Emperor Albrecht II entered Vienna under the escort of his guards.
All the common people came out to the streets to welcome their esteemed Archduke and Emperor, the great monarch who brought glory to Austria.
Albrecht, riding on his magnificent horse, forced himself to wave to the people, and the scene was filled with jubilation.
Although Vienna was where Albrecht was born and raised, and his most important base, he had been ruling the empire from Budapest, the center of Hungary, ever since he inherited the Hungarian, Croatian, and Bohemian thrones from the old Emperor Sigismund 18 years ago.
When he was young and merely the Archduke of Austria, Albrecht had already gained the appreciation of the old Emperor for his bravery and loyalty, marrying Elizabeth of Luxembourg, the old Emperor's only descendant, and naturally becoming the old Emperor's successor.
Not only did he acquire three crowns, but the German princes also voted to elect him German King and Holy Roman Emperor.
The brave Albrecht always remained on the front lines against the Ottoman, interfering little in imperial affairs, entrusting Austrian affairs to his cousin Frederick, and Bohemian affairs to Iri of Poděbrady.
This was a reluctant move; although Albrecht was committed to weakening the Hussites in Bohemia, he ultimately chose to reconcile with the moderate Cup faction to gather more strength against the Ottoman threat, allowing Iri of Poděbrady, the young leader of the Cup faction, to become the Bohemian regent in exchange for Bohemia's support in resisting the Ottoman cause.
However, in recent years, his health had been deteriorating, and years of travel and battle had left him extremely weak.
What comforted him was that a few days ago, his only son, Laszlo (Ladislaus in German), finally celebrated his 15th birthday and completed his coming-of-age ceremony, which meant that all his struggles were worthwhile, and he had no need to worry about his career or the future of his family.
A few days after returning to Vienna, Emperor Albrecht II fell ill and never recovered, a sudden drastic change that shocked everyone inside and outside Vienna.
"La... Laszlo, let me see you again... my dear son." Albrecht, on his deathbed, struggled to reach out his arm.
Laszlo immediately rushed over to grasp the weak hand, forcing out two tears, feigning deep sadness.
Behind him, Empress Elizabeth of Luxembourg was already crying a river.
"Father, you will get better!" Laszlo said "sadly," as for what he was thinking in his heart, only he knew.
Albrecht coughed a few times and said weakly, "My body... can no longer hold on.
Laszlo, you must take good care of your mother, and also... the Empire..."
"I will, Father, I will!"
"Call Frederick in, I have something to say to him."
Laszlo immediately called Frederick, who was waiting outside the door, into the room.
"Frederick."
"Your Majesty, I am here."
"The matter of Frankfurt... I entrust it to you."
"Your Majesty, I will do my best."
"Laszlo must... must rule in Hungary, but he will always be the monarch of Austria!
Before he grows up, I want you to be his staunch supporter... to fight the Ottoman... Ottoman..."
"Your Majesty!!!" "Father!!!"
Albrecht II, who had spent his life in battle, finally found the eternal peace he had long desired.
Fortunately, there were no complications in the succession to the throne.
Prague (Kingdom of Bohemia) maintained a lukewarm attitude, at least they recognized the young Laszlo as King of Bohemia.
The reaction from Budapest (Kingdom of Hungary) was much more intense.
Not long ago, Albrecht had led a large army to defeat the main Ottomans army in Belgrade; the Ottomans were forced to cede a portion of the central provinces of Serbia and pay an indemnity of one hundred thousand florins.
Such a great victory made Albrecht the greatest hero in the hearts of the Hungarian, and now, with the hero fallen, they were eager to welcome the hero's son to Székesfehérvár to wear the famous saint stephen's crown and inherit the Hungarian throne, beginning the reign of a new king.
A week later, a grand funeral was held in Vienna; Albrecht II was buried in the imperial cemetery in Vienna, and on the same day, Laszlo succeeded as Archduke of Austria and King of Bohemia, taking the title Ladislaus I.
Inside Hofburg Palace, Laszlo sat on the Emperor's throne, with the courtiers Albrecht II had left him below.
This was the new King's first court session, primarily discussing when to leave Vienna and travel to Hungary to inherit the kingship.
"Your Majesty, we should proceed to Hungary as soon as possible; the Hungarian nobles are pressing quite urgently," suggested Ulrich II, Count of Cilli, Laszlo's maternal cousin.
"Imperial affairs are clearly more important, and the Princess of Portugal will arrive in Vienna in a few days; holding a wedding here first is in line with people's wishes," the great scholar Aeneas offered a differing opinion.
He was the teacher Albrecht had carefully chosen for Laszlo, instructing Laszlo in Latin, law, philosophy, the Bible, and other subjects; now he, like Ulrich, was a trusted advisor to Laszlo.
Laszlo seemed to be in a daze, but in fact, a page had already popped up before his eyes.
Event: Hungarian Succession
The passing of Albrecht II has left the Hungarian throne vacant.
The Hungarian Parliament has unanimously elected you, Laszlo, Archduke of Austria, as the successor to the Kingdom.
They are now eagerly awaiting your early arrival in Hungary to inherit the throne; however, a monarch's every move is closely watched, and if you show excessive enthusiasm for Hungary, others who have expectations for you may be disappointed.
Option One: Immediately proceed to Hungary to inherit the throne and begin rule.
Gain Modifier (Hungarian): Fluent in Hungarian, Hungarian Estates Loyalty +10%, Austrian Estates Loyalty -5%, Holy Roman Empire Princes Opinion -10, Princess Leonor Opinion -20.
Option Two: Depart for Hungary after the wedding.
Gain Modifier (Vienna Wedding): Austrian Estates Loyalty +5%, Hungarian Estates Loyalty -5%, Princess Leonor Opinion +10.
Option Three: I will rule in Vienna.
Gain Modifier (German): Fluent in High German and Low German, Austrian Estates Loyalty +10%, Hungarian Estates Loyalty -10%, Hungarian Separatist Rebellion Tendency +20%, Holy Roman Empire Princes Opinion +10.
So hard to choose, what should I do?
Laszlo showed a perplexed expression—just kidding!
Of course, I'll choose 1!
Hungary in 1455 was not the tiny Republic of Hungary of later generations, well, even a tiny one is cute.
But the Great Hungary of this moment is the most beautiful!
Slovakia and Transylvania still belonged to present-day Hungary, and at the same time, Hungary dominated Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, and Wallachia, and even Moldavia was influenced by Hungary.
In Central Europe and the Balkans, Hungary was like a solid shield, fending off the Ottomans's repeated attacks.
Therefore, Hungary was the most important, and Laszlo, as a loyal believer in utilitarianism, clearly saw this point.
Although he was a native Austrian (German), and he barely spoke Hungarian, he was already a spiritual Hungarian!
"Alright, in three days, we will depart for Székesfehérvár for the coronation, and then go to Budapest to begin my rule.
Ulrich, the matter of gathering the nobles is entrusted to you.
As for the Church, Aeneas, you will handle it."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Since the King's mind was made up, his subordinates naturally gave up arguing.
This new King seemed ambitious and a very decisive monarch.