Chapter 273


Eventually, the atmosphere of civil war began to ripen. Nehru, as a pro-British faction, also seemed to be gathering pro-British allies to do something.

At least, just looking at the obvious leaders, there’s Gandhi, Chandra Bose, and Nehru. Inside, due to different religions, there seems to be a vibe that something could erupt here and there.

But who cares?

Regardless of whether Gandhi listens to me or not, we sowed the seeds for something to explode.

“I’m going to let you all be independent based on your religions~” I threw out such bait.

Naturally, this means they will fight against Gandhi, who claims a unified India, believing that independence will be guaranteed.

How come I have so much work to do even after World War II?

There have been various wars in the meantime, and now I need to tour Europe.

Especially since I had to face the leaders from various countries who clung to me like a drowning man during the abdication incident.

Around this time, an event occurred.

Kaiser Wilhelm II finally died, and Luise officially became the owner of the German Empire as Empress.

As the foremost monarch in Europe, I had to attend Wilhelm II’s funeral.

“To think that the Tsar of Russia would come all the way to my father’s funeral. Thank you very much.”

After the grand funeral, the Empress invited me separately.

“Thanks to Your Majesty the Kaiser, Russia has been able to develop. For whatever reason, the Kaiser is also a benefactor of our Russia.”

“I truly appreciate you seeing it that way.”

Luise was someone I had only seen in photographs before. Seeing her like this felt refreshing.

Perhaps due to the long hardships she faced, or maybe the death of Wilhelm II took a toll on her, her eyes looked weary. Nonetheless, it seemed she had managed to maintain the imperial throne properly.

From what I heard, the Empress seems to be aiming for a proper constitutional monarchy like ours or Britain, unlike during the times of the two empires. In this process, the Junkers might stir up some trouble?

Having already been thoroughly plundered by the Reds and the German mainland in ruins, the Junkers had little power left, and they should be grateful for being accepted by the German Empire at all.

The capital, Königsberg, was quite a vibrant city.

It was originally the place where the remaining German Empire troops brought the Kaiser during the revolution, and of course, since it was seized by the imperial loyalists, everyone was thrilled to have reclaimed the mainland.

“We’ll keep it as the capital for a while.”

“Yes. This is the last place where the imperial loyalists remained.”

Berlin is still under reconstruction, but it’s said it can’t compare to Königsberg.

Even the mainland, which has just barely eschewed the Red Revolution, seems to take some time to stabilize again, and with the Treaty Army assisting in mainland control, it’s a miracle they aren’t worse off.

They took Alsace-Lorraine somehow, but Germany still has a long way to go.

Well, thinking about history, I expect it will rise again soon. Still, right now, rebuilding the nation will take ages.

So, for a while, we had a conversation.

“But I never expected you’d bring up the abdication.”

Thanks to the rumors that had spread around town, the Empress also mentioned it.

“Well, if you’ve played king for 20 years, don’t you think it’s about time to step down?”

“Your Majesty will probably find it hard to abdicate for a lifetime.”

“Pfft! I fear it might happen even after I die.”

I almost sprayed my tea when I brought the cup to my lips.

If I died, I felt like they might stuff me and put me on display.

It would be so sad if I ended up looking like those North Korean pigs.

“Well, you’re still young, and if you were to abdicate, wouldn’t that seem a bit suspicious? They say you can’t even age as a true saint.”

“Ah, that’s true. Yes. But you seem to be taking it for granted.”

What is it that they take so naturally?

This isn’t even a fantasy world. Or maybe because it’s this era, they can believe it.

“I’m certainly a bit curious, but seeing what you’ve accomplished to bring Russia here, I understand. Still, realistically, aren’t you now the foremost emperor in Europe? I’m also an empress, but I’ve just barely ascended to the throne. In essence, you’re like the Roman Emperor. The Danube Federation’s current Kaiser has pretty weak powers, doesn’t he?”

“Thank you for saying that.”

Abdication might indeed be unreasonable.

It’s persuasive that the Empress, whose entire family has died, says something like that.

