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The Russian Army was moving independently, pushing the People’s Front while doing my job.

To be precise.

“Run, run! We’re going to crush the communists with tanks! Hahahaha! What’s the hold-up? Tie the dead reds to the tank!”

“Kyah!”

It was just the US armored force, led by Patton, who volunteered as a special envoy to practice breaking communist skulls, rampaging in the rear lines.

But Patton’s rampage was incredibly effective.

With the tank development of the T-project that had been long overdue, using existing German technology along with the knowledge gained from dismantling French and British tanks, numerous tanks were produced, culminating in the T-34, easily trampling the Communist Germany’s first tank and Italian tanks.

When asked if the People’s Front had the advantage in the air force, the answer was no.

Notably, there was intense aerial combat in the Basque region of Guernica.

The White Air Force of Alexander Kazakov from the Russian Republic clashed with the Red Air Force of Wolfram von Richthofen from Communist Germany.

The Russian fighter planes produced at Ilya Muromets Company, brought down the Red Air Force fighters like falling leaves, showcasing Russia’s weaponry technology to the world.

Above all, Wolfram von Richthofen, who had been forcibly conscripted into the Red Air Force, was skeptical about this battle.

“At this rate, Guernica will be taken by the counter-revolutionaries. Let’s destroy everything.”

Seeing that the situation in Guernica was far worse than anticipated, the German and Italian volunteer armies defending Guernica feared that the ammunition production facilities would fall to the National Front, leading them to decide to retreat and destroy them instead.

In what would have been the original history, the Nationalist German Condor Legion would have bombed Guernica, but ironically, in this world, it was destroyed by the retreating German People’s Army and Italian forces due to an unfavorable situation, leaving the National Front to occupy the ruined Guernica.

Of course, the People’s Front wasn’t just on the defensive, assassinating officers from the National Front and disrupting their operations, leading to an escalation in the Spanish Civil War.

And around this time, Benito Mussolini in Rome had other thoughts.

“Damn Russian counter-revolutionaries!”

His anger boiled over at Russia’s audacity to intervene in Italy, as he slammed his fist on the desk, but soon a brilliant idea flashed in his mind like the shine of his head.

“Right. Abyssinia.”

Abyssinia, now known as Ethiopia.

He couldn’t just let the army he had painstakingly prepared go to waste, could he?

He decided to invade Abyssinia—Ethiopia, to repay past humiliations and to liberate Ethiopia under the red flag, aiming for expansion into Africa.

With both England and France not in their right minds, dominating Africa should be a piece of cake.

Mussolini viewed Ethiopia as something to be crossed over, much like how Germany regarded the lowlands as mere bypasses.

“Alright. We’ll launch into Ethiopia while the Russians are distracted in Spain!”

Of course, Mussolini was still unaware.

That Russia had been covertly supplying weapons to Ethiopia all along.

That through ridiculous negotiations with the Ethiopian Emperor, they had been receiving exceptional coffee while supplying leftover weapons to Ethiopia.

Mussolini was still oblivious to that fact.

* * *

The Spanish Civil War was heating up.

I had put in various variables even before the civil war began.

The Falangist faction had gained power, but with history altered, I couldn’t predict how the Republican side would act.

I thought it would become challenging if the red Axis powers, Germany and Italy, supported the Republicans.

In fact, didn’t Communist Germany use Soviet methods to replace the officer corps of the Imperial era?

But an unexpected outcome emerged.

From the reports on the situation in the Spanish Civil War, it seemed suspiciously rigged—Communist Germany and Italy couldn’t fight back at all.

Receiving reports about the Spanish Civil War from the Duma, I tilted my head.

“Surprisingly, the German and Italian forces are struggling.”

Or maybe it’s because of our preparations.

They too must have been getting ready for a communist uprising.

“There’s a difference in performance, but apparently the officers from the Imperial era commanding the Communist German forces aren’t actively participating in the civil war.”

“That makes sense. Why would they want to follow the Reds?”

I figured they wouldn’t do their job properly.

