ch10

Before the 15th century, it was an era of land.

The one who dominated the land, dominated the earth, dominated the world.

After the opening of the Age of Exploration in the 16th century, the era of the sea began.

The resources that could be obtained from the vast ocean beyond the continent’s resources were overwhelmingly greater.

The one who controlled the seas, the sea routes of the world, could control the world.

And while I don’t know the history of this world, I do know some of the future history.

The future battlefield will belong to the Air Force, to those who control the sky.

‘Of course, I have no intention of drastically expanding the Air Force right now.’

The reason, as I said before, is that there is a risk that my actions will be dismissed as childish play.

‘The existence of the Air Force is still unfamiliar to the generals of this era.’

In addition, the high-ranking officials of the military were vaguely aware that I was investing in tanks.

But to extend my hand to the Air Force on top of that? And that too, by a youngster who hasn’t even been on the throne for a year?

This is just following in Hitler’s footsteps.

‘But that doesn’t mean I can’t raise the Air Force.’

That’s why I devised my own plan to raise the Air Force.

To provide the Air Force with an opportunity to achieve noticeable results that the existing military cannot ignore.

And I had no doubt that the Air Force could achieve results if only a good opportunity was provided.

And now, it seems that an ‘opportunity’ has come to the Air Force.

I summoned Count Zeppelin, who was famous in the empire for developing Airships.

Knock, knock.

A short knock was heard.

“Your Majesty, this is Count Zeppelin.”

“Come in.”

Clear permission. After a moment, the door opened and Count Zeppelin entered.

The old man who opened the door and came in, Count Zeppelin, had wrinkles all over his face. I heard he was 76 this year? Considering the era, it was an age where it wouldn’t be strange if he died at any moment.

But unlike his appearance, his eyes were sparkling like those of a child.

“Greetings to His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Welcome, Count Zeppelin. I’ve been waiting for you. Before I explain the situation… please take a look at this material first.”

As he read the first paragraph of the material, his eyes shook violently.

It was only natural. This plan would be shocking and terrifying to the people of this era.

“Using Airships… to rescue His Holiness the Pope from Rome…”

“Count. If this operation is successful, the pride of the Romans in Airships will be greater than ever.”

“But… I don’t quite understand. Why are you calling me separately to tell me this…”

That’s right. Instead of just conscripting him, why bother calling him separately?

But this world, no. Perhaps even in the distant future, people are strongly influenced by psychological and mental factors.

“It’s just for show. ‘Count Zeppelin provided the Airship to rescue the Pope.’ versus ‘The Empire’s Airship rescued the Pope.'”

It goes without saying which one looks better.

Although it’s a small difference, the former will inspire patriotism much more and raise interest in aircraft.

He looked touched by my thoughtful consideration.

“I understand. Then I will contact them immediately to prepare three Airships.”

He and I smiled.

Of course, the hearts contained within were different.

August 19, 1915, 1:30 AM.

The capital of the Empire. Vienna.

Since the Habsburg family moved its main residence here in the past, Vienna has been the center of logistics and transportation connecting the Balkans and Germany, Italy and Bohemia.

And as the era of carriages waned and the era of railways arrived, Vienna naturally became the city with the most dense railway network in Germany, the Holy Roman Empire, and perhaps the world.

All roads lead to Rome, didn’t they say?

Indeed, it was so.

Considering these points, it was not a coincidence but an inevitability that the largest Air Force base in the southern part of the Holy Roman Empire was built in Vienna, the capital of the Empire.

“Preparation for departure is complete.”

Captain Reinhardt, the captain of the Airship, knew nothing except that the destination was somewhere outside Rome.

‘But instead of loading bombs, they want me to keep the luxuriously decorated interior of Gondola number 4 intact…’

He had no idea what the purpose of this operation was.

But since he was a soldier, he had no choice but to follow the orders given.

“Depart.”

As the anchor was removed, the Airship floated from the ground into the sky.

The sight of the steel giant flying into the sky was truly spectacular.

“Maybe we’re the first Air Force to sortie in this war?”

