Reincarnated as Nikolai II

When the United States officially declared war on the German Empire on April 6th.

"This is it, this is a proper war. Justice was indeed alive after all."

Churchill, leaning back in his chair with a cigar in his mouth, didn't hide his smile.

"Hehe, asking for an offensive to bring down Austria-Hungary? What about BEF numbers and such?"

Even though Rödiger cried out in Paris begging for an offensive, the Anglo-French alliance reduced their confrontation with Germany.

There were no more meaningless checks throughout winter, and the counteroffensive operation that was supposed to mobilize 850,000 infantry, the Nivelle Offensive, was canceled.

Though Russia's backlash is growing fierce, their screams sounded like sweet harmony to Churchill's ears.

"When did they meaninglessly bury our navy at the bottom of the North Sea, and now they ask for an offensive? These Tatars don't properly know their position."

This is truly turning the tide of war. A matter of superior and subordinate relationships, isn't it?

"The American Expeditionary Force, those AEF guys are coming. It means it's no longer just our war."

"Hmm, while it's good that victory seems certain, shouldn't we respond somewhat considering General Brusilov is currently conducting a general offensive?"

"Are they conducting offensives for our benefit? They're people who've fought for decades in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Balkan Peninsula. They're trying to kill the Austro-Hungarian Empire to project power into the Balkans under the pretext of national self-determination."

Even Kitchener, who had to go to Petrograd twice to speak humbly, felt somewhat uncomfortable about the Nivelle Offensive's cancellation but didn't say anything particular.

In fact, he too was burdened by the massive BEF casualties in 1916.

"All American military observers have joined as active officers. Capable observers and staff like Major James L. Collins will accelerate AEF's actual deployment. Isn't that right, Lord Edward?"

"That goes without saying."

"How is Russia reacting?"

"Though Russian diplomatic lines have been burning lately... Well, they're managing to deflect well. We don't know about military matters, it's not our jurisdiction, let's talk again next time. These are the lines I live by."

"Hehe, they must be quite urgent."

This isn't betrayal. Thinking rationally, fighting with America's AEF joining rather than just gathering BEF and GQG to build the Western Front is more reasonable.

'Should have eaten moderately. Or at least be worth what they ate.'

Who told them to attack the Austro-Hungarian Empire first? Though the Supreme War Council approved it, the Russian army putting more force on the Southern Front was clearly their influence.

If they had just closed their eyes and charged at Berlin, Churchill would have said to proceed with the Nivelle Offensive for his own conscience.

But the Southern Front has already expanded and now America comes late?

'This isn't our responsibility. It's just that the timing didn't match up.'

Already the U.S. Congress is frantically approving unprecedented quantities of supplies, raw materials, and massive funding injections while getting increasingly excited about expanding the American military apparatus. The speed of these appropriations bills through both chambers was remarkable, even for wartime.

In their grandiose words, this war will bring sweeping reform and democracy to the world - a familiar refrain that echoed through the marble halls of Washington.

Truly an era of great progress, or so they proclaimed from their comfortable distance across the Atlantic.

Even Wilson's carefully worded declaration seems to deliberately target medieval Russia falling behind the times, painting it as a backward empire desperately in need of modernization. The irony of one nation presuming to judge another's development was apparently lost on them.

America's participation didn't just affect the front lines - it fundamentally shifted the entire political and economic landscape of the war.

After consecutive bloody defeats at the Somme and Verdun, where thousands of young men were sacrificed for mere yards of muddy ground, Britain's coalition cabinet was teetering dangerously close to complete collapse.

The Conservative Party, which had been strongly opposing the Liberal Party-led coalition cabinet with increasing vehemence anyway, was preparing to resign en masse under David Lloyd George's shrewd leadership, cleverly maneuvering to pin all blame for the military disasters squarely on the Liberal Party's shoulders.

However, a new alliance tends to unite even internally.

"If America provides support beyond exports... There's no need to do good things only in the Black Sea."

As Chancellor of the Exchequer Reginald McKenna immediately says to reduce Black Sea imports.

"Of course. Looking at the AEF's scale, we need to bring up the Ottoman Empire's military government too. No, we should start prodding little by little from now."

And War Secretary David Lloyd George, who had fought with McKenna for three years straight, agrees.

"Hmm, I'll focus solely on reinforcing Western Front forces in connection with them as much as possible."

Even Kitchener, who reigned as second-in-command except for the Prime Minister, unusually puts down his unilateral attitude.

What beautiful harmony this is. This is a coalition cabinet and this is an alliance.

America's participation held such great meaning for Britain.

No longer needing to speak humbly to Russia.

No pressure from France about insufficient troops.

No government shaking every time BEF decreases.

Because that New World should be able to replace the nomadic peoples.

When everyone was laughing together and talking about a rosy future for the first time in a while.

"...We've detected the Tsar sending a private telegram to the Kaiser."

Information breaking the mood was received.

==

My explanation was simple.

Recommending surrender under the guise of greetings.

"Really? Is that really it?"

"Despite your rudeness, didn't I reveal the telegram contents in detail? I even shared Willy's brief rejection. Know that further questioning would be crossing a line."

Though I did it openly on purpose, seeing the ambassadors rush over and collapse, I newly realize how poorly telegrams maintain secrecy in this era.
Enjoy new tales from My Virtual Library Empire

At first they probably came asking after only catching signals from military bases without knowing the contents, but their thoughts are obvious.

'They must have wondered if it was separate negotiations.'

But Willy and I have exchanged hundreds of telegrams before, except for the past three years, so there's nothing strange.