Chapter 114
Chapter 114
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 114
Chapter Title: World
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Securing a reliable ally in the British Parliament who would stir up trouble for me felt so good it was like I could float away on air.
But Theresia, having egged Pitt on even further, still couldn't shake her worries. "Is this really okay?"
"Franz?"
"Yeah?"
"Even if Britain slacks off a bit on Hanover, won't their national power end up stronger in the long run? From what I see, Pitt's thinking doesn't seem off-base at all."
Of course it wasn't wrong. No idiot sprinting headlong toward the wrong answer could have reached the pinnacle of that wretched empire in the first place.
That said, it was incredibly complex and could come across as pie-in-the-sky talk, so explaining it properly was no easy task.
"Part of it is that I want to test things out through France first. See how a war with Britain plays out if an army equipped with new weapons proves overwhelmingly superior."
"...And that relates to this situation?"
"Naturally. We'll adjust our long-term plans based on the results. Suppose Pitt seizes power in Britain, abandons Hanover, and focuses on managing a vast empire of colonies to balloon their national strength. Short-term, it'd definitely be a win."
Colonial economies were built on illusions, but that only became clear after time wore them down to reality.
Even so, managing those colonies required a nation with the control to hold it all together.
If they suffered repeated defeats in war or a string of disasters eroded their grip, those empires would deflate like punctured balloons.
Raising a nation's fundamental weight to expand its power was the righteous path of the proper faction. Pumping it up with colonies was like the demonic arts of an evil cult—quick gains that inevitably led to self-destruction.
And what Austria and I needed wasn't vast colonies. It was time.
If Britain got lost in the thrill of expanding colonies and inflating their power? Music to my ears.
That was the core of my plan: please, do go right ahead.
"Assuming no major upheavals, Britain's power will grow steadily. There's no suitable rival to check them."
"What if we pull in France or Spain?"
"They might dare to fight, but victory? No guarantees. No need to gamble on shaky odds, right?"
"...That's what I don't get. Even with France and Spain, we can't overwhelm their navy. And as Britain expands its colonies, their naval power will only grow. Won't that leave us confined to the land over time?"
Yep, exactly.
Pitt had surely run those numbers, which was why he pushed to go all-in on colonies even if it meant ditching Hanover.
In reality, no matter how much Napoleon devoured and rampaged across Europe, he never set foot on a single inch of British soil. Pitt's calculus wasn't wrong.
He'd already concluded that even if the Holy Roman Empire unified all of Germany, as long as Britain held the seas tight, they wouldn't lose.
"But technological advances could turn the impossible possible. The era of swords and arrows ended in upheaval with the advent of guns, didn't it? The seas could change the same way."
"...Huh? Sea battles just mean bigger, faster ships with more powerful cannons, right?"
By current common sense, that was the limit. But surprisingly, not far off, the board would flip.
The day steam engines, no longer just for mine drainage, were fitted to ships, freeing them from dependence on wind or manpower.
"Of course, it won't happen overnight. That's why we unify the Holy Roman Empire, pour in all our resources, and strike at once. The question is buying time effectively until then."
"To do that, we need to unify the empire as fast as possible... You know whose help we need most, don't you?"
I knew it. She knew it. And probably the man himself did too.
I'd told him before he left Vienna: we'd have a proper talk.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A few days had passed since the Treaty of Vienna was signed.
Key figures like Pitt had already departed, but Friedrich had dug in his heels, showing no signs of leaving.
One might wonder if a king should leave his capital empty so long, but he didn't care.
Friedrich announced he'd linger another three days before preparing to return.
Not leaving in three days, but staying three more and then preparing to go.
Of course, he had an excuse.
A very human one: wanting more time with his sister, whom he rarely saw, and his nephew, whom he'd just met. No one could argue with that.
Evenings, he'd always call out his brother-in-law Karl or me for drinks and lively chats.
It was such a happy, fulfilling trip that I wondered if there'd ever be another like it.
But even the sweetest dream must end, returning to reality.
The Emperor hosted a farewell banquet for the Prussian king who'd traveled far, and Friedrich savored the final feast despite his regrets.
What excuse could he use to come back next time?
Lost in such thoughts, memories of his first visit here suddenly surfaced.
A mere escape from Berlin, but how much comfort it had brought his heart.
The reason Friedrich owed his sister Wilhelmina a lifelong debt was her sacrifice for him back then.
Immersed in nostalgia, Theresia unexpectedly approached and sat across from him.
"Heading home soon—aren't you sad?"
"Of course. Leaving friends who truly understand me feels like my feet won't move."
"Does that include me among those kindred spirits?"
"Naturally. I still vividly remember playing chess with Your Highness on my first visit. We were both so young then."
