SWNOVELXO Chapter 38
**Mutaguchi Renya.**
He graduated from the Imperial Japanese Army Academy in 1910, and at 29 years old in 1917, he completed his studies at the Army University.
In the original history, he participated in the Siberian Expedition, but during this period, where the Siberian Expedition became impossible, Renya was dispatched to the Korean Peninsula to prepare for an eventual occupation of Southern Manchuria after the future division of Russia and Manchuria.
While stationed in the Southern Manchuria Occupation Army in northern Korea, he took part in the suppression of Chinese bandits in Manchuria, thereby beginning a different path from actual history.
One day, while suppressing bandits as usual, Mutaguchi Renya received an order from his homeland.
– **Infiltrate Roman von Ungern-Sternberg’s Asian Cavalry Division and assess the situation of the White Army.**
The mission was to infiltrate the Asian Cavalry Division, which Roman von Ungern-Sternberg was recruiting for, to gather intelligence on the Far East White Army.
However, this was completely thwarted by the Korean folks who somehow ended up here without knowing why.
“Isn’t this guy a Japanese?”
“Uhm, I came to make money.”
“Why? You could earn more back in your home country, can’t you?”
How ridiculous to escape to the Asian Cavalry Division while refusing the grace of the empire. Why be so difficult?
“Not every Japanese lives well.”
“Sorry, but that’s impossible. You’re just some unidentified Japanese. Even if you seriously wanted to be part of the Asian Cavalry Division, can you hold your own among the Koreans?”
The Asian Cavalry Division was greatly expanded by Ungern, extending its influence into Northern Manchuria and Jilin, which led to a substantial influx of Koreans.
The same applied to Hong Beom-do and his independent troops.
Unlike actual history, where he fought for independence, Hong Beom-do, who aimed to join the Asian Cavalry Division for future endeavors, raised doubts that this Japanese would be able to withstand his fellow Koreans treated as colonized subjects.
“Hmph! That’s the Yamato spirit for you.”
“I’m getting more suspicious. Scram!”
Mutaguchi Renya was chased away by Hong Beom-do, who was in charge of the Korean cavalry within the Asian Cavalry Division.
However, Mutaguchi Renya did not give up.
Not because he was scared, but because he thought it would be better to see things for himself rather than remain in the Asian Cavalry Division with Koreans.
‘What could I learn by just looking at the Far East? I’ll boldly go meet the Saint of Russia!’
From this point on, Mutaguchi Renya changed his approach.
He reported information about the Asian Cavalry Division back to his homeland and declared that he would follow the Japanese officials dispatched to White Russia this time.
In simpler terms, he intended to get a foot in the door.
It would be sufficient for the homeland to know how the Asian Cavalry Division was managed.
“What’s this jabbering about?”
“I don’t know. He says he wants to see the civil war for himself.”
“Unbelievable.”
So, Mutaguchi Renya arrived in Yekaterinburg alongside the US military, which was supplying the White Army, and had the chance to meet Tsarina Anastasia, the mounted empress.
‘Indeed. Is this the Empress of Russia? Quite remarkable for this era. Yes, she resembles Amaterasu!’
It was truly impressive to see a person commanding troops in the front lines on horseback in the 20th century.
And it was a princess, no less.
Of course, if Anastasia heard this and thought about lifting the spirits of the White Army while reclaiming the hearts of the people who left for the Bolsheviks, she would likely scoff at his silly thoughts, but that was how Mutaguchi Renya perceived the Tsarina.
She looked as if Amaterasu had reincarnated in Russia.
It wasn’t that Anastasia was predicting he would become a great figure.
Heroes recognize each other.
As the Russian Empress acknowledged him, he too recognized the Russian Empress.
In her presence, she bestowed a majestic aura that would not pale in comparison to His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Japan.
A woman capable of entering a place where bullets and shells rain down was surely not a reincarnation of Amaterasu for nothing.
Wouldn’t it be natural for His Imperial Majesty from his homeland to personally command the Imperial Army to advance into Southern Manchuria to wipe out the Chinese bandits?
Bang! Boom!
The battles led by Tsarina in Moscow were truly magnificent.
The Reds couldn’t hold a candle to the now-emboldened White Army thanks to Tsarina Anastasia.
Mutaguchi Renya reported everything he witnessed back to his homeland.
With news that someone he viewed merely as a figurehead was directly commanding troops and suppressing the Reds, Japan had firmly established its claims regarding disputes over Russia and Manchuria rather than merely quarreling with Russia.
* * *
After reclaiming Petrograd, they recently became busy dealing with the internal Bolsheviks.
Forcibly drawn in by the true Bolsheviks, these were released and pardoned, while those who swore to remain Bolsheviks to their dying breath fell by the wrath of the White Army’s bullets en masse.
Executions of true Bolsheviks were being carried out in all areas that were reclaimed.
In several cities, those who were coerced into joining the Red Army were said to be gathering with the White Army to beat down the Reds.
Every city in Russia was enveloped in hatred and rage against the Bolsheviks.
Thus, a new Russia was reborn with the destiny of hating the Bolsheviks and killing them amidst the bloody civil war.
“What happened with Makhno?”
“They are negotiating with the British to make Eastern Ukraine Makhno’s Free Territory, backed by the Dnieper River.”
Makhno’s anarchist Free Territory.
The territory Ukraine had in Russia included modern-day Donetsk and Luhansk regions along with Crimea.
And on the western side of the Dnieper, Ukraine was governed by the pro-British Ukrainian Republic.
In other words, Makhno’s Free Territory was sandwiched in between.
