Ch.352The Earth is Blue

* * *

Meanwhile, the situation in South America was similar.

The Rome Treaty was the first to venture into space.

This was by no means a bad thing.

“Are you aware that the Rome Treaty has launched rockets into space?”

“Yes, I am.”

“We too must develop our science to advance into space.”

Eva Perón wanted to make South America more prosperous.

Unlike in the original history, she was taking care of her health and living longer, but she felt fear of death’s shadow that could come at any moment.

Before that, before she died, she wanted to establish many achievements.

That way, she might feel satisfied even when her time came.

“Hmm, I suppose we should. But do we have that capability?”

South America didn’t possess much technology.

At best, they currently only had weapon technology several steps below the Rome Treaty.

Moreover, the seas were firmly in the grip of the American military.

In this reality, what could they possibly do?

The only thing they could do was to launch rockets skyward with the unified power of South America.

“I will seek advice from my big sister.”

Eva Perón decided to send a personal letter directly to Anastasia, whom she considered her “big sister.”

Thus, the era was advancing toward the age of the great cosmos.

* * *

Baikonur Cosmodrome

After several years had passed, the time had finally come.

The development of the spacecraft had just been completed.

The Rome Space Research Institute was busy preparing to send a human into space.

Naturally, Yuri Gagarin emerged as the final candidate, just as in the original history.

“So you’re Yuri Gagarin.”

I faced Yuri Gagarin, who was wearing a spacesuit and preparing to board the spacecraft.

Yuri Gagarin’s gaze toward me was incredibly passionate.

Yes, it was like looking at his mother with that face.

“Yes, Tsar! I am prepared to sacrifice myself for Mother Tsarina!”

Sacrificing himself for Mother Tsarina.

That seemed like a rather dangerous statement.

What I wanted was someone who would go to space of their own will, not someone who would throw themselves away claiming to do it for me.

“Mother? Your birth mother would be sad to hear that.”

“Isn’t Mother Tsarina the mother of us all?”

The mother of everyone? How embarrassing.

Still, such a mindset isn’t bad.

I suppose it’s because I don’t have children of my own.

That feeling that all citizens are my children.

If they want to revere me as their mother, I suppose that’s fine.

“Yes, that’s a good mindset. However, this is not for me, but for the future of Rome. If you’re uncertain, you can still back out. Since this is a life-risking mission, I won’t blame you if you decide to give up now.”

If he wanted to quit now, I was willing to let him.

After all, he would be flying high into the sky.

He would be accomplishing something never before experienced, a first in human history.

I could fully understand.

Perhaps it was an extremely difficult task from which he might not return from space.

We had already conducted several experiments using animals.

I had considered giving the opportunity to my pet dog Belka II, but I couldn’t bring myself to send the Tsarina’s friend into space like that.

Instead, we used a tremendous number of Reds.

The Reds we put on spacecraft were always in poor condition.

Half of them died in crashes, and we were lucky if we could recover their bones. After that, we experimented with animals.

And now the spacecraft is flawless.

If I had known this would happen, I should have learned some basic knowledge about space. Sigh.

You see, we’ve done a lot of experiments, but there’s this human intuition.

No matter how much faster and harder we’ve worked compared to the original history, what if, just what if, due to some butterfly effect, we fall behind the original timeline?

If I had known about space, I could have been more confident in such aspects.

“No, Your Majesty. I graduated from the Air Force and have always dreamed of a day like this!”

He said he had always dreamed of a day like this.

“Then I won’t stop you.”

Balhae was just finishing industrialization and modernization around this time, so telling them about satellites wouldn’t mean much.

They haven’t even fully industrialized yet, so there’s no need to play the role of Emperor Wanli for Balhae’s sake.

For now, it’s better that we pioneer space first.

The manned spacecraft launch was to be broadcast live on television.

Journalists from Rome Treaty member countries gathered to commemorate this day.

“Is this also planned by the Tsarina?”

“Isn’t she the Tsar who foresees the future? She must have seen the immortal future.”

“Essentially, it’s a success. I should prepare an article filled with flowery phrases in advance.”

Listening to the voices of foreign journalists reaching my ears, they all seemed to think along those lines.

That since the Tsarina planned it, it would succeed.

Now they’ve reached the point where they naturally assume such things.

At this rate, I should really start stepping back, shouldn’t I? Now that the history I know and its development have changed, from now on I’ll have to rely on pure speculation.

Still, for now, I need to observe.

This is where it will be determined whether the Tsar’s authority can rise again.

The moment what these journalists take for granted turns into failure, the Anachang Fan Club might waver, saying the Tsarina has failed this time.

So I gave Yuri Gagarin a gentle hug to encourage him.

“May God watch over your courage.”

Please succeed.

I don’t want to be embarrassed in front of the journalists.

“For Mother Tsar to personally encourage me like this! God save the Tsarina. God save the Rome Treaty!”

With those words, Yuri Gagarin boarded the spacecraft.

I’m curious to see what will happen.

Not a sleek spacecraft like those modern fighter jets, but a round spacecraft.

Yes, the Vostok or whatever it’s called. That’s it.

It looks quite similar to the Vostok from the original history.

I watch quietly, hoping desperately for success.

3.2.1

Whoooooosh!

Look at the spacecraft soaring toward the sky.

I watched with a mixture of anxiety and excitement, wondering if it might fall and be destroyed.

Toward the sky. As if to show “Now I will touch the sky!” it’s stretching far up into the sky.

Breaking through the blue sky, navigating the vast universe.

Leaving the cradle of humanity.

Although we’ve already experimented with animals including monkeys, everyone is watching with trepidation since this is the first time sending a human.

“Ohhh, it’s really moving forward!”

“So this is what a rocket advancing into space looks like!”

Ah, that is a spacecraft.

