Chapter 99
Chapter 99
Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 099
Chapter Title: Great Chaos (3)
After seeing off Albrecht, who had been practically dragged away in a state of resignation, I finished preparations to head to Paris alongside my father-in-law.
The news that the coronation as King of Germany would take place in Paris had spread far and wide across the entire Empire, yet no one raised any objections.
It wasn't simply out of fear of ending up like the Elector of Bavaria for speaking carelessly.
With the Elector statuses of Bavaria and the Palatinate confiscated, where else could they possibly go?
The Imperial House already held the Elector status of the King of Bohemia.
Acquiring two more wouldn't be impossible, but in my judgment, there was no real benefit to it.
Instead, wouldn't it be better to make more effective use of this position we'd legally seized?
Sure enough, several princes quickly sent agents or came to Munich in person to gauge my intentions.
"Your Highness, we congratulate you on your great victory!"
"With His Majesty recovering his health, even the weather seems to be celebrating the Empire's future. Hahaha!"
They were lining up faster than anyone else.
From the princes' perspective, Austria right now must feel like suddenly encountering an alien from another world.
And rightly so—everyone knew the Ottomans were a lion without teeth, but who was the opponent this time?
It was a coalition force bolstered by France, Bavaria, and the Palatinate.
Defeating them in just two battles without even borrowing the hands of allies like Prussia—it was incomprehensible.
Above all...
"Bavaria and the Palatinate dared to drag France in and shake the Empire's stability. They deserved to have their Elector statuses stripped."
"Of course, of course. An Elector should have acted like one. So, are we going with the seven Electors system for the time being?"
The princes showed immense interest in what would become of the Elector privileges confiscated by the Emperor.
Who knew?
The Emperor might elevate some influential prince who obeyed him well to Elector status.
Even if not, most princes likely figured there was no harm in catching the eye of Austria, which had single-handedly crushed France, Bavaria, and the Palatinate.
"I wish to accompany Your Highness and His Majesty on the road to Paris."
"Grant me the honor of joining the glorious moment when the Empire's prestige blankets France!"
"I want to celebrate the birth of the new King of Germany!"
With various princes flocking to join us on the way to Paris themselves, the triumphal procession was no longer solely an Austrian affair.
The situation was electric: power brokers from across the Holy Roman Empire, all buzzing with excitement at the chance to set foot in Versailles Palace.
Truly, the venerable coronation hotspot of Germany had a flavor all its own.
I accepted everyone who wished to join, steadily swelling the size of our procession.
Of course, none of those present here would inherit an Elector seat.
The Elector position was to be used as a tool to truly transform the Empire into an empire going forward.
And I'd already decided on the method.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Around the time Franz and Charles VI were forming their procession toward France...
The main body of the Austrian army, led by Moritz, linked up with Joseph and began advancing on Paris from two directions.
The combined force of 90,000 and 30,000—120,000 strong in total—marched unimpeded straight toward the city, turning Paris's atmosphere into a funeral home.
"There is no choice! His Majesty must evacuate Paris for now!"
"Evacuate where, even if we go?"
"Whether Rouen or Chartres, we must at least avoid His Majesty being taken hostage!"
No one in Versailles was calling for a last stand anymore.
At first, there had been talk of defending Paris at all costs, but the testimonies of the defeated generals Adrien and François proved decisive.
"The range of Austria's firearms was nearly three times ours. Our incompetence caused massive losses to our allies, but no commander could have won this."
"They dug traps from the start to devour us whole—there's no doubt."
These weren't excuses to dodge blame for the defeat.
In fact, Adrien had been overcome with such guilt on the march back to Paris that he'd lost all his hair and tearfully begged for execution.
Even the nobles who had demanded the immediate confiscation of all his lands and wealth fell silent upon seeing his wretched state.
"We tried organizing a garrison to defend Paris, but we couldn't even muster the expected 30,000. Barely over 10,000..."
"Coldly speaking, that's not enough for defense—it's not even enough to pretend."
"No cannons either; ripping out all the fixed batteries would give us maybe ten guns. Meanwhile, the enemy will bring ten times that..."
"If we resist and they burn or destroy Paris, the damage would be unbearable."
If there were walls, it might help even a little, but Paris had demolished most of its fortifications over 60 years ago, effectively becoming an open city.
For France to recover its national strength more easily, this city of 600,000 packed inhabitants needed to remain as intact as possible.
If the royal family left Paris for elsewhere, the Austrians would have no reason to attack it.
The reason a decision still hadn't been made was that King Louis XV was hesitating to flee.
Finance Superintendent Philibert subtly urged the king while watching his mood.
"Your Majesty, if you fall into Austrian hands, French bonds become worthless that day, and with the capital damaged, our finances will collapse. To save this country, Your Majesty must leave Paris as soon as possible."
"...So you're saying I should become a king who abandons his capital and flees."
The reason Louis XV still hesitated wasn't because he believed Paris could be defended.
If word spread that the king had abandoned the capital and fled, what then?
Citizens could riot that very day without it being strange at all, and the royal family's prestige would naturally hit the dirt.
