Washington D.C., the capital of the United States.
The White House.
Compared to New York, which I visited often for business, it was smaller in scale, but considering that both the White House and the Capitol stood here, there was no doubt this was the true center of the Union.
I had never entered the White House before, but even without seeing it firsthand, it was obvious that security had become much tighter recently. With the war at its peak, that was only natural.
James never imagined that he would one day meet the President of the United States. In truth, he had met him before Lincoln became president, but that only made this encounter feel more unusual.
Killian had told him to offer support, so he had done so. But who could have expected that man to actually become president?
At least, he had not.
"It has been a long time, Your Excellency."
"It has indeed. It has been so long that my memory was unclear, but I am glad to see I was not mistaken."
"You called for me because of the recent incident, I presume."
"Yes. It took more effort than expected to find you. King James is famous, but the man himself is not."
That was inevitable. In most places, stand-ins had been used. Very few people knew that the James behind the business empire and the King James leading the black rights movement were the same person.
The reason was simple. Killian had strictly ordered that he must never reveal his face, as leading such a movement in this era was practically an invitation to be shot. In fact, several stand-ins had already been involved in attempted assassinations.
Still, one could not use a double when meeting the President.
"To avoid wasting your time, I will be clear. This incident has nothing to do with our organization. Those responsible only pretended to be members."
"Do you have proof of that?"
"Of course."
Originally, the plan had been for Southern agents, who were actual members of the abolitionist group, to carry out the attack, ensuring it would be blamed on the North. In that case, James would never have needed to come here himself.
But the plan had changed days ago. He had rushed to alter the fabricated evidence and come to Washington by train.
"…At least the immediate crisis is resolved."
"The NBA I founded is committed to peaceful protest. Terrorism is completely against our principles."
He could roughly guess why the plan had changed. A well-organized group like his was too valuable to discard so easily.
"Is there anything else you require of me?"
"You are a citizen of the British Empire. If you have connections there, could you help mediate between our nations?"
"I will do what I can."
"If you assist us, I will ensure your business prospers further within the Union."
James did have connections. Very strong ones.
But precisely because of that, Lincoln's offer held no appeal.
"I have built my business here. I will work to clear misunderstandings. I also have contacts in Congress."
For a moment, he even considered whether he could extract additional benefits from this situation.
Keeping his calm demeanor, James bowed politely and left the White House.
A few days later, the British Empire announced its official findings.
The Montreal arson had been carried out by both the North and the South.
America was thrown into chaos once more.
Richmond, capital of the Confederate States.
"What do you mean we are also implicated in the arson?"
"I thought everything had already been coordinated with Britain. Your Excellency, what is going on?"
President Jefferson Davis hesitated.
"It seems both sides left too much evidence. It is impossible to assign blame to only one."
"…But we only acted because they told us to…"
"That is not entirely accurate. They said they would intervene if we created justification. If they claim we failed, that is the end of it."
Silence fell.
Then the realization spread.
What exactly was Britain planning?
They could not declare war on both sides.
"Even if unlikely, if Europe abandons us, we must surrender."
"But the North has also been named. They will not abandon us so easily."
"We must respond."
Denying involvement was impossible. Britain already had evidence.
Exposing the entire scheme would be even worse.
Apologizing, however, also felt absurd.
"To admit responsibility… for an operation meant to draw Britain into the war?"
Secretary Judah P. Benjamin spoke carefully.
"If there are only two options, denial or admission, then admission may be the better choice."
"Why?"
"Our actions caused minimal damage. The ships were already decommissioned, and the goods were ours to receive. Compared to the North, our impact is negligible."
"…I see."
"If we admit it, the North cannot deny theirs. Either way, they bear greater responsibility."
It was an unexpected but effective argument.
After much discussion, the Confederacy made a shocking decision.
They admitted responsibility.
"The Confederacy has issued an official apology."
"…That was unexpected."
"They claim they acted to draw Britain into the war but minimized damage. They promise punishment and compensation."
I had considered the possibility, but not that they would act so quickly.
"Is this beneficial for them?"
"It minimizes losses. They still pay compensation."
A clever move.
"Then the North has no choice."
As expected, the Union also admitted involvement, blaming uncontrolled soldiers and promising punishment and compensation.
Both sides confessed.
Parliament was stunned.
Then quickly realized the opportunity.
"Compensation must be secured from both sides!"
"Station investigators in both regions!"
"Canada must also be compensated!"
Benjamin Disraeli and others spoke enthusiastically, and for once, government and opposition stood united.
Their enthusiasm resembled pirates more than politicians.
Naturally, I was called to speak.
"Compensation is necessary. But before that, the Royal Navy must be deployed."
"Are we entering the war?"
"No. We are ending it."
I continued calmly.
"This incident occurred because both sides attempted to draw Britain into the war. Our neutrality allowed this conflict to grow beyond control. Now we must address the root cause."
