wail about how the Queen could do this to them.
“But Your Majesty. The members of the Central Party may be a bit stiff and old-fashioned, but they are also people who are loyal to you and have adapted to the post-revolutionary Francia in their own way. For me to grant your request, I will need a more convincing reason.”
Eris smiled faintly.
“Marquis, if the Central Party takes power, further reform in Francia will probably be difficult. No, it's more likely to regress. Because all the other countries are still monarchies. In such a situation, if those accustomed to a monarchical state take their positions, all I will have done is turn Francia into a kingless kingdom.”
“Well, Your Majesty. To be frank, I'm not sure if that's really a problem. If we go through the chaos of revolution only to return to the same form once more, wouldn't that mean it's the right way in the end?”
Above all, we are people who chose the lesser evil to avoid the worst.
The members of the Central Party, at any rate, are those who chose compromise to abandon the Old Regime and join the revolution, and we are at least different from the worst of the Old Regime.
“Right now, Christine and I hold the real power in Francia, and Your Majesty has become a spiritual pillar. But Francia hasn't completely lost the spirit of the revolution, and in fact, it has been run better than during the chaos of the revolution.”
Eris smiled bitterly.
“I think Francia's current situation is like a miracle.”
“A miracle?”
“Yes, a miracle. A queen who thinks power should be returned to the people, a military commander with enough power to overthrow the system who instead cooperates with it, a businesswoman with the ability to swallow the entire national economy and monopolize it, who instead observes the line. Francia's current situation is only possible because all these people are coincidentally using their abilities for good.”
Eris paused for a moment before speaking.
“It might seem fine right now. But what if a situation like this continues? What if, what if your successor has a change of heart, Marquis? What if Christine's successor, unlike her, tries to seize Francia by the throat with economic power? Who would be able to stop them then?”
“…”
“Just because it seems fine now doesn't mean there aren't problems. We were able to overcome crises by relying on you, Marquis, on Christine, and on the Central Party. But that has left its own aftermath.”
Eris paused for a bit, then gave a wry smile.
“You know it too, Marquis. Me, you, and Christine. We all hold our current stances because of impossible experiences.”
Hearing Eris's words, I slowly closed my eyes.
Indeed, I know.
Without the experience of regression, I would never have even attempted to understand or compromise with the Republic in the first place.
Eris would never have become queen, and Christine has also done her best for Francia's benefit, purely for my sake.
In the end, I could only affirm her expression that the situation was like a miracle.
“That's why I think reform is necessary now.”
Eris says, as if pleading.
“If you and the Central Party take power from the very first election, everything achieved by the revolution might come to nothing. Then there's a great risk that others, who are already half in despair, will lose the will for reform itself.”
I understood the purpose of Eris's words.
But…
“……I don't know.”
Certainly, the revolution and the Francia that followed, which to me were merely a lesser evil, changed many things.
The victory against Abyss Corporation, which would have been impossible for me alone or with only my people, was ultimately grasped with difficulty through the help of the National Assembly.
Even so, however.
“In the end, the revolution created by those who clamored most for reform was hell. Having seen that outcome and returned, I had to struggle immensely to try and set them on a somewhat normal trajectory.”
Even without my regression, the image of a blood-soaked, limp Christine still remains in my mind.
Of course, Maurice Talleyrand is competent enough, and the Revolutionary Party is different from how it was then.
Nicolas Brisseau and the Liberal Party repaid my devotion with their trust.
Nevertheless…
“I don't deny the potential of the National Assembly or others. But I can't shake the thought that rather than trusting and entrusting them, it would be better for me to lead with my own hands.”
“True. But you are also the only one who can give them a chance, and who can correct them if they go astray. Aren't you? Who else could do that but you, Marquis? If not now, when all the troubles have been resolved, when would we ever take such an adventure?”
“Are you suggesting so irresponsibly that I should just let them try, and overthrow them if it doesn't work out?”
When I asked in bafflement, Eris giggled.
“But really, it has to be now. When there's a path we know is bad and one that might be better, it's just wrong to pick the known bad one out of fear.”
I let out an empty laugh.
“……Honestly, the equality they speak of doesn't really resonate with me. Even if I don't say that knights or mages who handle mana are superior because our areas of expertise are different...”
Yes, someone might be more competent than me in administration or have superior skills.
But even so, is everyone truly equal?
“Just look at me; I can easily handle about a hundred regular soldiers. Christine's individual value is superior to that of an equal number of bureaucrats. So why is a reform that gives everyone one vote fairly necessary?”
Eris smiled faintly and replied.
“Even if everyone is fairly given one vote, their influence won't be equal. The countless people who respect you, Marquis, will follow you and cast their votes accordingly even without your direct intervention, as will those who have received grace from Christine.”
“Then isn't it meaningless for votes to be equal in the first place?”
“No, there is meaning. If they aren't given equally from the start, those with power have no need to even pay attention to the rest. Then, in the end, only those with power will continue to have it, and they are bound to become corrupt. Just like the Old Regime that has already fallen.”
“Hmm.”
“But if at least the right is given equally, those with power will at least try to use some of their influence for others. Because they have to do so to make others exercise their rights in the way they desire.”
Eris said, caressing her teacup.
“I don't want to pray for good intentions that rely on someone's favor; I want to create a reason for everyone to show goodwill.”
I lightly clenched and unclenched my fist.
The strong divine power I felt while fighting on Abyss Corporation's island could no longer be felt at all.
Likewise, after winning the final battle with Abyss Corporation and waking up after being unconscious for several days.
Eris told me that Gremory had healed her body, but nevertheless, her divine power had noticeably diminished.
I don't know if they both disappeared because their mission was complete, or if they were depleted from overuse.
Eris seemed to rejoice, considering it a kind of liberation and salvation, but…
“You do know that if we fail this time, we will have no more opportunities, Your Majesty.”
It was something close to an instinctual realization.
But Eris smiled and replied.
“I know, Marquis. But I want to entrust it to them. The failure we remember was, after all, due to external intervention, wasn't it?”
Abyss Corporation's deliberate intensification of the revolution.
“We did our best and changed many things. In that case, isn't it worth trying, just once, to step back to confirm if the path we chose is the right one?”
After saying that, Eris soon smiled faintly and reached her hand out to me.
“It's a nation we worked so hard to protect. It can't be so fragile that it would collapse the moment we let go, can it? Right?”
I finally let out a wry smile and took Eris's hand.
Yes, since I was the one who asked you to take the queen's throne you never wanted…
“You are the queen of my choosing, Your Majesty. So this time, I will follow you.”