LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 374
It’s a bit tough for me to understand this part.
Well, it is the best way for those who are not immortal to serve their master.
I don’t know what to say about Maria’s unwavering loyalty that exceeds all expectations.
If it’s just for a little help in Yekaterinburg, then it feels a bit off.
It’s like they’d watch me for generations. That’s the vibe I’m getting.
I’ve already nailed down the idea that I’ll maintain the throne for a while.
The deity said that without me, everything would crumble, so there’s no choice.
“First, let’s see your mother, the original Maria.”
I shouldn’t waste my life on things like this.
Only birthing kids for my sake—that’s just not right.
Maria entered my office in less than 30 seconds after my summon.
“Maria, I understand your thoughts.”
I get what you’re thinking, but this isn’t right.
If the whole family exists just to serve me, what on earth does that mean?
Honestly, I want to say that’s not quite right.
“Well, it seems that our family can do the best for Your Majesty.”
“You really don’t have to tie yourself to me.”
You really don’t need to be so hung up on me.
Isn’t it odd to dedicate the family just to support one person?
They even had plans for Maria III already.
“Then, Your Majesty might spend your whole life without a trustworthy person.”
Maria is half-crying. Hmm, no one to rely on.
Yeah, that’s right. The longer I live, the more I see the people around me die.
Maria II, who was born later than me, has turned into an aunt by now.
Eventually, these people will grow old and die.
And in that moment, I’ll still be alive.
That damned old man at least left me with enough lifespan so that the world doesn’t collapse.
“Yeah, I can see that. I might cry sometimes.”
So far, I haven’t cried once. Honestly, it was fun to see historical heroes.
But from now on, it might change a bit.
If all the heroes I know die, and I end up detached from everything, then I might really cry from loneliness.
Duke Yusupov, the Black Count, Kolchak—they’re all old news now.
They all told me that they lived a splendid life because of me.
Even now, at this moment. This place is both my world and not my world.
No matter how I look at it, this just isn’t right.
But saying that is pointless. On the flip side, it’s something only I can do.
If I’m still around, we might avoid a godforsaken nuclear war era.
“But, you know, whether it’s Maria III or IV, it doesn’t mean much if it’s not really you.”
“Your Majesty.”
“Of course, I don’t dislike it. Still, I wouldn’t feel comfortable with your family constantly supporting me.”
I like that idea. However, it’s not that extreme, right?
How many Marias are they going to keep churning out because of me?
It would be better if it happened just naturally. They can say they don’t want to serve this zombie Tsar and just drop out. Just don’t be too harsh about it.
“Meaning, don’t go overboard.”
“Yeah, that’s the gist of it. I don’t want excessive protection either.”
But you know, even if I say I’m lonely, I’ve never felt lonely until now.
No matter how much fun it was watching the heroes,
maybe that’s why the world fell apart, and everything broke down, and I ended up a bit weird.
Sometimes it makes me curious. What happened to everyone else besides me?
If there are others like me, I’d like to meet them and at least have a conversation.
That could be some fun.
Sometimes I even think about that—dying and being reborn in another generation with memories of my past life.
Then at least, it wouldn’t feel as much like I’m living forever.
“Well, I get what you’re saying, Your Majesty.”
“Then—”
“Even if I don’t want to, everyone else will do it.”
Huh? Maria said even if she doesn’t want to, everyone will do it?
I can’t quite get that. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve done anything that good.
Killing the Reds can be justified.
But when I think of the harmful effects spread here and there, it was definitely worse than just what the Brits experienced.
Of course, if I dig deeper, Russia regained its territory and became a great power because of that, so that’s not really a concern.
“What do you mean by that?”
Maria said that even if she doesn’t want to, everyone will do it?
Sigh. Well, even so, it’s probably just Maria acting like this.
“Well, after already having stirred up a ruckus once, if not twice, with the abdication thing.”
“Twice? That’s a bit much. I haven’t exactly done that.”
This is the second time, I guess. This time, the people reacted sensitively, but I’ve brought up abdication in the Duma at least ten times in big and small terms.
Honestly, there wasn’t even a proper mention of abdication this time.
Just casually, ‘Hmm, maybe I’ll enjoy some hobbies and take a step back?’ That’s how the topic of abdication came up.
Even that issue simply arose because I didn’t show up on television or radio.
Thinking about it, it really makes me mad—why is everyone so desperate to keep the Tsar?
I really find it funny. What would my ancestors think if they saw me?
Honestly, I’m trying to take a step back, but the feverish fans of ‘Anastasia’ are causing a ruckus.
“Regardless, in any case, think if someone else were to do it. You won’t be able to rest easy either, Your Majesty? Since I’m capable, I don’t spread your abdication issues to the public.”
Oh, right. Thinking about it, Maria knows me too well.
In a sense, she hasn’t said much about it to outsiders.
“That means someone else would be risking something.”
Well, until now, I’ve let out so many things that have already been out in public.
If it were anyone but Maria,
whatever happened could spread outside, and the ‘Anastasia’ fan club might trigger protests with their banners too!
Wow, thinking about it, that’s terrifying.
“That’s right. I can’t talk comfortably. It’s like this.”
I can’t talk freely with anyone.
If it were someone other than Maria, they might go to even more extremes. If I mention my abdication, they might bring their Go boards and festival trucks and start protesting!
“Yes. This is to protect Your Majesty.”
It’s to protect me.
“Sigh, the seed I’ve sown is getting out of hand.”
The seed I’ve sown is way too big. What I’ve planted is coming back to me like a boomerang.
Maria has to stay by my side for all this to work.
But if I hadn’t done this, Russia couldn’t have grown this much.
