Mikhalevich's head instantly began to throb.
These great families wielded enormous political influence in their own countries. Marquis Busto, for example, was the second-ranking figure in Parma's General Staff Headquarters. If they truly hanged his nephew, the Parma government might well declare its support for the Basel Rebels outright.
"Damn it..." He waved his hand. "Release them. No—send someone to escort them back to Italy."
He truly could not understand why these young noblemen had come all the way into Switzerland's mountain wilderness to throw their lives away.
What he did not know was that the French Literature and Propaganda Association had long since turned the war in northern Switzerland into plays and comics, which could now be seen throughout Europe.
In those stories, the Basel Militia were pitiful people pursuing freedom and a better life, while the Austrian Intervention Force were butchers sent by the Holy Roman Tyrant to slaughter them.
Joseph's original intent had been to rally the people of northern Switzerland against Austria, but he had never expected the Liberals of Germany and Italy to become restless first.
Some young nobles in particular not only donated generously to Basel, but even came personally to fight. It had practically become a fashion.
In the three months that had just passed, more than four hundred volunteers from various countries had joined the Basel Militia.
And in places such as Württemberg and Augsburg, which had received Joseph's hint, such behavior was actively encouraged. "Enthusiastic organizations" even provided volunteers with weapons.
As for France, it had made no public statement on the war, but Upper Germania Province had continually sold all manner of supplies to the Basel Provisional Parliament at extremely low prices through its traditional trade routes.
Vienna.
Schönbrunn Palace.
Count Latour lowered his head and continued reading from the