Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 055
Chapter Title: War Breaks Out
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It would be wonderful if every issue in the world could be resolved through mere conversation, but sadly, that's never going to happen.
Especially in Europe, where borders weren't just touching but so hazy they barely existed, conflicts erupted with such frequency that war was viewed as nothing more than an extension of diplomacy.
And right now.
The news of Russia's incursion into Poland arrived at the same moment as France's ultimatum to Austria.
-We must save Poland, so open the path for our troops to pass through.
"Have these bastards lost their minds?"
"Why don't they just say they want war instead of making such ridiculous demands?"
"We should declare war first!"
"Now, now, everyone calm down. We anticipated France would pull something like this."
The atmosphere in the Privy Council was heated enough to make the sauna unnecessary for the first time in ages.
They lounged around lazily, always asking me to handle this or that in peacetime, but France's provocation had clearly struck a nerve.
"Of course, Your Highness Franz did say France would strike first, but he didn't mention they'd make such an absurd demand."
"You're right. I didn't see this coming either."
In my memory, they had just declared war outright. Had Louis XV hesitated even briefly because of his connection to me?
Maybe he wanted to stack up just enough justification to use as an excuse later—like a rat's tail worth of pretext.
But demanding we open the way to save Poland... I know this one. It's the Imjin War, right?
I could understand how utterly dumbfounded my ancestors from the previous life's Joseon must have felt.
Wouldn't it have been better to just declare war outright, saying the situation had escalated to that point?
"Reacting emotionally here would only put us on their level. Idle back-and-forth is pointless now—it's time to let our actions speak."
The emperor and all the councilors nodded at my words.
"Then we'll send our response immediately and mobilize the troops. Personnel assignments are already complete, so we'll leave battlefield decisions entirely to Commander Eugene."
"I shall repay Your Majesty's trust without fail."
Eugène bowed calmly, but unease lingered on the faces of some councilors.
"However, Your Majesty, given France's overt aggression, we must assume they've made substantial preparations."
"Likely. They've probably secured allies as well."
"We've taken our own measures since last year, but shouldn't we secure more funding now and urge other electoral states to commit troops?"
If Eugène were in his prime, we'd have less to worry about, but at present, he was a man nearing seventy.
Even in modern times, that's too old for frontline command; in the 18th century, sending a septuagenarian to war bordered on elder abuse.
In original history, even this legendary general couldn't fully demonstrate his abilities during the War of the Polish Succession due to health issues.
The councilors considering a Plan B was perfectly rational.
"No need for concern. His Majesty and I have already prepared countermeasures."
Indeed. With things this far along, what was there left to hide?
I signaled to Charles VI, who smirked and handed a thick stack of reports to his attendant.
Senior Advisor Ludwig flipped open the top report and read the title aloud with a thud on the desk.
"Preemptive Measures Against the Polish Succession Crisis and Potential Great Power Conflicts... I see. As expected, Your Majesty has been preparing far in advance. But this date... Huh?"
"Lord Ludwig, what's wrong?"
"The date on this... It can't be wrong, can it?"
"What date has you so surprised... Wait? 1727?"
Most councilors, excluding those already in the loop on war preparations, let out bewildered sighs.
No matter how prescient, predicting the current crisis six years ago seemed all but impossible.
Charles VI delivered a short, firm retort to them.
"The date is accurate. I read that report on my birthday in 1727."
"...Pardon?"
"My prospective son-in-law gave me quite the birthday gift."
"M-May we read it?"
The emperor nodded slightly, and the councilors, unable to contain their curiosity, rose en masse and clustered around the report.
"Poland will not accept the enthronement of August III, a German, and France will push their son-in-law Stanisław as king, allying with Sardinia and Spain to wage war against us... You foresaw this six years ago?"
"It's not just prediction—the countermeasures are detailed to perfection. I sensed from then that war with France was inevitable and began preparations."
"Ooooh!"
"No matter France's preparations, His Majesty and I have been scheming their downfall for six years. Have no fears, my lords—simply watch the war unfold."
The councilors' gazes toward me shifted from admiration to something bordering on awe.
Emboldened, Austria sent France a response tantamount to "shove it," and France, as if waiting, promptly declared war on Austria.
France versus Austria.
Bourbon versus Habsburg.
The time had come to decide which house would dominate the continent.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ As soon as Charles VI's formal edict announcing the war was issued, I immediately informed Theresia of my plans.
"...You're going to the front lines? You're serious?"
"I believe it's the best course."
Theresia stared at me silently, her face slightly tense.
A silent invitation to convince her.
I sat across from her and gently took her hand.
"This war is a golden opportunity to bolster the imperial family's authority. But for you and me to fully inherit that prestige—not just His Majesty—we need the reputation of having substantially contributed to a decisive victory."
"You've already done more than enough. Everyone knows how diligently you've prepared for this war."
"True, but showing it through action is a hundred times more effective than endless explanations. Once the world sees me heading to the battlefield for the empire and the dynasty, no one can doubt my sincerity."
