November 22, 1939
Central Germany, 9th Military District, Kassel, New Governnt Capital Frankfurt
“How is it?”
In my office, I was looking over the draft of the speech script Claudia had written for .
“As excellent as always, Aide.”
“Your expression suggests otherwise.”
I gave a bitter smile.
The University of Marburg speech, which had instantly turned the actually indecisive and power-hungry Franz von Papen into an icon of anti-Hitler politics.
Her claim that she helped her father write that speech as a re university student was no empty boast, and now that she had drafted the speech for the departure ceremony, her skills were beyond question.
“It’s not the speech script. I just… suddenly feel a sense of skepticism.”
“Skepticism?”
I contemplated how to explain it to Claudia, who was looking at
with puzzled eyes.
The reason I had gone as far as to start a civil war to oust Hitler and the Nazi Regi was that I believed it was the only way to stop the frenzy of nationalism in this era’s Germany.
But what if, even after we oust the Nazis, only the master changes and Germany continues to run wild? If that happens, what aning would there be to the course of action that has brought
this far, having sacrificed everything?
“If we heroically fra the Prince’s death, stir up the people’s hatred, and make them cry out for revenge against Italy, how is that any different from the Nazis’ thods?”
Of course, since we were the ones who were attacked, it is different from the World War II of the original history, which began with the Nazi invasion of Poland.
The Italian Fascists bombed the urban areas where the innocent residents of Tyrol lived; they are undeniably the invaders.
But I was afraid that such ‘justified’ anger and hatred would lead Germany into the madness of the original history.
Claudia seed to ponder my words for a mont, then shrugged.
“You might not think so, but I believe I understand you quite well, yet this ti, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
I wondered if it was because of the difference in the eras we had lived in.
“We were the ones who were attacked. His Highness the Prince was killed in action, and a city was burned.
Many people were killed or injured.”
“…”
Claudia let out a slight sigh and spoke again.
“It’s only natural for people to be angry at such atrocities. It’s not like it will cause so huge problem.”
“I suppose so.”
After all, in this era’s wars, even Arica, that so-called paradise of liberal democracy, was running wild, chanting, ‘Kill Japs, kill Japs, kill more Japs.
’
As I was thinking that, Claudia narrowed her eyes, looked at , and said.
“You.
Instead of grieving for His Highness the Prince, or for the burning of Tyrol and the many who died or were injured, you’re only worried about a future that hasn’t even happened yet.”
For a mont, I felt like I had frozen solid.
“I don’t know what you’re worried about, but don’t tell
you’re thinking that you have to lead Germany down the right path all by yourself?”
“No, I…”
To hear this from Claudia, of all people.
Was I like that? Perhaps I was.
Was I trapped in an obsession, fretting all alone that I had to turn Germany back into a normal country?
“Anger, and the desire for revenge, are a person’s freedom and a powerful motivation. I lost my father to the Nazis, and I started this journey longing for revenge to get to this point.
Is that also a bad thing in your eyes?”
My head was spinning. Had I, at so point, started arbitrarily applying my own standard, judging people’s free will as right or as sothing to be wary of?
“It’s amazing that you’ve co up with ideas no one could and led the new governnt this far.
But you didn’t get here alone. You didn’t co this far because you wanted to beco a dictator who could mold Germany to your will, did you?”
Seeing
at a loss for words, Claudia sighed with her arms crossed and added.
“You are a person of this era. A person living in the sa era as us.
Don’t worry about the distant future, look at the situation we’re in now. We all are the ones who made the people, who used to blindly believe and follow what the Nazis said, think for themselves and stand up against them.”
Was I the one who was possessed by the ghost of the original history, a history that had already changed? So much so that I couldn’t even properly feel sorrow for the deaths of those we failed to protect.
“Yes, you’re right.
I’m sorry.”
Claudia nodded at my words.
“You should be. The people have now begun to judge based on what they see and hear, and they are not fools.
If soone tries to control Germany to their liking again, they won’t stand for it. Even if that person is you.”
“That’s a little scary.”
A laugh escaped .
I had been worrying for nothing. The era of the Nazis is fading, and we will form a democratic governnt for a new era.
The Holocaust, which would have placed the yoke of a war criminal nation on Germany forever, did not happen.
From now on, the German people will judge and support Germany's course of action, so all we have to do is deliver the utmost truth and do our best.
“Then. I’m sorry, but I’ll ask you again, Aide.
Let’s convey only the truth. Concisely.”
Since when did I ever ekly listen to the damn Emperor’s words? In any case, even if we only tell the truth, the people will naturally beco sufficiently enraged.
I handed the draft back to Claudia, and she accepted it willingly.
