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I’m a bit disappointed; while it’s somewhat theoretical about anti-communism, it’s slightly lacking compared to Russia. However, considering it has escaped the Commune, it’s not bad.

But the fact remains that the existence of Reds within France is a separate issue.

So, I had Beria investigate Egypt and Libya.

“What does Okhrana think?”

After all, it’s crucial for Okhrana to gather this information.

We need to determine whether there are Reds in this French land. That must be clarified.

“Yes, currently there is no Commune in France. They captured even a single hidden Red from the Order of the Cross of Fire, tortured him, and executed him in the street, it seems.”

Beria handed me a few photographs.

Looking at them, it was clear that the Commune members had been caught in various places, hanged by the Order of the Cross of Fire or, at best, had their heads shaved and were left rolling in the streets.

“In the aftermath, it was sheer barbarism.”

But that should be duly acknowledged.

Isn’t it funny? This is France. Or perhaps it’s because of the Order of the Cross of Fire.

Anyway, it’s thanks to the effort of the Order of the Cross of Fire that we are where we are today.

“Is this credible?”

Now that I’ve become Queen of France, I need to lift certain shackles imposed on France.

In fact, since it’s a Rome Treaty, it doesn’t much matter whether to remove them or not.

“Yes. France is currently quite united against communism.”

In fact, they are more united against communism now, likely due to their experiences as a Commune.

Had they not, I might have had to restructure France myself. That’s the plain truth. Being the Queen of France, having Reds present could be quite problematic.

It’s common sense that, as the goddess of anti-communism, the direct realm I govern cannot have Reds.

It’s fortunate that they are being cooperative as it stands.

“Hmmm, so that’s the case.”

Then, could I loosen restrictions on the self-defense forces?

In fact, the idea of a self-defense force itself is nearly meaningless.

Even with Algeria in the picture, the army of the Rome Treaty is led by Russia, primarily accompanied by the Donut Federation and the German Empire. The navy is commanded by Britain, with Russia, Turkey, the Nordics, Spain, and others under its wing.

The air force is overwhelmingly controlled by Russia, so we can skip that.

Even if the self-defense forces were released, they’d merely exist in name.

“And this is the situation in Egypt and Libya.”

The situation in Egypt and Libya.

While it’s called that, in essence, it’s just a power struggle among the rulers.

On the Libyan side, some unheard-of fellows claim they’ve embezzled funds from the Rome Treaty Organization’s support. It’s the same with the Egyptians.

They’re practically conducting under-the-table operations to siphon off shares from Suez.

“Is this feasible? Isn’t Suez something we have jurisdiction over anyway?”

“Didn’t we perhaps coerce the person in charge of Suez from behind the scenes?”

Has it rotten to that extent?

How long has it been since the Rome Treaty was signed for it to rot this much?

“Is the Rome Treaty that rotten?”

Surely it can’t be. I don’t believe that.

“No, they could at least manage to coerce the local representatives. The treaty organization itself is fine.”

“Well, that’s a relief.”

Had the treaty organization already rotted away, it could have been dangerous.

I couldn’t shake off that vague thought.

“Hmm, is that so? It looks very tough at this point.”

This is utterly insane.

What possessed them to think of ripping off shares in the Suez Canal?

This is something I shouldn’t even bother entering.

It’s not like I know the names of the folks over there. Even if I wished to study world history and delve into the minor details, this is too much.

“Your Majesty, how about assigning the matter of Libya and Egypt to that side to resolve?”

“How do you propose we handle Libya and Egypt?”

Alright then, let’s have another meeting with de Gaulle and La Roche.

—

Upon meeting La Roche, he applauded me.

“Your Majesty, congratulations.”

What is there to commend? I merely took the throne you all placed me on.

Though it felt a bit harsh to call him out directly, I decided to let it slide for now.

“Then, shall the Order of the Cross of Fire be merged into France’s party?”

“The Order of the Cross of Fire, you mean?”

I nodded slightly.

After all, there’s no way for France to be divided in opinion at this moment.

“It would be better to merge parties that are essentially useless anyway. Don’t you think?”

Seriously, does that even serve a purpose?

Just a party to represent the Gaul region— that should suffice.

As you can see, this is merely to elect representative parties for each region of the Rome Treaty.

It seems Britain is also consolidating, with Russia being the only exception.

Russia is just way too big right now.

“That’s true.”

“Let’s abolish the self-defense forces but reorganize them as the Gaul Defense Forces.”

Abolishing the self-defense forces.

That’s practically the same as permitting rearmament in France.

Even now, rearmament in any serious manner won’t allow France to defeat even the German Empire or Donut Federation, let alone Russia.

The Rome Treaty Organization would step in regardless.

“Are you granting permission for rearmament?”

Granting permission means something different, though.

Even if I were to call for disarmament now, the self-defense forces would just change their title to Gaul Forces.

“To be precise, that would be a bit different.”

For now, Gaul is Gaul. We are officially establishing it as the Gaul Defense Forces.

After all, France still has its Ju-Freau forces.

While it sounds ridiculous to call them Ju-Freau forces, these are the forces from the countries responsible for the army of the Rome Treaty.

So, on the surface, this is just a rearmament.

That too is because I’m allowing it due to their zealous anti-communism.

“Indeed, Your Majesty. I truly appreciate your grace.”

What a talkative fellows these are.

I’m practically here by compulsory arrangement.

I didn’t want to get swept up in the atmosphere, but it’s unavoidable.

If all the Frenchmen are rallying around me, rejecting them outright would lead to a rather conspicuous scene.

“What grace is there to actually talk about?”

There’s no reason to quantify it as grace.

If anything, I’m the victim when it comes to your forcible crown bestowal.

