I Became the Last Princess of the Brown Bear Kingdom

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“Excuse me? What was that?”

Each representative blinked in surprise.

Is that really such a shocking thing? Regardless, I must always consider the possibility of my death even if I’m fine now.

It’s problematic to look at me with disbelief like that.

The Tsar will remain healthy forever, right? He’ll be immortal throughout his lifetime. That’s the sort of thinking that’s going on.

Isn’t it unfair, don’t you think?

“Honestly, I have no idea when I might die. I may look young now, but who knows when God will take my life. Therefore, I need to prepare for that possibility.”

You chose your Tsar. I must prepare for the possibility of dying, even through malice or sheer will.

At the very least, I need to ensure that my death doesn’t lead to chaos. I feel this is something the Rome Treaty side should be informed about as well.

“What do you mean by that?”

You still don’t understand even after I say it like this?

“This is the Tsar you all chose. You need to be certain about it. I may not seem like I’m about to die anytime soon, but honestly, I won’t live forever.”

“That’s impossible.”

Did you really think I would live forever?

You should know better than that. It’s time to face reality.

“I’ve accepted the fate that God has bestowed upon me and have fulfilled the mission given to me by Him. To be honest, I should have died that day in Yekaterinburg.”

With half-dead eyes, I stared blankly into space.

At my words, everyone started to stir.

This is reality, after all. Why are you all so surprised? If it wasn’t my fate to die that day, would I have ended up in this situation now?

“Your Majesty, how can you speak such weak words?”

There’s nothing weak about it. That’s simply the truth.

“Here, let me remind the representatives of the Duma, citizens, laborers, the Roman Nationalist Party, the Freedom Party, and the Socialist Party. How much longer do you think the lifespan that God granted me will last? I’m not just stepping down for my sake or avoiding public appearances on purpose.”

I even thought about downplaying my presence, so don’t push it. “Your Majesty!”

Talking like that is giving me a headache.

“But I agree that if I step down now, it could plunge the Rome Treaty into chaos. Even if Poland and Finland are bound by the Rome Treaty, other ethnicities like the Cossacks, Mongols, and Manchus could break away as well.”

The United States may have lost its dominance over South America, but North America, Central America, and parts of South America still make it a huge power. I’ve set things up well as safety measures regarding those fellows.

Conversely, if I were to capture those guys and ascend to the title of true human emperor, I would still have to consider the possibility of dying, the scenario where my lifespan runs out.

When that time comes, it will collapse on its own, and the United States will seek independence as well. Regardless of the outcome, I can only fear for what happens after my death.

“Then, Your Majesty, what are we supposed to do?”

If you ask me what to do, honestly, I have no answer.

What should we do? Hmm, ah, right. There’s really nothing but to comfort them.

I can’t just say to the whole populace, “Look at me!”

I cleared my throat a few times and cautiously spoke.

“It’s simple. You must ensure that you soothe the workers and citizens no matter what happens.”

You need to do your utmost to avoid a riot.

Even without communism involved, given the current state of affairs, a riot seems inevitable no matter what measures are taken.

“Even so.”

“Even so, saying that is naive. Those damn French Commune folks are going to say, “Oh, our people will stop the imperialists!” And then, when the nuclear bomb drops, how can those present be certain that I will continue to exist as the Tsar of Russia forever? If I’m gone, this nation will be thrown into chaos as if it were hit by a nuclear bomb. Won’t it?”

“We didn’t think this through.”

We thought far too little.

Yeah. Maybe that could be true. Even I wouldn’t believe it.

A world without Anastasia. How could anyone survive?

I am the idol of everyone. The Tsar who neither ages nor ceases to be active. A popularity extending from Western Europe to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

This is unavoidable. I’m no fool.

I will not deny reality.

The popularity of my being is tremendous, and the invincibility present in this world is tied to the existence of Anastasia alone.

But because of that, the chaos that will ensue after my death is the real issue.

Countless turmoils will spread across Russia and Europe.

Only through my leadership has Europe become united.

Even if Vladimir accepts my abdicating, can he handle the Rome Treaty?

Vladimir is a war hero, but he will gradually crumble.

While there might be some way to endure, Russia wouldn’t hold the same authority as it does now.

“You see, I’ve only recently granted power to the Duma. The image of me trying to abdicate like this while the Duma struggles is not a good look, is it?”

Isn’t that just hilarious? The subjects who once aimed to behead the Tsar now want to strangle the Duma to keep the Tsar’s position?

That’s not what I had in mind at all.

“Ahem, I apologize.”

It feels a bit much to bow like that.

I’m not in a position to be picky right now.

How old am I now? I’ve hit sixty in terms of bodily age. Oh, of course, I mean my chronological age is sixty, but no matter how you look at it, I certainly don’t appear to have passed my twenties.

“This is a call to return to the past. I do believe that a wise ruler should remain on the throne for a long time.”

I understand that much.

Consider a dictator endowed with extraordinary capability.

Wouldn’t citizens accept a dictator like that, even in a democracy? Of course, they must still face political oversight.

“That’s right. We have no other Tsar besides you, Your Majesty.”

