Ch.370Preparing for the Afterlife

As time went on, I had to wrestle with a dilemma.

Citizens demanding I show my face, workers insisting I should lead the Tsar’s autocratic rule because the State Duma was threatening the Tsar.

In extreme cases, even within the White Army department, there were calls for a palace coup.

I’m not sure if any of this makes sense, but anyway.

At this point, I carefully reconsidered my existence and what I should be doing.

Yes. At first glance, they’re right.

First of all, I don’t age. If Vladimir were to say, “I’m succeeding the throne,” and tried to remove me with his supporters, I’d step down with tears. Unfortunately, Vladimir probably has no such intention, and even if he did, we’d have to consider the possibility of citizens becoming a mob during “Nicholas Season 2.”

How truly pitiful.

Above all, my ageless appearance is the problem.

Think about it—if there were a truly virtuous ruler, wouldn’t everyone want them to remain young and rule forever?

If King Gwanggaeto hadn’t died young, wouldn’t he have continued as a conquering monarch and perhaps unified the Three Kingdoms, if not China?

What could be better for citizens than having a virtuous ruler on the throne? Though I formally established the State Duma, the symbolism of “Anastasia” cannot be ignored.

I once believed the imperial family must exist.

More precisely, it’s needed as a symbol of national unity. But here, the very existence of “Anastasia” has become that symbol.

Vladimir surely intended to succeed me, but that’s the problem.

Vladimir cannot surpass my achievements.

Am I anything like an ordinary emperor?

Unless I genuinely show myself as an old grandmother on the verge of death, saying “I’m really old and about to die,” what can be done?

I’m still young.

And if you’re young, they’ll say you should continue being emperor. That’s inevitable.

I’d probably say the same. Vladimir? Of course, Vladimir distinguished himself in the war against Communist Germany, but his achievements don’t match mine.

If this was going to happen, I should have stepped back earlier, served as Vladimir’s power behind the throne, and then withdrawn once his position was secure.

Identity laundering is quite difficult now.

Anastasia II, III, IV… if it came to that, wouldn’t those who know, know anyway?

That would make me very sad.

After much contemplation, I realized something.

‘My purpose is to become humanity’s focal point.’

Perhaps that old man sent me here to become such a figure? Of course, he might have his grievances too.

He probably meant for me to create a decent, kind country that would avoid nuclear war, but I prevented all conflicts and achieved tremendous feats.

Ultimately, I’m responsible for what I’ve done. Anyway, this is all the old man’s fault.

Yes. It was better than those days of scavenging for canned food and avoiding looters.

But even so, I can’t stay forever.

I may be called immortal, but honestly, I might not have much time left.

The old man could suddenly take me away any day.

Unless the old man appears and says, “You absolutely won’t die,” I can’t be certain.

That’s why I wanted to prepare in advance. I have no choice. Let’s assume I remain on the throne forever—that must be the condition.

I may remain Tsar forever, but I must prepare for the possibility of death.

Still, I believe I’ve completed my mission.

There will be no Russia vs. NATO dynamic, no Islamic extremists, no civil wars in Africa.

India has been divided, abolishing evil practices and implementing Western-style government and education. Even China, with its deeply ingrained Sinocentrism, has been split.

Jews didn’t suffer the Holocaust, and Israel received much larger territories compared to Palestine, eliminating conflicts. Besides, Palestine is within Turkey’s sphere.

What about Korea, my country in my previous life?

Though renamed Balhae, it recovered southern Manchuria—the spiritual homeland of the Korean people who, like the Chinese with their Sinocentrism, harbor aspirations for Manchuria—and wasn’t divided in half.

Japan was split in two, becoming weaker than Balhae, with East Japan becoming a multiethnic nation due to a large influx of Black people.

The entire ethnic composition might change, making reunification much harder than in the original history’s North and South Korea.

South America is being pulled up by Eva Perón, likely solving the various security issues that plagued the original timeline.

Space engineering is advancing rapidly with all of Europe working together.

The same goes for computers. I’ve already mentioned the internet, so that will develop somehow.

Tesla left wireless research materials before his death, so they’ll eventually develop the technology for smartphones.

The world will be more peaceful than in the original history.

However, the old man never said when he would take me away.

Even if he gave me immortality, how long will he remain passive?

What if he appears saying it’s time for me to go? I can’t assume the old man is entirely on my side.

When exactly will I die?

Honestly, I’m not afraid of death anymore.

I’ve experienced the pain of being shot and bombed without dying. Why would I fear death?

But imagine if I completely settle down here. What if I suddenly die?

No matter how exceptional a leader is, if they do everything themselves, the system collapses after their death.

Because the state structure revolves around that leader.

Without properly determining a successor, internal conflicts will destroy the country.

But this country can’t even decide on a successor.

Everyone says it must be me. What can I do?

“What should I do in this situation?”

Preparations are already in place. There’s the State Duma and Vladimir.

The problem is they won’t recognize Vladimir as the official successor. Even Vladimir himself refuses because he can’t surpass my achievements.

Originally, I placed many companies under the Romanov name to ensure the imperial family would exist as a symbol, just in case.

