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“However, if Africa is granted independence as it is, it will only lead to new chaos. The African colonies must also be granted independence as ethnically-based nations before they became colonies. Otherwise, Africa will be caught in endless civil wars. This matter needs to be resolved by the countries that have colonies in Africa.”

Gastev stated that he would also prevent problems in Africa preemptively.

I had already instructed them to do just that. If the great powers were to allow independence without any conditions, it would only lead to conflicts just like in the original world.

“Is there any objection? Very well, it shall be done.”

In the meantime, Churchill immediately started up the washing machine.

Now that he was destined to have mint chocolate swirling in his nostrils, it seemed he was determined to do a good job with the washing machine.

“Britain can no longer manage its colonies and must let them go immediately, but simply releasing them like this is quite difficult.”

“Hah. So, does that mean Spain is going to ignore the definition of colonial liberation?”

“That’s not it. If we release the colonies overnight, they would be left without any proper government, and it would be chaotic for our citizens as well, right? We need to establish a transitional colonial government and inform the citizens that the colonies are no longer profitable to persuade them.”

Of course, I was already thinking about that.

After all, if you just declare, “You’re independent!” without any preparations, it would lead to nothing but confusion with no resources.

“Of course, I am not saying we should let them go immediately. We will consider the specific circumstances of each country.”

“When you say specific circumstances, what do you mean?”

“Considering the circumstances of each nation, for up to ten years, the colonial empire will be responsible for establishing governments for the colonized that can operate in the international community, and the infrastructure built during the colonial period will be left intact to allow them to sustain themselves before granting independence.”

“That sounds reasonable.”

Ten years should be a proper timeframe for such a transition.

I understand that releasing colonies abruptly would lead to chaos, especially if those colonies were preparing for independence without setting up a government or an exile government.

So, I had already given Gastev a heads-up about this.

“Furthermore, His Majesty the Tsar has stated that even if races and ethnicities differ, if they are loyal to Russia and consider themselves Russians, then they are indeed Russians. If the colonial subjects of Spain consider themselves Spaniards, it is possible to formally treat them as part of the motherland. Of course, this applies only if the colonized wish for it. If colonial oppression continues, the Treaty Organization will have to take action.”

Gastev even quoted me.

It’s saying that if the colonies have a close relationship that makes it difficult to grant independence, they should be treated as part of the mother country.

Of course, this only applies if the colonized desire it, but looking at the situation in French Algeria, it’s likely that most would seek independence.

While in the distant future there may be those who don’t want to be independent from France, that’s not the case right now.

“Ahem, understood.”

“Our Portugal also has its economy turning around through colonies. If they gain independence, it would be a huge loss for us.”

Portugal. That person was definitely António de Oliveira Salazar. A dictator, no less.

To maintain smooth dictatorship, Salazar had refrained from proper industrialization, and didn’t he also suppress education to prevent the rise of intellectuals opposing his regime?

With his policy of appealing to the masses, known as the 3F policy—football, Catholicism, and traditional Portuguese folk music—he kept the populace focused away from politics.

He neglected secondary education and gave up on industrialization and modernization, sticking to a rural economy under the motto of living simply and frugally.

Thus, Salazar successfully maintained a stable dictatorship.

Of course, aside from dictatorship, Portugal’s economic development has also hit a snag. Ultimately, rather than focusing on industrial development, domestic stability was prioritized, concentrating on colonial management.

But now that decolonization is imminent, Portugal finds itself at a loss.

Who would threaten to rule as a dictator? It perfectly sums up the situation.

Perhaps there would be colonial wars as well, but even that would be quite difficult here.

But there’s a Treaty Organization, so what is there to worry about?

“If Europe’s economic powers merge into one, Portugal will manage just fine without colonies.”

Once Europe is united, it would render the idea meaningless.

While Salazar’s dictatorship may face obstacles, what can be done? If it’s that bad, they should wage war.

Even Britain, with its vast colonial empire spread across the world, is now talking about letting go of colonies. What could Portugal possibly say?

“Then, we shall grant independence to our colonies as well.”

In the end, Salazar reluctantly agreed to the liberation of the colonies.

“And I too shall relinquish Belgium’s colonies.”

Belgium, labeled as a collector of wrists, also let go of its colonies.

Now, it’s France’s turn.

During the exile, Algeria had become the center of Free France, and despite some local tensions, it has essentially been treated as part of the mainland.

With the mainland shrinking, their eyes would be drawn even more to the colonies.

