Chapter 2: Cooperation
Bonaparte declared to her subordinates that she would cooperate, for the time being, with Krumil, the queen of the Country of Kusanaga.
“Soldiers! You have fought as part of the French army in mountains, plains, and cities!”
“Your achievements now surpass even the ancient Roman legions you once admired!”
“Soldiers! Though you were once overlooked, now all of France watches you!”
“Brave warriors who brought freedom to your homeland, let us bring salvation to these poor people who seek our aid!”
“Let us bring liberty and equality to this foreign land as well!”
As Bonaparte finished her speech and raised her bicorne high, a roar rose from the ranks of soldiers lined up on the beach.
“Long live the General! Long live the Republic!”
Many of the soldiers were veterans from the Italian campaign where Bonaparte had made her name.
Where Bonaparte went, they believed victory and glory would follow.
They did not know where they were, but if their commander told them to fight here, then they would obey.
They had had enough of the aimless voyage.
Krumil stood beside Bonaparte, watching the scene with great interest.
At a single call from this short and peculiar person, thousands of men responded.
She concluded that this person truly was the leader of this group.
Bonaparte took Krumil’s hand and forced a smile.
“I will lend you my aid.”
Krumil responded to that awkward smile with a gentle one.
The French army numbered approximately thirty-three thousand.
Including sailors, merchants, scholars, and even families of soldiers who had stowed away, the number was slightly higher.
Bonaparte decided to take about five thousand troops with her and head toward Krumil’s village.
The rest of the army was placed under General Kléber, who was ordered to establish a camp on the beach.
The group advanced across a vast, lush green plain.
There were no proper roads.
This area seemed to be a remote frontier, an undeveloped land with no houses or grazing fields.
Bonaparte felt no awe at the grandeur of nature.
Even with the vast horizon stretching endlessly, her only thought was that supplies could not be requisitioned here.
Bonaparte rode on horseback with Krumil, sharing the saddle.
It was to gather as much information as possible during the journey.
“Let me introduce myself again. I am Krumil, queen of the Country of Kusanaga.”
“…Napoleon Bonaparte. A general of France.”
“Where is France? Is it to the south? You all wear such unfamiliar clothing. What lies beyond that great river?”
Krumil asked question after question with keen curiosity.
Bonaparte half ignored her.
She intended to conceal anything that might put them at a disadvantage, such as being lost or knowing nothing of this land.
“How many people live in the village we are heading to?”
Bonaparte changed the subject.
“I have never counted. I only fled there recently.”
“Where were you before that?”
“In a city called the City of Swordsmiths, about five days from here. Before that, another city farther away. Before that, the capital.”
“So you kept losing battles and ended up in such a remote place?”
“Unfortunately.”
“Are you being pursued?”
“Perhaps. It may only be a matter of time before this village is discovered.”
“What is the size of the enemy force?”
“The enemy that attacked the City of Swordsmiths numbered around ten thousand.”
“Is that their full strength?”
“No. The Axe-Striking Country I fight against has far more soldiers. They say their numbers can cover the plains and empty every barrel of wine in the capital in a single night…”
“Be more specific… what about your current forces?”
“Less than five hundred, I believe.”
Bonaparte shook her head.
She had agreed only for water and food, but it seemed these people were truly cornered.
“What weapons does the enemy have? How many cannons?”
“Cannons? What are those?”
“…Guns?”
“Guns?”
“You fight with spears and swords?”
“Spears and swords, and also catapults. We have crossbows and longbows as well. But above all, we fight with the blood of our warriors and the protection of the spirits.”
“Unbelievable…”
“Is that strange? You also carry swords at your waists, and your soldiers carry spears. Though yours seem shorter and lack tips…”
It seemed she had arrived in a very primitive land.
Bonaparte sighed, but in some ways, that made things easier.
“I understand.”
Bonaparte ended her questions, released Krumil’s hand, and took the reins with both hands.
Krumil wanted to use her army to reclaim her kingdom, but Bonaparte had no intention of getting entangled in a stranger’s war once she obtained water and food.
Their forces were small.
Once they secured supplies, she would leave this land immediately and head for Egypt.
That was her plan.
By the time the sun was setting, they arrived at the village.
The villagers watched the unfamiliar group brought by their queen from a distance.
The exhausted French soldiers rushed toward the river and wells, gulping down water noisily and startling the villagers.
“More like a gathering of defeated soldiers than a village,” Bonaparte thought bluntly.
“Commander.”
Chief of staff Berthier approached.
“We can obtain water here, but it seems difficult to requisition food.”
“Water alone is better than nothing.”
Bonaparte muttered, casting an irritated glance at Krumil, who was speaking with her retainers.
Noticing her gaze, Krumil approached with her armored followers.
“Bonaparte, these are my warriors.”
“They look dependable.”
Bonaparte gripped Krumil’s hand firmly, putting as much displeasure as she could into it.
Krumil squeezed back just as firmly.
“Bonaparte, we will provide water.”
“That is good. What about food?”
“For that, we ask you to help us retake the City of Swordsmiths. The promised food is there.”
“…”
Bonaparte had no intention of losing valuable soldiers by getting involved in a battle she did not understand.
Her earlier speech to the soldiers had not been entirely sincere.
Should she break her promise now and seize supplies from the village?
Bonaparte looked away from Krumil and surveyed the surroundings again.
The village was clearly poor and showed no sign of stored provisions.
There was nothing to take even if she tried.
It seemed she had no choice but to cooperate with them.
“Bonaparte?”
“Of course! I will help you. I do not go back on my word.”