Side Story 19
The Dimensional Administration Bureau.
Aina was lost in thought, alone.
In the distant past, this place had been called by another name.
The Hall of All Gods.
Pantheon.
The world of gods.
But why were gods gathered here?
Normally, they should have been in the heavenly realms of the dimensions they ruled.
The reason was simple.
Gods who had lost their worlds and were left alone.
Gods whose divinity had declined and shrunk.
Gods exiled after losing in competition.
Or gods whose names had been forgotten.
They gathered here.
You could call it a world of unaffiliated gods.
The god of the White Tower associated with Bong Juhyeok was also, in truth, a diminished god.
Without the Drop of Creation, it would have been summoned to the Pantheon as well.
Aina herself was a god exiled after losing competition.
By the will of the universe, she had been sent to the Pantheon.
At first, she didn't even know why she had to come here.
Was she the only one?
No—every god who entered the Pantheon had felt the same.
Is this a dedicated junkyard for defeated, surplus gods?
Were they gathered in one place simply because beings of immortal rank couldn't be killed?
But as time passed, they realized what they were meant to do.
They formed an organization modeled after the bureaucratic systems of human society and named it the Dimensional Administration Bureau.
The bureau's purpose was to prevent the collapse of the universe and to maintain the peaceful flow of laws.
In truth, it was no easy task.
There were many reasons a universe could collapse.
A universe whose very birth was unstable.
Countless errors scattered everywhere.
The possibility of dark energy explosions, the formation of gigantic black holes, the chance that the expansion phase would end and contraction would begin—any one of these going out of control would spell the end of the universe.
The branching of similar dimensions caused by illegal time regression by dimensional travelers was merely one of many possible collapse scenarios.
However, similar-dimension branching was something gods could not resolve directly.
Why?
Because it could only be solved by descending into the human realm.
That was the truth.
Gods were beings fundamentally limited in their ability to directly intervene in the human world.
It couldn't be helped—they were gods.
That was why humans were needed to carry out correction work in their place.
The dimensional traveler Aina had recruited this time—Bong Juhyeok.
She truly did not want to lose him.
His disposition and character were perfectly suited to being a dimensional investigator.
On top of that, he possessed extraordinary luck—the kind that turned failure into success.
A person with the qualities and abilities to become the best investigator.
That was why she had forcibly stopped him when he tried to escape the labyrinth.
…He'll do well, won't he?
He would.
Because the most important virtue in hunting illegal regressors was luck.
Still, what was he doing right now?
She'd heard that if there was no work, he'd wander around and travel.
The Mechanos Dimension.
A world where humans and monsters coexisted.
They split the continent between them.
The north belonged to monsters.
The south to humans.
An endless war raged between them.
In the south existed countless nations built by humans.
The strongest among them was the Magitech Empire.
Monster legions always sought to descend to the warm south.
The north was cold and barren, with little food.
Humans had to block the monsters and protect the lands of the empire and kingdoms.
If they failed, they would become prey.
Daily wars between humans and monsters.
Small-scale skirmishes erupting all along the front lines.
But once every ten years—
a massive war broke out over the Mechanos Dimension.
A total war. A war of annihilation.
In the Magitech Empire, it was called the Monster Wave.
As the Wave approached, conscription orders were issued to every nation belonging to Mechanos.
Anyone capable of fighting was drafted and sent to the Northern Front.
"Haa… damn unlucky timing. Of all moments to cross over—right when the enlistment train was departing, at that."
Juhyeok sighed and lamented.
"…Can't we get off now?"
"Kosak, you don't know since you're unserved. Getting off now is desertion. Desertion!"
"B-but Investigator Bong, you're not even a citizen of the Magitech Empire, are you?"
That's true, but—
"Let's just go see the Northern Front. I'm doing this so you can get some indirect military experience."
"Uh… I don't particularly want to see it…"
"Hey, you think I summoned you for nothing? It's a great opportunity for an unserved man."
"…Yessir."
Inside a train car with few passengers, Juhyeok sat facing Major Veronica and Kosak.
Major Veronica's magic gun was hidden in her belt.
Dr. L had used magitech to create a subspace storage belt for her magic gun and mana bombs.
Though its capacity was small, it could easily hold several magic guns.
Come to think of it, Dr. L was also from a magitech civilization, wasn't she?
Not the same world.
Different magitech civilizations across parallel universes.
Still—
"Major Veronica, is it normal to just load anyone onto the train like this? No ID checks?"
"It's standard conscription procedure. No one likes being dragged into the army, after all."
Fair enough.
"So they just grab whoever they see and shove them onto the train."
A crude method of reinforcing manpower.
But it was understandable.
This wasn't an ordinary war.
If they lost, humanity in the Mechanos Dimension might be wiped out.
Britain had done the same during the Age of Sail.
No sailors for the ships?
They'd land, forcibly seize anyone they saw, and drag them aboard.
If they resisted, they were beaten into submission.
That was how Britain built its powerful navy.
Meanwhile, Major Veronica's expression still looked grim.
Of all places, for her commander to suffer like this in her home dimension…
"I'm sorry, Commander."
