Bab 37: On the cusp of the Empire’s decline
I have finally arrived at my promised land, yet there have always been reasons or other impediments preventing me from returning to my historical and spiritual homeland. Regardless of the number of years I have spent in a foreign land, not even my reincarnation as a mythical chimera in the realm of limes has altered my identity, and I continue to feel deeply Russian, if not more precisely, Soviet.
Although I only briefly glimpsed the Soviet era during my early years in the former Soviet Union, I was raised in a society where people still regarded all former neighbours as fellow countrymen, irrespective of the shape of their eyes or the colour of their skin.. The memory was still vivid when my forebears recounted their daily experiences at the frontline, where they shared not only bread but also tears and blood in the face of a shared threat that brought together many nations for nearly a century, forging the Soviet Union into a monumental and powerful state with an army second to none, a spirit of ironclad resolve, and an indomitable will that our people had forged together through the trials and tribulations that were their shared destiny.
We find ourselves in a country that has yet to shake off the shackles of feudalism and monarchism, which have become a real burden on the Russian Empire and its people. Gone are the days when the authorities not only pursued their own interests but also took care of the well-being of their subjects. All those nobles, of which only a few representatives stand out from the crowd of corrupt officials, have become a relic of the past.
The aristocracy has become so disconnected from the problems and needs of the people that it resembles the ideology of Nazism in its disregard for its own people.
During the nineteenth century, the country was frequently beset by severe famines, yet the state remained indifferent to the suffering, as if it were a mere footnote in history. What mattered was the export of grain to foreign markets, where the price of bread was inflated many times over due to drought and scarcity. The landlords exploited the peasants, robbing them of their last grain in pursuit of maximum profit. In the face of such brutality, the women were left to bear the burden of creating new lives, while the authorities showed little regard for the plight of the common people.
The imperial dynasty during this period had grown so significantly that it encompassed several factions within its ranks, each seeking to assert their dominance, disregarding the well-being of the Romanov dynasty and certainly not the common good of the nation. There was a lack of unity, and the sense of camaraderie and solidarity that characterized our rulers in the early medieval period, when they shared a drink from a common cup at a Tridentine banquet or simply campaigned alongside their soldiers, was absent. Instead, they sought to distance themselves from the people.
What is happening now in the land of the descendants of Svarog in the past few centuries? Centuries ago, it was not uncommon to encounter children of noble houses who did not speak the native Russian language, but rather French.. And it was the norm, and for particularly gifted parents, even a matter of boastfulness, to show off their child's ability to speak fluently in both the language of Molière and the vernacular, that is to say, Russian, which he did not even know!
Even now, such individuals can be found. What kind of prosperity can be spoken of in a country where there are those who believe they have the right to dispose of its wealth as they see fit, with their hands full of pockets? One of the Romanovs, for example, was in charge of the navy and squandered part of the budget intended for cruisers and battleships on poussettes. Another of their brethren, sitting in the army, was also not shy about dipping his hands into the army's treasury.
Under the Romanov dynasty, the most corrupt institutions were those in which the heaviest financial resources were concentrated. This fact allowed the Romanovs to act with impunity, as they were not concerned about the possibility of arrest or punishment for their corrupt practices. The Romanovs were not afraid of being imprisoned or exiled, as their close relatives would not understand or condemn them for such actions.
Thus, the degenerate elements enjoyed impunity as they pilfered state funds, which were sometimes allocated to critical moments for the nation, such as equipping the military with state-of-the-art weaponry and ammunition, constructing new, advanced defense systems and communication networks in anticipation of a potential conflict with Japan, which, only to complete imbeciles, could be unexpected in the coming years.
The Anglo-Saxon powers could not tolerate the idea of Russia ceasing to function as a raw material source for the "civilized" nations. Suddenly, in this untamed land, Muscovy began to rise, and local entrepreneurs embarked on establishing their own production, propelling the industry forward.
Of course, industrialization and the subsequent industrial boom were still a distant prospect. Nonetheless, over several decades, numerous factories and plants were established, with annual expansions occurring at an exponential rate, causing significant concern among our Western "friends".