But I need to be clear about this.

I must clarify the Romanov imperial succession in case I die. Even though Vladimir is already designated, it’s still difficult.

“Your Majesty, the Constantinople Treaty Organization absolutely refuses.”

“Sigh, this has become quite troublesome.”

Are they trying to dump all the burden on me?

I can’t really argue if someone says this is my own doing. Well, I suppose that’s possible.

Honestly, the Constantinople Treaty Organization must know they’re operating under Russian leadership, and if the Tsar disappears? That could mean dissolution.

Especially with economic integration already underway—dissolution now? That would be madness. Should I just beg the old man when he comes?

I think he would consider that much. At minimum, the Constantinople Treaty Organization needs to reach the point where they can say, “We’re tired of the Tsarina! Grandmother, step down!” before I can leave.

“This is truly sad.”

To think I’d be worrying about such matters. The Roman Emperor’s situation has become laughable.

Having to prepare for my death. Sigh.

What should I do? First, I should summon representatives—citizen representatives, worker representatives, party representatives.

I never thought I’d be doing something that belongs in fantasy novels in reality, but anyway. Now I must prepare.

If I’m truly to become an eternal emperor, I should prepare for that.

I must do at least this much. Otherwise, it will only become more troublesome for me.

At minimum, there shouldn’t be any confusion in the future.

I must step forward to prevent chaos. At the very least, I need to prepare for the possibility of my death.

I should lay the groundwork now.

No matter what, I can’t just tell the whole world, “I don’t know when I’ll die, so figure it out yourselves, good luck!” That’s impossible.

So, I need to gather worker representatives, State Duma representatives, and party representatives to ensure there’s no worry even after my death.

I stood up abruptly from my seat.

“Then I must gather the representatives.”

“Representatives? What representatives do you mean?”

The representatives are obvious. Worker representatives, party representatives, those kinds of people.

I don’t have any special thoughts about it.

I just want to meet them and tell them to prepare for after me. That’s all I’m thinking.

“Still, we must worry about what happens after I’m gone.”

“Your Majesty, you worry too much.”

Well, unless you’re me, you wouldn’t understand.

I’m in a situation where I have no choice but to worry. It’s the minimum I must do.

“It’s not worry, it’s sincere, Maria. We need to prepare this much in advance.”

These things need to be prepared for in advance.

At minimum, people should be able to recognize, “Ah, the Tsar has passed away!”

“If that is truly Your Majesty’s wish, I understand. But aren’t you being too pessimistic?”

Pessimistic? Pessimistic~ic? Our Maria still has it too easy.

Do you think I’m doing this for no reason? This is unavoidable reality.

No matter how much I struggle or deny reality, it’s a reality that will come.

“No, Maria. Think about it. What if I suddenly die? I don’t even know how long I’ll live.”

Do you think I’ll live forever? No.

You should understand by now that I’m not making a fuss for nothing.

“That is…”

Yes. Even Maria can’t say anything about this.

It’s something she can’t comment on. Only the old man can say anything about this matter.

“We need to worry. That’s what I’m saying. At least I must.”

I need to have such options.

“But no matter how I look at it, it won’t be easy… I understand.”

She finally accepted, albeit reluctantly.

It seems Maria’s sense of reality is quite lacking.

How can I entrust anything to her before I die? This is why I need to finish things properly.

At this rate, whether I launder my identity or not, the Constantinople Treaty Organization might dissolve after I’m gone.

“Yes. I look young now, so I understand why you think that.”

“I’ll arrange for the State Duma to issue the summons.”

Youth isn’t everything. Don’t see it that way.

Am I doing this for no reason? It’s all for the future.

* * *

After gathering them all, the number was quite large.

It took quite a while to call all the representatives.

Citizen representatives from major cities, State Duma representatives, party representatives, local government officials, women’s organization representatives, and so on.

They came in droves from everywhere.

Even after minimizing the numbers, there were still many.

“Your Majesty, why have you invited so many people to the Kremlin Palace?”

“It seems many people dislike the idea of me stepping back.”

That’s why I called you all.

What kind of Russia is this Russia? It could be described as a democratic tsardom.

Under the Tsar, who is protected by God, all power flows to the State Duma. Considering the Duma consists of representatives elected by the people, power essentially comes from the citizens.

So I approached them respectfully.

I am not that great Tsar, but the Tsar of everyone.

Therefore, I need these people’s permission and need them to understand that I must prepare for my withdrawal or for after my death.

“Isn’t that obvious?”

Yes, I suppose it is obvious.

“That’s right. It is Your Majesty who created today’s Rome.”

It’s true that I created today’s Rome and showed everyone a unified European world.

“Though Grand Duke Vladimir is an excellent heir, Your Majesty’s achievements are too great.”

Yes. This is ultimately the consequence of my own actions.

There’s no way for me to change this.

So, let me pass on what I cannot do to these people.

“Very well. Let’s say I step down. Even so, I must now prepare for the possibility of my death.”

Preparing for the possibility of death. That’s my only thought.

If nothing else, this one thing must be clear.

I want to ensure there are no problems after my death—that’s my only concern.