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Is it similar to how Austria, which became a small nation after the Great War, has this rising sentiment wanting unification with Germany?

But didn’t Ukraine gain independence from Russia? I can’t make heads or tails of it.

“Moreover, Southwestern Ukraine fought alongside the British Army against the Red Army during the Russian Civil War.”

“Across all of Ukraine, you mean?”

Because of that, they must have heard about me in Ukraine. Is that what it means?

Well, there was also a request from Britain, and from our perspective, it was essential to eradicate the Red Army in Ukraine to make the civil war easier.

It was across Ukraine indeed.

Even I was surprised that the battle ended so absurdly quickly.

This meant I couldn’t underestimate the strategic capabilities of Ungern or Anton Denikin.

But in another sense, it implies that Ukraine has become quite uneasy about the Reds.

That’s just plain logic. The Red wave that rushed at them could easily overflow from the west.

Austria is no longer what it used to be, so it’s understandable that the people of Southwestern Ukraine, who don’t know the backstory, might feel that way.

“Yes. At that time, Southwestern Ukraine was on the verge of being occupied. It seems your Majesty’s White Army’s victory over the Red Army appeared heroic to them.”

Boris Savinkov said this with a satisfied smile.

Why are you laughing?

This guy is actually from the Roman Nationalist Party—yep, indeed. He’s wearing a small cross badge on his chest that the party gives to its members.

“Is that so?”

I forced a smile while internally letting out a sigh.

Yeah. So, just like this guy, part of the Roman Nationalist Party. According to the Anastasia fan club, I’m quite an idol, aren’t I?

Could it be that this has also become famous among Ukrainians?

To summarize, if it comes down to either choice, Ukraine would rather choose Russia over Britain.

This sparked some interesting imaginations in my mind.

When I first arrived in Northern Manchuria, there were young students who praised me as if I were a celebrity.

I heard that when Hitler went to Austria with the German Wehrmacht, the Austrians welcomed him enthusiastically.

If I go to Southwestern Ukraine, wouldn’t it be like a fan frenzy, like that of an idol fanatic?

If played right, could I negotiate with Churchill and get Southwestern Ukraine?

Of course, this would mean that the gains from the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk would be minimal.

Immediately, Finland, which was floating around, was effectively drawn into the Dual Monarchy amidst the civil war while Britain wasn’t paying attention.

Poland was left as a pro-British state but is now independent, essentially becoming a Russian secondary unit.

At most, it’s only the Baltic states, but still.

Those guys have taken some German colonies, right? A German colony in the Baltics, so wouldn’t Churchill be willing to give up something like Southwestern Ukraine?

Or should I start revving the engine?

This is something I’d have to discuss with Baron Beria.

Since the Interior Minister came with me, I looked at Baron Beria with a bright smile.

Feeling my intense gaze, Baron Beria twitched his eyebrows and lowered his head.

“Your Majesty. We can’t target Southwestern Ukraine just yet. The British Army is redeploying forces to Southwestern Ukraine.”

The Minister of Defense, Baron Beria, confidently opposed me before I even brought it up.

Right. The British Army is going back there.

I’m not unaware of the implications here.

Considering the Baltic states, they probably won’t yield on Southwestern Ukraine to Russia! That’s the thought behind it.

Even if there’s no direct fighting, they want to ensure Russia doesn’t entertain other ideas.

In fact, I had that very thought just now.

Feeling disappointed, I sulked a bit.

“Yeah. Did I even think of such a thing?”

If it doesn’t work out, it can’t be helped.

Since we’re on the topic.

I’ve been keeping an eye on the British situation recently.

Because just as Communist Germany has to catch Italy, we also need Britain as a necessary partner.

With the situation in Ukraine and the Baltics, we’ve been focusing on Britain lately.

There’s nothing more they can say about us trying to rebuild Rome.

Fortunately, the British haven’t protested regarding this matter.

Recognizing Britain’s naval superiority, they haven’t raised any complaints about Mediterranean countries.

Well, considering that they overlooked Constantinople and the Pontic Greek Republic, they’re likely willing to let that slide at least.