In response, the British, in collaboration with their former overseas colony, the United States of America, initiated a campaign to equip our eastern island neighbors with advanced weaponry and military experts who imparted the strategies of contemporary warfare as envisioned by the military strategists of the most progressive nations during that period.. For the British and the US Air Force, this conflict was a necessary step to bring down the Russian Empire, to test their weapons and new strategies of warfare, and, in the event of success for Japan, to reap significant benefits from their efforts.
With a significant amount of resources in their possession and a clear goal provided by their benefactors, which aligned almost perfectly with their own ambitions as islanders seeking to seize all eastern territories from Russia up to the Ural Mountains, the Japanese government, characterized by its disciplined and meticulous nature, embarked on their mission towards this objective.
In the major cities of the Russian Empire that were located near the future active operations in the Pacific military-political theater, thousands of agents and intelligence officers were dispatched. These ranged from ordinary agents to fully-fledged sabotage groups. This process began as early as 1890, marking more than a decade of preparation for the eventual conquest of Russia's Far East and other eastern territories.
Moreover, the Japanese actively and systematically infiltrated the Russian borderlands with China, supplying arms to various elements ready to turn against the Russians and conducting subversive activities among the indigenous populations of these regions. While the Anglo-Saxons primarily engaged in these actions, the Japanese themselves were not well-suited for such operations. Most Japanese officers hailed from aristocratic clans and found such duplicity unacceptable. They regarded it with disgust and considered it unfit to work with inferior individuals.; It was with a sense of disgust that they resorted to bribery and exhortation, as they perceived, towards some barbarians to oppose others.
Under the current circumstances of maintaining a military contingent stationed in the east, Russia found itself with few means to overcome the nation of the rising sun. The reason for this lay not solely in the numerical superiority of the Japanese, but also in the negligence and lack of discipline at the highest levels of command. Our officers displayed such negligence that they could openly discuss orders from Saint Petersburg in a public place without reading them aloud, despite the sensitive nature of the information.
To add to this, the Japanese had already obtained photographs of the blueprints for future fortifications, which were only approved and authorised, that would fortify Port Arthur, Harbin, Vladivostok, and other strategically significant locations on our territory. It is unthinkable that the Japanese were aware of these plans before they were even begun, yet they had complete knowledge of them.
Nonetheless, I was unable to resist and still made a trip to our Far East, and incidentally, I even had the privilege of encountering Koschei once again. What is their fascination with constructing entrances to their dens in the heart of lakes?
I had a dream of visiting Baikal in the winter and fishing during the period when the lake was ice-bound. Timokha, my friend with whom I served in the army, arrived from Novosibirsk. Timur Olegovich Zuev is not a Russian, although his surname, given name, and patronymic are of Slavic origin. His ancestors hailed from a small tribe of the far north, which at the time when the Communists came to power, still led a nomadic lifestyle, relying on hunting and gathering for their survival. Thus, he was a quintessential Buryat, a member of the Asian fraternity, and his blood coursed with all the primal and vibrant hues.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman, having once even managed to subdue a bear with a knife. When he returned from fishing, his wife was astonished at how he had caught a bear on his fishing line! She could not have imagined that the pelt brought by Timokha was his own personal trophy.. Generally speaking, he is a cosmopolitan individual, and every winter he, that scoundrel, would drag my soul away with video and photographic reports from Baikal. However, work and family obligations severely restricted me, preventing me from visiting him for several weeks. Nevertheless, my vacation was not endless, and my wife and children desired to go to the seaside in the summer months. Alas, and alack.
At present, I am unburdened by work, wives, and family, as my spouses are still in healing slumber, and little Fyodor has been entrusted to the care of a foster family and is thoroughly content with his current situation. Thus, I resolved to embark on my journey towards the forthcoming battleground between the two Empires, stopping at the shores of the world's largest fresh water lake, an experience I had not had the opportunity to savour in my previous existence.
Upon fulfilling my plan and stepping onto its shore through a spatial rift, Koshchei materialized before me as though from nowhere.
Greetings and well-being be to you, but no salutations from me. You come straight to my doorstep, and that is hospitality indeed! Had this occurred before my recent visit to the One Aggregator and my taking it under control with its full might, I would have brushed off such an attitude and swallowed it whole. But not now.
I may not be as powerful as this ancient deity, but I possess enough strength to disrupt his plans. Thus, I unleashed my aura, focusing all my power, and drew upon the energy of the egregore that allowed this fossil to speak to me in such a manner.
