Germany Never Lacked Talent

The crisp clatter of hooves fell on the slightly muddy country road, splashing up sheets of muddy water.

Eitel rode his warhorse at the head of the column, with well-trained German soldiers following silently behind him in lockstep.

Viewed from above, the column of over a thousand men showed not a trace of disorder.

Inside the armored car carrying Manstein and the others, the three men were concentrating on driving their hard-won vehicle.

Looking at the map in his hands, Rommel suddenly asked, "Why do you think His Majesty gave up taking the train and chose to return to Berlin on foot?"

Manstein shrugged. "Perhaps it was for the sake of royal ceremony. My family takes that sort of thing quite seriously too, after all."

Rommel nodded and returned his attention to the map. "But getting back this way will take another ten days or more. It's roughly 785 kilometers from Metz to Berlin."

Manstein smiled. "His Majesty must have his reasons for making this decision. We only need to carry it out."

As the two talked, Guderian spoke up. Holding the armored car's steering wheel, he watched the road ahead. "Have you forgotten what His Majesty is going back for this time?"

His words drew their attention, and both asked at once, "You mean...?"

Seeing that the two could follow his train of thought, Guderian nodded in satisfaction.

"Exactly. Luring the snake out of its hole."

"If His Majesty took the train back, the journey would only take three days. How would those people have a chance to get close to His Majesty the Emperor?"

Only then did Rommel seem to wake from a dream. His eyes filled with admiration as he looked through the tiny window at His Majesty Eitel leading the column ahead.

"His Majesty's thoughts really are beyond our ability to fathom."

Then the three exchanged glances and laughed together. Ever since the last meeting, their shared ideals had made them close friends.

That was also why, despite never having met before, they had hit it off immediately and gone speeding together.

Time passed, and the night gradually darkened. Eitel dismounted and ordered the soldiers to make camp.

Before long, campfires sprang up here and there. After briefly heating the field rations they carried, the soldiers began eating.

Eitel sat inside a tent, massaging his sore inner thighs.

"Fuck, I must have lost my mind to choose traveling overland instead of taking the train."

"This is my first time spending so long on a horse. If I'd known, I wouldn't have shown off. I'd have ridden in the armored car."

He patted his face regretfully, took the rations a soldier beside him handed over, and began eating them with plain water. Before he could finish his meal,

Guderian lifted the tent flap and ducked inside first, followed closely by Rommel and Manstein.

Looking at the three, Eitel suddenly felt a pang of regret.

He had only heard of these three generals' great achievements before. He had never imagined that all three had been such little menaces in their youth.

Now he could not find even a moment's peace.

Eitel looked at the three arrivals, put down his rations, and said, "What are you here for this time? Aren't you tired after driving all day? Hurry up and get some rest."

His words filled the three with gratitude. Seeing that His Majesty Eitel held the same combat rations as an ordinary soldier moved them even more.

"No, no, no. You've had it much harder, Your Majesty."

"The three of us have come to offer a plan."

Eitel immediately perked up at that. These three were not so unreliable when it came to tactics and the big picture.

"You have another plan? Let's hear it."

Guderian exchanged glances with the other two, then stepped forward first. "Your Majesty, I intend to head directly north from Luxembourg to the ports and put down the naval mutinies."

"After that, your safety will be in the hands of Manstein and Rommel."

Once Guderian finished, Manstein stepped forward. "Yes, Your Majesty. News of your imminent return has already spread throughout Germany. We feel that if the enemy intends to attempt an assassination, it will most likely happen on the stretch between Leipzig and Berlin."

"To prevent an assassination by traitors, we ask that you ride in the armored car and only mount your warhorse again when we are about to reach Berlin."

"Until then, let Rommel lead your warhorse up front and draw their fire."

Manstein spoke with a perfectly straight face, raising an eyebrow slightly when he mentioned having Rommel draw fire up front.

Rommel had been listening intently, only to be dumbfounded when he heard that he was to serve as cannon fodder up front.

Seriously, guys? I'm being sincere with you, and you're playing mind games with me.

Wasn't I given the officer's script? How did this suddenly turn into palace intrigue?

"Your Majesty, I very much agree with their plans, but I'd like to add one more point."

"When we make camp at night, we can change where we sleep. For example, Manstein and Guderian could stay in your tent to safeguard you, while you could stay with me."

Having finished, Rommel looked smugly at the other two.

Eitel simply sat watching their performance, a faint smile curling his lips.

Watching the three set one another up made it rather hard for him to keep a straight face.

"All right, I approve of your plans. But there's no need for Rommel to lead my horse. Let the cavalry regiment's soldiers look after it."

"At night, I'll share a tent with you, and we'll leave mine empty."

Eitel briefly supplemented their plans. He knew all three were joking around, and the plans they had offered really were useful.

Feints and substance, truth and falsehood.

That was how to ensure his safety to the greatest extent possible.

These three really had racked their brains for him. Sure enough, the Germans never lacked talent.

With the plan settled, Eitel naturally moved into the armored car, sparing himself the agony of riding a warhorse day and night.

And so His Majesty Eitel's column advanced toward Berlin. As they passed through Luxembourg, Guderian quietly left the emperor's column with a battalion of Stormtroopers, driving off without a sound toward Lübeck and Wilhelmshaven.

Only Rommel and Manstein remained with the column.

More than ten days passed in the blink of an eye. After the long march, His Majesty Eitel finally left Leipzig behind and advanced toward Berlin.

"Halt and make camp."

That night, His Majesty Eitel called the column to a halt and ordered all the soldiers to begin making camp.

At Eitel's command, the soldiers quietly began setting up camp and posting guards.

Only once the tents were ready did Eitel enter the tent Rommel shared with Manstein, concealed by Rommel.

The night was silent, thick clouds blocking the gentle moonlight.

Just as the Stormtroopers were changing guards,

Bang!

A gunshot suddenly rang out. The soldiers who had already turned in instantly grabbed the rifles beside them and went on alert.