Chapter 43 Kaiser Wilhelm II
Upon hearing Arthur describe how well Australia was developing, Queen Victoria nodded with satisfaction and began eating her lunch.
Perhaps due to her good mood, the mashed potatoes she could barely eat before were nearly finished, and she even drank most of her juice.
After the simple meal, everyone gathered again around Queen Victoria, chatting and keeping her company.
Perhaps one of life's greatest blessings is to be surrounded by loved ones in one's final moments. At least now, Queen Victoria's face was full of smiles, no longer looking frail and sickly.
That afternoon, another distinguished guest arrived on the island—Kaiser Wilhelm II of the German Empire.
Though Germany and Britain were currently rivals and members of opposing military alliances, Wilhelm II and Queen Victoria actually had a rather warm relationship.
It was Crown Prince Edward whose relationship with Wilhelm II had soured, particularly since he had gradually taken over governmental duties.
Arthur also had the chance to meet this cousin of his. The web of relationships among European aristocracy was indeed complex—Arthur's own family connections extended across much of the continent.
Due to the sheer number of nobles and officials arriving to visit the queen, Arthur, after spending some time speaking with her, spent the rest of his stay strolling around the Isle of Wight.
Though only about four square kilometers in size, the island featured a beautiful landscape and an active volcano.
What drew people to the Isle of Wight were its many natural hot springs and fountains. Soaking in warm, soothing water surrounded by scenic beauty was the kind of peaceful moment anyone could enjoy.
However, Arthur wasn't in the mood for a hot bath. He simply wandered the island alone.
He hadn't brought guards with him. Since Queen Victoria had taken up residence there, 2,000 Royal Guards had been stationed on the island. Heavily armed troops patrolled both the estate and its surroundings, ensuring complete safety.
At the center of the island was a mist-covered area—evidence that the volcano was still active, quietly building pressure for another eruption.
Since Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had begun living there, the island had experienced dozens of eruptions. While none had been particularly destructive, the frequency was still notable.
"Arthur, what's this? Interested in the volcano?"
A sudden unfamiliar voice reached Arthur's ears. He turned and saw none other than Wilhelm II, whom he had just encountered for the first time that afternoon.
"What? Don't recognize me, dear cousin Arthur?" Wilhelm II chuckled, walking over to lean against the railing beside him.
"Your Majesty, the Kaiser," Arthur said, bowing slightly.
"No need for such formality, Arthur. I'm your cousin—just call me Cousin Wilhelm," Wilhelm II said, clapping Arthur on the shoulder with a smile. "To be honest, we've barely had a proper conversation. If not for an occasion like this, we might never meet."
Cousin? Arthur suddenly recalled a certain lady and felt a wave of discomfort.
"I was very sorry to hear about your uncle's passing. I regret not attending the funeral—it was a busy time politically," Wilhelm II added with a subtle turn of his body to obscure his left arm.
"It's alright, Cousin Wilhelm. A monarch's duties at home must come first," Arthur replied calmly.
"Arthur, what do you think of Germany?" Wilhelm II asked suddenly.
"Germany? The German people are a great nation, and Germany is a great country. Though it unified only recently, it has already grown into a strong nation combining industrial, military, and economic power. Today, Germany's gap with the old great powers is minimal—except in colonies," Arthur said truthfully.
It had to be acknowledged that Germany's unification was recent, but in that short time, it had become a formidable industrial and military force.
Germany's steel production was now among the top three globally. While it still lagged behind industrial titan America, it had already surpassed Britain slightly.
Militarily, Germany's army was undisputedly the strongest in the world, and its navy was rapidly catching up to Britain's. In terms of combined military power, Germany was easily in the global top two.
Meanwhile, old power France—though still supported by its vast colonies—had fallen behind both Britain and Germany in terms of economy and industry.
If France's colonies were handed over to Germany, it might well challenge Britain for the title of world's leading power.
This explained the increasing tensions and direct conflict between Germany and France. France was declining yet still controlled vast colonies as the second-ranked global power. Germany, growing stronger, had very few colonies—fewer even than the Netherlands' Southeast Asian holdings.
Given these circumstances, it was only natural that Germany resented the colonial imbalance and its neighbor France.
"Haha," Wilhelm II chuckled after Arthur's honest answer. "You're quite right. What Germany lacks is the depth and market that vast colonies provide. But most of the world's colonies are held by Britain and France. Britain is understandable—being the top global power, it makes sense. But France has declined. It no longer deserves to enjoy so many colonies alone. Why not join us in resisting the old empires, Arthur? Australia's location is strategically important. It could significantly threaten France's colonies in Africa and Asia. If you're willing, Germany can provide you with complete industrial equipment and a large number of immigrants to help you build a fully functional industrial system within a few years and become an industrial power."
Arthur was taken aback. He hadn't expected Wilhelm II to try and recruit him—and all of Australia—at a time like this.
Tensions in Europe were escalating. The two major military alliances were clashing more and more frequently, and the ongoing arms race had left every nation exhausted.
(End of Chapter)
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