Ch.319Towards the Middle East

# Hejaz Kingdom

The Caliph of Hejaz, Ali bin Hussein, received a British diplomat from the Roman Treaty.

Hejaz, which should have disappeared long ago in the original timeline, had survived for a long time with support from allied nations like Britain, a member of the Roman Treaty, and thus had always been following their lead.

“So you’re telling me to attack Nejd now?”

“Yes. Our Roman Treaty will help Hejaz.”

Ali bin Hussein frowned at the words delivered with that characteristically British, vile smile full of underhanded schemes.

“Are you saying you’ll provide military support?”

“In exchange, we would like to take the Persian Gulf and some territory.”

The Persian Gulf and some territory.

Judging by their desire to take the coastal areas, now that the colonial era was over, they seemed to want to build ports to station their warships. That wouldn’t be difficult.

At this rate, the Roman Treaty’s support might soon be cut off anyway, and Hejaz would quickly be annexed by the Saud family of Nejd.

While a unified Arabia needed to be achieved, he didn’t want to surrender so easily to Nejd.

And now the Roman Treaty was offering support. Whether Hejaz was annexed as things stood or remained confined to this tiny territory, giving up the Persian Gulf in exchange for unification wouldn’t be bad.

Still, he was curious about their motives.

What were they thinking?

“Well, that’s not difficult, but what’s your reason? Until now, you’ve only provided weapons. Why this sudden change?”

“We need ports in the Persian Gulf.”

There was no way that was the whole story.

Clearly there was something more, but if they weren’t willing to explain, he couldn’t simply accept such an implausible offer of goodwill.

It was a fair question. Would these people really shed blood for such a reason?

Of course, Hussein, unaware that there were massive oil fields in that territory, frowned even more.

“The Roman Treaty already has influence everywhere in the world. Are you really going to shed blood for us just for a piece of the Persian Gulf?”

It made no sense no matter how he looked at it.

Until now, the Roman Treaty had only provided support, and there had even been talk of reducing that support as weapons were needed elsewhere.

“That’s right. There are other reasons.”

As expected. What reason could they have for offering help?

No matter how many times he thought about it, he couldn’t understand what these cunning people were planning.

Were they really just pretending to be kind, trying to create a false historical narrative that white civilization had brought guidance and peace to the world?

They must be plotting something underhanded.

The fact that it was a British diplomat who had come made it even more suspicious.

“Tell me. It seems strange that you’re suddenly offering support.”

Despite being in a position to receive aid, Hussein was well aware of how wicked the European powers could be.

And now they were offering direct military support?

He wondered what the Roman Treaty was thinking by targeting Nejd.

“The Iraqis have dared to rebel against us and are trying to form an alliance among Middle Eastern countries. We want to make an example of Nejd while giving Hejaz an opportunity for unification.”

“Why not just attack Iraq directly?”

Why come this way instead of attacking directly? Honestly, doesn’t this seem illogical?

“We want to show that the world moves only according to the will of the Roman Treaty. This is just a warning to Iraq.”

The meaning was clear: rather than attacking Iraq directly, which might seem petty, they would legitimately intervene here by supporting Hejaz toward unification.

To show the Middle Eastern countries that world order is determined solely by the will of the Roman Treaty.

Of course, there was also the intention to betray their allies later, but that could be addressed when the time came.

After all, disposing of a place like Hejaz wouldn’t be difficult.

“Very well. I accept.”

Ali bin Hussein, not knowing what would happen to his country in the future, took the bait at the promise of unification.

* * *

The Arabian Unification War.

The Hashemite family of Hejaz and the Saud family of Nejd once again drew swords against each other for hegemony over Arabia.

In the original timeline, the Saud family would have won, with their king holding both the titles of King of Nejd and King of Hejaz before evolving into Saudi Arabia, but unfortunately, that hadn’t happened yet.

And now Hejaz was receiving support from the Roman Treaty, the New Rome.

The military force was primarily composed of British and Turkish troops.

Of course, troops from the Italian Federation, Greece, and the Danubian Federation joined to play supporting roles.

Naturally, Nejd was shocked by the Roman Treaty’s declaration of war and sent representatives to us.

“What have we done to deserve this? Please withdraw your troops.”

“Well, why are you in the Middle East? Consider yourselves taking the beating meant for Iraq.”

Their pleading was pitiful, but what could be done?

If they were upset, they should have been in Hejaz’s position.

Above all, siding with Hejaz offered more to exploit.

“We have no intention of aligning with other Middle Eastern countries.”

“We are merely maintaining our loyalty to the oil fields—I mean, to Hejaz. The Roman Treaty is the successor to ancient Rome. If we cannot keep one promise, we cannot call ourselves Rome’s descendants.”

Nejd’s delegation had to withdraw without achieving anything.

Yes, it couldn’t be helped.

They were simply taking a hit as they passed by.

After all, we weren’t going to destroy them, just unify them with Hejaz. We would just add a Caliph to the mix.

If we were to help Nejd instead, there would be nothing to gain.

To be honest, unlike Hejaz which desperately needed support, Nejd would give us less if we supported them.

And when a small country unifies Arabia, we can take advantage of it more easily.

And supporting Nejd might seem more legitimate. Well, it can’t be helped.

Initially, there was talk of preventive war against Islamic extremists, but these people who currently appear ready to form alliances might even contact the United States.

That’s the purpose of this punitive expedition.

Like proper white civilization, gentlemanly and smoothly. We made grand claims that we had no choice but to attack, but the truth was different.

The Roman Treaty Organization approved.

Of course, not because of a preventive war against potential future Islamic extremists, but to prevent Middle Eastern solidarity and contact with the United States—a plausible war to consolidate power.

