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Chapter 79
The Great Empire Wavers 3
: The Great Empire Wavers 2
A meeting between the officials of the Gra Valkas Imperial Navy’s Eastern Fleet and the Imperial Judgement Fleet, which both wield the power to lay waste to any country at their command, was starting.
“O-okay, so we will be handing out documents on the confirmed information regarding the destruction of the Home Fleet’s 52nd Regional Fleet as well as information we currently have on hand regarding the country of Japan.”
The meeting, which was suddenly invoked by Caesar due to the Navy HQ personnel suddenly being sent to Leifor, began with explanations from the Navy HQ without any of the usual “behind-the-scenes context”. The documents which contain the currently ascertained points were handed out to everyone. The officials from the Eastern Fleet read the contents of the documents.
“We have already conducted analysis on Japan’s cruisers based on the results of the battle at Cartalpas and our current understanding is based on that, but now we have gotten our hands on new facts that change that understanding.”
The sharp-eyed Caesar glared at the Navy HQ personnel as he sweatily explained the contents.
“In the past, it is understood that the immense hit rate of the anti-aircraft guns on Japan’s cruisers posed a serious threat, but it is thought that their overall threat in a naval battle was low due to their gun calibers being the size of autocannons. However, information procured from various sources made it clear that Japan possesses cruisers with far more dangerous guns.”
A fact that there exists warships with large-caliber guns that have exceptional accuracy. In addition to an impregnable wall of anti-aircraft guns, they’d have outstandingly powerful anti-ship capabilities. The room went quiet at the emergence of this undeniably serious threat. The Navy HQ personnel continues with their statements.
“Allow me to explain. Recorded on part 3 of page 4 is a book regarding the weapons used by Japan that was acquired by a spy we sent to Mu. Just as HQ was pondering on whether the book was deceptive or not, news reached us of the drama regarding the Home Fleet’s destruction. It was originally pointed out that there may be a possibility that the Holy Mirishial Empire sent an aerial battleship to wipe out the fleet, but according to a VIP in Mu, the attack was brought about by Japan. Analyzing all this information collected from various sources, Navy HQ has come to the conclusion that Japan possesses accurate large-caliber guns.”
“Do we know how big the calibers on their guns are? Do they have large-caliber battleships? The power of a gun is proportional to the cubed of its caliber. If Japan possesses not only cruisers, but also battleships
 If they have the same hit-rate as the class of cruiser that they sent to Cartalpas, then those would seriously pose a big threat.”
Caesar’s questions were followed by the other Eastern Fleet officials.
“I see. Since they already possess great anti-air capabilities against air attacks, if they have managed to develop anti-ship artillery with the same accuracy, then we could overwhelm them through our numbers. We can’t expect submarines to carry out the role of deciding a fleet battle. If they really do have battleship-class warships
 How troublesome
”
The officials’ faces turned pale at the extremely absurd level of threat the enemy possessed.
“At this point in time, we haven’t been able to verify any information pertaining to the existence of battleship-class warships in Japan.”
With the denial of the existence of battleships, the tension in the room was lifted a bit.
“H-however
 It’s still unverified, but
”
The Navy HQ personnel found it difficult to say his next words.
“What is it? Spit it out!”
“This is a bit absurd, but we managed to secure this information from a more or less reliable source. The credibility of the information I will say is still being analyzed
”
“Just say it!”
“Y-yes! It’s on the last page of the documents. According to information that was managed to acquire from a bookstore in Mu as well as info from a VIP in Mu, well, please take a look at the 5th row from the top
”
Caesar traced his eyes to the point in the paper that they were directed to.
“W-what is this?!”
The battle-decorated Caesar felt the sensation of sweat run over his back; a feeling that he has never encountered before. The usually calm and collected general unknowingly lost his composure.
Destroyer (Escort Ship) Main Armament
>SSM1-B (Type 90 Anti-Ship Guided Missile)
Cruise speed, 1150km/h
Range, above 150km
Warhead, 260kg high explosive
Guidance system, inertial navigation system (mid-course), active radar homing (terminal)
System weight —
Ships that carry this —
The further they read, the more unbelievable the performance that was written down. The officials that could no longer bear the silence started asking questions to the Navy HQ personnel.
“What do these things mean?”
“They mean just as what’s written
”
“So, what of it? Does this mean that Japan’s cruisers are armed with weapons that have a range of more than 150km and due to their guided nature, they always hit and when they do, they cause a catastrophic level of damage to even a cruiser-level warship? Not only that, but it says here that they also have these guided bombs against air targets, allowing them an interception range of more than 100km!
I heard that Japan doesn’t have any of those nonsensical magic weapons. Are you telling me they managed to get to that level with just their wit? What kind of sci-fi bullshit is this?!”
“Indeed, and that’s why we are currently investigating this information due to its absurdity. However, Navy HQ thinks that Japan destroying the Home Fleet is a fact.”
The Navy HQ personnel gave an appropriate answer. However, the agitation of the Eastern Fleet officials couldn’t be held back.
