When I first opened my eyes in the twenty first century, I was truly shaken by how much everything had changed.
The name of the country was different, the cities were different, and even the major corporations were all unfamiliar. It was impossible to stay calm.
My memory was almost completely blank at first, and cold sweat ran down my back. Fortunately, as I encountered different situations, fragments of my past memories gradually returned.
I do not know the exact mechanism, but it does not seem like another soul suddenly entered a healthy body.
It is more accurate to say that memories from a previous life suddenly resurfaced after the accident.
Thinking about it, the first time I regained memories from an earlier life in Joseon was similar.
Back then, it was only about thirty years of memories, so the shock was smaller.
This time, more than eighty years of memories flooded in at once, so the impact was naturally much greater.
As a result, the original memories in my mind were pushed aside, and only now are they slowly returning.
"…Being here brings it all back."
In the past, Lee Hyun-seok had visited this palace frequently since childhood.
He was both distantly and closely related to the current emperor of the Joseon Empire, Lee Cheol-woo, and they were of similar age, so he had often been invited.
From a public standpoint as well, the emperor needed a strong relationship with the future heir of AL Group, the empire's largest benefactor.
AL Group also had no reason to oppose such a connection.
A perfect arrangement where everyone benefited.
Thanks to this, I had come here at least once a week since I was young, spending time with the crown prince.
Even Geunjeongjeon felt familiar, almost like a vacation home.
At first, I thought living in a fully restored traditional palace would be uncomfortable, but that was not the case.
It had clearly been renovated discreetly.
The insulation was excellent, and the floors and cushions disguised extremely comfortable seating.
The current emperor even preferred sleeping on a bed rather than traditional bedding.
As usual, once we were alone, he casually removed his formal robe and lay down comfortably.
"Finally, this is better. Hyun-seok, can you come twice a week from now on? If I say I am with you, I can send everyone away and relax like this."
"Your Majesty, I am still recovering."
"Right, right. But I heard your condition is perfectly fine. When I first heard about your accident, I nearly ran out of the palace immediately. How did you survive a plane crash without injuries?"
"That is what I am wondering. Being struck by lightning repeatedly during landing and having both main and backup systems fail at the same time is an impossible probability."
The emperor shook his head in disbelief.
"Still, it is fortunate. I heard your memory is recovering as well?"
"Yes. Most memories of close acquaintances have returned. But I still do not remember anything about what the media is reporting."
"The media? You mean the articles about your relationships? I told you to be more careful."
"…So they are true?"
"Of course. You really do not remember? That is impressive in its own way."
So this version of me had lived quite differently.
"…Did I cause any serious trouble?"
"Not that I recall. Your father said he would restrain you if things went too far."
"But I did meet many women?"
"Yes. And always the same type. Gentle appearance, but strong and stubborn personality."
"…."
For a moment, a familiar image formed in my mind.
It seemed that even across lifetimes, my preferences had not changed.
"Your Majesty, I assume you did not call me here just to check on me."
"Of course not. There is something else. Recently, there have been discussions about forming a Northeast Asian economic alliance between Joseon, Japan, and the Republic of China."
"…That is being discussed seriously?"
"Yes. With our combined strength, we could surpass the United States and even approach the British Empire."
I frowned internally.
This was dangerous.
"Your Majesty, I suggest you distance yourself from such proposals."
"…Why?"
"The British Empire will react. It will never allow a strong second power to emerge."
That was something I knew well.
I had told Edward this myself.
Suppress any potential rival.
No matter the method.
Even in a modern world, a superpower could act decisively.
"Let others take the lead. Remain cautious. It will benefit you later."
"…You are right. I will observe for now."
He seemed relieved.
Even he had doubts.
After all, the Joseon imperial family was connected to Britain.
Better to avoid unnecessary conflict.
British Empire: Constitutional monarchy
Seven Kingdoms plus royal territories
Population: 350 million
GDP: 28 trillion pounds
Number one in the world
United States: Presidential system
Population: 270 million
GDP: 14 trillion pounds
Second in the world
Germany, Joseon, Japan, France followed.
The global order had shifted.
Monarchies dominated.
Even the Republic of China stood among them.
The United States had declined.
Conflicts and policy mistakes had weakened it.
The British Empire remained dominant.
Clearly, Edward had followed my guidance well.
Potential rivals were contained early.
I leaned back in my hospital bed and finally searched the one thing I had been holding back.
My name.
Not Lee Hyun-seok.
But Killian.