ch15

In the early days of the World War, the main task of ambassadors from various countries was to draw as many neutral countries as possible to their side, such as the Iberian Union, the Kingdom of Romania, the Kingdom of Greece, and the Ottoman Empire.

And the Scandinavian Kingdom was a nation that both sides absolutely needed to bring in.

“Prime Minister Niels Edel, this is our empire’s proposal.”

“A promise of neutrality favorable to the empire… is it.”

In fact, the only entity in the Baltic Sea that posed a direct threat to the Imperial Army was the Scandinavian Kingdom’s Liberation Fleet.

If the Scandinavian Kingdom became neutral in a way that favored the empire, that is, at the level of a ‘quasi-ally,’ the Baltic Fleet, which was just killing time in the Baltic Sea, could be pulled out into the ocean and allowed to run wild with the Ocean Fleet.

If that happened, the British forces would have to withdraw their cruiser fleet to block the empire’s offensive. If we’re lucky, it would be possible to noticeably increase the success rate of Operation Rosencrantz.

‘If Operation Rosencrantz succeeds… we can secure naval superiority in the North Sea for a short time.’

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Only the sound of tapping on the desk echoed in the room.

Ambassador Helmut swallowed hard.

Currently, the whole world was filled with madness in the name of nationalism. The same was true of the Scandinavian Kingdom, where Pan-Scandinavianism was openly spreading among them.

And the blade of Pan-Scandinavianism was aimed at both the Holy Roman Empire and the Tsardom of Rus, so it was not at all strange for the Scandinavian Kingdom to side with either side.

Of course, the problem, if there was one, was that the public opinion of the Scandinavian Kingdom was leaning slightly towards hostility to the empire.

“Unfortunately, our children dislike the Imperials. They say they were beaten by Imperial friends when they were young.”

Yes. That’s true.

Just decades ago, the Scandinavian Kingdom, which was aiming for unification with Denmark, was brutally defeated in a border dispute with the Imperial Army, and was forced to cede the Jutland Peninsula through the Copenhagen Accords.

“Haha… Prime Minister, let’s be honest. How much do you want?”

“I want all the territory that the Kalmar Union once ruled.”

Is this Prime Minister senile?

Ambassador Helmut seriously suspected the Prime Minister’s dementia.

This was because the territory once ruled by the Kalmar Union included Schleswig-Holstein and Poznan, which were part of the empire’s mainland.

“Haha, just kidding, just kidding. Don’t frown so much.”

“Really… your jokes are terrible. Hahaha…”

Ahem. Ambassador Helmut cleared his throat once and continued.

“Our empire is considering ceding the Duchy of Jutland after the war.”

‘If we need a passage to the North Sea, we can just expand the Kiel Canal.’

Therefore, he could put the cession of the Duchy of Jutland on the table without hesitation.

But this was still not enough to satisfy the hunger of the Scandinavian Kingdom’s people.

They were still hungry.

“Cession of Jutland, huh…”

‘It’s a good opportunity to eat Jutland without shedding a drop of blood.’

Of course, it’s not bad to fight and gain territory, but territory gained so desperately is not as good as territory peacefully ceded.

That was his philosophy.

‘But…’

Still, there is no certainty. Although he succeeded in rescuing the Pope from the Italian Peninsula, it was only a political achievement.

Did the media call it the Battle of Panama? Anyway, it is commendable to have won a victory at sea against that England. But the empire’s main battlefield is not the sea, but the land.

Only by winning on land can the empire, which has lasted for 1000 years, win, no, survive.

“Have you heard the story, Ambassador? A man living on the outskirts of Stockholm squandered all his wealth to buy lottery tickets. But unfortunately, all the lottery tickets were duds. In the end, the man and his family starved to death.”

“…”

He wants to be sure now. He wants to be sure which side will be the winner in this war, to be sure where they should place their chips.

“Don’t worry. We are offering a service that allows you to see the results of the lottery tickets we sell in advance. Hahahaha!”

I don’t know what the result will look like. But I just believe.

The empire’s victory. The brilliant five letters will be written on the result. I just believe.

“I understand. Then, let’s stop here for today. Have a good day, Ambassador.”

“Yes. You too, Prime Minister.”

Squeak. Click. Ambassador Helmut left the office.

The sound of footsteps fades away.

“What do you think? Ambassador Samuel.”

“Well.”

From behind the curtain, the British Ambassador to Scandinavia, Samuel, appeared.

“It seems that Helmut’s lottery ticket is a dud.”

Meanwhile.

Schönbrunn Palace, in Vienna, the capital of the Holy Roman Empire.

I stared down at the report, frowning slightly.