“Still, what is this Aegis ship thing?! It can track hundreds of targets simultaneously and attack more than 12 of them at the same time?! Moreover, they have the capability to link this up with other ships?! Is it even possible to prevent a large-scale simultaneous attack from these sci-fi, guided anti-ship munitions?! If these are indeed
 true
”
The officials mumbled on and on. For them, the people that carry out fleet operations, this information was too shocking. The grim-faced Caesar slowly said something.
“If they are in possession of these weapons
 Even if they are deployed on a small scale
 This war
 is lost.”
“!!!”
For Caesar, widely known as the God of War, to be saying such things
 Everyone was shocked.
“Let’s suppose that the information described here is true. With this, it doesn’t matter whether they have battleships or not. The enemy possesses weapons that far outrange the main batteries on a battleship, and so they can launch these weapons from far outside our range. Not to mention their pinpoint accuracy

Against attacks from the air, they’re completely set to bring down any number of planes we could throw. Not only that, but it says here that their anti-submarine capabilities are absurdly powerful. Their abilities are simply flawless
 We have no choice but to aim for their supply bases and production facilities and even then, it’s only natural that they won’t leave them undefended.”
He continues.
“If they ever export their technology to Mu or the Holy Mirishial Empire and they manage to learn how it works
 No matter how much we push for production on weapons, things will only go south. Once the Mu continent falls, Japan will no longer be concerned with technology leakage. The longer we draw this war out, the more disadvantageous it becomes for us. With their small numbers, we may still have a chance of victory if we overwhelm them with numbers in a short amount of time.”
If they mustered up a force that could withstand a large-scale attack and repeatedly used that, the empire’s resources would dry up. They felt nothing but dread.
“N-Navy HQ will further work on investigating this information!!”
“We’re counting on it. We’re also hoping that this is indeed misinformation.”
“Of course!!”
Once the meeting ended, Caesar exited the room alone. With no one around, he muttered to himself.
“Just what kind of power do they have
?”
・・・
Intelligence Bureau, Imperial capital Runepolis, Holy Mirishial Empire
Two men were sitting inside the Intelligence Bureau Director’s office. They were Director Arneus and staff member Rydolka. Many documents were lined up on top of a temporary desk at the office.
“These are what we currently ascertained from the records of the skirmish between the Gra Valkas Empire and the Mu National Navy and the Japanese Navy that were released by Mu. Furthermore, there’s also documents regarding the weapons performance of Japan’s Self-Defense Force procured by us and seconded to Foreign Affairs. These have been obtained within Japan in the past and we have investigated whether they’re false or true, and whether they are possible with Japan’s technology, but looking at the results of the recent skirmish, we thought that these are indeed true.”
Rydolka reports to Director Arneus.
“Since we have established diplomatic relations with Japan, we’ve come to understand that they possess weapons with performances that surpass that of our own, but I never could have imagined that this is how those weapons could fare when used
”
Arneus trembled as he spoke. While pondering about the circumstances, Rydolka makes a statement.
“Director, they have only managed to annihilate several ships. Surely we could have achieved the same thing as they did with our Pal Chimera aerial battleships and Pal Cowne Marine Fortress.”
“We
 could have, indeed. However, these weapons from the ancient sorcerous empire are naturally special. It would be fine if the empire could manufacture them on its own, but we can’t. Also, our magic battleships cannot replicate the success of Japan’s warships. It’s vexing, but we can only say that Japan’s weapons are better than ours one-for-one. For our empire, the shining summit of magical civilization, to lose in terms of power
!”
Becoming a bit emotional towards the end, Arneus continues.
“Rydolka, look at the results of the skirmish and tell me what you think.”
“Hm? Huh? Japan’s weapons surpass the ones mounted on the ships of the Gra Valkas Empire?”
“That’s only half the picture. According to the kill ratio here, Japan lost no ships and suffered no damage. The fact that it has reached that point is amazing. If even a Japanese ship had been struck or lost, we could definitely grasp their power. However, with zero losses, their power’s upper limit couldn’t be grasped.
The logic is a bit extreme, but if you line up ships of the non-civilized countries, or the magic ships-of-the-line of the former superpower Parpaldia Empire, or the ships of the Gra Valkas Empire, or even our magic battleships against Japan, they’d all be equally shoved aside no matter how many they are.”
“That’s
”
Silence.
“In addition, Mu’s La Kasami underwent refit in Japan, upping its performance greatly. In its former state, the battleship should have been easily done in by the Gra Valkas Empire, but when the battle progressed, it managed to cripple and defeat multiple ships by itself while being crippled herself. We need to examine what sort of tech transfer happened between Japan and Mu. If Mu were to lose those transferred tech to the hands of the Gra Valkas Empire and they were able to absorb it, they’d truly pose an undeniably exceptional threat to our empire!”
Japan’s weapons were not only taken as a serious threat by enemy countries but also by their own allies. Their analysis continued on to the night.
・・・
Former Mu town of Alue, currently occupied by the Gra Valkas Empire
Within the ruins of the town, soldiers and townsfolk alike were kneeling down on their knees. A motorcade was slowly passing along the cobblestone road.
