---

* * *

Military Government of the United States White House

Of course, MacArthur was well aware of the situation occurring at the border.

From the perspective of the Military Government of the United States, it was no different from a thief breaking in at midnight.

Having once considered the staunch anti-communist Huey Long a red and chased him out of the White House, MacArthur’s face flushed red at the advance of the Reds.

Overcome with anger, he threw the pile of documents on his desk, flames of vengeance burning in his eyes.

“Damn those Reds! I knew it would come to this! Firing shells without a care? What? Kidnapping us? We are under total mobilization too! Let them know the terror of MacArthur!”

MacArthur also declared total mobilization.

At the same time, he demanded more weapons and supplies from Russia.

Although weapons could be produced domestically, Russian equipment was known to be of superior quality.

And just as the Spanish Civil War was nearing its end, an opportunity arose for Patton, who was heading to Moscow as usual, to not just send troops to America but finally return home.

Though the troops were prepared, he needed forces to send to America, so Anastasia personally issued commands from Moscow.

“Ah, it’s been a while. Just after Iberia, we can now chase out the Reds in America. Alright! Knights of Patton! Let’s uproot all the Reds in America!”

Holding a half-empty bottle of vodka in one hand, Patton landed in America alongside the Russian troops who served valiantly in the Spanish Civil War and had formed close ties with him.

“Sir! Colonel Patton’s Armored Division, which fought in the Spanish Civil War, has finally returned from Russia!”

“Patton? Ah, right! It’s like gaining a thousand troops!”

Patton, renowned as a foreign general even within Russia, had garnered much favor during the Russian Civil War, often entering the Tsar’s office, which was restricted to White Army generals only.

Of course, this was merely a result of Patton charging in, pushing for American involvement while pleading to support Anastasia when she was still a princess.

Anyway, MacArthur received the ferocious beast known as Patton as a gift from Russia.

“What if we add a spoonful to the American Civil War and receive support for reconstructing both the United States and Russia?”

The Falangist Party, which had just taken control of Madrid and entered a phase of stabilization, expressed its willingness to support the Military Government of the United States to take a bite out of the situation.

And the Huey Long government, which could not be seen as merely a spectator, watched the situation unfold from a distance.

Even though KFC declared war, the main forces were engaged at the front with the Military Government of the United States.

“Sir, shouldn’t we take action as well?”

“If KFC collapses like this, it would be disastrous.”

For a moment, the urgent voices of the ministers had Huey Long pondering.

Although no answers had come from Russia, they did send American troops who fought valiantly in the Red-White Civil War to MacArthur.

“Hmm, it seems Russia is finally willing to help MacArthur. However, we are not in a position to fight right now. If we attack MacArthur, we’ll truly be branded as communists, and Russia would surely deploy their army.”

In reality, Huey Long intended to make a move against KFC first.

To deny the words about MacArthur being a sort of red, he needed to capture KFC first, or else he would be seen as nothing more than a red colluding with communists.

If he fought with MacArthur, then KFC would naturally assist, thereby branding Huey Long as a red that partnered with communists.

Thus, it might be beneficial to strike both sides at once before MacArthur defeated KFC and expanded his influence.

Huey Long decided to delay entering the fray as long as possible.

Not having enough troops to fight both sides was one reason he couldn’t dive into this mess.

However, if the situation deteriorated and North America was stained with blood…

“Then I will have to make a decision.”

When that time comes, he might have to request mediation from Russia.

* * *

News arrived from the Okhrana Kentucky branch.

Civil war had begun in North America.

Given that it merely took a slight push to ignite, it was evident that the signs had been there for some time.

Trotsky really had no place left to flee.

It was either to win in the civil war or die—those were the only two choices.

Honestly, for Trotsky, it would be better to let it explode now.

If the Russian army provides overwhelming support to the Military Government, Trotsky, who already faces military inequality, would find it tough.

We too should start quickly to resolve the two-front war.

It seems the news had even made its way into the Moscow newspapers, indicating a fierce situation.

