Ch.438Modern Era: The Age of Grand Anastasia (36)

# “Long Live the Yamato People!”

The vote for Yamato people’s independence resulted in 3 against and 7 in favor, ultimately leading to their independence.

Thanks to President George’s speech, the ratio improved from 9:1 to 7:3, but that was all.

And America made one thing absolutely clear:

“We recognize independence, but unification with West Japan is absolutely forbidden!”

Thus, a new Yamato government was formed, and the country was officially declared the East Japan Republic rather than the Kanto Republic.

This was intended to completely separate it from the Kanto Republic, which was predominantly Black.

The problem was that America pointed out that if East Japan simply became a republic, it could eventually be absorbed by West Japan.

Unlike the past when peaceful unification was the goal, America was now openly negative about unification.

“Then let’s establish a monarch to reassure them.”

The Yamato Association, the backbone of the East Japan Republic, discussed establishing a monarchy.

However, the Imperial House was not an option, and the Korean lineage was already in West Japan, so that wouldn’t work either.

The only remaining royal houses were in Europe.

So the answer inevitably led to one conclusion.

“We will make Anastasia Tsar the Emperor of East Japan.”

Making her the Emperor of East Japan. This statement threw America into chaos.

Pro-Roman forces would inevitably take hold, but making Anastasia Tsar the Emperor of East Japan meant becoming similar to the Commonwealth, and East Japan would essentially become the Tsar’s appendage.

Relations with Canada were already uncomfortable, but there was no choice.

“Have you lost your mind, Human?”

“This won’t work, that won’t work. Is there any solution? You already have that Black Japan anyway.”

“Then let’s compromise.”

No matter what, making Anastasia Tsar the monarch was absolutely unacceptable.

This was America’s diplomatic policy, and despite being symbolic, they couldn’t allow a country with the Tsar as its direct monarch to share a border with Black Japan.

Still, they couldn’t ignore the Yamato people.

After numerous discussions, the Yamato Association and the American side reached a conclusion.

“If we’re going to create it, we should make it a strange country.”

America had no intention of accepting it as is.

The compromise resulted in the religious state system.

Establishing East Japan Yamato Religious State by officially introducing Russian Orthodoxy, which worships Saint Anastasia.

It was incredibly absurd, making one wonder if this was right.

Instead of making a living person a human deity like the Emperor, it would be a country where followers existed.

“Does this make any sense? What kind of country is a religious state anyway?”

“Isn’t it just a government that’s a church?”

No one could understand what kind of country it was.

It was incomprehensible, but ignoring America’s proposal could mean not being recognized as a country, which would be troublesome.

They needed to accept a compromise while they could.

“No matter how I think about it, this seems a bit much to be considered a country.”

“What does it matter? Let’s be satisfied with independence for now.”

Of course, they would have preferred to establish a proper country, but what choice did they have?

For now, they had to be content with independence.

This was the moment when the extraordinary East Japan Anastasia Religious State was born.

* * *

The Yamato people succeeded in their independence.

They voted for independence and achieved separation with a 7:3 ratio in favor.

Yes, I can understand that much. They gained independence, which is fine.

But when I saw the country they established, I was utterly shocked.

‘East Japan Anastasian Yamato Religious State’

They had the audacity to directly include “Anastasia” in the country’s name.

Originally, they planned to make me their monarch, but America opposed it because they feared that if it became a regular republic, it might unify with the Japanese Commonwealth.

The compromise they reached was this rootless religious state.

“Does this make any sense?”

“Well, the state system is supposedly a republic. Your Majesty’s very existence is divine enough, isn’t it? It’s taken for granted, but immortality typically qualifies one as a deity. At least they conscientiously called it ‘Anastasianism’ rather than directly naming it after you.”

According to the report I received from Maria, this Anastasia Yamato Religious State operates in a peculiar way. “Instead of directly worshipping me as a god, a Pope governs.”

A Pope who worships me as a god.

This country is ruled by a Pope, and this Pope is maintained by the Yamato Anastasian Orthodox Church, created with the help of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Does this mean the Russian Orthodox Church is just going to stand by and watch?

“Of course, the Russian Orthodox Church seems reluctant to recognize it, but they’ve taken the position that they’ll turn a blind eye if a Pope is elected specifically for East Japan.”

This is like something out of a novel, an extraordinary country.

I’ve seen this setting in some game, but I have no idea what kind of country it’s supposed to be.

If a Pope rules, does it become a religious dictatorship?

Is it right to use my name to create such a country? A religious state. I’ve truly never seen anything like it.

“For now, the Pope of the Anastasian Church will be elected once every five years.”

“Did they really just replace a presidential system with a religious one?”

Good heavens. Why would such a country exist in the world?

They replaced the presidential system with a religious one. The president is the Pope, but the difference is that people don’t vote for the Pope directly.

To vote, one must hold a position within the church.

How does one even get a position in the church?

I’m really curious about this. Apparently, you need to be at least a cardinal or priest to be eligible to vote.

This essentially forces the entire population to become followers of the Anastasian religion.

“The difference is that the Pope is elected by vote within the Anastasian Church.”

“I suppose that makes sense.”

I really don’t understand what kind of country this is.

It’s unlike any country I’ve ever experienced. It has no foundation or roots, but it seems they’ve firmly established it as a country exclusively for the Yamato people.

“However, they have a request for Your Majesty.”

“While the Pope is elected independently, they want me to formally appoint them.”

So it’s like the investiture of crown princes or kings in the Joseon Dynasty?

They decide internally, but they receive formal recognition from their parent figure, like how the Joseon Dynasty received investiture from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Being a religious state makes it seem somewhat sacred, but it also gives me that impression.

“Hmm, it reminds me of the investiture system, which I don’t particularly like.”