"It's too dangerous..."
"I won't be in the thick of combat—I'll be in the safest rear position alongside Duke Eugène. Given his age, it's better if I'm there to assist him."
Subtle machinations behind the scenes wouldn't make my contributions intuitively clear once the war ended.
But add in the result of the Imperial Army, led by Eugène and Franz Stefan, crushing the French, and the narrative changes entirely.
-Whoa! His Highness Franz utterly trampled the French frog-eaters!
-Turns out he was deeply involved not just in the battles, but in preparations and diplomacy from the start.
That way, my achievements could be rattled off naturally.
Such rumors were scarce now, but after this, any talk of me not being "truly Austrian" would dry up completely.
Risk? I wasn't even considering it.
With preparations this thorough, if we still lost, I'd be doomed no matter what I did.
"This is just the once. I'll never set foot in a dangerous place like a battlefield again. Better to seize this chance to ensure I'm not dragged into tougher fights later."
"...You're sure? If we win big this time, you won't have to go to any more wars?"
"Of course. They'll grab me by the ankles and refuse to let me go anywhere, even if I tried."
Theresia nodded slowly.
"Fine. But you have to come back completely healthy—promise? If you get hurt even a little, I'll be really mad. No eating together, no chess, no coffee."
"Can't have a single scratch then. I'll be a hundred times more careful than in the palace."
"I should tell Duke Eugène too. No overexertion at his age—he and you must stay in a safe spot."
"It won't drag on that long anyway."
A prolonged war would inevitably inflict massive casualties on us too.
Next year—before 1735— we'd seize a decisive advantage.
"Prussia's case: Friedrich's committing personally, so they'll throw everything into helping us. Sending half-hearted forces only to suffer a crushing defeat would be disastrous for a crown prince on the front."
"Friedrich? That's surprising... Brandenburg's Elector actually permitted it?"
"Er... yeah, something like that."
It wasn't permission—it was notification—but Theresia didn't know that yet.
The domestic abuser king lay bedridden, coughing his lungs out, with real power in Friedrich's hands, gleefully venting years of pent-up rage. That much was public knowledge.
But that the entire saga was Friedrich and Wilhelmina's design? Only the three of us knew.
We're to be family soon... but what terrifying siblings.
"Will Friedrich be okay, though? Wilhelmina will worry if he gets hurt."
"That's one thing we don't need to fret over."
Theresia tilted her head curiously, but I could declare it the world's most needless concern.
A runaway potato who'd awakened to military affairs far sooner than in his past life, honing strategies—not a mustache—to thrash not just Germany, but France and Britain too.
Eugène had warned me that kid was dangerous five years ago.
So I was certain.
The ones to worry about weren't Prussia, but the French about to face him.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Northern Italy buzzed with taut tension.
"Come on, move faster! The firmer our Lombard defense line holds, the more soldiers will return home safely!"
"Yes, sir!"
Austria's forces, previously scattered across northern and southern Italy, began rapidly concentrating.
In the previous life, when the French-Sardinian alliance invaded, the defenders around Lombardy—Milano—numbered barely 12,000.
Against their over 40,000, the initial defenses crumbled swiftly, making retreat inevitable.
But this time was different.
Years ago, we'd selected swift reinforcement routes from the homeland to northern Italy, secured supply lines, and methodically distributed weapons and powder.
No need to fight Spain, so nearly all southern garrison troops shifted north.
A deathtrap none could escape alive.
A quicksand pit to bury every French and Sardinian soldier.
France would assume Austria's top general, Eugène, was tied up on the Rhine front, amplifying their shock.
That's why Eugène struck at their flank, redirecting the main force south.
Devour the oblivious French crossing the Alps, crush the Sardinians, then push back northward.
Prussia's surprise intervention blocks the French main force crossing the Rhine.
Forced to split their main army, France would face mounting pressure—the tide would turn decisively our way.
Of course, whether Prussia could hold the French main force was key, but Eugène believed Friedrich capable.
"Your Highness, as you know, the quicker we resolve this, the less burden on Prussia. To boost morale, you should address the troops from the platform at least once."
"No issue there. Prussia's already formed support units, so they should hold strong."
"I expect as much. It's a long march, but we've dedicated support for them, and with the massive supplies from Your Highness... that makes our performance here all the more crucial."
Eugène reverted to the sharp-edged soldier, not his usual relaxed tone.
Seeing that chilling gaze, I almost pitied the French marching into Lombard territory.
Prussia under a sharper Friedrich would be formidable, but Austria lacked no strength.
Eugène, Austria's greatest general, who'd sharpened his blade for over five years awaiting this day.
And Leopold Joseph, his disciple, stepping in for the aging master on the field.
With these two legendary commanders anchoring the main army, it was undeniably the continent's strongest force.
Eugène would offset Joseph's hesitation in bold decisions; Joseph would cover Eugène's slowed reflexes. What more perfect pairing?
All that remained.
Was waiting for the French to charge headlong into their graves.