I Became the Last Princess of the Brown Bear Kingdom

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I want to take a look around, but I don’t really plan on going in.

What does it matter if I become the Queen of France? Honestly, Poland and Finland haven’t really held grand coronations either.

I just kind of ended up on the throne through a formal regency council in Finland and Poland.

“Why write anything? I should return to Russia.”

“But you have your palace in Constantinople, and also in Rome! Surely, as the Emperor of Rome, you should have palaces all around the world!”

Yeah, they do exist. To be exact, I have my palace in major spots around the world.

I even have one in Harbin in the Far East.

Some might say that’s extravagant, but with the vast land from the Rome Treaty, what can you do?

Of course, what Alisa is saying now is practically a luxury.

She’s not wrong, though. It does seem a bit excessive to want another palace in France. Besides, Paris has practically turned into an international city.

France isn’t a terrible place, but having lived in Russia for so long, I can’t help but feel that Russia is home.

“Hm, I really don’t see the need.”

I should just stick around here for a bit and then head back to Russia.

I doubt the French want me to stick around just in France, either.

Thinking about it, this could also pose a problem.

If my crown were to increase, I’d also need to build more palaces.

I couldn’t just meld my palaces into the Kremlin in Russia, right? That would be ridiculous.

“I have some interesting news for you.”

“Interesting news?”

I’m always a bit wary when it comes to that “news.”

After all, it’s that very news that has led to this whole mess I’m in now.

Becoming the Queen of France was kind of an accident, and who would actually believe I could make the Palace of Anastasia here? I guess it’s a case of my own making, but still, since I’ve heard potentially troublesome news, I want to know what Alisa has to say.

“Yes. Besides the Libya and Egypt news, this is actually good news.”

Is there really something worth calling interesting news?

If Libya and Egypt are the problematic part, then does it mean they want to crown me somewhere else?

“Some Russian-born members of the Balhae Federation have suggested making you the Empress of Balhae.”

They want me to become the Empress of the Balhae Federation? I wonder if the Koreans would even allow that?

Empress of Balhae. Hmm. Since it’s coming from Russians, I doubt it would have much weight.

“Aren’t those just words coming from there? If it’s simply the talk among Russians, just let it slide.”

Of course it’s expected to come from just the Russians.

Though, if they keep pushing, the country might become chaotic, so we might need to take care of that.

“Balhae is a multi-ethnic state, isn’t it? With Russians, Manchus, Jews, Han Chinese, and even some Koreans, quite a number want to elevate you to Empress.”

Hmm, being a multi-ethnic state means we can’t ignore it.

Still, becoming the Emperor in Balhae is a bit much.

That would basically mean fully incorporating the public sphere into the Roman Treaty, and that’s something I don’t want.

Internationally, that would also be a no-go.

Even now, the United States views the public sphere as a double-edged sword of the Roman Treaty, but to be directly merged into the Roman Treaty would make no sense.

If that happens, what about the economic block of the other countries tied to Balhae? Since I was Korean in a past life, I’d like to make some excuses to enjoy my time, but the public sphere just doesn’t fit that system.

It can’t be helped. I don’t know if Balhae truly desires this, but even if they ask, we should refuse.

Balhae should at least remain a heavy-hitting power in Asia in the future, and being tied to international organizations like us would make that hard.

It’s been decades since they broke free from colonialism, but comparing the public sphere to Europe, the public sphere is practically nothing.

Exactly. Balhae has no choice due to various reasons.

“Anyway, Balhae is a no-go. It won’t look good if the balance of power we worked hard to establish collapses. Plus, Balhae might end up separating while other public sphere members will be scrambling to get in on the Roman Treaty.”

That’s definitely not a good idea.

“That’s unfortunate.”

“Moreover, if they force it, the Koreans will be quite dissatisfied. After all, they might appreciate us for granting them independence but wouldn’t want their monarch to be of us.”

Plus, there’s a bad memory of the monarchy.

There’s no reason for me to go and stir up anti-Russian sentiments.

