Ch.44Rome: The Third Empire

* * *

Atatürk never lowered his pride even as his country faced destruction.

“Instead of supporting us then, you want Eastern Roman territory? To be fair, we too are successors of Eastern Rome.”

That’s just wordplay.

I have no interest in such tiresome arguments.

I should just be direct now.

“Let me be honest. I need to save face right now. I must secure at least this much to maintain Russia’s current position. In this deadlock, we need your country to make concessions.”

“Then perhaps Russia should just withdraw.”

“Either we all die, or we preserve our national bonds. One of the two. Of course, if you choose the former, Turkey will certainly die, while other nations might just change regimes—but not Turkey.”

Even moving troops without combat creates misunderstandings. I need to secure at least this small concession.

The Tsarina obtaining Constantinople without war?

The White Russians would be bursting with national pride, claiming the Tsarina recaptured the Second Rome.

“Hmph.”

This too is just wordplay.

Britain and France will eventually have to relinquish their colonies anyway.

I can offer verbal support as much as they want.

“In exchange, let’s engage in some wordplay of our own. Turkey can ‘grant independence’ to the Pontic Greeks, similar to Turkey’s own independence. That should please the Grand National Assembly to have Russia as an ally.”

“Russia as an ally. How am I supposed to believe that?”

Right. It’s impossible to believe.

I wouldn’t believe it either. It’s like entrusting a fish shop to a cat—handing over a large chunk of territory to an enemy.

“If you cannot trust Russia, then trust me personally.”

“The Grand Duchess?”

“I witnessed my parents and siblings executed by the Reds before my eyes, and I personally fought to prevent my country from falling to them. That’s how I came to be here. I, who was far from the Tsarist line of succession, am now called Tsarina. As someone who has overcome national crisis, I personally support the general who is sacrificing himself for Turkey’s independence.”

This is essentially an appeal to Atatürk.

“I need time to think.”

Good. That’s as far as I needed to go.

Almost successful. If I had failed here, we would have been forced into war.

“It would be problematic if Britain and France notice. I cannot give you much time. We must avoid combat between our armies.”

After a while, Atatürk responded.

He would trust me for now, even if it meant being deceived. He chose to create an ally and hope for a better future, facing reality.

* * *

In actual history, they fought to the end, with İsmet Pasha, sent as a special envoy to Britain by the Grand National Assembly, firmly rejecting the great powers’ proposals.

But in this altered history, they had no choice but to surrender when the White Army entered Anatolia.

Unlike actual history, the newly formed Turkey was reduced to a minor power, occupying only central and southern Anatolia including Ankara, and parts of the southeast.

“Phew. That’s a relief.”

“I can’t help feeling we’re making Russia too powerful. Well, as long as we block the Mediterranean, I suppose it’s fine.”

“Look at Germany’s situation. It would be troublesome if the Free Socialist Republic of Germany wins their civil war. We need to strengthen Russia.”

“I heard the Tsarina negotiated with Kemal alone?”

“Come to think of it, looking at the reforms the Tsarina is implementing… doesn’t she seem somewhat Red?”

Britain and France managed to save face, while Russians, whose pride had been wounded by the Bolsheviks after the Red-White Civil War, united with a new sense of pride.

None other than ‘Rome.’

Russians who nearly had their country overturned by the Reds now burned with pride as successors of Rome following the recapture of Constantinople.

“Constantinople has been recaptured!”

“Truly the reincarnation of Catherine II! Tsarina Anastasia is the rightful successor of Rome and the true ruler of Russia!”

“The revival of Rome is magnificent!”

“This is the Third Roman Empire!”

“The Holy Roman Empire was merely Germany’s predecessor!”

“God save the Tsar!”

After the Red-White Civil War, Russians united around the pride of being Rome’s descendants as a spiritual pillar to overcome difficult times. They proudly proclaimed themselves the true heirs of Rome, establishing the White Russian identity—unlike the Soviet Union in actual history.

Meanwhile.

Atatürk and İnönü felt like the defeated.

“Is this really acceptable? I can’t help feeling we’re being deceived.”

“The Grand Duchess’s words ring true. We’ll have to see what the future holds. Didn’t you say yourself that what we’ve achieved so far is miraculous?”

They had few weapons left.

Complaints were emerging from the Grand National Assembly’s army.

Perhaps this outcome was acceptable.

“Indeed. But can we really trust Russia?”

“I don’t trust Russia. I only trust that Grand Duchess.”

They still didn’t know what kind of person the Grand Duchess was.

But at her age, to appear so composed in what was essentially enemy territory—what kind of woman could manage that?

There weren’t many Russian troops around.

For the sake of “dialogue” and the safety of Kemal and the Grand National Assembly leadership, they had withdrawn their forces.

In that situation, where they could have easily killed the Grand Duchess if they chose, she maintained the face of someone who had walked the line between life and death.

When you’ve spent time on battlefields, you learn to recognize who should be feared and who might be a potential ally.

The Grand Duchess was both.

In reality, if Russia had pushed harder, they could have taken more than half of Turkey with British and French approval.

Instead, the Grand Duchess chose to create an ally.

Yes, for now, survival was the priority.

For the day when Turkey could stand tall again, as it had in Ottoman times.

* * *

The Turkish Grand National Assembly finally surrendered.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk himself represented their side, while Churchill came from Britain for posturing. Typical antagonistic behavior.

We sent Vasily Kharlamov, former Caucasian White Army leader and current Foreign Minister, to conduct negotiations.

