Chapter 388: The Devil’s Absence
Erwin’s wedding was the dawn of a new era for Europe and the world. Just as in Bruno’s past life, so too in this one did the end of the Great War bring massive consequences—both for the vanquished and, in ways unforeseen, for some of the victors.
With the war won and demobilization underway, soldiers of the Central Powers began their long journey home. Many returned to their old towns and villages, seeking any semblance of stability after years spent in the hellfire of war.
Yet, no matter how much they tried to reintegrate into civilian life, they could not outrun the ghosts of the trenches—the battles won, the brothers lost, the horrors endured. The scars of war were not merely etched into their flesh but branded into their minds. And for many, there was no true homecoming.
Bruno had foreseen this grim reality long before the first shot of the war was fired. He had known that not all wounds bleed openly, and that the memories of war would be a torment for those who lived through it. But one wound, in particular, threatened to devour entire generations: addiction.
To fuel the war effort, pharmaceutical-grade methamphetamine had been distributed among frontline soldiers of the Central Powers. It was an effective stimulant, sharpening reflexes, numbing exhaustion, and instilling an artificial courage in those sent to the slaughter. Yet, like all miracles of war, it came with a terrible price addiction.
Men who had once charged into enemy fire without hesitation now found themselves helpless against a new enemy: chemical dependency.
Alcoholism, narcotic abuse, and the unending ache of trauma were bound to follow. That is if not for one man’s foresight.
Bruno had ensured, from the very beginning, that methamphetamine usage in the German Army was tightly controlled. Dosages were monitored. Distribution was restricted to the frontline only, and any soldier showing signs of dependency was immediately rotated out and sent to one of the treatment centers established before the war even began.
Alongside this, massive investments had been made in medical research, particularly in the fields of addiction treatment, neurological trauma, and psychiatric disorders linked to battlefield experiences. The effects of Pervitin, cocaine, and other highly addictive substances were studied with scientific rigor, and preventative measures were woven into the very framework of the Reich’s veteran reintegration programs.
Bruno’s wife, Heidi, through her vast charitable foundations, had played a critical role in softening the hardships faced by returning soldiers.