Chapter 210: Republic
The revolutionary forces, including Shubanel, united to proclaim the Independent Republic of Collegoton.
Naturally, there was opposition. Most of the general opposition came from the Full Tailed, those who belonged to a higher social class, but this reaction was expected, so the revolutionary army managed to suppress it effectively.
Within the Collegoton region, before declaring the republic, the revolutionary army had cracked down on weapon smuggling, confiscated firearms from professions like hunters and all privately owned weapons from the nobility. Therefore, even with the resistance, they could control the situation through force. However, that wasn't the end of the issue.
There was also resistance from the lower classes, the Half Tailed and Tailless. Although these groups didn't act violently like the Full Tailed, they protested in the form of demonstrations, similar to the initial actions of the revolutionary army, or made complaints at the former Shubanel city hall, which served as the temporary assembly for the republic.
Dain said, "I don't understand. We gave them freedom. Why are they behaving this way?"
Sarcho sighed. "Here's what I think, comrade Dain."
"What is it?"
"People are afraid of change."
"Afraid of change?"
"Yes. Even if it's a change in a positive direction, there’s no way for them to know that yet. The future of the Independent Republic of Collegoton is uncertain. We could succeed in becoming independent, but we could also be attacked and erased by the Union Kingdom."
Dain didn't deny this. She had ambitions, but she wasn't lost in idealism.
Sarcho continued, "So they'd prefer a stable life like before. Moreover, we never sought their consent. Surely, among them, some benefited from the Full Tailed and exploited their fellow Tailless, and in the case of the Republic collapsing, they might want to leave a good impression on the Union Kingdom by showing they had resisted."
"Yes, I understand.”
As Dain silently looked at a small group of protestors outside the assembly building, Sarcho said, "But we shouldn't harm them."
Dain looked at Sarcho, wondering, "Why?"
"With their limited numbers and no weapons, there’s not much they will be able to do."
"But they oppose our Republic. Over time, they might side with the Union Kingdom."
Sarcho stroked their chin and said, "Hmm, we can control that extent. We can use competent individuals from the revolutionary army to face the Union Kingdom's Fangs."
"Is there a reason why we need to go that far?"
Sarcho said, "Comrade, isn't that the world we wanted to create?"
Dain blinked.
Sarcho continued to say, "We declared that all species should have equal rights. But now there are criteria other than species, such as who started the revolution first and who didn't. We can't create a hierarchy based on that either. We have to at least let them have their say. We stand on the land we longed for. We can't ruin it with our own hands."
Dain closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them. "You're right. I should consider that approach."
Dain, who was the commander of the revolutionary army and temporary head of the provisional government of the Independent Republic of Collegoton, established an information office. This was similar to the Empire's intelligence agency and Fang of the Union Kingdom, a counter-intelligence agency. Their primary role, as suggested by Sarcho, was to identify and disrupt the Fangs from the Union Kingdom operating within Collegoton. This information office was led by a retired Human soldier named Rolz, who had played a significant role in the first battle of the revolutionary army.
Dain quickly proceeded with the tasks necessary for the revolutionary army. While the proclamation of the independent republic blocked imports and exports with the Union Kingdom, this led to a rise in smugglers. Collegoton, which was on the western coast of the second continent, had foreign ships approaching while being wary of the Union Kingdom. Maintaining this trade route was crucial for the citizens of Collegoton.
Moreover, in response to the Union Kingdom's regional armies that were gathering continuously, a state of emergency was declared, increasing conscription and working hours. Dain, Sarcho, and everyone in the revolutionary government recognized the irony in their actions, but they all agreed that they couldn't simply succumb to the authority of the Union Kingdom.
"We must complete these tasks," Sarcho said. "So when the government, formed by people's votes, is launched, there will be less backlash. We bear the sin and move forward."
Then the official election day was announced, and candidates were accepted. Sarcho, a relatively radical revolutionary, believed that members of the provisional government shouldn't be a candidate, but Dain and most members of the temporary government were more concerned about something else.
"According to Rolz, traces of Fangs are being found all over Collegoton. There have actually been several battles, and some were captured, but considering the strength of the Union Kingdom, they won't leave this election be," Dain said.
Sarcho couldn't overlook this fact. If the newly elected government had spies of the Union Kingdom as president and occupied the majority of the parliament, that would be the end of Collegoton.
Since the new government's president and parliament held all the power, there would be no way to counter them even as the previous revolutionary government. If the parliament were to criminalize the actions of the revolutionary government and push for punishment, there would be no way to stop it. In such a case, Collegoton would lose the momentum of the revolution and fall back into the hands of the Union Kingdom.
