Cannon Fire Arc

Chapter 981: Chapter 24 Victory

St. Ye Katerina Fortress, Summer Palace, January 1, 918.

In the grand office used by generations of Tsars, Olga looked at the calendar: “Six days until Christmas, and my brother has actually managed to end the war before Christmas Eve.” (The Eastern Holy Church’s Christmas falls on January 7 of the Gregorian calendar.)

Marshal Gorky reminded: “The war is not over yet. We still have to go to war with the Empire of Fusang. The battle plan has been personally drafted by Pavlov and is divided into two stages—”

Olga: “I approve the plan. Mikhail!”

The Royal Palace’s Grand Steward Mikhail immediately opened the side door and stepped in: “Your Majesty.”

Olga: “Summon the cabinet ministers and generals here. I have an important announcement to make.”

Twenty minutes later, the cabinet ministers and generals entered the office.

Judging by the expressions on many faces, they had already guessed what was about to happen.

Olga stood in front of the desk, her gaze lifted to the oil paintings of past Tsars hanging in the office, finally resting on the Ante Empire’s coat of arms.

She took a deep breath: “I am about to set off for the Palace of Carefree to attend the upcoming international conference. After the surrender ceremony and the signing of announcements, I will renounce my position as Ante Empire’s head of state in the presence of the major leaders of the Allied Nations.”

Marshal Gorky asked: “Will Rocossov succeed you and become the new Tsar?”

“No, I don’t think my brother will. He has always wanted to establish a true secular nation, the Ante Republic.”

The cabinet ministers exchanged puzzled glances until the Prime Minister posed a question: “So, will he run for election or directly assume the title of ‘First Citizen’?”

“I don’t know.” Olga revealed a girlish smile. “This sort of thing should naturally be left for the new government to decide. I plan to directly accept my brother’s protection at the Palace of Carefree. He has already built me an estate there, by the White Sea. The scenery is spectacular.”

The room fell silent until Marshal Gorky broke it: “Congratulations, Your Majesty, for finally being able to pursue what you truly wish.”

Olga turned, spotting the portrait of Empress Catherine on the wall—the very one who had renamed Ante’s capital “St. Ye Katerina Fortress,” becoming the only empress in Ante’s history.

Olga: “When I was young, I always hoped to become Catherine III—expanding territories and leaving my name etched in the Empire’s history.

“But now I’ve come to realize, the era has changed. My brother has always been teaching me this, and later Marshal Tugenev kept reminding me too—an era without Tsars is approaching. As for Belinsky, he hasn’t said much to persuade me. Maybe it’s because my brother is too capable, too respected, that I’ve become a thorny figure myself.”

“That’s certainly not the case, Your Majesty.” Belinsky’s voice came from the doorway. The Grand Patriarch parted the crowd automatically, walking up to Olga. “What I see in you, is the light of wisdom. I know you will make the right choice.”

Olga smiled: “Is that so?”

“Indeed.” Belinsky paused, then asked, “What profession does Your Majesty envision taking up after abdication?”

Olga thought for a moment and replied: “I want to be a photographer.”

Belinsky: “A photographer? Why?”

Olga walked to the window, gazing at the snow-covered garden of the Summer Palace outside: “Because I want to capture all the beauty of Ante.

“During the recently concluded war, the most historically valuable photos were all taken by a Federation photographer. I feel that’s incongruous with Ante’s status as a major power.”

Belinsky: “I see, indeed it seems quite fitting for you.”

Olga countered: “Do you think my brother could become Pope?”

“It’s certainly possible; after all, he is a Living Saint.”

“I see, then I can rest assured.” Olga nodded.

————

Southwest Plowsonia, Palace of Carefree.

Wang Zhong looked at the famous Ceres Pavilion in the courtyard of the Palace of Carefree, muttering: “This Ceres-style design, truly bizarre.”

Pavlov: “If you truly want to see authentic Ceres architecture, just wait for the operation to ascend Naroda Peak. But you won’t be able to accompany the vanguard troops anymore. I’ve heard that the people of the Empire of Fusang love conducting suicide attacks. They can burrow underground like cockroaches, lying dormant until a vital vehicle passes by, then emerge shouting something like ‘Heavenly Chaos Black Summer’ to detonate their explosives.”

Wang Zhong: “Understood, I’ll advance only after the troops have thoroughly cleared the enemy. With resistance organization members from Ceres aiding us, it shouldn’t be difficult.”

Pavlov switched topics: “This afternoon, the United Kingdom’s delegation is supposed to arrive. They’re bringing Free Carolingian along, seemingly intent on adding another pair of chopsticks when it’s time to divide the spoils.”

Wang Zhong: “Let them. President Old Luo shares our vision, which is to dismember the United Kingdom’s old colonial system.”

Before the words had settled, Vasily drove a jeep into the courtyard, navigating the avenue: “Marshal! The newspapers from the Federation have arrived, and the front-page headline isn’t about the war—it’s President Old Luo incorporating the Federal Reserve Board into the Federation’s National Bank.”

Wang Zhong: “He finally did it.”

Pavlov: “What impact will this have?”

Wang Zhong: “Of course it’s significant. The Federation will function more fully as a nation. But for the time being, it doesn’t concern us.”

Pavlov turned to Vasily: “What about the situation with the Empire of Fusang? Has the Federation Navy approached Fusang’s mainland?”

“It’s on the second page. It says the Federation fleet has already shelled Fusang’s mainland and dispatched a large number of bombers for nighttime raids, using incendiary bombs to burn vast areas of Fusang’s cities to ashes. It seems they really like building houses out of wood.”

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