Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: A Star Falls at Wuzhang Plains
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October 1910.
Rumble—the streets of Berlin, adorned in vibrant autumn hues, and scattering leaves streamed past the car window.
The leaves danced on the wind before gently settling onto the shimmering Spree River, sparkling in the morning sunlight.
"Shall we take a short walk, Your Excellency? I can pull over to the shoulder."
Count Schlieffen had been staring blankly at the dreamlike scene when the driver's words snapped him back to reality.
"...Merely a trivial obstacle."
"Spoken like true Schlieffen... Well, we have arrived anyway."
The driver eased the car to a smooth stop and hopped out first.
As the driver opened the door from outside, Count Schlieffen promptly extricated himself from the cramped interior.
He spoke to the driver in a somewhat subdued tone.
"Oof, my back... Grab that briefcase from inside and follow me."
"Pardon? It looked important—may I carry it?"
"Should the old, feeble me carry it instead?"
"...Understood, sir."
"When I give an order, just follow it without backtalk. Aigoo, give you a bit of leeway, and suddenly no manners at all."
"Got it, got it."
The driver grumbled as he bent down to retrieve the briefcase from beside the count.
Earlier, when boarding the car, he had guarded it like a hawk, eyes sharp for thieves...
But now, after the drive here, his attitude had shifted—he barely glanced at it.
Even shoving it off onto the driver like it was a nuisance.
"What are you waiting for? Hurry up and grab it."
"...Yes, sir."
The driver hesitated before finally picking up the case.
He didn't know exactly what was inside, but it felt suspiciously like he was holding a bomb.
"Good. Now let's head in quick. Dawdling like this, we'll be late."
"It's been a while since we've come here. What are your impressions?"
"Pointless. Impressions?"
Shaking off thoughts of the briefcase with the driver's remark, Count Schlieffen let out a hollow chuckle.
He gazed at the massive palace sprawling before them and shook his head slightly.
Then he shattered the driver's romantic notions without mercy.
"Of course, nothing but regrets... To think I'd return here in my twilight years, deranged enough to submit these ridiculous documents."
"..."
"That damn cripple... no, His Majesty the Kaiser and I were never close, so why insist I deliver this bomb to him?"
"..."
"Sigh."
As Count Schlieffen grumbled, the driver's face stiffened—he was the one lugging the "bomb," or rather, the briefcase stuffed with documents.
"If you don't come, I'll go ahead."
The count shot him a glance and strode into the palace first.
The driver scrambled after him, briefcase in tow.
"C-Coming. Right away."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The supreme sovereign of Greater Germany, the glorious His Majesty the Kaiser.
"Good grief."
Wilhelm II's mood had been utterly foul of late.
It stemmed from the 1910 Revolution in Portugal.
The assassination of Portuguese royalty two years prior had already been vexing, but now a republican revolution?
As the self-proclaimed heart of European monarchies, he could not abide the domino fall of kingdoms...
Yet with Prime Minister Bethmann Hollweg and the bureaucrats dissuading him, he had swallowed his complaints.
"Those wretched fools... Daring to obstruct what I decree! And they call themselves my vassals?"
"..."
"Leave these insolents be, and Britain, Germany, Russia—their royals will all crumble! Pathetic lot!"
At Wilhelm II's angry mutterings, Count Schlieffen, standing behind him, covertly yawned.
When Wilhelm II whipped his head around, the count quickly shut his mouth.
"What say you?"
"Indeed, truly... er... wretched fools, Your Majesty."
"Quite so."
Wilhelm II nodded contentedly at the count's sycophantic reply.
The count nearly retched at this man who saw and heard only what he desired.
Soon, the Kaiser's satisfaction vanished, replaced by a displeased scowl as he eyed Count Schlieffen.
"But what brings you to me? Surely not to disturb my tireless labors over nothing?"
A grin—Count Schlieffen responded with a grotesque smirk, like a rotten fish eye.
Let's see what that meant...
'What the hell. We've been here hours, and only now he asks? This one-armed bast—'
...Best not dwell.
"Ha ha ha. Nothing else, Your Majesty. I come seeking your approval on certain matters."
"My approval... Ah."
Wilhelm II eyed the briefcase suspiciously, then broke into a sly grin as recollection dawned.
Reading the smile's intent, the count calmly opened the case and selected several documents to hand over.
The Kaiser snatched them like a child unwrapping Christmas gifts, flipping pages with eager caution.
