Date

In the midst of October 1926, General Akado Rudolf, celebrated for his exceptional service to the German people and the Wehrmacht, was "granted" a vacation—a whole month off to relax and unwind. On the very first day of his holiday, an elaborate blind date was arranged for him. Depp, his chauffeur, drove him in a luxurious Daimler Mercedes-Benz to the entrance of Berlin's most opulent hotel. Even in Berlin's affluent quarters, and particularly at the doorstep of this premier dining venue for the city's elite, the sight of two custom-made, black 1925 Mercedes-Benz cars turned heads. These vehicles, fresh off the production line, were named after the year of their creation and featured the new Mercedes-Benz logo along with a cutting-edge streamlined design and an extraordinarily long engine compartment, a novelty at the time.

As the car drew to a smooth halt at the hotel's entrance, Akado stepped out, dressed in a bespoke suit provided by the Krupp family's butler, drawing admiring cheers from women and young ladies alike. In a year filled with wealthy gentlemen, Akado's youthful affluence was particularly striking. The discerning women present could tell at a glance that his suit hailed from an esteemed old tailor shop on William Street, known for once dressing Emperor William I. This master tailor was fond of embroidering a gold-threaded rose on the cuff of each suit, just as the one adorning Akado's sleeve. Knowledgeable onlookers were aware that this tailor had not personally crafted garments for many years; securing his services required not only substantial wealth but also significant influence.

"Could this young man be a crown prince from some country?" a lady inquired of her sister, who had closer ties to the Dutch royal family.

"Goodness, is it spring again? I don't recognize him, but he certainly dresses with taste, and that car of his is exquisite. Do you think he would fall for my thrice-married charm?" remarked another woman, in her forties and adorned with lavish jewelry.

"A woman married four times might be seen as fickle... but a widow four times over who inherited a $300 million estate is another matter entirely. However, I don't think he lacks finances. A financial approach might not sway him," her sister replied with a light chuckle.

Akado, navigating through a sea of flirtatious ladies, overheard their banter as he made his way to the hotel's main entrance. Trailing not far behind him, Anna and four IDF soldiers in civilian attire emerged from another modest old Mercedes-Benz and dispersed into the crowd. The security detail was intentionally small, as Akado had rarely been seen in public, and the only widely circulated photo of him showed merely half his face. Nonetheless, these bodyguards were armed with German Luger P-08 pistols, a standard issue for military officers that, despite its average performance on dusty battlefields, proved reliable on the clean streets of Berlin.

Despite the rejuvenation efforts under the "White Dove Project" and the expansion of the National Defense Army, the German economy was still not thriving. Most benefits had accrued to supporters of the Grand German Party, while businessmen who had been skeptical and then slow to curry favor faced tougher times. Consequently, the top-tier restaurant wasn't bustling with guests, allowing Akado to spot his date immediately upon entering.

She sat there, a vision so compelling that all else around her seemed to fade into dullness. Akado was reminded of a poem: "A smile in the city, a smile in the country, unknown to city and country alike, her beauty unparalleled." Her blonde hair, styled in a fashionable updo with gentle waves, seemed softer than any celebrity endorsement could capture, adorned with a fashionable hairpin that added a playful touch to her elegance. Akado, though not usually fixated on hair, found himself captivated.

Her eyes, a striking blue, held his gaze with an intensity that was both shy and curious. Her eyebrows, slightly thick yet perfectly placed, added to her relaxed and joyful demeanor. Her lips, a vibrant red, drew his eyes repeatedly. Akado had to admit, from every angle, this woman was stunning. Her face, a flawless oval with delicate features, was complemented by unusually smooth skin, unmarred by heavy makeup or the typical signs of European aristocratic lineage.

The beauty before him was so profound that Akado could only think of legendary figures like Helen of Troy, whose allure sparked a ten-year war. He mused that the women who graced the passenger seats of the popular Mercedes-Benz cars in his memories must have resembled her, or they would not have done the vehicles justice.

Feeling fortunate to live in such a grand era, where he could dine with such a woman, Akado thought how different his life might have been had he remained a mere foot soldier in the trenches. He described her beauty in detail because she deserved no less than the most lavish of praises, capable of eclipsing even the moon goddess with her radiance.

"Hello, distinguished General Akado Rudolph, I am Mercedes Cassia. It's a pleasure to meet you," she said, standing and extending a hand, her cheeks tinged with a shy blush.

Akado, feeling a heat rise to his own cheeks, was momentarily flustered. Though he had lived two lifetimes, this was his first dinner with such a breathtaking woman. Some experiences come naturally, but others, like this, required a certain finesse. He awkwardly bowed, taking her hand and brushing it with his lips in an attempt at a nobleman's kiss—a gesture he immediately regretted as too forward.