"Well, I saw no signs indicating this was private property, nor did I see any fencing. What precisely am I doing here? Simply walking, for I enjoy the untamed nature and those places not yet touched by human civilization."
I delivered my message with a certain degree of indifference, unconcerned about the presence of the most fearsome figure from Slavic folklore standing before me. My lack of hesitation in displaying my strength, which could be construed as provoking Koschei, precluded me from considering the potential repercussions.
Having now released my power and fully opened myself up to the world, extending my aura for miles around me, I have identified the point where the transition to Koschei's realm is bound, for it exudes an ethereal, dark energy that I was finally able to sense emanating from Koschei himself.
In our previous encounter, he remained enigmatic to me, his true strength a mystery. But now, I can sense the disparity in power between us, and it would be disastrous for me were it not for the strength of the One's Egregore at my disposal. Despite the vast difference in our experiences, with Koschei possessing nearly ten times my personal strength, I maintain a superior position of power over him that would be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, for him to overcome.
On my side was the vitality of the faith of the multitude that inhabits this realm, and, accordingly, this potency possesses a higher coefficient of actuality in comparison to the ba-yon of Koschei within this universe. However, on his side lies the accumulation of experience gained through tens of millennia of existence and the knowledge of the most ancient divine pantheon to have ever graced this world.
Vasilisa was aware that this venerable embodiment of the current living beings on Earth derived its strength from the plane situated at the intersection of Yavya and Navya. While there are more precise definitions of Koschey's realm than this one, to provide accurate coordinates for its location, one must understand that Pravya, Yavya, and Navya were understood by the Slavs in a different way.
Pravya, these are the domains and realms of Slavic deities and other-worldly beings, which can be classified as light entities. The term "light" does not refer to the celestial beings' predilection for the realm of light, but rather to their attitude towards life.
The earthly realm is known as Yavya, which denotes the world inhabited by humans and possesses the highest degree of material reality. However, the concept of Navi is somewhat more intricate. This term encompasses all the realms, voids, and domains inhabited by demons, dark deities, and entities that dwell on the fringes. The fringe represents the boundary between the grey frontier and all other realms.
Thus, the realm where Koshchey resides is situated at the intersection of the grey limits, Morena's realm, and the former underworld, which was once under the protection of the Lizard deity.
What was it like in the pre-Christian era on Russian soil? When a Slavic person passed away, their soul would enter the realm of their deity, whom they had followed in life. If their soul was deemed worthy, it would go to a sort of «heaven». However, if the individual was not accepted by any of these light deities, their soul was consigned to the underworld of the lizard, assuming they had not engaged with demons in their lifetime. In this case, the payment for such actions was their very soul, which then fell under the dominion of a dark entity.
Within the realm of the Lizard, the soul underwent a series of ordeals and torments, akin to those found in Christian hell, yet with one crucial distinction: the soul did not succumb to complete collapse and disintegration of its spiritual essence. The precise mechanisms that determined this boundary, beyond which the soul remained untouched and unharvested for its energy, remain shrouded in mystery.
After escaping from the clutches of the Lizard, the spirit was liberated into the Grey Liminal Realm, the domain of Morana, a deity who embodies the concept of mortality. She stands alone among the Slavic pantheon, unrelated by blood to any other deities. The origins of her presence among them remain obscure, shrouded in silence within the annals of history.
The story of Morana's ascension to prominence remains elusive, as she predates the birth of all other deities, who emerged after her. Even the oldest among them, upon their awakening, found themselves confronted with the presence of powerful entities like Svarog, leaving no trace of Morana in their recollections.
Morena, also known as Hel, is a deity who does not require a following, as she herself is an integral part of the intricate machinery of the multiverse. What am I referring to? The Slavic goddess of death, who rules over the Grey Lands, which are connected to, interact with, and participate in the lives of all realms in the multiverse, regardless of any afterlife associated with a particular pantheon.
Even souls that traverse through Christian hell and heaven, after reaching the realm of the Divine, once they have obtained what they desire, continue their journey through the river of souls, guided by the plan of death embodied by Morena. She is not concerned with whether she has followers or not; she holds an unparalleled power, as she oversees the path through which all spirits in the multiverse traverse.
