Ch.288You Guys Can’t Make Something Like This, Can You?

# U.S. Pacific Commander Eisenhower arrived at the Moscow State Duma with a delegation.

A military man, and the Pacific Commander himself coming in person meant something.

Given the MacArthur military regime, and him being the U.S. Pacific Commander, this was ultimately about the Vietnam issue.

Because of this, I sat pouting at the head seat in the State Duma, unable to even see the IL-1000.

This was something the adults should handle. A young child like me should step back. After all, I’m still young Anastasia, at least on the outside.

At first, there was pointless back-and-forth with the American delegation.

It was a game of chicken between us.

And before long, the first to speak was Eisenhower, who was as angry as a child whose toy had been taken away.

He wanted to appear at the Duma in person.

Now that the European Unified Government is the Constantinople Treaty Organization headquarters in Russian Rome, it’s not unreasonable for Eisenhower to come directly to the Duma to argue.

“How could you do this with the Constantinople Treaty?”

“What seems to be the problem?”

His voice wasn’t raised yet, probably because he was being mindful of me, but somehow it felt like America was complaining to me.

“We’re keeping our promises with the Constantinople Treaty. But you sent Balhae and Japanese forces, the treaty’s military police, to Vietnam!”

Well, I’m terribly sorry about that.

I wanted to retort like that, but I just kept watching quietly.

Eisenhower was probably holding back from complaining directly to me too.

“If we were seriously considering participation, we would have sent Constantinople Treaty forces. Sending Balhae and Japanese forces was our way of appointing proxies to minimize our involvement.”

The moment Constantinople Treaty forces are dispatched, relations with the United States would collapse.

There wouldn’t be war with America, but for a while, relations between America and the Constantinople Treaty, which divides the world, would deteriorate to their worst.

The next time I visit America, there would be no welcoming crowds anywhere.

“You shouldn’t have done that in the first place. Sending Balhae and Japanese forces itself marked Vietnam as—”

“Think about it. Frankly speaking, didn’t you support Ngo Dinh Diem out of nowhere?”

“That’s…”

Right. Right. You supported him first.

Given time, Ho Chi Minh would have sided with America anyway. Blaming only us for this isn’t fair.

The decolonization declaration was ultimately about preparing former colonies to form their own governments.

In that situation, didn’t they push aside the Vietnamese government we legitimately authorized and suddenly interfere by backing the pro-American Ngo Dinh Diem?

“Yes, there was the establishment of pro-American forces. But what was the result? Wasn’t Ngo Dinh Diem’s ability insufficient to properly capture Ho Chi Minh? And conveniently for us, Ho Chi Minh requested our support, putting us in a difficult position. When a legitimate government authorized by the Constantinople Treaty requests support, what grounds do we have to refuse? Unless Ho Chi Minh lacked public support. But he has strong support, and wasn’t Ngo Dinh Diem someone hastily pushed forward by the American side?”

“Hmm.”

Litvinov’s words left Eisenhower tight-lipped.

America had no counterargument here.

They moved too hastily. We didn’t want to intervene in Vietnam like this either.

If they were going to interfere, they should have waited until a proper government was fully established.

What were they thinking, letting this reach the ears of the High Commissioner’s Office that was still in the process of withdrawal?

“So, provide weapons to the American military, but don’t take military action. In terms of numbers alone, doesn’t the South Vietnamese government have enough troops now? Of course, that’s just numbers, and inside they’re just swept up in this, so they’ll collapse under Ho Chi Minh’s advance. But wouldn’t it be inappropriate for America to get involved? The peacekeeping forces still in India must be struggling too.”

“And if Ho Chi Minh wins, what do you plan to do afterward?”

“It’s a simple matter. We’ll withdraw. After that, the American side can do whatever they want with Ho Chi Minh.”

Yes. We’ll withdraw.

We’ll withdraw all support for Ho Chi Minh and the Asian Allied Forces.

We’ve helped enough to fulfill our duty.

“So, you truly have no interest in Vietnam. Is that what you’re saying?”

“Let’s be clear. After the decolonization declaration, we delegated government authority to independence activists who opposed the colonial empire. If we exert influence again, wouldn’t there be criticism about recolonization? Don’t you agree?”

“That’s true, but…”

“We’re struggling just to monitor China. We’ve already extended to Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East, so getting involved in Vietnam would be too much. Again, even if we wanted to interfere, it would be difficult.”

This is so noisy.

Why are these men talking so much? I wonder if they’ll start questioning me next.

Maybe I should have pretended to go to South Africa like Hitler.