"Hey, did you do something wrong, Major?"
"No. This is my fault."
Seeing Major Veronica show weakness, Kosak pounced on the opportunity.
"That's right. This is Major Veronica's responsibility. She's the only career soldier among the summoned ones, ain't she? This is all causality at work."
Hey now!
"Who was it that recently went on about group enhancement, owls, and drill instructors?"
"…Huh?"
"An unserved guy playing soldier, and that ends up triggering causality—"
"Ahaha, Investigator Bong, come on now. When you think about it, it's nobody's fault."
Then?
"It's just bad luck. Stepped-in-shit bad luck."
"Right?"
"But are you really thinking of re-enlisting?"
Has this guy lost his mind?
Re-enlist? No way!
"Don't worry. We're just going to take a look."
It's kind of interesting, after all.
But Major Veronica's expression still didn't improve.
She clearly believed this situation was her fault.
"I had a disturbing dream recently, like Supply Commander Rajiks. I should have told you earlier."
What kind of dream?
"I dreamed that a large number of female ranger units from the Magitech Empire flooded into the White Tower."
Oh!
Isn't that a good thing?
"F-female ranger units?"
"Yes. At least a hundred female ranger gunners firing siege rounds at Gigant, turning the White Tower into ruins—"
"U-uh, then a hundred of them bouncing—"
"That's enough! Stop there."
Let's not imagine it.
Pure, wholesome thoughts.
Even though I already imagined it.
"By the way, I noticed as soon as we arrived. Why are people from Major Veronica's homeland all so physically impressive?"
That's Kosak for you.
How did he check all that in such a short time?
His eyes must have been spinning nonstop.
"Which brings me to this, Investigator Bong."
"Yes?"
"This changes everything. It's worth going to the army twice."
"Hmm."
"Apply for the female ranger unit. I'll come with you."
As if that'd work.
Anyway—
"Major Veronica."
"Major Veronica Caliber."
"How long has it been since you left this world?"
Strictly speaking, since Veronica had died in battle against monsters.
Major Veronica looked around.
Just then, a massive clock tower showing the date and time passed by outside the window.
"…Judging by the imperial calendar, it's been seventy years."
Seventy years.
Not a short time.
"You might still have family here."
"Ah… maybe?"
"Your grandchildren might already be grandpas and grandmas."
"I'm unmarried, okay? I never even got married. What grandchildren?"
"Great-nieces and great-nephews, then."
The Mechanos Dimension, where Major Veronica's descendants might still be alive.
And now, it stood on the brink of a great war against monsters.
That meant he couldn't just turn away.
Having come here, Juhyeok had become involved with the Mechanos Dimension—
just like Kalzenia with the beastfolk laborers.
I won't be joining the army twice.
But at the very least, he'd deal with the Monster Wave before leaving.
And while he was at it, he could look for Major Veronica's family too.
Screeeech!
The train slowly began to move.
An attendant walked through the cabin, announcing departure.
"The train is now departing. Those who wish to sleep may do so. It will be a long journey."
The destination was the Northern Front.
The train began to move smoothly.
I expected chug-chug, but—
"So it's not a steam engine?"
"It runs on a mana core engine. The fuel source is mana stones."
As expected of a magitech civilization.
Maybe I should summon Rajiks later and swipe one of these mana-powered trains.
It'd probably work just fine on Earth.
Mana stones are everywhere, after all.
Watching the scenery pass by from inside the train was surprisingly enjoyable.
This really was a magitech civilization—
the sights were refreshingly different.
"Feels kind of arcane-punk."
"The Magitech Empire is also called the Arcane Empire."
Ah! That explains it.
"Alright, mealtime! One per person, but if you're still hungry, feel free to ask."
The attendants walked around serving food.
A combat ration pack containing canned fish, biscuits, cigarettes, and drinks.
Surprisingly kind attendants.
Judging by their uniforms, they seemed to be soldiers too.
"What's the point of being kind? The food tastes like garbage."
"Ah! Right. You wouldn't know since you're unserved. Combat rations are always like this."
As time passed—
The scenery outside the window changed.
Exiting a long tunnel, a vast white snowfield came into view.
Just looking at it felt cold.
"Manny would love this. Old folks would hate it—say their joints ache."
Seeing snow meant the Northern Front was close.
And right then—
"Attention!!! Everyone prepare to disembark. Move quickly! If you dawdle and get in my way, I'll beat you myself!"
The attendants' eyes changed.
They were even armed now.
So this is when they show their true colors.
No wonder they'd been so nice earlier.
"The moment you get off the train, form a single line and move. Execute! What is it? Move faster!"
With discipline drilled in, the people poured out.
"Should I go punch him once?"
"Why?"
"He dared speak casually to Investigator Bong."
Hmm.
"Let's go quietly. Don't cause trouble."
If I hit him, would that attendant survive?
And how would we deal with the aftermath?
As always—
The beginning of dimensional travel is lay-low mode.
Why did I come here?
To see what the Northern Front situation was like.
I could return to the White Tower anytime.
Juhyeok and the others got off the train and walked on.
Outside the temporary Northern Front station, armed soldiers were everywhere.
