With a "click".
Bowerman, standing at the end of the corridor, turned to look at the conference room, just as Wolfgang walked out.
Bowerman withdrew his gaze, pressing himself against the corner of the wall and looking at the opposite wall, while Wolfgang's heavy footsteps gradually echoed down the corridor.
When the footsteps were close by, Bowerman turned to look at Wolfgang who was walking towards him.
"Field Marshal Wolfgang, is the conversation over?" Bowerman asked, hands in his pockets, looking at Wolfgang's slightly pale face.
Wolfgang nodded absentmindedly.
Bowerman nodded slightly, but suddenly pulled his hand from his leather jacket pocket and reached towards Wolfgang. Wolfgang, who had been somewhat distracted, was startled by this sudden action and quickly took two steps back, saying:
"What are you doing, Bowerman?"
"It's nothing, I just noticed your clothes were dirty."
Bowerman said this, and at that moment, his hand, wearing a dark red glove, patted the hem of Wolfgang's uniform.
Wolfgang froze, looking at him with some surprise.
Bowerman ignored him, casually patted him a few times, and then looked at Wolfgang expressionlessly, saying:
"Be careful to keep things clean, Field Marshal Wolfgang."
"How can military uniforms get covered in soot?"
Upon hearing this, Wolfgang paused, looked down at his clothes, and realized that he had forgotten to brush off the cigarette ash that had fallen on him. He quickly patted his clothes and said, "I didn't notice."
"Alright, go back and get some rest, Field Marshal Wolfgang," Bowerman said, putting his hands back in his jacket pockets.
"Um."
Wolf gave a muffled reply, wiping the stains off his clothes as he walked forward. But after only a couple of steps, he suddenly remembered what Von Palen had said about giving a speech at St. Marienplatz the next day, so he stopped, turned around, and said:
"What are your plans for the speech at St. Marienplatz tomorrow at noon? His Majesty has asked me to prepare a troop for security, so we need to work together to develop a plan."
Upon hearing this, Bowerman frowned, and just as he was about to speak, Von Palen's voice came from the direction of the conference room:
"Get Bowerman here immediately!"
Upon hearing the shout, Bowerman immediately said to Wolfgang, "You should go back first. I will come to see you after I have seen His Majesty."
"It shouldn't take too long."
Wolfgang, looking exhausted, replied, "Okay, then let's get it done as soon as possible."
After saying that, he immediately walked away, while Bowerman headed towards the conference room.
——
"His Majesty."
Bowerman entered the conference room, closed the door, and looked at von Palen, who was sitting in a chair.
Von Palen rested his hands on the table with his forehead pressed tightly against his clasped hands, his eyes closed, as if he were pondering some complex matters.
Bowerman called out to him, but when he didn't respond, he had no choice but to stand quietly to the side.
Several minutes later, von Palen opened his eyes and looked at Bowerman: "Tomorrow at noon, we need to hold a people's assembly in St. Marien Square, and I need to be there in person."
Bowerman immediately raised an eyebrow: "Your Majesty, I'm afraid that won't work."
"Didn't you say that most of the rebels had been arrested?" Von Palen said expressionlessly.
Bowerman quickly explained:
"Yes, but going to St. Marienplatz is still extremely risky. Even if there's only one assassin, as long as he hides among the people, it's still..."
Before he could finish speaking, von Palen interrupted, "I've already made up my mind."
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, this is absolutely not acceptable.” Bowerman shook his head, his brow furrowing even more deeply.
Von Palen seemed to have anticipated this. He slowly stood up, walked to Bowerman's side, and said, "I have to go."
At this point, Von Palen stared intently into Bowerman's eyes and said, word by word, "I know what problems Salvia is facing right now, and I know what the people need."
"Only by stepping in personally can the people regain their confidence."
Bowerman could see the determination in von Palen's eyes. He knew that further persuasion would not change his mind, so he could only say:
"But your decision is too sudden. Forgive my bluntness, but was it because of what you just talked about with Field Marshal Wolfgang that made you make this decision?"
Upon hearing this, Feng Palen put his hands behind his back, his previously solemn expression suddenly relaxed, and he even chuckled softly.
"There is some connection, but not a significant one."
"I was planning to do that anyway."
Bowerman shook his head and said, "Okay, but it's still a bit sudden. Could we postpone it for two days? That would allow me to prepare the security arrangements more thoroughly."
"It'll be tomorrow, at 2 PM tomorrow."
"In the morning, you need to let as many people as possible know the news. Don't lock them in their homes; let them come out. The more people, the better."
Faced with this request, Bowerman felt helpless. The more people there were, the greater the risk. If hidden rebels took the opportunity to assassinate him, the emperor's safety would be seriously threatened.
Thinking of this, Bowerman hesitated and said:
"Very well, Your Majesty."
“But I have to have the security personnel set up a cordon and clear out the area within 150 meters... no, 200 meters around the podium. We absolutely cannot let the public get close.”
Von Palen shook his head:
No, there's no need for that.
"Just do it the way you always have."
Bowerman quickly said, "Your Majesty, things are different now than before. Going to St. Marienplatz is already a huge risk for you. There is a very high chance that those rebels will take the opportunity to assassinate you."
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