The public competition announced by the Empire completely upended the world, sparking fervor that naturally began within the Empire’s own borders. Researchers from state laboratories, together with master artisans from Area 51 and Area 52, and essentially everyone with the necessary knowledge and experience, rolled up their sleeves and dedicated themselves to the challenge.

“The prize money is one thing, but this is the Responses to Challenge Records! The Responses to Challenge Records!”

They, more than anyone, understood the profound value of the Challenge Records and Responses to Challenge Records. Starting with this core group, other renowned artisans from the private sector soon began to join the fray, driven by their own ambitions.

“Do those lab rats think they’re the only ones who know anything? I’ll show them what I’m made of!”

For those who considered themselves masters in their field, this competition became a matter of professional pride.

The reaction was much the same in the Ming Dynasty and Japan.

“Those Joseon bastards think they’re the only ones who are special! I’ll make my name known to all under heaven!”

In Ming, renowned artisans publicly declared their intent to compete. While the prize money was a factor, pride was an even greater motivator. Japan, however, had an additional, slightly different reason.

“The nations of the world know of the Empire and of Ming, but they barely know Japan! If they do, it’s merely as a country that produces fine silk! If we can succeed with this aircraft and this new power engine, the world will be forced to recognize us! We may be a strong ally, but we cannot live in the Empire’s shadow forever!”

Desperate to elevate his nation from its position as the least-known of the three neighboring powers, the King of Japan, Ōuchi Yoshioki, proclaimed this challenge a national priority and began to push it forward as state policy.

***

As the artisans and politicians of the three Northeast Asian nations sprang into action, other countries were showing varied responses. The first to receive the Empire’s proclamation were Italy, Portugal, and Switzerland.

“This is… insane.” “Then again, should we expect anything less from the Empire?”

The monarchs and politicians of all three nations had nearly identical reactions. The staggering prize money made “insane” the first word to leap to mind, but upon further reflection, it began to make a twisted sort of sense. This was, after all, a product of the Empire’s vast economic power, the immense wealth of the Imperial Household, and the peculiar personalities of its emperors.

The Italians, however, were the first to consider the matter in earnest.

“The eccentricities of the Imperial family are well known,” one politician argued, “but they are not the type of men to spend such a staggering, almost lunatic, sum of money for no reason at all.”

“I agree,” another chimed in. “Rumor has it that the very first thing their emperors learn as crown princes is state budgeting. Men schooled so thoroughly in finance would not make such a move without a clear objective.”

“Just think back to the former emperor, Hyang, when he came to Italy during the Unification War. Was he not a man who sought at least three goals with every single action?”

After carefully reflecting on Hyang’s past behavior and the actions of his successors, the Italian politicians came to a sober conclusion. First, this endeavor, driven by Hyang and his heirs, was no mere display of extravagant whim. Second, they must be absolutely convinced that any winning engine would bring returns far exceeding the value of the prize money. Third, given the proven judgment of the Empire’s rulers, they could not afford to be mere spectators.

Ultimately, the Italian leadership began to actively seek out artisans within their own borders capable of tackling the challenge. After a review process, they selected the most promising candidates and began to support them with state funds—though not for free, of course.

Observing Italy’s mobilization, Portugal and Switzerland quickly followed suit. This ripple effect soon spread, with Spain and the various principalities and minor kingdoms of northern Europe also beginning to move.

Meanwhile, a few nations matched Japan’s aggressive commitment. In Europe, it was England; in the Middle East, it was the Ottoman Empire. England, having successfully transitioned its economic focus from agriculture to commerce and industry, was intimately familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of the steam engine. The moment King Henry VII saw the proclamation—which the Empire had merely asked to be “distributed”—he slapped his knee in realization.

“This is the Empire’s genius! If an English artisan produces the winning design, we will finally gain the power to overwhelm France! You are to cooperate with the Empire’s proclamation with all available resources!”

Having glimpsed the future contained within the proclamation, Henry VII ordered his court to provide active support. The other nation moving with equal vigor was the Ottoman Empire, which had already experienced a massive resurgence by actively importing the Empire’s culture and technology.

***

“They may be infidels, but the Emperors of the Empire are brilliant men!” Sultan Bayezid II declared, his voice cutting through the murmurs of the court. “They would never commit an act of such madness merely for their own amusement! There is a hidden purpose here!”

The Grand Vizier, who was presiding over the ‘Divan,’ the high council, bowed his head deeply and posed the question. “In that case, Your Majesty, would it be best to refuse their request to distribute it? The proclamation has already filtered in from across the Mediterranean, and it is causing considerable… confusion among the populace.”

Indeed, while the Ottoman court had been deliberating, rumors of the competition were already spreading like wildfire. Merchants plying the routes between Suez and the Mediterranean had brought copies of the proclamation back from Italy and Portugal, and the news had the Ottoman citizenry buzzing with excitement.

But Bayezid II had a different conclusion. “No,” he commanded. “We will also announce it, and do so actively. The moment we decipher their true objective, we must be poised to take advantage of it. Until now, we have only followed in the Empire’s footsteps. But if we manage this correctly, we have a chance to begin on the same level as them.”

