Reincarnated as Nikolai II

Though he didn't know when that day would come, German hegemony would trample France once again-

"The Tsar has issued mobilization orders!"

"The Russian government is controlling the railways!"

"Are the Germans going to fight a two-front war or what? Germany is finished now!"

Delcassé, who was about to resign facing reality, had all thoughts stop at this news from afar.

'Russia... mobilization?'

Was the alliance with Russia this tight? No, before that, was our country's diplomatic power toward Russia this strong?

That slow bear of the frozen lands hadn't budged until 8 months into the situation, but suddenly they're preparing to hit Germany from behind with their front paws?

But was that news absolutely not false?

[German forces withdrawing?]

[Germany's empty east.]

[Germany's chances of victory in a two-front war?]

The whole world was talking about it.

The army that slaughtered hundreds of thousands of yellow people like a sweeping storm was moving, they said.

And not even an expeditionary war, but a war in their own front yard, they said.

"Long live Russia!"

"Kill the Krauts!"

"Long live the alliance!"

The situation flipped in an instant.

Russia's mobilization was different from other countries' on a fundamental level.
Your next read awaits at empire

Just moving that massive body consumes resources and administrative power, and takes a long time.

Yet if they still moved.

"...Your Majesty..."

It's not easy to think of this as bluffing.

That country's national direction isn't even determined by public opinion or cabinet's will for war.

Only the Tsar. Where the holy monarch Tsar points. His index finger is the compass, the course the nation must follow.

Perhaps because they had hit rock bottom once? Delcassé couldn't contain this wave of emotion rising from a corner of his heart.

Yes, alliance. This is what an alliance means.

Though Delcassé had never seen the Russian Tsar, for some reason he felt as if Nicholas II was whispering to him, "France, wait a little. I'll prepare so we can take Germany's head."

Delcassé, who was ready to accept resignation just this morning, was no more.

"Honorable members of parliament, we face an unprecedented crisis. Germany wants to tear our flesh and make us bow our heads once again! But now with Russia's help! We must be ready even for war!"

There was only a patriot who found hope from that Russia and brilliantly burned with anti-German sentiment.

However, this was just Delcassé's case.

'Fuck, Russia's moving here? Of all times?'

'No, I told them to wrap up the incident but it got bigger!'

'...We're fucked. Is this really war? Really?'

In the French political world where reason and intellect still remained, there was no emotion or impression.

Only growing fear of war.

==

While the Tsar was moving not just active duty but reserves too, fulfilling Ambassador Bompard's request by 5,700%,

Witte was focusing on marking the British side.

'Mobilization. A month should fill Poland somewhat but we're still too slow.'

Like during the last Russo-Japanese War, the military started controlling the railways but civilian logistics still use the rails just fine.

Russia's reserves gather at each military district but those reserves aren't actually being deployed to the German border.

Munitions factories aren't running 24 hours, war sentiment isn't surging, they're not even issuing bonds.

In other words, analyzing current Russia closely shows this country isn't prepared for war at all.

All they can boast is experience from the war with the Japanese Empire, and troop numbers.

Probably not just Britain and France but Germany would have noticed this much.

However, there's always that what if.

What if war really breaks out?

What if the pride fight turns into a fist fight?

Then what would happen?

"Germany would die. I guarantee this as Prime Minister who knows this country better than anyone."

Facing Plenipotentiary Ambassador Arthur Nicolson, Witte declared this as if it were truth.

If a two-front war breaks out, Germany dies unconditionally.

Of course both Witte and Nicolson knew Russia was exaggerating their actions too much right now.

"Isn't this a bit excessive? While we see this as pressure, in German eyes it would look like mortal danger."

"We simply accepted our ally's request. Because that's the promise written in the treaty."

Nod.

Speaking fundamentally, even Nicolson had to nod.

"Also if war really breaks out, we'd mobilize numbers incomparable to now."

This wasn't wrong either. Russia had proven not just their health but their strength several times, and now they weren't hesitating to act either.

'Russian isolationism is over. Indeed, we must block them through negotiations before that Tsar gets passionate about expansion.'

'Our isolationism is over, but your one-sided Great Game is over too.'

From the moment Britain came here to negotiate, they had essentially already chosen between Germany and Russia who to check.

Even with French influence, they ultimately decided to check Germany.

Then what's the best card for containing Germany and reducing the threat of war?

'It must be Russia after all.'

'Only we have the army.'

Already knowing each other's background, Witte and Nicolson didn't even feel the need to speak it out loud.

Instead, Nicolson brought out the main negotiation proposal.

"We'll guarantee passage through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits. But no occupation."

"Black Sea passage is our natural right."

"How about peacefully dividing and ruling Persia between north and south?"

"That needs some consideration."

"Like Paris banks did, we'll introduce London banks. Probably enough funds will gather for the policies Prime Minister wants to implement."

"Debt..."

Witte didn't easily bite the bait Nicolson kept throwing.

'Now you want us to stop the Ottoman Empire? Why, scared Germany might connect railways with them?'

'This benefits you too.'

Witte showed no interest despite the continuing proposals.

"...Seems you have something else in mind?"

"Hmm, first if Britain and Russia make such a treaty, we can say we share the same interests, our unity, can't we?"

"That's right."

It's not wrong since 'containing Germany' is good for Britain, good for Russia, and good for France.

"Then, how about solving more fundamental problems first?"

"Fundamental problems? What do you mean?"

To Nicolson who seemed utterly unable to grasp his meaning, Witte drew closer and spoke quietly.

"The Anglo-Japanese Alliance. I'd like to discuss this first."