The Outbreak of the Great European War
1912
Emperor Meiji passed away, and the Imperial Grandson became the Crown Prince.
1914 (Taisho 3)
The Great War in Europe (later known as World War I) broke out.
"So, history is unfolding just as it did in the original timeline."
The 13-year-old Soryu muttered to himself.
"Well, of course. History won't change unless you do something. A few changes in the Gakushuin student body won't create any butterfly effect. Stop playing soccer all the time!"
"Soccer is part of a grand plan. I explained that before, didn't I?"
This year, Soryu and his classmates graduated from Gakushuin's elementary division and enrolled in the Crown Prince's Institute of Learning alongside the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince's Institute of Learning was an institution established to teach the Crown Prince the art of governance. Its director was Togo Heihachiro, who had commanded the Combined Fleet during the Russo-Japanese War.
"Your Highness, this is a paper predicting how the current war in Europe will progress. Fortunately, my father has connections for purchasing foreign books, allowing us to obtain the latest information from Europe. Based on that, I've written this analysis."
Soryu handed the Crown Prince a detailed paper predicting how the Great War in Europe would unfold. He claimed it was an analysis, but since he knew the history, it was easy for him to write in detail.
"So, you're saying the German and Russian Empires will collapse, and a new world order will emerge? What a bold prediction! But will weapons like 'tanks,' 'submarines,' and 'poison gas' really appear on the battlefield? And will aircraft technology advance so rapidly in such a short time?"
"Yes, Your Highness. According to my predictions, these weapons will undoubtedly appear on the battlefield. Modern total war involves pouring all of a nation's resources into technological development, leading to rapid advancements."
"But will 20 million innocent people really die in this war? Including soldiers, 37 million? I can't believe it. Isn't the purpose of a nation to protect its people? How can they wage war with so little regard for the lives of their citizens?"
"Your Highness, once a runaway train starts, it's hard to stop. Starting a war is easier than ending one."
And just as Soryu had written, the Great War in Europe continued to escalate.
March 1917 (Taisho 6) – Soryu, Age 15
Soryu skipped grades and enrolled at Tokyo Imperial University.
"Takashiro-kun, you're leaving my side to attend Tokyo Imperial University. What a shame. The Great War in Europe is unfolding just as you predicted. Nicholas II has abdicated in Russia, and the Soviet Council has taken power. How do you know so much about the future?"
Soryu decided to execute a plan he had been preparing for a long time. This was the only moment to do it.
"Yes, Your Highness. There's something I've been keeping secret from you. I sometimes have dreams. They're dreams of events that will happen in the near future. And they almost always come true."
"W-what?! Is that true? So, you can see everything that will happen in the future?"
"No, Your Highness. I only have these dreams occasionally. I don't see everything. But I always have them before major events. It's as if a person from 100 years in the future is speaking to me in my dreams. Perhaps someone from a future super-civilization is sending me messages."
"I see. If that's the case, I can better understand your exceptional abilities. You might be a chosen one."
Soryu wove truth and lies as he spoke to the Crown Prince.
"And what I'm about to tell you is extremely important. You must never speak of it to anyone. If you do, forces that fear this knowledge may harm me. Do you promise?"
"Takashiro-kun, this is a promise between friends. I swear to heaven and earth that I will not speak of it."
"Thank you. After the Great War in Europe ends, Japan will expand into mainland China, install Puyi as emperor, and establish the Empire of Manchuria in northeastern China. This will be a puppet state of Japan. This will lead to the Second Sino-Japanese War, and when a second great war breaks out in Europe, Japan will ally with Germany and fight against Britain and America. The war will become chaotic, and eventually, Japan's Combined Fleet will be annihilated. Cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya will be burned by bomber raids, and millions of innocent people will be killed. Finally, America will drop a new type of bomb—one each on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These bombs will 'vaporize' Hiroshima and Nagasaki in a scorching inferno, killing 200,000 women and children. Japan, reduced to ashes and facing an existential crisis, will surrender unconditionally to Britain and America."
Soryu recounted the "facts" calmly. If nothing was done, this tragedy would surely come to pass. As he listened, the Crown Prince's face grew pale, and his clenched lips began to bleed.
"Such a... such a future awaits us? Tell me, who will be the Emperor at that time? The current Emperor? Or...?"
Soryu swallowed hard. He had to tell the truth, but could the Crown Prince bear it?
"Yes, Your Highness. The Emperor at that time... will be you."
For the Crown Prince, this was an overwhelmingly shocking and cruel revelation. During his reign, Japan would suffer its first defeat and occupation since Emperor Jimmu, and millions of innocent lives would be lost. And he would be powerless to stop it.
The Crown Prince hung his head, tears streaming down his face.
"Why... why would I issue such a reckless war decree...? Why wouldn't I stop the war when so many of my people were dying...? Why? Tell me, Takashiro-kun!"
"Yes, Your Highness. By that time, freedom of speech and the press will be completely suppressed. The fact that Japan is losing the war and that innocent people are dying in air raids will not be accurately reported. Even to you, Your Highness, only minimized reports of the damage will be given. Sadly, even you will not know the full truth until the very end. Those in power and the military will twist the information to suit their needs. Under the pretext of 'national security,' they will hide the truth, and in doing so, they will bring about the worst possible outcome for national security."
"I see... So, I won't know the truth until the very end... How incompetent of me. I won't be able to face our imperial ancestors. I won't be a hero like Reinhard from your story, Takashiro-kun..."
"Your Highness, do not despair. Do not give up. I've decided to confess this to you because I believe we can change the future—no, I will change it! To that end, I've made allies at Gakushuin. And at Tokyo Imperial University, I will gather more allies to change the future. I will gain the strength to resist this great historical tide. Your Highness, I beg you to fight alongside me to prevent this tragic future."
"Can we... can we really change the future? Yes, we must. Takashiro, can I save Japan?"
"Who else but you, Your Highness, could accomplish such a thing?"
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A/N: Thank you for reading Chapter 12!
Finally, the big reveal!
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