Chapter 163: Heroes of the Turbulent Era 2

Elizabeth, wife of Elector Friedrich.

A former princess of the Britonian Kingdom, she possessed a courage and ambition surpassing her indecisive husband – a true woman of valor deserving of the epithet.

Though lacking the wisdom to complement her bold spirit, in many ways, she exhibited more sovereign-worthy qualities than her irresolute spouse.

However, her fiery temperament often misguided the couple down undesirable paths.

Friedrich’s abandonment of the Palatinate to pursue Bohemia had been Elizabeth’s initiative, ultimately resulting in Mansfeld’s betrayal and the realm’s submission to Imperial forces.

Humbled by this disastrous failure, Elizabeth had meekly acquiesced to her husband’s lead for a while.

Yet as time passed and the sting of defeat faded, coupled with Friedrich’s waning authority contrasted by the ascendant might of Bohemia and Santana, Elizabeth gradually regained her voice.

‘The Heretical Alliance initially coalesced around my husband… But now, Bohemia – or rather, its heir and de facto ruler, Santana Andreas – has become the undisputed vanguard. Moreover, recent events have only further tilted the balance in their favor…’

The series of remarkable yet alarming developments left Elizabeth in awe yet trepidation.

From unifying the disparate heretical factions under a unified alliance to forging a substantive alliance with the Dragonian Empire and securing their support – all while seizing the Holy Imperium’s wealth by exploiting the ongoing famine.

An unrivaled feat compared to Elizabeth’s paltry reliance on her husband’s meager stipends and her Britonish father’s aid.

Then, not long ago, Santana had even wedded a Dragonian princess, securing that mighty realm’s formidable backing for Bohemia.

Though loath to admit it, this stark reality compelled Elizabeth to acknowledge Santana’s prowess – a force beyond their ability to directly confront.

It jeopardized not only Friedrich’s nominal leadership of the Heretical Alliance but potentially his very position, reducing him to a mere figurehead.

‘Santana has long drawn attention for his exceptional talents. With the might of Dragonia behind him now… This situation is truly perilous. In the worst case, he might depose my increasingly ineffectual husband after our loss of the Palatinate…’

While noble lineage commanded respect, the present power disparity could not be ignored.

Moreover, Friedrich remained obliviously supportive of Santana, leaving Elizabeth exasperated by his failure to grasp the severity of their predicament.

Thus, she felt compelled to seek an alternative path. Fortuitously, her father had identified a suitable ally.

Another individual overshadowed by a formidable superior yet striving to forge an independent path.

Though diminished after absorbing Mansfeld and Christian’s forces, this figure nonetheless commanded considerable might – Duke Christopher IV of the powerful Kalmar Union.

The duke’s conspicuous movements had caught the attentive Britonish king’s eye, prompting him to secretly advocate an alliance between Christopher and Friedrich’s faction… or more precisely, with Elizabeth herself.

Heeding her father’s counsel, Elizabeth gravely deliberated this course before resolutely committing to it.

‘Remaining idle is far too hazardous. We must act before losing all authority within the Heretical Alliance.’

Fortunately, though internally weak, Friedrich’s electoral status still carried weight.

As an elector eligible for the Imperial throne with official diplomatic standing within the Holy Imperium, his position, though largely ceremonial, offered leverage – including the prior Dragonian alliance negotiated through him.

Exploiting this, Elizabeth judged an opportunity to reverse their fortunes.

‘Moreover, we have a suitable pretext… While Bohemia has solidified its eastern position, we in the west – centered in Lorraine – remain within the Emperor’s threatened sphere. Citing this as grounds to recruit new allies…’

Of course, Elizabeth’s ultimate aim was securing greater influence within the Heretical Alliance itself.

However, to sway her well-intentioned yet obtuse husband, a plausible justification was necessary.

Furthermore, as this inevitably involved Bohemia, Elizabeth had to proceed delicately.

Thus, leveraging legitimate grounds and authority, she finally concluded an alliance with Duke Christopher IV.

Though it included the treacherous Mansfeld who had previously betrayed her, that unruly hound now answered to Christopher’s firm hand.

Having secured this backing, Elizabeth remained unaware of the consequences this pact would unleash.

Nor could she foresee the further sacrifices it would demand from the already bloodied Holy Imperium…

While the famine ravaged the Imperium, its most fertile heartlands remained under the stewardship of Alfred von Wallenstein – the Emperor’s appointed supreme commander, undeterred in his war preparations.

Though not entirely immune to the famine’s impact, unlike his peers, Wallenstein had prudently stockpiled provisions against such emergencies, affording him greater operational latitude.

Yet in that moment, a profound sense of regret lingered within him.

‘Fortunately, we should weather this famine unscathed. But…I cannot help but feel disappointed. Had I foreseen this crisis sooner and stockpiled more provisions, the potential gains would have been substantial…’

While grateful for mere subsistence, the missed opportunity for profit left him rueful.

As Wallenstein ruminated on this bitter sentiment, a familiar figure approached.

“General.”

Addressing the golden-haired witch Hestia, Wallenstein’s tone carried an expectant inquiry.

In response, Hestia slowly shook her head.

“No… Unfortunately…”