Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Chapter 298: Chess of Giants (6)

America, France, Britain, Russia, Germany, those numerous culprits.

He didn't want to join hands with them even if he died, but as he was really about to die, they kept appearing before his eyes.

"...Is it truly impossible with only our strength?"

Perhaps, from the beginning, it was impossible for colonies to shake off the influence of great powers and achieve independence on their own.

"What? These guys abrogated both the London Naval Treaty and the Washington Naval Treaty? You bastards! You're trying to invade Korea again!"

"Will we fall to gunboat diplomacy again? Let's make our own Black Ships!"

"Teacher Kim Gu advocated for becoming a cultural power, but... no? The military is the best! It's thrilling! Always fresh!"

Of course, there were fortunate exceptions:

"Anyone who opposes the 4-year mandatory service bill here is a pro-Japanese national traitor!"

"We experienced it on the Eastern Front, right? Artillery is the future of the country!"

"Oh, the power of 155mm resides in me!"

Countries that had been invaded so many times they became obsessed with self-defense.

==

Nazi foreign policy might be misunderstood as biologically and fatally determined for the German people to use military power for European expansion if it slips for a moment.

What this means is that the country most hindering the construction of Lebensraum is actually Russia.

The ultimate goal of the Nazis is to build a living space where Germans can live stably, and anyone can see that the word "Poland" hasn't been omitted from this.

With this perspective, there were optimists in the West and America who thought Germany and Russia might not join hands.

However, in this meeting today, the word Poland was not mentioned even once.

"I was truly impressed that you noticed the filthiness of the Western powers even from the time when they were your allies."

"How could I not know? Our empire knew from the moment the Great Game began. Ah, their imperialism is an insatiable desire."

The meeting between Beren Volkov, a hardcore anti-Western faction member, and Paul Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi propagandist.

"Recently, I watched 'Victory of the Faith' at a theater with our Foreign Ministry staff."

"I hadn't heard that it was being shown abroad, but you seem to have seen it. How was it?"

"A documentary-style exposé film—it was both stimulating and fresh. Especially the fact that you starred in it made a deeper impression on me."

It wasn't sarcasm; Beren had been genuinely impressed by Goebbels' ability to agitate more than once.

Goebbels' enlightenment front, which began to manifest after the Nazis seized control of all news, radio, art, and mass media in just one year after coming to power.

An individual can have outstanding oratory skills or solid beliefs, but injecting these into others is a completely different realm.

Hadn't Beren himself cursed Western powers for years before finally rising to the position of Foreign Minister?

"However, I also noticed some regrettable points. If there's anything I've learned from cursing Western powers for 20 years, it's that there's no need to look for grounds while cursing."

"What do you mean?"

"Just curse first, and then there will be similar cases to find later, so it's okay to just go for it."

"Ah, hahahaha!"

At Beren's advice, Goebbels stared blankly for a moment before breaking into laughter.

"And the Minister of Propaganda also has a firm sense of purpose, doesn't he? 'Victory of the Faith' also seemed like an enlightenment movement to awaken a sense of crisis rather than just exposé."

"That's right! Absolutely correct! You really understand, perhaps too well!"

"The real skill in film isn't shooting but editing."

There was no need to particularly promote the Tsar's reign in the empire, but because the direction the Nazis were looking aligned with Beren, there was no hesitation in the conversation between the two.

"The core of propaganda lies not in the message but in repetition. When repeated, the message becomes ingrained. From this year, our theme focuses on 'assault troops and ethnic purity.'"

"I don't mind you putting assault troops at the forefront to curse Jews, but please don't try to fight with our Okhrana. Our director is a somewhat scary person."

"The focus of the camera should be blurry to look like watercolor. And watercolor is an art form praised by everyone regardless of the era."

"The out-of-focus technique of agitation."

Even as topics jumped here and there, there was no obstruction in the conversation between the two.

The two men's distrust and hatred toward the West were like firewood that burned more intensely the more they were together.

Soon, after circling through domestic and international politics and even the Italy-Ethiopia situation:

"So, the Führer is not satisfied with meeting Prime Minister Stolypin?"

"Not with the intention of insulting Prime Minister Stolypin, but because he truly wishes to meet His Majesty the Tsar."

"There's nothing good to come from meeting, especially as you said, both emotionally and ideologically for the ethnicities."

"Don't outstanding individuals have their own compatibility?"

Beren's eyebrow twitched at the statement naturally elevating the Führer to the same level as the Tsar, but soon returned to its place at Goebbels' flowing flattery.

And this situation was the same for Beren:

'Truly, for some unknown reason, the Tsar seems to enjoy meeting famous figures from other countries once in a while.'

Rather than a meeting born of necessity, he enjoys conversations with individuals.

Despite having extremely few external activities otherwise, there's no harm.

The "German-Russian Non-Aggression Pact" was already scheduled to be concluded due to the needs of both countries, and subsequent meetings would simply be dessert for developing the relationship.

"Alright. Since the busy Führer came personally, the Tsar probably won't refuse."

"Thank you. Thank you!"

Beren nodded, not understanding why Goebbels was so grateful.

Well, aren't there countless admirers of the Tsar?

Recently, it's said that royal bloodlines from any country want to be like the Tsar, and dictators all follow Russia's development.

Amid the consistently favorable atmosphere throughout the German delegation's schedule in Russia:

Before the German side returned, a date was set for Nicholas and Adolf to meet.

Practically, there seemed to be no real reason, but:

"Pleased to meet you. I heard the talks with the Prime Minister went well."

"Thank you for your hospitality."

The two giants who made Italy tremble finally shook hands.

"I truly wanted to meet you."

"The feeling is mutual."

It was nothing short of a meeting that could make the world convulse.