Ch.407Modern Era: The Age of Grand Anastasia (6)

* * *

How do I know?

Balhae has introduced “Tasha,” a dedicated OS with Mini Ana-chan.

Of course, this Mini Ana-chan has been branched from AI Ana-chan and monitors everything for AI Ana-chan. In reality, while we can’t control Balhae, we can see their internal information.

The Mini Ana-chan relays information to AI Ana-chan, which then enters my mind.

I can understand the situation even more deeply than the Okhrana could.

“There’s trouble in Balhae because of an anti-cyber organization.”

In Balhae, anti-cyber issues have been increasingly becoming a social concern.

As news spread that we’re trying to introduce AI Ana-chan to Nam Viet, internal conflicts arose. Some claim the Roman Treaty forced it, while others argue Nam Viet requested it directly and that Nam Viet will enjoy more benefits than the Co-Prosperity Sphere through AI Ana-chan’s power.

The problem is that this is happening even after my speech.

Despite my clear explanation, the fact that they still think we’re deliberately forcing this suggests pro-American organizations are exploiting the situation.

They’re using this to promote pro-American sentiment.

The propaganda seems to be working well. The next administration might at least have a neutral character that engages in dialogue with the United States.

How should we handle this?

Among them are those who completely dismiss our role and think they gained independence through their own merit.

This is certainly an aspect I don’t like.

“Wouldn’t it be irrelevant?”

“It seems there are people inside stirring up anti-Roman sentiment. Mainly those who think they gained independence because of their own greatness.”

Even if that’s not the case, it’s still a problem.

“I understand that the current President of the Balhae Federation, Park In-seok, has pro-Roman tendencies.”

President Park In-seok. Seriously, he’s a president who didn’t exist in the original world.

This must be due to the changed history.

“The president isn’t the problem.”

It seems the ruling and opposition parties are also fighting over the introduction of AI Anastasia.

Honestly, we have absolutely no interest in this matter. Perhaps we should withdraw for now.

The fact that they’re acting this way despite my confirmation suggests they’re trying to establish Balhae Federation’s position.

The Co-Prosperity Sphere acts as a balancer between the Roman Treaty and the United States.

Honestly, I was hoping for that much.

At least if it was my country from my previous life, it should show that much spirit! But still.

Even so, I’ve sacrificed myself to help them, and I helped Balhae because we share a border in Asia.

Moreover, looking at it now, the introduction of AI Anastasia can prevent government corruption preemptively. It can stabilize society as a whole.

Project Anastasia, which I’ve been talking about all along, is showing perfect results.

Of course, there’s some noise now, but the results speak for themselves.

Even Africa, which was mired in corruption and producing only refugees, has now stabilized its political system under AI Anastasia.

But Balhae is trying to escape, saying they want to play the role of a balancer.

“What will you do?”

I’m sorry for President Park In-seok, but if the majority of citizens want to break away from the Roman Treaty’s influence, there’s nothing we can do.

I will fully respect that.

“I don’t intend to interfere with Balhae. Whether they withdraw the introduction of AI Anastasia or whatever. We must respect their opinion.”

There’s no need to feel disappointed.

Humans naturally act differently according to the times and national interests.

While AI Anastasia exists everywhere, formally, she’s based in Rome, Italy.

At a glance, this could lead to sovereignty infringement through AI Anastasia.

-‘No different from Yuan Shikai or Japan interfering in internal affairs during the Yi Dynasty Joseon era.’

It’s quite sad that such comments have emerged, but again, I never forced anything.

How they misunderstand or accept this is up to Balhae.

Come to think of it, the Balhae Federation alone ranks fifth in the world.

While Europe is considered number one as a single Roman Treaty entity, it’s a better country than in the original history.

That’s probably why they’re showing such spirit internally.

“However, we need to consider the possibility of Balhae Federation becoming pro-American. Even if they dislike America, we should prepare for the case where pro-American factions take power in the Balhae Federation. Didn’t Your Majesty originally make Balhae the gendarme of the Far East?”

It’s a justification, but at least on the surface, that’s true.

However, the current Balhae Federation has both factions: those who want to break away from the Roman Treaty’s influence and become pro-American, and those who want to become closer to the Roman Treaty by introducing AI Ana-chan.