Since it’s the first launch, there’s quite a commotion all around.

That magnificent spacecraft drawing a beautiful trajectory as it flies toward the sky.

The sight of it stretching toward the sky is so beautiful.

“Can you see it, everyone? Our Russian spacecraft is flying toward the sky!”

“Our Rome Treaty spacecraft is breaking through the sky and advancing!”

Right now, this situation is being broadcast on television.

“Wooooow!”

Rumble rumble boom!

Whether it will succeed or fail remains to be seen, but at least watching it is entertaining.

However, this could be considered a kind of gamble.

If this spacecraft launch succeeds, the Rome Treaty will be united much more firmly than before.

And on the other hand, various misunderstandings about Earth would be cleared up.

Like claims that the Earth is flat and such.

Originally, one could know the Earth is round without leaving it, but unfortunately, there are many fools.

Myths related to Earth would probably be overturned.

Of course, there would still be those who don’t believe it and claim the Earth is flat even in the 21st century, but anyway. If it fails, there might be a lot of talk around the world.

Perhaps America might mock us, but even if it fails, having shown the possibility, we won’t be criticized.

And the world would progress further.

Unfortunately, I want to see it succeed.

I want to hear Gagarin say that the Earth is blue.

“I hope it succeeds.”

Alisa Rosenbaum, watching alongside me, smiled slightly.

I’m not certain either.

I don’t know what kind of spacecraft Gagarin rode in the original history.

One thing is certain, though: it should be better than the original history.

“It must succeed. Absolutely.”

Yes, it absolutely must succeed.

“It will succeed. Definitely. After all the effort we’ve put in.”

If we’ve already done it with animals, it’s practically as good as successful, isn’t it?

I want to believe that’s how it will turn out. If we succeed in launching this time, then from that point on, we just need to keep launching diligently.

Some time later.

News arrived that Yuri Gagarin’s space flight had succeeded.

Yuri Gagarin, who had advanced toward the sky, truly and safely claimed a place in space.

Being the world’s first was just a bonus.

“Space is very dark, but Earth is blue.”

The person known in Soviet history as the first human to go to space became remembered as the first human in history to venture into space as a cosmonaut of the Russian Commonwealth-Rome Treaty.

At this time, the director of the Rome Treaty Organization was Nikita Khrushchev, the Prime Minister of the Russian Commonwealth was Alisa Rosenbaum, and both Khrushchev and Alisa Rosenbaum did not spare their praise for Yuri Gagarin.

“Yuri Gagarin has proven that the Rome Treaty leads the world, that it was the first to extend into space, and has brought infinite glory to the Rome Treaty. You have become an immortal figure who will forever remain in history as the first person to venture into space with the courage and heroism to risk death.”

“Yuri Gagarin flew into space despite Mother Tsar’s concerns, reassuring Mother Tsar, finally soaring into space. This is surely God’s blessing for his dedication to Mother Tsar, to the Russian Commonwealth, and to the Rome Treaty. God save Mother Tsar, God save Yuri Gagarin, God watch over the Rome Treaty!”

The speeches by Khrushchev and Alisa Rosenbaum proclaimed Yuri Gagarin’s journey into space throughout the world, and I received congratulatory letters from Hellenism, America, South America, and others outside the Rome Treaty.

It was natural.

After all, it was I, the Emperor of Rome and Tsar of Russia, who planned this venture into space and even spent personal funds to attempt it.

“Is this also something Mother Tsar planned in advance?”

“That’s what they say.”

“Ah, you again. Simply GOD herself!”

Naturally, the world enthusiastically praised me.

They had no choice but to praise me in this situation, but anyway, they praised me.

This made people even more interested.

“I heard if you fly into space, Mother Tsar will personally embrace you. Should I try?”

“If only I could be in Mother’s arms, it would be the glory of my family.”

“I heard Yuri Gagarin’s family has already succeeded in business, blessed by Her Majesty the Tsar.”

Various reactions poured in all at once. And I too couldn’t help but feel proud.

The popularity of the Anachang Fan Club is still going strong!

It’s frightening to imagine how many children I’ll have to embrace as a mother before sending them into space.

Even so, I’m satisfied, because ultimately, the spirit of challenge is what matters.

Since Yuri Gagarin succeeded, Yuri Gagarin will directly teach his juniors, and they’ll further modify and improve the spacecraft.

Moving toward the future.

“I didn’t know the people would still view me this way.”

Honestly, I’m happy, but also a bit anxious.

Will there really be a flood of volunteers wanting to go into space?

The world will enter the age of the great cosmos.

“Well, it’s about being embraced by Mother. Who wouldn’t be happy to be embraced by the most beautiful and blessed woman in human history, east and west, past and present?”

Maria is jumping up and down with joy, not matching her age.

Yes, let’s say that’s true.

I’ve hugged Maria many times too.

Specifically, I’ve hugged her when she was happy or to encourage her.

Honestly, that’s understandable. I get it, but there’s something suspicious here.

Yes, why is the gender ratio of applicants 1:1?

“The gender ratio of applicants is 1:1?”

This makes me worried.

The more applicants, the better it will be for us in the end.

However, I didn’t expect so many women to apply.

From my perspective, they’re all children of the Tsar, but I thought women wouldn’t be interested in this sort of thing.

“Maybe women have become interested in flying through the sky? Or perhaps they want to be embraced by Mother Tsar.”

“Is that possible?”

In this era where we’ve just taken the first step, becoming a cosmonaut wouldn’t be an easy decision for a woman.

I’m surprised they made such a choice.

From my perspective, it seems like the latter.

Being embraced by Mother Tsar. They probably can’t resist it.

“The girls of the post-Civil War generation all grew up hearing ‘Be like Her Majesty, become like Her Majesty.'”

Isn’t that pure gaslighting?