Hans often read web novels to slack off during his part-time jobs.
Never did he imagine that "time travel," something straight out of those stories, would actually happen to him.
Just as he was dreaming of using his knowledge of the future to live a dazzling, carefree life...
"What's your name?"
"Hans..."
But things went wrong from the start.
Hans found himself tangled up with none other than Wilhelm II—the erratic Kaiser who led the German Empire to its downfall.
It was like pulling an SSR card in a gacha game, only to realize it's a shiny but utterly useless character.
"That damned old man!"
From all the clues, it seemed the one who sent Hans here was that German old man he met at the shop.
Was he some spirit from the Alps or a ghost from the Rhine? Hans had no idea, but he should've known something was off when the guy started droning on about the musty history of the German Empire.
Am I really supposed to stop the fall of the German Empire?
If that was the case, they could've at least made him a white guy—or better yet, let him possess the mustached Kaiser standing right in front of him.
But what was this situation?
Not only was Hans still Chinese, but he'd also been turned into a kid, like some pint-sized detective from an anime.
As for the status of Asians in imperialist Europe—let's not even go there. The bigger issue was: what could he possibly do with this child's body?
And to make matters worse, Hans sneaked a glance at the calendar in the hospital room. It was 1901.
No way out.
The First World War was just thirteen years away.
If things kept going like this, he'd barely hit adulthood before getting swept up in that world-defining war.
"Hans? That's an unusual name."
While Hans was seriously considering sneaking off to America, Wilhelm II spoke up.
Apparently, he'd misheard Hans's name as "Hans," twisting it into something more Western.
Hans? What kind of name is that?
It sounded like the kind of name a background character gets before dying in the first episode. No future there.
But Wilhelm II didn't notice Hans's frustration. He nodded and continued, "Are you Japanese? Or from the Qing Dynasty?"
"I'm from the Qing Dynasty,"
Hans replied, picking one of the two options.
In the eyes of Westerners back then, East Asia was either Japan or China.
"Hm... the Qing Dynasty."
When Hans said he was from the Qing, Wilhelm's stiff face softened slightly, though his expression was complicated.
It wasn't because he liked China—more like he disliked Japan even more.
In simple terms: the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
But considering the timing, the Boxer Rebellion had just happened.
This mustached Kaiser, furious over the killing of a German envoy, had ordered his troops to plunder and ravage China.
So his feelings toward the Qing Dynasty probably weren't exactly warm.
Is this a good thing or a bad thing for me?
Hans wasn't sure.
Wilhelm seemed to have mixed feelings about both Japan and China, but his attitude toward Hans was oddly... friendly? He'd need to keep observing.
Wilhelm closed his eyes, deep in thought.
After a moment, he seemed to make up his mind and looked at Hans.
"Someone who saved the Kaiser's life deserves a grand reward."
Hans didn't know what he meant by "saving the Kaiser's life," but it sounded like the Kaiser was about to give him something.
Perfect! I'll take the money and head to America.
With his future knowledge, he could make a fortune there.
As for the German Empire's downfall?
What's that got to do with me?
Hans wasn't about to play around on a sinking ship.
"So, I've decided to bring you to the palace."
"Huh?"
Take me to the palace?
Take who?
Me?
"Hans, you'll study alongside the empire's nobles, receiving the finest education in Europe. In the future, you'll become a pillar of the empire. That's the only reward fitting for saving my life, don't you think?"
"Your Majesty, I—"
"You don't need to worry about your race. I'll personally sponsor you. No one in the empire will dare look down on you, a lowly Asian."
None of that matters! I just want the money!
It was over.
Completely over.
Hans's grand plan for a new life in America was dead in the water.
And that wasn't even the worst of it.
Now, he was tied to the fate of the German Empire and Wilhelm II.
The moment the empire fell and the Kaiser went down, Hans's life would collapse with them.
"Be grateful. This kind of opportunity doesn't come to just anyone!" Wilhelm laughed heartily.
Hans wanted to punch him.
He wanted to slam his fist into that smug, mustached face. The Kaiser had no clue how Hans felt.
Calm down, Hans. If you do that, you're really done for.
Fine. If it's come to this, he'd try to look on the bright side.
For some reason, Wilhelm seemed to like him.
