I Became the Last Princess of the Brown Bear Kingdom

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What made that guy think of me whenever he sees Princess Luise?

What does that Wilhelm intend to do?

Yeah. I have to clutch at straws right now.

Even the Bolsheviks aren’t complete idiots; they’ll be trying to make something like tanks somehow or another.

But first, I need to prepare for a fight.

I turned my gaze toward Kolchak.

Kolchak is currently a key figure in the Duma and the commander of the Siberian White Army, handling Asian diplomacy.

Why is a soldier dealing with diplomacy, you ask?

Because there are no people. Seriously. They could rightfully question how I am leading the country at this moment.

We can only recruit more people after the civil war ends.

Anyway…

“How’s the situation over in China?”

They must be trembling after losing Mongolia and Northern Manchuria.

I do feel a bit wronged about that.

Well, Northern Manchuria is negotiable, but Mongolia was suddenly conquered by Ungern and then reported afterward.

Of course, China wouldn’t dare take it back now.

Even after conquering Mongolia, it was the Chinese troops that were robbed by Ungern’s Asian Cavalry Division.

“I filed a complaint, but what can they do? They’ve kept their mouths shut.”

“That’s a relief.”

Right. It’s not like China’s complaining will accomplish anything.

Unless it’s a lawless wasteland, it wouldn’t make sense for the White Russians, supported by the great powers, to grab Mongolia and Northern Manchuria in advance.

Right now, China can’t afford to take us on either.

With Japan chilling on the sidelines, what can China do?

And what about the failure of the revolutionary idol, Lenin, and his follower, Trotsky?

As I read through the incoming reports…

My appearance sure twisted history.

Originally, there were many provisional governments among the White Army.

The Siberian Provisional Committee, the West Siberian Provisional Committee, the Komuch, the Ural Provisional Government, and the Idel-Ural State. Among them, the Ural Provisional Government arose around Yekaterinburg.

I’m basically standing in for all of those now.

The rest remain invisible.

After all, no matter how much they ruin the Empire, how many factions have a justification as clear as the surviving Romanov princess?

In actual history, there were struggles for power, but they certainly won’t underestimate anyone.

Next up is Ukraine.

“Are there suspicious movements in Ukraine?”

I hear enemy troops are increasing near the Ukrainian border.

Soon, Ukraine will become the sacrifice of our idol, Lenin.

“Yes. A bloody storm seems imminent.”

“How’s the internal situation in Ukraine?”

The internal situation in Ukraine is crucial.

Anyway, if Ukraine falls to the Soviets, we’ll be in danger.

“It seems the Hetman Pavlo Skoropadskyi, elected by honorary otamans, was almost ousted by the anti-Skoropadskyi faction led by Symon Petliura’s army, but he’s barely maintained power with the help of the British Army.”

What a name.

This is why I like Korea. A name like Kim Cheol-soo, just three syllables, is perfect.

“So it has gone from a German puppet state to a British puppet state.”

Our Britain even interferes in Ukraine now.

Aren’t they being a bit too greedy?

Yeah. To summarize, that place is also a complete mess.

“Yes. We need to take action.”

“Tell General Anton Denikin to be on guard. If possible, it’d be good to expand our influence gradually, and if necessary, we might have to intervene as well.”

It’s not good for the Soviets to consume Ukraine.

If we can’t have it, neither should the Soviets.

Something will happen soon, that’s for sure.

Even if they say they are barely holding on, the Bolsheviks have drawn an army of five million just from the civil war.

They won’t muster that many troops, but with a strategy of attrition, they might as well target Ukraine.

Perhaps Britain might request our aid, and if Ukraine falls, the southern Russia region will be exposed.

Then, will the next battlefield be Ukraine?

“And this is a rifle made at the armory established in Yekaterinburg.”

Suddenly, a gun was placed on the desk.

The person who put it there was Pyotrov.

“Oh. This is…”

“It’s been modified with cooling kits to resolve the previous overheating issues. It will soon be mass-produced at the factory established by the Germans.”

So, why is it the Germans again?

I don’t think they would pose a threat to us, but it feels like they definitely have some ulterior motives.

I just can’t figure out what it is.

Wait a minute, could it be…

I’ve heard they begged the British for peace.

Wasn’t it called ‘ceasefire negotiations’?

The British said it was a ceasefire, but in reality, they declared the surrender of their allied nations, while the Germans only mention a truce.

Could these bastards be thinking…

Extracting massive supplies from Russia and then gradually moving them to Germany for their own use?

If while the British are caught off guard, they intend to poke a spear into Paris, France?

This is just a facade to buy time while they support us.

“No way. Surely, they wouldn’t pull something that crazy.”

“Yes?”

“No, never mind.”

For now, I don’t know much about this newly created automatic rifle, but seeing Pyotrov’s confidence, it seems reliable enough.

At least it’s definitely better than that clunky Mosin-Nagant.

“So, you’re saying this will be produced in bulk?”

“Yes. It’s possible. The Germans are cooperating actively.”

Isn’t Germany also being suspicious?

This sounds like they intend to relocate their entire military factory to Russia and exploit it. If Germany really makes a spear…

What kind of impact will that have on Russia?

We need to end the civil war first, though.

When is the right timing for that?

At the very least, it must happen while the Czech Legion is still around. So, the focus remains on Ukraine.

