He is Already a Tycoon at a Young Age! - Chapter 3



Only Krnovel

Episode 3

Episode 3 – The Body of Freedom

November 1918.

The four-year-long war was coming to an end.

The seemingly invincible German military industry was on the verge of collapse.

As food ran out, the mood on the battlefield became tense.

“Hey, the war won’t end because of you guys! You strike-breakers!”

The veteran soldiers shouted at the new recruits.

Everyone now knows that the war is coming to an end.

I performed my liaison duties moderately and avoided dangerous tasks.

I can’t be lying in the hospital blind like Hitler.

I don’t really want to experience mustard gas myself.

And finally, the long-awaited day arrives.

It’s November 10th.

The soldiers all cheered when they heard the news that a ceasefire had been signed at Compiègne.

Veteran soldiers like Hitler lasted a full four years. Four years in this hellish place.

Who wouldn’t be happy about a ceasefire?

But the next day, the 11th.

What I was afraid of happened.

“Sons of Vaterland! The war is not over yet! Those detestable French and English will break the treaty and invade our homeland at any moment!”

A man wearing the rank of major walked around the unit shouting.

“The armistice will come into effect at 11 a.m. today! Before that, we will launch a final offensive to secure a wider safety zone! We must fight for our wives and children, fathers and mothers in the rear!”

“This is crazy! Who the hell…!”

“All cowards and communists should be summarily executed!”

When the major pulled out his Luger pistol, all the soldiers became silent.

Is this how it’s going to go?

‘Even in the Korean War, tens of thousands of people died just before the armistice.’

End the war in a slightly more advantageous position!

Do high-ranking officers care about the lives of their soldiers?

It would be impossible unless they fought themselves.

“All hands, prepare to charge!”

The soldiers in the trenches slowly climbed up the ladder.

“Alp, what should I do now…”

“Just stay behind me, Richter. Don’t step forward and end up dying.”

Richter was shaking more than usual. The young faces next to him were visible.

Young recruits who have just been dragged into battle. At best, they look like they’ve just graduated from school.

“Everyone, get your watches out and set the time! The ceasefire will take effect at 11 o’clock! Prepare to charge!”

Okay, I’ll just pretend to do a quick check…

“Charge! Charge forward! For our fatherland!”

Time passes slowly.

A heartbeat that feels like it’s going to burst.

A whistle blew from the French trenches across the way.

They noticed it too.

As I was running, I took cover on the ground as soon as I heard the first gunshot.

“Alf! What are you doing?!”

“If you don’t want to die, lie down!”

I grabbed Richter by the collar and laid him down next to me. I couldn’t let him die a meaningless death.

“Shoot a few shots and then pretend to be hurt. The poison sniper won’t come this far anyway.”

Let’s check the clock.

There are 10 minutes left until 11 o’clock.

Other German soldiers shouted and rushed into the French trenches.

Then something caught my eye.

The young recruits I saw earlier.

The guys were wandering around like lost dogs.

“Hey, over there! Come over here and lie down!”

“Alf! Why are you standing up all of a sudden?!”

I dragged the dazed recruits in and made them lie face down on the floor.

“Sergeant, why are you doing this?!”

“Stop complaining and do as I say. Everyone, bow down and lie down. You next to me!”

Ten minutes passed, which felt like an eternity…

in the end.

“It’s 11 o’clock! Cease fire! Cease fire!”

The battle ended with loud cheers.

“Cease fire! The war is over! The ceasefire has come into effect!”

I could also hear someone shouting in French from the other side.

“It’s so fucking hard to make a living.”

I stood up from the mud and threw my rifle on the ground.

Has there ever been a more refreshing feeling than this?

Richter and the other recruits all had blank expressions. I looked at them and smiled.

“It’s over now.”

This fucking war is over.

＊＊＊

“The war is over now!”

Time passed quickly after that.

Even though the armistice was signed, the soldiers did not immediately return to their hometowns.

The German army retreated in a fairly orderly manner and redeployed the front line.

Food conditions remained poor, and the Allied forces remained on a combat alert.

‘If the army is like this, I don’t need to say anything about the situation in the rear.’

Turnips can be eaten raw, boiled, grated, or boiled.

There is a reason why they say it is the winter of turnips.

I’ve only been eating it for a few months, but I can’t believe how fresh it is.

I miss warm soup with kimchi. I miss it.

‘If you keep eating sauerkraut, it tastes like you’re eating white kimchi.’

