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Anastasia was born in 1901, and since it’s now 1945, that means she’s in her mid-forties.

Ah, seriously, I’m living here nearly double the time compared to how long I lived back where I was originally from!

No, no, that’s incorrect. I’ve been here for less than 30 years at least. So I’m not forty, right?

At the time of the Red-White Civil War, I possessed this body for less than 30 years. So, no, I’m definitely not forty.

Just as I was briefly comforting myself, a sudden wave of despair hit me again.

To think I’ve lived longer in this body than any man!

How dare it remind me of something I didn’t want to realize! Is this some kind of challenge to me? Does it want to start a war?

Ah, hold it together. It’s all that old man’s fault. The one who made me possess this body.

“What a saint, huh?”

I forced a twisted smile while mumbling to MacArthur.

We had dinner together in the White House since we had time.

“Is the food from America to your liking, Your Majesty?”

No, it’s tasty enough, but, first of all, it’s extremely salty and dripping with grease.

They must’ve gone out of their way to prepare this, but it looks like a buffet of dishes that will definitely add to my waistline.

“Yes, well, home-cooked meals are still the best, but this isn’t bad. I’m just worried that all this food will end up as belly fat for me.”

“Hahaha! It seems Your Majesty could use a bit more weight, though.”

We then started discussing the world-spanning issues.

This had to be a historical moment.

“It’s a pity I couldn’t evade the last attack on Pearl Harbor, even though you gave me prior notice.”

“Aha, so that’s how it was.”

What a smooth talker. He had claimed earlier that the Okhrana had advised against interference, but I suppose that’s just his pride speaking.

It’d be embarrassing to dig deeper into that.

Well, glancing at MacArthur, his eyes were sharp and keen.

He was probably about to reveal what he wanted.

“First of all, the matter of joining the war against Japan, alongside the post-war support plan for Europe, falls under the responsibility of the President and Prime Minister. However, I’ve heard that the Commander of the Treaty Army is Your Majesty.”

“That would be correct.”

After all, the army of the Russian Republic is part of the White Army blessed by God, the Tsar.

As the head of the Rome Treaty Organization, it’s practically a given that the Treaty Army is under my direction.

Of course, once an era passes, the Treaty Army will be properly organized.

“Since you’re the master of the army that divides the world, I believe this should be discussed directly with Your Majesty.”

Right. It seems it’s finally time to carve out our territories.

It’s time to slice up the Earth like a cake.

“In other words, we need to clearly delineate the territories of the Rome Treaty Organization and the United States. That’s it.”

“Exactly, Your Majesty.”

“Excluding the mainland Europe, which is the home of the Treaty Organization, the Middle East, North China, Manchuria and Balhae, Taiwan, and Western Japan will fall under our sphere of influence. Alaska may appear like Russian territory on the surface.”

So, they outright said it.

From our standpoint, is there any discontent? We can afford to say it like this, you know.

Before coming here, the bulldog pup was barking urgently.

-You must protect the domains of the Commonwealth. Please, I beg you!

With his bald head shining, he looked almost pitiful, so I couldn’t refuse.

That said, it’s not like we have nothing to concede to America.

“Hmm, is that so?”

“But I’m not looking to interfere with the Southeast Asian nations that gained independence following the Roman Declaration.”

Right. Those previously colonized nations.

For now, the occupied Eastern Japan will belong to America, and Latin America will also fall under their jurisdiction, along with the Philippines and French Indochina.

Even though the Rome Treaty Organization has more holdings, America isn’t to be taken lightly.

“In that case…”

“Balhae, Western Japan, and further down, Australia and New Zealand will merely serve as a defensive perimeter against the influence of the United States.”

It will simply be a matter of drawing a line.

This defense line will counterbalance the Pacific hegemony of the United States.

“Does that mean you recognize the Pacific itself as our domain?”

“We will regard it as America’s lake, and we also have no intention of disturbing Latin America. Of course, this is limited to the Pacific; the East Sea and West Sea of Balhae, as well as the territorial waters near Taiwan, also belong to our sphere.”

As long as Balhae, Western Japan, and Taiwan, etc., are considered a defensive line for the Pacific.

