Reincarnated as Nikolai II

In other words, the Great Game is still streaming live, and at this rate, France might soon have to make a nation-defining choice between the two.

'Why, why are the two countries still fighting? Hadn't Britain won by decision in Europe and Russia knocked out Asia?'

'If we abandon Russia, our mainland is in danger, if we abandon Britain, our colonies are in danger!'

'Russia or Britain! That is the question!'

Germany and Austria-Hungary Empire, currently growing most frighteningly in Europe.

They are desperately eager to expand whether in the Balkans or Africa.

Morocco? Those colored, uncivilized sultans whose names are hard to pronounce aren't what's important.

France is approaching a moment where they must make a choice.

Mainland security or colonial empire security.

Russia or Britain.

"Of course the alliance with Russia is important! The relationship with Britain is sufficient as it is! Honestly speaking, I too was angry about those island pirates playing king in the Mediterranean-"

"Hey, you bastard! It's Morocco now but do you know where it'll be next time when you spout such nonsense?"

"But didn't Germany even support Russia in the Russo-Japanese War? If I were the Tsar of Russia, I wouldn't want to create unnecessary friction with Germany either."

Russia, having proven its overwhelming army power through the Russo-Japanese War.

No matter if Germany built a High Seas Fleet, they're up against Britain with its overwhelming, undisputed world's #1 Royal Navy.

France didn't have the confidence to choose one. Instead, they came to a thought anyone might have.

That is, reconciling the two countries.

In other words, making them at least not fight, even if they don't become allies.

This was something Britain had also considered during the time of Alexander III, who established Russian isolationism as Europe's peacemaker.

Just that Britain didn't feel the need to reconcile with Russia at that time.

"Ugh, we must acknowledge it now. Russia has finally completed the Trans-Siberian Railway and advanced into Asia."

"Stop Russia on land instead of sea? We're an island nation. That's impossible."

"Haven't they already given up the strait leading to the Black Sea once? Then they might give up the Far Eastern seas to suppress Germany."

The Morocco Crisis. A dispute where most Europeans don't even know where Morocco is in Africa.

This situation became not simply a pride battle between Germany and France, but an incident that dredged up past relations between Russia and Britain.

In conclusion, if Britain wants to prevent Germany's emergency, they must reconcile with Russia.

This was why Arthur Nicolson came to Russia not as a regular minister but as a plenipotentiary ambassador.

==

Although I too came to recognize the Great War as both crisis and opportunity through the Russo-Japanese War.

That doesn't mean this conflict is welcome.

The Western Europeans have been chewing and tasting export markets for decades, and we've only just started experiencing it, so why now? And a Great War where the Russo-Japanese War would be treated as mere appetizer? Neither want nor should do it.

I only know there was a Morocco Crisis and it somehow gets resolved, not the detailed inside story behind history.

But looking at the immediate situation.

'There's nothing good about any choice.'

If we take France's side here, relations with Germany immediately break down. It wouldn't be strange if Willy cut off the railway connected through Poland.

On the other hand, we can't abandon France either. That republic has fed us quite a bit, and betraying an alliance in European international society would end Russian diplomacy in my era.

Even now at the end of January, France hasn't withdrawn troops from the border. And they keep requesting from me daily.

To move at least the Warsaw Military District, if not all.

To at least put diplomatic pressure on Germany.

Meanwhile, Britain extends a gloomy hand of reconciliation.

Saying let's forget past discord and focus on Germany before us.

'Not funny at all. They still won't give up their alliance with Japan but want to negotiate with us.'

International society tangled like vines.

However, sometimes these complex and delicate relationships get sorted out very simply through war.

Enemy, or ally.

All European diplomats are now playing this game of taking sides in the face of war threats.

"Your Majesty, if we're to help France, we must not delay any longer."

"Minister Giers. Just when it's our turn to eat, they don't even give us time to digest, so I'm not in a very good mood."

Why should Russia be tied down by something happening in Morocco of all places?

Britain unilaterally tormented us for decades, and now extending a hand makes everything okay?

We're an isolationist country. Why have we become central to this conflict?

Many questions and even more complaints.

"If you're truly displeased with the situation... declaring non-intervention could be one option."

"Then we'd be cowards. Our allies would be anxious, and both Britain and Germany would clearly remember our turning away."

It's just Morocco now, but it wouldn't be strange if a second or third Morocco appeared in tomorrow's newspaper.

If this were still the Bismarck system, then maybe we could have unconditionally supported Germany and grown sufficiently from behind.

But stupid Willy broke the Bismarck system and pulled out carrot-and-stick tactics against us Russia.

No, actually, even immediate diplomatic restraint or taking on their problems would be fine.

Not fine, but as someone who knows the 'flow leading to the Great War' to some extent, I can understand.

However, what angers me most is.

'They're not sincere themselves yet expect sincerity from me. Disgusting.'

Their hypocritical attitude.

They easily speak the word war and carelessly point gun barrels at neighboring countries.

Yet they hand the crucial trigger to my index finger.

And then they say.

You pull it.

"...Dogs, all of them."

This is 20th century diplomacy. Beyond dirty and petty, it's irresponsible. And trying to push the consequences onto others is just a bonus.

Fine, alright.

I acknowledge that we Russia might stupidly be used in their game.

But if they handed me the trigger for something this trivial, then everyone should share the responsibility equally.

Us who just advanced into the Qing Dynasty versus you who completed colonial empires over decades.

"Giers, please call Ambassador Maurice Bompard."

Who has more to lose?

The Western European advanced nations who don't know dialogue or compromise and flare up over something like Morocco?

Or Russia, who has proven they'll really go to war if communication fails due to ignorance, even when their barely recovered economy is just returning to normal?

A game of chicken will show who's really serious.