Chapter 223


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Danube Federation, Vienna

Not long ago, an official declaration of war arrived from the Red Front and Yugoslavia.

Of course, it’s been ages since we completely severed ties with the Red Front countries, so we could tell they were showing their intent to pressure our Danube Federation by deploying troops along the border.

Even looking at the declaration from the Yugoslav ambassador, we could tell that the Red Front was going to invade.

Finally, the war clouds were looming over the Danube Federation.

In the Great War, the Serbs caused trouble for Austria first, and now, with the formation of the Danube Federation, they were at it again.

This time, Yugoslavia’s declaration of war was almost forced, but in any case, Hitler wanted to wipe out the Serbs.

“These guys are a race that shouldn’t exist on this earth.”

Damn those Serbian bastards. There was nothing to like about them during the Great War and even now, they’re just a pathetic and vile race.

The Empress of Russia pulled the Slavs up by the scruff of their necks to their current position, but even after snatching Croatia and Bosnia from the Dual Empire, they caused division and discrimination instead of integration.

Now, they’re even trying to attack the Danube Federation alongside the Red Front.

What a shocking and despicable race they are.

Under the heavens, we must annihilate the Serbian race together with those Reds.

Like what the Japanese are doing towards China in the Far East. A vile race that shouldn’t exist in this world.

A sly race that tries to worm its way in and devour neighboring countries.

One day, we should rip them apart completely. Thankfully, this time Russia is on our side.

“Are we losing?”

Göring, who was skimming through the declaration of war nearby, said with a cold sweat, and Hitler shook his head.

Losing? Who? The Danube Federation? Or this Hitler?

Although the Dual Empire had some struggles against the Serbs, today’s Austria, no, the Danube Federation is different.

Everyone has united to stand against communism, and even the recently integrated Croatia is complying with the governance of the Danube Federation, having escaped Serbian oppression.

It is time to show the united strength of the Danube.

The power of the noble Aryans.

For the true liberation of the German people, we must win this battle.

Hitler clenched his fist, displaying a relaxed expression.

“No, we will win.”

We will definitely win. We will free Germany.

Görbils mentioned it was total war after all. Then, we have no choice but to respond with total war too.

“It’s time, let’s head to the Danube National Assembly. Wasn’t everything prepared?”

“Yes. I will escort you.”

Hitler walked towards the National Assembly with Göring.

* * *

Danube National Assembly

Hitler looked down at the members of the federation crowding the podium to hear his speech.

The members were already sensing the premonitions and were speculating on what Hitler would say.

And finally, Hitler opened his mouth forcefully from the podium.

“Members of the Danube National Assembly! For the past several decades, we have been disassembled under the Treaty of Saint-Germain or the Saint-Germain Accords, and day by day, we have grown more separated. However, we are all one under the Habsburg and Danube flags, and we have now come together again. If it weren’t for us, the Danube lands would still be uncivilized, with only barbarism existing.”

Hitler took a moment to catch his breath.

Then, placing his hand on his chest, he clenched his fist and carelessly threw the declaration of war documents from the Red Front countries aside.

“Just recently, declarations of war arrived from the three countries of the Red Front and Yugoslavia. Communist Germany, Communist Italy, and the betrayer France aim at our redification, and Yugoslavia, not knowing its bounds, is shamelessly trying to rely on great powers to win once again. It is truly disgusting! But no matter how strong our enemies may be, the one word I do NOT know is surrender! And I solemnly declare to the world that I will not repeat the history of September 10, 1919! I, Chancellor Adolf Hitler, am ready to devote my body and life at any time for the Danube race and the Danube Federation, and I demand the same resolve from all of you! I ask you, will you fight or will you submit? Will you become slaves to communism or enjoy freedom?”

With Hitler’s flawless rhetoric, the members of the National Assembly, already heated up, stood up from their seats.

“We will fight back!”

“Long live the Danube!”

“We want freedom!”

“Long live the Habsburg, may God protect the Kaiser!”

The members cried out for war under Hitler’s dazzling speech.

The stage was set.

With this, at the very least, they would be able to survive under the invasion of that red tide.

