xymnovel Chapter 57 Your Germany has no future, unless... look to the Mediterranean!
Chapter 57 Your Germany has no future, unless... look to the Mediterranean!
The fireplace inside the cabin was burning brightly, the flames licking the dry pine wood and crackling loudly.
Outside, it was a world of ice and snow, but inside it was as warm as summer.
Prince William's voice was colder than the wind outside, carrying the unquestionable authority unique to the heir to the throne.
"...Why should I have a seat at the poker table of the German Empire?"
This problem is like a sharp, icy knife, piercing straight to the heart.
It stripped away all pretense, all formalities, and all the warmth brought by blood ties.
This is the most blatant question.
Regarding strength, regarding value.
Alexandros stood behind Constantine, his palms already sweating. He could feel the atmosphere in the cabin suddenly become tense.
Constantine did not answer immediately.
He untied his black briefcase, his movements unhurried, as if he were organizing documents in his own study.
Prince William just stared at him, arms crossed, chin slightly raised, his sharp eyes, belonging to the Hohenzollern family, filled with scrutiny and impatience.
He awaited Constantine's explanation, his promises, and his empty rhetoric of "friendship" and "loyalty," just like all other envoys from weak nations.
Constantine did not speak.
He took a long, rectangular scroll from his briefcase and gently placed it on the heavy oak desk.
Then, in front of Prince William, he slowly unfurled the scroll.
squeak--
The drawing paper rubbed against the table, making a slight sound.
As the blueprints were unfolded, a steel behemoth, brimming with violence and beauty, that had never existed in this world before, roared into Prince William's eyes!
That doesn't look like any ironclad warship today.
The ship's hull is long, simple, and exudes a powerful presence.
A towering, monolithic, castle-like bridge.
What's most terrifying and subversive is its weaponry!
There were no messy secondary guns, and no superfluous decorations.
Five massive, twin-mounted main gun turrets, like the spine of an ancient giant, are all arranged along the ship's central axis!
Two are in front, one is in the middle, and two are behind.
This means that when the warship is facing the enemy on its broadside, it can simultaneously point all ten of its massive, devastating main guns at the same target!
Prince William's breath caught in his throat the moment the blueprints were fully unfurled.
He was obsessed with the navy and studied the warships of all the world's powerful nations.
He had never seen such a crazy, yet...perfect design!
His eyes were fixed on the blueprint.
My gaze slid from the simple bow of the ship over the row of breathtaking turrets, and finally landed on the line of text below the blueprints, marked in both Greek and German.
Steam turbine drive
Maximum speed: 21 knots
[Unified main gun caliber: 305 mm]
Prince William's body leaned forward slightly, almost touching the cold paper.
A speed of 21 knots!
This means it is at least 3 knots faster than the fastest British battleship!
In naval warfare, this is the difference between life and death!
A unified 305mm main gun!
This means that it possesses a range and shell power that surpasses all warships of this era!
"What...what is this?"
For the first time, Prince William's voice trembled uncontrollably. He didn't even notice that he had lowered his arms, completely captivated by the steel monster before him.
Constantine finally spoke, his voice as calm as if he were introducing an ordinary work of art.
"This is my immature idea about future naval warfare."
His finger lightly touched the menacing outline of the turret on the blueprint.
"A unified large-caliber main gun, capable of firing beyond the enemy's range. High speed, allowing for free choice of engagement position, pursuit or escape from any enemy. Thick, comprehensive armor, designed to withstand artillery fire of the same class."
He looked up and met Prince William's gaze, which was filled with shock.
"A weapon that could turn all the active battleships of the Royal Navy into obsolete scrap metal overnight."
The words "obsolete scrap metal" exploded like a bomb in Prince William's mind!
He wanted to refute it, to ridicule this wild idea.
But as he looked at the undeniable, logically sound aesthetics of violence on the blueprints, every word of rebuttal stuck in his throat.
As a naval enthusiast, he knew better than anyone what it would mean once such a warship became a reality.
This means that the maritime hegemony that the British have painstakingly built up over a century will be brought back to the same starting line in an instant!
This means that Germany, this giant trapped on land, will have an unparalleled opportunity to truly venture into the deep blue sea!
Prince William was completely stunned.
But he is, after all, the future successor of Germany.
After a few seconds of distraction, he suddenly sat up straight, forced himself back in his chair, and resumed his arrogant posture.
"A very interesting fantasy, Connie."
The voice remained arrogant, but upon closer listening, one could detect a subtle undercurrent of bravado masking underlying weakness.
"But you must remember, warships are made of steel and gold, not drawn with ink and paper."
William's gaze sharpened, becoming incisive.
"And Greece has neither steel nor gold."
This is a fact.
A cruel reality that cannot be avoided.
Constantine carefully rolled up the blueprint that would drive any naval commander mad and put it back in his briefcase.
He knew the seed had been planted. It wasn't time for it to sprout yet.
"Your Highness is right."
A slight smile appeared on Constantine's face.
"So today, I'm not here to sell you an unrealistic fantasy."
He took another document out of his briefcase.
A thick report, wrapped in a dark blue folder.
Constantine did not open it, but placed it directly on the table in front of Prince William.
"Your Highness, I believe that you should not be the first reader of this document."
Prince William frowned.
Constantine continued, his tone calm yet resolute.
"Even His Majesty the German Emperor should not be mentioned."
The atmosphere inside the cabin became heavy again.
Alexandros' heart nearly jumped out of his throat.
crazy!
His Highness the Crown Prince must be insane!
He actually dared to say such treasonous things in front of Prince William!
Prince William's face instantly darkened.
Those sharp eyes no longer held scrutiny, but instead blamed with anger at being offended.
Constantine seemed oblivious to the change in his expression, and simply tapped the blue folder lightly with his finger.
"This document should only have one first reader."
"The owner of 76 William Street".
76 William Street!
The Chancellor's Residence of the German Empire!
Otto von Bismarck's heart of power!
This statement is no longer an implication, but a blatant declaration.
You, Prince William, are not qualified to see this report!
This is an extremely clever form of "offense".
It was like a resounding slap in the face, striking Prince William's extremely proud pride.
At the same time, it was like a mysterious, locked treasure chest, instantly arousing his deepest competitive spirit and curiosity.
What kind of document was it that Constantine insisted on presenting directly to the "Iron Chancellor," risking angering himself?
Prince William's fist clenched silently under the table.