Chapter 147

Queen Louis… The pirates of the cooking crew, intrigued by Chomski’s words.

Even if it was because of the spices, asking for a distant destination right after a major battle that had just ended left many worries unaddressed.

However, Chomski’s subsequent story had the potential to significantly alleviate that burden.

“Gibraltar?”

“That’s right. Although officially kept secret, a massive spice smuggling operation takes place there every year during the first week of March. The Royal Family of Frantz sends people there each time to secure precious spices.”

“Ooh…”

The pirates exchanged excited looks at Chomski’s words.

Yet among them, Franklin maintained a cautious demeanor.

“But Gibraltar… It’s certainly much more convenient and closer than Cyprus for us to go to. However… the fact that it is currently owned by the Brittania Empire raises some concerns.”

The Brittania Empire had recently declared war on the Golden Beard Pirate Crew.

While the possibility of bluffing couldn’t be ruled out, approaching their territory in this situation felt worrisome.

However, Franklin thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to discuss this matter with the Pirate King and the Vice-Captain, given that he didn’t see it as entirely unfavorable.

“…Anyway, for now, I’d like to hear more details.”

“Understood, I will tell you.”

*

“Robes Fiora! You filthy bastard!”

“Don’t think this will end passively! I will watch you perish in hell!”

-Whack!

The heads of the nobles fell, their lives extinguished with the sharp blade of the guillotine, while Robes Fiora smiled coldly as she remarked,

“The ones who are perishing aren’t me, but you lot. The filthy nobles who’ve sucked the lifeblood of the people… This is the justice… the divine judgment of God.”

With those words, Robes Fiora ordered the disposal of the scattered corpses.

She then turned to the citizens gathered and said in a sharp voice,

“With this, the executions for those who have embezzled military supplies and betrayed the hopes of the citizens will come to an end.”

“Long live the Kingdom of Frantz!”

“Long live the Revolutionary Army!”

The stiff cheers echoed throughout the square.

Initially, when nobles were executed in this manner, the people’s reactions had been much more passionate than this.

Those who were previously untouchable, high above like the stars in the sky, were dying so easily that it felt surreal.

For the citizens, who had suffered for more than a thousand years, this spectacle brought them joy and a thrill of exhilaration,

while simultaneously instilling hope that their lives would change.

However.

With executions occurring almost daily…

The citizens were beginning to feel weariness, if not outright disappointment.

Having witnessed countless executions of nobles, they were seeing yet another today.

The cruel oppressors who had starved them had vanished from this world.

But even with the continuous deaths of such “evil,” their lives remained unchanged.

Starting from the Pirate King’s help, rationing had continued for some time, but it came to an abrupt halt not long after he departed.

Meanwhile, food prices in Pare still didn’t drop, and their pockets remained empty.

Despite the nobles being executed countless times, their lives hadn’t improved at all.

They had hoped that once the revolution was achieved, they could live in abundance, yet every day passed without a hint of that.

Increasing disappointment and dwindling hope.

These feelings were being voiced through the lethargic cheers and the occasional murmurs of discontent heard during today’s execution.

And…

The Revolutionary Army… and their leader, Robes Fiora, were also aware of this reality.

“The citizens’ discontent is growing.”

“We can’t let this continue. If we don’t find a groundbreaking method to lower food prices, that discontent may soon turn into rage.”

Charlotte and Maraang expressed their concerns.

In response, Robes Fiora spoke gravely.

“There’s only one way to solve this problem.”

“What good plan do you have?”

“Yes, but to execute this plan smoothly, we need to certainly turn the atmosphere around.”

“Turning the atmosphere…? Could we execute around 1,000 nobles at once? Or perhaps identify the discontented reactionaries and eliminate them all together…”

Maraang suggested in a cool tone.

However, Robes Fiora slowly shook her head in response.

“No, that might be one method, but rather than spilling much blood, it would be more effective to shed the blood of one individual, even if it’s just a little, and make a solid impression on the people.”

“One person?”

“Who do you mean?”

The two asked cautiously.

Slowly lowering the pen in her hand, Robes Fiora replied in an icy voice.

“Isn’t it obvious? If we can sever the neck of the one who could change this country’s name from Frantz Kingdom… that person would be none other than…”

“!”

“Don’t tell me…”

A single person involuntarily came to their minds at her words.

Turning to the two subordinates who were recalling that name, Robes Fiora paused her writing and calmly confirmed.

“Queen Louis. If I can place her head on the guillotine just like those nobles, then the atmosphere will completely change.”

Indeed, the death of Queen Louis would create a ripple unlike any noble’s execution.

The problem was that it could carry with it both good and ill effects.

Through this act, whether she could truly seize the people’s hearts, or whether it would instead worsen public sentiment was something that had to be seen through to the end… But Robes Fiora had already reached her conclusion.

“She was destined to die anyway. Although the Pirate King extended her life, it was futile. This time, I will surely deal with her, and with her blood, I will have this revolution blossom!”

Thus, waiting for Napoleona, who was returning, to bring Queen Louis, Robes Fiora’s heart was filled with intense anticipation.

Wishing fervently for Napoleona to capture her soon.

But then…

*

By the time she realized the situation, it was far too late.

The sorrow from parting with the Pirate King.

Caught up in that feeling, Napoleona failed to take care of what she needed to.

“This craziness… I can’t believe I completely forgot about that person’s business over there…”

It was a blunder by General Rafael… but from the outcome, it turned out to be a remarkable move to hand over the matter to the Pirate King temporarily.

The monarch of the Kingdom of Frantz, Queen Louis.

Originally, Napoleona should have received her detainment when the Pirate King was leaving, but during their tearful (not really) goodbye, she completely forgot about it.

However… regretting now was meaningless; the ship had, quite literally, already sailed.

Perhaps there would be an opportunity to discuss relevant matters later, but for the time being, contact with the Pirate King would be quite difficult.

At this point, there was no way to know where he had set sail.

Besides, even if she did know, she had to avoid encounters with them as much as possible, so as not to give reasons to the Brittania Empire.

And, there was one more problem…

It was something that, on principle, should not be done, but…

Upon further thought, Napoleona arrived at the conclusion that this situation wasn’t entirely bad either.

“Of course, if Queen Louis were with me, I could utilize her in various ways… but depending on the situation, she could also become a poison…”

Currently, Robes Fiora, who had taken control of the country’s governance and remained in Pare.

Due to her ruthless purges, many nobles were still having their heads on the guillotine.

Would she really leave Queen Louis alone?

“Absolutely not… With the Pirate King gone, she will surely go after Queen Louis to execute her just as she is doing with the nobles. There’s even a chance that I could end up being purged in the process…”

Though still in the realm of speculation, the likelihood was high.

After all, it was a revolution that had risen against the rule of the monarch.

In such circumstances, no matter how much she was used as a tool, if Napoleona portrayed herself as a protector of the Queen, she would undoubtedly face vicious attacks, branded as an enemy of the revolution.

One might consider that extreme, but given Robes Fiora’s past actions, it seemed a very plausible outcome.

“Then, perhaps… this is the lesser evil.”

Having unwittingly taken on a troublesome bomb to deal with.

But this way, it could also be a way to handle this matter quietly without causing any unnecessary disturbances.

Thus reaching her conclusion.

At that moment, Napoleona presented a report to the one seated before her…

Robes Fiora, the commander of the Revolutionary Army.

And inside that document…

Two large characters stood out.

-Obituary.

“?!”