Considering the postwar aftermath, he couldn't decide if fleeing Paris was advantageous or if staying to the end with the citizens, vowing resistance, would leave a better impression as a king.
"Your Majesty, becoming a prisoner makes you a living guarantee in itself."
"Indeed. Losing royal control of finances signals inevitable bankruptcy."
Unlike the hesitant king, his ministers' stance was firm.
Whether the king's authority waned or not, the nobles prioritized saving their own necks and fortunes.
If the king was captured, it spelled trouble not just for him but for the nobles as well.
"If we hold out in Paris, is there a chance Britain will mediate?"
"By the time Britain mobilizes an army thinking of intervening, Paris will already be surrounded by Austrians."
"...Damn it, so why did we demolish the walls..."
In truth, even intact Louis XIII walls wouldn't have helped much, but Louis XV just wanted to vent at anyone.
Yet no matter how much they pondered, the answer had been set from the start.
"To Chartres... we'll move the royal family there."
"A wise decision, Your Majesty."
"However, we need to avoid the impression that the royal family is abandoning the country. To that end, at least a few high officials must remain here..."
The king had decided to leave, but naturally, some sacrificial offerings were needed to become Austria's spoils here.
Fleury stepped forward with a long breath under the king's silent gaze.
"I will stay here. As a cardinal, they won't mishandle this old man too harshly. I'm not a stranger to Prince Franz either, so I'll negotiate as best I can."
"...Tha... No, take care."
Louis XV's conscience prevented him from even saying thanks.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Fleury, left behind to soothe the citizens on behalf of the royal family, had never intended to fight the Austrians in the slightest.
Even when citizens raged for surrender, he'd feigned reluctance while disbanding the militia and declaring no resistance whatsoever.
His task wasn't to wield guns and swords but to use his three-inch tongue to safeguard as much national interest as possible.
"What will Austria demand of us? We need to clearly sort out what we can defend, and what we must concede."
"First, they'll strongly condemn us for violating the Treaty of Lorraine. The problem is we have no grounds to defend against that."
The Treaty of Lorraine itself had been a pact Austria made with Britain and Spain in mind after a lost war, honoring third-party prestige.
With beneficiary France ignoring it, even Britain had no pretext for mediation.
In other words, there was a high chance they'd have to do exactly as Austria demanded.
"What will they demand? Alsace again, I suppose?"
"That's a given. Full cession of Alsace, stricter limits on standing army, stability guarantees. And probably massive reparations."
"Reparations... exceeding 200 million livres?"
200 million livres matched France's annual national revenue.
Normally, reparations didn't go that high, but this case was special, so they couldn't relax.
Foreign Minister Amelot gravely nodded as well.
"If we slash the standing army to extremes and raise taxes to the brink, we might have to brace for up to 250 million livres over six or seven years."
The razor-thin line France could endure.
If Austria was truly resolved, they might demand that much.
Word was, the Holy Roman Empire was building canals and vaccination networks across its lands—such reparations would be a huge boon.
This was practically France funding the Empire's logistics revival canal.
"Sigh... Fine. We ignored the treaty and struck first, suffering this humiliating defeat. We'll have to accept. Alsace cession and up to 250 million livres in reparations... plus tariffs and privileges."
"Yes. They might even impose fortress demolitions or ship limits."
How had mighty France come to this?
Fleury saw it as karma for failing to guide the king properly and went to receive the Austrian army upon its arrival in Paris.
"The citizens of Paris have already resolved to avoid unnecessary resistance. As victors, please show mercy so no innocent lives are lost."
"Of course. Prince Franz ordered no first strikes unless there's hostile action. Surrender first, and I promise no plunder or damage to the city."
He'd expected the Austrians to be furious over the treaty violation and preemptive strike, but their commander seemed surprisingly calm.
The enemy marshal even looked at Fleury with pity and assigned him a personal escort.
"You've suffered greatly, Cardinal. You look far more gaunt than last time we met."
"Have we met...? Ah, right—you were with the French army..."
"Yes. Thanks to Prince Franz, I found where I belong. Returning to Paris like this stirs complicated feelings."
Leaving an army that failed to recognize his worth, only to return as its conqueror.
Whatever he said, his mood must be soaring.
Fleury smiled bitterly and walked alongside Moritz for a bit, matching his stride.
"So, how will the peace treaty proceed? Between you, General, and me? Or will negotiators come separately?"
"Naturally, the principals will come. Prince Franz is en route to Paris with His Majesty. He'll likely handle the treaty as chief negotiator."
"...Pardon? Who's coming?"
"Prince Franz..."
"No, not Prince Franz—the Holy Roman Emperor Himself is coming?"
Why? Why on earth?
Fleury's mind, which had roughly calculated Austria's aims, went blank in an instant.
The Emperor, just risen from his sickbed, coming to Paris in person?
What the hell were these bastards thinking?
'No way they're planning a triumph in Paris... no, surely not.'
How terrifying must the terms be to warrant the Emperor's personal arrival?
Fleury's imagination hit its limit there.