Chapter 116
Chapter 116
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: Venizelos
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"Welcome to Athens, Baron!"
"Thank you for your warm hospitality, Your Highness."
In April 1906, I set foot in Athens amid a grand welcome from Crown Prince Constantine, accompanied by the German Empire's diplomatic delegation.
The Olympics held immense significance for Greece, and this Intercalated Games marked the tenth anniversary of the first Athens Olympics. As such, Athens was already buzzing with festive energy days before the opening ceremony.
"I'm delighted to see you here at the Olympics. I hope you enjoy your stay over the next ten days of competition."
"Yes. I hope our German athletes achieve great results in these Games."
"Haha, our Greek athletes won't make it easy."
A total of 854 athletes from twenty nations, including Germany and Greece, were participating in the Athens Intercalated Games.
With such fierce competition expected, I had no idea how many gold medals the German team would win, but I hoped they would give their all for the Fatherland.
"These Games have introduced many innovations to redeem the embarrassments of Paris and St. Louis. Of course, the radio broadcasts—with your help—are one of them."
As Crown Prince Constantine said, these Intercalated Games were historic, featuring elements that would become staples of future Olympics. This was the debut of the Olympic Village, the raising of national flags at medal ceremonies, and the iconic opening ceremony parade where athletes marched into the stadium behind their flags.
It wasn't for nothing that the Athens Intercalated Games were considered, alongside the first Athens Olympics, among the most pivotal events in Olympic history.
"Your Highness, it's time for your meeting with the Olympic Committee."
"Hm? Has it gotten this late already? Time flies when I'm talking with you."
"Haha, I feel the same."
"Ah, and let's postpone your audience with my father until tomorrow. You've only just arrived in Athens. Rest well today, and tomorrow Sophie and I will accompany you to see His Majesty."
"Thank you for your consideration. I'll see you tomorrow then."
Perfect timing—I was exhausted from the journey to Greece.
I told the diplomats with me to rest as well, then returned to the hotel.
"Baron Hans von Choi?"
But just as I was about to enter the hotel, a man called out to me.
He was Greek, with hair starting to thin and part to the side—destined to become a fine shine in the future. Though I was sure I'd never met him, he felt strangely familiar.
"Who might you be?"
"Ah, forgive my late introduction. I'm Eleftherios Venizelos, politician from the Cretan Autonomous State."
As I tilted my head, he introduced himself, and my jaw dropped.
Now I knew who he was.
Eleftherios Kyriaku Venizelos.
The man revered as the father of modern Greece, who later became prime minister, enacted reforms that vastly strengthened the nation, and won two Balkan Wars to expand its territory.
'No wonder I didn't recognize him right away.'
The photos I'd seen from my past life showed him mostly as an elderly man with a fully receded hairline, like the KFC colonel.
So it was natural I hadn't recognized this younger Venizelos, with hair still plentiful and neither locks nor beard yet white.
Still, I hadn't expected to encounter him here.
As he said, he was active in his home of Crete, nominally Ottoman territory under Greek de facto control but not yet part of mainstream Greek politics.
As far as I knew, he wouldn't enter politics on the Greek mainland until 1910, when he became prime minister.
'He's probably here for the Olympics, like everyone else.'
A mundane reason, but that didn't mean I could underestimate the young Venizelos.
Just last year, he'd led the Theriso Revolt, seized control of Crete despite Great Power intervention and backlash, and forced Prince George—second son of King George I and High Commissioner of Crete—to resign.
Unlike Venizelos and the Cretans who wanted union with Greece, the European powers opposed it, and Prince George had sided with them.
'Of course, Prince George's incompetence and his corrupt entourage had already lost him Cretan support.'
Considering Venizelos's later actions—forcing out the pro-German, neutrality-obsessed King Constantine I during World War I despite the Allies' setbacks and leading Greece into the war on their side to make it a victor—it wasn't surprising.
In any case, his masterful handling of the Theriso Revolt had already made him famous in diplomatic circles. To achieve my goals, I admired his boldness and political acumen while remaining wary of him.
As mentioned, in original history, he'd played a key role in dragging Greece into the war on the Entente side, abandoning neutrality.
Of course, his judgment was right at the time.
With the Ottomans joining the Central Powers, siding with the Entente benefited Greece, especially as the war turned against the Central Powers.
But conversely, it meant he could side with the German Empire if it benefited Greece.
Besides, the diplomatic landscape now differed from original history.
If Greece joined as Germany's ally in a world war, the inevitable Balkan conflicts would resolve more easily.
'At least better than Austria-Hungary.'
Don't forget: the Austro-Hungarians floundered against just Serbia until Bulgaria joined.
How was it that among Germany's allies, only Britain seemed worth its keep?
At this point, the Triple Alliance might as well call itself the Entente.
"Baron?"
"Ah, forgive me. Mr. Venizelos, I've heard much about you."
"Haha, is that so?"
"Yes. I was quite impressed by your achievements in Crete. I'd love to have a deep conversation and build some rapport."
"I feel the same."
Venizelos and I burst into smiles and shook hands.
But our eyes remained cold, each appraising the other's value.
It was time for diplomacy.
