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* * *

The Rome Treaty and the United States are all in a situation where fighting each other is unthinkable.

Moreover, the Rome Treaty had firmly stated that once the civil war was over, the Asian nations would retreat, so what’s the problem?

“Ugh.”

“If you want, we can consider asylum, but beyond that, we cannot intervene militarily. If we are able to entrench the Asian Allied Forces and stabilize the frontlines, we might be able to intervene, but right now that’s difficult.”

This is all Ngô Đình Diệm’s fault.

In a situation where help was impossible, the United States could only wish that the Asian Allied Forces would end the civil war and withdraw quickly.

“…Understood.”

In the end, it was something that had to be accepted.

There was no choice but to fight with the remaining troops.

Ngô Đình Diệm resolved to entrench with the remaining military as best as he could.

If he could just hold out here, the United States would at least intervene.

“We are the proud Balhae Armored Division. We will smash Ngô Đình Diệm’s army, which is stuck in the obsolete imperialism of the past~”

A powerful Balhae tank corps equipped with Russian tanks.

Add in the Japanese dispatch troops from Southern Manchuria who were self-declared militia and had a well-formed delusion of grandeur.

Southern Vietnamese forces were being pushed back helplessly.

Of course, despite that, he still encouraged the resistance against the Asian Allied Forces through various propaganda.

However, it wasn’t long before the Asian Allied Forces began raining aerial attacks on Southern Vietnam, sending fighter jets and bomber squadrons for training exercises, making the situation even worse.

But Ngô Đình Diệm held out and held out.

“After all, Balhae has barely been free from colonialism for less than five years. Our whole territory was burned, and the half-baked Japan doesn’t even need mentioning.”

So if they fought seriously, it could be stopped.

If they stuck together tenaciously, the Asian Allied Forces would inevitably tire and have to retreat.

Ngô Đình Diệm justified himself, even though they had not been free for long. But one day, something strange began to happen.

Creatures that resembled stingrays flying through the sky.

They were so fast that it was impossible to tell which country’s aircraft they belonged to, but everyone knew.

What country possesses such technology?

Only Russia.

The appearance of those strange aircraft increased, and the stingray planes circled over Southern Vietnam daily.

“Wait, could that be…?”

Ngô Đình Diệm had seen and heard many things during the independence movement.

The Empress of Russia had lent nuclear weapons to Pétain of France, wiping Paris off the map, and eliminated even the Japanese army that was holding out in Nanjing.

And ultimately, they even wiped away Sendai, a city on the Japanese archipelago that wouldn’t surrender.

He’d heard that Russia usually deployed overwhelming squadrons of fighter jets and bombers that filled the skies.

The planes that drop bombs capable of destroying a city always act separately like that.

There weren’t any fighter aircraft in Southern Vietnam to intercept them.

“Could it be? Are they going to drop a nuke with that?”

Ngô Đình Diệm was already mulling over the idea of defecting to the United States.

If the Asian Allied Forces managed to break through Saigon, he had already planned to take his family and supporters on the pre-prepared US military planes to America.

If that nuke fell, it would all be over.

Ngô Đình Diệm wasn’t contemplating a desperate last stand; his own life was more important.

“Surely, it can’t be…?”

It couldn’t seriously be the case. It had to all be a lie. But wasn’t it really suspicious that they were hovering around Saigon, seemingly just to know where to drop it?

Even now, trembling in fear, the emergence of the plane capable of dropping a nuclear bomb left Ngô Đình Diệm feeling utterly defeated.

If struck by a nuclear bomb, he’d vanish leaving only a shadow on the ground, or, even if he survived, he would become a husk of a human being, unable to die.

No matter how hard he racked his brain, he couldn’t see a way to overcome this, even tapping into the fervor he had during the independence movement.

That said, it couldn’t be dismissed as merely a threat, and ignoring it completely could lead to a real nuclear strike.

Ngô Đình Diệm made a momentous resolution.

“I surrender. Just guarantee my asylum.”

“““????”””

Just a few days after the Russian Il-1000 stingray took to the skies, he surrendered.

Seeing such a pitiful display of surrender upon the sighting of a mere aircraft, the Asian Allied Forces marching towards Saigon, the Rome Treaty that intended to instill fear, and even the United States, which was preparing Ngô Đình Diệm’s asylum, all stood dumbfounded.

To surrender at the appearance of just one plane!

It was indeed an awkward situation where the Rome Treaty folks wondered if it was possible that the Tsar had indeed fitted that plane with nuclear bombs.

The Russian Il-1000 delta-wing aircraft became known as the ultimate weapon to force the surrender of enemy nations.

