Ch.333Pahlavi II (2)

# Tehran, Iran

The Greek army had to meet Zhukov well before entering Tehran.

They couldn’t simply ignore him, as he was sent directly by the Russian Tsar.

But today’s visit was one that absolutely could not be ignored.

“What, you’ve come again?”

Zhukov glared at Papagos with an extremely displeased expression.

“I’m certain you said you would be satisfied with Baghdad?”

Surely they should have been satisfied with Baghdad, so why were they now in Tehran?

Zhukov still privately held Greece in high regard.

Despite having good weapons, Greece had surprisingly pushed back the Middle Eastern coalition forces in just a few months.

They were worthy successors to the Eastern Roman Empire that had once defeated the Red Roman Army under the heavens.

Of course, apart from that, it was also true that he didn’t like how they were running wild as they pleased.

Even if it was intentional, weren’t they ignoring the warnings too much?

“On my way here, I noticed that every corner of Iraq has been reduced to ashes.”

“Hahaha! The Iraqi-Iranian alliance couldn’t withstand the advance of our Greek army.”

That wasn’t meant as a compliment, yet here he was, making such statements while consumed by arrogance.

Seeing him laugh so heartily, it seemed he still hadn’t come to his senses.

“You conveniently omit that all your country’s equipment is thanks to our Constantinople Treaty Organization’s weapons. Do you think this war is Greece’s alone?”

No, it wasn’t.

Papagos deliberately turned his head away.

It was true that he had become somewhat arrogant due to their recent successes.

“Ahem, it’s the Constantinople Treaty’s war. We’re doing our best to avoid causing any inconvenience to your Tsar.”

“Thanks to that, we’re deploying troops to maintain security and order in the cities your country has ravaged, and helping with food distribution and urban reconstruction.”

“I suppose we’ve been too much of a nuisance.”

He was still chuckling, apparently not having come to his senses yet.

Of course, this was all part of Her Majesty’s plan, but Papagos was being too disgusting about it.

What did he take people for?

“Our Tsar personally distributed aid and was threatened with assassination five times by terrorists with anti-Roman sentiments, aided by Greek forces.”

In fact, saying five times was an understatement; if one were to count the attacks by Iraqi and Iranian remnants, it would be more than ten times.

“W-what?”

Papagos shrank back momentarily.

Almost assassinated five times? So it was the Greek army’s fault?

The Tsar nearly died because of Greece.

Now that Papagos had finally realized the reality and opened his eyes wide, Zhukov spoke irritably.

“This is your second warning. Exercise restraint. If you ignore this second warning as well, it will be considered a violation of the Constantinople Treaty. There will be appropriate measures taken against Greece.”

“Measures?”

Russia would take measures? What kind of measures?

Greece is a member state of the Constantinople Treaty Organization. Moreover, is Greece just any country? It’s no different from Rome itself, which constituted ancient Rome. That’s what it means.

“As a member state of the Constantinople Treaty, we’ve been as lenient as possible until now, but our Mother Tsar has nearly died several times. The Tsar has mentioned that Greece could be used as a testing ground for future weapons. For instance, 250,000 troops could be redirected to Greece. That’s what it means.”

In other words, they would beat Greece to a pulp. That’s what he was saying.

At those words, Papagos gulped.

“Isn’t that too harsh?”

“You could have simply advanced to the capital and occupied it, but you insisted on scorching everything everywhere, causing us trouble and wasting our budget. After all that, does Greece have anything to say?”

It was true that the budget was currently enormous.

Because Greece had blown up and destroyed everything, the Constantinople Treaty had to take responsibility for rebuilding it.

Did that budget come from the Greek treasury? No, it came from the treasuries of all European powers.

Greece was effectively using British money, Russian money, Danubian money, and German money for Middle Eastern reconstruction costs.

And that’s not all. Where did the money for the weapons used by Greece come from?

It was normal for Greece to have nothing to say.

“Well.”

“Do you think this war would have been possible with Greece’s national power alone?”

No, it wouldn’t. It would be absolutely impossible with Greece’s national power alone.

What strength did Greece have to reach Iraq and Iran?

Even the war with Italy was only possible later because of support from the Constantinople Treaty.

Papagos swallowed dryly.

Somehow, as he spoke, his senses gradually returned.

