I Don’t Need a Guillotine for My Revolution

Chapter 68: Directory Government - The Calm Before the Storm

Directory Government - The Calm Before the Storm

In a stark office located at the Revolutionary Party Headquarters.

I was once again facing Maximilien Le Jidor.

"You need support for the diplomatic relations agenda with the barbarians of the Iberian Peninsula."

"That's right. If we can put aside the prejudice of 'barbarians', we can somewhat stabilize the ruined rural economy with grain exports, and the minerals we can obtain from them will be very useful. If all goes well, it might even be used for trade with the Kingdom of Alps."

I spoke, looking at Le Jidor's cold eyes visible behind his glasses.

"It is essential to improve the livelihoods of the farmers, who are the main supporters of the Revolutionary Party, and simultaneously strengthen national defense in preparation for the coming threat. Can I have the support of the Revolutionary Party?"

Maximilien Le Jidor looked at me silently before speaking.

"We do not want to be the standard-bearers of the central party. Even if I agree, the members of the Revolutionary Party will not act according to your will."

A bitter smile naturally formed."There are far more members of the central party who oppose this agenda."

Hearing my words, Le Jidor slightly raised his eyebrows, and then spoke.

"Why is that?"

"Perhaps the members of the central party, many of whom are from noble and capitalist backgrounds, are more strongly opposed to and distrustful of barbarians than concerned about the stability of the rural economy, which does not affect them much."

Le Jidor raised his hand, adjusted his glasses, and spoke.

"That's not what I asked, Marquis."

"..."

"I asked why you are trying to push this agenda through, even going against the opinion of the central party and asking for the help of the Revolutionary Party."

"It's simple. We need to stabilize the peasant economy and strengthen the army by importing weapons through trade with the Kingdom of Alps to prepare for the coming foreign threat."

Le Jidor looked at me intently and then asked.

"And to do that, you are pushing an agenda that could cause a split in the central party and strengthen the position of the Revolutionary Party?"

Le Jidor slowly raised both hands and clasped them together.

"If I am not mistaken, what Marquis Lafayette and Countess Aquitaine have done so far has weakened our power and taken control of parliament. But now you say you will do something that goes against your previous actions, so I don't know if I should believe this."

I looked at Le Jidor, who, unlike when I first met him, seemed jaded and world-weary as a councilman.

"I thought a councilman would understand."

Le Jidor raised his eyebrows.

"Understand what?"

"Power is merely a means to an end. Isn't it?"

Le Jidor was silent.

"Yes, I weakened the Revolutionary Party and strengthened the central party. Only then can we nobles ensure our safety and carry out our will. But I did not make that itself my goal."

I slowly tasted the tea that Le Jidor had prepared.

As expected, the cheap tea, without a single grain of sugar, is incredibly bitter.

"Much has changed since you, a member of parliament, became a councilman. Yet, like this tea, some things remain unchanged. I am the same. I took power to fulfill my will, and losing my will to keep power would be pointless."

"...So, you're saying that passing this agenda is more important to you than solidifying your power in the central party."

"That's right."

Le Jidor looked at me with narrowed eyes.

After a rather long silence, he opened his mouth.

"You shake the very meaning of revolution with your existence. You also arbitrarily enforce justice based on personal power, not the republic's laws. For such a person to claim power is a means to serve the republic... is your purpose patriotism?"

-If this is the only way to maintain order, it's better to collapse.

I recalled what I had said to him and chuckled.

"Don't get me wrong, Councilman. I'm not such a noble person. I'm a person who is too busy taking care of myself and my people."

After I finished speaking, I thought of those who charged against the Storm Witch at my command.

"I still don't think the Republic is best. But the citizens of Francia who follow it have proven their worth, so protecting the Republic is the better path for my people."

Le Jidor stared at me silently and then opened his mouth.

"In the end, even the nation and the people are merely means to you."

