Chapter 26 - Free Face

August 15, 1913.

German Emperor Wilhelm II awarded Hilde the rank of Imperial Major.

This speed of promotion is really beyond everyone's imagination. Even William II's son did not have such a speed of promotion. William II's youngest daughter, Princess Victoria Louise, only had an honorary military rank of the Red Cross, while Hilde had the real rank of major in the army.

In fact, William II originally wanted to give other things, such as manors or land.

But Hield doesn't want it.

Hilde only wanted a military rank, not even a military position.

There was no reason for William II not to give it.

After all, Hilde was a major in Bulgaria, and it would be unacceptable if he had no military rank in Germany.

certainly.

This military rank has more political significance than identity significance.

It symbolizes the support of German Emperor Wilhelm II for Hilde.

This also told almost all the hawks and doves in Germany that William II would support the hawks. Although everyone had long known that William II himself was the biggest hawk, this time William II expressed his will.

He didn't even need to give any orders.

The German Empire must revolve around his will.

Imperial Chancellery.

Notice was issued at 55 Wilhelm Street.

Demand an immediate ceasefire in the Balkans.

This can be regarded as a sign that the empire is beginning to turn around. After all, it is impossible to intervene in the Balkans and directly start mobilizing for war. Even the doves in the empire have to slowly change their positions and readjust to their new identities. War is not an easy thing.

Even organizations like trade unions had to sign the Castle Treaty together, which meant that when the war started, all trade unions would stop strikes and other activities until the war ended.

However, it also made others doubt Hilde's identity.

From Hilde's perspective.

It was Prince Eitel who took him to meet William II.

But it's a completely different story from other people's perspectives.

According to the normal process, yes.

The doves and hawks negotiate with each other, and then reach a situation acceptable to both sides, and then go to Hilde.

The current situation is.

After Hilde returned from Bulgaria, she moved directly into the Palace of Sans Souci. The next day, Prince Eitel came with

Hilde went to the Berlin Palace, and Crown Prince William also rushed to the Berlin Palace. To outsiders, this meeting turned into a German royal banquet.

the next day.

Emperor William II clearly supported Hilde.

It is hard not to think that Hilde is the illegitimate daughter of William II.

And the most important thing.

Almost all newspapers and forces received a message from the Berlin Palace.

Stop investigating any news about Hilde.

There's nothing wrong with investigating Hilde, but if the investigation reaches the emperor, it would be fatal.

This makes people have to doubt Hilde's identity even more.

However, the German Imperial Chancellery issued a Balkan warning.

The Russian Empire and British Whitehall followed suit with warnings.

Peace is the biggest theme in today's world.

On the surface, it seemed to echo Germany's call for peace in the Balkans, but in reality it was a warning to Germany not to send troops to interfere in the Balkans.

certainly.

The German Imperial War Ministry is also considering, since it intends to intervene in the Balkans, to what extent it should intervene and how much resources it should provide to Bulgaria. In theory, this will be discussed with the Bulgarian ambassador.

But Hilde went straight back to Bulgaria.

This attitude made the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of War somewhat dissatisfied, and meant that Hilde would directly decide the extent of aid Germany would provide to Bulgaria.

But I can't say it.

Because Hilde's attitude represents the attitude of William II.

August 20, 1913.

Major Hildegard of the German Reich arrives in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria.

Bulgaria.

Sophia.

Sofia Palace.

In addition to General Bello, Prince Eitel of the German Empire also arrived with Hilde. Theoretically, it was a bit outrageous for a prince to go to a battlefield like the Balkans, but since he was a prince of Prussia, it was normal.

This time Hilde changed into a German military uniform.

Because he has reached the rank of major, the uniform is naturally different from that of ordinary officers. This is why the German Army Logistics Department worked overtime overnight to make it for Hilde. However, in the eyes of the German Army Logistics Department, Hilde will never go to the front line, so the uniform was not designed according to conventional military uniforms, but was designed to look good.

She wore a white shirt and a black corset on her upper body, with an iron cross decoration on her chest. The corset made her chest look particularly impactful.

