Ch.334Everyone’s Allah

* * *

“Of course, some countries angered by the oil nationalization within the Rome Treaty argued for an attack, but we already have abundant resources, so there’s no reason to militarily attack the Middle East. We’ve just unified the Rome Treaty and are spending money to normalize Arabia, so there’s no need to waste war expenses.”

I didn’t need to attack you.

It was just those Greek bastards going overboard.

No need to make excuses. It’s all the Greeks’ fault.

“I see.”

“After this incident, Greece will send a peace delegation directly to apologize to both countries, and our Rome Treaty Organization will provide massive support to both the Kings of Iraq and Iran to help rebuild their nations. And this is a proposal for an Islamic-Hellenistic Federation. Please take a look.”

I handed over the prepared document to Pahlavi.

A grand plan for the Islamic-Hellenistic Federation.

Absolutely no interference in internal affairs, but a subordinate organization to the Rome Treaty.

Of course, the Middle Eastern people won’t feel like they’re subordinate.

They’ll actually feel like they’re getting special treatment.

“Hmm. You’re unifying the Middle East?”

That’s all he needs to understand.

“It would be easier for our Rome Treaty to provide support if we unite them. We will help with the revolution Your Majesty desires.”

I dropped a hint.

If Pahlavi II is truly thinking about reform, he’ll accept it.

After all, it’s a golden opportunity to transform the country and move toward becoming an advanced nation.

“Oh. Ohhhh. You knew I was planning reforms?”

I took a shot in the dark, but it turns out I was right.

“Of course. And I also know that without the Rome Treaty’s support, it would be difficult due to funding and religious issues.”

Anyway, what Pahlavi II needs right now is money.

More money, funds needed for reform! All of this will come together.

Pahlavi II’s eyes sparkled at my words, as if enticed.

“Then, how much support will you provide?”

We’ll have to provide a lot of support.

“If you wish, we’re also considering accepting many students from Iran and Iraq. We could arrange a special admission category for people from the Hellenistic region.”

There probably won’t be much opposition within the Rome Treaty.

We need to make this kind of investment to insert pro-Rome forces for a while.

Of course, there are rumors about people opposing the imperial system after studying abroad. That will be resolved by having them study in the “Constitutional Monarchy of the Russian United States.”

“We will review that positively.”

Positive review, huh.

I’d prefer an immediate decision, but I can’t help it. Maybe I should throw out a few more baits.

“We will also transfer some of our military technology for the formation of the Islamic Hellenistic Army. I would appreciate it if you could think positively about this.”

“Is that so?”

Regardless of anything else, we should provide some military technology.

Unless the Hellenistic Federation truly comes under the Rome Treaty Organization.

The Hellenistic Federation, which is planned to become like a single national organization, will be kept independent anyway, and since we have no reason to invade, there’s no reason to transfer military technology.

It wouldn’t be bad if they fully joined the Rome Treaty Organization, but that might be asking too much.

So this is enough for now.

There’s no need to pressure those who are already favorable to us and unnecessarily remind them of the old imperialist era.

“Good. Has Iran suffered any damage in this war?”

Depending on the damage to the capital, I might need to step in and help appease the Iranian public.

It would be enough if they welcomed me at least at the level Americans do.

“Our border guards suffered some casualties. Fortunately, the capital only received a few bombings.”

Pahlavi II cleared his throat and slightly turned his head, seeming to want to play hard to get with me.

Right. He probably wants more compensation.

If he’s going to accept the Hellenistic proposal, I need to shower Pahlavi II with benefits now.

The best way to do that is for me to step in personally.

“Then we have no choice. For now, the Rome Treaty forces will provide support to Iran with the supplies we have. I’ve already told Rome in Italy to budget for the Iraq and Iran issues. There will be good news.”

That was enough.

Pahlavi II smiled and seemed pleased, as if he had been waiting for those words.

“Thank you. Thank you very much.”

