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* * *

First of all, the most successful company in Russia right now is Yusupov. Maybe I could also take a look at the Thyssen Steel Company.

“Yes.”

“The German Empire government has requested to supply some fighter aircraft instead.”

“Fighter aircraft supply, huh? Sounds good.”

Anyway, that much shouldn’t be difficult.

If the German Empire wants to reclaim its mainland, they need some power, and now we’ve reached a level where we have to support them with weapons.

Ah, the Russian pride is sweet!

The navy has established a submarine command to create a large-scale submarine force.

Gone are the days of the Empire when we were anxiously struggling without adequate military supplies during the revolution.

“Very well. The White Air Force has been fighting for air superiority against the enemy air fleet since the Reds and Whites Civil War. Therefore, we must be stronger than any other nation. So, you must continue developing aircraft.”

With the navy going for submarines, we need to ensure that at least our aircraft can overwhelm other countries.

In the original history, the Soviet Union wasn’t in a good state during World War II, but we need to push forward overwhelmingly.

“Your Majesty. The White Air Force is also considering large-scale dive bombers.”

Just now, Alexander Romanov, who had been watching me like a puppy needing to go out, whispered slyly in my ear.

“Dive bombers, you say?”

“Yes. Given the weakness of our navy, we figured we must dominate the air force to strike other nations’ fleets.”

“Then please give it a shot.”

I’m looking forward to those dive bombers.

I’ve said this many times, but the advantages are definitely significant.

If done well, wouldn’t it be the best cost-performance aircraft for sinking ships? Of course, the fatality rate is high, but with a shield to back it up, we can minimize fatalities. Besides, Russia has a large population, so we should have many air forces.

If we create a situation where dive bombers can come from the farms and beat our Italy with submarines and dive bombers, that’s all there is to it.

“Is there anything we can do, Your Majesty?”

“Ah, Dr. Sikorsky.”

I need to pass this on to Sikorsky.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Now that we’ve seen the potential of that engine, you will soon receive good news.”

While Beria is still uncertain about creating a jet engine, that guy is definitely someone who gets things done.

It may well be worth expecting a jet engine.

Sikorsky is currently working alongside top-tier people, so research and development should accelerate. I hope he can turn me into an aviation geek.

“Then I guess we should also study the flying wing.”

“Yes. Well, thank you for your continued support.”

Right. Speaking of which, I can’t just wrap things up like this.

I turned my gaze to Alexander Romanov, the commander of the White Air Force.

“I hear two aces from the Civil War are now the northern and southern air force commanders?”

Then they will also be active in World War II, right?

So I need to meet them in advance and let them know the Tsarina has taken an interest.

By letting them know that the air force is essential, we can encourage more rigorous training for air force pilots.

Even though the Luftwaffe took some hits in the Battle of Britain, considering the German-Soviet War, the German air force remains a threat.

Even if they are Reds, we must still dominate the air force.

I wonder just how much capacity Communist Germany will exhibit.

Then, it might be good to see the pilots in person as well.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“While I’m at it, I should check on our ace pilots.”

Since they were figures who excelled in the White Army, I want to see them at least once.

* * *

Vyacheslav Tkachev

In the original history, he passed the Allied pilot exam on December 11, 1912, and was assigned to the 7th Air Company in 1913. He was promoted to captain in April 1913, and in 1914, he was assigned with the establishment of the 4th Air Company.

In the early days of the war, he conducted reconnaissance flights for the command and was awarded the St. George’s Cross, the highest military honor of the Russian Empire, up until Anastasia’s Romanov Iron Cross.

He played a role in the Great War, and as the Reds vs. Whites Civil War broke out, he commanded the air force to attack the Red Cavalry led by Semyon Budyonny and Boris Mukhevich, aiding General Sergey Georgievich Ulagai’s White Army cavalry to break through the front lines and advance to Tsaritsyn.

Afterward, he became the air commander of Southern Russia, continuing to lead the air force, and when the White Army was defeated, he fled to Yugoslavia, organizing Cossack units within the Russian White Army immigrant organization.

In this history, he similarly pressured the Red Army in major battles, and as the Southern Air Commander during the Battle of Moscow, he led the air force directly to defeat the Red Navy for Anastasia’s army.

