I Became the Last Princess of the Brown Bear Kingdom

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Did the Entente Victors really take care of Russia this much?

Or perhaps there are Communists rooting themselves within?

That makes sense. Every country has its Reds after all.

To root them out, their leader, the Soviet Union, must fall.

This has drawn in great powers, both small and large.

The tales of royal intervention must have been a refreshing rain for the Communists, instilling a sense of ambition that they too can achieve something.

Yeah, well.

It’s better to recover the land lost through the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk through trade rather than being ambushed by Nationalist guerrillas.

If I do plan to advance into the Baltics or Ukraine, there might be an opportunity later.

On the contrary, being acknowledged by the Entente Victors for Northern Manchuria and Mongolia is not a bad deal.

In the end, this is a win-win for both parties.

Well then.

This should remain as a secret arrangement.

There’s no benefit to sharing it with the public.

“Today’s matter should be kept confidential. Do you understand? The Reds have already made enough noise due to the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk.”

“Is there any doubt?”

With this, Manchuria and Mongolia have been recognized.

The United States and France have also tentatively acknowledged it.

It’s amusing that those who are the most distant from that region are the ones debating its legitimacy.

What can you do? The international community operates on the logic of power. If the mighty British Empire demands recognition, there’s little we can do about it.

The real problem lies with Japan, which is closer to Manchuria.

“Northern Manchuria seems to be a bit of an issue with Japan. What do you think will happen?”

“Well, Japan has pocketed some hefty reparations; what can they do? Even if they don’t formally acknowledge it, Japan will silently acquiesce.”

If you think about it, I’ve spent more time living in Korea than as a princess without a proper background.

If there’s nothing, I suppose we can just develop the current basic Russian framework.

On the other hand, Britain will likely struggle quite a bit in Ukraine.

It’s not just Russia enduring ideological conflicts without a foundation.

There are also anarchists and Reds in Ukraine, and the British Army will probably have a hard time.

Still.

This guy is getting on my nerves.

With how smoothly you rolled things in Gallipoli, what gives you the right to be all high and mighty?

Yeah, well. At the very least, I should tease him a bit.

“I see. Mr. Gallipoli.”

“Excuse me?”

“The British and French forces training our tanks referred to you as Mr. Gallipoli. I assumed you held such a title. Didn’t you achieve a great victory there or something?”

He tilted his head with a naive expression, pretending to know nothing.

“W-well, it’s not like that. I can’t go into detail, but it’s definitely not that.”

This bald-headed jerk. He can’t treat a princess carelessly, but I can see his face turning red.

He’s angry, yet it’s frustrating because he’s dealing with a princess who knows nothing.

At times like this, I should really act like I know nothing. Praise Churchill.

You are the hero who crushed the Ottoman Turks at Gallipoli!

I ought to provide at least this little amusement.

“Don’t feel shy. While I’m struggling to make ends meet, you must be incredibly admirable for receiving that title after annihilating the Ottoman army at Gallipoli. I envy you a lot.”

“Cough. Well then, I’ll see you again later.”

And with that, Mr. Gallipoli took his leave.

And then.

“The Baron Beria seems to be quite dissatisfied.”

Baron Beria, Pyotr Wrangel, didn’t seem pleased.

What can I do? It’s an era of those with power.

“It’s just unfortunate that we have to accept this humiliation.”

“There’s no other choice. If I want to squash those Bolsheviks right away, help from the great powers is essential.”

If he doesn’t accept, they might cut off support, and the British may use Poland and Germany as a bulwark against the Red plague.

We are the ones at a loss; there’s nothing we can do about it.

Of course, the British will be in trouble too.

“Still, for the vast Russian territory to be so easily given up…”

As for the Russian territory, it’s already difficult enough to subdue those trying to gain independence with just the strength of Russia alone.

“But on the bright side, we’ve gained Mongolia and Northern Manchuria.”

“But those territories are useless compared to the land we’ve lost, aren’t they?”

That’s true.

Even if Mongolia and Northern Manchuria have resources, considering they were separated by the treaty with Germany…

“Probably, Britain won’t last long either.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“There’s no need for them to provide military aid to us. They could easily use various excuses to eat up the Soviets, yet they’ve chosen not to. Why is that?”

“Everyone’s just tired.”

