Capitolo Terzo: Conquista (4)
Much to my relief, there was no other issue in the road as we finally made our way to Saint Petersburg.
The massive city, created in the late 18th century after Peter the Great conquered that land from Sweden during the Great Northern War and named after Saint Peter, the first Russian Emperor’s patron saint, looked busy as many other big cities would in Europe. People were mingling and talking, a normal day before them as they went on with their business. Our stroll around the streets wasn’t one without ‘guards’ as we were provided with two officers to escort us to our destination. I tried to plea for this to not happen and that we would be fine within the city by using Santana as an excuse for that, but I could tell that a ‘mountain of muscles’ was not enough to ‘stop bullets’. Technically the Pillar Man would have done it with ease, but I could tell that response would have just raised more questions than we needed to address at the time so… I was stuck with quite the individuals.
“Many apologies, Lord Joestar-”
“None of that, Artillery Officer Denikin. I’m well aware of the worries anyone can have after such an unexpected bump in the road,” I argued, regarding the younger version of who would then come to be known as the ‘People’s Marshal’ with expected politeness.
Anton Ivanovich Denikin was still working his way through the Artillery Brigade he had been assigned to for the sake of becoming part of the General Staff. He had qualities to lead, but it was required for him to go through at least a few years of service in that brigade. He was a pleasant individual, especially when he made it clear through his indirect mannerism how he was slightly hopeful my visit was going to bring change many wanted to see within this world. His companion, Lobanov, looked quite disinterested by the conversation to the point of keeping quiet through its entire length, but listened to it nonetheless as he found the topic particularly curious. I could tell it was more about our presence here, that I, someone that I could tell had been paraded by recently-renowned liberals as a beacon of betterment here in Russia.
I heard the rumors, and I definitely heard that the Zemstvos, the local self-government projects that came to be in 1864, had taken a step back from making a historic step due to my visit. With the new Tsar’s coronation unfolding a few weeks ago, the Tver Address had failed to reach the Emperor’s desk. I wasn’t that surprised knowing how risky a move was with a man that was just grieving over his father’s death which was by no means a small matter in his head. Despite the best of good will they could muster, Nicholas II was far from forgiving to those that dared to ruin that moment of mourning and he was the furthest believer from liberalism through these recent events. Hence why I was a potential way in for many ideas which could influence the Empire as a whole. I was an investor, but one that brought fresh ideas to an empire of old.
Was I going to meet the Tsar within that day? Doubtful, but since we were going to stay in the Russian capital for a few days, at least until we got this new hassle sorted out somehow, the chance was fairly high. Before going through the planned meeting with the Chairman of Ministers, I moved to check in with the place we were staying by. Chairman von Bunge had offered me access to a manor which was meant to temporarily house guests of a certain relevance, and I knew it was only for the best for both Giorno and Hannah, the former tired after what happened a few days ago and having trouble sleeping and the latter wanting to get her bearing straighten out before taking unnecessary steps outside.
Santana would stay behind since his capacity to understand languages, mimic them and then offer translation would be deadly useful for both. Even though I would have preferred to have a trustworthy translator with me since I didn’t think my Russian was that good compared to my German and French, I still decided to concede my wife and son this much before parting ways with them and getting moving through the schedule I planned for this first day. Denikin was quieter this time around, mostly because we had already talked about things for as long as his curiosity demanded, and by now he had taken a more formal posture as we made our way to our next destination.
The path between the entrance of the government’s building and the office where the Chairman was waiting me in was packed with bureaucrats of all sorts and ages, but all from nobility and the army. No peasant was allowed, no ‘poor people’- things may have been changing as of late, but the installation of Nicholas II as the new Tsar was definitely going to put a stop to liberalization despite the good will of some members of Nobility. Not everyone was onboard, but some people had seen how reforms of some sort would only improve things for everyone, no matter the classes. No one stopped our walk, and soon I found myself knocking and then entering the office as soon as I was granted permission by its owner.
“Lord Joestar, please- take a seat,” A tired voice greeted me, his tone raspy and fairly drained as the man’s advanced age was a main factor of his current frail self.
“Chairman von Bunge, I’m glad to see you are healthy nowadays.”
The man offered a shaky smile at that meek compliment, an excuse to be polite but also not through the reality of the situation. “As much as I can be with these troublesome people I am dealing with.”
