I Became the Last Princess of the Brown Bear Kingdom

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In the United States, Mutaguchi Renya is treated as a pretty high-ranking figure.

In other words, the U.S. probably knows that Mutaguchi Renya is top-tier. They might be running simulations and could speculate that Mutaguchi might unify Japan, right?

If that were to happen, the U.S. would never give up Eastern Japan, would they?

“Your Majesty, should we leave the Okhrana in Eastern Japan for now?”

If the Okhrana stays in Eastern Japan too long, they’ll eventually get caught.

Simply leaving Trotsky alone is a whole other issue than appearing to be affiliated with him.

“Is Mutaguchi Renya significant in the U.S. right now?”

It feels like the U.S. is really on edge. Am I being too sensitive?

It’s totally unexpected that the U.S. is scared of Mutaguchi Renya.

“Yes. I understand they also avoided a confrontation with Mutaguchi Renya’s forces during the Collapse Operation.”

“The U.S.? That’s surprising.”

No matter how you slice it, them being scared of Renya is shocking.

Well, if we’re being honest, there might be some suspicious parts to it.

“After all, the U.S. suffered considerable losses during the Collapse Operation, so wouldn’t they want to minimize that as much as possible? Above all, Mutaguchi Renya commands the trust of the Japanese people. Even with just Eastern Japan, it would be tough, and if Renya dies, it would probably spell hell for the Japanese archipelago.”

Minimizing losses makes sense. Sure, I can see that.

Who would have thought that Mutaguchi Renya’s blunder would blow up like this?

Still, this is a bit much. I have thoughts about it, but I guess we just have to wait for the U.S. to respond.

If the U.S. aims to seize Eastern Japan and projects military power into South America, then I’d say they’ve become pretty strong.

“Your Majesty, it seems the decision has been made for Eastern Japan from the U.S.”

“Dispatching a fleet?”

“It has been confirmed that large military forces are being dispatched.”

A large military deployment to Japan. That completely establishes them in Japan.

If this is the case, it means we can invest more into Argentina without the U.S. knowing.

As Argentina grows stronger, other South American countries might gravitate toward Argentina.

“So, what about the South American side?”

“U.S. fleets are currently docked in Brazil.”

Docked in Brazil. They’re certainly on guard in South America.

They can intimidate Argentina from the sea, but we can’t ignore Argentina’s air power, especially since we have some trade with them.

We have a bit of an edge in aircraft technology.

“It seems they intend to restrain Argentina while starting with Eastern Japan.”

Should I consider that fortunate? If this happens, we can sell weapons to Argentina more legitimately.

Alright, then it’s time to become the merchant of death.

Like I said, I notified the U.S. that we’re only selling weapons to Argentina. If they lose, it’s on them for being insufficient.

I confidently declared this in the Duma.

“Then, let’s state that we will sell weapons for profit and disarmament. Of course, if the U.S. wants it, we’ll sell it at high prices.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

We should provide some level of technology transfer to Argentina, right?

Only in the sense of making money, of course.

Like I said, after that, whether Argentina falls or not, we can just play the role of the merchant of death and slip away.

We make the money and bear no responsibility. Isn’t this the kind of pleasure-free responsibility?

Honestly, if the presidential couple hadn’t come to Moscow last time and messed up things, we wouldn’t be in this situation.

Isn’t it super fun? Handing them weapons to get them to fight and then just dipping later.

We showed a bit of goodwill towards the small country of Argentina.

“Let’s give them more torpedo bombers.”

“Torpedo bombers, you say?”

“We need to give them enough so that Argentina isn’t alarmed facing the U.S.”

“Understood. It certainly looks like they’re short on fleets.”

Even if I said we’d cut ties with them, seeing what Eva Perón is doing, it feels like she’s going to pull off something big.

Things are looking exciting.

“We have reports of a conflict with Ethiopia regarding Sudanese independence from the Kingdom of Egypt.”

“Why is Egypt involved?”

Well, this is something I can just pass over.

In Africa, considering the colonial issues have been resolved, I don’t need to worry about Sudan.

