I Don’t Need a Guillotine for My Revolution

Chapter 90: Revolutionary Defense War - The Crowning

After the talks in the Kingdom of Alps broke down, our delegation returned immediately to the motherland.

As expected, news arrived that the Germania Empire had declared mobilization, and in response, we began to prepare for war in earnest.

As winter ended and spring approached, I faced those I had not seen in a long time in my office at the Revolutionary Army Command.

"Long time no see. Jerome Morelle, Alexandre Berthier, and Nicolas, eh."

Three men who were once key commanders of the Northern Army and confidants of Raphael Valliant are facing me.

Since they were imprisoned for being Valliant's coup conspirators, the expressions on all three of their faces were not very good.

"Long time no see, Marquis. Ah, I'm late, but should I congratulate you on becoming Commander-in-Chief?"

Jerome Morelle, who was said to be Valliant's close friend, is openly defiant.

"I heard you called for us, Marquis."

Alexandre Berthier is polite, but his face is not friendly.Nicolas has his mouth shut and stares at me with a hardened face.

I looked at the three men, chuckled, and opened my mouth.

"We were once collaborators on the same battlefield, so I'll cut to the chase."

"Whew~ I'm humbled that you consider a traitor as an old comrade-in-arms."

I casually ignored Morelle's sarcasm and added.

"I'll give you a chance. If you return to the army and distinguish yourself in the war against the Germania Empire, I will reduce the sentences imposed on you."

A moment of silence passed.

Instead of Morelle, who was grimacing, and Nicolas, whose face was still stiff, Alexandre Berthier spoke.

"Why is that, Your Excellency?"

It's a simple question, but I'm sure they have complicated feelings, so I decided to answer in as much detail as possible.

"First, the Revolutionary Army needs commanders. The size of the troops has increased, but there is a lack of proven personnel to command them, so it's a waste to just let talented people like you rot."

Officers who are being trained through the Grandes écoles process will continue to join, but it will take time.

If we just promote unproven new officers to high positions because we lack people, it will be a repeat of the incompetent military leadership of the early revolution.

"You were involved in Raphael Valliant's coup in some way, but in the end, you tried to avoid plunging Francia into civil war. You could have done so if you wanted to, and you knew that would be more likely to succeed."

Raphael Valliant's personal will was one thing, but in the end, it was because these men followed him that such a loose coup was possible.

If they had intended to cross the line without regard for the consequences, they would have carried out a bloody crackdown instead of raiding and subduing the Southern Army, and Damien's unprepared army would have been swept away without even buying time.

"Even though you participated in a coup against the National Assembly, I determined that you did not intend to harm the motherland. Therefore, if you are willing, I will give you a chance to demonstrate your abilities."

Jerome Morelle seemed to hesitate for a moment, then opened his mouth.

"I understand you're in a hurry because of the war, but can you guarantee that we, former coup participants, won't be discriminated against? I'd rather not be used and discarded after working hard."

His tone is rough, yet he's immediately polite, which makes me want to laugh.

At least he's interested.

Still, I feel a little wronged.

"As commanders of the Northern Army, did you experience me as such a petty person?"

My position and Valliant's were clearly defined, but I thought I treated them fairly.

"I don't think so, Marquis. We were merely competitors then, but now we must rely on Your Excellency's mercy and fairness..."

I chuckled at Alexandre Berthier, who spoke cautiously, and replied.

"There is someone below me in a similar situation to you: Count Damien De Millbeau. He and I have met as enemies on the battlefield many times, and I don't even particularly like him. However, he is now the commander of the Southern Army."

I looked at Jerome and Berthier once each, then added.

"I think this is enough proof, but are you still skeptical? Or are you, who were key commanders of the Northern Army, not confident in your ability to distinguish yourselves? If so, I'm sorry, but you can just finish your sentences in prison."

Jerome Morelle scratched his head and opened his mouth.

"Well, you're very kind, Marquis. I'll do it. I was going crazy from restlessness, and I'd rather ride a horse and run wild again than rot in a cell."

"Good, Morelle. You will be in charge of the pursuit cavalry."

In the last war, we were completely overwhelmed by the Hussars of the Germania Empire. However, we have worked hard to train light cavalry that can handle rifles and swords to counter them.