"So... this is the masterpiece you birthed in your final years? I've been curious—finally, I behold it."
Flip—flip, flip. Wilhelm read the plan with boyish excitement, but his pace quickened.
By the end, it seemed he might have skimmed only the first sentences of each page.
Sure enough, he soon adopted a stern visage and commanded Count Schlieffen.
"Very well. Give me the overview."
"Ha ha, certainly."
'Knew it. This impatient fool.'
Unlike his thoughts, the count chuckled amiably and began.
"These documents outline what is known as the 'Schlieffen Program.' A Plan B, premised on the failure of the Schlieffen Plan."
"Quite the narcissist, eh? Your name in every title."
"The program's core is elevating the Empire's capacity for total war."
Wilhelm II sniped, but Count Schlieffen gritted his teeth and ignored it.
"Guidelines for the economic measures needed from now to enable total war are all detailed. Starting with railway double-tracking and conveyor belt introductions..."
"Hold on, hold on."
As the count's explanation dragged, the Kaiser cut him off irritably.
He tapped the documents on the desk.
"In any case, further centralization to push all this. That's the point, no?"
"...Yes."
Unsure where to correct first, the count gave up and affirmed.
Seeing Wilhelm II's sparkling eyes, he couldn't shake the dread.
"Ha ha! As expected of kin... no, they call you a loyal retainer, and how true it rings! Laboring so for imperial authority at your age!"
"..."
"Old generals are the greatest. Indeed!"
At the glorious Kaiser's words... Count Schlieffen's face twisted in utter disgust.
'Is this man truly the Kaiser of our vast Empire? Has the Lord forsaken Germany?'
This egomaniac cared not for the count's reaction, reveling only in his new tool for consolidating power.
This plan was no petty political ploy. It was a monumental artwork, forged by countless experts bleeding from the nose day and night...
Regaining composure with effort, Count Schlieffen spoke somewhat listlessly.
"Then, may I request your approval?"
"Of course. I'll command the Prime Minister and Reichstag too—trust in me alone."
"..."
Thus, Wilhelm II beamed as he signed the documents.
Despite immense preparations for this single signature, Count Schlieffen felt profound emptiness.
'Was it... this easy?'
Frowning, he crumpled the signed copy in his grip.
'No—this plan is a grand surgery, remodeling Germany from head to toe. The repercussions won't be minor...'
"Heh heh, those arrogant parliamentarians. With perfect justification, they can't block imperial strengthening this time."
'Is this... how it should be treated? Is this acceptable...'
Swallowing a sigh inwardly, Count Schlieffen silently stowed the copies in the now-lighter briefcase.
As he moved to bid farewell and depart.
"Ah, right."
"...What is it, Your Majesty?"
Still stroking the documents with a grin, Wilhelm II regarded the count sternly once more.
"It pains me deeply that even in retirement, at your advanced age, loyalty drives you unrested."
"..."
"I know your devotion to the Reich, but how can my heart rest seeing you thus?"
Sensing ominous phrasing, the count swallowed hard.
Wilhelm II smiled thinly and continued.
"I know you have an estate in Silesia. Lay down all worries there and spend your remaining days in peace."
"Y-Your Majesty."
"Withdraw now. In time, I'll visit to reward this service."
Count Schlieffen's pupils quaked.
The Kaiser's words were de facto exile—an indirect order to cease meddling.
Harsh for a man who had devoted his life to military affairs.
His stammering voice trembled piteously.
"To me, military duty is but a trifling pastime for an old man. Please, grant me leave to..."
"Enough!"
Yet the Kaiser heartlessly rebuffed him.
"How dares a loyal servant of the Empire gainsay his lord so? Begone!"
"W-Wait! At least allow completion of the Schlieffen Plan! With railway reorganizations, revisions are needed..."
"Ah, that plan?"
Wilhelm II twirled his mustache reassuringly and waved dismissively.
"I planned to order Chief of Staff Moltke to revise it anyway. Leave it to him."
"...Moltke?"
The count murmured in dismay.
Noting it, the Kaiser sneered.
"Can't take a hint from my favor? He's most capable."
"N-No... He won't do..."
"War won't truly erupt anyway, and even if it does, no worries. Withdraw."
As the count opened his mouth urgently.
Ding-a-ling—the Kaiser's bell rang faster.
"Chamberlain! Count Schlieffen wishes to depart!"
In the end, Count Schlieffen was all but dragged out.
In Eastern parlance...
It was the moment a star fell at Wuzhang Plains.