---

* * *

Moscow Kremlin

After a long time, I returned to Moscow.

The citizens of Moscow waved the United States flag as the proud White Army returned and marched before them.

Young ladies offered flower bouquets to the marching White soldiers or embraced them. Those nostalgic for the imperial days praised the Tsar and the Empire.

For Russia, which experienced the horrors of the Great War, revolutions, and ultimately a civil war, this was a great victory that washed away its humiliating history.

Especially considering that after the war, Russia would lead Europe, how significant could this be?

“God Tsar, bless us!”

“Long live the Russian Republic! Hooray!”

Compliments about me flowed endlessly.

Through this war, we completely restored the pride that had been shattered by the Great War and the Red-White Civil War. It was only natural.

Citizens of Moscow are gathered outside the Kremlin, openly praising me.

“Father, are you watching? Your daughter has done it!”

I suddenly muttered that by the office window without realizing it.

I couldn’t help but wonder if the remains of Nicholas II enshrined at St. Michael’s Cathedral might somehow come back to life.

“The praises for His Majesty the Tsar don’t cease. Is it that this nation has finally become a new Rome?”

“Flattery is excessive. Maria.”

I unknowingly smiled at Maria, who seemed to have aged just a little more than me.

“It’s not a forced annexation by military might, but instead an integration into a single economic zone and power. This can be considered a genuine unification of Europe post-Rome.”

The Prime Minister chimed in as well.

Well, it’s a reconstruction of Rome as a sphere of influence rather than complete occupation. Isn’t it peaceful?

“The Rome Treaty Organization has already been discussed with the leaders of other countries. They’re all joining, so it’s improbable that Northern Europe will stay out. And Greece will probably join too.”

“But is it alright not to have a Moscow Treaty Organization?”

“To administer Europe, Moscow is too biased. The root is Rome, after all. Rome is effectively our territory now, so location isn’t a concern.”

If we’re being specific, Italy doesn’t differ much from us except for the regions taken by the Danube Federation.

From the outset, the details about the launch of the Rome Treaty Organization thrown at the Papal States indicated that Italy would be ruled by the third Rome, Russia.

Under the pretext of governing the Treaty Organization, Rome is essentially our land.

The Papal States simply adds their spoonful on top.

In other words, Russia has reclaimed the second Rome, Constantinople, and now has restored Rome.

Once the Rome Treaty Organization officially launches, Europe will essentially be unified under Russian leadership.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Then, shall we resolve the Suez issue in the National Duma?”

“The Suez issue? Well, that’s already been discussed, so Churchill won’t have anything to say. Since we’ve said we’d share a stake in Suez with Russia, please negotiate that with Turkey.”

Turkey probably won’t monopolize everything either.

They just need to grab a reasonable share.

The unfortunate part is that Egypt will fall under Turkey’s influence.

After all, wasn’t Egypt one that filled its treasury with Suez’s revenues in history?

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Alright then. Maybe I can take a bit of a break for a while.

I can rest until the Americans react, and then lend them a hand when they ask for help later.

But what’s going on with that Beria guy in the corner?

Why does he look like a total perv giggling in a corner of the office?

Seriously, what’s up with Beria?

Whenever that bastard laughs like that, it seems like he must have something good going on.

I thought about slapping him when he was greeting me, but I held back because of my image.

But if it turns out to be some useless nonsense, that guy will soon experience that my fists are not for decoration.

Or I might just have to stomp his head with my foot.

“But Beria, what’s the matter?”

It feels a bit annoying to even ask, but I asked anyway.

“Yes, Your Majesty. First of all, there’s news regarding the Provisional Government of the Balhae Republic.”

The Provisional Government of the Balhae Republic.

Yes. It’s the government of the Korean Provisional Government in this world. The mere mention of the Balhae Republic at this point could possibly indicate a declaration of war against Japan.

“The Provisional Government of the Balhae Republic? Why? Could it be a declaration of war against Japan?”

Surely, considering that the wars throughout Europe have nearly come to an end, they wouldn’t think we’d help them right away, would they?

“No. It’s that the head of the Korean Empire, I-gang, has fallen ill, and his son, Lee Woo, has succeeded him.”

Ah, so I-gang finally came out.

“Well, I suppose that is to be expected. He’s gotten older.”

But isn’t Lee Woo the guy who was supposed to be dead after the atomic bombing in Hiroshima?