“Then there’s only one way. Set up a military base in Taiwan, then reorganize the fleet and deploy it to Taiwan and Vladivostok.”

It would also be good to receive fleet concession rights from the Zhang family’s territory in Shandong Autonomous Region.

Currently, the Balhae Federation’s naval power can be considered the third in the world.

They’ve diligently built up their fleet following my words.

“Then we can prepare for contingencies.”

“And since the US is creating a space force, we should also organize a space force. When is the next spacecraft launch?”

“Yes, Nikolai 5 is scheduled for launch next week.”

Currently, both the Roman Treaty flag and the American flag are planted on the moon.

South America is also trying, but it seems difficult.

The Balhae Federation also seems to be working hard to launch spacecraft into space recently, but they haven’t managed to land on the moon yet. That’s why the current president wants to introduce AI Anastasia for space-related help, but it’s not working out.

“It would be good to establish a firm base on the moon.”

Eventually, humanity must leave Earth, its cradle.

Could we go to Mars in the distant future?

We should be able to terraform Mars somehow.

* * *

One day, Balhae had to hear shocking news.

The Mother of Rome, Anastasia herself, directly criticized Balhae.

“Hello, respected citizens of the Roman Treaty and the Balhae Federation. I originally intended to leave this to AI Anastasia, but it seems urgent, so I’ve come out personally. Recently, I’ve observed anti-Roman organizations opposing AI introduction in our ally, the Balhae Federation.”

“I understand that Balhae people, having historically experienced colonial rule by the Empire of Japan, see the possibility of us threatening the Co-Prosperity Sphere and their sovereignty. I’ve considered Balhae to have deep ties with me since the days of the Provisional Government in Harbin, and Yi Kang, the head of the Provisional Government of the Balhae Republic, said he would defend the Far East together as Rome’s ally in the Far East. However, in this era, we cannot force that upon the Balhae Federation, and we will fully respect the Balhae Federation’s opinion whether they join hands with the United States or turn neutral. We considered ourselves friends, but it seems only Rome thought so.”

“Therefore, our Roman Treaty will newly impose tariffs on oil and natural gas supplied to the Balhae Federation, and we will defend our territorial waters, which we had entrusted to the Balhae Federation, by stationing our fleet. Please, citizens of the Balhae Federation, do not be angry. From this moment on, we will strengthen our Roman Treaty fleet to protect our territorial waters.”

It was a truly shocking declaration. Naturally, the federation’s citizens were in an uproar.

“Huh? Really? No way, that can’t be true.”

“No, it can’t be true, right?”

Even the anti-cyber group, which wanted to escape the Roman Treaty’s influence under the pretext of AI Anastasia and become a balancer between the Roman Treaty and the United States in Northeast Asia, was surprised.

This was a shocking declaration.

At first, they thought, “No way,” but soon after, the Roman Treaty moved quickly.

[Roman Treaty Installs Barriers Across All Border Areas with Balhae Federation]

[Roman Treaty Fleet Reorganized, Roman Treaty Pacific Far East Fleet Deployed]

[Grand Duke Zhang Jiao of Shandong Autonomous Region Welcomes “Qingdao Concession” If AI Anastasia Is Introduced]

[Roman Treaty Pacific Far East Fleet Divided into 1st, 2nd, 3rd Fleets and Deployed to Vladivostok, Qingdao, and Taiwan]

[1st Far East Fleet Will Deploy Railgun Battleships Equipped with AI Anastasia]

Events proceeded rapidly.

The Roman Treaty central government had always been fully prepared for such situations. They reorganized the fleet, which had been disproportionately stationed in the Mediterranean, into the Far East Fleet.

The Balhae Federation felt the seriousness when the Roman Manta Ray squadron began patrolling the airspace after launching from Taiwan and Qingdao.

“Kyaaaah! It’s real!”

“You idiots! Why draw a line with the Roman Treaty!”

“This is practically severing diplomatic relations!”

“We’ve been enjoying sweet natural gas deals in exchange for protecting the Far East!”

As signs of riots began to appear, the president and the entire parliament went to see the Roman ambassador.

