章 45: Chapter 45 — Fear & Ambition
[What's even more interesting is that its timing matches up with other notable events at the time…]
The Archbishop stopped and looked at Konrad with a smile on his face, slightly squinting his eyes, suggesting something.
Konrad kept his serious face, not even twitching a muscle or showing any fluctuations. He looked unfazed and opened his mouth to talk in a strong and calm tone.
[Notable events, I am sure. I know of a few myself]
Scrutinising his face, Alexandra didn't find any changes. The room gradually fell into silence as he thought of what to do next.
[I don't see the slightest reaction from him. Well, that's expected from the leader of such a powerful Empire. I don't feel any strength from him either, so he isn't ruling through brute force but with intellect. Such a person can't possibly be a fool or weak-minded]
The Archbishop knew full well that there was something wrong with the existence of Konrad, something wrong with the existence of the entire Third Reich. It was a nation that should have never existed in these times, one with such mature technology and social systems that seemed to come from an alien age. Even with the limited firearms knowledge of the Church's engineers, they could easily tell that the Third Reich's military technology was very mature and all-rounded. While its core concepts were relatively simple, they had taken into account any exploitable weaknesses and exploits. They seemed to have specialised equipment for every situation and detailed plans to counter every unexpected incident. This level of perfection and experience would be impossible without at least several years of tempering through nonstop warfare. As for originating from another Empire like Konrad had claimed? Not possible.
And Konrad was fully aware of this as well. In fact, he knew that this would happen even before he knew of the existence of the Holy Church, when he planned to take over his first Kingdom. However, he still went ahead with his hypersonic development.
Slowly growing his country in size and keeping a low profile? His lifespan would run out first, let alone what dangers were in the world. No, he hated taking the defensive and only being able to react to hidden attacks, he had to take the initiative! His ambition, once hidden, was burning like a raging flame threatening to consume him.
Who cared that there were some loopholes? As long as you have enough strength, do you have to care about what other countries think of you? Even if they are suspicious, what can they do about it? Presently, the Third Reich was roaring at full force, with an unwavering determination to fight any enemy to the end! Let alone its current impressive military strength, no one knew what cards they had hidden in reserve!
This path of blitzkrieg that Konrad had set was truly dangerous, but he was determined to follow it in the end. He was confident in his strength, and if he failed, he would rather go out with a huge fireball than a weak splutter!
[We've found these gunpowder weapons of yours quite powerful. It's such an ingenious design! We're out here just starting with gunpowder and you've already reached the end of the road!]
[Yes, our invention of the bullet is indeed very revolutionary, and from what I've seen today, you seem to have found a use for them]
[Indeed, thanks to your imports we've carried out several reforms already. We might be known as old traditionalists resistant to change, but even we can see how significant these advances are! I dare say that warfare will never be the same again. Especially your battleships. If I hadn't seen it myself, I never could have believed such a monster could be made and operated by mortals alone!]
[We, the Third Reich will always be the closest allies with the Holy Church! Now that you've had time to see their power, are you ready to start large-scale trading?]
In response, the Archbishop pulled out an intricate scroll and unfurled it, revealing the beautiful text and several seals on it. Clearing his throat, he read out the decree in an official-sounding voice.
[After much consideration, the council has agreed to trade the strategic holy material Seraphium in exchange for the Third Reich's modern guns, ammunition and technology]
For the first time, Konrad's face broke out into a smile. He knew that the temptation of his WW1 weaponry was irresistible, and the only source of it was through him!
Having finished official business, Konrad and Alexandra were much more relaxed. A catgirl maid came up and poured a drink for them. Taking a drink, the conversation became much more laid-back.
[Regarding that shipment that went missing, what ended up happening to it?]
[Oh, it was just some pesky traitors in the country. They're so bold, daring to steal military shipments right under our nose!]
[Haha, I understand. Traitors are the worst. So how did you execute them?]
[Surprisingly, we haven't caught them yet! We've found traces of them, but they just seem to be invisible! We can only find their traces or some irrelevant branches, never the core group]
[It's unbelievable that we haven't found them even after declaring martial law. However, we've got a name: the Liu Group]
[Well, I feel pity towards them, looks like they won't last much longer after angering you! Let me know if you need any help with the clean-up. We can label them as devil worshipers]
[No need, the title of traitor will be enough. Additionally, we plan to keep expanding our territory, but it looks like we're obstructed by several demi-human kingdoms. Is that alright with the Church?]
[Heh, go ahead. If it wasn't for our decline, how could these beastmen grow so strong? On that note, make sure to wipe them out from the roots. Their reproduction ability is truly scary, if it wasn't for the accumulation of the human race for millenniums, it would be uncertain who ruled the world…]
The room fell into silence. The Holy Church fought for humans and humans only. After all, that was the only race personally created by the One True God! However, behind their millenniums of disdain and disregard for demi-humans, they were secretly afraid. Afraid of their terrifying reproduction abilities, their racial advantages, their pure strength and savagery.
It was initially through this fear that the first hatred started. Fear, which slowly turned and manifested into hate and anger. Behind their contemptuous faces, behind their thick walls and veteran legions, the shield and sword of their Kingdoms, they secretly gazed out, watching their every move with cautious eyes…
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