Reincarnated as Nikolai II

"Who is this war for?"

A brief but piercing question echoed through the ornate chambers of the Tauride Palace, where representatives of the empire with the world's largest territory gathered beneath gilded ceilings and crystal chandeliers. The marble walls seemed to amplify the words, letting them reverberate through the hallowed halls of power.

If heard in a street pub amidst the clinking of glasses and drunken murmurs, such words might have been dismissed as the thoughtless complaint of a common malcontent, perhaps even earning a stern glance from the authorities. But this question erupted in parliament, in the very heart of Russian governance, where matters of state were meant to be discussed with careful reverence.

The three pillars assisting the Tsar stood as foundational supports of the empire: the meticulous administrative branch that kept the machinery of state turning, the traditionally conservative legislative body that gave voice to the nobility's interests, and the stern judicial system that maintained order throughout the vast territories. That such an unpatriotic question arose from the legislative body was shocking enough to make even the most seasoned politicians shift uncomfortably in their seats, but the one who spoke it was none other than Beren Volkov, whose family had served the crown for generations with unwavering loyalty.

"We've driven hundreds of thousands of young men to their deaths. But I thought that was proud. Because that's what the Tsar wanted, for our Empire! But what is this? Why, why must only our youth die?"

"M-Member Beren!"

He was someone who had swept through the Duma several times before.

"Yes, our proud Imperial Army advanced victoriously shedding tears while standing firm even as comrades died and subordinates and superiors fell! Because war is naturally written in blood! Ah. But say. Why are only we writing history in blood? Why are our allies doing nothing but watching with folded arms? Are we monkeys in a zoo? Or are we fighters in a paid arena?"

Beren's endless questions. Since each wording was quite provocative, other members chose not to stand out instead of refuting, conscious of tomorrow's newspaper articles.

Instead, all tried to judge the moves of this seven-term member who had kept his seat since the Duma's early days.

'...This is quite a precarious tightrope walk. Stories licking the suffering masses, but how will those above hear it.'

'Is it gambling, or does he have something to rely on?'

'Like a crazy old man. Must be trying to enter the cabinet while getting spotlight.'

Who doesn't know that fact and stays quiet? They're just holding their tongues lest they be branded anti-government for causing division during wartime.

But once Beren started acting up, he didn't stop.

"Why on earth must only we die? At this rate... does alliance even have meaning?"

"...Member Beren, it seems you need to refine your speech somewhat. Your recent remarks overflow with potential for misunderstanding as inciting discord."
Stay connected through empire

"Ha! Who dares call me a traitor! Insulting Beren Volkov's life won't be so easy!"

Beren's questions went all the way to the end. Despite concerns pouring in, Beren stood firm.

"1915. The Great Russian Empire walked one step at a time. But surely toward Berlin. Because we wanted to end this hellish war. Meanwhile, German army chief Falkenhayn, afraid of two-front war, put forth one strategy. To finish one front. And we were the target."

Indeed, Falkenhayn, wanting to clear one of two fronts first, tried to end the Eastern Front.

"And at this time our allies had an opportunity! Like when we occupied Poland early in the war, a chance to recover lost territory, liberate Belgium, and enter German territory!"

Looking at various figures, Germany surely focused power on the east, while the west suffered numerical inferiority.

This was a risky move even for Falkenhayn, so if the Anglo-French forces had launched a general offensive, while Belgian liberation might be uncertain, territory recovery might have been possible.

"Regrettably, we must now acknowledge. OHL chief Falkenhayn was right. Our allies are cowards. Truly unqualified as allies."

Beren's message was very simple.

That we can no longer trust our allies.

And that they still want to rely entirely on Russia for this war.

"...Are you suggesting alliance withdrawal! The Nationalist Party must be crazy! Such impure talk only decreases war capability!"

"Are you a British member or Russian member! Only they have human rights and only they are people! We too are people and humans with the right not to die!"

And Beren shouted endless evidence.

"The British Empire's only solo battle last year, Neuve Chapelle! They made a fuss about 12,000 deaths but half the casualties were colonial troops, Indians!"

"Despite failing to protect Belgium, BEF expeditionary force organization was delayed and ultimately participated in only four major battles in a year! Besides Mons the year before, they've done practically nothing!"

"And what about General Hubert Gough? Not even regular army creation but advocating reserve creation? Just three field armies, even those with half the organization compared to our Imperial Army, and now they won't even conscript?"

Britain has no intention to fight.

They just want Russia to do everything.

Falkenhayn was right.

Evidence enough to plant such thoughts endlessly.

If Lord John French, BEF Commander who lost his nerve after losing conscripted troops in four months at Gallipoli in May after facing political crisis from conscription in January 1915, had heard this, he would have collapsed from high blood pressure, but unfortunately he wasn't present.

"All sitting here representing the Empire through election, open your eyes wide and see reality! When the great commander General Brusilov occupied Poland, the British Empire were cripples who retreated 400km in 13 days!"

In 1914, it was nonsense for British forces to block Germany alone in Belgium.

"They're historic idiots who gave up the line because a few thousand died after inhaling some gas at Loos!"

Pulling back the line against an unstoppable attack was a very excellent judgment. Kitchener also immediately focused on gas mask supply afterward. But such reality wasn't important to Beren.

"The fact that they're ultimately crybabies without the balls to leave trenches and attack the enemy, like kids stuck in their rooms!"