"I do not deny it. But as long as it doesn't harm me or my people, I contribute enough to give this country and its people a better future. Wouldn't that make me a useful sword for the Republic?"

"A sword, you say."

Had I overthrown the Republic and the National Assembly system to establish our own government with Christine, proceeding with something like this would have been difficult.

Because if I go against all of them in a government where only my people remain, there is no other way but to overthrow the regime and purge them.

"Yes, this sword asked the councilman to prove the value of the Republic. Whether I remain a sword that fights for the Republic is up to the councilman and the Republic."

I smiled.

I never thought I would make this kind of expression in front of the man who cut off my head at the guillotine.

"What do you say? Will you also use me as a means to your ends?"

-

Because of the fuss made by the members of parliament who were worried that Hassan and Shandra might reveal the heresy or barbarity of the pagans, Saintess Eris herself came and performed a purification ritual on the two.

Seeing her smiling and talking with them, and the brilliantly scattered light, it looked like just a performance of scattering divine power into the air.

Still, the sight looked quite sacred, and even Hassan and Shandra were impressed, so they were able to attend the National Assembly as formal emissaries.

"Can we really trust you? How can we trust and engage in diplomacy with a nation that is not even a formal kingdom, whose name is not even established?"

"I understand that transactions with nations are often made in the name of noble families or merchant guilds. Therefore, there would be no problem in drawing up a treaty in the name of King Kroxx. We can also consider dispatching ambassadors between the two countries to ensure compliance with the treaty's future implementation."

Despite the rather hostile and sharp questions, Hassan responds with an extremely cautious and wise attitude.

"We doubt whether the trade goods you mentioned, especially gold, silver, and mithril, can be continuously supplied. How can you prove that you have established a systematic industry to operate mines?"

"If you wish, our king will gladly cooperate so that officials from your country can visit and resolve any doubts."

As the questioning continued, the number of questions gradually decreased, and only murmurs spread through the parliament.

Honestly, I can't shake the feeling that Hassan looks more capable than the members of the National Assembly, who are mostly nouveau riche, except for a few.

Hassan's dignified appearance, uncommon for his young age, is also quite useful in this kind of situation. ...Although he doesn't seem to be happy about it.

Nevertheless, Count Anjou, who had been watching silently, finally opened his mouth with an uncomfortable expression.

"I am truly amazed to see you, but I am a person who fought against you at the Southern Fortress just a little over ten years ago. Can you pagans, who used to pillage, really continue to interact with civilized nations?"

"As you said, the past conflicts are a fact, and we understand your concerns about us, who do not serve your god. But if even the most secular Republic of Francia is like this, what about other countries?"

Hassan quietly bowed his head, then slowly raised his head and stood upright to speak again.

"More than any flowery rhetoric, national interest is the basis for maintaining relations between nations. If your country becomes the only one to establish diplomatic relations with our brothers, what benefit would there be for us to abandon that benefit and betray your trust?"

"...Your king has sent a rather capable person. But I will not be fooled by you."

Count Anjou, with a displeased face, did not open his mouth any further.

"Ahem, ahem. As Marquis Lafayette said, it's more than I thought..."

"Even so, they are barbarians. Don't you know why they sent a human servant instead of coming themselves? It's just a deception!"

"But if the deal with them is maintained, it's also true that we have nothing to lose..."

Hearing the voices coming from all sides, I slowly closed my eyes.

While I negotiated with Le Jidor and sought his cooperation, Christine used her connections and funds to lobby as much as possible in the central and liberal parties.

Their bureaucrat Hassan has done his part, so we've done all we can.

The next day, the day of the vote in the National Assembly.

"251 votes in favor, 247 votes against, 52 abstentions."

"Th-This is impossible!"

At the result, Count Anjou, head of the central party, screamed.

Nicolas Brisseau, head of the liberal party, couldn't hide his surprise as the declaration was announced.

"The agenda for formal diplomatic relations and trade agreement with King Kroxx has passed."