Morelle, who was Valliant's cavalry commander, would be the right man for the job.

"Whew, leave it to me."

I turned my gaze to Berthier.

"Alexandre Berthier, what about you?"

Berthier scratched his brow, sighed deeply, and opened his mouth.

"Marquis. I must say this, I have repeatedly advised Commander Valliant to eliminate you."

"That's excellent. It was advice that a chief of staff should naturally give."

Berthier looked at me blankly, as if at a loss for words at my words.

"I pride myself on being quite attentive to the advice of my people, what do you think? Valliant ignored your advice and was defeated, wouldn't it be a little unfair if your defeat was the final word?"

Berthier looked at me for a while, then let out a hollow laugh and saluted.

"Then I will assist Your Excellency."

"Good, Berthier. You will work as my chief of staff."

I turned my gaze to Nicolas, who had not said anything until then.

This man used to bravely lead soldiers, shouting loudly on the battlefield, but in front of me, he's very quiet.

"Don't you have any thoughts?"

"...I pledged my loyalty to Commander Valliant. I cannot now pledge my loyalty to Your Excellency-"

"What are you talking about?"

Nicolas slightly narrowed his brow. Even I don't understand this.

"When did I ask you to be loyal to me? Even those who were originally my subordinates wouldn't be loyal to me?"

Maybe Gaston would be loyal, and I don't think Desaix would be either? Damien De Millbeau is a guy who has nothing to do with loyalty in the first place.

If this is the reaction, Raphael Valliant must have thought of the Northern Army as his private soldiers.

I let out a light sigh and said.

"You don't need to be loyal to me. As the Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary Army, I only ask one thing. Will you fight to defend the motherland as a revolutionary soldier, or not?"

Nicolas pondered silently for a moment, then spoke slowly.

"A soldier should naturally fight to defend his motherland..."

I smiled brightly and replied.

"Very good, you would be perfect for fighting on the front lines."

I faced the three men, their faces half relieved and half troubled.

Still, it's better than when they first entered the room.

"...I wanted to create my own era. That's what he said."

When I recited the words Raphael Valliant said in front of the executioner, all three of their faces stiffened slightly.

"Regardless of what Valliant said to lead you, whatever you did in the past, I will forget it all from now on. So you should forget it too."

I proclaimed, looking at them, the last legacy left by Raphael Valliant.

"What I promise you is simple. I will give you the opportunity to demonstrate your abilities as soldiers. If you achieve merit, I will leave it entirely to you. So, seize glory with your own hands."

All three of them saluted at my words, and I saluted them and ordered.

"I will issue an official order after parole processing. I look forward to your future performance. Dismissed!"

*

After the final negotiations with the Germania Empire broke down, and the second princess of the Northern Allied Kingdom gave up her candidacy, the National Assembly immediately held a vote on whether to approve Eris's ascension to the throne.

Eris is already popular nationwide as a saint, and many of the people of Francia probably don't even know exactly what this vote means.

Just being able to vote for or against the queen's ascension seemed to make the people curious and excited.

In the meantime, the sense of crisis grew that if Eris was not enthroned now, the Kaiserin of the Germania Empire could be enthroned as the Queen of Francia, even if only by a slim chance. Eris's ascension was passed with an overwhelming number of votes in favor, almost 90%.

We wanted to quickly hold the coronation ceremony before the war with the Germania Empire began, and the preparations were completed at an unimaginable speed.

Because.

"Your Highness, the clothes to wear at the coronation-"

"If you have money to spend on that, give it to the poor or buy more uniforms for the soldiers."

"Your Highness, even so, we can't simply use the old regime's palace as is, so renovation is needed-"

"It costs money to fix that, so just use it as it is! If you're really worried, take off the interior decorations and sell them!"

"Your Highness, in order to invite foreign dignitaries, a certain amount of budget expenditure is-."

"Anyway, there aren't many countries that recognize the National Assembly yet. If you really want to invite everyone and make it luxurious, think about it later."

The queen-to-be demonstrated her determination not to spend any unnecessary money for the coronation.

Count Anjou, the chairman of the central party, who couldn't bear to watch, almost begged.