Frankly speaking, if Islamic extremists emerge later because of the war I started, future generations might evaluate that this disaster happened because of that preventive war. Even if things become safer thanks to me, would it have been appropriate to mobilize the Roman Treaty’s army for such a reason? Such questions could arise.

So we decided that this was a just war—dealing with Hejaz as Hejaz, and beating down these countries to prevent them from uniting while Iraq was causing trouble.

When considering national interests, it makes sense.

In reality, aside from the fact that the United States couldn’t stop it, the Roman Treaty did help grow Argentina in South America.

This could be retaliation in the Middle East. For example, saying, “We’ll help you acquire nuclear weapons to protect your lives!”

Of course, this is almost meaningless since Middle Eastern countries have signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, but still.

It’s uncomfortable having such people right below Russia.

“How did the Duma conclude today?”

“They decided to supply materials to the Arabian expedition force.”

“Yes. That’s not difficult.”

I nodded at Alisa’s report and popped a mint chocolate into my mouth.

The sweetness of mint and chocolate sliding down my throat—what freshness!

Since we’ve decided to secure the major oil fields, I’m satisfied if we gain a lot just by supplying materials.

“They shouldn’t have gone against the wolf-like white civilization.”

If they had just stayed quiet, we would have taken care of them like gentlemen, but when pride is hurt, there’s no choice.

“Perhaps it’s only natural?”

Maria, who was supplying me with mint chocolate from behind, suddenly said such a thing.

That they would form alliances was natural, she said.

I never expected Maria to say something like this.

“You think so?”

The Duma is full of yes-men, so I was curious.

“Yes. South America is uniting, the Federalism Movement could be considered a single force if examined closely, and the Asian Union Co-Prosperity Sphere is looser than us but still united and under us, so it’s understandable they feel anxious enough to unite.”

That’s true.

If it were just Russia alone, I might have let it go.

I could have appeased Iraq nicely, or even completely severed ties without needing to mobilize force for a demonstration.

The Hejaz Unification War, and the Middle Eastern war that would follow.

To be honest, I’m not entirely enthusiastic about it either.

Until now, we could attach various justifications, but this time it’s essentially just about resources. But looking at it from another perspective, we’re in a similar position.

The fact that the United States might approach them to check the Roman Treaty Organization. Of course, MacArthur and I had a private conversation like “You take that area, and we’ll take this one, haha,” but the United States is quite bitter right now.

For all we know, they might show interest in the future.

Sigh. How did it come to this?

“Yes. But you know, the Roman Treaty Organization has essentially only been challenged once since World War II after integration. It’s a matter of face. If Britain had remained separate, it might be different, but now that Britain is also our member, this is unavoidable.”

The Middle East was just unlucky.

Honestly, Ethiopia probably didn’t want to yield Sudan to Egypt over the Sudan issue either, but they still handled Sudan like Solomon.

Wait, hold on. Come to think of it, Afghanistan is also in the Middle East.

Afghanistan is known as the graveyard of empires, isn’t it?

This makes me think differently. Afghanistan is a country that defeated the Mongol Empire, British Empire, Soviet Union, and United States despite their attacks.

Damn. If this goes wrong, we might be the ones recording a defeat here.

Since we ultimately have to fight the war with infantry.

Should we avoid attacking Afghanistan?

Strictly speaking, taking just Iraq might be enough. To capture Afghanistan, we would need to completely wipe it out, which isn’t cost-effective.

“Well, let’s just break through to Iraq for now. It’s a shame.”

If Iraq drags in other Middle Eastern countries, that’s another matter, but judging by the current situation, it seems Iraq might face us alone.

For now, we need to focus more on Hejaz and Nejd.

Securing Arabian oil fields is important to us.

After all, the more you have, the better.

“Excuse me?”

“Afghanistan has abundant resources too. If Afghanistan rises up, that’s one thing, but there’s no reason to attack them otherwise.”

The Duma understands and makes plans even if I just mutter like this.

Should I not mention it explicitly? What if records remain later asking how we knew all the resource locations?

I’ll need to manipulate the records appropriately. To prevent the deification of Anastasia, I’ll say it was because Russian intelligence was excellent and discovered various things.

This war will be recorded in our Roman Treaty history as a resource war or the debut of the Roman Treaty Organization.

We must create a world that’s at least more comfortable than the present.

“But Your Majesty seems to know everything.”

“Knowledge is necessary for survival.”

Honestly, if this were a fantasy world with something like longevity paper, it might be good to sacrifice myself and ascend to a position like Emperor of Humanity to watch over everything.

Well, if it were a world with such longevity paper, it probably wouldn’t be as chaotic as it is now.

As I always say, even I don’t know how I might change. I could become corrupt or crave power.

I might even start a nuclear war because I don’t like toilets.

“But usually, a saint is someone who shows mercy to everyone, right? If it’s Your Majesty, wouldn’t you want to share something?”

“Ah, umm, well, yes?”

For now, I will monopolize the oil fields and export to various places.

I didn’t say only the Roman Treaty would use it.

Well, unless the Roman Treaty decides to take all the oil in the future.

“With the oil fields, we won’t have to worry about the future.”

“That’s true, but is it right for us to monopolize the world’s resources like this?”

Hmm, Maria has such a caring side.

As Maria has grown older, her perspective on the world seems to have broadened.

Yes, that’s right. We are monopolizing a tremendous amount of resources.

“Why, do you suddenly feel like we’re being greedy?”

“Well, we already have so much, so it does feel a bit wasteful.”

Yes, we already have too much.

What we already possess is enough to be criticized for monopolization.

But there’s the future to consider.

Yes, for example, we need to consider the possibility of events like an oil shock.

We must prevent the weaponization of oil. That’s why oil monopoly is important.