“Please face reality. We’ve been patient because you’re a member state of Rome, but if this continues, Greece could be expelled.”

Expulsion from the Constantinople Treaty Organization.

Greece being expelled from Rome. What does this mean?

Even North Africa has been included as a partner country, yet Greece would be separated from Rome itself.

“Be careful.”

It shouldn’t end with just being careful.

At this point, Zhukov could put Greece down for the sake of Iraq and Iran, to show that the Constantinople Treaty was paying maximum attention to them.

After all, if the Middle East and Greece were placed on a scale, wouldn’t the Middle East naturally outweigh Greece?

Greece was originally part of the Constantinople Treaty Organization, and there’s no way Greece could leave the Constantinople Treaty Organization on its own.

Just quietly submit and that’s it, don’t overstep your bounds.

You’re not really the Hellenistic Empire.

“Apologize directly to our Mother Tsar and the kings of Iraq and Iran.”

Suddenly apologize?

“I can accept the Tsar, but Iraq and Iran…”

He had beaten them thoroughly, and still viewed Iraq and Iran as beneath Greece.

To apologize to two countries weaker than the Greek army? This was a bit too much for his pride.

Regardless, Zhukov spoke firmly, with a hardened face unlike before.

“I am here with virtually full authority delegated to me. If you continue like this, we might have to bring the Greek king here.”

In other words, he would put pressure on Greece to bring the Greek king directly here.

Papagos himself could drive Greece into danger because of what he had done.

“…I understand.”

To apologize to the leaders of countries they had just plundered.

Papagos wanted to say something but held back.

Anyway, they would be busy rebuilding Iraq and Iran because of Greece. That much was true, and he couldn’t unnecessarily put his country at risk.

The problem was that, judging by what the Tsar was saying, Greece would likely have difficulty securing any rights or interests afterward.

Even Britain had obtained shares in Arabian oil. If the Greek army had fought at the forefront like this but would gain nothing, that would be problematic.

Zhukov almost burst out laughing at the sight.

That’s what happens when you don’t exercise restraint. Of course, it was Mother Tsar’s plan, but still, it was the Greek army that did things they weren’t ordered to do.

However, regrettably, Mother Tsar seemed to still have thoughts of showing mercy even to these Greek fellows.

“Well, I’ll try to be as lenient as possible. If you’re so eager to make contributions, go somewhere else. Iraq and Iran are key countries in the Hellenistic Federation, so perhaps try in a different area.”

Try in a different area?

At those words, Papagos’s brain went into overdrive.

Iraq and Iran were off-limits. Then, think about making contributions elsewhere.

Looking beyond Iraq and Iran, wasn’t there Afghanistan?

Wasn’t Afghanistan also one of the countries to be conquered?

Afghanistan was clearly part of the Hellenistic Empire’s territory, and while Iraq and Iran might be considered central regions, conquering Afghanistan would also be beneficial.

If they did that much, the Russian Tsar might forgive them.

“Thank you.”

Papagos nodded with difficulty.

Apart from the apology, if they were to go as far as Afghanistan, there would be much to gain.

* * *

The news I had been waiting for arrived.

At last, those Greek bastards had finally yielded.

It seems Papagos had earnestly asked Zhukov to convey his message to me.

The problem is that when I told these guys to leave Iraq and Iran alone, they naturally chose another target.

“Greece is heading north toward Afghanistan.”

I nodded at Drozdovsky’s words.

Those guys are doing exactly what I wanted.

Greece has become unnecessarily bellicose, but I like it.

I don’t understand why these idiots are attacking elsewhere when told not to touch certain areas.

Right. There are many other ways. They could help rebuild Iraq and Iran. Still, I’m grateful they’re moving according to my wishes.

“Those crazy bastards.”

“Your Majesty, at the request of Faisal II, we have arranged for the Constantinople Treaty peacekeeping forces to be stationed in Iraq for a while.”

We notified the US that we would use the Constantinople Treaty forces as peacekeepers.

The US was busy defeating East Japan, and since this was originally our territory, they only expressed concern without further interference.

A truly perfect picture has been completed.

It might be good to have them take the lead and get rid of them every time something like this happens in the future.

“Hmm. How are the Iraqis reacting?”

“There’s no significant resistance.”

