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* * *

Rome has fallen.

So, what happened to Mussolini?

“What happened to Mussolini?”

“I heard that Mussolini tried to escape but was caught by the Anastasia loyalists.”

“Oh dear.”

The Anastasia loyalists in Italy really pulled off something big.

When the division happens in the future, those folks should be allowed to live in the Papal States.

Even if they have to claw at the north and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies comes out, if the Papal States occupy the center, it’ll probably boast considerable power.

“Manshtein, who came to surrender, really showed remarkable ability.”

Manshtein. A guy who shifted from Greece to the German Empire Army.

Unlike history, he was leaking information to the Allied forces during risky gambling tactics with the intention of having the main forces completely captured and surrendering.

It turned out like this due to Churchill’s opposition, but I honestly wouldn’t believe it either if I had no knowledge of the future.

Even though Guderian, who executed the Red Scythe Operation, also surrendered, the two really are pitiful.

Thanks to the label of “Red Hero,” later historians will likely say that these two were real reds who surrendered after all. Were they seriously thinking of surrendering to the Empire?

There will probably be a lot of talk.

Surprisingly, the generals on the side of Communist Germany involved in the Scythe Operation seem to be in Paris, which suggests they were the real reds.

I suddenly have a question.

What does Hitler think about this?

Hitler has been staring at the map for a while, his face looking very calm yet overtly cynical at a glance.

I want to ask something.

“Since you inadvertently became a Red Hero, I suppose you had to work hard. Chancellor Hitler.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Indeed, the combat potential of the Germanic peoples is remarkable. Rommel from your homeland, and the likes of Manshtein or Guderian, and even Walter Model from the German Empire. There seem to be many outstanding individuals.”

Unlike the original history, the lineup of generals who were supposed to be butchered is starting to credit themselves energetically in the German Empire and Danube Federation.

“Haha! Thank you for saying that.”

I merely threw out a compliment, but is Hitler really in a good mood?

He seems to be deliberately trying to keep a grin on his face, lending a peculiar need for laughter to my inquiry. Hmm.

Still, he doesn’t look unhappy with what I, as the leader of the Slavic people, said.

Something. Something about his image is so different from what I know of Hitler that it’s surprising.

It really does seem true that people change according to their surroundings.

“Then, let’s head to Rome. I want to see the Lion King of Africa.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

From now on, the roles of Tiberius will solely belong to Haile Selassie and Hitler.

Of course, honestly, the situation on Hitler’s side is simply so dismal due to the Italian army’s poor performance that it’s obvious that he’s on a different level than Haile Selassie, who is genuinely threatened with the existence of his country.

* * *

**Office of the Secretary General in Rome**

“Hooray for Secretary General Mussolini!” “Long live the world revolution!” “Eternal be the Red Rome!”

Italy’s Secretary General, Benito Mussolini, rose above difficult trials and finally rebuilt Rome.

The enemy forces that landed on the mainland crumbled easily in the face of the formidable Red Roman army.

Having wiped out the remnant French reactionaries struggling in Algeria, he incorporated Algeria under the communist regime of Red Rome, and Egypt was liberated and incorporated as part of Rome as well.

Greece was again invaded and incorporated into the realm of Red Rome, and even the fake Rome, the successor of the Ottoman Empire in Turkey, was occupied, recovering the domain of the Eastern Roman Empire.

By assisting the French Commune, he crushed the air defense treaty forces in Belgium, even gaining part of the mainland of France.

Though it was once perilous, he could finally claim victory.

And, in the name of victory, he captured the enemy leaders — the imperialist Saint Anastasia and the iron-walled Prime Minister Hitler from the Danube, forcing the Lion of Africa to kneel before him.

With their capture, the Danube Federation was pushed back by the Red Roman army, forcing Russia to retreat back to its homeland, and Ethiopia became the Ethiopian Socialist Republic.

Mussolini was set to enjoy the feeling of victory by humiliating his foes in front of him.

“Hahaha! In the end, our Rome has triumphed! You are defeated, and we are victorious! We are the true Rome, not some pseudo-Rome like Russia! We have rebuilt Rome under communism, and even the Danube, which was eying the homeland of Italy, now begs me like a dog, and the primitive Africa is now under communist rule!”

With his characteristic grandiose stance, Benito Mussolini placed both hands on his hips, mocking the defeated.

