I Became the Last Princess of the Brown Bear Kingdom

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The Reds’ idol, Lenin, and Trotsky have lost their minds.

They say that during the imperial era, they would hold generals and officers’ families hostage or threaten their lives to win them over.

Now, all the officers from the imperial era who have switched sides are echoing this sentiment.

It’s not surprising, as it aligns with actual history.

Those Reds, lacking commanders for their army, resorted to hostage-taking of generals’ families from the imperial days, coercing them into service for the Red Army.

They even kept watch over them.

Is this really a paradise on earth for the Reds?

Still, it’s a good thing.

Unlike actual history, Anastasia has survived and become a focal point, and soldiers persecuted under the Reds during the imperial era are coming over to our side.

That was the situation in actual history, and now the royal family has become the focal point for the White Army in this civil war, which is shrouded in uncertainty.

As expected, the Reds are fundamentally untrustworthy. Tsk, tsk.

Given the current state of affairs, isn’t it possible that one day the Red regimes in Eastern Europe will go through a wave of democracy?

And then.

In the Dauria region, which is in Manchuria, Roman von Ungern-Sternberg, who was rallying White Army forces, sent a letter.

The contents were simple.

He was praising my elevation to Tsarina and urging the need to take down the Bolsheviks. He proclaimed, “A true Tsar! A true Catherine of the Russian Empire!”

Indeed, he is a believer in the divine right of kings.

“Is this guy even thinking straight?”

Sending a letter like this—if it gets around, the anti-Romanov forces united with the Bolsheviks will foam at the mouth and bail.

I should probably reply.

But who knows what this man will do with the changes in history? It would be prudent to send a response anyway.

After all, if I flatly reject becoming Tsarina, who knows what he might attempt? Public sentiment regarding the Tsar isn’t great, so I’ll defer my decision until the White Army achieves victory. That should suffice.

“For a while, the Reds shouldn’t stir up trouble.”

We’ve regained Tsaritsyn and secured Southern Russia.

The Bolsheviks are currently bogged down with their Red Army reforms. I even hear reports that anti-Bolshevik leftists are striking.

Of course, the White Army is also dealing with armed Bolsheviks in the occupied territories while attempting to win them over at the same time.

For a while, both sides will likely focus on internal issues.

With our momentum now, we have our work cut out for us.

Though I’ve become a focal point, various factions still exist here.

Royalist warlord factions, Bolsheviks comprised mainly of peasants joining for reforms, and other such groups.

“I hereby declare our White Army, which is engaging the enemy, the official army of the new Russia.”

“Is the new Russia to be an empire? What about ideology?”

Representatives of the green faction that joined us inquired.

Unlike the historical precedent where the greens supported the Bolsheviks, they’ve decided to ally with us, who are implementing real policies for the peasants instead of vacillating like the Bolsheviks.

“The end of this civil war will reveal the truth, but it’s likely that the newly reborn Russia will be a modified capitalist state.”

“Modified capitalism?”

Originally that term was first used in Japan.

But who’s to say I can’t use it?

“It can be seen as an ideology that corrects the downsides of capitalism while supporting government intervention in the market economy and the expansion of social welfare. Yes, we could consider it a mix of only the advantages of socialism to soften the flaws of capitalism. I believe everyone here, being for the country, won’t rebel against this.”

“But wouldn’t that mean we learned from them?”

“One typically swallows the sweet parts and spits out the bitter ones. Just suck the honey. This country, Russia, spans East and West, with overflowing population and resources. We have to do this to leverage those advantages.”

“Your Highness mentioned planning to go into exile to another country after this civil war. If it’s you, maybe it’s different, but wouldn’t others betray the promise leading to disarray?”

Hmm, that could be the case.

If ideological conflicts persist, the monarchist warlords might rise up.

“Then I should claim a position in the Duma.”

“That alone wouldn’t suffice.”

“Then you must ascend to Tsarina.”

“Rather, it would be better for you to become Tsarina through the Duma for assurances.”

Kolchak is asserting through the Duma that he should become Tsarina.

It looks like Pyotr Wrangel would also prefer me taking the position of Tsarina.

In the end, is Tsarina the way out?

The greens seem to be grimacing but aren’t outright opposing it.

“Whether I become Tsarina or take a seat in the Duma to voice my concerns, that’ll come later. Establishing a government is the priority. A country without a government isn’t a country at all. For now, let’s call it the provisional government of new Russia. How does that sound? It means the provisional government of the new Russia.”

“New Russia.”

“That doesn’t sound bad.”

“Then let’s fine-tune the country for a while.”

This country will likely take decades to reform.

We should press on with existing reforms and work towards consolidating the military too.

Preparation needs to start now.

* * *

China-Russia border, Middle East Railway

The Middle East Railway was a Russian concession within China.

Currently, it was managed by General Dmitry Horvat of the White Army, but there was another White Army leader based there.

Roman von Ungern-Sternberg.

He received a letter from Yekaterinburg.

Initially, he screamed.

Of course, receiving a reply indicating he couldn’t be Tsarina would be shocking for someone like Ungern, a believer in the divine right of kings who had risen up for imperial restoration.

He couldn’t accept this grievous reality, so he met with his confidant, Grigori Semenov.

“The Tsarina has refused the imperial restoration.”

“That would be the case. I hear there are socialists around her. She must be watching her step.”

Indeed. It makes sense.

The White Army is a united force solely focused on taking down the Bolsheviks.

If the princess suddenly declares her intention to become Tsarina, the socialists would foam at the mouth and leave to join the Bolsheviks.