For better breathability in the hot Balkans.

The shoulders were deliberately opened to reveal the snow-white skin. If Hilde raised her hands, she should be able to see her armpits and side breasts.

Obviously, they didn't consider at all whether it would be inconvenient in war.

The lower body is a black miniskirt, black stockings, and black high-heeled boots, outlining Hilde's slender legs.

There is also a military jacket.

When you put it on, it's actually no different from an ordinary military uniform.

But it's still August, so it's impossible to wear such a thick coat.

dragon bookshelf

Prince Eitel standing in Sophia Square.

He said to Hilde and General Bello.

"Go in, I'll wait for you outside."

Hilde asked back.

"Aren't you going to go in?

"I am only here as an expatriate military officer in Bulgaria, not on a diplomatic visit as a prince.

Don't mind me."

"Do you hate being a prince so much?"

"I can't say I hate it, but this identity does give me a lot of trouble. Maybe being a soldier on the front line is not a good thing.

It suits me better."

Hilde smiled.

"In that case, Lieutenant Colonel Eitel, I have a mission for you."

"Please give me your orders."

Prince Eitel said in cooperation.

"Please support the Bulgarian First Army immediately."

"How many soldiers can I take with me?"

"None."

Prince Eitel smiled wryly.

"Has anyone ever told you that you are good at making things difficult for others?"

"My knight will win the victory for me."

"Yes, my princess."

Prince Eitel placed his right hand on his chest and knelt on one knee to perform the knight's salute to Hilde.

The First Army that Hilde mentioned was the army that was directly confronting Serbia on the northwestern border of Bulgaria.

Asking Prince Eitel to support the First Army did not really mean that he would play an important role in the military. His main purpose was to save the morale of the First Army, which was about to collapse, and to remind Serbia that the German Empire had officially intervened in the war.

It was different from the love he had for Princess Victoria Louise, but a feeling of why Hilde was not his son.

General Bello standing by didn't say a word from beginning to end.

As for the royal affairs, General Bello could only stay away and he could not interfere.

General Bello also doesn't know who Hilde is.

He only knew that the German Emperor liked the little girl very much.

Yes.

not daughter

But a son.

When Hilde and General Bello entered the Sophia Palace.

In the eyes of others, Bulgaria has successfully defended the five-nation coalition's plan for a quick victory and the war has come to a stalemate. However, only the Bulgarians themselves know that the Balkan troops on the battlefields across the board are on high alert and can only relax a little, or even go wrong in one place.

It will fall into a state of total collapse.

It is impossible to say that Ferdinand I was not anxious, but as a king he had to maintain his image.

General Bello was the first to salute Ferdinand I.

"The noble King of Bulgaria descends."

Ferdinand I nodded.

Hilde did not salute directly, but asked.

"Your Majesty, would you like me to come to you as a Bulgarian soldier or as a German ambassador?"

"German Ambassador!*

Ferdinand I said with a frown.

This is good news for Bulgaria.

It was not good news for Ferdinand I. For the soldiers on the front line of the war, Hilde was Silis.

The War Princess of Terra is very popular among ordinary soldiers.

system.

What's more.

Because of Hilde's German identity, even King Ferdinand I was helpless.

Unless Ferdinand I does not want German aid.

Apparently.

This is not possible.

Hilde smiled.

She performed a symbolic skirt-lifting salute towards Ferdinand I. This symbolism did not have any special meaning such as being rude, it was just that Hilde was wearing a short skirt, and if she really performed the skirt-lifting salute, she would be exposed.

"Your Majesty, the King of Bulgaria."

"I will not mention useless formalities. I think you have obtained enough aid for Bulgaria."

"Yes."

"How many troops is Germany willing to send?"

"Germany is not suitable for a major war under the current circumstances, which may cause fear in other countries, but Germany is willing to provide some logistical assistance t

o Bulgaria."

"How many?"

"all."

Ferdinand I took a deep breath and continued to ask.

"What's the price?"

"There's no price."

"What did you say?"

"Your Majesty, the King of Bulgaria, I mean, there is no cost, absolutely free of charge."