Eleftherios Venizelos stared intently at the boy who had saved the Kaiser, now leisurely sipping coffee before him.
He already knew all about him.
Baron Hans von Choi was the mastermind behind the unlikely Anglo-German alliance no one thought possible.
'Diplomatic circles are already whispering he's 'Bismarck's successor,' aren't they?'
With Britain and Germany—the giants dominating Europe—joining hands, the Kingdom of Greece couldn't escape the ripple effects.
Venizelos pondered.
In this Europe divided between Britain-Germany and France-Russia, how should tiny Balkan Greece act?
'For now, the balance tilts toward the Anglo-German accord.'
Building ties with them wouldn't be hard for Greece.
King George I was the brother of Britain's Queen Alexandra and brother-in-law to Edward VII; Crown Prince Constantine was the Kaiser's brother-in-law and staunchly pro-German.
But Venizelos worried that Germany prioritized amity with the Ottoman Empire over Greece.
Of course, he understood Germany's policy.
Frankly, Greece held little value for Germany compared to the Ottomans.
But Greece needed some incentive to commit fully.
'It'd be easier if the Ottomans were at odds with Anglo-Germany.'
Thus, when he heard Baron Hans von Choi was coming as part of Germany's diplomatic mission for the Intercalated Games, Venizelos decided to meet him.
His title was mere aide, but his influence dominated German foreign policy.
Venizelos needed to gauge his thinking.
"I never imagined they'd sell Americanos in Athens."
"Here, it's more commonly called 'Café Choi' after you, Baron. It's polarizing, but those who like it really love it."
In the hotel cafeteria, as Hans murmured in fascination at the Café Choi sweeping Europe from Germany, Venizelos replied with a genial smile.
Though those who hated it despised it utterly.
Italians, in particular, decried it as an affront to coffee, and couldn't contain their horror at the baron's cursed palate that birthed not just Café Choi, but Hawaiian pizza and mint chocolate ice cream.
"How are things in Crete these days?"
"Last year's unrest hasn't fully subsided. But Prince George seems to have lost Cretan support. He's hanging on for now, but he'll be heading home next year."
"And Mr. Venizelos, you'll hold real power in the Cretan Autonomous State."
Venizelos just smiled at Hans's bluntness.
It was common knowledge among those in the know.
"I simply believe Crete is rightfully Greek territory. Personally, I'd welcome help from the Great Powers, including Germany, to bring it back into the fold—but it's not so easy."
"Haha, but even without their approval, you're planning to unite it anyway, aren't you, Mr. Venizelos?"
"......"
Venizelos answered with silence.
To see through him so quickly—truly Bismarck's successor.
In original history, two years later in 1908, despite Greek government hesitation over Ottoman friction and amid the Young Turk Revolution's chaos, he'd unilaterally annexed Crete to Greece.
"Well, since you prefer straight talk, I'll be direct too. What are your thoughts on friendship with Greece, Baron?"
"As you know, the German Empire maintains close ties with the Ottomans."
Hans said gravely.
"But personally, I'd like to maintain friendly relations with Greece too. I like Greece. Second Rome's true heir, after all."
"Oh, that's most kind."
Venizelos beamed, genuinely touched.
Even if mere flattery, such words meant the world to a Greek.
"But you must wonder what benefit friendship with Germany truly holds for Greece."
"Yes. Our views on the Ottoman Empire differ."
"Exactly. So Germany can't side with Greece against the Ottomans. But the Balkans are chaotic. Many states besides Greece eye the Ottomans."
"Ho?"
Venizelos looked intrigued at Hans's words.
"You foresee a great anti-Ottoman war in the Balkans."
"Anyone could see it with a moment's thought. As the Ottomans weaken daily, will Serbia or Bulgaria—who harbor grudges as deep as Greece's—sit idle? The moment an opportunity arises, they'll strike."
That's how the First Balkan War began.
Shaken by the Italo-Turkish War, Serbia, Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Greece—who'd long awaited their chance—formed the Balkan League and attacked the Ottomans.
But the League shattered almost immediately after victory.
Bulgaria, dissatisfied with spoils, preemptively attacked Greece and Serbia, drawing in Serbia, Greece, Montenegro, Romania, and a vengeful Ottoman Empire against the insolent Bulgaria, igniting the Second Balkan War.
Balkans as usual.
"Shouldn't you reclaim Macedonia, especially Thessaloniki? Before the other Balkan states swallow it."
Venizelos nodded as if it were obvious.
It was a tantalizing proposal.
Germany's discreet postwar support would greatly aid Greece.
'And Germany gets to check Serbia, which inevitably clashes with key ally Austria-Hungary.'
No loss for Germany, gains for Greece in aligning with them.
Of course, Ottoman victory would change everything, but given their decline, neither Hans nor Venizelos worried about it.
"Of course, this isn't official German policy. Just a hypothetical."
"Hearing your thoughts is enough for now."
Venizelos wasn't prime minister yet, and the Balkan Wars were six years away.
This sufficed for now.
"I should be going. I'd love to continue, but I have another appointment."
Venizelos rose, smiling warmly at Hans.
"Enjoy the Olympics, Baron."