Otto I's fantasy did not last long before it shattered. No one needed to remind him; he knew himself that it was impossible.
Leaving domestic public opinion aside, their sneak attack on the Ottoman Empire this time bore an inescapable responsibility for the Allied defeat in the Second Battle of Bulgaria.
The British army had suffered devastating losses in that battle, and Downing Street had even changed hands. If they were simply let off like this, would the British have any face left?
The London Government could accept failing to defeat the Russians. The British had never expected much from their army to begin with, and losing to the Russians was not too disgraceful.
But after joining a war, could the British simply watch the French show off their might and become mere spectators?
No matter what, the British army desperately needed a presentable victory to prove its strength. Unfortunately, Greece was the soft persimmon they had chosen to squeeze.
Had that not been the case, the Greek government would not have spent so long lobbying the London Government only to gain nothing.
Otto I said helplessly, "Can the army truly not fight? Even if we merely force a draw, we would have bargaining chips for negotiations!"
The Minister of War answered indirectly, "Your Majesty, ever since our defeat in the clash with the British, the army's morale has completely collapsed. People desert every day. If not for military law keeping them in check, who knows how many soldiers would even be left at the front by now."
There was no helping it. This force had been cobbled together from all corners, sustained entirely by nationalist patriotism. The moment that breath leaked out, they immediately revealed their true colors.
Expecting such a motley rabble to defeat the enemy was simply