novelraw Chapter 71: Directory Government - Guardians of the Revolution (3)
Chapter 71: Directory Government - Guardians of the Revolution (3)
"Countess, Outpost 3 has been seized!"
Christine Aquitaine, upon receiving the report, drew an X over Outpost 3 on the map, which was already marked with Xs, her eyes cold and sunken.
She had certainly not been complacent.
Nevertheless, the movements of Raphael Valliant and the Northern Army, prepared for a clash, were like lightning.
The Northern Army, which had been quietly stationed, seemingly idle, moved quickly throughout the city and simultaneously launched surprise attacks on the Southern Army's strongholds, subduing and disarming them.
In the short time after the report reached Christine, everyone had been defeated except the troops at the Southern Army headquarters, where Gaston was stationed.
Christine quietly bit her lip.
Should she have declared the Northern Army as enemies and prepared a defensive stance?
No, that would have risked Valliant framing the Southern Army as the aggressors and escalating into a civil war.
But as a result, all of Christine's prepared cards were exhausted before she could even react, rendering her powerless as commander.She had bought enough time, but in the end, the result of facing that man alone was her defeat.
Slowly rising from her seat, Christine stepped out of the office.
"Countess."
"Tell the Saintess it's time to end the performance."
"Yes!"
Christine walked down the corridor and glanced through the window at the National Assembly in the distance.
She had received the notice of the National Assembly's convening. However, if she were to attend the National Assembly now, she would be a perfect hostage for Valliant.
Now, her role was to go to the Southern Army headquarters with Eris, defend it, and hope that the National Assembly would fare well.
*
In front of the National Assembly.
The guards protecting the assembly watched with tense eyes as the imposing procession of the Northern Army marched through the central streets of Lumiere.
The guard saluted Valliant, who was at their front, and then spoke.
"Co, Commander Valliant. What brings you to the National Assembly?"
Valliant answered with a friendly smile, but the words that came out of his mouth were not so pleasant.
"Ah, good work! I've come to report the fraudulent election that went against the will of the people in the National Assembly and the suspicion of collusion with the Abyss Corporation."
"Gasp……."
The guards swallowed hard. They also had eyes and ears.
Leaving aside the words themselves, they were not foolish enough to realize that Valliant, who had brought an army behind him, was currently staging a coup.
"I apologize, Commander Valliant. First, I must inform the Assembly of Commander Valliant's purpose for visiting and obtain permission-"
Valliant, with the same friendly smile on his face, opened his mouth.
"Listen, guard. You should understand by now, right? Don't waste time unnecessarily and open the way."
"I'm sorry, Commander Valliant. Our duty is to protect this Assembly."
"Hmm, is that so? Everyone, prepare to fire."
When Valliant ordered the men behind him, the soldiers of the Northern Army were taken aback this time.
"Co-Commander!"
While shocked and horrified, Valliant looked at his hesitant subordinates and furrowed his brow slightly.
"The Francia Republic, which we have fought so hard to protect with our blood, is in danger. Soldiers! Do you trust the National Assembly, which has only brought about tabletop discussions and chaos, rather than me, who has given you victory?"
The soldiers of the Northern Army flinched. None of them would think so.
"Can I trust you!"
"Prepare to fire!"
At Valliant's shout, his confidant Jerome Morelle shouted again, and the soldiers raised their muskets and aimed at the guards.
"Gasp, Commander!"
"I'll say it again. Open the way, guard. The fault lies with the corrupt National Assembly, not with you innocent people."
The trembling guards, with Valliant's words seeming to relieve them of responsibility, finally opened the door and stepped aside.
"Thank you for your cooperation."
Valliant smiled brightly and entered the National Assembly with his guards, held himself proudly.
The National Assembly, which had been noisy due to the situation in the city of Lumiere that day, became silent with Valliant's appearance.
With all eyes focused on him, Valliant took off his hat and bowed respectfully.
"Good day, esteemed members of the National Assembly, I am Raphael Valliant, Commander of the Northern Army."
Even the Revolutionary Party and the Liberal Party, who were favorable to him, did not welcome Valliant, who had entered the National Assembly without permission after hearing of the chaos in the city.
Instead, Count Anjou, the head of the Central Party, directed a blatantly hostile gaze at him and questioned him.
"Commander Valliant. The National Assembly has not requested your attendance, what is this rude visit?"
Valliant smiled and spoke.
"As a proud guardian of the Republic, I have learned of an injustice that cannot be overlooked."
"An injustice that cannot be overlooked?"
"What do you mean, Commander Valliant!"
"Do not forget that this is the National Assembly! We were in the middle of discussing the events you caused in Lumiere today!"
Valliant slightly tilted his head and looked at the seats where the members of the Central Party were sitting.
As expected, Christine Aquitaine's seat is empty.
She wouldn't be so stupid as to put herself in that position and come here to be captured.