I don’t particularly need to care about their feelings, but really? Unless the vast majority of Koreans all accept me, I can’t see that happening.

Not a chance that would be true.

For now, it’s unfortunate, but let’s lean toward a refusal.

“But what if we approach it differently?”

“A different approach? Is there another way?”

Honestly, I can’t picture Koreans wanting to have a white emperor.

This is somewhat distancing from racism, but you know how it goes.

If we really get into it, it’s like how the Mongols ruled over the Han Chinese; would that not be good?

Sure, we could just establish an independent government and have the Russian emperor as the head of state, similar to a Commonwealth structure.

Regardless, it’s a tough situation due to the public sphere.

“Religion has no borders, does it? What if you simply make it into a religion?”

“Make it into a religion? What kind of crazy talk is that? I’m not biting on that.”

Wait, I’m scared this might actually happen?

Alisa’s eyes are deadly serious, and it terrifies me.

What if they try to make me into a religion in Korea? Would that even work?

“Making it into a religion? That’s not totally out of the question.”

“You’re a living legend! You don’t age, nor do you get sick. Truly, a living legend.”

Yeah, I can’t deny that. I am a living legend in the flesh.

I take pride in being the most remarkable human since history began.

Of course, it’s all because of my cheat key, but at least other people would see me as the greatest figure, right?

Just look at the Russians; they’d cheer “Anastasia!” even if their heads got cracked.

“Even being a living legend sounds nice, but who knows.”

Doesn’t that sound a bit frightening?

“Let’s subtly spread it like a religion within the Balhae Federation. Using the Okhrana’s Asian connections, we could encroach on them in no time.”

Spread it like a religion within the Balhae Federation?

Uh, isn’t that essentially spy work in several senses?

-You’re an Anastasiac, aren’t you!

-Busted. But hear me out.

I can already imagine that kind of talk starting, why there’s always someone on the internet calling others spies or Reds in this 21st-century Korea.

Whatever the case, it’s clear that things weren’t all that pleasant.

The thought of me being turned into a religion and spreading doesn’t sit well with me.

I’m saying again, the public sphere is a no-go. Absolutely not.

“No, that’s still a no.”

“Still, as the Emperor, shouldn’t you rise to become the Emperor of Humanity?”

As an emperor, I’m being asked to become the emperor of humanity. Hmm. That gives me pause for just a moment.

But no. Even if I consider it, my existence isn’t some hypnosis app; that’s too much.

Going too far isn’t a great idea.

Even if it were truly possible, that would be crossing a line.

I should just maintain the present as it is and pull back slowly once the AI Anastasia project is complete.

“No way. Absolutely not. Hold back. Got it?”

I actively, sincerely, and increasingly sought to shut it down.

I’m kind of stressed out by the thought of that.

“Hey, as if I would do that. Then, I’ll respond with a refusal.”

“Yeah. That’s better. And.”

“What?”

For a moment, I tapped my finger on my head.

Before that, I need to at least confirm if France will remain a place where communism won’t take root in the future. That’s something I should check.

I think that’s necessary.

“Anyway, I do want to see a few things before I head back.”

“What do you want to see?”

If someone asks me what I’m looking for, then it’s only natural to answer.

I should have figured this out beforehand, but I failed.

“I want to know if this country can truly accept a queen.”

For now, I ended up accepting the throne of France by surprise, but a throne is a throne. France was once a puppet state of Communist Germany, even for a short period.

There’s still a chance that the regions might have been tinged red. So, I’d like to see how anti-communist education is being conducted.

“Is there a way to find that out?”

Well, there are methods, actually. Several of them.

For one, I could check with the Okhrana. Alternatively, I could personally go around and inspect for terrorism.

“Surely there’s some kind of anti-communism education?”

Anti-communism education is an extremely important part.

It’s previously been instituted, but France still doesn’t know.

I know that anti-communism education was temporarily uprooted after the Commune took power and restarted afterward. Still, getting a sense of the situation would be good.

Thus, I decided to visit a school to see the anti-communism education in person.

It’s time to disguise myself as a college student, Anastasia-style.