Ch.198Age of Turbulence (5)

* * *

Sweating, he kept glancing at me nervously.

What’s the big deal? I tilted my chin as if telling him to go ahead.

“Uh, well. Next is, um. Viktor Kim from Harbin. A question from a Korean-Russian. Holy Lady, are you not interested in Western powers’ colonies? As a Holy Lady and hero, shouldn’t you be liberating colonies suffering under imperialist powers?”

Hmm, of all people, a Korean asking such a question. This is rather sensitive. It’s an extremely delicate question. Shouldn’t he have filtered this out?

Whoever he is, he must be part of the Balhae Republic autonomous government within Russia now. Won’t this make him unpopular with Russians?

Right. Colonial liberation. Easier said than done. It’s impossible right now, that’s the reality.

International society has cruel rules. From my perspective, it would only be possible after World War II ends, when countries completely lose the ability to manage their colonies.

I wonder what kind of person asked such a troublesome question. While seriously considering sending the Okhrana to find out, I decided to respond appropriately.

“We need to look at this realistically. I sympathize with the colonies, but I am Russia’s monarch. I cannot spill Russian blood to liberate other countries’ colonies. However, even without our intervention, the colonies will be liberated.”

I answer in a bright voice, as if it were a good question.

Well, France was defeated by Germany in six weeks, then pretended to be a victim while lying to Algeria that they would grant independence after the war if Algeria helped them. Later, when Algeria asked for independence, France ignored them, sent troops to suppress independence activists, and even massacred civilians.

Just like Japan with the Nanjing Massacre, France raped and beheaded Algerians. They even took commemorative photos.

What about the Netherlands? After their entire country was devastated by German forces and the US rescued them with the Marshall Plan, what did they do? They invaded Dutch Southeast Asia, which had lost its governing authority to Japan, and committed all sorts of atrocities.

There might be some noise afterward, but liberating colonies shouldn’t be difficult.

Post-war Europe will fall into Russia’s sphere, so Russia might have to take on America’s original role, but that’s a problem for later.

I can’t draw a line with Britain and France now by talking about colonial liberation. Still, this is a troublesome question.

“Is that another one of Your Majesty’s prophecies, as always?”

Prophecy? Not exactly.

“Of course, since Russia is on the same side as those colonial powers, I cannot discuss this matter in depth. But it’s clear that they are reaching their limits.”

The problem is that even if I say this…

Damn Britain and France might take issue with it.

Of course they might have something to say about undermining the foundation of their colonial rule.

I skillfully deflected sensitive questions about colonies while the Q&A session continued for over an hour.

Though I don’t understand why there were so many “I love Anachang” comments.

* * *

The special radio broadcast segment “Ask the Tsar” had quite an impact.

“The Tsar doesn’t rule directly!”

“Returning to absolutism is Russia’s only path to survival!”

Young people dreamed of a country directly ruled by the Tsar.

After all, if the Tsar—Russia’s Holy Lady, Byzantine Emperor, and master of the steppes and Manchuria—doesn’t rule directly, who should?

Wasn’t this country built by the Tsar, not the Duma?

Wasn’t the South Russian government, the foundation of the Duma, hiding in Ukraine until the Tsar called them to form a government?

If the Holy Lady dragged everything this far, absolute monarchy would be appropriate.

Among the new young generation who didn’t know Nicholas II’s reign after the civil war, a new wave of absolutism was sweeping.

“These young people nowadays all think nothing works without the Tsar.”

“But if the current Tsar won’t be on the throne forever, absolutism is indeed dangerous.”

Adults who remembered Nicholas II’s era praised and respected the Tsar but judged absolutism to be dangerous.

“Hahaha! That’s right! The Tsar should rule directly!”

“Yes! Yes! Our era should return!”

Except for the elderly generation and nobles who were die-hard Tsarists.

Also, as Anastasia predicted, the Tsar’s secret to youth and beauty received various reactions from women.

“No, no matter what, that’s a bit…”

“Even though she’s the Tsar, I’m angry.”

“Does becoming a Holy Lady prevent aging? How does one become a Holy Lady?”

Some were angry, while others wanted to become Holy Ladies.

The statement about marrying the state also received many reactions.

“Ha. The Tsar married the state. How cool, despite being a woman.”

“Let’s follow the Tsar’s example!”

Since the national idol appeared to be devoted to the state, Russians were moved and decided to work harder for their country, following the Tsar’s example.

“Is a dog really enough?”

“Pets are human friends, so…”

“I heard the Tsar passed animal protection laws.”

After the national idol Tsar mentioned keeping a dog, there was a suspicious increase in preference for puppies, and many more Russians started keeping dogs after the radio broadcast.

The Tsar’s influence was that tremendous.

Meanwhile, in Japan…

“The Russian Empress seems to want neutrality in the Sino-Japanese War.”

“That’s fortunate. Well, once we occupy China, Russia can also check the Pacific powers.”

The Japanese side had actually learned the Empress’s true intentions through this radio broadcast.

It would be even better if Russia enthusiastically supported Japan.

But since Japan couldn’t claim this war was entirely justified, Russia’s neutrality was sufficient.

Moreover, the Tsar essentially said that the victor determines justice, meaning Russia would acknowledge Japan if they won this war.

Then Britain and France wouldn’t be able to act recklessly. Just getting Russia’s tacit approval would allow them to check Britain and France, who were gradually declining—perfect.

Meanwhile, the Korean-Russian who questioned the Tsar during the radio broadcast had to face criticism from key officials of the provisional government.

“Why on earth did you say such a thing? We desperately need Russia’s help, and you upset the Tsar!”

“That’s right. Chairman Kim went too far.”

Indeed, that Korean-Russian was Kim Gu, the provisional chairman of the Balhae Republic government.