My unit members would hide their snacks whenever they saw me because I would rush to them whenever I saw pickled cabbage or sauerkraut.

The un-ordinary routine continued like that.

“But, our German homeland wasn’t occupied at all. Russia has already surrendered to us.”

Richter said in a heated tone.

“Perhaps President Wilson will step in and mediate appropriately.”

“The important thing is not the United States, but France. France will do whatever it takes to bring Germany to its knees. The conditions will be harsher as well.”

The Treaty of Versailles was signed in June 1919, the following year.

‘If the contents of the treaty were known, all Germans would be shocked.’

Outrageously astronomical compensation amounts.

Prohibition on ownership of air force and fighter aircraft.

Limits on the size of the Navy and Army.

Renunciation of all colonies, including Alsace-Lorraine.

These harsh conditions were one of the main causes that led to Hitler’s rise to power and World War II.

“It is too harsh to appease German discontent, but too weak to completely bring Germany to its knees.”

“You speak as if you know everything.”

Richter burst out laughing.

“Alp, it’s not like it’s been a day or two since you’ve said that.”

“I told you not to call me Alpha.”

Adolf Hitler’s nickname was Alfran.

Even if they don’t match, they don’t match at all.

Then a soldier approached.

One of the new recruits I saved during the last battle.

“Sergeant, Lieutenant Gutman is looking for you.”

“okay.”

The lieutenant looked obviously exhausted.

Even dark circles under sagging eyes.

“Lieutenant, I heard you were looking for me.”

“Yes, Sergeant Hitler. You and Richter submitted your discharge application together.”

“The war is already over. I want to return to society as soon as possible.”

Strictly speaking, demobilization has not yet taken place.

However, Lieutenant Gutmann only wrote letters of discharge for those who wanted to join the army.

Where else can you find such a courageous officer?

It was also Lieutenant Gutmann who actively recommended Hitler to receive the Iron Cross of the 1st and 2nd class.

‘But Hitler actually committed genocide against the Jews.’

How much must Lieutenant Gutmann, a Jew, have regretted it later?

History is truly ironic.

“Sergeant Hitler. You are a fine soldier. Especially in the past few months, you have gotten along well with your fellow soldiers and have had no problems. There is nothing to criticize.”

I swallowed unconsciously.

You’re not going to let me go, are you?

“No matter what happens in the armistice negotiations, Germany will still have an army. The more limited its size, the more elite its troops will be. If it’s okay with you, I’d like to recommend that you stay in the army.”

He said.

“If you remain a soldier, at least you won’t have to worry about food, right? You will be appointed as a non-commissioned officer or an officer, not a private.”

“I appreciate your suggestion, Lieutenant, but…”

Remain in the German Defense Forces.

Maybe I’ll be able to rise to the rank of officer.

Because we have knowledge of the future.

‘But I don’t owe Germany anything.’

When you become a soldier, you either fight or you don’t fight.

There were only two options.

I have no intention of fighting for promotion with the Junker nobles.

I already had a boring military life in Korea, and now I have to spend a few more years with guys.

‘Did Hitler originally remain in the army in history?’

Hitler was discharged after he began Nazi Party activities.

Then I didn’t want to go down that path anymore.

“I have no intention of staying in the military.”

“Yeah, I totally get how you feel. After all the hardships you’ve been through these past few years. I just want to go home and take a shower.”

Lieutenant Gutman nodded.

“Then let’s deal with the volunteers properly. Tell Richter that they’ve been dealt with.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant.”

“You’ve worked hard. So, are you going back to your hometown? If you need a job, I can recommend one for you…”

“I’m thinking of going to America.”

“USA?”

The lieutenant tilted his head.

“I didn’t know you were interested in America. There must be strong anti-German sentiment in America right now. Didn’t they just shoot each other in the face?”

“The war is over. There are many Germans living in America. They won’t hate Germany forever.”

The country that enjoyed the greatest prosperity after World War I.

USA.

Is there any period as famous as the Roaring Twenties?

I have to go to America.

“Yes, I hope you will be successful in the New World. Thank you for your hard work.”

As I came out of the trench, I raised my middle finger toward the sky.

What? You want me to be possessed by Hitler and conquer the world?

Go eat some taffy.

Because I have no intention of doing what you want.

‘Kill me or send me back to my original world, do whatever you want with me.’

A silence without any answer.

I walked through the trenches, humming a tune.

America is waiting for me far away.