At least, the current Russia has developed to the maximum across the provinces using my authority.
Historically, Russia, even in the 21st century, had just a few decent big cities, and much of the countryside was in a dire state—it truly was a joke, but this world’s Russia is living better overall, albeit only with a 60’s level of technology.
It really comes down to having Anastasia as a core element.
If the core is taken out, that’s the end.
If substitutions disappear, like if bulk products are brought in, meaning, if the AI Anastasia has been developed to replace the core, then at least I’d say I’m quitting! I shouldn’t whine about it.
“Alright. But at least I need some time to relax. So, you know—what’s the term? ‘Psychological’? I need a proper holiday that feels satisfying, you know?”
Oh, a proper holiday that feels satisfying. Not bad at all.
Even saying that, this seems to be a pretty solid plan. Setting up a formal holiday and, to make sure the citizens don’t realize it, filming a broadcast or something.
“When you say a formal holiday, hmm.”
“Honestly, I’ve naturally been grading and going here and there almost every day lately.”
So, at least I need to do this one thing properly.
Yeah. The Tsar should have a workweek of five days.
Wow, this is really a brilliant idea, isn’t it?
“Do you have any good ideas?”
“Of course! Wouldn’t it be great to declare a five-day workweek going forward?”
“A Tsar with a five-day workweek?”
Yeah. This is the best idea I’ve come up with.
Tsar with a five-day workweek. Even if it’s not a complete ‘fire’ regime, taking two days off out of seven shouldn’t be too bad, right?
Honestly, filming some commercials or appearing in news isn’t difficult.
It should be feasible to negotiate resting through the weekends.
“Yeah. It wouldn’t be a big deal since I hardly work much anyway, even if I took two days off, so five days should be fine.”
You get what I’m saying. Even if I do less work, it’s still work.
Receiving formal holidays feels different.
At this point, I won’t mention anything more about abdication.
That old man sorted out my lifespan somehow. No, it’s not something that can be sorted, but anyway. For the time being, death isn’t on the agenda.
“It feels like extending formal holidays.”
“Oh, that doesn’t sound bad.”
“The rest of the two days should probably be handled by Vladimir.”
If it were like this, the citizens wouldn’t notice.
“I’d allow the Duma or Rome Treaty Headquarters to handle this.”
No, needing permission feels like the worst thing ever.
Why am I, a Roman Emperor, in a position where I need to seek permission?
* * *
At the Rome Treaty Headquarters, the Tsar’s written order had to be received directly.
Declaring a five-day workweek and taking two weekend days off.
The members of the Rome Treaty were left in utter shock and even gasped half-heartedly at this proclamation.
“The Tsar declares a five-day workweek.”
“Wait, if you’re just a figurehead, can’t you take seven days off?”
I mean, you hardly do any work, do you?
After all, after the Second World War, you mainly show up in commercials or news.
“Don’t you watch television? The Tsar is on almost every day. Declaring he’ll rest for two days out of the week. That’s what it means.”
“I’m aware, but…”
The Romanian representative sighed, staring at the version of the Anastasia Palace ‘Anachan’ figure on the desk.
That’s right. Unknowingly, everyone was a fan.
Frankly, she has genuinely maintained her youthful appearance like a saint all this time.
Isn’t it odd for there to be no fans? Just existing itself is pure fantasy.
Yeah, it’s really like a figure from a novel exists in reality.
Naturally, it makes sense for people to be fans.
“Then, it would cause quite a stir.”
“Well, certainly, there will be nation-wide protests in Russia and the countries under its influence.”
Already, chaos had erupted with Moscow taking the lead.
Naturally, if this matures deeply, it will spread to other countries.
“It’s a bit of a frenzy in our country, too.”
“Are you talking about Britain?”
Britain? The members of the Rome Treaty were puzzled by the fact that Britain was also in a frenzy over the Tsar’s abdication issue.
After all, even if we’re all unified now, Britain and Russia have had a Great Game relationship, right?
“In the last major war, it seems the food supplied by the Romanov brand was quite significant. The citizens of London were starving but survived just barely.”
In fact, Anastasia’s popularity in Britain was considerable.
After all, she guaranteed the securing of old England’s continental territory.
Plus, she fed the starving citizens of London.
Additionally, since she was granted the naval commander role in the Rome Treaty, her approval rating was considerable.
So there was a sense of discontent with the five-day workweek.
This isn’t just a vague fan sentiment.
Seriously, if an immortal suddenly stops showing themselves in the media and casts a dark shadow on the world, what do you think would happen?
It’s a completely valid reaction.
“Hmm, but I think five days should be okay.”
Five days sounds reasonable to consider.
“Honestly, even when the representatives of each country at the Rome Treaty Headquarters changed a few times, you were still the Roman Emperor all along.”
Even when the representatives changed, the Tsar remained there.
Of course, Grand Duke Vladimir visited Rome occasionally, but that was it.
“That’s something we can overlook.”
If the Roman Emperor abdicates, the repercussions will be significant.
That’s a sure fact.
If Grand Duke Vladimir also doesn’t age, that would be one thing. But he’s aging now.
Still, the Tsar remains the same.
Truly, a god-given appearance. Capability. Of course, since the appearance has that effect, being over sixty and yet radiating freshness and innocence is also substantial.
Logically, having such a youthful appearance, it would be strange if he weren’t treated as being in their twenties.
In other words, it might be a bit awkward for those aged members in this headquarters, who perceive the relatively young Tsar as someone they’d rather not have working.
Honestly, it’s a huge deal—being immortal and effectively deified.
If the god who appeared every day declares he wants to take two days off, wouldn’t that sound a bit strange?