Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: July Crisis (3)
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Unexpectedly, even within the Austro-Hungarian Empire, there were forces opposing the war.
The hawks calling for an immediate declaration of war held sway among the key opinion leaders—Austria's prime minister, the military, the foreign ministry, parliament, and the treasury.
"I understand the anger that demands we declare war."
"Y-Your, Your Majesty."
The doves included some ministers, the Hungarian prime minister, and the absolute monarch of the dual monarchy: Emperor Franz Joseph I.
A few words from this king, infamous for his incompetence and astonishingly bad luck that brought endless tragedies, plunged the dual empire into the abyss.
"Even in the Balkan Wars, the empire's soldiers were brave, but we gained no glory from all the blood they shed. Do you think it will be different this time?"
"..."
"Russia's intervention is a problem too. If those barbaric Slavs start slaughtering our people, can we stop them?"
Austrian Prime Minister Karl von Stürgkh bowed his head even lower as he gazed at the emperor, who hadn't so much as blinked at the death of his nephew.
He couldn't let his undisguised disgust show to the emperor.
"The enemies are many, and the only reliable ally we have... is Germany."
Not noticing the prime minister's expression, the emperor continued in a cold tone.
"At the very least, until Germany's support is confirmed, let's hold off. We need to see how the investigation unfolds anyway."
"...Yes, understood."
Isn't it fascinating?
The emperor's words were spot on, every last one. Austro-Hungary was weak, and Russian intervention was a foregone conclusion.
If they'd struck quickly in a fit of rage or wisely backed down, history might have taken a different turn.
But instead, they dithered ambiguously and dragged their feet.
And not content with that, they dragged Germany into it, escalating the crisis.
"Tell your emperor this! As your ally, we will spare no support! Promise him a blank check!"
On July 5, Germany pledged full support.
On July 7, the imperial cabinet convened, and they began reviewing the ultimatum to Serbia.
In the end, the hawks seized control and managed to hash out compromises among most of the ethnic groups' interests.
But a serious amount of time had already passed.
The dual empire appealed to Germany.
Serbia appealed to Russia.
Russia appealed to France.
Telegrams flew thick and fast between nations across Europe.
No one knew about all the shady dealings unfolding behind the scenes.
Aside from the clacking of typewriters, time passed quietly.
July 23.
-The assassination on June 28, 1914, of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife in Sarajevo is the result of subversive movements spreading within Serbia. -The goal of this movement is to detach certain territories from the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Definition of the cause.
-The Serbian government condoned this criminal conspiracy and failed to prevent the subversive agitation that fomented hatred against the empire, ultimately culminating in the assassination of the heir to the throne.
Definition of responsibility.
-The Austro-Hungarian government holds the Serbian government responsible for this incident and demands the immediate fulfillment of the following measures to eradicate the subversive activities that led to this tragedy.
Definition for resolution.
The ultimatum, defining these three points, was delivered to the Serbian government.
"This... this is too much!"
"For the eternal friendship between our nations, these clauses are unavoidable."
-1. Prohibition of all anti-Austrian propaganda.
-2. Dissolution of all anti-Austrian organizations.
-3. Elimination of anti-Austrian teachings from public education.
-4. Dismissal of all anti-Austrian public officials.
.
.
.
-10. All demands must be fulfilled and notification provided within 48 hours.
Refuse, and war is the only option.
Something like that seemed to echo in the ears of the Serbian foreign minister as he gritted his teeth.
Suppressing the hatred boiling up from the depths of his chest, the foreign minister pleaded desperately.
"W-wait just a moment. Grant us an extension! Prime Minister Pašić is out of town right now!"
"Don't you see the seal stamped on that document?"
The imperial envoy stared at him impassively.
"It's His Majesty's own seal. And I have not been granted authority by His Majesty to discuss any extensions."
"Then tell your emperor and your parliament!"
The envoy slowly shook his head.
"They will accept no reply other than confirmation that all items have been fulfilled within 48 hours."