"I cannot help but feel regretful that the National Assembly has covered up and overlooked the fraudulent election that went against the will of the people."
As soon as Valliant finished speaking, Maximilien Le Jidor spoke in a cold tone.
"Do you also disobey the results of the Assembly's vote, which was delegated authority by the people?"
"If there are clear suspicions, and are carried out in the name of democracy without clarification, is it any different from a dictatorship carried out in the name of democracy?"
Murmurs spread through the National Assembly, and Maximilien Le Jidor furrowed his brow.
"Are you daring to insult the National Assembly itself?"
Instead of answering Le Jidor's words any further, Valliant said something else.
"The respected Bishop Richelieu also prepared a place to report this situation, but he has suddenly fallen into a coma. And, it's quite a coincidence."
Valliant turned his gaze to Christine Aquitaine's seat, and the members' eyes naturally followed.
"It may be a coincidence, but it is said that his symptoms are similar to those exhibited by the late Count Aquitaine before his death. ……The current Countess Aquitaine's father, whom she unfortunately lost to the Abyss Corporation."
There is no evidence. From the beginning, Christine confiscated and used the remaining belongings of Halphas, so she did not buy it from the Abyss Corporation.
In fact, Valliant, who doesn't know that, had no intention of finding any evidence. But suspicions will certainly arise, and that's enough for him.
"As you know, dealing with those demons of the Abyss Corporation is a serious crime in the Republic. Perhaps she knows this, and she is conveniently absent from the Assembly."
"That's a ridiculous accusation! Wasn't Bishop Richelieu an old man who could die at any moment!"
"In the first place, is there any guarantee that Bishop Richelieu had an accident while trying to agree with you?"
"No, but listening to Commander Valliant, there are one or two strange things, aren't there?"
"Countess Aquitaine, I've been suspicious of that woman from the beginning."
"Why would a woman who usually attends the Assembly well suddenly be absent? She must be feeling guilty!"
The Central Party was indignant, but the members of other parties, who secretly did not like Christine, quickly seized the topic.
Valliant forced himself to suppress the urge to sneer.
Those swayed by such plausible words, a mixture of mostly lies with a few truths, represent the reality of the well-known National Assembly.
Where is there any value to protect in such a clumsy system?
It is much better for someone like him to lead these foolish people on a much better path.
"Esteemed members of the National Assembly. I, Raphael Valliant, as the guardian of the Republic, have defended this country more than anyone else. The National Assembly is in disarray and unable to grasp the situation despite these suspicions."
Valliant glanced at Christine's empty seat and Maximilien Le Jidor, who was standing with a stiff face, and added.
"I propose to temporarily dissolve the National Assembly, which has been led by some untrustworthy individuals, and to announce a new constitution and elect a more reliable new government by the people's vote."
A more efficient and great government, led by him as president.
A momentary silence fell over the National Assembly.
But when that silence passed, the reaction of the members of the National Assembly was different from his expectations.
"That's ridiculous!"
"How is that different from treason in the name of patriotism!"
"Commander Valliant, I've misjudged you all this time!"
Valliant was perplexed by the outpouring of anger and slander.
He had been thinking of driving out those who resisted as the corrupt members of the existing Assembly, and appeasing and recruiting those who acquiesced to him, but the entire Assembly was roaring and burning with hostility towards him.
"Let's drag out that traitor to the Republic!"
When some members jumped up from their seats and rushed towards him, Valliant clicked his tongue and shouted.
"Morelle!"
As soon as Jerome Morelle heard Valliant's shout, he rushed in with the soldiers who had been waiting outside.
"Gasp, bringing weapons into the Assembly, what is this- Argh!"
When a member who grabbed Valliant's collar and hung on was hit by the butt of a rifle and fell, the other members also stepped back in fear.
"Madness!"
"This is a coup!"
Valliant smoothed his ruffled collar and spat.
He didn't want to do it this messily, but it ended up like this.
Even so, Raphael Valliant, the hero of the Republic, remains powerful, and the National Assembly is powerless before his military might.
Eventually, once he overthrows them by force and establishes a new government, Marquis de Lafayette will likely try to compromise reasonably rather than starting another civil war and ruining the nation.
The moment Valliant thought that, a resounding shout echoed through the Assembly.
"Loyal soldiers of the Francia Republic! Open your eyes and see this situation! Is what that man is doing now protecting the Republic! Or is he pointing a gun at the Republic!"
Maximilien Le Jidor, standing in the middle of the Assembly, shouted with veins popping in his neck. At his words, the soldiers, who had been following orders and believed in Raphael Valliant without knowing the situation, opened their eyes wide.
Raphael Valliant swore inwardly and immediately retorted.
"Do not listen to that insignificant sophistry! That man is the culprit of all the blood that has flowed in the name of the National Assembly, and the one who tried to cover up all the corruption under the guise of democracy!"
