Ch.97Second Air Defense Agreement (2)

# Moscow, Kremlin Palace

The tricolor flag with the double-headed eagle of the United States of Greater Russia was raised at the Moscow Kremlin Palace, alongside flags of other nations.

All were gathered for the Anti-Comintern Pact.

“To think that the person who personally commanded soldiers in that civil war would be such a lady. My word.”

“Lady? She is still the Tsar.”

“Ah, my apologies.”

Boris III of Bulgaria cleared his throat awkwardly and turned his head away.

Yes, I suppose even I would have thought, “How could she have fought directly in the civil war? Is that even possible?”

I understand completely.

“Prime Minister İnönü, it’s been a while. How have you been?”

He looks quite healthy after all this time.

His face seems a bit more wrinkled, but much better than during the War of Independence.

Not bad at all. I hope he’s not angry about me sending weapons to the Kurds.

I sent aircraft and tanks, so it would be strange if he had complaints.

Come to think of it, İnönü wouldn’t know the future, so he probably thinks his country exists today thanks to Russia, right?

So, that level of courtesy is expected.

“How could I not be pleased when I’ve been driving out the Kurds with the ‘weapons’ sent by the all-powerful Tsar?”

If I translate that statement: he’s saying it’s difficult for them because I’m so powerful that I can also give weapons to the other side.

He’s quite openly jabbing at me.

Still, unlike in actual history, they managed to establish their country, didn’t they?

I heard the Kurds were pushed back to the point where they couldn’t request help from the international community.

“Ah, I suppose in mountainous regions, even older weapons can hold their ground. I thought our bombers and tanks would resolve the issue.”

“There are limitations.”

“I’d like to discuss that matter later with the Black Baron. Let’s solve that problem separately.”

I hope he’ll agree.

Just one airdrop with airborne troops should do it.

I don’t know much since my country was in that state before I joined the military. But wouldn’t capturing the mountains solve the problem?

If they’re establishing a country, they must have a city suitable for a capital, right?

Let’s just try it once.

“Everyone here is from the war generation. I’m clearly the youngest in this gathering.”

Everyone present is quite advanced in age.

I’ve only seen Miklós Horthy in photographs. Seeing him in person is quite impressive.

The regent of a kingdom without a king. Horthy the dictator.

Wasn’t he also an admiral of the Austro-Hungarian navy? That’s why they call him the admiral of a country without a sea.

“Only the Tsar would have personally fired guns and fought directly against the Bolsheviks on the battlefield. Thank you for inviting us to the Anti-Comintern Pact.”

At least they don’t seem to dislike me.

Well, there’s certainly an awkward atmosphere, but since they responded to my call, they’ll accept the Anti-Comintern Pact here.

“Hmm. I appreciate your kind words.”

Some people must feel uncomfortable here.

Especially Romania, which took a large portion of Hungary’s territory.

Though I’ve heard claims that they prevented a communist revolution in Hungary.

Now, I should engage in some diplomatic maneuvering.

If our mustached gentleman truly avoids becoming the axis of evil as in the original history, shouldn’t we help restore Austria-Hungary?

“A simple signature may be convenient, but I’m sure some of you feel uncomfortable with each other in this gathering.”

“Ahem.”

Yes, everyone is looking at each other with somewhat ambiguous expressions.

They’ve come this far because communist Germany and communist Italy are running rampant, but personal feelings must remain.

Privately, they’re divided between victors and losers of the Great War. Some had their countries dismantled.

Though not entirely welcome, they’ve gathered here for political reasons.

I should try to eliminate the discord.

I need to guide the Tsarina to mediate between them.

“But haven’t you all come to Moscow at my invitation to unite under the Anti-Comintern Pact?”

“Does the Tsarina have more to say?”

“How can we have internal discord when facing communist Germany?”

First, I’ll throw out some bait.

“Hmm, please continue.”

İnönü responded with interest, showing good perception.

