I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 115

< You Do It, Villain >

Pukeshinwa was dubious, but Christian kept his promise.

The Shawnee tribe members were all guided to the most luxurious accommodations in Toronto.

The food was also a full course of extravagant meals they had never tasted before.

At the same time, dishes similar to what the Shawnee usually ate were also provided for those who might find such meals uncomfortable.

The tribe members were all greatly satisfied with the small but thoughtful consideration.

In addition, a doctor personally sent by Christian sincerely treated Pukeshinwa’s left arm wound.

“This is serious… If it had been left like this, not only the forearm but the entire shoulder might have had to be amputated. Don’t you have proper doctors?”

“It’s not that we don’t have them. But the medical side is definitely… more advanced on your side.”

“In war, far more people die from wounds worsening than from being shot on the spot. I think you guys probably feel it too, right? Well, His Highness said that our side still has a long way to go.”

Pukeshinwa couldn’t argue.

It was because of the pain rising up his left arm, but also because it was something he deeply felt.

Even though they were already struggling to match the exchange ratio against the white men, the rate at which the injured returned to the front lines was even more different.

In the end, it meant that the more they fought, the more the damage on their side snowballed.

Behind that, it wasn’t just the difference in weapons, but also these complex factors working together.

He glanced over and saw his two sons mindlessly eating the food provided by France.

It was a dish of various ingredients fried in oil and dipped in sauce, and the taste was eye-opening for those who tried it for the first time.

Especially the children, who were not even ten years old, seemed to be completely immersed in the foreign taste they were experiencing for the first time.

Christian had deliberately sent fried dishes, knowing that there were young children, but Pukeshinwa couldn’t know that far.

“Hoo… It’s difficult, difficult.”

“Huhu… What is troubling our honored guest so much?”

A strange man who had approached Pukeshinwa’s side as he came out and sighed spoke affably.

Pukeshinwa, who didn’t want to mingle with strangers, tried to avoid the situation, but soon stopped when he saw the other person’s attire.

“Are you a tribe that has agreed to cooperate with New France?”

“Yes, I am Sagoyewatha of the Seneca tribe. I was asked by Governor-General to guide the Shawnee warriors.”

He was probably close to thirty years old.

The man who identified himself as Sagoyewatha gave a small smile as he looked at the Shawnee people eating voraciously inside the accommodation.

“It’s a relief that the first impression seems good.”

“Did Prince Christian tell you to persuade us?”

“I asked him that too, but he told me to just say what I honestly felt.”

“He must have been quite confident.”

Pukeshinwa narrowed his eyes.

He didn’t like the feeling that they already had no choice.

“Honestly, I think it’s inevitable.”

“Inevitable… We have traditions, pride, and culture that we have protected for over hundreds of years, and you’re saying it’s inevitable to throw them away like trash and stick with the white men?”

“You don’t have to throw them away completely. Even in our tribe, there are people who have accepted French culture and those who haven’t. If you want to protect your culture and live, you should listen to the Governor-General even more. The Governor-General treats us very rationally, unlike the white men so far.”

Sagoyewatha briefly told him about the current situation of the Iroquois Confederacy.

He had already heard some of the facts, but some other facts were quite unexpected.

“I don’t know if you’ve heard, but our tribe sided with the British during the Seven Years’ War. Although we were divided during the American Revolutionary War.”

“I heard that you were backstabbed by the Americans this time and chased out.”

“That’s right. They were terrible guys. They didn’t openly oppress us because we fought with them… but if we had stayed there, we definitely wouldn’t have seen a good end. In fact, we’re already hearing such cases.”

Pukeshinwa unconsciously looked down at his left arm.

The empty feeling that he couldn’t feel anything, no matter how hard he tried to get used to it, was unbearably sad.

“In that respect, Governor Christian is different from America or England. So, we should stick to this side and enjoy the maximum freedom allowed? How is that different from being raised as livestock?”

“We went underneath to avoid becoming livestock. This place is nominally a colony, but it’s practically a self-governing territory now. And we can become members of this self-governing territory if we pay fair taxes. Do you know that our representative has entered as a member of the parliament?”

“…I heard. I understood that they put him in the council of elders, which was certainly surprising.”

Until now, he had never heard that England, America, or Spain in the south had treated the natives to that extent.

Occasionally, there were special treatments for one or two people, but New France was systematically accepting natives as part of themselves.

“When I think about it coldly, this flow won’t last forever. When the population grows enough and becomes saturated, they won’t let you in even if you want to. So, shouldn’t we secure our place as much as possible now? Just as Prince Christian is trying to use us, we can use him too.”

“…I don’t know. What if Prince Christian breaks his promise? Maybe he’s waiting until he’s sure that we, who have already been tamed, can’t resist.”

“If you really think so, you have no choice but to fight. But I felt trust in the Governor’s words. First of all, our tribe’s children receive higher education without worrying about feeling threatened, and they can succeed here if they want. Pukeshinwa, think about your children’s future.”

Pukeshinwa’s eyes shook greatly.

