Ch.362A World Lacking Something

The Chetnik command was completely dragged away by the Danube Defense Force.

“How pitiful they’ve become. I can’t believe such a people actually exist in this world.”

“In the end, it seems they’ve reaped what they sowed.”

I nodded slightly at Maria II’s words.

Serbia was finished with this.

They say fewer than tens of thousands of people remain in the Serbian autonomous region.

The Serbian people will now be absorbed into various places.

And when nationalism flares up again, they’ll fight within their adopted countries and end up in an impossible situation.

“What pitiful fellows.”

“What will happen to them now?”

For one thing, Serbia will never be able to establish a country again.

Göring and Hitler will obviously bring in immigrants to what was once Serbian land.

Well, that’s the end of the Serbian people.

From the Rome Treaty’s perspective, it’s not bad that they’ve ruined themselves like this.

“Hopefully, they won’t scatter everywhere and cause terrorism.”

The pro-militia faction is now in an impossible situation.

They’ll inevitably be incorporated into the Danube and live as Danube citizens.

It’s pitiful, but that’s the fate an evil nation must suffer as consequence of their actions.

Well, now what remains is the Israel situation.

“The Chinese warlords seem to be clashing among themselves now.”

“I suppose so.”

In the end, there’s not much the warlords can do right now.

They’re just busy with the work of unification.

“What about Israel?”

“Israel seems to be fighting hard.”

A conflict with the Israeli army was something I had greatly hoped for.

This time I just threw it out there, but in the end, both sides are engaged in a battle that makes one’s heart narrow.

Regardless of their own intentions, it’s a battle between the Han Chinese, who turn any people they dominate into “Chinese” by assimilation, and the Jews, who never mix with others.

It’s a heart-narrowing fight either way. But on the other hand, it’s an exciting battle.

For now, the Chinese army is inferior to the Israeli army.

They’re armed with Rome Treaty weapons and have different war experiences.

Above all, the Chinese army, which cannot easily be refined through population grinding, remains the same.

The qualitative difference is too enormous to match with quantity. The National Army cannot attack with full force.

“Are they still fighting the National Government alone?”

The Israeli army seems to want war, and meanwhile, Balyeon is busy selling guns.

“Yes. The National Government seems unable to overlook this any longer.”

The fight with the warlords is now in a ceasefire.

But still threatening, so the National Army has deployed troops to the western border—no, boundary—through a major reorganization.

Well, anyway, aren’t they superficially one? The entity called China remains as one entity.

It just appears to be divided. Hence, I understand the ceasefire with the warlords.

“I suppose so. They’ll fight tenaciously.”

If they let everything go here? That would really be the end, wouldn’t it?

Already there’s much talk because of various incidents. It would be interesting if the Israeli army occupies Shanghai and continues to confront Israel.

The National Government would be miserable.

“Soong Mei-ling is still alive. That means…”

The real world has seen many female leaders emerge.

Female monarchs have appeared all over Europe, Eva Perón is leading in South America, and the National Government is led by a woman.

Women’s organizations might flourish in a different sense, saying women will do great things in the future.

Well, that aside.

“If the National Government and Israel continue to exchange blows, which side will eventually struggle more?”

The most important point here is that the National Government doesn’t rule all regions of China.

What does this mean?

At least the National Government can match Israel at Israel’s level.

The National Government’s population is about tens of millions.

It’s probably several times more than Israel, but considering that the National Government has to divide its forces, isn’t Israel much more advantageous?

But Israel is also putting effort into the Qing and the Federalism Movement.

They’re naturally eroding borders by creating settlements.

And they keep pouring money into it.

They’re seducing the autonomous bodies of the Federalism Movement and the local governments of the Qing by pouring in money and gradually increasing their influence.

“Wouldn’t it be the National Government?”

“Isn’t Israel busy pushing Jews into the Qing and the Federalism Movement?”

I guess some money will flow out of the Israeli treasury. They’ve essentially established a new Israel on Chinese soil.

They must be struggling to create cities and various infrastructure.

Of course, Israel has been established for almost 20 years.

“That’s not war, though.”

“That’s true. Hmm.”

Looking at this situation carefully, it seems like one side will eventually collapse.

Of course, it won’t be Israel.

From the beginning, the National Government cannot strike Israel’s homeland, and Israel is part of the Co-Prosperity Sphere and receives support from the Rome Treaty.

All the National Government has is numbers and guns produced somehow by their own country’s power.

Naturally, they can’t be better than Rome Treaty weapons.

“Soong Mei-ling seems to be working quite hard too.”

From her perspective, she must prevent the government from being overthrown at all costs.

Can’t we push the fight between Israel and the National Government? From my perspective, it’s better if Soong Mei-ling survives.

“Leaving it alone is also one option.”

“Leave it alone?”

“Since other warlords can’t immediately attack the National Government under the pretext of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, they’re fighting among themselves.”

“Right. They want to unite among themselves to build strength.”

That’s the implicit rule of China.

They’ve been divided, so it’s time to reunite.

If not that, to drive out the National Government, or at least to have a voice in the international community, they must unite and show strong power.

“That means at least the National Government won’t be devoured by warlords even if it’s overthrown.”

Ah, I see. That could be.

“I see. Hmm.”

“If you’re worried, bringing in America is also an option.”

“America?”

I deliberately separated America from China, and now America?

