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“It’s just Alaska.”

“Alaska? Didn’t we sell Alaska to the United States for seven point two million dollars over seventy years ago?”

Yeah, we did. That was a long time ago.

Of course, I don’t think I can eat Alaska right here.

Southwestern Ukraine would be easier to consume. Eating Alaska must be a high priority even in the United States.

Besides, the Huey Long administration isn’t even the faction we’re supporting.

“So, I just want it. That’s about it. I want to reclaim Alaska, which was sold during the Russian Empire era, to bolster the authority of the Romanov dynasty.”

“Well, that’s quite an unreasonable request.”

Gerald Smith made a troubled expression.

Yeah, it sounds unreasonable. That’s the norm.

If we get the land now, MacArthur will just end up looking good.

Huey Long just assigned a piece of territory! What do you think will happen then?

Alaska has a ton of resources, you know.

“To be honest, the Duma is uncomfortable meeting with the Secretary of State, and the Secretary came to find someone like me to convince the Duma, right?”

“Yes.”

Gerald Smith nodded deeply.

Good. I appreciate straightforwardness.

I can understand the urgency behind it just fine.

After all, didn’t we have tough times like that as well?

“I am a monarch under a constitutional monarchy. My influence is limited. If I’m to persuade anyone, I need to at least secure some territory. The Secretary should understand this.”

If I, a powerless Emperor, want to persuade the National Duma!

I need to have some results!

“Well, that’s something to be discussed back home. But, Your Majesty, the situation surrounding Alaska is different from when the Alaska Treaty was signed. Resources like gold have been discovered. There are various resources now, and their value has increased since then.”

Yeah. That’s something to discuss. But I can’t do so.

I don’t know when the next opportunity like this will come.

From the moment MacArthur sent Eisenhower, it was like the Huey Long administration had a fire under its feet.

If we just back off here, the Huey Long administration will truly be done for.

MacArthur has probably witnessed the combat power of our Russian Army in the Spanish Civil War already.

Oh, I just got a great idea.

Why not just trade Alaska directly for the costs of developing the atomic bomb?

“Well, if we get paid a sum equivalent to that land, maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad deal. How about around 2 billion dollars?”

I grinned, revealing my true colors.

Isn’t that too much for the current United States to handle?

But if the U.S. supports us with enough funds to develop nuclear weapons, we wouldn’t even need to take Alaska.

“Money? 2 billion dollars? That seems a bit much.”

Yeah. It’s all about money. Russia needs to show me the money urgently.

We need the U.S. to cover the costs for the atomic bomb.

Now, Russia can spend its budget reasonably and research quite rapidly.

But we have to save our money as much as possible.

Gerald Smith would probably have dashed out of here if only I weren’t Tsar and if the United States was in a comfortable position to turn me down right here.

“As you know, Russia is vast. We have overcome the pains of our Civil War and continued to grow, but during the Great Depression, there are just so many places that require funding.”

At my words, Gerald Smith’s face crinkled in discomfort.

Is he really saying that amid the Great Depression? That’s the expression he’s making.

The truth is, there have been many people who have died due to train tickets to the afterlife. Even during the Great Depression, there were still plenty of healthy people.

But the expression saying how desperately he wants money while the economy grows every day is quite the highlight.

“Well then, give me just a little time. At least I need to telegram back home. No, I need to go and talk in person.”

“Well, I can relay that you need some time to the Duma, so please do that.”

And so, Gerald Smith was sent away.

Even if I gain nothing here, it would just be maintaining the status quo.

Getting Alaska would be great, but I wouldn’t be heartbroken if the U.S. doesn’t give in.

In fact, if MacArthur complains about this?

No, that can’t happen. They have to appease us right now, don’t they?

Moreover, they abruptly demanded Alaska.

We intended to demand some conditions that the Huey Long administration would find impossible to accept—to make them refuse—this was the plan.

Aren’t I clever enough with this idea?

On the contrary, if the Huey Long administration actually goes mad and gives up Alaska, intending to bring in the Russian Army, that would also be something good.

Whatever happens, MacArthur wouldn’t want to lose us to the United States, so he’d at least provide some funds to grease our palms.

After all, the value of our Russia is inevitably influenced by the Military Government of the United States and the United States Confederacy.

It’s okay to be a little greedy.

Since we expect to get compensation no matter what, we have nothing to lose.

Who knows? Maybe Huey Long would go as far as to offer Alaska and money to win over Russia.

But you know what?

Not long after, a new guest arrived at the Kremlin.

“Your Majesty. I hear you had a meeting with the Secretary of State from the United States Confederacy.”

Yeah, I did.

I never expected even Eisenhower would come to see me.

This is a bit much, isn’t it?

Why did the National Duma send this fellow instead of dealing with this guy?

It’s nice to see historical figures, but still, this is quite strange.

“So, what about it?”

“Is that guy, with his silver tongue, trying to incite discord between our United States and Russia?”

Yeah, he caught on to that.

To MacArthur, Russia is the last remaining ally.

If we pull out, the British might side with Huey Long and re-engage the U.S.

Right now, it’s an opportunity as both MacArthur and Huey Long are courting Russia.

We should try to milk both sides while getting money and—if possible—Alaska as well.

“However, I’ve been thinking a lot about that issue.”

“Your Majesty?”

“Actually, I was thinking of asking, ‘If you want my help with that issue, then at least give me Alaska!’”

You should say things like this in advance.

That way, MacArthur won’t misinterpret it, and we’ll have something to say in return.

I’m not looking to have conflicts with a unified America until the Cold War begins.

Eisenhower’s calm face twisted in an instant at my response.

Meanwhile, I leisurely sipped my tea.

“Did Gerald Smith actually say he’d give it?”

Oh, no way!

Even if he has full power, would he go soft on something that depends on the government’s approval rating?

“Of course, they can’t just give away land so easily. But apart from that, if we can get an amount equivalent to the value of Alaska—20 billion dollars, mind you—then maybe it will be considered.”

“That’s unacceptable.”

“There are international relations involved here, and this cannot be accepted just like that. We should at least discuss this with the Duma.”

We will seriously consider positively the return of Alaska.

The Huey Long administration accepted it like that. Just this much is sufficient.

Even we, Russia, can’t ignore this, so we’ll have to discuss it at the Duma as well. This can happen.

“Your Majesty. We must drive the United States Confederacy out.”

Here comes the emotional appeal?

Oh no. Not a chance. I have no intention of that.

The country can’t be moved by sentiment.

“Right, I know that. But, we would need to mobilize at least a million troops to assist your lordship.”

“How about waiting for our government’s response? Your lordship would provide us with as much convenience as possible in receiving support from Russia.”

Wow. This situation is getting more interesting.

If it were just MacArthur and Huey Long, it wouldn’t be like this.

“Well, if I can convince the Duma, I think that level of support is feasible.”

That’s about how long I can wait for. I think I can say this much.

 

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