There must be many Junkers among them; I doubt they’d fight properly if they were conscripted.

Likely, they would retreat due to a lack of equipment compared to Russia.

“On the other hand, while the Italian military fought hard, they are losing due to performance discrepancies.”

“Huh.”

Still, isn’t this way too easy?

Even if I had prepared in advance, as mentioned, the Italians would have readied themselves, and the proof is that the communists took Madrid by force, which was against the original history.

But I’m glad our manufactured weapons are proving effective.

“The German Empire also said they would send some volunteers and requested arms sales. Additionally, the countries in the air defense alliance have requested to purchase Russian arms.”

“Huh, that’s good news.”

I like that.

The air defense countries are major customers of Russia’s grain exports, and if they also buy weapons, it’s perfect.

Especially when I see that even Poland, who had been suspicious of Russia, is now accelerating their arms purchases.

That’s more than enough.

“Overseas investment in Manchuria is also continuing.”

“Yes. Now that the Great Depression is easing, isn’t it time to find places to invest?”

“Let’s allow that.”

Now that the Great Depression is getting a bit better, developing Manchuria with foreign investment sounds good.

It’s funny that many of these companies are American corporates on the brink of civil war.

Yes, a company is a company, and war is war, right?

And not long after, while I was playing with Belka in the Kremlin, Maria brought me some news.

“Your Majesty. The British Foreign Secretary wishes to make a personal visit.”

“What’s the matter? Isn’t this something to be sorted in the Duma?”

It probably is, but I wonder why the British keep wanting to see the Tsar.

At this rate, I’d have no choice but to meet them myself.

“Are they proposing to discuss the Baltic issue? Since you initiated the Baltic border defense line, it seems they want to persuade you.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

I can’t help but feel a rational suspicion that the Duma has covertly passed this off to me.

No, surely that can’t be the case.

Alright, it might be good to hear what the British have to say.

Okay then, let’s see. Just what kind of words do they come with?

* * *

“Your Majesty. I’ve heard you’re establishing fortifications along the border.”

The person I met was none other than Austin Chamberlain, who opened the Peace Season 0 of our time.

Wasn’t the Foreign Secretary at this time a different person?

It seems the British are running low on personnel. Or they might have judged it fit to send someone to negotiate with me.

“Seems like the Baltic states have caught the British by the leg.”

“Your Majesty.”

The way he grimaced at my words was amusing.

“So what’s the problem? We are preparing for war against Communist Germany.”

This is a perfectly reasonable action.

Thanks to whom has Communist Germany grown strong? We must protect our country from that red plague.

But we cannot protect the Baltics, which fall under British influence, can we?

We need only guard our land.

Of course, it would be best to stop the red plague on foreign soil.

But in the end, this is somewhat like a play.

It’s a matter of who holds the dominance in the air defense alliance between Britain and Russia.

“Isn’t the Baltics part of the air defense alliance?”

“Yes, they are.”

“Then why would you abandon the Baltics and say you’ll stop the communists?”

“Let’s speak plainly. The Baltics are British puppets, aren’t they? It’s your country that should defend them, not us.”

“Your Majesty. As much as that is true, there are still minimum obligations to keep.”

Obligations, huh.

It’s ironic to hear that from those puppet states.

Weren’t they the ones who said they would support the Huey Long government to screw us over?

“Obligations? Well said. The moment we showed support for the MacArthur regime, they immediately backed the Huey Long government. To demand that they protect their Baltic is just ludicrous, isn’t it?”

Do you really want to play this game? You think we’re still that weak second-rate power?

Does China respect us, do the U.S. plead with us, and does Japan woo us?

Speaking of which, Russia’s national pride is quite fulfilling.

“Was that really the reason?”

“Above all, I’m known as the Saint. It’s not seemly for someone like me to infringe upon other nations’ sovereignty.”

As a Saint, I have a conscience. How can I infringe upon the sovereignty of neighboring countries?