“Yeah. And those Reds won’t miss their chance. Once branded as Satan worldwide, they’ll have to turn their eyes outward to maintain internal control.”

Right now, the Soviet Union is cornered and isolated.

On the inside, ‘it was the Soviet Union’ — even Lenin must be feeling quite lost about what to do now.

If things continue as is, the people may even come for Lenin’s head.

It’s entirely in the realm of possibility.

But at the very least, it’s a country that has already fallen once due to revolution.

Just because it’s Lenin doesn’t mean he’s immune from the fate of the Romanovs.

“Well then, let’s show them that inciting unrest isn’t their exclusive monopoly. The Soviets acted as traitors by handing over all their land to Germany through the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, while we’ve secured recognition for Northern Manchuria and Mongolia from the British Empire.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

This rumor must be spread before the Bolsheviks unleash their Red Army.

Moreover, Northern Manchuria carries a special significance.

During the Russo-Japanese War, Russia’s influence in Northern Manchuria was significantly diminished.

How shocking it was to be pillaged by a primitive island nation in the Far East.

Although we may not have been officially recognized for revisiting war with Japan, at least the acknowledgment of Northern Manchuria should bring joy to the Russians still within the Soviet Union.

It would be nonsensical for them to try to regain the lands they sold off through the treaty while wasting their drafted troops.

That’s the reality the Soviets find themselves in right now.

To be acknowledged solely through diplomacy holds a different meaning.

Of course, we must eliminate the warlord factions in Manchuria, but I can leave that to Semenov and Ungern, who will likely become the vice-governors of Mongolia.

For sure, Zhang Zuolin or Zhang Xueliang will try to reclaim Northern Manchuria.

But they’ll figure it out.

After all, for the British Empire to recognize Northern Manchuria means that they’re essentially saying to the Chinese warlords, “That’s Russian territory. Touch it, and you’ll be in big trouble.”

In this fragmented China of warlords, not unified, I doubt they’ll care much about Manchuria, so it shouldn’t be too difficult.

Now then, I should let the Okhrana loose to incite some unrest.

“I heard the princess negotiated with the British to have Mongolia and Northern Manchuria recognized as our territory.”

“They say the ruler of Mongolia has offered his crown to our princess!”

“True! Those Bolsheviks selling out the land were indeed traitors!”

“Realistically, what are those Satanists even doing right now? Ah, I know—oppressing the church and stuffing the ranks of their army!”

“The place where our princess resides is Yekaterinburg! Our princess will follow in the footsteps of Empress Catherine the Great!”

The response from the subjects was explosive.

I don’t know when the rumor that Mongolia passed the title of Great Khan to me spread, but it was certainly contributing to my rise.

There’s even talk that the city I inhabit is Yekaterinburg, and that I’ve succeeded Empress Catherine II of the former Russian Empire.

It’s ironic, considering Yekaterinburg is named after Catherine I. However, I have no intention of denying that.

Accepting it could even lead to making a fool of Lenin.

Lenin might even be gnashing his teeth and wishing to commit suicide right about now.

The White Army now has a degree of freedom.

Recently, resistance has surged under the Bolshevik regime, favorably handing over large and small cities to our side.

It seems the rumor that the Soviets are traitors hit them pretty hard.

Yeah, now Lenin doesn’t have many options left.

He can either slowly crumble or win against us in a life-or-death struggle for Russia.

Even so, if he were to win, it would simply translate to becoming a bloated North Korea.

“Baron Beria.”

I called for Baron Beria, Pyotr Wrangel.

We need to proceed slowly westward.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Please lead the White Army from Southern Russia, the different factions from Siberia, and the Cossack regiments, and advance towards Moscow slowly.”

“Is it finally time?”

I shook my head.

We’ll just be marching towards Moscow.

The all-out assault on Moscow can wait until we see the Soviets wobble.

In this situation, conscription to gather together an army of five million as in the original history would surely cause the Soviet sandcastle to collapse.

“We won’t be attacking Moscow just yet. Let’s shake them up a little longer.”

“Yes.”

Even so, we are sending the troops.

It’s time for us to start the attack.

“Time is now on our side.”

Stepping on the sickle and hammer of the double-headed eagle.

The double-headed eagle shall rise once again.