The Danube Federation was not a country that would crumble easily like during the Dual Empire; as a united Danube, they would resist the invasion of the Red Tide.

Hitler’s speech was hot enough to ignite the hearts of the Danube people.

That red tide will be repelled by an intense flame that dares not to be defeated.

“If we lose this battle, only death, subjugation, and the terrible oppression of communism await us. But if we win, we can rise above the pains of the past and show our will and strength to the world! We will liberate the German people from that communist regime, punish Italy, the traitor of the Great War, and recover the rightful territory of the Danube from those Serbs! Now, let us fight! All the ethnicities of the Danube Federation! O Danube people! Let us all tighten our belts and rise up against the invaders! Now, at this moment, I will declare the total mobilization of the Danube people!”

The Danube people, entranced by Hitler’s speech, united with a determination to stand against communism.

This speech was broadcast throughout the Danube via radio and television.

“HITLER! HITLER! HITLER!”

At this moment, a total mobilization order was declared in the Danube Federation.

Ironically, this day coincided with April 6, 1941, the day when Yugoslavia was originally invaded by the Axis powers in actual history.

Along with Hitler’s declaration of war and the proclamation of total mobilization, every part of the Danube Federation entered a wartime system.

The regular army of the Danube Federation, known as the Danube Defense Army, was deployed along the entire border, and the lines at the recruitment centers continued without end every day.

Factories of various companies, including Škoda, began producing tanks and fighter aircraft, having received technology transfers from Russia. The defensive preparations started in earnest.

From Russia, various goods were pouring into the Danube by rail, and the army of the Danube Federation was compared to the Dual Empire period, not even on the same level.

And the first one to move upon hearing this news was Italy.

“Now’s our chance! Let’s strike Austria!”

The Red Army of Italy, blocked by the French Mountain Division, advanced north to attack Austria, but—

“Mussolini’s assault is stopped by the Austrian Mountain Division.”

“Blocked again? Damn those idiots.”

Mussolini was now three times blocked by the mountain divisions of three countries.

At this time, he had earned the title of Mr. Dunkirk from the Commonwealth nations.

* * *

National Duma

Today’s report is about how the Reds have finally declared war on the Danube Federation.

Finally, the Red family has declared war on the Danube Federation, so it’s now our turn to mobilize.

Since the Danube Federation and Russia are connected by a mutual defense treaty, Russia had no choice but to participate.

I stared intently at the White Army generals who make up the majority of the Roman Nationalist Party.

“Austrian. No, the Danube Federation has entered a state of war, so according to our mutual defense treaty, we must also enter the war. Are you prepared?”

“Your Majesty, we have already prepared a mighty army that can sweep across Europe, so there’s no need to worry.”

Good. That’s great. Then we should start planning our operations, right?

“What is the plan of the White Army?”

“First, we will reorganize the remaining Polish Republican soldiers from the west of Poland into the Kingdom of Poland Army and immediately launch a joint attack with the German Empire Army and our White Army. We will retake the eastern part of Poland and strike from behind to support the Danube Federation. However, there is a variable, and that is the French Commune.”

Ah, that damn French Commune. They have to be a problem.

I’ve heard the French have also declared a total mobilization. Is that right?

Coincidentally, the French Commune doesn’t seem to be as stupid as I thought.

After all, they got wiped out in the Scythe Operation, but now that they are enemies, they’re doing things properly. Is this for real?

“I heard the French Commune has also declared a total mobilization.”

Yeah. Well, the French will be a bit of an issue.

They did get wiped out in the Scythe Operation in one go, but still.

We have to consider the domestic situation in France.

At first, there was anti-war sentiment, and now they’re behaving like they’re the victors after being on the winning side.

They just jumped on the bandwagon with Communist Germany.

But with what they might have invested in their army, they may have some difficulty on the ground.

Of course, that’s only considering the army.

“Yes. Although our weapons are qualitatively superior, if they set their mind to it and come down hard on us while cooking Austria, with Italy below them, it will indeed be quite tough.”

“But that’s only if you look at the army, right?”

We also have new weapons.

