Damn the World, Ride a Submarine - Chapter 240



Only Krnovel

Episode 240 – Ethereal Bastion

Overthrowing the pro-Russian government in Georgia was important not only for the security of the Black Sea coast, but also because Russia was a key country in the corridor linking it with Iran.

…

The Azovian army, formed from the Free Russian Legions that had been fighting since the First Ukrainian War, was comprised of soldiers who could truly be described as veterans of the battlefield.

It was no exaggeration to say that they were the best in the Black Sea region, a force that had been hardened through actual combat. After they were deployed as Georgian rebels and volunteers, the situation changed drastically.

Although small in number, the Abkhaz Republic’s military also employed tactics of deception and pressure against the Georgian military along the border with Georgia, while Georgian rebels and militias were gradually taking over Georgia like ink soaking through tissue paper.

In this way, the rebels took control of the entire Georgian land, which consisted of mountains and valleys, and finally declared the founding of a new Georgia.

After the aftermath of the Georgian war, the Azovian army quietly returned to Azovia.

Azovia’s intervention was secret, but it was known to everyone who needed to know, and Russia did not take it seriously, because it had nothing to gain by causing trouble.

General Maximilian had become a hero in Azobia.

He fought on both sides of the Russian and Ukrainian armies in chaotic situations, and made a name for himself through his great achievements in both wars.

He survived with his comrades and came to lead the Azovian army. To them, the military was a source of pride and a common denominator that supported the nation.

Although the OSS liberated Azobia, it was not easy to establish a new national identity in what was originally Russian territory.

The people of that land had a strong Pan-Slavic identity, a mixture of Ukrainian and Russian elements.

It was in such circumstances that the Azovian army led by Maximilian intervened in the Georgian war and achieved victory.

It served as an opportunity to instill pride in the Azovian people and to establish a national identity.

Naturally, Maximilian was elected interim president of the Azobia government.

However, he was only called a temporary president, and was elected as the actual head of state.

The Azovian Parliament elected Maximilian as interim president, and, considering the special nature of the founding of the nation, decided on a six-year term of office. He could then be reappointed through an election.

If Maximilian was re-elected, he would be able to remain in power for ten years.

I too was weighing when it would be best to return to Kiribati, but with the political map of the Black Sea coastal state changing rapidly, I had no choice but to wait and see a little longer.

Then, Maximilian, who had become president, contacted me.

“Yes. General, no, now you are the President.”

“I am ashamed, Your Majesty.”

“You have accomplished a great feat.”

“It’s hard to believe that I, a former major in the Russian army, have become the president of a country.”

“I am sure you will do well as you have gone through adversity.”

“This is all thanks to you, Marshal. In fact, wasn’t it you, Marshal, who played a leading role in the liberation of Azobia?”

“The OSS took over, but it was the will of the people that enabled independence.”

“No, at least I know. I just wanted to take all that glory away and say thank you again for giving us a chance.”

“It is a victory for all Ukrainian and Russian people, the Slavic people of one blood. I just helped a little.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Yes. But I don’t think you contacted me just to say hello…”

“Oh, yes. Actually, I’m contacting you because I wanted to discuss something, or rather, ask for your opinion.”

Maximilian treated me like a king and would ask for my understanding in advance on important matters.

“Yes. Go ahead.”

“There is a growing public opinion that the surrounding countries should form a federation centered around Azovia.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yes. It is a movement to unite the Republic of Azobia, Georgia, and Abkhazia into the Federation of Azobia, while maintaining autonomy for each, and unifying defense and foreign affairs.”

“Oh! That’s a good idea. Although we have different identities, we are geographically close countries, so it’s a good idea.”

“I think so too. And if that happens, it would be good for the Republic of Abkhazia to naturally fall under the shadow of the BBSA.”

“Okay. I will actively support you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

If the Azovian Federation were to be created, all the countries along the Black Sea would be brought under the influence of the OSS without any loopholes.

‘I think the atmosphere has changed to one where I can leave now.’

It was only after seeing the formation of the Azovian Federation that he began to consider returning to Kiribati.

While I was having such happy thoughts, I received a call from CEO Han Gyu-dong. He was one of the people who always gave me good news.

“Yes, Mr. Han.”

“Sir, the aircraft carrier you have been waiting for so long will be launched next month.”

I couldn’t hide my excitement when I heard that the aircraft carrier that contained all my ideals and that we had built was finally launching into the sea.

“Mr. Han, is this true?”

“Of course. Hahahaha.”

“It really doesn’t feel real.”

