Ch.269How to Easily Devour the World Like a Cake (2)

* * *

Anastasia was born in 1901, and now it’s ’45, so she’s in her mid-forties.

Ah, I’ve really been living here almost twice as long as where I originally lived.

No, that’s not right. I haven’t even been living here for 30 years. So I’m not forty, am I?

During the Civil War, after I possessed this body, it hasn’t even been 30 years. So I’m not forty.

Just as I was briefly trying to comfort myself, I suddenly felt dejected again.

To think I’ve lived longer in this body than as a man.

Making me remember what I didn’t want to acknowledge! Are you picking a fight with me? Do you want war?

Ah, I should stay calm. This is all because of that old man. That old man who made me possess this body.

“Something about being a saint.”

I forced an awkward smile at MacArthur and brushed it off.

Since we had time, we had dinner together at the White House.

“Does American food suit Your Majesty?”

Well, it tastes good, but it’s extremely salty and overflowing with grease.

He seems to have brought this up to take good care of me, but these foods look like they’ll make me gain weight.

“Yes. Though homeland food is the best, this isn’t bad. I’m just worried all this food will turn into fat on my belly.”

“Hahaha! Your Majesty could use some more meat on your bones, I think.”

We began our discussion about dividing the world.

This must be quite a historic moment.

“During the Pearl Harbor attack, despite your advance warning, we regrettably couldn’t avoid it in time.”

“Ah, I see that was the situation.”

He lies well. He already told me the Okhrana had warned him not to interfere, but I suppose this is about MacArthur’s pride.

No need to press the issue—that would be embarrassing.

Now, looking at MacArthur briefly, I notice his eyes have become quite sharp.

He must be about to bring up what he wants.

“The matter of joining the war against Japan and the European post-war support plan is up to the President and Prime Minister. But I’ve heard that Your Majesty is effectively the Marshal of the Treaty Forces.”

“That would be correct.”

After all, the Russian United States military belongs to the Tsar’s White Army, blessed by God.

As Russia heads the Rome Treaty Organization, I’m essentially in charge of the Treaty Forces.

Of course, after some time passes, the Treaty Forces will be properly organized.

“As the leader of the army that divides the world, I thought this should be discussed directly with Your Majesty.”

Yes. Is it finally time to divide?

The time has come to slice the Earth like a cake.

“So, you want to clearly separate the territories of the Rome Treaty Organization and the United States. Is that it?”

“That’s correct, Your Majesty.”

“Well, excluding the European mainland, which is the Treaty Organization’s home territory, our sphere of influence would include the Middle East, Northern China, Manchuria and Balhae, Taiwan, and Western Japan. Alaska is nominally Russian territory.”

I just said it all outright.

From our position, we’re comfortable enough to be this straightforward about it.

And before coming here, that Bulldog puppy was barking away.

-You must protect the Commonwealth territories. Please. I absolutely beg you!

With his shiny bald head, he pleaded so desperately that I couldn’t refuse.

That doesn’t mean there’s nothing to concede to America.

“Hmm. I see.”

“However, we have no intention of interfering with the Southeast Asian countries that were decolonized under the Rome Declaration.”

Yes, the former colonies.

Occupied Eastern Japan will become American, Central and South America will be American territory, and there’s also the Philippines and French Indochina.

Even though the Rome Treaty Organization has more, America is not to be underestimated.

“Then.”

“Balhae, Western Japan, and Australia and New Zealand below are merely defensive lines against the United States’ sphere of influence.”

It will just be drawing a line.

This defensive line will serve as a check against American hegemony in the Pacific.

“Does that mean you recognize the Pacific itself as our territory?”

“I’ll recognize it as America’s lake, and we have no intention of interfering with Central and South America either. Of course, this applies only to the Pacific, while the East and West Seas of Balhae and the territorial waters near Taiwan remain our territory.”

Balhae, Western Japan, Taiwan, and so on are just Pacific defense lines.

