"Your Excellency! His Imperial Majesty of the German Empire demands that the Government of the Island Nation immediately return the territories it has unlawfully occupied from the Empire. Furthermore, the Island Nation must compensate the Empire with one hundred million marks for the damages it has caused by its actions. The Empire also categorically rejects the Island Nation's request to join the Allies. Additionally, the Empire strongly advises your government to abandon its greedy ambitions. The British colonies in the Far East are soon to become part of the Empire. Should your government dare to attack these territories, they will incur the full wrath of the Empire!" Jacob stood before Uchida Kōya, exuding an air of arrogant authority.
Uchida Kōya's face turned ashen; despite his best efforts to remain composed, the situation left him unable to control his emotions. Though he had long anticipated that the Island Nation's demands would be rejected, he had not foreseen such a scornful and unforgiving response from the Germans. This was an utter humiliation for the government of the Island Nation.
Having delivered the Emperor's response with haughty finality, Jacob turned and exited, his back to the seething diplomat.
"Damned Germans! How dare they insult us and look down on us! One day, you will pay for this!" Uchida Kōya seethed through clenched teeth.
The unrelenting rejection and humiliation from the German government left him furious. He knew that once this news reached home, the reaction would be volatile. After the Island Nation's rise through two wars, the confidence of its people had grown overwhelming. It was clear that they would not hesitate to go to war with Germany. Of course, Germany and the Island Nation were already in a state of war, but this time the ambition of the Island Nation was far greater. They were planning an attack on the British colonies, a move that would undoubtedly enrage the Germans. The outcome of such an action was unknown, but Uchida Kōya feared the might of Germany. Could the Island Nation repeat its victory over Russia and defeat Germany? If victorious, they would soar to dominance in the Far East. But if they failed, the hard-earned achievements of the Meiji Restoration might come crashing down.
"May Amaterasu-sama bless us and grant us victory over this formidable foe once again!" Uchida Kōya sighed deeply before dispatching a telegram to the homeland, detailing his encounter with the Germans.
Upon receiving the telegram, Foreign Minister Kato Takaaki was left dumbstruck.
"Baka! Damn those Germans—they are humiliating the Empire!" Kato Takaaki roared in anger. Although he had anticipated that Germany would not allow the Island Nation to meddle in its soon-to-be victories, he had assumed they would ignore the Island Nation's actions, given their geographical distance. Yet now, Germany had not only rejected them outright but issued a stern warning. For the proud Island Nation, this was an insult beyond measure.
After reading the telegram, Kato Takaaki rushed to the Prime Minister's office to report the matter to Prime Minister Ōkuma Shigenobu.
Ōkuma's face darkened when he heard the news.
"Kato, it seems we have overestimated the Germans. We thought they would silently tolerate this, but their response was far more forceful than we ever imagined. Now we are in trouble!" Ōkuma said, a grave look settling on his face.
"Indeed, Prime Minister. The Germans have explicitly warned us. If we attack British colonies again, they will not let us off lightly. A major war is now inevitable," Kato Takaaki said.
Ōkuma furrowed his brows. While he believed the Island Nation's military was no weakling, Germany's formidable military power was renowned worldwide. This left him uncertain about the outcome. If war broke out between the Island Nation and Germany, would they be able to prevail? A victory would be a triumph, but failure would devastate the Island Nation's rise. The dream of becoming a world power might vanish in an instant.
"Call the other cabinet ministers together and discuss this matter," Ōkuma instructed.
"Prime Minister, should we not involve the elders as well? We may need their counsel," Kato Takaaki suggested.
Ōkuma nodded. "Indeed. Have everyone meet at Lord Yamagata's residence. The meeting will be held there."
Half an hour later, the five cabinet ministers and five elders gathered in the study of Yamagata Aritomo.
"Kato, please explain the situation to everyone," Ōkuma instructed.
"Yes, Prime Minister," Kato Takaaki replied with a nod.
"Esteemed elders, the Germans have formally rejected our request to join the Allies. They have demanded the return of their colonies and compensation of one hundred million marks for the damages. Furthermore, they have warned us not to attack British colonies, claiming those territories as their own. Should we disregard their warning, they will send troops to punish us!" Kato Takaaki relayed.
"Baka!"
The assembly of Island Nation officials erupted in outrage. The more hot-headed among them began to curse vehemently.
"Damn those Germans! The Empire fought alongside them against the British and even agreed to return their colonies, yet they repay us with such disrespect. They clearly look down on the Empire. We cannot let this stand!" Minister of the Army, Okamichi Isao, shouted angrily.
"It seems our hopes of leveraging the opportunity to join the Allies and seize British colonies in the Far East are now dashed. And worse, the Germans are now focusing their attention on us. This is no small matter," said Ōyama Iwao.
"So, what do we do now?" Yamagata Aritomo asked, his expression dark and full of fury. It was clear to all that he was struggling to keep his temper in check.
"We cannot yield to the Germans. Since they refuse to let us join the Allies, we shall not return their colonies. Compensation is out of the question. And even if they threaten us with war, what does that matter? If war comes to the Far East, we will have the home-field advantage and may very well defeat them!" Okamichi Isao proclaimed eagerly.**