War Countdown

In early autumn, with the summer heat still lingering, a tense yet fervent atmosphere pervaded the Imperial Court in Vienna.

Every day, numerous officials entered and exited Hofburg Palace, reporting to the Emperor on the preparations for war.

On this day, Laszlo's Imperial Guard commander, Bela Ester, reported good news to him: the expansion of the Imperial Guard had been completed, with three thousand men fully equipped and stationed in the camp on the outskirts of Vienna that formerly belonged to the Independent Army.

Apart from the original Austro-Hungarian Imperial Guard cavalry units, the remaining troops were recruited from respectable families throughout Austria.

Many young men from noble families who could not inherit their family's property chose to enlist in the Emperor's Imperial Guard; some were selected for heavy cavalry squadrons, while others, after training and selection, became junior officers.

The Imperial Guard's pikemen were young, strong farmers recruited from the Lower Austria region around Vienna.

This area had been under the rule of the Habsburg-Albrecht branch for over a hundred years, had almost never experienced military disasters, and had a high degree of loyalty to the Imperial family, making them truly respectable citizens.

Upon hearing this news, Laszlo was overjoyed and decided to personally review this unit before the war.

Of Austria's three armies, the Independent Army was commanded by his own people, but it was, after all, converted from mercenaries.

Although the Austro-Hungarian Army was a reorganized Imperial Guard, it was the Imperial Guard built by Albrecht II.

The Saxon Army was purely a monetary relationship, but after several bloody battles, the Saxon native soldiers, who originally constituted the majority, had significantly decreased, and soldiers from Austria and Bohemia filled their ranks, thereby increasing the loyalty of this unit.

Laszlo had always wanted to establish an army completely under his control, dedicated to protecting the Imperial family.

The Imperial Palace Guard and garrison forces in Vienna were not very effective, and this Imperial Guard unit was exactly what he wanted.

Early the next morning, Laszlo carefully dressed, donning splendid armor, and, surrounded by numerous Royal Knights, proceeded to the Imperial Guard's station.

This time, Leonor also accompanied him; she was not elaborately dressed, nor did she wear splendid robes, but her beauty was still captivating.

The Empress was a vibrant woman, fond of balls and hunting, and quite skilled in horsemanship.

However, Laszlo always worried about his wife riding a horse; for this reason, he had specially prepared many carriages for Leonor and usually did not allow her to ride horses, so today was an exception.

Following the Emperor and Empress's retinue were the various important ministers and generals of the court, who had been invited by the Emperor to jointly review the Imperial Guard, and would subsequently inspect the Imperial Army and mercenary units.

On the open ground outside the Imperial Guard camp, the soldiers of the Imperial Guard stood in neat formations, awaiting the Emperor's arrival.

Many of them wore brand-new armor, looking particularly spirited in the sunlight—Laszlo had spent tens of thousands of florins on this.

When the Imperial Knights, who had gone ahead to announce the Emperor's itinerary, arrived, Ester immediately led his officers to greet Laszlo.

The soldiers immediately fell silent, casting gazes of awe and anticipation towards the Emperor.

Many of them had seen the Emperor from afar, but only the veteran Imperial Guard cavalrymen had experienced being this close.

Laszlo rode his magnificent horse past the front of the formation, and as he saw a well-disciplined and high-spirited army, a look of satisfaction appeared on his face.

"Ready for battle, for this very moment!" Laszlo shouted loudly.

The soldiers collectively shouted, "For the Emperor! For glory!"

Laszlo slowly moved along the ranks, his keen gaze scrutinizing the posture and expression of every soldier.

He occasionally stopped, inquiring about the soldiers' situations or offering words of encouragement.

"Hold your heads high, warriors! You are the sword of the Empire, the hope of victory!"

On the training ground, the Imperial Guard was conducting tactical drills, undergoing the Emperor's review.

They swiftly formed squares, generally able to advance in an orderly and precise manner.

The heavy cavalry formed multiple clear wall-like formations, charging like a surging tide, as if to crush all enemies.

They attacked with the ferocity of a hurricane and defended with the solidity of a fortress.

Laszlo stood by, observing intently.

"Excellent! Maintain this state, and the Venetians and France will be utterly routed by you," he encouraged loudly.

After the training concluded, Laszlo ascended the high platform.

"Warriors, I have seen your determination and courage. The coming war will be brutal, but I believe you will surely seize victory for me!"

The soldiers were greatly stirred, shouting "Long live!"

Laszlo looked at these spirited soldiers, and a stronger sense of confidence swelled within him.

Subsequently, Laszlo inspected the German mercenary units and the armies provided by the Imperial Princes, these forces were commanded by Count Albrecht of Ansbach [Achilles].

Laszlo trusted the abilities of this Imperial Marshal.

After many years of war, he was no longer the impetuous warrior he once was; now he possessed both courage and command ability.

The arsenal guards had just stored the last batch of gunpowder in wooden barrels and loaded them onto the Hussite War Wagons; these important supplies would depart first for Graz.

Large quantities of newly collected grain were made into hardtack, packed in bags and barrels, and transported along with other baggage; supply stations were set up along the army's route to ensure the safety of supplies for the army's march within Austria.

In the war room of Hofburg Palace, Laszlo and several important generals were studying the operational map.

They carefully analyzed the enemy's deployment and discussed the battle plan.

"Your Majesty, from which direction should we advance into Italy?"

Karl, the commander of the Austro-Hungarian Army, pointed to two routes on the map and asked Laszlo.

One route was to cross the Alps from Tyrol directly to Verona, where a portion of the Venetians' army was launching an attack on the province of Brescia in Milan.

The other route was to advance directly to Venice along the Adriatic Sea coast.

Laszlo pondered for a moment and came to a conclusion: taking the Tyrol route would incur significant logistical pressure and losses, and the Hussite War Wagons could not traverse such terrain, so he chose the second route, directly attacking the Venetia region.

Crossing mountains to Milan would also require a battle with the Republic of Milan's government; it would be better to take Venice first and then subdue Milan.

The enemy would, of course, not sit idly by, but while forming an alliance was easy, assembling a combined army was much more difficult.

Fighting within the Republic of Venice would be a good lesson for these hateful Venetians; the enormous economic losses they would suffer would be the price of incurring the Emperor's wrath.

Several Imperial messengers had already been sent to Croatia, Serbia, and other places to convey the marching orders.

Once the war began, all parts of the Venetians' territory bordering Habsburg lands would be attacked.

Afterward, Laszlo also sent a letter to the Doge of Venice, detailing his crimes and formally declaring war on Venice.

On the morning two days later, Laszlo ascended the city walls of Vienna, facing the army ready for departure.

"Warriors, crush the enemies of the Empire for me! All forces, advance!"

With his command, the vast army grandly set out on their campaign.

Banners fluttered, hooves thundered, and Laszlo gazed ahead, his heart filled with a craving for victory and aspirations for the future.