Chapter 226
* * *
Danube Federation Vienna
At this time, in the Prime Minister’s office in Vienna.
“Prime Minister, the Sudetenland line is gradually collapsing.”
“What about the situation in the south?”
“We’re managing to hold off the Italian and Yugoslav forces for now. However, it’s going to be difficult to defend the Sudetenland without pulling troops from here.”
Hitler slammed his fist on the desk at the desperate report.
After all that preparation, that the Reds’ army could be so powerful!
France—which thoughtlessly praised Goebbels—was nothing, but still, that scoundrel Goebbels.
That scoundrel Goebbels. He was a Reds, but somehow had a kind of familiarity about him. To think he was such a formidable enemy.
Still, it was nearly a miracle to have come this far.
Through the grand compromise that the Austrian Empire couldn’t achieve before the Great War, he had united the multi-ethnic groups and declared them honorable Aryans.
And economic and industrial development. The nation had grown strong as he swept away the enemies opposing this unification with his elite guard.
But was that the reason?
If only they had a little more time, he could have definitely stopped them.
Suddenly, Hitler opened the desk drawer and pulled out a Walther PPK pistol.
Originally, it was a Walther PPK manufactured at the Karl Walther Armory in Austria after the company moved there.
‘If those bastards come pouring into Vienna…’
Hitler suddenly imagined himself in the underground shelter, raising the gun to shoot himself in the head.
A strangely vivid scene. If the worst did come to pass, he might have to resort to suicide.
Russia had entered the war, but who knew when they would arrive?
Perhaps they might come to devour the fragmented Danube when everything had fallen apart.
Rumors had it that the French Commune People’s Army was set on stopping the Russian army from the east.
So he had to be even more prepared to pull the trigger at any moment.
After all, the leader of a country that was ostensibly fighting against the Reds couldn’t be captured by the Reds and face a sham trial where laws had no meaning and be killed.
He checked his ammunition in preparation.
However.
Unexpectedly, this world’s Hitler was also a lucky man.
Crash!
The Prime Minister’s office door swung open, and Hermann Göring barged in.
“Prime Minister! The Russian army has finally mobilized! They are crushing the Red Army in Eastern Poland and coming to our rescue! Their air force is already driving the Red Army’s planes away from the Sudetenland, so it won’t be long now!”
This was the news he had been waiting for.
As Russia pushed the Red Army out of Eastern Poland, they were working hard to send air support to the Danube Federation army in the Sudetenland.
“Is that true?”
“Yes! We are saved!”
Hitler slumped into his chair, the strength leaving his legs.
He nearly fell over.
Now they were saved. Those damned Slavs had finally lifted their asses.
With the support of the Russian army, they could survive.
First, they would have to crush the Red Army in the Sudetenland before launching a counteroffensive.
Those traitorous Italians who had benefitted from starting the Great War, and now those serpentine Serbians trying to get something from the Red Army as the Danube fell into crisis again!
“Damn those Italians and Serbians. This time, we must completely annihilate them.”
“That will undoubtedly happen.”
Definitely. He would tear those Italians and Serbians to shreds. For sure!
And while he strengthened his resolve for a decisive confrontation, across the sea in an underground bunker on an island, a potbelly bald man was simply scoffing at this grim reality.
Russia had finally begun an offensive from the western part of Poland.
As expected, Russia’s capabilities were outstanding.
The Communist Germany People’s Army, which had been rampaging without a care, was finally starting to crumble.
Reportedly, Churchill could only laugh in disbelief.
“Ha ha ha. They say the war has started.”
As expected, the British Empire was at its end as soon as it weakened and became embroiled in the war.
There was nothing they could do regarding the war.
The title of balance keeper in Europe would now have to be discarded.
“Yes. They have finally started moving.”
Russia had finally begun to move.
But unfortunately, unless those Reds loaded all their army onto ships and came out to sea, there was no longer the strength to fight.
“Yet we can’t do anything at all.”
This meant that Russia would claim the right to reshape the future of Europe as easily as slicing a cake.
