Chapter 56: Revolutionary Period - The Saint and The Empress

Chapter 56: Revolutionary Period - The Saint and The Empress

Translated by Mara Sov

Revolutionary Period The Saint and The Empress

By the time I opened my eyes, I had been moved to our Headquarters in Reims.

The gunshot wound and the severe burns around my body were treated by Eris, however, since I had gone past my limits in that battle, both my body and mana needed a few days to recuperate.

The first person who visited me after waking up was none other than Raphael Valliant.

What a remarkable battle, Marquis! Ahhh, how sad it is for me to not have seen it myself! If only I had taken the time to learn how to control my mana or how to wield magic.Hehehehe, I would be able to see the faces of those poor sods getting blasted by point-blank artillery!

I-Is that so

This guyHe can be very scary sometimes.

I mean, Im not one to talk as well, but hes crazy.

Ah, right! Thanks to the Marquis Valliant efforts in eliminating the Storm Witch, our army was capable of achieving a complete victory! Complete and utter Victory, I say! With that being said, as soon as I reorganize the troops, Ill advance to Vauquois.

Ah, so thats why he rushed here as soon as I woke up?

With a knowing smirk, I replied.

I see. Ill appoint someone to lead the Southern Army in my stead then.

Valliant smiled like a maiden in love.

Thats why I love to talk to you, Marquis! Truly we are fateful partners! Youre always so quick to understand my motives! Please, rest well and recuperate while you wait for some good news on my part!

RightAs if youd want it any other way

Valliant Who always bore that disgusting smile gestured to his aide and let him place a large basket of apples on the desk.

Then, I hope to see you soon, Partner! Thank you for everything! hehehhehe-.

After saying this, Valliant quickly left.

But as soon as he left, people started to come in one after another..And I had to greet them all, leaving me with no time to rest

Marquis! You have no idea how relieved I am to see you! Your noble sacrifice, your bravery! Indeed you share the same blood as the mighty Blue Knight, and-

Really? I was also very worried about you, Count.

Damien, who had been regurgitating his word salad, as his mouth spewed torrents of saliva, clammed up when I cut him off.

I couldnt find you at all after the initial engagements.

Even if hes trying to butter me up, I wish he wouldnt lump that damned Blue Knight with me.

I, I suffered a great injury in the middle of the battle, m-my apologies.

He managed to say that with such a sincere face

After all, for someone who had suffered a great injury, he seemed very healthy. I doubt that Eriss healing would have left him with such energetic behavior.

Regardless, General Valliant will be moving towards Vauquois, and as the commander of the Southern Army, you will de deploying as well-

The moment I finished saying this, Damiens eyes watered, as he cried.

What is it now?

Sob-. M-My apologies, Marquis! B-but I just remembered Sir Hughs noble sacrifice as he charged in battle, following your lead, and.

Damien continued to cry as he wiped the corners of his eyes.

Sir Hugh.

He must have been that Knight from Millbeau who got taken down by a fireball.

While its true that sending a grieving commander to fight is not optimal, I do have the feeling that hes playing me

Sigh-.

Very well then. You should rest, Count. Ill entrust the command of my army to Sir Desaix.

T-Thank you for your consideration, Marquis! This subordinate is in awe of your mercy! Please, rest well!

Damiens complexion changed completely as if he had never cried in the first place.

This fucking bastard

At least he left me a basket of grapes.

Please forgive me for not being able to assist you until the very end, My Lord.

What nonsense are you speaking? If it werent for you, Sir Gaston, the plan would have failed as well. I should be the one thanking you for your efforts, opening a way for the rest of us in that battleground. It was an honor to fight by your side.

Its been an honor to serve you, My Lord.

After saying this, Sir Gaston, the ever-serious, left me a basket of oranges.

The casualties of the Southern Army number 4.823, Sir. Though our losses were significant, we have achieved victory. Your battle against the Storm Witch left a great impression in the hearts of the soldiers, your deeds have traveled far. The whole Capital should be singing songs about your battle.

I see, Sir Desaix. Have you heard about General Valliants next move?

Will I perform my duties as your Chief-of-Staff? Or perhaps as the acting commander?

Acting Commander.

Louis Desaix sighed, but he saluted me.

Then, I shall follow your orders, Marquis.

Thank you. Oh, one more thing.

Yes?

Youve done a good work commanding the Southern Army during the battle.

It was my duty, Sir. Please take care of yourself.

The Minister hesitated, unsure of what to say, but he apologized after a couple of seconds.

I beg your pardon, Esteemed Kaiserin.

Cecilia struggled to suppress the urge to throw the report on his head,

But a Kaiserin mustnt act in such a childish way.

From the moment she was sold to her nations greatest enemy, she had erased everything that once made her a Princess of Francia.

