Rust - Chapter 741



Only Krnovel

RUST [RUST]-741

Kim Yang’s expedition team headed toward the Korean Peninsula while maintaining stratospheric altitude.

“Spread out plenty of stratospheric airships (Stratellites) on the Japanese side.”

[Fine volcanic debris floating in the stratosphere may cause problems with maneuvering.]

“doesn’t care.”

If a problem arose, all that was left was to blow himself up.

The stratospheric airship has taken position and is sending us footage. The situation in Japan, filmed from an altitude of over 30 km, is dire.

The whole of Japan was covered in thick volcanic debris. It was buried in black floating matter with no room for sunlight to penetrate.

The fact that it was maintained in such a form in Japan, where typhoons are frequent, was an unscientific phenomenon in itself. Kim Yang’s brow furrowed.

Huh-

‘But since we’ve already planted a stratospheric blimp, we’ll know right away if something pops out.’

[Arrived in southern part of South Korea. Busan and some areas were confirmed to be under the influence of volcanic ash.]

“Let’s start with reconnaissance using a stealth drone.”

A drone equipped with a stealth module headed towards Busan under gray clouds and dust.

beep—

[Communication is poor.]

“Add relay airships and drones. Those capable of stealth.”

[Stealth relay airship, stealth drone launch.]

Chijijik-

[Reconnaissance footage has arrived.]

Kim Yang’s gaze turned to the monitor.

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The story between PD and Ki-sun became longer.

What was the reason for helping the Empire? If you think about it, it was for the sake of the Holy Kingdom.

What would happen, in an extreme scenario, if the empire were to collapse and most of its 50 million people would die?

The huge number of corpses would become food for the mutant monsters. Since they have the characteristic of becoming smarter and stronger the more humans they eat, the death of a human meant that the monsters would become stronger.

Even if the refugees from the empire were scattered without dying, it would still be a problem.

When the cannibals and vampires that emerged from the chaotic Confederacy began to absorb the refugees from the Empire and build up their power, it was clear that their next target would be the Holy Kingdom.

Whether it was to avenge the Confederacy for dropping nukes on them, or to secure internal unity, the possibility of war breaking out at any moment was high when cannibals or vampires began to absorb Imperial refugees.

All things considered, it was more beneficial for the Holy Kingdom to preserve the empire rather than let it collapse.

It wasn’t free, but it was still help, and the Empire took advantage of their situation and got what they could.

Even if the Holy Kingdom and the Empire had grievances with each other, they could tolerate it and get along without any problems, making appropriate concessions and taking advantage of each other.

But things have changed since the technology that reached the singularity began to gradually become a reality.

There was a possibility that mass drivers and space elevators could become a reality within the next 10 years.

Even the topic being studied now was a means of transportation using the Earth’s magnetic field. If the technology to utilize the Earth’s magnetic field could be secured, it would not be impossible to launch a huge space colony into stratospheric orbit.

Even if the technology to utilize the Earth’s magnetic field fails, as long as nuclear fusion power generation is successful, it is only a matter of time before a city-sized space station is launched.

Simply put, it meant that even if we abandoned the ground, we could now establish a foundation for living in the stratosphere or space.

More directly, it means that whether the empire falls or not, whether the surviving humans die or not, the Holy Kingdom can be safe.

If resources are needed, drones and robots can be sent down to collect them, so there will be no need to build and maintain stronghold fortresses or stronghold villages to maintain large territories as there is now.

If the future of the Empire’s population of 50 million is meaningless, will the Holy Kingdom’s population of 4 million be meaningful?

Human numbers will become meaningless in the face of overwhelming technological prowess.

Maybe that’s why you were talking about voting rights.

future.

Giving meaning to human existence, which would inevitably become meaningless.

‘The right to vote, based on the right to vote, is the reason why humans should exist.’

The PD couldn’t help but be moved by his mercy. He had remembered his earnest request.

When the Ark Tower was first built, when the Ark Tower was advertised nationwide, he still remembers his petition to make it not just a building for the apocalypse, but an ark that would save humanity.

The PD became convinced after listening to Ki-sun’s story.

‘I’m sure you didn’t mean simply the right to vote.’

Elections meant choice.

Choices always come with power and responsibility. The saying, “It’s your choice. Fight with evil and courage” is not without reason.

