I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 470

< The Crown Prince Competition (6) >

It’s been over 20 years since I first met Bismarck.

Even calling someone a ’10-year friend’ gives off a feeling of great closeness, but after 20 years, you usually know everything, even the minor habits, making the relationship quite deep.

Of course, relationships between politicians are often an exception, but Bismarck was someone I had marked even before he rose to prominence.

I know embarrassing moments of his that would make him cringe if they were ever revealed, and he, in turn, felt close enough to me to share personal stories and concerns.

There was a brief period of distance while he was serving as the Prime Minister of Prussia, but recently, it feels like we’ve returned to a similar relationship as before.

But that’s that, and this is this.

Since we each have a position where we must prioritize the interests of the British Empire and Prussia, there are bound to be points where we inevitably clash.

Still, I secretly enjoyed matching wits with Bismarck like this.

It’s because, at my current age and position, there are hardly any opportunities to engage in fierce mental battles and exchange moves with someone.

For a fight to be established, there must be a conflict of interests, but the reality is that there are hardly any such people domestically anymore.

Wellesley and Disraeli are at a level where they’ve formed a single interest group with me, so they can’t deviate, and the opposition party has long been committed to supporting the Imperial Family, so they haven’t challenged me recently.

Just looking at the current series of events, aren’t they just parroting, ‘We can’t forgive those bad Danes who dared to insult our Imperial Family!’?

Back in the day, members like Russell and Palmerston used to throw jabs at me to reduce my power.

After I countered with a full straight to the jaw a few times, it seems they didn’t want to get hit anymore and just decided to be on my side.

Perhaps the Liberal Party will be evaluated as the most textbook example of ‘if you can’t beat them, join them’ in the future.

Even if I try to have a back-and-forth with people from other countries, there wasn’t really anyone who got me that excited.

Maybe Lincoln, who had a really good impact? But that Lincoln is now serving as the first-ever three-term president in history and only picks fights he can win, so he doesn’t want to play with me.

As a result, Bismarck is naturally the only person left with whom I have to carefully consider each move before speaking.

“Schleswig-Holstein is clearly like the most painful finger of the German Confederation. Since the land is predominantly inhabited by people of German descent, I agree that it should rightfully belong to us. However, didn’t the British Empire and Russia side with Denmark in the past?”

“We didn’t side with Denmark. We just wanted to maintain the status quo.”

“But for you to ask me now if I have any intention of annexing that region… I see. What does the British Empire want? If the British Empire mobilizes its forces, how could Denmark dare to resist?”

As expected, he understands everything with just one word. He seems to have read all of our intentions with just that question.

Even so, he’s gritting his teeth and deliberately avoiding mentioning it, so it’s clear that even though he says the enemies of the British Empire are their enemies, he absolutely doesn’t intend to draw his sword on our behalf.

But am I crazy enough to pour my precious money into the likes of Denmark?

Whether we can win easily or not, war is all about money. Moreover, as technology advances, the budget consumed in a single war continues to increase, never decreasing.

Even if we were to wipe out the Danish navy in an instant and receive their surrender, the process leading up to that would all come back as a financial burden.

It’s not that there’s nothing to extract from Denmark, but when I think about whether we should mobilize the Royal Navy and go to war, it’s not that appealing.

Moreover, the gap between the British Empire and Denmark is currently too wide, so there was a concern that waging war itself would give the latter sympathy votes.

Even though they did something deserving of a beating, taking something away from them after just ending with a beating is enough to cause controversy.

So, drawing the sword should never be on our side.

Since our beloved Chancellor Bismarck has declared that Prussia and the British Empire are brothers, shouldn’t he take a bolder action?

“If the home country moves directly, there will inevitably be controversy in many ways. And Prime Minister, weren’t you honestly thinking of joining as an ally as soon as we declared war?”

“Ahem, well, of course. We are allies, after all.”

Contrary to Bismarck’s popular image, he wasn’t actually someone who favored war.

It’s true that he emphasizes military power and strength, but that’s solely to expand Prussia’s influence.

He preferred to benefit from diplomacy rather than war, and war was merely insurance that Prussia could unconditionally profit from at the last moment.

His diplomatic policy was also extremely pragmatic, prioritizing realistic gains over idealism and being close to an extreme efficiency enthusiast.

Just looking at how he consistently argues that Prussia should only secure territory up to the level they can handle and then avoid provoking neighboring countries, you can get a sense of it.

The problem is that the people around Bismarck don’t really feel that way, but now, using that point can actually make it easier to manipulate the situation.

“The pro-Prussian sentiment is growing stronger day by day domestically. In other words, if it’s not now, it means it will be difficult for Prussia to have another opportunity to incorporate that region into the German Confederation.”

“That’s true.”

“You said that if the home country participates, Prussia will also participate, but I don’t think that’s a very good method.”

“Why is that?”

“Because Austria or France might participate together.”

Even if it’s France, Austria is one of the countries that has the right to claim rights to the German Confederation.

Similarly to Prussia, or even earlier, if they support the British Empire and raise an army, it means it will be difficult for Prussia to swallow Schleswig-Holstein.

“Does Austria have the capacity to do that? I don’t think they have a justification…”

“Justification will be created from now on. Now that the Danish royal family has been eliminated, who would be the next candidate?”

