Chapter 100: Securing The Duke, Heading To Berlin For Duty Report
“Your Highness, I’m very sorry, but when I was in Vienna, I was cornered by the Austrian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Count Stephen Briand. He hoped I could pass a message to you regarding Austria’s further request for aid from Baria.
I had a preliminary talk with him and didn’t dare make any decisions, just drafted a memorandum for you to review at your convenience.”
That afternoon in the duke’s study at Neuschwanstein Castle, Lelouch respectfully reported to Duke Rupprecht all the sights and sounds and gains from his trip to Vienna.
The duke trusted him greatly. Seeing that the deal involved at most providing two extra regiments’ worth of weapons and two divisions’ worth of reinforcements, and conditional ones at that—only to be fully honored if the Italians truly launched an offensive against Austria.
If the conditions weren’t triggered, it would just be a rubber check.
In comparison, Austria was willing to share some Skoda military industry technology and even second an military industry R&D team. This deal was worth it.
Moreover, in the memorandum Lelouch had drafted last, several key points were particularly emphasized: in the future, any technology obtained from Austria’s Porsche team would not be directly shared with Lelouch’s side, but first shared with the BMW Company controlled by the Baria Royal Family.
This ensured that the exchanged benefits were controllable by the duke himself. What Lelouch obtained would merely be sub-licenses from companies like BMW under Baria Royal Family control—resources leaking through others’ fingers.
This was also very reasonable, because sending extra reinforcements and supporting allied equipment would require Baria to foot the bill and provide the manpower anyway. Naturally, reaping the benefits should also be done by the Baria Faction, not going into Lelouch’s personal pocket. This was the most basic requirement.
“No problem, I can formally approve it. Before approving, you just need to seriously answer one question of mine and analyze it thoroughly.” After quickly browsing it, the duke closed the memorandum and stated directly, then looked up at Lelouch with an inquiring expression.
“I will answer without reservation.” Lelouch’s attitude was very serious.
Duke: “Do you think the Italians will really try to take chestnuts from the fire at this critical juncture? You also mentioned in your private notes alongside, by analogy, that we need to guard against various small moves by the Britannians in Southeastern Europe, to prevent small countries like Greece and Romania from also getting ideas against the Two Austrias… Do you really think that?
The Empire achieved such a great victory against the Britannians on the Western Front, annihilating 200,000 of the Expeditionary Force. Do these Southeastern Front states still dare to stir?
Especially the Romania you mentioned. Although the current King Ferdinand I is not friendly to us Germanias, his father and brothers were all inclined toward our side back then. I remember Romania’s previous king, Carol I, passed away in October last year, after the war broke out, right?
Carol I was Ferdinand I’s uncle. After his death, his own younger brother and eldest nephew were both pro-our country, but were excluded by the pro-British faction domestically and did not succeed. In the end, they selected Ferdinand I, this spineless second nephew, to succeed. But I don’t think he’d dare move against us Germanias, right?
As for the Greek issue, it’s equally hard to believe. Their King Constantine I also has very close family ties to our Imperial Family. Although the elected Prime Minister Venizelos is pro-British, according to Greece’s constitutional separation of powers provisions, the king holds the power to decide neutrality and refuse declarations of war, as well as the power to command the army and serve as commander-in-chief. The Greek Prime Minister has no authority to decide war or peace. His being pro-British is useless.”
After hearing the duke’s doubts, Lelouch felt a trace of sorrow in his heart.
What the duke said was indeed in line with the legal principles of the relevant countries.
According to the Greek constitution in force in 1915, last revised in 1911, although Greece was a constitutional monarchy, its elected prime minister indeed had no power to decide war or peace or military command. In theory, they really couldn’t drag the country into war.
But in the original history, after Greek Prime Minister Venizelos requested the king to declare war in accordance with the law and was rejected, Venizelos resigned and left Athens, went to Thessaloniki, and directly called on the military and civilians in his capacity as former prime minister, then invited the British Army to land in Thessaloniki, used British troops to take out the king in Athens and the king’s newly appointed cabinet. Then he announced the formation of a new Greek ruling group and joined the Britannian camp.
Legally speaking, Venizelos was an armed rebellion, and one that used foreign troops to overthrow his own king and successor cabinet. But he succeeded, and later encyclopedia entries generally call him the revolutionary.
These things would gradually become commonplace as the war deepened. Being fixated now on the laws and separation of powers of various small countries would only lead to complacency.
Lelouch couldn’t help but sigh: “Your Highness, I think you’re too attached to legal principles. The world has been torn apart by this war. Even for small countries still neutral now, the era of deciding right and wrong by legal principles will soon pass.
