It took nearly a month for all necessary personnel to arrive, during which Laszlo meticulously arranged all affairs, and the vast Empire operated like a well-oiled machine.
Laszlo held a solemn yet brief ceremony in Vienna, publicly announcing his journey to Rome for his Imperial coronation.
Viennese citizens flocked to the streets, many of them holding great expectations for the young Emperor's ambitions, especially as news of his impending Crusade had spread throughout Vienna's streets and alleys, then disseminated across Austria.
People said that the young Emperor had inherited his father's last wish to fight the heathens to the end.
However, many Austrians criticized the Emperor's lack of concern for Austria's governance; many knew that the Emperor clearly favored Hungary, and despite being born and raised in Austria, a pure-blooded Austrian, he seemed indifferent to Austrian affairs.
"Using Austrian money to solve Hungarian problems!"
Such accusations were frequent.
Of course, there were also sensible people who understood that Hungary was the first line of defense against Ottoman invasion; if the Kingdom of Hungary faltered, Austria would be directly exposed to danger, unlike the current situation where Vienna had experienced almost no war for a hundred years.
Frederick's governance in Vienna could not be called a failure.
He built a palace in Vienna New City as his family's residence, bringing development there, and Austrians, Hungarians, Bohemians, and Italians gathered, forming a prosperous commercial center.
Vienna University also underwent several expansions, recruiting many scholars and annually supplying the Empire with a large number of clergy and officials.
However, with the increasingly tense war in Hungary in recent years, the Imperial family had to invest a large portion of its financial revenue into Hungarian affairs, the people of Austria were heavily taxed, and the Duchy's development almost stagnated.
Citizens' interests were violated, and multiple riots had already broken out in Graz.
The land disputes between clergy and nobility grew more intense, and the rift was gradually widening, almost reaching a point beyond repair.
Outer Austria, being an exclave, received almost no effective support from Vienna, and the Swiss brazenly encroached on the border lands, pressing closer as if to completely drive the Austrians out of the territory.
The seemingly peaceful Duchy of Austria was actually fraught with hidden currents and contradictions; if this situation remained unchanged for long, the morale of the Austrian people might gradually be lost.
Laszlo was not unaware of these circumstances; he could only pretend not to know, for the Ottomans were like a Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads, and if it fell, things would go terribly wrong.
Therefore, to thoroughly resolve the border crisis, he could only make the common people suffer for a while; once the Ottomans were defeated, Laszlo would find a way to compensate them.
Laszlo still had a long way to go to earn the respect and affection of all his subjects.
The large entourage departed.
This was not merely a simple tour and coronation, but also an inspection of various forces.
Laszlo's accompanying team included clergy, advisors, a large number of nobles attending the ceremony, dozens of Imperial Knights awaiting ennoblement, and hundreds of servants.
The escort was handled by the Imperial Guard Cavalry Regiment commanded by Laszlo Hunyadi, a guard unit composed of Hungarians and a minority of Austrians, almost entirely light cavalry, fast-moving, skilled in reconnaissance and raids, capable of detecting enemy situations from a great distance to ensure the Emperor's safety.
There was also a special team, assembled and led by Aeneas; they were a group of painters, musicians, and writers. These individuals were specially recruited to record every footprint the Emperor left during his journey, thereby demonstrating Laszlo's love for culture and art—the works created during the journey would serve as powerful tools for future propaganda and attracting artists.
Of course, the most striking person in the entourage was naturally the beautiful Empress Leonor.
She wore a magnificent gown, accompanying Laszlo, her eyes filled with tender affection.
Leonor was not only beautiful but also remarkably sociable; her graceful demeanor and refined conversation earned sincere praise from every noble who spoke with her, remarking that this charming Empress and the young Emperor were truly a perfect match.
Laszlo and Leonor always appeared together in the public eye, and the accompanying nobles and servants were touched by their affection, offering blessings and praise to the newlywed couple.
After departing from Vienna, Laszlo's entourage traversed the rugged mountains of Tyrol.
To avoid traffic delays caused by the complex terrain, Ulrich had sent a reconnaissance team ahead to clear dangerous paths along the way and establish supply points in some important villages and towns.
Tyrol was one of the important territories ruled by Laszlo's ancestors, and the residents of this region had deep affection for the Habsburg Family.
Upon learning that the Emperor was personally coming, mountain dwellers flocked from various villages to Innsbruck, just to catch a glimpse of the Emperor.
Laszlo shed his usual lofty regal demeanor, raising a toast and drinking with the mountain dwellers, and even personally participating in some local activities, such as an archery competition in the Innsbruck market.
At his call, many nobles joined the competition, and of course, as expected, he ultimately emerged victorious.
His "precise" archery drew cheers from the mountain dwellers, which greatly enhanced his "people-friendly image."
The night in Innsbruck was not quiet; the mountain wind howled, and the celebrations continued even into the night.
It should be noted that the last time Albrecht II visited Innsbruck, or Tyrol, was 15 years ago, to suppress peasant rebels.
This Tyrolean territory at the foot of the Alps was not favored by the Habsburg Family, as it was located in the heart of the Alps, with treacherous terrain, and was an important passage connecting Outer Austria, often reminding them of their lost homeland.
However, Tyrol's position in the Duchy was extremely important.
Near Innsbruck were the vast Tyrol silver mines, which continuously produced large quantities of precious metals, providing financial blood for the Habsburg Family, making Austria's finances relatively abundant at many times.
Despite its importance, due to its remote location, the Emperor rarely visited in person; Laszlo's arrival this time let the people of Tyrol know that the Archduke of Austria, the Emperor, had not forgotten them, and also boosted the local morale.
Laszlo was somewhat at a loss for words regarding the terrible road conditions in Innsbruck; although not as bad as the Shu Roads he had seen in his previous life, they were not far off.
When he had money later, he would first build a good road to promote development here and also speed up the army's march...
However, these were all ideas that he didn't know when they could be implemented, and Laszlo didn't want to bother with them at all; he was currently immersed in the gentle and sweet embrace of his older sister, unable to extricate himself.
Initially, Laszlo and Leonor were quite shy, but as their understanding deepened, their relationship quickly warmed.
There was no other way; he was the only remaining member of the Albrecht branch of the Habsburg Family, and the closest blood relative within five generations was actually his useless uncle Frederick, which was an unavoidable fact.
Under the charming night sky of Innsbruck, Laszlo couldn't help but throw himself into Leonor's arms, like a little bird returning to its nest.
Although for him, taking on the task of expanding the family's lineage now was truly a bit taxing on his body, Laszlo himself didn't much care.
The tired Laszlo, soothed by the beautiful Empress's gentle caresses, fell into a deep sleep in warmth.
What Ottoman, what France, what the glory of Habsburg, at this moment, all were cast to the winds.