However, she has children, so it seems Germany will safely pass through generations.

“Actually, I wanted to bring up the topic of marriage when I met you like this.”

“Marriage? You don’t mean me, do you?”

“Hmm, if you want, you can choose among my children. Since Your Majesty is still young, it’s possible.”

“Ah, my title as saint aside, I’m not that pure. But your children are all married, aren’t they?”

Still, it seems a bit odd to marry now after all this time.

So, for now, I changed the subject.

Before Victora Luise genuinely tried to tie me up with her children.

“I haven’t had the time to marry. It seems Your Majesty’s adopted son, Grand Duke Vladimir, is still unmarried as well.”

“Ah, no way.”

Are they proposing to tie their child to Vladimir?

“How about a marriage between Friederike and Grand Duke Vladimir?”

“Friederike and Grand Duke Vladimir.”

In fact, I have some concerns about Vladimir.

That guy didn’t want to marry thinking he resembled me.

Wasn’t I the one who told him to get married during the abdication incident?

Still, he’s in his late twenties, so I thought he would marry soon.

At least his sister, Grand Duchess Kira, has gotten married, so that’s a relief. She married Louis Ferdinand of Prussia.

Louis Ferdinand is Wilhelm’s child, who is Luise’s brother, so he’s virtually tied to the German imperial family. Are they trying to become even closer?

Friederike is bound to marry the King of Greece. But who cares?

“I don’t think it’s a bad idea for both right now.”

“Do you wish for a union of the royal families?”

If they want a royal union, I think a tie between the Romanovs and the Hohenzollerns wouldn’t be a bad idea.

“I wish for a royal union to create a Dual Monarchy. Since her sister, Grand Duchess Kira, has already married Louis Ferdinand of our imperial family, if Grand Duke Vladimir marries Friederike, it wouldn’t be bad to have their child become the emperor of the Dual Monarchy.”

This isn’t a bad idea at all.

After all, within Russia, the affection for Germany isn’t bad.

Even though we had fought hard during World War I, we supported them whole-heartedly during the civil war against the Reds.

We fought; that’s true, but the newly born Russian Republic is united in deep-seated hatred for the Bolsheviks, so its fondness for the German Empire, which helped during the civil war, is pretty high.

No matter the matter of Wilhelm II dropping Lenin.

It’s no wonder that the German-Russian community praised Wilhelm II.

If we establish a Dual Monarchy, it could be interesting where Germany and Russia become one.

“If both of them want, I can arrange this.”

I contacted the National Duma and arranged the marriage discussions between Russia and Germany.

After that, I thought I would leisurely visit England.

Edward VIII personally welcomed me in London.

Indeed, one must rise to the status of an emperor of a great nation. The British Empire, treating me like this, is truly something.

– To say that, it just feels like a man whose eyes sparkle at women.

“The war hero, the Tsar of Russia and Byzantium, comes visiting our United Kingdom; it’s truly an honor.”

“It’s an honor to meet Your Majesty, the King of the Commonwealth, and the Duke of Britanny and Normandy.”

Wow. His face really looks sly.

Just his gaze gives me a bad feeling.

“Just as I’ve heard, you really are young.”

“Well, that’s because I’m a saint.”

I tried to laugh, forcing a smile while cursing him internally.

However, this guy looked at me and was blushing.

He is one of those guys who can’t help but fall for women. According to Churchill, he’s a married woman killer. Is he going for a marriage with a country like mine?

Oh, he was just grinning at me until he got poked in the side by Simpson.

“Ahem. I’ll speak to the Prime Minister to ensure you stay comfortably during your time in England.”

“I sincerely appreciate your consideration.”

With a feigned shy smile, I tried to look grateful to have been jabbed by Simpson.

Again, Edward was poked sharply by Simpson.

The purpose of this tour is to enhance friendship with the member countries of the Rome Treaty Organization, and I, as the Tsar, have personal meaning in doing this tour.

Additionally, I plan to talk with Churchill about India.

Then Churchill came running to me since he must have sensed some aroma from me being in England.

“Your Majesty, you’re discussing a marriage with Germany?”

