Holy Roman Empire-Chapter 1112 - 126: The Thrill of Madness

Chapter 1112: Chapter 126: The Thrill of Madness

The continuously deteriorating situation pushed Britannia to the edge of the cliff. Like a gazelle making a flight across, one would either soar through the vast skies or shatter upon failure.

Despite the unsubsided storm of anti-war public sentiment across the European world, this did not prevent governments from taking sides.

Choosing between the Holy Roman Empire and Britannia, supporting Shinra came without fault. Even if a referendum were to take place, the final outcome would remain unchanged.

After all, support was merely being offered, not immediate participation in warfare. The war had not yet broken out, and governments still had time to guide public opinion.

To achieve this was simple; a flip through the history books was sufficient, for within were plenty of reasons to beat up the British.

Besides, even if war were to break out, countries would merely play a marginal role, without the need for everyone to break their backs over it.

...

Times were evolving, and technology was advancing. To confront Britannia, even if the Vienna Government wanted cannon fodder, not just any country was qualified to participate.

In land battles, apart from the Russians, even if other countries wished to take part, the Vienna Government would find them troublesome.

As for naval battles, if the Shinra Navy couldn’t win, adding the fleets of other countries would still not suffice.

The arrival of the Era of Dreadnoughts had starkly delineated the tiers between naval powers. A few thousand tons of Ironclad ships partaking in it was futile beyond giving the enemy more military achievements.

Even if it were about quantity, only the participation of battleships over ten thousand tons would be meaningful.

Especially since various nation’s navies were scattered across different regions. Apart from those along the Mediterranean, it would be practically impossible for other nations’ fleets to assemble quickly.

Moreover, the British were not fools; they would not offer the Anti-British Alliance time to gather forces. It was reminiscent of the past, when the Royal Navy overcame the Invincible Armada with sheer numbers, an experience they were not likely to ignore.

Of course, whether or not the navies of various countries unified, they posed a threat to the British.

Luckily, the Anti-British Alliance was not of one mind internally; otherwise, even the mighty Royal Navy would now be straining itself at every turn.

The true capacity for countries to participate was perhaps symbolic at best: sending a few airplanes to join the battle against Britain.

Otherwise, it was bad luck if the homeland or colonies turned into battlefields and were forced into combat; or it could be in the late stages of the war, when there might be a landing operation on the British Isles, and they could pile on and kick the enemy when down.

In fact, the greatest significance of the participation of various countries in the Anti-British Alliance was not military but rather political and economic.

After the formation of the Alliance, Britannia had to confront the entire European Continent. The economic and industrial strength gap between the two sides widened by four to five times.

Without going into details, one could see the stark disparity in shipbuilding. With some technical support from the Vienna Government, even Spain, the Netherlands, and Portugal could build Super Battleships.

No matter how decayed the old naval empires were, even a rotting ship needs three pounds of nails. At the very least, the shipbuilding industrial system still remained domestically, and there was some reserve of talent.

All of these were resources; the challenge lay in their integration and utilization. However, these were minor problems; with the right interests negotiated, there was nothing that couldn’t be resolved.

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In fact, the Vienna Government had already started doing so. Whether technology was disseminated was now irrelevant.

As long as the Royal Navy was defeated, even if shipbuilding technology became commonplace, it mattered not. After all, a navy’s strength lay not just in technology but also in financial power.

Take, for example, the Vienna Government’s close ally, the Russian Empire, a classic case in point.

They had engaged more than once or twice in importing technology from Shinra, only to be undermined by domestic bureaucrats or dragged down by poor government finances.

The situation was no better in other countries; even the wealthier ones could not commit substantial funds to armaments because of their size.

And to think that developing a navy merely required money and technology? If it were that simple, the Middle East of later eras would be crowded with naval powerhouses.

Perhaps in the first half of a maritime campaign, this plan might be feasible, but as the second half unfolds, various challenges arise. Without a matching industrial system, even established naval powers can only lament in frustration.

The sudden shift in international relations has utterly baffled the British, with the general public even less able to keep up.

Ordinary citizens can’t keep pace, and scholars and experts are equally confused, utterly unaware of what has happened.

While people understand the necessity of choosing sides when outmuscled, such swift and coordinated alignment is hard for many to comprehend.

“Pre-mediated collusion”?

That explanation might fool the average citizen, but anyone with a slight understanding of politics knows that coordinating over a dozen countries without leaking information is near impossible.

There’s no other reason; within the governments of various countries, there are both Shinra and Pro-British factions.

Even autocracies have to discuss such significant matters as choosing sides.

