Ch.222The Sorrow of a Small Nation

* * *

“We can wage war separately with Austria instead of joining the Allied forces.”

“Yes. Looking at how Britain is concerned about India, their crown jewel, that seems right.”

Even Churchill must have enough sense to realize this.

The fact that India simply cannot be defended.

It would be better to follow Russia’s proposal and give part of India to a pro-British figure to make him prime minister.

“Shall I help?”

I casually glanced at the Duma as I spoke.

I had an interesting idea, so this much should be fine.

Of course, it’s half in jest, so it doesn’t matter if nothing comes of it.

“You mean the Netherlands?”

“Well, since we ultimately need to capture Germany, it might appear on the surface that we’re helping.”

What nonsense is this?

That’s that, and this is this. As if I would help the Netherlands for nothing.

The world naturally operates on give and take.

“Of course not for free. Tell the Netherlands we’ll accept their support on the condition they immediately grant independence to their colonies.”

Tell them to relinquish those vast colonies.

Judging by the current situation, Japan will likely target them eventually, just as in history.

Because if America commits all its national power to the Pacific, Japan will have no choice but to expand the front again—a crazy move.

I wonder what will happen to Germany when it takes this serious punch. That’s something I’m curious about.

“Hahaha! As expected of Your Majesty. For us, it’s a win-win situation.”

“But would they really give up their colonies?”

No, they wouldn’t. Those guys would never relinquish their colonies.

That’s what I think.

The only good things Communist Germany and the French Commune did were splitting Belgium and capturing the Netherlands.

“It doesn’t matter if they don’t give them up. It would be laughable that they can’t let go of their colonies when their country is in such a state.”

Either way, it doesn’t matter to me.

If they immediately relinquish their colonies, I plan to promote Russia globally as the leader in colonial liberation, the only savior of colonies.

In other words, Russia is different from those bastards! That’s the approach.

Eventually, they’ll have to give up all their colonies anyway. And when they inevitably do, it will be packaged as Russia’s achievement.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Colonial liberation is also a matter of national prestige, and the Netherlands, if they’re not fools, would know that we’ll fight Germany regardless of whether they accept these conditions.

They’re probably just trying to get something from Germany by sticking with Russia. Or maybe they genuinely want to protect their citizens.

Unfortunately, I have no intention of accommodating them.

“Whatever happens, the Netherlands, having lost their homeland, will be recorded in history as a senile old lady desperately trying to maintain her colonies until the end.”

Even if Queen Wilhelmina herself doesn’t intend it, that’s how it will turn out.

That’s how it is for those who have nothing left to lose.

They cling desperately to the one thing they have left, refusing to let go.

That’s why I set this condition.

They probably have their pride and will absolutely refuse to give up their colonies.

“Looking at that, it’s fortunate.”

“What do you mean?”

“If by any chance we hadn’t quickly taken eastern Poland, wouldn’t the government-in-exile have gone to Britain?”

Ah, that’s true. The Polish government-in-exile was actually in London.

And with Communist Germany mercilessly destroying them, it would have been difficult to form a government-in-exile in the west.

There wouldn’t have been time.

At least Sikorski chose to fight to the death.

Of course, as long as I have the support of Poles in the east, there won’t be any problems.

“I suppose refugees will flood in from the west?”

“Yes, that will certainly happen.”

“Then we can form a new Polish army. How about the Army of the Kingdom of Poland?”

I do enjoy the monarchist fantasy.

Doesn’t the Army of the Polish Republic sound somewhat weak?

But the Army of the Kingdom of Poland, allied with Russia and the Eastern Alliance, sounds more impressive.

“The Army of the Kingdom of Poland under the Polish Romanov Dynasty. Splendid. I will send military advisors to organize the Kingdom of Poland’s army in the White Army style.”

In any case, it’s about organizing an army to reclaim territory.

I think the Poles won’t dislike it either.

Now, we also need to protect the German Empire. We should take advantage of the fact that Communist Germany hasn’t declared war on us yet.

“Is Commander Bermont facing off against the Communist German army in the German Empire?”

“Yes.”

“Bermont’s forces are few, so we need to send more troops.”

What will they do if we explicitly mark the German Empire as our territory?

They’ll either be annoyed or strike first.

“I will do so.”

