Ch.191American Civil War (2)

# U.S. Military Government White House

Of course, MacArthur was well aware of the situation unfolding at the border.

For the U.S. Military Government, this came completely out of the blue.

MacArthur, who had earlier expelled Huey Long from the White House as a communist despite Long being an anti-communist, was now red-faced with anger at the communists’ preemptive strike.

Unable to contain his fury, MacArthur hurled the stack of documents on his desk, his eyes burning with the fire of vengeance.

“These goddamn communist bastards! I knew it! They fire shells at will and then what? We kidnapped them? We’re mobilizing too! I’ll show them what MacArthur is made of!”

MacArthur also declared full mobilization.

And on the other hand, he demanded more weapons and supplies from Russia.

While weapons could be produced domestically, Russian-made ones were of better quality.

And just as the Spanish Civil War was nearing its end, Patton, who as always had been heading to Moscow, finally had a chance to return to his homeland—not as reinforcements, but as a returning hero.

Though troops were already prepared, they needed forces to lead the advance to America, so Anastasia herself issued the order from Moscow.

“Hmm, it’s been a while. First Iberia, and now I get to drive out the communists in America. Come, Knights of Patton! Let’s root out all the communists in America too!”

With a half-empty bottle of vodka in one hand, Patton landed in America alongside American soldiers who had served as Russian volunteers in the Spanish Civil War and Russian troops who had become friendly with him.

“Your Excellency. Colonel Patton’s armored division, which distinguished itself in the Spanish Civil War, has finally returned from Russia!”

“Patton? Ah, yes. Excellent! It’s like gaining a thousand armies!”

Patton was renowned even within Russia as a famous foreign commander.

He had performed such meritorious service during the Russian Civil War that he was occasionally allowed into the Tsar’s office, a place normally reserved only for White Army generals.

Of course, this was merely because Patton had barged in wanting to insist that American forces should also participate when Anastasia was still a Grand Duchess.

Anyway, MacArthur had received Patton, a battle-hardened predator, as a gift from Russia.

“If we add our contribution to the American Civil War now, perhaps we can receive national reconstruction support from both America and Russia?”

The Falange, having just occupied Madrid and begun stabilizing the country, expressed their intention to support the U.S. Military Government, hoping to get a piece of the action.

And the Huey Long government, which could hardly be considered a mere spectator, watched the situation from afar.

Although the KFC had declared war, their main forces were positioned at the front with the U.S. Military Government.

“Sir, shouldn’t we make a move as well?”

“If the KFC collapses like this, we’ll be in trouble.”

Amid the urgent voices of his cabinet members, Huey Long fell into contemplation.

Though there had been no response from Russia, they had sent American troops who had fought in the Russian Civil War to MacArthur.

“Hmm, it seems Russia intends to help MacArthur after all. But we’re not in a position to fight right now. If we attack MacArthur, we’ll truly be branded as communists, and Russia would use that as an excuse to intervene with a large force.”

In truth, Huey Long had planned to strike the KFC first.

Because of MacArthur’s accusation of him being a quasi-communist, he needed to capture the KFC first and then fight MacArthur to disprove this.

If he fought MacArthur now, the KFC would join in, and then Huey Long would truly become a communist collaborator.

So, it might be better to strike both sides at once, just before MacArthur defeated the KFC and expanded his power.

Huey Long decided to enter the war as late as possible.

Of course, not having enough troops to strike both sides was another reason he couldn’t jump into this mess.

But if things got worse and North America became soaked in blood…

‘Then I’ll have to make a decision.’

When that time came, he would need to ask Russia to mediate.

# * * *

News arrived from the Okhrana’s Kentucky branch.

A civil war had begun on North American soil.

It seems things were already on the verge of eruption, given how quickly it all blew up with just a little push.

Trotsky had nowhere else to go now.

Either win the civil war or die—those were his only options.

Honestly, from Trotsky’s perspective, triggering it now was advantageous.

