Ch.320Towards the Middle East (2) (Under Revision)

Oil alone can make a country incredibly wealthy as a petroleum-producing nation.

Without it, countries like Korea must rely on labor and technology, but with oil reserves, becoming wealthy isn’t difficult unless there’s extreme corruption.

“That’s true. But you know, there’s a future where Middle Eastern countries play games with their oil.”

“Really?”

I suppose so. From the perspective of oil importers, it becomes infuriating when Arab nations weaponize their petroleum resources.

While we have the chance to handle things on our terms, taking care of it now might be the best approach.

“Those who already have wealth always want more.”

It’s not like we won’t sell to them. They’re major powers anyway.

The Rome Treaty and America. Who knows what will happen with South America, but in any case, we need to monopolize resources while continuing trade.

“Ah, I see.”

“And think about it. Just look at those Middle Eastern people, Iraq for example. We can’t appear weak to them. We are white people, a civilization leading humanity. We have dignity and face that allow us to live with mercy, but they don’t.”

To be honest, since the future has changed, things here will be different too, but didn’t the Saudi Arabian oil minister lead the oil crisis during the Fourth Middle East War?

Thinking about that, it does make sense.

The more I dig into it, the more reasons I find for preventive war. Once Arabs control the oil, they can weaponize it anytime, right?

What would we do after it’s weaponized?

They would obviously be hostile toward us and could use that oil to threaten us.

We have plenty of oil ourselves, but it’s certain that we can’t exclude Arab influence from the world.

At minimum, this gives Arab nations enough power to switch sides on their own.

We cannot stand by and watch that happen.

That’s the will of the Duma, and I too want to establish legitimate justification for what we’ve started.

“What about the Nejd delegation?”

“Either send them to Hejaz or back to their doomed Nejd.”

Neither destination offers them a bright future.

Cheers to our Nejd, sacrificed for the Rome Treaty.

This won’t be a war that ends in a day or two. We’ve fought so much already, and there’s a weight class difference. Britain will probably put up quite a fight too.

Maria seems to be working hard under me.

Once the Middle East issue is resolved, perhaps I should truly retire to the back room.

Seriously, to the back room. I don’t want to be like Yi Bang-won, sitting in the back room but still trying to meddle in affairs.

“I’ll handle it accordingly.”

A new war in the Middle East.

Sadly, in this world, the Middle East war happens by our hands.

I do feel somewhat sorry, but preventive war is ultimately important.

I’ve turned that over in my mind several times.

Once the Middle East and South America are settled, I’ll truly have nothing left to worry about.

East Japan? It’s just to drain America’s strength, and if Trotsky ever seeks asylum, I might let him discard his identity and become a chicken restaurant owner.

“Now all that’s left is to play.”

“Pardon?”

“When the big tasks are done, all that remains is grading papers, so shouldn’t I take it easy and have some fun now?”

“What, are you really planning to play around?”

“Of course. After pulling this country back from the brink of falling to those Reds, haven’t I worked hard enough?”

“But Your Majesty, you’re older than me, so saying you’ll play around is a bit…”

People are supposed to enjoy their later years.

If you struggle when you’re young, you’re entitled to throw your weight around, act like an old fogey, and have fun in your later years.

“One should spend their later years leisurely enjoying themselves, don’t you think?”

“That may be true, but Your Majesty, you’re still active, aren’t you?”

“Come now, isn’t being on the throne for over 30 years long enough? I wish Vladimir would take over soon.”

By now, if Vladimir has any conscience, he should take the Tsar’s position. By old standards, I should have already retired to the back room to enjoy myself.

People seem to have lost their sense of my age because of my appearance, but I’m heading toward my mid-50s.

I’ve lived longer than my original life, and having lived longer as a woman than as a man, I’m more accustomed to a woman’s body now.

“About that matter…”

“What are you trying to say?”

Surely Maria isn’t opposing this.

I’ll be resting in the Kremlin Palace anyway.

“Actually, Grand Duke Vladimir is trying to pass the succession to his child.”

This bastard? He’s enjoying all the benefits and secretly trying to pass it to his child?

What was I thinking when I took him in and educated him as my successor? Now he wants to pass it to his son?

At this rate, am I heading for a Queen Elizabeth II ending?

“How does that make sense? Am I supposed to keep struggling? No, only the grading work remains, but how long does that guy expect an aging Tsar to—”

“Honestly, the Grand Duke looks older than you now.”

When she puts it that way, I have nothing to say.

Vladimir certainly looks older than me now.

“Hmph, this just means I’m the only one suffering.”

“It’s not like you’re doing that much work now anyway, are you?”

True. I just give orders from above and don’t directly jump into wars anymore. But there’s a certain feeling about it.

What if history judges me as someone who wouldn’t abdicate the Tsar’s position even at that age?

It feels like I might end up like Queen Elizabeth II from the original history.

“Still, there’s a certain feeling to it. It seems wrong to stay on the Tsar’s throne into old age.”

In terms of age, I’m past middle age.

Considering my life as a man too, I’m already quite advanced. In good terms, like a very well-aged wine.

“Well, in terms of both mind and appearance, you’ve consistently seemed like you’re in your twenties.”

Is she saying that since my face is young and my mind is immature, I should just stay as I am?

I know Maria isn’t that kind of person, but it feels like she’s saying I’m not acting my age.

Wait, that’s actually true. I’m already a grandmother, old enough to see grandchildren, right? From that perspective, I’m not normal either.

No, I’m naturally young, so it can’t be helped.

The mind follows the body. If I had entered an elementary school student’s body, I might be living as an immortal elementary school girl praising Stalin, like a second-generation Bolshevik who knows nothing under Stalin.

So I’m not at fault at all.