“Right now, we can arm the White Army at the border with whatever is being produced. So, I’ll ask the armory to continue weapon development.”

“Yes.”

After Pyotrov left, I went to find Mikhail Drozdovsky.

This is someone I definitely need to talk to.

Currently, we’re receiving German support, and Mikhail Drozdovsky is in charge of the tanks.

“Chief of Staff.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Please speak.”

“The movements regarding Germany seem suspicious.”

“What seems suspicious to you?”

“Isn’t it that the Germans are helping us more than necessary? We were once enemies, after all.”

Could it be that there’s no military restrictions as in the actual historical Treaty of Versailles?

If that’s the case, the Anglo-Americans might be planning to use Germany as a bulwark to stop the Red Plague.

It would make more sense to support Germany than tiny newborn states like the Baltics or Poland, who can’t maintain internal control, and even ineffective Ukraine.

With Germany also acknowledging naval supremacy and having given up its colonies, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, only managing to serve a small role as an ally, they would have judged there’s no nation willing to aid Germany.

Still, it’s suspicious, so I want to hear Drozdovsky’s insights.

“Many a time, today’s enemy becomes tomorrow’s friend. It is indeed a curious situation, but as I understand it, they help us as a condition of negotiations with Britain.”

Yeah, usually, that’s the case.

Unless the Bolsheviks really are complete monsters who are helping us to kill them, but even that has its limits.

Isn’t this a bit too generous?

“What if they’re trying to deceive the attention of the British and French and plan to gather strength in our territory to strike France again?”

Even if Germany has the capacity for that, it still doesn’t seem that likely.

Doesn’t it seem like a real possibility?

“There’s a chance, but I doubt they’d go that route. They’re in a situation where they need to pay reparations.”

“Like, if they start printing money recklessly?”

There’s a saying that the Weimar Republic once printed money so freely it became one of the causes of the Great Depression.

“Even if Germany had such plans, we’re in the midst of a civil war. We can’t interfere.”

That’s true.

“Yeah.”

But you know, I kind of want to test that. I have thoughts like that.

If it’s not just for later repayment but rather a free contribution to genuinely help us, that’d be great.

What I mean is, I want to take all of that away without hesitation.

If there’s even a slightest chance that Germany harbors evil intentions to stab France with a spear, then there’s no way we can afford a war, right? We can seize everything and keep it for ourselves.

Germany needs to be watched, but the White Army is ramping up weapon production anyway, so unlike actual history, we won’t be outdone by the resurgent Bolsheviks.

So will Germany be held off?

Our dear Wilhelm is struggling to maintain the imperial title, which holds new meaning.

Eventually, the Weimar Republic was established due to the November Revolution, but the Treaty of Versailles has simply turned into a peace agreement, and as such, the German Empire has been sustained through the year.

Then, would our mustached student have a tough time taking over Germany?

Screw it.

My house is on fire; why should I care about someone else’s problems?

“Well, forget about the German issue for now. The colonies under Bolshevik control becoming discontented is a good sign.”

“Yes, even just in terms of the quality of our troops, we have the upper hand. The Bolsheviks are rebuilding their army, but it doesn’t seem easy for them.”

There’s a significant disparity in power compared to actual history.

The military reforms are still sluggish, and all the officers from the imperial era are flocking to the White Army.

The officers who joined the Red Army were mostly opportunists anyway.

Since they likely sensed there was no future in the Soviet government, it would make sense for them to judge that alliance is hopeless. Consequently, the army rebuilding is being delayed further.

The time is drawing near.

“We’re slowly approaching the right moment. As they strengthen their army, more people supporting the Soviets will start to shift our way.”

For every enemy they lose, we grow stronger.

Ultimately, they will fail.

“I understand.”

“General Gaida. Has the Basmachi movement improved at all?”

The Basmachi movement.

A rebellion by Turkic peoples in Central Asia against the Russian Empire and the Soviets.

It began as a violent incident triggered by Russia’s conscription of Muslims during World War I in 1916.

After the October Revolution, this incident expanded throughout Turkistan, evolving into an armed uprising centered around the Fergana Valley.

Even though guerrilla warfare raged on for years, ultimately, it would all come to an end once the Red Army won the Civil War, completing the Sovietization of Central Asia.

Of course, that’s the narrative in actual history.

In this world, they were rampaging through Central Asia, which falls under the domain of White Russia.

I put Gaida in charge of this issue.

He’s to handle all these matters until I head to Czechia.

“Yes, by Your Highness’s orders, we’ve ensured that Turkic representatives can appear in the Duma, and we’ve agreed to cooperate within reason.”

“This time, instead of conscription, we’ll employ those Muslims properly, so ask if they have any intention of assisting in the civil war.”

“What if they refuse?”

If they refuse…

Hmm, I don’t see them accepting it in the first place.

This is a reaction from an explosion of anti-Russian sentiment; why would they accept mercenaries?

They’ll probably say something about being deceived.

What will we do then? Just leave them alone.

There’s no reason to wear myself out with a guerrilla war behind Bolsheviks.

“Then let it be. There’s no need to stir up unnecessary trouble.”

“Yes.”

Guerrillas are already difficult enough to deal with.

Especially if they are Muslims, that makes it even more complicated.

If it doesn’t work out, mediating them might be the best we can do.