Well, I guess that’s also part of the alternative history I created here, right?

His older brother, I-geon, seems to be living in obedience to the Japanese, just like in the original history.

It would be amusing if Japan were to drop a nuke randomly. Sadly, mindless nuclear weapons don’t look good, do they?

“And we have captured that Mao Zedong fellow you wanted.”

“Mao Zedong, huh? Let’s see him.”

I need to see for myself if he’s going to be obedient.

Here, he’s known as the successor of Chen Zhongming of the United States.

* * *

Beria had the Okhrana bring Mao Zedong.

“Here he is, Mao Zedong, the successor of the United States of China. I’ve heard of him, but this is my first time seeing him.”

“It is an honor to meet Your Majesty, the Emperor of the Great Russia! Congratulations on your victory in Europe!”

Seeing Mao Zedong in person, wow. He’s nothing like the Mao Zedong I know.

He’s bowing down and being all subservient, looking like a toady.

Though considering his age and that he looks different from the photos, it’s just that his once plump figure has turned into a skinny frame before me.

I almost laughed at his rather pitiful appearance.

He resembles a beggar and is nothing like the Mao Zedong I remember.

“Hmm. So you came to Moscow because you wanted to see me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. The dream of self-governing China that you aided is collapsing due to Japan and Chiang Kai-shek. Please, assist our Chinese self-governing government!”

Mao Zedong lifted his head and then bowed down again.

I could feel his desperation as he requested support from me.

The leader of China, the antagonist who obstructed the unification of South Korea during the Korean War.

“How do you mean? Are you asking for military assistance?”

As shameless as it sounds, that is exactly what he is asking.

We may be allies of Japan, but if you’re going to be takin’ a piece of me, at least raise your value, guy.

This way, in the future, Mao Zedong will become a figure who cannot exist without Russia within the self-governing realm.

“Your Majesty, you are the Emperor who commands the East and the West, and a Saint. How could you be allied with the savage island nation pirates?”

“Savage?”

I know well enough that I’m killing people, but I acted ignorant and asked.

Keeping silent about it would make it seem as if I was endorsing Japan’s savagery.

“Your Majesty, the Japanese roam throughout the Central China, killing any man who dares to resist and even murdering children and raping women. They threaten to kill so that mothers are forced to allow their sons to rape their daughters! This is an atrocity beyond comprehension! They humiliate and take lives in cruel ways not befitting of humanity!”

Wow, the last two are chilling to hear for the first time.

There might be an element of exaggeration from Mao Zedong’s side. Or maybe not.

Hearing all that, it would be a bit tough not to help.

“Great Russia, as a leading global nation, and as Your Majesty the Tsar being a Saint, we humbly request your assistance.”

If I don’t help now, it would be a bit tough.

Once news comes from America, I’ll have to give it a try.

I’m sure America must have heard that we’ve concluded our wars.

“So, what about Chiang Kai-shek? I’ve heard he’s got the support of the people as a unification advocate among the Chinese.”

Well, I guess there isn’t anyone else in China comparable to him, so that makes sense. But anyway, Chiang Kai-shek is now pulling China up by the collar.

“That man is deeply rooted in imperialism. When China’s condition improves, he plans to annex Tibet, Mongolia, and Manchuria.”

“Do you think our Russia would lose to such a Chinese imperialist?”

“China will certainly fall. That’s why I’m saying this. How could someone trying to endanger China be suited to be a leader? The history of China shows that once unified, it will last no longer than the small dynasty on the nearby peninsula. The power of the self-governing realm must be cultivated to lay the foundation for unification!”

He’s bowing down again.

Whoa, it’s quite the sight to see Mao Zedong prostrating before me!

But you lost 200,000 men, so maybe you shouldn’t speak at all.

If I think about it, yeah. Maybe it would be better off torn apart than to let Chiang Kai-shek take it all.

As I said, Mao Zedong is continuing his self-governing ways.

Of course, it’s more of a philosophy he chose to seize power.

“Alright. But with the war in Europe just ending, it will take some time to mobilize the military. I can provide weapons, but if there’s a war, I’ll have to send my friends from the Far East to help you. Is that alright?”

Like, the Jewish army, or the Balhae Army.

The news I’ve heard is that Mutaguchi Renya in Southern Manchuria is indulging in lavish pleasures right now. The Far East army would be enough to take over Southern Manchuria.

