Ch.433Modern Era: The Age of Grand Anastasia (31) (Under Revision)

* * *

“Are those Chinese spies okay?”

“AI Ana-chan will filter them out, so no problem.”

AI Ana-chan is helpful in all sorts of situations.

Of course, she handles all the necessary immigration processes too.

“AI Ana-chan really is amazing at everything. Impressive.”

AI Ana-chan’s versatility is truly extraordinary.

“Above all, since this is AI Ana-chan’s home base, it’s much more advanced. The technological gap between the Balhae Federation and the Roman Treaty is probably about 10 years.”

While Balhae is quite an impressive country, it can’t compete with the Roman Treaty.

For one thing, the Roman Treaty has AI Ana-chan directly leading future technology research, but other countries are different. At best, they might be included in the space colonization project, nothing more.

“Is the difference really that big?”

“Well, considering development periods… Anyway, for a former colony like Balhae, that level is quite impressive. Yeah.”

Whether it should be called historical-grade or not, Balhae has grown remarkably well for a former colony.

Unlike the original history, there are many unfamiliar presidents appearing, but who cares? As long as the country developed well, that’s what matters.

“Can you really talk about the Tsar like that?”

“Well, Balhae Federation is like a child to the Tsar. It doesn’t matter. Frankly speaking, how much has Balhae benefited from the Roman Treaty? If we go back in time: they let them establish a provisional government, built up a massive independence movement army, immediately recognized them as an official country after declaring war on Japan, included them among the victorious nations, gave them Southern Manchuria, and even provided resources. Isn’t that practically love?”

Did I really do all that from start to finish?

Honestly, Balhae has no right to complain about me. Just look at how much support I’ve provided until now.

“That’s true. Come to think of it, it’s really amazing.”

“They say Balhae is specifically mentioned as the only whitelist country in the Roman Treaty.”

I secretly provided a lot of support to make the Co-Prosperity Sphere serve as Asia’s military police for the Roman Treaty.

As a result, it helped contain China and provided a defensive line against American expansion in the Pacific.

In any case, I didn’t provide support mindlessly.

Well, Israel is terraforming China so their goals are different, but thanks to that, China has become more chaotic. Occasionally, I pay lip service saying I hope for peace in the Central Plains, and that’s it.

So always be grateful to Ana-chan, human.

“That’s nice and all, but it’s weird seeing you so proud of yourself.”

My other half frowned as if annoyed by my satisfaction.

Hey now. There’s nothing wrong with that.

It’s only natural for me to feel proud.

As the Russian Tsar and Roman Emperor, shouldn’t I indulge in some national pride about the boundless development of the Roman Treaty?

“Anyway, how’s your internship going?”

“I’m not sure if I should say it’s going well or not.”

“Why? It should be easy since you’re just assisting Ana-chan, right?”

“No, that’s the problem—it’s too easy, that’s the big issue.”

“You complain whether it’s easy or hard. You’re so demanding.”

People should live comfortably when they can, not make things difficult unnecessarily.

If something’s impossible, that’s one thing, but if it’s possible, you should take the easy route.

“People need to actually work, you know.”

“Ah, right. As if I don’t know that. Humans are creatures meant to work.”

I said this while taking a long sip of my Americano, which I hadn’t had in a while.

That’s just how humans are.

“But is this right?”

“Look, people deserve to have it easy sometimes. Don’t overthink it. Besides, you don’t even know if it’s really that easy yet.”

It’s not like I’m giving some huge special treatment anyway.

Surprisingly, it’s still a workplace where work needs to be done. Once you get there, you won’t feel like you’re just coasting. Working as an intern isn’t difficult. I said I’d make it easy, but the biggest challenge is ultimately getting employed.

Employment is almost like a lottery, so it’s not easy to break through the competition and get hired in the research lab’s development department.

“Well, that’s true.”

“You’ll have a lot of work related to figurines later.”

“Why are we suddenly talking about figurines?”

Because figurines are figurines, that’s why.

Ah, I see you don’t understand what I’m saying.

“Because figurines of Ana-chan are going to be made.”

“Don’t tell me I’ll be assisting with making figurines?”

My other half looks dumbfounded at the thought of making figurines.

Well, it won’t be bad. It’s called a figurine, but the important part is that AI Anastasia will handle everything. Not just AI Anastasia—you might be working on making robot skeletons to put inside the figurines. You’ll also research the Ana-chan OS that gets implanted in them.

There’s actually quite a lot of work involved.

“Of course. Be grateful, human. It means you can get paid while just fiddling with dolls.”

“It makes me seriously question if this is right as a human being.”

As a human? Humans are inherently selfish and wicked creatures.

Is there really a distinction between good and evil? Even those who appear good on the surface are corrupt inside. Whatever the case, just act honestly according to your interests.

“Come now, if I like it, it’s good. They’re called figurines, but they’re just inspired by figurines. They’re simply miniature implementations of Ana-chan.”

There’s no need to worry about this. Just keep enjoying the benefits as you have been, doing what I tell you to do.

There might be some minor disturbances in the process, but…

-“Master, an urgent message has arrived!”

Just as I was about to chat more, mini-Ana-chan in my phone appeared holding a letter.

“What’s going on?”

“Ah, I think I need to head back. Work hard at your internship.”

“No, wait. I have something to tell you.”

As I got up from my seat, my other half stopped me.

Sigh. Now even he can’t do without me.

“What did you want to say?”

“Nothing specific, just wondering if you could help me look for real estate if I immigrate.”

Real estate all of a sudden? Is he really planning to immigrate?

I was planning to let him in when he humbled himself at the right time, but it seems he likes Russia more than I expected.

“It’s not difficult, but you’re asking me?”

“You’re the only Russian I’m close with, and you’re rich. You must know about these things, right?”

