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* * *

As Churchill was wandering the streets of London, somewhat agitated,

a few men approached him.

“Are you the Chancellor of the Exchequer?”

“Who are you? Are you relatives of the victims from Gallipoli?”

It was a jest, but Churchill didn’t welcome those who’d come to find him.

He had just stormed out of Parliament.

In such circumstances, it was suspicious if anyone came to confront him—could they be those Reds?

“We are the Okhrana sent by the Tsar.”

“Ha, indeed. The Okhrana sent by the Tsar? The very secret police of the Tsar? Here?”

“Shh. Keep it down.”

Beria, dispatched as the Okhrana, raised a finger to his lips, glancing around nervously.

Fortunately, it was night on the streets.

Even if a bald old man like Churchill shouted, no one would look back.

Churchill cleared his throat and scrutinized the Okhrana sent by the Tsar.

They looked distinctly shifty. Yet, there was a confidence that suggested they weren’t lying.

How many people in London would dare to declare themselves as Russian Okhrana?

“Now the Reds aren’t the only ones over in London. What’s the matter? If it’s no big deal, then the Tsarina back home will make quite the mistake!”

Let’s hear what they have to say.

Churchill, already feeling his blood pressure rise in Parliament, contemplated burying whatever these Russians were spouting.

“We don’t want to be caught by the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6) after being here so long. Our monarch is very concerned about British support for Communist Germany.”

How long have they been here to be worried about MI6 catching them?

Wait a minute, Russia is wary of support for Communist Germany?

Well, I suppose that’s possible.

The current Russia, birthed by drinking the blood of Communists, is akin to a Russian Empire Season 2.

Isn’t it a country armed with a robust anti-Communist spirit?

But are they even coming here over that?

Churchill, furrowing his brows, grasped Beria by the collar.

“Is Moscow attempting to meddle in London’s affairs?”

“Ahem. If the British Empire goes astray, at the very least, as a fellow signatory of anti-Communist agreements, we can voice our discontent, can’t we? And above all, if we had intended to protest, our ambassador would have done it long ago. The Tsar instructed us to persuade the Chancellor of the Exchequer to convince Parliament.”

Indeed. Persuasion. Those are some eloquent words.

Do they think anyone wants to do this?

Already frustrated after so much time speaking in Parliament. How foolish is it for even a bottom-tier power like Russia to be worried about Britain?

Still, they were correct to a degree.

All the Communists ought to be put to death; there wouldn’t be enough killings to satiate the hunger for vengeance.

“Make sense. I’m already on my way out after dealing with those pseudo-Reds, and you want me to persuade them?”

It would be easier to bomb Berlin and wipe out the Communists altogether than to try persuading those stubborn fools.

“Let’s first take a look at this. It’s a newspaper from Communist Germany.”

Churchill glanced at the front page of the newspaper that Beria had just brought in.

It stated that the British Empire had capitulated to the German Communist Party.

Those wretched Communist bastards had the audacity to say the British Empire had surrendered to some Red punks.

“The submission of the empire on which the sun never sets! This is communism! They claim they will devote themselves to liberating the world’s colonies and workers? What?”

Churchill’s hands trembled with rage.

Isn’t this just saying the Communists are gearing up for war?

“It seems in Britain, they’re hiding the news of Communist Germany for fear of a backlash from the British people. But in reality, it is indeed from Berlin’s Workers’ Newspaper. As a Russian, I acquired it a few days ago, so surely, Germans are celebrating their victory over Britain.”

“Those filthy bastards! Their bad luck is the same now as it was with the Kaiser!”

Beria, the Okhrana agent, smiled slyly.

Yes, right now, while scratching that itch, he ought to empathize.

“The Tsarina is convinced that Communist Germany will instigate war. France cannot be trusted, and it is only the British Empire that has gained a true victory in the last world war, isn’t it? Russia still has a long road ahead. We cannot face Germany alone. Please, Chancellor, step forward.”

Step forward, huh?

Churchill cooled his heated head.

Calming his chest, he wiped the shining beads of sweat from his forehead.

“It’s better to go to war than to persuade that Parliament.”

“Then it is only fitting that the Minister should rise.”

“Then does that mean the Tsar of your country supports me?”

“Chancellor, as you know, there are many in England downplaying German Communism. You are the only one left. Only you, Winston Churchill, who have witnessed our Civil War firsthand! Only the Chancellor can face Communist Germany!”

