"Madness—the Emperor had gone mad! He had actually declared that the Austro-Hungarian Empire would never compromise with Germany. Did he not know that this would provoke the Germans' wrath? Once the German Emperor flew into a rage, the consequences would be too dreadful to contemplate." An elderly man complained with an expression of displeasure. He was Count István von Tisza, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Hungary.
Although the Kingdom of Hungary was one of the constituent states of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it had its own government as well. Aside from foreign affairs and military matters, which were exercised uniformly by the Austro-Hungarian central government, all other powers were held by the Kingdom of Hungary itself. As the strongest constituent state of the Austro-Hungarian Empire after Austria, the Kingdom of Hungary undoubtedly enjoyed extensive autonomy.
Although Karl I had become Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and concurrently König of the Kingdom of Hungary, the Hungarian nobles did not recognize him. Now, Karl I had actually ignored the disparity in strength between the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Germany and challenged the German Empire, leaving them all deeply dissatisfied. They believed he was dragging the Kingdom of Hungary into danger as well!
"Yes! Archduke Friedrich and Baron Marshal von Heitzenforf have already ordered the Austro-Hungarian Imperial Army to enter a state of alert. I fear war truly hangs by a thread." Baron Tobres, Deputy Army Chief of Staff of the Austro-Hungarian Imperial Army and Chief of Staff of the Hungarian Army, wore a worried expression.
"Putting the troops on alert now—is that not further provoking Germany and intensifying the conflict? I say Karl I has truly gone mad!" said an elderly man in a tailcoat, elegantly sipping coffee. He was Marquis Damen Fe Lenz, leader of the Hungarian nobility. His family held an