Many nodded in agreement.
The war had already drained every participant.
Only Britain and Canada remained intact.
"It is time to mediate and end this conflict."
Some hesitated.
"If they refuse?"
"Then they will reveal themselves as enemies of peace."
The choices were simple.
Face the Royal Navy,
or come to the negotiating table.
Either way, the war would end on our terms.
***
If there is anything in this world that devours money endlessly, war would undoubtedly rank among the first.
War, never again war.
Anyone who experiences modern warfare a few times will quickly stop saying such things. As weapons become more advanced and the cost of maintaining each soldier rises, the scale of the bill changes entirely.
And now, with the expansion of mass transportation such as railways, even mobilizing troops has become easier than before. In the past, farmers had to remain behind to tend the land, but with the development of machinery, even in the worst case, agriculture and factories could continue operating without men.
When military technology advanced to this extent, many believed future wars would end faster and more decisively. Superior firearms, ever-increasing firepower, and rapid deployment through railways seemed to promise swift destruction of the enemy.
Many experts predicted that the very paradigm of war would change.
In truth, it did change.
The problem was that it changed in a completely different direction than expected.
Against nations still stuck in the old ways, overwhelming firepower and advanced weapons worked exactly as predicted. But once equally modernized nations began fighting each other, everything changed.
Machine guns cutting down advancing troops, rifles with faster loading and longer range, and railway networks transporting massive armies were no longer advantages held by only one side.
If one side could mobilize hundreds of thousands quickly, so could the other. If one side possessed firepower capable of annihilating hundreds in moments, the same was true for the enemy.
As a result, casualties grew far beyond expectations, and wars inevitably dragged on.
"We, the British Empire, express grave concern over the devastation of this increasingly intensified war. Until now, it was a matter of another nation, and we could not intervene. But now that this madness has manifested as acts of terror against our own Empire, we can no longer stand by.
We call for an immediate end to this war. Should this demand not be met, we will eliminate the source of this threat."
The words were phrased carefully, but no one could fail to understand their meaning.
At the Prime Minister's request, Parliament issued the declaration, and after Queen Victoria gave formal approval, the fleets of the British Empire began to assemble.
Not long after,
the master of crossing the Dover Strait and the newly appointed Iron Chancellor of Prussia hurried to London.
As expected, the meeting unfolded exactly as anticipated.
"France has shed enormous blood in this war. We demand compensation from the North."
"Our Prussian soldiers have fought just as bravely. I promised, upon taking office, that their sacrifices would be repaid. Without that, there will be no peace."
Both spoke with urgency. This was not merely diplomacy. Their political futures depended on it.
"Even now, our soldiers are dying. Surely the British Empire will not ignore its allies."
"We were told the Royal Navy would join us and blockade the North. Why speak of peace instead?"
I raised a hand calmly.
"Please, allow me to explain."
"Then at least bombard one of their ports before negotiations. They will listen more readily."
"That is a reasonable idea."
"If Britain enters the war, the balance will shift immediately."
Their impatience was clear.
I understood. They had finally found a way out and were desperate to seize it.
"Intervention is possible. If the North refuses mediation, we may act. But if they agree, there is no need for further bloodshed."
"…I see."
"The North has fought just as desperately. They will not surrender everything we demand without resistance."
"Of course not. Even full intervention would not guarantee total victory."
Both François Guizot and Otto von Bismarck fell silent.
"You have both seen it yourselves. The North continues to pour in manpower without limit. To completely crush them would require even greater sacrifices."
"…That is true."
"A limited gain is more realistic than total victory."
Bismarck's mind was clearly working through the implications.
"And we must consider domestic opinion. The United States has proven stronger than expected. Mobilizing even larger forces will not be welcomed at home."
No one had anticipated this level of resistance.
"But the losses we have suffered…"
"We are not saying there will be no compensation. But it need not come from the North alone."
"…The South as well."
"If peace is concluded now, the South gains independence. They will owe everything to you."
In truth, the South was far easier to extract concessions from than the North.
"South America can also be negotiated separately."
This was the true prize.
France and Prussia studied the map carefully.
The war had become more than a conflict. It was a contest for the future.
Before that, however, one issue remained.
"We must first align our positions before bringing the North and South to the table."
"Agreed."
"Total compensation from the North is unrealistic. But they must still be restrained."
"…Restrained?"
"The United States has proven stronger than expected. If left unchecked, it may become a threat to Europe."
That was the real concern.
"Then we must limit their future growth."
"Exactly."
I pointed to the southwestern territories.
"If the North gains full access to the Pacific, its growth will accelerate. That must be prevented."
"Agreed."
"We concur."
France and Prussia were fully aligned.
Even without my guidance, they would have reached the same conclusion.
The war had revealed a new reality.
The United States was no longer insignificant.