“I know that. But it doesn’t mean I’ll live forever.”

So, we must stop living in delusion and truly confront reality.

There is no immortality in this world, I say.

“Then, I suppose today’s meeting is about preparing for what comes after.”

“I too am now past sixty.”

Saying that out loud feels quite disheartening. Realizing my age leaves a bittersweet taste.

I really must wonder how long I can live.

While I don’t feel the fear of death at all, what answer should I provide to those who believe in and follow me? First and foremost, I must soothe them.

“Is that really so?”

“Yes. How long I might live is a question I can’t help but ponder. I have ideas, but those will only materialize once technology advances significantly. However, I need to at least hasten that process, even just a little.”

I’ve already borrowed some technology related to freezing from the United States, but ultimately, it all hinges on computers.

“What is that?”

“I’ll tell you. It’s the Anastasia Project.”

The Anastasia Project.

I had to relay this to the representatives of each organization.

Why do I have to say this? Because I need your help. To advance computer technology rapidly, the Duma, the Academy of Sciences, and even the private sector must dive into computer development. That’s what I’m saying here.

“When you mention the Anastasia Project.”

“I’d call it an electronic government project.”

I wonder if it’s okay to mention such things to people of this era, but figure it out yourself.

I’ve spoken like this on a personal level; if you don’t heed it, there’s nothing I can do.

If you wish for your Tsar to remain forever, you must accomplish this.

I intend to achieve what even Augustus couldn’t.

“An electronic government, you say?”

“Well, before I say that, I might need to explain it in various ways.”

I began my explanation.

Computers and the internet. How will they transform in the coming decades? I articulated it all for them one by one.

The history of computers, the components of computers, and what we should aim for in the future.

From the central government of Moscow to various local governments.

We must constantly research to foster the advancement of computers.

Although there are remnants of Tesla’s preparations, I don’t know how effective they’ll be.

“If an electronic government is established, then the Duma can just assist if the foundations are solid.”

“I’ll be a vessel containing my character and knowledge.”

“Is such a thing truly possible?”

“Creating it becomes your ultimate goal.”

Honestly, it’s a bit absurd to attempt to explain this to people with no knowledge of computers.

Yet, pouring resources into this project should yield results.

If you want me to remain, you need to help me.

“It will take at least half a century, won’t it? In that case, just what about you, Your Majesty?”

At least half a century, yes. Honestly, it could take longer than that.

If we advance technology more aggressively than the world I lived in, it might speed up a bit, but still.

“Results may take at least two generations to emerge. I will strive to ensure I’m alive by then.”

“We must also put in our efforts.”

At the very least, I tell myself I can probably hold on until then.

In reality, I might not actually die.

“So, you all must somehow produce results by then, and the local governments must maintain order among the citizens.”

“Understood.”

This way, I can find some peace of mind for contingencies.

“You absolutely must do this. The Tsar is in desperate need of your strength.”

Your strength is absolutely necessary.

I bow my head as low as I can.

“Then, in the highly unlikely event that something happens to you, Your Majesty…”

It’s highly unlikely anything will happen.

At least, that’s the conclusion I draw. Right now, there shouldn’t be any cause for concern.

What happens later is still uncertain.

“It seems unlikely, but in case it does, you all must soothe the citizens well. This is a request from your Tsar.”

As your Tsar, I beg you to assist me in advancing the future in any way you can.

That’s how I portrayed it on the surface.

You all need to achieve everything before I die.

“It shall be done.”

“The future is the age of scientific civilization. With help from the Rome Treaty, your determination is most essential, isn’t it?”

Your will shall determine whether this country progresses further or not.

At a glance, it does resemble a threat.

I could die for real someday. Therefore, you must take care of things properly.

Well, that’s how I can exit stage left if it doesn’t work out.

Then these folks will likely do their best to soothe the citizens to prevent chaos.

“Just leave it to us.”

The urgent fires have already sprung up; now, it’s about figuring out how to extinguish them.

* * *

I managed to douse a broken pot with water somewhat appropriately.

Phew, then, essentially, I can’t hide my identity anymore. I’ll have to come up with a new method.

How should I handle this?

Regardless, I can’t afford for my divine status to be established; that would be a blatant issue.

If that God dies, it would be catastrophic, ugh.

Ultimately, the greatest problem is the possibility of my own death.

The path I have to take ahead is a new one. At least, I need to think of a new method to prepare for my death.

Ah, right. But… there’s nothing.

I mean seriously, there’s genuinely nothing. It’s quite a stretch. The recent successes have mostly just been due to luck.

Even in science and technology, it’s just about making the workers and technicians operate somehow. I developed industrial power and technology with that mindset.

What will the future hold? I wish there were a dictionary that could reveal the future.

“What are you trying to do?”

“Oh, I’m wondering how to elevate my status. Huh? Who are you, by the way?”

“It’s been a while.”

What? The person I’ve waited so long for has finally appeared.

Wait, is this person even human? I’m starting to doubt that.

Suddenly, before me, this strange being appeared, and I blinked in astonishment.

Surely, you are the one who sent me to this place.