“Yes, yes. I’ll revise it for you.”
Nevertheless, if by so chance Germany tries to run wild again, I will just have to stop it with all my might. Even if I can’t do it with my strength alone, if my will is right, there will be many who will join .
How arrogant a thought it was to worry that Germany would naturally run wild if I didn’t do sothing. I wasn't the only one who could lead Germany down this path.
All I did was rally the seeds that were already sown in Germany, and from now on, I will have to strive together as one of its mbers.
Now is the ti to mourn those who fell in Tyrol, and to think about how to protect them.
But even before that—
“Ha, I’m sorry for showing you such a pathetic appearance, Aide.”
“Honestly, you were a little on the edge there.
I thought I was about to fall out of love.”
Ah, I can’t help but laugh.
You’re really rciless.
“I really do have the best aide.”
-
November 22, 1939
Northern Germany, Berlin, New Reich Chancellery (Neue Reichskanzlei)
[On March 15, 1938, Adolf Hitler declared in Vienna that no one could dare deny that Austria is German! I, too, was there to hear the Führer’s words and saw the scene of the Austrians’ ecstatic cheers!]
In the massive office of the Führer’s Residence, built to intimidate people while ignoring all practical functions, a radio broadcast was echoing.
[Once, we were all enthralled by the Führer’s promises and pledged our loyalty to him as a united Germany! But what was our reward! The Führer’s henchn, in order to start a war, raided the very German people they were supposed to protect! As if that wasn’t enough, they sold off Austria’s rightful territory, the land of the German people, Tyrol, to the invaders!]
The Führer, Hitler, was glaring at the radio, from which the new governnt’s broadcast was flowing, as if it were the hateful Schacht himself.
[Tyrol was set ablaze amidst the betrayal of the man who called himself the Führer of the German people and nation. The combat boots of the Italian invaders are, at this very mont, trampling on those who rose to defend their fatherland.
His Highness Prince Wilhelm, who stepped forward to save the compatriots of Greater Germany, also fell while fighting to the end!]
In front of Hitler’s desk, Franz Halder, Wilhelm Keitel, Hermann G??ring, and Alfred Jodl were swallowing dryly.
Hitler, remaining silent, gestured for the radio to be turned off.
[They were all proud people of Germany! While they fought for Germany’s freedom and fell to the Italian invaders, what did the Nazis, who claim to be the legitimate governnt of Germany, do! Everything they promised has been revealed to be a lie! Why must Germans shed blood for the sins they committed! It’s ti to end—]
When the radio was turned off, a deathly silence descended upon the Führer’s office.
In the silence, where the n present were swallowing dryly, a long ti passed before Hitler finally spoke.
“To lose the 14th Army without a decent battle, and to have less than half of the 10th Army left.”
Hitler seed calm at first glance.
It was hard to believe he was the sa man who had been steeped in pain, drugs, and anger.
“And those Italian bastards, our so-called ally, just shoot down imperial family mbers and turn cities into a sea of fire.”
Hitler let out a scoff and then spoke.
“If you have anything to say, say it.”
Halder, Keitel, Jodl, and G??ring all remained silent.
Hitler, who had seed calm until then, slamd his desk and shouted.
“I said, if you have anything to say, say it!!”
When still no one could speak, Hitler asked.
“…Where is Himmler?”
“Hi-Himmler is unreachable.
We are looking for him, but…”
As G??ring spoke, sweating coldly, Hitler retorted bluntly.
“Since when?”
“…It seems he disappeared after the 8th Army surrendered.”
Hitler, who had barely been maintaining his composure, began to tremble.
“Himmler, Himmler.
That bastard disappeared? That man who spoke as if he would be loyal to
for eternity?”
“I-I am deeply sorry, Your Excellency the Führ-”
Before G??ring could finish, Hitler shrieked as if having a seizure.
“Nothing but traitors! Filthy swindlers who talk about loyalty to my face but are just preparing to betray
behind my back!”
Hitler glared at Keitel with bloodshot eyes.
“What the hell have you done! I put you in the seat of the Supre Commander of the Wehrmacht, but what help have you been to !”
“I-I am sorry, Your Excellency, the Führer.”
It was Hitler himself who, agreeing with the evaluation that Keitel was just a figurehead, had appointed him, saying that was exactly the kind of talented individual he wanted.
Next, Halder, who received Hitler's rage-filled gaze, even flinched and stepped back.
“What the hell have those brilliant General Staff officers been doing! Where did all those bastards who said Poland was no problem go! Are they all dead and gone after betraying ? Losing without even putting up a proper fight against a rebel army made of second-line troops and volunteer soldiers! The German Military has beco the laughingstock of the world!”
