Chapter 93
Chapter 93
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 093
Chapter Title: Declaration of War
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By the time the joint declaration from Bavaria and the Palatinate reached Vienna...
A single carriage, guarded by the Imperial Guard, entered the detached palace under ironclad security.
The palace, sealed off to prevent anyone from entering, subjected the passengers inside to no less than five face checks before finally allowing them entry.
The carriage soon came to a stop, and a pair of man and woman stepped out.
"Father, have you been well?"
"Oh, Theresa. What brings you here? I've heard you've been swamped lately."
"No matter how busy I am, I have to visit regularly. You must be so bored. And there's something I must tell you as your daughter."
As Theresa gently stroked her belly, Charles VI's gaze shifted to Franz standing beside her.
"Oh ho, could it be the second one?"
"Yes. The doctor says there's no doubt."
"Your love overflows—it's a sight to behold. Well then, we must crack open a bottle of wine to celebrate our second child today."
Even while complaining about being busy to death, he was still carrying on with the affection.
Well, the servants had said that whenever Franz and Theresa were together, they showered each other with so much affection it was sickeningly sweet, enough to rot your teeth.
No wonder he was so boldly declaring he'd father over ten kids already.
She was his daughter, but truly an astonishing child.
How had such a one come from him?
"Speaking of which, Bavaria and the Palatinate are kicking up quite the fuss. Are you planning to treat this as outright treason?"
"Yes. Given how boldly they're acting, they must be allied with France for sure. This is our chance to wrap them all up at once, France included."
"That'll inevitably create a two-front war, but I suppose your upgraded new rifles are that powerful? Enough that Eugene, Joseph, and Moritz raised no objections?"
"When Prince Eugene visited the Hofburg, I demonstrated the prototype's performance. Based on that, he left me dozens of pages of strategic plans on how to proceed. Joseph and Moritz agreed, so we'll go with it."
"I see... I don't know the details myself, so I'll trust the experts' judgment. But what do you plan to do with Bavaria and the Palatinate?"
This wasn't just a simple war—they were branding it as rebellion and vowing to crush them, which was tantamount to declaring they'd utterly smash the Electors of Bavaria and the Palatinate.
This was no longer a situation that could end with some reparations and army reductions.
"We'll smash them. It's the path they've chosen—what can we do?"
"The other electorates or Britain won't just sit idly by."
If Austria swallowed Bavaria and the Palatinate whole, the balance of power within the Empire would completely collapse.
Even if they handed over more than twenty percent to appease Prussia, Britain—holding the Electorate of Hanover—would surely go berserk.
"It's fine. That's why we've started the newspapers and have been steadily waging a war of public opinion."
"...Public opinion?"
Franz's gaze, wearing a meaningful smile, naturally turned toward Theresa.
"Theresa is appealing across the Empire for variolation. 'Now that I've become a mother, I understand—freeing all the children of this world from smallpox is the mission God has given me.' Something like that."
"It's not just agitation; it's real. It's too horrific for innocent children to suffer and die from diseases like smallpox."
"It'll take time for word to reach the countryside, but with the urban merchants and the Church united, it won't be long. Bavaria and the Palatinate are already public enemies to the Empire's citizens."
Charles VI received the fresh-off-the-press latest edition and grasped the full scope of Franz's plan.
📰 Breaking News [The Flag of Betrayal: Bavaria Has Crossed the Line!] [Are only your own children precious? Bavaria's Elector, who variolated his entire family and kin, vehemently opposes expanding variolation networks!] [Rural priests' cries: 'Do you bring a bill to saving lives?!'] Bavaria and the Palatinate were becoming shameless tyrants who ignored the lives of millions across the Empire just to protect their own interests.
And they had even drawn the sword of rebellion against the Imperial court, which had resolved to uphold justice.
Who would dare oppose the court crushing them and confiscating their elector statuses and territories?
One misstep, and riots could erupt in their own lands.
"Then I'll await the news of victory from here. I'm getting cabin fever just staying cooped up—hurry it up as much as you can."
"Don't worry. When the second child is born, Your Majesty must bestow your blessing. We'll wrap it up by then."
"Very well, ha ha."
For the first time in ages, Charles VI felt his heart pounding like a child's.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ At the same time, in the Great British Empire—self-proclaimed mediator of Europe—at Westminster Palace.
An indescribably tense atmosphere hung in the air.
At Parliament's request, cabinet ministers filed in one after another with their reports. A vast map lay spread out, densely marked with the principalities of the Holy Roman Empire.
And the few arrows drawn on it laid bare the current situation.
"Summing up all the reports so far, there's only one conclusion. War will break out."
Prime Minister Robert Walpole furrowed his brow, bit his lip, and shook his head.
"...What does His Majesty say? As Elector of Hanover, if he intends to intervene in this dispute..."
"Ahem!"
"...You're not suggesting we go to war with Austria, are you?"
"The fact that Bavaria and the Palatinate are acting so radically means they have backing. Perhaps some agreement with Prussia."
"France is more realistic than Prussia."
