Reincarnated as Nikolai II - Chapter 218

Chapter 218: The Tsar’s Travelogue (8)
Just as St. Petersburg became Petrograd…

My cousin George’s family had also changed from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor.

“George.”

“Nicky, how many years has it been? You missed Willie’s daughter’s wedding in ’13 and couldn’t make it to the Cowes invitation in ’09…”

“It’s been 26 years. When you were Prince of Wales. I was grateful then. You were the only one who stayed until the end at father’s funeral.”

While I exchanged private telegrams with Willie, George is someone I have childhood cousin memories with.

A king who has neither Willie’s greed nor is he weak.

A king who firmly established the principle of ‘reigning but not ruling’ during wartime and gained nationwide popularity by encouraging the people through radio.

‘There are plenty of reasons to meet.’

Although a monarch must distinguish between public and private matters, blood ties don’t just go away, and visiting the British Empire had quite a few benefits for me as well.

First and foremost, there was the crucial strategic benefit of reducing tensions with Britain during this delicate period. In other words, my personal presence in London could help soften and gradually diminish the growing anti-Russian sentiment that had been building. Such face-to-face interactions often carry more weight than formal diplomatic exchanges, allowing for genuine connections that can bridge political divides.

This alone was more than enough reason to make a personal visit to London.

“The memories of playing around all the castles in London as children are still vivid.”

“We got scolded so much by our aunts. How much trouble did we cause for you to be dragged to Britannia as a cadet and me to be confined to the castle?”

“Confinement? You received advanced education.”

However, contrary to my calculations, George seemed to genuinely welcome meeting me.

A slightly different type of person from Willie, someone who still seems like he would smile and get lost in imagination if he could ride soap bubbles across clouds.

“Are you still giving those anti-racism speeches?”

“I haven’t missed a year since starting in India in 1905. Now I’m giving them all across Europe.”

“The cabinet must hate it. I had quite a few who opposed my national self-determination too.”

“Though it may not be as progressive as your national self-determination, the voting rights of Indians must be recognized.”

George also deeply despised racial discrimination.

Despite his country building the world’s largest colonial empire based on ‘spreading civilization’ and ‘white supremacy,’ George steadfastly walked his own path.

“Ah, hello…”

“You must be George’s second son. You’re very handsome, unlike your father.”

“B-but you both look similar…”

“…”

“Though I think Uncle is more kind…”

However, seeing how the child is wary of his father, it seems George isn’t exactly a good father.

Although we don’t have a long friendship, George genuinely welcomed me.

The four days spent at Buckingham Palace, while not as splendid as the Winter Palace, but notable for its artistry, were quite satisfactory.

“How is Godmother?”

“Mother is in good health.”

On the way back, I also briefly stopped by Copenhagen, my mother’s hometown.

The journey, short yet long in its own way, came to an end, but after seeing everything with my own eyes, my head feels somewhat clearer.

‘There were many things that could never be known through documents and reports alone.’

Thus, the Tsar’s journey was coming to an end.

And when I returned to Petrograd…

“The Black Hand’s assassination of key figures has begun, but their movements are not to be taken lightly. They’ve already gone beyond parasitizing the military and have escaped civilian control.”

“…Did they take control during wartime?”

“Rather than that, the Serbian military and Black Hand have been refusing civilian control since 1914.”

Branch Chief Bronstein reported that eliminating the Black Hand was proving more difficult than expected.

“The good news is that Regent Alexander had already been proceeding with their purge.”

“At least the prince has his head on straight.”

It seems the prince at least knows how to check threats to his power and feels the need to eliminate them.

“However, this only amounts to killing a few main culprits. It seems difficult for the regent to kill the Black Hand and military.”

“That’s not how purges should be done…”

The execution of Black Hand leader Apis and several main culprits in the outskirts of Thessaloniki.

But the investigation stopped there, and the connection between the Black Hand and Bosnian organizations…

The full story of the Sarajevo incident…

The remnants and members of the Black Hand remaining in the military…

The regent was reluctant to expand the incident further.

Is it because Peter I is still alive and Prince Alexander is still just a regent?

The obviously superficial or exemplary executions only leave an unsettling feeling.

“Bronstein.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“That Black Hand is the group that overthrew the Serbian dynasty 16 years ago. Prime Minister Pašić doesn’t hate them for nothing.”

“Thanks to them, Peter I ascended to the throne.”

“But Peter I and the current regent must know too. That those who changed the dynasty once aren’t incapable of doing it twice.”

Perhaps the regent’s thought was to end it while maintaining adequate control.

Serbia needed a long reconstruction, and they couldn’t burn down the whole house just to catch a bedbug.

However, as someone who has carried out multiple purges, I can guarantee.

“It’s not enough.”

“How far should we go?”

“I’ll tell the Prime Minister too, but this has already gone beyond the Okhrana’s domain. Contact Pašić again, and convince the regent to kill not just the leaders but all participants.”

Such ambiguity will only endanger the nation.

Those terrorists are just like the Reds.

They are parasites who spread their will by parasitizing an organization, but make the state bear all responsibility.

And I wanted them to die for certain.

‘To move forward, one must clear the past.’

I firmly believe that is the way for Serbia to become healthy.

A few weeks later.

The not yet fully disbanded Southern Army began moving toward Serbia, and…

[The Truth Behind Archduke Ferdinand’s Assassination.]

[Who is Dimitrijević?]

[Serbia Suppresses Rebellion.]

Blood began to flow in Serbia.

Now a proper purge has finally begun.