"I remember too. I always lost back then, didn't I? I wanted a rematch, but it fizzled out... Didn't we agree the final loser would grant one wish?"
Teresia smiled provocatively.
"If that's a challenge, I won't back down."
Recalling old times, Friedrich straightened up.
Excitement and amusement mixed in his eyes, a spark of fighting spirit flickering.
Even if it was just for fun, he wouldn't go easy.
Two people whose essence hadn't changed with age, despite the years.
With the chessboard between them, their unfinished battle from the past resumed.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ...Friedrich was impressed.
The little girl who'd sulked and trembled after repeated losses was gone.
The puppy that reacted to every poke had grown into a cautious wolf.
Moves once brimming with emotion now hid their intent.
Swift, ruthless, yet profound.
They looked almost too pretty, like roses—beautiful, but touch carelessly and get pricked.
"Hmm..."
The peaceful opening had turned into a fierce melee, both sides savagely exploiting gaps and tearing into each other.
"Whoa!"
"You two are incredible."
Onlookers gathered, murmuring admiration, but soon no sounds reached their ears.
They were that focused.
Clack.
Clack.
"Who's ahead?"
"Uh... seems like the Elector of Brandenburg has a slight edge."
"No way. You claim to know chess and miss that? I'd say Her Highness Theresia has the advantage."
"Looks even to me."
Friedrich briefly glanced from the board into his opponent's eyes.
She—the mature heir to the Habsburgs—stared at the board with icy composure.
Before, he'd held back even at full effort; she shattered before he could unleash it all.
Even when she challenged him again, boasting improved skills, he'd played along with restraint.
But now, he couldn't afford mercy.
"...Hah. So close."
Games this thrilling only made leaving Vienna harder.
Clack.
Friedrich deliberately moved a pawn to open a path, but Theresia didn't bite.
Instead, she feigned falling into the trap, shifting her knight to lay a counter-trap with meticulous precision.
Clack.
He could take more time, but Friedrich moved immediately.
Clack.
She countered instantly, refusing to yield.
It was childish pride, but how could he back down now?
One move, two, three. Exchanges flew in seconds; even the surrounding spectators fell silent.
No one could tell who held the edge. Franz was among them.
"Whoa... impressive."
When had this prickly girl, once only capable of glaring, grown so masterful?
Friedrich chuckled and toppled his king with a flick.
Gasps of shock erupted around them.
"...Huh? Already?"
"Why forfeit, Your Majesty?"
"Was it checkmate?"
Guess no one was watching closely.
Should've had just one glass of wine... No, excuses dishonor the victor.
Friedrich conceded cleanly.
"I lost. No escape in sight."
"We both played by intuition. With time to think, it might've been different."
"Conditions were equal—no excuses. You've grown remarkably, Your Highness."
"I had plenty of time for chess. Makes me realize anew how wide the gap was. Embarrassing to think I once charged in hoping for just one win."
The crowd dispersed tactfully, and Friedrich downed a fresh glass of wine.
"A bet's a bet. Name your wish."
"Bit sudden now, huh? Well... How about occasional chess matches with me? My husband’s so~ bad, it's no fun."
"What? T-Theresia, what do you mean? You said I was pretty good."
"Had to say that to spare your ego."
Franz staggered in shock, but Theresia kept her eyes on Friedrich.
"Too much to ask? Challenging the King of Prussia to regular chess duels?"
"Unexpected, but it fires me up. Exactly what I hoped for. Can't stomach ending on defeat."
No need to meet in person.
Chess could be played by mail, exchanging moves.
Yes. The point was regular, casual correspondence.
All these nobles in the hall would witness this epic match.
"You two enjoy the rest. Franz, I'll go tuck in the kids."
Teresia rose, waving as she left. Friedrich and Franz watched her go.
"She's grown so much."
Franz chuckled at the praise, laden with layers, and took her seat.
"Even I keep getting surprised. In some ways, she surpasses me now."
"Makes you marvel at humanity. How they sprout up like this with time."
"Time changes more than just people."
Franz refilled Friedrich's empty glass.
Friedrich smiled and topped off his in return.
"Some things endure, though. Like the platinum Your Highness crafted."
Friedrich touched the ring engraved "Great King"—a gift from his dear old friend, now worn as a necklace pendant.
Gazing at its soft platinum gleam, Franz tossed out a line.
"You know this, but the world doesn't want a unified German realm."
"Even if I lead the three powers."
"As we discussed before, what if the world turns against you for it?"
"If the world antagonizes Your Highness?"
Wasn't even worth agonizing over.
"Then wouldn't the world be at fault?"
This answer was set the moment he first stepped into Vienna.
No more questions. No more answers.
Just two men grown by time's flow, and a bond unchanged by it.