The Imperial Grand Strategy Conference Room, where the empire’s leadership sat around a massive table, headed by Ferdinand IV in the seat of honor.
“Just now, we confirmed the contents of the official document delivered by the envoy of the United Kingdom’s government-in-exile.”
Minister Josef set down the thick diplomatic document, his voice carrying even a faint trace of excitement.
“To state the conclusion first… the proposal from the government-in-exile is, quite literally, extraordinary.”
The proposal from Queen Charlotte that he read out was as follows.
Permanent lease rights to several key ports on the Londinium mainland. Guaranteed tariff privileges and mining rights for major resources.
On top of that, tacit recognition of the empire’s dominion over its spheres of interest on the continent, including the former Republic—now the BC Republic—and even a promise of free administrative support for overseas colonies.
It meant they were willing to accept even that unpleasant notion of “subcontracting.”
“In exchange for conceding all of this, Queen Charlotte has made only one demand.”
Josef swallowed dryly and looked around the conference room.
“The complete and swift destruction of the traitors rooted on Victoria Island—the People’s United Republic.”
The previously quiet conference room began to heat up in an instant.
“My word. Is that not openly offering us territory?”
“It is certainly a tempting proposal.”
‘Analyze status.’
System windows sprang up one after another above the heads of the empire’s leading figures.
[Status: Blatant Greed]
[Status: Hero Complex]
[Status: Imperial Ambition]
The generals’ eyes flashed, and curiosity appeared on the faces of the members of parliament as well.
It was only natural. If they merely helped reclaim the United Kingdom’s homeland, enormous interests would come rolling into their hands.
‘…If they merely helped reclaim it.’
The problem was that it was not an easy task.
“It may become a poisoned chalice.”
Chancellor Kallenberg poured cold water on the discussion.
“Our empire has fought too many wars. How do you intend to handle the ever-growing fiscal burden?”
The rebuttal burst out as if it had been waiting. With that as the turning point, the mood in the conference room split in two.
The military and Josef, who insisted the war must be carried out. And the cabinet members, who worried about practical financial issues.
“This is a great game worthy of staking the nation’s fate!”
“What are you talking about? You would spill the blood of hundreds of thousands of fine imperial sons just to save a single island nation?”
“Are you suggesting we cast aside His Majesty’s own blood relative?”
“See here, General! Mind your words. When did I ever say that?”
Just before the explosive war of words turned the conference room into a shambles.
“Calm yourselves.”
Marshal Ludwig spoke.
“It is not that I do not understand what the chancellor is worried about. But even as we hesitate, the League’s supplies are pouring into Victoria Island. If we sit back and watch those red bastards plaster the coastline with fortresses, the empire will live forever with a time bomb hanging over its head.”
‘For some reason, that doesn’t feel like someone else’s problem….’
Separate from my uneasy feelings, Marshal Ludwig’s words sharply pulled the tense atmosphere to one side. The momentum shifted toward the military.
Soon, the topic of the meeting moved on.
“The situation is not entirely bad. If we are to discuss naval strength, the government-in-exile also has a navy.”
Admiral William’s First Fleet had followed Queen Charlotte into exile in the New World. It would become a reliable ally in this war.
“The results of military modernization are also encouraging. New weapons and doctrine. The strengthening of the air force. And above all… even the navy’s increased proportion of merchant-ship-converted aircraft carriers and submarines.”
When the listed information was tied together, the conclusion naturally led to one thing.
Something that would have been unthinkable in the past, but was no longer impossible.
“A large-scale landing operation from the continent to the island.”
As soon as Ludwig spoke, the gazes in the conference room naturally gathered at the seat of honor.
“…At last.”
Because Ferdinand IV had straightened his posture.
“You are saying that my lions shall cross the sea. That they shall cut off the breath of the rioters and proclaim the dignity of the imperial house to the entire world…”
He smiled in satisfaction.
“Truly, it is magnificent.”
As if emboldened by that, Falkenheim stepped forward with confidence.
“Precisely as Your Majesty says. If we can only set foot on the coast, there will be no problem thereafter. Their infantry will be no match for the Imperial Army.”
But even here, a practical problem held them back.
“However, we must not overlook the time permitted to us.”
This time, a naval admiral, Lützel, poured cold water on the matter.
“Once October passes, the strait will be covered in rough seas.”
A winter sea where even maintaining maritime supply lines would become difficult, let alone landing troops. Nature was always the greatest constraint.
“It is now the end of June. We have three months ahead of us—four at most.”
Once again.
The conclusion narrowed to a single point.
Before the enemy’s defensive line became solid. Before October arrived.
The only solution was a “short, decisive war” in which they crossed the strait and seized the mainland within the three or four months of golden time that remained.
But how?
“Even if the Royal Navy has joined us…”
“Would it not be unreasonable to guarantee command of the sea in a mere three months?”
The debate resumed once more.
No matter how much the Imperial Navy was joined by Admiral William’s fleet, they were still slightly inferior compared to the enemy navy.
“In that case, the risk of a landing operation becomes far too great.”
“Good heavens, I thought we were nearly there.”
And it did not take long for it to become clear that this “slight inferiority” made an enormous difference.
