--- 3rd Person POV ---
Michael nodded; his jaw set in resolve. "I do, Mother. I have seen the suffering, the discontent. I know what must be done. But the path forward will not be easy. There will be resistance—from the court, from the people, even from our own family."
Maria's expression softened, and for a moment, the regal façade gave way to a glimpse of her maternal heart. "Resistance is inevitable, my son. But strength lies in unity. You must lead not with an iron fist, but with wisdom and compassion. The people need to see in you a hope for a better future."
Michael's gaze faltered slightly. "And what if I fail? What if I cannot live up to their expectations—or yours?"
Maria's hand moved to his cheek, a rare and tender gesture. "You are my son, Michael. You carry the blood of the house of Oldenburg, and with it, their strength. But remember, leadership is not about perfection. It is about perseverance, about learning from failures and rising stronger."
There was a pause, heavy with unspoken emotions, before Maria continued, her tone firmer now. "The agreement with Yuvraj Siagu will set the stage for our survival, but it is only the beginning. The war must end on terms that secure Russia's future. And you must navigate this delicate balance with resolve. The empire's fate now rests in your hands."
Michael straightened, drawing a deep breath as he absorbed his mother's words. "I will do what is necessary, Mother. For our family, and for Russia."
Maria nodded, a faint smile gracing her lips. "Good. Then we begin anew. Go now and prepare yourself. There is much to be done, and no time to waste."
As Michael bowed and took his leave, Maria watched him go, her heart heavy with both pride and worry. Turning back to Grand Duchess Elizabeth, who had been quietly observing, Maria spoke in a low voice. "He has potential, but he is untested. We must guide him carefully, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth stepped forward; her expression resolute. "He will rise to the occasion, Maria. But he has also shown his stance for the future of this empire. He has already chosen to stand on the opposing side of Yuvraj Siagu, a decision that we both wanted to avoid."
Maria remains in silence, fully aware that her son will one day stand against the plan of her trusted individual. A sense of surrender has even slowly creeped on her heart after realizing that despite their action for tonight, there is still a higher chance their family is doomed for facing her trusted individual. She cannot help it but laugh mentally at her misfortune, it was as if the world is truly against her actions.
Together, the two women turned to face the daunting task ahead, their silhouettes framed by the dim light of the hall. Along with this, the faint sound of bells from a distant church marked the late hour as the Romanovs began their deliberations. In the shadow of the Winter Palace, a new chapter for the Tsardom of Russia was being written—one of ambition, sacrifice, and an uncertain future.
Key military offices and stations in St. Petersburg were secured, and the capital was placed under martial law. Loyalist officers were detained, and the streets were flooded with soldiers bearing the banners of the Romanov family—not for Nicholas, but for Michael, the newly proclaimed Tsar.
Yet, even as the coup succeeded, it became evident that the true power behind the throne lay elsewhere. Messages from Sooraj began arriving in quick succession, dictating the next steps. The demands from Yuvraj Siagu were clear and uncompromising, leaving little room for negotiation.
In the days that followed, the international community reacted with a mix of shock and apprehension. News of Nicholas's capture spread quickly, with Britain, France, Germany, and Austro-Hungary all watching closely on what would the new monarch; Tsar Michael II would do on the on-going war that his country currently into.
But before European countries could even further react on the sudden deposition of Tsar Nicholas II. Tsar Michael II suddenly announces by the 23rd of January 1906 his country's surrender and withdrawal to the ongoing conflict against the Pan-Oriental Alliance and opening the table to negotiation over the lands currently under the hands of the alliance. These garners mix emotions within the halls of every European country.
Mary of Teck in particular already foreseen these things to spiral this way after vising Sooraj in secret. She knew for a fact that Yuvraj Siagu would do everything just to further expand his land, and with the surrender of the Russian Empire, she knew for sure that the Qing Dynasty will follow and will surely be carved in accordance to Butuan's bidding.
And unlike in the past that her country and other European nations can imposed pressure to other countries to avoid them getting an upper hand, this time is vastly different. With Butuan's strength, combined with the strength of its allies, even her country will have a second thought on messing with them.
But her worries were short lived as she knows for a fact that everything been developing towards her anticipated outcome. With what Butuan have been showing, she concluded that everything was still under bearable results. And in the shadows, she has slowly been making actions capable of countering Butuan's advancements.
Under the guise of a private entrepreneur, Crown Princess Mary manages to established her foothold in South Africa as weapon manufacturer. Allowing her to develop weaponries that will be on par with Yuvraj Siagu's weapons.
Yet, as she further sinks into her deep thinking another piece of news arrived on her hand. Upon reading the news for today, 22nd of February 1906, fear rushes to Crown Princess Mary's face, turning her into a pale while individual. She started to shake in panic and disbelief as she further read the article reporting the happenings within the Qing Dynasty against the offensive attack of Butuan Empire.
