novelSusiti Chapter 221 For the Glory of Greece
Chapter 221 For the Glory of Greece
George I held the cup of coffee steadily in his hand.
In the conference room, no one dared to breathe loudly anymore.
The king's gaze slowly shifted from the steaming cup of coffee to his son and daughter-in-law, who stood side by side.
Constantine, his son, the crown prince whom he once considered mediocre, weak, and only interested in books.
At this moment, he stood there, upright and calm, his eyes no longer filled with the confusion of the past, but with a deep pool that brought peace of mind.
He stood there silently, thus protecting Greece from its precarious situation.
Now look at Sofia.
His daughter-in-law, the princess from Prussia.
She stood beside her son, her appearance gentle, yet her spirit unyielding.
Her face still held a perfectly measured hint of grievance, but in her blue eyes, there was clearly the clarity of a victor.
George I lived his entire life navigating the complexities of European royalty and politics.
How could he not understand?
How could this be a coincidence of "delivering coffee"?
This was clearly a perfectly planned political performance!
One of them played the "good cop," using cold data and rigorous logic to hone the war machine to its fullest potential, igniting hope in everyone.
One of them plays the "bad cop," using the woman's "grievances" and the princess's "status" to defuse the most deadly external threat into nothingness.
This isn't just two ignorant children fooling around.
This is a mature, mutually supportive, and well-coordinated political alliance!
His son no longer needed him, the king, to protect him from the storm.
He and his wife have already gained the power to influence the entire game!
Sofia's performance gave him a perfect opportunity to save face.
A stepping stone that can unite people internally and define war as a holy war to "protect national honor".
A way to assert oneself and withstand pressure from the German Emperor.
"My sister has been wronged in your country. As her king, shouldn't you stand up for her?"
George I could almost picture Wilhelm II’s shocked and furious face when Baron Schneider’s report reached Berlin.
His arrogant distant nephew valued "the emperor's face" and "the family's glory" most.
Sofia's move was essentially forcing him to either accept it reluctantly or personally intervene and "teach" the Ottomans a lesson for Greece!
No matter which option is chosen, Greece is guaranteed to win!
A long-lost sense of pride welled up in the king's heart.
For decades, he had been a very stifling king.
Caught between the great powers, they cautiously maintained their pitiful dignity.
Today, his son and daughter-in-law have earned back the right to stand tall for him and for Greece!
George I's gaze turned to Baron von Schneider.
At that moment, the German ambassador was experiencing a tremendous surge of emotions.
He's finished.
This was the only thought in Baron Schneider's mind.
When he came today, he was the victor, the arbitrator, and a god representing the will of the German Emperor.
He thought he held the power of thunder and could make this small palace tremble.
But now, he feels like a clown.
A clown who was utterly defeated by a cup of coffee and a woman's few "complaints"!
Her Highness the Crown Princess... she is by no means a delicate flower in a greenhouse!
She is a poisonous rose!
Every word she uttered, every glance she gave, precisely pierced the German Empire's most tender and cherished weakness: "honor."
How should he report to His Majesty the Emperor now?
Does this mean the Greek royal family ignored the emperor's warnings?
No, that's not right.
Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess said she “believes” that her husband and the King will make a decision that is “most in line with the national honor of Greece.”
How can this be considered in line with Greek national honor?
So what if we start a war?!
But when she said those words, they became a show of support for her husband and a defense of the new country!
If he dares to speak ill of the Crown Princess in his report, the Emperor will definitely tear him apart first!
So... he said the Greek royal family was persuaded by the Crown Princess?
That won't do!
This is tantamount to saying that His Majesty the Emperor's own sister betrayed him by joining forces with outsiders and slapped His Majesty in the face!
Wilhelm II's wrath will burn him to ashes!
Baron Schneider's forehead was covered in a fine layer of cold sweat.
He found himself cornered.
No matter how you look at it, it's wrong.
This proud Prussian nobleman experienced for the first time what it meant to be caught in a dilemma, and what it meant to suffer in silence, in a country he looked down upon as a "European beggar."
His gaze met George I's gaze in mid-air.
He saw a hint of pity and a hint of... mockery in the old king's eyes.
King George I slowly stood up.
He no longer looks at anyone.
He looked around the conference room at the ministers and generals who were either astonished, admiring, ashamed, or fanatical.
He knew that today, he had to make a choice.
It wasn't for the British's vague "neutral patrols".
It wasn't because of the German Emperor's aggressive handwritten letter.
It was for the dignity of a royal family!
For the anger that a country has suppressed for half a century!
It was also for his outstanding son and daughter-in-law who were already capable of standing on their own!
He wanted to tell them.
He, the father, and the king, are not old enough to need them to stand in front of him!
He can also shoulder the glory of Greece!
"Clang!"
A crisp metallic scraping sound rang out in the silent conference room.
Everyone was startled by the sound and their bodies trembled.
They looked in the direction of the sound and saw King George I drawing the ancient sword that hung on the wall beside the throne, a sword that symbolized the king's supreme military command.
This sword has not been drawn for many years.
The sword reflected a chilling light under the glow of the crystal chandelier.
The light illuminated the old king's resolute face.
He raised his sword high, and the ancient weapon, a symbol of the Danish dynasty's honor, hummed with a thirst for blood for the first time after years of silence. The light from the crystal chandelier reflected off the blade, like a bolt of lightning, cleaved the somber atmosphere of the meeting room, illuminating Prime Minister Trikupis's instantly pale face and the War Minister's frantically trembling beard. The tip of the sword pointed steadily at the dark area on the map representing the Ottoman Empire.
His voice, no longer showing any hesitation or weariness, was filled only with the majesty and decisiveness of a monarch. Like a great bell, it resounded throughout the entire palace and tolled the death knell for an old era!
"Pass on my orders!"
"Nationwide mobilization!"
"For the glory of Greece!"
"I hereby authorize Crown Prince Constantine as the supreme commander of this military operation! Launch immediately—"
The king's sword slashed down heavily, as if to cleave the map before him, along with that decaying empire, in two!
"Operation 'Purification'!"