Chapter 172

The situation wrapped up, and quickly followed by the aftermath.

All the surviving navy personnel from Brittania were cast away at Gibraltar, and the ships they rode upon became the sole possession of our pirate crew.

Of course, some navy officers protested vehemently, declaring it could never be so…

But if they were that displeased, they should have won!

In the end, even those navy officers who protested under Nelson’s command had no choice but to abandon ship and disembark obediently.

After taking Nelson captive and extracting some funds at Gibraltar, we quickly left the area.

No matter how much we had won, this place was still part of the Brittania Empire.

We didn’t need to unnecessarily provoke the Brittanians any more than this, so after returning inside the Mediterranean Sea, we distributed the loot among the assembled pirates before dispersing them.

The pirates, now even richer than when they arrived, began their journey back to their own Five Seas.

Thus, the war with the Brittania Empire ended in our victory.

However… at the same time, I knew.

Though we had won the war, my… no, the fight of our Golden Beard Pirate Crew was just beginning.

“Captain, what do you plan to do next?”

Franklin, temporarily appointed as Vice-Captain in place of Lemain, asked.

To her question, I calmly replied.

“I must seek out… wherever in this world it may be… I must find that one…”

“…Understood. Then for now, I will gather as much information as possible. Let me inform the intelligence team to investigate in the direction Lemain flew off to.”

“Yeah, please do. At least by the time Lu… Chomski arrives, let’s have at least a minimal outline ready.”

“Yes, Captain.”

As she lowered her head to my orders, Franklin immediately started to move.

It had been about two weeks since she was appointed as Vice-Captain after the battle, but she still looked tense, as if she wasn’t able to relax her shoulders.

Though it was a bit of a burden… there was a certain cuteness about it that made me observe the calm sea before me once again.

A sea so peaceful.

With a tranquility as if it acknowledged that the war had ended, I absorbed the serene scene while I began to reflect on the events that had unfolded.

At that moment…

“C-Captain!”

“Huh?”

Suddenly, a loud voice called from behind me.

There were two people dashing towards me, almost rolling.

It was Magellan and Elkana.

“What’s the matter? Surely that Nelson again hasn’t stirred up more trouble? Because I distinctly remember saying I would tear her apart if she caused another ruckus…”

“N-No, it’s not that…”

“Look! Look at this, Captain!”

Elkana urgently thrust a piece of paper in front of me.

Taking the densely written paper from her, I began to read its contents.

However…

“…Is this… for real?”

“Yes, it’s absolutely true!”

“It’s been sent by old comrades in the Kingdom of Frantz. The contents mentioned within are certainly factual.”

The two confidently affirmed the information with fervor.

At that, I slowly lowered the paper I held and spoke in a calm voice.

“Is it finally time for the things that have to explode… to explode?”

*

A figure holds the power of the Republic of Frantz.

Robes Fiora.

As the first leader of the Republic of Frantz, she possessed immense power that could even scare away a bird, yet…

At this moment, Fiora’s face was painted with a rage anyone could recognize.

“Just how are things being run? I explicitly commanded for the prices of necessities to be reduced! Why, as time passes, are prices increasing instead… why is the cost of bread continuing to rise?!”

“The farmers… are abandoning production. The grain prices have dropped so low that they’re just incurring losses if they harvest…”

With her words as sharp as a blade, Charlotte reported to her in a weak voice.

“Are you saying you’re letting a multitude of our people starve to death? Are they truly frantic because the portion they’ve been gouging from has decreased?!”

“…”

No, it wasn’t.

Charlotte, who was fully aware of the circumstances, understood the gravity of their situation.

Naturally, farming requires time, effort, and money.

However, the prices that had plummeted too drastically came as losses to the farmers.

In a situation already worsened by famine where the crop yields were poor, they couldn’t even raise prices.

Who would actively farm and try to sell their goods when they’ve worked for an entire year with nothing to show for it?

But…

In response, Maraang shouted with furious conviction.