“Damn filthy Reds.”

Someday, I must crack those heads open.

“Hmm. What should we do?”

“Then doesn’t it mean we have to strive for something?”

“What do you mean?”

Upon hearing Ungern’s query, Semenov grinned wickedly as if he had been waiting.

“It signifies rebuilding the empire of Genghis Khan. Offering the Great Khan’s throne to Princess Anastasia.”

Semenov clenched his hands tightly.

As in actual history, Semenov was a lunatic.

This madman, who sought to rebuild Genghis Khan’s empire with Japanese help, was being hindered by Anastasia in this timeline from getting such aid, yet he still dreamed of that empire.

A position that encompasses both East and West.

Isn’t that a fitting place for Tsarina Anastasia, who will smash the Reds and eradicate the red plague, restoring European Russia!

“What does that mean?”

It’s not a position of Tsar, but of the Great Khan.

“The socialists opposing her are ultimately against the Tsar, right? What if the Tsar is merely a Great Khan? The Bolsheviks, those rebel elements, are currently well entrenched in the Moscow area, but nonetheless, isn’t the territory of Russia not inferior to the former Mongol Empire?”

“Hmm.”

True, imperial restoration is crucial. It doesn’t matter whether the title of the monarch is Tsar, Kaiser, or Great Khan.

Suddenly, such a theory seems to hold merit.

Truthfully, Ungern couldn’t completely agree with Semenov’s ridiculous idea.

“The Greater Russia is both an heir to Rome and a successor to the Mongol Empire territorially. In the past, during the Mongol Empire, Russia was a vassal of that empire. Now we should elevate the princess to the position of Great Khan and resurrect the Mongol Empire.”

It doesn’t seem entirely wrong theoretically.

But the Empire of Genghis Khan? Does that even make sense now?

However.

Ungern found some twisted logic in this madman’s words.

If those damned socialists oppose the Tsardom, the royal family becomes something else entirely.

Then, can’t we just set the Tsar aside for the position of Great Khan?

“Are you suggesting that the princess also assume the title of the Great Khan of the Mongol Empire?”

“That’s right. It’s about going back to our roots, the beginning of the Russian-Skithian Empire!”

This certainly looks like a colossal miscalculation.

Yeah, there’s a saying: “Better a chicken than no bird at all.”

“In that case, like how Russia claims to be the Third Rome and asserts its rights over Constantinople, to secure legitimacy, we must take the Mongolian steppes, so mobilize the Asian Cavalry Division and march into Mongolia.”

At this time, Outer Mongolia had declared independence from the Republic of China, and was under the rule of Bogd Khan, a monarchy.

Currently, Semenov was proposing to topple that Great Khanate and bestow the throne of the Great Khan to Anastasia.

The supplies were not lacking.

They had naturally received goods allocated for the White Army in the middle as well.

So it made sense to make an attempt.

In spring 1919, Ungern and Semenov’s Asian Cavalry Division captured the capital of the Bogd Khanate, Huree (Ulaanbaatar).

“How can Russian forces doing this!”

“Bogd Khan! You are nothing more than a pitiful creature content to remain independent over the Mongolian steppes! However, our Princess Anastasia is truly the rightful ruler of Russia, succeeding the lands of the Mongol Empire, and thus, it is only right that the position of the Great Khan should be bestowed upon her!”

“What the hell! You’re not even from the golden lineage!”

“Speak! Can you defend Mongolia from the threats of China and Japan? You cannot! But our Princess’s loyal army will not only defend Mongolia but will also come to dominate Manchuria and extend its influence over all of China!”

As soon as he was captured, hearing the words of Semenov, a Russian and not even a Mongolian, Bogd Khan was dumbfounded, but the die had already been cast.

As he stated, without Russian support, Bogd Khan would remain a powerless Great Khan, easily devoured by China, and he wasn’t Genghis Khan either.

Other members of the Mongolian royalty had already backed Bogd Khan, who hailed from Tibet, so there was no justification for stopping Russia from claiming succession over the Mongol Empire.

Everyone initially knew Mongolia couldn’t be independent.

If that’s the case, then it wouldn’t be so bad to be caught in the dream of the Mongol Empire under Russian influence.

“I will bestow the title of Great Khan upon your nation’s princess.”

Thus, the seal of Bogd Khan was transmitted to Yekaterinburg.

Ironically, the Bogd Khanate, which had gained independence from the Northern government under Ungern, was now being conquered by Ungern himself.

* * *

Just when the body of this princess was becoming accustomed.

Just when I was establishing the foundation for the White Army government.

I received shocking news that hit me in the back of the head.

The Bolsheviks are marching toward Yekaterinburg?

Well, that’s excellent. I might reverse the public sentiment against the Soviet regime by smashing the Reds.

Neither Tsaritsyn nor Southern Russia were under attack.

Internally, the Bolsheviks were handled to some extent with the rebuilt Okhrana.

So what’s the deal with this surprise blow?

“Did they surrender the Bogd Khanate?”

A mixed Asian Cavalry Division consisting of various ethnic groups led by Ungern and Semenov has reportedly conquered Mongolia and secured the surrender of Bogd Khan.

My home is now ablaze, and they’ve planted a flag on someone else’s land.

“That’s right. Here lies the seal of the Bogd Khanate. Your Highness, you are now the Great Khan of the Greater Mongol Empire.”

With pride plastered on his face, a subordinate of Ungern came to report this piece of joyful news directly to the Yekaterinburg government building.

What the hell.

Is this akin to the Qing Emperor also claiming the title of the Korean King?