Chapter 149
Chapter 149
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 149
Chapter Title: Europe's Decision
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“Your Majesty! We must prepare for war immediately!”
“Aren’t you jumping the gun a bit? If we’re not careful, this could mean war with the Russo-French alliance—war!”
“The Austrian Emperor of all people has been killed. There’s no way the Austro-Hungarian Empire will let Serbia get away with it!”
But as soon as I arrived at Wilhelm II’s office with my resolute determination, it crumbled without hesitation alongside my widened pupils.
My father-in-law was pale-faced with none of his usual bluster, his head buried in his desk, while the Kaiser’s office was a shouting match between ministers and military generals.
‘What a total mess.’
I understood.
Normally, Wilhelm II would have been off on a leisurely vacation to Norway, but here, he’d confirmed the possibility of World War I through my report.
If he’d remained calm after reading it, that would have been shocking in its own way—and not in a good sense.
“Your Majesty.”
“Oh, Hans, you’re finally here! Why’d you take so long? Come here, quickly!”
I hesitated amid the chaos before me, then sighed and stepped into the office. Only then did Wilhelm II spot me, jumping up from his seat to greet me. Even those who’d been on the verge of grabbing each other by the collars moments ago fell silent, turning their eyes to me.
“So, what did the Austro-Hungarian ambassador say?”
“War, Your Majesty. Austria-Hungary has already resolved to go to war with Serbia. And as their longstanding ally, they’ve requested support from our German Empire.”
“Good God……”
Someone let out a sigh at the brutal reality of my words.
But the Kaiser and most others merely grimaced darkly, as if they’d expected it, letting out low groans.
And understandably so, since no one other than Franz Joseph I—the Emperor himself—had been assassinated by Serbian extremists.
Even in the original history, when Archduke Franz Ferdinand was killed, the great powers including Germany had anticipated Austria-Hungary would take an ultra-hardline stance against Serbia. It was all but inevitable.
“If Austria-Hungary declares war, Russia will move. And if Russia moves, France will follow. They can’t tolerate Russia collapsing, not when it would hand European dominance entirely to the Anglo-German agreement.”
“Th-that’s not certain yet, is it? Nicky wouldn’t want to support the Serbs who killed Franz, so if I talk to him directly……”
Chancellor von Bülow spoke up, but Wilhelm II replied in a trembling voice, insisting it was too early to judge hastily.
But I shook my head firmly.
“Your Majesty, royal exchanges and blood ties won’t help much in this situation. And above all, Russia can’t abandon Serbia without giving up on the Balkans—or Pan-Slavism entirely.”
Moreover, while other nations universally condemned the Balkan madmen of Serbia for killing an emperor, sympathy for their fellow Slavs was rising within the Russian Empire.
Princess Elena—eldest daughter of Peter I, married into the Romanovs—along with Princess Milica and Princess Anastasia, daughters of Montenegro’s King Nikola I, were fanning those pro-Serbian sentiments.
“Even if Tsar Nicholas II personally opposes war, he can’t ignore the voices of his nobles and subjects demanding support for Serbia.”
No, that indecisive man would absolutely fold under pressure.
“And regrettably, the same goes for us.”
“Sigh… Yes. We can’t abandon Austria-Hungary either. Not supporting them isn’t just betraying an ally—it’s betraying our fellow Germans.”
“Exactly. The justification lies entirely with Austria-Hungary.”
To Germany, Austria wasn’t merely an ally; they shared blood and language as the same people.
Besides, if an Austrian had shot the Serbian king, it might be different, but as I’d said, right was unequivocally on Austria-Hungary’s side.
‘And Franz Joseph isn’t just any emperor.’
He was a Habsburg, heir to the Holy Roman Emperors.
He commanded respect and reverence not just from Austrians, but from Germans across the Empire.
If we failed to support Austria-Hungary, ethnic nationalists drunk on fervor would rage that we were abandoning our Austrian brothers now, and they wouldn’t leave the court or government in peace.
Franz Joseph, a headache in life, was leaving problems even in death.
“So in the end, neither we nor Russia can avoid being dragged into this war.”
I nodded at Falkenhayn’s words, his face still stiff.
The apocalyptic horseman was already mounted, and the goddess of war had taken up her spear.
“We have no choice left but war.”
Hearing my firm declaration, the Kaiser groaned and sank into heavier contemplation than ever.
It was no easy decision for a monarch.
Especially for Wilhelm II, who put on a strong front but was soft inside.
After a time that felt far from short, the Kaiser spoke.
“Hans, tell me. Can we win this war?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I declared it without a shred of hesitation.
“And that’s why I’m here right now.”
At my words, the Kaiser nodded gravely, his face more serious than ever, resolve hardened.
Then he addressed me.
“Hans.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Tell the Austro-Hungarian ambassador that the German Empire stands with Austria-Hungary and will fight by their side to the end.”
“Understood.”
I bowed my head, accepting the Kaiser’s command.
The German Empire had made its decision.
Now it was time for the others to decide.
“Your Majesty, Austria-Hungary has issued an ultimatum to Serbia. The German Empire has also declared unconditional support for Austria-Hungary.”
“Hoo… That hotheaded fool Billy. What does the ultimatum demand?”
“Unconditional surrender.”
In the soon-to-be-renamed St. Petersburg’s Winter Palace, Nicholas II let out a heavy sigh, as if he’d expected as much.
