Reincarnated as Nikolai II

However, no matter how you think about it, they still haven't shown anything.

"Then how about our next negotiation after the Somme offensive succeeds?"

"That would be too late, wouldn't it? Of course, I understand your doubts, Tsar. That's precisely why you should join the Supreme War Council."

"...To monitor?"

"Nothing is more certain than seeing and confirming things directly."

"Tch."

He really was a cunning old fox.

'To bring up the Supreme War Council here. You really came prepared.'

I spoke calmly to the crafty fox.

"Even if the Supreme War Council is established, command authority won't be transferred. It'll just mean more military observers and increased dialogue between general staff and cabinets."

"That's enough."

"Then what do you want? Surely you need at least one achievement to take back, even if just as an excuse?"

"I know well that I'm not in a position to demand an offensive when we haven't shown anything yet, but if I may add one thing..."

Trailing off, Kitchener glanced at me before delivering advice that wasn't quite advice.

"Wouldn't it be better to have a Chief of General Staff who has cooperated with us at least once, if only for the Supreme War Council?"

That meant the return of Kuropatkin.

==

"Did you know?"

"I wasn't certain. From their perspective, Brusilov being stuck in the rear must seem nonsensical. Though I didn't expect them to demand it so openly."

I'd heard that Britain and France fight almost as one body on the Western Front and thus have some influence on each other's personnel rights, but I didn't expect Kitchener to want Kuropatkin this much.

"So, how do you feel? The mighty British Empire wants you."

"Hmm, I've just had enough rest."

Kuropatkin, who had been quietly listening beside us, tried to maintain composure but couldn't hide his twitching lips.

"It's a good justification that our allies want you, and since it's become clear that General Brusilov couldn't replace you, it'll be a splendid return."

"It should help refresh the domestic atmosphere that's been stiffened by recent capital purges."

"Tch, the General Staff getting involved in politics."

"I've always been like this."

Kokovtsov seemed somewhat displeased with Kuropatkin returning from wartime vacation after just inflating stock prices, but Kuropatkin appeared confident.

"That's enough. Looking at the situation with General Kitchener and the current Western Front, it seems we can safely conclude that Britain is entering total war with both army and navy."

"Currently, the British Army maintains forces exceeding the BEF organization plan of 700,000, and if the navy moves as well, that's how it will be."

"Simply put, they're trying to corner Germany."

The three of us put our heads together to discuss the current situation and future direction.

"First, when the Supreme War Council is established, we must firmly establish that Poland and Constantinople are ours regardless of the war's outcome."

"Looking at the Somme offensive, the troop ratio is about 2 to 1. This means Germany is struggling with conscription. Of course, while this isn't enough to break the Eastern Front, it should be sufficient to pressure the Dual Monarchy."

"Those Somme and Verdun will inevitably quiet down when winter comes. By late November, it's difficult to conduct large-scale infantry offensives in the cold."

Our discussion topics weren't limited to just the front lines.

The still uncertain U.S. participation.

The Balkan Front, pushed back to Albania right in front of Greece due to continued defeats.

The Middle Eastern Front and the Ottoman Empire, which despite being Europe's sick man, hasn't been completely conquered due to its vast territory.

"Well then, what should we do first?"

"Since the Western Front hasn't won yet and no fleet battle has occurred, it's difficult for us to move troops."

"I too have just returned and can't launch an offensive in the near future."

"Then that's the only option?"

Not us moving.

Something that seems meaningful to the war situation.

Yet nothing changes immediately.

"It would be good if Bulgaria declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary."

"I'll contact Chairman Rödiger right away."

That was the participation of Bulgaria, the mercenary of the Slavs.

==

Bulgaria, which had been burning with extreme revanchism, was slowly cooling down.

"We've agreed with Romania about the Dobruja land."

"We've nullified the Treaty of Bucharest."

"The Ottoman Empire that was keeping us in check has completely disappeared?"

Bulgaria, with only 4 million people, was preparing an army of 1 million for a revenge war.

Their revenge was ridiculously quelled by Russian mediation.

So have all of Bulgaria's wishes been fulfilled? Not quite.

"...Negotiate again after the war?"

"So they're saying they'll decide based on our war achievements?"

"With Russia as mediator... this might be trustworthy?"

The borders with Serbia, Romania, Macedonia, and the fallen Ottoman Empire haven't been determined yet. Discover hidden tales at My Virtual Library Empire

So they've prepared their army but can't determine borders as they please right now.

But if they wielded military power recklessly here...

"No, that's not it. No matter how much we called for revenge, we're not crazy enough to fight Russia who ate up the Ottomans."

"...If we don't join the Entente now, aren't we essentially surrounded?"

"We've already prepared for war anyway. Let's just join."

It truly suits the term mercenary - when the Bulgarian Royal Army participates, they won't be fighting near their own country or borders.

Whether through Romania or Serbia, they have to pass through other countries to reach the battlefield.

In other words, even if they lose, their homeland is safe, and if they win, their territory expands.

It didn't take long for their noble thirst for revenge to fall to mere base desires.

[Bulgaria Declares War on Alliance Powers]

[Prime Minister Radoslavov: The Balkans Belong to the Slavic People!]

[The Great Compromise of the Balkans]

Although Bulgaria had been cheering on the Austro-Hungarian forces beating up Serbia more than anyone else.

Although Bulgaria had felt threatened when they gave way to Russia and even Greece cooperated with the Entente.

"As long as we nullify everything from the 1878 Treaty of Berlin to the 1913 Treaty of Bucharest, that's enough."

"What? We were originally South Slavic people."

"Oh my! Despite appearances, we are strictly an Orthodox country like Russia!"

They joined the war wearing the outdated mask of Pan-Slavism.

Both the Entente and Alliance powers couldn't help but find this change of stance absurd.