“Y-Your Excellency, the Führer.
This is not just a problem of the military-”
“You’re just a bunch of losers with nothing left but your pride after being completely played by the enemy! What have you done to deserve to speak! Where has the great army of Greater Germany gone! To think I was planning to wage a war with idiots like you who only know how to strut around calling yourselves generals!”
Halder shut his mouth, his face filled with rage, and Alfred Jodl spoke up.
“With all due respect, Your Excellency, the Führer, the Army’s defeat is also due to the Air Force’s mistakes.
There are even rumors within the Army that the Air Force intentionally engaged in sabotage-”
“Shut up! What kind of outrageous remark is that!”
G??ring shouted, but Alfred Jodl glared at G??ring and said.
“Then are you telling
to believe that the entire Air Wing of the Air Force was scrambled and couldn't even delay the advance of a single armored division? They used the weather conditions as an excuse, but I hear the weather in Saxony was very clear during the operation!”
Hitler looked at G??ring with gleaming eyes and asked.
“Is this true?”
“Y-Your Excellency, the Führer! The Air Force’s loyalty is beyond question! There must have been so kind of mistake.”
As G??ring made excuses, sweating profusely, Hitler slumped back in his chair with a despondent look.
“I, I was a man truly prepared to lead this Germany, the German people, down the path of greatness. I was prepared to beco a great hero who would remain forever in German history.”
No one answered the Führer’s despondent words.
“I believed that the German people, as truly great Aryans, deserved to wipe out those inferior Judeo-Bolshevik bastards and beco the masters of the world!”
Hitler’s shout echoed through the room, which was excessively large for one man's office.
“I was betrayed. I was betrayed by the Germany to which I dedicated myself.
I was betrayed by the German people whom I was trying to make great. I was betrayed by the idiots who don't understand my subli ideal, my great will.”
Hitler tore at his hair, then looked at G??ring with bloodshot eyes.
“Those Italian bastards were right.
The traitors must be shown an example. Since Germany betrayed , it deserves to be punished.”
Hitler spoke to G??ring, who was swallowing dryly, as if spitting out the words.
“My Air Force Field Marshal, whom I trust more than anyone.
Do not disappoint
this ti.”
-
November 23, 1939
Northern Germany, near Berlin, a Luftwaffe Air Base Captain Adolf Galland was listening to what the large engineer was saying.
“So, you can’t repair it?”
“No, sir. I’m sorry, but we have no spare engines and no parts.
There’s nothing we can do at the mont.”
Adolf Galland looked up at his cherished plane, the Bf 109 fighter aircraft engraved with a Smoking Mickey Mouse, with a grim expression.
“It can’t be helped. Thanks for your hard work, though.”
“Not at all, Captain.”
The large engineer, with a rugged face, gave a broad grin and stepped back.
The Air Force hadn’t flown that many sorties during the civil war, but with the lack of parts procurent, aircraft were breaking down every ti they went out.
Wolfram von Richthofen let out a sigh that could have split the earth.
“The Air Force is in a sorry state, isn't it.”
As Richthofen was making that grim face, Werner M??lders ca to report.
“Major General. The Chief of the General Staff is on his way.”
“What?”
The Chief of the General Staff showing up like this without any prior notice? What a damn nuisance…
“Well, damn it! Assemble the troopers! Quickly!”
While Richthofen was barking out orders, Adolf Galland jeered from behind.
“The pri contributor who put the Air Force in this ss has arrived.”
“Galland, watch your mouth.”
M??lders nudged Galland in the side, but it wasn't just Galland; most of the front-line pilots of the Luftwaffe disliked Chief of the General Staff Hans Jeschonnek.
He was quite ignorant about supply managent, and before the civil war broke out, he was the one who had dismissed Richthofen’s request to move spare parts from the western air bases in preparation for a parts shortage during the invasion of Poland, claiming it was unnecessary for the ti being.
In front of the Luftwaffe troopers who had been forced to stop their work and co running because of the Chief of the General Staff’s sudden arrival, Richthofen called out.
“All units, attention!”
Chief of the General Staff Hans Jeschonnek had brought an unusual number of four SS troopers with him, and the Air Force personnel were looking on, wondering what was going on.
“To the Chief of the General Staff, salute!”
“Heil Hitler!”
“Ah, good work, all of you.
It's an ergency order.”
Jeschonnek casually returned the greeting and handed a set of written orders to Richthofen.
Richthofen wondered why the usually sedentary Chief of the General Staff was delivering the orders himself, tore it open, and frowned.
“…Bomb Frankfurt with incendiary bombs using the entire air wing, is that it?”
“That’s right.