Moreover, even though some people were resisting the revolutionary government, major cities like Shubanel, including the revolutionary army, were based on workers and still supported the revolutionary government. Therefore, key members of the revolutionary government were popular, making it highly probable that they would become main members of parliament.
"I know it’s not fair, but if we end up forming the parliament, it's because the people support us to that extent. That's also their freedom after all."
Sarcho agreed. Despite Sarcho declining several suggestions afterward, there were discussions indicating that the popular priest Sarcho must be elected as a member to meet the desired number of parliament members the revolutionary government wanted. After much urging and persuasion from many of the other comrades, Sarcho eventually agreed to run in the elections.
Every time the regional forces of the Union Kingdom moved and whenever there were rumors of Fang agents carrying out operations, the newspapers were filled with such ominous news, making the people anxious. However, in other sections of the newspaper, articles were written about newly announced candidates, what they had done in the past, and what they intended to do in the future.
Due to the absence of established election laws, there were instances where a candidate from the same district would not only condemn their opponent outright, but also resort to threats. There were even outrageous incidents where local criminals were bribed into attempting kidnappings. But at the same time, in every district, one could easily find individuals loudly raising their voices for their own election, passionately expressing their future visions and intentions.
The citizens of Collegoton weren’t the only ones seeing such scenes for the first time. Countries from all around the world showed great interest in the first election following the establishment of the very first republic, and journalists from places far away could be seen arriving just in time for the election day.
The election results were a sweeping victory for the revolutionary faction from the revolutionary government. Dain rose as the first president, while Sarcho was elected as a representative for one of the districts in Shubanel. The so-called Revolutionary Party, consisting of members from the previous revolutionary government, occupied 80% of the parliamentary seats, and this dominance overpowered other parties, such as the Full Tailed Party formed by former nobles and the Anti-Revolutionary Party, which didn't support republicanism itself.
Although the situation was chaotic and precarious, hope for the future developed in people's hearts.
***
Sarcho pulled out the graphite that they had wedged into the hinge of their office door.
The newborn government of Collegoton was weighed down by burdens, but it was managing to lead the country. However, after the election, terrorist activities that seemed to be the work of the Full Tailed Party or the Anti-Revolution Party were occurring.
Because of this, the Collegoton information office had warned the members of the parliament to be cautious and provided them with basic training. Thanks to this, Sarcho had placed graphite in the hinge of their office door so that if someone intruded, the graphite would break, allowing them to know from outside the door.
Without any suspicion, Sarcho grabbed the door handle and entered their office. After entering, Sarcho noticed a shadow sitting in their chair and reflexively reached into their coat.
"Stop. If you don't want to get hurt."
Sarcho stood still for a moment to allow their eyes to adjust to the darkness. The office was dark, but there were gas lights turned on outside the window, so as time passed, Sarcho was able to find the figure in the dark.
"That mask is..."
At Sarcho’s reaction, the person wearing the red mask nodded.
"Yes, I am a Fang of the Angry One."
"..."
"Your information office agents are pathetic. Placing graphite in the door hinge? Is that a joke? Did you think that would stop us?"
Sarcho noticed the pistol the red masked person was holding was pointed at them.
Sarcho said, "You sneak into Shubanel unnoticed and want to debate the skills of our information office agents? Hm, I guess that could be a good point. Or, let's change the conversation. Maybe you could come into our information office and train our agents. What do you think about that?"
The person wearing the red mask listened quietly to Sarcho’s words, and then laughed.
"It seems you need that kind of wit to beat the Full Tailed and become a member."
Sarcho took their hand out of their coat and walked forward to stand in front of the Fang agent.
"What is it that you want? If you wanted to kill me, you would have already pulled the trigger."
"That’s right. I'm not here to kill you."
The person in the red mask put their gun down.
"I just wanted to have a little chat."
Sarcho lightly clenched and unclenched their fist.
'That’s not a good sign.'
Perhaps getting shot would've been better. If the person in the red mask truly was a Fang agent, then having Sarcho alive would be more valuable in taking down the future Independent Republic of Collegoton.
It was also too late for Sarcho to defy now, but perhaps there could still be a way to turn the tables on the opponent.
Sarcho said, "You could have requested a meeting with a member anytime."
"It would be problematic if others know."
"Is that so?"
"Especially the Revolutionary Party you’re a part of. Because they would want to ensure that what I know doesn't reach you somehow."
Sarcho became interested and asked, "What are you talking about?"
The person in the red mask replied, "Your president is trying to make contact with the Rubeil revolutionaries. Were you aware of that?"
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