“Yes, Your Majesty. The friends of Russia are akin to benefactors for us. We will also provide compensation as much as we can.”

I might have to consider establishing Israel soon.

Based on how desperate Mao Zedong seems to be, claiming he’ll provide compensation, maybe I’ll find a good place to set up Israel.

I promised support to Mao Zedong through the National Duma and sent him away with Beria.

Finally, a bit of free time has come.

A break with mint chocolate ice cream! What could be more perfect—

“Yes, Your Majesty. By the way, there’s also an award ceremony.”

Maria once again threw a schedule that interrupted my well-deserved break.

Ah, damn it. That’s right. The award ceremony is something I must do.

Many people have contributed to this war, so I don’t mind the National Duma taking care of the families of the soldiers.

Hmm.

“Oh, I see. There was an award ceremony too.”

What kind of work does a Puppet Emperor have so many?

Even if I leave everything to the National Duma, it also becomes a problem. Because I ended up giving out awards, it became a tradition for me to present them.

Honestly, even the award ceremony feels tiresome. Umm. Considering the image I’ve built so far, it might be tricky to back out now.

Even now, Russia’s filled with people coming to praise me for the victory in World War II.

I’ve even made my mark on the fact that I didn’t march into Paris to spare my troops, somehow getting that word around.

Well, that’s fine and all, but about the awards…

No, it’s fine for everything else, but I have no idea how to hand out the awards.

Because there’s a rank for those too.

Suddenly, as I pondered, this is a new problem that needs tackling.

But now would be the right moment to reconsider my approach!

This is about image-making.

“Should I just hand it over to the National Duma?”

“No, I should do it. That seems right.”

And do I really need to divide awards into different ranks? I could just give the best to everyone.

Since they have worked hard to eradicate the Communists, it needs to be reflected in the awards.

Thus, an award ceremony opened.

Many figures from the White Army looked eagerly at their young lord, who seemed to be ‘on the surface’ quite a bit younger.

With such intense gazes sent at me, I can’t resist it.

First, there’s a newly established medal before this war.

It’s the Spolia Optima Tsar Iron Cross.

This Iron Cross is the highest military honor that generals could earn in ancient Rome, newly established this time for Russia’s award ceremony.

It’s slightly more decorative than the platinum Roman Iron Cross. It was only natural to create it for us, rightful Romans who restored Rome and Constantinople.

First of all, I personally awarded the Spolia Optima Tsar Iron Cross to the generals who fought in the army during this war: Ungern, Vermont, Semenov, Drozdovsky, Anton Denikin, Krasnov, Zhukov, Tukhachevsky, Vlasov, Vasilyevsky, Vladimir, and many other generals!

To Kuznetsov, who played a role in the navy, I awarded the platinum Roman Iron Cross, along with several others who contributed to the war.

The rest were awarded the platinum Roman Iron Cross.

I covered it all just with these two medals.

It really feels weird to be personally pinning medals on dozens of people.

Many will probably say that the Tsar only got tired of awarding medals that he just gave everyone the highest honor.

But that’s none of my business.

“In this war, there’s no one whose merits are higher or lower. Everyone is a hero in this war.”

The recipients of the medals all quietly listened to my words.

“My comrades from the Red-White Civil War closely planned and executed operations to capture the Communists. Even those who once stood alongside them stepped forward in this war to display their loyalty to the United States by eliminating the Communists. The lower-ranking soldiers faced death personally, firing guns and cannons at the Communists to lead to the victory of this war.”

They’ve each fulfilled their missions in their own places.

Just this one statement is enough.

There’s no need for any separate speech.

“Each of you did your best in your respective positions, so how could anyone claim that some are more meritorious than others? Hence, those awarded earlier with the platinum Roman Iron Cross will receive the Spolia Optima Tsar Iron Cross, while all generals will receive the platinum Roman Iron Cross. Since I alone cannot distribute medals to all soldiers, I will address this separately, but all soldiers who fought in this war will be awarded the Roman Special Meritorious Medal.”

Wowwwwwwwww!

Cheers erupted from all around.

For the original fan club members, I need to give them a suitable reward. This is just natural.

In fact, along with Beria, who developed the weapons used in this war, the various aircraft companies and missile development departments will also receive the Tsar Labor Medal.

I wonder if this might be dangerous when the war breaks out with Japan.

I think I might be extremely busy handing out medals.

 

---