“Secretary—Secretary General! Please, just once! I’m begging you! The Danube will stand in front of Italy!”

“Go on, kill me! Will you submit to the invaders who violated Ethiopia?”

“Secretary—Secretary General! I beg you! Russia will stand with Italy, so please spare me. I know I look like this, but I am still beautiful at heart. If you desire, the Empress of the Eastern Rome will join you for the night—”

What is going on? The people who were once enemies sure turned out to be quite something.

The once powerful enemy, Hitler, is now a cowardly rat terrified of death, while Haile Selassie, tragically, is still clinging to pre-modern ideas and is regrettably on the verge of death, and yet the Empress of Russia, whom he deemed his rival, is a filthy woman willing to sacrifice her body to survive.

Mussolini couldn’t suppress the disgust at the thought that his rivals were originally such pathetic figures.

“Do you see these filthy creatures! Where has that iron-walled Hitler gone? Is there only the ugly loser left? That old lion of Africa, who still refuses to repent for his wrongs and cannot accept communism, is at that level! And more importantly, claiming to be the Empress of the Eastern Rome while offering her body means you are nothing but a whore! But I, Mussolini, am a man who knows mercy! I will not let your ugly figures, who fought on equal terms with Italy, be recorded in history! Take them away!”

Mussolini was a man who knew mercy.

Despite the miserable appearance of the leaders of the enemy who could not accept Red Rome, he didn’t want their disgraceful forms recorded in history, yet he planned to execute them so that they would be noted as worthy opponents to the red hero, Benito Mussolini.

“Hehe. This world is now mine.”

Göring, who still hasn’t regained Berlin, and Torres from Paris are all hanging onto Italy. How laughable.

At this moment, the era of Rome has been restored.

“Your Majesty, this guy is laughing?”

“Let him. Perhaps he is dreaming.”

Of course, it goes without saying that all of this is a dream.

* * *

Meanwhile, we finally arrived in Rome.

The flags hanging in Rome include the flag of Ethiopia and the black and white flag of the German Empire, the black and yellow two-headed eagle flag of the Danube Federation, the tricolor flag of Russia with its two-headed eagle, and the flag of the Turkish National Republic.

In addition, though rarely, the Spanish Falangist flag could also be seen.

The citizens of Rome watched the imposing march and garrison of the occupying army with anxious looks, but our troops maintained order.

Even though we were instructed to maintain order, incidents typically happen, but because the Italian army performed so poorly, the occupying army ended up looking sympathetic towards the Italians.

At least the Ethiopian troops expressed strong hostility toward the Italians, but with the allied soldiers keeping the peace, they couldn’t do much about it.

Their emperor couldn’t unleash barbaric vengeance upon the Italians in his presence.

“It is an honor to meet Your Majesty, the Tsar, who saved our Ethiopia.”

Haile Selassie, whom I met at the Secretary General’s office, actively expressed his gratitude toward me.

Feeling a bit puffed up, I waved my hand.

“Well, to say it’s an honor might be an understatement. I cannot just stand by and see the communists overthrow monarchies, now can I?”

“Even so, without Your Majesty’s help, Africa would have long been suffering under the oppression of communism, and we would not have achieved such a feat as today.”

“The Ethiopian army patrolling the streets of Rome is indeed impressive.”

I threw in this much lip service.

Honestly, when would Africa ever get to garrison on lands of the great powers like this?

And now, our problem is Benito Mussolini.

That guy, Benito Mussolini, looked so shockingly calm when he was captured by us, chuckling “heh heh heh.”

Once he realized the situation, Mussolini started thrashing around, tied up, spitting vile words at us.

“You bastards! What do you intend to do with our Italy!”

Is it human nature to answer when asked what one’s plans are?

Because I am merciful, I can at least give him an answer.

“What do you think? Tear it apart.”

“What?”

Why the dazed face? I mean to literally tear it apart.

We will just revert back to before Italy’s unification.

From now on, we will ensure that a unification like that never happens again, and we will smash their industry to bits.

They will have to find themselves reliant on other countries.

It won’t be impossible if they are under the Papal States.

“Honestly, while it is pathetic that the Italian army, which performs terribly every time it fights, is still weak, I’ve heard the Lion King of Africa and the Prime Minister of the Danube cannot forgive Italy.”