We can blockade the Germans at the fortresses and guard the borders. I absolutely cannot station troops in the Baltics and infringe upon their sovereignty.

“If the front is too wide, Russia will have difficulties.”

“Wasn’t it Britain that said the Communist Germans wouldn’t start a war? We are merely preparing for contingencies.”

Where are these people pulling tricks from?

Didn’t they say the Communist Germans wouldn’t go to war?

These guys are truly pirates. That’s why they’re doing such nonsense.

“That’s true, but…”

Look at them. They’re having second thoughts after saying that.

“Or perhaps, after witnessing our performance in the Spanish Civil War, they’ve concluded our army is competent?”

That could be part of it, too.

Seeing the Russian army excel in the Spanish Civil War…

Right now, given their stance, it’s clear that the level of the Russian army has significantly increased, and they probably conducted investigations into the auxiliary troops of Communist Germany.

Although Communist Germany is lagging behind us, they must have fought with the other forces of the National Front. The British must have also seen the potential for conflict with Communist Germany.

“Your Majesty. We are civilized beings. I believe we should untangle the misunderstandings gradually.”

“Gradually or not, let’s get to the main point. You want us to protect the Baltics, don’t you?”

I believe in addressing things fairly.

To ask us to protect the Baltics is not something we should take lightly.

At my question, Chamberlain bowed his head, his face flushed red.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“To protect the Baltics from the strengthened Communist Germans with your support, what do we gain in return?”

I boldly demanded compensation.

If not now, when would I ask for recompense?

“Your Majesty. Russia must also defend East Prussia, right? Thus, it must also protect the Baltics.”

Sure, it makes sense to protect the Baltics if you want to defend East Prussia.

If the Baltics were to fall into the hands of Communist Germany, East Prussia would be threatened.

To defend East Prussia, we would have to bolster the Baltic border, as well.

“That’s one thing, and this is another. We can defend East Prussia without needing to protect the Baltics. Surely Britain would abandon the Baltics if it were not for their dignity?”

Britain has made many mistakes up to now.

Whether they like it or not, protecting the Baltics is a matter of British dignity.

Aren’t the British supposed to just maintain their homeland defense and manage their colonies?

Essentially, this means there’s no reason for Britain to protect the Baltics.

Of course, this is merely my speculation, but we’ll see just how urgent these people are.

“Ahem.”

“To say that you need to protect the Baltics to this extent is quite absurd. Alright. I can ensure that Britain can save face.”

“Really?”

Of course, that face-saving would require a legitimate price.

It would be a mistake to still view Russia as it was during the Imperial era.

Russia is now united, pumping industrial might, and bolstered military strength. By the time a major war breaks out, this nation will be far stronger than the Soviet Union of the original history.

“Our Russia has regained Constantinople post-civil war and is a nation unified with the pride of the Romans. It seems some kind of compensation would be in order, don’t you think?”

“How much has our England supported you over the years?”

Oh, you expressed that well.

How much support has England actually provided? Of course, we received some help regarding tanks, but most of it was from Wilhelm who generously dished out help.

At the time, Wilhelm was just a British frontman~ that’s something we can’t ignore.

“Wasn’t it Ireland, not Britain, that supported Communist Germany?”

“That’s from ages ago. Why bring that up now?”

I generally avoid dragging things out unnecessarily.

I’m not that kind of person who holds grudges.

But this situation is a bit different. It’s not something to be casually brushed off with “Oh, that was ages ago! Forget it and let’s drink!”

Communist Germany has been effectively rearmed and even sent auxiliary troops thanks to British support.

“As time passes, the repercussions of that mistake will grow, so how can I possibly forget about it? Look at the current Communist Germany. They’ve now formed an army known as the German People’s Army and brought in officers from the Imperial era to enhance their military quality. They are even developing weapons like tanks and airplanes, killing countless Russian soldiers on the Iberian Peninsula. The British cannot escape responsibility for that.”

Of course, saying that Russian soldiers are dying is a bit exaggerated. But, the puppet states can never be free from responsibility.

 

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