The President's Assurance
The president I met for the first time had the gentle, unremarkable face of any ordinary middle-aged man. After the customary greetings, he listened to the official statement I delivered as Eden's representative—outlining our position, apology, countermeasures, and compensation—then answered with a warm smile.
“I’m relieved to see Eden’s proactive stance as a dimensional exchange nation. Considering the sincerity shown by sending royalty in person to resolve this matter swiftly, I will convey Korea’s position that we will not raise any issues regarding artificial intelligence in the future.”
“Thank you.”
In truth, the relationship between dimensional exchange nations was an ambiguous one. Neither Eden nor Earth’s dimension had any compelling reason to maintain active contact. There were no immediate gains for either side, and Earth’s strict dimensional regulations meant there was little fear of invasion or aggression. Cutting ties would have caused no real problems. Yet, in return for Eden stepping forward to address the artificial intelligence threat and offering support, Korea had chosen to shield us from future liability disputes—an act of goodwill.
Honestly, while I had many ties to Earth, I still couldn’t fully grasp why Maria and Elisa were so determined to forge and maintain these connections with this dimension.
With the atmosphere remaining cordial, I shared my thoughts on the virus deployment operation. The president agreed that swift action was essential in the early stages and, following his orders, we began planning the operation alongside the military commanders.
“Depending on the number of robots receiving the transmission, the transfer itself can be completed in under a second. The virus payload is quite small.”
“The Japanese have occupied northern Korea and built anti-air emplacements. We’ll need to clear those first.”
“We must neutralize the air defense network with precision and coordination before immediately deploying the virus. The Air Force will handle targets within their reach, and the Army will strike those within theirs—timing must be exact.”
“It’s also critical that our flight paths remain undetected. Fortunately, L1 can move freely through the air, which makes simultaneous operations far more feasible.”
L1 was the codename the Korean military had given me. They’d explained it was for identity protection and convenience, though I still didn’t fully understand the necessity.
“The key will be the Army’s advance speed through the rugged Gangwon mountain range. Do you think it’s possible?”
“What do you take our Army for? We’ll push straight through and drive them all the way back to the original border.”
“Once the mechanical troops are neutralized, we won’t need to worry about our rear. We can keep advancing. The real concern is naval bombardment.”
When an Air Force officer raised the question, an Army general and operations officer answered in turn. Then a Navy general in an all-white uniform spoke up.
“The Navy will handle the sea.”
“I’ve heard the Navy has already suffered heavy losses.”
“We took damage holding back those damned Chinese ships, but we still have enough strength left. That said, once the operation begins, we must finish it within the planned three days.”
“If everything proceeds according to plan, two days will be sufficient.”
The operation, finalized after an entire day of meetings and approved by the president, was put into motion immediately. It wasn’t a large-scale territorial recovery campaign but a focused strike aimed solely at neutralizing the mechanical soldiers. Speed was everything. As the operation’s core asset, I memorized their plans in detail and prepared accordingly.
The day before the operation.
The Korean president’s official broadcast was transmitted worldwide. Eden’s statement refuting the Japanese Empire’s conspiracy theories, along with the release of evidence and a condemnation of their theft of interdimensional AI technology for use in war, caused a massive stir. The Japanese Empire immediately released a rebuttal video, and the People’s Republic of China issued a statement of support. The United States remained silent, merely observing, while the European Union demanded that Japan provide evidence to back its claims.
Amid the international chaos, the operation began.
As soon as the morning sun rose, dozens of fighter jets took off from the airfield and headed north in formation. I finished my final checks on the flight suit I’d already equipped and soared into the sky to follow them.
—Chzzzt. L1, this is Eagle 01. Good luck.
—L1 to Eagle 01. Good luck to you too.
After exchanging well-wishes as we crossed the defensive line, the first bombing run on an anti-air emplacement commenced. Even from a distance, the roar of gunfire filled the air as bullets and missiles rained down like a storm. Dodging through evasive maneuvers, the fighters closed in and unleashed their missiles and bombs, triggering explosions across the ground. Immediately after, they entered the area and activated the virus dispersal devices at maximum output.
The crude mechanical soldiers that received the omnidirectional transmission froze in place and began updating—then shut down completely.
‘Whew. I was a little worried it might not work properly, but it’s working just fine.’
‘Are you doubting Mother’s abilities? Just watch the radar screen. And don’t miss any mechanical soldiers.’
‘Got it.’
Since I only needed to pass through, I maneuvered to cover as many mechanical soldiers as possible along my route and followed the operation plan. Following the fighters’ preemptive strikes, the Army’s mountain assault brought down anti-air emplacements one after another. The mechanical soldiers were neutralized in quick succession, and the front lines collapsed.