The National Assembly was instantly engulfed in chaos.

"What kind of nonsense is this!"

"Even with central and liberal parties disagreeing, diplomatic relations with barbarians passed?"

Face flushed red, Count Anjou scanned the central party members; those who voted in favor or abstained due to Christine's lobbying avoided his gaze guiltily.

Finally, Count Anjou, meeting my eyes, roared.

"Marquis Lafayette! What is the meaning of this!"

"Many parliament members seem to have judged this agenda beneficial for Francia's national interest."

Meanwhile, Nicolas Brisseau, head of the liberal party, bit his lip and spoke.

"This is a rash decision. If we join hands with pagan barbarians for a mere trifle, how can we expect to be viewed favorably by the Holy Theocracy or other countries? Not to mention, the passage of an agenda that did not even reach a majority. It's an agenda that more than half of the members did not agree with!"

"In the first place, I question whether this is a fair election. How can an agenda pass when there are so many opponents in each party? Who would believe and accept such a result? Isn't this election fraud?"

While the protests continued, a thud- sound rang out.

Where everyone's attention focused, Maximilien Le Jidor, having slammed the table, slowly stood.

"A year ago, at this very place, the members of the former Revolutionary Party cried out the same thing."

In the silence, Le Jidor asked.

"Respected members of the National Assembly. I stepped down because I could not make it a defeat for democracy, even if I lost the vote. ...What about you?"

-

The agenda for diplomatic relations with the pagan barbarians passed in the National Assembly.

Rural areas would enthusiastically welcome the benefits, but in the capital, Lumiere, even commoners had concerns and suspicions.

Beyond simple concerns and suspicions, some felt shock and betrayal.

Raphael Valliant faced Bishop Arnaud Richelieu sullenly in his drawing room.

"I believed the corrupt clergy and nobles of the old regime needed enlightenment. So much blood was shed for a new path, yet the National Assembly has become corrupt."

Richelieu's arm was trembling as he spoke.

"The leaders meant to guide the lambs to God's bosom have turned away from God and allied with pagan barbarians, committing an unforgivable act."

Valliant believed interacting with the barbarians could be beneficial in the long run, but for the moment, he nodded to the bishop.

"It is truly regrettable."

He had no intention of being used as a figurehead to control politics, but Bishop Richelieu was, in any case, necessary for Valliant at the moment.

"...We must act now, or it will be too late."

Valliant had no idea what happened, but Bishop Richelieu had been insisting for some time that Countess Aquitaine and Marquis Lafayette were dangerous, and his impatience was growing.

While Valliant hesitated for a moment, Bishop Richelieu spoke desperately.

"Marquis Lafayette is once again going south as an emissary to finalize a formal treaty with them. The citizens of Lumiere also have doubts about this unjust National Assembly, making his departure the opportune moment."

Certainly, there will be no better moment than this.

Isn't it too convenient?

It's as if someone prepared this situation for him.

At this point, it is right to suspect that it is a trap.

But Valliant smiled and replied.

"Very well, Bishop. Let's do it."

"Oh, finally! Commander Valliant is truly the hero who will lead this Francia and the people!"

"I am merely following the righteous cause of the Bishop. Haha..."

He was willing to embrace Richelieu's cause—to overthrow the National Assembly's violence and absurdity and rebuild it—as a path to his own ambition.

Even while smiling at Richelieu, Valliant's brain was working fast.

If their actions and this situation were entirely unexpected by the National Assembly, including Marquis Lafayette, it would be quite anticlimactic.

If that were the case, it would be disappointing and regrettable, but ultimately beneficial for Valliant.

But what if, it is not?

Valliant felt a shiver run down his spine.

It would mean Marquis Lafayette deliberately showed a weakness, daring to try and ensnare him, Raphael Valliant.

Valliant smiled deeply, and sincerely hoped for that.

'Let's have some fun, Marquis Lafayette. I hope you won't disappoint me.'