He was curious whether the Tsar had no interest in Korean independence after Mutaguchi Renya’s victory, so he slightly disguised his identity to ask the question.

He never expected Russians to shed blood to liberate other countries’ colonies; he just wanted to know what the Tsar was thinking.

“But I needed to know. I wondered if the Empress might be trying to use us.”

“Use us? There needs to be a match in status! A great power like Russia would hardly use an exile government like ours. Tsk tsk.”

Yi Beom-seok, who had formed the Balhae National Youth Corps as a military organization of multinational youths, mocked Kim Gu.

Ahn Changho, who had been quietly observing, wanted to know what Kim Gu had learned from the Tsar, seeing his relieved expression.

“So what did you learn?”

At Ahn Changho’s question, Kim Gu narrowed his eyes, rubbed his chin with his hand, and fell into thought for a moment.

If asked what he learned, honestly, nothing.

Since it was said during a radio broadcast, some of it was probably tailored for the broadcast. Considering that, the Empress couldn’t be seen as purely righteous, but…

“At least she doesn’t seem as filthy as the Japanese.”

Unlike the British, French, or Japanese, she didn’t wear a mask on her face.

At least she wasn’t someone who would use Korea for her own greed.

Meanwhile, the British and French ambassadors were shocked by the Tsar’s radio broadcast.

After all, despite being allies, she was essentially denying their colonies.

The meaning of these words was that Russia might fight them someday—though the Tsar said Russia wouldn’t intervene.

“What do you think the Tsar meant?”

“Since becoming the United States, Russia has expansionist desires but no interest in colonies. The Russian Tsar probably genuinely believes colonies cannot be maintained after the next war.”

“What future has she seen now? Hmm.”

Honestly, they didn’t want to believe it, but even if the Tsar couldn’t really see the future, she at least understood international affairs and made educated guesses.

Managing colonies was certainly difficult now.

Britain and France, bloated with colonies that the German Empire had forced them to disgorge, found communist German red seeds being planted in those colonies. As Churchill said, the red seeds didn’t disappear.

Both countries had to deploy troops to each colony.

“So the Tsar’s message is that this war is important.”

“It means we must subdue Communist Germany immediately.”

Still, it might be worth asking the Tsar directly.

What if the fight against Communist Germany becomes so difficult that they need to redirect colonial troops?

They should listen to the Tsar’s words and prepare for a preemptive strike against Germany.

* * *

The Tsar’s popularity reached new heights after the radio broadcast.

While other countries suffered the ravages of war and prepared more actively for conflict, Russia was in turmoil, intoxicated with Tsar-mania.

However, there were bound to be some who would cause trouble.

“The British and French ambassadors have protested.”

Prime Minister Georgy Lvov, who was serving another term, ran to me to tattle that the British and French ambassadors were bothering him.

Oh dear.

We’ve become troubled because of that unknown Korean-Russian.

“Handle it appropriately. Tell them that even now they’re struggling to manage colonies, so how could they handle it after fighting Communist Germany? Emphasize that we won’t interfere. Say that I answered that way because I’m a Holy Lady and couldn’t avoid responding.”

“Ah, I already did that, but they want to know what measures to take if your prophecy is true—”

So that’s why they came. What? Are they crazy?

I don’t understand why they believe my prophecies. They must have nothing better to do.

Or perhaps they’ve finally realized something with war approaching?

If so, I can give them one compliment.

“I don’t understand why they believe me. Are they serious?”

Why do those lunatics believe my prophecies?

Honestly, this is a bit awkward.

“Well, Your Majesty has pinpointed resource deposits, prophesied the Great Depression, and now another gold mine has been discovered.”

Yes, it was discovered.

But I can make some excuses for this.

“Just tell them it depends on how the war ends. Crush Communist Germany as soon as war breaks out and use their reparations to maintain colonies. That should suffice.”

There’s no other answer.

Of course, I’m not sure if they can get enough from defeating Germany to maintain their colonies.

Honestly, haven’t they exploited enough already? How long do they plan to keep this up? These stubborn fools.

And later, after defeating Communist Germany, they’ll blame everything on them while whitewashing themselves?

That’s annoying. I honestly acknowledge that Western powers helped develop civilization in non-civilized countries, but colonial rule is a different matter.

Therefore, even sincerely liberating colonies and apologizing wouldn’t be enough. As a Holy Lady, I have no reason to help maintain colonies.

“Just tell them this war is the issue. They need to end it quickly.”

This should be sufficient.

They should prepare in advance, especially Britain, who will need proper homeland defense.

“I will do so. Then, do you truly believe the colonial era will end?”

If you call it truly, not yet. There will still be those obsessed with nostalgia for the past.

Regardless, places that were truly exploited and plundered, the core colonies of Britain and France, will inevitably become independent.

Even if they don’t want to grant independence, circumstances will force their hand.

“It will end. It has to, and it must. If not, their homelands will be destroyed first.”

When war breaks out with Germany, they will inevitably use colonial forces.

Even Franco used Moroccan troops during the civil war.

If they promise independence after the war in exchange for participation, who would believe them? Especially in colonies where red seeds have been sown.

They will resort to armed struggle.

I’ll grant Korea independence later for stability in the Far East, and I’ll show some favor since it was my country in my previous life, using Far East stability as an excuse. Other colonies will inevitably be released by the powers, and they must achieve independence themselves.

They must gain independence through bloodshed so their former masters won’t look down on them.

“But as a Holy Lady, it seems wrong to stay out of it, as that Korean-Russian on the radio said.”

Maria added with a regretful look.

“The current Anti-Comintern Pact will dissolve naturally when communist forces collapse. We can just take credit then.”

By that time, would Britain and France dare challenge Russia?

If Russia says then that it doesn’t like their colonies and they should liberate them, could they refuse?