Koshchey's realm once occupied a position between the realms of Yashcher and Morena, but as the ancient deities of the Slavic pantheon have since departed this world, his domain now exists in limbo between Yavia and the edge, beyond which lie the Grey Limits. Bound by his orbit, he is tied to these boundaries, rather than to the worlds within them (the Earthly Realm and the Magical Realm, which exist in close proximity).
Aha! I now find myself face-to-face with Koshchey, revisiting his tale and realizing that Morena remains unchanged. The Grey Limits continue to serve as the gateway for souls into the cycle of Sansara, and it is fortunate that she remains indifferent to the lives of mortals, both mortal and immortal, and their existence in the realm of Yav. Our journey through her realm leads us only to the next cycle of rebirth.
It is somewhat disconcerting that I have taken her descendants under my protection.
"Enough already, boys," I heard a voice. Only then did the disguise begin to fall away, revealing a beautiful young woman, more like a teenager, of indescribable charm. Her eyes were crimson-pink, like two large rubies; her lips were scarlet, and she had a sly grin, behind which lurked the promise of mischief from this fragile creature. Her long pink hair, like a cloak, fell down to the ground.
Oh, she was exquisite. If I were not a married man of sense, I would have unleashed my imagination long ago and put her in every imaginable and unimaginable position.
"Valisa, what brings you here?"
"If I were not a goddess, if my perception were not so acute, I would not have been able to discern the shame and discomfiture in Koschei's voice, amidst the apparent icy calm and detachment."
"I do not wish to be implicated in the aftermath of your altercation."
Then the beauty turned towards me, "Forgive my companion; he is not accustomed to dealing with rational beings. My name is Valisa, and you are Svyatozar, as I have heard from Leshego. Upon learning from the forest guardian that you had saved our world from my sister and her companions, I desired to express my gratitude for your act of heroism. However, alas, your hasty departure left me unable to locate you."
Of course, she conceals her true nature, leaving traces of her presence in the world, which she may have sought to conceal, but I cannot be certain that her intentions are solely to express her gratitude.
"You're welcome," I said, acknowledging Vasilisa's attempt to use me as a pawn in her scheme, and when I dispatched her and her companions to Chaos, it was driven solely by a desire for retribution.
Do not mistake me for a champion of the common good; it is not my calling. As long as the consequences do not directly affect me, I will not intervene.
Thus, I immediately set the tone and reminded those present that I am a resolute and vengeful being, swift to retaliate, but looking at the beauty associated with Louise Françoise Le Blanc de la Valliere de Tristain, I found it difficult to maintain the image of a strict deity, ready to respond with decisive actions to any perceived threat. I cannot explain why, but there was a soft spot in my heart for this animated character who bore a striking resemblance to Vasilisa from my previous existence. How could such a charming girl fall for such a dark personality?
It is undeniable that admiring a young lady with such an extraordinary, natural hair color evoked in me a peculiar sense of dissonance. Indeed, in my previous life, I had encountered individuals who dyed their hair in all the colors of the rainbow, but their choice of color was perceived differently.
Observing these youths, who possessed the audacity to express themselves in such a manner, I instantly sensed the artificiality of their coloring and, consequently, their behavior in general. This is because individuals who drastically and dramatically alter their appearance in order to distinguish themselves from the crowd are clearly suffering from some form of mental disorder. It is inherent in our nature to adopt a striking appearance only when necessary. We do so either to attract attention from potential partners or to intimidate an adversary prior to a confrontation. These are the primary motivations that drive us, as a species, to engage in such actions in the wild.. And I have been observing such individuals in contemporary society who, not due to their national, cultural, or religious distinctions, but of their own volition, adorn their bodies with an abundance of piercings or tattoos that cover their faces, or paint themselves with vivid, garish colors. I have come to the conclusion that these individuals either possess a certain level of aggression or are in a perpetual state of irritation. Therefore, I have endeavored to avoid such individuals, as I would say, out of a sense of propriety. This may be attributed to my upbringing in the streets, where every mark on one's body required justification in the form of a tattoo. In general, during my childhood and adolescence, everything was more confrontational, and I was frequently subjected to punishment for any perceived misdeeds.