Personally, we don’t have a large enough navy to dispute supremacy in the Pacific. Since the war has concluded, military reduction must follow.

We will maintain some degree of naval power, but there’s no urge to hog the Pacific.

“So, what are your thoughts on Africa, India, and Southern China?”

MacArthur brought up three critical areas while sipping his coffee.

Africa was a colonized region, so it’s understandable they’d be curious about how we’d manage it after having enjoyed it for so long.

India and China also have significant stakes, so it’s clear we wouldn’t just let them go easily.

“We plan to grant independence to Africa and delegate that right to Ethiopia. We will support India’s independence, but we don’t aim to place India under the influence of the Rome Treaty either. Of course, the US should not interfere either. In special cases that demand intervention, we will consult with the US.”

In truth, India wouldn’t have no influence due to Britain, but it’s just one of the many independent nations now.

The Rome Treaty has no intention of directly attempting anything.

We’ll semi-privately grant independence to Africa while passing leadership to Ethiopia.

The Republic of South Africa in the Commonwealth will also cooperate with managing Africa.

“Hmm, are you suggesting leaving it as is?”

“Yes. So, let’s keep Africa and India as regions untouched by both the Rome Treaty Organization and the US. The same goes for Southern China. They should be left to constantly bite at each other.”

The stage is set.

Spread discord and animosity among them to keep them fighting interminably.

“That’s surprising. I’ve heard of you as a saint. Hmmm.”

“Even a saint prioritizes national interests, and I’m a saint of Europe, not a saint for every ethnicity.”

If I think about the future, I have no reason to feel sympathy for the Chinese; if I harbor any hatred at all, it’s definitely not for them.

“The Tsar seems wary of the Chinese, who are a problem for the Japs as well.”

I have no choice but to keep watch over history.

I can understand why MacArthur’s eyes widened in shock.

We need to grab hold of China now while we can.

“Of course. Even if we were pushed back at one point, ultimately, China will catch up to Western civilization if we do not mobilize our army and bring them back to the past. A country of over a billion people could be a considerable threat to the white nations, right?”

Of course, who knows that China here could reduce its population to 500 million in the future.

Given the damages from the Sino-Japanese War, it’s only natural to be cautious.

It’s better to act now rather than risk ending up in a second Cold War between the US and China like in original history.

“So, you mean you foresee such a future?”

Does this guy think I’m a prophet or something?

“Exactly. If we leave China be, they will eventually pose a significant obstacle for both Russia and the US. There will certainly be constant friction in the Pacific with the US.”

“Hmm, many of our scientists researching the technology transfer from the Rome Treaty are of Chinese descent, so I suppose we need to ensure they don’t return to China with that knowledge. If they have close relations, we should handle that from this side. Does that imply you don’t intend to keep the previously colonized nations under the influence of the Rome Treaty Organization?”

MacArthur squinted his eyes, waiting for my response.

If we covet the previously colonized nations too, that’d surely rile up MacArthur.

I need to clarify that this is not the case.

“As for what America does, that’s out of our authority. We also have no intention of touching Latin America. And how about we keep the countries not previously mentioned from meddling as well?”

We’re talking about countries like Thailand.

Countries that weren’t aligned with either side during this war.

Nations like that should just remain neutral without any interference.

Seeing that MacArthur seemed to agree, I nodded carefully and began to speak.

“I have one big curiosity. Since all the weaponry falls under your authority, what’s the reason you’ve allowed us to have missile and nuclear weapon technology? If it were our America, we could have been content just with a condition of participation in the war against Japan from the Rome Treaty.”

Oh, why did they grant it to us? Simple enough.

Once again, I’ll say it: Europe is in ruins, torn apart by war—it needs a lot of money.

Personally, I believe the world runs on money.

I made a circle with my finger in a bold manner.

“First and foremost, money.”

“Yes?”

“Money, yes. I truly love money. To be honest, if I weren’t in the Tsar’s position, I’d be stumped as to where I’d even get money.”

Ultimately, isn’t it all about money?

Especially in my case, what if I had lost in the Red-White civil war or resurrected and just ran away? Where would I have lived?

