"Come, Charles, first try this fine wine I brought back from the East. We have plenty of time to discuss various matters on this continent."
Laszlo extended the invitation to Charles, who was still slightly nervous upon entering the room.
Seeing the Emperor's composed appearance, Charles took a deep breath, and his mood quickly calmed down.
He sat opposite Laszlo, raised his glass to drink with the Emperor, and didn't forget to carefully observe the Emperor's expression.
After a sip of the fine wine, Charles finally settled in. Before he could decide how to speak, Laszlo broke the silence first.
"Do you remember our conversation in Regensburg?"
"Of course. At that time, I had just defeated Louis XI, thanks to the timely support of the Emperor. I must also thank you for the assistance provided in the war that just ended."
Charles thanked Laszlo with a solemn expression. There wasn't much pretense involved; he genuinely thought Laszlo was a good person.
The two had previously been linked by marriage, and mutual assistance was common. However, even after Anne of Austria died, Laszlo continued to generously help Burgundy counter the increasingly powerful King of France, which deeply moved Charles.
"There is no need, Charles," Laszlo raised his hand to stop him, speaking with equal sincerity. "We are the most steadfast allies, aren't we?"
Regardless of whether Charles's head cracked open or not, Burgundy was the most important chess piece in Laszlo's hand: internally deterring the princes, externally checking France, and serving as a diplomatic link between Austria, England, and Portugal. Its uses were countless.
Before the current situation changed due to some unexpected events, the alliance between Austria and Burgundy was unbreakable.
However, Laszlo couldn't help but worry that Charles's ambition might lead him to make wrong choices, so he intended to use this opportunity to reprimand his "good ally."
"You are right, Your Majesty."
"However, you just mentioned defeating Louis XI. As far as I know, after these two War of the Public Weals, Louis XI's power has not been weakened; instead, it has steadily increased. How do you explain that?"
Faced with the Emperor's sharp question, Charles looked uncomfortable. He frowned, quickly thinking about how to respond to the challenge.
Laszlo's expression was no longer gentle. Before Charles brought up the matter of the Burgundian Crown, Laszlo had to remind him of the current severe situation.
Judging by Charles's current demeanor, he didn't seem delusional. That is to say, he didn't think he had truly won the Second League of Public Weal War. Yet, despite this, he still shamelessly came to Laszlo asking for a throne, which Laszlo found incomprehensible.
Could it be that Charles felt he probably had no chance of defeating Louis XI head-on, so he planned to ask for a throne first just to feel good?
Laszlo carefully pondered Charles's past actions and realized he might actually be thinking that way.
"Louis XI temporarily preserved his power using his despicable tricks, but one day I will force him to submit completely."
Charles insisted stubbornly, sticking out his neck.
"You captured him outside the City of Paris, right?"
"That is true, but..."
"Why did you let him go again? Weren't you planning to install Louis XI's younger brother as the new King? If that young man took the throne, wouldn't he have to obediently become your puppet?"
"Your Majesty, Louis XI voluntarily came to my camp for peace talks," Charles explained stubbornly, slightly overwhelmed by Laszlo's barrage of questions. "I cannot use such despicable means to imprison or murder the sovereign of a great nation. This does not conform to the Spirit of Chivalry, and it would incur the hatred of the French people. People would also spread rumors that my victory was dishonorable."
Laszlo couldn't help but laugh wryly, realizing that even a blockhead like Charles could spout such grand principles.
If he had truly killed Louis XI, Burgundy and France would have been locked in a death feud, and the only one to benefit would be the Emperor himself.
Even if Louis XI's younger brother, the Duke of Berry, ascended the throne, he would likely be swept up by public opinion and forced to oppose Burgundy, making it impossible for Charles to manipulate him anymore.
However, Laszlo still felt it was a pity. According to the Duke of Armagnac, that was the closest Charles had ever come to killing Louis XI.
Since he failed to eliminate this great enemy, Charles would have a tough time ahead.
"However, that was merely his scheme. At that time, he sent people to stir up trouble behind your lines. Are you sure you want to talk about the Spirit of Chivalry with an enemy like that?"
Speaking of the Spirit of Chivalry, Laszlo suddenly recalled that around this very year, *Le Morte d'Arthur*, the magnum opus compiling the legends of King Arthur, was about to be completed. Its author was supposedly a subordinate of the Earl of Warwick, who was imprisoned due to the Wars of the Roses, wrote this marvelous book in jail, and subsequently died there.
If he had the chance, Laszlo would like to send someone to England to retrieve a copy and read it. As for the Spirit of Chivalry Charles spoke of, people in this era truly believed in it. After all, noble lords were all related, so who would carelessly kill someone without reason?
However, Louis XI didn't think that way. If given the chance, he would definitely kill Charles without hesitation, regardless of the means.
It seemed that Louis XI had completely grasped the weaknesses in Charles's character, manipulating him repeatedly while Charles remained oblivious.