At the Sultan’s words, the Grand Vizier prostrated himself. “I will devote my life to this task.”

***

“Well, this has escalated far beyond my expectations,” Hyang muttered to himself as he reviewed the reports, a slightly bemused look on his face.

His original calculation had been straightforward. First, talented artisans, scholars, and inventors from all over the world would flock to the competition. Second, this would rapidly solve the stagnation problem with the new power engine. He wasn’t even expecting a commercially viable machine; a sound theoretical schematic would be enough for the Empire’s engineers to build upon. Third, as a bonus, the nights in the Empire would become much quieter.

That was the extent of his plan. But the reality was rapidly spinning into something far grander.

“I mean, I’m already hearing whispers that I’m a madman just for opening my wallet, so why in the world are they opening theirs!?”

With nations like England, Portugal, Switzerland, Italy, and the Ottoman Empire now actively funding their own contestants, the competition had become an international arms race.

Hyang wasn’t the only one grumbling. Hyeon voiced his own complaints from Gyeongbok Palace, and Wan, who had since returned to New Frontier, grumbled about the escalating scale of it all.

However, when all three of them later learned—through various channels—the reason why these nations were investing so heavily, they could only share a bitter smile.

“It’s karma…”

“Truly our just deserts.”

“I can understand it for the Emperor Emeritus and the Grand Emperor,” Hyeon griped, “but why am I being lumped in with them!?”

Soon, a similar debate began in the Imperial court.

“We, too, must select and support our own contestants!” a minister argued.

“There are already many in other fields striving tirelessly to be inducted into the Responses to Challenge Records,” Hyeon countered. “To support only those in this competition would be inequitable.”

The ministers pressed on. “Your Majesty, we do not claim to have extensive knowledge of engines. However, looking at the steam engine alone, its applications are nearly limitless. It is certain that a new power source would be even more transformative. This is not merely a machine; it is a treasure that guarantees immense wealth. We cannot allow another nation to acquire it first! Though it may seem to violate fairness, the circumstances demand an exception. We implore you, Your Majesty, please grant your royal assent!”

“Assent, Your Majesty!” the court echoed.

“A new power engine will certainly be a great boon to the Empire’s future,” Hyeon said, holding his ground, “but the same is true for advancements in other fields.”

His second refusal only made the ministers more desperate. “The very future of the Empire is at stake! We beseech you to reconsider!”

“We beseech you!”

“Heh,” Hyeon chuckled dryly, muttering under his breath. “Beseech me, is it?” Well, the saying is ‘three times,’ he thought to himself. This should be sufficient.

“I understand your concerns well enough,” he declared, his voice silencing the court. “Draft a formal policy and bring it to me. I will review it and then decide whether to approve or deny it.”

“Your grace is boundless, Your Majesty!”

And so, the Empire officially joined the race. When Hyang received this report, he burst into a dry laugh. “Hahaha. It’s just as the saying goes… ‘A kids’ fight always becomes an adults’ fight’…”

Meanwhile, amidst this global frenzy, there were two unexpected casualties: France and the Habsburg Empire, who were still in the thick of their war.

***

The moment they heard the Empire was selling the new external combustion engine, both France and the Habsburgs immediately dispatched envoys.

“Just shut up and name your price! How much do you want!?”

“You deliver, right? If the Empire delivers, surely they won’t dare attack the convoy!”

“Delivery is, of course, available! Is not ‘speedy delivery’ the Empire’s creed?”

Thus, the Empire dutifully delivered the ordered engines. The problem was that the engines were not the only things they delivered. The Imperial proclamation, which accompanied the shipment, put both France and the Habsburgs in an incredibly difficult position.

The moment their master artisans read the proclamation’s contents, they quit their jobs in droves.

“To abandon your post is a breach of contract!”

“Then fire me!”

“This is a golden opportunity to win both fame and fortune! You expect me to just waste my time here? I don’t think so!”

This was the general response as artisans abandoned the aircraft and flying machine workshops. Desperate, the French government appealed to their patriotism.

“This is for the glory of our great France! Return to your posts!”

It was a plea based on the “France for the French” sentiment that had grown since the Hundred Years’ War, but a truly potent sense of national identity and patriotism had not yet taken root. When the appeal failed, the government resorted to threats.

“This is an act of treason!”

The artisans simply scoffed and retorted. “Hah! Did you even read your own contracts? Have I sold any state secrets? I’m resigning due to ‘poor health’ and ‘personal circumstances.’ What part of that is treason? Go ahead, take me to court. Let’s do this by the book!”

Faced with artisans who were more than willing to countersue, the French government was left in an even more awkward position. Still, France was in a slightly better position than the Habsburgs. At least some of their artisans eventually returned.

The Habsburgs’ situation was a complete catastrophe. The feudal lords who had been bankrolling their war effort suddenly diverted all their funds and their best artisans to the development of a new power engine.

“This is treason!” the Habsburgs declared.

“Is this not a Habsburg war, rather than a war of the Holy Roman Empire?” the lords retorted. “I recall no agreement to this!”