«Aha, indeed! You are a fool. In this realm, I still have the opportunity to challenge her husband, which I would be entirely deprived of were I to venture into their territory. This is not Earth, it is a satellite of the Grey Frontier. Well, so be it.»
«Alas, Valisa, I am merely passing through, having stopped by the lake to admire its beauty, with no intention of lingering. I have just learned that the path to your domain commences from Lake Baikal. However, I shall certainly avail myself of your invitation at a later time, I assure you!»
Take this statement as you will. It may be construed as a threat.
In general, my dialogue and acquaintance with Koschei's wife came to an end, and after bidding farewell, I continued my journey eastward.
When I first set out on this journey to leave Europe for the Urals, those places were still quite untamed. Now, I cannot say that much has changed, but the situation is still vastly improved compared to the past. The borders of Russia have drawn closer, not just on paper but also in reality, with the countries whose culture and magic I have been fascinated by. I am referring to China and Japan, both of which I had the opportunity to visit.
Given that a conflict between my former home and Japan was imminent, I sought to witness firsthand how it would unfold. Unlike in Japan, there is no specific law of secrecy in place regarding sorcery and magical creatures. Rather, local practitioners and fauna choose to maintain a degree of discretion, avoiding direct interaction with outsiders, although they do not actively conceal the supernatural aspects of their culture or lifestyle from those few visitors who reside within their borders or pass through.. Japan is a nation renowned for its insularity and deep-seated xenophobia. In essence, they are modern-day Nazis, blessed by the divine light of Amaterasu, while the rest of humanity is viewed as inferior, or "gaijins".
In this hierarchical society, there is a clear vertical structure with no social mobility. While anyone can claim to be a samurai and follow the Way of the Sword, serving a noble lord and becoming part of the military elite, in reality, this path is difficult to achieve. To be taken on as a retainer by a nobleman, one must demonstrate some merit, proficiency in swordsmanship, and possess the necessary skills. How, then, can a peasant, untrained in anything other than farming rice, acquire these skills?
What is my point? I have a strong belief, approaching certainty, that in any military actions by the Japanese against the Russians, their sorcerers will be involved. This is because all noble families have access to sorcerers, and there is no distinction between the gifted and the ungifted within the family.
No, it is clear that sorcerers hold a more prominent position, but even so, they do not exclude their non-sorcerous relatives from the family, allowing them to remain part of the clan and contribute in their own way. Consequently, many officers in the Japanese army are sorcerers. I am keen to see how these events will unfold, and whether sorcerers from the Russian Empire will also be involved in the coming conflict.
I harbored grave reservations about this. And the reason is that at the present time, the imperial variety of Russia and the princely, magical variety that inhabited the territories of the empire, maintained a state of extreme tension and coolness in their relationship. The contemporary Romanovs, representing the most ancient and noble lineage of Russia, no longer regard them as equals or worthy of serious consideration, owing to the fact that there is not a trace of Rurikovich blood in the veins of those who have sat upon the throne of the Russian empire since Peter the Great.
Firstly, it is worth noting that the Romanov dynasty was a seventh water on the kissel in terms of their inherited right to the throne of Russia. Despite their relative connection with the Rurik lineage, after Peter I took in a Chukhloma cook as his wife, who was not of noble birth, he effectively cut off any possibility of having an heir to the Russian throne.
It is uncertain what Peter the Great was thinking when he chose to marry a woman of low status who had already experienced multiple relationships. It is a fact that Peter suffered from mental health issues, and it is not for me to judge who had what branchy horns.
In the wake of such a sordid affair, and once the truth had been revealed, magical families severed their ties with those who had now ascended to the throne of the Russian Empire. Indeed, sorcerers were generally elated, for there were no longer any masters over them. Previously, under natural Rurikovichi, a descendant of Svarog who had been summoned by Gostomysl, all indigenous and foreign magical orders swore allegiance to serve the land of Rus and its heirs in faith and truth.
However, there are no more Rurikovichi on the Russian throne, and so we are at an end! There is no authority over sorcerers in secular matters, no one who can reprimand them or call them to arms in defense of their homeland. Now, each clan is its own master, deciding how to act in any given situation, both on the international and domestic political stages.
