Having fallen for Killian's sweet persuasion and prodding, François Guizot finally steeled his resolve and returned to Paris.
There was no other choice.
He had wanted to resolve things through dialogue somehow, but that madman over there, swinging a club, would never listen unless he was beaten into submission.
Someone had to take up the rod of discipline.
And in all of Europe, there was only one nation with the justification to do so.
France.
"If this is a road we must walk anyway…"
War could not be avoided.
—Former Prime Minister Soult: "Wars led by France have always ended in catastrophe."—Voices are rising that question the current Prime Minister's leadership…
Crack.
He crushed the morning newspaper in his hand and immediately summoned the members of his cabinet.
"I will speak plainly. Soon, the Ottomans will formally declare war on Russia and begin hostilities. We will issue one final ultimatum demanding Russia withdraw its forces. If they refuse, we will declare war."
"..."
"My God…"
"Prime Minister, did things go well in London?"
"We avoided the worst-case scenario. What remains now depends on us."
France would bear the brunt of the bloodshed.
But at the very least, he had gained confidence that victory was possible.
What remained was minimizing the damage.
And for that, there was only one answer—secure Britain's full cooperation.
Fortunately, Killian seemed to have his own plans.
Before leaving London, Guizot had even been given the opportunity—through Killian's mediation—to meet with an American envoy.
"If we enter the war, Britain and Austria will follow. And if necessary, even the United States has agreed to provide support."
"…The United States?"
"They cannot dispatch troops, but they have expressed willingness to provide supplies and food at low cost. A gesture of repaying the debt from when we helped them gain independence."
"That is certainly welcome news."
"Unlike certain nations with British blood, it seems they understand gratitude."
The more nations that sided with them, the greater their chances of victory—and the less blood France would have to shed.
The very next morning.
"Russia's ambition and arrogance have shattered the peace of Europe and are dragging us back into the abyss of war!"
Standing at the podium, Guizot shut his eyes for a brief moment—
Then roared.
"France has done everything in its power to avoid war. Was it because we are cowards who fear battle? No!
It is because we understand the horrors of war better than anyone else! Because we are a nation that cherishes peace above all else! That we sought resolution through dialogue rather than violence!
But Russia has rejected all dialogue and repeats the same demands endlessly. They seek to undermine the authority of Catholicism, elevate their Orthodox faith, and now even demand that France relinquish the rightful jurisdiction over Jerusalem!
Gentlemen—believing that war can solve everything is a foolish delusion. But when one who is consumed by such delusion seeks to drag the entire world into ruin, it becomes the duty of a nation with both strength and wisdom to stop them!
At 6:30 this morning, the Ottoman Empire declared war against Russian forces that had crossed its borders. We condemn Russia's aggression and have granted them one final chance to abandon their futile ambitions and withdraw their troops.
If Russia accepts, peace may yet return. But if they ignore this and continue to spread bloodshed and destruction, then the consequences that follow will rest solely upon them!"
The speech was far more forceful and powerful than anyone had expected.
Even those who had criticized Guizot for his weak stance were left stunned.
And naturally, one conclusion spread:
France must have something to rely on.
Why else would Guizot, who had tried to avoid war, suddenly take such a hardline stance?
Surely, there must be a decisive strategy to crush Russia.
Young men, filled with fervor, flooded the streets.
"Defeat Russia!""Show them the spirit of France!"
In truth, ever since the Napoleonic Wars ended in defeat, the French had longed for a moment like this.
France had always believed itself to be the greatest nation in Europe.
How could they live forever with the humiliation of becoming a defeated power?
And this time—
The narrative was perfect.
Russia, the bully of Europe.
France, the righteous force standing against it.
Soult's anti-war stance was swept aside with ease.
Even King Louis Philippe, who had threatened to dismiss Guizot if war broke out, gradually changed his tone as the Prime Minister rallied public support.
Guizot's strategy to unify domestic opinion was simple:
—This is a grand war led by France, and Russia is nothing more than a hollow, second-rate military power.—The moment France enters the war, its allies will follow. Not only Europe, but even the Americas support France. The entire world is waiting for France to act.
France, which had briefly drifted from the center of Europe after Napoleon, once again felt as though the world revolved around it.
How many soldiers would be mobilized?
How much material would be consumed?