We both sat down and I took a moment to further study the man. Despite holding the strongest political role after the Tsar, Nikolai von Bunge was a man with his hands tied by opposition coming from all sides. He was crafty and clever, and he sure had some interesting ideas which could quite improve the Russians’ capacity to march through the new century and maybe millennium. But Nikolai was a sheep in a lion’s den, a 71 years-old man that was trying to outwit numerous conservative families trying to oust him from power to ‘defeat the liberal menace’. He still stood strong despite the sheer opposition against his reforms.
It wasn’t going to survive for next year, not when he was so close to passing out around that time. He was decaying fast, and I wasn’t as sure if he had the means to secure someone that wasn’t his historical successor. Yet it was too early to make a conversation on that topic. No, the first step was pleasantries and then, maybe, we could bring up the real reason I had been invited to visit Saint Petersburg.
“I’m still so dismayed by the recent passing of Alexander III. I can tell the entire nation mourned his death. A true leader of the people.”
“A view I wholeheartedly agree to,” Nikolai replied bitterly. “Alas, the new Tsar is less driven by that same spirit to change things for good like his father was, seeing the status quo as the best option at the moment.”
“And that’s why you wish for me to be an ‘example’ for him to see his errors?”
A chuckle left the elder’s mouth. “Partly. But I genuinely believe Made in Heaven has the best shot at providing our national industry a direction to change things. Many think this breaks from my protectionist roots and… maybe, maybe that’s indeed the case, but I feel that we lack the basis to entertain large-scale railway expansion. Something I’m aware you have the means to if granted manpower and resources.”
“Which would still require a gargantuan move to pull off. It’s nothing short of world-changing since you mentioned wanting as a primary goal the creation of a railway system to connect Moscow to Vladivostok.”
He nodded. “Hence why I wish for you to take care of this. Russia is large but mostly untamed. A railway would provide us the means to reach out the innermost depth and bring more settlements there.”
“And maybe build prisons for dissidents,” I remarked, getting a surprised look. “Let’s be honest here, Chairman. You’re asking me something that can be incredibly good but also bad depending on what purpose it can be used for. And we can agree that a change of pace from this role would determine either path. One of which is the reason why I find this idea troubling.”
…
“You heard of the Zemstvos-”
“And the fact they have expectations to try and find common ground. My visit here as someone that is known to be kind to his workers gives them hope. But I refuse to provide the government with the blueprints to repress them.”
“...What guarantees are you after, Lord Joestar?” The old man asked, looking way older than 71.
“A Chairman that shares your same mindset, if not something a bit more diligent upon this affair.”
“Your request is meddlesome, and it would throw off my recent plans in a very difficult situation,” He pointed out, forcing me to sigh.
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“Which is why it would only be good if that name would come from the cabinet you have, a name you can trust and can safely line up to succeed you,” I reasoned calmly. “And yes, I know that my request is indeed a messy one, but it’s a matter of honesty at this point. As far as I can tell, without a political successor, it will be the new Tsar to choose and I doubt he will just pick a liberal with his current mindset.”
“Now, Lord Joestar. I hardly think you have a name which could seriously-”
Nikolai paused, his gaze following the small piece of paper which I passed down to him through his table. I retracted my palm, his gaze silently peering over the piece before picking it up and reading it as slowly as possible. Confusion and curiosity both played heavily on his eyes and he provided me with quite the reaction.
“That’s an interesting individual you bring up. Never pondered about his… capacity,” He hummed. “Witte isn’t exactly talkative nowadays.”
“But he isn’t a conservative. His tenure is-”
“Acceptable at best. And just before the Tsar and nobles, but still not as remarkable as other candidates would try to sell their own deeds as,” The Chairman argued, which made me sigh in annoyance and provide him with a serious look.
“But no matter how you look at it, Chairman von Bunge, the Zemstvos are just going to keep quiet for as long as I am around and possibly provide them a chance to speak through me,” I rebuked firmly. “And while Witte has yet to fully manifest his potential, his age and experience makes him a valiant idea for a successor. One you can trust with ideas that are yours and his.”
Silence fell within the room as the Chairman could only stop and think at my words. I would have remained to put up more pressure, but I could tell I was approaching his breaking point to outright stop this negotiation. So, instead of just pushing my luck well-beyond what I could achieve on the matter, I merely stood up from my seat with the intention of leaving the room altogether.
“Lord Joestar-” The Chairman tried to stop me, thinking the worst.
“It was a pleasant meeting, Chairman von Bunge, but I believe we both need time to ponder on our respective conditions,” I reasoned politely, offering a careful smile. “But I am positive for a new meeting tomorrow so we can both argue some more with more information within our theses.”
“...You truly are good at controlling negotiations,” He pointed out and I smiled.
“I was told of this many times.”
