Re: Blood and Iron

As Bruno expected, it was not long before the four emperors who would forge the alliance to replace the Central Powers of this world were gathered together in the same room. Several months had indeed passed since the incident which sparked this meeting. After all, it would take some time for Emperor Meiji to travel to Europe considering the distance between his empire and that of the continent where the gathering would be held.

But in the end, the leaders of four of the world's major powers sat in the same room. Discussing the important issues to be had. Tsar Nicholas II had frankly been coerced by Bruno into relenting on the Balkan issue, as well as taking his father's stance in supporting the Austro-Hungarian annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Something which he had strayed from initially upon ascending to the throne.

And it was because of Bruno's subtle manipulations in this regard that the Tsar spoke to the other emperors, voicing his support for these two things.

"I will be withdrawing all support for the Kingdom of Serbia following their attack on my soil. Whether or not Peter assisted, or if the assassins were rogue elements of his military, I cannot accept the fact that they dared to make such a bold violation of my sovereignty.

Considering this is the greatest issue that led to the collapse of the previously established order between our three empires. I am willing to relent on this issue in order to restore what had previously existed between our nations."

Kaiser Franz Jospeh was indeed surprised that the Tsar was willing to go to such lengths. But if the House of Romanov was willing to back off on their previous disputes over the Balkans, then there was no reason to continue antagonizing them, especially now that Russia was swiftly entering a fully industrialized state. Its economic potential was massive, and its vast natural resources would be useful to Austro-Hungary's own attempts to revitalize their military.

With all of this in mind, he nodded his head, agreeing to end the disputes between them, and formally enter a military alliance with the Russians.

"I say let bygones be bygones. With these disputes ending between us and our houses, I see no reason to continue fighting one another. The question, however, is if Japan can be so forgiving after the war you two have waged in the east so recently..."

All eyes were cast upon Emperor Meiji, who had been sitting quietly and sternly throughout the meeting so far. He had gotten what he wanted out of the war with Russia. His territorial gains were far greater in this life than in his past life, and he had no reason to continue fighting with the Russians over these previous disputes.

As a rational man, the one whose reforms had transformed Japan from an isolated and fragmented state, into a single unified Empire whose power and authority was on the verge of competing with his European rivals. Meiji knew when to forgive past grievances, especially if they had already been settled with Iron and blood.

With this in mind, he sighed, and spoke to Nicholas, offering a sense of solidarity, as he agreed to join hands with the three emperors in this room, to establish a formal military alliance between them all.