Chapter 27 Army Inspection Speech

Pilsen, Bohemia, Austrian Empire

"It is nice to see the men defending Austria are healthy and high in spirits. It makes me happy and feels safe with such men protecting our homes and families. You are a vital part of keeping our country at peace and far from harm's way and seeing you in such a healthy and happy state reassured me that the Empire is in good hands. That the Empire would not collapse in a day with such men protecting its borders.

As you have known, for decades, our military is repressed by the sanctions of other countries. We have tolerated such oppression for years that other countries have started to think that we are just an easy target to be trampled upon. But seeing you, I can see hope that our great empire would overcome any incoming crisis that it would face. Such bravery is needed in such needed times, and for this, I thank you all for your service.

Now that times had changed and troubles are on the horizon, and our great nation is threatened by a disaster so large and overwhelming, it is up to you, sons of Austria, to fight and protect her, our Motherland. I promise you all that when that time comes, I would fight with you together on the battlefield. I would be in the same place with you, leading and standing up with you in those hellish days. And I would feel confident if the soldiers I lead is as loyal, brave, and strong as the men standing in front of me.

And as a sign of my good faith in you, my soldiers, I had dedicated a large amount of wealth and resources to arm you with the best weapons and tools in the world. Every soldier's bread and butter were their rifles and uniforms and I want every soldier to feel accomplished and satisfied with how Austria treats their heroes. I want every soldier feels proud and honor being a soldier of the Austrian Empire. A strong army is the basis of a strong nation. For weakness is a sin especially when you are a nation surrounded by the strong.

With all the efforts you put through and the investments the state had provided you, I hope you would all continue serving Austria, to act as both the shield and spear of the Austrian Empire. To fight for your families, hometowns, country, and yourself. To stop and defeat those people who want to destroy your existence as a proud citizen of Austria."

Justin then folds the paper he is reading, breathes deeply for a few seconds, and continues his speech without any pre-written ones.

"To tell you the truth my proud soldiers of Austria, our state is facing a lot of incoming disasters that would surely happen in the near future. Some of you might have already an idea that the Ottomans are building a large army bigger than anything we had seen before. There are mobilizing millions of troops but against whom? Against the Russians? Most of the world already knows how dangerous it is to fight Russia in its own land from the disaster of Napoleon's campaign against Russia. It even nearly ends his young empire. Against the French in North Africa? It would be foolish for the Ottomans to mobilize a large army and use a lot of resources just for another large land of just sand, and the French could just decimate their army with the French Navy and the French Imperial Guards Army, and the French Old guards. Against the British in India? That would be the last place on Earth any sane ruler would invade, the British consider India as the jewel in the crown of the British Empire. You would lose everything fighting the entire British empire for India.

Then who would be left on the list that is neighboring the Ottomans, with a history of centuries of feuds and conflicts, an easy target and needed that large number of men to completely destroy?

That would be us, Austrians. They always see us as a stumbling rock on their road to the heart of Europe. For centuries, our forefathers have defended Europe from the Ottomans that the feud can't end anymore, one must cease to exist for the other one's continued existence.

They even dare to see it as an easy picking for their expansion even when they're fighting a lot of rebellions and conflicts within and outside of its border. They were not even discreet in their military mobilization and preparation, there are recruiting these large numbers in broad daylight which can be seen by a lot of people and foreigners that such activities can only be seen as direct arrogant.

But that is not even the worst of our worries. Because while we are facing enemies outside our country. Some are plotting inside our country, they want to take advantage of the chaos to use it to pursue their greedy and personal goals and aspirations. They are willing to make a deal with our mortal enemy, the Ottomans, just to achieve their goals. They are willing to let hundreds of thousands of their fellow citizens fall into the hands of the invaders just to satisfy their own greediness.

Would you let such a blatant insult to our motherland, Austria, be left unanswered? Would you let the enemies prove that we are a weak country? Would you let your family be butchered? Would you let the enemies steal our children's future?

The answer would be no. We shall not allow any plans of our enemies to succeed. We shall make them bleed so that the entire grass fields would turn red. We must make them pay the price for just even thinking to invade and destroy Austria. We can protect our family and Austria from such enemies.

That's why we need to prepare and readiness of the entire Austrian army and you will become the vanguard and model for the entire Austrian forces. To put such willingness and effort to protect and serve Austria, far beyond any call of their duties. I'm asking for your support and cooperation to make this a possibility. To devote yourself wholeheartedly to Austria is your duty as the one who is both the shield and spear of the motherland. There is no any greater honor than serving and fighting for your country.

I hope that you would never forget the zeal and devotion you had shown today. Knowing that with such loyal and devoted soldiers, Austria is in very safe hands indeed. It is Austria's destiny to rule the whole world and that destiny is in your very own hands.

Glory to Austria! Glory to the motherland!

HAIL AUSTRIA!

HAIL EMPIRE!

HAIL VICTORY!

…"