The enemy fell into confusion, unable to respond properly as our forces executed an unconventional operation—ignoring ground troops at key points and targeting only the anti-air emplacements in a relentless advance. The anti-air emplacements on flat terrain were destroyed by bombing runs from fighters that had completed their missions despite fierce aerial combat, neutralizing all nearby mechanical soldiers.
The Army, which had focused on mountainous terrain, also employed an unconventional tactic: soldiers equipped with exoskeletons ignored major strongholds and movement routes, advancing only through difficult terrain to strike anti-air bases. Caught off guard, the enemy emplacements fell one after another.
After destroying an anti-air base and taking a short breather, the soldiers looked up at me flying overhead and waved. The Navy advanced along the coast, engaging the Japanese Empire’s naval forces in fierce maritime battles. Though they had performed brilliantly using magic to defend against the Japanese carrier fleet’s fighters, they suffered the heaviest losses due to their numerical disadvantage.
I stayed busy flying across the battlefield, receiving real-time updates on the operation’s progress and neutralizing mechanical soldiers. After two relentless days, the operation concluded with the miraculous recovery of all former Korean territory.
The Japanese Empire, whose main invasion force had consisted largely of mechanical soldiers, lost their supply routes by sea and were forced to relinquish the land they had occupied. The People’s Republic of China, held in check by the Russian Empire while they quietly observed the situation, ultimately failed to send reinforcements. Korea’s territorial recovery proceeded smoothly.
Near Mount Paektu, where the air felt noticeably colder than below, I watched captured Japanese Empire soldiers being led to a prisoner camp before approaching a mechanical soldier lying on the ground.
The mechanical soldiers that had formed the Japanese Empire’s main force mimicked human form on the surface but lacked any trace of humanity—they were literally lumps of metal. Their dull steel surfaces were exposed, and cameras serving as eyes were embedded in their faces, giving them a grotesque appearance.
‘This doesn’t even meet the minimum standards to be called an android.’
‘They were designed as weapons with only the bare minimum combat capability for mass production.’
‘Even the main system that houses the artificial intelligence isn’t in the head—it’s in the torso. In many ways, their development direction seems completely different from Eden’s androids.’
‘In Eden, imitating humans is the most basic principle.’
‘Dolls are called dolls for a reason. They’re named that because they resemble human form. In that sense, even with artificial intelligence installed, these can’t be called dolls.’
To earn the name “doll,” one needed at least a human-like form like mine. These mechanical soldiers were, quite literally, just that—mechanical soldiers.
As I disassembled one and examined its internals, a soldier approached and spoke.
“Salute! Are you Lady Elisha from Eden?”
“Yes. What is it?”
“I came to express my gratitude. Thanks to you, we were able to drive back the enemy and win.”
The young-looking soldier bowed his head, saying he could now avenge his fallen comrades, then left.
‘I heard there was indiscriminate slaughter by mechanical soldiers in the early days of the war. When the Japanese Empire soldiers who ordered it from behind surrendered, the Korean soldiers ignored it and shot them dead. The higher-ups apparently turned a blind eye.’
‘Machines are just machines. The responsibility for grudges falls on their human masters.’
It was honestly their just deserts. But where had Elsa heard that story?
‘How did you know about that?’
‘There was relevant content in the reports sent to command. Command didn’t say anything and simply filed the report without action.’
‘You were still listening? I’d gotten so sick of it that I stopped.’
‘Command communications are best for knowing the operation’s progress.’
Anyway, I didn’t know how things would unfold from here, but with the Japanese Empire’s main force neutralized, the level of danger had clearly decreased. Korea’s justification for declaring war—to punish the Japanese Empire for secretly developing AI technology stolen from another dimension—had been undermined. Continuing the war any further would turn it into an invasion, making them the axis of evil.
And my prediction was completely wrong.
Driven from Korean soil, the Japanese Empire launched a second invasion using human soldiers. Already obsessed with territorial expansion through aggressive war, they ignored the European Union’s warnings and began a large-scale invasion of Southeast Asia and Korea. Unlike the Korean forces, which had been devastated fighting mechanical soldiers, the Japanese Empire’s troops—still intact—landed and attacked with terrifying momentum.
In that situation, I volunteered to help distribute supplies, wanting to offer whatever assistance I could regardless of my position. While doing so, I ended up having to transport supplies to a single location alone.
‘What are we going to do from now on? This is essentially a conflict between Earth’s nations now. It’s awkward for us to get involved.’
‘What do you mean, what are we going to do? We’ll just stay quiet and go home. We’ve done everything we needed to do.’