Since Britain has adopted a subdued stance against Communist Germany, they probably don’t want to come down too harshly on Russia, opting for a compromise instead.

There’s just a requirement that only the countries specified in the original Treaty of Brest-Litovsk get proper acknowledgment. That’s the deal.

Conversely, it means that Britain can’t adopt a hard attitude toward us right now.

Just as we have our concerns, British pressures exist regarding France across the sea, and Japan in the Far East isn’t even worth discussing, and Italy has gone Communist, so we’re the only relatively trustworthy country left.

Would Churchill get even more provoked by this?

I need to check on the Baltic news.

Besides Austin Chamberlain, I need to properly understand the situation in Britain.

Soon after, news came in from the Interior Minister.

“Your Majesty. Reports from Beria have come in.”

“What does it say?”

“It seems that they believe we won’t expand into the Baltics at 10 Downing Street.”

That makes sense.

“Indeed. They likely hold pride over the Baltics as a trophy of the British Empire, so while they’ll want to protect it, they won’t be desperate either, and they’ll somewhat believe what we say.”

With the British Army stationed in Southwestern Ukraine, they probably wouldn’t expect Russia to stir up trouble too.

That much seems to make sense. Can Britain pressure us along the lines of, ‘We’ve doubted you, but with colonial interests at stake, we can’t trust you!’?

Since they’ve faced humiliation from Communist Germany, they wouldn’t want to undergo the same from Russia! There’s also the fact that even while being subservient to Communist Germany, they can’t push back hard against Russia.

“And what about Churchill?”

Churchill is crucial.

Since we openly stated that we would assist, Churchill may be looking to leverage Russia.

If that’s the case, he’ll likely start taking action soon.

The key lies in how Churchill plans to act.

As long as he doesn’t oppose Russia outright, he can go after fascism or whatever else.

Given Britain’s current situation, if fascism arises, it might turn against Germany, but they can’t abandon their colonies, or it could just become a cycle of biting off a piece of itself.

“Currently, Churchill has been frequently contacting Prince Edward.”

“Prince Edward?”

I get a whiff of something here.

Could it be that he’s clinging onto Prince Edward with hopes for something new?

Prince Edward will later become Edward VIII.

The problem is that Edward VIII becomes so infatuated with women that he eventually relinquishes the throne.

After coming to power, he intended to marry his American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin fiercely opposed this.

Edward VIII proposed that the throne would remain his, but Simpson would not be the queen, nor would their offspring have succession rights, and Winston Churchill supported that stance.

Even Edward VIII’s proposal received support from fascist groups in Britain, the British Communist Party, World War I veterans, and even former Prime Minister David Lloyd George.

However, the cabinet and Dominion governments opposed it, and Prime Minister Baldwin argued that he couldn’t keep the throne while marrying a woman who had been divorced twice.

He said he had to choose between either giving up the throne or the marriage.

If he wouldn’t let go of either, the cabinet would resign.

Ultimately, Edward chose Simpson, and he abdicated.

He was even pro-Nazi, so in the original history, he was chased out and only returned to Britain posthumously.

Considering that Churchill actually supported Edward VIII in real history, it’s not entirely absurd for him to approach Edward.

However, if Churchill stands with Edward, several variables come into play.

If Edward ultimately steps down due to the issue of marriage, as in original history, then Churchill’s own status will plummet too. Alternatively, he could upend everything and support Edward’s relationship, preserving Edward as King of the British Empire and Emperor of India.

But think about it.

If the cabinet resigns over maintaining the throne, and in this situation, Churchill gathers those supporting Edward VIII to form a new cabinet?

Edward VIII’s interests wouldn’t have been affected by my rolling snowball approach, so things would likely follow the original history.

Uh, does this even make sense?

If the cabinet resigns, the foundations of constitutional monarchy would be shaken, and a new cabinet formed by Churchill would step in.

If we spur Churchill on, the chances of that happening increase, and how would we fare supporting this Churchill cabinet?

