Ch.408Modern Era: The Age of Grand Anastasia (7)

* * *

They probably just made a sensitive comment, but it caused internal chaos.

It ended up looking like we were the ones who proposed it.

“Hmm. If that’s how you feel, let’s reopen the borders and forget about the tariff revisions. However, the Roman Treaty fleet deployment is already underway, and too much budget has been allocated, so that part cannot be changed.”

“Even that much is appreciated.”

“Well, let’s think positively about this. Your country gets to crack down on anti-Roman and anti-cyber groups, and from our perspective, it’s not bad to establish a sense of vigilance.”

That’s a fair point.

The Balhae Federation should always prepare for contingencies beyond just our 2nd Company.

Of course, we can’t consider them a potential enemy, but we should redeploy troops to the Far East to secure the border.

And we should make it clear that unless Balhae attacks first, we have no need to be hostile.

“Understood.”

I stared blankly at the monitor that had just turned off, then tilted my head.

“Why do they really act like that? I truly consider Balhae as an equal, that’s all.”

“Wouldn’t anyone feel threatened if a fleet with the strongest military power suddenly approached their territorial waters?”

I nodded at Maria’s reasonable response.

“I suppose so. Balhae must have a strong navy too.”

“Balhae’s navy is only at the level of a portion of our Mediterranean Fleet, just enough to guard the Far Eastern territorial waters in place of our Far Eastern Small Fleet.”

“That’s pitiful.”

I really didn’t mean it that way.

Truly, I was just treating Balhae as an equal nation in the purest sense.

But they don’t understand my grand intentions and bow their heads like that. Tsk, tsk.

Well, from a national perspective, it’s not bad if Balhae continues to protect the Far East. But from my former Korean perspective, I wonder if this is right.

“Still, sales of the Mini Anastasia exclusive OS Tasha 11 have actually increased.”

“They must have prepared for the possibility of export restrictions.”

“The popularity of Mini Anastasia is truly incredible.”

Mini Anastasia’s popularity is world number one!

That’s an undeniable fact.

“They recently updated the costume customization feature too. Honestly, from the perspective of Balhae citizens, unless you’re too old to use computers well, you can’t help but love Mini Anastasia. At least compared to that strange Kimchi Warrior or whatever they created, with cabbage on its head, which is just a 2D character with few movements that only shows help messages.”

“Let me see that.”

Some weird figure with cabbage hair and a masked face moves around the monitor.

Ugh, it’s terrible. The movements aren’t even smooth.

It feels like they just took several static poses and applied them directly.

It’s nothing more than a help guide and trivia provider.

“How much budget went into this?”

“I understand it cost hundreds of billions in Balhae currency.”

Well, with my AI knowledge, I know the facts.

Hundreds of billions in Balhae currency, they say.

Hundreds of billions in Balhae currency means, in reality, they’ve embezzled most of it.

Of course, considering the costs involved, that amount couldn’t possibly create an AI Anastasia-level system.

The Roman Treaty has spent enormous sums over decades, probably hundreds or thousands of trillions by current standards.

Trying to accomplish that with a few hundred billion is not just unconscionable, it’s absurd. This Kimchi Warrior is quite forced. It would have been better not to make it at all.

Did they seriously release this as an OS?

Even within Balhae, sales are poor.

“Damn it. Looks like they’ve embezzled everything here too.”

This is a bit too much, even by those standards.

I can understand a hundred times over why kimchi would be pushed as the representative of Korean cuisine in this world.

But even so, this is just…

The A-series with cute Mini Ana-chan on standby is much better.

Mini Ana-chan can even speak Korean, making it far superior to this Kimchi Warrior nonsense.

I’m not mocking this because I dream of creating something similar to Mini Anastasia.

But the budget allocation was wrong from the start, and what they created with it—this Kimchi Warrior—is worse than nothing. And clearly, they’ve embezzled the funds.

Good heavens. Is this right? Is this what you’re doing, Balhae?

I thought things would be different with a different national name, but I was wrong. Balhae is just like Korea with a different ethnic composition and national title.

