Chapter 0876: Traitors to the Nation

In the outskirts of Madrid stood a resplendent estate, its grandeur rivaled only by the royal palace itself. Throughout the city, it was known that no structure, apart from the King's own residence, could compare to its opulence. 

The estate belonged to none other than Spain's Foreign Minister, Prieto. Leveraging his high office and his close relationship with King Alfonso XIII, Prieto had amassed considerable wealth over the years. Yet no one dared to intervene or question his fortune. 

"Sir, the British ambassador has arrived," the butler informed him as soon as he returned home. 

Prieto's brows furrowed; the news unsettled him. After all, it had been he who had encouraged Alfonso XIII to reclaim Gibraltar. Now, with German forces stationed nearby and Spain on the brink of conflict, the move felt perilous. Though war seemed unlikely at this juncture, any such outbreak would undoubtedly seal his fate in the King's eyes. The very thought of it terrified him. 

"Take him to the secret chamber," Prieto ordered curtly. 

"Yes, sir," the butler replied, hurrying to make arrangements. 

After changing into fresh attire, Prieto proceeded to meet the British ambassador in the chamber. 

"Congratulations, Your Excellency, on your country's successful reclamation of Gibraltar," the ambassador greeted with a smile. 

"Hmph! Ambassador, your nation nearly got me killed this time. Our forces had barely set foot in Gibraltar when the German fleet arrived. Had they not exercised restraint, war would have broken out. And if that happened, His Majesty would never forgive me!" Prieto retorted angrily. 

"My apologies for the distress caused, Excellency. Here is the agreed compensation," the ambassador replied, handing over a check. 

Prieto glanced at it—a one-million-mark check from the Deutsche Bank. It was the reward promised earlier. 

The sight of the money brought a faint smile to Prieto's face. 

"This must not happen again, Ambassador. Your demands are far too reckless," Prieto said, his tone softening slightly. 

"For a man of your stature, Excellency, such matters are but a trifle," the ambassador flattered. 

"I am merely fortunate to enjoy a close rapport with His Majesty," Prieto replied with feigned modesty. 

"There is another matter I must trouble you with, Excellency. Should you succeed, there will be ample rewards," the ambassador continued. 

"What is it?" Prieto asked warily. 

"The Germans are unlikely to take this setback lightly. We hope your country can adopt a firmer stance against them," the ambassador said. 

"What? That's impossible! Such a move would provoke a war with Germany, which would bring nothing but ruin to Spain. Absolutely not!" Prieto shook his head vehemently. He understood the British motive: to drive a wedge between Spain and Germany. A war between the two nations would undoubtedly please Britain, but Spain was no match for Germany. Such recklessness was out of the question. 

"Excellency, Germany would not dare wage war on Spain. Such aggression would invite international condemnation. Even as the world's foremost power, they cannot invade a sovereign nation without consequence. I assure you, if your country stands firm, Germany will back down," the ambassador urged. 

"No, the risks are too great. I will not gamble with the fate of my nation," Prieto reiterated, shaking his head. 

"Excellency! If successful, we are prepared to offer you five million marks," the ambassador proposed. 

"Five million marks?" Prieto's eyes gleamed momentarily but dimmed again at the thought of the risks. He shook his head once more. 

"Ten million marks! Rest assured, there will be no war. Even if conflict arises, it will be limited to Gibraltar and pose no real threat to Spain," the ambassador pressed on. 

"Ten million marks?" Prieto hesitated. Such a sum was a veritable fortune, especially given Spain's impoverished state, which had yielded him little opportunity for personal gain despite his position. 

Prieto knew full well that this gamble could plunge Spain into catastrophe. Yet he clung to a sliver of hope—that the situation would not escalate, that Germany would not truly go to war with Spain. Even if conflict did break out, he reasoned, it would likely remain confined to Gibraltar and thus be manageable. Alfonso XIII's ire, under such circumstances, would not be unbearable. 

"Very well, Ambassador, I accept your proposal. However, I require an advance payment," Prieto finally relented. 

"Of course, Excellency. Here is two million marks. The remaining eight million will be delivered upon completion," the ambassador said, his face alight with satisfaction. 

Prieto took the check without hesitation. 

As a high-ranking minister of Spain, it was his duty to strengthen the nation, not to sell it out or place it in jeopardy. Yet, for a man like Prieto, patriotism had its price. If the reward was high enough, even betrayal of one's country was not unthinkable. 

"To a fruitful collaboration, Excellency," the ambassador said. 

"Indeed, I shall do my utmost," Prieto replied with a smile, priding himself on being a man of his word. 

The British ambassador left the estate promptly. Such dealings required utmost secrecy; exposure would bring dire consequences. After all, Spain, despite its decline, remained a kingdom. Silencing a treasonous official would be a simple matter, and even Britain, in its diminished state, could do little in response. 

As the ambassador departed, a flicker of unease crossed Prieto's face. He knew full well the British intentions and the risks his actions posed to Spain. Yet the lure of the promised fortune was irresistible. This internal conflict gnawed at him, leaving him torn between greed and guilt.