LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 75
* * *
Austrian Empire, Vienna
On the day the Tripartite Anti-Air Agreement was signed, Austria also learned about the treaty through the Russian Ambassador.
In this reality, Karl Renner, who would later become the Premier of the Austrian Federation in actual history, was operating as the Prime Minister of the Austrian Empire.
He sought out the Kaiser, who had recently seized power with the Gaida’s army, regarding the subject of the anti-air agreement.
“Russia invited us to join the anti-air agreement?”
“Yes, initially it seems to be with Poland and East Prussia.”
“Then, of course, we must accept it. Right, Commander Gaida?”
“Yes, your majesty. After all, Germany will inevitably attempt to invade Austria. Therefore, we need an alliance. The anti-air agreement is not a formal alliance limited to the Reds, but given that we are surrounded by Reds, it’s practically a tripartite alliance.”
A tripartite alliance. Hearing that makes it sound plausible.
This was one of the French isolation policies carried out by Otto von Bismarck, the Chancellor of the German Empire. This time, it seemed to have been revived by the Tsarina Anastasia of the Russian Empire pushing for an anti-air agreement with Poland.
“Indeed. Although things have changed a bit, it makes sense considering the collaboration between Tsarina Anastasia of the Russian Republic and the Kaiser of East Prussia.”
Of course, this tripartite alliance was formed to isolate the communist German mainland, and its significance leaned more towards Poland than East Prussia.
“Your majesty.”
“Commander Gaida. Do you have something to say?”
“I was wondering about supporting a fellow named Adolf Hitler from the National Liberal Austrian Workers’ Party.”
“Oh, he’s recently become famous as an anti-communist figure.”
Karl I was also aware of Adolf Hitler.
He had fought in the German army as an Austrian and during the brief period Germany acted as a British puppet, he had gone to Russia as a volunteer where he notably made the prominent red figure, Stalin, into a eunuch.
Thus, Hitler was famous even within Russia.
And in Austria, he was someone who yelled for revenge against Serbia and vigorously campaigned against the secretaries of Italy and Germany.
“Yes. Hitler’s speeches are more than enough to ensure the German communists dare not spread their influence in Austria.”
“I heard that in Serbia, a guy named Tito is doing just that. We can view that as a counterpoint.”
“It seems Mussolini from Italy also released a statement directly condemning Hitler.”
Karl I fell into a moment of contemplation.
Holding the position of Kaiser, he had developed a sense of perception for the situation.
Thanks to Gaida, Austria’s national defense had been strengthened, but having made the decision to oppose communism, he wanted to maintain the empire, which was sustained by British intervention.
It was pretty clear that Gaida was recommending Hitler.
He could possibly trust the words of someone who had actively captured Reds in Russia.
“Didn’t the Tsarina dote on him?”
“It’s true that during his time in Russia, the Tsarina was deeply impressed by Hitler’s urban planning ideas. Apparently, Moscow itself is being built according to his plans.”
Gaida chuckled quietly to himself as he spoke.
Dote? What a funny choice of words. It was a statement that would shock Anastasia if she heard it, but he figured it would make the Kaiser pay more attention to Hitler.
After all, recently, it was widely known that he had the favor of the famous Tsarina, so it couldn’t be helped to be interested. Anastasia would likely forgive this much.
Karl I started to take an interest in Hitler.
Indeed, he had become quite familiar with Hitler’s anti-communist speeches.
If he was an anti-communist and had also gained the favor of Tsarina Russia, who could now become an ally for Austria, then surely he would do the right thing for Austria.
“I’d like to meet this fellow named Hitler.”
Hitler had finally gained the Kaiser’s attention.
As Austria began to have a positive outlook on the anti-air agreement, Hungary was also approached with the same proposal.
In actual history, the Kingdom of Hungary saw Kun Béla establishing a communist regime backed by Soviet support and creating the Hungarian Soviet Republic. However, in this world, that was a far-off tale.
