Countdown (1)

A telegram came from Billy.

He'd been sending telegrams to prevent war several times since the 23rd, but when I issued mobilization orders to respond to the ultimatum, Billy became urgent too.

He seemed truly unwilling to war with Russia.

Though I drew a line saying mobilization measures were limited to the Dual Monarchy, Billy seemed to find it hard to believe.

Our week-long unceasing telegrams ended there.

July 28, the Austro-Hungarian Empire began bombarding Belgrade along with declaring war.

Now neither he nor I can pull back.

August 1. Billy, based on treaty, finally sent me a declaration of war and proclaimed general mobilization.

August 2, France also proclaimed general mobilization.

And the same day, August 2.

German forces stepped into Luxembourg.

Britain was still silent.

==

Though I somewhat knew, I immediately felt how much of a mess this war was once it broke out.