Ch.274Let’s Split India (Revised Version)

* * *

There’s something I always say.

I am not a saint.

“I always say it. I’m not a saint of Russia—well, I suppose now I’d be a saint of the Constantinople Treaty Organization. Anyway, India splitting up would be good for them too. With the caste system and all those evil practices, a unified India wouldn’t be desirable. We can’t uproot the fundamental problems, so we should divide them early to prevent suffering from those evil practices.”

This is nothing but a justified division.

It’s about dividing India for India’s sake. Isn’t that genuinely kind of me?

Unity sounds nice, but internally it’s festering.

“Nehru was pro-British, right? Support him and create the pro-British Indian state as promised.”

“Indeed we must. As expected, Tsar, you and I are on the same wavelength. Now then, while you’re in Britain, I’ll take good care of everything for you.”

Did I just get insulted?

I’m a bit annoyed, but afterward, I gave a speech at the British Parliament with Churchill as my guide.

After a long speech, I mentioned the colonies.

From the perspective of someone who needs to decolonize, it’s an extremely uncomfortable and sensitive topic. But this much needs to be said.

Anyway, since Britain is in the same boat now, I can say things that suit their taste.

“Now we must abandon the title of colonial imperialist nations and move forward, toward the future. As proof that we have not been mere oppressors of colonies but have led them toward civilization, we must help colonial nations become self-sufficient. Our Constantinople Treaty Organization, as the world’s leading power, must renew everything. The British Empire, having once managed the world’s greatest empire with numerous colonies, is better positioned than anyone to help colonial peoples enter the international community. To the colonial peoples, Britain was not merely an oppressor. It continuously helped with civilization throughout the years. For Britain—and by extension the Constantinople Treaty—to be recorded in future world history as having spread civilization, your role is crucial. The decolonization declaration in Rome cannot be achieved without the help of Britain, which possesses the most fleets and colonies in the Constantinople Treaty. The Constantinople Treaty and our Russia will help Britain.”

*Clap clap clap clap clap*

The British Parliament couldn’t hide their joy at my speech.

Unless they’re fools, they know better than anyone that Britain, having managed the world’s greatest colonies, would be criticized in the decolonization declaration.

Above all, since Nazi Germany’s Hitler didn’t take all the blame to hell—only communism collapsed—they all still bear the titles of colonial empires and oppressors.

Though the washing machine is spinning, it’s difficult for the sins of colonial empires to be buried when Hitler has become a hero of the Danube Federation.

But I, the world’s greatest monarch, Russia’s saint, am telling them that even now, with proper effort, it can be packaged nicely. I’m saying they can, if not justify their imperialism, at least package it as having led civilization.

In other words, it’s similar to colonial modernization theory.

Perhaps those who suffered colonial oppression would want to carry out bomb attacks if they heard this, but that’s all.

But why should I care? I only need Korea, my country from my past life, to do well.

Anyway, the colonies will gain independence more safely and will be able to play with the infrastructure left by the colonial powers.

Therefore, the Royal Party currently responsible for Britain couldn’t help but rejoice at my speech.

The world’s strongest power is helping them spin the washing machine? How can they resist? Especially Mosley, with tears welling up in his eyes.

“Long live British-Russian friendship! God protect both monarchs!”

After successfully concluding the speech like that.

I was planning to enjoy myself properly over the course of a week.

“Wow, it’s really the living saint!”

“Your Majesty! Just once over here! Please look this way just once!”

Britain was in an uproar too.

In Britain as well, I was a living goddess incarnate.

The treatment of a saint seems truly remarkable wherever I go.

For a while, the British regarded meeting me as equivalent to meeting their own monarch.

How endearing is that?

Perhaps the majesty of Ana-chan exists here too.

“This popularity will continue even after death. Why am I so famous in Britain?”

“From what I’ve heard, it’s due to the influence during the war.”

“The war?”

What did we do during that war? I don’t remember.

“Didn’t Your Majesty provide a lot of support to Britain back then?”

That’s right. I did attach various conditions, though.

But that was merely an exchange for mutual benefit. Is that why they’re fawning over me like this?