I heard the core of the treaty forces dispatched this time is the Danube Defense Force, so Hitler would be more appropriate than me going.

Come to think of it, it’s a bit suspicious. Why Hitler at this time?

But nothing serious will happen.

Adolf Hitler has really made it in this world. Isn’t it all thanks to me?

I’m having all sorts of random thoughts because I’m bored.

“But we can’t fully believe that…”, “Wouldn’t it be easier for America to have its way if Pacific nations weakened?”

Ugh. So noisy.

At least I’m busy thinking about various things right now. Like wanting to see the IL-1000 fly in person.

Why do I have to watch these men arguing with each other?

Why not just fight with fists?

Of course, if that were possible here, this wouldn’t be the Duma but something akin to a children’s playground, but they’re fighting like women.

I’m certain. Vladimir, that bastard. He’s hoping I’ll stabilize the world as much as possible, and when he ascends to the Tsar’s throne later, he plans to have it easy.

It’s truly disappointing.

As I was watching with boredom, yawning, Maria came with a plate of tanghulu neatly arranged.

“Your Majesty, I’ve prepared tanghulu.”

How pitiful must I look for Maria to bring snacks?

Sugar-coated strawberries, apples, and other fruits on skewers.

They looked deliciously well-made, glistening.

“Oh, um.”

It felt a bit like eating my own kind, but the tanghulu was delicious.

Better than nothing.

And not just Eisenhower, but the American delegation members and Roman National Party members were fighting among themselves.

“We’re in a position to cooperate with America. Even in a competitive and cautious relationship, wouldn’t the world be more peaceful if we cooperate?”

“Well said. Let’s be honest. You just like our American money, don’t you?”

“American gold is quite appealing, isn’t it?”

What is this? It’s like a couple fighting:

“You don’t love me, do you? You just like my money!”

“That’s right! Money is everything in this world!”

It’s like a fight between a money-hungry wife and a husband feeling betrayed.

But I’m in a hurry too.

Not in the sense of needing the bathroom, but today is the day the IL-1000 flies. I can finally see it today, but because of Eisenhower, what is this?

I’m starting to get angry.

I was planning to casually go to the Duma like a teacher, grade everything, and give a “well done” stamp. But suddenly Eisenhower appears.

The fact that it wasn’t just a Secretary of State being dispatched or an ambassador lodging a protest, but Eisenhower coming in person, shows how serious this is.

Just then, the sugar coating of the tanghulu broke in my mouth, charging me with intense sweetness.

Simultaneously, the sweet and sour taste of strawberry seeping into my mouth is quite impressive.

How absurd must this be for me to be eating tanghulu?

Now that I’ve had my tanghulu, I should say what needs to be said.

I stood up abruptly and stared at Eisenhower.

“Isn’t this a bit much in front of the Tsar? If you wanted to do this, you could have called me after it was over.”

“I apologize, Your Majesty.”

Eisenhower looked like he had a lot to say.

Yes. I understand why he’s looking at me like that, why he’s acting this way.

Considering I was the one who first suggested dividing the world, it makes sense he’s frustrated.

But you know what? We’re genuinely wronged this time.

They should have just fed Ho Chi Minh lots of money to make him dependent on America.

I want to put Vladimir in this seat.

I want to drag Vladimir away from his passionate time with his wife and make him sit here.

“Let’s moderate that. Let me play with my toys too.”

Finally, overcome with anger, I intervened.

Why should I, in my own place, allow an American and the Prime Minister to argue?

It’s fine for a delegation to come directly and argue.

At least if they were conscious of me, they should be kneeling.

“Pardon?”

“Toys?”

Oh my, these men have no romance.

Even the Duma shows no interest in the Ray Project that I’m interested in!

America must be interested in flying wings too, right? Or has history changed?

Anyway, showing it directly might be one approach.

“I should show the American envoy the Tsar’s toy.”

I brought Eisenhower directly to the airfield where the IL-1000 would fly.

And before him, I showed a sleek, sexy ray-shaped aircraft.

“What a strangely shaped aircraft.”

“It’s something we recently developed in Russia. It still needs some improvements.”

In reality, that’s unlike any Russian fighter that’s come out so far.

A ray-shaped aircraft.

And it’s not crudely made, but designed as elegantly as possible to match the current era.

Anyway, a lot has already been transferred through technology transfer, and Eisenhower can’t immediately copy this just by seeing it, so showing it isn’t a bad idea.

“Look at that. Isn’t it amazing?”

So I showed Eisenhower various aspects.

Whoooosh!

