Ch.327For the Restoration of Hellenism (4)

# The Unexpected Scapegoat

***

No matter how much I racked my brain for solutions, I kept coming back to the same conclusion.

Given the current situation, new possibilities had even emerged.

“They say the Russian Tsar foresaw this Persian Gulf oil field situation too. If he’s considering war with us, doesn’t that mean he’s already seen a future where we’re completely defeated?”

“That’s going too far. Anyway, we can’t just surrender.”

It was already over.

But we’d come too far to simply submit.

“Shouldn’t there at least be an ultimatum?”

“The Hellenism-Islamic Federation plans to reorganize the Arab world as a subordinate organization of the Rome Treaty Organization. They’re telling us to submit on our own.”

Submit to Rome or not. It was essentially a one-sided notification.

The Islamic world must submit to the Rome Treaty.

And they would need help from each constituent country of the Rome Treaty, not from fellow Islamic nations.

“Then who gets the oil?”

“The oil apparently goes to them, of course.”

No matter how much the Iraqi and Iranian diplomats thought about it, this seemed wrong.

If they accepted, they could clearly envision their own heads being the first to fall.

So, was there a better option?

For now, all they could do was resist until the very end.

Meanwhile, around this time, Greece actively participated in the Rome Treaty’s request for military intervention.

“If we play our cards right, we might claim the rights of the Hellenistic Empire!”

“This is our chance to show our capabilities within the Rome Treaty!”

They were under several misconceptions, but in reality, Greece had been promised certain rights as the successor to the Hellenistic Empire by the Rome Treaty, so perhaps it was natural.

The Greek army, armed with Rome Treaty weapons (essentially Russian-made), accepted the Rome Treaty’s request for participation and sent their elite troops—who had withstood the strongest Roman army under heaven—to the Middle Eastern expedition.

***

After Turkey declared the Caliphate, Nejd and Hejaz were also absorbed into Turkey’s sphere of influence.

Shortly after hearing this news, I moved south from the Caucasus and joined the Rome Treaty forces.

I heard there were quite a few Greek troops in this Rome Treaty force.

Out of the 250,000 troops, 30,000 were Greek soldiers—which might seem small compared to the 180,000 Russian troops, but from Greece’s perspective, they had selected only their absolute elite.

They put in considerable effort this time because of the Hellenistic Empire.

Come to think of it, I’ve never been to Greece. Maybe I should visit sometime when I get the chance.

It seems quite peaceful there too.

They’ve had no complaints since receiving help from Turkey from the middle of World War II.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had an outing.”

Though for me, an outing means war.

This will definitely make me look like the Saint of Death in the future. Still, it feels refreshing to be out after so long.

I’m currently at the Iraqi border.

The plan is to break through to Iran from here, then turn around and head to Saudi Arabia, which has already been dealt with.

No, it’s Turkish Arabia now. Anyway.

“It’s truly an honor to return to the battlefield with Your Majesty.”

This time, founding member Ungern has personally joined the campaign.

Well, his participation is perhaps natural.

“I didn’t expect General Ungern to take the field personally.”

“I’ll be leading the armored division.”

“Armored division, eh? I suppose I’ll be watching from atop an armored vehicle this time.”

Relying on reinforced concrete buildings for defense might be problematic, but would urban warfare be manageable in this era?

“I’d like to ride in one too, but unfortunately that won’t be possible.”

I really want to ride in a tank and fire the cannon. It’s disappointing that I can’t.

In my next life, I’d like to be born with a normal body that can do anything.

“Your Majesty will just be on a sightseeing trip anyway.”

“Is that so? Well, with this many troops, it couldn’t be anything but sightseeing.”

With this many troops, good quality weapons, and substantial manpower—not to mention they’re all World War veterans—it’s obvious.

This force alone should be more than enough to take Iraq and Iran.

The only problem is that Greece joined this war to boost their national pride.

I hear they’re moving quite fast.

“The Greek forces have already advanced as the vanguard.”

What? Without our permission?

“Aren’t they moving too quickly?”

Won’t they get wiped out? They may be armed with Rome Treaty weapons, but are Iraq and Iran countries to be taken so lightly?

I don’t know much about this. Even Afghanistan was too scared to attack. Let’s just push to Tehran and finish them.

That’s all I could think.

“They’ve just departed earlier, but there can’t be no combat at all.”

“Something feels off. The Greek army didn’t accomplish much during World War II.”

Did the Greek army achieve anything notable? Unless we’re talking about Russian, Danubian Federation, or German elites, what did they do? Wasn’t receiving help from the Turkish army their best achievement?

“They withstood the invasion of the strongest Red Roman Army under heaven, so they weren’t completely ineffective.”

The strongest Red Roman Army under heaven.

That’s what Italy’s Mussolini occasionally claimed.

And quite fittingly, Mussolini’s army was blocked everywhere.

“Well, considering Mussolini was their opponent, I question how impressive that really was. Hmm.”

Right. I guess they did fight to some extent.

Should we leave everything to the Greek army then? Let them take Iraq and Iran with their 30,000 troops, and we’ll handle the occupation management. You’re cut off at the Greek line! That’s it.

“What’s our primary objective?”

“We plan to advance directly to Baghdad and take the capital first.”

Right. These things need to be done quickly.

Take the capital in one go, then take Iran. If this drags on, the United States might see it as a new phase and try to get involved somehow.

We can’t allow that.

“Both Iraq and Iran must be stunned by this sudden offensive.”

“That would be the case.”

Victory is certain anyway.

They have no backing or support, while we have a perfect elite army with World War experience. Superior weapons and superior soldiers.

No need for caution—just attack.

“How are the defense preparations in Iraq currently?”