Whether it’s the Italians, Romania, or those potentially rebellious in Greece, whether they act or not has nothing to do with legal principles or treaties, or even the Empire’s gains and losses in battles for every city and place against Britannia—they may not even understand them.
What they truly care about is interests. Whether they join the war depends on their judgment of the ‘momentum’ and how big a pie Britannia paints and how much benefit they promise. If Britannia promises enough benefits, they will waver, and this wavering is likely to be collective—
For example, if I were Britannia’s ambassador, when persuading the Italians, I would say ‘We are not only willing to cede Malta to Italy in exchange for Italy immediately joining the Entente, but also cede part of Egypt’s western colonies outside the Suez Canal zone to Italy’,
‘and we are also willing to completely cede Cyprus to Greece in exchange for Greece joining the war’,
‘and we are also willing to promise Bulgaria and Transylvania to Romania in exchange for Romania joining the war’.
These small countries might not dare act alone, but if they band together to cause trouble, it’s very possible. Like a gang of bandits. Deterred by a knight of unparalleled valor, they dare not step forward for a duel. But if a leader convinces three bandits to attack together at the same time, they might muster the courage. At that point, it depends on how much benefit the leader is willing to offer.”
Lelouch knew that historically, the Italians joined the war very soon this year. And Romania, Greece, and others joined in the following half to one year.
And what brought these countries into the war historically wasn’t particularly favorable circumstances, but they were all trapped by the “momentum” manufactured by the Britannians, unanimously betting in the long-short game that Britannia was the “long” side.
Moreover, the Britannians promised massive benefits, like painting pies with colonial interests or enemy territories.
Now, although Britannia’s military situation was even worse, based on Lelouch’s understanding of the Britannians’ shit-stirring nature, he firmly believed the current Britannian faction would be even more willing to splurge to win over neutral countries—
The reason was simple: the current Britannian Prime Minister Asquith and Naval Minister Walton were of the same faction.
And Lelouch knew all too well the style of Walton’s faction.
In the later World War II, they were even willing to trade a bunch of islands to the Ugly Country for destroyers, showing they could easily sell land in a frenzy.
And in World War I, Britannia had more colonies and more to sell. If they went all out unscrupulously to win by madly selling colonies to win over neutrals, many neutral countries would truly be blinded by greed.
The duke was greatly shocked upon hearing this.
He truly hadn’t thought of this layer before.
Not just him; almost no high-level figures in Germania could possibly think of this.
Perhaps in all of Germania now, only Lelouch could understand how crazy the Walton faction was and how much they were willing to bet.
“You mean… Britannia might even cede Malta to pull Italy in? Cede Cyprus? And use the territory of other countries in our camp as chips to tempt neutrals to pile on? This… impossible, right? If they do that, wouldn’t they just be selling their own…” The duke took a long time to accept it.
Lelouch: “But no matter how much Britannia is willing to invest or how many countries they pull in, we must prepare for the worst. And one thing is certain—if Britannia can’t pull in all potential neutrals, they at least have the ability to pull in one or two. That’s inevitable.
Therefore, the Empire needs to increase aid to the Two Austrias, because only after the first country that jumps out and abandons neutrality is beaten painfully will the other countries still watching weigh their options and not dare to step forward.”
This was an obvious principle, like in a gang fight: if the enemy leader uses money to rally a bunch of helpers, you have to beat the first one who takes the money and charges to death, and the remaining paid underlings will see reality and know the money isn’t that easy to earn.
In short, strike with one fist to prevent a hundred.
Hearing this, the duke finally fully understood: “Indeed… in that case, once Italy or Romania turns first, we must swiftly annihilate one with thunderous momentum, to let them clearly see the fate of taking Britannian money and colonies.
This insight is extremely important! I will find a way through appropriate channels to petition His Majesty, to have the Empire level increase reinforcements, and also have colleagues in diplomacy probe and inquire further to gauge exactly how much Britannia is splurging to pull in those small countries.
In summary, we stay relaxed on the outside but tight on the inside, always prepared—that’s all. The 2 observation battalions you want, and 2 regiments’ worth of equipment, I’ll allocate to you immediately, to be sent to the Italo-Austrian border to train together with the local Alpine troops. The specific officers are up to you; you can transfer from the original assault battalion system.”
Lelouch: “Then I’ll request Major Model and Captain Dieter, each to lead one observation battalion, and have Austria’s two mountain infantry regiments that have been re-equipped with our new gear placed under their command.”
The duke waved his hand grandly and formally approved the transfer order, dispatching the two battalions that very day to reinforce and watch the border.
