Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Have You Heard of Total War? (3)
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"We have to consider allocation times. Radical changes right after the war would be tough, but gradually..."
"In that case, we need to recalculate the costs. To enable more efficient worker shifts..."
"Rationing systems for key resources like fuel and food..."
"To maintain industry and skilled labor, we'll need women workers..."
Once immersed in this new task, Count Schlieffen seemed to regain his full vigor.
I lurked in the shadows, debating with the experts through the count's mouth, steering the Total War plan in the direction I wanted.
In original history, there was something called the Hindenburg Program, a Total War plan launched from 1916 onward.
It was an economic initiative born in the mid-First World War, under the realization that to sustain the war, military production capacity had to increase.
'Even the reds who claimed to know a thing or two about economics ruined theirs. You think soldiers would fare any better?'
Of course, this plan not only wrecked the economy but also triggered the infamous "Turnip Winter," utterly destroying Germany's long-war capabilities.
It even cast a shadow over the future Weimar Republic.
'But that won't happen now.'
Seeing experts from various fields gathered in a secluded mansion on the outskirts of Berlin, locked in debate, I couldn't help but smile.
I had no idea if the German Empire's Total War plan would be called the Hindenburg Program or the Schlieffen Program.
But its substance would be entirely different from before.
"Heh heh."
"Haha, this is working out perfectly! Rommel, come on down here!"
"What is it?"
Count Schlieffen, who had been talking with someone in front of the main building, called out to me as I leaned on the balcony, chuckling.
Beside him stood a stout old man in an army uniform.
But those epaulets... a red background adorned with a golden laurel wreath, bearing three gold rectangular stars.
They were the brilliant stars signifying an army general.
'...Oh.'
Clatter-clatter! I hurried down and stood before Count Schlieffen and the nameless general, snapping a salute.
"Erwin Rommel, cadet at the Cadet School!"
"..."
The general sternly eyed me up and down, as if appraising me, then returned the salute.
"Paul von Hindenburg."
"...It is an honor to meet Excellency the General!"
Damn, nearly bit my tongue.
Speak of the devil and he shall appear—turns out it was true. Cold sweat broke out for a moment.
Despite all my blunders, Hindenburg right now was a benefactor who had helped me lay the groundwork. I had to tread carefully.
Unaware of the awkward vibe between Hindenburg and me, Count Schlieffen grinned and spoke.
"Good thing you're here too! Now we can refine the plan even better."
"...What on earth are you doing in this quiet backwater that's got the high command so interested?"
"Haha, just killing time in my old age."
"That pastime of yours isn't anything like the plan you submitted last time, is it, Count?"
Hindenburg unconsciously slipped into the conversation, then hastily corrected himself.
Why? Because rumors were flying around the Great German Empire about some ambitious top-secret "Schlieffen Plan."
"Anyway, the Chief of Staff sent me to tell you to keep that pastime in check."
"Pah, times like these. Some political hack who climbed to Chief of Staff trying to rein me in? And using my own protégé to do it?!"
"Just go through the motions and take it easy."
"Easy? This is perfect. You can help us now."
"Sigh... I knew it."
So here was a military elder badmouthing the Chief of Staff, and the Chief's subordinate chiming in and committing insubordination.
Good lord, it was too risky for a mere cadet like me to just stand there listening.
I tried to bow out gracefully, but...
"Oh, and you're the one who recommended this fellow?"
"Yes. Surprised you've gotten so chummy with the count."
The two giants' gazes locked onto me, and I shut my mouth.
Can't you just treat me like furniture?
But against my wishes, Count Schlieffen smirked and began introducing me.
"He's quite the character. When he came looking to meet me, do you know what he said...?"
'Oh, not that story.'
And so Count Schlieffen launched into the "Tale of the Sinful Cadet Who Requested an Audience in Habsburg Style."
Damn it. Don't casually spill someone else's black history!
Especially when you told me to say it!!
"—'This sinner begs an audience with Your Excellency!' Something like that, haha! How could I not let him in?"
Before I knew it, people who had been resting nearby gathered, drawn in by how entertaining Count Schlieffen's story seemed.
"Hahaha."
"Heh heh heh heh."