Other leaders are also looking at me, as if asking me to speak.

“I’ll be frank. I believe war is inevitable.”

“You’re saying war will break out even as we unite?”

“It will definitely happen. Our existence could be a threat to their system. Aren’t they already inciting communists in the Ruhr, not just against France, but instilling hostility toward imperialism among Germans? They’ll package their aggression as a revolutionary war. Therefore, I’m thinking about a perfect victory for our future.”

War is coming.

They won’t immediately believe this statement.

But I’ve explained to them how Lenin sparked the revolution, and if they have ears to listen, they’ll understand my story about the Bolshevik continuous revolution.

Knowing this, they can’t completely deny it.

“A perfect victory, you say.”

“Communists are more cunning and perceptive than anyone. They might try to drive wedges between the Anti-Comintern Pact nations.”

“Hmm, so you’re suggesting we have a deeper conversation.”

“Yes. Let’s plot something the communists would hate.”

This could be considered an anti-communist meeting.

And a meeting to nurture ambitions. A meeting to offer carrots to encourage cooperation with Russia.

I’ll strengthen the Anti-Comintern Pact by predetermining the rewards after winning a war that hasn’t even started yet.

It’s like a secret conversation without Britain and France present.

“Since the Tsarina started, please speak first.”

“We’ll adjust details later, but once war breaks out, Bulgaria should recover Macedonia territory lost to Yugoslavia, Austria should take back South Tyrol and coastal areas from Italy, and we should dismantle Yugoslavia and take some territory.”

“That’s a good approach. But what about Hungary?”

Hungary is also looking toward the post-war period.

Should I throw out the Austria-Hungary bait now?

I looked back and forth between Austrian Empire Chancellor Karl Renner and Hungarian Kingdom Regent Miklós Horthy.

“What about Hungary reuniting with Austria? Put the current Kaiser on the Hungarian throne and form a military alliance. If the communists grow stronger, Austria and Hungary will be most at risk. Wouldn’t it be better to return to imperial times and fight together?”

“Huh. Is that as easy as you make it sound? Even maintaining a kingdom without a king is difficult, but I must consider internal opposition. If Yugoslavia, Italy, and Germany are already war targets, we should ignore their threats. But a military alliance is premature.”

“We must consider Austria’s special case. Britain and France will understand that if Austria falls, Hungary and other countries are also in danger. They’ll need a larger country on the continent to take hits from Germany and Italy in their place.”

“Isn’t Russia there for that?”

Well said.

Anyone would think we’re in Czechoslovakia’s position.

Unfortunately, when war breaks out, you’ll be the first to get hit anyway.

There won’t even be a need for military deployment.

He probably said that as a minor protest, but I have something to say too.

“Surely you don’t want our troops stationed in Austria and Hungary? Even if you allowed our military deployment, that would only give them an excuse. Now is not the time.”

“Even if our army is elite, it’s overwhelming to face Germany and Italy with their revolutionary fervor. Won’t Britain and France listen, even reluctantly, when the communist threat becomes serious?”

They’ll have no choice.

The evidence is the maintenance of the Austrian Empire itself.

That already includes the possibility of a military alliance with Hungary.

If the Soviet Union had been established as in history, Britain would probably rebuild Austria-Hungary to prevent Soviet westward expansion.

“Well, we in Austria need to check internally as well.”

“A referendum in Austria and Hungary might be a good approach.”

“Can a vote really decide this?”

“Voters have no power. The person counting the votes decides everything.”

Integration through referendum is possible.

And that can be manipulated. The aftermath is your responsibility.

“My, the Tsarina is a fearsome person.”

“Hmm. That seems like something to decide later.”

“Yes, I’m not saying integrate immediately. If the two countries can withstand being between Germany, Italy, and Yugoslavia, there’s no need for integration. I’m just saying Russia supports it.”

“Then what about Transylvania?”

