I Became the Last Princess of the Brown Bear Kingdom

---

Honestly, seeing such a low level of humanity makes me think this is all politics can muster~ I feel like saying that outright.

Of course, saying it directly would be a bit much.

“But isn’t it better to go straight to the capital?”

Right. The place we landed was on the east side.

Not the west where the capital Tripoli is, but the east.

Ideally, we’d be advancing east from Algeria and hitting Tripoli directly before heading further east to Egypt. But for now, I plan to move gradually from the east.

That’s how we can win over the people’s hearts.

Just capturing the capital won’t solve everything.

“No, it’s important to secure public support step by step.”

“Public support?”

La Roche tilted his head.

Tsk tsk. This is why colonial empires just can’t get it.

You can’t just bulldoze your way in; you need public approval to legitimately take control of Libya.

If you suddenly shove weapons in their faces, their spirits will be crushed. It’ll remind them of the colonial days, for sure.

This should be handled through the Rome Treaty side, acting like a pseudo-UN.

Besides, this matter isn’t even going to the UN.

It’s like how the UN peacekeeping forces come in and take care of things.

We need to prepare for sending forces towards Egypt too.

It might be good to reinstate a monarchy over there.

“Well, we’ve gathered all the supplies.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. We’ve brought provisions to feed the Libyans.”

Good. That should suffice.

“We are no longer a colonial empire. So, please feed the starving Libyans we encounter along the way.”

We are no longer a colonial empire.

If we’re going to keep the washer running, we need to do this much.

We need to change our image. Instead, we’ll paint anyone who embezzled money from Libya in a bad light.

One day, we’ll engrave in history that our colonization was truly to spread civilization.

That’ll become the narrative.

Of course, the Japanese Empire were real bastards! That will remain unchanged.

After all, didn’t they massacre millions of Chinese, if not tens of millions?

As for us, we just want to present ourselves as the bearers of civilization.

“Are we not capturing anyone?”

Well, saying we’re not capturing anyone isn’t quite right.

“Let’s just capture those who resist us.”

Those are probably the real ones.

To be fair, why would poor people resist?

Some of those colonies are well aware they’ve been integrated into the mainland like Libya and Egypt.

“For now, Libya is under military dictatorship.”

“Is it similar to Egypt?”

I didn’t expect it to be similar to Egypt.

No, I mean, you’ve got to know something about them.

I have no idea how these African military regimes end up in such a state.

Is there anywhere in Africa that a military regime has successfully governed?

I handed everything over to the Rome Treaty, but seeing how quickly the crown issue erupted, the Rome Treaty is clearly out of options.

Unless they just relied on me and ended up here.

Neither scenario is good.

“Yes. The Kingdom of Libya was briefly independent, but the military denounced and expelled those set up by the Rome Treaty.”

That could be a problem.

I wasn’t exactly aware of their news but anyway, they’ve sent the royal family packing. As an Emperor of a monarchy, I can’t help but feel a bit dissatisfied with that.

“They captured them and then made a deal with the Rome Treaty, huh?”

“Yes. We can’t do much about our former colonies either.”

The Rome Treaty worked hard to align with my will. They really did their utmost to stop it.

“They took advantage of that atmosphere to seize power.”

That’s likely true. Especially since Libya was under Communist Italy.

There must have been a lot of tearing apart and chatter going on.

“The Rome Treaty is a bit arrogant in your majesty’s will but has learned to back down diplomatically.”

Got it. This time it was my mistake.

If the Rome Treaty just let it slide, it seems they view it as just another incidental matter.

They’re simply a partner nation, nothing more or less.

“They’ve set up various kings in that region. They called back all the previously expelled monarchs. Actually, should we combine them all into one to avoid the hassle?”

The idea of putting a king on the throne is a bit bothersome.

Maybe we can just create a North African Viceroyalty or North African Union, whatever suits.

Just combining it seems better.

Ideally, it would be good to slice it up big and keep it together. It would definitely feel weird to separate Libya and Egypt.

“Combine you say?”

Right. Dividing Libya, Egypt, and so on feels a bit off.

Other African countries just painted everything purple under the Ethiopian government’s umbrella, avoiding having to mark them all out on the map, right?

Africa is just a place that feels off to me.

Not that I dislike the people here, but I just don’t like how the map looks.

“Let’s just move ahead and see how it goes. This place is called Tubruq, right? Let’s go.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

Tubruq, practically the last city in the west.

We set up our command base here.

There was no significant resistance against us here.

Honestly, I don’t know if the Rome Treaty thought we were going to mobilize troops for this or if they underestimated it, but whatever.

There weren’t really any troops to speak of.

They probably never imagined we would come out like this, thinking we were just messing around.

“Ah, Your Majesty, how about this?”

“What is it?”

Something Louise passed to me looked like a tricorn hat.

Wait, isn’t that called a bicorne? Reminds me of Napoleon.

Oh, this is way too big; I mean, it’s not outrageously oversized, but it seems too large for my small head. But why did she give me this?

“It’s a Napoleon hat.”

“Oh, this is a bit much.”

No matter how you look at it, isn’t this a bit much?

Is it going to look good if I put it on my head? Hmm, probably not terrible, but wearing a Napoleon hat in this day and age; I wonder if that’s really appropriate.

“Don’t you think it would look cute if you wear it?”

Honestly, is looking cute really the key right now? That’s ridiculous.

“I don’t think being cute at my age makes much sense.”

“But you are the King of the Franco-Algerian Union!”

Was France really that kind of place? I mean, since they incorporated Algeria, it seems correct.

They do say there are quite a few Algerians in the French army, anyway.

