The meeting was over, and Günsche had suggested that there would be a dinner outside, considering that the war hadn't reached them. He already had set up the instruments outside in the garden, with his practiced hands.
"Don't stress yourself," Günsche told Krebs. "Just enjoy."
"Thanks," Krebs said. "I will. I'm very happy to have you prepare this for us - it's always delicious when you do."
"Thank you very much," Günsche said.
Fegelein was looking around. "It'd be nice to eat dinner like this every day …"
"I'm sure we will, once the divine rule is claimed," Jodl said, patting Fegelein on his back.
Krebs tilted his head. In fact, ever since they had been able to break several resistances in the country, they had been having dinner outside more often. If Burgdorf truly brought his dream to bring peace to everyone, it might not just be Fegelein's dream for this to become a tradition. These days will be here soon.
He clearly wasn't the only one who thinks so, as the faces of the other generals had faces as bright as their future, save for Günsche.
"Does divine rule mean taking absolutely everything for yourself?" Günsche suddenly asked.
"Günsche?" Krebs couldn't keep the shocked name out of his mouth.
"What are you trying to say?" Burgdorf asked, a thinly veiled threat in his words as he stalked menacingly up to Günsche.
"I cannot bring myself to think that is right if so," Günsche said, not swayed by Burgdorf's stance at all.
Burgdorf blinked, confusion flickering on his face, but it was gone as soon as he blinked, leaving Krebs to think he imagined it. "What is the meaning of this?"
"I recently learned of a concept from a friend of mine," Günsche said. "It is the idea that the imperfections inherent in life make life worth living."
"And what does that have to do with me?" Burgdorf inquired.
Günsche met Burgdorf's gaze steadily. "For the sake of your people, it is true that you must proceed in crushing the armies that oppose you. I am certain that you require a new building for that end, and more men besides. However, if bringing your ambitions to their end and destroying cities means banishing God and other religions from the world … I am afraid that I do not know where our people will go, where they will be able to go, to seek their salvation and solace from their suffering."
The general's careful consideration was met with nothing more than a scoff. "What, that's what you're worried about? Even if God, or whatever other religions believe in, I am here. The people can come to me for what they lack from all. All they, and you, have to do is believe in me."
So he's saying that the one who will take the hold of the ruler will take the place of the gods? Krebs couldn't ignore the worried look on Günsche's face, and he could not imagine what the person able to take all of that onto themselves would be like.
However, it seemed that the mere implication of whom that shall be was more than enough for Fegelein and the others.
"Of course, only you could take such a place," Fegelein said.
"And once you do," Jodl added, "the belief of the people will surely follow you."
"But …"
Günsche's voice was cut off by Burgdorf. "Günsche. I have no place for a general who is unsure of his place."
"I am aware of that, General, but I beg of you, please listen to those who stand below you." Günsche was almost sounding like he was pleading. "I would like for you to meet someone … he is a religious adviser by the name Jules-Geraud Saliege."
Burgdorf stared at Günsche. "Religious advisers are little more than hermits and recluses. I do not care for them." Burgdorf cut off Günsche's request before he could even finish making it. "We may have chased out Patton's armies at the cities, but that does not mean we eradicated them. I cannot bring peace those I do not control."
"Burgdorf …" Günsche's voice was exasperated.
"We live in a world of constant wars," Burgdorf said, as if Günsche had never spoken. "All there is for us is to demolish all those who would dare call themselves our enemies." His gaze didn't waver, but Krebs could see a flicker of sorrow in it. He takes lives to protect others … that is the burden he has taken upon himself. So many people have betrayed him already. He may be right in saying he can no longer trust others enough to be able to forgive his enemies so easily.
Burgdorf shook himself, as if getting rid of pained memories. "All of us will now return to the war meeting."