The Shadow of Great Britain

Although Dubris didn't know what the 'you owe me a life' referred to, he barely understood Arthur's metaphor. He also believed that the French Government owed him a fair apology, which is why he wanted to retaliate against the rulers of this country.

Dubris asked curiously, "So you are taking revenge? Can connecting with the Royalists of France help you take revenge on Britain?"

"No, no, no." Arthur shook his finger again, "I'm not a revenge-seeker. I love peace and don't support terrorist attacks. The reason I'm involved in this matter is entirely that I want to achieve something."

"Hmm..." Dubris pondered while holding his coffee cup, "Blowing up the King of France, for a Briton, is indeed an incredible achievement. But I think you acted a bit late. If you had dealt with him during Louis Philippe's exile in Britain, it would have been much easier than now."

Arthur deliberately avoided discussing the assassination issue and ambiguously muddled the Foreign Office's attitude, steering the conversation in another direction: "Hindsight is always twenty-twenty. But Mr. Dubris, you should also know that whether you or those Royalists, your current situation is very dangerous. Assassinating the King is an extremely serious crime, and the process of mounting the guillotine is irreversible. The simplest way to avoid exposing your connections with the Royalists is to transfer them all out of France."

Dubris replied self-deprecatingly, "That's easier said than done. Due to the government's frequent acceptance of political refugees from various countries in recent years, we now spend over three million francs annually on settling foreign exiles. To alleviate this issue, the border inspection standards have become stricter than ever. Whether trying to enter the country of France or leave it, it's not that easy. "

Louis couldn't help but interject, "Is it not easier than going to the Two Sicilies Kingdom? When I tried to enter the Two Sicilies Kingdom before, I encountered fourteen full-body searches halfway through, and when I finally overcame all difficulties and reached the Naples customs, they even demanded I hand over all the books I was carrying. "

Dubris was stunned, "Books can't even be brought into the Two Sicilies?"

"It's more than just books." Louis spoke, "Any printed materials published outside the Two Sicilies Kingdom will be detained at customs. When the custom officials in Naples discovered I was carrying books, they immediately and angrily pounded the table, spitting and sputtering at me as if I had committed a grave crime, implying I should be on the gallows by tomorrow. "

Dubris weighed the standards of both sides, and then hesitantly shook his head, "Although the current situation in France is not optimistic, we haven't reached the level of the Italians yet. However, I still feel it's necessary to remind you that even if I were to forge identity documents for you, there's still a good chance they will be intercepted when crossing the border."

Arthur had anticipated that Dubris would provide such an answer, and he didn't intend for this honest judge to risk his neck by trying to save other people's lives.

On one hand, sacrificing others to save a different group of people is an extremely immoral act.

On the other hand, a living court prosecutor is always more valuable than a dead one.

"What if I said I'm not here asking you to help forge identity documents, but to add a few inconspicuous names to the expulsion order about to be issued?"

"Expulsion order?"

"That's right."

Arthur took out a thin document from his coat pocket, pressing it onto the table: "Based on the intelligence we've acquired, the French government plans to expel some political refugees and underground organizations from the Italian regions due to the financial burden they impose and protests from countries like Austria. This expulsion list should include members of organizations such as the 'Charcoal Party' and 'Young Italy'. Currently, the exact details of the list are uncertain, but the one certainty is that it will include hundreds of people. I imagine, in such a long list of expulsion names, slipping a few impromptu new members in should be quite normal, right?"

When Dubris heard this, his eyes lit up.

Why hadn't he thought of this brilliant idea before?

But then, a wave of doubt rose in Dubris's heart, "Young Italy? I recall this organization; aren't they allied with Italy's Charcoal Party? Moreover, both organizations received aid from the July Monarchy Government. These people are republicans, and extreme ones at that. From a conceptual perspective, the two sides are simply incompatible. According to the usual expulsion practices, all expellees will be sent onto wagons at the same place and then escorted out. If they spot our added members as strangers and point them out on the spot, wouldn't that immediately blow our cover?"

"Regarding this point, I don't think you need to worry."

Arthur reassured him, "Compared to the Charcoal Party, Young Italy is slightly stronger. Unlike the Charcoal Party and other groups, Young Italy does not have ceremonies, initiation rituals, or oaths, nor do they use cloaks, daggers, or blood cups. I happen to have some connections with their leader, Mazzini. According to my understanding, Mazzini refers to Young Italy as an Angel Envoy organization, and their doctrines differ greatly from those of the Charcoal Party.

In their publications, the suffering Italy is portrayed as a Christ-like sufferer, and Young Italy's mission is to restore the glory of the Roman Empire and reignite the revival of Italy. Meanwhile, the barbaric Austrians are seen as persecutors of the Roman Empire, and their brutal rule indeed creates countless martyrs for this divine cause. You see, the members of Young Italy, much like the Royalists, are devout believers in God.

However, because of your different missions, you have been given different titles. But from my perspective as a Catholic believer, the French Royalists and Young Italy are practically a pair of heaven-sent brothers. At least, at this critical moment, you need to unite and face the crisis together. Not only is this the best option currently, but it's also what God most wishes to see at this moment."

Dubris always felt that the reasons Arthur gave were rather flimsy, so he responded by retorting: "But..."

Arthur shook his head slightly and said: "The previous statement was meant for my French peasant brothers. The next part is directed towards you."

"Me?" Dubris was confused by Arthur's words, but then he remembered that this was a 'diplomat who serves himself', so he decided to listen to what else he had to say.

This time, Arthur did not look at Dubris, but instead turned his head towards Louis.

When he saw that Louis still didn't understand, he took a small notebook and pen out of his pocket and placed them in front of him.

Louis finally seemed to realize: Arthur was following the teaching protocols of the Greater London Police Department, where new officers were supposed to take diligent notes during their training.

Arthur looked at Dubris: "Mr. Dubris, may I ask you a question?"

"Of course you may." Dubris nodded.

Arthur stirred the spoon in his coffee cup: "Do you support Louis XVI?"

"Of course not."

"Why?"

"Because he made a complete mess of the country. When I was young, I rarely heard anything good said about him."

Arthur nodded slightly: "Then do you support Louis XVII?"

Dubris shook his head again: "No."

"Why?"

"Because there are simply too many Louis XVII's out there. Across all of Europe, at least twenty people claim to be Louis XVII, but I bet not one of them is the real deal."

"Very good." Arthur smiled slightly: "Do you support Louis XVIII, and are you willing to lay down your life for his royal family?"

Dubris pondered for a moment and still gave a negative answer: "No."

"Why?"

"Louis XVIII was a decent king, but that's about it. I don't oppose him, but I'm not loyal enough to die for him either."

"Do you support Charles X?"

"That's even more impossible, he's practically a tyrant!"

Arthur picked up his coffee cup and gently blew away the white mist: "Given that, are you a Royalist?"

"I..." Dubris had his mouth half-open, staring at Arthur, unable to get the words out. He hesitated for a long time and could only helplessly counter with: "I'm not a Royalist, but I can't possibly be a republican either, can I?"