Chapter 173

About a month ago.

At the dried shrimp port, Napoleona was gazing at the figure before her.

Queen Louis.

Once, she was the person to whom Napoleona had sworn her loyalty as a soldier, a figure who wielded absolute power over this country.

Yet, at this moment…

She was preparing to board a wretched little ship right in front of her.

One she had never seen before…

Wearing a face filled with joy.

Watching that scene, Napoleona cautiously asked,

“Are you really planning to go like this?”

“Haven’t I said? After this job, there’s no need for me to burden this place any longer.”

“But… Your Majesty, haven’t you seen? There are still many people in this country who follow you. If done well, you could regain power just like before.”

Even with the royal family effectively crumbling, nostalgia for the former kingdom lingered within the Republic. Especially now, as Robes Fiora was actively ruining the country’s economy.

If they could rally their support and unite their strength, attacking Pare to reclaim the throne was not impossible.

During that process, it was also possible for Napoleona to naturally drive Robes Fiora away and seize actual power.

However, Queen Louis shook her head firmly in response.

“I have no desire to do that. I no longer seek power, and I certainly don’t wish for my presence to cause the people to shed blood unnecessarily.”

“But Your Majesty… this country still needs you. Don’t you see? How many people are suffering because of Robes Fiora’s policies?”

“True… and that’s why you wish to seize power and correct this situation.”

“!… Your… Your Majesty?”

Queen Louis spoke her true intentions accurately.

For a moment, a look of bewilderment crossed Napoleona’s face, but even while seeing that, Queen Louis merely smiled.

“Why are you so surprised? The power figures have already changed hands twice in that short period. Someone of your caliber can’t help but think such thoughts. You’ve accomplished more than anyone up to now.”

“Um… I… just thought…”

“I know. You did it all for the sake of the country. I am indeed grateful for that.”

The queen praised Napoleona’s contributions with a warm smile.

Thus, Napoleona had to admit she had misjudged.

The person before her, who seemed somewhat incompetent and foolish at first glance, was actually seeing through more than she had assumed.

‘I thought she was just a mere puppet… so a king is still a king, huh…?’

While feeling surprise and maintaining a momentary silence, Napoleona was at that moment…

“Then… for the one who has devoted themselves to the country until now, I shall bestow one last reward.”

“What?”

At the sudden words, Napoleona stared blankly.

Queen Louis then spoke with a sudden, serious expression.

“What are you doing? Am I to give you a reward, and you stand there to receive it?”

“!… I… I apologize, Your Majesty.”

In an instant, the majesty of the ruler felt palpable as Napoleona quickly knelt.

To her, Queen Louis took something from within her robes and extended it forward.

“Take this.”

“!… Your… Your Majesty?”

“Hurry and take it. Is it not what you desire? I cannot say how helpful it will be, however.”

“…”

Before her was a box.

It was small, but its surface was adorned with gold and jewels, and Napoleona knew well what lay inside.

The National Seal.

The royal treasure, a symbol of the monarch of this country.

Upon seeing this, Napoleona paused to ponder for a moment…

Yet soon, she slowly extended her hand toward it.

And accepted it.

“Please take care. In the end, may you… achieve a different outcome than I do. This is the… final command of the queen.”

The command held deep earnestness.

Napoleona bowed her head deeply and sincerely responded.

“I will obey… Your Majesty.”

*

As Louis boarded the ship and departed, heading toward a horizon she would never return from, Napoleona gazed once more at her.

The ring-shaped National Seal.

In the distant East, they would simply create one shaped like a large stamp, but the seals used on the continent generally held this form.

This was to remind the monarch of their responsibility to administer the state anytime, anywhere.

Thus, looking at the unexpected final gift from her ruler, Napoleona fell into momentary contemplation.

Receiving the National Seal directly from Queen Louis meant that she had named her as the next monarch.

Of course, with the Republic having come into being, the significance of this legitimacy had greatly diminished, and if the facts were to be revealed immediately, it was clear that the opposition, including Robes Fiora and the Revolutionary Army, would rise and attack her, just as they had before.

