Ch.369The Emperor’s Throne

* * *

Above all, I was too busy to even think about things like romance, and there were plenty of people around me.

Though I’ve felt lonely at times, I have the Belka family, maids, the Imperial Guard, and even the Cossack Guard—I don’t lack for anything.

“In that case. Hmm. Maybe I should try some sports?”

“You’re already doing that in your free time, aren’t you? Playing tennis with the men from the Imperial Guard. Didn’t you play soccer before too?”

That’s true. Sports are fun when you do them briefly during free time.

Aside from playing sports, I don’t really do anything else.

“Well, I suppose that’s true.”

It’s a bit concerning that I have nothing to do besides that.

In short, I want to be like a wealthy person who doesn’t work and just enjoys life, but there’s actually nothing to do.

In the future, I’d at least be able to play games enthusiastically.

Come to think of it, what about watching plays?

“Something like plays or operas might be nice to go see.”

“Do you like those things?”

If you ask if I like them, not really.

I haven’t particularly seen any, and I just thought about trying them because Nicholas II used to watch them. But no.

In my childhood, I fell asleep when I went to see operas or musicals.

I don’t think it would be any different now.

“Thinking about it now, that’s not it either.”

Seriously, there’s nothing to do. As for reading books, I’ve already read most of the books available in this country.

“What about writing a book, Your Majesty?”

“Writing a book. That’s not a bad idea.”

Let’s say writing books is good, but if you ask whether I can write something on the level of a world strategy, not really.

The only things I could write now would be novels, wouldn’t they?

Come to think of it, web novels will become popular in the distant future, right? Should I try writing a web novel?

Something like an isekai or fantasy story.

It doesn’t sound bad, but if you ask whether I can make it my main focus right now, that’s not it either.

In the end, no matter where I go, I end up at being the Emperor.

Doing my best in the duties of an Emperor.

“Writing books would be difficult to make your main focus, wouldn’t it?”

“Yes. That’s the problem. It’s just not quite right.”

Such things are meant to be hobbies, after all.

“Seriously, I’m not just saying this because I want it.”

“What are you trying to say?”

Maria looked cautious before carefully opening her mouth.

“Don’t you think the position of Emperor truly suits Your Majesty?”

It’s like hearing something I shouldn’t—that I have to spend my entire life, this immortal time, stuck in the position of Emperor.

Even a decent dictator would quit out of frustration after being in power as long as I have. This is really unfair, isn’t it?

But it’s not like I have anything else to do either.

Is my purpose for being here simply to become Emperor?

Spending an immortal life just grading papers until death seems a bit much.

“No, but still…”

To say the Emperor’s position suits me—it’s a bit sad.

Of course, all I do is approve things, but to say enjoying that is my role? If that’s the case, I might as well be a shadow power broker.

Ah, but that would be quite boring too.

Am I truly destined to become the Emperor of humanity?

No. No way. Now that I’ve done my part, how about traveling and having fun?

Going around the world to every corner.

This way, I could visit Balhae under the pretext of travel. Isn’t that good?

While I’m at it, I could visit Trotsky and compliment him on frying good chicken. I could also see Stalin in his later years.

“No. How about traveling?”

It’s about traveling. Using my free time and wealth to go around here and there.

I could also go to Poland and play the role of the Polish queen. Not bad, right?

“Wouldn’t it depend on the type of travel?”

It should depend on the type of travel.

I acknowledge that point. If I were to travel, the Constantinople Treaty territories would probably be my main destinations.

I don’t particularly want to go to South America. How should I put it? I feel like I’d just hear praise for Eva Perón.

And going to America doesn’t seem right either.

“Tsk, this is really going nowhere.”

The only thing I can do is be Emperor!

Those in power, those who want to usurp the throne might say I’m being greedy, but this is sincere.

I sincerely have nothing to do right now.

“Is there really a need to look for something else? Not just anyone can be Emperor, after all.”

Sigh, yes. That’s right. Not just anyone can do it.

When you think about it, being Emperor has become my job.

