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[FMMIKA] Chapter 264: Reveled in the Battlefield and Slaughter
🕑 Added 2023-10-24 19:49:41 +0000 UTCIn the end, Jalter, accompanied by her two 'colleagues', set off on the journey to the hideout of Chaldea.
d'Eon welcomed this decision, while Carmilla, though displeased, did not voice any objections.
'I won't disappoint His Majesty.'
'I must prove my abilities and gather intelligence for His Majesty.'
Those were the mindsets of Carmilla and d'Eon. Both of them were trying hard to gain the favor of the Dragon Emperor, but the one who truly handled things flawlessly was d'Eon.
As a top-notch spy, d'Eon had already dispatched spies and established a secret police force in France, which the empire had recently established. They even made contact with the underground gangs.
From every angle, d'Eon had gathered information on Chaldea's activities, their allies, their strength, and their troop deployments. This made d'Eon incredibly competent.
What troubled d'Eon now was what to do with all this information. They were an excellent spy and intelligence officer but somewhat lacking in strategic command. After all, they had never experienced it in life, and there was no time to learn after getting revived as a Servant. {T/N: In case someone is confused, d'Eon's pronouns are 'they', 'their', and 'them'.}
"We have a significant number of troops under our command. So, once we locate them, a direct assault should do the trick..."
While d'Eon was still troubled about what to do, Carmilla spoke those optimistic words.
The location was Marseille.
This port city in the south of France was a hotspot for Chaldea's activities and the base of operations for the group trying to corner Chaldea.
A large number of troops, mechanical equipment, spies, and airships had been brought from the Paris factory, temporarily transforming this port city into a fortress. Under the watchful eyes of local elites, nobles, and officials, they initiated their pursuit of Chaldea's group and began planning, strategizing, and discussing their final showdown.
"I'm afraid it won't work." d'Eon shook their head, denying Carmilla's proposal. "Someone has already attempted this before, and they failed."
"I see..." Carmilla mumbled, not disagreeing with d'Eon further.
In fact, Artorius had previously dispatched troops to hunt them down. However, under Ritsuka's leadership, Chaldea's actions were cunning and unconventional.
If they could win a fight, they fought, and if not, they fled without hesitation. Such were the basic tactics of a bandit group like theirs, and it made sense.
In an era with telegraphs, trains, railways, and an elaborate surveillance network, France had the upper hand.
However, Chaldea's true advantage lay at sea.
During this period, Mediterranean pirates were still quite active.
In North Africa, in Libya, Barbary pirates roamed gleefully under the Star and Crescent flag. And somehow, the group of Chaldea had formed an alliance with these pirates.
At the slightest hint of trouble, they took to the seas.
On the French side, while they had many large ships, they were primarily deployed in the North Sea and the Atlantic, searching for new continents and opening new trade routes. They had less control over the Mediterranean region.
The Anti-Chaldea trio was aware that the French Mediterranean fleet wouldn't be ready for over a month. Only then would they come to eradicate all Mediterranean pirates.
"We can wait until a month from now."
d'Eon suggested and laid out the safest and most successful plan.
"The Marseille shipyard is currently constructing the latest steam ironclad, with a displacement of up to nine thousand tons, equipped with 50mm thick bulwarks, and it's armed with forty heavy naval guns. However, a single warship would be enough to annihilate a fleet of sailboats. When the time comes—"
"—then our efforts will be in vain..." Carmilla interrupted d'Eon, sounding a bit frustrated. "What do you think we're here for? If we're not needed and only relying on that thing, how will His Majesty feel?"
"That..."
d'Eon couldn't find the words.
"Leave the military operation to me." Jalter declared when Carmilla and d'Eon were both uncertain about their next steps.
"..."
"Hmm..."
Hearing Jalter's statement, d'Eon and Carmilla exchanged surprised glances.
"I'm up for this." Jalter calmly assured, ignoring their astonishment.
"Then it's in your hands, Jeanne." d'Eon said without hesitation.
Even though Carmilla felt that Jalter might steal the limelight from her and not be in her favor, d'Eon had no such concerns.
"Don't worry."
In no time, Jalter inspected her troops, including two steam-armored chasseur battalions and two squads of mechanical wyverns. She had a plan ready, with these elite forces at its core. Steam-powered ironclad trains equipped with musketeers and artillery, a formation that wouldn't appear for centuries. {T/N: Chasseur is a French term for "hunter". It is used to designate specific regiments of French and Belgian light infantry or light cavalry to denote troops trained for rapid action.}
"I have a plan." Jalter said confidently.
"Oh? Really?" Carmilla said with doubt.
"The other side won't be easy to deal with." d'Eon said calmly toward Jalter.
"They're just a bunch of pirates." Jalter only responded calmly.
When discussing matters related to war, Jalter seemed to temporarily forget her inner turmoil, the three philosophical questions of humanity, and all other miscellaneous concerns. She was completely immersed in the happiness of battle.
Indeed, compared to all those messy things, she preferred battle after all. It was simpler and more enjoyable.
As Jalter contemplated strategy and tactics, surveyed maps, and arranged her troops, she displayed a smile that came from the depths of her heart, making both Carmilla and d'Eon feel a genuine sense of fear.
It wasn't just because of Jalter's outstanding military qualities and capabilities. To be honest, the fact that a village girl possessed such talent and leadership abilities was hard to believe without divine intervention. But more than that, what terrified them was her pleasure in it all.
She was a monster who reveled in the battlefield and slaughter.
'This girl, even though her mind might be a bit twisted, is unquestionably a monster.'
'It's best not to provoke her.'
In an instant, the Carmilla and d'Eon shared a similar thought.
Jalter, who was focused on her own things, didn't realize the thoughts of her two colleagues about herself. Even if she had known, she wouldn't have cared, as her mind was now consumed by the thought of the happiness she could gain from the battlefield.
