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“Hmm, if the war ends with us in the lead, it seems it would be like a Rome without Rome.”

“That would likely be the case.”

“After all, Rome is the capital of Italy.”

“But think about it. If Italy loses after the war, then the newly formed Italy will also participate.”

“Well, the new Italy will likely join later.”

“Then it would be more like a united Rome before the separation of the Eastern and Western Empires rather than Byzantium.”

“That’s probably how it will be?”

“If that’s the case, surely it won’t be difficult for Rome to be rebuilt even without waging war to annex it.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty.”

The White Army generals praised me, and other Duma members nodded in agreement, indicating that this wasn’t a bad idea.

“Of course, let’s keep this as a mere plan for now, and for the time being, let’s just calm the British.”

Since Churchill has to keep Britain in check.

Eventually, the newly formed Italy would be influenced by us as well.

If Italy comes this way, it means it extends into the territory of the Western Empire.

In simpler terms, you can think of it as a European Union led by Russia.

That will come back to life under the name of the Treaty of Rome.

As for Spain and Portugal, well, after the war, I think they won’t challenge Russian hegemony and will naturally join the treaty organization.

“Ah, we must also develop Eastern Ukraine.”

I heard that Makhno had some policies in place that led to its development.

Collective farming came after that to promote agriculture.

The result was a catastrophic failure.

So, the foundation laid by Makhno should be well utilized by the Russian government, not anarchy, right?

“Yes. Eastern Ukraine is a region that is absolutely necessary for Russia. We must ensure that.”

“Alright then, let’s focus on developing Ukraine for the time being and also be cautious about our diplomatic relations. Oh, by the way.”

I have one thing I’m curious about.

“Please, go ahead.”

“Who has received the White Belarusian Labor Merit Medal from the Siberian labor camps?”

The White Belarusian Labor Merit Medal.

This is an award given to Bolsheviks.

Literally, it is awarded to those who have worked for Belarus, and the recipients are former Bolsheviks.

I had personally awarded it to those Cheka agents before, and now I’m curious about how things turned out in Siberia.

“It’s a man named Joseph Stalin. He received it for stabilizing criminals in the camp as a priest. A Moscow newspaper even published an article about this Stalin person regarding the award ceremony.”

“Fuhuhuhu. Hahaha!”

Ah, that Stalin received that award.

I bet Stalin is frothing at the mouth right now.

Even if he’s not frothing, he’ll surely be bullied by the Bolsheviks and will be clutching his neck.

I really didn’t expect Stalin to receive it.

I’m curious about Trotsky’s reaction to this.

—

Austin Chamberlain, the Secretary of State, stopped by Moscow again.

Not long ago, a Communist Germany newspaper brazenly proclaimed that the British Empire had succumbed to communism.

And soon after, the Russian army entered Eastern Ukraine and annexed Makhno’s Free Territory.

Isn’t that just too perfect timing?

Thus, I wanted to hear Russia’s explanation.

With this, the Baltic States, previously threatened by Vermonth’s Western Russian army, were anxious about Russia’s expansion, and British Foreign Minister Austin Chamberlain was sent back to Moscow to demand an explanation from the Russian Foreign Minister regarding the annexation of the Free Territory and the safety of the Baltics.

A few days passed since arriving in Moscow.

They should just give a straightforward answer; why are they dragging it out in the National Duma?

Having done something in Germany, at the very least, I needed to preserve my dignity in Russia, but does this mean I have to meet Tsarina again like before?

As I contemplated this seriously, the Russian Foreign Minister came to see Austin Chamberlain directly.

“I don’t know what grand answer you are waiting for, but we, Russia, will restore the territories of the Eastern Roman Empire as its successor. The Baltic Sea is regrettable, but with Finland around, we have no thoughts of targeting the Baltics, which are not even the ancestral lands of Rome.”

“So you’re saying you plan to take Turkey and Greece and expand into the Mediterranean?”

The British Empire finds even that hard to accept.

Russia saying it wants to come back to the Mediterranean feels threatening to the British in many ways.