The sight of it soaring through the sky, using jet engines instead of propellers.

That flying plane! That giant ray cruising the sky! Isn’t it dominating the skies?

It’s my first time seeing it fly in person too.

“It was developed for war, I see.”

“It depends on how it’s used, right? I nagged our country’s aircraft designers to develop this plane.”

How about that? You can’t do this, can you?

That’s also what I’m implying in a roundabout way.

And at the same time, I’m trying to bury the Vietnam issue as much as possible by diverting attention.

“It’s incredible. Amazing. This is.”

“It still has many flaws though. It consumes a lot of fuel too. It’s just for flying, dropping bombs, and returning.”

There’s still no proper computer.

We can’t just put something like ENIAC in there. It would take a long time to make something like a B-2.

“It’s impressive.”

Eisenhower spoke with a lifeless voice.

It felt like he was just looking casually and responding formally.

But this should be enough of a warning.

Just make your protest moderately and end it without bothering me.

“So let’s end this amicably. Isn’t it a bit much to get red-faced over Vietnam? We just need the civil war to end.”

If Ho Chi Minh wins, we’ll take our technical victory and withdraw.

After all, we’re still keeping our promise to America.

So stop talking and get out. That’s it.

I’m telling you we’ll withdraw on our own, okay? The Asian Allied Forces can’t stay in Vietnam for long either.

Lee Beom-seok’s army needs to end this quickly before taking heavy casualties. From our side, we’d rather not have to worry about it.

“I understand.”

Eisenhower finally stopped protesting and returned to America with his lips tightly sealed.

“Indeed, that Yankee was noisy, so Your Majesty showed our technological prowess to silence him.”

Ungern was admiring this, but that wasn’t really the case.

America will develop all this anyway. I seriously meant that I have things I want to do, so don’t bother me with Vietnam.

That applies even more to outsiders.

“The Duma still lacks many things.”

I’m not sure if that’s how it should be treated, but I genuinely wanted to show off that aircraft.

Above all, it also meant: are you making flying wings too?

“Your Majesty. Is there any immediate use for that?”

That question sounds like: do you have any use for it, or are you just wasting money?

“Why wouldn’t there be? It’s right there.”

Don’t think I brought this out for no reason, even if it is a toy.

I have my own plans.

“Are you referring to Vietnam?”

“Yes, Vietnam. Let it move freely in South Vietnamese airspace.”

After all, all Constantinople Treaty Organization countries are Rome constituent states.

It looks impressive to let something like this fly around in another country’s airspace.

And South Vietnam is the perfect target, isn’t it?

“But attacking is a bit…”

“Let’s just have it fly around. It will intimidate the South Vietnamese and let us see the aircraft’s performance directly. Not bad, right?”

After all, dropping bombs with a Constantinople Treaty Organization bomber would be an act of aggression.

Just flying around is enough.

* * *

Saigon, South Vietnam.

Contrary to Anastasia’s expectations, South Vietnam was being pushed back by the southward advance of the Asian Allied Forces.

The South Vietnamese military itself wasn’t very enthusiastic about fighting, and having recently gained independence, their army wasn’t in perfect condition.

It would be fortunate if they could just hold their ground.

Naturally, combat methods like those in the original Vietnam War—creating tunnels and traps throughout the jungle to attack American forces—were impossible.

They were being pushed back helplessly without even time to think about such tactics.

Though it wasn’t a complete defeat yet.

“Why can’t the American military help us?”

“Didn’t you say you could handle things well if we provided support?”

Begging now seems a bit unseemly, doesn’t it? That’s what the American military was saying.

In truth, America had a lot to say too.

They had sent Eisenhower, a close associate of the influential MacArthur and Pacific Commander, to confront Russia, but as Russia said, if Ngo Dinh Diem had resolved the issue quickly, there wouldn’t have been a civil war.

But who was it that ultimately let Ho Chi Minh escape and triggered a civil war?

They had even made it clear in advance that they couldn’t help.

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“We’ll continue to provide weapons and medical supplies as we are now, but anything beyond that is difficult. The Constantinople Treaty is behind the Asian Alliance. At the center of the Constantinople Treaty is Russia, a superpower like us. This means we can’t engage in all-out war with the Constantinople Treaty for your regime.”

Logically, they couldn’t fight the Constantinople Treaty for this incompetent person.

Both the Constantinople Treaty and America were in a situation where fighting each other was undesirable. In fact, the American military had suffered more casualties than in the original history due to operations from Pearl Harbor to the collapse in Japan.

In this situation, going to war to help this incompetent figure? Unthinkable.