As a side note, during the ongoing Battle of Ypres and the half month after it ended, Bergmann Company in Thuringia was still mass-producing light machine guns and submachine guns. The steel helmet production companies were at full capacity.
By mid-December last year, Bergmann Company’s submachine guns were enough to equip 2 assault battalions; by year-end, 3.
Now in mid-March, after another two and a half months of production and break-in, production lines had been added.
Now Bergmann could produce 3000 submachine guns per month, enough to equip at least 6 assault battalions.
Up to this moment, the cumulative output was enough to equip 15 assault battalions. The original 6th Army Group had only 12 divisions, so each could have 1 assault battalion.
The newly formed 9 assault battalions relied on the original 3 to mentor the new ones, retraining during the rest period to break them in.
The excess weapons and equipment were left for the parachute regiment and the newly formed mountain troops.
For example, Model’s and Dieter’s two observation battalions transferred to the Italo-Austrian border weren’t counted as assault battalions; they were independent elite combat units. The 12 divisions in the rear still each had their own attached assault battalion.
Once submachine gun and light machine gun production further increased, these weapons could be issued to friendly forces like the 8th and 10th Army Groups, which were also Southern German factions on the Eastern Front. Or equipped to Austrian elite friendly forces directly commanded by Germania officers, to further win hearts and break in combat power.
Of course, they could only use submachine guns in elite assault units, not mass-equipped.
These demands probably wouldn’t be met until autumn 1915, and after that, in the second half of 1915, submachine guns could be sold to other friendly forces for re-equipment, of course for full payment.
Capacity shortage required a ramp-up process; it was first-come, first-served.
It wasn’t that Prussia faction troops weren’t getting submachine guns; it was just temporarily impossible to produce enough.
……
The duke signed off with a flourish, approving the reinforcements and equipment transfers, as well as the personnel transfer orders.
This decisiveness finally let Lelouch breathe a sigh of relief. He’d been worried that his Vienna mediation efforts might have a slight chance of being overturned and wasted.
Now it seemed the duke’s trust in him was truly substantial—worthy of gratitude for the recognition.
With a different leader, in Germania’s hierarchical and repressive atmosphere, for a subordinate to privately draft a memorandum with an allied vice minister of foreign affairs and then seek leadership approval upon return would absolutely be overstepping, possibly leading to punishment.
Not that what they did was wrong, but the decision-making process was flawed—too disrespectful to superiors.
“Your Highness truly uses people without doubt. For such trust in me, this subordinate will surely serve the country diligently.” When Lelouch received the duke-signed memorandum, he felt genuine gratitude inwardly.
“It’s nothing. It was a bit procedurally rash, but you helped the Empire annihilate the Britannian Expeditionary Force and capture the enemy’s commander-in-chief. This trust is what you deserve, earned from your previous record of achievements.”
The duke’s attitude remained amiable. After speaking, he personally invited Lelouch to dine: “Business is done; let’s have a family banquet. You deliberately chose afternoon to report—is it because you’re afraid of interrupting two meals?”
Lelouch hurriedly demurred: “I didn’t think that far…”
The duke patted his shoulder and led the way out, with Lelouch following like an adjutant.
The two soon arrived at the banquet hall and saw two little girls playing in the adjacent lounge: the duke’s daughter Princess Ilmgard and Lelouch’s sister Nanalie.
Nanalie had been a bit nervous before. From an ordinary civil servant family, with her father passing early, she’d lived frugally since childhood.
Though given a few days of crash training in high-society etiquette by her sister and dressed in very proper pretty clothes, Nanalie still feared making mistakes.
But at this moment, she seemed accustomed to the castle’s furnishings and no longer so timid.
Princess Ilmgard was very polite to her, unobtrusively demonstrating first when drinking tea, having tea pastries, or playing little games, so Nanalie could secretly observe and learn.
Nanalie was very grateful and thanked her repeatedly. Princess Ilmgard amiably said: “Don’t keep calling me Princess Ilmgard. Cecilia is fine, or even Cella as a nickname.”
Nanalie felt it was still too presumptuous and only dared call her “Miss Cecilia.”
When Lelouch entered, seeing Princess Ilmgard so courteous to his sister, he naturally expressed thanks out of politeness:
“Princess Ilmgard, thank you very much for looking after my sister. Your humility and virtue are truly impressive.”
Princess Ilmgard naturally extended her hand. Lelouch paused briefly, then politely brushed his lips against the back of her hand.
“Knight Lelouch, your sister calls me Cecilia, and you’re a noble too— no need to be so formal.”
