Ch.386Libyan Landing

To speak frankly, I want to say “This is the level of politics you get with this caliber of person” – that’s how frustrated I feel.

Of course, I wouldn’t say that directly.

“Wouldn’t it be better to go straight to the capital?”

Right. We landed on the eastern side.

Not the western side where the capital Tripoli is located, but the east.

Normally, we should advance from Algeria, strike Tripoli directly, and then move eastward to Egypt. But I plan to advance gradually from the east.

That’s how we secure public support.

Just seizing the capital doesn’t solve everything.

“No. In situations like this, gradually securing public support is important.”

“Public support?”

La Roque tilted his head.

Tsk, tsk. This is why colonial empire types are hopeless.

We need public support to legitimately handle Libya properly.

If we lead with weapons, public sentiment will be shattered. They’ll probably be reminded of when they were colonized.

It’s better to resolve this as a matter for the Rome Treaty and act directly like the UN.

This isn’t something that needs to go to the UN anyway.

Like UN peacekeepers coming in to take care of things.

We need to send forces toward Egypt too, so we should prepare for that as well.

For that region, restoring the monarchy might be a good idea.

“You’ve brought all the supplies, right?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. We’ve brought provisions to feed the Libyan people.”

Good. That should be sufficient.

“We are no longer a colonial empire. So feed the hungry Libyans wherever we pass.”

We are no longer a colonial empire.

If we want to run the washing machine effectively, we need to do this much.

We need to work hard on image change. In exchange, we’ll portray those who embezzled money from Libya as negatively as possible.

In the distant future, it will be recorded that colonial rule was truly about spreading civilization.

That’s how it will be remembered.

Of course, “The Empire of Japan was a bunch of bastards!” – that will remain unchanged.

After all, they massacred millions of Chinese people, possibly tens of millions if counted properly.

Apart from them, we just need to be portrayed as those who truly came to spread civilization.

“Without arresting them?”

Well, “without arresting them” isn’t quite right.

“Let’s only arrest those who resist us.”

Those are probably the real culprits.

To be honest, why would impoverished people resist unless they had something to hide?

Moreover, Libya and Egypt are well aware that some colonies have been incorporated as part of the mainland.

“Currently, Libya is under military dictatorship.”

“Like Egypt?”

Surely not like Egypt.

Well, as I always say, you need to know about these things.

I don’t understand how these African military regimes all end up this way.

Look, is there any place in Africa where military rule has worked properly?

I left everything to the Rome Treaty, but seeing this blow up over a crown issue shows the Rome Treaty is truly hopeless.

Or maybe this is happening because they only trust me.

Either way, it’s not good.

“Yes. The Kingdom of Libya was briefly independent, but the military criticized and ousted those established by the Rome Treaty.”

That’s going to be a problem.

I wasn’t well-informed about their situation.

Anyway, they expelled the royal family. As an emperor of a monarchy, I can’t help but feel dissatisfied about this.

“Yet they seized power themselves and then made deals with the Rome Treaty.”

“Yes. We couldn’t do much about our former colony.”

The Rome Treaty apparently tried their best, truly their utmost, to prevent this according to my will.

“So they exploited that atmosphere to seize power.”

I’m sure they did. Especially since Libya was under communist Italy.

They must have lost various things and faced many issues.

“The Rome Treaty, following Your Majesty’s will, has been somewhat arrogant but has appropriately humbled itself in diplomacy, so we’ve been tolerating it.”

I see. I understand. This was my mistake.

Seeing how the Rome Treaty let it slide, it seems they considered it inconsequential.

They’re just partner nations, nothing more, nothing less.

“Let’s install kings there separately. Call back all the monarchies that were expelled. No, that’s troublesome. Should we just combine them?”

Thinking about putting someone on the throne is annoying.

Perhaps a North African Commissioner’s Office or North African Union or something.

Just combining them seems like a good idea.

It’s better to divide and attach things in larger chunks. It doesn’t make sense to separate Libya and Egypt.

“Combine them?”

Yes. Dividing them into Libya and Egypt seems unnecessary.

I already colored all the other African countries purple under Ethiopia’s leadership as the African Union because I didn’t want to draw each one individually on the map, so you can imagine.

I just don’t like Africa on the map.

I don’t mean I dislike the people there; I just don’t like how it looks on the map.

“We’ll have to see how things progress. This place is Tobruk or something, right? Let’s go.”

“As you command, Your Majesty.”

Tobruk, practically the last city in the west.

We established our command post here.

There was no resistance against us here.

I don’t know if they didn’t expect the Rome Treaty to mobilize troops over this issue or what, but anyway.

There wasn’t much of an army to begin with.

They probably didn’t anticipate we would act like this, since they treated our words as a joke.

“Ah, Your Majesty. How about this?”

“What is this?”

Louise handed me something that looked like a triangular hat.

Wait, is this a bicorne? Like Napoleon’s?

Well, this is excessively large. Not unreasonably so, but it seems too big for my small face. Why did she give me this?

“It’s a Napoleon hat.”

“Ah, this is a bit too much.”

This really seems inappropriate, doesn’t it?

Would it look good on my head? Well, it might not be bad, but a Napoleon hat in this day and age? I wonder if it’s appropriate.

“Don’t you think you’d look cute wearing it?”

Come on, is my cuteness important right now? This is ridiculous.

“At my age, I don’t think ‘cute’ is the right impression to aim for.”

“But you’re the King of the Franco-Algerian United Kingdom!”

Was France that kind of country? Well, I guess it’s correct since Algeria was incorporated.

There are quite a few Algerians in the French army this time, so…

I had no choice but to accept it because Louise was eagerly sparkling her eyes.