Even with discussions limited to a small group, with a dozen people from each country involved, there would be hundreds in the know.

No secret remains so once the number of people privy to it grows too large.

Where there are people, there are networks; expecting every insider to keep silent, especially when interests are concerned, is fanciful.

With so many informed, there are bound to be several representatives of interest groups. Having prior knowledge is a significant business opportunity.

Whether it’s hoarding goods in advance, driving up commodity prices, or buying and dumping assets affected by war, the futures and stock markets will show precursors to such events.

If there’s any noticeable activity anywhere, it’s a giveaway, sure to raise alerts among the British.

How exactly to orchestrate such a comprehensive alignment among the nations of Europe without a trace is a question that has seized the attention of the entire world.

…

Outside speculation, naturally, will yield no answer because there simply isn’t one; there was never any advance collusion.

Although the Dutch initiated the “Neutral Movement,” it was the Vienna Government that propelled it to its climax.

Without a signal from the Vienna Government, why would insignificant states like Belgium, Sardinia, or Lucca dare to get involved?

It’s not just outsiders who are confused; many of the parties involved were baffled upon receiving the hint.

Even without knowing what their leader was really up to, they still had to carry out the orders.

The reasons were ready-made; whether for national interest or personal political gain, everyone had ample reason to be anti-war.

Pro-Austrian factions turning anti-war naturally caught the British eye, and some even leaked information to the British.

The British Government’s attention had indeed been drawn, but they were utterly at a loss to understand. Similar maneuvers by the Vienna Government weren’t new to them.

Cases dating back decades remain unsolved, with some suspecting that there was never any motive to begin with, simply that the Vienna Government had a momentary lapse of reason.

This explanation is most plausible since every government has its moments of irrationality. The British Government itself is a prime example, with some bizarre administrations popping up every few years, engaging in inexplicable, puzzling actions.

The Vienna Government’s encouragement of the neutrality movement seemed to the British bureaucracy to be the domestic opposition’s doing, seeking to thwart the war.

This was a familiar experience. Whenever Britain sought to wage war abroad, there was always a throng of anti-war activists causing trouble, with the only difference being the extent of the commotion they created.

The British could afford to ignore it, but the European governments involved could not overlook it. Only by personally participating in the “Neutrality Movement” did everyone deeply realize how unreliable this affair was.

No matter how loudly everyone chanted their slogans, once they touched on concrete matters, trouble immediately followed.

The so-called formation of the “Neutral Alliance,” which entailed shared pressure from two major hegemons, ended up with no country willing to lead when it came down to the crunch.

Russia, the great empire that everyone had placed their high hopes on, had the Tsarist Government state, “We have the ‘Russian-Austrian Alliance’. Most of the clauses in the Neutral Alliance contradict those of the Russian-Austrian Alliance, so we cannot participate in the treaty.”

If that did not awaken everyone, the behavior of the other countries that followed truly drove them to despair.

After the Russian Empire, it was Spain that had the qualifications to organize everyone to establish the “Neutral Alliance.”

Regrettably, the Spanish Government was also slippery, citing the ancient “Austro-Spanish Port Agreement.”

The specific contents were not made public. Everyone was to refer to the Vienna Government’s actions during the Philippine War—it was fine to initiate the neutrality movement and even help provide a venue for meetings, but leading the pact was out of the question.

With significant nations disqualified due to existing treaties, preventing them from organizing the alliance, small countries had to step up.

Testing the waters, the Netherlands was then put forward. Despite their lack of strength, as the initiators of the neutrality movement, it was plausible for them to take the lead.

Unfortunately, the Dutch Government was not foolish either. If Spain and Russia, two big countries, were not willing to stick their necks out, why should they, a small country, take the lead?

Did they really think being a leading big brother was easy? This position was bound to attract hatred, and the Holy Roman Empire’s retaliation was certain to follow.

It was like the alliance of feudal lords against Dong Zhuo, where Yuan Shao became the commander, and the mighty Yuan family was sacrificed first.

Realizing that neutrality was not reliable, the only option left was to take sides. Since sides had to be taken anyway, why not sell oneself for a good price?

Talking terms now was pointless, as any number of promises were mere checks without cash. Whether and how much could be honored in the end would depend on the Vienna Government.

Based on experiences from the anti-France wars, everyone understood the Vienna Government’s rules for sharing spoils: greater contributions led to a larger share, rewards were also greater for those who aligned first.

Of course, taking sides aside, everyone still needed to consider the British response. The Royal was formidable, and no one could assure that Britannia would definitely be unseated this time.

Under such circumstances, the first to take sides would certainly be the most resented and would inevitably face the fiercest retribution in the future.

