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So, until now, we haven’t been idle, have we? Perhaps MacArthur barely managed to push Trotsky out with our help, so he might negotiate with Huey Long.

That works for us too.

If the United States collapses more than expected, there’s always the option for Russia to swoop in and gobble it all up.

For now, I just hope the U.S. can quickly return to where it was.

Well then, since it seems the American Civil War won’t last much longer, shall we turn our attention to Europe?

The war in America is gradually coming to an end. Next up is Europe.

“How is the war in Europe going?”

“The Royal Navy is currently shelling various coasts of Communist Germany, while the Red Air Force of Communist Germany is clashing with the Royal Air Force of Britain in the skies.”

It’s the air forces of two utterly incompatible factions facing off against each other.

The Red Air Force of communism and the Royal Air Force of constitutional monarchy. What a heart-wrenching sight, truly.

Honestly, doesn’t the White Air Force sound cooler?

“Hmm. That’s quite impressive. The question is which side has the advantage.”

“Based on the current situation, Communist Germany seems to have the upper hand.”

Right. It makes sense that Communist Germany has an advantage fighting on its home turf.

However, the damage does seem to be greater on the Communist German side. It seems unlike history where the Luftwaffe took heavy losses due to the aerial battle over the British mainland.

“But still, they must be suffering significant losses.”

Fighting on their own territory does give them the advantage, but it also means they incur higher losses.

“Well, since they are fighting on their own land, that could be expected, but it seems Goebbels is trying to use that point to galvanize German national unity.”

“Hm.”

Goebbels is quite relaxed. At this point, it’s safe to assume he’s preparing something.

It seems that my predictions might come true. The communist takeover of France. Didn’t they quickly take over Denmark too?

Of course, it might be a stretch to think of Denmark and France as in the same class. But right now, it seems Germany’S only chance of winning is through that.

“I hear the performance of the aircraft is superior on Germany’s side. However, the UK isn’t completely outclassed.”

So, they’re ahead of Britain. It seems the Communist German forces have been quietly working behind the scenes.

Just looking at the Soviet Union, they’ve leveraged spies to extract various things from abroad.

“It seems Britain is struggling in many ways.”

“Germany seems determined, digging in and not yielding.”

Indeed, the dynamics are vastly different from World War I.

Communist Germany is instead drawing in the enemies and forcing sacrifices upon them.

Of course, Germany’s homeland will face fierce bombings. Didn’t the Luftwaffe not lose many pilots in the British mainland sky battles?

Britain looks like it’ll take quite a beating from this.

“And what about Poland?”

Poland is important too. If this invasion war stalls, Poland will be torn apart.

Germany seems quite confident.

“It seems Poland is also attacking the eastern regions along with the German Empire Army.”

So they’re really going for it.

The war began due to Nazi Germany’s scheming, all because Grandma passed away.

Now, instead of getting beaten up, Poland is counter-attacking.

Oh, our Poland is amazing.

Caught in my wicked grasp, they ultimately wish to cross the Rhine.

Still…

“It doesn’t seem promising.”

That “doesn’t seem promising” means there’s hardly any gain from this.

We’ve been giving them weapons without holding back, but it appears that Communist Germany is somehow managing to hold on against all odds.

Hmm, are we the only ones benefitting from this?

Even if Communist Germany hangs on, they’re doing so remarkably well.

The more they endure, the more other nations will have no choice but to rely on us.

Looking at the board, apart from the south, it’s like they’re surrounded and taking a beating.

The lowland countries are worthless. At this point, it seems our Communist Germany is well-prepared.

For now, it seems there won’t be any major fights in the U.S. at least, right?

Then we can quickly dispatch troops and actively join World War II.

“There’s good news from Ethiopia as well.”

“Ethiopia?”

Ah, right. Our Italy automatically declared war the moment Germany was attacked.

Yet, that was without having finished with Ethiopia.

So, the Italian East African Army would obviously retreat. No matter how much Mussolini is hyped up, he wouldn’t leave his main forces stuck there.

They probably pulled back, leaving only the bare minimum of troops.

“It seems they’re planning to counterattack the Italian army and revert to the pre-war borders.”