"I-is this true?" Crown Princess Mary inquired still in shock as she continues to stare at the newspaper on her hand. The breeze of the ocean wind did not even help to calm her emotion instead it has given her a sudden feeling of nervousness.
The BV 238, with its colossal size and ability to carry immense payloads, had been deployed in the ongoing conflict against the Qing Dynasty. The article recounted how a squadron of these aircraft had executed a coordinated bombing raid over the Qing stronghold in Tianjin. Entire districts were levelled in hours, the precision and scale of the attack leaving witnesses and survivors in awe and terror.
Mary's hands trembled as she read further. The article went on to describe the aftermath: the charred ruins of military installations, the decimation of the Qing naval fleet stationed in the Bohai Bay, and the collapse of Qing logistical supply lines in the south through their ships.
"This... this changes everything," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the waves. She folded the newspaper and placed it on the table, her thoughts racing.
Crown Princess Mary stared out at the horizon, her mind racing with possibilities. She could not allow her country to fall behind. Her secret weapons manufacturing operations had been making progress, but it was clear that she was now racing against time.
Her thoughts turned to strategy. "If Butuan continues to advance unchecked, even our alliances with the French may not be enough to stop them. And I cannot count the supposed alliance with the Russians by this time," she muttered, clenching her fists. "We must be ready. Not just with weapons, but with alliances of our own—ones capable of countering their influence. Especially after we both capitulated the United States before it enters the global stage."
Mary's resolve hardened as she turned back toward the interior of her estate, her mind already formulating her next move.
"Looks like the coming great war will be far more devastating than what was it supposed to be," Crown Princess Mary mutters as she continues to think of ways to counter Butuan's growing advantage.
Days before the news of the bombing raid made by BV 238 spread around the world, Prince Chun first receives the news of the deposition of Tsar Nicholas II and the Russian Empire's surrender on the war.
For Prince Chun, regent to the Guangxu Emperor and de facto leader of the Qing Dynasty's war effort, the sudden deposition of Tsar Nicholas II and replaced with Tsar Michael II was a blow both tactical and personal. Russia's abrupt withdrawal from the conflict left the Qing military isolated against the might of the Pan-Oriental Alliance.
In the grand chamber of the Forbidden City, illuminated by dim lanterns, Prince Chun paced back and forth, his face a mask of frustration. The Imperial court remained silent, none daring to speak as the prince processed the enormity of the situation. Even Yuan Shikai remained in silence not because of humiliation but because of wanting to be the observer as the Imperial family of the Qing Dynasty crumble into pieces.
After minutes of pacing and deep thinking, Prince Chun halted and faces all the generals and minister of the Dynasty.
"Tsar Michael's treachery has exposed the fragility of alliances built on desperation," he said, his voice steady but laced with anger. "But we cannot afford despair. If the Russians have abandoned us, then we must marshal every resource, every man, and every ounce of will to hold our ground."
Without waiting for counsel, Prince Chun issued a directive that shocked even the most hardened generals: a nationwide conscription order. Millions of civilians, from farmers in the countryside to labourers in the cities, were pressed into military service.
Entire villages were emptied of able-bodied men, their roles in agriculture and industry replaced by hastily conscripted labour forces. Women and elderly citizens took up roles traditionally left to men, producing weapons and supplying the frontlines.
With the Qing Dynasty's refusal to surrender, the combined forces of Korea, Japan, Siam, and Butuan continued their relentless advance deeper into Qing territory. With the alliance now taking the provinces of Hunan and half of Shandong, the Dynasty once again further loses its legitimacy, causing more damage to their reputation than bring good.
Despite implementing nationwide conscription, the Qing's efforts to bolster their military proved futile. A majority of conscripts either defected or surrendered willingly to the enemy, further crippling the already fragile morale of the Qing forces.
The loyal soldiers who remained faced mounting despair. Their spirits plummeted as they fought a losing battle against an enemy equipped with advanced weaponry and superior tactics. Exhaustion plagued the frontline troops, many of whom had endured relentless skirmishes without reprieve.
Tales of insomnia and paranoia spread among the ranks, with soldiers haunted by the ever-present threat of "metal birds of nightmare"—the nickname given to the planes that had mercilessly bombarded their positions. The psychological toll of the aerial attacks was almost as devastating as the physical destruction they wrought.
Starvation further compounded the soldiers' suffering. Supplies dwindled to critical levels, particularly in the eastern battlefronts, where the Qing soldiers resorted to desperate measures. Reports of soldiers eating rats, stray animals, and even scavenging carcasses painted a grim picture of the army's plight. Yet, despite their misery, any pleas for surrender were ignored by the Imperial Court, which remained obstinate in its refusal to concede defeat.
But the additional mobilization was of no use from the superiority of the Pan-Oriental Alliance over the sky. Without the aeroplanes of the Russian Empire, the aeroplanes of the alliance were unchecked and become free to dominate the sky.