Restoring the Eastern Roman Empire ultimately means wanting to have another round with Great Britain in the Great Game, doesn’t it?

It’s already Russia that has reclaimed Constantinople and has entered Anatolia.

If they run to take the Mediterranean power like Rome, it will inevitably lead to clashes with Britain.

What about the Middle East or India?

Isn’t the Middle East originally part of the Eastern Roman territory?

Wouldn’t Russia that seized the Middle East just leave India alone?

Naturally, Austin Chamberlain, who faced humiliation in Germany, was on edge.

“Do you really think diplomacy is achieved through war? Restoring the territories of the Eastern Roman Empire doesn’t solely mean going to war. Exercising influence over nations corresponding to Eastern Rome means what? Even if our fleet has strengthened somewhat, isn’t it shabby compared to your country’s fleet? What reason do we have to target the Baltics?”

“Hmm. So you’re saying you’re aiming to advance into the Middle East or India?”

“Restoring the territories of Rome is our national destiny and for the unity of our people. It’s merely an ideological concept—unless you mean to say that with no Communist Germany, we don’t know? Japan has sent hundreds of thousands to Southern Manchuria. Do you think we have the capacity for that at this point?”

Hearing all that, it seemed that there would only be more confrontation with Britain.

What kind of country was Rome?

Wasn’t it once a vast empire that ruled Europe? Ultimately, the claim of restoring Rome means likely aiming for hegemony over Europe.

Isn’t it only natural that it would clash with the British Empire?

“If we were targeting the Baltics, we would have sent our Anastasia supporters there to incite a revolt long ago. Unless there is a record that the Baltics are land of the Eastern Romans, we need to digest the newly annexed Ukraine first.”

Above all.

Anastasia supporters.

With the emergence of the Anastasia medal, the existing monarchists—those praising the Tsarina of the United States—have come to be referred to as Anastasia supporters.

They are a more fervent supporting group for the Tsarina than the monarchists of the Imperial period and were even more intense than the Bolsheviks.

Austin Chamberlain was aware of the Anastasia supporters by the time he came here.

– Oh, you’re from Britain. Are you familiar with the Saint of Russia?

Just as some Russians recognized him as a British person in Moscow, they approached him, trying to preach something that resembled a strange religion.

It’s natural for such people to appear when viewing the achievements of the Tsarina.

But just thinking about those Anastasia supporters entering that small Baltic territory is terrifying.

However, could there be another reason? More than that?

“Is there another reason?”

“I heard rumors recently that the Communist Party surrendered, and it spread widely across Europe.”

“Our British Empire would never do such a thing!”

The moment the panic button got pressed, Austin’s face turned beet red with rage.

Having been rightly put down by Churchill in the cabinet, Chamberlain soon realized that he would be treated like a quasi-communist by the Communist Germany from the newspaper thrown by Churchill.

It was only natural that he would be angry.

“Although those who know will know, it’s also sad that the British, who have suffered such humiliation, must also loot while serving as allies of the anti-communism pact.”

What kind of humiliation is this?

“I understand. Now that I know Russia’s true intentions, let’s leave the conversation at that. So, what about Southwestern Ukraine?”

“As I said earlier, we have no intention of forcibly annexing Southwestern Ukraine. The civil war has already taken place throughout Russia and is still recovering. Tens of millions have died in the World Wars and the civil war, and we are barely preparing for war again due to the Communist Germans. Our house is burning down; how can we afford to set fire to others’ homes?”

“I see.”

Austin Chamberlain could not push any further.

Those who said they had no thoughts were publicly warning others not to lie while those who’ve succumbed to the Reds are chastising Russia. What should he do?

He wanted to cry.

—

Meanwhile, news reached Communist Germany that Makhno’s Free Territory had been annexed by Russia within three days of initiating a special military operation.

“Damn, Makhno’s Free Territory fell like this.”

Secretary Liebknecht gritted his teeth.

Although Anastasia was not highly regarded, the Free Territory was one of the few comrades of Communist Germany.