That Russian sure knows how to play his cards.

Well, if that’s the case.

“This is nothing much, but it’s a token of the Tsarina’s goodwill.”

Beria ordered an Okhrana agent to pull out a briefcase.

Then, in front of Churchill, he opened it just enough for a glimpse of what was inside.

Within it were gold bars.

At first, Churchill watched, confused, but when he saw the gold bars gleaming and greeting him, he was taken aback.

“I’m not someone who receives this sort of thing!”

“What do you mean? It’s a gesture of goodwill. It’s not a bribe. The Tsarina is investing in you for the sake of anti-communism. The Tsarina privately wants to ally with you.”

“An ally?”

“Our Tsar sees you as a figure capable of pulling England up and defeating that Communism in the new war. But of course, funds are lacking, right?”

“That’s true.”

Even so, Churchill couldn’t hide his displeasure.

He was making a fair point. To establish the British Empire that Churchill envisioned, he ultimately needed to grow his power.

He must purge all those pseudo-Reds in the cabinet who colluded with the Communists.

“We have nearly recovered from the damages of the last Civil War, but Russia is still unstable. We need a powerful ally.”

A strong ally from Russia, huh.

Does that mean I’m seen as that ally?

Churchill recalled the face of Anastasia that he had seen once before.

Yes, that audacious Empress thought he appeared grand.

“Does your Tsarina see me as that partner?”

“Yes.”

Churchill organized his thoughts at Beria’s words.

The reality of receiving support from the Tsar of Russia was hardly pleasant.

But options were limited.

If the current cabinet was left as is, it might invite Communists to Britain later.

The very Tsarina of Russia, the Empress of Eastern Rome and Saint of Russia, was desperately hoping that Churchill himself would be the hero to defeat the Communists.

Within the country, a swarm of idiots were being fooled by those roaches known as Communists.

Only he could set things right for the British Empire.

In that case, stepping up was certainly necessary.

Indeed, this was no trivial matter. It wasn’t merely due to the Tsarina.

“Alright then, everything must be set right. It must be done!”

In his mind, he was already sketching the future of the new British Empire.

It was just that at this moment, it was challenging to tackle alone. However, with the help of the Russian Tsarina, it wouldn’t be so hard.

Churchill snatched up the gold bars Beria had handed over.

“Oh, and.”

“What more is there?”

“The Tsarina mentioned that if you’re pushing for a gold standard for post-war recovery, you must absolutely refrain from doing so.”

“Mustn’t push for a gold standard?”

How does he even know I was considering a gold standard?

No, it must be a mere coincidence.

For post-war recovery, the Tsarina might expect the idea of a gold standard.

But.

Churchill glanced back at the gleaming gold bars.

It would take more than those gold bars to sway Churchill’s heart.

Yet if it was an investment for anti-Communism, the story changes. Yes, even Churchill could comprehend that much.

However, one complaint remained.

What is the intention behind giving gold bars to someone advocating for the gold standard?

* * *

Ukrainian Free Territory Kharkiv Highest Labor Committee

Following the conclusion of the Russian Civil War, Makhno’s anarchist free territory was recently pushing forward with a collective farming policy.

Of course, it’s quite evident how the collective farms met their end in the original history of the USSR. So the half-baked collective farms implemented within Ukraine itself faced considerable backlash and produced limited results.

Production levels plummeted, and peasants were rebelling. Those who had their illusions about anarchy shattered were bouncing around.

During this time, a letter from Karl Liebknecht of Germany arrived for Makhno.

“Hmm, let’s unite as fellow communists.”

Makhno’s free territory was, strictly speaking, anarchistic; there was a bit of distance from German Communism.

The proposition from Communist Germany was quite special.

Since they were sandwiched between pro-British Ukraine and Russia, Makhno’s dream would inevitably collapse, they said.

So, they proposed joining forces with them.

“If Russia finds out, we’ll be in trouble.”

“Indeed. The Tsarina will not let this slide.”

“But who knows how long Russia might leave us unattended?”

The committee’s revolutionary comrades were evenly split on opinions.

Makhno was deep in thought.

It is indeed uncertain how long Russia’s Tsarina would keep the communists of a different brand, like themselves, alive.

While it might seem she permitted anarchism, given Russia’s recent expansion, there’s no guarantee the free territory wouldn’t become a target.

The Red Army, who had once been relatively favorable during the Civil War, had now joined the United States, making the free territory a flickering flame in the wind.