"This... I will not give him another chance to deceive me. Next time, he will repay what he owes me, principal and interest!"
"Why does that sound familiar?"
"Your Majesty..." Unconsciously, Charles's face had turned red, whether from the effect of the wine or simply being provoked by Laszlo.
"Alright, let's stop talking about France for now. Tell me about the Burgundian Crown you've been longing for. Have you fully considered the conditions I proposed earlier?"
The last time in Regensburg, although Laszlo ultimately used another excuse to fend Charles off, he had presented Charles with some basic conditions.
For example, incorporating all territories of the Duchy of Burgundy into the Empire's jurisdiction, abiding by Imperial Law, undertaking the responsibilities of Imperial Princes, and swearing allegiance to the Emperor.
Charles probably wouldn't care much about a few of those minor points, but Laszlo felt that adhering to Imperial Law might be difficult for Charles.
"Of course, I am willing to bring Burgundy into the Empire, provided you grant me the title of King of Burgundy and preside over my coronation ceremony. I will pledge my loyalty to you."
Charles suddenly stood up and promised Laszlo with great sincerity.
"The Crown of Burgundy... Since Emperor Charles IV, no Emperor has ever crowned anyone with this crown again.
After Charles IV granted the last remaining lands of the Kingdom of Burgundy within the Empire—specifically the famous Dauphiné—to the French Royal Family, the kingdom ceased to exist in all but name.
Over hundreds of years of historical evolution, the Duchy of Burgundy, the County of Franche-Comté, and the northern part of the Duchy of Savoy were successively stripped from the kingdom to become direct Imperial territories. These places are indeed all in your possession, so it seems your claim is not entirely baseless.
However, the remaining lands of this kingdom are in the southeast of the Kingdom of France. These lands are held by the King of France and the Duke of Anjou. Are you interested in this territory?"
Charles looked troubled. Even though the Emperor seemed to encourage him to restore the traditional borders of the Kingdom of Burgundy, marching further south would require him to first break through Bourbon, then through the traditional Dauphiné of the Kingdom of France, and finally through Provence, ruled by the Duke of Anjou.
The difficulty... seems considerably greater than confronting Louis XI directly.
Furthermore, besides wanting to annex the Champagne and Lorraine regions, open up the Meuse Valley, and connect Burgundy with the Low Countries, he was also very interested in the princes along the Rhine River—especially the territories of the Elector of Cologne and the Count Palatine of Palatinate.
He knew that the two regions were ruled by the Palatinate Branch of the Wittelsbach family, who had a terrible relationship with the Emperor, so he figured attacking this family might not provoke much resistance from the Emperor.
However, until he received the Emperor's formal permission, even the reckless Charles would not act rashly.
"It seems I have another legitimate excuse for war with Louis XI."
Charles decided to follow the Emperor's wishes for now and worry about the crown once it was in hand.
"You seem very confident that I will agree to your request," Laszlo said, shaking his head with a smile. "However, this crown, no matter what, belongs to the Emperor..."
"So this is another transaction?"
Charles knew a fair bit about Laszlo; after all, Laszlo's past actions had spread widely among the Imperial Princes, and there were even rumors that might have been exaggerated.
Some said that if the price was right, Emperor Laszlo would even sell his imperial throne.
After all, the auctioning of Elector seats, an event that shocked the entire Empire, had already occurred. Everyone increasingly felt that the Emperor was essentially a merchant—a merchant who commanded a powerful army and peddled honor, status, and privilege.
Charles truly wanted to ask Laszlo what price he hoped to sell his imperial throne for, but considering it wasn't a good joke, he kept silent.
Back then, Emperor Sigismund, due to lack of funds, sold his crown and Imperial Regalia to the city of Nuremberg for 150,000 florin. Presumably, the price of the imperial throne should be much higher than that.
He couldn't keep thinking about the imperial throne... Charles snapped back to reality. He hadn't even secured the Burgundian throne yet; having his mind full of the Imperial throne seemed a bit overly ambitious.
Laszlo, sitting opposite him, was unaware of the traitorous thoughts in Charles's head. He pondered for a moment, then nodded, confirming Charles's statement.
"I'm afraid you want more than just a crown," Laszlo said slowly. "You want an independent kingdom, a great power situated between France and Austria.
Back then, Charles IV's Luxembourg Family was a close ally of the French Royal Family, which is why Charles IV ultimately 'transferred' the Kingdom of Burgundy away.
Considering the close relationship between our two houses, I don't mind placing this long-unclaimed crown on your head. Of course, this won't be free.
Tell me, how much can you offer?"
"I plan to have Prince Christopher immediately marry my daughter Mary. On top of the existing dowry, I can add another 200,000 florin, and the entire County of Burgundy, connected to the County of Pfirt, will be handed over to the Habsburg Family."
These terms made even Charles feel a pang of pain, but he still stated them.
