Mediation

"Ahem!" Wachth coughed, drawing everyone's attention before he spoke. "Gentlemen, if war can be avoided, that would undoubtedly be for the best. This war is about to end; there is no need to ignite another one. That would benefit no country. The German Empire hopes that the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Kingdom of Italy can resolve their differences through peaceful negotiations."

Paul Borselli nodded repeatedly. "The Kingdom of Italy does not want war either. We are merely responding in self-defense. The conditions proposed by the Austro-Hungarian Empire are far too harsh for us to accept. If they insist on forcing war upon us, then we can only fight to the death."

Paul Borselli wore an aggrieved expression, as though everything had been imposed upon them by other nations.

"As the victor in this war, the Austro-Hungarian Empire should naturally receive the benefits it deserves!" Crown Prince Karl still looked furious.

"The Kingdom of Italy can pay war reparations to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and provide other compensation. However, we absolutely cannot comply with the Austro-Hungarian Empire's demands. Those terms are simply too harsh for the Kingdom of Italy to accept," Paul Borselli said.

"Mr. Borselli, what terms can the Kingdom of Italy accept?" Wachth asked.

"We mainly believe that the Austro-Hungarian Empire's demand for fifty billion Krone in reparations is far too enormous. If the reparations are reduced to one billion Mark, we can accept them," Paul Borselli said.

"What? One billion Mark? Absolutely not!" Crown Prince Karl practically leaped to his feet. One billion Mark might have been an astronomical sum to ordinary people, but to a nation, it was not that much. Especially compared with the enormous reparations Germany had gained from this war, having the Kingdom of Italy pay the Austro-Hungarian Empire one billion Mark was like tossing