It was best to swallow them when the time was right.
The British, being no fools, likely understood why we kept the anarchists alive.
In essence, it meant we had divided Ukraine with the British.
I felt sorry for the Ukraine I used to live in, but considering the real historical context of getting beaten up by the Soviet Union, wouldn’t this be much better?
“Your Highness. It seems General Brusilov’s troops also exterminated the remaining Red Army forces taking part in the western offensive.”
Kolchak spoke as a representative during the convened Duma session.
“Really?”
By this point, the command structure of the Communist Party was practically decimated.
The remaining forces, which joined Trotsky’s defense of Petrograd, were probably wiped out as well, and with their remaining numbers, it was impossible.
It was a pity the independent Baltic States had split off, but there was little to be done.
Though we might be able to engulf Eastern Ukraine using Makhno, we’d have to watch out for the British regarding the Baltics.
Should we really try to invade China next?
No, that won’t do. In any case, my days here weren’t far from running out.
Soon in the Duma, they would finalize plans for the future of Russia.
“Isn’t it about time to decide on the capital issue?”
The capital issue.
My thoughts remained unchanged.
Of course, there isn’t a better place than Moscow.
While Yekaterinburg is indeed a good city, it feels a little ambiguous to designate it as the capital of Russia.
“Isn’t Petrograd’s location too poor? Even if I also serve as the Queen of Finland, it’s too close to foreign territories. If war breaks out, it’s exposed to enemy shelling. Furthermore, besides the palace, the city has sustained significant damage. Moscow is the same. It might be better to keep Yekaterinburg as the capital until we rebuild the two cities. Besides, there is something even more urgent.”
There was an issue that needed addressing before the capital one.
It was the direction Russia would take moving forward.
I proposed a federal constitutional monarchy.
Of course, it was superficial; after all, it would still be a somewhat socialist ideological collective.
Even if it became a federation, it would feel similar to the United States, and I see myself being expelled—this is how I see it.
I tried my best to calm my pounding heart.
What might emerge if there were no Soviets?
“Yes, I’ve already collected popular opinion.”
Already? That was fast.
It seemed like it was time to prepare my mind for what was to come.
“Alright. Let’s hear it.”
Right, I’m always ready to shed a drop of tear and depart to another country.
Now, thank you for your hard work. The future of Russia is destined to become a democratic republic. Or, the royal family must not exist in a new socialist Russia. Please don’t say you’ll hear such things, suggesting I should flee to another country.
Should my exile be decided here, I might just throw away the position of Queen of Finland and head straight to England—
“The consensus in the Duma is the same. Your Highness, please become Tsarina.”
What?
Did I just hear my ears correctly?
Yes. Such matters should be taken seriously. It wouldn’t make sense if only those who support me wanted me to be the Tsarina.
I stood up from my seat, placed my hand on my chest, and spoke confidently.
“I am the daughter of the father who ruined this country. If the credit is due to my handling matters in the civil war, it can be taken as cleaning up what my father has done.”
“The millions of White Russians across Great Russia are all swearing allegiance to you, Your Highness, and you are taking the lead in proposing various reform measures to address the urgent issues facing Russia. At this juncture, no one else would be able to lead the country better than you.”
Right. That’s what it means.
Did I really hear that correctly?
I asked again, questioning whether it was all reasonable.
“So, you’re asking me to become their Tsarina. In that case, it means the acceptance of the federation proposal in the Duma?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“At least it’s a constitutional monarchy, which is a relief.”
With the Duma existing, I plan to grant power to the Duma, so even if I become the Tsarina, it would probably end up resembling the UK under a constitutional monarchy.
Whether I like it or not, my Romanov symbolism has become far too valuable to just discard.
“Yes, please rise to the position of Empress and be the Tsarina of Russia from the seas of Britain to Tai-ga.”
That sounds promising.
But does this mean the socialist factions have also agreed?
Even the Red Guards might not be Bolsheviks, but it’s not as if they don’t desire socialism.
“Is it unanimous? Not a single person should harbor discontent.”
“Everyone shares the same sentiment. To navigate through this current crisis, a strong leader is essential. Kerensky was weak and lost power to the Bolsheviks, but you have personally suppressed the Reds’ rebellion, Tsarina.”
I crushed the Bolsheviks to survive.
To be honest, with the antics of those Bolsheviks, I wouldn’t be surprised if they tried to kidnap and kill me, even as an exile, by sending the NKVD after me.
Indeed, there are cases where Russian White emigrants who attempted to establish organizes abroad were kidnapped and executed by the NKVD after the civil war.
In such circumstances, would they leave royalty alone?
So, my victory in leading the civil war was an extremely wise choice for my future.
But to also become Tsarina is a tall order.
Would the Russo-German war turn into a war against the Germans?
It’s hard to know if a Russo-German war will break out, but I must step in before Hitler gets any larger, much like in actual history.
To oppose the remilitarization of the Rhineland or to have General Gaida lead us to smash the Germans when they tear into Czechoslovakia—that’s how it should be done.
For now, that’s still a distant story.
What’s immediate is that I’ve unexpectedly climbed to the position of Empress.
Tsarina of All Russia.
“I’m thankful you see it that way.”
Ah, this is absurd. Really.
Why must I take on such an emperor’s role that’s not even part of my destiny?
I initially had no serious thoughts about being here.
Even if it meant being criticized, was it really necessary for me to run away during the civil war?
Even so, that just feels wrong.
“Let’s hold the coronation on a good day in Yekaterinburg.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
It was the moment a nation known as the United States of Greater Russia, or the Federal Empire, was born.