[Hungarian and Croatian forces repelled by the Kingdom of Yugoslavia’s army at the border.]

As I said, they had no motivation to start a war.

The reason they participated was simply because their king’s name was ‘von Habsburg.’ Nothing more, nothing less.

Naturally, the morale of the satellite states was at its lowest. Right now, they were just scarecrow armies that would collapse if you poked them.

But… even a scarecrow can buy some time.

And I intend to make good use of the time that scarecrow buys me.

“It’s finally starting to twist in earnest.”

I removed the black pieces that were on top of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.

Kingdom of Hungary.

A traditional satellite state that has been under the rule of the Habsburg family for over hundreds of years, and a tourist destination famous for its beautiful scenery.

So many tourists from the empire visit Hungary to enjoy its meadows and fresh air.

And in that meadow,

A man was leisurely admiring the scenery.

“Adjutant.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

“Isn’t it beautiful?”

At his words, the adjutant made a face as if to say, ‘Here he goes again…’

“Look at that vast meadow. And imagine our cavalry running through that meadow. And imagine the flag of our Holy Roman Empire fluttering in Belgrade, Petrograd, Savoy, Paris, and finally London. Isn’t that the height of beauty?”

“It’s great, but I don’t think it’s beautiful…? And Belgrade is a city located on the front line, so of course the Hungarian and Croatian guys will preemptively…”

At that time, a soldier ran towards them.

“Your Excellency! General Mackensen!!”

He gasped for breath and handed Mackensen a letter.

“A letter from His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Good work.”

Mackensen received it and slowly read the contents of the letter.

“Adjutant.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

The adjutant looked at Mackensen’s face. A bright smile spread across his lips.

“It seems we’ll be able to take Belgrade.”

He went into the barracks, leaving behind incomprehensible words.

Inside the barracks, a widely spread map was laid out.

“It seems the Hungarian and Croatian fools’ offensive has failed.”

He waved his hand and swept the pieces representing the Hungarian and Croatian Royal Armies off the floor.

Well, he had never expected or intended for the Hungarian and Croatian Royal Armies to be able to force the United Kingdom of Yugoslavia to surrender.

But… at least, even if they were fools, he thought they would be able to occupy the city located on the very front line.

He was mistaken in thinking they could occupy it.

“Anyway. Those Magyar bastards.”

Mackensen clicked his tongue and pulled the pieces representing the United Kingdom of Yugoslavia up on the map.

“Since they won the border battle, the Yugoslavian bastards will be quite greedy.”

If it were a small country with a population of 3 million, it would have continued to defend itself with mountains and rivers. But the United Kingdom of Yugoslavia is a country with a population of 15 million.

“Hmm…”

They have the ability to launch an offensive. There are three places where they can launch an offensive.

“First. The Transylvania area.”

Transylvania is a duchy of the Kingdom of Hungary.

The defense there is so weak that there isn’t even a decent fortress, so the Kingdom of Yugoslavia’s army will be able to break through easily.

But its strategic value is relatively low compared to the other two offensives.

“Second. The Belgrade area.”

Belgrade is the capital of the United Kingdom of Yugoslavia.

All of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia’s industrial power is concentrated here, but there is one big problem.

If you fire a cannon from the existing border, the range will reach the city’s square because it is so close to the border.

“Third. The Montenegro and Albania area.”

The Kingdom of Montenegro and the Kingdom of Albania, which are Croatian Royal territories, are part of a strategy to form an encirclement against the United Kingdom of Yugoslavia.

Thanks to their being under the empire’s influence, the United Kingdom of Yugoslavia has been completely cut off from Allied support through the Adriatic Sea.

If they break through here, a huge amount of supplies will pour into Montenegro through the Adriatic Sea.

“The Kingdom of Yugoslavia will want to breathe.”

And that goal is probably…

Tap.

“It will be here.”

He pointed to Montenegro, at the southern end of the Kingdom of Croatia.

“Indeed… that makes sense. If they break through Montenegro, the United Kingdom of Yugoslavia will be able to obtain huge amounts of supplies pouring out from England, France, and the Savoy-Two Sicilies Kingdom.”

“It seems… it’s going to be a little annoying…”

If the biggest weakness of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia is solved by the Western Allies, it is practically the same.

Well, no matter what action the United Kingdom of Yugoslavia takes, the action the Imperial Army must take is simple.

He grinned.

“No matter what moves the Yugoslavian bastards make, there is only one thing our 9th Army must do.”

Bang!

“Before the vile Yugoslavian bastards do anything, we will ravage the enemy’s capital with overwhelming mass and speed! Like a deadly poison spreading through the body!”