Ch.177Mind Games (3)

# The Russian army moved independently, pushing back the Popular Front while doing their job.

More precisely…

“Run, run! Crush those communists with our tanks! Hahaha! What are you waiting for? Tie those dead reds to the tanks!”

“Kyaaak!”

It was just Patton—who had volunteered as a special military attaché to “practice cracking communist skulls before doing it in America”—leading a Russian-affiliated American armored unit on a rampage, with the rest of the forces supporting from behind.

But Patton’s rampage was tremendously effective.

The T-Project, developed after years of grinding effort, had produced numerous tanks by combining existing German technology with Russian expertise gained from dismantling French and British tanks. The culmination of this project, the T-34, easily crushed Communist Germany’s Type 1 tanks and Italian armor.

If one were to ask whether the Popular Front had an advantage in the air, the answer would be no.

A fierce aerial battle took place over the Basque region of Guernica.

The White Air Force of the United States of Greater Russia under Alexander Kazakov clashed with the Red Air Force of Communist Germany led by Wolfram von Richthofen.

Russian fighters produced by Ilya Muromets Corporation shot down Red Air Force aircraft like autumn leaves, showcasing Russia’s weapons technology to the world.

Above all, Wolfram von Richthofen, who had been semi-forcibly incorporated into the Red Air Force, was skeptical about this battle.

“At this rate, the Guernica region will be lost to the reactionaries. Let’s destroy everything.”

As the situation in Guernica became unexpectedly unfavorable, the German and Italian volunteers of the Popular Front defending Guernica decided to destroy the ammunition factory and retreat, fearing it would fall into the hands of the Nationalist Front.

Ironically, in this world, Guernica—which in the original history would have been bombed by the Nationalist German Condor Legion—was destroyed by retreating German People’s Army and Italian forces as the battle turned against them. The Nationalist Front then occupied the destroyed Guernica.

Of course, the Popular Front didn’t just suffer losses. They assassinated Nationalist Front officers across various regions, disrupting Nationalist operations as the Spanish Civil War intensified.

Around this time, Benito Mussolini in Rome harbored different thoughts.

“Damn those Russian reactionaries!”

Furious at Russia for putting the brakes on Italy, Mussolini slammed his fist on the desk in anger. But soon, something flashed through his mind, as shiny as his gleaming head.

“Right. There’s Abyssinia.”

Abyssinia, now called Ethiopia.

He couldn’t just let his carefully prepared army sit around wasting food, could he?

This was his chance to invade Abyssinia—Ethiopia—to avenge past humiliations and “liberate” Ethiopia under the red flag, establishing a foothold in Africa.

Neither Britain nor France was in their right mind, so conquering Africa seemed entirely possible.

Mussolini viewed Ethiopia merely as a gateway, much like how Germany considered lowlands as peripheral bypass roads.

“Good. While the Russians are focused on Spain, we’ll head to Ethiopia!”

Of course, Mussolini didn’t yet know.

He didn’t know that Russia had been covertly supplying weapons to Ethiopia for some time.

He didn’t know that Russia had been receiving excellent coffee through improbable negotiations with the Ethiopian Emperor while providing surplus weapons to Ethiopia.

Mussolini was still unaware of this fact.

***

The Spanish Civil War intensified.

I had set various variables in motion before the civil war began.

I had strengthened the Falange, but with history changed, I wasn’t sure how the Republican camp would respond.

I thought it might be difficult if the Red Axis powers—Germany and Italy—supported the Republicans.

Communist Germany had even adopted the Soviet approach of excluding imperial-era officers.

But the results were unexpected.

Looking at the reports on the Spanish Civil War, Communist Germany and Italy were performing so poorly it seemed almost suspicious.

Receiving reports about the Spanish Civil War in the Duma, I tilted my head.

“The German and Italian forces are fighting worse than expected.”

Or perhaps it was thanks to our preparations.

They must have been preparing for a communist uprising too.