His gaze naturally turned to the children who were immersed in the delicious meal.

Not just because they were his children, but his son really had a different side.

Tecumseh. Just like the name meaning comet, there were often glimpses of brilliant talent.

Unlike himself, who only had the skill to fight, his son was a vessel for great things.

Considering such a son’s future, wouldn’t it be best to follow Christian’s words?

Sagoyewatha poured oil on his wavering heart.

“The Governor is giving letters of recommendation in his name to the children of tribal leaders. If Pukeshinwa’s child is capable, it’s not unreasonable for him to rise high here. Then the Shawnee tribe can receive even stronger protection within a legal framework.”

In the end, parents who think about their children’s future don’t have many choices.

Pukeshinwa stared at the sky for a long time, just blinking.

Suddenly, he wondered if this was the fate that had to flow like this from the moment he first set foot on this land.

He turned his head stiffly like a broken wooden doll and looked at the tribe members, then sighed deeply.

“…If possible, can I meet more members of the Confederation tomorrow?”

“Of course.”

“And then…”

Pukeshinwa hesitated for a moment, then closed his eyes tightly and said.

“I will go to the Governor and express our intentions.”

※※※

“…I will accept it.”

Three days later, Pukeshinwa, who returned to me, gave me the expected answer.

I knew it wouldn’t take even a week.

“You thought well. Can I hear the reason why you changed your mind?”

“Because I judged that following the Governor’s words would be more beneficial to our tribe.”

“You made a wise decision. I promise you won’t regret it.”

“Then, do we have to come here to Toronto and live?”

There was still some anxiety left in Pukeshinwa’s expression as he looked around.

No matter how much he received a promise to treat him well, he couldn’t feel good if he was forced to leave his hometown and migrate.

“No. You don’t have to do that. Of course, some people will have to come here, but there’s no reason for the entire tribe to leave their residence. You can continue to live there.”

“Thank you.”

“And if there is a bright and capable son in the tribe, bring him with you, and I will gladly write a letter of recommendation.”

It’s the New France version of the Fulbright Scholarship that the modern United States is implementing.

No matter how strong their affection for their tribe is, if they taste advanced culture and education from a young age, their tendencies will naturally change.

In just ten years, they will all be transformed into my ardent followers.

Of course, those who don’t know about this system at all can only think differently.

They believe that since it is their tribe, they will naturally work for them even after they grow up.

Of course, they will show such tendencies to some extent, but the children who are being educated now are not Nouvelle French [New French] people from ‘native’ origin, but ‘Nouvelle French people’ from native origin.

People who don’t know these tricks will see this as part of my inclusive policy.

“I understand. Then I will select the children as soon as I return.”

“Your Highness, then should we send a letter of rejection to the American side’s request?”

At Lavoisier’s question, who was asking as if he had been waiting, I immediately nodded.

“No. There’s no need to do that. Rather, send a reply saying that we will conditionally accept it, so let’s set a separate meeting schedule.”

“Yes?”

“No, what are you saying! You said that the American guys sent a proposal to hunt them together. Are you going to conditionally accept that…”

Contrary to Lavoisier, who was purely expressing his doubts, Pukeshinwa showed an intense reaction.

Of course, he would have no choice but to do so, given what he had heard last time.

“Calm down, Pukeshinwa. Didn’t I already promise that you wouldn’t be harmed?”

“O-Of course, you did.”

“I will naturally spare no support for the grateful tribes who believed in my words and joined me like you. But what should we do with those who refuse to cooperate with us until the end? We can’t just wait indefinitely, can we?”

“To kill them all…”

I pretended to think for a moment and then opened my mouth.

“There’s some truth to that. The natives there just wanted to protect the land that had been passed down from their ancestors, so killing them without question is too harsh.”

“That’s right.”

“But it doesn’t make sense to treat those who pay taxes fairly and come to us like you or the Iroquois Confederacy the same as those who resist until the end. If I do that, you, above all else, won’t think this is fair.”

It was a reasonable statement, so Pukeshinwa did not raise any other objections.

“Still, killing is not in line with my tendencies, so I will start with forced relocation from the beginning. And of course, I won’t give them citizenship either. If they revolt beyond that, then a extermination operation will have to be launched.”

“…If it’s that much… I think I can accept it.”

“Of course, even if it’s a different tribe, your hearts won’t be comfortable if the same natives receive such treatment. So, I will entrust the persuasion of the central natives to the Shawnee tribe. Can you do it?”

Pukeshinwa’s body stiffened slightly, perhaps because it was an unexpected proposal.

A significant responsibility that could either save the lives of many compatriots or push them into hell.

He hesitated for a moment at the weight, then nodded heavily.

“I understand. Then I will try my best to persuade them.”

“Good. Then, Lavoisier, send a reply to Washington. That I will gladly stand on the side of America.”

“I understand.”

From America’s point of view, they need an accomplice to share the notoriety, but I’m not used to being the villain, so I refuse.

I’m sorry, but you’ll have to bear all the notoriety.

< You Do It, Villain > End