Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Chapter 291: Roman Ruins (1)

If naval disarmament was the global paradigm in the 1920s, the military buildup of the 1930s was like a following whirlwind.

Simply put, it was a time when the consequences of closing one's wallet during prosperous times were coming back.

"They're using tanks that weigh over 40 tons? Even our main T-series tanks barely reach 30 tons when loaded with shells?"

"Shouldn't we start making heavy tanks too? If we clash with them using light tanks, we'll crumple like aluminum."

"Money! The parliament should give us more money! Please increase the defense budget!"

If artillery and machine guns consumed the army's money from the late 19th to early 20th century, in the 1930s, tanks and aircraft began to devour the army's budget.

"With so many types of personal weapons, you're still telling all troops to use stripper clips? Will we die from insufficient firepower?"

"Haven't you experienced trench warfare? You need submachine guns to pour out firepower first!"

Unlike the times when a single infantry weapon was adopted and supplied to the entire army, firearms now diversified to suit various situations.

"Um... so non-combat branches make up about 32% of the force?"

"Depending on the situation, communications, engineering, technical branches, or maintenance branches could participate in combat, but as you know, these positions cannot be filled by conscription."

"And this is still increasing?"

While some branches like cavalry are becoming obsolete, there are many newly established positions growing with technological advancement.

And all these changes happening in real-time across countries is precisely what the 1930s are about.

"You're late, far too late, you fools."

Of course, not everyone was struggling desperately.

The seventy-seven-year-old veteran, Roman.

Now at an age where aging no longer appears as experience, with a bent back and narrowed shoulders.

In his later years, it would be fair to say he invested all his life experiences in the army.

The experience of the Russo-Japanese War. The insights from the Great War. And 57 years of military service, excluding his cadet days, starting with enrollment at the Nikolayev Engineering School in '77.

"Hehe, I've been eating government salary for quite a long time."

He's now become a shabby old general, but it makes him laugh that he's left behind no small legacy despite his condition.

Of course, there's still some regret remaining.

"It's a pity. A war with Ethiopia? What's the use of avoiding the real opponent?"

That Italy. Japan. Even Germany would do.

He thought there would be one more opportunity before he died.

But perhaps he's not allowed to see the next war. It seems his role is only in preparation.

So many people have passed through his life.

Lieutenant Generals Anatoly Stessel and Kuropatkin. General Dukhovskoy, who had been with him since his time as Governor of the Amur region. Nikolai Bunge, the pioneer of the Far East. Director Sekerenskiy, still a bit frightening to recall. The insufferable Sakharov from the War Department. The first Jewish Major General Hertsel Tsam and Petika Choi.

"I shouldn't forget Admiral Rozen and Chief of Staff Kuropatkin. How difficult it was to manage those old men's tempers."

Chuckling as he recalls them one by one, the names come endlessly.

But seeing that list increasingly filled with the dead rather than the living, well...

It seems the time has indeed come.

"...Chief of Staff."

After briefly closing his eyes and indulging in nostalgia, Kornilov calls for him like a duckling seeking its mother duck.

Roman now knew exactly what he needed to do for those who would hold the position after he left.

The collective security formed during the Great War by defining Germany as the enemy had long ended, and now the era of bloc security had arrived.

Bloc security. A war between two massive blocs where gray elements would find it difficult to survive.

However, blocs always change, and the Tsar he had observed for decades is not someone who would join hands with Nazis or Japs to conquer the world.

From the beginning, this empire...

'No longer needs alliances.'

Because it has grown too large to die.

The fortress commander became an engineering general, and now has become the Chief of Staff.

"First, let's clarify one thing. The best defense is offense, and the best war prevention is preemptive strike."

"...Have you perhaps received a date of death? Did the doctor give you a terminal diagnosis?"

I wonder what Brusilov, now dead, would say from the afterlife seeing his own belated conversion to offensive-oriented thinking.

"Are you really dying?"

"Dying? What nonsense is that for someone like me who has lived a life of killing?"

Maybe he'd curse me to fall into the River Styx and die once more.

His final legacy to this country's military.

"Now, let's formulate a plan for war against Germany."

A future war plan that might be used someday.

"Is Germany enough?"

"Are you kidding? After how many Japs I've killed, shouldn't those who follow my footsteps have at least a Far East war plan?"

"...Then it's a two-front war?"

"It might be. That's why we should consider all possibilities first."

However, making plans that might be used someday.

Now Roman seemed to understand a little.

This must be why the Tsar placed him in the position of Chief of Staff.

==

"Let's see, first, the Nazis are out."

"Why do you think so?"

"Well, do you think the Tsar would join hands with a mentally disturbed person full of such impure ideology? Nonsense."

His prediction begins as usual, folding his fingers one by one.

"The Nazis have adopted Social Darwinism, but the comedy is that they themselves are a degraded version of our Russia. They're just bugs destined to fail. Seeing how they're treating Austria, they seem to be ineptly trying to realize colonial imperialism, but to justify that, how many contradictions would they have to endure themselves? Anyway, they're out."

"Who's next?"

"America. They're out too. A democratic country too steeped in neglect. A country that doesn't care whether it consumes the Philippines or not, but still has disgustingly many desires. If you can't control your desires, you deserve to die. So they're out."