Chapter 25: Revolutionary Period - Do You Hear The People Sing?


    Tranted by  Mara Sov


    <strong> <em>Revolutionary Period  Do You Hear The People Sing?</em> </strong>


    Southwest of Lumiere, in the Namurs ins.


    King Louis and the remnants of his army encountered the eastern forces led by the Duke of Orleans while returning to Lumiere.


    Thank God! Its a relief to see you unharmed, Your Majesty.


    The Duke of Orleans rushed towards them, but King Louis was visibly perturbed.


    Why are you here, Duke?


    I heard of the defeats in the southern and central fronts and hastily retreated, Your Majesty.


    What about the east?


    I beg your forgiveness, Your Majesty. However, I could not risk the central hearnds and the Capital Lumiere


    You mean you couldnt risk yournds.


    At the sharp words of the King, the Duke of Orleans closed his mouth.


    The Dukesnds lie to the southwest of the capital.


    With the Kings main forces defeated, should the enemy march north, the Dukes territories would be at risk before the capital.


    Thus, under the guise of loyalty, he had abandoned his assigned front and rushed back.


    However, the King, exhausted by an unimaginable defeat in both body and spirit, no longer had the strength to press the Duke any further.


    Provide me with a ce to rest.


    As Your Majestymands.


    King Louis was escorted into a tent by servants acting on the Dukes orders and, as soon as he entered, he sent everyone away and copsed onto the bed, uttering words of despair.


    H-Have I really lost?


    In ce of his brother, who indulged in noble extravagance andvish feasts, he remembered thete King who had favored him.


    The greatte king was called the Knight King. However, he dared not even think to fight against the man in the presence of the Blue Knight.


    Once upon a time, he would have charged into enemy lines with valor on the battlefield, admiring thete King. But since when has ite to this?


    When the much-respectedte King died without naming him as the crown prince?


    Or when he became arrogant after ascending to the throne?


    No, thats not it.


    It was from the moment after thete King passed away, and the Knightspleted their pledges of loyalty, supporting him.


    He believed himself to be the rightful heir to the throne and was only concerned with defeating his brother. Since the moment he took the Knights loyalty for granted and thought it was natural for him tomand them, he had be despicable.


    They had preferred him over his brother, who favored ttering nobles rather than valiant Knights, and they had sworn loyalty to the great Knightlyte king, merely continuing that loyalty.


    While King Louis continued to wallow in his misery, a bizarre voice was heard.


    Such a sorry sight you have be, Your Majesty the King.


    King Louis sprang up from his ce, startled by the sudden appearance of a pitch-ck pigeon he hadnt noticed entering.


    You, why are you here


    Is it so surprising, Your Majesty the King, for a businessman to make contact with a client?


    King Louis shut his mouth, seeing the pigeon, which should have no expression, seemingly sneering with its red eyes gleaming.


    As you know, ourpany has provided Your Majesty with the necessary funds. Of course, Your Majesty has also promised things toplete our deal.


    I am aware of that! But wait. I will subdue the Marquisate of Lafayette as you have desired!


    Forgive my intrusion, Your Majesty, but ording to our assessment, it does not seem possible for you at this time.


    King Louis gritted his teeth at the pigeons, Halphas, assertion.


    It appears ourpany has overestimated Your Majestys credit rating. It is regrettable, indeed doubly regrettable, that you will no longer be eligible for the special benefits we provided.


    The promise was to forgive a substantial amount of the borrowed money if he subdued the Lesser Marquisate of Lafayette. King Louis believed it was certainly possible and had epted the offer from Abyss Corporation.


    Of course, even so, Your Majestys ability to pay remains intact. Thus, Abyss Corporation must now demand the repayment of the loan.


    What? The civil war is ongoing, and I have just suffered defeat in battle. I do not have the means to pay you back right now-


    Forgive my intrusion, Your Majesty, but why should ourpany consider Your Majestys circumstances?