“Well, in East Asia, it would be the Chinese Emperor, but Your Majesty is practically a living deity, aren’t you?”

“That’s true, but still…”

I have a feeling about this. America chose this option quite deliberately.

Perhaps they thought that if independence was inevitable, they would make it a ridiculous country.

But it’s called a religious state. It’s certainly a unique country.

A country with a system never seen before. The world’s first Anastasian Religious State. No other country will follow this example, so East Japan will be the first.

“Still, wouldn’t it be a pro-Roman country?”

“With Anastasia blatantly in its name, I suppose so.”

It might seem funny coming from an Asian, but it’s not bad.

What does race and nationality have to do with anything? Even Africans are overflowing with Anastasianists.

I can certainly help with that much.

“Then, regarding the Pope’s appointment…”

“Tell them I’ll do it personally. If that’s what they want, I should oblige.”

This is the minimum goodwill I can offer.

America seems to have reached a compromise, but they couldn’t prevent the birth of a pro-Roman country.

With the Black Kanto Republic, they might have some breathing room, but they want to maintain their pride.

Does this make it like the Three Kingdoms? No, not quite.

The Black population are complete outsiders. They shouldn’t be treated as Japanese.

So strictly speaking, there are only two countries for Japanese people in Japan.

The Japanese Commonwealth and the East Japan Anastasia Religious State.

Even hearing it again, this “religious state” sounds peculiar, but it’s fine.

“President George is devastated and has requested asylum under the Roman Treaty.”

“That’s sad. George was probably the only person who could have united the Black and Yamato people.”

I do feel sorry for President George.

He probably never expected his unification theory to lead to this. If I had to describe it, it’s like planning to make ramen but ending up with udon.

It feels like something went wrong in the evolutionary process.

It clearly started with unificationists, but ended with national division and separation.

This is truly indescribable. But it’s fine.

“He had poor opponents.”

“And he underestimated the emotional divide between the Black and Yamato people. Alright, accept his asylum request in my name.”

From the current situation, President George seems to have given up everything. That’s why he chose asylum. He probably feels responsible too.

George, who so desperately wanted to unite the Black and Yamato people, has met an absurd end.

How did he become so pitiful? Ah, it’s because of me.

“He had just returned, and now this. How unfortunate.”

“It can’t be helped. That’s his fate. Still, it’s better than dying. This was bound to happen eventually, wasn’t it? It couldn’t be avoided.”

It erupted with just a slight provocation from South Africa.

So it would have erupted someday, and what difference does it make if it happened earlier?

To reiterate, I simply resolved it before it could explode into something bigger.

“If it hadn’t surfaced, wouldn’t it have gradually subsided on its own? The increase in mixed-race individuals seems to be evidence of that.”

Ah, is that how it works? Indeed, the growing number of mixed-race individuals is evidence of integration.

Eventually, they might have become one. One might think so.

“Well, according to the principle of national self-determination, the Yamato people have the right to establish their own nation.”

Let’s think positively about this. It’s a profoundly complex issue.

“It does feel quite profound.”

One might ask how this logic applies to the multi-ethnic Roman Treaty, but…

Dealing with such contradictions is part of being a Tsar. Oh, forget it! I’m right, period!

“Things have become difficult.”

When you say “Anastasia Religious State,” it essentially means a gathering of people intoxicated with Anastasia.

Looking at it that way, it’s quite absurd.

The country isn’t just a massive Anastasia fan club; it’s becoming a cult. That’s the situation.

Just look at the country’s name with “Anastasia Religious State” in it.

“So, the Japan issue is definitively resolved?”

Now, all we need to do is step back from Japan, and that should be sufficient.

I just need to appoint the Pope once every five years, and though I might eventually die, we’ll figure something out when that time comes.

“I suppose so. Then, we don’t need to intervene in India?”

“Yes. If necessary, UN forces can be deployed. But it’s just like China.”

Exactly.

It’s best if China and India remain as they are.

There will likely be continued bloodshed and chaos, but that’s not my concern.

When the people’s standards rise, they’ll stop on their own. Look at the Anastasia Religious State. The Yamato people achieved independence and peace without fighting, using public opinion.

But China and India are different.

The Nationalist Government can at least justify their actions by claiming Israel is an external enemy, but it seems there’s internal political strife as well.

They’re also covertly sending guerrillas to Nam Viet.

Regardless, the Nationalist Government remains in turmoil, while North China doesn’t even realize they’re divided and continues to enjoy the support of the Roman Treaty.

China’s unification has become completely difficult, and India continues to fight.

“Revenge breeds revenge. Hatred breeds more hatred. If you start a war but fail to achieve unification, and the war ends ambiguously, then hatred will only accumulate between the sides.”

It doesn’t matter who starts the war.

They kill each other, and resentment builds up. Even if they’re the same ethnicity.

Decades have passed in such a period. It’s not like the old days when intervention was difficult. The UN can intervene anytime something happens.

“If they try to unify, the damage would be too great! Everyone, stop fighting!” They repeat this pattern of ceasefire, solidification, and repeat.

Even if they understand what this means, they have few options.

What can they do if the world’s Saint Anastasia disapproves?

Their mutual destruction ultimately serves world peace.

“Your Majesty is truly a saint.”

Praise me more. The more praise, the more benefits.

“Yes, I can’t help but be a saint.”

With the world in such chaos, shouldn’t I at least maintain my sanity and properly protect peace? It’s unavoidable.

“But are you really planning to come out?”

Coming out. It’s time to reveal my identity to my other half.

“Of course, I must do it once. It should be interesting, don’t you think?”

“It’s not long now.”

Maria also smiled, drawing a curve on her lips after a long time.

Honestly, I’m looking forward to that day. When they truly learn that I am the Tsar, what will happen?