There was no way I could refuse since Louise was looking at me with sparkling eyes, so I reluctantly accepted it.

* * *

Landing of French troops in eastern Libya and moving west.

Instead of charging straight from Algeria or landing directly in the capital, the east landing has created chaos in Libya.

“What brings the French troops here?”

“We’re the army from the Rome Treaty Organization. Your president rejected our ultimatum, so we came.”

In other words, they’re saying to clear the way.

It’s a bit awkward to get beaten up just for resisting.

“That’s absurd. Are they trying to colonize us again?”

Are they out of their minds? There’s nothing to gain from making Libya a colony.

Well, we’ve already taken the oil, and there’s no reason to take on additional risk.

It’s just that we’re really pissed off at you for taking our money.

As long as you listen to us, we have no intention of bothering you.

On the one hand, it’s important to charm the impoverished Libyans by giving them this and that.

Our French commander is also dispatching various supplies to Libyan regions and making a point of it.

“We have no intention of making it a colony, we’re just here to deal with the military that embezzled the modernization funds supported by the Rome Treaty. If you don’t resist, we promise to treat you better than the government, so just stay quiet.”

Just clear the way.

I mean, they’re not interested in fighting; they just want to get rid of the government.

At least that’s how it should be.

“It really means you’re not planning to establish a colony?”

The local military commander was really skeptical if we weren’t just going to make a colony.

Ahh, come on, if you can’t trust people that much, then I really had to come here.

I am, after all, a person who played a part in the global liberation from colonialism.

“This is the French Royal Army from the Rome Treaty. Trust me, the commander is a Byzantine Emperor. Moreover, what would we gain by colonizing you?”

That should suffice.

My very existence here is no less than a symbol of liberation from colonial rule.

And I’m riding in front of the French army.

“Ah, understood.”

The Libyan army didn’t really resist.

I figured they knew it was futile to oppose us.

Even if they tried, they’d realize it’d lead to a serious fight in which they’d lose everything.

Unexpectedly, the Libyan army accepted this easily.

If they had any sense at all, they’d know that we could easily move from Algeria to Tripoli.

Moreover, claiming that we’re here to assist those poor Libyan cities under dismal conditions is an excellent excuse.

We slowly moved east while providing all kinds of help to the people.

It’s said that public sentiment is akin to divine sentiment.

No matter how they view us, as long as we actively assist, they’ll have no choice but to cooperate with us.

“Wait, we developed the country and provided countless funds to your president, yet nothing has changed?”

“Is that really true?”

The Libyans were astounded by what we said as we passed by.

Honestly, I understand their surprise. How could the colonial power that once oppressed them be giving out money?

“Exactly. We’ve led this army here not because we want to make you into a colony but to confront your president directly because he ignored our demands for an explanation about that money.”

“Th-That’s not possible.”

Sadly, the Libyans didn’t seem well-informed about our situation.

Of course, their president wouldn’t say, “I’ve embezzled money!” because then the locals wouldn’t remain unscathed.

Judging from their immediate reactions, they clearly lacked the strength to oppose us, which is why they kept quiet. If they had weapons, they would have likely set up defenses by now.

Since they had none, they would not defend against our arrival. More accurately, they simply had no military that could match the Treaty Army.

They might have something in the capital, but in these regions, it didn’t matter whether they led a miserable life or faced invasions.

“It appears Libya is not really a big deal judging by how quickly this is being resolved.”

Tripoli will be the real issue.

After all, we’re here to topple the military dictatorship.

I wonder if there’s a defending force in the capital, Tripoli?

This time we’re not even here to fight. It’d be nice if they could lie low and surrender quietly upon our arrival.

“By the way, that hat suits you well.”

This bicorne? Is it really that fitting despite its round top? While I don’t dislike this hat, it does feel a bit off to wear it and twist my head like this.

I want to keep it stable. If it tilts, it’ll look ridiculous.

“Does this hat really look good? I can’t tell.”

It feels awkwardly large and a bit uncomfortable too.

I wonder if I’ll look strange wearing this.

I have no idea how to move my head with this awkward angle.

“Although you may not be Napoleon, you are rebuilding Rome, so it may suit you even better.”

Comparing me to Napoleon, I can’t help but feel I’m stronger, right?

I’ve done so much to rebuild Rome myself.

I didn’t even have to fight like Napoleon did.

“Well, flattery doesn’t yield any results.”

La Roche seems to have a knack for flattery. Was he always good at this?

At least it’s a relief he’s not someone hostile towards me.

Still, the journey to Tripoli feels troubling.

“Please allow us to accompany you!”

Please grant us permission to follow.

I don’t know what they’re thinking, but many Libyans want to join us and go together.

I asked the local Libyans who volunteered as guides about Tripoli.

“Is there a defending force in Tripoli?”

“Yes, I believe there’s still a force, but they likely aren’t that strong.”

“Are you sure you’re not underestimating them? What’s the name of their leader?”

“He’s quite young. His name is Muammar Gaddafi.”

“You mean young? How young?”

If he’s young, he’s bound to be younger than me, right?

Anyone who engages in a military dictatorship wouldn’t be normal.

If he’s young and crazy, he needs to be dealt with.

“He was born in ’42, so he should be 29 now.”

“Quite young indeed.”

When I lived in Korea, at that age, I was just starting my career, hustling for a living, right?

I honestly think having younger leaders is great.

Countries somehow operate even with incompetent leaders.

Well, Korea is a democracy, and in the 21st century, it’s tough to maintain a military dictatorship, but still.

“At that age, to be a dictator, he must be outstanding in several ways, but it still feels a bit unsettling.”

I’m in this situation because of that clown.

It’s sad to see young zealots ruin a country, isn’t it?