    As King Louis red at it with his eyes wide open, the pigeon made a cooing sound that was indistinguishable between a cry and a scoff, then opened its beak again to release a bizarre voice.


    Your Majesty has taken a loan from ourpany, and we have decided to downgrade Your Majestys credit rating somewhat due to this battle. Therefore, it is entirely natural and reasonable to demand repayment of the outstanding bnce before any principal loss urs.


    I told you theres no money to give!


    That is for Your Majesty to figure out. You may set heavier war taxes or pay more of your subjects aspensation to ourpany. The important thing is, if Your Majesty does notply, ourpany will inevitably have to proceed with enforcement.


    Are you daring to threaten me now, you devil?


    Oh, Your Majesty. A threat? We are fundamentally a corporation and a group interested in profit. What is wrong with exerting influence for the realization of our interests?


    Of course, ourpany valuesmon sense and strives for coexistence with humans. ns such as mobilizing force to recover the loan are still a secondary option. This is even though almost all the Knights the Kingdom used to boast about have perished, and the strength of your country, as we have assessed, is extremely inferior.


    The threat implied in the words spoken without hesitation caused King Louis to clench his mouth shut with a pale, ashen face.


    Instead, we wish to proceed in a more gentlemanly manner. Seizing the overseas assets of the Kingdom of Francia, and if a price is given, it would be effective tomission a force willing to recover the outstanding loan bnce on our behalf. Perhaps, those who have risen against Your Majesty.


    Ah, understood! I will pay! Isnt that enough?


    The pigeon, Halphas, let out another cooing sound.


    A wise choice, Your Majesty. Lets set the deadline for three months.


    Th-three months? How am I supposed to raise such arge sum in just three months!


    Then, we hope you will continue to enjoy advanced technology and innovative services provided by the Abyss Corporation.


    Having said its piece, the pigeon vanished right before the Kings eyes.


    King Louis remained silent, then raised his hands to his face and rubbed it.


    Sigh-. What foolish thing have I done.


    -


    In Lumiere the capital of Francia.


    The city was plunged into chaos as the tax collectors dered the creation of another special tax by the Kings order, and those who wouldnt be able to pay would receive a dreadful punishment.


    It was an open secret that those who failed to pay their dues would be sold to Abyss Corporation as punishment.


    We cant take this anymore! Where would we even find the money for those absurd taxes?! They are selling us to those demons!


    We cant stand by and watch as that tyrantpletely disregards thew!


    The King is marching towards Lumiere with his defeated army. If we cant arm the citizens before they enter the city, they will massacre us! We must act now!


    Amidst the shouts and cries, Bishop Arnaud Richelieu, who once led the revolutionaries with grace and prudence was now pale, with cold sweat streaming down his face.


    He was the one behind the book The Theory of Social Hierarchy, with the help of his aide and friend Sierres.


    While most of the clergy were corrupt and greedy, Richelieu truly cared about the people of Francia.


    He wished for them to awaken. While it was true that amoner was weak, when united they had the power to change this wretched kingdom for the better.


    His ultimate goal was for the Third Estate to unite and pressure the King, forcing him to correct this Kingdoms wrongs.


    But at some point, the movement he created became hungry for blood.


    Now its the time! The sons of Francia must arm themselves and protect our lives!


    Death to the oppressors!


    The King must die! And all of those who exploited the Third Estate must follow him!


    Even Bishop Richelieu himself, upon hearing the Kings order, harbored severe doubts about the mans sanity.


    He could never have predicted that the seeds he sowed would bloom in blood.


    Hispatriots now looked like mad beasts in his eyes.


    The sheer anger and madness filling this space pierced the Bishops skin.


    Where was Sierres, his friend who used to offer him good counsel and encouragement? Where was the man who supported him, even when he doubted himself?


    The eyes of hispatriots were filled with hatred and their throats only uttered murderous words and wrathful cries.


    Its time to make a choice, Bishop.