“I am too. I am excited to think that the largest ship ever built in our country, no, in history, is about to launch.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Now we need to prepare the inauguration ceremony, and we also need to choose a godmother. It seems like it would be best for the wife to be the godmother… Sir, you will come in person, right?”

“I should go. Of course. I think you can discuss the preparations for the opening ceremony with Director Kim Wan-jun.”

“Yes, I understand. I think you need to decide on a name for the aircraft carrier.”

“Yes, that’s right. Um… Let’s go with Ethereal Bastion for now.”

“Oh, that name sounds a bit fantastical.”

“Haha. It basically means a sturdy fortress with mysterious powers.”

“Oh, and as you know, even if you are launched, it will take at least several months to a year or more to be commissioned for full-scale missions.”

“Of course. We’ll have to bring in aircraft carriers.”

“It’s so big that we’ll probably have to keep moving and doing construction without stopping. It doesn’t seem like there’ll be any problem in moving it as it is.”

“I guess so. How fast is it?”

“It is a prototype so it has not been put into actual operation yet, but it has been designed to be able to achieve 30 knots.”

“Wow! It’s more than 2.5 times the size of a Gerald Ford, but it can do 30 knots?”

“Yes. It was a bit hard. It’s an aircraft carrier, so it has to be aligned to carry out its mission. Instead, I planted three nuclear reactors. Thanks to this, I can utilize the abundant energy in all parts.”

“What is overflowing energy···?”

“Haha. It is equipped with the Aegis combat system and missile system that you mentioned earlier, so it can defend itself, and we made it possible to operate a smart farm on board by utilizing the spare space and remaining electricity.”

“Oh, this is my style. I like it.”

“As I was making it, it seemed like I was making a sea fortress rather than an aircraft carrier. Oh, and now that I think about it, it goes well with the name Bastion that you gave it. Hahaha.”

“Haha. I’ll finish up this place quickly and then I’ll see you later.”

“Yes. I’m ready and will wait.”

…

The news of the launch of the aircraft carrier Ethereal Bastion was as exciting as the moment I first got my own ship.

They have numerous warships and even two aircraft carriers, but they were all ships that someone had already designed or purchased that were already built.

However, my first yacht, Sognatore and Ethereal Bastion, were ships that were built with my will and taste intact.

My mind was getting impatient, but I couldn’t just leave the Black Sea situation as it was and leave. For now, I slowly moved the ARK and the escort group to the Mediterranean Sea and took care of the things I had planned one by one.

First of all, I decided that it would be good to give strength to the stability of Azobiia and the movement to form an Azobian Federation that is currently underway.

I made a statement in my name supporting Azovia and President Maximilian, and promised $1.5 billion (about 2 trillion won) in economic aid to Azovia.

In addition, the economic cooperation policy for the Caucasus region, including Azobia and Georgia, was announced.

In return for OSL’s exclusive import of oil, natural gas, and mineral resources such as iron, aluminum, copper, lead, and zinc produced in the Caspian Sea and Azobia, it was agreed to pay one year’s import price as an advance payment to help with post-war reconstruction.

The economic cooperation measures also included wines from the Georgian region (Georgia is a classic wine region known as one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world).

And he proposed an economic belt based on the BBSA member countries and asked Ukrainian President Denis Shmykhal to lead it.

It was the formation of the economic alliance BBEC following the military alliance BBSA.

* BBEC (Black Balkan Economic Corridor): Black Sea Balkan Peninsula Economic Corridor

BBEC was also a logistics belt that exported energy resources produced in the Caspian Sea and agricultural products produced in the Caucasus region, including Georgia, across the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

This meant, in other words, that many of the economic vested rights that Russia had enjoyed were being taken back by the OSS and BBSA member states.

Measures to strengthen military security were also not forgotten. A special military cooperation treaty was signed between Azovia and the OSS, and some of the OSS Crimean forces were stationed in Azovia.

…

So summer passed, and the ARK was passing through the Mediterranean Sea and the Suez Canal.

The ARK passed through the Suez Canal with a fleet of escorts before and after. For safety, it had to surface to reveal its steely might, and of course, a large number of reporters followed it.

As I entered the Red Sea, I felt like letting the warm sea breeze blow my cigarette smoke away again. I climbed onto the submarine mast with Director Kim Jun-myeong.

I watched the smoke from my cigarette slowly dissipate on the wind from the Red Sea. Director Kim Jun-myeong also took a deep breath and looked out at the distant sea.

“CEO!”

“Yes, sir.”

“It’s as if the past and present overlap like a decal.”

“What?”

“Don’t you remember? Isn’t this the Red Sea where you and I first met?”

“Ah, that’s right. At that time, I passed by on a small yacht…”

…