There Is No Schlieffen in the German Empire

1 – Episode 1: The Withdrawal of Shurifen (1)

It was November 1919, the empire that had dominated the European continent since the Boer War met its demise. The twilight of the empire was neither beautiful nor sad. It was simply filled with a bitter aftertaste.

“Your Majesty, the oath of the flag has become mere words. Please make a decision for the nation.”

The military leaders in power recommended my abdication to absolve themselves of responsibility. If I hadn’t cleaned up their mess, they would have been unemployed a year ago.

I have already witnessed this spectacle twice.

And now, I am about to relive this tiresome time.

“Confirming the fall of the German Empire. Restarting the game according to the automatic settings.”

The voice of the electronic maid resonated in the third world for the third time.

Finally, on a rare weekend, right after starting up the highly acclaimed game “The Honor of Steel,” I found myself trapped in this wretched world. It would be nice if there was some sign of an end, but there was no end in sight.

I wish I knew the reason or at least understood the language.

All I know about this world is that when a nation collapses, I return to square one and witness this dreadful monochrome world once again.

Sigh. If I had known it would turn out like this, I wouldn’t have chosen Germany right before the First World War. Seriously.

The German Empire I chose was a country that was completely isolated on the international stage, having become an enemy to the world. Even if it was considered a major power in the early 20th century, achieving world domination under these circumstances was close to impossible. No, it’s a fact that they couldn’t even survive the world war where the fate of the empire was at stake.

“Player connection confirmed. Setting the stage.”

With the stern voice of the electronic maid, the color of nature spread in the lifeless world. Various hues permeated objects, transforming the surroundings from black and white pictures to actual space.

“Synchronization with the selected character begins.”

At the same time as her voice, character information appeared on the right side of my vision.

＜Subject: Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor August, the target.

You are the legitimate son and heir of the Hohenzollern royal family, entrusted with the duty to build a mighty imperial power as the ruler of Prussia-German Empire. Hail, Kaiser. May you reign over the world.＞

Once again, I am faced with the damn quest for world domination.

Strictly speaking, it wasn’t about conquering the world, but rather about gaining dominance for Germany over the major countries on Earth and establishing Pax Germanica. But that was the goal that made me want to crush everything, so it was the same.

However, I couldn’t settle down here and give up playing. Living in an era dominated by war and madness is terrible, even if it means ruling over others.

“I need to get rid of useless thoughts.”

I shook my head and started contemplating a new strategy.

“Anyway, the methods I’ve used so far won’t work. It might be better to go back to square one and start by revising the Schlieffen Plan.”

Until now, I had been aiming to clear the game by taking different actions at decisive turning points in world history. Moving in this way was advantageous because it allowed me to make the most of the knowledge I possessed.

However, the Schlieffen Plan had many weaknesses beyond the advantage of being able to use historical facts.

From the very basic premise of the operation, which involved invading the neutral country of Belgium, it inevitably made the British Empire, which was concerned about the security of the Low Countries, an enemy.

Of course, considering the fact that Britain and Germany had seen each other as virtual enemies even before the war, there was a good possibility that Germany would have to face British participation even without directly attacking the Low Countries.

However, if Germany were to include Britain in the list of belligerent nations from the beginning of the war, the price Germany would have to pay would be too high.

In the previous episode alone, due to being blockaded by the British Navy and not having enough stockpiled supplies necessary for conducting the war, Germany suffered a significant blow to its industrial power. The food shortage and large-scale unemployment problems that became the catalyst for the German Revolution were also consequences of the naval blockade.

But if I didn’t carry out the Schlieffen Plan, I would have to be prepared to give up the initiative in the war and most of the tactical achievements that could be reaped in the western front. The fact that France could continue the war with its military forces and industrial power intact was definitely not something to be taken lightly.

“However, it’s not easy to change the game by forcing the Schlieffen Plan. It would be more reasonable to try a new approach at this point.”

After much deliberation, I concluded that I would abandon the Schlieffen Plan.

“Synchronization complete. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Play.”

Soon, as the countdown ended, time began to flow. I took a deep breath after confirming that my limbs moved as intended. Then, I pushed open the door in front of me.

