#418. show sincerity.
* * *
“What did you just… say?”
after the establishment of the Soviet Union.
Bachemensky was overworked.
In addition, as he had taken on and handled all the affairs of the revolutionary government, he was now able to respond steadfastly to any unexpected situation.
But at this moment.
He couldn’t quite stand still.
Staying awake for several nights trying to deal with the massacre of hundreds of key figures in the revolutionary government?
Of course, that was also a serious problem.
However, compared to what I had just heard, that was a trivial matter that could only be called ‘merely’.
“You said you were going to war.”
So it was.
That’s why Sergei looked shocked at what he said in a heavy voice.
“…Are you saying the Russian Khanate will invade?”
“No, it means we are going to invade the Russian Khanate.”
“Nonsense!”
bang!
Bachemensky unknowingly hit the desk.
Although he had always respected Sergei as a leader, he could not bear to hear such outrageous comments.
Of course, liberating all people from dictatorship was the Soviet Union’s ideology.
So war was bound to happen someday.
The problem is that there are mountains of reasons why that one day shouldn’t be now.
“Doesn’t the teacher know that we are not in a state where we can go to war yet?”
“The organization of the army is over.”
“It’s literally just compilation done!”
By the time the factory was restarted.
The revolutionary government carried out recruitment.
This is because it was necessary to prepare the minimum defense capability as we do not know when the invasion of Russia will begin.
Fortunately, the recruitment ended quickly thanks to the volunteers of the citizens who supported the revolution.
Together with the Revolutionary Army, a total of 200,000 were collected.
Even though it was absurdly short compared to the 1 million Russian army, it was a sufficient number for the minimum army to defend Moscow.
two problems.
It was equipment and training.
It was because the Russian army had all the expensive equipment, and even simple guns were the only things the revolutionary army had.
Fortunately, Moscow is the most industrial city in the world. Quite a bit of equipment could be produced at the munitions factory.
But training was not the solution.
In the first place, the main axis, the revolutionary army, was at a slightly better level than the militia.
It was impossible to give them more professional training than if they knew how to shoot.
“Right now, our army is a mess. It is suicidal to go on the offensive when the odds are low even if you focus only on defense!”
On the other hand, the Russian army is one of the armies that compete with the world’s strongest along with the US army.
A preemptive strike against them?
As a researcher at a munitions factory, Bachemensky, who had minimal knowledge of military science, had no choice but to risk his life against it.
“Besides, the brothers were slaughtered a few days ago! To start a war in a city where everyone is anxious because the culprit has not been caught yet…!”
“That’s why we have to go to war.”
“…What do you mean?”
Bachemensky felt uneasy.
It would be disadvantageous to go to war now.
He who led the revolutionary army could not have known this obvious fact.
It was because I realized that if I start a war nonetheless, there must be a reason for it.
Besides, if the reason is related to the dead revolutionary party members, one thing comes to mind.
“Could this be part of a factional fight? To strengthen the teacher’s political position as many elements of the Armed Forces died?”
“It has nothing to do with factions.”
“Then why…?”
Sergei closed his eyes.
And he opened his mouth in a heavy voice.
“How much do you know about your dead brothers?”
“I know they were all mid-level players and a lot of them had a lot of problems.”
“As you said, they weren’t great in person. Most of them abused their power as revolutionaries to do bad things.”
A more sober evaluation than a plain one.
At the end, Sergei added one more word.
“The problem is that they were good at raising money.”
“Are you saying that you are competent in capturing innocent citizens and extorting money from them?”
“Anyway, it is true that the money they provided has been of considerable help to the finances of the revolutionary government.”
Bachemensky’s face hardened.
Forcing Moscow’s wealthy to donate.
Those who are reluctant to donate are accused of being reactionaries and having their property confiscated is a drug.
Making innocent citizens into waitresses or forcing them to do unpaid labor for the sake of the country.
He was well aware of what the murdered people had done a few days before, having investigated the victims’ connections.