Mussolini becomes a communist, and Hitler is in a strange state; who knows how fascism will manifest in Britain? So it’s still uncertain if they would garner support like in actual history.

Instead, the Tsarina of Russia actively supports.

In this case, the narrative could take a different turn.

“I understand that Prince Edward has some personal character issues, but what do you think, Your Majesty?”

Edward, huh.

I don’t know about his character, but he certainly loves women.

So much so that at some later point, a person claiming to be Edward’s grandson supposedly requested verification from Buckingham Palace about whether he was indeed the grandson.

What’s certain is that he was pro-Nazi.

“I’ve heard about his personal character, but if Churchill approaches, it suggests he can handle it.”

Though he’s not currently with Simpson, if Churchill merely supports the marriage to Simpson, then Edward VIII might end up harmonizing with Churchill, establishing a nice relationship between lord and monarch.

The issue, however, is how significant a force this alternate history Britain can demonstrate.

Well, Churchill will manage that.

For us, it’s great if the person we support holds Britain in their grasp.

Beyond that, I don’t really care what happens in Britain.

It’s uncertain whether Elizabeth II will ever become queen, but if Churchill’s scheme to prepare a cabinet after Edward VIII ascends the throne succeeds, then that would change everything.

Given that the current British Empire emerged from victorious nations of the Great War and gained a lot, it would certainly be embarrassing to appear as if they capitulated to Communist Germany.

If the Baldwin cabinet, rumored to have surrendered to Communist Germany, were to resign, would British citizens support the cabinet or rally behind the patriotic Churchill fighting against Germany in the British Empire?

I believe it would be the latter.

Even if Churchill makes some blunders during World War II, he still enjoys considerable support.

Sure, if we get picky, it’s due to Churchill’s insistence to save Germany that the German Empire became a lackey of Britain, leading to the Communist revolution, but still.

In any case, I think the British will support Churchill.

Frankly, from the British perspective, they shouldn’t view the Red ones who don’t pay reparations kindly, so a communist revolution in Britain seems nearly impossible.

Britain is filled with national pride now more than ever.

So, they are likely working to prevent a German publication from spreading across Britain.

Yet, it’s said that through Beria, that publication was disseminated to London. I wonder what the current approval ratings for the cabinet are?

Hmm. Right. Let Churchill handle that.

“Your Majesty, you’re quite supportive of Churchill.”

“Yes. Without him, Britain will just isolate itself, hiding on the island and basking in a false sense of victory.”

If they make a suitable compromise over not intervening in Europe and negotiate peace with the Germans, that could potentially occur.

But Churchill is different.

For the glory of the British Empire, he’ll never compromise with the Reds.

“By the way, news has come up about someone proposing revised capitalism in Britain.”

Someone proposing revised capitalism in Britain.

I think I know who that is. John Maynard Keynes.

“Is it John Maynard Keynes?”

“Did you know? During the Great War, he worked as an advisor and is known as the economist who loosened the shackles on Germany in the Treaty of Versailles.”

Since they decided to give Germany some breathing room, the constraints of the Treaty of Versailles became relaxed.

Considering that the original Keynes was dissatisfied with the pressure on Germany, it doesn’t seem unreasonable.

I’m not sure whether he proposed the revised capitalism during this time.

In any case, it seems he’s been influenced by the current situation in Russia.

“Well, I suppose I’ll just say I’ve heard of him. But is there any issue with him?”

“Nothing major, really. Russia is extremely cautious of its workers, so there are many socialist elements, and he claims that Britain should advocate for a British-style revised capitalism.”

That’s probably the case. Over here, we made various promises during the civil war to win public support, and they were patched up with capitalism into revised capitalism.

Honestly, it was a patchwork of good ideas that ended up being viewed as accelerationism by connecting with Russia effectively.

In other words, the revised capitalism I started is fundamentally quite different.

It’s just a mishmash of ideologies adapting to the times, and Alisa Rosenbaum evaluates it as accelerationism by claiming it adapts to the era.

Some even refer to it as facilitationism.

Since it crossed my mind, how about calling him over to Moscow?

 

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