The free territory wasn’t a stable regime, with internal conflicts likely to erupt at any moment.

So, would it be inappropriate to at least form some sort of bridge?

At the minimum, as a bridge, they might be able to juggle between Russia and Germany.

As it stood, they were already nervous considering whether their collective farming policy might give Russia an excuse to act. They should secure a getaway route.

“Is the status of the collective farms still poor?”

“There are too many foolish peasants. Tsk, tsk. Some even suggest the United States seems better.”

“Hah, they’re still unaware that the United States is nothing but a bourgeois world. No worries. Instead of militarily suppressing them, let’s thoroughly blockade and drain their grain. And for now, let’s not let Russia know. We wouldn’t want to raise unnecessary suspicions.”

“Yes, comrades.”

However, this was merely a temporary arrangement.

If Makhno were to entirely reject Liebknecht’s proposal, the communists who had joined him might rebel.

It could be wise to gauge the situation and, if one day, Germany initiated some covert operation against Russia, then they might consider switching sides.

There’s one thing that Makhno remains unaware of, though.

Among the surviving Bolsheviks who joined Ukraine, there were also Cheka agents who had defected while at the burial site of the previous Tsar in Yekaterinburg.

These agents had been watching the upward trajectory of the United States and the realities of the Ukrainian Free Territory, increasingly praising the Tsarina who had allowed them to continue living. They had come to this place, willing to pay with their lives.

“Makhno’s free territory dare to defy the grace of our saint? We must quickly inform our Saint of this.”

The local Cheka agents decided to convey Makhno’s intentions to Moscow.

* * *

Today, after finishing my radio broadcast, I took a moment to tune my voice and enjoy a cup of coffee.

Spending a day under the warm sun in the new city of Moscow has become a routine for me.

It’s not the 21st century, lacking computers and smartphones, and I don’t even bear the nationality of a Korean.

Of course, living as a Korean during this era would mean either being a pro-Japanese collaborator or, whether as a freedom fighter or someone living under Japanese rule, facing difficulties.

Well, yes. It’s certainly better than living as a bug in that ruined world.

Losing my masculinity does feel somewhat off.

When I think about that, I wonder if I actually have the right to laugh at Stalin.

I heard that his wife fell for another prisoner in the camp or the white guards managing the camp, which led to Stalin becoming a priest.

No, wait.

Wasn’t it me who spared Stalin out of pity?

Yes. That guy should be grateful to me.

“There was a telegram from Beria. Apparently, he easily recruited Churchill.”

* * *

“Hmm.”

Even if Churchill was recruited, how much difference would it make?

Beria probably said “recruited” to inflate his own merits. He probably took the gold bars as a gesture of goodwill from me, a Tsarina, considering his pride, and aims to set the stage for anti-communism.

In that case, the Black Shirts would be needed—something like British fascism.

From what I can see of how things are faring in Britain right now, it seems that they’ll need a bit of fascism to fuel the anti-communist spirit.

Well, Churchill knows what he’s doing.

Despite his blunders as an imperialist, he’s not incompetent.

But is the gold standard a good idea?

Is it right to give gold to someone advocating for a gold standard?

It does feel off, but he’ll figure it out.

To be honest, I was trying to avoid mentioning the gold standard due to Churchill’s pride, but it would be troublesome if he suffers setbacks because of it while having to become an anti-communist faction.

“Ugh, it can’t be helped.”

That side really is a gamble.

Even if Churchill falls from grace like in real history, will Britain undergo significant changes? That’s another matter.

Haven’t they already supported Germany? But from the position of Communist Germany, they’re bound to repay kindness with malice.

Russia may be the final boss, but for Communist Germany, it’s imperative to defeat the Colonial Empire.

It’s pretty certain they’ll send France first.

Thus, betrayed, Britain may come to regret it later and have to wage war against Communist Germany just like they did with the Nazis.

I can’t guess where Britain will end up at this rate.

Since the seeds sown by Communist Germany are already planted, gathering colonial forces again would be tough.

Maybe for France that could fly under the radar, but it’s pushing it for Britain to become communist. They’ll likely just trip and end up betrayed by the Reds they trusted.

“Your Majesty. What if Britain doesn’t move as you wish?”

“Then I wouldn’t care less.”

I waved off Maria’s worries.

Why? In the end, the more Britain struggles, the more Russia’s stake will grow.

* * *

 

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