* * *

The French army landed in eastern Libya and advanced westward.

They could have advanced directly from Algeria or landed directly at the capital, but by landing in the east, Libya was thrown into chaos.

“W-what brings the French army here?”

“We’re troops from the Rome Treaty Organization. We came because your president or whatever rejected our ultimatum.”

In other words, clear the way.

It would be unfortunate to get beaten up for pointlessly resisting.

“That’s absurd. You’re trying to make us a colony again.”

Are they crazy? There’s nothing to gain by making Libya a colony now.

We’ve already taken their oil, and there’s no reason to take such risks.

It’s simply that we’re extremely angry at you for stealing our money.

If you just listen to us and comply, we have no intention of bothering you further.

On the other hand, it’s also important to win the hearts of impoverished Libyans by providing them with various necessities.

French commanders dispatched to various regions of Libya made it clear:

“We have no intention of making you a colony. We’re only here to deal with the military regime that embezzled modernization funds provided by the Rome Treaty. If you don’t resist, we’ll treat you better than your government did, so please just turn a blind eye.”

Just clear the way.

We have no intention of fighting; we just want to deal with their government.

This fact should be made clear.

“Do you really mean you won’t make us a colony?”

The local military commander questioned whether we truly wouldn’t make them a colony.

My, such distrust. This is why I was right to come personally.

After all, I’m known worldwide as someone who liberated colonies.

“We are the French Royal Army dispatched by the Rome Treaty. Our commander is the Byzantine Emperor, so trust us. Besides, what more could we possibly take from your country that would make us want to colonize it?”

This should be sufficient.

My very existence here symbolizes colonial liberation.

And I’m personally riding a horse in front of the French army.

“I… understand.”

The Libyan army didn’t resist.

They must know that resistance would be futile.

If they blocked us and a serious fight broke out, they would gain nothing.

Surprisingly, the Libyan army accepted this easily.

Anyone with common sense would know we could go directly from Algeria to Tripoli.

Moreover, it’s not just a simple march; we’re using the pretext of helping struggling Libyan cities, which is quite favorable.

We slowly advanced eastward, providing assistance to the people.

As they say, public sentiment is heaven’s will.

Even Libyans had no choice but to cooperate with us, given our proactive approach.

“We provided development funds and gave your president plenty of money, but nothing has changed?”

“Is that true?”

Libyans were shocked by what we said as we passed through.

Their surprise is understandable. It must have seemed strange that former colonial powers were giving money.

“It’s true! We didn’t bring our army here to colonize you. We came directly because we asked your president to explain and return the money, but he ignored us.”

“That… that can’t be.”

Unfortunately, the Libyans were unaware of the situation.

Well, if the president had announced “I’m embezzling funds,” these people wouldn’t be so calm now.

Judging by their current reaction, they’re staying quiet because they lack the power to confront us. If they had weapons to fight back, they would probably be defending themselves by now.

Since they can’t, they won’t resist our advance. More precisely, they didn’t even have an army to defend with.

Well, they do have some forces, but not enough to fight treaty forces.

There might be some in the capital, but in these provincial areas, they probably didn’t care whether people lived in poverty or were invaded.

“Seeing how quickly this is ending, Libya wasn’t much of a challenge.”

“Tripoli will be the problem.”

We’re here to bring down the military regime after all.

Will there be defense forces in the capital Tripoli?

We didn’t come here to wage war. It would be nice if they surrendered without resistance.

“That hat suits you well.”

This bicorne? It’s rounded on top, but does it look good? I don’t dislike this hat, but it feels strange to turn my head while wearing it.

I want to keep it fixed in place. It might look awkward if it tilts.

“This hat? You think so? I’m not sure.”

It’s just big and somewhat uncomfortable.

I wonder if I look strange in this.

I’m not sure how to move my head; it feels awkward.

“You’re not Napoleon, but as the one who rebuilt Rome, perhaps it suits you even better.”

Comparing Napoleon and me, aren’t I stronger?

I’m more powerful and I rebuilt Rome.

And I didn’t even use force like Napoleon did.

“Your flattery won’t get you anything.”

This La Roque is quite good at flattery. Was he always like this?

At least he’s not hostile toward me, which is fortunate.

The journey to Tripoli was strange.

“Please allow us to follow you!”

“Please allow us to follow you.”

I don’t know what they’re thinking, but many Libyans want to join us and travel together.

I asked the Libyans who volunteered as guides about Tripoli.

“Are there defense forces in Tripoli?”

“Yes, I believe there are some remaining, but they probably aren’t very strong.”

“Aren’t you underestimating them? What’s the leader’s name?”

“He’s quite young. A fellow named Muammar Gaddafi.”

“How young is he?”

How young could he be? Younger than me?

Someone who establishes a military dictatorship probably isn’t normal.

If he’s young but crazy, we should capture him.

“Born in ’42, so he’s 29 now.”

“That’s extremely young.”

When I was living in Korea, at that age people would be just starting their careers, dealing with menial tasks and struggling to make money.

Honestly, I think it’s good when young leaders emerge.

Countries can function even when run by incompetent people.

Of course, Korea was a democracy, and even military dictatorships were difficult to maintain in the 21st century, but anyway.

“Seeing someone that age as a dictator, he must be remarkable in many ways. But it makes me feel somewhat uncomfortable.”

I’m here because of someone like him.

Ruining a country with youthful vigor – how pitiful.

“Your Majesty, then…”

Muammar Gaddafi. He just looks like a madman trying to enjoy the sweet benefits of dictatorship alone.

Sadly, even if I wanted to spare him, I probably couldn’t.