"Your Majesty, we have just received word that Austrian Emperor Karl I and President of the United States Woodrow Wilson held a secret meeting. The contents of their talks remain unknown, but they must have reached some sort of secret agreement. When President Woodrow Wilson left the Vienna Imperial Palace, he looked exceedingly pleased," General Balaimin, Director of the Intelligence Bureau, reported.
The death of Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I and Karl I's succession to the throne had pushed relations between Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire to the breaking point. As a result, the Intelligence Bureau had concentrated nearly all its main strength in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It could be said that Germany now knew every rustle of wind and blade of grass within the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
"Gentlemen, it seems the Austro-Hungarian Empire has indeed acted as we expected. They have abandoned the Empire, their ally, and joined hands with the Americans instead. I believe our esteemed Austrian Emperor Karl I will soon terminate his alliance with us. That means war is about to begin!" Oscar said with a smile.
He was now practically hoping Karl I would dissolve the alliance with Germany. That way, Germany could use it as a pretext to declare war on the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Granted, the excuse seemed somewhat far-fetched. But when the time came, who would care? So long as they won the war in the end, no one would care about the process.
"Your Majesty, if that is the case, our military operation can be ready to launch at any time," Field Marshal Falkenhayn said. Blazing fighting spirit burned in his eyes. Field Marshal Falkenhayn was already over fifty. He did not know whether he would last until the next World War—or whether, when the next great war erupted, he would still hold