I Don’t Need a Guillotine for My Revolution

Chapter 76: Directory Government - King of Brothers (2)

The delegation was naturally appalled by King Kroxx's proposal to treat the commander-in-chief of a country as a resident military officer.

However, the treaty concluded faster than expected, leaving the schedule uncertain. It felt awkward to leave after finishing our business, as our ally was going to battle, so we agreed.

Anyway, Kroxx didn't expect military participation, which seemed like a cultural difference. Therefore, only Gaston, my guard, and I would follow.

We set out into the wilderness, where the scorching midsummer sun was beating down.

We left early in the morning, but the heat from the ground is rising in a haze.

I watched Kroxx's marching army with interest.

A mixed army of orcs, goblins, and humans.

Similar to the village, the army appears to be organized by race, marching together and mainly sticking with their own kind.

Their army has a certain discipline, but at the same time, it is free-spirited.

They march in orderly formation, but lack the colorful, unified uniforms of our army.Despite this, they freely converse while marching, mainly interacting with their own race but also naturally with others.

Incidentally, some humans carry muskets, but overall, melee weapons are more common...

Considering that.

"Surprisingly, there are no people wearing iron armor."

"Uahaha! If you wear that in this weather, you'll get tired and collapse before you can even fight!"

Kroxx answered with a hearty laugh.

Certainly, in this weather, even a breastplate would probably get heated.

Perhaps that's why the human soldiers are wearing leather armor, or full-body clothing and turbans.

That looks hot in its own way.

"Considering it's hot, the human soldiers are quite bundled up."

"Human skin is fragile and burns easily in sunlight. Besides, even though it's hot now, it gets quite cold at night."

"Hmm..."

That concern doesn't apply to knights, Gaston, or me, who have trained in mana.

In fact, Shandra, who is beside me, has tattoos, but she is showing her brown skin here and there.

Still, it's definitely a serious problem for ordinary humans.

But...

I glanced back at Kroxx.

Kroxx is still wearing leather pants and only boots, revealing his muscular, scarred green torso.

The other orcs are exposing their upper bodies almost as much as Kroxx.

Do orcs not care about sunlight or climate?

Aside from that, going bare-chested into battle...

Did the entire race lose their fear?

I turned my gaze and looked at the goblins this time.

Soldiers about the size of my chest are marching with clubs, bows, and slings. They are not as tough as orcs, so they are bundled up like humans.

"Come to think of it, I saw some beastmen in the village, but don't they serve as soldiers?"

"They mainly serve as scouts. They're fast and have a very good sense of smell."

"...I see."

Beastmen are a race rarely found even when searching the entire continent these days.

Originally, they prospered to some extent in the southern continent and could occasionally be seen in the central continent.

However, due to their small numbers relative to their individuality and versatility, they became popular targets for slave hunters and were reduced to a minority.

That was hundreds of years ago, and I never thought I'd see them settled in this way in the so-called land of barbarism, the Wastelands.

"Hmm! We've finally arrived."

At Kroxx's words, I also turned my gaze and looked through the telescope at the enemy's position far away.

Some Wastelands tribal flags and Porto's flag are hanging together.

"The long-awaited battlefield!"

Kroxx grinned, revealing his long fangs.

As I thought it was a smile revealing both heartiness and cruelty, he took a deep breath and roared like thunder.

"Aliastiedad liltakhyim!"

"Naem!"

Immediately, the sound of the entire army chanting in unison spread throughout the ranks.

Could it be, this overly passionate king intends to start fighting as soon as he arrives?

"He says to prepare for camp."

I was nervous, but at Shandra's words, I almost stumbled, losing my strength.

...Ah, damn it.

Encountering the enemy, I found it odd to prepare for camp instead of battle. However, I was told that midsummer days here are so intensely hot that even orcs are unable to fight.

Apparently, the plan is to allow the troops, who marched in the heat, to rest, take a short nap during the hottest part of the afternoon, and then engage in battle the following day.

The difference from Francia struck me again; it's remarkably different, despite being a relatively close peninsula.

