If other countries had followed the usual script, this would have erupted into bloody conflict, just as it had in France. But in reality, plenty of people in the army were also dissatisfied with Metternich.
And with nationalism bolstering their ranks, Austria's army joined the rebellion, following in the footsteps of the Bavarian Guards.
The army set up cannons right outside the Prime Minister's Office. Seeing that the situation was beyond saving, the agent Franz had planted there could only suggest burning Metternich alive. That was the only way to make an example of him.
Besides, we couldn't slaughter the innocent. Everyone except Metternich should be allowed to leave the Prime Minister's Office before we struck.
The people were still quite reasonable, so they opened a narrow path for the innocent to pass through. Once they had left, torches flew into the Prime Minister's Office from every direction.
The fire burned for a full day and night. They said it had even reduced Metternich's ashes to dust.
At the docks in Vienna, an old woman wearing a white wig kept glancing back over her shoulder. The old servant beside her grabbed him and pulled him into the ship's cabin.
"Let's go, sir. Archduke Franz says California needs you."
After Metternich's fall, Count Kolarov had thought he had finally brought down his old rival and could put his reforms into practice. But Francis II had left behind a will:
"If Metternich is unable to perform his duties as regent for special reasons, Pillersdorff shall succeed him as regent."
Pillersdorff disagreed with Count Kolarov just as much, and the mess Metternich had left behind was beyond their ability to fix.
Declare war on the Papal States? Don't be ridiculous. With Europe in its current state, everyone was looking for a scapegoat. Whoever