“Since it was under Egyptian rule before, they hold that position, but it seems they don’t like Ethiopia’s involvement.”

“Didn’t we already agree to give everything to Ethiopia?”

“The problem is that Ethiopia is pulling its hair out over other African countries.”

“Even Ethiopia? Isn’t Egypt a partner country with Rome right now?”

Egypt was once part of Rome’s territory, so that’s true.

But looking at what they’re doing now, it seems quite provocative.

“Yeah. It seems they’re trying to keep us in check as well as Ethiopia.”

“Why are they so greedy?”

“They have their reasons. If Sudan goes over, it will be in close proximity to Ethiopian influence. From Egypt’s standpoint, they wouldn’t want to let Sudan go easily.”

Hmm. Well, considering that Turkey, Britain, and Russia are sharing the Suez stakes, they must want to maintain some form of face.

It seems they want to keep Sudan somehow.

Sudan, huh? Isn’t that something they got because of Britain? It feels like they’re clinging to that.

No matter how you look at it, is Egypt crossing the line here?

Even though I made them a partner country to align with the Roman sphere, this is a bit excessive.

“So, Egypt wants to treat Sudan like France or Spain, almost like a puppet state in their territory?”

“Yes, that would seem to be the case.”

What on Earth is Egypt trying to pull here?

Do they really want to keep that foolish African country under their thumb? Isn’t that practically granting Sudan the benefits of the Rome Treaty Organization?

Including African countries is completely against the laws of the Rome Treaty.

After all, the condition for joining the Rome Treaty Organization was to be within the Roman sphere of influence.

“Having Ethiopia influence Africa is fine, but it wouldn’t hurt to have some pro-Roman countries too.”

“But isn’t it a problem that Egypt trusts us too much?”

Pro-Roman countries. Is that what they want for Sudan?

Isn’t Ethiopia already a pro-Roman country?

“Isn’t Ethiopia already pro-Roman?”

“Given Africa’s vastness, Rome Treaty Headquarters seems to think we should have a few more.”

Ugh, these colonial empire folks. Aren’t they secretly aiming to establish legitimate colonial rule using Egypt under the Rome Treaty?

Sure, let’s hear what Egypt wants.

“What exactly does Egypt want?”

“They’ve conveyed that they’ll handle things on their end.”

Egypt thinks they can handle this by themselves? Since they threw in with a relatively wealthy nation, do they really think they’re hot stuff now?

Leaving this be wouldn’t be good. But then again, it’s hard to push back against Egypt. Should we just let them handle it?

“If Egypt can’t manage, can they be held accountable?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

What can Egypt claim responsibility for anyway?

“Then, let’s distance ourselves from Egypt and Ethiopia in the Rome Treaty. After all, it’s not something we should involve ourselves in.”

“Yes. However, given it’s right after decolonization, we should be cautious about the possibility of conflict between Egypt and Ethiopia.”

If Egypt can’t handle it, just expel them from the Rome Treaty.

Otherwise, splitting Sudan like Solomon is a reasonable approach.

Didn’t Sudan split during the civil war in modern times? This isn’t something I need to be bothered with.

I doubt this will lead to a civil war.

“Yes. Understood. But regarding the Cossack issue, it’s a domestic problem we need to resolve.”

Why the Cossacks?

“Aren’t there just too many issues?”

Why does this country still have problems even after the war ended?

I’m really frustrated about this. I did my best to rectify everything, and now what new mess has cropped up?

“During the process of European integration, isn’t some chaos expected?”

“The Cossacks? What exactly is the issue?”

The Cossacks are a privileged class, after all! They are firmly established as my elite guard.

What issues can they possibly have?

“The Cossacks assisted His Majesty during the Civil War and have achieved numerous merits, but their privileges are quite significant.”

“Privileges?”

Are the Cossacks really enjoying privileges?

“Now that Europe has regained peace and the colonial wars have ended, the Rome Treaty Organization argues that the Cossack’s privileges should be revoked.”

“What privileges do the Cossacks have currently?”

“The biggest benefit currently is tax exemption.”

So their biggest benefit is tax exemption, huh. That sounds like a pretty big deal. They’ve had no taxes to pay until now.