It’s your specialty. His Excellency the Führer said that those Italian bastards only managed to burn half of Tyrol, but you would be more than capable of reducing it to ruins.”
Richthofen glanced at the completely agitated Luftwaffe troopers and looked back at Jeschonnek.
“Your Excellency, the Chief of the General Staff.
Frankfurt is a central city of Germany. With most of the rebel army at the front line, there are no proper tactical objectives there…”
“But it’s where the rebel army high command and the traitors who support them are.”
Richthofen clicked his tongue internally. So it’s finally co to this.
Hitler, who he had thought was a strong leader who would make Germany great, had completely beco a madman.
“Your Excellency, the Chief of the General Staff.
This war is lost anyway. Even if we burn Frankfurt now, nothing will change.”
Hearing Richthofen’s words, Jeschonnek silently gestured, and the SS troopers rushed forward to detain Richthofen.
“Y-Your Excellency, the Chief of the General Staff!”
While the Air Force personnel were in a state of confusion, Jeschonnek declared with a cold face.
“Wolfram von Richthofen. You are under arrest on the accusation of tacit approval of the Air Force's sabotage under the excuse of weather conditions.”
“Your Excellency, the Chief of the General Staff! I am loyal to the Air Force! Please let
see the Field Marshal! He would not follow such an insane order! Do you intend to make my innocent subordinates stand as criminals in their court of law!”
Richthofen cried out desperately, but Jeschonnek’s reply was concise.
“The order to arrest you if you do not obey the command cos from that very Air Force Field Marshal.”
While Richthofen was in shock and unable to say a word, Jeschonnek nodded his head.
“Take him away.”
As the SS troopers were about to drag Richthofen away, a man blocked their path.
“What are you?”
The large chanic who had been servicing Adolf Galland's cherished plane a mont ago, with a grim face, grinned, and kicked the SS trooper in the abdon.
“Ugh!”
As the man naturally doubled over in severe pain, the chanic snatched the Kar98k rifle he was carrying on his back.
“What, you crazy bastard!”
Before the other SS trooper could even release his own gun, the chanic’s rifle spat fire.
Imdiately after, the two remaining SS troopers aid their guns at the chanic and fired, but the chanic used the first SS trooper he had struck as a shield to block the shots.
While the SS troopers, who had shot their own comrade, faltered in shock, the chanic dropped to the ground, reloaded his rifle, and shot down another SS trooper.
“Uh, uhh!”
Three n were down in an instant, and the last remaining SS trooper tried to pull the bolt with a trembling hand, but the chanic was faster to reload and fire again.
It all happened in less than ten seconds, and everyone failed to react, until Jeschonnek belatedly started shouting and running away.
“T-T-Traitors! The Air Force is committing treason! His Excellency the Führer won’t let you get away with th- Ack!”
Jeschonnek, while fleeing, was hit in the back with the Kar98k rifle and collapsed, writhing in pain.
“Uh, uhhhh….”
While everyone in the Air Force, including Richthofen, was in a state of shock, the chanic stood up, dusted the dirt off his chanic's uniform, and smiled faintly with his rugged face.
“Are you alright, Major General?”
“I-I’m fine.
Thank you. But, who are you?”
As Richthofen, who had belatedly co to his senses, asked, the chanic dragged the still-writhing Jeschonnek by the scruff of his neck like a child and answered.
“I am Otto Skorzeny, an employee of a partner company working as a Luftwaffe chanic, Major General.”
“Ah, I rejected your pilot application…”
“Because I was too tall, and too old to start training, you said.”
Hearing Skorzeny’s words, Richthofen looked at the scene with a despondent face. Four corpses.
A crowd of Luftwaffe troopers looking only at him.
“W-well, thank you for your help anyway.”
“Traitors! How dare you, Aaaaargh! H-Help ! Please help !”
As soon as Richthofen expressed his gratitude, Jeschonnek, who had been cursing, quickly started screaming and begging for his life as Skorzeny applied pressure.
Richthofen looked toward Berlin, where G??ring, the old hero of the Air Force whom he admired so much, would be, and let out a hollow laugh.
“Ha, hahaha. Damn it.
Are there any among you who will remain and continue to be loyal to that damn Führer?”
“None, sir!”
The Luftwaffe troopers answered Richthofen’s question in unison with an imdiate answer.
Feeling his chest, which had been tight no matter how much he drank, finally clear up for the first ti in a long while, he laughed and shouted.
“Alright, then bring every plane that can fly! Ditch the bombs and armant and load up the chanics and the troopers without aircraft! Luftwaffe, we take to the skies for Frankfurt!”
“Sir!”
Reviews
All reviews (0)