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I’m serious, I just want to let everything go and have fun now. Of course, I could have some fun right here, but you know how it is.

“I can’t shake the feeling that this might not be right.”

“Unless the Reds seize power, I think that’d be a bit much, right? I mean, those Reds aren’t even around anymore. You won every war and unified all the way to Europe.”

Yeah, if you put it that way, I have nothing to counter with.

It’s true that you unified Europe under the Rome Treaty Organization, so I’ll give you that.

It certainly seems like an environment where abdication is out of the question.

If I had known it would turn out like this, I should have abdicated to Vladimir beforehand and been a sort of hidden power behind the scenes. —Though, I guess that would have been a bit tough.

Wait a second, the mention of Reds just reminded me of something.

“Ah, right. That’s it.”

“Huh?”

“I have to figure out what to do with Trotsky.”

I need to find some use for Trotsky.

Honestly, I don’t intend to kill him anymore. Rather, I’m just thinking of rolling him around somewhere until he dies.

After all, isn’t it thanks to him that America has turned into a chaotic mess?

“Should we contact the Siberian camp?”

“Uh, no. Let’s use that later.”

Because I’ve found a use for him.

If I show Trotsky the new world, he’ll realize that the revolution was crushed.

The world is running just fine without a revolution.

What will happen if I take away the purpose of revolution from a revolutionary?

Of course, there’s still the potential for him to spark a revolution in somewhere like Latin America.

Colonies are on the brink of independence, so establishing a communist regime there wouldn’t be out of reach either. But, I’ll wait a bit, let the world stabilize, and then show him.

However, speaking of which, the future of Eastern Japan is bound to be chaotic, so what if we dropped Trotsky into America’s territory, Eastern Japan? Sounds like it’d be fun.

Yeah, that’s that.

Well, in the end, it seems even the abdication incident has fizzled out.

“Your Majesty, we’ve received a letter from Western Japan.”

Looks like a letter has arrived from Japan.

Could it be that Mutaguchi Renya is telling me not to abdicate after all this time?

“Truly, it’s Master Mojonggu.”

What on earth could have prompted Mutaguchi Renya to send a letter?

So, I read it, and it was quite absurd.

In the end, it seems Western Japan has opted for a monarchy instead of a republic.

A republic isn’t bad, but since they’ve served under the divine emperor for so long, a sudden shift to a republic would be difficult, so they had to choose monarchy.

Of course, this isn’t something they need my permission for, but based on the content of the letter, it mentions I’ve now become the Emperor of Eastern Rome, so considering that Russia also claims to be descendants of Rome, it seems Renya intends to establish a new royal line that’s related to the Japanese imperial family.

So, let’s take a look at the candidates put forth.

“The Toyota family and Queen Masako.”

Is that the Toyota I know? I’m not sure. Proposing the Toyota family as the royal line essentially means setting up a new Baekje line, doesn’t it?

Hmm. They were indeed overrun by Goguryeo and fell, but when Japan was in dire straits, many Baekje people poured in. If they were to elevate Toyota—a collateral branch of Ouchi, who’s a descendant of Prince Im Sung-tae—as the royal line, that would mean a new Baekje, right?

It’s true that during the Ouchi period, they had quite a good relationship with Joseon.

In fact, it’s said they monopolized trade with Joseon.

But isn’t this too far back?

Improving relations with Korea, I’d say Lee Eun and Queen Masako would be more suitable.

Especially since Lee Eun seems to have a good relationship with Mutaguchi Renya currently and is quite popular.

While the real power lies with Renya, trying for a Baekje royal line feels too outdated. Even if the imperial family has mingled blood with the Baekje royal family, it’s still been way too long.

Even if you try to patch it together through some connections, Eastern Rome has lasted a decent time. Baekje fell in 660, so that’s ages ago.

“Hmm. In that case, wouldn’t Lee Eun be better?”

If Lee Eun becomes a co-emperor with Queen Masako, it would aid in improving relations with current Korea.

The Baekje connection to Toyota might be good, but there are still some concerns there.

But if someone asks if this is right, I would have to give an ambiguous answer.

Then, it’s down to Lee Eun and Queen Misako.

As far as I know, Lee Eun has always consistently wished to return to Korea.

But then again, just because he becomes the Emperor of Japan, doesn’t mean he can’t go to Korea. Considering that he would be a co-emperor, Lee Eun would merely represent a name, while Queen Masako would hold the actual legitimacy.

Going back and forth to Korea should be manageable.

So, should I subtly suggest Lee Eun?

If Renya was fixed on Toyota, that’s not my concern, but it seems he has asked for advice, so I’ll give it.

