Reincarnated as Nikolai II - Chapter 212

Chapter 212: The Tsar’s Travelogue (2)
The red-killer executioner and reformer, Pyotr Stolypin. With that excellent ability and dirty personality going nowhere, he’s still desperate to overturn something.

“Well, still he gets along well with the Industry Vice Minister.”

“…Are you serious? To my eyes it wouldn’t be strange if one died in a duel tomorrow.”

“They all become friends through fighting.”

The original red and the red executioner.

Don’t they match quite well?

Whatever the case, forgetting domestic matters for now, I head toward the romantic city of Paris.

I only hope that city gives me a clear path, whether confidence or disappointment.

==

Just before the war, European royalty surprisingly easily traveled abroad or attended foreign events.

When some relative got married, dozens would flock from each country like delegations to congratulate, and normally they’d often visit each other’s castles or attend parties using blood ties as an excuse.

Though physically distant, I remember even we Russians received endless invitations since we had connections with almost all royal houses.

But such exchanges were cut off right with Archduke Ferdinand’s assassination.

While some were cut off due to wartime, now everyone realized how big an event a royal death could cause.

‘The atmosphere was just like when Mikhail visited Japan as Tsesarevich.’

But that’s others’ stories.

Rather, only after this long, long war ended did I feel unburdened like sandbags tied all over my body had fallen off.

“So smile a bit, aren’t we the victors?”

“…Your Majesty, I couldn’t sleep a wink from anxiety.”

“Come to think of it, everyone’s especially stiff today. Was I such an uncomfortable Tsar?”

Whether because there are many watching eyes or everyone’s truly worried about assassination.

“Look around. Aren’t the citizens welcoming us?”

“…Archduke Ferdinand had a bomb thrown at him from cheering crowds.”

“Prime Minister, don’t be like that. Let’s just enjoy a good day?”

Isn’t this Paris, the romantic city I haven’t visited even in the 21st century?

Though refugees have returned with tents and shanties visible on streets, and partially destroyed buildings still scattered here and there from constant air raids.

Still, the city of romance and art, capital of our ally. How can one not be interested just seeing the building styles and district structures unseen in the Russian Empire?

Of course, since we didn’t come to play, we couldn’t waste time on protocol.

“As you said, I set the appointment. They say their side is already waiting at the Vendôme Hotel.”

“Right, let’s go right away.”

Our competitor and temporary ally.

A country maintaining a stance similar to the empire that once advocated isolationism before Pan-Slavism.

And the development state appearance I want to advance toward.

The United States.

Peace evangelist Woodrow Wilson was waiting for me.

==

Nicholas II, Tsar of the Russian Empire. Though there are truly many incidents and events explaining him and his modifiers are so famous there’s no need to explain.

“…Truly that country is ruled directly by the Tsar. Usually those called kings or emperors are ones who just give orders staying away from practical work.”

“Wouldn’t it be a measure to maintain power?”

“Is that really all? Now looking at it, that doesn’t seem like a country where moving away from practical work means moving away from power. No, beyond that, considering all the empire’s reforms and development continued under that Tsar’s initiative, rather he must be overseeing all practical work.”

The biggest proof is that the Russian Empire didn’t change even after Witte disappeared and Kokovtsov took power.

The Duma, zemstvos, bureaucracy, military, etc.

Everything in that country changed if you looked away briefly.

It means their changes were endless and transformation continuous.

But the origin of that country starting reforms. The one who would never change though everything changed.

That’s Nicholas II.

When he said he wanted to meet me, at first I was puzzled, then curious, and now even somewhat nervous.

What kind of person could he be?

Just a common dictator you could see anywhere, or a king unable to break from the traditional monarch image?

No, before that.

‘Why me of all people?’

Pašić of Serbia, Pichon of France, Orlando of Italy, even Saionji of Japan.

Those wanting to meet him, those who should meet him, those facing issues to resolve with him.

While countless people eagerly await meeting the Tsar, Prime Minister Kokovtsov specifically picked me and requested an immediate meeting.

Not having even a hint why, the American side couldn’t know what preparations to make or questions to ask for this sudden meeting.

Just trying to suppress the confusing feelings and waiting composedly when.

“The Tsar of the Great Empire, the Imperator leading the Imperial Army-”

“Ah, don’t do that. Am I wearing a uniform now? Didn’t I say this is an unofficial meeting?”

Before the cry prepared by the first person entering could finish, the man I’d only seen in photos walks in.

Tall height and sturdy build, and his appearance younger than expected…

‘…He’s identical to George V.’

I could understand why they were cousins.

However, Nicholas II, seemingly casual yet absolutely not, looked like a completely different person from George V who lived his whole life as a puppet.

This man looked like he would pick up and shoot a gun himself rather than just cheer through radio.

Just seeing how he drove everyone out of the room with one gesture showed how firmly this Tsar controlled the empire.

“I heard there’s a banquet in the evening, truly sorry for setting such an urgent meeting.”

“I don’t mind much. Rather, I was looking forward to this meeting.”

“Same here. However, I didn’t come to build friendship as you might have expected.”

With apparently no will to build private relationships or break ice, the conversation between the two flowed quite stiffly.

After brief small talk exchanged, Nicholas immediately asked Wilson.

“We already rejected joining the League. Yes, to say it openly, we want the Allies dissolved.”

“…It was disappointing news. With the Russian Empire not participating, many other countries are watching carefully.”

“But you know. I discovered one more interesting fact. It seems the United States too won’t join the League of Nations.”

“…It’s a matter not yet decided in Congress.”

The League of Nations. An organization to implement that Treaty of Versailles and prevent such tragedy from happening again.

The United States led the creation of this organization. If America doesn’t join, it would prove the country – where president and congress operate separately – only preached morality with words.

To Wilson’s stiff answer, Nicholas replied with a hint of smile.

“Wouldn’t it be funny if it fails? America created it but America won’t participate. Actually, I think you too know. Isn’t this proof that America too is certain another war will happen?”

“…”

This time even Wilson couldn’t answer immediately.

“Well then, tell me. If another war happens, do you think America will join?”

For a moment Wilson wanted to replace all the staff below who had been debating whether that emperor handled practical work or not.

He could tell just from this brief conversation.

That this man. Had led, conducted, and ended this war.