Chapter 5: Procession
No one slept. For the members of the Workers' Party, this was a day they would never forget!
The sky was gradually brightening. It was already November 9, and early that morning, Hitler received surprising news.
Although Losov and Sessel were still being held captive, the German Defense Forces and the Munich police had realized something was wrong. They quickly mobilized and surrounded the War Department!
Himmler and Röhm were trapped!
The situation was dire!
"We can't wait any longer. According to the plan, we need to hold a demonstration in Munich to grow our ranks!" Hitler declared. "Now, we have to march to the War Department and rescue the brave Himmler and Röhm!"
"Chief, we should take these two with us," Cyric suggested, referring to Losov and Sessel.
Right now, Losov and Sessel were still under their control. The forces surrounding Himmler and Röhm were loyal to these two men. What would happen if they were forced to give orders to their own troops?
Cyric could only imagine how things might play out, recalling how, in history, these cunning men escaped in the middle of the night and later released statements distancing themselves from Hitler's uprising. This time, under Cyric's watch, they wouldn't escape so easily.
"Good idea. Losov, Sessel, thank you for your performance last night. Today, I hope you'll continue to use your abilities. The future of the empire depends on you, the Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of Police," Hitler said, patting them on the shoulder.
Both men had bitter expressions. They resented the Berlin government too, but they wanted to restore it, not replace it with a new regime.
Today was a memorable day—it marked the birth of the Weimar Republic. But today, a rebellion was underway!
A large procession marched through the streets of Munich. The Swastika flag and the Highland Alliance flag flew high!
When the uprising began the previous day, only a few hundred die-hard stormtroopers were present. But after Hitler's impassioned speech, many men—some holding beer bottles—joined in, swelling the group to over a thousand!
By the time they began their march today, their numbers had grown to more than 3,000!
"Our empire was weakened by the Treaty of Versailles! This is the source of Germany's disaster! Now, let us rise up, tear up the Treaty of Versailles, and save our country!" Hitler shouted, leading the crowd. His unique, powerful voice stirred a sense of terrible energy among the people.
It was as though his words were a spiritual atom bomb!
"Stop! Don't move forward!" A police unit appeared ahead. Armed with live ammunition and mounted on tall horses, they blocked the crowd's path.
The horses snorted, their hind legs digging into the ground, ready to charge at any moment. The police believed they could handle this group of rebels. If they charged, the crowd would surely scatter—it was just a chaotic mob!
"Mr. Sessel, these are your men. Please control them," Cyric said, jabbing Sessel in the back with his MP18 submachine gun.
If curses worked, Cyric would have died countless times by now. Silently cursing Cyric, Sessel reluctantly stepped forward.
Tears nearly filled Sessel's eyes as he addressed the police. "I'm Chief of Police Sessel. Who's your commanding officer?"
Though Sessel didn't know every officer under his command, he knew the leaders. He looked at the police officer, less than ten meters away. If he ran, would he be rescued?
This was his last chance! After all, Sessel had been a policeman for many years and knew he had to seize any opportunity.
But just as he was about to act, the muzzle poked him in the back again!
Run? Could he outrun a submachine gun? At 400 rounds per minute, the MP18 could turn him into a sieve! If he had a horse, maybe he could try it.
"Chief, we're here to rescue you," a plump police captain stepped forward, addressing Sessel.
Both sides had guns, and the captain was worried that if anyone lost control, a firefight would break out.
But he had no orders! And now, his Chief of Police stood on the opposite side!
"Idiot! Do I look like I need your help? Can't you see I'm fine? Get out of the way!" Sessel barked.
He didn't dare move. Even if it would take only three seconds to dash those few meters, in one second, he'd be riddled with bullets.
"Why aren't you moving?!" Sessel shouted again, glaring at his subordinates in disappointment as they slowly retreated.
Didn't they realize he was speaking in irony? They should charge forward and arrest these traitors! If they just rode in, the chaos would start, and he would be saved!
Sessel's disappointment grew. His only chance of escape had slipped away.
"Thank you, Sessel. The empire will remember your loyalty," Hitler said, clearly excited. He had been holding a revolver the whole time, but now he gazed at the growing crowd behind him with anticipation.
If Mussolini could succeed, so could he!
"Forward! Keep moving!" Hitler urged.
The procession continued, and as they advanced, more citizens joined in, swelling their ranks even further!
Ahead lay the War Department, just beyond the next street.
"Stop! Don't move!" another group blocked their way.
The Defense Forces!
Compared to the police, the Defense Forces were even more formidable! Armed with Mauser rifles, they had set up machine guns near the building's trash cans. Their muzzles pointed directly at the crowd, ready to unleash a barrage of bullets at any moment!
The marchers had a mix of weapons, but Cyric's MP18 submachine gun was considered a high-end weapon. Most of the others carried Mauser rifles at best.
Hitler turned and glanced at Losov. It was clear what needed to happen next. Losov would be up.
But before he could step forward, Cyric spoke: "I'll go. I know them very well."
Very well indeed. A sly grin spread across Cyric's face.
Whether in this time or the future, Cyric knew the man standing before him all too well. The team's leader had a round face, wore glasses, and exuded an air of elegance. Under his nose, there was a small, unmistakable mustache.