Ch.7The Outcome of the Great War?

# # #

Everyone in Yekaterinburg, from various age groups to the guards, was looking at Grand Duchess Anastasia.

Looking at me.

As if they wanted something from me.

I needed to respond to their expectations.

“If we lose here, that red plague will cover all of Russia.”

In truth, even if I lose, the civil war would continue for some time.

But I needed to heighten the sense of crisis here.

That if we lose here, we’ll become slaves to the Bolshevik regime.

“They will create their so-called paradise on earth that exists only in words, and there will be no freedom for you, no respect, nothing.”

They idolize the figure of the General Secretary, and are brainwashed and instigated to believe they can achieve anything under his leadership.

Of course, that might be right.

It might be good to reform under the General Secretary’s leadership and create a country for the workers.

But you know what?

The Russian Empire could have done that too.

If only Stolypin hadn’t died, there was enough potential.

We had the Duma (parliament), and workers would have been able to voice their opinions in the future.

That human butcher Stalin purged all his political opponents for his own power and weakened the military.

It’s no longer a country for workers, but a country with only one dictator where only authoritarianism exists.

Even though the Soviet Union collapsed and was reborn as the Russian Federation, the characteristics of the Soviet era didn’t disappear.

Just before the world I lived in collapsed, Russia’s leader was killing political opponents with tea, ruling as a dictator with a 140% approval rating, and then invaded Ukraine.

At the very least, I had to prevent such a situation.

“Therefore, we must fight. We will fight those barbaric people without principles and surely win. I will not abandon you.”

All the soldiers listened to my words.

Anyway, we have the Czechoslovak Legion, our best fighting force.

We’re not destined to fall so easily.

“I will stand before you. I will personally take responsibility for my father’s sins, who ruined the country, and take up arms! Believe in me, believe in yourselves. Let us win!”

At the declaration of Grand Duchess Anastasia, the Russian princess, a gleam appeared in the soldiers’ eyes.

There was no more trembling now.

Even the Czechoslovak Legion seemed moved by me as they quietly watched.

I don’t know how far my words will reach.

Perhaps among those guards, there are some who think it would be better to hand over the princess even now.

So I had to show my sincerity too.

A small girl, smaller than them, picks up a gun and steps forward.

Walking proudly, I peek out from the trench line and aim my Mosin-Nagant at the Bolsheviks.

“I will fight too!”

“Me too! I will fight too!”

“I was from the Imperial Army. I will follow the Grand Duchess!”

Now they were the proud army of the empire.

One by one, soldiers who had been watching each other filled the trench lines.

The red plague was coming like a sea.

The Czechoslovak Legion was checking the machine guns installed in the trenches.

Come on, you Reds.

I’ll kill every one of you as you come.

For my future, too.

# # #

Pyotr Krasnov.

He was elected as the ataman of the Don Cossacks and was the leader of the Don Republic established with German support.

He had even sent a letter directly to Wilhelm II and received recognition for the status of the Don Cossack Republic.

A letter arrived for him.

“A letter from Princess Anastasia.”

The content was simple.

Her father, mother, and siblings had been brutally killed by the Bolsheviks, and their bodies had been desecrated.

She simply could not coexist under the same sky with the Bolsheviks.

She would not stop fighting until she killed those bastards.

Join her and stand against the Bolsheviks.

That was roughly the content.

“Was Princess Anastasia this brave? No. Even for the Bolsheviks, executing the Tsar’s family without a trial…”

Seeing how they carelessly disposed of the bodies, they truly are people without principles.

It’s truly shameful that I pledged allegiance to such people, even if it was a lie.

But to join her? Isn’t that essentially saying she won’t recognize the Don Republic?

Or is it?

There’s something else written here.

-Whether it’s the Russian Empire, a democratic Russian Republic, a federation, or a united states, let’s decide after the war.

United states, huh.

Does that mean the Don Republic would be maintained as a member within the framework of Russia?

Of course, the Don Republic was established to oppose the Bolsheviks anyway.

Later, if the princess wins and the monarchy is restored, it’s fine to cooperate.

The fact that the princess made such a proposal means she at least recognizes our sphere of influence.

“She told the Duma that she just needs to deal with the Bolsheviks, and they can choose someone else as Tsar and decide whether it’s an absolute monarchy, constitutional monarchy, or republic. Let’s just catch those Reds first. Hmm.”

This is quite appealing.

“Seeing the Bolsheviks’ bodies hanging on crosses in Yekaterinburg, there must be some reason.”

Certainly, the forces opposing the Bolsheviks were too divided now.

Krasnov was even forced by Anton Denikin of South Russia to be properly incorporated into his forces, and later he would lose the ataman election and go into exile in Germany.

“Hmm, this letter probably wasn’t sent only to us.”

It probably went to other factions too.

“Who brought this letter?”

“The Czechoslovak Legion, sir.”

“Those guys wouldn’t have gone crazy and joined hands with the Bolsheviks. The princess is definitely legitimate. So they’ve sided with the princess.”

Well, the princess would have sufficient legitimacy.

Then wouldn’t it be better to side with her?

The princess has the Czechoslovak Legion under her command.

# # #

As Anastasia had expected, news of the execution of the Tsar’s family spread throughout Europe.

It was thanks to the efforts of Anton Denikin and the Bolsheviks who had been forgiven by Anastasia.

Much faster than in the original history, and much more grandly, the major powers engaged in the Great War were informed about what kind of unprincipled people the Soviet Union consisted of.

Despite being in the midst of the Great War, this incident was shocking to each country.

“The Tsar’s family was all slaughtered? Without a trial?”

“How could such a terrible thing happen!”

“I heard they burned the bodies and threw them away carelessly?”