“By the way, this Zhang Jiao or whatever is quite timely in crawling to us.”

According to the report, the Shandong Autonomous Region is being very submissive.

Zhang Jiao. Apparently the grandson of Zhang Xueliang.

Here, the Zhang family has hereditary rule, and they’ve even elevated themselves to the rank of Grand Duke following European customs.

That’s why they have a somewhat favorable image.

Contrary to original history, these Zhang fellows seem quite capable in maintaining the Shandong Autonomous Region.

Of course, the Shandong Autonomous Region is part of North China under federalism, so it’s remained stable by avoiding the National Government’s conflicts, and naturally, the Roman Treaty has supported it because of its particularly friendly stance.

As long as the Zhang family doesn’t go crazy and try to unify China, they can at least maintain the status quo.

Anyway, they’re now offering to lease Qingdao as Kiautschou.

Of course, “lease” just means a naval base.

“The Shandong Autonomous Region has wanted to become independent from the federalism movement for some time.”

“Is that so?”

“Since Zhang Xueliang’s era, they’ve maintained close ties with the Roman Treaty, and while not leasing Qingdao, they’ve acknowledged German influence in Shandong, with most buildings following European architectural styles.”

So Shandong Autonomous Region is becoming like Hong Kong?

Hong Kong, unlike in original history, is still British territory, but…

“Do they want to adopt AI Anastasia?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to grant their wish?”

“That’s right. This would allow us to build an AI network.”

This would extend our AI network from Europe and the Middle East to Asia.

The most necessary African region is also spreading under Ethiopia’s leadership.

Unlike original history, Africa doesn’t have countries in the interior except along resource lines.

Countries exist only along the coast.

These countries are also stabilized with AI Anastasia’s help. The Roman Treaty has supported infrastructure under the pretext of aiding former colonies.

“The world will be completely run by AI.”

“That’s somewhat frightening when you think about it.”

Seriously, what’s the point if AI destroys the world? Its value lies in the boundless development and stability of human society.

“But won’t this cause problems within the Co-Prosperity Sphere?”

“Within the Co-Prosperity Sphere? AI Anastasia, what do you think?”

-“West Japan is trying to take leadership of the Co-Prosperity Sphere. They’ve also stated they want to adopt AI Anastasia.”

West Japan wants to take AI Ana-chan. This has significant implications.

While West Japan outwardly maintains a reconciliatory stance with East Japan, they’re engaged in an information war.

East Japan received various investments along with African American immigration from the United States.

The developed East Japan fought with West Japan.

If this happens, West Japan will definitely maintain stability throughout society.

“What about their citizens?”

“Their citizens are the type who want a daily Ana-chan figurine, so that’s not a concern.”

Something seems to be coming to mind.

Yes, for example, using Japan to make Balhae accept AI.

Thinking about it, this could be quite useful.

“The relationship between West Japan and Balhae is… hmm, a rivalry?”

-“More precisely, Balhae’s basic mindset is to never lose to Japan due to their colonial experience.”

Yes, that makes sense. It’s very similar to the Korea I know.

But using that, it shouldn’t be difficult to introduce AI Ana-chan.

“We can’t force AI Anastasia on Balhae. But since the topic has come up, we should help them make a definitive decision. Don’t you agree?”

It was my homeland in my previous life.

Everyone must know the clear benefits of having AI Anastasia.

“Do you have something in mind?”

“Let’s dispatch the head of the AI Anastasia Strategic Project Team directly in the Tsar’s name.”

Openly showing interest in Japan. How will Balhae react to this?

I’m really curious about that. How will our Balhae respond?

Will they accept AI Anastasia? Or will they still refuse?

“Oh, that might provoke Balhae into action, not wanting to lose.”

“Exactly. Honestly, whether Balhae accepts it or not doesn’t matter to us, but they must know the benefits of AI Anastasia. Prepare the installation files for AI Anastasia. Taking over the Japanese United States’ communication network would be good too.”

“Yes, understood.”

Just think positively about it.