Not to mention that the withdrawal of Russian forces on the Eastern and Southern frontlines means that only the poorly equipped Qing army are now defending its lands from the encroachments of the combined forces of the alliance.
This was evident as in the days leading to the bombardment in Tianjin and the dissolution of Qing supply ships in Bohai bay. 4 days after the withdrawal of the Russian forces in the war, chaos descended on the Eastern and Southern front of the war until the Qing Dynasty issued its surrender.
With the Butuan Empire in the southern front capitulating the provinces of Hupei, Anhwei, and Chekiang. The Kingdom of Siam on the other hand with the assistance of the Empire of Butuan partitioned the rebel occupied Szechuwan making the first of the few clashes made by Butuan and Siam against the White Lotus Alliance.
On the Eastern front of the war, the Empire of Korea and Japan further pushes the Qing forces to their hole. With the Japanese Empire now overrunning the Liaoning peninsula and conquering parts of the Eastern Inner Mongolia. The Empire of Korea have also pushed the forces of the Qing Dynasty out from the occupied Mongolia, capitulating the entire region with the help from the Butuan Empire, whom have taken control of the entire peninsula.
In the future, this event shall be known as 'The Banquet of the Empires' as members of alliance gather to partake in partitioning the Qing Dynasty without letting any foreign bodies intervening. While this even will be known by those who survive from the war within the Dynasty as 'The fall of the old dragon.'
And on the 22nd of February 1906, far removed from the horrors of the battlefield, the province of Tianjin awoke to what seemed like an ordinary day. The people there, insulated from the full impact of the war, went about their routines, oblivious to the unfolding nightmare in neighbouring provinces. Even the soldiers stationed in Hebei enjoyed a relative sense of peace, ignorant of the chaos surrounding them.
But the day would soon take a turn. A low, thunderous sound began to echo over the coastal ports of Hebei, growing louder with each passing second. The droning of propellers filled the air, accompanied by an ominous shadow that loomed larger and larger over the horizon. Civilians and soldiers alike craned their necks toward the sky, their eyes widening as they saw a squadron of enormous planes bearing the unmistakable insignia of the Butuan Empire.
At the centre of this spectacle were the BV 238, their massive frames dominating the sky. The people of Hebei, unacquainted with modern aerial technology, gazed in awe at the sight. Many marvelled at the mechanical marvels, mistaking them for divine beings or mythical creatures. Soldiers stationed at the ports hesitated, unsure whether to regard the planes with reverence or prepare for an attack.
This proves to be an idiotic response by the soldiers stationed in the province as BV 238 is neither divine beings nor mythical creatures. The bringer of horror and destruction, this is what the soldiers of the Butuanon Imperial Airforce nicknamed the BV 238, on what grounds? Its capability.
Moments later, the first BV 238 released its payload—a barrage of bombs that rained destruction on the port below. Explosions erupted, sending plumes of smoke and fire into the air.
Panic spread as civilians and soldiers scrambled to flee the devastation, their earlier fascination replaced by sheer terror. The assault was swift and unrelenting; within minutes, critical infrastructure, warehouses, and military installations were reduced to rubble.
Some civilian houses were also reduced to nothing but dust as collateral damage from the bombardment of 4 BV 238, bomber planes, and fighter planes of the Butuan Empire. The once busy port full of military ships of the Qing Dynasty were now in complete chaos as flames consumes any remaining structure within the area.
The same situation has also been happening near Peking as BV 238 bombarded key military and government buildings in the area, sending fear and panic to the people within Peking. Even Prince Chun who have witnessed everything were shaking in fear and panic as the BV 238 fly over the forbidden palace.
The explosions and shaking of the grounds occurring after the BV 238 drops its numerous bombs were still fresh at Prince Chun's memory despite already happening it few minutes ago. The once peaceful and bustling capital of the mighty Qing Dynasty were now replaced with fumes of smokes and fire, coupled with cries of children.
But before anyone could even recover from the horror of the first squadron of plane, another squadron of aeroplane bombardment the area, decimating the location and reducing everything into nothing but pure smoke and ravages.
It was a complete nightmare, a nightmare that any survivor would never be able to forget. With just one event after 30 days of announcing his refusal of surrender, Prince Chun's remaining willingness to continue the war were all shattered and was replaced with fear.
With no more interest on continuing the war, coupled with empty coffers and the fear of losing from the rebellion on the north and the west, Prince Chun made a decision. With the bombardment alone cost the lives of 100 thousand individuals, most were unrecognizable due to their bodies being dismembered and turn into cubes.