"..."
As they laughed, my lips involuntarily turned downward.
Blocking my escape and tormenting me—those wicked old codgers.
"Ahem."
'Life.'
Even the stern-looking Hindenburg wore a faint smile.
And soon that smile hardened, freezing my brain too.
"But I shouldn't have let him in. Whether out of grudge or not, he threw a fit, saying my carefully crafted plan was all wrong."
"..."
The surroundings fell silent in an instant, but Count Schlieffen carried on without a care.
"What a cheeky brat, right? His vicious words practically made me sick."
"..."
"Saying my plan had a high chance of failure, that the Empire would collapse if we stuck to it—how could my heart not sink?"
'Wha—when did I ever say that!!! Hey!!!'
The prickling stares were driving me mad. Especially Hindenburg's boring into the back of my head...
Suddenly, Count Schlieffen shifted the mood.
"I couldn't fully agree, but it wasn't entirely wrong either. The point about the Empire lacking a Plan B really hit home."
"...So that's why you're preparing this new plan?"
The count nodded.
"He gave me both the poison and the cure. This cadet... he came up with the Total War idea."
"Ooooh."
My mouth fell open unwittingly.
That was supposed to be a secret...!!
"And that's not all. All the discussions I've had with you all? Straight from this kid's head. You think an old fogey like me could come up with this?"
'...I'm done for.'
As the count spoke, gazes focused on me once more.
Admiration turning to... bewilderment and shock. Not just theory, but advanced practical matters too...
I tried to keep calm, but my lips went dry.
Count Schlieffen glanced at me, then belatedly added with a flustered look,
"...Oh, was it a secret?"
'You're kidding.'
I was flabbergasted, but there was nothing to be done—it was infuriating.
As eyes shifted back to the count, he chuckled sheepishly.
"Pretend you didn't hear that. Ahem, let's get back to work."
"...Y-yes, understood."
With that, Count Schlieffen headed back into the mansion first.
I watched his light footsteps and clutched the nape of my neck.
'That damn old fox... I got played.'
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Outskirts of Berlin mansion. Count Schlieffen's office.
A little time later.
Count Schlieffen and Hindenburg sat facing each other on sofas across the desk.
"Heh heh heh heh! Did you see Rommel's face?"
"Yes, I did."
"Smart aleck. Arrogant too. Get what I'm saying?"
"..."
Flip— In response to Count Schlieffen's question, Hindenburg set down the document he had been staring at for a while.
He pondered silently for a moment, then spoke.
"If this document truly came from that cadet's mind... then he's certainly exceptionally capable."
"So you're saying his arrogance stems from actual superior ability?"
Hindenburg slowly shook his head.
"There are two kinds of arrogance. One is thinking you're smart..."
"And the second is thinking you're the only smart one. Mm-hmm, exactly."
Count Schlieffen nodded along, agreeing with Hindenburg.
So pleased with sticking it to Rommel, the count couldn't stifle his leaking chuckles.
"Hilarious kid. I played dumb for a bit, and he went right along, treating me like a puppet."
"..."
"Did you see his definition of Total War? Just a few lines, but it lays bare his values and mindset perfectly."
Count Schlieffen picked up the document Hindenburg had set down and opened to a certain part.
"Ah, here it is. 'Therefore, Total War is a war that mobilizes all of a nation's capabilities and resources, so objectively analyzing every element and devising efficient strategies is essential to achieving war aims.'"
"..."
"How utterly stale and rotten is that way of thinking? At an age when he should be chasing skirts, and he's got ideas like this..."
"Is that so?"
Unsure if it was praise or insult, Hindenburg responded ambiguously to Schlieffen.
"Look, we're called stiff Prussian soldiers and all, but we still have our human sides, right? That kid's over the top."
Count Schlieffen grumbled as he set the document down again.
"He has this tendency to judge everything in the world as objective pros and cons. Not content with that, he tries to control everything within reach. Wonder if he's even officer material..."
Trailing off, Count Schlieffen continued in a subdued tone.
"...At this rate, he'll try to sweet-talk even His Majesty the Kaiser someday."
Hindenburg replied immediately.
"I'll correct that lack of respect for his superiors."