    The only one who maintained a normal tone of voice was the Prosecutor Maximillien Le Jidor.


    Yet, to Richelieu, hisposed tone, coupled with the coldness in his gaze was more dangerous than those mad beasts yelling at the top of their lungs.


    Everyone had be insane.


    Should he try to dissuade them now, he would be branded as a supporter of the First Estate and dealt as such.


    With a resigned tone, Richelieu spoke.


    <em><strong>Sigh-.May Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity be with you all.</strong></em>


    In the darkest hour in Lumiere, the sky was strangely as bright as day.


    They treated us as nothing until now!


    A gigantic crowd marched through the streets with torches in hand.


    They never considered us humans!


    Their yells shook the entire city.


    Are they listening to our voices now?


    The tax collectors who used to roam the streets were nowhere to be seen.


    Are they listening to our anger?!


    The clergy who exploited the people under the guise of Gods will now hid in their dark and decrepit churches in search of a mercy that wouldnte.


    The voice of the people who wont be enved again!


    The honorable Knights were no more, and those nobles who grew fat with their oppression hid in their mansions, trembling in fear.


    Now they will listen!


    The mad crowd reached the armory of Lumiere.


    If they dont listen, we will carve our words upon their bodies!


    The guards defending the armory pointed their cannons at the furious crowd.


    Son and Daughters of Francia-


    Despite the distance, the guards could feel the heat of their torches prickling their skin.


    Come to the streets and join us!


    As they were confronted with the madness emanating from the crowd, some even fell to their knees.


    Lets build a new future together!


    The pale guards could only direct their fearful gazes to theirmander in search of guidance.


    Those who will not join us stand with the oppressors!


    Themander, overwhelmed by this situation, grasped his scabbard with a trembling hand.


    Fall with them, or stand with us!


    Atst, when the chorus of the crowd ended, their bloody gazes were directed toward themander and his guards.


    Themander worked his mind at a furious pace.


    They had no troops, no provision, and no ammunition to hold this crowd, the only thing still keeping those man in their ces was a fragile loyalty to their King.


    Above all, the families of some soldiers were among the crowd,


    II surrender if you promise to spare the lives of my men.


    Ah, a reasonable choice. We ept.


    As the man leading the crowd epted his proposal, the Commander ordered his men toy down their weapons with no small amount of relief and a tinge of guilt.


    However.


    When themander and his man tried to leave, one man among the crowd charged forward and struck a guards head with a club.


    Y-You! What are you doing?! We had a deal-


    Tax collector.


    The crowds eyes focused on the man who rushed forward, as tears slipped from his eyes while he held the club.


    Last month, they said there wouldnt be more taxes for this seasonS-So, IISold LucyM-My Little oneTo keep my family alive.


    The man lifted his head, his tear-stained face was furious with veins throbbing all over.


    And what did the King say today?! You break your promises like they are nothing of value! So why should we keep ours?


    With those words, the crowd rushed forward, raiding the armory, and in the next moment, they turned their sights towards the nobles mansions and the churches.


    Countless priests and nobles were killed, and among those, quite a few died just for being near them.


    Finally, as they reached the main street, the crowd marched with the severed heads of themander, his guards, the nobles and the clergy impaled on stakes.


    Seeing this, Bishop Arnaud Richelieu copsed to the ground as tears streamed from his eyes.


    W-what have I unleashed


    TL NOTE:


    VIVA LA FRANCE


    VIVA LA REVOLUTION


    BAGUETE!!!!!!!!!!!


    Do you hear the people sing?


    Singing the song of angry men?


    It is the music of the people


    Who will not be ves again!


    When the beating of your heart


    Echoes the beating of the drums


    There is a life about to start


    When tomorrowes!


    Will you join in our crusade?


    Who will be strong and stand with me?


    Beyond the barricade


    Is there a world you long to see?


    Then join in the fight


    That will give you the right to be free! /genesisforsaken