I Became the Last Princess of the Brown Bear Kingdom

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* * *

Meanwhile, the situation in South America was similar.

The Rome Treaty was the first to step into space.

This was not a bad thing at all.

“Do you know that the Rome Treaty launched rockets into space?”

“Yes.”

“We also need to advance our science to reach space.”

Eva Perón wanted to make South America even more prosperous.

Unlike history as it unfolded, she was health-conscious and lived long, yet she felt fear at the shadow of death that could come at any time.

Before that, she wanted to achieve many accomplishments before her death.

Only by doing so would she feel satisfied when the time came.

“Well, that seems necessary. But do we have the capability for that?”

South America didn’t really possess any advanced technology.

At best, they only had outdated weapon technology compared to the Rome Treaty.

Even the seas were tightly controlled by the US military.

In such a reality, what could they do?

The only thing they could attempt was to launch a rocket into the sky with the unified strength of South America.

“I will consult my sister for advice.”

Eva Perón decided to send a personal letter to Tsarina Anastasia, whom she regarded as her “sister.”

Thus, the era was moving toward the great cosmic age.

* * *

Baikonur Space Base

Years passed, and the time finally came.

The spacecraft had just completed its development.

The Rome Space Development Research Institute was busy preparing to send astronauts into space.

As expected, Yuri Gagarin emerged as the final candidate in line with the original history.

“Did you say Yuri Gagarin?”

I found myself face to face with Yuri Gagarin, who was getting ready to board the spacecraft in his spacesuit.

Yuri Gagarin’s gaze toward me was incredibly passionate.

Yes, it was such a face as if he were looking at his mother.

“Yes, Your Majesty! I am ready to give my all for Mother Tsar!”

He was willing to sacrifice himself for Mother Tsarina.

Isn’t that a tad risky to say?

What I wanted was someone who willingly went to space, not someone who would recklessly pledge for my sake.

“Mother? Your biological mother would surely be saddened.”

“Isn’t Mother Tsarina the mother of all?”

To say she is everyone’s mother feels a bit cringe.

Nevertheless, having that mindset isn’t bad.

Since I have no children, I can somewhat relate to that feeling.

All citizens are like my children.

It’s acceptable if they honor her as their mother.

“Yes, that mindset is good. However, this is not for me, but for the future of Rome. If even now you lack confidence, it would be fine to give up. This is a matter of life and death, so even if you were to quit now, I wouldn’t hold it against you.”

If he’s willing to back out now, I would let it slide.

After all, it is about soaring to the skies.

He has to accomplish something unprecedented in human history.

I can understand completely.

Perhaps it is an extremely challenging task that may not allow him to return from space.

Experiments have already been conducted multiple times on animals.

I even debated whether to give my pet dog Belka II the opportunity, but I couldn’t just throw Tsarina’s friend out into space.

Instead, I used Reds extensively.

The Reds I sent into the spaceship were always in poor condition.

It was fortunate if the ones who fell managed to recover half their bones, and then came the animal experiments.

And now the spacecraft is flawless.

Had I known this, I should have at least come with a bit of knowledge about space.

You see, while I conducted many experiments, there’s something about the human experience.

No matter how much faster I tried to progress than the original history, if by any chance, some butterfly effect caused us to lag behind the original history just a bit?

If I had at least known about the spacecraft, I could have felt confident about those aspects.

“No, Your Majesty. I have dreamed of a day like this since I left the Air Force!”

He dreamed of a day like this.

“Then I won’t stop you.”

Balhae was just about to complete its industrial modernization, so informing them about satellite technology wouldn’t mean much.

They hadn’t even fully industrialized yet, so it wasn’t necessary to play the role of a benefactor for Balhae.

For now, it would be better for us to lead the space exploration.

The manned spacecraft launch was now broadcast live on television.

Reporters from the countries of the Rome Treaty gathered to commemorate the day.

“Was this planned by Tsarina as well?”

“After all, isn’t she a Tsar who predicts the future? She must have seen a future of immortality.”

“This is effectively a success. I need to prepare an article full of flowery language in advance.”

As I slowly listened to the voices of foreign reporters, they were all leaning in that direction.

Since Tsarina planned it, it would succeed.

At this point, it seemed only natural to regard it that way.

Maybe I should step back? Since the history I knew and its progression have changed, I would now only be able to offer pure speculation.

Still, for now, I must observe.

This is a moment to see if the Tsar’s authority can rise once again.

If those reporters consider it too obvious, the moment it turns out to be a failure could shake the Anaclub, claiming Tsarina failed this time.

Thus, I slightly embraced Yuri Gagarin to encourage him further.

“God will watch over your courage.”

Please let it be a success.

I don’t want to feel embarrassed in front of the reporters.

“Mother Tsar encourages me personally! God bless Tsarina. God bless the Rome Treaty!”

Yuri Gagarin, with those words, boarded the spacecraft.

I’m curious to see how it will turn out.

This isn’t one of those sleek modern fighter spaceships, but rather a round spaceship.

Yes, that Vostok or whatever it is. That’s what it is.

It looks just like the original historical Vostok.

I stand still hoping it succeeds.

3.2.1

Fwoosh!

Look at the spaceship soaring into the sky.

One part of me was excited and worried about whether it would fall and get destroyed while I looked up.

To the sky. It was showing that I would now reach the heavens!

Piercing the blue sky, it sailed through the vast universe.

Humanity was departing from its cradle.

Having previously conducted experiments on animals including monkeys, but this was the first time humans were launched, so everyone was watching with bated breath.

“Oh wow, it’s really going!”

“Is this truly the rocket that takes us to space?”

Ah, that’s a spaceship.

Since it was the first launch, all around was in a frenzy.

