Baron Thugut merely offered a few diplomatic words of praise, but Prince Heinrich's eyes flashed with delight.
He had once discussed Marquess Wellesley's New Army with him and knew full well that it was an exceptionally powerful elite force.
"So victory will ultimately belong to the Allied Forces." He tapped his cane against the corridor's marble floor and said happily, "The war will definitely be over before the end of the year!"
Lord Grenville nodded with a smile. "Exactly. Then we must launch the final offensive from the Luxembourg direction as soon as possible. That will do much to steady the troops' morale. Basel can also coordinate an attack. I heard the French had transferred Alsace's defenders to Italy. This should be an opportunity."
Baron Thugut exchanged a smile with him. "The Royal War Committee thinks so as well."
Northern Mediterranean Sea.
Gulf of Liguria.
Count Mirandola, the King of Modena's special envoy, listened contentedly to the slap, slap of the paddle wheels striking the sea. He turned to the captain beside him and asked, "Mr. Pico, how far are we from Marseille?"
"We'll be able to enter port by noon tomorrow, Your Excellency."
Mirandola nodded in satisfaction, then turned to the attendant at his side. "Those fellows from Parma actually thought that crossing Cattibona Pass would get them to Paris before me?"
The attendant hurriedly played along. "Perhaps he has yet to hear of steam paddle wheel ships. At Marseille, we can continue by river ferry and head north along the Rhone River. We'll arrive at least four days before Prince Ludovico."
"Ha, this is the miracle of industry." Mirandola gave the chimney behind him a thumbs-up. "Not to mention the envoys from Lucca and Milan. I imagine only the Sardinians can enter Versailles Palace at the same