And upon seeing the Il-1000, the United States…

“We will create our own delta-wing aircraft.”

MacArthur, the likely candidate for the next presidency, personally ordered the development to begin.

* * *

[Ngô Đình Diệm Defects to the U.S.!]

[Ho Chi Minh Unites Vietnam!]

[Asian Allied Forces Thrive!]

Vietnam was originally unified by Ho Chi Minh in history.

Ngô Đình Diệm’s surrender.

After surrendering, Ngô Đình Diệm defected to the U.S. with his family and supporters. Thus, Vietnam’s unification was achieved through Ho Chi Minh.

“What the heck? What is going on?”

Why on earth did these guys surrender the moment the stingray took flight?

They were just supposed to be swooping through the skies of Vietnam, giving a moderate scare.

Did they calculate that they were actually going to drop a nuclear bomb?

Common sense dictates that there was no way they would attack since they weren’t even combatants.

“Ngô Đình Diệm’s side pleaded not to drop a nuke on Saigon upon their surrender.”

Well, of course. At first glance, it looks like they care about their people, but they were just scared stiff.

I know enough about that kind of scum.

Ultimately, he was just saying not to drop the nuclear bomb to save his own skin.

Unfortunately, whether they could actually drop a nuke was another question, but it was clear they were trembling in fear at that sight.

Common sense dictates that there was no way they would attack since they weren’t even combatants.

Still, they were affirmatively declaring to the world, “This aircraft can drop a nuke!”

Whether it’s truly feasible is another story, but at least it was clear that Ngô Đình Diệm was so scared that he fled. No matter how cowardly it looked, Russia would be believed to have equipped the stingray with nuclear weapons.

“Oh, now I see why so much money was spent. Of course, His Majesty wouldn’t waste national resources.”

Maria, who was my aide in the Duma, did not hold back her admiration.

“Y-yeah? I thought with this, I could make the enemy surrender.”

I can’t just say I wanted to build it because I felt like it.

That aircraft still has plenty of room for improvements in various aspects.

What would the White Army’s reaction be?

After all, a single plane managed to produce the surrender of a nation.

Of course, they weren’t in direct opposition to us. Whatever the case, Ngô Đình Diệm was aware that the Rome Treaty was behind him.

I wanted to see their reaction.

“Well, what do the military think?”

“If improved further, wouldn’t it be possible to function as a true nuclear bomber?”

I think so. In a future that we aim for—a much grander future—it could be equipped with computers and properly developed into a strategic nuclear bomber.

“Yes. If done well, it might even be possible to scout other countries and surge out again. Wouldn’t it be amusing to drop a nuke on Washington D.C. and get out?”

I couldn’t understand why attacking the U.S. was a prerequisite.

In any case, I’ve got no intention of doing that right now.

“Well, let’s think about the future a bit more. We’ll also need missiles capable of striking the U.S.”

“I believe it’s already in development.”

Right. We need to keep developing until we’ve fully turned history on its head.

“I think it would be better for the Asian Allied Forces to withdraw for now.”

“It seems that Ho Chi Minh has requested the Asian Allied Forces to remain stationed for a while to maintain order.”

“Oh.”

This little brat wants to get entangled somehow, doesn’t he?

If this happens, “You guys better watch it! I can play nice or play the other way with Asia!”

Ho Chi Minh might be aiming to keep the Asian Allied Forces backed by the Rome Treaty until the negotiation table with the U.S., attempting to gain a superior position; for now, it might be the best tactic.

Balhae and Japan probably also want to put on a decent front to not be underestimated by the U.S., and it will likely work out.

Since they won’t remain there forever, when the time is right, I can just tell the Asian Allied Forces to withdraw.

To be honest, I was expecting that eventually, the U.S. would send troops into Vietnam to deal with Ho Chi Minh and establish a pro-American regime after the Asian Allied Forces withdrew.

If the Asian Allied Forces are taking this stance, the U.S. might not be able to adopt an aggressive approach towards Vietnam for a while.

For the time being, the U.S. suffered severe losses during the U.S.-Japan War.

Not just nuclear bombs, but they executed a collapse operation too; The impact is likely to be quite significant. If Vietnam pushed back that hard…

That side is no longer our concern. It’s up to the U.S. to figure it out.

We withdrew as promised, so there shouldn’t be any issues, right?

If there’s any concern, it would be that the U.S., which is originally supposed to be allied, might look at South Korea—no, Balhae—with differing perspectives.

But that role of the U.S. will be taken by Russia. Unlike the original world where significant diplomacy was required between the U.S. and China, China doesn’t even pose a threat to us now.