It had become something that needed to be contained.
As decisions were finalized, the great powers moved swiftly.
The British Empire assembled a massive fleet and crossed the Atlantic, accompanied by figures worthy of its prestige.
"Welcome to His Highness Edward, Crown Prince of the British Empire!"
Even amid war, a grand reception awaited.
"Thank you."
This was no longer a minor visit to Canada.
This was a stage watched by the entire world.
Edward stood firm.
"I have come today…"
He looked across the gathered crowd.
"…to end this war."
Crown Prince Edward VII had arrived in North America.
***
The Crown Prince Edward, eldest son and heir of the great hero Killian, the unparalleled figure produced by the British Empire, the greatest power in the world.
As soon as Edward arrived, the great powers that had fought desperately for years began kneeling and calling for peace.
Edward already knew before departing that this was the outcome his father had intended. Still, no matter how powerful the British Empire was, it seemed unlikely that the world's leading powers would simply bow because they were told to do so.
Most people in this world do not listen to words alone. And for those locked in a brutal war, that was even more true.
"The British Empire? Tell them to get lost!"
"Who are they to tell us to end the war?"
"They sat back while we bled and fought."
"Those delusional fools think the world trembles at their words."
Most understood that if Britain intervened, the war would end quickly. But many refused to accept it. It was not ignorance. After years of bloodshed, no one could easily accept ending the war without completely defeating the enemy.
Hundreds of thousands had already died. The deeper the bloodshed, the deeper the hatred.
Ending the war without total victory felt unacceptable to many.
However, no matter how strong the resentment, it meant nothing before overwhelming power.
As if to prove the point, the ironclad steam warships HMS Warrior began lining up along the southern coast. The opposition voices quickly fell silent.
The same was true in the North.
Until Edward personally arrived with the fleet, many in the North had argued for continuing the war.
"Ending the war now means recognizing the South. That cannot happen."
"We have our own fleet. We have deployed the USS Monitor in large numbers."
"We have strengthened our military through real combat."
"Even if we negotiate, we must first demonstrate our strength."
They understood that fighting Britain meant certain defeat. Still, they believed showing resistance would prevent being underestimated.
But then the report arrived.
"The British Empire has appointed Crown Prince Edward to lead negotiations and dispatched a fleet."
"The number of ships alone rivals ours…"
"Are they lightly armored steamships?"
"No. All of them are the new ironclad warships, HMS Warrior."
"…What?"
Numbers alone might have made it manageable. But the difference in quality was overwhelming.
Northern ships were designed for coastal and river combat. The Warrior, by contrast, was the largest, fastest, and most heavily armored warship in existence.
Even compared to France's La Gloire, it surpassed it in size, speed, and armor.
And Britain had brought not one or two, but an entire fleet of them.
President Abraham Lincoln turned to General Ulysses S. Grant.
"If we refuse peace, those ships will join the Southern fleet. Can we withstand that?"
"…Sir, we are already unable to take the offensive against the French navy."
Even fighting France alone had forced the North onto the defensive at sea.
"And Britain's fleet is stronger?"
"They were built specifically to surpass France's navy."
"…How many did they bring?"
Even without entering shallow waters, they could destroy ports and coastal cities from a distance.
Lincoln's expression darkened.
"For now… verify the report again."
"Yes, sir."
They hoped it was exaggerated.
That perhaps only a few Warriors had arrived.
But no one present could say with confidence that they could continue the war if the report was true.
"Is this the full force you have brought?"
"For now. If the North refuses, more will follow."
"…I see."
Among Britain, France, and Prussia, the framework for ending the war had already been largely agreed upon.
The South had initially resisted, but upon seeing the British fleet and receiving guarantees of independence, they quickly accepted.
Only the North remained.
French General Adolphe Niel suppressed his frustration.
"Your Highness's arrival will surely compel the North to surrender soon."
"That is thanks to your efforts. We are only assisting with the conclusion."
Niel said nothing.
Nearby, Helmuth von Moltke also watched the British fleet silently.
"So this is the true strength of the British navy."
"We simply built what was necessary to maintain our global reach."
In truth, these ships had never been used in battle before.
"Then if the North refuses?"
"We will demonstrate that their fleet is useless scrap."
It was not arrogance.
It was fact.
Even if Britain and the North had similar numbers, the difference in quality made the outcome obvious.
Niel clenched his jaw.
France had believed itself second only to Britain at sea. After building La Gloire, they thought themselves unmatched.
Yet in a single year, Britain had surpassed them completely.
The reason was clear.
Money.
The wealth gained from this war had been poured into shipbuilding.
"Those bastards…"
The scale of Britain's navy was overwhelming. Even combined, France, Prussia, and the North could not match it.
Edward's words echoed.
"I have come to end this war."
What sounded like youthful boldness now carried undeniable weight.
For the North, it was no longer a choice.
