[FMMIKA] Chapter 254: Governing France

Thanks to Carmilla's efforts, Artorius enjoyed another relaxing and delightful leisure time.

Although the Artorias were in great shape, it was always nice to indulge in the company of other types of women and snack on some treats once in a while. It added a different flavor to life.

It's like having too much of a lavish meal, and occasionally grabbing some street barbecue.

In any case, the exhausted Carmilla was carried off by the maids and headed back to her room to rest. Yet, the Dragon Emperor still had to wrestle with the challenges of governing France.

In managing a nation, the specific processes in between were delegated to the secretaries and officials. But the beginning and the end still fell to Artorius himself.

That meant issuing orders and evaluating the results of those orders.

The matter of establishing a standing army was now concluded. The army was already under the command of d'Eon and had started training.

As a Musketeer, Captain of the Dragoon, and a character who had ascended to become a Heroic Spirit after death, d'Eon was exceptionally suited to lead an army in this era of mixed weapons.

Of course, calling it an 'army' is a bit of an exaggeration. There were only eight hundred soldiers in total.

Most of them were second sons of minor nobility, local gentry, children of wealthy farmers, or offspring of provincial aristocrats. People with ambition but not enough resources to climb higher in society. Becoming the King's Royal Guard was a good stepping stone for them.

So far, there were still plenty of people who thought that the King's Royal Guard couldn't really achieve anything and that it was just a fanciful dream. In fact, if not for the commotion caused by Jalter before, the appearance of a standing army would have faced even more vigorous opposition.

The dukes from various regions of France would undoubtedly feel disgruntled, thinking that they'd lost a means of manipulating the king. It was even possible that some would bring their own armies to argue the case. Launch a rebellion and drive the king out of Paris.

In reality, at the moment, dissenting voices from outside were still rising. The only comforting aspect was the number of this army.

Eight hundred soldiers were merely a large battalion. Rather than an army, they were more like a small-scale Royal Guard.

Many believed this number wouldn't have much impact in a full-blown war. However, this 'standing army' of eight hundred was the most suitable for the France of this era. And given France's financial condition, it was already a heavy burden.

They needed plate armor, muskets, bayonets, and more firearms. Rapiers, warhorses, coats, cloaks, boots, daily rations, military pay, uniforms, and so on and so forth.

For a feudal system country without a regular taxation system, maintaining fifteen thousand territorial troops was one thing, but sustaining eight hundred standing troops was another.

In real history, this had placed an enormous burden on France, so much so that after the death of Charles VII, his son, Louis XI, abolished the standing army. One of the significant reasons was that France couldn't afford to maintain such a force.

At the time, the dominant powers in Europe were still Spain, with the rising Netherlands following closely behind.

The glory of France would have to wait for the era of the Sun King, Louis XIV, to shine across the continent.

===

'For this era's France, perhaps it's quite challenging, but when it comes to cheating, that's a different story.' Artorius thought calmly as he casually tossed the intelligence report aside.

Local nobles opposed it, dukes were against it, and even the mayors of the free cities were against it. Titles were all they had, unless you had enough prestige, you were nothing.

That was the current state of being the King of France, and it probably was the same before Louis XIV took full control, turning France into an absolute monarchy.

Reversing this situation wasn't an easy task. The usual operation required conspiracy, division, and a series of reforms. It demanded careful attempts and the willingness to stake everything, even the risk of national collapse and death. And then, it took decades to achieve—much like Louis XIV.

The same situation would be no different if it were Artorius.

Artorius had always known that, aside from being somewhat handsome, he had nothing exceptionally outstanding to offer.

Whether it was political maneuvering or cunning, the qualities required of a ruler, Artorius had very few of them.

If you had to work with your actual skills, without depending on anything, not to mention the Dragon Emperor, even the Dragon God would struggle.

But somehow, Artorius became the Emperor.

It wasn't a coincidence, and it wasn't just luck or happenstance that could explain it. It was about having a firm grasp of the situation, determination, decisiveness, and, more importantly, 'cheating'.

To put it more subtly, it could be described as a trick, or an 'unexpected approach'. But if one had to be straightforward, 'cheating' was an apt summary.

Artorius used strategies, laws, military tactics, technology, and weaponry far beyond his time.

Utilizing foreknowledge, obtaining the best tactics by directly reading the guide.

Harnessing vastly superior power compared to his enemies, conspiracies, or directly seducing the enemy commander (female) with his charm.

Of course, there was also reliance on connections, bringing in sponsorships far beyond the world's standards.

From the Servant Universe, Gaia, and Crimson Moon for example.

Artorius excelled at employing such evil and unorthodox tactics. In a way, it was his unique governing method.

And this time, the Dragon Emperor was governing France in a similar fashion.

This Singularity had no past or future, so Artorius didn't need to hold back and didn't have to worry about Alaya's interference, unlike in his world. Everything was done pragmatically and efficiently, without considering future consequences.

For fans of Paradox Interactive's games, this was the happiest thing that could happen.

Those who opposed would be eliminated—no, that wouldn't be suitable. It was better to brainwash them—gather the dukes, then use magecraft to hypnotize and brainwash them into fanatical supporters.

Lacking the necessary resources for infrastructure, whether it was building cities, ports, roads, maintaining an army, government offices, or developing new agricultural products, it was all materialized with the power of magic, brought into existence using the Third Magic.

It was as if he was playing a game with mods or cheats by using infinite money and resources.

If, even with this advantage, Artorius still couldn't manage France, he might as well end it all and not bother anymore.