Things like jet fighters, rockets, and even nuclear weapons.

In terms of numbers alone, we certainly don’t fall behind.

“Yes, Your Majesty. If the jets, bombers, rockets, and other new weapons exhibit their true performance, the Red Front will lose air superiority and suffer bombings on land.”

They will probably get royally beaten up, right?

War doesn’t just go as you wish, but I have a good feeling right now, don’t you?

“Leave Spain for later and request participation from the Balkan countries as well. It’s finally time to tear through the communist sphere.”

Since our Yugoslavia has joined the Red Front team, it’s about time Bulgaria started moving as well.

Dismantle Yugoslavia and return to the original order.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Can the Danube Federation fend off the enemies?”

“Communist Germany, the French Commune, Italy, and Yugoslavia are attacking from all sides, but thanks to our solid defensive preparations in the meantime, we will probably hold out until we arrive. Additionally, the Balkans plan to send troops first as well.”

Then that’s a relief, but what’s this?

It seems Yugoslavia has sent various explanations regarding this to the Duma.

I didn’t bother reading it since I figured the Duma already knows everything, so I just indicated for the Prime Minister to have a look.

“The Yugoslav side sent us a clarification. In summary, it’s a message begging for leniency that they had no choice but to strike the Danube Federation.”

The Prime Minister handed me a scrap of paper sent by King Alexander of Yugoslavia.

A clarification or something like, “We can’t help it, we want to live.”

They probably judged that if they refused, they’d be immediately attacked by the Red Front.

At first glance, it seems they want to somehow preserve their national credit diplomatically, but the problem is Yugoslavia has made a major miscalculation.

They judged that the Danube Federation would lose.

So now, they are trying to strike the Danube alongside the Red Front.

Although Yugoslavia intended to chew us up, it’s quite irritating.

Do they think they can take the place of the Danube Federation?

“How pitiful. It seems they really just want to survive.”

Yugoslavia is indeed pitiful, but what can we do?

If they wanted to be left alone, they shouldn’t have killed the Archduke of Austria. I mean, isn’t that why the assassination in Sarajevo led to the First World War?

Though there was bound to be a war eventually, Serbia was also at fault.

“For now, let’s pretend to accept it and tear them apart later.”

“Understood.”

Alright, now it’s getting serious.

I heard Hitler gave an opening speech at the Austrian Parliament, right?

Then we should also give an opening speech now.

“Can the rockets and fighters we developed so far be used across Europe?”

“Dead Tsiolkovsky improved the rockets made by Goddard to increase their performance.”

Tsiolkovsky. He practically laid the foundation for space science and technology in the Russian Republic alongside Goddard.

The legacy he left will now strike throughout Germany.

The rockets he created will be a signal for the collapse of communism in this war.

We can’t afford to be careless, so we must take strong action from the beginning.

“Prepare bombardments immediately at the border as soon as the war begins.”

“Yes. Once we are ready, we will bomb the defenses of the Communist German army.”

Starting a war right now would mean we have to take damage as well, right?

Well, it would be in eastern Poland, but in any case, we need to hit Communist Germany hard.

If we’re going to war, we need to sweep through the border in one go.

Though we’ve already declared war in essence, if we don’t attack first, the Red Front can’t launch an advance on Austria before they crush it.

“I’m telling you in advance, I’ll personally take part again.”

“Your Majesty, you mustn’t!”

“This war is different from the Red-White Civil War!”

No, it’s no different at all.

If the Red-White Civil War was an internal conflict, this war is external warfare. Of course, I will be fighting on foreign soil, but I won’t be the one to die.

So once again, I will weave a myth out of this myth.

“Different? It’s all the same. The opposition is the communists, and we are the White Army. What’s different? I refuse to die like some emperor in the Far East.”

I am not Hirohito.

Haven’t I proven that in the Red-White Civil War?

“Then let’s declare war. Since Communist Germany and Communist Italy have not established diplomatic relations, I will do it directly through radio and television.”

I stood up from my seat.

I was already prepared to give a speech at the Moscow Broadcasting Station, right?

Finally, the day of my World War II speech has come.

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