It was fascinating to observe how the course of events in the historical narrative of this world would unfold, and what consequences would ensue from the outcome of this conflict. However, there is a touch of magic at play here, which is certain to be employed in this war, as the aggressor nation is beyond the jurisdiction of ICM and is not bound by any statute.
Russia, in principle, is not among those nations that are obliged to uphold the statute, nor has any individuals taken any oath. Yet, somehow, by their own volition, Russian sorcerers began to withdraw from mundane and secular existence, increasingly distancing themselves from their non-magical counterparts. For two centuries now, there has been a separation and estrangement between Russian magi and their non-gifted kin.
And if you will allow me to reflect on it, this is precisely the nature of my current endeavor. How did the Russo-Japanese conflict conclude? I am merely seeking a diversion while my companions regain their composure, immersed in the artifacts I have crafted to expedite their metamorphosis into deities.
Even my own curse has been tested! Just as I was indulging in a moment of sweetness, I was confronted with a shovelful of it. Wait a moment, dear one. The companions require rest. Oh dear, what a vexation!
I had even contemplated the treacherous notion of seeking a therapeutic slumber for a period of time. My ninth shell continues to unfold actively, and I have not yet fully realized my potential power; I require time for this.
The rudimentary elements of my wings, reflected in my divine snake essence, would have developed much more rapidly had I slept in the sarcophagus where my wives now rest. However, alas, my duty to Feza precluded me from doing so, for she was under my care, and I performed the appropriate rituals, designating myself as her guardian.
This was primarily done to establish legal authority over the still-young Fae. She is now a sweet and compliant young girl, but what will her disposition be like when she grows older? Will she not rebuke me and send me into the wilderness when I disagree with her or interfere in her decisions? Having assumed the role of her magical guardian grants me the right and power to effortlessly rectify her thoughts, and Thessaly cannot intervene!
Although I did not deprive myself of stimulants, and it is not possible for me to obtain the sleep required for my ninth layer, I nevertheless provided adequate support to compensate for the missing bonuses derived from the sarcophagus designed for my girls.
Having visited the egregore of the One with the aid of ba-hyon, I have created a certain quantity of silver, the integral essence of the celestial throne. From this, I fashioned an artefact with a specific purpose: to continuously monitor the state of my body and soul, encompassing not only my physical form but also all nine layers of my soul, and, if necessary, direct the life-giving grace comprising the ba-hyon of the One and mana of the light of the healing spectrum to the appropriate areas.
At present, the focus of this divine artifact is directed towards my ninth layer and the astral layer of my soul, which has not yet attained a complete form due to a lack of sufficient strength within my soul to swiftly transform my serpent essence into that of a dragon. In the cosmic context, the distinction between a dragon and a serpent lies in the presence or absence of wings, making them both reptilian in nature. Thus, my astral form must incorporate wings, the rudiments of which have already begun to emerge.. Now, a significant amount of energy is being channeled into their formation by the egregore of the One. Nonetheless, I have been fortunate enough to tap into an almost mandatory divine plan that is overflowing with faith energy, which has not been expended for over three millennia.
While this energy may not be perfectly aligned with my essence, there is resistance to my soul assimilating it, as it is not bound to any specific essence. The Creator is not considered, as we are all a part of His creation and connected to Him, making this a remarkable occurrence.
Based on my estimations, I will become a true dragon within approximately ten years. This is a transformation to a different level entirely. Being a god in the form of a dragon is a far cry from being a regular god.
Nonetheless, the eastern regions of our vast nation are truly magnificent. At the moment, I find myself seated upon one of the rocky shores of the Kurile Islands, observing the furious elements at play in a particularly severe storm. As I gaze upon this tempest, my thoughts turn inward, reflecting on my actions and the course of my life, leading me to an unexpected realization.
All the impetus behind my pursuit of greater power and personal growth stemmed from my self-centered desire to find a partner who would not only be the epitome of beauty but also the perfect complement to my own nature. My every endeavor, every achievement, was driven by the need to appear as desirable in the eyes of that one individual, the embodiment of femininity, who would provide me with a home I could call my own.
It is a surprising revelation that I owe my success to my daughters. At the outset of my journey towards achieving greatness, I was unaware of their existence. However, I had an implicit understanding that there were people in the world for whom I needed to strive to be the best. I desired to reach perfection so that they would not be able to resist my allure.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone