CH 82

Chapter 82

A Tremor Strikes the Empire 1

: The Great Empire Wavers 5

His memories were slowly starting to come back to him.

He was desperately running away from an enemy that was chasing after them.

Eventually, one of the dragons closed in on where they were.

He couldn’t tell whether the enemy had noticed them or not.

However, the Imperial Army soldiers that were with him concluded that the enemy had noticed them since it was heading straight for them.

“Your Highness, please run away from here!!! We will draw their attention!!!”

One of the soldiers commits to his duty and climbs on top of the boulder on the rocky hill. Meanwhile, he ran for his dear life. In the following moment, the sound of gunshots rang out. In retaliation, the enemy dragon unleashed a fireball, causing a great explosion.

“Was I… caught in the blast…”

An enormous wall of flame closed in on him, sending him flying. He hit his head on something and lost consciousness. While his memories weren’t clear, he could remember some bits of conversation which he had overheard.

“It’s no use!!! The burns are so bad, this field hospital doesn’t have the equipment!!!”

“Not good! Our hospital can only do so much! Only Japan can patch these burns completely!!!”

The sound of an airplane…

A faint, yet warm comfiness…

And then, the white ceiling…

Gra Cabal’s mind has begun to function normally again.

A woman wearing a white coat enters the room.

“Are you awake?”

A voice asks him.

“Yeah…”

A surprised expression shows up on the woman’s face.

“Doctor! Doctor!”

Eventually, the figure of an old man wearing a white coat appears.

The doctor, perhaps…

Beside the doctor stood several robust men in formal clothing.

“Are you with us?”

“Yeah. What will happen to me?”

“I’m a doctor. The government has placed its trust on me to take care of you. As for your current condition, there is nothing serious that will threaten your life. I will do my best to take care of you.”

Cabal’s question held a lot of meaning but the doctor answered him in terms of his condition.

“Okay. Thanks.”

His entire body is in pain. Although wrapped in bandages, his pain receptors complained of serious pain.

“So… What do the gentlemen next to you want from me?”

One of the men in suits that kept to the doctor’s side began to speak.

“I am Takada of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I presume you are Sir Gra Cabal, Crown Prince of the Gra Valkas Empire. Am I correct?”

The man asked to confirm his identity.

I must have said something. Or maybe one of our own that was taken prisoner must have talked.

At this point, Cabal understood that lying would only serve to disadvantage him, so he replied honestly.

“Yeah, I am. What of it?”

“The Government of Japan would like you to know more about our country. Unfortunately, war has begun between our two nations. We would like to talk about how to end this war and look at measures and policies for the empire to take afterwards. Don’t you think that it will be more beneficial for the both of us to sustain only shallow wounds in comparison to ending the war on a peace treaty with immensely unequal terms against you?”

What the hell is he talking about?

Cabal was shocked at the words that felt too distant from his sense of reality.

The Gra Valkas Empire is a nation that is invincible not only in this new world but in the previous one as well. The empire’s power comes from how it possesses overwhelming technological prowess against other countries and how it can mass produce weapons, battleships, and other weapons of war that capitalize on their strong production capabilities.

It seems that the so-called Government of Japan has gotten the feeling that they’ll win over us just because they captured one of our bases.

“How laughable. Such are the words of a fool that does not know of the empire’s true power. Do you perhaps not know of what happened to this world’s superpower, Leifor? Or what happened to the Paganda Kingdom? Or what happened to the World Union Fleet which was even led by what this world calls its strongest? If you are aware of all of that and yet you continue to spout such nonsense, then you are indeed foolhardy.”

“Ah, oops… My apologies.”

The Foreign Affairs staff member, speaking with victory as their set policy in mind, contemplated his rash wording.

“The Gra Valkas Empire is indeed powerful. Having subdued your neighbors and possessing national power that was clearly above the average for this world’s superpowers is something that our country has acknowledged. We are truly impressed by your national power, which has allowed you to take control of Paganda then lay waste to Leifor and station tens of thousands of modern troops there. In the connotations of subjugation and governance, the Gra Valkas Empire truly is strong.”

“Naturally.”

Gra Cabal felt good at the fact that his empire was being praised.

Takada continues.

“Still, we want you, the Crown Prince, to know more about our country’s national power. In your case, you can even call it a good chance to know your enemy. After you get to know us, maybe you will ponder more on how to approach us and the world.”

“I see… However, before that happens, won’t Japan be reduced to ashes?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“The people of the empire admire the imperial family. With that in mind, once they realize that I, the Crown Prince, was captured by another country, they will throw a fit that is equivalent to that of a raging fire. There is no doubt that the empire will demand for my safe handover. In passing, there is no meaning in holding me hostage. The empire will absolutely never make concessions to anyone who takes hostages and this is the same even in my case.

In the event that you do not agree to hand me over, our Home Fleet, which is honored by the empire’s immense production capabilities, will attack your capital in full force. They’re a force powerful enough to push aside the World Union Fleet that had tried to stop it. Your capital, Tokyo, will be reduced to ashes.”

Cabal continues.

“Even if you yield to the empire’s demands and hand me back over, the fact that I have sustained injuries will not change. Our attacks on this world will become all the more severe and fierce. Until the countries that participated in the counterattack such as Mu and Japan have surrendered to us, you will be bathed in the flames of our cannons. To the empire, distance does not matter. No matter how many tens of thousands of kilometers there are in between our countries, our fleets will readily bridge that distance.”

“Really, now? So you’re saying that if we do not hand you over, the main force of the Gra Valkas Imperial Navy will come here?”

“Absolutely. I am the Crown Prince, after all… Our Home Fleet prides itself on possessing overwhelming numbers which even the Kain Divine Kingdom of our old world couldn’t resist. No country in this world could possibly go against such power.”

“I am merely a staff member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and so I do not know what kind of measures the Japanese government will take from this point forward. However, our orders at this point in time are to restrain you. We currently cannot hand you over to the Gra Valkas Empire.

Well, I haven’t been able to confirm that part yet but…

I will ask you again. In your judgement, a great fleet will come, yes?”

“Yes, they will. And…”

Even if they hand him back, there is no doubt that they are a country that has physically wounded someone from the imperial family. There is no doubt that even if they were to surrender, a massive punitive force will come.

Gra Cabal wanted to say more but he swallowed these words for the sake of his safety.

“I see. In that case, it is all the more better for you to know more about our country. Once you have been treated, I will serve as your guide. Please take note.”

“Alright. I guess sightseeing in another country seems good.”

Although he has been captured, Crown Prince Gra Cabal’s words and actions are filled to the brim with confidence.

・・・

Office of the Sovereign, Imperial capital Ragna, Gra Valkas Empire

The meeting room was dead silent.

In the presence of the Secretary of the Office of the Sovereign, Kurtz, military officials including the Three Great Generals, the Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, and officials from the Imperial Family Affairs Office, someone was giving an unbelievable report; one that will shake the empire to the core.

“…and so, our frontline base Valkyries in Leifor has fallen into enemy hands. His Highness, the Crown Prince Gra Cabal, who was visiting the base at the time, is believed to have been captured by the enemy.”

The one giving the report sweated profusely as he spoke.

The Secretary of the Office of the Sovereign grew pale and shook endlessly at the unprecedented situation that someone from the imperial family had been captured.

“Why?! Why couldn’t the military defend the base to the last man?! Isn’t our military the same military that couldn’t lose to the barbarians of this world?!”

The officials of the Imperial Family Affairs Office lashed out at the military officials.

To protect the imperial family is to be expected, so getting attacked was out of the question. The mere fact that the Crown Prince was taken prisoner was something that never should have happened.

“We have done all that we can. Furthermore, due to the danger posed by the possibility that the frontlines will get overturned by even a small amount of enemy forces, we have asked the Imperial Family Affairs Office countless times to reconsider the route that will be taken by the Crown Prince.”

The Imperial Army HQ was 99.9% sure that the base wouldn’t be attacked. A possible cause would be that the Navy did not divulge the information to the Army that the Colonial Escort Fleet had been wiped out by the enemy. Finding out that the enemy may have been aiming for Valkyries all along, the Imperial Family Affairs Office was set to oppose the Navy on not divulging such important information but has ultimately decided to keep mum about it.

“Tsk!!! That still doesn’t explain the fact that no matter how many of these barbarians band together, the base should have held!!! The military has been negligent!!!”

The shifting of blame has begun.

After a brief silence, the previously silent Kurtz has begun to talk.

“His Highness… His Highness has been captured!!! Don’t you understand that?! I’m sure even the Imperial Family Affairs Office understands the bottomline that the frontlines are dangerous!!! Even with a meager amount of enemy forces, the frontlines can be pushed back!!! Why didn’t you stop His Highness from going?!”

The Imperial Family Affairs Office officials that wouldn’t stop lashing out and the military officials that allowed the counteroffensive to happen all turned pale at Kurtz’s anger. The Office of the Sovereign held a far higher position than any of them.

“Are you certain that His Highness has been captured?!”

“There is no doubt. Multiple, varying sources are saying the same thing. We also have unverified information that His Highness has suffered severe burns and was sent to Japan for medical attention.”

“What?! His Highness has suffered severe burns?!”

Everyone in the room trembled in anger at the fact that the empire had been dealt a humiliating attack.

“Well then, what do we do about it?”

The Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry raised their hand at Kurtz’s question.

“If it is true that His Highness is being held by Japan, we will promptly contact them, verify his condition, and then order for His Highness’s transfer.”

“And what if they don’t agree to transferring him to us?”

It is already well understood by everyone that the empire will never respond to a hostage situation. This is a principle that the empire has abided by and will continue to abide by even if His Highness, the Emperor, was captured. However, Kurtz still asked to verify if this was indeed the case even with the unheard of situation that the Crown Prince was the one that was captured.

He continues.

“Many barbaric countries in this world do not understand the power that they wield. Normally, we would remind them of their place with the staggering disparity in our combat capacities.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Besides the officials from the Navy, no one knew of the true, frightening capabilities of the Japanese military.

Someone from the military makes a statement.

“We will intimidate them with our military and get them to guarantee His Highness’s safety. If they don’t agree to this, we will have the Navy sortie in full force against Japan… and reduce their capital to ashes.”

Japan is powerful. The Navy thinks so at the very least. It’s been getting harder to tell whether this analysis is on point. First, there was the annihilation of the Colonial Escort Fleet Ishtam, then the interception of the invasion force escorted by Antares fighters, then the complete wipeout of the 4th Division, the empire’s strongest and sole mechanized division. Finally, there was the capitulation of the Imperial Army’s Valkyries base.

Before these info had been gathered, it was thought that the Holy Mirishial Empire was the sole hindrance to their plans, but the tone in the upper echelons of the military has drifted to assuming that Japan is the true enemy to look out for.

However, investigations have still made it clear that the number of warships at their disposal is exceedingly small.

Stating that it is difficult to work out a plan against Japan due to their power in front of the other officials is something that will never be accepted.

Still, no matter how powerful they may be, ammunition is finite. With the Gra Valkas Empire’s overwhelming number of ships in their arsenal, they can sweep away the insolent and numerically challenged Japanese military and attack their capital en masse. The military officials believed that it was still possible even with a slight disparity in weapons performance.

“After the clash with the World Union, we have already ordered for the increase in production of warships, so there are no objections in our combat capabilities.

At any rate, we must bring home His Highness from Japan!! We absolutely must!!!”

The Secretary looks over to the Three Great Generals.

“Sir, yes, sir!!! We will definitely bring His Highness back!!!”

The empire’s plan of action has been set.

The Gra Valkas Empire’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has promptly sprung into action.

・・・

Japanese embassy, Capital Otaheit, Superpower Mu, Second Civilization Area

A clear, blue sky unraveled above them with a faint, dry, and refreshing wind blowing across the city. Birds were chirping as everyone’s peaceful day-to-day life began.

Asada, who was coming in to work a bit early, brings a mug of morning coffee to his lips. With little to find off about the flavor, it was great. He peruses through a Mu newspaper.

“Good morning.”

“Morning.”

His subordinate, who had come in earlier than he did, was preparing to start the day’s work.

“The war has begun in earnest, huh. I guess Foreign Affairs will be taking the backseat for this one.”

“Huh… I don’t know about you, but I’m getting a bad hunch; the kind of hunch that says “bye-bye days off”…”

“Please stop! With you getting all intuitive after moving across so many countries in this world, I’m starting to think you’re on point with this one!

Your hunch that our vacation days will just poof hits too close to home. Are you perhaps some sort of wizard?”

“Yeah, and I must have learned how to use magic!”

Jokes aside, his subordinate boots up their computer and checks their mail.

“Uhh…”

Upon looking at the inbox, the subordinate froze.

“Are you kidding me…”

He talks to himself.

“What’s wrong?”

“They sent out an urgent directive. It seems that we have captured the Gra Valkas Empire’s Crown Prince, Gra Cabal, and he is now a POW. This seems to have happened more than a month ago, but since they took the time to treat his medical conditions and verify his identity, the directive only seems to have been sent to us now. Since the empire  may try to contact us, they have approved sending us details later so that we can report back soon.”

Asada held his head.

“The Crown Prince… If it’s someone from the imperial family, they will naturally try to reach out.”

The telephone on his desk rings out.

Another bad hunch.

“Yes, this is Asada.”

“We have received an urgent message from Mu. A single battleship from the Gra Valkas Empire flying a wartime diplomatic flag is making its way north along Mu’s eastern seaboard. They think that it is the Grade Atlastar. Since it seems to be heading for the capital, not to mention that it is flying a wartime diplomatic flag, the Mu National Navy is scheduled to make contact with them 100km off the coast.

Their diplomats have stated that Mu will have them escorted to the capital, else they will sink the escorts.”

“A wartime diplomatic flag… As expected of this world… I’ll keep in touch with Mu and figure out what the empire wants.

Crap. I guess things will get a lot more busy.”

Asada drinks up all of the morning coffee left and proceeds to get on with work.

Several hours later…

“Ambassador Asada!!!”

His subordinate, having been given a message by Mu, calls him with a loud voice.

Although feeling a bit irritated, Asada looks in his direction.

“It’s a message from Mu! On board the Grade Atlastar are Gra Valkas Empire ambassadors and the goal of their visit is to see Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs!!!”

“Huh?”

They broke the ice by boarding a battleship towards the capital of Mu. It is truly astonishing, but it makes sense that in the current state of war in between the two countries, the embassy at Mu serves as their diplomatic window.

“So it’s my job, then…”

Resolving himself that things will get even more busy, Asada arranged to have the Gra Valkas Empire ambassadors come to the Japanese embassy.

Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!