Such rational calculations no longer mattered.
They had already crossed that line.
And France was not alone in losing its reason.
Russia had long since abandoned it.
They did not even scoff at France's ultimatum.
"To think they send an ultimatum instead of declaring war at this point. Ha! These people truly are weak."
"It's nothing but a bluff. The weaker the dog, the louder it barks. With all this noise, France is no better than a stray mutt."
"Exactly. No matter how hard we push, they'll just sit back and watch. Ignore them and continue the assault on the Ottomans."
Tsar Nicholas had not always been this reckless.
But his thinking had become extreme.
Because in his mind, Russia's true rival was not France—
But Britain.
If Britain was pushing France forward instead of stepping in directly, it meant they feared a direct confrontation.
And if that was the case—
Was this not the perfect opportunity to seize full control of the Black Sea and the Bosporus?
No one opposed this flawless chain of reasoning.
And so, laughing off France's ultimatum, Russia intensified its offensive.
Ten days later—
"Count Nesselrode! Are you an idiot?!"
"Y-Your Majesty?"
"France has declared war on behalf of the Ottomans. Fine—France alone is nothing. They can't do anything by themselves. But why has Britain declared war alongside them?!"
"Well… it may be that France pleaded desperately with Britain…"
"Did you not say Britain had no intention of fighting Russia?! You said you confirmed it in London!"
"Y-Your Majesty, that is…"
Nesselrode was dismissed that very day.
But no one could turn back the war that had already begun.
A catastrophe born from a clash of pride and emotion.
France declared war on Russia.
Soon after, its allies—the British Empire and Austria—also declared their intent to wage war.
A conflict on a scale akin to a miniature world war.
The Crimean War had begun.
***
Let us turn back the clock slightly—
Two days before Britain declared war.
Parliament and the cabinet had already agreed on war with Russia.
Plans for mobilization and initial war objectives had been roughly finalized.
Once the declaration was made, they would have to strike like a storm.
Of course, the French army would bear the heaviest burden on land.
Britain would focus on naval power.
But that did not mean preparation could be neglected.
Every possible card had to be played to minimize losses.
Though the war had come slightly earlier than in the original timeline due to unforeseen ripple effects, they had prepared as much as they could.
And using every card meant this:
Even the smallest allies would be drawn in.
The Joseon envoy in London.
A title that seemed utterly out of place.
Kim Jwa-geun sat nervously, sipping milk tea, unable to guess why he had been summoned.
"Your Highness… London seems rather unsettled lately. Has something happened?"
"You're perceptive. I was going to call you because of it. This makes things easier."
"…Pardon?"
"It appears the British Empire will be going to war with Arasa—Russia."
"I-Is that so? I've heard Russia is second only to Britain in military strength in Europe… This will be a massive war."
"Well, to be precise, France will be leading the war, and we will be joining as their ally. Still, a war is a war. We intend to strike where Russia is weakest."
"A strategy of widening the front using superior strength… But what does this have to do with Joseon?"
I thought he would understand by now.
Apparently not.
I calmly poured tea and milk into his cup.
"Do you remember the treaty Joseon signed with the British Empire?"
"Of course."
"To avoid Russia's reach, Joseon sought Britain's protection. It was essentially a mutual defense agreement. You understand now, don't you?"
"Ah…!"
The milk tea he had just drunk spilled from his lips back into the cup.
So it really does happen when someone is that shocked.
"S-So, Your Highness means…"
"Yes. I checked the treaty again just in case. It says exactly what you think it does."
If Britain declared war on Russia—
Joseon would automatically be at war with Russia as well.
Kim Jwa-geun's eyes trembled violently.
"Y-Your Highness… as you know, Joseon does not have the capacity to wage war against another nation…"
"Ah, don't worry. We're not asking you to fight directly. While our navy devastates Russia's ports in Primorye, you need only supply materials. That much is possible, yes? Of course, we will be making the same request to the Shogunate."
"..."
"Still, you will formally declare war. And do make it sound impressive. You understand."
Joseon declaring war on Russia.
Absurd.
But this was also a test.
A test of whether they understood their position.
If they bowed obediently, they would avoid being boiled alive.
But if they chose to ignore the agreement—
They already knew what awaited them.
So prove your usefulness.
Loyal. Obedient. Useful.