“They ground the bones into powder and the Bolsheviks drank it in their tea!”

“God have mercy!”

Thanks to the news spreading faster than in the original history, and especially due to the testimony of the surviving princess about how the Tsar’s family died horribly, Europe was thrown into confusion even during the war.

Particularly, monarchies like Germany and the Austria-Hungary Empire, and the constitutional monarchy of Britain were turned upside down.

A barbaric act even worse than during the French Revolution.

Of course, it was undeniable that the Tsar’s family had ruined the country. But to not only execute them without trial but also cruelly dispose of their bodies.

There were also rumors that the stories were somewhat exaggerated.

But as it spread that there was one survivor, the princess, and that she had testified, it added credibility.

The Entente powers couldn’t just let this incident pass.

Especially the British Empire.

Unlike France, which had beheaded its king, or America, which never had a king to begin with, the British Empire clearly had a monarch, even though there was a parliament.

Although the monarch of the British Empire didn’t enjoy absolute power, his symbolic significance as the ruler of a colonial empire spanning five oceans was immeasurable.

In such a situation, the news that the Tsar’s family of the Russian Empire, which had been a rival in the Great Game, had died horribly was enough to make Britain raise a fuss.

“To think that Lenin would be this vicious!”

“Those Bolsheviks aren’t even worth dealing with!”

“Wait, what happens after we beat Germany?”

The Entente powers were pushing back Germany while fighting the Second Battle of the Marne.

Such a terrible thing happened just as they were starting to gain the upper hand in the war by pushing back Germany.

The Russian Civil War.

Yes, the civil war was fine, but to capture the Tsar’s family so easily? What happens if this is allowed once?

Based on this precedent, who knows what the anti-war forces might do.

Those barbaric Bolsheviks just parrot lies like it’s nothing. They were even abominable enough to withdraw from the war.

What if they instigate after the war?

Somehow, they should either drag out the Russian Civil War or support the princess who is sharpening her knife for revenge.

Although it’s uncertain how far that young princess can go.

“Is that important? They say they’re going to carry out a continuous revolution.”

Continuous revolution.

Information sent by individuals considered close to the princess (reformed Bolsheviks).

An arrogant and grand plan to start with Russia and then ignite revolutions in the weakened major powers after the war, coloring Europe with red flags.

“I think we should support the princess.”

“Is now the time to catch Germany?”

“Are you suggesting we let Germany live?”

“Looking at the current situation, it’s hard to tell how far that young princess will go.”

“But look at those Bolsheviks’ plan. They’re saying they’ll insert Reds into the major powers after the war to cause revolutions!”

“Mr. Gallipoli, please be quiet.”

“You little bastard!”

The war to end all wars. The Great War.

They had barely gained the upper hand thanks to American support, but there were too many casualties.

What would happen if Russia, ruled by those greedy and barbaric Bolsheviks, targeted a Europe exhausted after the war?

Of course, it’s in the realm of possibility.

One might say that the Bolsheviks, having lost many territories including Ukraine, Poland, Finland, and the Baltic states, and needing to stabilize internally, wouldn’t have the capacity for such actions.

But the frightening thing about the Bolsheviks isn’t just that.

Did the Bolsheviks overthrow the monarchy because of their military strength? Even though the last Tsar, Nicholas II, was incompetent, it was possible because they exploited the gaps and instigated.

Even the Bolsheviks can seize power!

If they don’t like something, they’ll behead the monarch to gain power!

Once a spark is ignited, no one knows where it will fly.

In fact, as the war dragged on, anti-war social forces within were beginning to grow.

What if they really rise up saying they can’t live like this?

As much as they hate to admit it, the British Empire could be shaken.

“How about making contact with Princess Anastasia first? Isn’t Princess Anastasia on the front line right now, more so than Kolchak?”

“Then when will we finish with Germany?”

“We need to catch Germany, but what if that red plague spreads in Germany after the war because people can’t live? Moreover, it’s geographically closer to Russia than we are, and didn’t they slaughter the innocent princes and princesses along with the Tsar?”

If communists run wild in a defeated post-war Germany, would the Kaiser’s family be safe?

They certainly wouldn’t fare well.

Then it would lead directly to Russian Revolution Season 2.

“We need to project as much capability as possible to Russia while suppressing Germany.”

“Do you think we’re in a position to do that? We’ve barely gained the upper hand thanks to America.”

“What about getting Japan to support?”

“Socialist forces are already growing domestically. For now, contact with the princess is the top priority, so let’s send someone.”

The Entente powers decided to send someone to the princess first.

Meanwhile, Kaiser Wilhelm II of the German Empire, the main axis of the Central Powers, was equally nervous.

“So Nicky died like that.”

Though they were the monarchs of the German Empire and the Russian Empire respectively, they were also bound by family ties.

Thus, the news of the execution of the Tsar’s family made Wilhelm’s spine chill.

According to the rumors, Nicholas II had his limbs torn apart, and in front of him, unable to do anything, the Empress was raped and killed by the Bolsheviks, Alexei was burned alive, and the princesses were also raped, stabbed to death with bayonets, and their bodies were desecrated.

It’s said that Nicholas II died shedding tears of blood.

Who would have thought that Lenin, whom he sent to Russia, would do such a thing.

Regardless of anything else, with the war looking bleak, Wilhelm was consumed by the thought that the Hohenzollern dynasty could meet the same fate.

If he were to die like that due to the responsibility for losing the war, along with the Empress, and if his beloved daughter Louise were to suffer such unspeakable acts?

Ernst August III of the House of Hanover, who had already married Louise, was already a despicable man, but such a terrible future was undesirable.

‘Is now the time to be at war?’