In the plaza before the station, over ten desks and chairs were lined up side by side.
Across from them, officers—likely NCOs—were interviewing the conscripts.
"Looks like training unit intake procedures."
Once background checks and interviews were done, they'd be dragged straight into boot camp.
They loaded people roughly, but unloading was thorough.
Naturally so.
They were preparing for war—no way they'd let just anyone through.
Soon enough, it was Kosak's turn.
The intake officer asked:
"Name."
"Kosak."
"Age?"
"Twenty-six."
"Family relations?"
"Orphan. My dad passed away recently."
"…I see."
"It's fine. He went to a good place."
"Any special skills?"
"Recon, infiltration, intel, assassination. Make me a ranger."
Next to him, Juhyeok was being interviewed.
"Name."
"Lucius Bardin."
"Family?"
"Both parents alive and well. One younger sibling—he's already enlisted."
"Where are you from?"
"Obviously the Arcane Empire—"
Next to Juhyeok was Major Veronica.
"Name."
"Major Veronica Caliber."
"…Again. Name!"
"Major Veronica Caliber."
Oh dear.
Veronica, what are you doing?
That rank only applies among us.
At boot camp, suddenly declaring yourself a major—
"Please wait here for a moment."
The intake officer's expression hardened instantly.
He whispered something to nearby soldiers.
Are we about to be hauled off for impersonating an officer?
Of course, if we ran, no one could catch us—but—
"Are you two with her? Enlisting together?"
When Juhyeok and Kosak nodded—
"Alright. Wait here."
Waiting was fine, but… this is awkward.
Every soldier at the Northern Station was staring at them.
What went wrong?
Was it because Veronica called herself a major?
Maybe it wasn't that kind of major.
Like a construction site manager or a lab director.
But then—
Kosak's eyes widened as he pointed somewhere.
"Investigator Bong, look at that."
"Where?"
"That statue."
"…Oh."
A statue standing in the center of the station plaza.
A female soldier with her hair tied back tightly, a magic gun slung over her shoulder.
"Looks like Major Veronica."
"…Does it?"
"The physique's similar. Major, is that you?"
"Nope. I'm way taller than that statue!"
"Uh… taller where?"
At that moment—
RUMBLE!
Armed soldiers flooded into the plaza.
After exchanging hurried words with the intake officer—
Click! Click! Click!
They aimed magic guns at Juhyeok, Kosak, and Major Veronica.
"Arrest them all! We confirmed with the Caliber family—there's no woman like her!"
Huh?
"How dare you! Caliber? You think someone like you belongs to the Guardian House of the Magitech Empire?"
Oh—
So it wasn't the rank.
It was the surname?
"And Veronica? Know your place! How dare you impersonate the greatest hero of the Magitech Empire from seventy years ago!"
So our Major…
was a hero.
"Whether you're shameless, stupid, or joking, this is so absurd it's not even funny."
She is the real Major Veronica.
"Bind them and take them away! If they move, shoot!"
That was when—
Ts-pi-pi-pit!
Kosak vanished in an instant.
At the same time, flashes erupted across the plaza.
"Oh!"
Slash! Slash! Slash! Slash! Slash!
Clatter! Thud-thud! Clink!
Cleanly severed magic gun barrels fell to the ground.
Kosak reappeared, wearing a crooked grin.
"I moved. Go ahead—shoot."
Applause burst out naturally.
Clap clap clap!
"Our unserved Kosak! Cooler than veterans!"
"Hehehe, you flatter me."
Major Veronica didn't stay idle either.
From her belt—shhk!—she drew her magic gun and aimed at the sky.
Bzzzzzzing!
Fwoooosh!
Thump—!
A massive shell soared high above the station plaza.
BOOM!
A brilliant aerial explosion of fire and light.
"Don't move! If you mess with my commander, I'll shove a heavy shell down your throat."
Clap clap clap!
"Incredible presence! Major Veronica!"
…
"Certain victory! Major Veronica Caliber."
The soldiers in the plaza went pale.
Everything had happened in the blink of an eye.
Cutting alloy magic guns with a blade was one thing—
but that terrifying heavy shell?
What was this?
A dream?
Gulp.
Dry swallowing echoed.
No one moved.
No—no one even thought of moving.
Juhyeok smiled in satisfaction.
Two people he could always rely on.
That's why he'd come here without a second thought.
What about me?
Well—let's summon.
"All combat-type summoned beings, assemble!"
Spot! Spot! Spot! …
Summoned beings appeared across the plaza.
"KUUOOOAAAH!!!"
Gobang roared with overwhelming provocation.
"Summoner, the old man has arrived. I wondered when you'd call."
The mad berserker, reassuring by his mere presence.
"Do not move. Take one step, and that spot will become hell."
The blazing Mackenzie.
"Light!!!"
Bardin, the Radiant Paladin.
"Fweeeehk!"
Taeng! Paaang-gurrr!
Even the dimensional farmhand arrived.
Summoning continued in rapid succession.
Spot! Spot! Spot!
The White Tower's special forces, led by Juhyeok—
Successfully air-dropped onto the Northern Front of the Mechanos Dimension.