King Ferdinand I of Romania, apparently concerned about Transylvania, interjected.

“There should be no discord among Anti-Comintern Pact nations. I heard that Romania’s support helped Regent Horthy prevent a communist revolution in Hungary.”

It seems there’s already some give and take.

“Transylvania is, well…”

Horthy made no effort to hide his discomfort, glancing at Ferdinand I of Romania as if he’d like to get it back.

“You should concede Transylvania. Even our United States of Greater Russia gave up claims to Bessarabia.”

I want a good map.

What kind of image would it project if we only pressured Romania to give up Bessarabia from our current territory?

Unless we can somehow bring Ukraine into Russia later. The current territory already includes a long strip from Pontic Greeks to Constantinople, so just getting Bessarabia seems odd.

Of course, if Romania self-destructs, Transylvania and Bessarabia could be amicably returned.

Miklós Horthy licked his lips in disappointment but didn’t immediately mention this, perhaps because he had received help from Romania.

“If the Dual Monarchy isn’t established, what’s Hungary’s share?”

“Geographically, northern Croatia would make sense? We’ll leave Serbia to Austria and Bulgaria.”

Serbia can be nibbled away by those two.

During World War I, Russia sided with Serbia, but I’m expressing a strong will not to do so now.

“Will Russia abandon Yugoslavia?”

“The culprit of World War I was Serbia, which assassinated the Austrian Archduke. Despite this, they’ve grown arrogant as Yugoslavia, and communists are running rampant there. Why would Russia, an anti-communist country, take their side?”

“So you intend to dismantle Yugoslavia after the war. What’s Romania’s share?”

Romania’s share?

Well, I haven’t thought about that yet.

This is just to unite and persuade the Anti-Comintern Pact countries. Territorial issues will be discussed again after the war.

“Romania must provide resource support, mainly oil. Military support issues will depend on the war situation, and territory will be allocated according to contribution.”

“So if the war ends easily, we get nothing.”

An immediately disappointed tone.

What can Romania do, sandwiched between Anti-Comintern Pact countries?

“That would be the case, wouldn’t it? But in return, neither Russia nor Hungary will demand territorial returns from Romania. Isn’t Romania’s position already guaranteed by that? And territorial expansion beyond recovery of lost territories will be coordinated later depending on the post-war situation.”

“Hmm. I suppose so.”

“We in Bulgaria cannot be satisfied with just Serbia.”

Boris III of Bulgaria seems to want more.

“What do you desire?”

“Bulgaria must take Greece, even if it’s not directly related to the anti-communist war.”

By saying that, he means…

He’ll join our side in the Anti-Comintern Pact on the condition that he can take Greece. That’s what he’s saying.

Since there’s been no mention of Greece joining Germany’s side, it’s a bit ambiguous.

He probably wants to reclaim the land taken by Greece. Western Thrace, was it?

He has a mindset of reclaiming all lost territories.

The fact that he’s telling us this now means he wants our support or backing.

Greece is not my concern.

If anything, Greece is Russia’s competitor as the successor to the Eastern Roman Empire.

Just look at the Megali Idea, a national policy to restore Eastern Roman territory under the guise of a great ideal.

Isn’t Russia, which reclaimed Constantinople, the true successor state to the Eastern Roman Empire?

There’s no obligation to protect Greece.

“Hmm. After we defeat communist Germany and Italy, Russia will support Bulgaria’s attack on Greece.”

As long as we don’t have to send troops.

Of course, Greece is part of the Eastern Roman domain, but Russia is already quite vast.

“After the war, you say?”

“If we do it before the war, wouldn’t Greece naturally switch to the communist side? It’s obvious they’d claim we gave them a pretext for war.”

Above all, there are Britain and France, who would dislike us giving a pretext first.

This time too, Britain and France support the Anti-Comintern Pact but aren’t directly participating.

That probably means they’re uncomfortable with Russia taking the lead.