The fact that Iraq hasn’t surrendered suggests they intend to hold out until the end, either because they have something to rely on or they want to maintain their pride.

“It seems they’re trying to defend Baghdad somehow.”

Defending Baghdad, huh.

Abandoning all other regions and setting up a last stand in the capital, hoping to land one good hit?

“So they’re giving up everything else and making their stand in Baghdad.”

They’ll hold out in Baghdad. Nothing quite like a capital-grad defense.

It feels like they’re planning to go down in flames. Baghdad is a historic place too.

They have too much pride to surrender.

In that case, couldn’t we offer them leniency with a change of government as a condition?

“They don’t seem willing to surrender.”

“If they surrendered, things would go more smoothly. But accumulated damage in Baghdad would be problematic. Can we attack quickly while minimizing casualties?”

Even in war, we should minimize damage. The Greek forces being ahead is somewhat concerning.

“We’ll advance while minimizing casualties, so don’t worry. The Greek forces are ahead anyway.”

Using Greece as our vanguard to minimize our own casualties. Good plan.

Greece already has a small population, and if they’re willing to deplete themselves, well, it’s sad but what can we do?

“That works for me.”

But here’s where the problem arose.

The Greek army wasn’t here as part of the Rome Treaty Organization’s forces.

According to news I heard later, Greek commander Papagos declared them to be the army of the Neo-Hellenistic Empire.

“The Greek army is what? The Neo-Hellenistic army?”

The army of the Neo-Hellenistic Empire.

We did promise Greece some stake, but this seems a bit much.

“Yes. Since the Megali Idea didn’t work out, they’re calling themselves the Neo-Hellenistic army while engaging and thoroughly crushing the Iraqi forces.”

Oh, is Greece suddenly filled with national pride? How pathetic must the Iraqi army be to be pushed back so easily?

Well, Rome Treaty weapons are certainly enough to defeat them handily.

“Why this sudden rampage?”

“It seems that since we’ve recovered Byzantium and Turkey has reclaimed the former Ottoman territories, Greece—though unable to expand due to neighboring countries—wants to at least gain interests in the Middle East.”

These Greeks have had no presence until now, and now they’re trying to make something of themselves here.

They’re smarter than I thought.

Before we even crossed the border, these Greeks proclaimed themselves the Neo-Hellenistic Empire and went in.

“They’re insane.”

I never thought the Greeks would be this crazy.

What were they thinking? Did the king approve this? Who is the current Greek king anyway?

“Greek nationalism is apparently rising actively in Greece now.”

“Is that so?”

Of all places, nationalism is burning in Greece.

“That’s what the Greek supply unit I just saw said. I suppose they see this as their opportunity to make a move.”

Right. I understand why they want to try.

Nationalism has emerged in Greece of all places. When the opportunity arose, they seized it immediately.

Aren’t they acting beyond their weight class? Beyond their means?

“They’re insane.”

“I have an interesting thought. They’re counting on us, aren’t they?”

Are these Greeks acting so boldly because they’re relying on us?

When you think about it, how shocking is that?

“Yes. While calling themselves the Neo-Hellenistic Empire, they’re counting on us.”

In other words, it’s like the fox borrowing the tiger’s power.

They’re running wild because we’re behind them! Let’s make Greece’s name known while we’re at it! That’s their thinking.

Won’t we end up taking the blame because of them? Wait a minute.

Ah, I think I have a good idea.

“Hmm. If that’s the case, hmm.”

“What is it? Do you have something in mind?”

I just had a brilliant idea.

Truly, without lying, a way to make Russia not look like the bad guy, but rather make the Rome Treaty Organization appear as a relatively peaceful, righteous organization.

As if we’re deliberately trying to stabilize a destroyed country.

Although the war was approved, the Rome Treaty Organization is officially being dispatched to “maintain peace in the Middle East.”

But suddenly Greece has gone berserk.

This means Greece isn’t following the Rome Treaty Organization headquarters.

In this battle, I am essentially the commander-in-chief.

Even if we support the Greek army, they’re still in a secondary position.

“Let’s separate Greece from the treaty forces.”

“By separating Greece, do you mean excluding them from this treaty force?”

That’s not it.

But we should say Greece is acting independently and causing trouble. The Greek performance is actually quite good right now. They’re stirring things up everywhere, attacking, and doing perfectly.

Then we don’t need to step in, and it looks like Greece is going wild on their own.

This way, we could even become the saviors.

“They’re already advancing ahead, aren’t they?”

“That’s true.”

So here’s my thought.

We continue to pretend to support Greece as they advance ahead.

“I don’t mean complete exclusion. What if we say the Rome Treaty forces are coming to clean up the mess Greece has made?”

Isn’t this perfect? I don’t usually come up with plans like this, but this seems brilliant.

If they’re upset, they shouldn’t have gone berserk with their antics.

“You want to make them the bad guys.”

Operation Make Greece the Bad Guy. We came for you. So rest assured.

Then we support the cities damaged by Greece and I personally comfort the people.

Isn’t this a perfect picture?

The troops deployed at the border are just a precaution. It seems there’s no need to bring in the armored division.

“That’s right. Let’s appear to be helping from behind while offering some carrots.”

We can enter the villages devastated by Greece, provide generous aid, and criticize the Greek army. That should be enough.

“Let Greece play all the bad roles while we stabilize the occupied territories, set up a pro-Rome Treaty government, and establish an Islamic-Hellenistic Federation. Not bad, right?”

This way, only Greece will look like the villain, not us.

It’s a bit sad for Greece, but didn’t they survive the Great War thanks to us?

Then they can take this much criticism.

Who would have thought Greece would voluntarily take the fall like this?

This has unintentionally become a Hitler-like move.