Personally, we don’t have enough navy to compete for hegemony in the Pacific. Now that the war is over, military reduction will be necessary.

We’ll maintain some naval presence, but not enough to covet the Pacific.

“Then what about Africa, India, and Southern China?”

MacArthur brought up three important regions while bringing his coffee to his lips.

Africa was a colonial region, so he must be curious how we’ll handle it after exploiting it for so long.

India and China also have their weight. He must know we don’t intend to just let them go.

“We plan to grant Africa independence and delegate those rights to Ethiopia. As for India, while we’ll support its independence, we have no intention of bringing India under the Rome Treaty’s influence. Of course, America shouldn’t interfere either. In special cases requiring intervention, we’ll consult with the United States.”

In reality, India can’t be said to be completely free from British influence, but at most it will just be one of the independent Indian states.

The Rome Treaty has no intention of directly attempting anything there.

For Africa, we plan to grant appropriate independence and transfer leadership among African nations to Ethiopia.

We’ll also have the Commonwealth’s South Africa cooperate in managing Africa.

“Hmm, so you’re suggesting we just leave them be?”

“Yes. Let’s leave Africa and India as regions untouched by both the Rome Treaty Organization and America. The same goes for Southern China. We should let them tear each other apart endlessly.”

I’ve already set the stage.

Make them turn against each other and create endless conflict.

“That’s unexpected. I heard you were a saint. Hmm.”

“Even saints prioritize national interests, and I’m a saint of Europe, not of all peoples.”

If anything, thinking about the future, I have more hatred than sympathy. There’s no reason to feel compassion for the Chinese.

“The Tsar is wary of China, which even struggled against the Japs.”

How could I not be cautious, knowing the original history?

I understand why MacArthur is surprised, his eyes wide open.

China needs to be contained while it can be.

“Of course. Although they were once pushed back, China will eventually catch up to white civilization unless we revert to the past and mobilize our military to subdue them. Wouldn’t a nation of over a billion people catching up to white nations be a threat?”

Of course, China here might only reach 500 million in the future.

The damage from the Sino-Japanese War was substantial here.

It’s better to crush them now than to be careless and end up with a US-China Cold War 2.0 like in the original history.

“So you’ve seen such a future.”

This man also thinks I can prophesy.

“That’s right. If China is left alone, it will eventually become a major obstacle to both Russia and America. Especially in the Pacific, it would have caused endless friction with the United States.”

“Hmm, there are quite a few Chinese among the scientists researching technologies transferred from the Rome Treaty to our United States. We’ll need to either exclude them from research or handle those with already close ties on our end. So, you truly have no intention of bringing former colonies under Rome Treaty influence?”

MacArthur narrowed his eyes, waiting for my answer.

If we were to covet even the former colonies, MacArthur would be irritated.

I need to make it clear that’s not the case.

“What America does with them is beyond our authority. We have no intention of interfering with Central and South America either. And what about countries not yet mentioned—shall we agree not to interfere with each other there?”

I mean countries like Thailand.

Countries that didn’t participate in this war and don’t belong to either side.

It would be good to leave such countries alone as neutral states.

MacArthur, agreeing with my intention, nodded while thinking about something, then carefully spoke.

“I have one major question. All authority over weapons also rests with Your Majesty, so why did you transfer technologies like missiles and nuclear weapons to us? At that time, we Americans would have been grateful if the Rome Treaty had only asked for our participation in the war against Japan.”

The reason for the transfer. That’s simple.

First, as I’ve said before, Europe is devastated by war, so enormous funds are needed.

Personally, I also believe money is necessary to run the world.

I demonstratively made a circle with my finger.

“First of all, money.”

“Excuse me?”

“Money. I really like money. Frankly, if I weren’t in the Tsar’s position, I’d have a hard time figuring out how to make money.”

The world ultimately revolves around money, doesn’t it?

Especially in my case, if I had lost the Civil War or just fled after being resurrected, where would I have lived?