Yes. You really should be thankful.

“Now then, I’d like to tour the city myself and apologize to the Iranian people.”

“Your Majesty will do it personally?”

Why are you so surprised? As the final boss, I should apologize in person.

The mastermind behind the invasion of our country is actually truly a saint?

That’s the feeling.

For an invading force, we’re being treated quite well, so now’s the opportunity.

“If I don’t step forward personally and instead hide in the background after causing harm to the people of this country, I wouldn’t deserve to be Tsar.”

Don’t you think? What could be more absurd than a monarch from another country trying to appease the public?

Moreover, the Iraqis are still following me.

Most of them are either trying to terrorize me or have become my followers after seeing that I can’t die.

“Mother of Russia is Allah~Allah~”

I can even hear such sounds from outside.

They’ve been periodically promoting like that on our way here.

“By the way, who are those people? I overlooked them since they’re not armed, but they concern me.”

Pahlavi II must have heard the fanatical sounds from outside.

Yes. It’s quite uncomfortable that those guys have followed me.

I told them not to come, but they insisted on following me.

“They’re just, um, my fan club.”

“Fan club, you say?”

In the end, I had to call them a fan club.

It feels ridiculous to call them a fan club at my age, but anyway, that’s what they are.

It’s just that these Islamic people see me as Allah.

If I say it like that, it sounds like blasphemy.

If I openly say “I am Allah, that’s why they follow me,” it would be inappropriate.

“They’re people who follow me because they like me. They’re acting like this because I showed concern for those who were harmed.”

Thinking about it now, this makes sense.

Aren’t these guys actually Islamic extremists?

They tried to terrorize me, but when the terror didn’t work and I remained alive, they became enchanted and turned into followers.

If they were Russians saying “You know our Mother Tsar!” I might understand, but this is a bit much.

But if all those extremists have become my fans, then binding them together might be one approach.

“Ah, I see. But it’s a strange sight to see Iraqis directly following Your Majesty.”

“I suppose it’s because they received my favor.”

Well, since they’ve given a positive response, I’ll wait.

As I left the Prime Minister’s residence, I encountered the Iraqi fans who were shouting “Allah Allah” in front of the guards.

“Allahu Akbar!”

The man who was throwing bombs at me not long ago is now praising me with a fanatical smile.

All I can do is wave my hand.

If it continues like this, I seriously need to do something. This is Iran, not Iraq.

Even in Iraq, they would probably get strange looks if they kept doing this.

“Are you alright, Your Majesty?”

“The Iranian King seemed to have a sour reaction.”

Yes. His face clearly said “what the hell is this?”

I don’t think we need to provoke Islam here, but it’s already exploded like this, so I’m extremely worried about what will happen next.

“Your Majesty. Even though this is the capital of Iran, it’s dangerous. Shouldn’t we bring troops just in case?”

Ungern expressed concern about the previous terrorist attacks, but bringing troops against non-enemies? That doesn’t make sense.

“That would be even more dangerous.”

We’ve stepped in to resolve the situation, but doing that would only take us back to square one.

And the Iraqis are following me, so it doesn’t matter.

If something happens in Iran too, the Iraqis will probably die for me.

Of course, I shouldn’t do anything to provoke them unnecessarily.

Even Pahlavi II is looking at me strangely, isn’t he?

I need to wrap this up appropriately.

I approached the Iraqis gathered outside the Prime Minister’s residence.

There are men who were terrorizing me until recently, and some who directly witnessed my godlike appearance.

“Everyone. Please stop praising me as Allah now.”

“Why? Aren’t you Allah, Your Majesty?”

A bearded man who once shot at me fell to his knees.

Until recently, he was shooting at me, shouting “Die! Moscow’s whore!” Now he’s like this, which is quite pitiful.

I have no choice. I need to play along a bit here.

“Among you are those who shot at me, threw bombs at me. Some even stabbed me with knives, prepared to die.”

I remember clearly now.