Seeing his discomfort, Mercedes blushed deeper yet smiled, easing the tension. "Please, sit down. Don't be too nervous. My father recently joined your party through his business with the Daimler-Benz company, and I've heard much about you," she said, her voice warm and inviting.

"I apologize, I'm a bit of a workaholic," Akado confessed, his words tumbling out more in nervousness than eloquence. "I spend most of my time with soldiers or business associates, so I'm not very practiced in the art of conversation with such charming company."

"Let's talk about something else," Mercedes suggested, gracefully steering the conversation. "I heard you saved over a hundred comrades on the battlefield. You're quite the hero."

"If being a hero means running back with a group of scared men, then yes, I suppose I am," Akado replied, deciding to embrace humility over awkwardness. "But honestly, I'm just a man who was very determined to live."

"That's a very admirable quality," Mercedes said, clearly touched by his honesty. As they spoke, the waiter approached and handed Akado the menu, setting the stage for what promised to be an unforgettable evening.

Akado had never before dined on regular Western cuisine in this establishment. He was more accustomed to the meat and eggplant dishes served near his old university, or at the headquarters of the National Defense Army, where the canteen offered mashed potatoes mixed with a hint of beef stew. Aware of his unfamiliarity with the menu, he handed it to Mercedes, saying, "This is my first time here; I'm not sure what's good."

"The French baked snails are excellent, and the foie gras is well-known. However, I personally enjoy the smoked salmon," Mercedes responded thoughtfully. "The chef here is French, and his skills are quite impressive."

Hearing this, Akado couldn't help but think about the cost of such fine dining. Despite feeling the pinch, he reminded himself that entertaining a beautiful companion like Mercedes was worth the expense, rumored to be in the hundreds of thousands. It wasn't that Akado was stingy, but managing finances in a role where funds were always tight made him cautious. Holding a hundred thousand with millions in liabilities made any lavish spending seem imprudent, even a French dinner.

While Akado was lost in thought, Mercedes had already ordered for both of them. The conversation then shifted to lighter topics. Akado shared about his recent acquisition of a watch company, Patek Philippe, and showed off a custom-made pocket watch that displayed multiple time zones. Mercedes was captivated by the watch, knowing its prestigious history linked to Queen Victoria and her husband in 1851. 

Akado, however, didn't mention his strategic reasons for buying the company—developing precise timers for bombs and, naturally, turning a profit. Seeing her interest, he offered, "If you like it, I can have one made for you, perhaps a bit smaller, with a gold thread pattern."

Mercedes blushed slightly at the generous offer and thanked him politely. Realizing his forwardness, Akado swiftly changed the subject. They chatted about the food and then moved on to discuss the Daimler-Benz Motor Company. Mercedes was well-versed in this topic, explaining the origins of the dishes and the workings of the company, which her father was involved with due to his friendship with Carl Benz, sparked by their successful car distribution partnership in Central Europe.

As dinner concluded, Akado drove Mercedes home in a brand-new Mercedes-Benz, a gesture that showcased the perks of her father's business connections. Akado then returned to his office, a place he frequented even during his supposed month-long vacation from the National Defense Force. His commitment to his work, often staying till dawn, was a trait highly respected by his peers.

The next morning, Carl Benz visited Akado, teasing him about his evening with Mercedes and hinting at the potential benefits of fostering a closer relationship with her family. Benz, a shrewd businessman, presented a file on Mercedes' father, suggesting his suitability for a governmental role, an idea that Akado initially resisted but considered due to Benz's assurance of the man's independence from major business conglomerates.

Benz's visit was not just business; he also expressed a personal admiration for Akado's ambitions and achievements at such a young age. Before leaving, he reminded Akado to take care of himself, a sentiment that touched Akado given Benz's advanced age of 82 years.

The following day, Akado appointed Mercedes' father as the Deputy Minister of the Sales Department at the Bailanhua Group, leveraging the connection to strengthen his business. He continued to cultivate his relationship with Mercedes, taking her to Berlin's largest opera house for a performance that humorously contrasted the historical Versailles Treaty with current events, much to Mercedes' amusement.

However, Akado's world was more than social engagements and business maneuvers. The early morning after the opera, he received urgent news from his head of intelligence—Adolf Hitler had been released from prison on bail, a development that could disrupt Akado's control over the political landscape. Despite the setback, Akado ordered a thorough purge of Nazi sympathizers within the military, determined to counteract any influence Hitler might regain.

This blend of personal connections, business dealings, and political strategy defined Akado's complex life, one where dinner discussions could influence national affairs and where personal gifts might carry weighty implications.