Britain couldn’t make any objections to this.
They either had to have an army to fight with or not.
Reports suggested that the skies over all of Poland were filled with enemy aircraft; if they declared war on Russia, those planes would turn Britain into a wasteland.
Well, they would need an army to fight.
“Dutch Queen Wilhelmina’s request for help was decisively rejected. They said it was under the condition that she relinquish her colonies.”
That makes sense.
As expected, Russia must be eyeing their colonies.
Crash!
Infuriated, Churchill hurled the wine bottle he was drinking.
Now accustomed to this, Mosley, watching with anticipation at what bottle would be thrown next, had to appease Churchill.
After all, there was no one more qualified for Prime Minister of Britain than Churchill himself.
Even though he had certainly chewed through the British army’s resources, this was all due to France’s betrayal.
In fact, he had managed to direct the blame toward France even with the families of the victims, so what more could be said?
“Damn it. If after all this we have to give up our colonies, how can I explain that to the people?”
It would be a blessing if a revolution didn’t break out.
No, they didn’t even have an army to revolt with.
‘Is this really the time for this?’
In that case, preparations for the aftermath must be made.
If they were to avoid relinquishing their colonies, at the very least, they had to maintain control over India.
If India—the crown jewel of the British Empire—were to become completely independent, he would truly be torn to pieces by the people.
Perhaps it was time to accept the empress’s proposal.
“But Prime Minister.”
“What is it?”
“You had set the stakes based on the disinformation spilled by discontented Germans in the command center, so don’t you think you should practice eating mint chocolate with your nose?”
At those words, the ministers who had been cautiously watching Churchill suddenly had strange expressions as if they had forgotten that.
As if they were bringing up something they had purposely pretended not to remember.
Mosley was neither truly an ally nor an enemy.
Glancing at Mosley with rage, Churchill sighed deeply.
“We will discuss that later. For now, we need to salvage at least part of India in talks with the Tsar of Russia.”
While one side was wracking their brains over the colonial issue, in a palace in East Prussia, Wilhelm was dressed in military uniform, cradling his daughter Luise.
It might be the last embrace with his daughter.
“It’s been said that the Tsarina has finally moved, so I can’t just sit back.”
“Father.”
“Fortunately, loyal Junkers from the German People’s Army say they will surrender as we advance, so how commendable is that?”
Once he regained the mainland, he would rip to shreds those damned Reds and scatter them across the English Channel stained with the blood of British soldiers.
Luise’s eyes brimmed with tears at the thought that she might lose her father as well.
“If you were to leave me too—”
“I will surely take revenge for your brothers and restore Germany to you. Do not worry; you must take care of your duties here as Empress. Ludendorff. You may go.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Having stubbornly survived through the grief of losing his homeland and family, Wilhelm II finally located the place where he would meet his end.
The British had already lost the right to claim any profit from the war, and now, with Russia’s intervention, this was the opportunity.
He would surely reclaim the homeland and pass it down to his daughter.
For this day, Wilhelm II, who had not died, and Ludendorff mobilized the remaining forces of the German Empire for a counteroffensive.
* * *
Western Poland
We have finally retaken Western Poland.
We are now set to officially advance into German territory.
However, the reaction from the Poles isn’t very positive.
“This time, the Russian army is coming.”
“Damn, the Russian army.”
“Are we to fall under Russian rule again?”
“Well, it’s better than Communist Germany, but it seems in the west, they’ve already made Poland a queen de facto.”
The Poles thought they had not directly liberated themselves from the Communist Germans but instead were liberated by Russia, hence they felt they were back under Russian rule.
They had no real choice.
The Polish Republican Army—the one that had valiantly fought against the Communist Germans in the west—had long since perished alongside Simiński, and the remaining forces had come west to join the Kingdom Army.
In this situation, Communist Germany had created concentration camps under the guise of indoctrination centers, attempting to force the Poles into Communists.
Amidst this, the Russians who had once tormented Poland were back again.
Even if they had been on relatively good terms recently, no one knew how Russia would act in such a weak state for Poland.