“Besides the performance gap, the imperial-era officers commanding the Communist German army aren’t actively participating in the civil war.”

“I’m not surprised. Why would they want to follow the reds?”

I wouldn’t do my job properly either in their position.

With many officers from Junker backgrounds, would they fight properly when forced into service?

They’d probably use the weapon disadvantage against Russia as an excuse to retreat.

“As for the Italian forces, they fought hard but are being pushed back due to performance differences.”

“Hmm.”

Isn’t this too easy?

Even though I had preparations made in advance, the Italian side had also prepared, as evidenced by the communists seizing Madrid by force, which differed from the original history.

Still, I’m glad our weapons are proving quite effective.

“The German Empire has requested to send some volunteers and purchase weapons. Additionally, the Anti-Comintern Pact countries have requested to buy Russian weapons.”

“Hmm, that’s good.”

I like that.

The Anti-Comintern Pact countries are major customers for Russian grain exports. If they buy weapons too, that’s perfect.

Looking at these documents, even Poland, which had been suspicious of Russia, is now accelerating weapons purchases after these events.

That alone is sufficient.

“Foreign investments in Manchuria are also continuing.”

“Yes. Now that the Great Depression is easing, aren’t they looking for places to invest?”

“Let’s accept them.”

With the Great Depression improving, developing Manchuria with foreign investment would be good.

The funny thing is that many of these investors are American companies facing an impending civil war.

Well, business is business, and war is war.

Not long after, while I was playing with Belka in the Kremlin Palace, Maria brought me news.

“Your Majesty. The British Foreign Secretary has requested an audience with you.”

“What’s this about? Shouldn’t this be handled by the Duma?”

This should be handled by the Duma.

Why does Britain keep wanting to see the “grading emperor”?

This forces me to meet people directly.

“I suspect it’s about the Baltic Line. Since Your Majesty initiated the Baltic border defense line, they probably want to persuade you directly.”

“Hmm, I see.”

I reasonably suspect the Duma subtly passed this to me.

No, surely not.

Well, it might be good to hear what Britain has to say.

Alright, let’s see what they want to discuss.

***

“Your Majesty. I hear you’re installing fortresses at the border.”

The person I met was Austin Chamberlain, who initiated the “peace season zero” in our time.

Isn’t the Foreign Secretary someone else during this period?

Britain must be really short on personnel. Or perhaps they judged it appropriate to send someone who had dealt with me before.

“I see the Baltic states have already clung to Britain’s coattails.”

“Your Majesty.”

His grimacing face at my words is amusing.

“What’s the problem? We’re preparing for war against Communist Germany.”

This is a very natural action.

Thanks to someone, Communist Germany has grown stronger, so we must protect our country from that red plague.

But how can we protect the Baltic states in Britain’s sphere of influence?

We should only build fortifications on our own territory.

Of course, stopping the red plague on foreign soil would be the best strategy.

This is all a kind of theater.

It’s about who holds the initiative between Britain and Russia in the Anti-Comintern Pact.

“Aren’t the Baltic states part of the Anti-Comintern Pact?”

“Yes, they are.”

“Then why do you intend to abandon the Baltic states while claiming to stop communism?”

“Let’s be straightforward. Aren’t the Baltic states British puppet states? Shouldn’t your country protect them rather than asking us to do it?”

“Your Majesty. Even so, there’s a minimum duty to protect them.”

A duty to protect.

It’s nauseating to hear such words from these hypocritical nations.

Aren’t these the same people who supported the Huey Long government just to spite us?

“Duty? Well said. As soon as we supported the MacArthur administration, you immediately backed the Huey Long government. And now you ask us to protect your Baltic states? What nonsense is this?”

Are you really going to be like this? Do you still see us as a weak second-rate power? That’s what I’m saying.

Do you look down on Russia—respected by China, begged by America, and courted by Japan?

Now that I’ve said it, Russian national pride feels quite sweet.