Nonetheless, since I’ve already become Queen of France, I do want to secure what needs to be secured. That’s just how it is.

I must see the establishment of a new Palace of Anastasia on French soil.

“Your Majesty, what are these?”

La Roche looked at the documents I had placed on the desk.

What is it? It’s what you all need to deal with.

Yeah. What I brought is essentially that.

I plan for France to take care of the situation regarding Egypt and Libya.

After all, they share a border with Algeria, correct? Then it shouldn’t be hard to handle Egypt directly.

“I hear both Libya and Egypt have given me crowns.”

“Are both not colonies or semi-colonies?”

In the end, both Libya and Egypt were colonies or semi-colonies.

Wasn’t Libya Italy’s backyard?

“Well, you could say that.”

That raises more than a few suspicious points.

“Then, how should this be resolved?”

Should we mobilize the Gaul Defense Forces?

Hmm, so would this imply I must dispose of them like a colonial empire?

Using a washing machine only to end up with this? It doesn’t feel right.

But if we don’t use military force, we won’t find a way out.

“Then we must do that. Is it possible?”

“Egypt demands shares in Suez, and Libya demands oil shares; isn’t that an act devoid of conscience?”

“Well, that’s likely the case.”

It’s not merely an absence of conscience.

This crosses the line. Being treated as a partner nation in the Rome Treaty, and yet they have no clue about their place— they crawl along foolishly.

Just a bunch of fools unaware of their own status.

How will Gaul decide how to handle these folk?

“What do you suggest?”

“Honestly, there’s no need to go far, is there?”

There’s no need to venture far at all. So, what’s the solution?

“There’s no need to go far? What do you mean?”

While Beria hinted at suitable assassinations, even if one were to assassinate, it would be meaningless if full control is not achieved.

That’s how I have concluded.

“Isn’t it simple to march in with the military?”

Are we suggesting to employ military force directly?

“Shall we advocate for direct military engagement?”

Now that I’ve permitted rearmament, they’re quick to propose this.

Such cruel proposals, akin to colonial empire attitudes. Letting them off the hook and then changing right back like this?

Indeed, during the Commune, they seemed just ordinary.

“Just use an adequate excuse; Libya claims its oil field is under threat, and Egypt can coordinate along the same lines. After all, since they’re partner nations, military presence isn’t unprecedented.”

It’s just about handling it with high-handedness.

Is there any reason left to tolerate this?

This is exactly what a nation that was once a pillar of imperialism would say— to spout such grandeur.

“Is self-defense level sufficient?”

The military strength of France must be abominable right now; that’s why I readily permitted rearmament.

Though, even at its worst, it’d still be unlikely to falter against North Africa.

Surely, our France won’t succumb to Libya or Egypt?

No matter how far France may have fallen, it can’t be that far.

“Most of the self-defense force members are veterans of war. Of course, they might be aging, but with the Algerian army in play, it shouldn’t pose a challenge.”

Yet that war generation has been decades removed. Furthermore, the current French military was the Free France, which wasn’t even particularly strong militarily.

The Commune’s forces had practically been carved out from the Sudetenland.

“Then I’ll count on you.”

“Yes, just entrust it to me.”

La Roche confidently left, insisting to trust France alone, yet unease grows within me for reasons unknown.

Is it a mistake to leave this to France?

Should I just toss the matter back to the Rome Treaty Organization? For a moment, I got lost in that thought, but then Maria spoke up beside me.

“Do you think France will manage the task properly?”

Whether France does a good job or not isn’t the issue of the day.

Even if France were to botch it all, it would be me who ordered it. This might pose some hassle.

Dealing with it militarily seems problematic in its own right.

“That’s uncertain, but one thing is sure: it should be better than the current situation. Rooting out corruption should be the right move.”

If this issue is left untreated, the formerly colonized nations would undoubtedly run rampant.

At least this time I was made aware of the circumstances thanks to that crown.

“Hmmm.”

“What’s bothering you?”

Maria has this thoughtful look on her face.

What’s up with that? It feels rather suspicious. What does she want?

“I just had an amusing thought.”

Now even Maria is thinking up something amusing. I wished she could just leave the tsar alone.

For a moment, that thought crossed my mind, but regardless, she’s Maria II.

The Maria lineage has always only been helpful to me until now.

Could it be there’s something else worth considering?

“Whatever amusement you think, what is it?”

“What if you were to personally lead the French army?”

At that moment, my ears felt numb.

Is she suggesting I should directly march into North Africa? That’s about the only explanation that makes sense.

“Me, personally leading the French army? You mean go to the front lines myself?”

At my age, she wants me to lead the charge?

Am I supposed to advance into North Africa and display my might?

When I think about it, it’s pretty exciting.

Hearing that from Louise makes it problematic, though.

“Yes. Wouldn’t that create quite a scene? The French army advancing into North Africa seems grand, doesn’t it?”

“That’s a brilliant idea!”

Now even Louise agrees, and I clenched my fists in excitement.

“Really? You both suggest that I head out? What is going on here?”

The French army heading into North Africa.

Isn’t this something I’ve seen numerous times? And the fact that it involves Egypt reminds me greatly of Napoleon.

Ugh, to think I might be like Napoleon. It seems intriguing at first glance.

Though I might seem like just another uptight guy, I do feel like giving that a shot.

Not being Korean makes those kinds of heroic aspirations all the more appealing. Yet, the reality is the French army’s mobilization might only yield a few thousands at most.

Though that number isn’t too shabby, considering France’s history, including the vast armies mobilized during the Commune, it feels pitiful.

“Hmm, well, it sounds alright, but—”

“What’s bothering you?”

Sigh, I feel a bit perplexed.

 

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