Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Chapter 289: Qualification of the Duce (5)

Both words, Führer and Duce, mean "leader" or "one who leads," and can essentially be considered synonymous.

Mussolini became the Duce in 1932. Hitler became the Führer in 1933.

Since neither are words used in existing systems, they both sound like neologisms to me, but anyway, they're using their own distinctive titles.

In contrast, the word Tsar is derived from Latin, Caesar, from the Roman era.

It straightforwardly means the Emperor of Rome.

"In that sense, if we're being strict, the true Rome would be not the homeland but rather our Russia. Since Wilhelm was the last Kaiser, we Russians are the only successor state remaining."

There are many countries that use the title Tsar, but most use it in the sense of leader or king, and Russia is the only empire that uses Tsar to mean "Emperor."

"In other words, it's absurd for a country that couldn't emerge beyond a mere peninsula to call out for 'the glory of ancient Rome' even if they name their capital Rome. Truly, it's an unbearable load of nonsense."

This was beyond Mussolini's foreign policy changing to active expansionism; the justification itself was not just laughable but close to an intolerable provocation.

Whether it was being blocked from establishing a puppet regime in Albania. Or redominating Libya after temporarily losing control. Or even invading Corfu Island or continuing border provocations against Serbia for ten years.

However, calling my warm waters Mare Nostrum (Our Sea) and claiming it as their territory? And after killing the king of a member of our Slavic world?

"So, say it again in front of me. Whose sea is the Mediterranean?"

This is our Duce crossing the line, apart from sharing the worldview of ancient Rome among themselves.

Mussolini's son-in-law, Galeazzo Ciano, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Though his position is Vice Minister, this young man wields authority beyond a minister due to his position as the Duce's son-in-law and the trust it brings.

The most fervent fascist, militarist, and hardliner, this Ciano stands before me.

"A sea that has finally emerged after three generations, starting from my grandfather's time. A sea obtained only after playing the Great Game with Britain for 100 years and fighting a Great War for 5 years. Perhaps that's why we're truly satisfied with it. We have no particular interest in Britain's canal, and we've left alone your naval base on Leros Island in Greece."

I'm sincere. We have no interest in Mediterranean hegemony.

For us, the Mediterranean is beyond a sour grape—it's a poisoned one.

The moment you try to eat it, the poisoning begins—it's nothing but a dangerous thing.

That's why we left that naval base alone.

"Having left it alone, why does this old man keep being provoked? Hmm?"

"..."

"If you like assassinations so much, should I also move the Okhrana to get a response? Or should I burn down that naval base to get an answer?"

"...It's a misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding, misunderstanding."

Ciano's effort to call it a misunderstanding feels more like an insincere response.

The Tsar who once vigorously led things in his youth is now gone.

He understands that the person protesting here is merely an old man losing his gun and knowledge.

And now all that remains for that old man is...

"I suppose the Duce is confident he can win a war against me?"

Just the past accumulated throughout his life.

Is it my imagination that everything around me momentarily goes quiet?

After staring at the motionless Ciano for a moment, I apologized for my mistake.

"Sigh, I'm sorry. I've been distracted lately and misspoke."

"I-it's fine."

"When a person gets old, they should resolve things through conversation, but it's hard to change the way one has lived."

Perhaps it's because I'm not particularly active in speeches or diplomatic activities. I don't have confidence in impressing Ciano with eloquent speech in this place, let alone persuading the Duce behind him.

Furthermore, I had no intention of setting up a middle ground that would satisfy everyone and having Serbia, whose king had died, accept it.

Perhaps just as every nation presents imperialism as the solution to all problems.

I might also be moving according to the logic of power.

No, that must be right.

Because the desire to crush this Duce continues endlessly even now.

'This must be human nature.'

But not yet, not yet.

1934 is a ripening year. Not a year to harvest fruit.

"Vice Minister Ciano, go back and tell the Duce this: Serbia will prepare for war, and Russia will fully support Serbia directly and indirectly."

"A-are you declaring war now?"

"Of course not. If you reject the following conditions, you can send us a declaration of war. One, acknowledge even indirect involvement, apologize, and compensate. Two, abandon all influence in the Balkans to prevent recurrence."

The places the Duce has touched are not just one or two.

Most notably Albania, the weakest country in the Balkans. We left it independent because it's a Slavic nation, but the Duce has already extended his hand to Albania, and Italian officers are teaching their army.

I don't know what they're learning from such an army, but both Albania, which believes what they're taught, and Italy, which teaches it, are absurd.

"Please don't make me strike you with my own hands. If you refuse this time, it won't be me but Roman Chief of Staff who will come for you."

That won't happen. War between Italy and Russia is difficult to establish, but this assassination by the Duce is an event that clearly divides Europe.

The West won't let Italy fight Russia alone.

Nevertheless, I didn't hesitate to make threatening remarks to bring it to a definitive conclusion.

That's the only way that crazy dictator would listen at all.

Fortunately, Ciano, who just passed thirty, seemed capable of thinking, as he returned to the conversation with a negotiating attitude.

"But if we do as the Tsar thinks... The Duce will find it difficult to prevent internal and external chaos. Acknowledging involvement in the assassination and compensating? You know better than anyone, Tsar, that this isn't about money or losses but about undermining the Duce's status and the foundation of his power?"

"Huh! Now you're asking me to consider your father-in-law's circumstances?"

"...Please say it's for the swift resolution of the situation."

He's only a year older than Nikita, but he's not as stupid as I thought.

Still, he seems to have recognized that I have the will to resolve the situation and am considering the use of force, so Ciano asked for consideration.