It seems Communist Germany isn’t thinking about invading Russia right now.

We should seize this opportunity.

If they attack Austria, they will inevitably go to war with us, but that’s all.

They’ll probably try to establish strong defensive lines before attacking Austria.

We’ll bombard those defensive lines with missiles and all kinds of bombs, then push in with an armored wave.

Perhaps Goebbels thinks he can easily push through Austria?

The army of Communist Germany, inheriting the legacy of France, Europe’s land power, and Prussia, the war machine, plus Italy below them, supposedly a great power?

They probably don’t think the newly unified Austria can win.

“They will definitely target Austria next.”

“Yes, that is certain.”

Right. Let’s assume that’s settled.

When Goebbels attacks Austria, he’ll probably try to consume it before we arrive!

That seems to be the likely scenario, but it’s a rather foolish thought.

He seems to underestimate Hitler too much, but Hitler’s Austria is likely well-prepared.

I know they’ve been diligently developing tanks, at the very least. Or does he think the Sudetenland fortress is worthless?

No. Or maybe that’s why he consumed France first.

After consuming France, he’s easily pushing through Poland.

If the French Commune helps, it might be possible—that seems to be his thinking.

Britain will be too focused on homeland defense to properly strike at Germany, and they’ve also taken Denmark, so it’s hard to predict what will happen.

But one thing is clear.

“It seems Goebbels is underestimating Hitler. What does the Defense Minister think?”

The fact that Goebbels is severely underestimating Hitler.

“I’ve heard the Sudetenland fortress is quite solid. It will likely hold until we arrive.”

After pondering briefly in response to my question, the Black Baron gave the answer I was hoping for.

That’s right! I believe our Hitler can do it!

* * *

Berlin, Free Socialist Republic of Germany

With Britain and France essentially collapsed, the heads of Europe’s red family—Goebbels, Thorez, and Mussolini—gathered in Berlin.

Now that even mighty Britain couldn’t dare to land troops, they met to leisurely discuss how to divide Europe among themselves.

Of course, the French government-in-exile in Algeria and Britain still had intact navies, but could Algerian colonial troops even cross over?

They had even spread communist seeds in Algeria.

The Algerians would likely not easily follow the French government-in-exile, a colonial empire.

However.

With Russia still standing, they needed to quickly deal with Austria before engaging Russia in battle.

“All that remains for us is Austria. We’ll divide that rag of a country again—Communist Germany will annex Austria proper, and the rest will become communist states through revolution. We must resolve this before Russia enters the war and pushes in with its army.”

Austria must be swept away in a single storm.

That’s why Goebbels consumed France first.

Taking France would allow them to trample Austria more quickly. After sweeping through, the Balkan countries would not be difficult to crush, and then Russia would be next.

But Mussolini, who participated in this meeting, was secretly dissatisfied.

Mussolini’s support in Communist Italy was declining.

The reason was obvious.

The troops he had deployed were blocked by Ethiopian mountain divisions, French mountain divisions, and again by Ethiopian forces in North Africa after the British Mediterranean fleet withdrew.

Naturally, this affected his domestic approval ratings.

Of course, he had suppressed all who dared challenge the General Secretary’s authority, but he still needed to show something.

Despite being blocked so far, wasn’t Italy partly responsible for France turning communist?

So shouldn’t he be entitled to claim some territory?

“Couldn’t we take Croatia?”

Thus, he boldly spoke up.

He wanted to claim his share and gain territory.

He had been particularly provoked when Germany and France divided the Low Countries.

Current Italy hadn’t gained anything.

Especially being pushed back in North Africa by the virtually absent British forces and Ethiopia.

“Italy?”

“Didn’t we help Germany by opening a front against the French Republic? We were pushed back in Africa due to supply difficulties, but still.”

Goebbels momentarily wondered if this man was in his right mind.

Being pushed back not just by France but even by Ethiopia.

And now he was asking for Croatia? He should have accomplished something before asking for rewards.

Still, if he could really fight properly, if he could at least occupy southern Austria, there would be no reason not to give him something.

“Fine. When we attack from the north, including the Sudetenland, open a path from the south.”

“And wouldn’t it be good to increase our comrades? How about bringing Yugoslavia in as an ally?”

“Yugoslavia.”

