Chapter 117

The capital of the Kingdom of Frantz, Pare.

Upon hearing the news of defeat, the leadership of the Revolutionary Army instantly fell into panic.

“W-What should we do, Lady Robes Fiora?”

“They say our forces have been annihilated. The Holy Empire Army is heading this way.”

“It has been said that even General Rafael has been captured. How should we proceed?”

“Hmm…”

Robes Fiora, stripped of her authority as a commander.

However, with General Rafael, the leader of the Revolutionary Army, captured by the enemy, and even Napoleona away from the capital, the situation naturally allowed Robes Fiora, who still held the position of squad leader, to reclaim power.

In such dire circumstances, Robes Fiora began to do what she felt was necessary.

“First and foremost, we must maintain order in the capital and ensure that no one harbors malicious thoughts in this dangerous situation.”

“Yes, Lady Fiora.”

“And gather all capable fighters. Even the prisoners in the prison should be pardoned to arm and organize an army.”

“Understood. I will obey your orders.”

The Revolutionary Army began to act immediately according to Fiora’s words. After issuing urgent commands, Robes Fiora looked at the two commanders still remaining…

Charlotte and Maraang, and said,

“And… you two are to carry out the orders I have given you from now on.”

“W-What do you mean?”

The serious atmosphere from Robes Fiora surpassed her previous orders. The two listened intently to her words.

“Before we proceed with our discussion, what do you think is our greatest danger at the moment?”

“Eh? That would be…”

“Of course, it’s the Holy Empire Army drawing closer to us, is it not?”

That seemed an obvious answer to the two.

However, Robes Fiora slowly shook her head and said, “No. While the enemies coming toward us are indeed a problem, an even more dangerous enemy lurks… behind us.”

“S-Someone hidden… an enemy?”

“W-What do you mean? Who is hiding?”

The two asked questions filled with doubt at such a serious topic.

To this, Robes Fiora responded with a cold expression on her face.

“What do you think is the fundamental cause of this war?”

“That is…”

“Isn’t it because of Duke Ocleang? He used our revolution as an excuse… ”

“Exactly. To be precise, it is the royal family and the nobles we have overthrown that have spurred this war. And indeed, they must be greatly dissatisfied with our revolution.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“If the Holy Empire Army comes here as it is, the chance of him betraying us increases significantly. With the noble General Rafael gone, there’s no longer any reason for him to hold back.”

“Ugh…”

“Hmm…”

The two could not argue back, knowing the truth in her words.

Even they, not particularly clever, had to acknowledge that. If they were in the position of the nobles… they would also never sit idly by watching their power being taken away by commoners.

Towards them, Robes Fiora spoke with a chilling emotion.

“This is a revolution we have wrought with all our strength. And above all… if we fail here, we will not be the only ones who die. The citizens who participated in the revolution… all of them could be executed for their treason.”

“T-That…”

“In the worst-case scenario, all of Pare will be drenched in blood… simply because they stepped forward out of hunger… countless people could be executed by those Holy Empire Soldiers and the nobles.”

“Ugh…”

Faced with such a serious situation beyond their expectations, they could feel their words faltering.

Though they fought for the revolution, they were fundamentally soldiers of the Kingdom of Frantz. They were those who bore the mission of protecting the people of this country.

It was not merely about losing power or suffering themselves; the realization that the people could be in danger began to stir great turmoil in their hearts.

“What should we… do?”

“Is there a way to stop this?”

They asked in trembling voices.

To this, Robes Fiora handed them a book.

“The best way to prevent the vines from growing is to nip the sprout in the bud. Do you understand what I mean?”

“!…”

“Hmm…”

Her words carried a chill.

The two understood the meaning, and while they grimaced slightly, they accepted the book at this point of no return.

“After all, the public sentiment is completely turned against the nobles. Let’s raise the citizens’ morale by taking care of this all at once.”