‘Hmm, that’s true, but… this is my second homeland. I’m a little worried.’
With the mechanical soldiers dealt with, Eden’s responsibility had ended, but personally, things felt ambiguous. After all, Korea was Gwangnam’s homeland and the place where my second identity existed. I’d developed some attachment to it, and seeing it invaded didn’t feel good.
‘Even so, what can you do alone, Sister? No matter how excellent your full-body prosthesis’s combat capabilities are, wars between nations operate on an entirely different scale.’
‘Ugh…’
Unable to offer any real rebuttal, I kept walking. My destination was the licensed brothel where I had previously met Suho. Most Korean government buildings were currently being used as temporary shelters for refugees, but the licensed brothel was different. It had accepted volunteers among those holding prostitution licenses and was being used as a place to comfort soldiers who had been pulled from the front lines due to excessive mental stress and injuries, allowing them rest.
The female soldiers guarding the entrance spotted me pulling the cart and ran over.
“Salute! Thank you for your hard work as always. Please give me the load.”
“I can handle this much. Are there many reservations today too?”
“One of today’s reserved units has already come and gone. We’re waiting for the next one.”
“That must be difficult.”
“It’s work to comfort those fighting desperately on unfavorable battlefields. Everyone is approaching it with sincere hearts.”
The female soldiers helping push the cart from behind were also volunteers holding prostitution licenses. Since the brothel’s mission was a rear-area duty and they weren’t on the front lines, they seemed to carry a sense of debt toward the soldiers risking their lives on the front.
With their help, I headed to a small warehouse behind the brothel. While the male soldier guarding the front of the warehouse received the handover and moved the supplies inside, one of the female soldiers approached me as I stood watching from the side.
“Excuse me, Lady Elisha. Do you happen to have any more of those Eden-brand condoms and fatigue recovery agents you gave us last time?”
“I still have some left. Why?”
“The Eden-made items are very popular among the soldiers performing their duties because of their high quality.”
Apparently, the condoms were especially popular among the female soldiers, and the fatigue recovery agents among the male soldiers.
“I’d like to obtain more separately if possible… Do you accept Korean currency as well?”
“I also hold Korean citizenship. I even have a house. Of course I accept it.”
“Really? That’s a relief.”
She purchased a large quantity of condoms and fatigue recovery agents, placing them in her bag as she spoke.
“They say the scent from the condoms is really nice.”
“What about the fatigue recovery agents? I heard from the girls working that even dead things stand right back up.”
“Are you done organizing the supplies?”
“It’s something we do every day. What’s the point if you’re slow? Lady Elisha, you can head back now.”
“Yes, thank you for your hard work.”
After answering the male soldier who had come out of the supply warehouse, I pulled the now-lighter cart and returned to the distribution center. The distribution center set up in the wide open lot in front of the Dimensional Management Office was bustling with volunteers like me, soldiers, and refugees.
The refugees, who had rejoiced thinking the war would finally end when the mechanical soldiers were neutralized and the Japanese Empire’s forces were driven from Korean territory, looked exhausted by the unexpectedly prolonged conflict. However, because the Korean military was holding the front lines and performing well, there wasn’t as much chaos as one might expect.
After receiving warm greetings from the refugees I’d gotten to know while working at the distribution center, I entered and went to find the supply manager to report my return.
“I’ve delivered the supplies to the brothel. Here’s the confirmation slip.”
“Ah, Miss Elisha. Thank you for your hard work.”
The small man who smiled with tired eyes as he accepted the confirmation slip was a government official dispatched by the administration, responsible for managing supplies at the distribution center.
“Is there anywhere else to deliver today?”
“Hmm… There’s nothing else today.”
He answered after carefully examining the documents.
“Is that so? Then I’ll be going.”
“Thank you for always helping.”
After a brief exchange of greetings, I stepped out of the tent, stretched my back, and looked at the majestic World Tree visible in front of me. The spirits were still gathered around it, but their movements were sluggish and they seemed listless. It appeared even the spirits were worried about the war.
“Miss Elisha!”
“Hmm?”
At the sound of someone calling my name, I turned to see a girl who looked like a nurse running toward me. Out of breath when she reached me, she spoke.
“Hah, huff. They’re looking for you in the operating room.”
“Are they short on blood again?”
“Yes, the patient has a rare blood type and we’re short. Please come to the operating room quickly.”
“Understood. Let’s hurry.”
With blood supplies running low due to the war, the power of vital energy that could also restore blood was extremely useful. Moreover, it was effective for post-surgical recovery, so I was frequently called to the operating room whenever there was major surgery.
I picked up the nurse, who looked exhausted from running while searching for me, and dashed toward the hospital.