If somehow they insist on holding onto the colonies with their self-defense forces! Then they ought to be stomped down.

Now, all eyes were on “the hero Pétain, who sacrificed Paris to end communism.”

“What will France do?”

“We will also grant independence to our colonies. However, as for Indochina, since Japan has intruded upon it, it will be difficult to approve its independence at this moment.”

Pétain sighed heavily and finally declared his willingness to relinquish the colonies.

Considering that after the war the only forces left would be the self-defense forces, where would they find troops to send off to the colonies?

It’s better to let go honorably when they can rather than holding on grotesquely.

They should thank me. It allows them to do some image-cleaning in this history too.

“Similarly, our Netherlands is in a similar situation. The Japanese have intruded upon our Indies.”

“Do not worry. Japan has dared to send troops to the colonies that the Treaty Organization will grant independence to, and the Treaty Organization will issue a warning to Japan; if they do not withdraw, we will take special measures.”

Serious discussions regarding the independence of the existing colonies commenced.

As expected, there was no significant backlash.

While there were some attempts to justify keeping the colonies as best as possible, it was firmly established that if Europe united, the colonies would be meaningless.

Considering each country’s situation, the decision was made to establish governments and armies made up of the colonial peoples for up to ten years before granting independence.

Despite being called the Treaty Organization, I had effectively been issuing commands to Gastev through the National Duma as the unofficial power.

And I…

“I have heard that Duke Yusupov is the richest man in Europe, but this truly resembles a palace.”

“Well, this is my property, ‘gifted’ by Duke Yusupov. Anyway, having created this venue, we won’t merely be here for relaxation.”

I effectively invited Churchill, Hitler, Kemal, Boris III, and Haile Selassie—the leaders of the victorious nations—to Duke Yusupov’s new palace in Sevastopol—now my villa.

It was to clearly establish the territories of the victorious nations within the Treaty Organization.

Surely, my presence here among these elder gentlemen was not out of necessity for a beauty like me.

“But isn’t this something that the Treaty Organization should address?”

“This session of the Treaty Organization is dealing with the independence of existing colonies. The resolution regarding the territories we obtained during the war needs to be undertaken by the leaders of the victorious nations themselves. Particularly, since there are non-European nations involved, it’s not the subject of the Treaty Organization. After all, hasn’t there been little mention of the lands won by the victorious nations outside the colonies in this war during previous sessions of the Treaty Organization?”

The Treaty Organization was busy in its own right.

There are discussions about the independence issue with the colonies and how to take down the Japanese, after all.

In such a situation, how could the leaders engage in a land grab while thoroughly verifying everything would be entertained within the Treaty Organization?

With leaders of France, which has been ripped apart, and Italy, which has been divided, what else can they do other than teabag?

“That’s right. Germany has become the German Empire once more, while Italy and the French Commune have divided by agreement and acquired lands. Meanwhile, Yugoslavia—no, Serbia—has had its government vanish into nonexistence and thus couldn’t even send representatives to the surrender agreement.”

This is unavoidable.

While France holds that position, the countries in the Red Block are all in unique circumstances.

Communist Germany has reemerged under the Kaiser, and Yugoslavia has become Serbia, which has completely lost its governmental function.

“Then, the purpose of today’s gathering of the victorious nations’ leaders is for territorial matters.”

I need to make it clear to avoid any misunderstandings later.

“Yes. Since the surrender agreement ambiguously concluded with the end of communism, the victorious nations now need to recognize each other’s territories, don’t you think? First, are we talking about Brittany and Normandy for Britain?”

“That’s correct. Brittany and Normandy are territories of His Majesty the King of the British Empire.”

Churchill confidently declared Brittany and Normandy as British territories.

Well, I’m glad they’re not greedy for even more territory.

The British seem reassured about tearing into France.

“This matter was already recognized in the Treaty of Compiegne. So then, how far would the Danube Federation claim territory?”

“Beneath Venice has already been discussed, and we wish to be recognized for areas of the former Dual Monarchy including Bosnia and the territories of Western Serbia.”

Surely, that’s the territory of the Dual Monarchy. That makes sense.

So, next up is Bulgaria. I wonder how far Bulgaria wishes to go into Greece.

Since Turkey has secured Suez instead of Greece, that’s certainly possible.

“Our Bulgaria will integrate Eastern Serbia.”

Boris III announced the merger of Eastern Serbia. Thus, Serbia officially vanished into the annals of history.

