Vienna's ancient streets wore a cold coat of winter, the chill seeping into every corner of the grand halls where Hans now found himself tangled in a web of politics and promises. The city, once a jewel of the old empire, was now a battlefield of whispered deals and veiled threats.
Hans stood at the head of a long table surrounded by nobles, merchants, and mercenary captains, each eyeing him like a prize to be won or a threat to be crushed. His dream to reunify Austria was caught between their greed and fear.
The rise of the International Guilds Coalition cast a long shadow over the proceedings. Formed hastily after the Geneva summit, the Coalition claimed to protect regional stability. But in truth, it was a cage designed to keep ambitious leaders like Hans in check.
Representatives from Britain, Japan, Germany, the USA, Sweden, and the Netherlands sat on the Coalition's council. Though Hans was excluded, their gaze burned into his back like a phantom blade. Every move he made was under surveillance. His plans to expand into neighboring provinces met bureaucratic roadblocks and thinly veiled sabotage.
Inside his command quarters, tension simmered among his officers. Colonel Engelhardt remained the voice of reason, urging patience and caution. But Albrecht and the other two officers — fierce and restless — whispered of marching armies and swift conquests. The loyalty of his once united command felt brittle, as if the weight of power was slowly cracking the bonds that held them.
One icy evening, as Hans stared into the fading embers of his hearth, a coded message arrived:
"Coalition may intervene in Carinthia. Prepare contingencies."
The paper slipped from his fingers, glass shattering on the floor. Outside, the snow continued to fall, covering Vienna in a silent warning.
Hans knew then that the peaceful game of diplomacy was over.
If he wanted to reunify his fractured homeland, he would have to fight—not just with words, but with steel
Hans paced his chambers, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows on the walls. His mind churned as the weight of the message settled like ice in his gut. Carinthia was the gateway to the south — a key province whose control could tip the balance of power in Austria. If the Coalition moved in there, it would be a declaration of war.
"Colonel Engelhardt," Hans called, his voice steady but laced with urgency as the seasoned officer entered.
"We've got a problem," Hans said, tossing the message onto the table.
Engelhardt's face darkened as he read. "Coalition interference is serious. If they try to install a puppet or blockade our forces, it could shatter everything."
Albrecht's boots echoed sharply in the doorway. "Then we strike first. Show them strength before they think we're weak."
Hans shot him a sharp look. "Patience, Albrecht. We need precision, not recklessness."
The room grew tense. The four officers exchanged glances — each silently measuring loyalties, ambitions, and fears. The unity that once bound them was fraying.
"We need to secure alliances," Hans said finally. "Not just in Austria — but beyond. The Coalition may have power, but they're not invincible."
Engelhardt nodded. "We must be clever. Use diplomacy as our shield, and military might as our sword."
Hans ran a hand through his hair, exhaustion pressing down. "And what about the soldiers? The men look to us for direction — for certainty. We can't afford division."
Albrecht's jaw tightened. "Then we give them a reason to fight. A future worth dying for."
Hans looked around the room, meeting the eyes of each officer. "Then it's settled. We prepare. We negotiate. And if it comes to war — I'll lead them myself."
The officers nodded, the weight of command settling heavily on all their shoulders.
Outside, snow continued to fall softly — a quiet reminder that winter had come for more than just the world's weather.