267

Episode 267: The price of hypocrisy

August 25, 1943

Gestapo Headquarters, 8 Prinz-Albrechtstrasse, Berlin, Germany

Churchill, who was captured by the Friedenthal Task Force, was immediately transported to Germany and received careful treatment from Germany's best doctors.

In the first place, the level of injury was not life-threatening, so there was currently no problem with Churchill's health. The opposite may be true for mental health.

I had a burning desire to see Churchill's devastated face, but I suppressed it for the sake of greater enjoyment.

Instead, to prevent anything from happening to Churchill, he was placed in the basement of the Gestapo headquarters and instructed to be under close surveillance 24 hours a day.

The basement of the Gestapo headquarters, located at 8 Prinz Albrechtstrasse, was called the slang 'U-boat'.

It was given the nickname because it was always damp with stagnant water and, due to the nature of the basement, no natural light came in.

Also, because the floor and walls were made of rubber, one could not attempt suicide by hitting one's head against the wall or floor.

Churchill, locked in the basement, looked haggard than I remembered.

After all, I became a prisoner of the German army that I hated so much, so I couldn't help but feel stressed.

When I entered the basement, Churchill's hands were tied to a chair.

Behind him, two sturdy Gestapo agents with fierce eyes stood motionless.

"Heil Hitler!"

"Sieg Heil."

Churchill was startled by my appearance, but soon changed his expression and glared at me with a murderous look.

I don't know anything else, but I think I have to admit one thing. How can you make that kind of expression even though you know that I have the power over life and death?

It seems that he did not serve as prime minister twice after making so many mistakes in real history.

"haha. "There are lasers coming out of your eyes."

The Gestapo agent in charge of interpretation translated it into English and told it to Churchill. Churchill didn't say anything and just glared at me.

"I want to have an in-depth conversation with the British Prime Minister, so you can stay and everyone else will leave."

"Yes, Mr. President."

As everyone except the interpreter left the room, Churchill's eyelids went up. He looked like he wanted to ask what his intentions were, but he couldn't seem to open his mouth.

"It looks like you have quite a lot to say."

"… … ."

"If you want to say something, say it. "We've come this far, so shouldn't we talk to each other comfortably so we don't have any regrets?"

"… … you are."

"oh."

You finally opened your mouth.

It must have been difficult for him to keep his mouth shut when the person he hated so much and was his main enemy wanted to talk to him.

You may wonder when you can talk to me if not now.

"Why did you start a war?"

"… … What does that mean? "Why did he start a war?"

"Literally. "I'm asking because I want to know why you started the war."

"I think the question is wrong. I never started a war first. "If Poland had not provoked this war, this war would not have occurred."

When I gave him a bewildered look, Churchill got angry.

"Don't lie! "Have you been preparing for war against Poland for months now?"

As Churchill's voice grew louder, the face of the Gestapo agent who was in charge of interpreting and monitoring him also became grim.

When the wide-eyed Gestapo agent glared at him, Churchill was momentarily shocked, but did not withdraw his question.

"I think there's some misunderstanding. "I never intended to start a war."

"Then what is the reason for the rapid increase in military power seen before the invasion of Poland?"

"Of course it was to protect Germany from attacks by Poland and France. Didn't Britain also rapidly increase its military power immediately after the Anglo-German summit? "I guess we're both common?"

"That's because you are giving off the impression that your Germany will start a war first."

"That doesn't make sense. We also increased our military capabilities to defend our borders because we detected signs of a preemptive attack by Poland. I'm not saying that it's fair for you, England, to do it, but I'm not saying that it's legal for us, Germany, to do it. If we're going to talk, let's just say one thing.

And I'm sure you are well aware of the fact that Poland attacked Germany first, right? "You can't even deny this."

"Well, the Polish government said they never launched a preemptive attack on Germany."

Churchill said: He stuttered, and it was clear that he didn't really believe what he was saying. Without missing this opportunity, I persistently bit down on it.

"Of course! Would you say they started the war themselves? "Poland attacked Germany first, and Germany simply took necessary measures to protect the property and safety of its people from Poland's attack."

"Are you saying that annexing Poland and turning the Poles into slaves of the Germans was a necessary step?"

Churchill objected, but it has been a long time since the law of destruction for that objection was considered.

"exactly."

"No, what-"

"That doesn't make sense? Then, will you ask my objection? Why did Britain rule Ireland for hundreds of years while we, Germany, thought it made no sense to annex Poland? What about India, Burma, and Africa?

