LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 393
“Yes. I can’t say there isn’t.”
“Why’s that?”
I can take a guess, but from Spain’s perspective, isn’t now exactly the worst time to be wary of France?
“If France gets too cocky in the future, wouldn’t the south of the Pyrenees become dangerous?”
The south of the Pyrenees would be at risk. What does that mean? It means France could become hostile toward Spain.
Honestly, it’s hard to imagine France regaining its former power like before.
Burgundy is working on voting now, but they’ve already lost the north to an angry Britain. They’ve invested a lot to appease Algerians during the annexation process.
They are also bound by the Rome Treaty.
“The Rome Treaty, huh? Either way, France can’t expand any further.”
If they try to expand from there, they’ll get torn apart!
Let’s not forget, the British monitoring is pretty intense.
After Dunkirk, Churchill rallied the Commonwealth government to channel anger towards him, implanting anti-French sentiments everywhere.
“But isn’t it possible that if there’s a redistribution of lands like that, we might have to relinquish some territory under the Rome Treaty?”
Oh, didn’t think of that. There’s definitely a possibility.
“Hmm. That’s true.”
That’s an undeniable fact. If France capitalizes on my influence and grows more powerful again, it would be like a dog chasing a chicken but ending up looking at the roof.
In the end, it’ll just turn into an argument over scraps under the Rome Treaty.
In the worst-case scenario, there might be attempts to divide territories. If that happens, the position of the Roman Emperor could also be jeopardized.
Having disputes over territory at a time when we’ve finally come together would be a major issue.
Even if Spain is just voicing concerns purely about the expansion of France, it implies future confusion over unification under the Rome Treaty.
Even if France declares it desires no more land and will maintain its current territories.
“So, what are you thinking? You don’t expect me to want a throne like other countries to guarantee Spain’s safety, do you?”
I can’t just dethrone a perfectly fine king and take his place.
I’m a saint, a saint. As a saint, I cannot accept that.
“Isn’t it how it goes that there’s an emperor above the king?”
“Isn’t that right?”
You can’t be serious?
I think you know very well what you’re implying.
“Please become the Emperor of Spain. If you become the Emperor of the Spanish Empire, then it will guarantee our safety.”
I see. The Rome Treaty has basically turned into a feudal alliance by national classes.
Of course, it’s unlikely they’ll start a war among themselves now that they’re already unified.
As science and technology improve over time, the links within the Rome Treaty will only strengthen.
If that’s the case, it means you want to ensure security until then.
“Our Majesty has stated that ruling the lands of the former Holy Roman Empire is sufficient.”
Still, Spain was once a world leader, wasn’t it?
Thinking about it like that, I can’t just ignore France’s expansion. Honestly, I recognize that point quite clearly.
“The Emperor of the Spanish Empire.”
The title of Emperor of the Spanish Empire is genuinely unexpected; if there’s already a king, it makes sense that they’d elevate that status.
It’s not bad to hear, but—
“Isn’t the Emperor of the Spanish Empire just a step towards becoming the Roman Emperor?”
“That’s likely.”
Being hailed as the emperor in the lands of Byzantium and the Holy Roman Empire makes me effectively the Roman Emperor.
If I become the Emperor of Spain, I will truly be the Roman Emperor in the complete sense.
The only hitch is Switzerland, but once the Iberian matters are resolved, there should be no problem.
“Is the King of your country truly okay?”
“Yes. Your Majesty, I’m already preparing for a meeting with you.”
It seems like Rivera and Franco are asking for this much.
Spain must be feeling threatened by me becoming France.
Perhaps it’ll be recorded in modern history as the ‘Spanish Crisis.’
Right. Then let’s meet.
* * *
A meeting with King Alfonso of Spain took place.
He seems older than I expected.
“I can’t believe you’d make such a choice.”
This makes the position of the King of Spain quite delicate, doesn’t it?
Spain and France would effectively be tied under the same monarch—of course, as long as the territories are guaranteed.
“I was fortunate to have been restored to the throne in the first place. Moreover, I am bound by the Rome Treaty, after all. I really don’t want to create unnecessary disputes.”
Alfonso sits on the throne of Spain but is merely a figurehead.
Politics are carried out by the Spanish parliament controlled by the Falange. Makes sense, right?
Given this gentleman’s age, it seems to be time for him to step down.
Why is it that when I meet national leaders, I focus on their age?
The youngest among them is Gaddafi.
I don’t know when Alfonso will kick the bucket, but it seems he’s just enjoying his current life.
“Indeed.”
If interpreted in a certain way, there’s something unsettling here.
– He’s become king because of the Falange, but he really can’t do anything. It’s annoying. Just handle it yourself.
It gives off a vibe that he’s trying to pass the buck of annoyance onto me. He’s wearing a face as if he’s having a sage moment.
“I find it beneficial for the Spanish dynasty to be maintained.”
“No greed then.”
“Honestly, because of the Anastasia loyalists, it would be great if Your Majesty could quickly secure the title of the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and truly become the Roman Emperor.”
Sounds like he’s making sure to keep the Spanish dynasty alive.
He seems to be making this choice purely to maintain Spain at all costs.
* * *
The National Duma of the Russian Republic
The National Duma of the Russian Republic was buzzing as usual today.
Though, it wasn’t as lively as before. Why? Because Mother Tsar isn’t around.
To put it simply, it’s like a child left behind at home while Mother is out shopping.
However, even so, the system operated normally thanks to the Rome Treaty.
Today, like any other day, Mother made a weird call.
“Today’s agenda.”
“What is it?”
“Mother Tsar sent it from Spain.”
