Chapter 81
Chapter 81
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 081
Chapter Title: Savior of the Balkans
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War changes everything.
Just look at the Thirty Years' War a century ago—it brought about a massive upheaval across all of European history.
This war, though more limited in scope, promised equally profound changes.
The emergence of independent Christian states on the Balkan Peninsula was all well and good.
But who would lead these new nations? What would their governments look like?
And if they joined the Holy Roman Empire, how should we define their obligations and rights as principalities?
Above all, the nations economically or politically entangled with the Balkans were watching the situation like hawks.
Especially Russia, which grew frantic upon hearing that Austria was negotiating a separate peace.
"Your Highness! We cannot end the war like this!"
"I want to keep fighting too, but what choice do we have?"
So urgent was their panic that Foreign Minister Andrey had rushed all the way to Edirne, the site of the negotiations.
But regardless, the armistice declaration was proceeding smoothly.
"Didn't we agree to firmly resist pressure from Britain and France?"
"We did."
"Then why are you rushing to end the war?"
"Rushing? Do you really think so?"
I showed him the map of the newly redrawn borders on the Balkan Peninsula.
This wasn't some half-hearted excuse—it was one hundred percent sincere.
"Look. We need to reorganize these duchies right away, meet their representatives, and iron out their positions. And not just one or two—seven of them. Seven."
"...That's... quite a few."
"Even as principalities, these are seven brand-new sovereign states springing up at once. There's no shortage of issues to sort out."
"......"
Shouting "Long live Orthodox independence!" was easy and fun, but real independence inevitably brought tedious, pedantic problems.
If we just shrugged and said "then die" to wrap things up, we'd be in for a brutal, no-holds-barred cage match.
"Anyway, I trust you now understand why I had no choice but to end the war this way. And if your country had pushed south quickly alongside us, we could've taken Constantinople too. This isn't our fault."
"That... plague swept through our lands, leaving us no option."
"Of course. It was unavoidable. That's why I'm not blaming Russia."
Early in the war, Russia had swiftly captured Bakhchisaray, the Crimean Khanate's capital, and even Azov, defended by Ottoman garrisons.
Had they maintained that momentum, a joint Austro-Russian assault on Constantinople might have become reality.
But as history had it, plague struck, costing them nearly 30,000 lives and pinning them in place for a year.
That figure was staggering—casualties from actual fighting with the Ottomans hadn't even reached 2,000.
"With Russia unexpectedly stalled in the north, I had no choice but to advance alone. And with Britain, France, and even Spain demanding I halt, what was I supposed to do? If you act like Austria lacks honor in this mess, it wounds me deeply."
"...You're right. I viewed Austria's position too optimistically. I apologize formally."
"No need. I'm glad we have this chance to talk—Russia must have its own concerns. Let's align our steps and craft a treaty that satisfies us both."
What Russia wanted was, first and foremost, control of the Black Sea. Strengthening its authority as head of the Orthodox Church came second.
But none of that was functioning properly—that was Russia's dilemma.
"...Moldavia will be one of those seven independent states, right?"
"Yes. After talking with the local nobles, it looks like Wallachia and Moldavia will split and exercise autonomy."
"Bulgaria will obviously go independent too... That means at least two or three states bordering the Black Sea."
And with each becoming independent Orthodox dioceses, the number of Orthodox nations would surge overnight.
Moreover, with the Balkan Orthodox churches breaking away, the Ecumenical Patriarch in Constantinople became a target.
"Why is a man on Ottoman soil the Patriarch?"
"What has the Patriarch even done during this independence struggle?"
"Those who don't fight have no right to rule!"
Local sentiment increasingly boiled over, demanding the Serbian Archbishop—who had thrown himself into the Orthodox independence fight from start to finish—become Patriarch.
Constantinople was the Ottoman capital; voicing independence there would've meant instant beheading. But what could be done?
To the locals, the Serbian Archbishop, who risked his life uniting the faithful, compared starkly to the Patriarch holed up quietly on Ottoman turf.
But if even the Balkan Orthodox churches went their own way, Russia's position as self-proclaimed last protector of Orthodoxy would grow precarious.
No, it already was.
"That said, isn't Austria a staunch Catholic nation? Even if Eastern Catholicism is expanding in the Balkans, these are Orthodox states—won't that cause issues?"
"I'd be lying if I said there wouldn't be even minor clashes."
"As Orthodoxy's guardian, if our faith faces persecution..."
