-Military Review-

A year after the Russian army entered the war, a grand parade was held in the capital, Petrograd.

　The festival is nominally to celebrate the great success of the Brusilov Offensive, but it also serves as a way to let off some steam for the people who have been forced to endure various hardships during the war.

"The beginning of 1917 was the best time for the Russian Empire"

　Later historians have unanimously written this.

　World War I began in 1914, but thanks to the wise decision of Emperor Nicholas II, the Soviets postponed it for nearly a year to conserve their strength, and when the Central Powers were exhausted by the endless trench warfare in the west, they attacked them with all their might from the side!

　The result was a win, a win, a big win.

　In the west, Poland, Hungary, and Romania, and in the south, from the Caucasus to Anatolia. They are close to taking control of Istanbul and are on the verge of reviving the ancient Eastern Roman Empire.

　The people were forced to live a harder life during wartime than in peacetime, but victory blew away all discontent. By identifying themselves with a great nation, they had the illusion and fantasy that they had become great, and even hard bread seemed like a luxurious cake.

Every time news of victory arrived from the front, the people were excited, and the capital, Petrograd, was already filled with a victorious mood.

"Long live Russia! Long live the Empire!"

　Following the gorgeously dressed cavalry, the infantry marched in perfect unison down Nevsky Prospekt. This alone was an impressive sight, but unfortunately, they were not the main attraction of this parade.

"It's here! Is that the new weapon we've been talking about?"

　A spectator at the front of the group shouted, and the commotion gradually grew louder. Then, with the roar of engines, a formation of tanks appeared.

　Simply named "T-16," it was a "beast of steel" over 10 meters in length.

　A murmur of excitement erupted from the crowd as they saw the never-before-seen steel beast. Most of the people there were neither engineers nor soldiers, so it was unclear how much they understood the significance of this new weapon.

　However, even they could tell that the "tank" that appeared neatly before their eyes was different from any weapon they had seen before.

　Until then, what spectators had imagined when hearing the word "tank" was a makeshift weapon that had been modified from an existing weapon with new functions added.

For example, there was a horse-drawn carriage called a "tachanka" equipped with a machine gun and a bulletproof shield facing backwards, an Austin armored car imported from the UK with a rotating machine gun turret, or an armoured tractor-like vehicle like the T-15 light tank used by Kornilov in the recent Romanian campaign.

　But the T-16 tank that appeared before his eyes was different. Nikolai had ordered his engineers to build it, relying on his memories of the future. It was an innovative tank with a tracked body covered in armor and a rotating turret.

　The enormous structures, easily exceeding 10 meters in height, could be described as "land battleships," and were decisive battle weapons packed with the best of Russian Empire's technology. Dozens of them were marching in formation down the main street.

　The first thing that catches your eye is the rotating turret on top of the vehicle. The turret can rotate all around, providing good visibility and a 360-degree firing arc with one gun. The 37mm tank gun can fire two types of shells: one with high armor-piercing power and one for anti-fortress and infantry use.

　The surface of the turret is smooth and has no seams because it is made by casting. Cast armor has no seams, so it is stronger than bolt-type or riveted armor, and it also has high processing freedom and productivity.

　It is powered by a diesel engine that is unlikely to catch fire even when hit and can withstand poor quality fuel, and its wide tracks and idler wheels protruding forward give it excellent maneuverability.

　The layout is the same as that of modern tanks, with the driver's seat at the front, the turret and fighting compartment in the middle, and the engine room separated by a bulkhead at the rear. Many early tanks did not have a separate fighting compartment and engine room, but the partition improved the performance of the crew, who were freed from the noise and heat of the engine.

　The tanks reflected the sunlight and gave off a dull glow... The crowd was gazing at them with bated breath, when suddenly a shadow fell over them. When they looked up, wondering why the sky had turned cloudy in what should have been a clear day, they gasped in surprise.

"So many planes...!"

　Above Petrograd, the skies were filled with the air force: 12 airships lined up in a single file, fifty biplanes passing by on either side.

　From large four-engine bombers to small, fast fighters, the many aircraft soaring majestically through the sky were greeted by cheers from the crowd, and flashy confetti was scattered from the airships and bombers for the ceremony.

　The finishing blow was a volley of self-propelled heavy mortars that had been stationed in Palace Square beforehand. It was a simple structure consisting of a large mortar mounted on the back of a truck, but the sight of a total of 100 shells being fired into the sky with a constant roar was overwhelming.

"--Praise the great Motherland! God is always with us! Glory to the Russian Empire!"

　The simpler and more showy a performance is, the more effective it is. People are fascinated by the new weapons they see for the first time, and enjoy them with their families and friends in a festive atmosphere.

　If you go a little way off the main street, you will find a row of food stalls, and terraces and cafes offering creative services to attract customers.

　-- I don't know the details, but His Majesty the Emperor is doing something spectacular and amazing. The results are excellent, and if Russia wins, I'll be proud as a Russian. I can release my daily frustrations on a festive stage called a parade!

