Ch.378Trip to France (2) (Under Revision)

* * *

Vichy, France had hot springs, as befitting a resort town.

It wasn’t widely known, but apparently Vichy had hot springs.

No, they deliberately turned the capital where the government resided into a resort city.

France had left behind its past glory and changed its title to “France of Hot Springs.”

They’ve completely transformed into a hot spring city, competing with Japanese hot springs at this point.

“Your Majesty, I am Louise, a member of the Cross of Fire. I will guide you to the hot springs.”

The Cross of Fire even provided a custom female party member.

From what I heard, the current Cross of Fire party was similar to the Roman National Party, quite different from La Rocque’s original in history, having been heavily influenced by the Roman National Party.

This woman Louise had slightly wavy short hair and quite a refined face.

She gave off the impression of a young party member in her twenties.

Looking into her eyes, there was something puppet-like about her, as if she’d been brainwashed. No, that couldn’t be right.

Well, I couldn’t refuse the hospitality offered—they might later say “The Tsar rejected France’s goodwill!”

“A female party member is quite unusual.”

I hope they didn’t hastily recruit a female member just for my comfort.

“Gallic people must rightfully study together regardless of gender, defend the country together, and work for the Roman Emperor!”

Something feels off about this. Talking about monarchical restoration while saying she works for me—what kind of situation is this?

Still, her attitude isn’t bad.

Just like the original Maria. Should I call her the French version of Maria?

“Oh, I like that attitude.”

*Clap clap clap*

I gave her a light applause.

Even calling herself a “Gallic person”—I wonder what criteria La Rocque uses to select party members.

She doesn’t seem like an ordinary party member.

I mean, she’s like those types you see in the past. Those kids with extraordinary determination? And they’re all young.

“I graduated from the Gallic National University established by Party Leader La Rocque.”

“Ah, I see. So La Rocque raised you directly.”

“Yes. I was taught that as a Gallic person, I must follow Rome.”

I hope that’s not some kind of hypnotic brainwashing?

Well, whatever—I don’t intend to dig too deeply into it.

It’s not like I threatened them with a sword; La Rocque will handle things his way.

Maria seems to like her, though.

“Oh, I like this person.”

“What’s there to like? We came to the hot springs today, so just guide us to the hot springs without overdoing it.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

There wasn’t much guiding needed.

A Cross of Fire member who had accompanied us from France drove us all the way to Vichy and guided us to the hot springs, where Louise welcomed us.

The hot springs I saw directly were quite extraordinary.

“Oh. Ohh. This is something else.”

Look at these hot springs that immediately catch the eye.

These are truly top-class facilities by this era’s standards.

Just in terms of being a “hot spring,” it’s far better than the baths at the Kremlin Palace.

I heard there wouldn’t be anyone else here, but isn’t that a bit problematic?

“They’ve prepared a private hot spring for your use.”

“No, I’m here as a traveler, so that wouldn’t be right.”

Frankly speaking, it doesn’t feel right to prevent others from using something they should all have access to just because of me.

“That’s precisely the problem. Your Majesty’s beauty is extraordinary.”

Isn’t my perfect appearance something everyone already knows?

“What’s extraordinary about my beauty?”

“Think about it. Wouldn’t people immediately recognize you?”

Ah, so that’s how it is.

This face is perfect and recognizable worldwide.

With such an appearance, if I shared the facilities with everyone, people might ask, “Aren’t you the Tsar?”

“Ah, I see your point.”

Sigh, then honestly there’s no meaning to this.

Now that I’m in the hot springs, I feel strange.

In my previous life, which lasted well over 60 years, had I ever visited hot springs?

I think I only went to Japanese hot springs when I was young.

Other than that, I only remember the apocalypse. As I was about to enter the hot spring, I looked down and was greeted by an enormous chest.

“Oh.”

“Your Majesty, is something wrong?”

I bathe daily at the Kremlin Palace, so it never felt unusual. But seeing it like this feels somewhat strange.