The customs she learned, the dreams she once had, even her personality.

She clad herself in the ideal image of an Empress, of a Kaiserin, that the Germania Empire would need, trying to fill the void she had herself created.

Esteemed Kaiserin Cecilia, the wise and loving mother of the Empire. A woman who was more Germanian than the Germanians themselves. A woman adored by her people.

There was no room for personal feelings in the mask she had crafted.

Because she knew that should she allow herself to appear vulnerable or weak even for a single moment, then those who praised the ideal Kaiserin would bring up her foreign origins, undermining her authority.

Cecilias fists trembled, but the words that came out of her mouth were bathed in an utterly calm tone.

The Grand Duke Leopold is the Empires war hero, our pride. We cant allow his reputation to be tarnished by the fool who has seats on the Throne of Francia, nor by the slothful Northern Alliance. What are your thoughts on the withdrawal of the Imperial troops, Minister?

The Kaiserins words are wise, as always.

Cecilia nodded her head.

Then I believe you agree with me. We shall discuss this in more detail during the next council meeting.

It shall be done, My Kaiserin. Glory to the Mother of the Empire!

With this, the Minister of Milliary Affairs left, and Cecilia slumped back into her office chair.

In truth, she wanted to tear her hair out, she wanted to scream in rage, she wanted to

She had cautiously nurtured the Imperial Mages, even allocating a part of the Imperial budget to it.

Never in her wildest nightmares she had imagined a defeat like this, much less the thought that a commander of the Imperial Mages would fall in battle.

The report in her hands had described in detail the brutal and insane battle that was fought.

Even without professional knowledge in the military arts, she knew that it wasnt the Grand Dukes incompetence that led to this result.

The young genius, General Raphael Valliant, the one who crushed King Louiss forces and toyed with the armies of three nations as if they were children, the man who became a legendary tactician.

The son of the Great Blue Knight, Marquis Lafayette, the Knight who made the Grand Duke retreat, and led the revolutionaries, crushing everything in their way and ultimately the one who slayed the Storm Witch.

And least of all, the Holy Maiden of Francia, the Saint who was officially anointed by the Holy Theocracy.

All those figures who rose from a feudal nation of Knights, a Kingdom in decline, a Kingdom that fell to their own people.

Of all three, the Empire had not taken this Holy Maiden seriously.

When their intelligence discovered a girl of unknown origins wandering across the Southern territory of Francia during the plague curing people, such rumor was dismissed. When the supposed Saint was taken in by the son of the Blue Knight, they didnt care, after all, why would something like this matter? When the girl had been recognized as a Saint by the Holy Theocracy, the Empire simply believed that the Marquis, her patron had bribed them.

However, after this battle, the Saint had become an undeniable threat.

Whispers within the Imperial Court suggested that the gods themselves were looking after Francia.

Cecilia could only scoff at such absurd rumors.

The tale of the holy maiden who had saved Francia from utter destruction by the Demon King centuries ago was a well-known legend.

And now, as Francia faced another crisis that threatened their existence another Holy Maiden arose and saved the day, causing the nation to erupt in fervor.

In this chaotic era, three heroes appeared to protect the Kingdom, their presence heralded proof of the gods care for that rotten nation.

Gods looking over Francia, huh?

If such a thing was true, then where were those gods when she was sold to their greatest enemy?

Where were the gods when she was alone in a distant land, with no one to rely on?

Where were the gods when she cried for help?

In the end, she had to save herself.

There is nothing divine about it.

Cecilia clenched her teeth.

This time, they had won.

This defeat was a bitter one, but seeing King Louis soil his pants at the Marquis Lafayettes breakthroughs, his panicked retreat, and his ravings about the second coming the Blue Knight, gave the Empire a pretext to withdraw.

If they withdrew, King Louiss downfall was certain.

So, while her foolish little brother faced his doom, she must soothe and cajole the shocked Lords who have witnessed the power of Francia.

She would have to convince them, to once again restart the war to reclaim what was rightfully hers.

Cecilia laughed as she read the report detailing the feats of the Holy Maiden Eris.

Holy Maiden indeed! The girl who was naturally adored and blessed since the day she was born, the girl who was being praised to this day.

One had been lucky to be born.

While the other was born lucky.

Therefore, since she was sold to the enemy and had barely reached her position through sheer wit and cunning,

Shouldnt a Holy Maiden like her be granted the right to retaliate against those who took everything from this Kaiserin?

Authors note:

The Inspiration for Cecilias character came from Madame de Pompadour + Catherine the Great rather than Maria Theresa.

TL Note:

In Cecilias part of the chapter, they really didnt use the word Saint to describe Eris, but Holy Maiden.

/genesisforsaken