If one were to ask whether being short a few ships was really so fatal, the answer would be 250 percent “yes.”
The transports essential for a landing are pointlessly large, thinly armored, and horribly slow. Moreover, they are packed full of thousands of infantrymen and explosives.
To float those out to sea while command of the sea is uncertain? Those lumps of cargo that would only get in the way rather than help in battle?
Gallipoli proved what kind of result that led to.
It meant annihilation.
“…In the end, the conclusion is that with our current naval power alone, we cannot seize control of the strait within three months.”
The mood in the conference room plunged back into the abyss.
What did it matter how strong the army was? The problem was the navy.
Compared to the enemy navy, the Imperial Navy lacked ships, lacked time, and lacked experience.
Even rotten fish was still fish. Though they were reds, those bastards had inherited the dignity of the “nation on which the sun never sets.”
Now the operation seemed completely impossible. Deep wrinkles creased the brows of the imperial leadership as they collided with a towering wall.
Just as they began to consider whether they should give up on the war and cast Charlotte aside.
“……”
The emperor, who had been sitting silently at the seat of honor, slowly raised his head. His piercing gaze crossed the table and fixed on a young man standing quietly at the edge of the conference room.
“My hero.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
It fell upon Lieutenant Colonel Max Jaeger, the lowest-ranking person in this room, a humble commoner orphan by birth.
“It was you who recently presented the empire with new doctrine, and it was you who saved my niece in a manner no one could have predicted.”
“I was merely fortunate.”
“Enough humility. Everyone here knows that your insight and exceptional talent brought about victories that had seemed impossible.”
The atmosphere of the conference room began to change completely.
The renowned generals and parliamentarians of the empire. The gazes of those great figures all turned toward me at once.
“What do you see now? I shall personally listen. What must my army do first in order to judge the rioters across that sea?”
Half of them seemed doubtful.
‘He will probably just spout something that sounds plausible.’
‘It will be fortunate if he does not abuse His Majesty’s favor.’
‘No matter how much of a genius that fellow is, this is impossible. After all, this is a large-scale landing operation with no answer.’
And the other half were probably grasping at straws.
‘If it is that Jaeger fellow… perhaps. He may present something useful.’
‘Landing craft? Airborne troops? Or large-scale bombardment? Is there no ingenious plan?’
Everyone seemed to expect an answer along those lines.
In my eyes, this empire still had a long way to go.
I spoke in a low voice.
“The Air Force.”
“…The Air Force?”
The emperor’s brow narrowed. Deep question marks appeared on the generals’ faces all at once.
I tapped the map spread across the table with my finger.
“With the navy alone, we cannot guarantee a landing in the short term, and the army is of no use whatsoever until it crosses the sea.”
If neither the land nor the sea was ours.
“The first thing we must do is completely paralyze the enemy’s air defense network and seize control of the skies.”
In other words.
“We must wage an air war over the enemy homeland.”
*
A few days later, the voice of one man was broadcast not only across the entire empire, but across the frequencies of the entire world.
It was Josef, the imperial foreign minister.
[Our empire does not recognize the “People’s United Republic” of Londinium, usurped through unlawful force and massacre, as a legitimate state.]
[We hereby declare that only the government led by Queen Charlotte Ophelia of Hanover-Windsor is the sole and lawful ruler of Victoria Island.]
And then came the prelude to war.
[Therefore, in order to defend the peace of the Ebrofi Continent and the rightful monarchy, the empire declares that it will commence full-scale military operations against the regime of the rioters.]
The empire declared war on the People’s United Republic.
*
At the same time. Across the sea, in the governor-general’s residence of the New World colony of New Victoria.
“So, they have moved in the end.”
Seated in a chair in the reception room, Charlotte slowly set down her teacup. Minister Josef’s statement that had flowed from the radio had just ended.
“To think they would first seize the skies in order to carry out a landing operation. I heard it was an extremely innovative idea.”
Charlotte’s gaze turned to Sydney, who stood quietly behind her.
“That strategy must have come from Lieutenant Colonel Jaeger’s mouth, yes?”
“…Yes. It is said that Lieutenant Colonel Jaeger personally advocated an ‘air war’ at the imperial council.”
Charlotte’s expression turned intrigued.
“Even though it was such a radical proposal, it was accepted quite readily. That council must have been full of army generals…”
“They likely had no grounds to oppose it. His achievements are absurd as well.”
Indeed.
The Sickle Cut Operation, the defense of Rosenheim, and even the return alive from Londinium.
Max Jaeger had left behind far too many precedents of making the impossible possible.
“He truly is an extraordinary man.”
Charlotte murmured softly. At those words, Sydney’s shoulders stiffened ever so slightly.
“His extraordinariness has saved us again this time. Has it not? If he had not been there, the empire would not have tried to help us.”
“……”
Charlotte looked out the window at the unfamiliar scenery of the New World and smiled bitterly.
“Director.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“If his strategy fails, our return will vanish forever as well. Such a thing must never happen.”
Charlotte’s order was clear.
“Mobilize every remaining intelligence network. Use them to lend strength to Lieutenant Colonel Jaeger.”
“I shall obey your command.”
Sydney gave a respectful military salute.
The time had come to dance once more upon Max Jaeger’s board.