The choice lies with Renya.

* * *

Provisional Government of Western Japan, Nagasaki

Western Japan is still under the military governance of Mutaguchi Renya, thanks to the Treaty Army.

However, this military governance can’t go on forever, and it’s about time to establish a royal family and officially launch a government.

At that time, Renya received a response from the Tsar.

“The Tsar believes it would be better to have the Yi Wang and Queen Masako.”

“But can we really make a Joseon descendant the emperor?”

Tsujin Masanobu, who enjoyed wealth and honor as Renya’s subordinate, murmured with a worried expression.

He had suggested it himself, but now that he seriously thought about the Yi Wang becoming emperor, it felt a bit strange.

This was something Renya had also pondered over.

The last glimmer of Japan, and as a remarkable figure himself, he had his share of doubts, but the Yi Wang wasn’t a bad candidate for emperor.

In fact, Baekje’s royal family only remains nominally in the original territory, and the head of the royal family recognizes Baekje as a federation state of the Korean Empire, relinquishing all authority.

Eastern Japan’s laws have been entirely reformed to American standards due to American influence, and Western Japan, also looking to the US, has seen all traditional noble titles abolished, so at least the Yi Wang’s existence remained intact.

From the start, the Yi Wang was a bit of a floating entity as he wasn’t a Japanese royal family member but rather a member of the Wang family of Changdeokgung.

In Western Japan, since he was the husband of Queen Masako from the imperial family, the options were rather limited.

“The Yi Wang is capable enough to even hold the position of commander of the homeland air force and has a solid reputation. Putting a collateral branch with uncertain connections to the imperial family at the forefront seems a bit much.”

From the beginning, Lee Eun held a higher position within the Japanese military and that pathway seemed more feasible.

Most importantly, the joint ascension of the Yi Wang and Queen Masako to the imperial throne was part of the conditions posed by the US for deposing the current imperial family.

“Well, over in Europe, while they have tons of countries, they all seem interconnected. But I wonder if the Yi Wang would accept this?”

“If we secured the Tsar’s support, then the story would be different. I’ll go personally.”

We have to create a situation that can’t be refused.

Let’s make an atmosphere they absolutely can’t turn down.

Renya and the advisors who had been with him since the Southern Manchuria days went to find Lee Eun at his residence in Nagasaki.

And in front of the door, Renya knelt down.

He was somewhat intoxicated, and this tactic of appearing humble was quite effective, so he thought to use it again.

“Your Highness Yi Wang! Your Majesty! Please become the new heavens of this Shinju!”

“Please embrace the ravaged Shinju upon your ascension!”

“Please open a new era!”

The Southern Manchurian army’s advisors under Mutaguchi knelt humbly in front of Yi Wang (the Prince Imperial), much like ministers from Joseon imploring their king.

The Japanese, busy restoring the city, also bowed down as Mutaguchi Renya, a hero of Japan, did the same, following his lead.

“New Yi Wang will serve you, Your Highness!”

With eyes gleaming with utmost assurance, much like the ministers in Joseon pleading for their king, they pressed their foreheads against the ground.

Their eyes shone with the confident gleam of victory from the original world’s Imphal operation! They laid their heads against the ground with all their might.

Meanwhile, Prince Yi, who had been preparing to return to his homeland at any moment, cringed at the thought of becoming emperor of a country that had absorbed his homeland; the Yi Wang, who happened to be of the royal family of Japan and married to Queen Masako, made a grimace.

“W-what am I supposed to do about this? I want to return to my homeland. My lady, how do we resolve this?”

Being told to become the emperor of a country that had annexed his homeland was no small matter.

Of course, Japan is a bit different now, but still, it’s Japan.

Moreover, he knew they were trying to utilize him to place the foreign woman (Queen Masako) on the throne.

“Eastern Japan has become a colony of America! The empire has been cut in half! I beseech you to ascend the throne and embrace the remaining Shinju!”

Outside, the hero of Japan, Mutaguchi Renya, was fervently asking for the throne with a heart full of anxiety, making it quite the odd sight.

“I received a letter from Lee Woo.”

Queen Masako referred to Lee Woo as a public figure who had restored the Korean Peninsula.

Just before Renya began that charade, she had received a letter from Lee Woo.

She passed that letter to Lee Eun, who read its contents with intensity in his eyes.

“It says here that he hopes you would ascend to the throne of Western Japan and increase Balhae’s influence within Japan?”

Lee Woo wanted Lee Eun to ascend to the throne to boost Balhae’s influence in Japan.