I couldn’t help but frown at the news of the North American Civil War reported in the newspapers.

“Oh dear. It’s finally happened. A civil war has broken out. Americans are fighting each other over ideology on North American soil. Even though I’m not American, it saddens me to see this tragic scene of the country that supported us as a saint.”

I pretended to shed tears that wouldn’t come as I lamented.

Maria timely moistened the area under my eyes, enhancing the quality of my act.

Being so obvious in the Duma might make me look a bit trashy.

But isn’t it all for the benefit of Russian interests?

“Um, what’s wrong? Everyone in the parliament seems to have strange expressions. Do you all have something to say to me?”

It couldn’t be because they all ate the mint chocolate I provided for lunch.

I sensed what they were itching to say, yet surprisingly, my mind was void of thoughts.

“Why? You look like you have a lot to say.”

“Oh, um, no. Cough.”

Right. I instigated this incident.

Though it might seem I’m making a sorrowful face for causing this.

But honestly, it was unavoidable. It was a civil war that was bound to erupt anyway.

“I understand what you’re trying to convey. Nevertheless, a civil war is inevitable. It would be better to handle it swiftly while minimizing our Russian bloodshed.”

Honestly, I wouldn’t shed a single tear for any American lives lost.

This America hasn’t even helped Korea yet.

But ultimately, if we wish to secure a favorable position, we need to intervene in the civil war while we can still suppress it swiftly.

Minimizing damage is also a duty as a saint.

This is a reality I cannot overlook.

“After the Spanish Civil War, Patton’s Crusaders have returned home.”

At Drozdovsky’s words, I absentmindedly fiddled with my hair, glancing at him.

“Crusaders?”

Patton is referred to as a crusader? What’s that about?

“They say he is waging a holy war to drive out communism, thus called a crusader.”

“How many troops are under Patton’s command?”

I had gathered volunteers from the troops who went to Spain to recruit forces for North America.

“Following His Majesty’s orders, we received support from the volunteer troops who participated in the Spanish campaign. Out of 50,000, 30,000 are headed to North America.”

Thirty thousand? That’s quite a lot.

Honestly, I hadn’t given it much thought.

Because Patton originally only brought a small number of American soldiers detached from supply lines during the Red-White Civil War, but had been elite-ified into an armored division.

Simply put, if only these troops go to North America and provide tanks, it would already be a major boost for MacArthur.

“Surprisingly many. But it doesn’t sound like a special military operation this time, right?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Moreover, these are picked even from the volunteers. The Spanish Falangist regime has also pledged to help.”

I never expected the Spanish Falangists to step up. That’s a relief.

If the Falangists assist, it could minimize the Russian forces supporting America.

“They must have a condition, though?”

“When North America finds stability in the future, they will request assistance for the reconstruction of Spain, right?”

Well, I can’t underestimate the potential capacity of both America and Spain.

Moreover, they would likely want to prove themselves as allies of Russia. Indeed, it would be great if Spain quickly returned to stability.

After all, even if the Falangists came to aid MacArthur with their hundreds of thousands of troops used in the civil war, it would primarily be about receiving payment.

Hmm, if Spain secures more stakes than in original history later on, it might be interesting to see some changes in the European landscape.

No, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

For now, I need to gauge the situation and then determine the future.

How will our esteemed communist countries respond?

We’ve already faced humiliation once in Spain; what will they say this time?

“How does Britain view the American Civil War?”

“Since they can neither intervene nor abstain, they simply criticized KFC.”

So Britain was satisfied with just that?

Is this the same British government that has been acting weak up until now—Churchill’s cabinet, coming out like this?

Does this even mean anything? No, it must signal something significant, right?

“Do they even have the capacity for that?”

“If it’s Churchill, I expected more from him, but it seems he couldn’t manage even that.”

Could it be that they are still politically unstable?

If Edward is now properly enthroned. Hmm. There doesn’t seem to be any internal issues.

