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Ike Eisenhower, commander of the US Pacific Forces, came with a delegation to the National Duma in Moscow.

Well, it’s not every day that a soldier, especially the commander of the Pacific Forces, actually shows up in person.

After all, it’s the MacArthur military regime, and given that he’s the Pacific Forces commander, it’s probably due to the situation in Vietnam.

Thanks to that, I can only sulk with my mouth pouted as I watch from the honored seat in the National Duma without getting to see the Il-1000.

These things are meant for adults. A kid like me should just keep my distance. After all, I still look young on the outside, like an immature brat.

At first, they spoke casually about this and that with the American delegation.

It was just a game of glancing at each other.

Then, not long after, it was Eisenhower who spoke first, sounding like a child whose toy was taken away.

He wanted to personally appear in the Duma.

Now, considering that the European Union government is the headquarters of the Rome Treaty Organization located in Russian Rome, it wouldn’t be unreasonable for Eisenhower to confront them in the Duma.

“How can you do this under the Rome Treaty?”

“What’s the problem?”

Although he wasn’t raising his voice too high, it seemed like he was concerned about me, but somehow it felt like the US was blaming me.

“We are upholding our promise with the Rome Treaty. But how could you send Balhae and the Japanese Army, who are the gendarmerie of the Rome Treaty, to Vietnam!”

Oh dear, I’m genuinely sorry.

I wanted to refute him so badly, but I just sat back and watched silently.

Eisenhower must be suppressing his urge to confront me too.

“If we had seriously considered participation, we would have sent the Rome Treaty Army. Sending Balhae and the Japanese Army is just a proxy to distance ourselves as much as possible.”

As soon as the Rome Treaty Army is dispatched, relations with the US would hit rock bottom.

There wouldn’t be a direct war with the US, but the relationship with the Rome Treaty would plummet to the worst it could be.

Next time I go to the US, there won’t be a crowd welcoming me anywhere.

“You shouldn’t have done that in the first place. The very act of sending Balhae and the Japanese Army signifies a stake in Vietnam—”

“Think about it. You didn’t support Ngô Đình Diệm outright?”

“That’s….”

Exactly. Exactly. They supported him first.

With time, Ho Chi Minh would have aligned himself with the US anyway. Blaming this all on us is a bit unreasonable.

The declaration of decolonization is ultimately preparing the formerly colonized country to establish its own government.

In that situation, dismissing the Vietnam government that we legitimately delegated authority to and suddenly trying to push Ngô Đình Diệm as a pro-American was quite the blunder.

“Yes. There was the pro-American faction’s takeover. But what was the result? Ngô Đình Diệm was unable to properly handle Ho Chi Minh due to his lack of capability. And as it turned out, we found ourselves in trouble when Ho Chi Minh requested support from us. How could we refuse support when the legitimate government, granted power by the Rome Treaty, asks for it? I mean, unless Ho Chi Minh lacked any popularity, which is not the case. Ngô Đình Diệm has a solid reputation and is undeniably someone the US desperately pushed into power.”

“Ugh.”

At Litvinov’s words, Eisenhower sealed his lips tightly.

It’s a point where even the US would have no retort.

They moved too hastily. We don’t want to be involved in Vietnam like this either.

If they were going to interfere, they should’ve done it after establishing a proper government.

What were they planning to do when the High Commissioner’s office was still trying to withdraw?

“Therefore, the US military should provide weapons but refrain from military involvement. Regardless, doesn’t the South Vietnam government already have enough military numbers? Of course, it’s just on paper, and if Ho Chi Minh were to advance, they would crumble. But bringing the US into this mess wouldn’t help. The peacekeeping forces still remaining in India are already having a tough time.”

“So, if Ho Chi Minh wins, what do you intend to do then?”

“It’s simple. We’ll withdraw. After that, if the US wants to cozy up to Ho Chi Minh, so be it.”

Right. We’ll withdraw.

We’ll pull out any support for Ho Chi Minh, and the Asian Allied Forces, everything.

That’s how much we’ve helped; we’ve done our duty.

“Then, you really have no interest in Vietnam, is that right?”