When Nicholas finally appeared in the palace hall, the people were filled with excitement at his appearance as God's representative on earth.EmperorTsarHe ignored the policeman's attempts to stop him and leaned forward, wanting to get a glimpse of it.

　---Mother Russia and father Tsar are alive and well.

　Praise our Motherland! Fear our Emperor!

"Long live Russia! Long live the Emperor!"

　And the next moment, DEEEEEEEEENNNN!! An earsplitting loud sound roared throughout the Red Hall.

　Once the shocked crowd had quieted down, as if they had been waiting for this, the orchestra and choir that had been set up throughout the hall began to sing.

　For this day, Emperor Nicholas II gathered composers and the best orchestras to compose the patriotic song "The Fatherland is for Us."

 Россия - священная наша держава,

 　Россия - любимая наша страна!

　Могучая воля, великая славаs -

　Твоё достоянье а все времена!!

　Russia, our holy land

　Russia, our beloved country!

　Mighty Will, Great Honor

　May you be ever honored!

　Славься, Отечество наше свободное,

　Братских народов союз вековой,

　Предками данная мудрость народная!!

　Славься, страна! Мы гордимся тобой!!

　Praise our free homeland!

　The unity of the fraternal peoples of ages

　Wisdom of the people inherited from our ancestors

　Long live our Motherland! We are proud of you!

The powerful chorus and wonderful melody made the crowd go wild, and the excitement spread throughout the empire via the radio. The excitement of the people reached a climax, and some onlookers got carried away and tried to step onto the main street, and the gendarmerie began to argue, leading to a riot.

　Amidst the shouts and commotion, as if they had anticipated this, the Emperor's guards fired blank shots from their rifles into the air. Perhaps that was a signal, as the airship leading the way began to gradually lower its altitude!

Although it was a little small, the sight of the airship, over 100 meters long, leisurely landing was still a spectacular sight. As people watched with bated breath, the airship eventually landed in the square in front of the Winter Palace, where Nicholas and others were watching.

Then, as the gangway was lowered, a woman appeared in the square. It was not a Virgin Mary in a graceful dress, but a dignified Valkyrie smartly dressed in a crisp cavalry officer's uniform.

　Ignoring the stares of the entire crowd as if it was natural, a female officer stepped down with a flourish - Tatiana, the Second Princess of the Russian Empire.

"The following is the First Russo-French Expeditionary Force, which has just returned."

　The people welcomed the princess back to Russia after a year's absence with cheers of joy. Nicholas also greeted her warmly with his usual kind smile and salute.

　Two years had passed since the start of the war, and Nikolai felt that it was about time to recall these men, who had gained combat experience.

(The REF (Russian-French Expeditionary Force) is made up of the best members I can remember. We will bring back to Russia the experience we gained on the Western Front and create the strongest army in the world...!)

　＊＊＊

　The excitement hadn't yet died down as the parade ended as a great success, and the reporters hurried back to their offices to prepare the articles that would make the front pages of tomorrow's papers.

Soldiers were also busy cleaning up after the parade and fights that broke out amid the festivities.

"Tatiana, I'm sorry for causing you so much trouble. You've endured well for nearly a year."

　When he met his daughter for the first time in a long time, Nicholas II, also known as Stalin, paid him the highest praise he could.

"I read your letter. It seems that France was difficult with all the mud and rain. It must have been hard for you as a woman."

"I appreciate your concern. However, when I think of the soldiers fighting on the front lines, this is nothing."

"I see! As expected of my daughter."

　Nicholas II smiled with genuine joy and looked at his subordinates with a proud look on his face. As a father, he must have been pleased that his daughter had grown up to be a fine young woman.

"Well then, let's begin the war council. Tatiana, from now on you should attend too. I want to hear your opinions."

"yes!"

　Only soldiers with a certain rank or specialized knowledge could attend the military council, and being asked to attend was a roundabout way of saying that Nikolai recognized him as a full-fledged soldier or expert.

　Seeing his daughter nodding happily, Stalin himself became happy. In his rare state of euphoria, all common sense thoughts about recuperating from the journey or seeing his family had completely disappeared from his mind.

"Okay then, let's go straight to the conference room."

"Just keep going straight like this?"

"Of course. Time is of the essence."

　Nikolai frowned as if to say, "What's the question?" After all, he was the emperor, God's representative. There was no way he could understand the feelings of ordinary people.

"What's the matter? Are you feeling unwell?"　

"No, that's not the case..."

"Now, it's time for a war council. Let's get going."

"...…yes"

　As soon as he said that, Nikolai quickly turned his back and walked away. His steps seemed light and happy, which made me resent him.

(I can't say I want to take a break like this…)

　My father was still the same manipulative person who unconsciously manipulated others. Even just through letters, my father had manipulated me so much, and now when I think about having to see him every day, I can't help but feel a surge of regret.

　Tatiana shook her head lightly to clear her mind, then hurried off after her father.