Of course, it was also mentioned as a bonus that if he didn’t want to, he could return to his homeland.

“As an emperor, he said anytime you could return home too, so it’s not a bad condition. If you don’t ascend the throne, then America will swallow Western Japan, which Tsarina doesn’t want to see happen either.”

Yes. For my homeland, Korea. I would even consider sacrificing myself for Balhae.

Anyway, if I can’t avoid it, it wouldn’t be too bad to rise to the throne as the Baekje royal family the Japanese obliterated and look down upon the Japanese people.

Then it was time to make a decision.

Determined, Lee Eun, alongside his wife Masako (the foreign wife), stepped outside and lifted Renya with both hands.

“I can’t watch the hero of Japan kneel like this any longer. Although I am a descendant of the Great Korean Empire, a member of the noble family, and the husband of Masako, a member of the Japanese imperial family, if you all truly desire it, I shall accept.”

“Since he is with us, I shall heed your intentions as well.”

With his goal achieved, Renya stood up with a grin.

And following behind him, his advisors and the bewildered surrounding Japanese all stood up as well.

“Long live His Majesty! Long live Your Majesties! Long live the United Japanese States!”

“Long live the Emperor! Long live the United Japanese States!”

The newly established sovereign of the United Japanese States adopted the title of Emperor, which had become unusable due to American influence, and instead used the title of Emperor from the Korean Empire, resulting in an external/internal system similar to Goryeo (outside they were called kings, while internally they were called emperors), and were referred to as the king of Japan from abroad.

In some circles, it was considered the beginning of the United Japanese States, often called the Mutaguchi Shogunate, marking the opening of the Eastern and Western countries era (or the Northern and Southern countries).

* * *

Japan was divided into three.

The Ezo Republic, Kanto Republic, and the United Japanese States.

However, the Ezo Republic was recognized as a separate nation approved by the Ainu, which left Japan without mentioning the rapid independence of Okinawa in the form of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Anyway, what remained was the constitutional monarchy of the United Japanese States, with Nagoya bordering Kanto Republic and Nagasaki as its capital, and Kanto Republic, practically a puppet state of America, in the Eastern Japan territory.

The islands of Dokdo and Tsushima, which haven’t been mentioned in this process, would be seen as the property of Balhae, which would later be responsible for the Far East Sea, and Jeju Island was officially returned to Balhae by the United Japanese States.

To begin with, Western Japan also had to hold on for a while under the Treaty Army, as they were barely managing to keep whatever land they had.

Taiwan and Okinawa were liberated by the Treaty Army, so of course, they assumed their original roles of preventing American expansion in the Pacific. Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, and other nations were classified as third countries so that, at least on the surface, neither the Treaty nor America could simply interfere.

Israel still needed some time to establish its nation status, but internationally, it was officially registered as a country with the formal process to join the future UN underway.

We can now have economic entities include Russia, Israel, Balhae, Western Japan, Ryukyu, and Taiwan.

I heard that Wang Jingwei and Mao Zedong wanted to join too, but if they did, we’d have to let all of China join as well since it would be confusing with the vague autonomy situation, so I firmly refused.

“The name Kanto Republic is really funny.”

Even if we disregard the Northern and Southern Dynasties. But it’s the Eastern-Western countries. One side is a republic, so just call it Northern and Southern countries.

Eastern-Western countries just sounds odd.

Of course, Eastern-Western is right when you look at Japanese territory compared to Northern and Southern, but still, isn’t it a funny name?

The Balhae Federation seems to have Ahn Chang-ho as the president, Kim Gu as the prime minister, and Lee Beom-seok as the Minister of Defense. This side also seems quite stable compared to the original history and I like it.

“The Far East is finished. Now onto India.”

The British have finally withdrawn from India.

And they’ve done it openly, looking to separate regions, dividing them by religion, and saying, “You’re on your own for independence.” Just like that, it seems they barely set up some sort of government system before leaving.

Though, quite frankly, they lacked the resources to maintain India any longer.

“We will grant you the independence you want.”

With various reasons like organizing Europe, they’ve pulled out totally unlike other colonies.

Naturally, chaos erupted in India.

“We are one India!”

Gandhi seemed to be of the mindset “Let’s just do it,” breaking our promise and wishing for a united India, while Chandra Bose seemed worried about the Treaty Army intervening, looking to do something about the caste system, but that actually set off sparks for conflict.

Factions pushing to abolish the caste system and factions wanting to continue ancient evils clashed, along with Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs in a whirlwind of disunity.

So, what will happen next?

Yeah. There’s really only one answer—Civil War.

 

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