ALL NOVEL Chapter 7
* * *
Everyone of all ages, the defenders in Yekaterinburg, was looking at Princess Anastasia.
It felt like they wanted something from me.
I had to respond to that desire.
“If we lose here, that red plague will engulf all of Russia.”
In truth, even if I lose, the civil war will continue for a while.
But at least we need to heighten the sense of crisis here.
If we lose here, we will become slaves to that Bolshevik regime.
“They will create a so-called paradise for themselves, and there will be no freedom or respect for you.”
They idolize the General Secretary, believing they can achieve anything under his leadership. They have been incited and brainwashed like that.
Of course, that might be right.
Reforming under the General Secretary’s leadership and building a country for the workers could be good.
But you know, the Russian Empire could do that too.
If Stolypin hadn’t died, there would have been plenty of possibilities.
We had the Duma (parliament) and soon the workers would be able to raise their voices.
That bastard Stalin, the butcher, purged all his political rivals for his own power and weakened the army.
It became a country where there is only a single dictator rather than a country of laborers.
The Soviet Union fell apart and was reborn as the Russian Federation, but the characteristics of the Soviet era didn’t go anywhere.
Before the world I lived in crumbled, even the leaders of Russia killed their rivals with black tea and ruled with a 140% approval rating, invading Ukraine.
I had to prevent such a situation at all costs.
“So we must fight. We will surely win against those barbaric bastards! I will not abandon you!”
All the soldiers listened attentively to my words.
We also have the best power, the Czechoslovak Legion.
We are not destined to fall so easily.
“I will stand before you. I will take the responsibility for the sins of my father, who ruined this country! Trust me, and believe in yourselves. Let us achieve victory!”
In the declaration of Princess Anastasia, the Russian princess, a sparkle appeared in the soldiers’ eyes.
There was no more trembling among them.
Even the Czechoslovak Legion quietly watched me, as if influenced.
I wasn’t sure how far my words would resonate.
Perhaps among the defenders, some might think it’s better to hand over the princess right now.
So I had to show my sincerity as well.
A girl smaller than them stepped forward with a gun.
She confidently walked out and aimed at the Bolsheviks across the trench line.
“I will fight too!”
“Me too! I will fight!”
“I was in the imperial army. I will follow the princess!”
Now they were the proud army of the empire.
One by one, soldiers who had been cautious began to fill the trench lines.
The red plague was coming like a tidal wave.
The Czechoslovak Legion was also checking their machine guns set up in the trench line.
Come on, Reds.
I’ll kill every last one of you that comes.
For my future.
* * *
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 to Kaiser Wilhelm II, requesting recognition for the position of the Don Cossack Republic.
Then, a letter arrived for him.
“A letter from Princess Anastasia.”
The content was simple.
Her father, mother, and siblings were brutally killed by the Bolsheviks, and their bodies were even desecrated.
She could not possibly be with the Bolsheviks under the same sky.
She would not stop fighting until those bastards were dead.
Join her to fight against the Bolsheviks.
That was the gist of it.
“Princess Anastasia was this brave? No, wait. No matter how Bolsheviks they are, executing the Tsar’s family without trial is ridiculous.”
Seeing even their bodies treated carelessly proves they are truly mindless bastards.
It’s a disgrace to have pledged loyalty to such scum, even if only an empty promise.
But asking to join is practically saying the Don Republic won’t be recognized.
Isn’t that right?
Looking closer, there were some other words written.
– Whether it’s the imperial Russian Empire, the democratic Russian Republic, or a federation or a republic, let’s decide after the war.
A republic, huh?
That means the Don Republic could survive as a part within the boundaries of Russia.
Of course, the Don Republic was established to oppose the Bolsheviks anyway.
Whether the princess succeeded and restored the monarchy or cooperated, it wouldn’t matter.
The mere fact that she made such an offer signifies at least some acknowledgment of territory.
“Tell the Duma that they can deal with only the Bolsheviks, appoint someone other than me as Tsar, and establish an absolute monarchy, constitutional monarchy, or republic as they wish. First, let’s just catch those Reds.”
Hmm, this is rather tempting.
“If they’ve hung the Bolshevik corpses on a cross in Yekaterinburg, there must be some reason for that.”
Indeed, the forces opposing the Bolsheviks were far too divided right now.
Krasnov had already been forced by Anton Denikin from Southern Russia to properly incorporate into his command, and later, he would lose the ataman election and be exiled to Germany.
“Hm, this letter isn’t just for us.”
It likely went to other factions as well,
“Who brought this?”
“It’s from the Czechoslovak Legion.”
“There’s no way they crazy enough to join hands with the Bolsheviks. The princess is certainly reliable. That means they’ve sided with the princess.”
Well, if it’s the princess, she must have enough legitimacy.
Then wouldn’t that be better?
The Czechoslovak Legion is under the princess’s command.
* * *
As Anastasia had anticipated, news of the execution of the Tsar’s family spread throughout Europe.
Thanks to the active efforts of the Bolsheviks, who had been forgiven by Anton Denikin and Anastasia,
Much faster than in original history, the reality of how fundamentally flawed the Soviet Union was became widely known among the great powers embroiled in the Great War.
Even though it was during a great war, this incident shocked everyone.
“The Tsar’s family was all slaughtered? Without trial?”
“How could such a horrific thing happen!”