“…”

“Yes, understood, Lady Fiora.”

Charlotte showed a tense expression, while Maraang responded resolutely.

Right after the two left…

Robes Fiora, left alone, slowly drew the sword she had at her waist.

“This will not end like this… no matter what happens… I will complete the revolution. A country where nobles do not exist…”

*

In the early morning, the Central Assembly Hall of Pare was filled with numerous nobles.

Suddenly called upon by the Revolutionary Army.

Usually, they would express their displeasure at being summoned at such a late hour, but in this moment, they were maintaining a remarkably haughty demeanor.

“Haha, did you hear, Marquis Laurent?”

“About General Rafael getting beaten like a dog? Of course I heard it; I was able to sleep well for the first time in a while after hearing that.”

“I too have fully recovered from the indigestion that had been bothering me for days.”

“Haha, it truly seems fitting for a traitor.”

They all rejoiced at the news of General Rafael’s defeat.

Though the Holy Empire Army, considered an enemy, was approaching, it was rather good news for them.

After all, the Holy Empire Army had come at the request of their leader, Duke Ocleang.

Their purpose for coming was not for them, but to behead those arrogant revolutionary traitors.

If those revolutionaries were defeated and killed, they could regain their power, making this situation exceedingly welcome for the nobles.

“To call us here so urgently amidst all this, it seems the Revolutionary Army is truly in a panic.”

“Haha, of course they are. Given the situation, they must be trying to placate us to gather resources and troops, right? Perhaps they’ll say something like we must band together since enemies are approaching.”

“But that’s pure nonsense; we all know that no matter how they whine, we must not yield.”

“Oh, of course not. There’s absolutely no reason for us to exert ourselves here. There’s always the risk of misunderstanding if we get overly friendly with the Holy Empire.”

“This war is initiated by them; they should handle it themselves. After all, it’s they who declared war saying they don’t need us, right?”

“Exactly. Let’s clearly show the strength of our nobility in this instance.”

Thus, the nobles decided to thoroughly push back against the Revolutionary Army, who were emboldened by their defeat.

At that moment.

A few nobles who were sitting suddenly began to feel uneasy about something.

“… However, it’s a bit strange.”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

“… No, I wonder why Count Fabre is not present here. For a meeting of this size, he should certainly be participating.”

“Now that you mention it… It is strange. I don’t see Marquis Alphron either…”

“It seems Baron Sisley is not here as well. He usually attends all the meetings; why on earth?”

Because so many people were gathered, they were slow to notice, but they gradually began to realize the absence of familiar faces.

Thinking about it now, the only ones gathered here were the hardliners among the nobles who held great dissatisfaction towards the Revolutionary Army.

Those who merely took stock of the situation or weren’t particularly concerned were entirely absent.

As they began to question this fact, a thread of unease began to grow in the hearts of the nobles present.

However…

-Bang!

“?!”

“What… what’s happening?”

In the next moment, the front door of the assembly hall suddenly burst open.

Immediately, a group of armed soldiers began to pour in.

“What the hell are you doing?!”

“How dare you do this in the Holy Assembly Hall!”

The nobles raised their voices, bewildered by the unexpected situation.

However…

The two leading the soldiers, Charlotte and Maraang, instead of answering, issued a firm command to their subordinates.

“Take them all away.”

“These are traitors attempting to overthrow the nation. Make sure to capture every last one of them.”

“W-What?”

“T-Traitors? N-no. What are you talking about? Traitors?”

The nobles, unable to comprehend the situation, protested. But with weapons raised in intimidation, they were left with no choice but to be taken away.

And then… they arrived at their destination…

“!!”

“What… what is this? T-this is…”

“D-Don’t tell me…”

The place they were forcibly brought to was the central square of Pare.

And there…

It was right in front of the guillotine installed there.

The device, half-destroyed by the Pirate King before, was now freshly repaired and waiting for them.

Among the citizens now bustling in the square…