Why is the first thing he brings up the marriage talks with Germany?

Oh, he’s transparent, wanting to eat a Choco Pie while thinking of resting, but he can’t let this slide.

Churchill seemed like he was going to question me but stared intently at the Choco Pie in my hand as if wanting to devour it.

Oh, damn old man. Is it that he wants to eat?

With tears in my eyes, I had no choice but to hand him one Choco Pie.

“But why?”

I merely shrugged it off as if I was oblivious.

He seemed to have so much to say. This cursed Churchill took a bite of the Choco Pie and opened his mouth again.

“I can somehow provide you with a good husband from our British Empire, so instead of that shattered Germany, how about a royal union with us? After all, you seem not to age.”

Candidly calling Germany shattered is a bit much.

What? Are you asking me to marry now?

Right now, the British royalty consists mostly of children, don’t they?

I don’t think Edward VIII had any children. Anyway.

I’m not a lolicon. Why should I marry young boys?

It seems Churchill sees me as a downright monster, too.

“No, not me. I mean our Grand Duke Vladimir. It would be a bit awkward for me to get married at my age.”

Churchill gave me a very incredulous look as if to question how I could say such a thing.

But he seemed reluctant to lose, as he cleared his throat and opened his mouth.

“Ahem. How about a marriage between our Princess Elizabeth and Grand Duke Vladimir?”

He seemed embarrassed, desperately bringing up Princess Elizabeth.

While it’s not a bad idea, Elizabeth is still Elizabeth II, isn’t she?

She’s too young. But Friederike fits perfectly. Elizabeth II is just too immature.

There’s no need to put myself in such a precarious situation.

“We’ve already unified Europe via the Rome Treaty Organization, so we won’t necessarily need a Dual Monarchy now, will we?”

That’s a fair point. The royal family has now ultimately become a mere symbol.

With the Rome Treaty Organization present, there’s no need for a Dual Monarchy.

The German Empire has reverted to a two-emperor system, so they had no choice but to uphold the royal authority, but here, the Dual Monarchy will ultimately be led by parliament, so it wouldn’t hurt the German Empire to fix itself.

Why would Churchill bother?

“That may be true, but we can’t be outdone by the nearly ruined Germans, can we? The Rome Treaty Organization is one thing, but we can even achieve a seat for the King’s place in the Commonwealth.”

The Commonwealth nations are partner states of the Rome Treaty Organization, so that’s fine, but it seems Churchill is adamant about not being outdone by Germany.

Since France had already been ravaged, he probably didn’t want to lose to Germany in any shape or form.

Hmm, I could just say something moderate so as not to make him too angry.

“The Commonwealth nations are partner states, too. For the improvement of the German Empire’s structure, I believe Princess Friederike would be more fitting. However, if you must tie them together, how about a future union between their child and the British royal family?”

“Well, that’s unfortunate.”

Still, it seems he doesn’t outright reject the idea, which shows that he might still be thinking about uniting the British royal family and the Romanovs in the future.

What I’m most sorry about is that.

“I also regret not being able to put ice cream in Churchill’s nose.”

It’s a bit out there to jam ice cream up that old man’s nostrils, but still.

“Please stop bringing that up. I fear it may go down in history.”

“It’s already a rampant rumor in Russia. Don’t worry about it. Aren’t we on the same side? By the way, since you brought it up, Britain is in charge of India, right? What do you think will happen?”

“The civil war will definitely break out. All the groundwork has already been laid.”

Churchill, grinning while eating a Choco Pie.

Yes. That’s the face. In Britain, that underhanded look is to be expected. Ugh.

Just the face of a minister who stirs up divisions and eats well off the chaos of the country.

In the end, he even uses that method to provoke colonial independence.

Aren’t you curious how much Britain has incited divisions in India?

“The division of India must happen. We have to make them hate each other until they wash the blood off of each other.”

“That’s unexpected. To think someone as saintly as you would think that way.”

Why the surprised face? This is perfectly natural.

I’m merely the saint of Russia and Rome; India is nothing to me.