Ch.431Modern Era: The Age of Grand Anastasia (29)

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Around the time America was focused on spacecraft development.

We began the Mini Anachang Robotics Project with our abundant budget.

If we openly called it “figure production,” wouldn’t it seem like we’re pouring money into otaku hobbies?

“Theoretically, it’s not difficult. We just need to miniaturize existing advanced robots and cover them with figure exteriors.”

Theoretically, it shouldn’t be difficult.

With the development of AI technology in the AI Anachang Project, robot-like creations were already emerging.

“Are you saying miniaturization is the challenge?”

The researcher quietly answered “Yes” to my question.

Right. That makes sense. Miniaturization is always difficult.

Especially when we want sturdy mini Anachangs that won’t break easily.

“How about creating a full-sized version first?”

Full-sized. Full-sized. Well, giant robots do exist.

Not like those from manga, but bipedal factory robots, almost the size of dump trucks.

“Um…”

I think for a moment.

Though not naked, both AI Anachang and Mini Anachang have smooth bodies that reveal their contours, as if wearing latex.

The curves of their protruding chests and peach-like buttocks are prominently featured.

That’s fine when viewing them as holograms. But if something like that were walking around as an enormous figure, well…

How embarrassing! That’s absolutely out of the question.

“Let’s consider that option. Will miniaturization eventually be developed?”

“Yes. It will be possible eventually. With AI Anastasia’s help too.”

I see. So it will be possible in the end.

I thought—wouldn’t it be better to just leave everything to AI Anastasia?—but humans shouldn’t become lazy by depending entirely on AI.

This is the promise between AI Anachang and humans.

I returned to the Kremlin and told Maria about the figure project.

A large AI Anastasia figure. Of course, it would have Mini Anachang’s personality transplanted inside.

“Oh, then such things would be possible in reality too.”

Maria is making a rather peculiar expression as she speaks.

“Maria. What things?”

“You know, those things where the protagonist transforms and grows giant, or pilots a robot to fight huge monsters in cities. Like those XXX-men made in West Japan.”

“No, that’s going too far.”

That’s definitely going too far.

Creating an AI Anastasia figure to fight monsters? Ugh. That’s just too much.

-“Still, miniaturization will be possible within a few years. Once mass production begins, a guard corps of Mini Anachangs would be feasible.”

This time it’s AI Anastasia speaking.

She’s saying this with such seriousness—what can I say about the plausibility of this?

Imagining a future where tiny robots march in formation through Moscow with dignity makes me speechless.

At this rate, the entire military might soon be handled by Mini Anastasias.

Ugh, wouldn’t that be terrifying?

Seeing something from movies, novels, or manga become reality.

No, this won’t do. Figure Anachangs must be strictly limited to human assistance and space development.

“They should only be used to assist human society and for space development.”

“Understood.”

Anyway, future wars will be ended with the click of a button.

Of course, on the surface, we’re still maintaining fleets and air forces, but if war breaks out with America, we’ll end up launching missiles at each other.

So if Mini Anachang were to participate in war, wouldn’t it just be—click—and that’s it?

With her tiny body pressing the nuclear missile button. Ugh.

“We need to send Mini Anachangs for Nikolai 7.”

“I think it would be best to send the mischievous Anachangs.”

The mischievous Anachangs will go.

The mischievous Anachangs are a unique subset of the AI Anachang mini series.

I wonder what they’ll do when they reach the moon.

“We need to select them carefully and… Perhaps it would be better to build structures with AI Anastasia statues?”

“I can’t believe Your Majesty would suggest such a thing.”

The truth is, I simply don’t want my likeness to be left alone on the moon.

When we properly expand to the moon, the Anachangs will establish bases in place of humans, but that would make it Anachang’s world. Having AI Anachang statues would be better.

Honestly, I’m curious if it’s possible to make the moon like Earth.

“Oh, that’s not a bad idea. We could fill the moon with statues.”

“No, that’s a bit…”

Even for me, filling it with statues seems excessive. Why have I become a statue enthusiast?

Of course, since we can’t immediately build habitable structures for people on the moon, it might be better to simply designate it as a Roman Treaty zone.

-“Filling it with statues wouldn’t be bad. I’m planning to build habitats centered around the statues.”

“Is that possible?”

-“We’re looking at about 20 years. It’s entirely feasible.”

“That quickly?”

-“That’s just for ‘habitat construction.’ To make buildings suitable for human habitation on the moon and accommodate many people, we’d need to look at 50 years.”

I see. I suppose it can’t be helped.

By that time, I, being a man, will probably be dead? That seems a bit sad.

“Is terraforming not possible?”

The ultimate goal in planetary development. Terraforming.

How wonderful it would be if Mars or somewhere else became habitable for humans in the distant future.

-“Regrettably, even I cannot guarantee when terraforming technology will be secured. Currently, creating artificial habitats is our best option.”

“I see.”

So perhaps it’s better to give up on terraforming.

From what I’ve heard, technologies related to magnetic fields and such are needed, but I wonder if it’s possible to terraform planets of different classes with Earth-level technology.

-“With Earth’s capabilities, it would be best to treat other planets merely as resource colonies.”

“So it’s difficult.”

Hmm, then should we focus on building habitats rather than terraforming?

The reason for building habitats is not only for humanity’s space expansion ‘purpose’ but also for resources.

Perhaps we can find abundant resources on other planets.

Stupid Americans. While they’re busy making spacecraft to go back and forth to the moon, we’re advancing further.

At least they’ve turned their attention to space rather than East Japan, so they must realize the urgency.