Using this was something to be considered for much later…

Once her original plans had succeeded, it would become a tool to solidify her position.

After holding onto the last gift left behind by the former monarch,

Napoleona began to set her feet in motion.

*

In a shabby building located in the heart of Pare.

Arriving at a place that is difficult to find unless you knew exactly where to go, Myura spotted his companion, Janglan, waiting at the entrance and waved lightly.

“Hey~!”

“Hey~ isn’t right… What time is it that you’re only just arriving?”

“Haha, sorry, sorry. I had some things to take care of, so I’m a bit late. Has everyone else already arrived?”

“Of course. Come on in. General Napoleona is waiting for you. I heard she specifically brought in a 35-year-old vintage.”

“Ohhh… really? That’s top-tier! Let’s drink till our noses are crooked!”

With their spirits lifted, Janglan and Myura entered.

Inside, their subordinates and many officers friendly with Napoleona had already taken their seats.

Most of them, including Janglan and Myura, were familiar faces known to Napoleona’s direct subordinates.

However, among them, there was also a somewhat unexpected face.

“Huh? Well, who is this? Isn’t that General Charlotte?”

“Yes… I came because I heard there would be drinks.”

Charlotte spoke awkwardly.

Seeing her, Janglan smiled widely, speaking in a friendly tone.

“Haha, is that so? That’s wonderful. Honestly, I hadn’t had the opportunity to talk with you before, but I wanted to once.”

“With me…?”

“Yes, I heard you graduated from the Louvre Military Academy; I’m also from there.”

“Oh… Is that so? I was from ’72; what year were you…?”

“Class of ’80. Professor Menilla was my teacher.”

“Oh… that person… did they give you a lot of assignments back then?”

“That was when I first experienced a nosebleed in my life.”

“Haha, I had that too. It’s nice to meet a junior in such an unexpected place.”

Through their shared history, the two felt an instant connection.

Just then, a freshly-cooked dish and drinks were brought out, and the previously awkward atmosphere shifted swiftly into a warm one.

As the mood lifted, the guest of honor, the person who had invited everyone to this gathering for her “birthday,” appeared—Napoleona.

“Thank you all for responding to my invitation and gathering here together. Recently, the situation in the country hasn’t been good, so let’s all eat, drink, and have a good time together. Now, this is an order. Let’s raise our glasses and toast.”

“I gladly accept the command!”

“For General Napoleona!”

“Cheers!”

With her short speech concluded, the atmosphere returned to lively eating and drinking.

However…

Most people gathered here eagerly dove into the food but seemed to exercise restraint when it came to drinking.

They wished to enjoy the wine without getting drunk.

And amidst that…

Some began to bring up serious conversations.

Among them was also Janglan, one of Napoleona’s closest aides.

“By the way… since we’re all gathered, I must say this. I really don’t know if this is going to work out.”

“What do you mean?”

“Honestly, isn’t it true? We clearly started a revolution for starving people… yet why are there still people dying of hunger on the streets?”

“Huh… true that…”

“I’ve been bothered by that part as well.”

“What was the purpose of the revolution? Wasn’t it to provide a prosperous life for those in need? Yet it seems the current situation is worse than before the revolution.”

“What do you think, Senior Charlotte? You must know more about this than us… Is this right?”

“It’s wrong… definitely… this current situation has clearly gone awry.”

Charlotte made her points clearly.

Hearing her words, those present slowly nodded.

“In my personal view… I can’t help but think that this cannot continue as it is.”

“I agree. Just today, nearly thirty heads fell at the guillotine in the square. This situation… is certainly wrong.”

“It’s all because of the higher-ups’ mistakes. Robes Fiora. Everything started going wrong the moment she seized power from General Rafael.”

The generals began to voice their frustrations about the deteriorating situation.

With drinks flowing, passions rose, and they expressed their discontent openly.

At that moment…

“Indeed, just as you said… we can no longer just sit back.”

“!”

Clear voices entered their ears.

The gazes of everyone in the room fell onto her…

All were focused on Napoleona.

“Since this topic has come up, let’s proceed to the main point written in the invitation.”