“I did, yes. But even so, just for that?”

“More precisely, it seems the new Russian foods—the ones Your Majesty created that can be prepared easily—were popular. That added to your popularity.”

Thinking about it now makes me laugh.

How satisfying that the British, from a hostile country, respect and worship me so much?

“At this rate, the Constantinople Treaty will be maintained without much difficulty.”

Drozdovsky, who accompanied me, laughed heartily.

Yes, yes. I think so too, from my perspective.

For a while, it will be maintained by my charisma, and once it’s completely settled, that’s it.

The Constantinople Treaty will continue indefinitely.

Of course, there might be some noise in the process, but that’s all.

“That would be fortunate.”

Perhaps thinking about the Constantinople Treaty continuing far into the future, I feel like I can indulge in some national pride.

There’s nothing bad about it from our perspective.

A saint praised by all countries. Ah, how can I bear this?

For a while, I even held fan signing events for the British in England, amid their infinite love.

Unlike modern events, it’s more like a kind of reward for the British who respect me.

Who would have thought those hostile country folks would become my fans?

“I got the saint’s signature!”

Isn’t this enough?

Well, where should I go next?

I’m not opposed to visiting Ireland at least once.

They suddenly gained complete independence along with Northern Ireland.

If it weren’t for Goebbels, the story would have been different.

If the British army hadn’t been captured at Dunkirk, could Ireland have gained independence? That’s a different question.

It seems peaceful now, but perhaps.

Might Britain target Ireland once they regain their senses?

No, those who decolonized within the Constantinople Treaty wouldn’t act like that.

Still, I should secure a guarantee. It would be good to visit once.

“Are you thinking of going to Ireland?”

“It wouldn’t be bad.”

It’s a bit troublesome, but this is image-making.

It’s good for both sides. It’s like telling the Irish that I guarantee their independence.

That’s good.

Having Ireland as a partner country wouldn’t be bad either.

Just as I was about to visit Ireland.

“Your Majesty. Civil war has broken out in India. Gandhi has been shot and his fate is unknown.”

“The desired event has occurred.”

It’s unfortunate for Gandhi, but it can’t be helped.

If he had listened to me earlier, he would have at least ended up like Soong Mei-ling, but sadly, he insisted on unification until the end.

Anyway, with this, the Constantinople Treaty will soon intervene in India again.

* * *

New Delhi, India

Gandhi had gathered representatives of each faction in Delhi, the capital of newly independent India.

Despite Anastasia’s threats, he intended to move quickly toward a unified India during this period when the Constantinople Treaty was focused on post-war reconstruction.

“Everyone, we must never be divided. We must be one! Only a united India will lead us to a new world!”

“Will there be a place for us Sikhs in that country?”

“Of course. There will be a place for Sikhs.”

“But the caste system will remain, won’t it?”

The fundamental problem: the caste system.

In fact, due to communist Germany’s influence, the main position of Indian independence activists had been to achieve independence first. But Britain suddenly declared, “You’re independent!” and proclaimed a return to pre-colonial divisions, declaring independence for various religions and ethnicities before withdrawing from India.

Naturally, Gandhi had no intention of allowing this. Before the separation became entrenched, Gandhi tried to unite India.

He planned to act quickly before separate independence movements could take hold.

However, before leaving, the British had actively sowed discord regarding the caste system—their passive skill—and as a result, to achieve unification, the caste system had to be addressed first.

However, since the caste system was fundamental to India, there was palpable tension.

Religious issues were also impossible to decide hastily.

Uniting people of different religions.

That was impossible in current India.

“If India becomes one, we can form a new government together and change things gradually.”

“There’s no certainty! In the end, you’ll entice us with sweet words and nothing will change!”

“That’s right! We cannot be with those obsessed with evil practices of the old era! It would be better to live independently!”

It would be better to live independently.

Everyone was saying that now.

“The Russian Empress promised separate independence for Sikhs, Gandhi! Why are you so obsessed with unifying the Indian peninsula? Do you ultimately want to stand at the top of the caste system?”

“Untouchables! The caste system is India’s unique institution!”

