I Became the Last Princess of the Brown Bear Kingdom

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**Vichy France**

Around this time, Vichy France was slowly starting to entertain ideas of reunification with Burgundy.

“Shouldn’t we consider reuniting with Burgundy?”

Burgundy had long been independent. At this point, isn’t it worth a shot?

If we could somehow get a positive response about reunification from the Rome Treaty, the situation would change.

Thus, La Roche mentioned Burgundy in parliament.

“I hear Burgundy is also trying to unify with Germany.”

“Why are they being greedy? Thanks to the Kaiser, we already took Alsace-Lorraine and Luxembourg. Isn’t that enough?”

De Gaulle scoffed, astonished.

Although he was now old and his vision was failing, the thought that Germany might take Burgundy left him with a tight feeling at the back of his neck.

Making an alliance just like Russia? Isn’t that a bit overboard?

Logically speaking, France had suffered nothing but losses in the last war.

Of course, integrating Algeria into the homeland has allowed us to reclaim some land lost to Britain.

“Maybe we should inform the Rome Treaty Headquarters?”

“Is there any point in informing them since it’s just the Rome Treaty?”

If Germany were to unify Burgundy, that would spell real disaster for France.

Apart from Algeria, losing the homeland we previously controlled would be devastating.

“Come on, can we compare what we hold with what the Rome Treaty holds?”

It’s like having a toy in my hand versus my parents holding it.

“From the beginning, Burgundy was part of France. This is a bit much.”

The loss of the homeland we were already plundered of by Britain was shocking enough.

Beating up those damn Reds changed the situation, but it felt like we’d lost our northern coastal regions completely.

No matter how unified we may appear under the Rome Treaty, dissatisfaction is bound to arise.

And then, new information came in.

“I hear the Tsar is coming.”

Tsar coming? What the hell does that mean?

“What’s the Tsar coming here for?”

“Officially, it’s called a tour, but it seems to be more of a trip. He’ll likely be entering Paris first.”

Officially a tour. But a trip.

Can we really call it just a trip?

Everywhere that Tsar has gone, something has happened.

A walking disaster, for sure.

There’s even some resistance to the Tsar within France.

Although Paris is gone, weren’t the nuclear bombs ultimately created by the Tsar of Russia?

Of course, there would be anti-Tsar figures.

Although it’s merely uncomfortable. Attacking the Tsar, the one who ended the war, wouldn’t be taken lightly.

In any case, with the mobilization order in practically full swing, many died, and among the people in the Commune, there were still those hoping for the war to end.

“A trip to France? Hmm. Well, Vichy is a nice resort area.”

Now, with deepening wrinkles, De Gaulle muttered cautiously.

“Are we really talking about resorts right now?”

What’s so resort-like about Vichy?

“Is the Tsar really coming for a serious vacation?”

Hasn’t he recently claimed to be taking a break at the Rome Treaty Headquarters?

He says he’s coming to France for some leisure, but is it really just leisure? France is on edge.

“Hmm, then while he’s here, perhaps we should bring up the unification talk.”

After all, Burgundy is now more like a self-governing entity that can merge with either Germany or France.

Of course, it would be necessary to act a little subserviently.

“So, does that mean we have to accommodate the Tsar’s trip as best as we can?”

French lawmakers were sweating, considering how to please the Tsar.

The Emperor of the Rome Treaty.

How much leeway do we have to give if such a figure is on a trip?

“I guess we have to view it that way.”

“This madness. How did France end up like this?”

Lawmakers sighed at the thought that once upon a time, Great France had fallen into such a pit.

Surely it wouldn’t be this dreadful. It’s too pathetic.

To think we should be wary of Russia like this.

“We almost didn’t get back our homeland. We barely got it back, and now those damned Commies are forcing real men into internment camps. The trauma is just too much. We should be grateful for having at least regained some land.”

Clearly, La Roche was making a pragmatic observation.

Honestly speaking, France is out of options now, isn’t it? If we just push the mess onto Britain, Germany, and Spain, what difference would it make?

France might have been pushed into becoming a dual republic of Algeria and France.

At least we should be thankful for being rescued at all.

—

**Paris, France.**

The journey to Paris was quite short.

Just hopped on a direct train, zipped through Poland, Germany, and the Low Countries, and boom—I’m in.

Europe being so interconnected really does make things easy.

Especially considering how quickly things are getting fixed up after the war.

“Phew, finally arrived.”

Unlike when the bomb dropped, now I have welcomed the new skies of Paris.

I had been here long ago.

To be exact, it was during the war. The world war, that is.

I had entered the place a few weeks after the bomb dropped.

Back then, it was nothing but ruins. With the effects of the nuclear bomb, it looked like a ghost town.

Honestly, I was a bit excited.

After all, ‘Pétain’ blew up his own capital, and afterward, didn’t he order the reconstruction under the Rome Treaty?

Upon returning to Paris after so long, things seemed peculiar.

“Is this Paris? Hmm.”

All I had seen back then were ruins.

The city of Paris had changed so much since then. It gives off a dollhouse vibe, to put it lightly.

It looked like a city constructed simply to be admired.

It seemed so decorated, over-the-top in a way that felt somewhat off.

An exterior reminiscent of a fragile toy house.

“Yeah, a lot has changed,”

Maria II, who accompanied me on this trip, said while gazing at the Eiffel Tower in the distance.

The Eiffel Tower. That isn’t just the Eiffel Tower.

I ordered the old Eiffel Tower to be taken down, wrapped up, and rebuilt to look impressive.

This wasn’t just any skeletal structure like the original Eiffel Tower.

“It’s truly regrettable. So many lost their lives here.”

Many people died here.