The beautiful spacecraft traced an exquisite trajectory as it flew toward the sky.

Its shape extending toward the sky was mesmerizing.

“Can you all see? Our Russian spacecraft is soaring into the sky!”

“Our Rome Treaty spacecraft is breaking through the heavens!”

Right now, this is being broadcast on television.

“Wooaah!”

Kududud kwaaa!

Whether it will succeed or fail is uncertain, but at least for now, it feels entertaining to watch.

However, this can be seen as a kind of gamble.

If this spacecraft launch succeeds, the Rome Treaty will unify tighter than ever before.

And on the other hand, various misunderstandings about Earth may also be cleared away.

Like the ridiculous notion that the Earth is flat.

Of course, it’s obvious that Earth is round without even having to go outside, but unfortunately, there are plenty of fools.

The mythology surrounding Earth is likely to transform as well.

Of course, there will still be those who don’t believe and insist on Earth’s flatness even in the 21st century, but anyway. If it fails, I wonder how much talk there will be around the world.

Perhaps the US will laugh at us, and even if there’s a chance and it fails, we wouldn’t be insulted for showing a possibility.

And the world will progress even further.

Unfortunately, I want to see it succeed.

I want to hear Yuri Gagarin say Earth is blue.

“I hope it succeeds.”

Alisa Rosenbaum, watching alongside me, smiled slightly.

I don’t have confidence either.

I have no idea what kind of spacecraft Gagarin flew in the original history.

One thing is for sure: at the very least, it’ll be better than the original history.

“It will succeed. It must.”

Yes, it definitely has to succeed.

“It will succeed. Absolutely. After all, how much have we worked for this?”

If we’ve already done it with animals, is it not essentially a success?

I just want to believe it will be that way. If it only succeeds this time, then from then on, we can keep launching with hard work.

A short while later.

News arrived that Yuri Gagarin’s space flight was successful.

Yuri Gagarin, who ascended toward the sky, had truly secured a place in space.

The title of “first in the world” was a bonus.

“The universe is very dark, but the Earth is blue.”

The person known as the first human to venture into space as a Soviet cosmonaut was remembered as the first person to venture into space as an astronaut of the Russian Republic-Rome Treaty.

At this time, the head of the Rome Treaty Organization was Nikita Khrushchev, and the Prime Minister of the Russian Republic was Alisa Rosenbaum, both of whom readily praised Yuri Gagarin.

“Yuri Gagarin proved that the Rome Treaty leads the world by being the first to stretch into space, bringing infinite glory to the Rome Treaty. For his courage and heroism in facing death, you have become an immortal existence that will last in history forever.”

“Yuri Gagarin overcame challenges that would endanger his life, and despite Mother Tsar’s concerns, he reassured her and finally soared into space. This is clearly a testament to God’s blessing in his dedication to Mother Tsar, the Russian Republic, and moreover, to the Rome Treaty. God bless Mother Tsar, God bless Yuri Gagarin, and please watch over the Rome Treaty!”

The speeches by Khrushchev and Alisa Rosenbaum trumpeted to the world that Yuri Gagarin had entered space, receiving congratulatory letters from nations outside the Rome Treaty, including Hellenism, the United States, and South America.

It was only natural.

The emperor of Rome who planned this venture and even invested his own funds was none other than me, the Tsar of Russia.

“Was this also planned by Mother Tsar in advance?”

“That’s what I’ve heard.”

“Oh, it’s you again. Just GOD itself!”

Naturally, the world praised me earnestly.

It was a situation where they had no choice but to, but still, they praised me.

This intrigue sparked even more interest among the people.

“But I hear that Mother Tsar personally embraces those flying into space, perhaps I should give it a try?”

“If I could be held in mother’s arms, it would be a glory for the family.”

“I heard that Yuri Gagarin’s family has already achieved success in business, blessed by Your Majesty.”

Various responses poured in all at once. And I too felt an unnecessary sense of pride.

From the looks of it, popularity for the Anaclub was still strong!

If it goes on like this, I can only imagine how many children I’ll have to embrace like a mother before they take to the skies.

Even so, it’s quite satisfying for me, because ultimately, the spirit of challenge is important.

With Yuri Gagarin’s success, I envision him directly guiding his juniors while further modifying and improving spacecraft.

Progressing toward the future.

“I never expected the citizens would regard me this way.”

Honestly, I feel happy, but on the other hand, I have my worries.

Are we really going to see crowds of applicants rushing to fly into space?

The world will greet the age of great cosmos.

“Isn’t it simply embracing motherly warmth? Who wouldn’t be delighted to be cradled by the most beautiful and blessed woman in human history?”

Maria was hopping with joy, behaving like someone far younger than her age.

Yes, let’s take that as a given.

I’ve embraced Maria a lot as well.

To be exact, there have been moments where I hugged her out of joy or encouragement.

Honestly, that’s understandable; I can see how that could be, but there’s a point of suspicion here.

Yes. Why is the gender ratio 1 to 1?

“The applicant ratio for males and females is 1:1.”

This brings forth concerns.

As the number of applicants increases, it could lead to something beneficial for us.

However, I never expected that women would show such interest.

Well, they’re all children of the Tsar to me, but still, I thought women were generally uninterested in such things.

“Perhaps women have grown curious about flying into the sky? Or maybe they just want to be in Mother Tsarina’s embrace.”

“Is that even possible?”

Just stepping into this era of becoming astronauts is a tough decision for women.

They must have thought well about such a choice.

From my perspective, it seems more like the latter.

To be cradled in Mother Tsarina’s arms. It would probably be too irresistible.

“After all, the girls of the post-Civil War generation grew up hearing sayings like, ‘Let’s all aspire to be like Your Majesty.’”

Isn’t that just pure gaslighting?