The German Empire right now was a textbook autocracy dressed up as a constitutional monarchy.
So, why not seize this chance to gain the Kaiser's trust? From there, he could work to make sure the German Empire won the First World War.
If the Kaiser survived, Hans survived.
As for what came after?
Thinking about it made his head hurt.
Let the future Hans deal with it.
Sorry, future me!
-----------------
March 8, 1901.
The New Palace, Potsdam, German Empire.
"Has His Majesty not arrived yet?"
"He'll be here soon."
"What a mess this is."
Empress Augusta, standing with the royal family to greet the Kaiser, sighed and rubbed her forehead.
An assassination attempt.
Not just on anyone, but on her beloved husband, the Kaiser of the German Empire.
"Your Majesty, please calm your worries," said Bernhard von Bülow, one of the empire's four chancellors, who had rushed from Berlin upon hearing the Kaiser was returning.
But in truth, Bülow was just as anxious.
"I've barely been chancellor for a few months, and now this nonsense!"
The drawn-out negotiations over the war treaty with the Qing Dynasty were already giving him headaches. And then there were the anarchists stirring up trouble every other day.
The imperial parliament was a mess, and the military was shouting about cracking down on all the "reds."
Bülow desperately wanted Wilhelm II to return and settle the chaos, but the Kaiser had delayed his return to Potsdam for two whole days.
"What is His Majesty thinking?" Bülow muttered.
"By the way, Chancellor," said Crown Prince Wilhelm, the Kaiser's eldest son.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"I heard the boy who saved Father is an Oriental. Is that true?"
Bülow's eyes flickered briefly.
He'd tried to keep it under wraps, but the news had clearly leaked somewhere.
As a former diplomat, he quickly regained his composure and answered in a low voice, meant only for the prince.
"That is correct."
"I knew it," the prince said, nodding.
"But why hide it?"
It wasn't something that could be kept secret forever, so why bother?
The young prince was puzzled, but Bülow sighed inwardly before responding.
"You know... His Majesty's views on the yellow race."
"Oh."
The Crown Prince finally understood Bülow's cautious reaction.
He knew his father had a particular prejudice against Asians.
Bülow, aware of the Kaiser's personality, likely wanted to keep the press from stirring things up and upsetting him.
"Could that be why Father delayed his return?"
It wouldn't be surprising if the Kaiser's pride was bruised because an Asian had saved him.
Knowing the Kaiser, it was entirely possible.
"The Kaiser has returned!"
At the shout from an attendant, everyone quickly lined up.
Soon, Wilhelm II's ornate four-horse carriage rolled into the palace grounds.
"Mother, is Father back?"
"Yes, finally."
Empress Augusta gently patted the head of her youngest daughter, Victoria Louise, who had asked the question.
The carriage came to a stop, and Wilhelm II stepped out with the help of his attendants.
"Your Majesty."
"Chancellor."
Bülow bowed deeply, and Wilhelm responded warmly.
"I'm relieved to see you safe."
"Thanks to heaven's protection. Oh, Sissy!"
"Father!"
Wilhelm spread his arms, laughing as his young daughter ran to him for a tight hug.
He was, without a doubt, a doting father.
"Your Majesty."
"Father."
"Dona, Wilhelm," the Kaiser said, addressing his wife and eldest son.
"Do you know how worried we were?" Empress Augusta scolded, her voice full of concern.
"I'm sorry for making you worry."
"If you know that, you should've returned sooner!"
"There were... reasons," Wilhelm said vaguely.
"What?"
"I ran into something interesting. Eitel! Adalbert! August! Oscar! Joachim!"
Wilhelm called out to his other sons, who were standing in the back, looking confused.
"Come here."
The princes tilted their heads but walked toward their father.
Once the family was gathered, Wilhelm patted the carriage door.
Creak.
The door opened, and a strange boy stepped out.
Black hair, black eyes.
"An Oriental?"
The royal family exchanged puzzled looks, turning to Wilhelm.
Even Bülow seemed caught off guard, his face awkward.
"Hans,"
Wilhelm said, lightly patting the boy's back to prompt him to greet the family.
"I'm Hans Jo," the boy said stiffly, clearly unused to palace etiquette, bowing clumsily.
"It's an honor to meet you."
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