Wow, so this is the body I have. That’s what I suddenly realized.

This is truly remarkable. I can’t help but comment.

Recently, I’ve become sensitive about age-related issues, so I’ve been paying more attention to my body. Realizing I still have a firm body makes me feel strange.

“Let me wash your body more thoroughly.”

“This is France. It’s appropriate for me to assist you.”

Maria II and Louise are washing my body.

Looking at them, I notice that Maria II is impressive for someone who has children.

Yes, she’s truly impressive in many ways. Or perhaps it’s because she has children?

Is this the greatness of motherhood? I’m not sure, but Maria II seen in the hot springs was incredible.

“Impressive.”

“It’s nothing compared to Your Majesty.”

Well, it’s an unavoidable reality that I’m the strongest.

But regardless, my body is my body, and others’ bodies are their own.

My body is certainly amazing, but I can feel that this is the foundation of Project Maria, who pledged to serve me with her entire family.

And the Cross of Fire’s Louise is the same.

It’s not like La Rocque told them “You’re beauties selected for the Tsar!” but Louise in the hot springs is just…

If written in a novel, there might be no way to express it except “absolutely fucking amazing.”

Ah, this is somewhat distressing.

There’s the position of Tsar, and the dignity of a saint!

It feels awkward since this isn’t the Kremlin Palace but a French hot spring.

“Tsk. This is completely ruined.”

“Pardon?”, “Nothing.”

Sigh, it’s right to endure such things.

It wouldn’t be appropriate to let my eyes wander unnecessarily at this age.

And being embarrassed about my own body doesn’t seem right either.

Anyway, my original body is now useless, and this body is mine.

It doesn’t make sense to be embarrassed at this point.

“Well, let’s finish quickly.”

It’s best to finish quickly and enjoy myself.

“Mint chocolate ice cream is waiting for you.”

“Oh, these French people are considerate.”

Isn’t this the paradise world?

There used to be a saying that the original is always the tastiest. In this world, my mint chocolate becomes the original.

When various mint chocolates appear in the future, I’ll be treated as a master of the mint chocolate world, saying, “In my day, Romanov mint chocolate was the best.”

Hmm, seeing that mint chocolate has spread to France, it seems De Gaulle and La Rocque know something.

Well, should I meet those two next?

* * *

French Vichy Government Office

De Gaulle, whom I met after a long time, looked like a wrinkled old man.

Is he tired from rebuilding the country? Has he aged that much?

“Well, General De Gaulle, it’s been a while.”

“It’s an honor to meet Your Majesty the Tsar. How many years has it been?”

Even seeing him again, De Gaulle has aged considerably.

Indeed, the great figures I know are reaching their time to go.

This is somewhat pitiful and sad.

I don’t show it though. De Gaulle is French, after all.

There was a lot of talk about the nuclear bombing during World War II.

“It’s been quite a while. The general is becoming a person of the past.”

“Hahaha, Your Majesty is mistaken. I still have no intention of dying. For the sake of a unified France.”

Unified France.

He wants to insert “unification” somehow, that’s it.

Well, hasn’t it been decades since Burgundy was separated?

I think that’s unavoidable. Yes, they were sufficiently divided. And the north was practically completely taken by England.

That’s that. I glance at De Gaulle.

“You’re said to be the one carrying on Marshal Pétain’s will.”

The one carrying on Pétain’s will.

At least that’s how he’s portrayed in France now.

“I wouldn’t say I’m carrying on his will. I haven’t accomplished much at this age.”

Well, you still made an effort.

It’s a clear fact that you helped me during the Red-White Civil War. I value that point highly.

And with the choice of monarchical restoration, you want to somehow recover Burgundy too. Something like that.

“So, you want to restore the monarchy?”

I’m in a very good mood right now.

Honestly, we could just color everything with the Roman Treaty and make national borders like provincial boundaries, but thinking about the map, it would be good to completely hand over Burgundy to France.

Of course, they need to offer something of equal value.