And stop by any Polish person passing by and ask them. "We in Germany treat the Poles much more humanely than you British people treat the Irish or Indians."

"… … "You are saying nonsense."

Is it that I can't think of anything to say? Churchill snorted and pretended to maintain his composure.

It's all clear, you human being. I'm making a joke that doesn't make any sense. Just looking at it, it was scratched properly.

"And I have said many times that Germany's enemy is Poland, and not England and France at all. Who was the one who flatly rejected the peace negotiations we first proposed? "I hope you won't make the excuse now that it was Chamberlain and Daladier's doing."

"… … ."

Seeing as he can't speak, it looks like the damage has been done.

"Wasn't it your fault that you ignored the peace negotiations, preemptively attacked Denmark and Norway, which were neutral countries, and turned the peace treaty that your predecessor, Halifax, had barely concluded into a piece of paper? Thanks to this, the British Empire, which called itself a country where the sun never sets, collapsed. I assure you that Britain will never again be as powerful as before.

"Thanks to you, Churchill."

"W-what kind of nonsense… … !"

Churchill's face, like an old bulldog, was bright red.

"Let me ask you one question. You must be busy going to war with Japan in Asia right now, so why did you decide to attack Germany? Because I just can't understand it with my head. Even when the British attacked, the Wehrmacht was advancing toward Moscow. "Everyone could see that the flow of war was flowing towards us, so why did we decide to enter the war under such circumstances?"

"Are you asking because you don't know? After you Germans defeat the Russians, the only country left in Europe that can stand against Germany is England. I entered the war because it was at a time when we had a better chance of winning the war, before you really took over the Soviet Union and became more powerful. "After you take Moscow and force Stalin to surrender, it will be too late."

That was it. As I remained silent, Churchill seemed to think it was time to say the words he had been holding back.

"Our British Empire has protected order and balance in Europe since ancient times. Therefore, when Napoleon rose, he fought against France, and when the Kaiser's army crossed the Belgian border, he declared war on Germany.

Let me ask you the opposite. Do you think you will leave Britain alone while Germany swallows up Russia and takes control of Europe? It sounds absurd. They must have demanded obedience and tribute like they did in Czechoslovakia! Because that future was clearly visible to me, I decided to go to war. Even though it ended in failure, I never regret my choice."

You're scolding me again. Your face is full of regret. What nonsense are you talking about now? You have to show off your bravado in moderation.

"I know what you're saying, but it would have been a better option for Britain and the British people to submit to German rule than to have a war in which many people would be killed and injured. And after obtaining Stalin's surrender, I proposed peace to your country. And yet you consistently rejected my offer. There is no need to talk about the results.

At least you don't feel any guilt toward your soldiers and citizens who died on the battlefield because of your decision?"

"… … Their sacrifice was necessary for the prosperity and future of the British Empire. "If there's anything I regret, it's that we couldn't win the war and their sacrifices were in vain."

Oh my, is that so?

"You speak well. Are you going to say that it was for England that you killed your king and queen?"

"… … "Are you kidding me?"

"exactly. "Are you kidding me?"

"this person… … !"

I struck first before the hexagon came out of his mouth.

"I feel so sorry for the king and queen. To die at the hands of none other than his own people whom he trusted. Huh. "I never dreamed that in my lifetime, there would be a king and queen of England who died a more miserable death than Charles I."

"… … You are so proud that you only won one war. Make no mistake! The British Empire is not a country that will fall forever after a single defeat. Even though we are currently ruled by Germany, the day will come when we will drive you out of our territory and bring order to Europe and the world. certainly!"

"Oh, really? I'm really looking forward to that. "I will pray for you and the British people that that day will come quickly."

As I chuckled, Churchill repeatedly clenched and unclenched his fists. His face was bright red and he looked like he was going to explode at any moment.

"And you know what? That there were moments when we almost lost the war. When the Wehrmacht was attacking Poland, and in the winter of 1939 after Poland had been conquered, Germany was not yet ready to take on Britain and France. If the British and French troops had pushed in along the Siegfried Line at that time, the Wehrmacht would have been quickly pushed back to the Rhine River.

But you didn't do that. So you don't know how fortunate I am. "If even one of your generals had insisted on a preemptive strike, I would have been stuck in the Fuhrer's residence and put a bullet in my own head."

I kindly explained to Churchill, who was puzzled, the situation the Defense Forces were in at the time.

Churchill pretended not to be interested in what I had to say at first, but after the explanation was over, he looked bewildered.