Thus, the Treaty of Ankara was newly established.

Greece reportedly stormed out of the negotiations to demonstrate their displeasure.

For the White Army—specifically for someone who lost her family in the civil war and was barely appointed Tsarina by the Duma—the recapture of Constantinople would fill the legitimacy gap.

How fortunate they surrendered.

If Atatürk had fought to the bitter end, declaring resistance to the last man, it would have been exhausting. With the civil war just ended and lands formerly under Bolshevik control still restless, things might have turned red again.

Compared to actual history, it seems like a pitiful ending, but…

“Your Highness, Constantinople has been recaptured.”

“Now you need only ascend as Tsarina in Constantinople.”

The Duma representatives’ faces bloomed with smiles.

Even former Green Army members like Grigoriev, Antonov, and Terpilo, who had once said, “We have no choice but to form a temporary alliance to kill the Bolsheviks first!” were beaming.

Yes, the Rome obsession is irresistible.

Tsarina. Tsarina.

A Tsarina I never expected to be.

It had been mentioned before, but at this point, Russia is in quite an advantageous position.

During the civil war, I could be treated as Tsarina. Now, the civil war is over, and we’ve somehow recaptured Constantinople.

Won’t someone try to take advantage of this?

“Until now, we haven’t mentioned it publicly, but there is the Salic Law.”

The Salic Law. Officially established by Paul I of the Russian Empire who, resenting his mother who had become empress after killing his father in a coup, introduced the Salic Law to prevent women from succeeding to the throne.

Well, with no male heirs, the Salic Law is meaningless anyway.

“I understand there was discussion about Grand Duchess Olga’s succession during the previous Tsar’s reign.”

Boris Savinkov of the newly formed National Republican Party spoke up.

This man had quickly aligned himself with our side despite his left-wing background in actual history.

He was known for his assassination skills.

He even served as Minister of Defense in Kerensky’s government.

Well, one never knows what’s in someone’s heart.

“The circumstances are different now.”

In a situation where we’ve recaptured Constantinople and can proudly claim the title of Roman Emperor, what royal wouldn’t be tempted?

“Any royal who tries to interfere can be eliminated with a blade.”

Most of the royals were currently in Britain and France.

Well.

They haven’t arrived yet, but this essentially means they would recognize me as Tsarina.

Or perhaps they fear for their own necks in a land where the Tsar was killed.

But anyway, a blade?

“No, that’s going too far.”

Human habits never change.

He’s already considering assassination.

Doesn’t he realize the Tsarina before him is also of royal blood?

The people who joined after the civil war all seem to be out of their minds. I wonder if it’s really safe to transfer power to the Duma.

“We are facing a unique situation, and laws can be changed to suit the times. Your Highness is the symbol of the White Army and the Tsarina who transferred power to the Duma. Installing another royal as Tsar now would only cause confusion.”

“Without a male heir, the Salic Law is meaningless. Your Highness is already fully qualified to ascend as Tsarina.”

Yes, the Duma has already decided.

In such situations, one should typically refuse once or twice before reluctantly accepting the third time.

Moreover, this was decided by the Duma, the center of national power. It cannot be avoided.

“So this is the will of the Duma.”

If it’s the Duma’s will, I have no choice.

Ah, the Duma is making me do this?

By acknowledging the Duma’s authority and accepting the crown…

I’m merely accepting the crown you’re offering?

Does this mean I will become Anastasia I?

“Oh! Successor to the Mongol Empire and now the throne of the almighty Roman Emperor. Your Highness is truly the rightful monarch of this era.”

Following the recapture of Constantinople, Grigory Semyonov rushed from Mongolia to shower me with praise.

Indeed.

I’m receiving the imperial titles of both Eastern and Western great empires.

Of course, the Mongolian side was taken by stabbing them in the back, but still.

“How is food production? I understand we suffered significant damage during the civil war.”

“By eliminating the hardcore Bolsheviks who were just consuming food, we’ve gained some surplus, and we’re also receiving supplies from Makhno’s free territory.”

The Great Purge.

Here, I mercilessly killed the Bolsheviks.

To fill Russia with White Russians loyal only to the new Russia. To prove that Red revolution would be crushed under the sacred double-headed eagle. Those who still couldn’t denounce Marx and Lenin were not merely suppressed but eliminated for treason.

“Thanks to Makhno’s eastern Ukraine, our food situation is somewhat manageable.”

Without Makhno, we would have had to rely on the British.

“But how long can we leave that Red alone? What if he starts acting like Lenin?”

That won’t happen.

Makhno’s dream is anarchism, which is quite different from Lenin’s ideology.

That’s why Trotsky crushed Makhno in actual history.

“Let’s leave him be for now. Despite appearances, he commands a significant force. I’ve heard he still has an army of over 50,000 despite losses to the Bolsheviks. If they wage guerrilla warfare in Ukraine, we’ll have no answer. Eventually, they’ll realize how illusory their anarchism is and join our side.”

There’s no reason to attack Makhno’s Black Army now.

With Lenin’s downfall, the Bolsheviks defeated, and an anarchist free territory recognized by White Russia—it’s nothing more or less than a free city of White Russia.

Left alone, their influence will naturally diminish and be absorbed by our side.

Why? Because with a reformed Russia above them, Makhno alone cannot maintain his free territory.

No one can survive in the international community alone.

If Russia is their only trading partner through free trade, they will eventually collapse on their own.