Chapter One: Road to War
Episode V - Way of Example
Brutal Italian, Romanian and Serbian entries to Danubian conflict could not stop frantic fights between Austrians and Hungarians - both didn't seem to bother with foreign incursions too much.
While seeking revenge, the German and the Magyar pushed themselves to the limit and exhausted to the end. And when it happens, the gate opens itself and allows Satanic forces to sneak by and curse unlucky one.
From there it is not far to reach the deepest circles of Hell, via the Reign of Hate.
And it was encompassing the world, squeezing it tighter and tighter, to the point when one could not breath.
In May a third civil war in span of one year followed. This time Spain, a true Bastion of Christianity and most loyal ally of Pope itself has fallen prey to Marxist demons. Marxists, like a Saracens, are aiming to obliterate Christanity, crown the Anti-Christ as new Christ, inject the sin into pure but fragile souls...
It is our duty to aid the true successors to Spanish Legacy, the Carlists. Prince Xavier is the most suited man to heal the broken spirit of Spain and save it from the kind of hell spawn Communist are.
Unsurprisingly, whenever a strong becomes weak, Kaiser makes sure to appear and by promising a help enslave troubled ones. Now that Wilhelm announced he will protect Europe from Internationale, it makes Germans look like a saviours for those who oppose Communism.
But it is Pope, not Kaiser, who upholds Legacy of Heaven. A German, he might have all the weaponry and soldiers under his command, but not even one soul - just servant and slaves, ready to switch allegiance if circumstances will allow them to.
However, to break the core of demonic ideologies Pope too requires a hefty amount of guns, artillery pieces and all kinds of steel devices designed to shorten others route to afterlife. A grand militarization plan has been progressing exceptionally good. Innitzer was not sure when will Italy be ready to survive the storm, but every single day which remained a peaceful one was increasing Federation's chances of survival.
Some generals even suggested that Federation could intervene in one of external conflicts around Mediterranean Sea to increase its influence. With this in mind a naval reorganization followed in September of 1937. Whilist main and transport fleet remained in Genoa awaiting orders, a flotilla of submarines was ready to scout coast of Catalonia, Tunisia and Sicily any time.
Innitzer pressed for extended investments in technological advancements. Around the time of naval reorganization, the most prominent land commanders were called by Innitzer to Florence for a conference about strategic situation of Italian Federation.
During this conference Innitzer demanded a plan of offensive against southern Marxists. It was the first time when Pope openly suggested that he wants to conquer Neapolitana with his own divisions.
The Pope! How many divisions has he got?
A conference attendants estimated that the numbers will be growing faster and faster. Around spring of 1939 Italy should form its Twelveth Legion assigned to Trento area. It means that about forty divisions will be at Italian disposal at the moment.
A few weeks later, during meeting of War Council (Pope and chiefs of armed forces) a first version of operation "Etrusco" has been presented to Pope.
Innitzer was said to be
most pleased with his generals effort.
Reclamation and necessary repairs to post-Austrian industrial complexes in Trento and Veneto have been finished around October. Overjoyed Innitzer called for second wave of mobilization, this time including infantry divisions with special engineer detachments designed to operate in rough areas.
Alps are a very demanding enemy, sometimes even tougher than nations living around it.
Considering that a few months earlier a formation of cavalry corps designated to take a leading role in encirclments and most of all 'Etrusco' plan, Italy was most likely spending the biggest percent of its budget in Europe to expand military.
Pope will have enough divisions to accomplish his goals.
And his preparations were progressing nicely. On 23rd October Ninth Legion 'Savoia' has been deployed at the westernmost part of Federation, in former lands of Savoyard Duchy.
But that was not the most important news of 1937's autumn.
After the fall of Budapest Hungarians were fighting against all odds, they managed to stand for next two months, but in the end on 2nd October Austrians claimed victory over Hungary. A six months of fratricidal war left former Austro-Hungarian Empire in ruins.
The good news is that Otto, the Habsburg Heaten, he hath learneth his lesson. His soul has reached the enlightment and is ready to embrace the Christ.
Right after the victory Kaiser confessed that he has no heart to punish his enemies. Defeated Hungarian soldiers and captured government were simply allowed to live on, and help Otto in rebuilding destroyed Empire.
And it remained an Empire only for a week. On 13rd October Otto proclaimed formation of Danubian Federation, to unite all former nations of Austria-Hungary in peace.
It is undoubtedly a success for Papacy, for the Heathen witnessed bloodshed of his retainers and driven by the misery of fallen comrades promised to never allow to kill or oppress.
It was a lesson taken hard way by Otto, but such is the Pope's role - to educate the brethren and lead it forward towards God.
And by such Way of Example he shall return all the astray souls to Him.
Whatever the cost may be.
Fin.
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@Asalto
Hell yes they will, for there is no other true Guard of Humanity than Innitzer himself.
@Enclave
Now that's a one hell of a dark way of putting it...but indeed, that's more or less one of my goals
@NikephorosSonar
That's exactly why Innitzer is the one and only one to save the world!
***
I see y'all getting into demagogic Papal mode - good, good, we'll need propaganda, we'll need lots to rule the world one day! I mean...save the people and things.
Thanks y'all for visitin' and see you nexte time. Tschuss!
(Ich bin der krankwagen of verbotens!)