“They say their bodies were burned and thrown carelessly?”
“They even ground the bones and drank them in their cars!”
“Oh my God!”
With the survivor being just one princess and her testimony spreading like wildfire, Europe fell into disarray even during the war.
Especially the monarchies of Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, along with the constitutional monarchy of Britain, were thrown into chaos.
A more barbaric act compared to the French Revolution.
Of course, it cannot be denied that the Tsar’s family had ruined the country. But nonetheless, beyond just execution without trial, to cruelly dispose of their bodies…
There were some speculations that the rumors might be exaggerated.
Yet, with the princess’s single testimony, it added credibility to the claims.
The negotiating countries couldn’t simply overlook this incident.
Especially, Britain was deeply affected.
Unlike France, which had executed its king, or the U.S., which had no king from the start, Britain had a clear monarch, even if their power wasn’t absolute.
Even though the monarch of the British Empire had no absolute power, the symbolism of being the monarch of a colonial empire spanning the oceans was immeasurable.
In such a situation, hearing the news of the brutal slaughter of the Tsar’s family, the rivals of the Great Game, the Russian Empire, was enough to make Britain panic.
“Lenin is that cruel?”
“Those bastards called Bolsheviks are worthless!”
“Wait a minute, what happens after Germany is beaten?”
They were pushing Germany hard in the Second Battle of the Marne, striving for victory.
Such a severe incident occurred at the time they were gaining the upper hand in the war.
The Russian Civil War.
Yes, a civil war is fine, but how could they capture the Tsar’s family so easily? If this is allowed, what will happen?
Based on this precedent, the anti-war faction could do anything.
That barbaric Bolshevik continues to spew lies like a parrot. They were even those who had faltered and abandoned the war.
What if they incite the people after the war?
They might drag out the Russian Civil War or support the princess who is sharpening her knife for revenge. It might be right to back the princess.
I didn’t know how far that young princess would go, but…
“Is that really important? Isn’t she claiming to proceed with a continuous revolution?”
A continuous revolution.
Information sent from the figures around the princess (rehabilitated Bolsheviks).
An arrogant and grand plan to start with Russia, instigating revolution in the weakened great powers after the war and drenching Europe in red flags.
“I think we should support the princess.”
“Are we in a position to subdue Germany right now?”
“Are you suggesting we spare Germany?”
“Looking at the current situation, that young princess might go further than we think.”
“But look at the Bolsheviks’ plans. They’re saying they’ll push the Reds into the major powers after the war to start revolutions!”
“Mr. Gallipoli, please be quiet.”
“You little brat!”
The war to end everything. The Great War.
Thanks to American support, they barely managed to gain an advantage, but too many casualties occurred.
What if those greedy and barbaric Bolsheviks, who seized power in Russia, took advantage of war-weary Europe after the fighting ended?
Of course, that is a realm of possibility.
Though one might argue that the Bolsheviks lack the resources to do so after losing lands like Ukraine, Poland, Finland, and the Baltic States,
The real fear of the Bolsheviks doesn’t stop there.
The Bolsheviks didn’t topple the monarchy with a strong military! The last Tsar, Nicholas II, was an idiot—but the Bolsheviks stirred up discontent and seized their chance.
They can also seize power through the head of a king!
If they don’t like it, they’ll take it by overthrowing the monarchy!
No one knows where the embers of rebellion that have been lit will fly.
In reality, as the war prolonged, the anti-war sentiments among societal elements within Russia began to rise.
What if they truly rise against the injustices they endure?
Reluctantly, this could cause the British Empire to waver.
“First, how about contacting Princess Anastasia? Isn’t she the one currently at the front line rather than Kolchak?”
“When are we going to deal with Germany then?”
“We must take on Germany, but if they stir trouble again after the war and the red plague breaks out, what then? Not to mention, they are geographically closer to Russia and have slaughtered innocent princes and princesses, including the Tsar!”
When the defeated Germany rises, will the Kaiser’s family be safe?
They’ll certainly bear the brunt of the hatred.
Then it could lead to a Russian Revolution Season 2.
“We need to press Germany while projecting whatever force we can towards Russia.”
“Do you think we can manage that right now? We barely gained an advantage thanks to the U.S.”
“What about getting Japan to lend support?”
“There are already rising socialist elements in the country. First, we must prioritize contacting the princess and send someone.”
The negotiating powers decided to send someone to the princess first.
Meanwhile, the Kaiser Wilhelm II of the German Empire, the mainstay of the alliance, was equally anxious.
“Is it true that Niki has died like that?”
They were each monarchs of the German and Russian empires, but also bound by their familial kinship.
Thus, the news of the execution of the Tsar’s family sent chills down Wilhelm’s spine.
According to the reports, Nicholas II was torn apart while helpless, his empress raped and killed by the Bolsheviks, Alexei burned alive, and the princesses also raped and executed.
Nicholas II supposedly died with blood tears in his eyes.
Could Lenin really have committed such acts?
One couldn’t help but wonder—if the Hohenzollern family were to befall the same fate, given the gloomy prospects of war?
What if he, who was also responsible for the war’s losses, died like that, and of his daughter Louise met a similar gruesome fate?
Ernst August III of Hanover, who was already miserable from marrying Louise, would also not escape judgment. Such a horrifying future was something he wished to avoid at all costs.
‘Is this really the time for war?’