If Russian forces provided massive support to the U.S. Military Government, Trotsky, with his military disadvantage, would struggle.

For us too, starting quickly would help resolve the two-front situation.

Judging by how it’s already made the Moscow newspapers, the fighting must be quite intense.

I frowned with feigned concern at the news of the North American Civil War in the newspaper.

“Oh my, oh my. A civil war has finally erupted. Americans in North America divided by ideology and fighting each other. Though I am not American, as a saint, I cannot help but feel deeply saddened by the tragic state of America, which has supported us.”

I pretended to shed tears that wouldn’t come naturally, while Maria timely applied water under my eyes to enhance the quality of my performance.

This might seem a bit trashy, putting on such an obvious act in the Duma.

But isn’t it all for Russia’s interests?

“Um, well.”

What’s wrong? The deputies all have strange looks on their faces. Do they have something to say to me?

It can’t be because they all ate the mint chocolate I gave them for lunch.

I can guess what they want to say, but surprisingly, I have no thoughts on the matter.

“What is it? You seem to have a lot to say.”

“Ah. It’s nothing. Ahem.”

Yes, I know. I’m responsible for this incident.

They’re thinking, “How can you look so sad when you caused this?”

But you know what? This was inevitable. This civil war was bound to happen anyway.

“I think I understand what you want to say. But this civil war was inevitable. It’s better to resolve it quickly with minimal Russian bloodshed.”

Honestly, I wouldn’t shed a tear no matter how many Americans die.

This America hasn’t even helped Korea yet.

But to secure an advantageous position, we need to intervene in the civil war when we can quickly suppress it.

Minimizing casualties is also a saint’s duty.

This is an undeniable reality.

“With the Spanish Civil War over, Patton’s crusaders have returned home.”

At Drozdovsky’s words, I twirled my hair with my finger and looked at him.

“Crusaders?”

Patton as a crusader? What’s that about?

“He calls them crusaders since they’re on a holy war to drive out communism.”

“How many troops does Patton have?”

I had recruited volunteers from those who served in Spain to go to North America as volunteers.

“As per Your Majesty’s orders, we received support from the Spanish intervention volunteers. Of the 50,000, 30,000 are heading to North America.”

30,000? That’s quite a lot.

To be honest, I hadn’t paid much attention to this yet.

Because while Patton originally only had a small number of American troops assigned to logistics during the Russian Civil War, they’ve now been transformed into an elite armored division.

Honestly, just sending these troops to North America along with tank support would make MacArthur formidable.

“That’s surprisingly many. I suppose this won’t feel like another ‘special military operation’?”

“No, Your Majesty. These were carefully selected from among volunteers. Additionally, the Spanish Falange regime has offered to help.”

I didn’t expect the Spanish Falange to step up like that. That’s helpful.

If the Falange helps, we can minimize the Russian forces needed to aid America.

“They must have conditions?”

“I imagine they want help rebuilding Spain once North America stabilizes.”

I suppose both America and Spain have undeniable potential.

Moreover, they want to prove themselves as Russia’s allies. Yes, it would be good if Spain quickly finds its footing again.

Even if the Falange helps MacArthur with the hundreds of thousands of mercenaries they used in their civil war, they’ll probably just want money in return.

Hmm, if Spain secures a stronger position than in the original history, it might be interesting to reshape the European landscape.

No, forget that.

There’s no need to count my chickens before they hatch.

For now, we need to determine the future based on how things unfold.

How will our illustrious communist countries respond?

They’ve already suffered humiliation at our hands in Spain, so what will they say this time?

“How is Britain viewing the American Civil War?”

“They seem unable to take a side, so they’re just condemning the KFC.”

Britain is satisfied with just that?

The Churchill cabinet, which had been acting weakly until now, responded like that?

Does this mean anything? No, there must be something more to it.

“Do they have the capacity for more?”