This wasn't an ultimatum—it was a fuse. Time was the fuel, and 48 hours was the ignition point.
"Damn...!"
The foreign minister's insides burned.
No one knew when the prime minister, off on a provincial trip, would return, and the diplomats of the great powers were all away on their own business.
Utterly isolated, on the brink of disaster, a total crisis.
In truth, the empire had timed their ultimatum precisely for this awkward moment, but there was no way to know that.
The next day, July 24.
The Serbian prime minister returned to Belgrade.
In this suffocating situation, one party moved faster than anyone else.
Russia.
"Issue the mobilization preparation order effective immediately."
The order was issued under the pretext of a military provocation.
But the Russian leadership had made a grave miscalculation.
Put kindly, it was a preparation order—but deploying troops across the entire Eastern Front, including against Germany and Austro-Hungary, sent a message tantamount to full mobilization.
Moreover, unlike Germany's meticulously staged plan, their mobilization scheme had no brakes: it was designed to escalate straight into total mobilization without any intermediate steps.
When German military intelligence caught wind of the Russian troop movements, war became inevitable.
At last, the fire was lit beneath the runaway train—the war machine.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"You should spend some time at your family home."
"No."
"It's been a while since you last saw your father-in-law. It might be nice to spend the summer together."
"Mmm, no."
"You know I'll be away from home a lot from now on. So head back to your parents'..."
"Mmmmmm."
'This is tricky.'
I tried my best to soothe Elise, who was whining in my arms, but it was no use.
I was anxious. I needed to convince her quickly, but she was being so stubborn.
'The early war will be fine, but as it drags on, Berlin's going to turn into a hellhole.'
I was worried. As my reputation grew, Elise would become a target too.
Anyone holding a grudge against me might take it out on her, so I'd wanted to send her to the safety of her parents' house.
"I'll guard this home. It's our little nest, yours and mine."
"Hmm."
Elise's eyes sparkled as she looked up at me.
I gazed down at her and pulled her into a tight embrace.
I wanted to protect that light in her eyes. I was terrified that the horrors of war might dim its pure glow.
A contradiction arose. I wanted her to see only beauty, hear only joy, taste only sweetness.
But the war had to happen. Victory was my sole mission.
Flailing between ideals and reality, I loosened my arms around her just a fraction.
"...All right. Stay here for the time being."
"Yes! Just trust me! We've got plenty of food stocked in the basement, so don't worry!"
Seeing her beaming smile at last made my heart tremble in more ways than one.
I swallowed those feelings and spoke to her firmly.
"But when I send a telegram or if you sense any danger, you have to go straight back to your parents'. Promise me."
"Got it."
"Hoo..."
Elise nodding over and over looked as precarious as a child left by the water's edge.
But I'd already said it, so there was no taking it back.
As I packed amid these tangled thoughts, Elise quietly came over to help.
"Don't worry too much about me. You're the one heading off to a far more dangerous battlefield."
"...Fair point."
"You always say war has no glory or honor."
I gave a wry smile.
True enough—how vast was the gulf between Berlin, where Elise would be, and the human slaughterhouse I'd be entering?
Elise gently took my hand.
"...Don't get hurt. Absolutely, absolutely no injuries."
"I won't."
"No merits needed—just no injuries, ever."
Seeing tears welling in the corners of her eyes, I quietly clasped her hand in mine.
But I couldn't bring myself to reply.
I had to rack up those merits.
"...Hmph. I hate you."
"No pouting. We won't see each other for a while—show me that pretty face."
As Elise pursed her lips and turned her head, I quickly stroked her cheek.
After kneading her soft, squishy cheeks for a bit, she finally softened up. Thankfully.
We savored our final moments together until Elise spoke up.
"Darling."
"Yes?"
I smiled and asked, and she slowly wrapped her arms around my neck.
"Come back safe. And write me letters."
"I will."
We kissed.
I drew out the kiss a little longer, etching this last peace into my heart.
As the kiss drew to a close, the faint scent of blood and gunpowder brushed my nose.
It was twilight. A long night was coming.