Yes, the Paris Commune. It’s truly regrettable. It shouldn’t have happened. It’s sad that so many perished.

They died because of the bombing.

It reminded me just how terrifying radiation can be.

“Are you referring to the radiation victims?”

“It’s really a shame for those victims.”

Honestly, I could have left it to fate, but still…

I guess I can’t help but be hypocritical. I am called the Saint of Death.

It’s because I am who I am that I can afford to be so relaxed.

“However, weren’t they Reds?”

“Right. They were Reds.”

No matter how much I try to be nice, the dead are merely Reds.

“If they’re Reds, then I don’t mind if they die.”

Only the Reds need to die. That’s the lesson I’ve taught the Russians.

Maybe that’s why I appreciate what Maria II has to say.

This way, no matter what happens later, the world can focus on anti-communism.

“But it’s regrettable. How did it come to this? It’s something I can’t help but think about every day.”

Truth be told, I don’t really mind.

But when I think about it, the mood gets odd. What on earth is that ideology worth?

Why do those Reds get so wrapped up in it and suffer like this?

“It can’t be helped. It’s all the choice of the French Commune, right?”

“In the end, it must be that guy’s pride. So, are there no Paris citizens left?”

If they died because of that guy’s pride, are the people here all from other regions?

“The Commune itself has been wiped out. The people here should all be considered immigrants.”

That much is obvious.

No matter how instense the hellish experience was in Paris, the place is still crowded.

“So you’re saying none of the original Paris citizens remain?”

Reconstruction isn’t fully finished yet.

Considering the fuss of integrating the Rome Treaty recently, it seems to have finally reached a state close to ‘incomplete’.

The roads have been newly paved, and buildings are popping up everywhere.

“Yes, the Rome Treaty is working on a project to receive immigrants.”

A project to take in immigrants under the Rome Treaty, huh?

Well, I guess the Rome Treaty is at least handling their tasks properly.

“Even immigrants?”

Yes. It seems they plan to fill Paris with even immigrants.

That sounds okay.

There are surely individuals who haven’t been compensated by the state for the last war.

Some must have lost their homes, especially with Britain occupying northern France—there must have been many refugees.

Paris could be shaped into a place to accommodate such people.

They probably want to fill it, even if it means doing things that way.

If so, the future would truly mean Paris would not be a city just for the French.

“It’s practically turned into a tourist spot now.”

Paris has entirely become a tourist destination.

“Shall we rest a bit before moving? Is there anything fun to do?”

“Besides tea shops and bakeries, I don’t think there’s much else.”

Really? Is there nothing at all?

“That’s a bit sad. I came here to unwind.”

“It can’t be helped, can it? Since they’ve been busy with reconstruction lately. Still, the food is good, right?”

Indeed, the French bread was decent.

Yeah. I expected too much.

If I had known it would be like this, I probably shouldn’t have wiped Paris off the map.

Then I could have eaten my fill while in Paris. I had always dreamed of touring Paris.

If not for the Commune, it would have been perfect. Sigh.

“Well, that’s true. So, shall we head to Vichy then?”

I threw in the towel on searching for any fun here.

Still, just seeing the Eiffel Tower was satisfaction enough.

After all, it had been wrecked and looked hideous. To put it bluntly, it was all a joke gone wrong.

This is what they call an alternate history Eiffel Tower, right?

Just then, a few men in black suits appeared.

“Are you His Majesty the Tsar?”

“Who dares to mention the Tsar to me, mother?!”

Maria stepped in to block them.

Who are these dudes? I’ve never seen any Frenchmen around here.

At first glance, they looked typically dressed but with their faces hidden. Clearly, they weren’t ordinary folks.

Are they here to kill me? No, but it feels suspicious.

“I apologize. We come from the Order of the Cross of Fire.”

“The Order of the Cross of Fire?”

Has the Order of the Cross of Fire survived? I heard about them, but yeah…

“They’re similar to the Roman Nationalist Party in Russia. Our party leader is François de La Roche.”

La Roche is still alive, huh?

“Ah, I’ve heard of him. But are you after me?”

“I’m terribly sorry. However, we must keep the safety of Your Majesty in mind.”

I can understand that.

Of course, the national leader is on the move. The Rome Treaty side would surely be aware of it.

It’s only natural for them to come to protect me.

“Sure, I understand that.”

“But you seem to have other intentions, no?”

“Actually, our party leader explicitly stated that he wants to meet Your Majesty.”

“Party leader? So that means I have to go to him? The one who wants to meet should come to me, right?”

How rude! Huh? You should be bowing before me. Right?

“That follows the principle, but we’ve prepared a villa in Vichy for Your Majesty, inviting you personally.”

“Oh, an invitation?”

An invitation changes things, but really?

Why would I meet La Roche out of the blue?

It’s not like I’ve met him before.

“Well, it would be our honor to bring you personally, but given your preference to move discreetly, if our party leader comes, it might lead to larger complications, don’t you think?”

That’s true. I wouldn’t want to cause unnecessary fuss either.

After all, I’m here ‘undercover.’

While the governments and local authorities might know, the citizens here have no clue about me.

So, while I find La Roche annoying, I can’t fully disapprove of him.

If they found out I was here, things would be chaotic.

Yeah, when looking at it, it’s more of being savvy than arrogant, though La Roche’s desire to meet me feels a bit off.

“What’s the reason?”

“There’s something related to unification that we’d like to discuss.”

Unification? Alright, according to the treaty, they mentioned unification with Burgundy.

So, sure. It’s a thought process that makes sense. Being unified with Burgundy is understandable.

As a citizen of a divided nation, I can sympathize with that sentiment.

However, that understanding is only surface-level.

Why should I help them with that?