"Oh my! Vice Chairman! I never doubted for a moment that you would recover!"
A middle aged man who looked well past fifty bowed repeatedly.
Seeing the hospital director acting like this, it seemed I really was an important figure.
"The moment you were brought in, we mobilized all of our best medical staff and provided twenty four hour intensive care. Everything was done out of my loyalty to ensure your recovery…"
"Ah, yes. Thank you. But my memory is still a bit confused."
"Oh dear, you should be resting. I have kept you too long. Still, the detailed examination shows that your physical condition is perfectly fine now. Just be careful today, and if there are no issues by tomorrow, you may even go out for a short while."
The director made sure to emphasize his efforts several more times before leaving.
I lay back on the bed and turned on the massive wall mounted television, easily over one hundred inches.
It had been a long time since I handled modern technology. Truly, the progress of science is a blessing to humanity.
Curious about the broadcasts of this era, I flipped through a few channels and froze.
On the screen was me, presenting in front of a large audience.
[AL Group Unpack 2024. Vice Chairman Lee Hyun-seok unveils a new era of mobile AI.]
On screen, I held up a smartphone and spoke fluent British accented English.
"…The new A Phone 24 Pro is the fastest smartphone on earth. It is the only device using AL Foundry's latest one nanometer process. With a new six core GPU, performance has improved by thirty two percent compared to the previous model, and most importantly, the on device AI features…"
Even just watching, I could understand.
So this AL Group must be the top conglomerate of the Joseon Empire.
Smartphones, semiconductors, displays.
It reminded me of something familiar.
"…With the new A Phone, even traveling abroad is no longer a concern. What if the internet disconnects? Do not worry. The on device AI translation system will interpret your speech more accurately than any existing program. The future is with you right now. And one more thing."
I watched myself for a moment.
I looked composed, intelligent, and confident.
Not at all the typical image of a chaebol heir.
I searched for AL Group online.
But the world had changed too much.
Familiar companies were gone.
Unknown names dominated the rankings.
AL Group.
Second in the world by market value.
That was absurd.
Even accounting for group consolidation, for a non English speaking Asian conglomerate to reach this level was extraordinary.
Looking deeper, its origins were unusual.
Its founder was Alice, granddaughter of Emperor Edward.
More precisely, her second son, Lee Sang-woo, established the foundation of the group.
So this was built by the descendants of my great granddaughter who went to Joseon.
Originally, the company began with mining and automobiles, but later split, leaving behind its most profitable sectors.
"Smartphones first in market share, second in profit. Semiconductors first globally in both memory and non memory. Displays first. GPUs first…"
This was like combining the largest companies of Korea and Taiwan into one.
Naturally, that raised another question.
What company was first?
The history showed that they leveraged their royal lineage to dominate Asian markets.
My descendants clearly inherited my instincts.
The headquarters was in the Joseon Empire, with major bases in Taiwan and Singapore.
Still, the name Joseon Empire felt strange.
Yet it made sense.
Joseon had never fallen.
Joseon Empire
Population: 132 million
GDP per capita: 51,000 pounds
Stronger than the peak of the Republic of Korea I remembered.
Most satisfying of all, the currency unit was pounds.
Proof that the British Empire still held global dominance.
Just as I was about to search something else, there was a knock.
"Vice Chairman, someone from Gyeongbokgung has arrived."
"…Gyeongbokgung?"
"Yes. His Majesty was concerned about your condition. Since you are cleared to go out, perhaps you should visit."
"Alright."
The idea of an emperor living in Gyeongbokgung still felt strange.
Soon, I left the hospital.
The car waiting outside was electric, silent.
A thousand kilometer range.
Technology had advanced even further than before.
Perhaps the momentum I started was still rolling.
I smiled at the logo on the car.
Killian.
"Today's economic news…"
Voices filled the car.
China, divided.
Tensions rising.
Then another report.
"Vice Chairman Lee Hyun-seok has made a miraculous recovery…"
Then gossip.
"…His numerous scandals with celebrities…"
I quickly changed the channel.
Annoying.
Apparently, I was famous.
Second only to the emperor and the chairman.
That made sense.
Heir to the world's second largest conglomerate, and also connected to the imperial family.
Still, I checked my social media.
Clean.
At least that was a relief.
Then I noticed something outside.
"Wait… what is that?"
"That is Gwanghwamun Square."
No.
The statues of Yi Sun-sin and Sejong the Great were familiar.
But in the center,
A massive golden statue.
Killian.
Shaking hands with a Joseon emperor.
"…What is that hideous thing?"
"Vice Chairman! Please, be careful what you say!"
So it really happened.
Victoria had done it.
And not just in Britain.
Even here.
For over a hundred years.
I grabbed my head.
The car stopped.
Gyeongbokgung was no longer just a historical site.
It was alive.
Guards stood watch.
People filled the area.
I entered.
The palace was larger, denser than I remembered.
Then I saw him.
A young man in modified imperial robes.
"Welcome back to the palace, my brother."
So this was my descendant.
He looked… decent enough.
I bowed slightly and followed him inside.
This world.
Was far more complicated than I expected.