“I expected Churchill to say more. Is he really that constrained?”

Perhaps they’re still politically unstable?

But if Edward has properly ascended to the throne, internal issues shouldn’t be a problem.

So it must be external pressure.

What could be pressuring Britain from outside? Russia has expressed support for Churchill and the current king.

“Commonwealth nations are opposing Edward’s marriage to a commoner.”

“Oh.”

I didn’t expect this.

Even so, opposing a marriage to a commoner? The Commonwealth nations?

Was this also why Stanley Baldwin threatened to resign with his entire cabinet in the original history?

For whatever reason, the Commonwealth is now wavering.

Does the Commonwealth’s instability make things easier for us?

No, it doesn’t. With France in such a state, we’re the only major power left to fight the communist bloc.

“Have they completely split with the Commonwealth nations?”

“British India, Malaya, and others—basically the colonies that communist Germany has been working on—want a strong government that can defeat communism rather than worrying about a marriage to a commoner.”

I see. The colonial authorities need a government that can immediately crush communism, rather than fussing over a marriage to a commoner.

So, from what I know—Canada, Australia, New Zealand—are all these major dominions opposing it? Could this lead to war within the Commonwealth?

“Could it escalate to civil war?”

“Not to that extent.”

Not to that extent, but could this divide their fighting power during World War II?

If Churchill participates in World War II, will the dominions abstain?

No, surely any reasonable nation wouldn’t sit out while their mother country is at war?

That’s probably not the case.

Did I make a mistake here? Should I have backed Stanley Baldwin instead of Churchill?

No, that wouldn’t have been right.

Then it would have just become a simple hatred.

I need someone who can prevent Britain’s downfall.

In the original history, Churchill would be itching to capture communist Germany.

Churchill must know.

If things continue this way, Russia could seize hegemony.

Britain always does the same thing.

When two powers clash, they let them fight until they’re exhausted, and then step in when the outcome is uncertain.

They’ve supported communist Germany a bit now, but that’s just to prevent Russia from taking leadership in Europe.

“It may not lead to civil war, but Churchill seems to be paying a lot of attention to the dominions.”

“Yes, that makes sense. After all, the power of the British Empire ultimately comes from its colonies.”

The power of the British Empire ultimately comes from its colonial armies.

Honestly, could Britain fight communist Germany with just its own forces, without the colonies?

The fortunate thing is that there doesn’t seem to be much resistance from the colonies responsible for military forces.

I’m not defending a divorcée, but…

When you think about it, the British royal family must have its own scandals. Is marrying a woman who’s been divorced twice really enough to cause the dominions to rebel?

When I think about it that way, this seems a bit off.

But I suppose they have their own circumstances.

“As expected of Your Majesty.”

“Pardon?”

“Didn’t Your Majesty draw all of this picture?”

You can ease up on the worship. You were praising me before too, and it’s making me uncomfortable.

No, I didn’t plan all of this. I feel wronged.

When you say it like that, it makes me feel like I’ve done something wrong.

What if we lose in World War II?

Hmm, no. Britain’s main island has a significant population. Churchill is a leader who understands reality.

The dominions won’t split over a marriage issue.

Moreover, they have Germany as a common enemy.

They won’t fight with the dominions while leaving Germany unchecked.

“But just as we worried about France becoming communist, shouldn’t we prepare for when Britain is too tied up with its dominions to do anything?”

“If even Britain starts to falter before fighting Germany, we’re essentially the only country that can fight communist Germany, aren’t we?”

Yes, that’s true.

Let’s assume France falls, even with Austria putting up a good fight after its unification.

Can Austria hold off the armies of three countries?

The Balkan states would need to provide support, but if Italy uses Greece, they’ll be tied down from below.

“Should we support France?”

No, supporting France feels wrong, no matter how I look at it.

France could flip at any moment.

It would be better to end the American Civil War quickly. Should we seriously consider Ethiopia as a bulwark in World War II?