Now that the military has developed significantly and Europe is at peace, the Cossacks don’t have to wield a fierce sword.

“Tax exemption?”

That tax exemption is really something special.

The Cossack troops have played a huge part in protecting me. They annihilated the enemy cavalry during the Civil War.

They also stood guard while I entered Moscow.

“Though the Cossack forces have achieved significant merits, it’s no longer justifiable for them to hold privileges in a united Europe. Our finance department respects the Cossack contributions, but the joint economic department of the Rome Treaty Organization believes that the Cossack issue should also be addressed.”

“That’s clearly not fair.”

The Cossacks have done well up till now, but their descendants shouldn’t continue to enjoy those privileges.

Why should the children benefit just because their ancestors did well? Ah, of course, I think if one works hard enough, that’s understandable.

For instance, during the Korean War, treating the descendants of the UN forces well is a similar notion.

But this is no longer just one country.

This is the Rome Treaty Organization. To integrate economically, politically, and militarily, the Cossack issue must be resolved as well.

“However, the Cossack army has played a significant role as Your Majesty’s elite guard, which makes it hard to retract their privileges.”

That’s a valid point. They might rebel.

Telling the Cossacks that we’re revoking their privileges! How betrayed would they feel? I think that would be a tough call.

It ends up being something we can’t just let go of, yet withdrawing their privileges also feels delicate. Doesn’t it?

“Hmm, so we can’t just leave them as they are, nor can we take them away. Is that what you mean?”

We’re stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Moreover, the Cossacks likely don’t want to give up those privileges, either. It’s always easier to keep what one has than to let go.

“Yes. The Cossack military is famous among the people of the United States.”

“Right.”

They’re practically the direct elite guard of idol Anazhan.

But now that the nations of Europe are bound together in the Rome Treaty, it’s acceptable if they’re recognized within Russia, but how will the other nations view the Cossacks being tax-exempt?

Then we might have to give them a different kind of privilege instead.

“How about granting them privileges in another way?”

“Privileges in another form?”

Usually, when you take something away, you replace it with something else.

In a manner that benefits our side.

The Cossacks won’t be unfamiliar with the changing society.

“Anyway, if we can’t choose between options, we have to sacrifice one for the sake of preparing a new incentive.”

I can’t just throw away the Cossacks who’ve followed me this far.

So I’m considering maximizing the benefits for the Cossacks while keeping an eye on the Rome Treaty Organization.

For now, when one thinks of Russia, Moscow is the representative city.

Especially since I’m there and there’s the symbolizing city of Anastasia Skyscraper. It’s a new city thanks to Hitler.

“Living in Moscow or something along those lines, right?”

It sounds good to allow them to reside in Moscow while providing them various benefits. It wouldn’t hurt for the Tsar to directly grant them benefits either.

“That is indeed a good method, but whether the Cossack people accept it is a different matter.”

Will the Cossacks really give up their holdings?

It’s really hard to lay down what one has.

“Plus, you must consider the possibility of an uprising.”

Will the Cossack folks really revolt?

Would they betray Anastasia and revolt? In this idol club of the nation, how would a handful of Cossack soldiers confront the entire White Army?

But it still feels a bit wrong to just take that away immediately.

“Let’s solve it with money. We’ll revoke the tax exemption, and instead, the Romanov dynasty can grant the Cossacks a special pension.”

If the Emperor is giving out money, who’s going to complain?

I’m sure everyone would envy that.

If they contributed during the Great War, I think this is fair enough.

The Cossack armored division played significant roles in the last Great War, and if they get resentful about taxes, then everyone together will receive a new form of benefit.

“That sounds great.”

“Not just the Cossacks. We must look out for everyone who performed well in this war.”

This way, the Rome Treaty won’t be able to complain about the Cossack privileges.

It’s tricky to offer tax exemption. If we provide pensions that are enough to overshadow taxes, that should suffice.

“We could also create a special Roman Cross of Anastasia for the Cossacks. Additionally, selecting the Kremlin elite cavalry from the Cossack ranks would also be an option.”

With this, I think the Cossacks would be satisfied, right?