He was even suspected of committing murder.
However, it was an undeniable fact that they helped the revolutionary government to increase its finances.
It also created an atmosphere that if you don’t donate, you might be treated as a reactionary.
Why did the revolution succeed but life got worse? They were the ones who coerced those who were disaffected into working for the government anyway.
But the fact that they disappeared overnight…
“Are you in trouble financially?”
“Yes.”
“Even if the donations were greatly reduced, it would not have been enough to cause serious problems right away.”
“It will be. The money I am talking about did not come and go on the ledger.”
“If it wasn’t because of the ledger…?”
I wondered for a while.
Bachemensky’s eyes widened.
“Did you take a bribe from them?”
“No way, it’s true. And all of them were used to buy and supply military supplies.”
Sergei’s calm words shocked Bachemensky.
Whenever funds to build an army were running out, Sergei would give them money from unknown sources on several occasions.
Until now, it was assumed that it was donations from supporters of the Revolutionary Army or foreign aid secretly supporting the establishment of the Soviet Union.
Could it be that all that huge amount of money was a bribe?
If that is true, the criminal acts of the revolutionaries he has discovered will be just the tip of the iceberg.
To come up with that kind of bribe in such a short period of time would have taken ten times as much exploitation as he had checked.
“So you’re saying that you knew about their crimes from the beginning but were acquiescing!”
“I didn’t deliberately condone it. Even if I wanted to condemn them, I just couldn’t secure the proper evidence.”
“The bribe you received is proof!”
“They laundered it from an anonymous donor and passed it on so it couldn’t be used as evidence.”
“Isn’t it because if it turns out that you took bribes from them, it will put you at a disadvantage in the faction fight?”
“If I had only been afraid of such a thing, I would not have used the bribe to finance the revolutionary government.”
Bachemensky groaned.
Even after becoming secretary-general, Sergei was an iron man who devoted himself to his work, eating the same meals as factory workers without lavishing himself.
He would not have taken a bribe and hid it for self-interest or to retain power.
It was only for the sake of the Soviet Union that it was tolerated.
But no matter how much it is for the sake of the cause, I don’t have to go this far.
I couldn’t help but be confused.
Especially since the ending is a war.
“Is that why you said we should start a war?”
“Our government, which spent most of its finances on munitions, cannot afford to maintain the military for a long time. The only way left is to reduce the military…”
“…That means we need to secure tax revenue by occupying other cities before the remaining military supplies are exhausted.”
I spent all my money securing military supplies.
Now, in order to raise money, they have to wage war while consuming those military supplies.
It was a staggering contradiction.
But it was also an unavoidable reality.
“There is no need for large territories. Incorporating just one or two cities into our federation would improve the situation dramatically.”
Their financial difficulties now are largely attributable to the Russian government taking all of its assets and jumping out.
If you get your hands on a decent city, you will be able to overcome the hurdle based on its assets and tax revenue.
In addition, if the people’s morale is boosted by the fact that they won the war, they can suppress complaints about tough labor robbery and restore finances by issuing bills.
Considering these advantages, it was definitely a method worth trying.
“But that is a countermeasure only if we can defeat the Russian army.”
One problem.
that the odds of winning are slim.
From troops to equipment training.
For the Soviet army, which was lacking in every way, to defeat the overwhelmingly superior Russian army, it was tantamount to hitting a rock with an egg.
“Don’t worry about that. I also have no desire to wage a war without a win.”
beep.
“Sister Elshar, bring me that map.”
[Okay.]
So after a while.
A white-haired girl who came after receiving a call from Sergei.
Seeing the map and papers Ekatriche had spread out on the table, Vachemensky’s eyes widened.
“Isn’t this…the Russian military deployment plan and operational plan?”
“Yes.”
“How did you get this?”
“It’s a hack.”
“hacking? Are you saying you hacked the Russian army?”
“Yes.”
It seems like this is no big deal.
Seeing Catherine answer calmly, Bachemensky put on an absurd expression.