I thought I should step down as Emperor, but I feel like Maria II has blocked my path.

I’m troubled and tapping my temple when—

“Your Majesty! Please do what you want to do!”

At that moment, there was a commotion outside.

Wondering what it was, I looked out the window to see the Cossack Guard and Imperial Guard kneeling and pleading with me.

“Your Majesty has been too hard on yourself all this time. Now you must live your own life!”

What are those guys doing as a group?

Somehow even the maid corps had joined them, offering sincere advice that I should enjoy myself now.

Live my own life…

They are truly loyal subjects! I’d like to say that, but…

“Your Majesty! We, the Cossack Guard and Imperial Guard, support your wishes!”

Ah, well. That’s really appreciated. But seriously, there’s nothing to do. Moreover, if they speak so loudly, it will spread outside.

I appreciate them thinking of me this way, but if you ask what I should do after stepping down as Emperor, nothing comes to mind.

Even if I step down, I have nothing to do.

I can’t play games or use social media—isn’t that how people usually enjoy their leisure time?

I still have the sensibilities of a modern person, so I can’t figure out what people do for fun in their later years in this era, no matter how hard I try.

Look at me. Including my previous life, is my mental age around 60 years?

According to my body, and in my original world too, I still feel out of place in this world.

Before the apocalypse, I just played games diligently. In the apocalyptic world, there wasn’t anything to enjoy.

“Computers. Computers and electronic devices are the hope.”

Computers and electronic devices. This is the future. I’ll invest in them relentlessly until then.

Internet, games. All these things are hope.

Only after they emerge will I be liberated from the Emperor’s position.

Then naturally transition to AI Anastasia. Launder if possible, challenge if impossible.

“Computers and electronic devices?”

Maria II wouldn’t understand.

Probably around Maria IV would begin to understand.

“From around the 21st century, they’re used for stress relief for young people. For entertainment or whatever else.”

So, quickly, somehow, they must be developed!

Somehow they must be developed.

Until then. At the very least, develop computers faster than in the original history, and create the internet.

I want to live like someone in the FIRE movement—stuck in the Kremlin Palace, just approving what comes up, showing my face to the media, and playing games.

“Well, Your Majesty is young, so it should be fine.”

Doesn’t Maria II know it’s rude to mention a woman’s age?

“Well, age doesn’t matter for me, so it’s fine.”

Of course, by then I’ll be over 100 years old, but 1 is practically a non-existent number, right? It’s fine.

Even now, when I go out on the street, people see me as at least in my late teens.

At the very least, I’ll be able to enjoy my life enough.

* * *

Constantinople Treaty Headquarters

Unfortunately, this matter couldn’t be overlooked at the Constantinople Treaty Headquarters either.

Representatives from each country had much to say about the Tsar being confined to the Kremlin Palace.

“It seems the Russian Tsar is back in the Kremlin Palace.”

“I heard the media is saying she’s not coming out. What’s going on?”

“Well, Her Majesty is getting on in years.”

“If we’re going to talk about age with that appearance, are we having this meeting from inside graves?”

“I think she might be preparing to abdicate again, having ruled for so long.”

“But she’s still in her prime?”

Well, more accurately, it meant she was young rather than in her prime, but anyway.

If the Tsar were to abdicate now, it wouldn’t just cause an uproar in Russia—it’s not something to be taken lightly.

The Tsar holds so many titles.

There’s no point in inheriting all those monarchical positions.

“What are you saying? If the Russian Tsar abdicates now, what happens to the Constantinople Treaty?”

“The Tsar already has the Duma and the Constantinople Treaty Headquarters…”

“For this system to solidify, the current Tsar needs to remain for hundreds of years, doesn’t she? Or are you suggesting we dissolve the Constantinople Treaty?”

The representatives frowned at the Russian representative’s words.

What was he trying to say? Quitting now?

Did he think Europe could be unified overnight? Of course, there had been progress in economic and monetary integration, but Europe had been divided for a long time since the Roman Empire.

To reunite it, a symbolic figure needed to remain for a long time.