Then it must indeed be external pressures.

Is there anything from the outside that could pressure Britain now? Russia claims to support Churchill and the current king.

“Countries in the Commonwealth opposed Edward’s ascension to the throne.”

“Oh.”

I hadn’t seen that coming.

Wait, are they really opposing Edward’s ascension to the throne? The Commonwealth countries?

Was it the reason for Stanley Baldwin’s cabinet resignation back in history?

For some reason or another, the Commonwealth is swaying.

If the Commonwealth is swaying, does that mean things might get easier for us?

No, it doesn’t make sense. Only we are left to combat the Russian communists alongside France’s weakling state.

“Have the Commonwealth countries all completely separated?”

“Including British India and Malaya. For now, the Communist Germany is aiming to seize the colonies, desiring a strong government to fight communism rather than the ascension to the throne.”

I see. The colonies in question are more concerned with fighting communism than with questions of royalty.

Since what I know includes Canada, Australia, and New Zealand—are they all opposing as well? Could the Commonwealth even slip into a sort of civil war?

“Are they heading toward civil war?”

“Not quite to that extent.”

Not quite, but during World War II, couldn’t the battle prowess vary dramatically?

If Churchill joins World War II, would the dominions pull out?

No, no way these sensible people would sit back while their home country is at war?

That’s likely not the case.

Did I just screw up? Instead of pushing for Churchill, it might have been better to support Stanley Baldwin?

No, that’s not it.

That would just lead to a simple hatred.

I need an entity that could bring down Britain.

In the original history, it might not have mattered, but Churchill is likely itching to deal with Communist Germany.

Churchill is probably aware.

If this continues, he risks losing hegemony to Russia.

What Britain always does remains constant.

When the two powers clash, they let both exhaust themselves fighting until it reaches an impasse, then step in to decide the victor.

Now, while they’ve offered some support to Communist Germany, it’s quite apparent they intend to foster Communist Germany just so Russia won’t seize control of Europe.

“While it may not lead to civil war, it seems Churchill is quite concerned about the dominions.”

“Yeah. It makes sense. The strength of the British Empire ultimately comes from its colonies.”

The strength of the British Empire indeed comes from its colonial armies.

Can the British forces fight Communist Germany with just their homeland troops alone?

At least it’s fortunate that there doesn’t seem to be much backlash from the colonies tasked with military duties.

I’m not defending my divorced wife here.

Thinking about it, the British royal family must be in turmoil as well. Would the dominions really oppose a marriage with a woman who’s gone through two divorces?

If I think it through, ah, this might not be the case.

I have my reasons for this thought. The circumstances must be significant for them as well.

“Indeed, it is your Majesty.”

“Hmm?”

“Aren’t you the one orchestrating all of this?”

A bit of excessive flattery might be in order; previously praising me was one thing, but this feels excessive.

No, I’m not orchestrating everything. I feel quite unfairly treated.

Saying this makes it feel as though I’ve truly made a mistake.

What if I falter in World War II?

Ugh. No way. The population in Britain is pretty substantial. Churchill is a man who can see reality.

The dominions won’t fall apart over marriage issues.

Moreover, there is an enemy like Germany right before our eyes.

He wouldn’t turn his attention to fighting with the dominions while leaving Germany unchecked.

“But just as France fears a communist takeover, shouldn’t Britain also prepare for a situation where it could be tied down by its dominions, unable to act?”

“If Britain starts to wobble before fighting Germany, the only nation capable of battling Communist Germany is us, isn’t it?”

Ah, that’s a point.

Even if Austria has rapidly integrated, it’s only under the premise that France falls.

Can Austria truly fend off the armies of three nations?

The Balkan nations will have to support too, but if Italy exploits Greece, they’ll be dragged underneath.

“Should we support France?”

No, that seems a bit risky.

France can flip at any moment.

It would be best to wrap up the American Civil War decisively. Should I seriously consider Ethiopia as a bargaining chip in World War II?

* * *

 

---