Tyranny of Steel

Berengar sat within his office while gazing upon a recent report from the German Embassy in Beijing. He was honestly quite befuddled by what he was reading, and could only look upon his favorite wife with confusion in his eyes as he asked for her opinion on the matter.

"She can't be serious? Is this some attempt to get me back for my efforts to antagonize her? If so, I don't see how... What do you think of is this, Linde?"

Linde had already read the report and verified its contents. She was equally as surprised as her husband when it came to what Empress Itami had requested of Gerhard. Normally, this would be a simple matter of trade between two industrial powers.

However, the Reich and the Japanese Empire were currently embattled in a brutal cold war. Trade between the two factions had never existed prior to this moment, and both sides were in the middle of fighting proxy wars against one another. To request open access to the German markets, in particular the medical industry, it was simply absurd. Nevertheless, the words were as clear as day. 

"The Japanese Empress, Itami Riyo, requests that we sell her people a substantial supply of basic medicine, especially anti-biotics, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Apparently, she has invested next to nothing into the medical industry, and upon learning of our capabilities, had decided to open up the markets. She promises to pay for the requested items with gold and silver. 

At first I found her request to be suspect, however, after thoroughly vetting the woman's claims. It appears her intentions are sincere. She wants to help better her people. Perhaps the words I spoke to the Japanese Empress during her last visit were enough to convince her to change for the better. Thus, I am willing to recommend that we open up the markets with Japan and begin trade between our two Empires. At the very least, it is a sign of de-escalation." 

Berengar continued to read the document in his hand for several moments in silence, where he then posed a question to the redhead beauty who was sitting across from him.

"Tell me, have we received any information from our newest prisoner? I have a hard time believing that Empress Itami has any plans of de-escalation when she so wantonly sent a potential assassin into my homeland with the intent to infiltrate my household."

Linde smirked when she heard this before responding to her husband's question with a sadistic look on her pretty face.

"The Korean Princess held out longer than I anticipated, but make no mistake, my agents are quite thorough. Through a mixture of sleep depravation, starvation, and psychological torture, she broke within four days. I have received extensive intelligence from the woman, however, none of it is verified yet. 

According to her, Empress Itami had no intentions of harming you, or our family. She simply wanted intelligence, considering she knows next to nothing about the Reich or its capabilities. Supposedly, the reason Itami selected her lead chemist to infiltrate the Reich is not because of her potential as an assassin, but her status as a foreign princess.

I must say, out of all of Itami's failures, she at the very least did make one right assessment, and if not for your eye of Horus, perhaps she would have succeeded in her endeavors."

Berengar narrowed his gaze towards his wife, as he asked the question that immediately came to mind.

"Oh, and what assessment might that be?"

A smug smile appeared on Linde's pretty face as she spoke in a taunting tone towards the man she loved.

"Your greatest weakness is your lust for beautiful women of high status. Though Min-Ah may not be as beautiful as your lawful wives, her appearance is on par with your concubines. She is also a princess of the Joseon Dynasty, making her status high enough for you to take an interest in. 

Regardless of Itami's intentions, the fact of the matter is, she sent a woman who was entirely capable of killing your family to your country with the intent to infiltrate your household. Any woman who is willing to go to such lengths is not to be believed when she claims she wishes to de-escalate. 

Thus, we can only presume she has used some means to trick Gerhard, as he is not aware of her machinations. If this is the case, then Itami will most definitely use the medical supplies we send her for military purposes. Meaning we will be directly supplying the enemy with the means to save their soldiers' lives. Something that would be foolish beyond belief."

The Kaiser keenly listened to every word his woman had spoken. Out of every advisor he had available to him, Berengar valued the opinion of Linde most of all. Her logic was flawless, and she managed to suppress whatever rage she was feeling towards Itami, in order to make such a valid assessment of the current situation.

After careful consideration, Berengar nodded his head in agreement before speaking the words which would dash Itami's hopes of peacefully resolving the ongoing dispute between Japan and Germany. 

"Very well. Inform Gerhard that we will be rejecting the Japanese Empress's requests to open trade. I also want him to know why we have chosen to do so. When he becomes aware of what Itami has attempted to do here in the fatherland, he will surely rebuke the woman to her face."

