"Your Majesty!" General Geiss urged anxiously. "This concerns all of our lives..."
"There is no room for discussion, General!" King Albert I firmly cut him off. "I am certain that the majority of Belgians would make the same choice as I have. They would never hand Charles over. Never!"
General Geiss inwardly muttered a complaint. This was statecraft and politics, not a place for chivalric ideals. The King did not seem to grasp that "between nations, there are only interests."
But Geiss held his tongue, knowing it was useless to try and change the King's mind. Albert I was as resolute as when he had defied Belgium's interests by choosing to go to war with Germany, even launching preemptive strikes on their supply lines, which had only provoked Germany further. Where had that decision gotten Belgium? To pointless praise, while the country and its people teetered on the brink of ruin.
General Geiss was determined not to stand by and watch Belgium fall. He resolved to escalate the matter to Parliament and let them make the final decision. King Albert seemed to sense this and stared impassively at Geiss, as if to say: "I will convince Parliament. They will support my choice because it is the right one."
As the unspoken standoff hung in the air, a young, muffled voice interrupted, slightly garbled by a mouthful of cream: "Are you planning to set up defenses here to block the German advance?"
The others had initially ignored Charles, absorbed in what they considered a more pressing matter. However, General Winter's eyes suddenly lit up.
"Wait, General Geiss!" Winter said eagerly. "Perhaps there is a third option!"
Winter nodded toward Charles, who was focused on the map with intense concentration.
Geiss paused, slowly realizing Winter's meaning. If Charles had helped France turn the tide against Germany, could he perhaps do the same for Belgium? Defeating Germany would make the question of handing over Charles irrelevant, as well as any threat to the lives of Belgian citizens.
Geiss couldn't contain a derisive laugh. "You really think he can change the course of the war? Winter, you're making him out to be some kind of savior!"
Winter replied, "I believe it's worth a try. What harm could it do?"
He then looked to King Albert for support, which the King quickly understood and responded to by stepping forward. With practiced grace, he extended his hand to Charles. "You must be the famed Charles, the lieutenant I've heard so much about."
"And you are...?" Charles replied, shaking his hand in return.
"I am the King of Belgium—Albert," the King said. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Charles blinked in surprise. Meeting a king in person felt surreal, and his nerves showed briefly. "It's an honor, Your Majesty."
Albert nodded and gestured for the two generals to join the discussion. General Geiss and General Winter stepped forward and positioned themselves on either side of the King, facing Charles.
Glancing at the map, General Geiss reluctantly pointed to a recently drawn line in response to Charles's earlier question. "We plan to station the British forces here to guard the water supply."
"You'll guard nothing," Charles interrupted bluntly.
Geiss raised an eyebrow and shot a glance at Winter, as if to say: Your forces are being dismissed by this youngster; now it's your turn to respond.
Winter bristled slightly. "I think we're more than capable, Lieutenant! My men are highly trained and well-equipped—"
"It has nothing to do with training or equipment," Charles countered, pointing to a location just behind their defense line. "It seems you overlooked the fact that just under a kilometer behind your defense is Elgin Fortress, part of the secondary defense line. The Germans' heavy artillery will concentrate on that."
Winter and Geiss both gasped, interrupting each other in realization.
"When they bombard Elgin Fortress, they'll also destroy this defensive line!"
"A kilometer is easily within the margin of error for their heavy artillery. We'd be saving them ammunition!"
King Albert observed his generals with mild amusement. He was intrigued by how such a blunder could be pointed out by a mere lieutenant to two decorated generals.
This, however, was not as surprising as it seemed. Belgium had enjoyed seventy-five years of peace, and General Geiss had gained his first combat experience only a month prior. Winter was a naval rear admiral with experience in maritime combat but none in land warfare. In contrast, Charles possessed a wealth of modern military knowledge that put these seasoned officers to shame.
"So!" General Geiss asked seriously, "Where do you think we should establish the line of defense?"
"We shouldn't set up a line at all," Charles replied, having finished his meal and now wiping his mouth with a napkin.
"You're suggesting we let them advance?" Geiss asked, puzzled.
"Yes," Charles nodded. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ NovᴇlFir(e).nᴇt
Geiss shook his head. "You may not understand, Lieutenant, but the range of the German heavy artillery is much greater than ours. We'd be completely defenseless..."
"Which is exactly why we need to let them advance."
"What do you mean?" Geiss asked, still bewildered.
With measured calm, Charles positioned two red flags representing enemy forces on the map, pushing them gradually closer to Antwerp. "Once the Germans destroy the Wavre Fortress, they'll have to move their heavy artillery forward to strike Elgin Fortress in the second defense line."
Everyone nodded, awaiting Charles's further explanation, but he only spread his hands, indicating that he'd said all he intended to.
"What happens next?" Winter asked.
"Their heavy artillery will be destroyed," Charles replied.
"Impossible!" Geiss scoffed, smirking as if to say, See? I knew this idea would be useless.
Winter reminded Charles, "Lieutenant, Elgin Fortress can't reach them either."
"But what about Wavre Fortress?" Charles countered.
"Wavre Fortress has already been destroyed…" Winter trailed off, then exclaimed, "My God, it's brilliant! We'll eliminate the German artillery. That will weaken their entire offensive!"
"What?" Geiss still didn't grasp the full picture.
Albert's face brightened with admiration. "It's a good strategy. All we have to do is disguise Wavre Fortress to make it appear destroyed, and the enemy will bring their artillery right to it."
Geiss finally understood, his eyes widening in astonishment as he looked at Charles. He felt a mixture of surprise, embarrassment, and disbelief. Was it possible that such a simple yet brilliant plan had come from this young lieutenant?
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