Even with the protection of the Holy Roman Empire, not every country was capable of withstanding the backlash.

Fortunately, the thick-skinned and resilient Russians were not afraid of British retaliation. The Tsarist Government was the first to jump out and aligned themselves, relieving everyone’s worries.

The first position, which none of the countries dared to snatch, naturally lead to them all scrambling for the second. The countries took sides both casually and inevitably, unintentionally creating another unsolved mystery of the world.

It’s impossible to explain; it is better to be misunderstood. Letting the British tumble in frustration could also be a good choice.

Perhaps, in a few decades, this will become compelling evidence for Emperor Franz’s divine titles such as “Chosen by Heaven,” “Destined by Fate,” “Selected by God.”

In fact, similar claims were proposed long ago. Especially among religious personages, Franz had already been deemed “the man graced by God.”

The reason was very simple: he reclaimed the Holy Land from pagans and was favored by God.

The revival of the Holy Roman Empire was also interpreted by them as a result of divine favor, including the decline of France: colluding with pagans and thus punished by God.

If this theory held true, then it would be Britannia’s turn to suffer next. On the other hand, if Britannia’s decline came to pass, it would further validate this theory.

If the British withstood this shock, one could guess they would claim it to be a test from God. As long as faith remained steadfast, they were sure to triumph next time.

No problem, even the deep roots of the Great Britain Empire can’t change the fact that they are currently lagging behind.

Surviving one challenge was already quite impressive, but facing a second one, Britannia was definitely unable to withstand it.

It must be admitted that the charlatans still have some level of competence. No matter how the situation evolved, they always had a reasonable explanation.

…

After putting down the newspaper in his hands, Franz, looking at the drifting snowflakes outside the window and with his back to his son, asked, “Have the British not declared war yet?”

Though the later the war broke out, the more advantageous it was for the Holy Roman Empire. But with the Anti-British Alliance almost fully assembled, the British, playing the role of the great antagonist, were still hesitant to make their appearance, which was rather frustrating.

If it wasn’t for the wish to pin the responsibility of starting the war on the British, Franz would have wanted to declare war on them first to save the anxious wait.

“Not yet.”

From Frederick’s resigned expression, it was clear that this wasn’t the first time Franz had asked. Perhaps due to his age, Franz’s temperament had become increasingly unpredictable.

After a brief pause, Frederick continued to explain, “According to the intelligence we’ve received, the British Parliament is still bickering.

In yesterday morning’s session, two members even escalated their argument into a brawl, resulting in three members being hospitalized due to severe injuries.

It’s said that Edward VII, who hurried to the scene, flew into a rage in Parliament and warned that any further brawling would result in the revocation of membership.

It seems that the reaction of the European nations has frightened the British war party, whose influence has significantly decreased recently.”

Unlike future members of Parliament who dared to seize the queen’s scepter, at this time the King of Britain still held real power. The dismissal of a member, unthinkable for future monarchs, was actually possible in these times.

Of course, it was merely possible. If it really happened, there would likely be a parliamentary backlash.

Mainly, Britain’s legal restrictions on its members conduct were too few. According to normal regulations, it was difficult to bind them.

There’s no helping it, as the law needed their approval to pass. Naturally, legislation regulating and limiting their own behavior would never be approved.

By comparison, the Holy Roman Empire had it much better. Franz had taken early action, and there was a pile of laws restricting parliamentary conduct.

Even the revision and abolition of these laws required members to abstain, leaving them with no right to participate.

If this had happened in Shinra, not only would these brawling members have lost their positions, but they would also be reflecting in prison.

Deliberately provoking trouble, gathering to fight, and disturbing the order of Parliament were not exempt from the law.

However, these minor issues were currently not Franz’s main focus of attention; it was the waning momentum of the British war party that truly caught his eye.

The Great Britain Empire of the Victorian Era was no pushover. It had faced off against the European Continent before, and the idea that they backed down due to being “frightened” held no credibility.

Although the regular army of the Holy Roman Empire had not moved, there had indeed already been fighting on the African battlefield.

“Civilian armed conflict” was a term that only the Vienna Government dared claim.

Whether it was the weapon equipment, the military quality of the participants, or the scale of the conflict, none of it was befitting of a “civilian armed conflict.”

Moreover, this was just the beginning. As time progressed, the number of participants in the conflict continued to grow.

After contemplating for a moment, Franz turned around and said indifferently, “Since the British are not taking action, let’s provoke them a bit more.

Invite the governments of the European countries to a conference in Vienna next month to discuss an Anti-British meeting…”