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* * *

“We don’t need to engage the Allies; we can simply go to war with Austria separately.”

“Yes. Considering how Britain is fretting over its precious crown jewels in India, that’s quite true.”

No matter how impressive Churchill may be, he must recognize the reality that India is untenable.

Perhaps it’s better to grant a portion of India to a pro-British figure as requested by Russia, making them a prime minister instead.

“Shall we assist?”

I tentatively gauged the mood in the Duma before speaking up.

I thought of this amusing idea, and I figured it would be fine to express it a little.

Of course, it’s half a joke, so I won’t mind if it’s not taken seriously.

“Are you talking about the Netherlands?”

“Well, since we have to deal with Germany eventually, it might appear as though we are helping on the surface.”

Oh, what nonsense. That’s that, and this is this. There’s no way I’m going to assist the Netherlands for nothing.

In this world, you can’t just give without receiving something in return.

“Of course, it’s not without conditions. Sure, I’d accept Dutch support if it meant independence for their colonies right now.”

Release that massive colony, will you?

Given the current situation, it looks like Japan will target there sooner or later.

Because if the United States pours all its strength into the Pacific, Japan will only have to resort to absurdity by expanding its frontlines.

I genuinely wonder what will happen to Germany after receiving a serious punch. It’s quite intriguing.

“Ha ha ha ha! Truly remarkable, Your Majesty. For us, it’s a win-win situation.”

“But will you really give up the colonies?”

Of course not. There’s no way those fools would actually relinquish their colonies.

That’s just how I see it.

What the Communist Germany and the French Commune did right was dividing Belgium and seizing the Netherlands.

“It’s fine if they don’t give them up. It will become laughable that in such a dire situation, they can’t even part with their colonies.”

I don’t care which way it goes.

If they outright release their colonies, I’ll publicize it globally, proclaiming Russia as the vanguard of colonial liberation. The unique savior of their colonies.

In short, Russia is different from those fools! That’s the message I’ll convey.

Since all colonies will inevitably have to be spat out later, if they must give them up eventually, it will be painted as Russia’s doing.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Colonial liberation is a matter of national prestige, and if the Netherlands isn’t foolish, they’ll realize that we’re going to fight Germany regardless of their acceptance of such terms.

They probably just want to cling to Russia and snag something from Germany. Or perhaps they genuinely wish to protect their own people.

Unfortunately, I have no intention of accommodating that.

“Whatever it is, the Netherlands clings to its colonies like an old coot, even after losing its homeland. This is how history will record it.”

Even if Wilhelmina herself hasn’t the intention, that’s how it will play out, isn’t it?

Those without anything to lose tend to behave like that.

They can’t let go of even one thing and cling desperately to what they have.

Thus, I laid down this condition.

Perhaps they’d never give in out of sheer pride, so there’s no way they’ll relinquish anything.

“That’s a relief.”

“What are you talking about?”

“If by any chance we hadn’t quickly consumed Eastern Poland, wouldn’t the exile government have gone to the UK?”

Ah, that’s true. In reality, the Polish exile government was in London.

With Communist Germany brutally wrecking things, it must’ve been difficult even for them to establish an exile government in the west.

There wouldn’t have been any time for that.

For now, Simigwi chose absolute resistance.

Nonetheless, as long as I have the support of the Polish people in the east, it shouldn’t be a problem.

“Surely, we can expect a flood of refugees from the west?”

“Yes. That’s guaranteed.”

“Then we can form a new Polish army. Isn’t the Kingdom of Poland Army a good idea?”

After all, the royal title sounds good.

Doesn’t the Polish Republic Army sound a little weak?

But a Polish Kingdom Army that’s allied with Russia and the Dual Monarchy seems a bit more formidable.

“The Polish Kingdom Army of the Romanov dynasty. Splendid! I will send military advisors to organize the Polish Kingdom Army in our White Army style.”

In any case, it’s about organizing an army to reclaim the land.

The Poles probably wouldn’t mind either.

Then, we need to protect the German Empire too. We must take advantage of the fact that Communist Germany hasn’t declared war on us yet.

“The commander Vermont in the German Empire is currently at odds with the Communist German army, right?”

“Yes.”

“Vermont’s forces are small, so we might need to send a bit more military strength.”

If we blatantly declare that the German Empire is now part of our territory, what will they do?

If they’re angry, they can throw the first punch right away.

“I will proceed with that.”

It seems that Communist Germany isn’t thinking about invading Russia at this moment.