“The mind naturally follows the body. Since I haven’t aged in half a century, my mind can’t help but stay this way. What is Vladimir doing now?”

At this point, I should forcibly pass on the throne.

If I force it on him, he’ll have no choice but to act as emperor.

By now, I’ve been doing this for several more years anyway.

“Today, I believe he’s visiting the Space Engineering Research Institute.”

Space Engineering Research Institute?

So our Vladimir is interested in space engineering.

Perhaps he wants to go into space later?

“Oh? Then isn’t he already qualified to take the Tsar’s position?”

“How does that follow?”

How does that follow? Space engineering is what I’m pushing the most right now.

The Tsar promotes space engineering, the Tsar’s area of interest.

Showing interest in this field means he’s interested in the Tsar’s position.

This is perfect—I can forcibly pass on the Tsar’s position and then flee to Constantinople until things quiet down.

“The national policy going forward is space engineering. It’s what I’m promoting the most, and Vladimir shows interest in it. Showing interest in national policy means he’s suitable as the nation’s leader.”

This is how you force a connection.

Vladimir has shown great interest and contribution to the space engineering that the Tsar is promoting, so the Tsar was moved and abdicated in his favor.

Isn’t that a perfect picture? If he objects, I’ll threaten to throw him into space without animal testing first.

“I’m not sure how that connection works, but…”

“Anyway, I’m definitely passing it on this time. If he won’t accept, I’ll act cute in third person to the Duma members at the next meeting.”

Whatever. I’m seriously going to pass it on this time.

If I keep showing this non-aging appearance, I’ll seriously be treated as a living legend.

Once the South American and Arab issues are resolved, I’ll truly just be lounging around, so I should at least pass on the position.

“Well, that might be interesting to see.”

“And I should finish this war in style.”

“Surely not!”

Yes, exactly what you’re thinking.

We’ll easily take care of the Middle East, and as for South America, we won’t be fighting directly since we’ve set the stage for the Rome Treaty Organization to handle it.

So isn’t it obvious?

“I suppose I should step up proudly this time.”

“I think it will be similar to before.”

Come on, even the Duma has a conscience—would they let someone who’s half a century old—no, a well-aged wine—continue to rule?

If I handle things properly, they’ll let it flow like water.

“Duma members, I have an important announcement today.”

“Is it about the South American issue?”

“No. From today, I will step down from the emperor’s position and retire to the back room!”

Somehow the simulation doesn’t continue from there.

It seems like it will be similar to before. Sigh. Perhaps it’s still not time?

It’s truly sad to be a Tsar who watches the eyes of their subjects.

“This time, even the Cossacks will rise up together.”

“Surely not, even if they are Cossacks.”

Would they really?

I deliberately gave them tax exemptions and paid from my own pocket instead.

Perhaps that’s why the Cossacks are openly guarding the Kremlin Palace lately.

“The Cossacks were the main force during the Civil War, along with the newly established armored units, right? And recently, you gave them an even more incredible gift instead of tax exemptions, so they might see the Duma as intimidating Your Majesty.”

When Maria puts it that way, it’s scary. Is that really possible? Let me run a simulation in that direction.

“The Duma has intimidated Ataman Your Majesty and pulled you down!”

“Let’s sweep away all those Duma bastards and restore absolute monarchy!”

Oh, that really seems like it could happen, and it makes me break out in a cold sweat. This is troubling.

It seems like it could really happen.

When should I abdicate the throne then?

What if Vladimir doesn’t accept the succession and can’t pass it to his child either?

“Ah, I have a good solution.”

“What is it? Please tell me it’s a good solution.”

I hope it’s truly a good solution.

I want a way to pass on the Tsar’s position that I can accept.

“It’s a solution where you abdicate the throne and everyone is satisfied.”

“Come on, Maria, quickly tell me this method.”

“Your Majesty can newly ascend as Anastasia I, II, III, and so on.”

What? Did I hear that correctly?

Is she telling me to keep creating new identities?

Looking at my current state, that might actually be necessary. But then, who should be the mother of Anastasia II?

“Who should be the mother of Anastasia II and III?”

Even if I fake my death, realistically, is there a royal family member who could give birth to Anastasia II and III right now?

“May I speak somewhat rudely?”

“You’ve been rude enough already, so go ahead.”

When have you ever cared about being rude?

I enjoy our friendly relationship, but I wanted to hear what you were going to say.

“After you abdicate, you could reduce your media appearances, then fake your death one day, and later disguise yourself as someone’s daughter from the royal family.”

“But won’t the royal family know?”

“That’s their problem. They should consider it an honor to adopt Your Majesty as their daughter.”

Does it work that way?

Wait, isn’t that perfect for me? It’s like resetting my age.

Even at 100 years old, I could smile like a young girl and go to school.

Just imagining it makes me happy. It would be quite novel to play in the future I’ve created.

“I’ll have to think seriously about that.”

“Just in case, I’ve already placed my daughter among the maids.”

She’s placed her daughter among the maids?

I told Maria to handle that side of things, but isn’t she being too obvious about it?

“You’ve really overstepped your authority.”

I didn’t expect Maria to be plotting such things behind my back.

“My daughter will serve Your Majesty in the future.”

Now that I think about it, Maria does have a daughter.

I heard she fell in love with someone from the Imperial Guard. Seeing people around me getting married gives me a certain feeling. What is it?

It’s not a sense of crisis because I haven’t married, but maybe a feeling of being left out?

When she was pregnant, Alisa mainly took care of me except during the stable period.

“Wow, you’ve naturally positioned yourself to assist me.”

“Call it overstepping if you want, but honestly, I worry if it’s not me. I thought I should at least entrust my daughter to you. Of course, everything went through proper channels.”

Ah, she’s worried if it’s not her, so she’d entrust even a Maria II to me?