The Rise of German empire

Britain, France, and Russia had formed the Entente, though the only real military alliance among them was the one between France and Russia. However, it was evident that once war broke out, Britain would not sit idly by. If France and Russia were defeated, the British would have no choice but to either compromise with the Allies or risk total annihilation.

Once the war began, it seemed inevitable that it would escalate into a full-scale conflict between the Allied Powers and the Entente Powers. The tension was building, and the end of peace appeared to be drawing nearer with each passing day.

The formation of the Allied Powers created two opposing political and military factions, making the situation in Europe and the entire world more volatile and unpredictable.

As the leader of the Allied Powers, Germany, naturally, bore the brunt of the pressure. It was becoming clear to everyone that the storm of war was approaching fast.

In response, William II called an emergency meeting at the imperial palace. The military and political officials of the empire, along with Oscar—now the crown prince—gathered in the palace to discuss the situation.

The moment Oscar entered the room, he could sense the heavy atmosphere. Worry and concern were etched across the faces of the ministers. The tension in the air was palpable, and the gravity of the situation weighed on everyone.

As soon as all the officials were seated, the meeting began. William II surveyed the room and spoke gravely. "Gentlemen, the British and the Russians have formed an alliance. With the earlier agreement between the British and the French, combined with Russia's military ties to France, we now face a dangerous situation. The alliance between Britain, France, and Russia is a direct threat to our empire. The international situation is increasingly perilous. What should our response be?"

Despite his usual arrogance, even William II recognized the gravity of the threat. For years, he had entertained the illusion that Britain would remain neutral in the event of war, but now, with the British aligning with France and Russia, that illusion had been shattered. The reality was clear: war was inevitable.

Little Moltke, who had become the Chief of Staff, spoke up first. "Your Majesty, the alliance between Britain, France, and Russia is something we've anticipated for some time. Though it makes the international environment more hostile, the empire has been preparing for this. If we continue to strengthen our military and economic power, we can stand our ground."

William II nodded at Moltke's words and turned to the other ministers for their input.

Prime Minister Bernhard von Bülow then added, "While the alliance between Britain, France, and Russia is indeed a serious threat, it could also have a unifying effect on the Triple Alliance. Austria-Hungary and Italy have had their differences, but under the pressure of this new threat, they may be forced to unite. That could be an advantage for us."

The Triple Alliance had been in place for over two decades, but the relationship between its members was far from stable. The Austro-Hungarian Empire and Italy, in particular, had significant conflicts, leaving the alliance weak and divided. If they could find common ground in the face of the Entente's growing power, the Triple Alliance would be much stronger.

Oscar ever cautious and strategic, raised a point of concern. "Father, I think we should be cautious of Italy. As you know, the conflict between the Kingdom of Italy and Austria-Hungary is severe. While the empire has worked hard to mediate this tension, if Britain, France, and Russia offer Italy better terms, they may very well betray us. The Italians are known for shifting allegiances in pursuit of their own interests."

Oscar's warning was based on his knowledge of the First World War, where Italy had delayed its involvement, taking a neutral stance between the Allies and the Entente powers. Eventually, Italy abandoned the Triple Alliance and sided with the Allies, drawn in by promises of greater rewards, despite performing poorly on the battlefield.

Foreign Minister von Kidren Wascht raised an objection. "Your Highness, we have signed a sacred covenant with the Italians. Surely they would not tear it up so easily?"

Oscar's response was measured but firm. "The covenant is sacred, yes, but in international relations, there are no permanent allies—only permanent interests. We allied with Italy due to mutual benefit, but if the Allies offer Italy more, they will abandon us without hesitation. I am confident of this."

Earl Tirpitz, the naval minister, nodded in agreement. "His Royal Highness is right. Alliances are built on mutual interest, and when that interest shifts, so too will the alliance."

William II, despite his usual bluster, could not disagree. "Indeed. Italy is unpredictable. While there are shared interests between us and Austria-Hungary, Italy has its own ambitions, especially in North Africa and the Adriatic. In the North African colonies, Italy has a tacit understanding with Britain, France, and Russia. Meanwhile, in the Adriatic, Italy's conflict with Austria-Hungary remains unresolved."

As the meeting continued, the ministers debated and strategized, recognizing that the empire had to prepare for war. Every detail was scrutinized, and every possibility considered, as the world moved closer to the precipice of conflict.