I watched them slowly, observing as they set up camp, unfolding tents with practiced ease.

Perhaps owing to their tribal customs, they, even the humans, seemed remarkably swift and skilled at it.

Shandra then approached, her laughter cheerful.

The reason Shandra, reputed to be King Kroxx's seventh confidant and fourth strongest warrior, is accompanying me is because Hassan, my original interpreter, remained in the capital, Dilrus.

It hadn't occurred to me, as Kroxx, Hassan, and Shandra all spoke the common language of the central continent fluently, but it seems few among their people are proficient in it.

In that respect, our preconceived notions appear to have been accurate.

"So, Marquis, what are your thoughts? What's your impression of our brothers?"

"It's impressive to see such a diverse group of races maintaining discipline while remaining free."

Shandra smiled, showing her teeth, as if she liked my answer.

"Haha. It's the pride of our brothers, Marquis."

I listened to Shandra's answer and looked around the camp again.

A kingdom formed by human heretics shunned by major human nations of the central continent, orcs, goblins, and even beastmen. They are a persecuted minority, despised as barbarians.

A nation where the rejected gather, call each other brothers regardless of racial differences, and serve the king.

A paradise created by the rejected. It's very ideal for a new nation, but...

If there is no center of gravity called Kroxx that all of them can trust and follow, can this system be maintained?

Thinking this, I raised my head as a shadow fell before me, and saw an orc as big as Kroxx.

He has a large scar over one eye with an eyepatch, and with his bushy beard, he looked the most ferocious orc I had ever seen!

I flinched without realizing it, and Gaston reacted to it and stood next to me.

"Ah, Marquis. This is our king's first confidant, Karok."

Shandra introduced him from the side.

So, this person ranks higher than Hassan. I can feel a tremendous sense of intimidation just by looking at him.

Could he be here to fight, displeased that his king acknowledged me as a brother and not him, his first confidant? Given their belief in power, it's possible.

While I was thinking that, the ferocious-looking Karok smiled and bowed.

...Huh? The reaction is different from what I thought?

When he said something, Shandra interpreted.

"He says that the accommodation for Marquis and Sir Gaston has been prepared. Ah, by the way, although he looks like this, he is a kind person who treats his brothers like his own children."

...My face felt hot for some reason.

"Nice to meet you, Karok. I am Marquis Pierre de Lafayette. Thank you for preparing the accommodation."

When I offered a handshake, Karok also smiled and accepted the handshake and replied something.

"He says he did his best to make sure that the respected king's brother could be comfortable, so if you need anything, please tell him anytime."

I felt self-deprecating at Shandra's interpretation.

It's going to take me quite a while to completely get rid of my prejudices against them.

*

The bed prepared for us was a tent, but with a soft carpet on the floor, it was comfortable enough.

Both Gaston and I expressed our gratitude to Shandra and went to bed early to prepare for tomorrow's battle.

But I couldn't rest for long.

I was asleep when I woke up to the commotion outside.

I don't know what they're saying in my somewhat drowsy head, but when I hear the sound of urgency and confusion, I'm wide awake.

The moment I grabbed my sword and ran out of the tent, I ran into Gaston and Shandra.

"Your Excellency, Marquis!"

"Marquis!"

"What's happening?"

"It appears to be a night attack!"

A night attack? By barbarians?

No, damn it, I need to set that prejudice aside. What can't the Porto army accomplish?

Snapping back to reality, I saw burning tents and soldiers scrambling in a daze, trying to extinguish the flames.

Panicked screams erupted, and the soldiers rushing about only worsened the chaos.

What kind of mess is this?

"Surely, you have a night watch in place, right?"

"Of course not!" Shandra shouted, sounding offended at the very suggestion, but the reality was unfolding before us...

After a moment's thought, I said, "Then tell King Kroxx's followers to immediately quiet down and stay where they are!"

"Yes?"

"Could a large force have snuck in undetected? It's more likely a small group infiltrated to sow chaos and initiate a night attack!"

