Spain's Chief Minister desperately signaled to his own Crown Prince with his eyes. The latter had done extensive homework before coming and immediately understood. He rose and declared loudly:
"Acting under the authorization of His Majesty the King of Spain, I hereby formally request to join the 'Iberian-Apennine Security and Defense Organization.' May we bring eternal peace and prosperity to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea."
Spain had originally been France's ally, so France was naturally delighted to see the number of military alliance members increase.
The second to respond was Emanuele, Crown Prince of Sardinia.
The Sardinian Army was still following Napoleon in the siege of Mantua Fortress. It had already, in effect, been tied to France's war chariot, so it might as well make a clean show of it and earn France's favor.
Parma, Lucca, Modena, and the other states also requested to join the Security Organization one after another.
However, the Speaker of Milan and the Governor of Genoa both seemed to want to speak but held back, looking exceedingly awkward.
Although Milan had broken free from Austrian rule, it had yet to establish a nation. It did not even possess the status needed to join the Security Organization.
Genoa, meanwhile, was a neutral state. That was written into its laws, and Governor Biaso had no authority to change it.
Joseph first smiled at Giuseppella, Speaker of Milan. "The Duchy of Milan has a long history and has always ruled the Lombardy region. It was merely shamelessly invaded by Austrian bandits, and its legacy was interrupted for several decades.
"I believe now is the time to restore Milan's glory. Of course, Milan is now governed by Parliament, so it should be renamed the Republic of Milan."
Giuseppella's eyes immediately lit up. The Austrian Army was currently at