Within a week, they sent word.
They were willing to negotiate.
Years of brutal war came to an abrupt end.
Richmond, Virginia.
"Welcome, General Grant."
"…General Lee."
Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee exchanged stiff greetings.
"The end is finally in sight."
"…Or perhaps the beginning of something worse."
Lee did not sound confident.
The South had relied too heavily on foreign support.
Refusing future interference would be impossible.
Grant stepped forward.
He knew.
If he refused to sign, the war would resume.
And this time, Britain would join the South.
Given the British fleet, the North could not endure such a war.
The decision had already been made.
The North would accept peace.
Grant came as its representative.
But when he saw the final map, his hand trembled.
"What is this?"
"A condition proposed strongly by France and Prussia."
"This is not just recognition of the South. You are demanding additional territory?"
The intention was obvious.
To confine the North to the Atlantic.
Grant's hand shook with anger as he held the pen.
***
General Ulysses S. Grant wanted to throw the pen in his hand straight at General Robert E. Lee and walk out, but he could not. He knew better than anyone that if he lost his temper here, the war would immediately resume.
Even so, the map in front of him was beyond reason.
How could anyone draw borders like this?
Suppressing his anger, he forced himself to speak calmly.
"Am I looking at some colonial map of Africa? What is this crude line drawing supposed to be?"
"As I mentioned, these are demands strongly pushed by France and Prussia."
"…I see. This differs somewhat from what I was told, so I cannot decide on this alone."
If he signed this and returned, his career would end that very day.
Grant requested time, and after urgent discussions over several days, no solution could be found.
In Washington D.C., after seeing the map, officials slammed the table in fury.
"We cannot lose access to the Pacific. Handing over the Cortés Sea means confining us."
"Those bastards have gone mad with greed."
"According to General Grant, this is not the South's demand, but France and Prussia's."
At Abraham Lincoln's words, everyone fell silent.
"So they intend to cripple us completely."
"And the South will accept this?"
"They gain access to the Pacific. Of course they will."
"Then we must fight…"
"Secretary Edwin Stanton, can we hold that region if we fight?"
Stanton studied the map, then shook his head.
"No."
"Even with full defense?"
"No."
The reason was obvious.
Southern New Mexico was far from the North's main forces. There were no railways. Moving troops would take too long. Naval access was worse, requiring a long route around South America, which Northern ships were not designed for.
Even France's navy alone could destroy them in open seas.
Meanwhile, the enemy could use Canadian ports freely as forward bases.
Defense was impossible.
"They included this condition because they know we cannot hold it."
The conclusion was unavoidable.
They had pushed just far enough that refusal was impossible.
Richmond, Virginia.
In the Confederate White House, the final peace ceremony began.
President Jefferson Davis.
President Abraham Lincoln.
And Crown Prince Edward VII.
Once they signed, everything would be irreversible.
Lincoln had come personally to prevent new demands, but to his surprise, no additional territorial demands were added.
Instead, something else appeared.
"Your Excellency, we propose that railway construction in the South be entrusted to the British Empire."
"…Railways?"
"The South's railway network is far behind the North. Standardization is also lacking. Without reform, you will continue to fall behind."
That much was true.
"Britain has the best railway engineers in the world. Our companies will modernize your system."
In other words, Britain demanded railway construction rights.
It was not unreasonable.
But then came the next condition.
"You will also support the independence of Panama from Colombia."
Lincoln immediately understood.
Panama was the gateway between North and South America. By pushing for independence, France and Prussia could intervene.
They wanted influence, without direct responsibility.
"And one more request from Britain."
"…There is more?"
"For two years, the South will supply cotton to Britain at designated prices and quantities."
Jefferson Davis could not refuse.
Britain had secured victory.
The cost of intervention had been repaid many times over.
Lincoln watched silently.
Jefferson signed, sweating.
Lincoln did not feel sympathy.
If anything, he felt satisfaction.
The agreement reached Richmond was quickly delivered to London.
I smiled as I read it.
Everything had gone according to plan.
Edward had executed it perfectly.
Victoria looked at me.
"You seem very pleased."
"I was worried too."
"Worried about what?"
"That Edward might lose an arm to some sea creature."
"…I should not have asked."
She sighed.
"But now you can begin what you wanted, correct?"
"Yes. This is only the beginning."
The war was not the end.
It was preparation.
The real task was rebuilding a divided America.
"…Still, this map is terrible."
Even I could not deny it.
The borders were ugly beyond belief.
"Men really do obsess over strange things."
Victoria shook her head.
I pointed to Panama.
France and Prussia claimed they would support independence.
But on their own map, Panama was already marked as their territory.
Independence, followed by control.
A very typical 19th-century strategy.
But that worked in my favor.
With them drawing attention,
no one would notice what Britain was truly doing.
And that,
was exactly the point.