While Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire were tearing into each other, Europe's situation was also quietly changing.
The Germans had already realized that with the establishment of the Four-Power Entente, they were becoming increasingly powerless to control the situation in Europe.
Their two junior partners, Austro-Hungary and Italy, were not all that obedient either. Take this Turco-Bulgarian War—neither of them had gone all out. Otherwise, Bulgaria would never have made its move so quickly!
"Allies"—this was the first time since German unification that Germany had felt such an urgent need for allies!
Thinking back to Bismarck's era, Germany had allies everywhere in Europe. They could even use diplomatic means to isolate the French and the British. Yet no one knew when it had all begun to change!
Inside the Berlin Royal Palace in Germany, the Chief of Staff was briefing Wilhelm II on the Turco-Bulgarian War unfolding in the Near East.
"Your Majesty, Bulgaria is advancing very quickly in the Aegean Sea. Before long, I fear all the Ottoman islands will be lost!
"Strategically speaking, the Ottoman Empire has already lost this war. They failed to make good use of the island chain's advantages.
"If they had organized a defense and resisted step by step from the very beginning, they could at least have held the Bulgarians up for a year or two. Clearly, Bulgaria could never wait that long!
"To end the war early, the Bulgarians would have no choice but to land on the Asia Minor Peninsula and fight a decisive battle with them. Compared with a war at sea, the Ottomans would at least still have the strength to fight on land!"
Wilhelm II frowned and said in great displeasure, "So the Ottomans are going to lose again this time? Is the new-style army we helped