The dowry was already planned, so with these additional conditions, the total came to 400,000 florin, plus the land of a large county adjacent to Alsace, and his own daughter—all this just to gain the right to the crown.
This didn't even account for the cost of preparing the coronation ceremony, the expense of creating the crown, and the price paid to invite high-ranking Imperial Church officials.
Fortunately, Charles had thoroughly reorganized the Low Countries previously, and now those cities would obediently pay up for their sovereign.
Laszlo raised an eyebrow, finding the sight of Charles, who looked solemn as if awaiting a court verdict, rather amusing.
Charles's terms were roughly what he had expected: give away his daughter, money, and land in exchange for a crown no one cared about.
Laszlo didn't really object, but just to be safe, he decided to ask one more question.
"Crowning a king requires more than just the consent of me, the Emperor and liege lord; it also requires the Pope's approval. Have you taken care of that aspect?"
"Pope Callixtus III once promised to give our family a crown!"
"Pope Callixtus III..." Laszlo was speechless. That was the Pope before the last one; his words were buried in the grave along with his bloated body long ago.
However, Philip III's meritorious service in actively participating in the Crusaders was indeed undeniable. But the fact that Charles completely ignored the Church and came straight to him meant he clearly didn't regard Pope Paul II highly.
"I have already persuaded the Archbishop of Trier; he has agreed to crown me. Of course, if you could arrange for the Archbishop of Mainz to crown me personally, I would offer extra compensation."
The Archbishop of Mainz, known as the Holy See North of the Mountains (though this is said in jest), undeniably holds unique religious authority within the Empire.
If the Archbishop of Mainz could be persuaded, it would naturally lend greater legitimacy to Charles's crown.
"Now, everything depends on your choice."
Charles's gaze was burning, making Laszlo feel uncomfortable.
However, Laszlo's attention was quickly drawn to the long-unseen system panel.
[Event: Burgundy and the Empire]
[The House of Burgundy, originating from the French Valois Royal Family, once attempted to seize the highest authority in France. However, since the English retreated, their claim to the French throne has not been mentioned for a long time.
An independent and long-lasting Duchy of Burgundy is highly likely to draw the hostility of continental powers, forcing the Dukes to make a choice.
Philip III chose to maintain a delicate balance between France and Austria.
He used schemes to expand within the Empire while maintaining harmony with the Emperor; he organized alliances against the French King yet appeased the French King with treasures and land to avoid a devastating total war.
Unfortunately, the new Duke, Charles, does not possess such subtle methods, forcing him to choose sides between France and the Empire—if the matter is delayed, Burgundy will inevitably face the fate of siege and partition.
Now, he is determined to sever the last ties with the Kingdom of France, disregarding blood relations and embracing the Empire with Burgundy in a brand new guise.
He demands a crown, a non-existent crown that he must forge himself, and this can be exchanged for his loyalty, although that loyalty is highly questionable.
It can almost certainly be concluded that Charles harbors covetousness for the Imperial throne, but for now, he conceals everything well.
Although this seems like a straightforward decision, allowing Burgundy to join the Empire poses many dangers.
For the Emperor, Burgundy's continued push into the Imperial heartland must be stopped. Forcibly incorporating Burgundy into the Empire might provoke collective protest from the Rhineland Princes.
Furthermore, the Electors might begin to view the Burgundians as suitable candidates for the Emperor.
However, integrating Burgundy into the Empire will provide an opportunity to eliminate the tension between Burgundy and the Empire, while also creating a valuable chance to project Imperial influence onto France.]
[Option One: Another Man Becomes King]
[Agree to Burgundy joining the Empire. All provinces of the country will be considered Imperial territory. Charles will be promoted to King of Burgundy and swear fealty to the Emperor.]
[Gain Modifier (Traitorous Emperor): The Emperor will receive the rewards promised by Charles; the attitude of all independent princes in the Low Countries and along the Rhine River towards the Emperor will sharply deteriorate; Imperial Authority increases; relations with the Kingdom of France deteriorate]
[Option Two: Ambition Get Out of the Empire]
[The Duke of Burgundy's power is extremely strong, and their inclusion could pose a threat to the Habsburg Family's Imperial authority. Therefore, a cautious refusal might be the wise choice.]
[Gain Modifier (Emperor Strong on the Outside, Weak on the Inside): Relations with the Duchy of Burgundy sharply deteriorate; the attitude of all Imperial Princes threatened by Burgundy will greatly improve; relations with the Kingdom of France improve]
After reading it, Laszlo was somewhat amused. Apparently, no matter which option he chose, he would be in the wrong.
However, since the atmosphere had been built up, and seeing Charles's expectant gaze, Laszlo immediately chose the first option.
"I agree to your proposal, but I have one small request."
"Name it."
"Wedding first, then coronation."
"Deal!"
Charles, beaming, walked over to Laszlo and embraced him tightly.