The journey to Versailles

Even after the call ended, Field Marshal Hindenburg remained in the same position, holding the telephone to his ear.

Thinking about what His Majesty Eitel had just said, Field Marshal Hindenburg tightened his grip on the telephone slightly.

What did His Majesty mean by that? Was he warning me?

Field Marshal Hindenburg pondered this gravely. When he had first heard of the Kaiser's abdication, he had been unable to believe it. Then he had begun entertaining a few schemes of his own.

The German Empire's home front was unstable. Although the workers' movement had been causing unrest all along, Field Marshal Hindenburg had always believed that only men like himself, with military power in their hands, would have the last laugh.

Even after hearing of His Majesty Eitel's accession, he still had not taken Eitel seriously.

In terms of seniority, he was the German Empire's general, and all the German Empire's troops on the Western Front were under his control.

Before him, Eitel was nothing more than a callow youth.

Yet, at some point, Eitel had begun growing far faster than he could have imagined.

Whether it was stabilizing the front with extraordinary speed, leaving him unable to advance or retreat, or decisively returning home to suppress the rebellion.

Stabilizing the German Empire's home front, standing his ground before foreign envoys, or helping the empire reclaim its voice in the subsequent battle for Liège Fortress.

Each of these achievements proved that His Majesty Eitel was the most suitable sovereign for the German Empire, and the man best able to restore the glory it had enjoyed in Bismarck's time.

At this thought, Field Marshal Hindenburg stood and turned around, looking at the defensive line on the map, once teetering on the brink of collapse, now made secure through His Majesty Eitel's efforts.

"If I cannot be the man who leads the German Empire toward revival, perhaps being the Bismarck at His Majesty's side would not be so bad."

Field Marshal Hindenburg sighed with feeling, running his hand over the empire's Prussian-era territory on the map.

No one longed to restore that former glory more than these Junker nobles, who had once fought far and wide under His Majesty the Kaiser and Chancellor Bismarck.

The glory that belonged to Prussia alone, the splendor that belonged to the German Empire alone.

"Tell His Majesty Eitel that I, Hindenburg, will follow him, wherever he may be."

"Everything for the great German Empire."

Soon, Field Marshal Hindenburg's words were conveyed to Eitel without a single alteration. Delivered into Eitel's hands alongside them were a field marshal's baton and a great flag bearing a cross and a black eagle.

It was the imperial command standard Wilhelm II had left behind when he withdrew. Until now, it had remained in Field Marshal Hindenburg's possession.

Now, it was time for him to return it to its rightful owner.

As he looked at the baton and command standard on his desk, the two symbols of the Germany Army's highest authority.

Eitel broke into a heartfelt smile.

[Congratulations to the host for completing the mission: Military authority]

[Army-related national focus branches are now unlocked]

[Currently available army-related national focuses]

[Armor supremacy doctrine, effects: command power cap +25, army experience +15, mobile warfare (blitzkrieg) doctrine research cost -50%, modifies national spirit "Germany Army": coordinated operations +5%]

[Prussia legacy, effects: command power cap +25, army experience +15, superior firepower doctrine research cost -50%, unlocks decision [Defense in depth planning], duration 45 days: infantry defense +10%, artillery soft attack +8%, greatly increased trench warfare bonus]

[Army reform, effects: army experience +10, grants 2 reductions of 50% to army doctrine research costs, unlocks army minister: von Brauchitsch, all division speed +10%, daily army experience gain +0.3, unlocks subsequent branches: Treaty with the Soviet Union (Kama Tank Academy), modern mobile warfare main branch]

Looking at the newly unlocked national focuses on the system interface, Eitel nodded in satisfaction.

Once this conference was over, he could adjust the Germany Army's development direction according to these national focuses.

Although not many of the German Empire's troops could be retained after the conference, every part of the country was currently short of manpower as well.

The retained troops would change direction as quickly as possible, while the remaining soldiers would return to building their homeland.

These national focuses already had such powerful effects. He could hardly imagine how powerful the later focuses would be.

Looking at the system, Eitel could not help beginning to imagine what lay ahead.

Soon, Rommel's knock interrupted Eitel's pleasant dream.

"Your Majesty, the Allies have submitted another request for peace talks."

"Come in."

His fantasy interrupted, Eitel was somewhat annoyed, but he was still curious about the Allies' request for peace talks this time.

Soon, Rommel walked in.

With a solemn expression, he handed a document to His Majesty Eitel.

Eitel took the document and opened it, and a strange expression immediately appeared on his face.

There was absolutely nothing in the document about putting the German Empire on trial.

It merely invited him politely to attend the Versailles Conference in person.

Looking at the document, Eitel raised his head and asked Rommel, "Did the person who delivered this say anything?"

Hearing Eitel's question, Rommel answered respectfully, "No, but the man who delivered this request for peace talks was an American."

"The American was very polite. He also said that a minister from their Treasury Department would come later to discuss the details of the grain sale contract with us."

Hearing Rommel's words, Eitel smiled.

"Then there's nothing strange about it."

"So those deep-pocketed Americans have started throwing their weight around."

"I knew they couldn't possibly do nothing once they learned of those peace terms."

As he spoke, Eitel looked at Rommel. "Have the car prepared. I'm going to the Versailles Conference."

"Also, inform Field Marshal Hindenburg and have him accompany me. Field Marshal Hindenburg will take care of the other matters."

Eitel made the immediate decision to attend the Versailles Conference in person.

Upon receiving His Majesty Eitel's orders, Rommel nodded at once, then left the room.

Eitel sat down and considered everything he would face at the conference.

One thing was foreseeable: the Allies would certainly not make things easy for him. Even setting England aside, France would absolutely seize this opportunity to tear a hefty chunk of flesh from them.

But Eitel was not flustered.

He rested his hand on the peace talks document, tapping it lightly with his fingers.

"What a military strategist cannot win back on the battlefield, a negotiator may yet win back at the negotiating table."

"But when soldiers come, meet them with generals; when floods come, dam them with earth. As long as I can secure precious time for the German Empire to develop, it remains to be seen whose hands the deer will fall into in the end."

"Your Majesty, the car is ready."

"We can leave for the Versailles Conference at any time."

Just then, Rommel entered, interrupting Eitel's thoughts.

"Good. Prepare to depart."

"We're off to distant Versailles."