Europe was in turmoil—how could the United Kingdom possibly be absent? The conflict between France and Austria had not been stirred up, leaving the London Government deeply disappointed.
However, Prime Minister John Russell was not worried. Where there was one, there would be a second. Whatever excuse the French had, the fact remained that they had reached into Austria's backyard.
The seeds of conflict between the two nations had already been planted. For the British, that was enough. Driving a wedge between France and Austria, setting them against and restraining one another, was the option most in line with British interests.
If they truly came to blows, it would not necessarily be a good thing. Or rather, the London Government did not wish to see any war that shattered Europe's balance.
Especially now, with the Russian Empire on the verge of decline, if war broke out between France and Austria, whichever side emerged victorious would become the new hegemon of the European Continent.
Any European hegemon was the British people's greatest enemy. No reason was needed; this had always been the London Government's national policy.
At No. 10 Downing Street, Foreign Secretary Reslin entered the conference room with a broad smile. It was obvious he was in an excellent mood.
John Russell said evenly, "Everyone is here. Then let us begin. Sir Reslin, what good news do you have?"
Foreign Secretary Reslin answered with a smile, "We have just received word that the Tsarist Government intends to allow the three Nordic countries to unify."
This was something the London Government had wanted to accomplish for years, yet had failed to do. The unification of the three Nordic countries would certainly not be good news for the Russian Empire.
So long as they were fed great-power ambitions, a unified Nordic state