“Are you thinking of bringing in an Austrian princess as the Crown Princess?”

“She’s still young, but our poor Edward can’t just stay in shock forever. Fortunately, the Austrian princess is said to have a very gentle personality. I think a wife with that kind of personality would suit Edward.”

Justification for war can be found somehow, so if they are tied to the British Empire through engagement, Austria will also have a reason to antagonize Denmark.

Bismarck seemed to be calculating in his head for a moment, then tapped the table with his fingers.

“So, you’re saying we should attack first before Austria gets involved? But if we help the British Empire and participate, the justification for starting the war is too weak.”

“Justification for starting the war can be created. Don’t many people of German descent reside in the Holstein region?”

“That’s true, but… So, Your Majesty wants to punish the Danish royal family but doesn’t want to move the British Empire’s army, so you’re telling us to wield the sword instead, aren’t you?”

“Surely not. I’m just informing you of elements that could be obstacles to our Prime Minister’s plan. I’m just letting you know that if you really want to annex that region, it’s more certain to use a different method.”

If Prussia declares war on Denmark, Denmark’s national power will never be able to stop Prussia.

Naturally, the Schleswig-Holstein region will be occupied in the blink of an eye, and Denmark, with its king bedridden, will have a harder time retaliating.

At that time, if we step in and mediate, receive an apology from Denmark, and then take appropriate gains as compensation for the mediation and apology, it will be done.

I’ve always been bothered by Greenland, which is next to Canada, so if we swallow it this time, we can use it for a long time.

“I understand. I’ll let it go this time. Actually, that’s what we want too.”

“Isn’t it? I always give advice that benefits both of our countries.”

“Ah, but what I said about needing more justification for starting the war is genuine. Denmark will probably prostrate themselves before the British Empire, so if we pick a fight with that, it might look a bit strange. Encouraging ethnic sentiment in the Holstein region is a good idea, but it won’t be able to stir up British public opinion.”

“That’s true. By now, they must be wondering how to appease our anger.”

“First, they’ll probably catch and deal with the cuckoo [a derogatory term for the man] who impregnated the princess. If I were them, I’d probably make him commit suicide…”

Now that things have come to this, the protagonist of that magical charm who played with the princess will not be alive, even if he is alive.

It’s generally assumed that he’s already dead, but you never know in this world, so should we leave open the possibility of one in a million?

Well, even so, how could he be alive after causing this?

Bismarck and I decided to mark the poor man who impregnated the princess as confirmed dead and discussed the subsequent situation.

* * *

At the same time, Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark.

“Is the rumor that the British Empire is going to declare war true?”

“Isn’t it fake news?”

“No! Someone I know is friends with an employee at the British Embassy, and that’s what they said!”

“No… Is that embarrassing rumor really true?”

We’re really doomed.

The citizens of Denmark couldn’t hide their anxiety and bewilderment at this crisis that had blown in at an unexpected time.

“Why do we have to go to war with the British Empire!”

“Where’s the princess who caused the accident? Is she in her right mind to go meet the Crown Prince while pregnant?”

Originally, when conflicts arise with other countries, public opinion should unite with the determination to protect the nation, but that’s not the case at all right now.

Rather, it’s the royal family that’s being criticized, and the citizens are raising their voices, saying they will never go to the battlefield if a real war breaks out, which is a funny and sad situation.

And Cavalry Captain Wilhelm Freemann Mather, who became the cause of all this, certainly didn’t feel alive even if he was alive.

He didn’t know where or how they found out, but the rumor that he had impregnated the princess was already widespread in the capital, and he couldn’t answer the royal family’s call.

Bang bang!

“Come out, you damn traitor Freemann, and receive judgment!”

“Die, you bastard! If you have a conscience, at least commit suicide and beg for forgiveness!”

That’s because there are vigilantes everywhere trying to catch and kill him just by going out on the street, so how can he enter the palace from here?

Even now, the king is not in a normal state, so opinions are divided within the royal family on how to deal with this.

Some say he should be forced to commit suicide, others say the princess should also be held responsible, and still others are making self-deprecating remarks that it’s already too late no matter what they do.

However, Freemann was honestly wronged.

No, it’s true that he did wrong, but didn’t all of this happen because the princess went all the way to London and caused an accident?

So why should he take all the blame and commit suicide?

Of course, if the situation wasn’t like this, he might have made a big decision for the sake of the princess he loved and his child in her womb.

If the fact that the princess was pregnant with his child was hidden and she secretly gave birth, the child could be adopted into another prestigious family and live a comfortable life.

However, as things stand, even if he kills himself with a pistol, nothing will change.

The world knows who the child in Tira’s womb belongs to, so how can that child live a happy life?

This is not it. Even if he commits suicide, it will just end as a dog’s death, and neither his honor nor his child can be happy.

“Yes, I can’t die like this. Who am I dying for?”

The only life in the world.

To end it, he must at least guarantee the happiness and future of the child in the princess’s womb.

“Wooooooo! Come out, Freemann, and receive judgment!”

“Atone with your life, you coward!”

Cowardly or not, he will live.

Freemann secretly escaped the mansion through the back door, avoiding the crowds breaking down the door.

He disguised his face and shaved his head so that no one would recognize him.

The method he chose to save his life was ultimately escape.