From the beginning, even I think it doesn’t look good for Germany to take Burgundy.

“Yes. I’m thinking of restoring the monarchy. At present, there’s no other way.”

“Hmm, am I misunderstanding French? You bring up monarchical restoration as a method, then say there’s no other way. What does that mean? Do you mean there’s no other method besides monarchical restoration?”

Something feels off.

What is this man thinking? He seems to have a lot to say.

“There’s no family to bring in.”

No family to put on the throne? Don’t lie.

“Aren’t there Spanish options? And Bonaparte too.”

France must have many crowns to offer.

I don’t think they all died in the war. Families of that caliber would have survived the war somehow.

How should I interpret him suddenly telling me there’s no one to bring in?

Aren’t all European countries connected by relatives anyway?

“So I’ve thought of a new method.”

He’s subtly rolling his eyes and glancing at me.

“No, what are you trying to say? Are you trying to bring in some homeless person from the street as royalty?”

That can’t be it, no matter what.

Then what is he trying to say by setting things up like this?

“Wouldn’t it work if Your Majesty did it?”

“Haha, what? Me? A Romanov?”

For a moment, my head went blank and my hands and feet trembled.

Has De Gaulle finally lost his mind? Does he have dementia?

He is old enough to get dementia. But even so, it doesn’t seem likely he’d suddenly get dementia and bother me in this situation.

“Yes. If the Romanov family continues the French throne, couldn’t you give us Burgundy? We’re in the Eastern Military Alliance anyway.”

Is he suggesting a three-country military alliance?

Making this choice to get Burgundy? Well, it’s essentially self-gratification.

While saying “We have Burgundy~”, they’re also trying to resolve the hostile German-French relationship through an eastern military alliance.

Yes, such a choice is natural for France.

To be fair, to eat Burgundy now by offering the crown, other families won’t do. Other families would make people think “Are these French bastards serious?” and they’d face opposition rather than getting Burgundy. But if they give it to me, receiving Burgundy in exchange for the throne—that sounds plausible. But why should I accept it?

“I have no reason to accept.”

“What was the reason for dividing French territory in the first place? Wasn’t it because you couldn’t trust us French and wanted to reduce our power as much as possible?”

“Continue.”

De Gaulle bowed his head to me as respectfully as possible, as if begging, and continued speaking seriously.

“Frankly, northern France… Yes, the French Commune stabbed England in the back, the English army was annihilated, and there’s considerable hostility, so the cession of the mainland is unavoidable. I understand that. But.”

“But what?”

“Isn’t Burgundy a bit forced? Germany has almost restored its pre-World War I territory. Even Luxembourg.”

That’s right. The German Empire has almost fully recovered.

I heard Bavaria or something broke away, but in exchange, they took Alsace-Lorraine and Luxembourg—they took everything they could.

But that’s that. Shouldn’t the French be grateful just for recovering their mainland?

“You should be grateful just for recovering your mainland.”

“If all the Roman Treaty member countries are to be integrated, isn’t this much necessary? For the true revival of Rome, the Roman Emperor must become the emperor of all countries.”

He’s making a persuasive argument.

“Is that how it works?”

“I understand that even countries like England, which already have a king, will eventually merge with the Romanov dynasty. Then shouldn’t countries that aren’t even monarchies do at least this much?”

He wants to change to a monarchy and pass it on to me.

I’m not someone who gets excited about being offered crowns. That’s not me.

I can’t even remember all the titles I currently have. Especially “Messiah” and “One True God”—I don’t even remember when those were added; they just naturally appeared.

“Yes, that does make sense.”

It’s strangely persuasive.

“Above all, think about it, Your Majesty. This is the most fundamental issue.”

“What is it?”

Suddenly, our De Gaulle starts taking out a map.

“Look. Isn’t this map extremely, very uncomfortable? Switzerland in the middle, I can understand. But this thing. Look at Burgundy. Doesn’t it stick out too much here?”

Yes, looking at this map is extremely uncomfortable.

How did they manage to make such a terrible map?