Pennant of the Dead 2. Baltic Kings

Konstantin Bulanov is a modern author who writes both fantasy and alternate history about our contemporaries who find themselves in the past and influence the course of events.

The Russo-Japanese War and the First World War for the Russian Empire seemed all but inevitable: too many powerful forces were determined to weaken the country by drawing it into exhausting conflicts. But the intervention of a person from the future and years of tireless work by patriots shifted the historical trajectory. Now Russia is entering the coming trials not with hope for a “pleasant stroll,” but with the understanding that ahead lies a hard clash with an equal opponent. Will the Emperor be able not only to defeat the obvious enemies, but also to outplay those who are called “allies”—on their own turf?

Both wars—against Japan and the global one—remained unavoidable: too many interests of the powerful converged on the goal of weakening Russia by involving it in these confrontations. And even the changes caused by the appearance of an outsider from the future—both within the country and beyond its borders—could not fully avert the looming test of endurance. But history has already turned in a different direction thanks to the shifts brought about by the long-term labor of people devoted to their state. This time, the all-Russian Emperor clearly understands why all of this is needed—for both him and the people. This time, Russia was preparing not for a quick victory, but for a long and difficult struggle with worthy opponents. The main challenge remains: to win not only over obvious enemies, but also over supposed allies, playing by their rules. And the fleet… it will also make its contribution to the common cause—especially since there is something to strike with, there is someone to strike, and there is someone to strike against.