“Was that the reason?”

“Above all, I am known as a saint. Such a person cannot violate another country’s sovereignty.”

I have my conscience as a saint. How could I violate a neighboring country’s sovereignty?

We can build fortresses and stop the German army at our border. We absolutely cannot station troops in the Baltic states and violate their independence.

“Russia would struggle with such a wide front.”

“Wasn’t it Britain who said Communist Germany wouldn’t start a war? We’re merely preparing for contingencies.”

These guys are cheating.

They said Communist Germany wouldn’t go to war!

They truly are pirates. That’s why they play these games.

“That may be true, but…”

Look at them. They realize what they said doesn’t hold up?

“Or is it that after seeing Russia’s performance in the Spanish Civil War, you’ve decided our army might be useful?”

That’s probably part of it.

Russian forces are performing well in the Spanish Civil War.

Their current approach suggests they’ve noticed the improved quality of the Russian army and investigated Communist Germany’s volunteer forces.

Although Communist Germany is weaker than us, they’ve fought decently against other Nationalist Front forces. Britain must have seen the possibility of war with Communist Germany.

“Your Majesty. We are civilized people. I believe we should resolve our misunderstandings step by step.”

“Let’s cut to the chase. Tell me the main point. You want us to protect the Baltic states, right?”

I believe in addressing issues directly.

Protect the Baltic states. This is no time for such foolish requests without offering anything in return.

Chamberlain bowed his head with a flushed face at my question.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“What do we gain from protecting the Baltic states against Communist Germany, which grew stronger with your support?”

I boldly demanded compensation.

When else would I demand compensation if not now?

“Your Majesty. Doesn’t Russia need to protect East Prussia as well? To do that, you naturally need to protect the Baltic states too.”

Yes, strategically, it’s better to protect the Baltic states to defend East Prussia.

If the Baltic states fall to Communist Germany, East Prussia would be threatened.

To protect East Prussia, we would end up defending the Baltic border as well.

“That’s one thing, and this is another. We can protect East Prussia without protecting the Baltic states. Wouldn’t Britain have abandoned the Baltic states if not for saving face?”

Britain has made many blunders.

Protecting the Baltic states is probably a matter of British pride.

Originally, Britain only needs to defend its homeland and maintain its colonies.

There’s no reason for Britain to protect the Baltic states.

Of course, this is just my speculation, but let’s see how desperate they are.

“Ahem.”

“It’s rather amusing how desperately you want to protect the Baltic states. Fine. We can help maintain Britain’s dignity.”

“Really?”

Of course, maintaining that dignity will require proper compensation.

It’s problematic if they still see Russia as it was during the imperial era.

This is a united Russia with pumped-up industrial power and strengthened military might. By the time the great war breaks out, this country will be far stronger than the Soviet Union of the original history.

“We Russians, after the civil war, have recovered Constantinople and become a nation united by Roman pride. We’ll need compensation worthy of that.”

“After all the support Britain has provided…”

Oh, well said.

How much has Britain actually supported us? We received some help with tanks, but most support came from Wilhelm, who gave generously.

Of course, one could argue Wilhelm was a British puppet at the time…

“Was it Ireland, not Britain, that supported Communist Germany?”

“How can you still bring up something from so long ago?”

I don’t usually like to drag things out.

I’m not someone who holds grudges.

But this case is different. We can’t just say “That was in the past! Let’s forget it and have a drink!” Communist Germany has completed rearmament with British support and is even sending volunteer forces.

“As time passes, the consequences of that mistake grow larger, so how can I not mention it? Look at Communist Germany now. They’ve naturally formed the German People’s Army, brought in imperial-era officers to improve military quality, and developed tanks and aircraft that are killing countless Russian soldiers on the Iberian Peninsula. Britain cannot escape responsibility for this.”

Of course, the part about Russian soldiers dying in large numbers is an exaggeration. But the hypocritical nations cannot escape their responsibility.