I’d like to see that guy return to Balhae and create a Balhae-style pretty girl AI.

For human integration, AI Anastasia is the best.

It might be good to go see that guy while I’m thinking about it.

* * *

Japanese United States

The head of the strategic team in charge of the Russian AI system was dispatched.

Though merely a figurehead representing AI Anastasia, he outwardly flaunted his authority.

“I never expected the Tsar would send the head of the bureau personally.”

The Japanese side hadn’t expected the Russian Tsar to directly help with AI Anastasia installation.

This level of attention essentially meant they were being prioritized over Balhae.

Naturally, the Japanese United States couldn’t help but be excited.

“Our Tsar has deep ties with your country’s founding father, Prime Minister Renya Mutaguchi. The Roman Treaty rightfully considers the Japanese United States an ally, and respecting your decision, I’ve been dispatched personally. Let’s discuss the matter.”

There might not be much to discuss, but dialogue is important.

By coming here directly and seriously discussing AI Anastasia, they’re making sure Balhae knows about it. That alone should be enough to provoke them.

“Hahaha. I, the Prime Minister, am the grandson of our founding father and greatest general in Japanese history, Renya Mutaguchi. Our Japanese United States has already voted overwhelmingly in favor of adopting AI Anastasia.”

Though only half of Japan, West Japan has endlessly pursued Balhae’s national power.

They’re still behind, but if they adopt Anastasia first and receive various benefits from the Roman Treaty, things will change.

With the relationship between the Roman Treaty and Balhae being redefined, this is the perfect opportunity.

“Well, there’s nothing more to discuss then. We just need to install AI Anastasia in your e-government system. It will take up to three days for Anastasia to take over—I mean, to stabilize all your servers. During that time, your internet may be slow or somewhat inconvenient. But once that moment passes, everything becomes convenient.”

Everything becomes convenient.

As the bureau head spread his arms wide in delight, Prime Minister Mutaguchi, grandson of Renya, couldn’t properly interpret the meaning of those words.

“We’ve taken that into account.”

“Very well. From now on, our Roman Treaty will provide much assistance to ensure your country can maintain the AI government system.”

“Thank you. Thank you very much.”

“By the way, I heard you’re still in system competition?”

System competition. Here, unlike Korea’s division between democracy and communism in South and North, it’s a competition over who governs better.

But that competition was essentially meaningless.

It’s called system competition, but the economic power is similar on both sides. While unification would cause some confusion, it wouldn’t be like South Korea having to support North Korea’s 20 million people. Both West and East Japan opposed unification under the pretext of system competition.

The reason was simple.

With many African Americans and some Caucasians flowing into East Japan, the Kanto Republic of East Japan had become a multiethnic nation.

Naturally, their Japanese identity had blurred, and considering that Japan had only been politically unified after the Meiji Restoration, both countries questioned whether they should form a unified government.

West Japan couldn’t accept the multiethnic East Japan if they wanted to maintain their legitimacy as true descendants of Japan, and East Japan worried about damaging relations with the United States due to the Co-Prosperity Sphere if they unified with West Japan.

Thus, there were only formal summit meetings while endless system competition continued.

And the Tsar had directly mentioned it.

Although neither side wanted it, the fact that the “Tsar” mentioned it was evidence that the Tsar’s interest in Japan had grown.

It also meant they could potentially replace Balhae’s position as the Far East’s gendarme.

“Yes, that’s correct. Have you heard anything from the Tsar?”

“No. I’m only here regarding AI Anastasia. Just consider that the Tsar has great interest in Japan.”

The strategic bureau head, speaking beyond his authority but in the Tsar’s name.

This would soon blow back as a storm.

“Ah, I understand. It’s truly an honor.”

Naturally, this news also reached the ears of Balhae’s intellectuals.

“Will they hand over leadership of the Co-Prosperity Sphere to Japan?”

“We must not lose to Japan! We should immediately consider adoption.”

Of course, Balhae, which was already more prosperous than Japan but could never accept losing to Japan that had once colonized the Korean people.