“I knew it. With people like that around, what? You want us all to be together? Talk sense!”

“We Muslims cannot be with Hindus either. Why should we become one with you when we can establish our own country? What do you mean by India being one? Even the Mughal Empire had vassal states becoming independent in its later period, so strictly speaking, it wasn’t one. Why maintain what the British forcibly unified?”

True. Gandhi’s personal ambition was not entirely absent.

From the beginning, it was questionable whether this could be called unification.

But for Gandhi, this was a trial for unification, and if not now, there would never be another opportunity.

“Division will never benefit us. The Russian Empress wants to divide us to prevent us from becoming strong!”

“Yet you want to continue what the British left behind!”

“We also don’t want the caste system! We cannot tolerate Gandhi unless he declares the abolition of evil practices in the new India!”

“The new government will include Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, and various people. We can solve the problems of evil practices and religion gradually!”

In other words, nothing had been achieved.

In reality, Gandhi himself had no proper solution.

Of course, he planned to try to improve existing evil practices with the help of other religions and factions once a government was formed.

“Gandhi, can you stop Russia if they come?”

“The Constantinople Treaty has just ended a war and is reorganizing Europe. No matter how powerful the Russian Empress is, would she invade after advocating decolonization, if we establish a unified government while they’re taking care of Europe?!”

Gandhi’s calculation was simple.

It might seem similar to other leaders who tried to stand against Russia, but Anastasia cares about her image both domestically and internationally.

Gandhi knew this too.

If they could form a government together before Anastasia’s Europe turned its attention to India, what could they do?

Gandhi saw sufficient possibility.

Those who advocate decolonization and peace might grit their teeth, but they would never take back their words.

That’s what he thought, but.

The devil’s whispers from Britain exerted considerable magic.

“If you wish to establish a country, we will certainly support you. This is not done with any expectations in return. If you desire weapons, food, we will certainly provide them and recognize you as a country in the international community.”

These were the sweet whispers uttered by those who had ruled Britain for so long to each independence faction.

“How can we trust you?”

“We will have your government join the United Nations that will be established. It is what we, Britain, who modernized India, should do.”

Though past their prime, Britain, still maintaining the position of the strongest nation(?) among the Constantinople Treaty members along with Russia, said they would help as compensation, expressing insincere regret.

That might seem like nonsense, but the leader of the faction that Britain belongs to is none other than Anastasia.

They heard that even Soong Mei-ling, a figure like Gandhi in China, had already surrendered. So, it was believable.

“We will become independent.”

“No. We must not be deceived by Britain’s divisive tactics!”

“What? Cooperate with those who want to abolish the caste system? Talk sense!”

Complaints against Gandhi arose even among hardliners defending the caste system, as he proposed cooperating with factions calling for its abolition.

And naturally, Gandhi’s attempt failed.

Bang!

Like any other day, as he was calling for Indian unification, he was shot by an unknown assailant.

Whether it was someone from the Sikh community who only talked, a Hindu faction hostile to Gandhi’s reforms, or Muslims—the culprit was unknown.

“What? The saint doesn’t get hurt even when shot.”

As Gandhi’s life hung in the balance, even Anastasia supporters hiding within India were shocked.

The Tsar, a saint, doesn’t even get injured, but Gandhi was wounded.

Naturally, Anastasia supporters couldn’t view Gandhi favorably either.

“No. India must become one…”

With Gandhi’s fate unknown, the separate independence movements of various factions were greatly influenced.

They blamed each other for the shooter who targeted Gandhi. Naturally, mutual distrust only grew.

“Comrades, let us rise up! We must establish a Sikh nation!”

“Let’s establish an Islamic nation!”

“We are no longer untouchable! Those who served under the British must step down!”

“Yet you seek independence with the help of that same Britain!”

Chandra Bose, Nehru, Sikhs, and the privileged classes at the top of the existing caste system all rose up with their own beliefs.

Chandra Bose and Nehru had desired unification, but seeing Gandhi’s death and the already divided situation, they abandoned the same thinking as Gandhi.

They rose up, taking up weapons that Britain had coincidentally left behind, each trying to survive.