That’s right. Do you think you could have a pretty Russian friend besides me? Not a chance.

Even if you tried, I would stop you.

In my previous life, I didn’t have any partners except for one relationship during school.

Being that kind of person, I absolutely cannot allow this guy to have a Russian girlfriend here.

So I need to monitor him directly, right?

As a man originally, I like money. Of course, who doesn’t like money? I dreamed of being financially independent.

Working just a few years would be enough to accumulate sufficient funds, and if you do well, the research institute provides special Tsar bonuses.

Of course, it’s in exchange for working longer, but still.

With that kind of money, this guy could live here comfortably for the rest of his life.

“Well, I could get you an awesome mansion next to Anastasia Palace in the central district.”

With my nose in the air, I smirked.

Just humble yourself to me, and you can have it easy. My other half should be grateful to me.

“Oh. No, don’t be like that. Just look into it for me.”

“You’re too much, really. Fine, I got it. See you next time.”

Right now, I have something more urgent than this guy.

I never expected a bloodbath to break out in Japan.

* * *

I returned to the Kremlin Palace and called the Maria family.

“A bloodbath broke out in Japan?”

Has what was bound to happen finally happened?

The Duma is reacting like that now. They’re saying what was bound to come has finally arrived.

“Yes, Black right-wingers assaulted a Yamato woman on the street and killed her boyfriend.”

Isn’t that outright hate violence?

“East Japan is known for good public safety. How could something like this happen so openly?”

Even in this world, Japan’s public safety is considered relatively good.

It has been that way until now, and with the United States backing them, there were no military problems.

However, with the US re-entering space development…

“The police are essentially paralyzed, and Black police officers are quietly turning a blind eye to these incidents.”

It feels like looking at a typically corrupt country.

Maybe American racial discrimination was like this. What can we do? The Yamato people are paying for their imperial ancestors’ karma, and the Black people should blame Trotsky.

Ironically, that same Trotsky introduced RFC, the Russian version of KFC.

“They’ve become pitiful.”

While this isn’t exactly what I wanted, I really didn’t expect things to turn out this way.

It was bound to happen again someday.

Japan has already received a lot of punishment. West Japan actually had it pretty good, but anyway. The Yamato people in the Kanto Republic, who could be considered remnants of Imperial Japan, have become pitiful.

“It was bound to happen someday.”

“Yes. If there hadn’t been Black immigration, America might have had a civil war with Black people instead.”

Setting aside racial discrimination, would they leave alone Black people who cooperated with the Communist Party?

People tend to wear colored glasses.

Even if not all Black people were involved, once the image of Black=Communist Party was established, there would have been a lot of talk internally.

Naturally, a civil war between white and Black Americans would have broken out.

This will probably affect Africa, which is friendly with the Roman Treaty.

Even if I suppress it, people in the Roman Treaty would have felt that all Black people are Communists, and might not have wanted African liberation.

How truly pitiful.

“Things have turned out badly for Black people, as Your Majesty intended.”

No, let me be precise. Saying it like that makes me sound like a racist. I’m referring to “Black people in East Japan,” not generalizing about all Black people.

“Someone might think I’m being racist.”

“But you’re not. Hehe.”

It’s the Black people in East Japan who are being racist, not me.

“This means we need to make them look even worse. Don’t you agree?”

Even Black people from the African Union have harshly criticized the Black people in East Japan at the UN General Assembly.

This isn’t about racism; it’s about dealing with the devils of East Japan.

In this case, should I tell them to stop the impeachment of President George?

“Wouldn’t pressuring the Black government in East Japan make things explode?”

“If it explodes, that’s good for us.”

What would they do if it explodes? What could they say to us?

It’s becoming apparent that even the US is getting annoyed with the Black people in East Japan.

Despite warnings from the UN, the situation isn’t being resolved, so it’s really problematic.

It’s a pitiful situation.

Does this mean the Japanese archipelago will become a three-way split, excluding the Ezo Republic?

West Japan has built up its army, but it seems they’ve given up on unification.

I would do the same if a neighboring country was in such a state.

I wouldn’t want to unify with a place where such barbaric races are mixed.

“How is West Japan reacting?”

West Japan is a key point here.

What would happen if half of Japan—the same Japan—came out and fiercely condemned the Black government? Though it’s now considered the home of otaku culture, it’s still West Japan.

Within West Japan, they’re united by pride in being the country of Renya Mutaguchi, who is considered Japan’s Yi Sun-sin.

Their army ranks among the top in the world.

As such a country, their every word and reaction will have a significant impact.

“They’re fiercely condemning it as barbaric. Meanwhile, they’ve offered to actively help Yamato people who want to immigrate there.”

“I see. That’s natural.”

West Japan would want to diplomatically destroy East Japan at this opportunity.

At the very least, they’d want to maintain the current division of East Japan.

Separating just the Yamato people would be enough. From West Japan’s perspective, this would secure their dominance in unifying the archipelago, and the Black government would be defined as some kind of invader.

The Black government would define this as racial discrimination.

But with the African Union in place, their outcry will be a silent scream.

“We should say something too. Any recommended comments?”

My words are important in situations like this.

As the absolute authority in this world, what I say is crucial.

My words will influence the entire world.

The treatment of East Japan will ultimately be decided by my statement.

“How about: ‘It is truly regrettable that the Black civilization, which pulled up half of the defeated archipelago after the war, has become so corrupt’?”

Oh, that sounds good, but isn’t it too direct an attack?

I think it would be better to express it more indirectly.

“Isn’t that wording a bit harsh?”

At that level, they might cause even more trouble.

Should I just go all out and say the East Japan government is made up of devils?

If I attach “Black,” they’ll complain about discrimination and such.