After capturing Marshal John French last month, the duke had added “von” to Lelouch’s name, theoretically making him the lowest lifelong knight—non-hereditary; one more promotion for hereditary.
Her calling him “Knight Lelouch” was perfectly fine. Though no one had before; they called him colonel. Generally, a colonel’s military rank held slightly higher social status than a knight.
Lelouch: “Alright, it’s an honor to have the princess’s favor. Then I’ll call you Miss Cecilia from now on.”
Meanwhile, Nanalie saw her brother hadn’t seen through the princess’s little ploy and couldn’t help giggling behind her hand: “Brother, I heard ancient princesses and queens all had guardian knights. Miss Cecilia calls you Knight Lelouch, and you just accept? Planning to moonlight as a guardian knight?”
Lelouch was slightly embarrassed, but Cecilia smoothly bailed him out: “No need to tease, Sister Nanalie. Knight Lelouch is a knight guarding the Empire—how could he be wasted guarding a royal lady?
He has heavy responsibilities. Father King has always instructed us to bring Knight Lelouch straight to the study for state affairs whenever he comes, not to waste his precious time.”
Lelouch’s heart stirred slightly. He glanced sidelong at Duke Rupprecht ahead, seeing no sign of objection, and immediately understood.
He quickly recalled his recent experiences and soon remembered the time the duke came to promote him to colonel and award the knighthood. Before the duke entered, he’d been normally conversing with Charlotte Loretta, the Grand Duke of Baden’s niece, who admired him greatly, and the duke had shown vigilance.
It seemed the duke feared the Grand Duke of Baden poaching him. It wasn’t a big deal otherwise; Lelouch didn’t like political marriages or being used as a career chip.
But the duke’s thoughts didn’t matter; what did was that Princess Ilmgard before him didn’t seem to dislike him, and after several meetings, her attitude remained consistent, unchanged by her father’s.
Lelouch preferred relatively pure relationships, not ones shifting with status.
Understanding this, Lelouch responded to her goodwill generously: “Times have changed; how much time can a guardian knight really take? Since Princess Ilmgard thinks highly of me, I’ll ‘moonlight’ as your guardian knight. But one thing upfront: I may have no time to stay in Munich to fulfill duties.”
Cecilia smiled: “Great. Neuschwanstein Castle’s guards are sufficient; no need for you to report daily.”
With that, she turned to Duke Rupprecht: “Father King, now I have my own guardian knight too, one I picked myself. No objections?”
The duke smiled indulgently yet helplessly: “What era is this? Children’s make-believe. Do as you like.”
His daughter was only sixteen or seventeen, not yet marriageable. The duke thought this level of binding was fine for now; Lelouch went to battlefields often, no need to rush.
Another family banquet at Neuschwanstein Castle passed in this relaxed, harmonious atmosphere, with everyone chatting happily.
No one even noticed that the duke’s eldest living son, Princess Ilmgard’s brother Crown Prince Albrecht, didn’t attend the family banquet—he’d been taken by his mother on a special early trip.
Tonight’s setup was all orchestrated by the duke.
At the banquet, the duke had Lelouch drink several extra cups, then arranged a private guest room for him to stay overnight at Neuschwanstein Castle, affording full royal courtesy.
Nanalie was pulled by Cecilia to spend the night with her.
Sleeping in the princess’s bedroom, Nanalie was so nervous she couldn’t sleep the first half of the night, still wide-eyed gazing at the luxurious decorations even after lights out. She only fell asleep in the latter half from exhaustion.
Cecilia was very polite and attentive to her, noticing she wasn’t asleep and occasionally chatting to keep her company.
Nanalie shared many stories of her childhood hardships, which Cecilia listened to curiously. She even pried out all the brother stories from childhood Nanalie mentioned.
“Is there really such a genius in this world? You say Brother Lelouch only studied 4 years in the architecture department at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts, then joined the army after graduation? Nothing else before?” Cecilia found it incomprehensible.
Nanalie: “All true. Brother only studied four years in architecture, no other majors.”
Cecilia: “He’s truly amazing… I’ve heard Father King sigh about it many times.”
……
The night passed uneventfully. Next morning, Lelouch received some diplomatic suggestion documents the duke had written overnight, regarding the Empire’s stance on Italy, Romania, and Greece, for him to deliver to Berlin en route.
These suggestions were partly genuine intent to change things and prevent trouble, partly to claim credit. If something happened later, Duke Rupprecht’s “divine prophecy” would earn more voice in Empire high circles and more belief in his vision.
Lelouch solemnly took the duke’s documents, promising to deliver them during his reporting and explain if necessary.