"I am sorry, Your Highness, but if this continues, there will be a problem with the national prestige and Your Highness's authority. I appreciate your heart for looking after the people, but even so-"

"If it's national prestige and authority that can only be obtained by giving up the share that should go to others, I don't need it. This country has been operating fine without a queen until now."

But he had to give up and just retreat at Eris's firm answer.

Thus, time passed quickly, and the palace became full of spring.

Eris is not wearing luxurious clothes that symbolize the king, but is wearing a white robe as always. Jessie must be very depressed.

With key figures in the country as well as the citizens of Lumiere watching, Eris knelt in front of the hall where the throne was located.

Before Eris, Nicolas Brisseau, representative as the senior chairman for his long service to the National Assembly, stood holding King Louis's crown.

He hesitated for a moment in that state.

From kingdom to republic, and back to kingdom.

I'm sure his feelings are complicated.

Rather, Eris, who had her eyes closed, looked up at him and said something with a smile, and only then did he seem a little relieved and smiled as he placed the crown on Eris's head.

The sound of applause filled the hall.

In the early days of the civil war, the final point of my plan was to put Eris on the throne.

In the end, I couldn't completely prevent the war, but at least I prevented the united Germania Empire from attacking Francia, which had not yet healed from the wounds of the civil war.

I clapped my hands and smiled at Christine, who stood next to me, and she smiled back at me.

With the help of her and my people, I finally reached this point.

As Eris slowly rose, everyone in the hall knelt before her.

Her long hair shone silver in the light of the magic lamps, and her purple eyes swept through the hall.

When the attendant handed Eris the speech prepared in advance by the central party, she opened her mouth and began to speak in a clear voice.

"Today, the Republic of Francia has been reborn as a kingdom. However-"

At that moment, a breathless person ran to Talleyrand and handed him a document.

Talleyrand frowned, then came straight to me, handing me the document.

I looked at it, then slowly lowered my eyes.

A declaration of war arrived from the Germania Empire, denying the king's election by the Francia National Assembly's puppet government, stating its intent to prevent unruly rebels.

The timing is terrible.

When I opened my eyes, Eris was looking straight at me and smiling.

With everyone's attention on me, I sighed lightly, stood, approached Eris, and gave her the document.

Eris looked at it for a moment and then smiled bitterly.

Stepping back, Eris gave the speech and declaration of war to the attendant and spoke again.

"Just now, a declaration of war denying the National Assembly has arrived from the Germania Empire."

At that moment, the hall was filled with a commotion-

"I address the people of Francia."

Eris's voice, amplified by magic, echoed through the hall, and everyone looked at her as if they were possessed.

"The rulers of the old kingdom did not fulfill their responsibilities to you. You had to revolt to survive, and no one who calls themselves noble has the right to condemn and deny your resistance to survive.

Nevertheless, the Germania Empire denies your revolution. They slander your hand-made National Assembly as a puppet government, and even reject the election of a monarch by you.

Even though they have no such right, even though none of you have threatened the Germania Empire, they have finally declared war, claiming that you will be a threat."

Having said that, Eris knelt on the spot towards us.

As everyone gasped and Count Anjou clutched his neck, Eris spoke.

"I, Erisliste Lilianne De Francia, elected by you, speak as the Queen of the Francian people.

Everything you have achieved. Liberty, equality, fraternity, is once again in crisis.

I cannot tolerate the tyranny of the Germania Empire, which has denied your right to fight for survival, your right to exercise your sovereignty.

The moment the Revolutionary Army confronts the invaders, I will also be with you on that battlefield.

I ask you to help me fulfill my rightful duty as one who serves you."

Eris slowly rose, hand on her chest, looked at us, and spoke again.

"This is not a war against the Germania Empire! It is a war to defend your revolution!

Stand firm against the invasion of the Germania Empire, which has denied your right to fight for survival, your right to exercise your sovereignty!

Stand up against those who only promote their ambitions to protect your homes, your families, and your sovereignty!"

Eris paused, holding everyone's gaze, then slowly extended her hand towards us and asked.

"I dare to ask the respected people of Francia. Will you protect your revolution with me?"