Mu-yeol Island: Knights Rising Silently
The knights rose stealthily on Mu-yeol Land. I called out their names one by one. They all looked shocked. No one had introduced themselves.
"Never lie to me again."
"...I'm sorry."
Dorothy apologized. She probably thought I'd heard it from Go Min-ji. No way she'd guess I actually had Interest Law.
'Still, these are all Go Min-ji's exclusive knights...'
Damn, it gives me chills for no reason. Gotta play nice from now on.
"Do you know why you're working under me for a month?"
"No, sir."
"Really? Then here's your first mission: Clear all the forest from this island."
"Pardon?"
"See those trees over there? Bigger than your mechs. Even with over a hundred heavy machines, it'd take months using normal methods."
"..."
"Use super-vibro cutters, railguns, whatever. Just get it done."
The knights' faces went blank. They looked baffled, like why waste elite talent like us on grunt work?
"Dorothy."
"Yes, sir."
"You stay by my side in case something happens. The rest of you, clear the forest. Start now."
The knights tilted their heads but climbed back into their mechs. Watching fourteen knights deploy lift cables in unison was a sight to behold.
"They follow orders without complaint, at least."
That's the beauty of knights. Absolute obedience to commands, no matter what. Brainwashing makes them happy to serve, but even for absurd orders they can't wrap their heads around, they obey.
People stress most managing other people, but using these guys? Zero hassle.
Vrrrrm.
The mechs vibrated like they were humming once the knights mounted up.
"They'll handle it. Let's check out the mansion."
+++
The artificial island was mostly overgrown forest, tricky to use, but the mansion was impeccably maintained. Several times bigger and flashier than my Songdo place.
Kuuaaaang—!
I was touring when a massive boom flashed white light through the windows.
"Ugh."
The knights in mechs were blasting the forest with railguns. The mansion's soundproofing was top-notch, but battleship-grade barrages? No contest.
"Gonna be noisy for a while."
I'd planned to stick around, scout the situation, but until the forest was gone? Tough luck.
"How long will that take?"
"About two weeks, sir."
"Two weeks..."
"That's very fast."
"Yeah, I figured."
Seung-hee has a trait called Divine Calculation. Her math speed and accuracy rival computers. If she says two weeks, that's the timeline.
"You rented them for a month, but two weeks to finish."
Go Min-ji had cleared her schedule a month out, so optimal plan: Wrap up, visit her villa with the knights, return them.
'Once the island's forest is cleared in two weeks, maybe she'll let me use them for another two? Got places I wanna deploy 'em. Like bulldozing Namdong Industrial Complex.'
But gotta ask. Renting for one job and pivoting to others once it's done quick? Rude.
I'm not big on etiquette, but pissing off straight-line family over petty shit? Dumb.
I called her.
—Yeah. What now?
Go Min-ji skipped greetings, straight to business as always.
"My subordinate says two weeks tops at this rate."
—Oh? Faster than expected.
"You said a full month, right?"
—Aah. Yeah. Calling to repurpose 'em?
"Yes."
She went quiet. Thinking it over.
—You horny bastard. Just how lewd are you?
"Pardon?"
—Tch tch tch. Always scheming something else.
What the hell?
—Do whatever~. Just don't break 'em. Get in trouble like last time, neutering girls without a word.
"As if I'd do that."
—'As if' is what kills people. Use 'em nice. Expensive toys, y'know? Cost a fortune to make.
"Got it."
Still just toys to her. Harsh.
"Thanks, sis."
—Mm.
Go Min-ji hung up. Now I could deploy her exclusive knights anywhere.
I glanced at Dorothy; she straightened up sharply. Couldn't help scanning her pretty face and figure.
'Oh shit.'
That lewd comment—was that it? She thinks I'm gonna use the girl knights as sex toys for a month...
'Damn. She pegged me as a sex-addicted perv desperate for pussy.'
Spot on.
"Dorothy, follow me."
"Yes, sir."
"You lot, keep working."
I grabbed Dorothy and picked a random room.
+++
The Shanghai Economic Alliance. One of the nations born when China splintered into twenty after sparking World War III and collapsing. Controls Shanghai—the economic and political hub—plus Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces. Population around 310 million. Heavyweight by size or economy.
But one fatal flaw: South Korea's territory to its north and east.
South Korea—Goryeo Group—had pressured them relentlessly since day one.
No choice. World trade still sea-based; Goryeo's merchant ships inevitably pass Shanghai's waters. Shortest route? Hug their territorial seas through the Taiwan Strait.
So they kept poking. Goryeo's long-standing demand: Full opening of Shanghai's territorial waters.
Civilian ships could enter with notice already, but now? No notice, anytime access. Tough pill.
Fine, merchant ships maybe. Pre-WWIII norm.
But that wasn't all. The real kicker: Merchant ships alone can't handle pirates, need warship escorts. So open waters to ROK/Goryeo warships too.
Civilians sensitive enough; warships free entry? Insane.
"Reports say the massive artificial island—built over thirteen years—left Nampo Port without a handover ceremony. Destination... our Shanghai seas."
"Another artificial island anchored off Incheon."
"Fifteen mechs forward-deployed to the Incheon artificial island."
Prime Minister Li Wei clutched his head at the incoming reports.
"Two islands targeting us?"
The balding middle-aged man quickly followed up.
"Yes. The new 40,000-hectare island was set for handover at Nampo this month, then ceremonies. Canceling all that and sailing? Clear warning to us."
"...And the Incheon one?"
"1,000-hectare from Tianjin. Cognition filter blocks details, but eyewitness just reported fifteen mechs deployed."
"Fifteen mechs..."
"Naked-eye sighting, so can't confirm that's all."
"More possible."
"Yes. High chance of dozens more."
Worries deepened. He'd pushed for peace, minimal concessions, but Goryeo seemed war-hungry.
"They take everything...! And now our stuff too? Too much!!"
Shanghai rejected old Communist China. Still exists around Hubei, so they claimed separation.
Fell on deaf ears. The twenty splinter states still paid massive reparations.
Shanghai too. Annual to Korea: 10% of GDP. Plus Goryeo's miscellaneous 5%.
15% siphoned yearly just existing. More now??
"Shameless fat bastards!!!"