July, 1849.
Where the borders of Russia and the Ottoman Empire tangled chaotically.
The eastern banks of the Danube.
Boom!
Along the frontier where border disputes had practically become a folk pastime and hobby.
Bullets and artillery shells flew in from the opposite side.
The pinnacle of human technology that mercilessly stole human lives.
And the force that unleashed this wave of violent absurdity—
was none other than the Russian army.
"Charge! Kill every last Turk!"
"For His Imperial Majesty!"
"Long live the Russian Empire!"
The Ottoman defensive lines had expected nothing more than the usual small-scale skirmish.
But the Russian army swept through them without mercy and continued advancing without pause.
"What is the situation?"
"The weak Turks cannot withstand the might of our imperial army. At this rate, we will wipe them out before the day is over and raise the imperial flag along the entire coastline."
Good. Good.
Everything was proceeding smoothly.
The divisional commander in charge of the battle nodded with satisfaction at the staff officer's report.
Those weak Turks were never a match for the mighty Russian Empire.
We stayed quiet for too long, and now these pathetic fools think they are our equals.
Meanwhile, the lucky bastards stationed in the east had seized the Primorye region and were enjoying rapid promotions.
And yet we—the true backbone of the army—were left sitting here doing nothing.
Originally, the eastern front had been considered a dead end for the Russian army.
A place where reserves and discarded units gathered.
But as Russia hesitated to press the Ottomans due to the watchful eyes of the Western European powers, the situation had become complicated.
That was yesterday's story.
Now things were different.
Once the order had been given to boldly attack the Ottomans and reclaim territory, there was no need for hesitation.
"One week. In one week this entire region will belong to our empire. His Majesty will recognize our valor and award us the highest decorations."
"Exactly!"
"We trust in you, Commander!"
This time they would not nibble at the edges.
They would sweep everything away in one massive blow.
If Russia was a lion growing stronger by the day, then the Ottoman Empire was nothing more than a senile hyena about to be nailed into its coffin.
Frankly speaking, even if they pushed all the way into Anatolia, it was doubtful the Ottomans had the strength to resist.
The commander had expected to retire at the rank of divisional commander.
But if he achieved results here, even rapid promotion might not be impossible.
And that sentiment was shared by every officer present.
"Before further orders arrive from the capital, perhaps we should send as many Turks to the grave as possible."
"That's an excellent idea. If the bureaucrats in the capital see the clear difference in strength between our forces, they may grow bolder."
"His Majesty will surely commend our achievements!"
One heart!
That was friendship, courage, and victory.
With the commander and his staff united on the road to glory, failure was impossible.
Just as he was about to designate the next target of attack, one staff officer cautiously spoke.
"But what if Britain or France intervenes while we are pushing the Ottomans back?"
"…?"
"…."
The reason Russia had not crushed the weaker Ottoman Empire until now—
The reason they had been wasting time along this border—
had finally been mentioned.
The divisional commander snorted in disbelief.
"Idiot. Is that even a question?"
"…Sir?"
"Why do you think the high command suddenly ordered us to attack after all this time? Obviously they've already calculated everything."
"Ah!"
"Use your head for once. Unless you want people to think that thing on your shoulders is just decoration. Do you really think His Majesty would order an attack without considering such a basic factor?"
Until now, Russia had hesitated to wage full war against the Ottomans out of concern for British or French intervention.
But the fact that they had now begun military operations meant one of two things.
Either Russia had the confidence to face Britain and France—
Or they were certain Britain and France would not intervene.
The divisional commander believed it was obviously the latter.
And the other officers seemed to agree.
"The weak British and French would never dare declare war on us just to defend the Ottomans. Of course, if the war drags on they might find it easier to intervene. But if we crush the Ottomans quickly, what could they possibly do?"
"Exactly!"
"Your insight is remarkable, Commander!"
"…But what if Britain or France really do intervene…?"
"Ah! I told you that won't happen! Stop ruining the mood of the war with your nonsense."
If you're going to keep lowering morale with such nonsense, go back to the rear and push papers.
After the commander's sharp rebuke, the only cautious staff officer fell silent and withdrew to a corner.
Britain and France had only ever fought weak Africans and Asians.
Surely they would never dare declare war against a great power like Russia.
Surely not.
They absolutely would not.
A few days later.
When this shocking news reached Paris, a furious shout echoed through the palace.
"What the hell is this nonsense?!"
"Well, the thing is…"
"You said Russia would never attack the Ottomans! You said only idiots would make enemies of Britain, France, and Austria all at once!"
Prime Minister François Guizot, who had boldly pushed this policy forward, looked as if the shock alone might make his hair fall out.
France had effectively secured Jerusalem—the Holy Land long dreamed of by Catholics—within its sphere of influence.
King Louis-Philippe's popularity had soared.
—The medieval Crusaders failed to reclaim the Holy Land even after sacrificing hundreds of thousands of lives and a century of effort.
But France achieved the miracle in three days.