-“For resource purposes, that should be sufficient for now.”

“I suppose it can’t be helped.”

Yes. Let’s think positively.

-“Even if terraforming possibilities increase, it would be better to find planets suitable for human habitation later.”

Is that more cost-effective?

Right. Finding resources for humanity is the priority, so there’s no need to spend money on my dreams.

Won’t these issues naturally resolve in the future? Earth’s resources are still sufficient, and population can be controlled.

Of course, restricting childbirth seems far from freedom, but surprisingly, the people of the Roman Treaty are making efforts for future generations and following guidelines.

“Still, it’s interesting how America naturally withdrew from Japan as we showed interest in space.”

Looking at it this way makes things interesting.

We get to enjoy watching Japan split apart on its own. America will withdraw from Japan and try to catch up in space. And once America’s attention shifts to space, Japan will fight among themselves as they divide.

“Your Majesty, regarding Japan, several prefectures are reportedly in a state of paralysis.”

Maria suddenly brought up another interesting topic.

I don’t know about other things, but a state of paralysis is unusual.

“Really? That’s happening?”

Japan is in a state of paralysis. This sounds like the situation before a civil war.

“Yes. West Japan is standing by for now, but the situation seems more serious than expected.”

“East Japan is collapsing too easily.”

It seems to be getting too serious even for a collapse.

“Rather than collapsing, I’d say things are going according to the Yamato people’s wishes in East Japan.”

That makes sense. The Yamato people were almost like a subjugated class from the beginning.

Initially, the political sphere had Yamato people, but as generations passed, the number of Black people increased, from what I understand.

It would be good if they could act independently.

They have nothing to lose.

If they naturally connect with West Japan afterward?

With America out of the picture, could they attempt an Anschluss and succeed?

“Thinking about it now, they were incompatible from the start.”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

It’s a combination without any foundation.

Black people and Japanese. Unless the Black people return to Africa or something. That would be a different story.

They suddenly came to Japan without any foundation or connection.

The only historical connection between Black people and Japan was the Black man who served under Nobunaga, wasn’t it?

And didn’t even he return to his homeland after Nobunaga?

“Well, what does it matter? As long as the country is maintained. The Black people should accept that.”

“They probably won’t accept it easily. As newcomers, they need to fully integrate with the locals.”

“Are they thinking of filling the population with mixed-race people?”

Frankly, if over ten million Yamato people rebel for independence, can the Black people handle it?

The international community wouldn’t tolerate it either.

It seems right to see this through with the UN.

“What would happen if we brought this matter to the UN?”

“You mean to mediate.”

As expected of Maria. Your thoughts align with mine.

It might be good to mediate at this point and treat them as separate countries.

But that’s just emergency treatment. What happens if the next president is elected from among the Yamato people instead of the Black people due to the quota system?

There would probably be chaos. The Black people would resist.

Why? Because the Yamato people have already received many privileges and established their own military at a near-independent level. In this situation, if the Kanto Republic gets a Yamato president instead of a Black one…

The Black people’s dominance in the archipelago is already diminishing. If a Yamato president emerges again, it’s over.

“If we arrange an agreement through the UN at this point, wouldn’t it create a picture of coordination between the two forces?”

The UN, huh? Is it right to involve the UN here?

It’s certainly possible to forcibly involve the UN, but is it appropriate?

Wouldn’t it make the Black people more anxious?

“Then the Black people would become more anxious.”

Honestly, I wonder if this is the right approach.

Well, it’s peculiar that I was the starting point, but ultimately, the choice was America’s and East Japan’s.

I’m saying I did nothing wrong.

“Your Majesty, regarding Japan, President George is also facing impeachment.”

Huh? President George is going to be impeached?

President George, whom I spoke with, wasn’t a bad person.

Of course, relations are somewhat cold because it’s a pro-American country, but looking at President George himself, he’s not a bad person.

For such a person to be impeached is a bit…

“How did that happen?”

“He’s hated by the Black people for accepting the Yamato people’s proposals.”

Ah, now the picture is becoming clearer.

Poor fellow. That’s why radical actions aren’t good.

I nodded my head in regret.

“So as a Black person, he didn’t represent the Black people’s position and only sided with the Yamato people, making the Black people angry.”

It hasn’t been long since the Yamato Declaration took effect.

What does this mean? If the Black politicians are determined to impeach George, it’s over.

Even if Yamato representatives try to defend him, it would be meaningless.

So it seems certain that President George will be impeached. This is truly troublesome.

No matter what government comes to power in Balhae, it remains a pro-Roman country without national division.

But East Japan is now like a candle in the wind.

After having nominal Yamato presidents, they’ve had three consecutive Black presidents.

It’s a clear intention to never give the presidency to Yamato people again.

George, whether out of guilt or to tame the Yamato people, implemented policies for them.

But he couldn’t help but earn the hatred of the Black people.

“Then there’s a possibility that a Yamato person could be elected as the next president.”

That’s right. With the quota system in place, there’s a good chance.

A minimum number of votes would be secured, and if this scenario plays out, they’ll have to hold a general election again.

“President George, who has consistently favored the Yamato people, might face opposition to his impeachment from them.”

“But if they keep him, he’ll remain as an honorary Yamato, and the Black people will want to remove the president quickly.”

I believe the opposition party is called the Black Patriot Party.

At first glance, it sounds like a villain’s name, but it means the Black Patriotic Party.

So they’ve managed to impeach him, but with the Yamato Declaration, they no longer see a 100% chance of winning the election. Therefore, the Black people are putting even more pressure on the Yamato people.