However, Russia was a bit different.
As soon as they entered Western Poland, the Tsar of Russia personally released the Polish interned and mobilized soldiers to distribute food to the Polish people.
Yes, I took charge myself.
“Are we being dragged into war now?”
A scruffy, skinny boy with unkempt hair asked me.
War? For the Poles?
No, it was unnecessary to draft the Poles.
“You all must protect your hometowns. Rebuild your home. We, Russia, will fight the war. I kindly ask the citizens of the Polish Kingdom to devote their efforts to rebuilding the nation affected by the Red Scourge. This is a request from me, your queen of Poland.”
“Queen?”
Several gazes were puzzled.
Indeed. There are still some who don’t know.
When we occupied the east, the west had been wholly swallowed by Communist Germany, so…
“East Poland is now under the Dual Monarchy as the Polish Kingdom. I have become the queen of the Polish Kingdom with the support of Eastern Poles. A true monarch must care for the citizens of their country. You may continue with your livelihoods.”
Later, I met and shook hands with every single Polish person who had been imprisoned in the camps and opened distribution centers for the Polish army to distribute food.
The Western Poles, who had suffered under Communist Germany for months, gladly received everything we provided.
In the meantime, the Russian-style chocolate pies distributed particularly hit the spot.
Wasn’t this a quite likable action?
It was time to start gathering support. I already had a support group made up of pro-Russian Poles.
“Long live Her Majesty the Queen of Poland!”
“Long live Her Majesty!”
As soon as a few Poles began chanting praises for me, the others, glancing around, joined in.
“Indeed. Well, Russia is different from before.”
“If they regard us as a part of the Dual Monarchy officially, then…”
The Poles accepted the Russian rule. Specifically, they embraced the Romanov dynasty becoming the Polish royal family.
In the end, there were really no other choices for them, so what could they do?
Ultimately, the Poles found themselves without options.
Though they didn’t particularly have a connection with me or had met me, I would have to commend Simiński, who valiantly fought against Communist Germany and dedicated his country to me.
He also played the role of the second battalion, after all.
So, well, things have gone well up to this point. The time has now come.
We were going to enter the damned Communist German territory.
Our Danube Federation was working far better than expected, and things were progressing smoothly.
The only thing remaining was to quickly reorganize European order and then deal with the barbaric Japanese to liberate Korea.
“Your Majesty, now is finally the time to enter Communist Germany’s territory.”
Just as distribution was being wrapped up, Chief of Staff Drozdovsky, equally weary from distributing, came to find me.
Yes, it was time to go. How far had our army advanced?
“How far has our army gone?”
“Group 1 has advanced into East Prussia alongside the German Empire Army, while Group 3 has taken Hindenburg and Katowice below, and currently, Group 2 is planning to march towards Poznan.”
It really seemed like they were taking over Germany from all directions.
It makes me wonder if that’s really necessary to take German territory, but…
Still, given this level, we might indeed be able to advance into their territory.
“Let’s go. The Kaiser must be hoping for it.”
Our Kaiser was said to be eager.
While he was in command, at the very least, he should follow from behind.
Just as I was thinking this, I stumbled upon an unexpected meeting.
“Tsarina, it’s been a while.”
None other than Wilhelm II himself had come directly.
Coming to see me in the midst of war? What could this be about?
“It has been a while, Kaiser.”
The Kaiser, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time, appeared significantly more haggard.
No surprise, considering he was old, but could he really lead military forces out here looking like this?
That Kaiser looked taken aback upon seeing me.
“Why do you seem so similar to when we last met?”
“Well, Your Majesty, of course, you are a saint.”
Suddenly, Drozdovsky was beside me, engaging in a dramatic gesture of worship.
As a saint, of course.
In this world, it really feels as though it’s turning into a modern fantasy just because of me.
“Let’s just go with that. More importantly—”
With no more words to say, I decided to let it slide.
After all, what was critical to the Kaiser now was defeating Communist Germany rather than my aging.
I figured that must be why he had come to meet me. So, now let’s get to the main point.
“What brings you here today?”