“When it was discovered, it was said he was wearing women’s underwear on his face while indulging in debauchery.”

“Good for him.”

Initially hoping that Makhno’s Free Territory would fill in the spot below Russia in the upcoming revolutionary wars, it met such a fate.

How could someone who wore underwear on his head properly manage an anarchist free territory anyway?

“Still, could this just be the schemes of the imperialist bastards?”

It could be.

Surely, there’s a high probability that that crafty and vile Tsarina manipulated things this way.

However, it would feel somewhat improper to say that Communist Germany claimed Russia had manipulated the collapsed free territory for the already deceased Makhno’s sake.

If only he had fled to Germany or something like that, he could have perhaps rallied the remaining anarchists in the Ukrainian Free Territory. His suicide rendered those hopes moot.

Whether through suicide or whatever, he died, so it was the Tsar who caused such manipulations.

However, it is not as if Makhno is still alive in Germany! There’s no plausibility for it to be manipulation.

“Whatever it may be, the important thing is that comrade Makhno provided the justification for that. After all, wasn’t the Free Territory established with the Tsar’s permission? It was destined to collapse internally at any time from the start.”

Still, Hungary restored Transylvania and Romania turned anti-communist, so they tried to write a letter to Makhno to increase their friends, but it turned out to support the Tsar instead.

“So far, what we have done has only benefitted Russia. For now, our German Communist Party should focus on managing our internal affairs.”

“Yes, Comrade.”

There’s no reason to do Russia any favors.

While Britain and France are busy with post-war reconstruction and stabilizing colonies, it is high time for Communist Germany to manage its internal strength.

“Tell Comrade Mussolini to be cautious as well. Isn’t he the main contributor to Romania turning anti-communist?”

“Yes, understood, Comrade.”

If France had staged a communist revolution, the German Communist Party would have cut ties with similar countries like Italy immediately, but for now, there was no other option.

Even though Italy is in such a state, they’re still Germany’s ally.

Karl Liebknecht felt extremely uneasy.

He was preparing for the future by ignoring the protests from the great powers as he increased the numbers of the German People’s Self-Defense Force to hundreds of thousands.

However.

That Italy. They’re not going to help in the war, yet send the 20th division, putting us in a situation where we may need to help.

Suddenly, a terrifying future flashed before his eyes, but he shook his head, deeming it an unfounded worry.

—

The Eastern Ukraine was integrated, and the Ukrainian Autonomous Republic was established.

The city-state Duma of that region was also set up, made up of pro-Russian figures.

Fortunately, there wasn’t much opposition in Ukraine, and it seemed that many folks were coming over from Southwestern Ukraine.

However, this brings an additional question.

People are crossing over from Southwestern Ukraine.

It seems rather suspicious.

“Even though we promoted it, why are people crossing over from Southwestern Ukraine? Although the Free Ukrainians had no choice, Southwestern Ukraine is at least still operating as a British puppet state.”

Even if I said, “Come to the Eastern Ukraine,” who would actually listen and switch?

Am I thinking like a future Korean?

If you think about it, Ukraine has also been dubbed little Russia.

Is it possible that, in this 20th century, it could be a development where Ukrainians want to belong to Russia, not the world I used to live in?

“Could it be because of the Eastern Ukraine Autonomous Republic? They might see it similarly to the pro-British puppet government of the Southwestern Ukrainian Republic and thus choose to come over to the Eastern Ukraine Autonomous Republic.”

“I see. If it feels like a similar puppet state, they would rather come to Russia.”

“Moreover, it seems they are having a hard time trusting Britain after its capitulation to the Communist Party.”

So, rather than living in a British puppet state that surrendered to communism, they’d prefer to come into Russia’s arms, right?

Hmm, that’s not bad.

But would they really cross over to our side to that extent?

How much effect could we have in promoting that?

“Even so, is it really to that extent?”

“After all, Your Majesty’s reputation is known even in Ukraine. Didn’t they treat Russia as a protector?”

“Is that so?”

Is it really like that?

I still don’t understand the mindset of the Europeans.

 

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