Right. If you are an emperor, you should at least do that.

“The Italian forces have probably pulled back quite a bit.”

The retreat of Italian troops will certainly be significant.

Unless he’s a fool, Mussolini couldn’t just let his isolated forces sit around.

“Yes. If they continue to attack Ethiopia like this, they’ll get smashed by the British army, so wouldn’t they focus on the French front?”

“Fools.”

Well, honestly, Italy wouldn’t have many options either.

Even if Mussolini is an unavoidable idiot, if Germany is getting beaten to death, then Italy will be screwed too.

Moreover, Ethiopia is way too far from home.

Thinking of that, it’d make more sense to leave Ethiopia behind and focus on the French front.

Italy might even push into Austria and what is now ambiguously called Yugoslavia and Greece just to make up for lost ground.

“If that happens, the anti-air conference nations may start to move as well.”

Ultimately, the key might lie with Italy.

“Wouldn’t it be better for us to declare war first?”

A declaration of war, huh? That’s a good idea.

Since we’re scheduled to join the war anyway. As there’s no border clash, it’ll probably be a fake war for a while.

But it signifies we have to at least put on a facade.

“Hmm. No thank you.”

I waved my hands.

Let’s just observe the current situation. Either way, Goebbels must have some stronghold for him to be stubbornly holding out.

The complacent Churchill or France would likely fall right into this trap. Then the next target would be Austria, strengthening their military power in the south.

In due course, Austria will also be forced into the war.

With a mutual defense treaty with Austria and an anti-air conference, we’ll likely join automatically.

“We need to watch the situation for a bit longer.”

I know that generally joining the war now would be an easier way to take down Germany.

But Europe is currently incomplete.

If we strike Germany now, what will the balance of power across Europe end up looking like?

At the very least, I need the UK and France to take a massive hit to the extent that they can’t contain Russia.

Those two countries must sustain such grievous injuries that they can barely maintain their colonies anymore.

In other words, to me, who lacks a reason to fight for colonial liberation in this war, relying on Germany to manage a colonial liberation war isn’t much different.

“Your Majesty. Then, while we are at war, won’t America recover completely?”

“Hmm. Considering America’s potential, that could happen.”

The Duma knows about America’s capabilities as well.

My mistake here has been the extent to which I’ve been able to lead the American Civil War.

Honestly, during World War II, I hoped the U.S. would still be dealing with its Civil War, but things got tangled, and it shifted to finishing the Civil War before joining the fight.

Ah, a good idea just struck me.

How about banning oil exports to Japan soon?

In the original history, due to the oil embargo, Japan would eventually come to the negotiation table once it hit America.

But here, they have been receiving oil from Russia.

And Japan feels like it’s going to gamble everything on China.

China could be completely devastated, or Japan could perish, and through the Emperor’s death, they could solely destroy China.

In this situation, if Russia claims it can’t export oil due to the European war, what would happen?

It would pull Russia into negotiations.

No, wait. That may not work? For now, the Eastern army would need to hold off until the Russian main forces arrive via the Siberian railway.

Even if Ishiwarakanji was purged, Kita Ikki is still around, and the majority of the Imperial Way Faction has been influenced by Ishiwarakanji’s ideas.

They won’t attack Russia.

After all, America did impose the oil embargo to obstruct Japan’s war, but we haven’t actively gone anti-Japanese.

“Hmm, we should start mentioning oil to Japan as well. Inform them that due to the European war, oil exports may become difficult. Just give them what’s left out of goodwill. They are focused on subduing China, so they probably won’t think of opening a front against Russia.”

Let’s consider it carefully.

Which is easier to deal with, a prepared Russian army or a now nearly done-with phase of the American Civil War?

At least from Japan’s viewpoint, they might be inclined to give it a shot, right?

I have a feeling the Japan I know would do just that.

“Yes. Understood.”

After all, it’s a matter of no gain if we pull out.

This will divert Japan’s attention towards America.

So, now I have to hope that Britain and France screw up.

* * *

Forbidden City Imperial General Headquarters

Recently, the Imperial General Headquarters, which had been advancing south with great momentum, faced changes.

