The Final Counterattack

France and Russia needed time to recover, while Austria was busy with the great development of the Near East. The three great powers of the European Continent were all occupied, with no energy left to stir up trouble.

With the broader situation as it was, the British did not recklessly make trouble either. The international situation abruptly eased, and as time passed, the smell of gunpowder lingering over the European Continent gradually faded away.

Franz was in an excellent mood. Barring any surprises, in a few months, he would be moving up another generation.

People's outlook changed as they grew older, and Franz was no exception. Though his expectations for holding a grandson were not as high as Empress Helen's, they were hardly low.

The royal family needed heirs. Although Crown Prince Friedrich was not particularly old, such matters were better done sooner rather than later.

Countless pairs of eyes outside were watching. The sooner the third generation was born, the sooner everyone could set their minds at ease.

Happy times were always brief. Seeing Prime Minister Felix hurrying in, Franz knew trouble had come knocking again.

"Your Majesty, something has happened on the Asia Minor Peninsula."

At the words "Asia Minor Peninsula," Franz's expression tightened.

The great development of the Near East was the Vienna Government's most important strategy for the next decade. Once this strategy was completed, Austria's strategic security would be fundamentally improved.

Situated at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, and Africa, the Asia Minor Peninsula had always been ground contested by military powers. It was only after controlling this place that the Roman Empire and the Ottoman Empire had dominated the Mediterranean Sea and cast covetous eyes upon all three continents.

The same held true for Austria. As long as it controlled the Asia Minor Peninsula,