No one threatened you with a gun, and you have to take responsibility for your own choices.

It was as if humans had chosen to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden and were banished as a result.

The fact that there is a choice between human life and death is tantamount to saying that there is a responsibility between life and death.

‘He is trying to restore choice and responsibility.’

In the end times, only the Divine Kingdom will be able to recreate the Garden of Eden.

They say it is the advancement of science and technology and a breakthrough of the singularity, but if He had not been there, would the technology to overcome the singularity have been completed?

Not at all. Neither the Empire nor the Confederacy were able to break through the singularity, but were instead desperately trying to survive.

Only the Divine Kingdom where He resides has broken through the singularity and is accumulating technology.

Is this a coincidence?

I watched from the side and it wasn’t a coincidence.

The Holy Kingdom was a miracle from its birth, a miracle in its existence, and a kingdom that will stand firmly on miracles in the future.

That’s why the PD could say.

[The right to vote is probably not just the right to vote. It’s probably to see if you can take responsibility for the consequences of the choices you make.]

“It’s a choice. Are you saying that you wanted to see whether or not I would choose to serve in the military?”

[Yes, that’s right. Military service is a symbolic element. It’s just an element to distinguish citizens who have the authority, responsibility, rights, and duties.]

“···Is that so?”

[It is not a simple matter of responsibility and authority. He is trying to distinguish the citizens who will enter the Garden of Eden.]

“······.”

Ki-soon was speechless at the sudden appearance of the Garden of Eden. Didn’t you clearly say last time that you weren’t a fanatic or anything like that? Why is this old man acting like this all of a sudden?

The PD’s expression and voice were surprisingly calm. So, Ki-sun remained silent for the time being.

[He seems to have thought that he should embrace as many people as possible with the right to vote and residency. However, if such people without faith and responsibility enter the Garden of Eden, the tragedy will repeat itself.]

Ki-soon had a rough idea of ​​what the PD meant, but this was a bit…

It was strange to interpret the separation of powers in that way, but Maru might have thought of cutting out the political part because it was bothersome. Wouldn’t that interpretation be more realistic?

[···Those AIs were heterogeneous from the beginning. The AI ​​I know doesn’t work that way. But when he granted some rights to AI, I was honestly worried. It seemed like a future where AI would rule over humans. But that wasn’t the case.]

While I was thinking about something else for a moment, the PD was giving a passionate speech.

[···It was the same with animals. It is said that in the Garden of Eden, animals lived together without fighting.]

Huh? Is that how it connects?

If other animals had become smarter, they would surely have behaved more tamely. This is evident from the moose and buffalo that are now behaving tamely in the sanctuary.

Whether it was a rat, a cat, or a coyote, they all became kind(?) after just one room in Maru’s house. It was true that even the great law of nature, survival of the fittest, became silent in front of Maru.

The conclusion reached after a long discussion on the restoration of Eden through PD’s singularity.

[···Therefore, the right to vote and the right to housing should not be subject to trade. Only those with sincere faith should enter the floating city and the future Eden.]

PD was sincere.

‧

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‧

Through the conversation with the PD, Ki-sun was able to organize her complicated thoughts. The separation of powers could cause more problems than expected.

Of course, Maru’s thinking wasn’t wrong, but it was human nature to want two when you get one.

‘What the PD uncle said is right.’

Even if he was a fanatic, it would be better for someone trustworthy to enter the floating city. Military service was also considered a minimum requirement.

‘It may be difficult for Erica, but it’s right to verify everyone entering the floating city with psychometry.’

After listening to the PD uncle, I felt like my tangled thoughts were being resolved.

‘The power of religion. It’s just so shocking.’

The PD’s opinion that you should not sell your right to vote and residency was right. Because you may think that it is okay to do this because you have served in the military.

As the PD said, it shouldn’t feel like selling an indulgence or selling the right to live in the floating city in exchange for military service.

‘Military service is the basic requirement.’

It would be right to postpone the right to vote and the right to housing for now. Ki-soon immediately spoke to Maru.

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[···That’s why. It would be better to decide on the right to live in the floating city and the right to vote later. It’s the King’s choice, but I and the PD both think that selling military service to give the right to vote and residency would bring more harm than good.]

“Okay, I get it. Let me think about it some more.”

[We’re just talking among ourselves, but you’re not trying to split up because you’re tired of politics, are you? You’re not, are you?]