Kita Ikki, who had been manipulating domestic affairs under various terms as Prime Minister, was ousted.

After that, Konoe Fumimaro rose to the position of Prime Minister. However, this was because a government was needed to manage domestic administration. In reality, the military command of Japan, which supports today’s Japan, lay in the hands of Tojo Hideki of the Imperial General Headquarters.

It was practically a system similar to the Shogunate.

Tojo Hideki, the Chief of Staff of the Army, had one goal.

That was to take revenge on His Imperial Majesty and end China once and for all.

For that, he needed oil, a resource crucial for Japan to effectively pummel China and declare victories across the vast land.

Until now, oil exports from Russia had been possible, but gradually it has become harder to secure oil from Russia.

“Russia has conveyed through our ambassador that it’s difficult for them to export oil.”

“Is it because of the war we’re waging in China?”

“No, but they say the situation in Europe is more serious than expected. They claim Communist Germany is holding off against the allied forces of Britain and France.”

“Hmm. Then, if our Imperial Army goes to Europe and defeats Germany…”

“It’s difficult to fight while managing the long front with strategy. We can’t afford to maintain a European front.”

Why would we even have to fight in Europe?

That doesn’t make sense; the army currently fighting in China is extending time and laying waste to every village it encounters in a full-on extermination.

“Then how about attacking Northern Manchuria where the Russian forces will be short-handed by participating in the European war to capture oil directly? Remember the Russo-Japanese War?”

Maybe we should hit Russia, just like during the Russo-Japanese War.

There are some who have suggested such opinions.

“Are you telling me to get hit twice after already being hit once? That’s absurd. The only reason we managed to win back then was by staging a surprise attack, and today’s Russia is vastly stronger compared to that time.”

We are now about to come face to face with Russia.

The Japanese diplomats sent to improve relations with Russia all unanimously claimed that war with Russia was not an option.

“Right now, even our Eastern Army alone exceeds 400,000 men, and Russia is currently estimated to have a regular force of 5 million. No matter how much the UK and France are struggling, they won’t beat Germany, even if they can hold their ground; therefore, we must assume they have the capacity to project their forces into Asia. In this situation, do you think that is doable? It’s already challenging to maintain the front, and there are not enough men compared to China, across which the quality is overwhelmingly superior.”

Attacking Russia would really be insane.

At the very least, Japan is enthusiastic about China and doesn’t want to step into a double-front war against Russia.

While attempting a brutal advance against China, if Russian forces descend from above, that’d be quite a troublesome scenario.

Even if oil is hard to obtain, Russia is still trading other resources, so waging war seems somewhat delicate.

To put it bluntly, right now, apart from Russia in Asia, is there really any country that can assist Japan?

There’s no reason to fight the goose that lays golden eggs.

“What’s to be done then?”

Even so, Japan currently needed oil.

And then, an extremely interesting piece of information reached Tojo Hideki’s ears.

“From the Duma in Russia, we’ve been discreetly informed that the American Civil War seems to be nearing its end. They suggested that we import oil once this is finalized. The Russians believe that since the American Civil War is practically over, they might consider releasing some oil if the situation shows a bit of improvement.”

America, huh. Right, America exists.

After the outbreak of the Civil War, America has become a country unable to import oil.

I lost track of that while focusing on China, but they are indeed out there.

Importing oil from a weakened America post-Civil War.

“Hmm. The American Civil War is winding down. But it still hasn’t concluded.”

The existence of the Confederate States still lingers. In other words, it’s still in a divided state.

I heard the current two factions are struggling so much they even have talks.

However, if we really want to nitpick, would America actually heed Japan’s request?

There’s some merit in Russia’s comments, but that’s a different issue.

Right now, the Chinese are beseeching nations worldwide to help them against Japan, and America wouldn’t be an exception.

At that very moment, a brilliant idea came to mind.

As always, it was one of those moments when one could see, “Ah, Japan is doing its classic thing.”

In times of trouble, an idea akin to those from original history Japan, where they’d resolve issues by opening new fronts.

That kind of notion naturally drifted through Tojo Hideki’s mind like a cloud.

Yes. How about this.

‘Why not consider attacking America?’

 

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