And I didn’t plan to skip a beat now that this skill had to work the best for the sake of changing history for good for Russia.
--------d-d-d-d---------
Hannah was finally feeling calmer compared to how she has been in these last few days.
She had long expected trouble to come to them from time to time, but this circumstance just made for an unpleasant return to the past. Someone was targeting her and her family, and they seemed to have powers tied to the supernatural. And that reminded her of what happened many years ago when that foul old bastard was still around and tormenting Dio. The warehouse plot, Jack the Ripper, the happenings at Windknight’s Lot. There was so much to think of and so much to compare.
She wasn’t alone anymore, she wasn’t as weak as back then. She also had Santana to provide support- but what really worried Hannah wasn’t the chance of being hurt or worse, but that it could happen to her son. Giorno was so innocent despite the many tales of might from his father’s own adventure. He was prone to listen to them, to wonder about them and eventually she knew he would train and become an adventurer himself. But for now, Giorno was her baby boy, and he was going to be that even when he would begin going out on his own, making friends, establishing a family and finding his own happiness through what they could teach them.
That perspective was nonetheless worrying as she could tell that their home would feel colder the moment Giorno wasn’t around. It wasn’t like it would be less homely, but the idea of seeing her son depart once old enough to engage in missions and explorations just left her in a pickle tied to her future reaction to that. Maybe she was looking too far into the future. Giorno was still a child at this point, and while things may change soon about his perspective of the world due to the threat they were facing, Hannah refused to let harm come any closer to her child.
Should I ask Dio if I can train him a bit?
They had both agreed to not train him until he was older, but it would be a lie to say that Hannah wasn’t tempted now to provide her son with something to hold his own against a threat for the time needed for either of his parents to come and rescue him. It was just a good thought and yet she was worried that it would also hurt his growth somehow. He didn’t have the means to manifest Hamon properly due to his age, but Dio could still teach him some precise lessons on the Spin. That was something Hannah knew she would have to bring up to him, but for now she was best to wait and keep looking after her boy while her husband was out for his business meeting.
Santana had taken the opportunity to explore the manor, frightening some of the servants working there in the process and gaining some attention from a couple of maids due to his frame and physique. Some things just didn’t seem to change and it really hit her hard for comedic effects when the tall man would just whine he didn’t want this kind of attention.
He would prefer playing with kids and being the ‘quiet man-child’ rather than being flirted with by women that were eyeing him as if he was the best husband material possible. Obviously he wasn’t. Physical appearance aside, Santana had no means to warrant the emotional truth that a romantic relationship would demand from both partners. He was a lonely figure, but one that didn’t mind the loneliness due to his inhuman mindset.
Meanwhile little Giorno had taken the chance to draw to pass some time. Lunch had just recently gone by and they were just patiently waiting for Dio to return any minute now. Yet, she could perceive that her son had a strange sense of sadness that left him in a stage of pure silence and boredom. While she normally wouldn’t probe for more details on why her son felt one way or another, she felt reasonably compelled to know what was up due to recent events. It could have been signs of a fright he didn’t bring up, or worries that should be addressed now rather than ignored to the point those became too problematic for him.
“I miss Georgie. And Olesia.”
He looked quite downtrodden, which got Hannah fairly upset at this circumstance but also thoughtful about any possible solution she could offer him.
“Is that so?” She hummed quietly.
“Yeah, I just want to talk with them but… I can’t. I can’t go there fast.”
Hannah smiled at her baby boy’s concern and upset, knowing it was one of the most known struggles nowadays and wondering what could be done about this without being too… excessive about it. Taking a ‘quick train’ was excluded from the options, but there were means to talk at a safe distance without being there personally. And thus this idea was proposed to the child.
“How about you write a letter to both of them?”
The boy frowned, wonder flashing on his face. “But I don’t know how to write a letter.”
Hannah hummed. “Then, I’ll teach you how to and I’ll be there until you know how to handle that fun activity yourself.”
His eyes widened in a childish manner, and he nodded before bolting to retrieve some parchment while the woman went on to get some ink for his pent. Soon they were sitting by the living room, happily writing the two letters as Hannah helped Giorno through that task while correcting any grammar mistake here and there. AS soon as they were done, the letters were put in envelopes and then given to servants so they could provide them to the local postal service. Hannah wasn’t sure what would happen next as she wasn’t that accustomed to how Russia handled that kind of service, but she was confident through the very servants’ praises that the service was going to be of at least good quality.
And as the two rested and enjoyed the day together, a lone figure darkly mused on how he was supposed to snatch the boy off her clutches.