We must seize this opportunity.

Attacking Austria will inevitably lead us into war, but that’s all there is to it.

Before they strike Austria, they will likely try to reinforce their defense lines.

We can bombard those defense lines with missiles and various bombs before crashing in with armored waves.

Perhaps Goebbels thinks that taking Austria will be an easy feat?

The armies of the European military power France and the war machine-like Communist German forces, and possibly even the major power Italy beneath them.

They probably don’t think the recently united Austria can win.

“It’s certain we’ll target Austria soon.”

“Yes. That’s definitely the case.”

Well, that’s one thing, but…

If Goebbels attacks Austria, I suspect they’ll want to gobble up Austria before we arrive!

That seems like a foolish line of thought.

It feels like they’re underestimating Hitler too much; surely, Hitler’s Austria is well prepared as well.

I mean, just the tanks alone, they’ve been diligently developing. Or do they think the Sudetenland fortifications are some kind of joke?

No, or maybe that’s why they’ve prioritized taking France first.

Now that they’ve taken France, pushing Poland back becomes easier.

If the French Commune can lend a hand, it could be possible~ That’s probably how they’re thinking.

Britain, too preoccupied with defending its homeland, likely won’t manage to poke at Germany too forcefully, and now that they’ve taken Denmark, who knows how they’ll respond.

There’s one thing I can say for sure.

“It looks like Goebbels seriously underestimates Hitler. What do you think of the Defense Minister?”

Goebbels really looks down on Hitler.

“I’d heard that the Sudetenland fortifications are quite sturdy. They might hold out until we arrive.”

Upon my question, Baron Beria paused for a moment, seemingly contemplating, before providing the answer I wanted to hear.

I knew it! If it’s our Hitler, it’s certainly possible!

* * *

Berlin, German Free Socialist Republic

In the situation where Britain and France are essentially in decline, the leaders of the European Red family—Goebbels, Torrez, and Mussolini—gathered in Berlin.

Even Britain’s formidable empire could no longer dare to land, so they had leisurely discussions on how to divide Europe up front.

Of course, the exiled French government in Algeria and Britain still have a naval presence, but could any colonial troops from Algeria really make a difference?

They even spread the seeds of communism in Algeria.

It’s unlikely that Algerians would easily follow the exiled French colonial government.

Yet…

With Russia still around, we must quickly deal with Austria before engaging in battle with them.

“What remains for us now is Austria. We must divide that tattered nation, with communist Germany annexing Austria and turning the rest into communist states through revolution. We need to resolve this before Russia joins in with their army.”

A single storm must sweep through Austria.

Thus, Goebbels first targeted France.

To take France is to destroy Austria even faster. After sweeping that away, trampling over Balkan states won’t be too difficult, and then we can turn to Russia.

However, Mussolini, participating in the meeting, held some internal dissatisfaction.

Mussolini’s support in Communist Italy was faltering.

The reasons were evident.

The troops deployed were stopped by the Ethiopian Mountain Division and the French Mountain Division, and in North Africa, once again thwarted by the Ethiopian army after the British Mediterranean fleet withdrew.

Naturally, that would affect his approval ratings at home.

Of course, those who dared to challenge the Secretary’s authority had been suppressed, but still, he had to show something.

Though they had been halted thus far, one could argue that it was Italy who contributed to France turning red.

So why shouldn’t he be able to demand some land?

“Can’t we claim Croatia?”

So he boldly stated.

He sought to obtain land while asserting his share.

Especially when Germany and France had taken their share of the lowlands made him quite agitated.

Italy has gained nothing thus far.

Particularly in North Africa, the lack of British forces and being suppressed by Ethiopia was significant.

“Italy?”

“Didn’t we also open the front for the French Republic to assist Germany? Though they were pushed back due to logistical issues in Africa.”

Goebbels momentarily thought, “Is this idiot serious?”

They’re already being pushed back not only by France but also by Ethiopia, that much is clear.

And now to demand Croatia? Shouldn’t they have actually accomplished something before requesting anything?

But well, if they really could fight properly, at least if they could occupy Southern Austria, I wouldn’t hesitate to concede.

“Alright. If we strike from the North, including Sudetenland, then you should open the way from the South.”

“And while you’re at it, wouldn’t it be good to increase our comrades? How about drawing Yugoslavia into our ranks?”

“Yugoslavia, huh?”

Yugoslavia is a country that should, after all, be stirring up a revolution.

Monarchical countries will eventually incite red revolutions, all of them. Monarchy must be abolished.

“Yugoslavia is currently overflowing with discontent regarding Austria’s threats, so if we leverage them, a three-front war will be possible.”

Mussolini’s remarks were spot on.

Currently, there was a significant amount of discontent among Serbs in Yugoslavia regarding Croatia being handed over to Austria.

Yugoslavia was a genuinely hilarious place. They crave Croatia but discriminate against Croatians in that region.

What foolish ones they are. But still, it seemed fine to utilize Yugoslavia.

We could use them as much as possible and instigate a revolution in Yugoslavia.

But before that, whether they would actually listen to us remains another question.

“Will Yugoslavia heed our words?”

“They’ve been abandoned by Russia. If we merely maintain the monarchy, they wouldn’t have a reason to refuse. With the three of us applying pressure, what could Yugoslavia possibly do?”

As it stands, King Alexander I still maintains his throne in Yugoslavia, but he desires peace.

Benito Mussolini decided to disrupt Yugoslavia’s sly diplomatic policies.

After all, Russia is far away, and the red front is close—what can Yugoslavia even do?

“That makes sense. However, Yugoslavia must inevitably instigate a communist revolution afterward.”

It wouldn’t make sense for a so-called communist country to rely on a monarchy.

“Is there any alternative to this?”

“Now that our three secretaries have gathered, we need not fear. Ha ha ha!”

Upon Mussolini’s sly laughter, Goebbels sensed something amiss, but…

Surely, with two nations simultaneously attacking Austria, it wouldn’t be possible for Italy to not breach the defenses.

I concluded they would certainly make a mark in Austria.

* * *

Meanwhile, Yugoslavia received an unilateral notification from Italy.

Join the Red Front and once more strike at Austria.

A proposal from a nation being ravaged in Africa, but undeniably, Germany and France are backing them.

King Alexander I of Yugoslavia essentially summoned Pablie, to whom he’d entrusted the state affairs.

“Pablie, what should we do about this?”

Pablie was adeptly navigating Yugoslavia through this tumultuous world.

Thus, Alexander sought his assistance at this crucial moment.

“How about joining the Red Front?”

“What if Russia invades afterward?”

It’s obvious that Russia is cozying up to Austria.

Now Yugoslavia will be abandoned by Russia, unlike in Serbia’s case before.

“We only need to pretend to attack and explain our circumstances to Russia. Besides, the Red Front’s momentum is formidable. Aside from Russia, it might be tough for them to conquer the three of us.”

Pablie firmly believed that Russia could never defeat the Red Front.

Although Russia seems different now, even during the Great War, they struggled, and Britain was still standing back then.

However, the current Britain, following the Dunkirk disaster, lacks the capability to launch an invasion and seems content merely protecting its islands with its fleet, as if wrapped in a Britanny cloth.

The Danube Federation has only just begun to form, and the French, who were once Germany’s arch-nemesis, are allied with them, so even if Russia has bolstered its forces, I suggested it wouldn’t be easy for them.

But…

Alexander focused elsewhere.

Yes. Communists aligning with the monarchy of Yugoslavia.

This naturally can lead to the collapse of the monarchy.

The country already acknowledges some petty communists internally, but if they align further, they might actually attempt to topple the monarchy.

Sure, Yugoslavia might survive like Italy did, but it’s clear the royal family would lose face.

“But the states of the Red Front might instigate a communist revolution against us.”

They don’t recognize monarchies at all.

Honestly, it’s evident that they would use us, but there are no other options.

Italy isn’t the one that was so brazen as to deliver such lines.

Then, Yugoslavia must prove its worth in its own way.

“This crisis might serve as an opportunity. If we can leverage this well, we could become mediators between the Red Front and anti-air policy. If we prove more useful than Austria, wouldn’t Russia reach out to us again?”

Pablie understood that Russia outright dismissed Yugoslavia.

Moreover, they still prioritize the triple alliance that had only been superficially appealing in the past. The current Tsar is even reinstating the Dual Monarchy to prevent the communists.

In such a situation, the choices for Yugoslavia are, if one were to put it simply, not to align with either party and find ways to maintain its sovereignty, but…

This, of course, requires a significant gamble.

But what can we do? The threat facing Yugoslavia must be repelled.

“Many officers will likely express dissatisfaction over this. Is that okay?”

“It’s better than letting the country fall to communism.”

Indeed. For now, that was the only way.

* * *

 

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