“His Majesty is entering.”

The court official announced the arrival of the Kaiser.

Upon hearing this, the generals dressed in ceremonial uniforms stood up together to greet the Kaiser. This was the venue for the conference that would determine the “Western European Invasion” of the Kingdom of Prussia-German Empire.

As I took my seat, the generals also sat down.

The military officials of the rank of lieutenant general brought the baton prepared in advance and explained the current situation of the German army, pointing to the symbols on the map placed on the table. After his brief explanation, the bald man sitting among the generals requested the floor.

I knew him well.

Field Marshal Moltke.

Born in 1848, Helmuth Johannes Ludwig von Moltke, the nephew of the great Moltke, one of the two main figures in German unification, was a figure like a symbol of von Yunker, who became the Chief of Staff without going through the position of staff officer thanks to the glory of his uncle.

At the same time, he was also a central figure pushing forward the Schlieffen Plan.

“Your Majesty, I know you have intentions for peace, but the current situation is irreversible. If we stop the Schlieffen operation now, all the plans, from railway transportation to troop deployment, will be in disarray and lead to self-destruction. Will the enemy just sit back and watch? Our vanguard has crossed the Luxembourg border. Even if the Empire shows a belated mobilization, the negotiating side will not believe in our goodwill. Please issue an order to stop the operation.”

When Moltke argued for the resumption of the operation, the von Yunker also supported him.

“Your Majesty, everything has already been done. We have come too far to retreat. Please resume it.”

I could see in the eyes of the von Yunker who had been carried away by the decisive moment that they were looking down on the Kaiser, who had always been indecisive.

But Kaiser Wilhelm II, the indecisive monarch remembered by the von Yunker of Prussia, is dead. I didn’t step back like that idiot, do you think I’ll do as you wish?

“Acts of crossing the border without my approval will be considered disobedience. Mobilize immediately from Luxembourg.”

Moltke’s eyes widened as if struck by lightning.

All the Prussian generals expressed expressions of disbelief that a death sentence had been passed on the Schlieffen operation.

After a while, Moltke stood up from his seat and spoke loudly.

“Your Majesty, I dare to speak at the risk of my position. If Your Majesty commands to abandon the Schlieffen plan, I cannot perform the crucial duty of defending my homeland. If we cannot proceed with the operation, please dismiss me from my position.”

“If you say so, I will grant you an honorable dismissal. I will not forget the efforts of the generals who have dedicated themselves to the empire.”

I accepted Moltke’s resignation as if waiting.

The generals were astonished.

They couldn’t imagine that I would accept Moltke’s resignation just like that, as if waiting, when it was a sign that they couldn’t abandon the Schlieffen plan and had betrayed the emperor.

Honestly, it wasn’t a difficult decision. Even if I cut off Moltke, there were plenty of people in the military who could replace him.

“If you have nothing to say, you may leave now, gentlemen.”

In this unexpected situation, the generals hesitated for a moment.

However, in a situation where the Chief of the General Staff had made it clear that he would not reverse the decision even if his throat was cut, they had no choice.

“It’s finally over.”

As they left, the office became quiet.

I thought I had barely made it through.

It would be great if I could avoid war and buy more time here, but unfortunately, that possibility did not exist. It was an irreversible situation, as the Junkers had said, even beyond the “final ultimatum”.

“But not Schlieffen.”

*

I decided to inform the government about Schlieffen’s abandonment.

The exchange operator connected the call, and before long, the second-in-command of the German Empire, Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg, was on the line.

Bethmann-Hollweg, as the first bourgeois to become Chancellor of the Empire, was a moderate figure compared to the military. Unlike the Junkers who had monopolized the Chancellorship, he was willing to acknowledge the need to modify the policy of diplomatic hardline.

But even this Bethmann-Hollweg showed a reaction no different from the military when he conveyed the intention to retract the Schlieffen Plan. The self-proclaimed moderate German was still a German. It seemed that the blood of the warrior nation had awakened in the face of an impending war.

“Your Majesty, it is impossible for Britain to stand against us just because of a mere piece of paper. As soon as our final ultimatum is delivered to King Albert I of Belgium, he will allow us passage without any resistance.”

