"Pweeeeng, Hyun-seok, please help me."
The ambition of the Northeast Asian nations to form a massive economic bloc rivaling the British Empire inevitably provoked the displeasure of the world's strongest power.
The response was not emotional, but anyone could tell it was essentially a declaration of anger.
The Joseon Empire was immediately dragged into disputes over responsibility.
It was hard to believe they had not anticipated such a reaction, but politics often works that way.
Even when something feels wrong, public opinion and approval ratings cannot be ignored.
Fortunately, the Emperor had followed my advice and maintained a neutral stance, avoiding major damage.
Still, asking me to clean up the situation afterward was unreasonable.
"Hahaha, Hyun-seok. Since you will be going to London anyway to discuss building a foundry in California with AL Group, why not also explain our position while you are there? You are related to the imperial family, after all."
In other words, I was being asked to go there and smooth things over, as if it were all a misunderstanding.
It was an absurd request for someone who had just recovered from an accident, yet it felt strangely familiar.
Both in my past life and this one, I seemed destined for such burdens.
Still, I was curious to see how London had changed, so I accepted.
After negotiating support for my own projects, I boarded a private jet bound for London.
I wondered what the capital of the world's greatest power would look like.
Upon arrival, I was escorted into a limousine.
The cityscape outside was… less grand than expected.
Much of the old architecture remained, making it feel less imposing than Hanseong.
Only the financial district stood out as modern.
"Vice Chairman, we will first proceed to the dinner venue. His Majesty will arrive after the meal."
"Who will attend?"
"Most members of the imperial family in London."
That made sense.
Today was March 13, Memorial Day.
A day to commemorate Killian.
Even more strangely, it was also the day of Edward's death.
Because of that, the day became an official holiday.
"Where is the ceremony held?"
"At Killian Memorial Park."
I sighed internally.
Another golden statue.
Even larger than the one in Gyeongbokgung.
I stepped out of the car.
"Vice Chairman, look. The statue seems even brighter today."
"No. It is embarrassing."
We entered.
The ceremony began.
The park was filled with images and messages left by Victoria.
[To my beloved.]
Each message was dated.
She had visited every single day.
Seeing it, I felt something stir.
Perhaps the statues were her way of keeping a promise.
Even if it had begun as a joke.
For a moment, I regretted coming.
It made me miss her more.
"Hyun-seok, I heard about your accident. Are you fully recovered?"
"Completely. Thank you."
Relatives approached one after another.
Nobles, business leaders, politicians.
I responded politely.
Among them was a key figure.
"Hyun-seok, you must build connections with these politicians."
"Of course."
My descendants had spread across the world.
The network was vast.
Just as I was becoming overwhelmed—
Boom. Boom. Boom.
"His Majesty enters."
The hall fell silent.
"His Majesty Edward IX, Emperor of the Empire on which the sun never sets…"
The announcement echoed.
A tall man in his forties entered.
Unlike the symbolic monarchs of another timeline, he possessed real power.
He greeted the crowd, then walked directly toward me.
"Hyun-seok, I am glad you are safe."
"…Thank you, Your Majesty."
Speaking formally to a distant descendant felt strange.
But he smiled warmly.
"You did not come just because of my request, did you?"
"…Request?"
"You asked me to introduce you to women of your preferred type."
I froze.
"…I did?"
"Yes. You even described your ideal type in detail."
I could only laugh awkwardly.
This version of me was truly unbelievable.
Edward took out a notebook.
Surely he had not actually prepared candidates.
I braced myself for what would come next.