The unification itself was achieved thanks to Anastasia’s leadership.

What if the current Tsar withdrew now? It could lead to dissolution.

At the very least, until the Constantinople Treaty achieved complete integration, until it became so firmly established that it would be difficult to dissolve even in the distant future—only then could she truly step down.

“If we dissolve it, there will be chaos in the economy and military. We’ve just managed to integrate, what are you—”

“Grand Duke Vladimir—”

“The Grand Duke is a war hero, but ultimately, the current Tsar’s symbolism is enormous. She’s a saint who still doesn’t age.”

Look at the Tsar’s achievements.

Grand Duke Vladimir is impressive too, and without the current Tsar, he could certainly obtain the position of Russian Tsar and Roman Emperor.

However, the problem is that the current Tsar’s achievements are too tremendous.

She elevated Russia from a backward, underdeveloped country to what it is today.

She fought directly in wars and implemented numerous policies that made 200 million Russians praise her.

So, is it all over now?

In fact, Anastasia has already become the symbol of the Constantinople Treaty, and now her symbolism is enormous. The symbol of Roman unification! She is solely such an existence.

“It seems the Tsar now wants to live her own life.”

“After rebuilding Rome, she should take responsibility for at least a hundred years. Where is she going? To speak plainly, if she’s so young, isn’t it heaven’s revelation to continue serving? We’re the ones who are frustrated. If she’s still young but getting on in years…”

The Bulgarian representative stopped mid-sentence.

He experienced cognitive dissonance from his own words.

“If she’s still young” (mentally young) but “getting on in years” (understand and judge the international situation)—there was cognitive dissonance between the beginning and end.

This was all because the Tsar didn’t age.

“Ahem, well, normally when one gets older, one should step down. It’s precisely because she looks so young that such talk arises.”

“Normally, at age 60, one would have wrinkles by now. The Russian Tsar looks even younger than Her Majesty the Queen of the British Empire.”

Even if she had aged, being young meant she should understand the situation and remain as Rome’s symbol. That was the message.

“But isn’t she young? Isn’t it all just about stamping documents? Look, they’re even making dolls and such in Western Japan recently.”

“Ahem. That’s rather vulgar.”

The figurine of Anastasia with some exposure that the Romanian representative pulled out was indeed worthy of Japan, the homeland of otaku culture in modern times.

“Why on earth did you buy such a thing?”

“Well, I happened to acquire it somehow.”

“Happened to acquire it”? Does that make sense?

He must have approached it with lewd thoughts, obviously.

“That nationalist from the Hellenic Federation who committed terrorism against the Golden Hellenism Party—if the Tsar truly decides to abdicate, do you think they’ll sit quietly? The Russian Duma will be attacked immediately, and even Rome here can’t be guaranteed.”

“That’s not wrong.”

It certainly seems likely. Just look at Greece. The ambiguous group called the Islamic-Hellenism Party was attacked by Islamic forces.

The Constantinople Treaty blamed it on the Tsar’s followers and ended it with just a protest.

“Isn’t it the current Tsar’s own doing? Humans should work according to their abilities and take responsibility for everything. The current Tsar has done many things, and suddenly passing them on would cause problems.”

“Anyway, please persuade the Tsar well on the Russian side.”

For Rome’s sake, the Tsar must be persuaded.

“Understood.”

“Ah, Her Majesty has become pitiful. Sigh.”

The Russian delegation sighed.

They had prepared for abdication, but at this rate, there was no solution.

“But honestly, it’s difficult. Would the many ethnicities belonging to Russia immediately accept Grand Duke Vladimir’s ascension? We must consider the Manchus, Mongols, and Don Cossacks.”

That’s right. Would they approve of the current Tsar’s abdication? The titles would naturally pass to Grand Duke Vladimir, but would other ethnicities accept that?

“That’s true. They probably wouldn’t easily recognize the Grand Duke either.”

Until all of that stabilized, until Rome truly took charge of this world’s axis, Anastasia’s abdication was not possible.