The bombardment alone became the most heinous, inhumane, and devastating action during the entire war as civilians were even
Thus, after convening his remaining ministers and reaching a decision, Prince Chun, regent of the Qing Dynasty, announces the surrender of his nation against the alliance. Along with this, Japanese, Koreans, Butuanons, and few Siamese soldiers finally entered the forbidden city capturing the detained Emperor Guangxu and the now awake Empress Dowager Cixi.
The announcement was welcomed by the alliance, bringing the end of the chaos in the region. As the final bullet were released and the last airplane flew over the battle field, news of the Pan-Oriental Alliance victory swept across the entire region.
"The Qing Dynasty surrenders," a Lobestar Tribune news anchor announces with pride revibrating all throughout the empire's television and radios. The once mighty Qing Dragon and double-headed Russian eagle were now subdued and crippled by the combined forces of the Phoenix, Kirin, Garuda, and the Bakunawa. Celebration was made on each street of the alliance as they once again enjoy the glory of victory.
In Russia, after hearing the total end of the war, the populace felt humiliated, as this marked the first time a European power was defeated by an Asian nation in modern times. Not to mention that the war was initiated by them and even with ally, they still lose. This causes mass protest not against Tsar Michael II but against the deposed Tsar Nicholas II demanding justice and reform within the government.
Tsar Michael II, feeling the pressure of massive protest outside the Winter Palace, seeks the advice of his mother and closes confident. Under their instruction and wanting to stay in power, Tsar Michael II created the February Manifesto, creating the Duma (parliament) just to satisfy few of his people and the military's demands.
But the damage has been done and few of the Russian populace have already harbours resentment and disdain to the Imperial family of the Russian Empire. Talks of rebellion have also gained a momentum within the poverty-stricken regions of the Empire adding pressure to the newly established Duma to patch everything together.
Within the Qing Dynasty, the people continue to be dissatisfied with the imperial court's failure in securing victory. With massive protest outside forbidden city happened, demanding accountability on the failure and the deaths of the people.
With the White Lotus rebellion now fully controlling the regions of Tibet, Sinkiang, and Kantzu, further destabilizing the dynasty. Yuan Shikai, after hearing the surrender of Prince Chun left Shinsi and fled to Tibet. Quickly gaining support from the members of the White Lotus rebels after promising victory against the alliance and separation from the Qing Dynasty.
Thus, while the battle against the Qing have already ended, the battle against the White Lotus rebels continues to rage with small skirmishes happening on the borders of Yunnan and Szechuwan. But with poor equipment and Butuan and Siam's disinterest in dealing the rebels for the moment, Yuan Shikai was instead given a chance to attend the upcoming treaty signing.
While the Chinese and Russians mourns for their lose in the war, it is a completely different situation in Butuan, Siam, Korea, and Japan. Celebration was held in every city of each nation, celebrating the end of the war and the victory their military have brought. This did not just further boost the pride Butuanons, Siamese, Koreans, and Japanese, felt on their identities but it also boosted their standing on international stage, particularly with Butuan.
Even the international community, whom have already predicted the Qing Dynasty and Russian Empire's defeat after having Siam and Butuan being involved, were still in full surprised after hearing the newly produced and used BV 238 of the Butuanon Imperial Airforce.
Its size might be intimidating but what really sends chills to their bones were the amount of destructive powers BV 238 have over other aeroplanes in circulation and released by every country.
Not wanting to experience the same destruction the Qing Dynasty endure, Western countries and even Asian countries subconsciously take note of not offending or crossing path with Butuan, not until they have the same militaristic capability as Butuan and its allies have.
As the 26th of February 1906 rolls, the negotiation for the recently concluded war finally arrived. With delegates from respective participating nation attending the conference at the Portsmouth Peace Conference. The conference gathered significant high-ranking dignitaries and officials from both sides.
Representing the victorious Butuan Empire were Maharajkumar Sharvil, Foreign Minister Li Hongyi, and Butuan Empire's ambassador to the US Agung Tumaga, each radiating an air of triumph and authority. The Korean Empire was represented by Prince Imperial Yi Kang, Foreign Minister Yi Wan-yong, and Korea's ambassador to USA Han Byung-ho.
From the Japanese Empire, the delegation was led by Foreign Minister Komura Jutarō and Japan's ambassador to the US Komiya Nobuaki. Lastly, Prince Devawongse Varoprakar, Siam's foreign Minister, and Chakri Phet, Siam's ambassador to the US, represented the Kingdom of Siam, bringing with them their own array of cabinet witnesses.
On the opposing side, the Qing Dynasty, battered and broken, sent Prince Chun and Prince Zaiyi, whose grim expressions reflected the despair of their crumbling empire. The Russian Empire, despite its distance from Asia, recognized the significance of the moment and sent Foreign Minister Count Vladimir Nikolayevich Lamsdorf and Finance Minister Sergei Witte, who was assisted by the former Ambassador to Japan Roman Rosen and the international law and arbitration specialist Friedrich Martens, to negotiate its losses.
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