The massive Chinese market that existed in the original history also seems meaningless now.

“Let’s leave the rest to the Asian Allied Forces; don’t think that the war is over. We will enter a silent war with the U.S.”

From now on, a silent war with the U.S. will begin.

Of course, we might have the upper hand for a while, but still.

Facing Canada as a border, we will have no choice but to raise an army, but we will also develop missiles capable of striking each other’s bases.

“Understood.”

“In the future, the sons of Russia will minimize their direct involvement in the battlefield. A day will come where we destroy enemy nations with the flick of a button, launching missiles. We must prepare for that day.”

We also have to develop artificial satellites and space vehicles.

At least present-day Russia has excellent missile technology and has already started developing its space vehicles ahead of the Americans.

History will tell that a Russian astronaut was the first to venture into space, and if we land on the moon first, the flag of the Rome Treaty will be flying there.

Unfortunately, the U.S. is far behind us in missile technology.

Perhaps it’s only natural.

They hadn’t been able to absorb the technological prowess of Nazi Germany.

Even if we provided technological transfers, we hadn’t shared missile tech.

We only supported contracts for the fighter jets necessary in the war with Japan and tanks to ravage the Japanese archipelago post-invasion. Other technologies were also shared.

Of course, the U.S.’s biggest advantage would be the fact that they purchased nuclear technology and actual bombs with money.

“Your Majesty, there’s just one concern: the Kanto Republic. The U.S. will eventually develop missiles too. Isn’t it dangerous to position them in Kanto?”

Right. From that perspective, the Russian Far Eastern territories would be threatened.

But it’s the same as us.

What would America do if we stationed missiles in Canada?

Moreover, although we are in the Far East, if stationed in Canada, we could target locations directly within the U.S.

“We can just deploy them in Canada. Of course, there will be a need for some cautious measures. I’ve already thought ahead on that point. First, we should secure the Asian countries under our influence.”

I’ve always said this, but it’s not a bad thing for the Asian nations themselves.

And to counter the U.S., we must firmly make them our allies; we must entangle them so they won’t be able to do without us.

“I believe that issue will be resolved to an extent. It seems that the East Asia Cooperation Organization has also been established, aimed at assisting the industrialization of the Asian Allied Forces.”

“Not bad.”

That’s a relief. Even if they support industrialization, they will still gain profit somehow.

This would effectively make Balhae an indispensable entity.

In original history, South Korea had to navigate through powerful neighboring countries to gain an advantage for itself, despite being an ally of the U.S., but here, it will be an outright pro-Russian nation.

“We are also a constituent member of the Rome Treaty Organization, so we must bind their economic powers under the name of the Rome Treaty. We should bind together Qing, Turkestan, Balhae, Western Japan, etc.”

This time, we must ensure they’re tightly bound.

After all, in this world line, Korea will gain significant advantages as a pro-Russian nation.

Cheap access to resources, the absence of the Korean War, and utilization of the infrastructure left by Japan. Originally, the U.S. would support and extract reparations from Japan to develop, but if Russia supports us instead, it would be better than the original history. It wouldn’t be worse.

Perhaps because of the liberation by the Balhae Army, after the war with Japan, the combined wealth from various facilities and properties extorted from Japanese individuals was said to have converted to a tremendous sum in rubles.

There is certainly a potential for a future that exceeds the original history.

“Yes. I will do that.”

“Since we’re discussing economic cooperation and alliances, the Asia Economic Cooperation Organization supported by the Rome Treaty Organization sounds good.”

This should be ample enough.

Asia is the multiple of the Rome Treaty Organization! It’s almost like declaring that.

“Wouldn’t the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere be better?”

“Uh. Hmm. Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere,”

Doesn’t that just sound like a failure? It’s the term that Japan used back in the original history.

It feels too uncomfortable to even use that term. Doesn’t it sound like it’s bound for failure?

“Well, let’s go with the Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. The name is a bit strange.”

“Understood.”

Once we’ve launched the Asia Economic Cooperation Organization, we should go for that tour of Asia.

“Well, it’s about time to meet that guy.”

The one who created a KFC far greater than the original KFC.

Because of that, the name of Harland Sanders, who would have created the original KFC, never took off. It’s my fault that the history of chicken has changed, necessitating Russia to develop a new kind of chicken domestically.

Of course, I’ve absorbed every bit of chicken technology that guy left behind.

“That guy, you mean?”

“Yeah. It’s that guy. That guy. The time has come.”

The chicken shop owner Trotsky that was captured during the American Civil War.

I’ve been keeping him stashed away in a Siberian camp just waiting for the right moment to use him.

* * *

 

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