“Even so, for that reason?”

Come on, would a Tsar give away such things solely for money?

This is a simple reason.

“Of course, there are other reasons. Just because we don’t sell it doesn’t mean America couldn’t make it, right? With America’s abundant resources and wealth, you would certainly develop it, and if you’re going to make it anyway, I thought it better to sell it and extract some money.”

America would develop it eventually.

Whether through espionage or other means, they would eventually develop it.

Then it’s better to give it away when they’re willing to pay a lot. Even if we don’t want to transfer the technology, if they’ll eventually achieve it themselves, it’s better to sell it for a huge sum.

Besides, we’re still far ahead in technology. It doesn’t matter.

“I’m also curious about your intervention in our civil war. If Your Majesty had changed your mind then and wanted to conquer this North American continent, wouldn’t it have been possible?”

“How much manpower would be wasted trying to control Americans on this vast continent while fighting the communist bloc? Moreover, I worry about the future.”

No matter how large Russia’s population is, we would face resistance in America for a long time.

We don’t have the capacity to handle that.

“The future?”

“Just as people need rivals to compete with in order to develop, nations also need countries to compete with. But if the Rome Treaty Organization unifies the world, who would we compete with? Therefore, we need countries that constantly watch each other and compete, and America fits that role.”

What country other than America could stand against the Rome Treaty Organization now?

“Hmm. That makes sense.”

MacArthur nodded in understanding while stroking his chin.

Yes, that’s right.

I can’t be like the protagonists or villains with grand dreams in novels, comics, animations, or movies who unconditionally preach peace.

As long as humans exist, conflict will never cease.

This cannot be physically suppressed.

Conflicts will always arise internally, and through such conflicts and struggles, humans develop by overcoming sacrifices.

It’s better to have a strong competitor that can be contained to a manageable level.

Just place a boss that makes both sides realize they could destroy each other if they fight.

“World peace sounds nice. But human history is a history of endless struggle and fighting. And we’ve developed through it. Also, in case Russia goes out of control after my death, America serves as a safety mechanism. The very existence of America is a safeguard against Russia running wild.”

“Hmm. I see.”

Though he seems displeased, as the leader of the only country that can stand against Russia, MacArthur must understand what I mean.

“That’s how peace will be maintained.”

“Indeed, as Your Majesty says.”

MacArthur’s power will likely be maintained for a while too.

Since MacArthur has held power using the war as an excuse, he’ll eventually step down, but this will extend his tenure a bit.

“Since you like money, I have one proposal. This isn’t something I’ve brought up in Congress yet.”

“Go ahead.”

“The existence of Danish Greenland is directly linked to our defense concerns. We can’t beat the Rome Treaty in naval control of the Atlantic, and with Canada and Alaska, if even our mainland is threatened, it would be troublesome. We need to occupy at least a position that could threaten Canada’s rear.”

Since he’s anxious, he wants to take Greenland.

At least stationing troops there would give some peace of mind regarding Canada’s rear or whatever.

“That’s a matter for the Rome Treaty to discuss with Denmark, so I’ll have to talk with the Prime Minister.”

“But ultimately, Your Majesty holds everything.”

Even I can’t act carelessly regarding territory.

It needs to be discussed within the Rome Treaty, and Iceland has already gained independence and joined the Rome Treaty Organization.

Denmark will probably refuse vehemently.

It’s probably not an essential region for America either.

With Canada and Alaska already serving as Rome Treaty bridgeheads, is it really necessary?

“How much are you thinking in dollars?”

“How about 500 million dollars?”

Can they still spend that much money?

That seems excessive. Considering they’ve been supporting us, recovering from their civil war, pouring resources into Japan more than in the original history, and various other factors, it must be difficult to pour this much into us now.

“500 million dollars is something to consider. But this isn’t just a Russian matter—it needs to be discussed within the Rome Treaty Organization.”

Or is MacArthur just throwing it out there?