It took ample and cautious preparation to ensure that the scaled model of Erwin’s envisioned Europe was transferred perfectly intact to the conference hall of Hanseong’s Deoksugung Palace.

But compared to the feats that Bruno had pulled off waging wars across the world, it was a small matter.

The kings and emperors of Europe stood gathered around the table. Along with chancellors, prime ministers, generals, and ambassadors. A few of them had even brought their wives along.

They gazed at the display in complete and utter awe. It looked like they were looking at a miniature world ripped straight from the future.

Many murmured to themselves, some whispered to others in excitement and disbelief. Others still, like Elsa had their eyes flutter to every corner, examining every little detail.

In the end, Bruno stood at the head of the table, next to Crown Prince Wilhelm, and began the discussions.

"Over the course of the last two decades, much of this has already become a reality within the borders of the German Reich and the Russian Empire. I have no doubt many of you followed me across the Trans-Siberian Railway. So you must know of what I speak."

All whispers came to a dead silence as Bruno said these words. Indeed, many of them had seen the work undertaken already. In fact, many had ridden the maglev straight from Berlin to Moscow. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

They had personally witnessed the technological marvels that Russia and Germany were building together. A giant rail into the horizon and beyond. A project that none of them could ever conceive undertaking.

Bruno however knocked his hand on the table, not once, but twice. Nodding his head as he spread his arms out towards the mockup in front of him. Boldly declaring his intentions without fear of rejection by any of the representatives present.

"This... is the future of Europe... the future of civilization... the future of our world. To be able to travel from Lisbon to Saint Petersburg within nine hours. Think of it... Any one of us, any one of our citizens can wake up in Portugal, and have breakfast next to the Atlantic, and dine in Saint Petersburg all within the same day. And this is just the beginning."

Bruno pointed towards the maglev line on the project his son had orchestrated.

"Every capital, every economic hub, every port, all connected via parallel systems of rail. The sheer volume of freight moved across the continent at speeds the world has never seen before. A product could be completed in Moscow, packaged and delivered to Paris all in the same day. Maglevs are used across interstate distances, while high-speed diesel-electric trains are used within regions. No delays caused by poor weather or human misbehavior. Freight and people move on time like clockwork across the continent."

The picture that Bruno painted in the minds of the delegates with his words was a masterpiece. He could practically see them salivating at the idea.

As for Eva, Elsa, Anna, and Erika. They had a different view entirely.... This meant that they could visit their family in Innsbruck at any time they wanted on any day. And without the hassle of preparing to be away for an entire week.

They could visit their parents, siblings, nieces, nephews at any time of the day. For the first time since their childhood, they could see each other daily. To Bruno’s daughters that idea was worth more than just about anything else their father could say.

And he knew it, too. He eyed his daughters and nodded his head in silence as he saw the excitement and longing in their eyes.

Of course, this grand vision wasn’t a free meal ticket, and naturally King Gustaf V of Sweden was quick to bring this matter to attention.

"This vision of yours will take decades. And cost an insurmountable amount of resources. It’s the fever dream of a madman. An undertaking of this size would require the cooperation and investment of every nation here. It has never been done before in history!"

The dream was nearly shattered just as it had begun to take shape. But Bruno was a stubborn bastard. One who had challenged and beaten fate while holding a dead man’s hand.

He refused to back down, because as far as he was concerned he had already won the game. And his voice carried a victor’s decree, one that was absolute and unchallengeable.

"And you would allow the fact that it has never been done before deterring you from attempting to build a better world? I suppose that Alexander should have never tried to cross the Hellespont and bring the sword to the Persians. Because nobody had ever conquered Persepolis before. Maybe someone should have told Hannibal that crossing the Alps with an army was impossible. Because it had never been done."

He didn’t continue, his point stood on its own. And everyone knew it. Instead, Bruno shifted the conversation to something else.

"For the last 50 years, I have watched every nation represented in this summit mobilize manpower, resources, and industry on a scale that would have been considered impossible just a hundred years ago. And what did we do with it? We tried to destroy ourselves. And we damn near succeeded...."

Those words stuck in the hearts and minds of every man present. All of them had reigned during either the First or Second Weltkrieg. They had seen what Bruno spoke of. They could not deny the truth in his words.

But Bruno didn’t allow them to wallow in shame, instead he pointed to the mock up once more.

"If we can mobilize such awesome capital for the purposes of destruction, death, and despair. Who says we can’t do the same for something that actually benefits us all? Any man here has the right to say that this is the fever dream of a madman. But the Reich is committed to its ongoing infrastructure projects with the Russian Empire, and the Kaiser wishes to extend the invitation to all of you."

Bruno turned his gaze to the mock up one more time and nodded his head. Sighing heavily as he looked back at the delegates.

"By all means, I do not require your word here and now. Take some time to think about it. This is, after all not a decision that should be made flippantly. But... know this: That right there is the future of Europe. And one way or another it will be built by the end of this century. You can either be a part of it... or left behind. That is the choice you will be making."

He didn’t say another word, Bruno sat back down in his seat and watched as each delegate sat, whispered, and debated among their own host, among each other. And Bruno could see the influence his daughters had on their husbands.

Italy, Greece, Russia were instantly on board. There wasn’t the slightest chance that they would not be a part of this. And when Hungary saw that Italy and Russia were on board. They, just like Romania had no choice but to agree.

Soon enough, all of Eastern Europe was on board. And when the Western European nations saw that the Eastern Europeans had thrown their lot in with Germany’s plan, they too felt compelled to agree.

It wasn’t a matter of belief, but strategic necessity. Alone, Germany and Russia might be able to pull this off. But with the backing of the entirety of Eastern Europe, the odds that they would actually succeed over the next fifty years were higher than failure.

And if that were to occur, and Western Europe was cut off, they would fall behind. So, France joined in, then Spain, then Portugal, and finally Britain.

Ultimately, it was the Scandinavian countries that were the most hesitant. They had largely stayed out of the wars of the 20th century.

They had watched Germany leverage every form of power to consolidate its current empire. Military, cultural, political, and of course economic leverage.

To see them weaponized a new form of leverage, diplomacy, it was like watching Lucifer convince the other archangels to join him in rebellion.

Bruno stared over at their corner of the table, his hands folded across one another, a subtle smirk on his face. The other Kings and Emperors stood by his side, already in the act of formally drafting a legal document to pledge support for this cause.

"Well.... It would appear that the Nordic countries wish to remain separate from the rest of Europe...."

Those words broke the King of Denmark who was the first from among his own bloc to step forward and accept the proposal.

"Nonsense... We were simply not concluded in our discussions. But, as I can see the rest of you have already agreed, there is no reason for the Danes to remain stubborn. Where do I sign?"

And just like that, the dominos fell into place. The kings and emperors of Europe had come together to begin a joint-infrastructure project of such scale and ambition that a mere five years prior it would have been considered impossible.

But there is nothing impossible to him who will try.