"But even with France thrown in, can they win if Austria and Prussia ally?"
The eyes of the debating MPs naturally turned to War Secretary William, who was attending the meeting.
As Walpole nodded for him to answer, William rose from his seat.
"First, our assessment: France remains a powerhouse despite their recent defeat. But Austria grows stronger by the day, victorious in the war against the Ottomans."
"Won't Prince Eugene's death affect that?"
"Eugene retired long ago. The military is now led by his disciple Joseph and Moritz, who defected from France to Austria. Minimal impact. Thus, we predict Austria holds a 6:4 edge in a France-Austria war."
"More favorable to France than expected."
This wasn't the War Office bureaucrats fawning over France—it meant they rated France's latent strength that highly.
In truth, the MPs didn't nitpick the prediction either.
Even after their humiliation in the last war, France had the resilience to recover.
They might have prepared meticulously in bitter resolve since that defeat.
Factoring in all that, even with Austria's string of victories, the odds could shift from 6:4 to 5:5—that was the consensus.
"Then let's discuss how Britain should respond. But remember, Parliament's decisions involving Austria haven't gone well lately. A misstep now, and many of us may have to step down."
"...No one here believes we should jump in immediately, I trust."
Even the Whig opposition nodded to the opinion of Spencer, elder statesman of the government party.
Their relations with Austria weren't bad, and backing France here was unrealistic.
Besides, if Prussia stayed out, Austria could face a pincer from France and Bavaria.
England picking a side would upend the balance, demanding utmost caution.
"So, we observe for now?"
"We can decide once we monitor Prussia for clearer grounds."
"If Prussia sides with Austria, we could see a repeat of the last war. We must be ready to intervene then."
Duke of Argyll, cross-party heavyweight and military bigwig, added succinctly.
"If Prussia joins, prepare for mediation at any moment. If Prussia stays neutral, announce we'll observe behind the Hanover alliance. That seems best."
"...Indeed."
"Yes, the optimal path."
France, sharpening its blade of revenge after humiliating defeat.
Austria, morale sky-high from repeated victories.
No quick war in sight—England must peer into the future.
We are not the shortsighted continentals brawling endlessly.
This time, let France and Austria fight until exhaustion claims them.
British MPs, who bicker like cats and dogs normally but unite instantly to sabotage foreign affairs.
This was the foundation that made today's Great Britain.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ When those in power fall, the opposition—lurking in silence— surges forth. History proves it a cliché.
Of course, the template includes those exposed forces getting the iron-fist treatment.
I planned to faithfully follow this law this time too.
"France has moved. They've officially issued a statement supporting Bavaria and the Palatinate, distributing it to the Netherlands and Britain as well."
"Declaring the Lorraine Treaty invalid and mobilizing troops. France alone can field at least 80,000."
"They claim our Pragmatic Sanction ignores Imperial law, justifying Bavaria and the Palatinate's self-defense—looks like they've already signed a mutual defense pact."
France was being France again.
Not because frogs had Elan ingrained, but due to France's duty and destiny as continental hegemon.
Without French aid, Austria would crush Bavaria outright—and the Bourbons couldn't watch Habsburgs grow that dominant.
"How's our army's preparation? Maximum deployable forces?"
"Theoretically: 120,000 regular infantry, 18,000 light infantry, 26,000 cavalry, and 15,000 artillery and engineers—nearly 180,000 total. Realistically, 90,000 to intercept the French and 50,000 against the Bavaria-Palatinate alliance is the limit."
"That's plenty. Bavaria and the Palatinate can't muster over 50,000 realistically?"
"Even combined, mid-30,000s tops. Hiring mercenaries from other principalities caps at 40,000."
Most principalities would watch and join the winner, not jump in early.
With Prussia declaring neutrality first, picking sides was even harder.
"New rifle deployment status?"
"35,000 produced as of two days ago. Pushed to secure 40,000 before war starts."
"Deploy 30,000 against France, divert the rest to Bavaria."
Even running all facilities nonstop, this was the limit.
Facilities had been expanded well in advance, or it'd be just 20,000 now if rushed.
Not enough to arm the whole army—regrettable—but 30,000 was more than ample; no anxiety there.
Moritz, studying the deployment map intently, drew a light breath and asked,
"Your Highness, but really... like this? I mean, is it truly alright for me to take the French front?"
"Didn't we decide that long ago?"
"...True, but still, General Joseph..."
The rolling stone like me on the key front?
But this was deliberate staffing on my part.
"Don't you want to show France your true worth firsthand? Unleash your talents freely."
"Your Highness..."
"And when you shine, my reputation for poaching you from France will soar again."
Sounds like a joke, but no psyop more effective.
Visibly moved, eyes glistening, Moritz bowed deeply.
"Yes! I shall offer Your Highness the glory of victory. I'll smash the French army and march to Paris! I'll make your coronation happen in Versailles!"
"...?"
Hey, you know my father-in-law is alive and well.
Grateful for the immersion, but don't kill off the father-in-law.
Coronation's too much—let's compromise on surrender signatures.