“Let’s be straightforward. We declared decolonization, and we delegated the government to independence fighters who opposed the colonial empires. If we were to intervene again, it would just add fuel to the fire, and people would say we’re colonizing again. Isn’t that right?”

“Well, that’s true.”

“It’s even hard to keep an eye on China. We’re already stretched thin in Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East. It’s not wise to poke around Vietnam. Once again, it’s hard to interfere, even if we wanted to.”

What a noisy bunch.

What’s with all these men talking so much? I wonder if they’ll end up blaming me too.

Maybe I should’ve pretended to take a trip to South Africa like Hitler.

This time, I heard that the Danube Defense Army is the main force of the dispatched treaty army, so as much as I’d go, it seems like it’s really suited for Hitler.

Thinking it over, it really is suspicious. Why, of all people, is Hitler showing up at this time?

But surely nothing will happen.

Adolf Hitler really made it big in this world. Isn’t this all thanks to me?

I find myself drifting into all kinds of thoughts as time goes by.

“But, can we really trust it…”, “After all, isn’t it easier for the US to profit as the Pacific nations weaken?”

Ugh, how annoying.

At the very least, I’m busy thinking about all this. For example, I want to see the Il-1000 fly for myself.

Why should I have to watch these old men bickering back and forth?

Seriously, they should just throw punches and fight it out.

Of course, if that were possible right here, this wouldn’t be the Duma but more like a playground for kids, but they’re arguing like women.

I’m certain of it. That Vladimir bastard is probably hoping I stabilize the world as best as I can so he can comfortably sit on the Tsar’s throne later.

It’s honestly frustrating.

As I’m bored and yawning, Maria arrives with a plate of tanghulu, which looks dainty.

“Your Majesty, I’ve brought tanghulu for you.”

I wonder how perfect the timing is for Maria to bring snacks.

Tanghulu coated with sugar, featuring strawberries and apples, and it looks shiny and delicious.

“Uh, um.”

It feels somewhat cannibalistic, but the tanghulu was tasty.

Better than having nothing, at least.

And it’s not just Eisenhower; the American delegation members are scuffling with the Roman Nationalist Party members as well.

“We’re in a position to cooperate with the US. At the very least, shouldn’t we live together while competing and keeping each other in check for a peaceful world?”

“Well said. Yes, let’s be honest. It’s just that we like American money, right?”

“We really like American gold, don’t we?”

What’s this? It’s like a couple fighting, you love me, but you only love my money!

Exactly! The world is all about money!

It feels like a quarrel between a wife obsessed with money and a husband feeling betrayed.

But I’m feeling a bit rushed too.

Not in terms of needing a toilet; it’s that today is the day the Il-1000 flies. And finally, I can see it, yet here I am stuck because of Eisenhower.

I’m slowly starting to get angry.

I intended to casually waltz into the Duma, grade everything like a teacher, and give pats on the back. But suddenly Eisenhower appears.

It’s not just some mere secretary dispatched; he came directly to complain, and that alone is a bit much for Eisenhower.

Just then, the sugar coating of the tanghulu cracks in my mouth, flooding me with sweetness.

At the same time, the strawberry’s sweet and sour flavor is quite impressive.

What am I doing, eating tanghulu like it’s nothing?

Now that I’ve had my tanghulu, it’s time to speak my mind.

I sprang up from my seat and stared hard at Eisenhower.

“Isn’t this a bit excessive in front of the Tsar? If this is the case, why not call for a conversation after?”

“I apologize, Your Majesty.”

Eisenhower looked like he had a lot to say.

Yeah. I can understand why he’s looking at me that way and why he feels that way.

To be honest, I had initiated this world education thing first, but it’s no wonder he’s frustrated with such a response.

But really, strictly speaking, we’ve been wronged this time.

It would’ve been better if the US poured money into Ho Chi Minh so he’d be unable to do without them.

I want to throw Vladimir into this meeting.

I want to drag Vladimir, who’s passionately grappling with his wife, and sit him down.

“Let’s keep it reasonable. I’d like to play with my toys too.”

Ultimately, my anger surged up, and I cut in.

Why do I have to sit here watching an argument between the American people and my prime minister?