“Pfft. Maybe so.”

But that first sortie was such an incomprehensible mission.

He felt a little restless.

‘Of course… it seems that the purpose of the mission will be revealed soon.’

“Captain. The technical advisor is calling for you.”

Technical advisor. Reinhardt already had enough knowledge to be considered an expert on Airships. They didn’t need a ‘technical advisor’ like that.

That’s why he had a vague idea of the identity of the ‘technical advisor’ that the higher-ups had dispatched.

“I’ll go right away.”

He immediately walked towards the ‘technical advisor’s office’, which was once used as a passenger room.

There, a man in a black suit, the technical advisor, was sitting.

“Salute.”

“Salute. There… I have a lot to say… but first, please read the document written here.”

He also spoke softly, as if he was embarrassed.

Reinhardt tilted his head and read the document he handed over.

His eyes shook violently as he read the first paragraph of the document.

“…Is this real?”

“Yes. It seems so.”

The rescue of His Holiness the Pope. A sentence swept through his head.

“Who else knows about this besides me…?”

“Your Majesty the Emperor, Count Zeppelin, and the Teutonic Knights.”

The whole world will know soon.

“Hoo… I have to pray that we don’t encounter turbulence.”

Even modern airplanes struggle when they encounter turbulence. What about the Airships of this era?

Surely, something terrible that he didn’t even want to imagine would happen.

‘Hoo… God, please…’

He was far from being a devout religious person, but he closed his eyes and prayed to the sky.

August 19, 1915, 4:34 AM

Rumble, rumble…

Several trucks were moving quickly along the road.

“Hey, how much further do we have to go?”

“Please wait a little longer. We’ll be there very soon.”

The driver, who found a sign that read [Zona XXXIX Tor di Valle], stepped on the brakes.

The trucks running on the road stopped right there.

“We have arrived. If you wait here for a moment, we will rescue His Holiness the Pope by some means.”

Ludwig said that too, but he didn’t know what was coming either.

‘Zona XXXIX Tor di Valle. If you wait here, the Count will appear.’

That was all he received, and no further information could be obtained.

‘Damn it… the Count, what Count…’

Ludwig, the vice-captain of the Teutonic Knights, was looking up at the sky with an anxious expression.

Rumble, rumble, rumble…

“Hmm?”

Ludwig frowned at the sound of an engine coming from somewhere.

“Which bastard didn’t turn off the engine?”

He turned around sharply and shouted at his subordinates.

“Car number 1 has the engine turned off.”

“Car number 3 also has the engine turned off.”

“Car number 2 also has the engine turned off.”

All the cars had their engines turned off. Then what is this engine sound that I hear now? Irritation surged at the obvious lie.

“Why would you lie when you’re going to get caught anyway…”

But all of his subordinates were staring blankly at the sky as if they were possessed by something. He tilted his head.

“What are you guys doing now?”

“Ah… V, Vice-Captain… behind you…”

At his subordinate’s words, he turned around.

“Uh.”

And he, like his subordinates, had no choice but to stare at the sky as if possessed by something.

A pure white giant that appeared through the clouds.

Its magnificent and noble appearance revealed with the moonlight.

It was like the Count’s fortress.

August 19, 1915, 7:38 AM

As an aside, I think Airships are very inefficient.

Big, slow, and heavy. In peacetime, it might be okay, but in the current wartime, the existence of an Airship is nothing more than a huge target.

Safety is also lacking.

A giant balloon made of hydrogen was like a moving bomb.

In addition, there are numerous other problems, such as being greatly affected by bad weather.

For these reasons, in the original history, the era of Airships eventually came to an end with Graf Zeppelin.

But… at least. Now, in this era, an Airship might be quite a useful thing.

Judging from how wonderfully it carried out the mission I ordered.

The pure white giant set foot on the ground.

And from within it, a big shot who leads the Catholics of the world.

The Pope appeared.

I smiled and nodded slightly towards him.

“Welcome to the Holy Roman Empire, His Holiness the Pope.”

Click, click.

The shutter sounds of numerous cameras echoed with the bright light.