Linde nodded her head and smiled as she heard her husband's decision. It was the wisest course of action, even if it meant that a war between Japan and Germany would become inevitable. She would relay the orders at the first given opportunity. 

---

Not long after, Empress Itami Riyo sat within the German Embassy in the city of Beijing with a friendly smile on her pretty face. She had received word from the German Ambassador, that the Kaiser had come to a decision regarding her request, and was rather hopeful for the good news she was about to receive.

However, the moment Gerhard entered the room, and Itami saw his chilling expression, she knew instantly that something had gone terribly wrong. Gerhard sat across from Itami, and did not waste his time. He immediately denied her request with the most stern appearance he could muster.

"The Kaiser has decided that we will not be opening our markets to Japan. To put it simply, we do not find you trustworthy, and do not feel safe allowing our citizens to enter your country, or allowing your citizens to enter ours. There is also nothing you can offer that we can't get somewhere else, or make ourselves."

This response dumbfounded Itami, as she had just days ago met with the man, and settled much of their disputes. There was a modicum of trust between the two of them by the time they had finished talking. Naturally, she quickly voiced her discontent as she raised from her seat in agitation.

"What do you mean, you don't trust me? A few days ago, you said my attempts to reform my country were admirable. You even expressed your intent to express my sincerity to your Kaiser. Why all of a sudden has your position towards me and my people changed?"

Despite Itami's words, Gerhard's expression did not change. He merely glared at the albino beauty seated across from him and rebuked her to the fullest extent.

"Am I supposed to applaud you for finally seeing your people as actual human beings deserving of basic rights?"

Itami felt wronged by the man's statement, and sunk back into her seat, crossing one leg over the other, and looking at the man sitting across from her with a gaze filled with contempt. She could not help herself but to lash out at the German Ambassador and his master. 

"So, in the end, the Kaiser you so fondly speak of is nothing but a warmonger. So much for being a benevolent ruler who cares for the lives of his people. I offer him peace, and he spits in my face!"

Until now, Gerhard's face was entirely stoic, albeit a bit intimidating. However, the moment he heard these shameful words, his brow twitched in rage. He was forced to take a deep breath to calm himself, otherwise he was bound to go off on the Japanese Empress in the most vulgar way possible. After several moments of deep breathing, the man opened his eyes and glared at Itami with an intense hatred before responding to her with a stern voice. 

"You have a lot of nerve saying that after the shit you pulled..."

Despite her previously rude statements, Itami was genuinely taken aback when she heard these words. She had no idea what the German Ambassador was talking about and thus was quick to inquire about the meaning behind his words.

"What do you mean? What have I done to offend you and your kaiser?"

Gerhard could not tell if Itami was simply playing dumb, or if she had sincerely forgotten her grievous actions. Thus, he did not hesitate to inform her of his genuine opinion regarding her recent behavior.

"To think I actually trusted your words enough to advise Berengar to give you a chance. You claim to offer an olive branch, but only after you have already sent your foremost expert in poisons to Germany with orders to infiltrate the home Berengar shares with my sister and her children...

Anyone who knows the Kaiser will describe him as easygoing, but even the most uneducated beggar in Europe knows not to fuck with the man's family. You fucked up Itami Riyo. Now there is no more mercy for you, only retribution." 

Itami suddenly realized exactly what she had done to invoke the ire of the Kaiser. She was horrified to find out that her spy had been identified and captured so soon. However, she did not let her concern show on her face.

If she admitted to this, it would mean the end of relations between Japan and Germany. Such a thing might even result in an immediate conflict between the two great powers. Thus, she wore a stoic facade as she denied any knowledge of Min-Ah's actions.

"I have no idea what you are talking about..."

Gerhard's face was filled with an overwhelming since of disdain. He merely snorted before rising from his seat, leaving behind one last comment before departing from the room. 

"Since that is how you wish to play this game, there is nothing left to be said. Go back to your homeland and don't return. You are no longer welcome on German soil."

With this said, any hope of de-escalating the rising conflict between Germany and Japan had thoroughly been trounced. War had become an inevitability, just like Linde had predicted. 

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