Well, they’ve brought this upon themselves. Still, it feels somewhat pitiful seeing them vanish.

“Then, what will Bulgaria do about Greece?”

Greece had been set to be jointly governed by Bulgaria and Turkey.

“Initially, we had considered punishing Greece, but Bulgaria itself has sustained significant damage in the war. The onslaught from the Red Block exceeded expectations. We suffered considerable losses from Sudetenland, Yugoslavia, and Albania. We must be content with Eastern Serbia.”

Boris III expressed his disappointment.

That Turkey was willing to give up Greece, which could have been taken solely by them, must indicate serious losses endured.

The Treaty Organization does not exist to facilitate invasion wars. Therefore, it cannot assist Greece, which wishes to join the Treaty Organization.

Yet, they seem satisfied to have at least consumed Serbia.

“Our Turkey will merge the former Ottoman regions of Syria and Levant, while the shares of Suez will be divided with Britain and Russia.”

“Once the economic powers unite, even if the shares are divided, the profits from Suez will ultimately belong to each European nation. Are you okay with that?”

“Yes.”

That sounds about right. Regardless of the economic unification, Turkey would want the accomplishment of occupying Suez.

Honestly, while Turkey has given us both Constantinople and Pontus without hesitation, it’s become awkward to consider them European.

However, they once belonged to Rome, so they are indeed qualified to operate within the newly named Rome Treaty Organization.

Next up is Ethiopia, a state outside the Rome Treaty Organization. It was Emperor Haile Selassie.

He was carefully listening to our discussions while sipping British black tea.

I passed the baton to him.

“I suppose the Emperor of Ethiopia plans to annex Eritrea.”

“Yes. Eritrea has originally been our land, so we shall annex it, while Somaliland will be granted independence. This is thanks to the Tsar’s consideration.”

Hmm, this makes the map tidier than in the original history.

Since the colonial empires are returning to restore Africa based on ethnicity and religion, we could at least prevent wars and conflicts similar to those in original African history.

Ultimately, the colonial empires leaving Africa would mean an end to the artificial borders drawn by those powers.

The great powers are likely to spend a considerable amount of time resolving African issues.

“Sounds good. I like this. The map looks really clean. This means—”

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”

“What is it that you’re rushing over for?”

Maria hurriedly appeared, her face looking quite urgent.

“Well, um…”

“Don’t worry. You can speak here.”

After all, we are now one unified force.

There is no need to hide anything from Churchill, Kemal, and Hitler, who are munching on mint chocolate.

If a great crisis were to occur now, it could only be one thing.

“The United States has sent its Secretary of State requesting participation in the War against Japan and various arms technology transfers.”

It seems the United States has decided to take a more straightforward path.

“What are the conditions?”

“A ‘massive’ support package for rebuilding war-torn Europe.”

Ah, yes. I thought this might happen.

All the U.S. has right now is money.

They seem to have developed enough weaponry to fight Japan, but ultimately their advantage would be in technology.

“This will make negotiations simpler, won’t it? Isn’t that right, Prime Minister Churchill? A nouveau riche state has finally opened its wallet.”

“Hah. It truly seems so.”

Churchill also nodded vacantly, seemingly impressed.

Remarkably, the United States was fully restored to its pre-civil war state even amidst the war with the establishment of the United States.

If it were today’s USA, acquiring European armies would not be that difficult via financial means.

Of course, Russia might help with post-war recovery in this world as well, but still, if that’s the case, it proves that the U.S. will find it hard to sustain a long war against Japan, and it probably won’t even contemplate reclaiming Alaska.

“Let’s prepare the land and naval forces of the Treaty Organization. After all, their Army is in China; if we can decimate them, Japan’s combat effectiveness will plummet.”

“The naval forces will finish them off in the Pacific, collaborating between the Rome Treaty fleet and the American fleet.”

“This will be the Rome Treaty fleet’s maiden expedition, so Mr—no, Prime Minister Churchill, please prepare the Royal Navy. Depending on the outcome, it will determine whether mint chocolate goes up your nose or not.”

“……Understood. I shall do my best.”

Churchill responded with a bit of a flare in his nose.

He must have imagined the mint chocolate going up his nose.

With this, the Treaty Organization would be getting busier, wouldn’t it?

Dogo Shigenori? That poor fellow, indeed. Rather than mediation, he will likely get a declaration of war; how unfortunate he must be.

Of course, before that, the groundwork needs to be properly laid out.

 

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