I smiled broadly.

You all will soon be torn apart, thanks to only you.

As if to say just that, I poked Mussolini’s chest with my finger.

It’s all your fault.

“Not like this! My Red Rome cannot fall!”

In the end, he’s whining like a child, I wonder if that’s okay?

“Garibaldi must be crying underground. He united Italy only for it to be split apart by whom? It hasn’t even been a hundred years.”

It’s truly a pitiful situation since their unification hasn’t even lasted a century.

Though they may have the Pope at the head, Italy will inevitably be ripped apart anyway.

“Originally, I should formally execute him after a war crimes trial, but we’ll make it a formality, with me being an Ethiopian judge. He will be handed over to Emperor Ethiopia as promised. The rest will be tried for war crimes.”

Isn’t that enough? Don’t you think?

“Thank you.”

Fortunately, Mussolini stays out of the spotlight, so it’s all the more fortunate that we can tear Italy apart among ourselves.

After a while, the leaders of the allies came to Rome.

“I never expected to see even Rivera, the leader of the Spanish Falangist Party.”

It seems to be the case that he is indeed with Franco.

Now that we’ll be tearing apart Italy together, it must be the reason for his visit.

Wow. If I hadn’t come directly, I wouldn’t have been able to see these historical figures.

Hitler, Göring, Mussolini, Haile Selassie, and Rivera.

If I hadn’t come myself, when would I have met them?

Only, they all flattered me by saying I looked younger than my age. If you’re jealous, you should also enjoy the perks of reincarnation!

Recently, I feel like my looks don’t age, which is rather pleasing.

After all, women love youth.

Before I knew it, I found myself grateful for my firm skin.

Anyway, in this position where I enjoy treating others poorly, notable figures from various countries are diligently trying to earn points.

Of course, it makes sense since we’re about to carve Italy apart.

Their faces are all bright. They’re really excited about tearing Italy apart.

Greece? What does Greece have left to take?

The country hasn’t been completely stripped, plus, with the kind Turkish army protecting Greece and still garrisoned, they’ll surely have to settle for some reparations later.

Regardless, it’s now time to rip Italy apart.

I scanned the leaders gathered to tear apart Italy one by one.

Seeing their joyful faces, eager to tear things apart, is quite a sight.

“As I mentioned earlier, we plan to divide Italy. Spain, how much are you hoping for? By the way, I’m open to returning Gibraltar, so keep that in mind.”

In other words, I’m saying that I’m ready to return Gibraltar, so take home what you deserve.

Honestly, I didn’t expect Churchill to return Gibraltar, but I suppose he wants to take a piece from mainland France instead.

Spain, for now, is advancing to Bordeaux beyond the Pyrenees and has joined our fleet, aiding in the landing in Italy.

“I’d like Sardinia, which was part of the Kingdom of Aragon.”

He confidently stated as if he believed he could take that share.

Oh. Good. I don’t mind this kind of thing.

After all, as a man, one should confidently demand what is theirs.

But if he’s asking for land from the era of the Kingdom of Aragon, shouldn’t he also be targeting Sicily?

Of course, I already have something in mind for that.

“Surprisingly, I thought you’d want Sicily too.”

“I am the Tsar of Russia. Instead, after we seize the French Commune in this war, I hope to obtain Corsica after the fact.”

Ah, I see.

Rivera turned out to be quite perceptive.

He knows we plan to rip apart mainland Italy, and considering that the Spanish front line is in the French Commune, aiming for Sicily would be overly greedy.

The mention of the Kingdom of Aragon was merely a facade to justify claiming some land.

“Corsica it is.”

To be honest, strictly speaking, I think taking Sardinia or Corsica might stretch the Spanish resources a bit thin for integration.

Well, sure. They can expel all the residents and fill it with Spaniards; that’s not my concern.

It is indeed visually appealing if Spain takes Corsica while we rip apart Italy.

But then again, wouldn’t Spain become too powerful?

Unless they merely occupy a few islands, I doubt Spain will become any stronger, but we’ll figure that out later.

The problem is that there are Frenchmen present as well.

“That’s absurd! How dare you attempt to seize our French land!”

An old man suddenly stood up.

“Oh, General Pétain.”

I didn’t realize there was a French leader present.

 

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