In awe of Bismarck's genius, I simply stare at him dazed.
"What are you doing just staring like that."
"Apologies your excellency I was a bit dazed by your amazing insight."
"Hmm... don't worry about it, it doesn't matter if you're unable to process my thoughts, just think of it as the rambling of an old man."
I quickly shake my head and reply to him excitedly.
"That's not it your excellency, I agree with you wholeheartedly, for as long nothing changes I believe that what you say will certainly come true. I was just shocked that I've met someone who shares my anxieties."
"Hmmm... really?"
"Truly your excellency, but may I ask what you think about how this prophesized war will pan out?"
"That. Hmm.. how about you? What are your thoughts?"
Seeing Bismarck's curious gaze, I assume that he's testing me, so I reply earnestly.
"I think the war you said will become a Great War, a war so devastating that it will reshape not only Europe's borders, but its ideas, governments, and people's way of life."
"Continue."
"Ever since the advent of the Gatling gun, weapons are only getting more and more deadly. Industry and technology are advancing at a rapid pace. Railways cover the empire like a spiderweb, increasing the speed and size of the country's mobilization capabilities."
"People are still stuck in the idea that the wars of the future will still be fought in a manner similar to that of the Franco-Prussian war."
"In said war the total amount of men deployed in the field combined more than one and a half million men. That was our capacity nearly three decades ago, how much more now? And how much more in the future?"
"If you combine the future mobilization potentials of each major power, weapons like the Maxim machine gun, the devastation and casualties of said future war will be enormous. In my opinion it wouldn't be surprising if a few years of fighting such a war would exceed the casualties of the entirety of the Napoleonic & French Revolutionary wars."
"Hmm... surely if such a war breaks out casualties will be enormous, but in my opinion before the devastation snowballs, the governments of each side would try to end it."
"I disagree your excellency, I think that because the casualties and devastation are so enormous, each nation's government will have no choice but to continue fighting until a final victor."
"Continue."
"France for example, as a democratic country will have no choice but to keep fighting until the day they receive the German surrender, or until they exhaust themselves so much that they are unable to keep going. The British will be in a similar position, but they have more flexibility since they are detached from mainland Europe. Meanwhile Germany and Russia will need to continue in order to prevent the collapse of their respective regimes."
"Why are Germany and Russia's regimes at stake?"
"Your excellency the times show that the future of government will be dictated by the will of the people. If millions of citizens lives are lost for naught, their resentment will be so bad it will require a regime change. At least in the empire the Kaiser's prestige is great so it'll probably only end in abdication, but in Russia it may end up with the dissolution of the monarchy all together."
"So each side will have no choice but to keep fighting, either for the nation's survival or in order keep their respective seats."
"Yes your excellency."
"Interesting."
After that, Bismarck and I continued talking throughout the day. His gaze towards me became softer the more we talked. By the end of our conversation he pretty much started treating me like his own grandson.
"Let's finish up with this."
"Alright your excellency."
"Hahaha stop calling me in such a rigid manner, call me Grandpa Otto."
"Ummmm... alright.. Grandpa Otto."
After saying our respective goodbye's I left Bismarck's estate and headed back home to Potsdam.
********************
Even after Joachim left the manor, Bismarck was unable to leave his study to rest. His mind was busy thinking about the conversation he had with the young prince.
'Joachim von Preußen, 6th prince. What kind of kid thinks like that.'
'His insight is remarkable, he's mature for his age, and he seems to have more profound ideas somewhere in his head.'
"Hahahaha! this body has grown old, but there are no regrets."
"If that young boy continues to grow.."
Bismarck thinking of the future the prince will bring Germany, reveals a deep smile.
"My body is old. I don't know how long I have left to live, but for as long as my mind is still running I should help the prince as much as I can."
"I should write a letter to the Kaiser first."