Now, alongside Vyacheslav Tkachev as the members of the White Air Force, Alexander Kazakov is also not to be underestimated.

In original history, Alex Kazakov was a junior pilot during World War I, but even then, he achieved the highest number of enemy planes shot down as a Russian imperial airman.

During the Reds vs. Whites Civil War, he joined the Slavo-British Air Force to fight against the Bolsheviks, but on August 1, 1919, he died in a crash during an air show held by the British Army to boost the morale of the White Army after they withdrew from Arkhangelsk.

However, in this altered history, he joined the White Army of Anastasia and Kolchak, becoming a significant threat to the Reds as the Northern Air Commander and remained as an Air Force Commander even after the Civil War.

In other words, while the formal Supreme Air Commander is Alexander Romanov, the White Air Force was effectively nurtured directly by Vyacheslav Tkachev, the Southern Air Commander, and Alexander Kazakov, the Northern Air Commander.

These two are only outranked by the White Army generals affiliated with the Duma. Both were later awarded the Romanov Iron Cross.

And now, both of them were meeting the Tsarina.

The Saint of Russia, Tsar, Great Khan of the Mongolian steppes, and Emperor of Eastern Rome were standing right in front of them.

Though she is young, there’s no way they wouldn’t be tense.

“You two are leading the northern and southern air forces, I see.”

“Yes, Your Majesty! It’s an honor that you’ve graced us with your presence here!”

The two of them pledged their allegiance to the Tsar, as if they had rehearsed it.

In reality, the Tsar merely waved her hand with a blank expression.

“There’s no need for such formalities. I want to see you both today because I hope you will actively nurture pilots.”

The important thing is nurturing pilots.

That’s it, nothing more, nothing less.

The absolute monarch of this nation is saying just that.

Both air force commanders understood well about Anastasia.

Unlike the army, they hadn’t seen her up close while soaring through the skies, but they were aware of her bravely charging into the battlefield, commanding the Black Baron and the army amidst a hail of bullets.

Moreover, all the prophecies were miraculously fulfilled.

Hence, like other White Army generals, they couldn’t help but have an absolute loyalty toward the Tsarina. However, it felt like what she was saying indicated that war was imminent.

After some brief eye exchanges, Vyacheslav Tkachev, with a tense face, spoke up.

“Well, are we perhaps on the brink of war?”

At his nervous words, Anastasia blinked for a moment before gently shaking her head.

“We’re in the Great Depression. It may be years from now, but there’s no time to waste. Just prepare ahead of time, that’s all.”

“I understand.”

If the Holy Tsarina commands us to nurture pilots, we must naturally comply.

To begin with, there are already quite a few pilots being trained, so it wouldn’t pose much difficulty.

Both of them decided to follow Anastasia’s orders.

* * *

Budapest, Kingdom of Hungary

After recovering Transylvania, Austria and Hungary bonded even more closely and negotiated about the Dual Monarchy.

The first country to retreat from possible obstruction was Britain; the United States was bogged down by the Great Depression, and France had to prepare for both the social upheaval and the Depression, so they couldn’t interfere with Austria’s and Hungary’s actions.

The countries in the Anti-Air Agreement had already tacitly accepted the restoration of the Dual Monarchy for their own defense, so there was no need to elaborate further.

“Our Kingdom of Hungary shall recognize His Majesty the Kaiser of Austria as the King of the Kingdom of Hungary.”

“You have made a wise decision, Regent! Now let’s join forces to overcome this tough time of the Great Depression.”

Now Adolf Hitler, aspiring to enter politics and eyeing the Prime Minister position, clasped Horthy’s hands and laughed heartily.

Naturally, Italy and Yugoslavia, who didn’t want to see the restoration of Austria-Hungary or Karl I ascending to the throne of Hungary, went into a frenzy.

“Austro-Hungary will be restored! We will not recognize it!”

“If the Kaiser of Austria becomes the King of the Kingdom of Hungary, we will go to war—”

“Go ahead and try!”

Austria was confident.

In the first place, they hadn’t yet restored the Dual Monarchy.

Karl I had just ascended to the throne of Hungary, and without declaring the restoration of the Dual Monarchy yet, there was insufficient justification to wage war.