It’s okay if they come directly to complain as a delegation.

At the very least, if they’re aware of my presence, they should at least be respectful.

“Excuse me?”

“Toys, you say?”

Oh dear, these old men are lacking in aspirations.

Even the Duma doesn’t care about my planned Goryeo project anymore!

The US should be concerned about the development of its advanced aircraft too, right? Or has history changed?

In any case, showing them directly is one way to do it.

“We should show the Tsar’s toys to our American envoy, after all.”

I personally took Eisenhower to the airfield where the Il-1000 would be flown.

And there I presented to him a beautifully designed ray-shaped airplane.

“What a strangely shaped aircraft.”

“It’s something we recently developed in Russia. It still needs some improvements.”

In fact, it’s unlike any fighter jet Russia has ever produced.

It’s a ray-shaped airplane.

Not only is it not shabby in appearance, but it has been refined to suit contemporary standards.

After all, many technologies have already been transferred, and it’s not like Eisenhower can just copy it immediately upon seeing it, so it’s not a bad idea to present it.

“Look at that. Isn’t it amazing?”

I showed Eisenhower everything from this and that.

Whoosh!

With jet engines instead of propellers, it soared into the sky, an amazing sight to behold.

Isn’t that my aircraft! That giant ray flying in the sky, soaring above?

It’s the first time I’m seeing it fly as well.

“It seems to have been developed for military use.”

“It depends on how it’s used, right? I begged our country’s aviation designer to create this aircraft.”

How about it? You guys can’t do something like this, right?

That’s partly a way of indirectly expressing that.

And at the same time, I’m trying my best to brush over the Vietnam issue.

“It’s fantastic. Truly amazing. This is.”

“Still, it’s a product with many flaws. It consumes a lot of fuel. It’s just for flying over and dropping bombs and then returning.”

Currently, there’s no proper computer on board.

It’s not practical to even stick something like an ENIAC in there. It would take a long time to create something like a B-2.

“Impressive.”

Eisenhower responded with a soulless voice.

It felt like he was just seeing it and giving a formal answer.

But still, this should have served as a warning.

For once, don’t bother me too much with complaints and just let it end.

“Then let’s wrap this up on a good note. Isn’t it too much to lose our cool in Vietnam? We just need to end the civil war, after all.”

If Ho Chi Minh wins, we would just float away with a victory.

After all, we are keeping our promise with the US as well.

So just stop talking and go away.

We’re going to withdraw anyway, you know? The Asian Allied Forces can’t stay in Vietnam for long either.

We need to wrap this up quickly before Lee Beom-seok’s army suffers severe losses. On our end, we’d actually prefer not to be bothered.

“I understand.”

Ultimately, Eisenhower could no longer protest and returned to the US with his mouth tightly shut.

“Indeed, Your Majesty must have shown our technological prowess to silence that Yankee.”

Ungern sighed in admiration, but that wasn’t the case at all.

After all, the US will develop everything anyway. My intention was solely about things I want to do without Vietnam bothering me.

Especially if they’re outsiders.

“Still, the Duma has so many deficiencies.”

I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to treat it that way, but I genuinely wanted to boast about that thing.

More than anything, are you also developing advanced aircraft? That’s what I’m trying to convey.

“Your Majesty, is there a current application for that?”

Now, that sounded like they were saying, did I waste money on something useless?

“Why not? It’s right here, isn’t it?”

No matter how much of a toy it is, do you think I pulled it out for no reason?

I have my thoughts on this as well.

“Are you talking about Vietnam?”

“Yes, Vietnam. Free to maneuver in South Vietnam’s airspace.”

After all, the countries of the Rome Treaty Organization are all constituents of Rome.

Isn’t it more fitting to have something moving around in the airspace of another country?

That target clearly is South Vietnam, right?

“Still, attacking them sounds a bit much.”

“Let’s just keep it to flying around. That would scare those Southerners, and we can directly witness the aircraft’s performance; that wouldn’t be bad either.”

Of course, dropping bombs from the bombers of the Rome Treaty Organization would constitute an act of aggression.

Simply flying around should suffice.

 

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