A colossal warship never before seen in this world advances through the sea. It makes its staggering presence known as it parts the waves. It single handedly laid waste to Leifor and sent countless enemies to the depths of the ocean.
This battleship from another world, which has sent even the aerial battleship of the ancient sorcerous empire under possession of the Holy Mirishial Empire to the depths, has since become a living legend and has become the epitome of terror in the hearts of the people of this world. The battleship is the Grade Atlastar, the Gra Valkas Empireâs largest and strongest battleship.
On board the deck of this colossal warship were men in formal suits looking across the ocean.
âWeâd be landing in Mu in a whileâŠâ
Diplomat Dallas looked across the ocean as he reminisced. He was given the big task to have Japan hand them back the Crown Prince safely.
They have ordered Japan to approach them via their Foreign Affairs sub-branch in Leifor, but the Japanese government simply replied with a notice saying âIf you have something you want to talk about, then come to usâ. It was a blatant disrespect to the empire.
His anger towards Japan and the painful reality that a part of the military had lost mixed up in his heart, giving him complicated feelings.
The ship eventually came to a stop and was greeted by a small Mu ship. After informing them concisely of our purpose, an agreement to see the Japanese ambassador was secured.
Boarding the small ship, they were then ferried into the capital, Otaheit. It wasnât as developed as the cities in the empire, but there was a sense of history and cleanliness. The cars that ran along the roads had an old sense of fashion and performance.
âThey are truly behind us by 50 years.â
Dallas looked outside the car window towards the Japanese embassy. With the sight of people happily walking by, it felt as if time passes by more leisurely than it does in the empire.
âI swear weâll subjugate Mu and have those foolish smiles on your faces turned to sorrow!â
Dallas muttered to himself.
A white building eventually came into view. A white flag with a red circle on its center fluttered in the wind above the building.
âSo weâve come⊠How dare they capture His Highness⊠I will never forgive youâŠâ
He glared at the Japanese embassy with hostile intent.
Finally, the doors of the Japanese embassy were opened and the ambassadors were guided inside.
ă»ă»ă»
Japanese embassy, Capital Otaheit, Superpower Mu, Second Civilization Area
8 men were seated in a conference room.
On one side were Asada, responsible for interactions with the Gra Valkas Empire, Mizono, responsible for interactions with Mu, and their subordinates. On the other side were Parguerre, Undersecretary of the Gra Valkas Empire Foreign Affairs Ministry, ambassador Dallas, and their subordinates.
The ones on the Imperial side had sharp expressions and a tingling atmosphere. Asada found that the woman who had an impressionable aura was not among them.
âHm? Cielia couldnât come this time around?â
âCielia has other duties. I, the undersecretary Parguerre, and Dallas, the one in charge of you, have come.â
With the young executive diplomat Cielia searching for Gra Cabalâs whereabouts, she was busy coordinating with multiple government agencies and countries, and so she couldnât participate in the big task of notifying Japan. Still, the Crown Princeâs life was staked on this big task. If they screw up and have him get executed, it would become horrendously scandalous. Unable to simply leave the task to the one in charge, the Foreign Affairs Undersecretary came along.
Asada felt a bit restless at the wording used that was meant for ambassadors towards other countries. Parguerre was a bit short, around 160cm, had a receding hairline, and had a gentle aura around him.
âOkayâŠâ
With the unexpected appearance of the undersecretary, the ardor behind the negotiations at hand seemed genuine and there was no doubt that they had come to negotiate the return of the Crown Prince.
Undersecretary Parguerre slowly began to speak.
âIs Japan in custody of His Highness, Gra Cabal?â
âIn custody? That isnât true.â
âSo, you are not in custody of His Highness?â
âHe is a non-combatant. Having been caught up in the operation to recapture Valkyries and sustaining injuries, we have been contacted to treat him. Since he couldnât be saved without our medical technology, he has been transferred to us.â
âI see, so the fact that he is in Japan isnât wrong?â
Parguerre moved in to verify.
It was completely silent for a moment.
