Holy Roman Empire

Chapter 1163: Chapter 177, Grand Finale

In a wave of astonishment, on December 31, 1905, Franz formally passed the throne to Frederick, marking the official entry into the era of Frederick of the Holy Roman Empire.

Unlike previous transitions of power, this handover went unusually smoothly. The general public might have been unaware of Franz’s true physical condition, but the upper echelons of the government certainly were.

Though they did not understand why Franz was eager to abdicate, with the old Emperor still alive, no one dared to make rash moves.

In the European world, although there is no proverb like “the shot hits the bird that pokes its head out,” the principle remains the same. Even those with great desire for power did not dare to cause trouble at this time.

With the upper government stabilized, the political factions depending on it naturally also found stability. Any who dared to rise up were suppressed by the Cabinet.

Now was the time to test everyone’s capabilities; if they couldn’t even maintain basic stability, they had no business in the political arena.

With the power transition smoothly completed, Franz was more than happy to relax. Once someone grows older, they no longer like to stir up trouble.

From the Austrian Empire to the now Holy Roman Empire, Franz had grown tired of the turmoil over his fifty-seven-year reign as Emperor.

Frankly speaking, in this era of decay, the overall performance of the Shinra bureaucrats could be considered commendable.

Although they could not eliminate corruption and sloth entirely, compared to bureaucrats from other countries of the same period, they definitely qualified as “competent.”

Assured that he was not leaving behind a mess, Emperor Franz, after abdicating, contentedly started a national tour.

As for the mopping-up operations of the World War, that was a “political achievement” he specifically left for his son. Although the specifics might be cumbersome and might face setbacks along the way, the overall situation was already set.

In front of absolute power, all schemes and conspiracies are futile.

Italy had become merely a geographical term; a diminished France was still licking its wounds left by the last World War; the once mighty Great Britain Empire had also drawn to a close.