Right. There shouldn’t be any resistance.

After I’ve been so generous as to become their Allah, it would be unconscionable if there were resistance.

“When the Qasim faction collapses, we need to fill the positions in the New Iraq and Middle Eastern Hellenistic Army with Faisal II and his Royal Guard faction. Resolve this issue as well.”

Officially filling positions with pro-Roman forces.

It’s important not to abolish Islam but rather to provide moderate support to create pro-Roman factions within Islam as well.

If we fill them with money while things are still stable, everyone should be fine.

Originally, the Middle East’s deterioration is largely due to the US.

If we take care of them sincerely here and just extract oil, how dare they say anything against us?

“Yes. We will fill positions with pro-Roman forces and dispatch selected White Army officers of Iraqi origin.”

“That’s good. Then I should go to Tehran myself to deliver this news.”

Greece is really being helpful.

I’ll go to Tehran and console Pahlavi II, saying, “Oh, we’re so sorry,” while providing money and everything else.

“We must consider the possibility that King Pahlavi of Iran might not accept.”

“Then we’ll have to handle it accordingly.”

We can’t just sweep through Iran completely, can we?

We can’t use force to beat them either, so we can only resort to moderate intimidation, but considering history, they probably won’t ignore our proposal.

When we’re offering an enormous amount of money, would they dare ignore the proposal? No matter how angry they are, financial treatment works best in the adult world.

Even if we’re their parents’ enemies, how many people would refuse if we say “Sorry!” and give them billions?

Right. Let’s also take care of the mosques.

We should pour some money into Islam to prevent it from becoming corrupt and then color it with our own hue.

“Tell them we’ll take care of the mosques too.”

The important thing is to prevent extremists from running rampant.

To ensure the complete success of King Pahlavi’s westernization policy, we need to act as a financial backer.

I visited Iran personally as the head of the delegation.

Pahlavi II came out to greet me when he heard I was coming, and his face seemed to welcome me.

The Constantinople Treaty Organization flag and the Iranian flag were displayed together.

Of course, the citizens’ reaction wasn’t as favorable as in the US, as if hypnotized by some app, but considering the Greek army’s invasion, it was relatively favorable.

The city was also more intact than expected.

“They’re quite welcoming.”

“It’s natural since they believe they can overthrow Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, who pursued anti-Roman policies, thanks to us.”

It seems Mosaddegh was quite disliked.

Even so, isn’t it too welcoming for an organization behind the invading country?

“We should quickly remove the oil nationalization too.”

“Now we can clearly see how Pahlavi II will respond.”

Just looking at his bright face, it’s obvious he will help us.

I smiled as brightly as possible, as planned, with the utmost kindness.

I gave the kind of friendly smile that any Russian would enjoy.

“Thank you for such a warm welcome. I am Anastasia, Tsar of Russia.”

The Pahlavi II family approached awkwardly, seemingly taken aback by my smile.

That’s understandable. The final boss of the invading army appears before them with a bright smile; how absurd must it be from Pahlavi’s perspective.

Nevertheless, I sincerely exchanged greetings with the Pahlavi family, pretending to know nothing.

“You are very young, as rumored.”

Yes, this is the normal reaction.

Faisal II’s reaction was too matter-of-fact and boring.

In contrast, Pahlavi II’s reaction, questioning whether I was really human, was more to my liking.

“I am a saint, you see.”

“Ahem. It is an honor to meet the Roman Emperor. Please, let me escort you.”

Pahlavi II personally took me to their prime minister’s residence.

It doesn’t seem to be where the king usually stays, but literally the prime minister’s residence, which probably indicates that he holds the prime minister’s authority as well.

Well then, there’s no need to hide anything.

“I dislike beating around the bush, so I’ll speak directly. Greece’s invasion of the Middle East was a mistake.”

“A mistake, you say.”

“Originally, the Constantinople Treaty forces were dispatched to normalize the Arabian Peninsula. We intended to propose an Islamic-Hellenistic Federation to Iraq and Iran, but these foolish individuals misunderstood it as an attack and advanced.”

“So it wasn’t the intention of the Constantinople Treaty?”

No, it wasn’t. That’s what I’m saying.

Even the Greeks themselves declared they were a Neo-Hellenistic army.

They’re out of their minds.