On the streets of Frankfurt, a seasoned nationalist wept bitter tears.
"In 1848, I waited for three days and three nights before the doors of the National Assembly, waiting for them to adopt the Labor Protection Act, waiting for them to declare unification.
But they refused, and civil war began.
It was a war of despair. His Majesty Emperor Joseph I's thunderous wrath destroyed the National Assembly in an instant.
I thought it was all over."
He was already sobbing too hard to speak.
"But I saw it—I witnessed the unification of Germany! Look! How powerful our homeland is!"
Not far away, the Austrian Empire's army was entering the city. Crowds lined both sides of the streets, tense yet excited. After all, they had all heard that the Austrian Empire's army was different—but no matter how different it was, an army was still an army, still the state's machine of violence.
Yet at this moment, those soldiers had become one of their own. They bore the glory of the German Nation, and everything about them had changed.
Of course, the Austrian Empire's uniforms and military bearing were imposing enough as well, making it easy for people to feel a sense of reverence at the sight of them.
At that moment, the church bells began to ring. Their chimes passed through the streets, through the clamor, and into every citizen's ears.
In truth, Frankfurt's people held a special sentiment toward German unification, for this had once been the place where Holy Roman Empire emperors were elected, as well as where they were crowned.
The National Assembly of 1848 was also known as the Frankfurt National Assembly. They elected an emperor, yet that emperor was never crowned.
Precisely because of that previous unpleasantness, this time the National Assembly was moved to Aachen.