Crown Prince of the Gra Valkas Empire, Gra Cabal, was looking at the scene outside from within the motorcade. Buildings destroyed by war, the stiff faces of the kneeling townsfolk; A sight that no matter how much you look at it, it is lacking any semblance of power. This is war. It is by no means something to feel good about, but it is a necessary sacrifice for the prosperity of the empire.
“Stop here for a moment.”
As ordered by the Crown Prince, the driver immediately stops the car.
“There’s something I want to see.”
Cabal suddenly disembarked from the car and started walking off towards somewhere.
“Y-Your Highness!!! Not only are we in occupied territory, but Alue is an enemy town!! It’s too dangerous!!”
One of his attendants tries their best to stop him.
“It’s alright.”
The Crown Prince did not listen whatsoever. Him disembarking from the car was unexpected, jeopardizing his security and turning the faces of those who are responsible for his safety pale. Cabal walked towards the direction of a certain road. The kneeling townsfolk cleared the path for the Crown Prince as they meekly kept their heads low.
150m away from their scheduled route, Gra Cabal hears the voices of children frolicking.
“Hoh! Even in times of war, the children are in good spirits!”
Cabal approached the children and talked to them.
“Hey! What are you guys playing around for?”
The 4 children didn’t know the person that had just suddenly spoken to them. Since children are frank and straightforward, the attendants’ faces grew pale over concerns that they might be rude to the Crown Prince.
“We got tired from playing around so we were talking about buying some stuff to eat over there.”
“Really, now?”
Gra Cabal looked over to the direction the kids were pointing to. There was a small store that had a charming aura.
“Can I come as well?”
He meets the gazes of the children.
“He’s gonna come too?”
“Yeah! Sure!”
The children, who didn’t understand what was going on, and Gra Cabal, who was doing something unexpected in the eyes of the empire, headed for what’s called a dagashi1 store.
“Which one of these is delicious? Teach big brother here your ways!”
“This ice cream here looks great!”
“Oh?”
“It’s ice cream from Japan! It’s so freakin’ delicious that mom and dad said the simple flavor works well with the grown ups!”
“I see! So they’re sweets from an enemy country
 Hey, old lady! Me and the children will have some of these!”
“Of course.”
“Y-Your Highness!! You mustn’t eat ice cream and other foods from the commoners!! It’d be bad if Your Highness’s stomach would get hurt!!”
“It’s fine! I’m interested in what kinds of sweets and candies the commoners in the occupied territories eat! Here you go, eat up!”
Gra Cabal hands out the ice cream to the children.
“Thank you, mister!!!”
Opening the wrapper, the children began to lick on the ice cream. Beside them, Gra Cabal also removes the wrapper and opens his mouth wide to bite on the bar of ice cream.
“Ah!! Mister, be careful!! This candy is har-”
Munch!
“Ack! Ow!”
Intense pain runs through his teeth. It didn’t just hurt. Something that seemed irreversible hit Gra Cabal. He felt like screaming from the extreme pain, but he held it in like a man.
“M-my front teeth!”
Gra Cabal covered and pressed down on his mouth. Red fluids trickle down from his hands.
“Y-Your Highness!!!”
They’ve let the next-in-line to the throne of the Gra Valkas Empire get injured. The assistants’ faces went ultra pale.
“L-let’s go back to the car.”
Gra Cabal returned to the car in haste as the children looked at him worriedly.
He boarded the car once again.
“Y-Y-Y-Your Highness!! Are you alright?!”
“My teeth
 Just before the inspection, too! Those
 those bastards!! Sweets from Japan, huh?? Could their food be also considered enemies?! I won’t forgive them!!!”
He looks at the wrapper of the target of his loathing. Written on the wrapper, which somewhat felt Japanese, were characters Cabal couldn’t read.
Idomuraya’s MAX HARDNESS Super Azuki Bean Bar2
It was an ice cream bar that boasts the strongest hardness in Japan.
・・・
“His Highness will soon be arriving!!”
The Valkyries frontline base was almost entirely destroyed. Due to the sudden visit by the Crown Prince, the airfield’s restoration was prioritized over the base’s restoration. Having managed to tidy up the airport and the appearance of the base as seen from the airfield, Army Commander Gaoggel took a sigh of relief.
They were attacked overwhelmingly by what was thought to be Japan. In all honesty, they couldn’t fend off another attack if one were to come. To think that the Crown Prince was coming to visit such a dangerous place. He had already reported to his superiors in the military that they cannot guarantee the Crown Prince’s safety in their present, vigilant state.
The military’s response was extremely simple. Due to reinforcements being sent from the mainland, they were able to strengthen the Army’s manpower and reinforce the anti-air and anti-ground force emplacements, allowing them to respond to threats from the sky and the ground. Lastly, the airpower of other bases that can reach Valkyries was strengthened.
Gaoggel explained to his superiors that if an attack was carried out by Japanese fighters, which have immense capabilities that require close observation, they wouldn’t be able to guarantee the base’s defense even if they were to strengthen their numbers. The military executives, however, dismissed it as something impossible.
Gaoggel continued to earnestly pray in his heart that an attack never comes.
From right before his eyes, the plane carrying the Crown Prince slowly landed on the airfield.
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