Normal day

The swearing-in ceremony for the entire German armed forces to pledge their allegiance to the head of state had just concluded. General Brauchich, with a sense of solemnity, placed the report on Akado's desk and stepped back, maintaining the decorum due to his superior. "You are now the true commander-in-chief of the German armed forces," Li Zhenghui reported, his voice echoing slightly in the spacious office.

"Trust me, General, I have no interest in these tedious powers. I've taken them only to avoid being hindered by incompetence," Akado replied with a smile, his tone casual yet firm.

Brauchich nodded, understanding the necessity of the move. "I personally trust you completely, my leader! However, a small faction within the Army remains skeptical of your leadership, which could undermine your command of the National Defense Force."

"And what do they propose? Or rather, what must I do to reassure the IDF?" Akado asked, his smile persisting as he sought a practical solution to the internal dissent.

After a moment's contemplation, Brauchich chose his words carefully. "My leader, the IDF dislikes any domestic armed forces outside its control, such as the Nazi Party's stormtroopers or your SS."

"I understand," Akado nodded, quickly grasping the root of the concern. "I'll discuss this with Reinhard Heidrich. The SS armed forces will be integrated under the command of the National Defense Forces, except for a few independent units. How does that sound?"

"Thank you, my head of state!" Brauchich stood and saluted, his voice filled with relief. "Long live the head of state!"

"Don't thank me yet. I'm merely doing what I believe is necessary," Akado waved off the gratitude, already thinking ahead. "Since the SS will be under the National Defense Forces, I expect in return, the National Defense Force will secure me a significant department within the military hierarchy, preferably one with real power and royal connections."

"Is such haste necessary?" Brauchich frowned, sensing the urgency in Akado's voice.

Handing him a document, Akado insisted, "Absolutely! We're about to initiate a new phase of military expansion. I can't afford any disruptions!"

"Understood! I'll see to it immediately. Long live the head of state!" Brauchich saluted once more before exiting the room swiftly.

No sooner had Brauchich left than Anna entered, her presence a stark contrast to the general's. She handed Akado another document. "Master, your fiancée, Miss Mercedes, has returned from the United States. She's arriving by train this evening, and you wished to meet her at the station."

"Anna, don't be jealous," Akado chided gently after taking a sip of water and nearly choking on it due to her teasing tone.

"You know I'm only joking with you," Anna replied, leaning over to massage his shoulder. "Tonight, I'll go shopping with Fanny. You're to ensure Mercedes feels welcome without feeling threatened. We all care for you deeply, and it would hurt us to see you troubled."

"What could I possibly say to upset anyone?" Akado mused, well aware that his office was one of the few places where such informal interactions could occur. Just then, Fanny, the German Propaganda Minister, entered without knocking.

"Ah, perfect timing! I need you to increase our propaganda efforts regarding the Czechoslovak Sudetenland in our controlled newspapers. Use plenty of photos to highlight the unfair treatment of Germans there," Akado instructed the moment he saw her.

"Don't worry! The successful annexation of Austria has already rallied the German people. No one wants to provoke us now," Fanny assured him, placing her documents on his desk and taking a sip from his glass.

"Keep preparing the materials. When the time comes, we'll launch a full-scale propaganda blitz, claiming the Sudetenland as an ancient part of Germany," Akado said, his gaze fixed on a map of Germany on the wall opposite him, his eyes narrowing with determination.

Fanny laughed, clearly impressed. "You're truly captivating when you're in command. It's very attractive."

"Indeed, he is," Anna chimed in, her hands still on Akado's shoulders. "Should I leave you two alone then?"

"That would be lovely, if you really mean it," Fanny responded, her smile teasing.

"Don't start without considering sisterly affection," Akado joked, feeling a pinch from Anna's fingers on his shoulder, a reminder of her presence and perhaps a hint of her jealousy.

"Alright, beautiful ladies, how about we all have lunch together? I have a military industry committee meeting later, and I really need to prepare," Akado suggested, trying to diffuse the building tension.

"Can't it wait?" Anna asked with a flirtatious smile.

"I haven't even tried yet," Fanny added, nodding in agreement.

Resigned, Akado picked up another document, pretending to read it with the seriousness of a monk, though he couldn't help but be distracted by the women in his office. He knew he was no match for their charms and wiles in these moments.

As he glanced away, his eyes inadvertently met Fanny's, who was watching him with an intensity that made him quickly focus back on his paperwork...

---

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Smith slammed a newspaper on his desk, pointing angrily at the headline. "Do these fools think by handing Czechoslovakia over to Germany, the Germans will stand up to the Soviet Union?"

He took a sip of his coffee, his frustration evident. "They're secretly fretting about the French threat, yet here they are, bolstering the German threat. It's like losing a watermelon to pick up a sesame seed. Not worth it!"

"Rudolph, the man who climbed from the ranks to dictate terms? He's got some patience," his adjutant remarked, half in jest.

"He's not just patient; he's a formidable adversary with considerable acumen," Smith corrected sternly. "I've probably studied him more than anyone else in Britain. His career trajectory has been meteoric, and while it seems he's been lucky, it's more about his capabilities."

"Since his unexpected promotion by Seeker to headquarters, everything he's done has been unusual," Smith continued, tapping his desk thoughtfully. "He's managed to navigate through numerous challenges, and under his leadership, the National Defense Force has grown significantly beyond the limits set by the Versailles Treaty. He even managed to get the 'New Versailles Treaty' to legalize this expansion."

"As soon as Hindenburg passed, he positioned himself as Germany's heroic leader," Smith concluded, his tapping ceasing. "If I were His Majesty the King, I would make no further concessions to such a man. We've already lost Austria. If we step back on Czechoslovakia, this man might just take over the world."

"Forget it, Colonel Smith! His Majesty won't heed us. We're merely military attachés here, not his defense ministers," the adjutant said, trying to lighten the mood.

"This isn't a laughing matter," Smith retorted sharply. "If we ignore this, we might well become the first prisoners of a new German regime!"

"Relax, Colonel! Germany only lost the war a little over a decade ago. Their military is still under our control. We're just using them as a buffer against the Soviets," the adjutant reassured him, though Smith remained unconvinced.

"I hope you're right. But I have a feeling that this Akado will cause us all great trouble," Smith sighed, a sense of foreboding hanging in the air. "Not just us, but the French and Americans too."

"Cheer up! If it comes to that, we'll do what we did a decade ago: beat them back," the adjutant said with a grin, though Smith only shook his head, his worries far from allayed.