Kun Béla’s communist revolution did exist, but he was thoroughly defeated by the army of Regent Miklós Horthy of the Kingdom of Hungary, who was supported by Romania.
At a glance, it seemed that other than the establishment of the Hungarian Soviet Republic not having occurred, Horthy’s actions remained unchanged.
Horthy, the regent sitting in a kingdom without a king, received Anastasia’s proposal for the anti-air agreement and pondered for a moment.
“Should we join the anti-air agreement?”
“It wouldn’t be bad for us.”
“Didn’t we almost have a communist regime established? In fact, there are claims that the underground Reds are receiving support from the German Communist Party.”
Horthy’s close aides strongly urged joining the anti-air agreement, and Horthy too considered the agreement itself not a bad idea.
“Right. It’s not bad at all. But…”
The issue was that the Austrian Empire was involved.
The negotiating parties did not wish for the revival of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The condition for maintaining the Austrian Empire was to disband the Dual Monarchy, and Horthy, who was the naval commander of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, had entered Hungary and reached this point.
Being in the anti-air agreement alongside Austria, with whom they had once allied, felt awkward.
After a moment of contemplation, however, there were no solid alternatives given news of Yugoslavia’s communist advancements.
Moreover, the Yugoslavs were not pleased one bit at the thought of placing Karl I on the Hungarian throne to revive the Dual Monarchy.
Italy, crying for Hungary’s revolution, was just icing on the cake.
“I will go to Moscow, so tell the Tsarina to set a date with me.”
King Ferdinand I of Romania, who greatly expanded Romanian territories, received the proposal for the anti-air agreement from Anastasia.
While the details of the agreement were decorated with plenty of flowery language, it boiled down to a very simple concept: let’s unite solely to catch the Reds.
In this process, the signatory nations guarantee each other’s independence.
There was really no reason to think too deeply about this.
After all, both the proposal of this agreement and its acceptance seemed to recognize Transylvania, Bukovina, and Bessarabia as Romanian territory.
The relationships with neighboring countries were outwardly not bad either.
They had even provided support to Horthy’s Hungarian army to prevent the communist regime from popping up in Hungary.
“An agreement to oppose communism.”
This point did raise some concerns, but wouldn’t Austria and Hungary be likely affected by pressures from the German Communists to want to oppose Romania?
If they suffered from issues with their offspring, they should at least handle diplomacy well.
As long as this agreement was established, Romania would enjoy peace until that communist Germany crumbled.
While King Ferdinand I of Romania dreamed of peace for Romania, Boris III of Bulgaria, who had established an autocracy the year prior, was dreaming his own dream.
“Serbia. Should I take a shot at it?”
Recently, it was said that the Reds were struggling to seize power in Yugoslavia, and Russia had protested against Yugoslavia for it.
It was clear that the relationship between Russia and the Serbs was weakening.
Well, from the Tsarina’s perspective, why would she accept those who had killed her family and siblings trying to seize Serbian power?
If Yugoslavia were to become communist like this, the anti-air advocating Tsarina Anastasia would surely look out for Bulgaria.
Thus, the nations invited to the anti-air agreement were each wrapped up in their own dreams.
* * *
With the announcement of the anti-air agreement, the Reds also reacted.
Especially Karl Liebknecht, as the head of the communist faction, made a grand statement to the international community.
[The anti-air agreement is aimed at the German Free Socialist Republic and the Italian Socialist Republic. We will not sit idly by.]
Wow. Really scary.
Hearing that Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria are participating in the anti-air agreement, I wonder what kind of article will come out next?
Germany is one thing, but these variables over here are totally unknown, Reds. However, it’s amusing how this all ties in with the Italian Socialist Republic, which is bound alongside Germany.
Isn’t the Secretary of the Italian Socialist Republic Benito Mussolini?
If it were another figure, I might say, “Oh, I don’t know about Italy,” but it’s Benito Mussolini?
How could that not be funny?