"Even now, when I wake up in the morning, I always say a prayer of gratitude to God. And then I think like this. "I wonder what would have happened if the French army had not withdrawn at that time, if they had just pushed into Berlin."

"You must be so proud. "Is that all you have to say?"

"no. "Is there still more?"

"Speak freely. "It's hard for me to pretend to be interested in your bragging anymore."

"exactly? Heh, he was the Prime Minister of England, so he came to give us a heads up on what to do with England... … ."

"W-what?"

Easy, easy. Even if the intention is clearly visible, they immediately fall for it. It makes me wonder if this is the Churchill I know.

"why? "Didn't you say just a little while ago that you weren't interested in what I had to say?"

"… … ."

Churchill stared at me with a mixture of half hatred and half pleading. It's so easy to understand.

I felt like I wanted to tease him even more, but if I teased him any longer, I didn't know if Churchill would fall to the ground with a vase. There's still a lot of work left to do, so it can't happen already.

"Do you know the Austro-Hungarian Empire?"

"… … "Do you think I'm a fool?"

Churchill glared at me as if asking me if I was kidding, but then his face hardened as he guessed the hidden meaning of those words.

"S-No way... … ?"

I raised the corners of my mouth as I watched Churchill's expression harden.

"answer. Just as you disbanded the Five Hung Empire, I also plan to divide your country into pieces. India will become independent, and Britain's colonies in Africa and Asia will be distributed appropriately among the Axis powers.

"Northern Ireland was originally the land of the Irish, so it will return to Ireland, and Britain will become four countries."

"Wait, wait. Four? "What does that mean?"

I explained step by step by spreading my fingers and then folding them one by one. Like a chick class teacher teaching a child the multiplication tables.

"First the English Republic. The capital is London, and I plan to put Mosley, my close friend in Germany, in charge. The second is the Republic of Scotland. A country for Scots who want to have their own country separate from England. Third is the Republic of Wales. "I plan to create it for the Welsh who want an independent Wales, like in the case of Scotland."

While the explanation continued, Churchill could not close his mouth. Churchill's eyes were full of question marks, as if what I was saying was an alien language.

"Although we have eliminated most of them, there are still quite a few friends in Germany who have nostalgia for the Kaiser era. But Germany no longer needs royalty. Isn't that right? "You're a royal who knows how to do things, but what help will it be to the Third Reich?"

"Stop talking nonsense and talk quickly. "What on earth do you want to say?"

"Well, you're impatient. Anyway, to summarize, there are many people who want a country ruled by the Kaiser like 30 years ago. However, since we could not make Germany a monarchy again, we decided to make Cornwall the same Germany it was in 1914, using chickens instead of pheasants. "I plan to name it either the Kingdom of Hohenzollern or the Kingdom of Cornwall."

"What a piece of shit-"

"You might say what kind of bullshit logic this is. But if you look at it historically, it doesn't make a lot of sense. Among the British people living in Cornwall, leave only those who wish to live in the new German kingdom and move all the rest to the Republic of England, then accept applicants from Germany and move them to Cornwall.

And I intend to leave the management of England to the Scandinavians, Irish, and Indians for a while. I'm itching because so many of those friends have accumulated in England. Don't worry too much though. "I'm thinking of doing just what you British people did."

"No way! "Really, are you-"

As soon as Churchill lost his senses and got up from his seat, the interpreter grabbed him by the neck and put strength on his hand.

Churchill, who was strangled in an instant, continued to squeak as if he could not even breathe, let alone speak.

"Leave it at that. "He's already a pitiful man."

"All right."

As his hands relaxed, Churchill took in the breath he had been holding. But the despair on his face remained the same.

"Do you really want to do that? "Are you really planning to tear the British Empire apart?"

"exactly. What's not to like? The Allied Powers didn't tear the Five Hung Empire apart like a puzzle after the war ended. "There is no law that says the UK should not be an exception."

Churchill didn't say anything until I got up and walked to the door. Was it because I was so shocked that my mind went crazy?

Well, I guess that would be worth it. In particular, Churchill, who was more immersed in the British Empire than anyone else, would be several times more shocked than others.

"But don't be too upset. If the British people seem to reflect well, I will leave a will to unify them again in 60 or 70 years. Of course, if it were the other way around... … "We have no choice but to break it into smaller pieces."

While going up the stairs, I heard a desperate scream.

Churchill would now live in despair worse than death for the time allowed to him.

I firmly believe that what I told myself will come true.