His Presence Still Held Sway

"Your Majesty, the vehicle is ready."

Chief of Staff Konstantin-no, he should now be called Konstantin, commander of the Meuse River-Argonne Forest Line-stood respectfully beside His Majesty Eitel.

Ahead stood two stormtrooper battalions and a field cavalry regiment in neat formation. In the middle of their ranks, a somewhat bulky-looking armored car stood quietly.

Sheet after sheet of iron had been welded onto the armored car, and the German Empire's Iron Cross emblem was engraved on its side.

"Your Majesty, the fighting at the front is intense. This is the only armored car I could spare, even with all the resources at my disposal."

Konstantin looked at His Majesty Eitel apologetically. Having such a crude vehicle serve as the emperor's transport home truly made him lose face.

To his surprise, Eitel merely glanced at the armored car before walking straight toward his own tall black horse, as though ignoring it.

He mounted neatly and tightened the reins. Feeling its master on its back, the warhorse neighed, then stood steady.

"That won't be necessary. As emperor of the German Empire, I must have convictions of my own."

"I will share my soldiers' hardships and comforts."

A ray of sunlight broke through the clouds and fell upon His Majesty Eitel. Set off by his finely tailored First World War officer's uniform, his figure seemed more imposing to Konstantin the longer he looked.

"Your Majesty!"

Just as Eitel reached the head of the column, he saw three young officers grinning foolishly at him.

The image he had just cultivated instantly fell apart. "Manstein, Guderian, Rommel, you three go drive that armored car at the back."

After delivering those words in a somewhat stiff tone, Eitel nudged his horse's belly with his heel. The black warhorse took the hint and walked forward.

Seeing His Majesty Eitel's expression, the three instantly wiped the smiles off their faces. They had not been like this before; the experiences of the past two days had simply left them rather excited.

His Majesty Eitel's behavior now left them deeply ashamed.

Once His Majesty Eitel had gone some distance, Guderian kicked Manstein.

Manstein scratched his head sheepishly. Watching the two of them, Rommel could not help taking a couple of steps away.

He tried hard to put some distance between himself and the other two, even though their remarks at last night's meeting had given the three of them a mutual appreciation for one another.

But the way they were acting now was truly rather embarrassing.

The three exchanged glances, climbed into the armored car, and excitedly started it up. After all, they had never had a chance to get their hands on one before.

With a roar from the engine, the armored car's wheels began to turn. Watching it move, the three let out an excited cheer.

Guderian gazed at the dashboard before him, his eyes shining. He seemed to have thought of some possibilities.

Meanwhile, Konstantin caught up with His Majesty Eitel. "Your Majesty, I think it would be better not to make such a public affair of your return home."

"After all, the situation at home..."

Eitel waved a hand and looked at Konstantin. "I am emperor of the German Empire. If I have to sneak back into my own country..."

"Then what is the point of my being emperor? On this return, I mean to make them understand that the German Empire will not fall."

"The great German Empire will stand unshaken on this continent."

Without breaking stride, Konstantin lowered his head in assent. "Yes, Your Majesty. I'll have someone send a telegram at once."

Eitel glanced at Konstantin before speaking. "Konstantin, I leave the front to you. Don't disappoint me."

"Hyah!"

He brought his riding crop down on the black warhorse's rump. The horse instantly neighed and broke into a gallop.

The soldiers behind him also began running, following His Majesty Eitel.

Konstantin stood where he was, watching His Majesty Eitel recede into the distance, his eyes filled with persistent worry.

He stood there until His Majesty Eitel disappeared from view, then set off toward headquarters.

The moment he returned to headquarters, he summoned his adjutant and told him to send out the news of His Majesty Eitel's return to Berlin.

Only after everything was done did he sit in the seat His Majesty Eitel had occupied and let out a deep sigh.

"May all go well for His Majesty."

As the telegram circulated, its contents reached Commander-in-Chief Pershing within just a few hours.

Liggett also saw the telegram.

"Commander-in-Chief Pershing, I believe this is a good opportunity."

"At present, the fighting across the Western Front has reached a stalemate. But now that the commander-in-chief of the German Fifth Army on the Meuse River Line is returning home, German morale may inevitably waver."

"I have already reviewed the lessons of our previous defeat and improved our army's tactics. Trust me, this offensive will succeed."

Liggett put down the telegram and spoke earnestly to Commander-in-Chief Pershing. During this time, he had also reviewed the lessons of their defeat in the last battle. Rigid human-wave assaults could never succeed against the Germans' sophisticated defensive tactics.

Only by playing to the Americans' strengths-as fresh forces who had joined the war last, they had ample supplies of aircraft, tanks, and artillery-and combining them with the creeping barrage tactics the Germans had used before...

Perhaps they really could break through the Germans' impregnable defenses.

His previous command had already become an indelible blemish on his record. This time, he wanted to use this hard-won opportunity to wash away his disgrace.

Listening to Liggett, Pershing was rather tempted. After all, he too was one of the leading advocates of offensive action.

Although the American forces had suffered heavy casualties under his leadership, he had also brought them considerable gains.

But under the present circumstances, he was somewhat afraid to make a decision.

"Commander Liggett, although your proposal is very tempting, I suggest we wait a little longer."

"President Wilson has already communicated with me by telegram. The Allies are now making every effort to advance the peace talks."

"The president's intention is for us to wait and see for the time being."

With some difficulty, Pershing rejected Liggett's decision. After all, at his level, matters could no longer be decided purely by events on the battlefield.

The war was about to end. If anything went wrong at this critical juncture...

There was no telling what position he would hold after returning home.

Seeing Pershing's apprehensive expression, Liggett slapped the table hard in exasperation.

"Commander-in-Chief Pershing, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! If we miss it, we will never be able to break through the German defenses!"

Although tempted, Pershing still shook his head after thinking for a while.

"None of us knows whether the German emperor has left any contingency plans behind."

"Let's wait and see a little longer. Rest assured, I will send out all our scouts to observe every movement in the German positions."

"If there truly is an opportunity, I will issue the order to attack before you do."