The Rise Of Australasia-Chapter 1140 - 857: Germania, Revenge!_2

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But to refuse the Germans at this time, there was a certain price to be paid.

Austria could not bear the pressure of Germany and Italy alone and could only place its hopes on its ally, France.

French President Albert understood the severity of the matter, but he still hoped that the Germans would not launch a large-scale war.

In the reply to Austrian Emperor Karl I, French President Albert's stance was clear, "We are shocked by the grand ambitions of the Germans and will firmly fulfill our duties as allies, standing together with our Austrian brothers.

Please rest assured, France has made all necessary preparations, and we can support our ally with all our might at any time, in any place.

If the Germans dare to start a war, then let them come. The loyal French military will show them that any nation that dares to provoke a European War will receive the just sanctions of France."

Whether it was bluffing or not, only President Albert knew. But, disastrously, Emperor Karl I believed President Albert's words.

Unlike Francis the First, Karl's control over the Austrian Empire, along with Hungary's independence, had already plummeted to freezing point.

If he did not find a way to make improvements and earn the trust of his people soon, the imperial authority of Austria might well be on its way out.

At such a time, the words of French President Albert gave Karl I confidence. If he could defeat a formidable enemy like the Germans, even if the casualties were great, it would stabilize his throne.

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After all, following a victorious war, Karl I would be the hero who led the Austrian people to victory and prevented the loss of territory.

With just a bit of media promotion, the public's favor would shoot up rapidly.

With this newfound confidence, Karl I's response to the Germans was filled with conviction.

Having made up his mind to win over the hearts of the people, Karl I's attitude was very firm, as if he was ready to share the fate of the nation.

In his response to the Germans, Karl I said, "The Austrian Empire will not relinquish any territory, and I am willing to share life and death with every citizen.

Neither economic crisis nor war will destroy the Austrian Empire. If your government (Germany) wants to take our land and wealth, then please step over my dead body!"

On April 7, Germany began secret mobilization. That evening, every German broadcast radio station aired the German government's proposal for a peace agreement with the Austrian Empire.

In the broadcast, the German government portrayed itself as the advocate of peace. The actions of the German government were only to ensure a more unified and stable living environment for all German people.

But it was all a pretense; the German upper echelons had already begun preparations for war. What they lacked was an excuse that would make them appear as being forced into conflict.

In the early hours of April 8, at the German Chancellor's office residence.

"Mr. Chancellor, the Austrians have just attacked our border outpost, and we have lost two border soldiers in the attack," suddenly, a high-ranking military official entered the Prime Minister's Office with a look of joy, excitedly reporting to the German Chancellor.

Even though casualties had occurred on their side, everyone in the office, including the Chancellor, wore an unmistakeable look of glee, which appeared very odd to observers.

"Excellent!" the German Chancellor sneered and instructed the General who had just spoken, "These are evidence that the Austrians have invaded us aggressively, ensure that these are well-preserved.

And now, what we must do is avenge our fallen soldiers. Gentlemen, war has come!"

The German Chancellor's words were the highest command for every high-ranking military official present and exactly what they had been yearning to hear.

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Although this attack appears to be shrouded in mystery, after all, the Austrian People aren't fools; there's no reason for them to attack the German Army without cause.

At two-thirty in the morning, at the German Congress.

The Congress hall was brightly lit at that time. Most of the German Congress members and the Upper Echelons of the Military, as well as many Domestic media, had been summoned from their beds.

Everyone was bleary-eyed, except for the media, who wore looks of excitement, waiting for the big news that the Germans would reveal of their own accord.

The German Chancellor, with a sorrowful expression and eyes filled with anger, took step by step towards the podium. With a heavy gaze, he scanned the room before he started to speak word by word, "Ladies and gentlemen, I have just received some unfortunate news. At our Southern Region borders, one of our border outposts was attacked by the despicable Austrians.

Even though our Soldiers bravely repelled the Enemy, this led to the tragic outcome of two Soldiers killed and four wounded.

I don't want to say who is right or wrong in this attack, because that much is clear. The presence of the Enemy at our outpost and the launching of an attack on our Soldiers is an open declaration of war against the German Empire.

Now, I declare that as a consequence of the attack by the Austrian Empire, Germany has been forced into a state of war with the Austrian Empire.

Ladies and gentlemen, war has come. This is not what we desired, but we must launch a counterattack against the Enemy.

I will mobilize everything to prevent the dignity of the German Empire from being infringed upon, for Germania, for the Soldiers who died in the recent attack, we can only respond with even more furious retaliation, making the Enemy vanish from our sight!"

The words of the German Chancellor were like dropping a stone to raise a thousand ripples. Most of the Congress members were in favor of war.

After all, this was Germany declaring war after being attacked, not a war of aggression.

The foreign media invited were somewhat wide-eyed. They hadn't expected that tonight's big news would be the outbreak of a war between two Powers, Germany and Austria.

Since war had broken out between German-Austrian, how far off could participation by France and Italy be? Didn't this mean that they were witnessing another outbreak of a European War tonight, which also meant that tens of millions of People would be forced onto the battlefield because of tonight's news, ultimately dying in a foreign land...

"Mr. Prime Minister, regarding the attack by the Austrian Empire you mentioned, does your country have any evidence?" a French media incredulously asked the German Chancellor who was about to leave the podium.

"Of course, we do," the German Chancellor nodded and took out photos that were already prepared, saying angrily, "Since you asked, take a good look.

This is evidence of the Austrian Military's attack on our border outpost. Delivered to my Office Room by urgent Air Force transport, before the start of this meeting.

The two Soldiers who perished in the attack have already been urgently transported back to Berlin and laid to rest in the National Hero's cemetery. If you do not believe these photos, we have also retained the bodies of several Austrian Soldiers who launched the attack; this is the evidence of Austria's attack on us.

Whatever they were thinking, this incident has crossed the line for the German Empire. I know you and Austria are Allies, and if you dismiss the guilt of the Austrians and wish to fulfill what you call an Alliance, then come.

Germania will not fear any threats, and we will brave the battle against any enemy. The German Forces will make it clear to the whole World that any country that provokes Germania's wrath will pay a heavy price for their actions."

Having said that, the German Chancellor left the podium without looking back.

People from the Foreign Affairs Department came up to organize Order, and upon leaving, they kindly advised the foreign media, "Well, gentlemen, the war has come, I advise you to leave Germany as soon as possible.

Especially that French gentleman, your country is very likely to go to war with us, please leave Germany as soon as possible, thank you."

Among the foreign media, the calmest should be the Italian media.

After all, Italy has an Ally relationship with Germany, and as long as they do not do anything foolish, Italian Descendants are still quite safe in Germany.