Just as Christ rose again after three days, the Holy Land was restored from Islam to Catholic hands in three days.
Moreover, the fact that France had swiftly taken over an initiative originally pursued by Britain further boosted Guizot's popularity.
"As expected of our Prime Minister!"
"I knew you would do it!"
"The protector of Christianity is France! Not those rootless Anglicans!"
In practical terms, the gains were limited.
But sometimes prestige mattered more than material benefit.
Especially in a Europe where religious sentiment still remained strong.
Christian fervor was a powerful political tool.
And it was working.
Louis-Philippe himself had been persuaded by Guizot's logical arguments.
At the time, the reasoning had seemed convincing.
—Emperor Nicholas of Russia is a rational monarch. He would not deliberately eat his own filth.
—Small border skirmishes may occur, but Russia will never start a full-scale war with the Ottomans.
—No nation on earth can fight Britain, France, and Austria simultaneously and win. Russia would never forget that.
Therefore the promise made to the Ottomans was effectively an empty check.
France would never actually have to pay the price.
It had been a brilliant strategy.
Before anyone realized it, France had signed a mutual defense treaty with the Ottoman Empire.
They had even included a clause declaring the treaty invalid if the Ottomans provoked another country.
And then—
Surprise!
The world had produced the very idiots who were supposed not to exist.
"Why the hell are they suddenly annexing the Danubian principalities?!"
"W-well… it appears they may not yet know that we signed a treaty with the Ottomans. The timing may have simply overlapped…"
"Then inform them immediately! If war breaks out between Russia and the Ottomans, we are automatically involved!"
If France declared war first, Britain and Austria would likely join.
But the country that entered the war first would inevitably bear the greatest damage.
Administering the Holy Land was certainly an honor.
But going to war with Russia for it was a terrible bargain.
"Remember this! If we end up fighting Russia ourselves, you will resign immediately! Not just you—all the ministers in this cabinet will lose their positions!"
Even if war happened, Britain had to be pushed into the front while France followed behind.
Under the king's threat, Guizot could do nothing but nod.
So they actually did it.
I thought they were insane before.
But now it was confirmed.
They were truly mad.
The news that Russia was crushing Ottoman forces along the Danube spread rapidly across the British Empire.
The political world immediately entered a state of emergency.
A war between Russia and the Ottomans was not something Britain could simply ignore.
Because Britain's number one strategic objective had always been clear.
Prevent Russia's southward expansion at all costs.
Among Britain's many colonies, the most profitable by far was India.
Removing every potential threat to India formed the foundation of Britain's defensive strategy.
And Russia was the greatest threat in that framework.
In fact, Russia was currently the only country in the world capable of threatening British India.
Of course, in the current situation Russia could not threaten India at all.
But if Russia crushed the Ottomans and opened a path southward, the story might change.
Even though the route would be extremely difficult, Russia could potentially gain a land route capable of threatening India.
A rational nation would never attempt such an invasion route.
Unfortunately, Russia was not exactly known for rationality.
They were the same people who casually marched armies across Siberia to the Primorye region.
Seeing such behavior, Britain's leadership had only strengthened its determination to block Russia's southern advance.
Many rational voices within Britain insisted Russia was a civilized modern state and dismissed the danger of war.
But now reality could no longer be ignored.
"Their goal is obviously…"
"Complete control of the Black Sea and the Bosporus."
And so, after receiving an SOS call from Parliament, I once again stood in the chamber, fiercely criticizing Russia's recklessness.
"As you all know, Russia's true objective is not the declining Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans are merely a stepping stone. Their real goal is to turn the Black Sea into a Russian inland sea and seize control of the Bosporus Strait. Once that happens, Russia's reach will extend into the Mediterranean!"
"If the Black Sea falls entirely into Russian hands, the Caspian Sea will follow. Russia will gain easier access to Central Asia—and India itself could eventually be threatened!"
"I ask that you all combine your wisdom and strength to prevent such an outcome."
Russia might protest.
Do you think we're insane enough to march through the deserts of Central Asia to invade India?
But what could they do?
Britain's Parliament was filled with paranoid strategists who refused to allow Russia even the possibility of such a route.
"Your Highness, however… not long ago you strongly opposed Britain declaring war on Russia. Why is that?"
"Mr. Gladstone will explain. After hearing his reasoning, I changed my mind."
The idea had originally been entirely mine.
But it was better to avoid giving the impression that the King-Consort of the British Empire was secretly manipulating international diplomacy.
All eyes turned to Gladstone.
He calmly explained.
"France will declare war on Russia first. We will simply follow afterward."
"France will declare war first?"
"They signed a treaty over Jerusalem, yes—but surely those penny-pinchers won't…"
The members of Parliament shook their heads, as if Gladstone had finally lost his mind.
These people still didn't understand France.
Don't think with your head.
Feel with your heart.
That was élan.
Just wait and see.
I'll sit back, eat fish and chips, and watch the show.