Re: Blood and Iron-Chapter 476: Blood or Justice

The Kaiser froze for a second as the roaches beneath the spotlight began to panic and scurry. But there was nothing they could do. The doors were sealed, and the building was surrounded.

One way or another, their revolution would come to an end today—whether via blood or justice. But the choice was ultimately up to the Kaiser, and how he wished to interpret this mess.

On the one hand, Bruno's suggestion was legally sound but optically messy. No matter how much Bruno used his leverage over the media to spin the narrative, a bloodbath of politicians elected by the people within the Reichstag itself was a horrific image.

Even if they were guilty of treason, and the narrative was spun toward violent revolution, it was something that would be universally condemned, even by some of the Reich's supposed allies.

On the other hand, dragging these bastards to court and bringing both their scandals and corruption to light—while optically more sound—created certain practical disadvantages. If bail were granted, they could find themselves smuggled out of the country with their ill-gotten gains.

Or worse: their imprisonment could be a cause for their followers to rise up in rebellion, anyway. Whereas a brutal message to dissidents, here and now, had a higher chance of ending such thoughts before they could metastasize and spread like a cancer.

In the end, even though the Kaiser understood Bruno's suggestion had its benefits, he was happy Bruno gave him the choice—so that he could deny him.

"Men of the Reich… Your Kaiser calls upon you to arrest these traitors. If any of them dare to resist, you have my permission to use lethal force. Otherwise, settle this peacefully if it can be done so."

Bruno sighed in relief. Frankly speaking, he was actually giving the Kaiser the choice for a variety of reasons. One was to see the limits of cruelty which the man would engage in if given absolute control over the lives of human beings, innocent or otherwise.

And second, because he wanted to prove once more that he would never act against the man's interests or those of his house. His visible relief did not go unnoticed by von Bethmann, who couldn't help but change his opinion of Bruno after this sudden realization—that the man was deliberately playing the part of the villain so that the Kaiser didn't have to.

And because of this, while the traitors within the Reichstag were rounded up and carried off to prison—where Bruno would make damn sure they did not get out until their trials were held for all to witness—the chancellor approached Bruno and said something to him in a voice so low that only the two of them could hear it.

"I was mistaken about you… It is rare for me to admit this, as until now I assumed I was an excellent judge of character. But I know now the burden you carry—doing what must be done for His Majesty, despite the darkness of its nature… so that he may maintain his humanity and his glory as the man who wears the crown.

It is the most admirable act of self-sacrifice I have ever witnessed a man commit. And frankly, I'm surprised you have chosen such a path—for our sake."

By now, Bruno had recovered his usual stoic form, as he responded to von Bethmann's words with a brief and subtle acknowledgment of their validity, while also shifting the topic to what needed to be done now that the arrests were complete.

"Someone has to bear the weight of history… lest we all burn in the ignorance and wickedness of mankind's natural instinct.

Now that these cowards will not see the light of day until their trial arrives, I think we need to act swiftly with the evidence we've already collected to formally ban the Social Democratic Party, and the others that are hiding similarly extreme and fringe beliefs.

As for the rest? Let them exist in name only. From this day forth, the Reichstag's power is completely diminished. It exists as a function of state only to maintain a mirage—an illusion of the people's so-called 'freedom.'

Command of the flock has rightfully returned to its shepherd. And we, as men of nobility and virtue, are the sheepdogs to watch over the herd.

This is the solution to mankind's derailment—and nothing else. So, Chancellor, do you have the will and the means to do what must be done?"

It was no understatement to say that this day had been one of repeated reflection for von Bethmann—toward himself, his beliefs, and his preconceived notions of who Bruno was and what he truly desired.

Especially after all in which the man had done here—and what he had said after its completion. As a result, von Bethmann looked over at the politicians being dragged off and thrown into paddy wagons before finally admitting something aloud.

"I don't know how many years an old man like me has left to give—to you, or to the Kaiser—but… from what you've said today, I will devote all I have that remains to aid both of you. You have earned some rest after a sudden and jarring summons. Please, by all means, go home. Be with your family, Your Royal Highness. You have helped enough today.

I'll have someone inform that wife of yours there is no need to rally the banners. And in the meantime, I will make sure the cleanup of this mess is concluded efficiently—and ruthlessly—before the night's end."

Bruno said nothing.

He only nodded at the man with an expressionless face before departing.

He did not say it, but he was impressed with von Bethmann's character. History had not remembered him kindly in his past life—not because of any immoral deeds, but because the Weimar Republic, and those who succeeded it after the Second World War, had revised history in their favor.

Hence, Bruno was proud to see that the man could be depended on. Even if he did not have many years left to serve the Reich's needs.