"No need to worry. The Holy Roman Empire doesn't oppress or punish based on denomination. Prussia and Hanover are Protestant, aren't they?"
In truth, Protestants weren't so much tolerated as too entrenched to suppress—but whatever.
The Holy Roman Empire placed great weight on religion but formally guaranteed religious freedom.
No one could've imagined the Thirty Years' War's ripples enabling Orthodox principalities, but long-term, it was a boon.
We could now forge a true world empire uniting Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox.
Would it actually work? Doubtful. But get the first button right, and the rest usually falls into place.
"On the Orthodox issue, additionally..."
"Ah, before that—since you came in person, Minister, I should share something important."
With Russia nagging on top of my headache, organizing the new principalities would be a nightmare.
"Britain and France seem keen to extend their influence to the Black Sea through this war. Russia should prepare countermeasures swiftly."
In other words, keep brawling in the Black Sea.
By raw power, Russia couldn't match Britain or France—so tipping them off early maintained some balance.
Andrey's eyes widened before he bowed deeply and strode out.
Such magnanimity, sharing prime intel freely.
I cherish my allies that much.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ As the armistice with the Ottomans neared completion, the contours of the reemerging Orthodox states on the Balkan Peninsula sharpened.
First, the Serbian Archbishopric, to be led by Arsenije IV.
Austria poured massive support into the most cooperative Serbs and elevated Arsenije IV to Patriarch.
For now, he'd mediate and govern local opinion centered on Serbia.
Next: the Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia, the Grand Duchy of Bulgaria, the Principality of Greece, the Bishopric of Montenegro.
Finally, the Albanian Lordship—seven principalities in total, all recognized as independent.
Strictly speaking, they were now Holy Roman Empire members, obligated to provide troops for the Imperial Army and pay Imperial taxes upon request from the Diet or Emperor.
They'd gain seats in the Imperial Diet, and protection from external invasions.
Though Constantinople eluded us, this was a historic Christian resurgence after centuries—a resounding victory.
Austrians compared it to Spain's Reconquista, drunk on national pride.
And other nations' reactions to this triumph?
"Austria now controls not just the Balkans but the entire Adriatic! This threatens our nation's survival!"
One nation frothed at the mouth.
"A paralyzed ally is useless. The Ottomans are spent—let's carve up Black Sea interests."
"Whatever. We just make money."
Two opportunistic states flipped, seeing crisis as chance to gouge the Ottomans.
"The Black Sea is the one warm-water port God granted Russia. We solemnly declare we shall build a Black Sea Fleet to safeguard this divine gift!"
One openly hungered for more.
The middle two were France and Britain; the last, Russia.
The most vehement? A moment's thought made it obvious.
The northern Italian state reliant on Adriatic trade to the Mediterranean.
Once a maritime titan, now fading: Venice, the aging lion of northern Italy.
Venice's trade and navy remained substantial.
But wedged geographically between Austria and its de facto northern Italian holdings, with the Balkans now Austrian too, Venice was effectively isolated inside Austrian territory.
No outrage would be stranger.
"Everyone, there's no need to fear. The guardian of the Adriatic remains the Lion of Saint Mark. I know full well your immense contributions to Christendom thus far."
So many egos to soothe—exhausting.
The playbook: sweet-talk, fake concessions via treaties, then reclaim piecemeal like a noose.
But all this drained me; part of me craved an easier path.
That 20th-century madman grew a mustache and "Anschluss"-ed his way to free lunch.
Of course, he showed gluttony leads to doom—so no devilish shortcuts; stick to the straight path.
And fortunately, not all news was headache-inducing.
"Everyone! His Highness Franz has done it again! With the false claimants to Rome kneeling, who dares call us pretenders? We are the true Rome!"
"Hooray!"
"His Highness Franz also commended the Diet's swift decisions for this victory and allocated special funds for performance bonuses!"
The ever-empowered Imperial Diet hailed this as a great Crusader triumph.
The new principalities joined without fuss, gaining Diet and committee seats per Imperial law.
Total committee seats rose to 120.
From 100, plus 20 from the seven Balkan principalities—majority now 61, up from 51.
Austria's 21, Prussia's 13, Saxony's 8: 42 total.
Add 20 Balkan votes: 62—over majority.
"Thank you! I, Franz Stefan, pledge to lead the charge in enhancing the Diet's powers, making the Empire the true Rome!"
"Hurray! Long live Archduke Franz! Long live the Holy Roman Empire!"
In that moment, the committee fell under my and Friedrich's sway.
The Diet's fervent cheers were icing.