“Such terrible people they are! It is these very individuals who have gnawed away at the country that caused the people to suffer from hunger and pain!”

“Maraang, that’s not…”

“That’s right! Arrest them all at once! These are the very evils that our Revolutionary Army must eradicate!”

“…Understood…”

With palpable rage resonating in Robes Fiora’s words, Charlotte had no choice but to act in compliance.

‘How did it come to this…?’

In her heart, Charlotte lamented deeply.

Originally, she had joined the revolutionary cause to help the people.

Of course, aspirations for success weren’t nonexistent, but her fundamental motivation lay in aiding those in need.

However… her actions now only inflicted suffering upon those very people.

She also knew.

No matter how many purges they enacted, prices would not stabilize; they were only rising more severely.

It made sense.

This was no way to solve a problem, and above all, thousands of farmers had already been captured under accusations of ‘laziness’.

And that meant… a significant reduction in rural labor.

With an already tight life, the burden was immense if the eldest son or father got captured.

Naturally, production would decline, and thus prices would continue to soar.

The result of someone ignorant of basic economic principles recklessly enacting policies was…

Grim beyond measure.

Yet even in such circumstances, Charlotte was powerless.

No matter how much she tried to persuade, her words never reached.

Not to her superior, nor to her closest friends…

In reality, she was wielding her sword against innocent people as per their wishes. That was her current state.

As she felt immense self-loathing over this fact.

Charlotte prepared to begin the day with actions unbecoming of a person.

At that moment…

“Long time no see! How have you been?”

“!… You are…”

Recognizing that familiar voice ringing in her ear, Charlotte immediately identified who was present.

“…General Napoleona, I apologize for not recognizing you…”

“Ah, it’s fine. I’m more sorry for summoning a busy person, but are you on your way to work right now?”

“Yes, just received a command from Robes Fiora.”

“A command? Does that mean another innocent person is about to get arrested?”

“…”

With a grim expression, Napoleona spoke.

Charlotte had no reply to that piercing question.

“Haha. That was just a comment, don’t take it so seriously. I know, this is all for the noble cause of our Revolutionary Army. It’s all for protecting the innocent and creating a happy world for everyone.”

“…That’s… true… this is all… for the cause… ugh…”

Even as she uttered the words, Charlotte felt this was absurd.

But what could she do? She had to force herself to rationalize to proceed with this madness.

Then…

“By the way… General Charlotte. Exactly when does that noble cause end?”

“W-Wha?”

“It’s been several days now. We’ve been talking about asserting the cause while cutting throats. And yet, nothing has been resolved, and the situation continues to deteriorate. Who is this all… whose fault could it be? Was it merely the noble cause of the revolution that was wrong? Or could it be… the fault of the person carrying it out?”

“…”

Words swirling in her mind like a whirlwind.

Looking at the rigid Charlotte, Napoleona wore a broad smile.

“Think it over well. Honestly, I’ve been keeping an eye on you for a while… I think we could get along quite well.”

“What… does that mean…”

“It means… I’m suggesting you join my side.”

“…Huh?”

Napoleona’s meaningful words began to stir something within Charlotte.

Something she couldn’t bear to voice…

A dreadful something…

At that moment.

“Haha, why so serious? We’re all Frantz soldiers here. We’ve always been on the same side.”

With a light-hearted atmosphere, Napoleona broke the serious mood.

To that, Charlotte responded awkwardly with a slight smile.

“Ah… yes… that… is true.”

“Hehe, well then, I must take my leave. Let’s meet again later, as allies.”

“P-Please take care…”

With that, Napoleona waved goodbye and disappeared.

Yet the words she left behind… became a heavy weight in Charlotte’s heart.

*

‘Indeed… they seem to be rather shaken up too. If handled well…’

With that thought in mind, Napoleona walked out of the palace serving as the presidential residence and moved along the boulevard.

The place she arrived at was a small building located nearby.

It was a remote location, difficult to find unless you knew to look for it.

Upon entering, a group of people was assembled in front of her.

‘Well then… let’s begin slowly. The Second Revolution…’