While the East African government anxiously awaited changes in the European situation, Vienna was wavering. Franz and the Austro-Hungarian Empire's ministers held attitudes toward Archduke Ferdinand's assassination utterly different from those in the previous life.
A major reason Archduke Ferdinand's assassination had sparked war in the previous life was his status as heir to the throne. Now, however, Archduke Ferdinand no longer had that status lending him weight.
This placed Archduke Ferdinand in an awkward position within Austro-Hungarian politics. Even newspapers and other news media in the Austro-Hungarian Empire reacted far less strongly to his assassination than they had in the previous life.
Within Schönbrunn Palace, Franz sat on the sofa, his face dark as he tapped the documents on the table. His brows were tightly furrowed, while everyone around him held their breath and awaited the emperor's instructions.
After a long while, Franz finally spoke. "Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo. This is a grave provocation against the Empire. What attitude do you think we should take in our negotiations with Serbia?"
The Imperial Army's Chief of Staff, Conrad, said, "Serbia must be severely punished. This is a provocation against the Empire's dignity. The Black Hand organization's operational funds were entirely provided by Serbia. Now that Archduke Ferdinand has been assassinated, Serbia cannot wash its hands of this."
As a hawk, Conrad had always supported war and advocated a defensive war against Serbia, so no one found his position surprising.
For such a fervent nationalist as Conrad to hold a high position in imperial politics naturally had much to do with his ability. Conrad had played an important role in modernizing the Austro-Hungarian Army.
Naturally, his opinion could not determine the Empire's ultimate strategy. Franz was well aware of Conrad's extremism.
Thus, Franz turned to the Crown Prince and asked,