After Christmas, the United Kingdom and Austria recognized the Greater French Empire in succession, effectively acquiescing to France's annexation of Italy.
Influenced by this, European countries also recognized the legitimacy of Greater France one after another in 1871 and resumed diplomatic relations with France. Napoleon III had finally escaped his diplomatic predicament.
The international tensions sparked by France's annexation of Italy came to an end. Yet the repercussions would be far-reaching.
Undercurrents began to stir. Ambitious men grew active, expansion became the theme of the age, and the many small European states all lost their sense of security.
The age of imperialism had arrived in full. What the French had done this time once again shattered the bottom line of the great powers. From now on, a strong country could annex a sovereign state without needing any excuse.
The fig leaf was no longer needed. The law of the jungle had never been displayed so starkly, and the rules of the game became even more unfavorable to weak nations.
No one knew who had leaked news of an alliance among the United Kingdom, France, and Austria, but the international situation, which had only just eased, grew tense again. At this moment, the remaining European countries could no longer sit still, and the foreign ministries of the United Kingdom, France, and Austria all became bustling.
Even Alexander II, busy with domestic reforms, personally sent a telegram to inquire about it. Secrecy was impossible; both the United Kingdom and France had publicly acknowledged that alliance negotiations were underway.
Since he had intended to use this alliance to increase Austria's influence in the world, Franz naturally would not make a needless gesture and deny it.
As for what Alexander II might think, that was no longer important. Never mind the half-dead Russian Empire—even