It’s a way of thinking that is allowed for the warrior nation Germans.

Which country in the world opens the road after receiving a final ultimatum?

Even Korea, which was demanded to open the Joseon Strait by the Japanese, didn’t open the road for the 160,000 Japanese soldiers. So why would Belgium clear the way?

Let’s say Belgium does. They are a small country after all.

But what about Britain?

“Kyung, you underestimate the British. If we touch Belgium, isn’t there a risk of British intervention?”

“Your Majesty, London’s determination for war is not firm. According to the report from the Foreign Ministry, Britain has informed the French side that they have no intention of carrying out the Anglo-French negotiations. We must consider that Britain is not prepared to shed blood for France.”

More precisely, shouldn’t we say that the British government is hesitating in its response?

I bit my tongue at the Prime Minister’s pathetic analysis.

“That information was confirmed through unofficial channels, sir. If we invade Belgium, Britain will intervene.”

It was information I learned from the previous meeting. And whether it’s sh*t or soybean paste, you can’t tell until you taste it. Are those British fellows just going to sit back and watch, even after guaranteeing independence?

A pirate nation that wages war even if their own people’s ears are cut off, even if their flag is pulled down, even if they get caught selling opium?

Betmanholbeck took a step back from his claim that Britain would not intervene when I strongly pushed forward.

However, the conclusion was clear: we had to attack Schlieffen.

“If Your Majesty says so… the risks of carrying out the Schlieffen Plan are significant. If we can achieve victory within 6 weeks, the British expeditionary force can be considered an insignificant variable.”

If we can achieve victory within 6 weeks, like Nazi Germany.

But realistically, that was an impossible story. The current Germany lacked many elements necessary for a blitzkrieg. There were too many things missing, such as tanks, radios, trucks, and Stuka dive-bombers.

Even if we can occupy Paris within 6 weeks, it doesn’t guarantee ultimate victory. In the first place, the military did not present an alternative plan for what to do if France continued to resist after the occupation of Paris. And considering that the Schlieffen Plan was based on the assumption of British non-intervention, it was a fundamentally flawed premise.

When I pointed out the parts of the Schlieffen Plan that were like jumping over a snake’s hole, the Prime Minister couldn’t counter. Even in his own thinking, that part left no room for excuses.

The Prime Minister hesitated and presented a cunning argument.

“Even if we respect Belgium’s neutrality, there is no guarantee that Britain will not intervene, is there? If they do not intend to ignore both the Anglo-French and Anglo-Russian negotiations, we cannot be optimistic that they will never intervene. In that case, the Schlieffen Plan, which guarantees clear benefits, is strategically advantageous for the Empire.”

As Betmanholbeck said, if we execute Schlieffen and the German army pushes forward to the outskirts of Paris, we can seize 40% of France’s industrial capacity. Just achieving that much would give us the upper hand in negotiations with Russia and France, as the previous meeting had proven.

“Jim has no intention of starting a war. He especially dislikes turning Britain into an enemy.”

I made it clear that I did not want to confront the Tripartite Negotiations as a whole.

Betmanholbeck, who thought that the invasion of Belgium was absolutely necessary, also agreed with my policy. With this, Berlin’s political will was settled by abandoning the Schlieffen Plan.

“Negotiate with Belgium and Britain, among others, to convince them to remain neutral and not participate in the war. We must do whatever it takes diplomatically to prevent the hostile nations from increasing in number.”

At the same time, I ordered the aftermath of the suspended Schlieffen Plan to be addressed.

If we were to leave Britain and Belgium, whose resentment had intensified due to the “Luxembourg Invasion Ceasefire,” alone and let them side with France, we would lose all the benefits we had hoped for from abandoning the Schlieffen Plan. It was a necessary measure.

After discussing closely with Bethmann-Hollweg and putting down the telephone receiver, August 1st had already passed.

The first day of the 4th phase had passed like that.

* * *

1) The 5 major powers in Europe jointly guaranteed the neutrality and independence of Belgium in the London Treaty. Although the Kingdom of Prussia also signed this treaty, it did not become a significant consideration in the military strategy of the German Empire.