“···no.”

Maru answered immediately with a sullen look in his eyes.

[······.]

“······.”

There was silence for a moment, and then Ki-sun spoke first.

[As the PD said, technology is developing too quickly. If things continue this way, it will be virtually meaningless for anyone except a very small number of people.]

So, giving humans the meaning of existence through politics, elections, and choices was similar to giving them the choice of free will and choice in the Garden of Eden.

[I don’t think that’s what they meant by separating politics and the military, but if you look at the result, it’s more likely to end up that way.]

And those who have secured politics in this way will now aim for the technology that has reached the singularity, as if they were after the tree of life.

“I’ll think about it. And is Canada okay?]

[It doesn’t look very stable on the outside.]

No, maybe because it has become stable, there is a risk of it becoming unstable? Ki-soon smiled bitterly.

[Since the new exosuits and core armors were deployed, carnivorous animals have stopped coming down to the village to attack people. Flocks of birds are a bit of a problem, but they have also started to refrain from approaching the village or city.]

“That’s a good thing.”

[On the surface, it seems like there are more people who resent the fact that London, England and Paris, France were blown up.]

“There’s nothing we can do. How about broadcasting the situation at the time?”

[It’s better than not doing it.]

“Okay. Let’s do that for now. Thanks.”

Maru sighed softly after finishing the call with Gisun.

Sometimes I wonder if it would have been better if we had just kept the Ark Tower, but then we wouldn’t have lasted this long.

As for the right to vote and military service, both Kim Yang, Ki-soon, and PD were against it. Maru didn’t think it was necessary to push for it despite opposition.

However, the PD’s story about the meaning of human existence in an age of technology reaching a singularity was impressive. Although I hadn’t thought that far ahead.

As technology advances, where can we find the position of humans?

The moment artificial intelligence is installed in humanoids, what will happen to the meaning of existence for ordinary people?

Even in the future, humans were essential to cannibals and vampires.

But what about the Holy Kingdom?

With the advancement of technology, we have become a country where most ordinary people are no longer needed.

It felt strangely paradoxical.

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Although it wasn’t as thick as the volcanic ash and dust on the Japanese mainland, Busan was gloomy as if shrouded in an ashen fog.

The temperature was around 36~38 degrees. It was quite high, but compared to Daegu, where the temperature was over 45 degrees, it wasn’t deathly hot.

[Sea levels are higher than previously recorded.]

“how much?”

[The difference is approximately 43.3cm to 45.7cm. The wave height is also at least 1m higher.]

It was estimated that the water level rose by almost 1.5 meters, meaning that low-lying areas in Busan were becoming habitual flood zones.

‘Come to think of it, I heard they were going to build a maritime city in Busan.’

This was 2-3 years ago, so there may be a city like that.

“There is no drone defense network?”

[The air defenses appear to be down due to volcanic ash and dust.]

[Stealth drone safely conducting reconnaissance.]

“Ugh- Okay- Send me more. Gather the information at once and return it quickly.”

[Additional launch of stealth drones.]

[Expand reconnaissance range.]

Footage from Busan and the surrounding areas began to appear one after another. Visibility was around 100 to 120 meters, which was a good thing considering that it was 10 to 20 meters in mainland Japan.

The panoramic view of Busan began to appear like a mosaic on the giant screen.

‘Are they refugees?’

The whole of Busan was teeming with people. They were Japanese refugees.

‧

Just as refugees gathered and formed a crowd during the 625 War, a population of nearly 30 million people crowded into the small space of Busan.

It was a combined number of people who were already living in Busan and refugees who came from Japan. Naturally, accidents were bound to occur.

The Korean government mobilized the military to prevent the Japanese from spreading in all directions.

The reason was that there might be cannibals hiding. If Japanese cannibals spread to Korea and began to gain influence, it would be impossible to subdue them.

A network surrounding Busan was formed, starting from Yongjibong Natural Recreation Forest and Guramsan, and connecting highlands to Bunseongsan, Sinyeosan, Cheonseongsan, and Daeunsan.

And the people trapped inside and the Korean military had no choice but to clash.

[A flock of crows was discovered in Changwon.]

It was right next to Busan.

[The number of people in the crowd was confirmed to be over 70,000.]

If it were a single scale, it would have been a fairly large force.