Behind Austria lay the Russian Republic, a key member of the Triple Alliance (Russia, Austria, Germany).

Even though it fell to East Prussia, combined with the German Empire, which still maintained its state, it was practically like the Triple Alliance again.

Yugoslavia, because of Russia, could only mutter words like, “Go to war?”

Italy at least considered the possibility that Russia wouldn’t intervene and attempted to pressure Austria into making military movements.

“But the timing isn’t right.”

Initially, the Communist Germany, which wanted to provoke the next war to annex Austria, refused.

Setting that aside, now was not the right time for Germany to launch a war since they were just beginning to regain their strength, and France, already caught up in work, might see the Commune Revolution delayed due to war.

As long as they were prepared for a revolution, war timing might indeed help, but France was still not ready.

Germany needed to produce Red comrades under any circumstances.

However, militarily strengthening their force was essential.

After much consideration, Secretary Karl Liebknecht finally made a decision.

“If the imperialist reactionary nations can’t escape to Austria or East Prussia and surrender us the captured officers from the Imperial era as hostages, we’ll reconstitute them into the People’s Army.”

These were the very Junker officers captured during the revolutionary period.

They needed to be included in what would later be called the People’s Army to enhance military capacity.

“Will that be alright?”

“Those imperialist reactionary nations have many capable officers due to their experiences in the Great War and Civil War. We must meet them halfway.”

A realistic compromise.

They would massively include officers from the imperial era into the People’s Army to ensure the elite nature of the army.

The remaining military technologies from the imperial period were already in production, such as tanks and fighter aircraft. They just needed the officers.

With the restoration of Austria-Hungary drawing near, Communist Germany, stirred up, followed in the footsteps of Soviet Russia during the Whites and Reds Civil War, where they had forced imperial officers to take on roles within the enemy ranks.

“Unless you wish to die, you must defect and train in the People’s Army.”

“Ha! You who have tortured me all this time now demand I train a military? I don’t take orders from you Reds!”

“Seems you’d prefer to watch your family die, huh?”

“!!”

Thus, former officers from the German Imperial Army had no choice but to comply, and Germany founded the People’s Army on the pretext of countering the military threat from Austria.

While the world was swaying amidst the Great Depression in early 1930, Communist Germany and Italy continued to strengthen their military capacities.

* * *

As the Great Depression progressed, Russia’s situation improved.

As other countries’ companies toppled like dominos, Russia just kept pushing ahead.

This was the perfect opportunity to overtake other nations.

And I didn’t have to give specific orders; Duke Yusupov was already on the move.

“Wow. This is something.”

“Isn’t it amazing?”

One day, Yusupov entered the Kremlin smiling brightly and handed me a list.

The list contained companies from the current Russian Republic.

I wasn’t quite sure if these were companies that existed in the original world of the Soviet Union, since my knowledge in this area was lacking. Regardless, there were many names on the list.

And the names of companies I had never seen before filled the page.

How could I know about companies I wasn’t aware of in the original Soviet history?

There were companies carrying the Romanov name.

Given the recent establishment date, it’s clear they were aiming for the Great Depression season.

“Romanov Heavy Industry, Romanov Chemical Company, Romanov Electric Company. And many, many more have popped up.”

It seems a variety of things have been created.

What on earth did they do to attract so many?

Using the Great Depression to snatch companies and technologies over to here, it seems.

Now they’re making some money, it looks like they’re trying to use everything.

Yusupov wore a proud expression as if seeking praise.

Is this really okay? I mean, the list shows many companies, so it seems fine.

But having the name Romanov might be a bit awkward.

“Isn’t this the chance we’ve been waiting for? While other countries are falling apart, we must invest in everything.”

“Hmm, surely Duke Yusupov will handle it well.”

This person has also deviated quite a bit from actual history.

Recently, his businesses have been succeeding in rapid succession, especially with Tesla as well.

“And there are also Romanov defense contractors. We should strengthen Russian industrial power for future convenience, right? Also, Dr. Tesla said something.”

Dr. Tesla.

That guy seems to be completely focused on research for a long time now.

“What did he say?”

“He said he’s certain he will witness the wireless revolution in his lifetime.”

Has it already reached that point?

In the original history, was it ultimately a budget issue?

 

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