The Russian military’s security system is made by Bahamut. It wasn’t something that even a single genius could break through.
…In fact, it shouldn’t have been surprising to know that the security system was developed by her as a pastime.
“As you can see from this layout, the Russians are also in a state of confusion right now.”
It was natural.
Of course, the capital was taken away by the revolutionary army.
The iron-blooded dictator, the Great Khan, took and ousted the 100,000 garrison guarding Moscow.
No matter how well-stocked the Russian army was, there was no way it could be run as cleanly as usual.
“If we cooperate with the revolutionary forces in other cities to cause chaos inside and dig into the gaps…” “
…I think we might be caught off guard once or twice.”
“Yes.”
Bachemensky’s expression became complicated.
If there was no chance at all, I would have risked my life against it.
For Sergei’s plan did not look very hopeless.
Of course, there was only a chance to win.
The possibility of defeat was still high, and the situation could have become even more serious if the war dragged on.
However, it was undeniable that it would be better to reap the benefits of a preemptive strike rather than immediately disbanding the military.
So, Bachemensky, who was worried, finally opened his mouth with a hard face.
“…what can I do?”
“Prepare the troops for deployment as soon as possible. Sister Elshar here will also help as a staff member.”
“Chief? Are you talking about Sister Elshar?”
“Fortunately, Sister Elshar has a talent for military strategy. Just looking at what you showed during the revolution will be of great help in this operation.”
“Only I trust you,”
Bachemensky couldn’t deny.
It was because there was no room for making fun of talented people like Elshar to the Revolutionary Army now that there are still a shortage of officers.
Instead, thinking that the intensity of work in the rear would increase enough to get her out of the way, it just made my eyes go blank.
In the end, Bachemensky let out a deep sigh, accepted the job, and left.
And before Catherine goes after him.
Sergei asked suddenly.
“Sister Elshar, I have something to ask you before we leave.”
“What?”
“Do you know where Brother Reno was doing the night our brothers were murdered?”
the moment you ask that question.
She had a strange smile.
But that’s what happened inside the mask.
On the outside, Yekathrice, who pretended to be expressionless as usual, replied calmly.
“You were with me.”
“…is it. Sorry for asking useless questions.”
“It’s okay.”
After Yekathrice went out like that.
Left alone, Sergei was lost in thought.
It was because even though she had confirmed her alibi, she couldn’t erase her doubts.
Especially in that not a few of the revolutionary party members killed this time have seen blood from being entangled with Limon.
But it was hard to believe that Limon had done it alone.
Hundreds of victims of a series of murders that occurred simultaneously throughout Moscow that night.
If there is a person who can do such a thing alone…
“….”
That moment.
Sergei hardened his face.
I met Limon a few times.
I realized that I couldn’t remember his face clearly.
So he looked back.
What color was Limon’s hair?
And after barely remembering that he, like a brother and sister, had the same gray hair as Elshar, he groaned involuntarily.
“no way?”
A few days later, 100,000 federal troops were dispatched from Moscow.
The war between the two incompatible countries, the Soviet Union and the Russian Khanate, thus began.
…and it’s over.
It wasn’t the bullets that greeted them as they attacked Yaroslavl by outwitting the Russians.
A city without an army.
Citizens cheering.
Revolutionary forces wanting to join the Federation.
And even comic books full of empty warehouses.
All the officers of the revolutionary army could not help but be stunned at the sight that was so familiar and horrifying.
* * *
“I said. It shows the sincerity of the White Dragon Clan.”
and that time.
He was the one who pulled out all of the Russian troops and resources from Yaroslavl just in time for the federal army’s dispatch date.
A white-haired girl who squeezed the budget and ordered books and movies even from nearby towns and villages.
Ainsha muttered with an expressionless face.
“I will fight you no matter how much. I will run away even to the end of the world.”
When it comes to escaping, the clan is more sincere than anyone else.
The Princess of the White Dragon Clan clenched her fists and made up her mind.