Well, it was Franz Joseph—no less than an emperor—who’d been killed.
Even other great powers, including the Russian Empire, had assumed Austria-Hungary would respond ultra-hardline to Serbia, viewing any excessive demands as justified.
“Your Majesty, we can’t abandon Serbia like this!”
But even if Austria-Hungary was in the right, the Russian Empire couldn’t stand by and watch them crush Serbia.
No, they couldn’t afford to.
After two Balkan Wars, Russia faced the humiliation of Bulgaria slipping from its influence, let alone claiming the entire peninsula.
Having forced Serbia into concessions repeatedly since the Bosnian Crisis, abandoning them now would cost Russia decades of Balkan influence—and shatter the Pan-Slav banner entirely.
Russian nobles and military couldn’t tolerate that, constantly pressuring the hesitant Nicholas II.
Public opinion favored aiding fellow Slavs Serbia, with Princess Elena and Montenegro’s princesses tearfully pleading to the Tsar. Even the soft-hearted Nicholas was leaning toward support…
“But must we issue full mobilization? Promising aid to Serbia and partial mobilization should suffice, no?”
Yet the Tsar hesitated on full mobilization, true to his indecisive nature.
Of course, his generals were frustrated to the point of bursting.
To them, partial mobilization meant nothing in this crisis.
“Your Majesty, if Austria-Hungary declares full mobilization first, our Russian forces will be at a disadvantage.”
“Yes, better to complete full mobilization quickly and prepare for war!”
“Hah, but won’t full mobilization provoke Germany?”
“With the threat of a two-front war, they won’t intervene aggressively.”
The Russian high command stood firm against Nicholas II’s concerns.
They knew full mobilization would likely provoke Germany.
But they stubbornly believed victory hinged on who mobilized faster and fielded more troops.
The problem was, this wasn’t unique to Russia; it was the mindset of militaries everywhere.
Still, they thought: What if Austria-Hungary mobilizes first?
Russia would watch helplessly as enemies seized the advantage.
And that would lead to defeat.
So the Russian generals and nobles believed risking it for swift full mobilization was best.
Ignoring how their thinking invited war.
“Hoo, alright. Then if Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia despite our warnings, we’ll issue full mobilization immediately.”
In the end, Nicholas II yielded to his generals’ desperate persuasion.
But unease lingered: ‘Is this really right?’
“Damn it, what the hell is going on?!”
“No word from Russia yet?!”
Meanwhile, Serbia—savoring the sweet fruits of two Balkan War victories—was thrown into chaos by an unknown punk named Gavrilo Princip, facing sudden war with Austria-Hungary out of nowhere.
“Where’s that bastard Dragutin Dimitrijević?!”
“Looks like he packed up and fled with his men!”
“Find him! Drag in that damn snake and every Black Hand bastard for summary execution!”
Prime Minister Nikola Pašić—long at odds with the Black Hand—exploded in rage upon learning its leader, the infamous “Apis” and Serbian military intelligence chief Dragutin Dimitrijević, had fled with his subordinates.
Who caused this mess, and now they bolt?
Failing to crush the Black Hand sooner was an eternal regret.
“News from the Russian embassy! Russia says they’ll support us!”
“Is that true?!”
Pašić, who’d vowed to tear Apis limb from limb if found, and all Serbs leapt up at the urgent dispatch from their Russian envoy.
The Serbian government, agonizing over Austria-Hungary’s ultimatum of surrender or war with no room for negotiation, now had hope.
They’d bluffed war during the Bosnian Crisis, but who’d thought it real?
Surrounded on all sides, Russia’s support was a godsend.
“Russia’s with us!”
“No surrender to Austria-Hungary! Fight them!”
The Serbian government burned with resolve against Austria-Hungary, rejecting the ultimatum.
Of course, Russian support didn’t mean Serbia could challenge Austria-Hungary.
But unlike original history, Austria-Hungary—blinded by the emperor’s death—offered no mercy: “Die easy or die hard?” Serbia had no choice.
“……So it’s come to this.”
“Your Majesty.”
“I know. Berchtold, declare war on the Kingdom of Serbia. May God protect our Austria-Hungary.”
Austria-Hungary acted swiftly.
They’d expected Serbia wouldn’t surrender.
“……Thus, the Austro-Hungarian Empire hereby notifies that a state of war exists with the Kingdom of Serbia.”
July 10, 1913.
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.
“Bülow, Falkenhayn.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Issue full mobilization across the Empire and activate the Schlieffen Plan. The time has come for the German Empire to take up arms again since 1871.”
“As you command.”
One hour after Austria-Hungary’s declaration, the German Empire mobilized.
“Didn’t Germany say they wouldn’t intervene?!”
“Your Majesty, we’ve crossed the Rubicon. It’s time to decide!”
“Hoo…… Issue full mobilization.”
July 11, 1913—the day after Austria-Hungary’s declaration.
The Russian Empire mobilized.
“Following Austria-Hungary and Germany, Russia has issued full mobilization!”
“They’ll really go to war for assassin scum? This is madness!”
“But standing by means Russia falls. War horns echo across Europe. We must decide.”
“Damn it. May God protect great France.”
And on July 12, 1913.
France mobilized.
Europe had decided.
Now, it was time to pay the price.