“No matter what, is that really the reason?”

Oh come on, is it really plausible for a Tsar to hand it over solely for such reasons?

This is what the simplest reason boils down to.

“Of course there are other reasons. Isn’t America a country that can’t make anything if we don’t sell to them? They have ample resources and wealth to create them anyway, so if they’re going to make it regardless, it’s better to sell it to them and snatch some cash in the process.”

Someday, Americans will figure it out.

They’ll eventually develop whatever it is, by recruiting spies or whatever means.

So, it’s way better for us to take a hefty sum when we hand it over than to resentfully transfer it if they’ll achieve it on their own regardless.

After all, we still have a long way ahead in terms of technology. It’s not a big deal.

“I’m also curious about the previous intervention in the civil war. If Your Majesty had shifted your views back then and aimed to seize North America, it wouldn’t have been impossible, would it?”

“How much manpower would be consumed in controlling Americans on this enormous continent when battling the communist bloc? It’s not just that. I worry about the future.”

No matter how large the population of Russia is, it will face long-standing resistance in America.

There’s no capability to cope with that.

“Future?”

“For nations to develop, there must be rival entities to compete against, just as humans thrive on competition. However, if the Rome Treaty Organization unifies the world, then who will we be competing against? Hence, there needs to be countries that are constantly wary of each other, and in that sense, the US is just the right nation.”

In the present scenario, what other country could stand against the Rome Treaty Organization apart from America?

“Hmm. That makes sense.”

MacArthur stroked his chin and seemed to acknowledge my reasoning.

Right. Exactly.

I can’t become that heroic protagonist from novels, manga, or anime, laboring under grand dreams of peace.

Human beings, by nature, are bound to clash with one another.

This physical suppression cannot be constantly maintained.

Conflict is bound to arise internally and through such struggles, humanity learns and progresses from leaps of sacrifice.

It’s better to have a formidable rival that is strong enough to be restrained.

Having a single boss keeping the lethargy in check ensures a level of self-destruction through mutual fighting.

“World peace sounds good. But humanity’s history is a continuous saga of strife and struggle. Yet, it has evolved. Moreover, as a precaution against any possible rampage of Russia post my time, America serves as a safety mechanism. The existence of America is, in its essence, a country prepared for when Russia veers out of line.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

He seems unsettled by it, but as the leader of the only nation capable of opposing Russia, MacArthur understands the implications behind my words.

“Therefore, peace will be maintained.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty’s words ring true.”

I suspect that MacArthur’s power will continue for a while longer.

Eventually, even he might have to relinquish his hold on power given how he has ruled under the pretext of war, but perhaps it will extend his life a bit more.

“I hear you like money, so I have one proposal for you. Though I haven’t brought it up in Congress yet.”

“Go ahead.”

“The existence of Greenland, belonging to Denmark, concerns our defense. We won’t be able to outdo the Rome Treaty near the Atlantic, especially with Canada and Alaska around, and having our mainland under threat would be troublesome. We need at least some foothold to threaten Canada.”

Is this the thing where they worry and think of taking over Greenland?

At least if they stationed troops there, they would feel somewhat reassured about Canada’s back.

“That matter will need to be discussed with Denmark in the Rome Treaty, so I’ll discuss it with the Prime Minister.”

“Ultimately, since you hold all the cards, Your Majesty.”

Even I can’t just recklessly deal with territorial matters.

It must be addressed in the discussions within the Rome Treaty Organization, and given that Iceland has gained independence and joined the organization, Denmark is likely to kick up a fuss against this idea.

America may not be too keen on the region either.

After all, they’ve got Canada and Alaska as footholds for the Rome Treaty Organization. Is there really a need for Greenland?

“How much are you considering for the dollars?”

“$500 million, how does that sound?”

Wow, do they still have that much they can use?

Saying that seems a bit much. They’re still committed to supporting us, and considering everything, the U.S. is recovering from the civil war, having spent more than in original history on Japan, so even pouring out what they have now seems tough.

“$500 million is something I need to ponder. But it is something that must be discussed within the Rome Treaty Organization, rather than Russia itself.”

Is MacArthur merely throwing feelers?

 

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