Today’s agenda felt like Mother was in a foreign land wanting to bring something back, kind of like asking for a souvenir.
The Duma received Mother’s news via letter today as well.
Yet, every time this happened, the Duma worried quite a bit.
Didn’t we just hear not too long ago that she became Queen of Egypt?
Moreover, it wasn’t even a formal accession to the throne.
It felt as if she just snagged the title passing by.
“Ah, it was reported that she would scold Nasser in Egypt, briefly mentioning ‘You have become Queen of Egypt.’ It’s causing a stir; is there more to this?”
Mother Tsar’s ascension as Queen of Egypt.
Not an ounce of exaggeration here. It feels like it just happened suddenly. Words can barely express the awkwardness.
“Her Majesty has gone to Spain.”
“Spain, huh? Thinking about it, she hasn’t traveled there before, has she?”
So, is she going to stay there for a while before returning?
“That’s right. But she also received a gift during her travels.”
“What is that? Spain has a king and a successor already.”
The Falange recognized its legitimacy by restoring the monarchy.
Alfonso welcomed it and the constitutional monarchy of Spain was born.
Surely not.
Could the Falange suddenly kick out their monarch and successor?
“In Spain, they are declaring that they wish to elevate our Mother Tsar as the Emperor of Spain.”
“What does that mean? Just like that, Emperor?”
Wasn’t Spain a kingdom?
The king still exists, but that’s all there is to it.
“Let’s treat it as appointing Alfonso as king of Iberia in name while it becomes a direct territory of the Roman Emperor.”
Mother Tsar’s authority extends across the world.
Is it that impossible to appoint a mere Iberian king?
Still, it’s amusing that Spain is hastily demanding the title.
“Seems they’re quite envious of France.”
“They’re probably anxious about France’s pressure.”
“This isn’t bad. Ultimately, what they want is to place our Mother Tsar on the throne to maintain peace in Iberia.”
In the end, with Mother Tsar being the Queen of France, if she becomes the Empress of Spain, it guarantees safety.
Even though they’re bound by the Rome Treaty, I can understand why they’d be worried, considering it’s a collection of nations.
Most importantly, if her influence grows within the Rome Treaty, they could target territory adjustments.
However, if she ascends to be above the king as the Empress of Spain, things change.
No, officially having a monarch like France means Spain’s territory will be safeguarded.
We ought to see that Spain is quite shrewd in its thinking.
“What can we do? We have no veto right from our position.”
If Her Majesty accepts, it’s over, and the Rome Treaty will move toward territorial integration.
“Anyway, Mother Tsar’s standing is becoming increasingly significant.”
If she keeps gaining influence, that’s not an issue, right?
“Collecting kings everywhere she goes; how generous.”
What a large collection of titles she’s acquiring!
At this rate, she might as well just consolidate everything into becoming the Roman Emperor.
Of course, that would mean dealing with Manchuria and the Mongolian steppes, but…
But if that too is made part of Rome, then it’s all good, isn’t it?
“It’s not necessarily a bad thing for us. If she becomes the Empress of Spain, her actual governing territory will spread across the Roman lands.”
In other words, she’d be the practical Roman Emperor.
It sincerely sets the stage for an era where territory between nations holds little meaning in Europe.
“Would it be better to leverage this to get other nations to formally recognize Mother Tsar as their Empress as well? Until now, she’s just been the ‘Empress of the Rome Treaty’.”
“That’s a good idea.”
Why not just consolidate it and proclaim her as the Roman Emperor?
The rest, we can leave for Mother Tsar to handle.
* * *
As discussions of the Spanish Empire arose, Spain underwent a transformation.
Though it’s called the Spanish Empire, Italy was fragmented into a federation, making it a center of the former Holy Roman territory.
This also allows them to evade some pressure from France.
The major issue is that there were slight complaints from the French side.
“Spain has an Empress, but why are we still queens?”
“We must be reborn as the true French Empire!”
“Let’s make the Tsarina the Empress of the French Empire!”
France was quick to suggest elevating her to Empress.
Of course, I accepted this proposal.
After all, both are territories of the Empress, so there shouldn’t be territorial disputes.
At most, we might have squabbles between individuals over who owns what land, but that’s just minor stuff.
“Wait a minute, this actually means I’ll truly become the Holy Roman Emperor.”
Think about it: the French-Spanish territories and their control over Algeria and Morocco.
Italy is currently split and practically reduced to the Papal States, so if we exclude that, I’d be the complete emperor of the former Holy Roman Empire.
Wow, I didn’t think this would lead to where we are now.
“Ha ha ha, what a delightful situation! Now we just need to pick a day for the coronation—”
“How about postponing the coronation?”
Rivera and Franco were overly ecstatic, but Maria seemed less than pleased.
“Maria? What’s wrong?”
Is she suddenly feeling discontented? It makes sense; Maria is Russian, so maybe having Mother Tsar become the Emperor of Spain doesn’t sit well with her?
“How about we involve Portugal as well?”
“Oh, that makes sense. You mentioned you’d be heading to Portugal anyway.”
“Then wouldn’t it be good to reach out to them in advance?”
Ah, there’s still Portugal. If we’re considering the Holy Roman territory, Portugal is missing out.
It’s been mentioned for a while now, but I had been riding the wave thinking it was a done deal in the Duma.
If Portugal could be included in this, it wouldn’t just be a nominal integration; I would genuinely become the Holy Roman Emperor.
It means a unification of East and West.
“Will Portugal actually agree to that?”
“Since both France and Spain are onboard, what can they do?”
It’s not like Portugal is normal currently, but…