“Please, forgive us! We are well aware of the Roman Treaty’s grace.”

“Why are you doing this, Mr. President, members of parliament? Our Roman Treaty is not trying to attack your country. Our great Mother Tsar has abolished the shackles of being the gendarme of the Far East, so now we’re just defending our Far Eastern territorial waters. We still consider your country an ally. Hmm, this Mother Tsar figurine from West Japan is perfect.”

The Roman ambassador to Korea was smirking while casually looking at figurines.

Genuinely, the Roman Treaty side didn’t take it seriously at all.

Rather, following the analysis of Mother Tsar and AI Anastasia, they respected Balhae’s wishes.

Despite military issues, their only intention is to clearly define the borders.

‘Damn it! Seeing how the Roman ambassador looks at figurines instead of a national leader, it’s clearly a sign they’re treating us like leftovers!’

Balhae politicians had warning bells ringing in their heads, thinking the Roman Treaty was completely ignoring them.

‘How profitable would it be if I could buy a limited edition Mother Tsar figurine at ten times the price?’

Unfortunately, the Roman ambassador was just a Russian from the Roman Treaty who inherited the Mother Tsar fanboy genes and was simply holding a limited edition Mother Tsar figurine produced in West Japan to commemorate the Tsar’s return.

Anyway, in this situation, most civic groups in Balhae that tried to bring in the United States using AI Anastasia as an excuse backed down, and even the civic groups that continued to resist disappeared completely from Balhae when the United States, busy with Nam Viet affairs, cut ties.

“Balhae is trying to ruin relations with the Roman Treaty!”

“It’s time for us to step up. Let’s take the lead in the Co-Prosperity Sphere!”

Israel and West Japan also stepped forward.

* * *

This time, a special envoy from Korea visited the Russian State Duma.

Not going to the Roman Treaty headquarters indicated a clear intention to negotiate directly with Russia, the core of the Roman Treaty.

“We were wrong. Please, please don’t abandon Balhae.”

The special envoy bowed several times to Prime Minister Navaldi.

However, Navaldi was merely following my instructions.

“Pardon? This matter is Mother Tsar’s will, and our Mother Tsar has not abandoned Balhae at all.”

“What?”

“We’ve just considered you like a well-raised son or a close brother until now, but to think you felt so much pressure that you thought we were infringing on your country’s sovereignty. We were too unaware. Our Roman Treaty has continuously supported former colonies since World War II, reflecting on past mistakes, but we didn’t realize how threatened the people of Balhae, a former Japanese Empire colony, felt. We apologize.”

In short, Russia, the Roman Treaty, didn’t consider Balhae’s experience of Japanese colonial rule, and they even understand the anti-Roman sentiment flourishing over the AI Anastasia introduction issue, which Balhae raised first and our side knew nothing about.

With an open mind, they understand and will confirm that they won’t deploy AI Anastasia as it’s a sensitive issue, and they’ll treat Balhae equally from now on.

At first glance, isn’t this a diplomatic victory?

“No, that’s…”

“Above all, AI Anastasia is currently in charge of the Roman Treaty’s diplomatic direction.”

[-“I, AI Anastasia, also have absolutely no intention of going to Balhae. Unless the Balhae government and people officially want me, I didn’t know my presence would pressure Balhae. I’ll only export Mini-Tasha to Balhae.”]

AI Anastasia is saying that too.

Somehow, the special envoy from Balhae turned pale.

“No, wait, this is purely a misunderstanding. Our country is still your brother, a close sibling, no different from a child raised by the Roman Emperor himself. We’ve already completely eradicated all anti-Roman or neutral forces in our country. Please, I beg you.”

Of course, I know opinions are divided within Balhae, but wouldn’t it be better for Balhae to completely break away from the Roman Treaty’s influence?

I feel a bit disappointed, but I thought that if they were truly Balhae citizens, they would want to proudly play the role of a balancer between Rome and the United States, putting the Co-Prosperity Sphere first.

Well, seeing that they sent a special envoy, maybe the conclusion has shifted in this direction.

Indeed, if they have a conscience, that’s normal.

I don’t intend to keep taking credit for helping them gain independence, but how much have we helped them until now? And this wasn’t even an issue we raised.