The signing of the Treaty of Versailles didn''t mean the diplomatic arena would dissolve overnight with everyone returning home.


    From figuring out how to send troops home to minor matters that couldn''t be squeezed into the treaty, numerous issues remained scattered about, and ultimately the leaders of each country had to stay in Paris for a few more days.


    Even if such issues weren''t the case...


    "Everyone''s just watching each other. It''s fascinating how no one''s actually enjoying themselves while making excuses about banquets and parties every day."


    "How could they easily leave when Your Majesty is in Paris?"


    It seems difficult for everyone to return homefortably, even because of me.


    When I meet with someone, the entire city knows about it the next day, and all sorts of people try to guess and dig up the contents of our conversations.


    Regardless, my meetings were graduallying to an end.


    And that end was with France, once an equal ally and friend of the Russian Empire.


    "I heard they were openly talking about it being a 20-year armistice, but you don''t look so gloomy?"


    "Didn''t Your Majesty also denounce Wilson as a coward?"


    From what I''ve heard, Marshal Foch has been writhing in despair.


    He considered France''s revenge insufficient, describing the Treaty of Versailles as ''surrender and betrayal'' in the press, and predicted that the treaty''s significance would fade with each passing day.


    ''That''s just saying he''s a person with ridiculous insight.''


    His ability as a fieldmander was thoroughly proven from leading the XX Corps in the early war to serving as Supreme Allied Commander, and he wasn''t so narrow-minded as to lead the Supreme War Council.


    The man before me is a veteran who has worn a military uniform for over 50 years and possesses political insightparable to Kuropatkin.


    Such a man''s conclusion after observing the Treaty of Versailles...


    "They''ve decided to part ways with uspletely."


    "How could there be separation among Allied nations? We''re just acknowledging reality since the alliance ended in January."


    It was anti-Russian. More precisely, it could be called a movement to find a recement for Russia.


    The movements of French right-wingers, including Foch, were quite sharp.


    Pro-American.


    Pro-British.


    And support for Polish independence.


    He seemed to believe that Polish independence was essential for maintaining a two-front war against Germany.


    "Did you think I would allow Polish independence?"


    "How could that be? Russia''s long-standing appeasement policy has all been groundwork for now. I''ve heard there are not a few forces in Pnd that are satisfied with unification and give up resistance."


    "Yet you still support it?"


    "It would be difficult right now. Even after 10 years, the Russian Empire will firmly rule Pnd. But shall we wait until questions arise from other nations?"


    "Which country would dare try to take what I hold in my hands?"


    "Wouldn''t those who lost something revolt at least once?"


    The countries that suffered devastating defeats in World War I - particrly Germany and Austria - had been stripped of territory, military power, and national pride through the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles and rted peace settlements. The burden of massive war reparations and restrictions ced upon them created deep resentment and instability.


    Even I couldn''t help but be quite surprised by Marshal Ferdinand Foch''s perceptive answer. The French militarymander had yed a crucial role in securing Allied victory, and his strategic thinking extended well into the post-war politicalndscape.


    Foch''s point was undeniably targeting Russia, which was aiming to restore rtions with post-war Germany. More precisely, it''s surprising that France was trying to utilize that aspect.


    However, that doesn''t mean it was very realistic.


    "Well, it seems that in 20 years from now, Pnd will be just another province of the Empire."


    "Then there would be even more room for conflict. Since you''re trying to absorb them beyond just ruling."


    As we face each other confidently, even I be curious about the basis of that confidence.


    My knowledge. His insight.


    Which will be reality?


    Perhaps this can only be known after 20 years have passed.


    But there''s something he''s mistaken about...


    "You are truly an upright person. Theplete opposite of me."


    "It''s a natural virtue as a soldier."


    "But I''m not. From birth, I''ve carried a responsibility that can''t bepared to the marshal''s epaulettes on your shoulders."


    Even if we reached the same conclusion - that Germany would recover and eventually break this temporary peace - our responses would be different.


    What moves a soldier like Foch is France''s security.


    What he wants to protect is France''s national position.


    What he wants to achieve is France''s well-being.


    "I''m different from you. I close my eyes to injustice and cover my nose at the smell of blood. For the Empire''s peace. For the Empire''s future."@@novelbin@@


    "What are you trying to say?"


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    Ferdinand Foch, did he say he saw the future?


    The future he knows has long been distorted.


    So I''ll watch those changes with a light heart.


    "It means I''ll close my eyes even if the blood is German''s, and won''t look even if it''s French''s."


    Now it''s France, not Russia, that will die if history isn''t distorted.


    I prevented the birth of the Soviet Union and made Russia into a great empire epassing from Eastern Europe to Asia.


    Foch, I wonder if you could act like me.


    The following meaningless conversation was already riddled with ''war in 20 years,'' making it difficult to change the subject.


    And so France''s universally respected Marshal, the Generalissimo, left his seat as if confident there would be no downfall of France.


    "The Empire hereby deres itself a neutral nation that will not intervene in conflicts or wars between other ethnic nations."


    In this city where the Treaty of Versailles echoed, I dered the Empire''s neutrality before everyone.


    With America returning home and us closing our eyes, all the conditions he needed were met.


    Now all that remains is Ferdinand''s choice.


    ==


    Although I left Petrograd for the first time and came to Paris with a light heart, the post-war settlement was notplete.


    Since I was already out, I had to meet as many people as possible, and that included my rtives.