Empire Rising: Spain

Compared to Austria-Hungary, which ranks somewhat at the tail end among the five traditional powers, France undoubtedly ranks in the top three among the five traditional powers.

Whether in terms of industry or economy, the French foundation far exceeds Austria-Hungary. While paying 5 billion francs in reparations to Germany, France is still able to lend 500 million francs to Spain, which already demonstrates the exaggerated scale of France’s economy.

Never mind the former Spain, even the current Spain, it is utterly impossible for Carlo to produce 5 billion francs in a short period of time.

Spain would need at least ten years to gather 5 billion francs, and would also have to drastically reduce the financial budgets of various departments.

This would absolutely have a huge impact on the country’s development, possibly causing Spain to fall into a long decline.

In contrast, after repaying the reparations to Germany, France’s economy remains booming, which is quite remarkable.

Shaking off complex thoughts from his mind, as the warship gradually docked, Carlo immediately saw Crown Prince Umberto and Prince Amadeo waiting by the port.

With a smile, Carlo quickly approached and began exchanging pleasantries with his two brothers.

Returning to the suburban manor where Vittorio Emanuele II resides, it still looked the same as a few months ago.

Only Vittorio Emanuele II, lying in bed, appeared even weaker, spending most of the time in a state of unconsciousness.

The old King was skin and bones, his once sturdy arms now reduced to mere skin and bones, showing the torment that illness inflicted on him.

Sigh!

Carlo let out a slight sigh, feeling helpless about it.

The medical environment of this era is simply too poor; unless one could travel to the future, symptoms like those of Vittorio Emanuele II are utterly beyond salvation.

Even current medical techniques can’t diagnose what illness the old King suffers from, they can only helplessly watch him be tormented by illness, only to leave this world at some point, near or far.

God is fair to all. No matter one’s identity, one ultimately must face death at the end of life.

How spirited Vittorio Emanuele II was when unifying Italy, yet now he must face the end of death.

Worse still, this is a death tortured and ultimately killed by illness — such an end of death is the worst for anyone, Carlo does not wish for himself to end this way.

"Is there no way to relieve father’s pain?" Carlo asked aloud.

Crown Prince Umberto shook his head, also letting out a sigh, saying, "The doctors tried everything they could, but none had any effect.

Perhaps this is God’s test for father; after enduring the pain, father might be led to heaven by God."

After an indeterminate time, Vittorio Emanuele II opened his blurry eyes slightly, speaking in a rather hoarse and trembling voice: "Has Carlo come?"

"I’m here, father." Carlo quickly stepped forward and sat by Vittorio Emanuele II’s bedside.

"I always thought death was far away from me, but unexpectedly, it’s much closer. Yet it’s something everyone must experience, and I’m not afraid.

Oddone (Carlo’s prematurely deceased brother) has already experienced these things before me; perhaps he’s waiting for me in heaven." Vittorio Emanuele II said with difficulty.

"Father, your body will get better. If there are no experts in Europe who can cure you, I will search the world; surely there are undiscovered expert doctors who can cure your illness." Carlo comforted.

Vittorio Emanuele II shook his head. Since Europe is the world’s most civilized and developed region, if Europe’s medical technology can’t cure him, he doesn’t believe medical technologies in other parts of the world could cure his disease.

Vittorio Emanuele II struggled to sit up, looking at his three sons before him, his eyes revealing a satisfied expression.

Before inheriting the throne of the Sardinian Kingdom, the Savoy Family was just an ordinary Royal Family in Northern Italy, with insufficient standing and heritage among the European royal families.

But after unifying Italy and his son Carlo being elected as King of Spain, everything changed.

The Savoy Family leapt into a grand dynasty holding the thrones of two power nations, becoming a strong presence among the European royal families.

Having achieved this, Vittorio Emanuele II was fairly satisfied. He just hoped that after his death, the glory of the Savoy Family would continue to be passed down.

As long as the thrones of Italy and Spain, the two power nations, are maintained, the Savoy Family will always rank in the top ten among the European royal families.

The reason it’s only the top ten is mainly because some longstanding royal families in Europe have truly intimidating heritage. The Habsburgs, Hohenzollerns, Romanovs, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, and other noble families still remain prominent; Savoy can only rank lower before these families.

Especially the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha family, which will usher in true glory after Queen Victoria passes.

According to the principle of children following their father’s surname in European nobility, although Queen Victoria belongs to the Hanover Dynasty, when her son Edward inherits the throne in the future, a new dynasty will be founded under his father’s surname, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.

The reason for predicting glory after Queen Victoria’s passing is because the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha family will rule not only over the strongest power, the British Empire, but also Belgium, Portugal, Bulgaria, and the family’s namesake — the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha Duchy.

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