“Since the Rome Treaty supports Israel, the Qing, and the Federalism Movement, America could support the National Government in opposition. Wouldn’t that at least maintain Soong Mei-ling’s regime?”

Indeed, that’s one approach.

Attach America to prove that Soong Mei-ling’s National Government is still intact.

If Soong Mei-ling receives American support, her regime won’t be overthrown.

“That makes sense.”

But bringing America into China itself is problematic.

Of course, it’s very different compared to the original history, but keeping America attached to China bothers me.

But it’s not wrong either.

If we use America to maintain Soong Mei-ling’s regime, and thus ensure the National Government has supporting forces, well…

Sigh, if I had known this, I should have spoken when MacArthur came.

But what does it matter? The deed is already done.

Then, it might be good to talk with America.

“Since Your Majesty handled MacArthur last time, how about entrusting this to the Rome Treaty headquarters?”

“Yes, it would be good to expect something from them too.”

They can’t always rely on me.

I’m someone who wants to rest too. Let’s just throw out suggestions like “How about this? Or this?” and if it doesn’t seem right, just let it pass.

“Are there no other issues now?”

“There is something rather delicate. It’s related to Your Majesty, so…”

“What is it?”

The only thing related to me recently is receiving letters asking for a sequel to my book.

I’ve received so many requests from various places for the world strategy book I wrote.

“The space development project is also an issue.”

“The space development project?”

Why? I want to develop space quickly.

Could it be that Maria thinks my push for space exploration and budget investment is like pouring water into a bottomless jar?

“Yes, there are too many applicants.”

“More is better… Oh.”

If that happens, the preferred occupation in the future will mainly be astronauts, which would be problematic.

Damn it. Did I instill too much dream and hope? This requires compromise at an appropriate level.

“It means other jobs might be neglected.”

I coughed as if struck to the core by Maria II’s words.

How could I have predicted this would happen? It’s completely unfair.

“Sigh, did I push too hard?”

Honestly, considering the population of the United States of Greater Russia, it doesn’t seem bad. If expanded to the entire Rome Treaty, it should cover the applicants from the United States of Greater Russia, right?

Of course, it’s dangerous if people don’t take interest in other areas.

Becoming a nation of space enthusiasts isn’t ideal. There are still many fields to develop.

“We need to increase technical academies to generate interest in other areas.”

Let’s increase technical academies and gather students indiscriminately.

That way, we can show that there are various occupations in the world.

“It’s because of Your Majesty in the first place.”

“Me? Someone listening would think I’m the root of all evil. I feel wronged.”

“Isn’t that natural? Your Majesty has already preached in various ways to take interest in space.”

That’s just interest. I didn’t speak of it as a lifelong job.

Making space exploration a lifelong career seems a bit much.

Even in this era—no, in the 21st century when I was a man, now a distant past—people couldn’t even think of flying to the moon again.

“No, I just said that in the future we should go beyond space, and it makes me feel quite hurt when you say it like that.”

“The solution is simple.”

“Really? Tell me quickly. I want to know.”

“Just appear on TV and say a word—that would be best.”

“Me, directly on TV?”

When was the last time I was on TV?

If I remember correctly, I went on a few months ago to promote ice cream directly.

I also went on to advertise some clothes.

Of course, these were only things I would do as an idol “ana-chan.”

“Aren’t you already enjoying it anyway?”

“Me?”

I can’t say I don’t enjoy it. Well, I need to have fun now too.

I never knew what it felt like to receive an enormous amount of money after filming one advertisement.

Of course, that’s just a manner of speaking.

“Yes. For example, saying that for space development, the power of the Rome Treaty must strengthen.”

Oh, is that meant to firmly grip people’s hearts? I understand the feeling.

“You mean I should pay lip service.”

And for that power, we can’t just play in space.

The number of applicants increased because I whined, “Ah, please take some interest in spaceships!”

I’m good at lip service. That kind of thing.

No, of course this isn’t a field I particularly desire.

To be fair, just because I said “Let’s advance into space!” doesn’t mean people should make decisions about potentially lifelong careers.

Of course, there will be kids full of dreams. But actions that risk lives don’t seem good at all.

“Just butter them up. Cook them appropriately.”

Cook them, huh. So I just need to show the power of an idol ana-chan again?

The power of an idol ana-chan. This is a bit…

Isn’t that something you’d only see in old animations?

“Maria II is scary.”

Maria II. A very scary child!

Indeed, she’s probably a level more terrifying than her mother Maria.

Actually, the previous Maria wasn’t that scary.

“Didn’t the Mother Tsarina expect such an answer?”

“Not particularly.”

Why would I expect such an enormous statement?

No, of course it’s not entirely wrong.

I would have thought of this much if I had used my brain a bit. I just hoped our Maria II would answer first.

“Since everyone is the mother’s child, a sharp word would do. You asked me directly, the child of the Mother Tsarina.”

Is that how it works?

Since I’m everyone’s mother, a sharp word would do?

Everyone’s mother? Doesn’t Maria have parents who gave birth to her?

“No, Maria I would be sad.”

“That mother is the one who gave birth to me. She’s not everyone’s mother.”

Wow, she’s ruthlessly attacking her birth mother.

It’s really surprising. It’s like a natural family diss.

Maria might have said that, but no matter what, in this world, it’s a serious problem if I’m more of a mother than the one who gave birth to her.

From an ethical perspective, it seems like a world where the family revolves solely around the Tsar, literally lacking something?

I hope this isn’t really the world I created.