Yugoslavia was, after all, a country that should undergo revolution.

All monarchies must eventually be overthrown through red revolution.

“Yugoslavia is overflowing with discontent toward Austria due to Hitler’s threats, so using them could create a three-front war.”

Mussolini was right.

Currently, there was significant discontent among Serbs in Yugoslavia about ceding Croatia to Austria.

Yugoslavia was truly a ridiculous country. They wanted to consume Croatia but discriminated against Croatians in the region.

What fools. Still, using Yugoslavia seemed like a good idea.

They could use them as much as possible and then spark a revolution in Yugoslavia.

But whether they would listen was another matter.

“Will Yugoslavia listen to us?”

“Yugoslavia has been abandoned by Russia. If we just guarantee to maintain their monarchy, they shouldn’t have any reason to refuse. What could Yugoslavia do if our three countries pressure them?”

Currently, Alexander I still maintained the throne in Yugoslavia, but he desired peace.

Benito Mussolini decided to break Yugoslavia’s opportunistic diplomatic policy.

After all, Russia was far away and the Red Front was close—what could Yugoslavia do?

“You have a point. However, Yugoslavia must definitely undergo a communist revolution after the war.”

It didn’t make sense for a communist country to receive help from a monarchy.

“Would there be any doubt?”

“Now that we three General Secretaries have gathered, there’s nothing to fear. Hahaha!”

Despite Mussolini’s sycophantic laughter, Goebbels had a feeling something would go wrong again.

But surely, with two countries attacking Austria simultaneously, could Italy really fail to break through?

At the very least, they should be able to perform well in Austria. That was his judgment.

* * *

Meanwhile, Yugoslavia received a unilateral notification from Italy.

Join the Red Front and attack Austria again.

It was a proposal from a country being defeated in Africa, but one couldn’t deny that Germany and France stood behind it.

Yugoslavia’s King Alexander I summoned Pavle, to whom he had essentially entrusted state affairs.

“Pavle, what should we do about this?”

Pavle had been wisely leading Yugoslavia through this chaotic world.

Thus, Alexander now sought his help.

“How about joining the Red Front for now?”

“What if Russia invades us?”

It was obvious that Russia was circling around Austria.

Now Yugoslavia would be abandoned by Russia, unlike in Serbia’s time.

“We can pretend to attack, then explain our situation to Russia. And the momentum of the Red Front is not to be underestimated. Even Russia would find it difficult to defeat those three.”

Pavle believed Russia could never defeat the Red Front.

Although Russia was different from before, it had struggled even during the Great War when Britain was still intact.

But now Britain lacked landing capabilities after the Dunkirk annihilation, and its navy was just protecting the island like a bundle wrapped in cloth.

The Danubian Federation had just unified, and France, Germany’s enemy during the Great War, was now providing troops alongside Germany. So even if Russia had strengthened, it would still be difficult.

But.

Alexander focused elsewhere.

Yes, the idea of a monarchy like Yugoslavia joining hands with communists.

This naturally meant the monarchy could collapse.

Yugoslavia was already acknowledging small communist factions internally to avoid confrontation with the Red Front, but if they joined hands now, they would truly try to collapse the monarchy.

Of course, they might survive like Italy, but the Yugoslav royal family would clearly be disgraced.

“But the Red Front countries might spark a communist revolution in our country.”

They would never recognize a monarchy.

Frankly, it was obvious they would be used, but there were no other options.

Italy knew this too, which is why they notified them this way.

Then Yugoslavia needed to prove its value in its own way.

“Crisis can also be an opportunity. If we use this well, we could become the balancer between the Red Front and the Anti-Communist Pact. If we prove more useful than Austria, wouldn’t Russia reach out to us again?”

Pavle knew Russia was openly disregarding Yugoslavia.

Moreover, the current Tsar was prioritizing the Triple Alliance, which had only been superficially impressive before. He was even rebuilding the Dual Monarchy to stop communism.

In such a situation, Yugoslavia’s choice was to not align with either side and somehow maintain its national identity.

But this too required considerable gambling.

However, what else could they do? The threat facing Yugoslavia had to be addressed.

“Many officers will be dissatisfied with this decision. Will that be alright?”

“It’s better than letting the country fall to communism.”

Yes, that was the only option for now.