Is this guy really aiming for Ethiopia like in actual history?
“You seem delighted, Your Majesty.”
The Minister of the Interior, Boris Savinkov, was subtly watching my reaction.
Why wouldn’t I be delighted?
It’s clear that they are the ones who will initiate the war first.
Thinking about how these guys will consider a future in which they manage domestic affairs while holding out for war, it seems they will ultimately start a war for global revolution.
“Oh, they already show animosity. They really seem like the kind to initiate a war.”
With their endless imperialistic nonsense, they’ll probably argue something like, “To liberate Austrian workers suffering under the Kaiser’s oppression.” Isn’t that the usual bullshit?
Using this as an excuse, they might just spark a revolution in Poland.
They could potentially provoke things like that.
“Come to think of it, it might just align well.”
“What do you mean, Minister of the Interior?”
Boris Savinkov muttered with a serious expression.
“One of the promises made public by Italy’s Benito Mussolini is revenge on Abyssinia.”
Abyssinia. Before Ethiopia used its current name, it had been known as Abyssinia until 1931.
Wow, how perfectly aligned they are.
But can a communist state really act this way?
“Did that actually happen?”
“Yes. Of course, they sold it as a revolution, but just the mere mention of Abyssinia shows the truth, doesn’t it?”
No, during wars they’d typically fabricate some plausible justification.
“We will liberate the Ethiopians oppressed by the Emperor!” Just like that.
They’ll find some way to invade Ethiopia.
Wait, can’t we mess with that?
It might be a bit far off, but how about we equip Ethiopia well with new weapons before the war breaks out?
That could be a solid plan, right?
While it’s good to make it so they could never even think of a war with us, disturbing their plans can be a good approach too.
“What do you think about sending military advisors to Abyssinia? What do the Foreign Affairs and Military think?”
I act as the figurehead Tsar, after all.
I hope you can speak freely.
“In terms of an African nation?”
“Well, is there a need to specifically mention Abyssinia?”
Oh dear, these people. They shouldn’t underestimate Ethiopia.
In fact, in the First Italian-Ethiopian War, Italy was defeated.
Of course, unlike the first war, in the second war, Italy was fully committed, and the technological gaps were enormous compared to the first conflict, making Ethiopia significantly disadvantaged, but still.
Wouldn’t it be fine if we just provided them with some weapons?
They ignored foreign advisors who told them to resort to guerrilla warfare and instead recklessly clashed head-on, suffering considerable losses, so with some weaponry, that could potentially be solved.
If they engage, the goal should definitely be to inflict as much pain on Italy as possible.
“Ethiopia is not just some simple black nation. It has a rather rich history.”
Being a Christian nation since ancient times, Ethiopia isn’t merely a black country; it’s a country deserving of respect.
They even had lines about being descendants of Rome.
Of course, claiming to be true descendants of Rome is more than a stretch. Nonetheless.
If Italy were to take a loss over there, what could happen?
Then, wouldn’t the power of the communist Axis wear down a bit?
Japan, on the other hand, hasn’t really been in the European front lines. Let’s treat Japan as if it doesn’t exist.
If we want to strike Japan from the back, we also need to minimize the damage done in Europe.
“Since a war is inevitable, it’s better to wear them down. We should make contact with Abyssinia.”
“Abyssinia? Will tanks be able to run there?”
“That should be possible, right?”
Maybe tanks could indeed run there?
Tanks were deployed during the Second Italian-Ethiopian War, so I guess some tanks might be roaming there.
Yes, while that’s true.
Though I’ve been curious about something since a moment ago.
For now, I’m here in the Duma fulfilling my role as a figurehead, but the one asking if tanks can run just now…
They look like they’re from the U.S. military?
“By the way, why are you here?”
“I figured it would be better to stay here and properly study this maneuver warfare doctrine, ha ha ha!”
Right. That’s Patton for you.
Why is he still here instead of leaving? Sigh.