"Ah...!"

"There will be some who try to cause confusion despite the order! It'll be a small number, so if we just apprehend them, we can get this under control!"

"Understood!"

Shandra immediately started running around and shouting, and the army of brothers immediately obeyed, likely because she was recognized as King Kroxx's confidant.

Nevertheless, after dealing with a few troublemakers, the commotion quickly subsided.

There might be spies who survived by being quick-witted and shutting up. Still, their operation failed when the confusion subsided.

Once the situation was resolved and the soldiers had received their orders to assemble, Kroxx appeared.

I couldn't understand his words, but he seemed to be praising Shandra. She pointed at me and said.

"My king, it was not I, but the king's brother who devised the plan."

"Oh, brother! It was your idea? Kroxx offers his gratitude!"

"That's appreciated, but shouldn't we offer thanks after demonstrating the cost of a foolish night attack?"

"Uahaha! You're right!"

The fires in our tents had been extinguished, leaving a tense silence hanging in the air.

Before us, the shadows of the approaching army, stealthily crossing the wilderness, grew clearly visible.

Their earlier confusion had seemingly vanished instantly, and now they appeared to be conferring in some disarray, their movements awkward and hesitant.

Seeing this, Kroxx swelled his already impressive chest, inhaled deeply, and roared like a clap of thunder,

"Al-ardho!"

His soldiers, Shandra among them, responded in a unified cry,

"Akbar!"

Kroxx began to run, kicking up the earth, and his soldiers, along with us, followed.

"What does that mean?" I asked.

Shandra shouted back with a laugh,

"The Earth God Is Great!"

*

Porto Harbor.

A beautiful woman with long, shining golden hair, wearing a nun's habit that seemed reverent at first glance, was lying face down on the desk and whining.

"Ah, there are only boring people here~ I'm so pent-up~..."

However, the nun's habit was wide open on the side revealing her thighs, making it far from reverent, and the bat wings flapping on her back showed that she was a race that had nothing to do with reverence.

Gremory, the CEO of Lust Corp, a succubus with a penchant for wearing a nun's habit, was lying face down on the desk and sucking on the juice in front of her.

Paimon, who looked at Gremory with pathetic eyes, swept their red hair and twisted the corner of their mouth.

"I even supported you with a potion for disguise, but instead of a night attack, you were counterattacked and defeated?"

"I, I am sorry."

Paimon, CEO of Sloth Corp, watched the low-ranking demon tremble with a dissatisfied look.

As the supply of humans—the material for the industrial revolution—were becoming difficult to adquire, Pride Corp planned to cooperate with Porto and supply demi-humans and humans from the Iberian Peninsula.

It was quite successful at first, but things started to go wrong when Kroxx, an orc who was a slave in Porto harbor, escaped and declared himself king.

Consequently, Sloth and Lust Corp, which are in the most urgent need of humans and demi-humans, are on a business trip to this distant Porto, and are in a situation where they have to stay in this underdeveloped local area.

'It's so annoying, really.'

Paimon thought, crossing their legs again.

"Wasn't that Kroxx a person who relies on strength rather than strategy? How did that happen?"

Even if they couldn't win, they would at least inflict some damage.

"Th, that is."

"Tell me, I want to hear it quickly and rest."

"It is said that the one who saw through it was Marquis Pierre de Lafayette of Francia."

Hearing that, Paimon jumped up from their seat, startling the subordinate, who bowed her head, assuming her superior was furious.

"I, I am sorry!"

"Marquis Lafayette is in Iberia?"

"Yes? Yes. He came as a delegation of the Republic of Francia this time..."

"Uh, Gremory of Lust Corp protests to Paimon of Sloth Corp~ You are making an excessively sexy expression right now~ This is an overreach of Sloth Corp~!"

The subordinate's trivial clumsiness and Gremory's useless interruption were all indifferent to Paimon at this moment.

A deep smile that could not be hidden spread across Paimon's lips.

"Well, well, well, this...is quite the lucky coincidence~."