"Believe only what you have seen with your own eyes! Which of you in this Assembly is holding a weapon right now! Who is it that is ordering you to threaten unarmed members with weapons!"
Confusion spread among the soldiers, and even his faithful friend Jerome Morelle looked unsure. Valliant shouted urgently.
"Soldiers! In the name of Raphael Valliant, Commander of the Northern Army! Drag out those who have committed corruption in the name of the people!"
"You are soldiers of the Republic before you are soldiers of the Northern Army! Liberty! Equality! Fraternity! Aren't these the values you wanted to protect! Your loyalty at the cost of your lives is not for the one who turns his gun on the nation!"
Even at the command of the hero of the Republic, the soldiers are hesitating.
"Don't be fooled by his words! That man is just a murderer who sent as many people to the guillotine as the corrupt people of the old regime!"
As soon as Valliant shouted, grinding his teeth, Maximilien Le Jidor spoke.
"That's right! In my name, Maximilien Le Jidor, and the National Assembly, a lot of blood has been spilled. I am clearly responsible for the mistakes made in the name of democracy. But that's why! I must fulfill that responsibility until the very end! Right here in this National Assembly, according to the will of the people! For the people!"
What comes out of Le Jidor's mouth is not just words.
"If I am to be judged someday, it will be in a court established by the people, by the hands of the people! Never by a soldier who committed treason in the name of patriotism!"
It was more like a confession.
"Soldiers! You are citizens of Francia before you are soldiers! Why are you pointing your guns at the National Assembly! Do you know the reason, the meaning of your actions!"
"Damn it, an incompetent hypocrite who only brings chaos to the Republic by advocating plausible ideals! Morelle! Shut that man's mouth right now and drag him out!"
Even though Jerome Morelle, startled by Valliant's shout, approached, Le Jidor held his seat firmly with both hands and shouted.
"Citizens of Francia, remember the spirit of the revolution! This is a betrayal of the revolution, the Republic, and the people of Francia! You are now witnessing a dictator who is trying to usurp the revolution and overthrow the representative body of the people!"
"This, damn! Just do it!"
Even though the well-built cavalry general Jerome Morelle tried to pull him out, Le Jidor, with such strength in his small body, stubbornly resisted and veins popped in his neck.
"Do not give up! Resist! Resist the tyranny without justification or justice! Resolutely reject those who try to take away the victory of the revolution that we have won with so much blood! I will resist them until my last breath!"
"Ah, damn it. Then you can just die."
A gunshot rang out.
Startled, Jerome Morelle dropped Le Jidor's body, which staggered, and blood flowed from his chest.
"……Protect, the revolution."
Staggering, Le Jidor muttered and fell.
"Councilman!"
"Jidor!"
"Stop the bleeding! Quickly!"
Valliant looked at his smoking pistol with shaky eyes and bit his lip.
An action taken out of anger, without him realizing it.
Pushed by that insignificant man's words, he used violence?
No, that can't be.
He is a hero.
A hero prepared to lead this Republic of foolish and pathetic people to a greater path!
It would only lower the morale of the soldiers to listen to nonsense from that talkative man, so he made a rational decision.
That's all.
In the chaotic Assembly, Valliant, holding a pistol and breathing heavily, muttered savagely.
"Is there anyone else who wants the same treatment?"
No one answered.
But none of the members of the National Assembly tried to leave the Assembly, holding their seats firmly with their hands.
Both the members and the Northern Army were shocked and simply stared at the fallen Le Jidor.
Valliant felt a boiling rage.
Those who only talk sweetly but have hindered this country on the verge of ruin, those incompetent morons full of contradictions!
Under his rule, this country can become much greater, but they are hindering his work by spouting idealistic nonsense.
"All of them-"
"Commander!"
The moment Valliant was about to speak, Nicolas came running in breathlessly.
"General, what's wrong-"
"The Southern Army strongholds have been attacked! Many of our troops guarding their strongholds have already been disarmed!"
"What?"
He did exactly what he did? Even if Countess Aquitaine wields the power to command, it only works on the Southern Army, which is only half the size.
Sneaking into the base and disarming them by pressing them with rank and command is not something that Countess Aquitaine, who is not a military commander, can imitate.
It is a method that relies on rank, which only works because it is not a civil war and they have not defined each other as clear enemies, so how?
"It's Marquis de Lafayette! He has returned to the capital and is leading the Southern Army!"
Marquis? He? He broke the treaty that he passed at the cost of his political life and returned to the capital?
Before Valliant's thoughts could even be sorted out, a shout amplified by magic rang out from outside the Assembly.
[Pierre de Lafayette, Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Army, declares! The illegal occupation of the National Assembly by Raphael Valliant, Commander of the Northern Army, is a clear act of treason against the Francia Republic! Those who do not cooperate with his treason, surrender immediately! Those who do not surrender will be considered traitors!]