Kossuth had long grown used to these nobles' blustering tricks. In fact, the more he dealt with them, the more pitiful he found them.
They could only live within their own circles, using a set of proper-sounding words and remaining within narrow bounds.
How ridiculous. How could people with no freedom possibly be called nobles?
"I have no intention of forcing you. If you don't want to listen, you can leave and make room for those who do."
The conservative representative naturally didn't have the nerve to leave, but his noble status wouldn't let him lower himself. Though he was panicking inside, he still put on an indignant act.
Kossuth smiled faintly, a touch of mockery in his expression, then began his speech.
"Three hundred years have passed since the Austrians usurped the Crown of Saint Stephen.
For us Hungarians, it has been a purgatory of endless suffering.
God bestowed upon this country every element of wealth and happiness. It covers 284,898.69 square kilometers and has a population of fifteen million.
Its location is superb, at the heart of Europe. Its resources are abundant, and its soil fertile enough to feed the entire Austrian Empire.
It can be said that without us, Austria would not be where it is today. We held back the Arabs. Without us, Western civilization would have ceased to exist long ago!"
Thunderous applause immediately erupted from the audience. It was all going according to Kossuth's plan. He pressed his hands down and continued.
"But the sacrifices made by our great nation and our great country have won us no gratitude. All we have received is a pair of shackles!
It was our support during the War of the Austrian Succession that secured the throne for the Lorraine-Habsburg family. Yet once peace was won, the first