I know the faces of all the people who shot at me, threw bombs at me, and stabbed me.

“Please behead us for not recognizing Allah!”

“We’re sorry, Your Majesty. *sob sob*”

Beheading? Come on, kid.

I’m a civilized person, how can I talk about execution?

No, wait. Thinking about it, they tried to kill me. From the perspective of seeing me as Allah, execution might be natural.

“I must stand as an equal with all of you here. For peace on this earth, everyone must be free and equal. If I reign as Allah, it would be no different from a theocratic dictatorship. The reign of a god is not good in the age of humans.”

This is the age of humans. So the reign of a god is not good.

Therefore, treat me as a human, not a god.

But at my words, the Iraqis started crying and making a fuss.

“Allah, please lead us!”

Everyone just sat down, crying and making a scene.

“How about indulging them at least until we return to Moscow?”

Until we return to Moscow? How long will that take? I’ll be hearing “Allahu Akbar” all day.

“Well, I’d like to, but…”

There are also the eyes of the Iranians.

They’re looking at me strangely from all directions as they call me Allah.

What kind of Allah is the Saint of Russia, and moreover, the mastermind behind the invasion of Iran?

Ugh, even I feel guilty about this.

“Then I have no choice. But this is Iran, not Iraq. Everyone be careful. I came here for diplomacy, not to pressure Iran. Please treat me as an Emperor.”

“Long live Allah Shah!”

What? What kind of hybrid is this?

Since it’s come to this, I’ll roll with it thoroughly.

“The Iraqis should help appease the Iranian public.”

The Iraqis who comfortably followed me all the way to Iran helped me by giving food to the Iranians.

Of course, Iran isn’t exactly poor, but the Rome Treaty’s sanctions and the war have depleted the capital’s food supply.

Besides that, the Rome Treaty’s food tastes better.

We supplied plenty of advanced Rome Treaty food.

The most peculiar thing is that while the people here aren’t particularly friendly, they don’t dislike being given food.

In such situations, one tends to have unnecessary thoughts.

“Do Islamic people like mint chocolate?”

“Wouldn’t mint chocolate be dangerous?”

“Can’t be helped then.”

Hmm, if Iranians dislike mint chocolate, which even Hitler likes, that’s a bit disappointing.

People who dislike this bitter taste are suspicious, you know.

As I was personally serving food, I was reminded of the lunch lady from my school days in my previous life.

It feels like I’m doing that kind of job.

Is this appropriate for a Tsar?

Well, it’s not bad. By humbling myself like this, I can show sincerity to the Iranians and also make the Greeks realize how big their mistake was, so they won’t disobey us again.

We should also let the Middle Eastern people know that it’s not related to Rome at all, it’s just the Greeks being bastards! So even if they want to commit terrorism, they should do it to Greece.

“Hmm, when will we return to Moscow?”

I rushed out partly because of world strategy, but the thought of returning to Moscow is really bubbling up. Then a thought suddenly occurred to me.

Wait, what did I just say? Didn’t I say Moscow?

Isn’t a mosque an Islamic place of worship? Isn’t it where Muslims gather for religious activities?

A place for Islamic worship. There would be quite a few people gathered there.

“Is there a mosque around here?”

I carefully asked an Iranian official who was helping us.

Since this is the capital, there should be a mosque, and I thought it would be good to check.

“There’s the Imamzadeh Saleh Mosque in the north.”

“Hmm. A mosque.”

Imamzadeh Saleh Mosque. Being in the capital of Iran, it must be quite a large mosque.

There must be a lot of Muslims there.

“What are you thinking?”

When asked what I’m thinking, it’s only natural to answer.

“As a Tsar on an official visit, shouldn’t I visit various places?”

For instance, stopping by a mosque to prove that I’m a saint.

Of course, I’m not sure if I can prove it, but it wouldn’t be bad to visit.

It would be good to appease the Iranian public and let them know we’re not enemies.