âYes. Your Crown Prince is being treated in our country.â
Parguerreâs expression changes.
âOkay, then I will command you. With haste, hand back His Highness to us safely.â
The look in his eyes sharpened. With what felt like a killing stare and a threatening voice, the atmosphere in the room immediately worsened.
âHe is currently being treated. Since he is a non-combatant and there are health considerations with being a patient, we cannot hand him over in the meantime.â
âOur medical care is superb. There is no need for your medical attention. This is an order. You are to hand him over, now.â
âThough you may be an enemy country, are you perhaps taking a commanding tone in a diplomatic situation?â
In diplomacy, showing respect for the other party is key. Though they may be enemies, the undersecretary of the Gra Valkas Empire Foreign Affairs Ministry that has taken a commanding tone is far higher in rank than they are, but they arenât subject to him as they are under different countries.
Asada takes a slight, provocative stance.
âWe are the Gra Valkas Empire. I heard that Japan is also a transfer nation, but you are merely a minor country in the east with little holdings to show for. The exact opposite of the empire. Since you have captured His Highness, our great armies will move extremely swiftly. We are currently in a state of war, but due to your distance, your country has been put off for later due to strategic reasons. It is laughably simple to get rid of your country had it been our priority.â
Asadaâs discomfort elevated.
âThe Government of Japan intends to keep the Crown Prince in Japan for a while after his treatment. After a certain period of time, this matter will be up for negotiations once again.â
Pargeurreâs expression further worsens.
âKeeping His Highness hostage⊠Do you understand the implications of such an act?! A minor country⊠A country as insignificant as goldfish shit whose actions are irrational for not joining the World Union⊠A weak country that cannot even vassalize its enemies⊠Understand the implications of you taking into custody His Highness!!!â
âHow foulmouthed. The peak of impoliteness. It would be better for your country to learn a bit of manners before talking to us.â
âAsshole! Do you not get it? Do you not hear what youâre saying as the representative of Japan in front of someone who wields considerable influence in the empireâs decision making? Depending on how you answer, we will reduce Tokyo to ashes.â
Asada raises an eyebrow.
âHmm⊠So you intend to use nukes in Tokyo?â
âNew-ksâŠ?â
There werenât any particular reactions to the word nuke.
Thinking they may not know what it means, Asada changes his wording.
âMy bad. I meant to say, âDo you intend to attack Tokyo in force?ââ
âDepending on how you answer, a great fleet will fill the shores of Tokyo. The distance between us will not hinder our invasion. Seriously speaking, the empire doesnât care about distance. There will be a powerful great fleet, boasting immense numbers you have never seen before, raining shell after shell on Tokyo. It will be completely different from the single-ship attack experienced by Leiforia, the capital of Leifor.â
He spoke as if he were well versed in it.
Asada understood that Japan possessed overwhelmingly powerful military technology against their Gra Valkas Empire peers, butâŠ
Do we have enough ammo?
He feels a faint anxiety from what is happening. Still, he must properly convey the governmentâs intentions.
âOur will will not change. At this point in time, we cannot hand him over. We will see after some time has passed since his treatment. Ultimately, we have the say over this matter, not you.â
âDo you mean to say you are holding His Highness hostage?â
âNo. He is not a hostage. He is also a non-combatant. As long as he does not commit any crime, we can guarantee his safety.â
âThatâs the same thing! If you will not hand him over or clarify the time when you will hand him over, we will bury you in the ferocious flames of war. Are you sure about this?!â
âOur will does not change.â
âAre you fucking sure?! The one youâre keeping in custody is His Highness!!! The one next in line to the throne!!! Do you not fucking get what that means?!â
A shout reverberates across the conference room.
âIf anything happens to His Highness⊠You would be incurring the raging wrath of His Highness, the Emperor!!! He will not settle for your surrender! He will not even settle for terms that will have your entire population enslaved!!! Know that your words could mean the doom of your people!!!â
Asada didnât flinch.
âLet me reiterate. Our will does not change.â
Silence.
Parguerre then clears the silence with a low, threatening voice.
âI see. You have just ordered the execution of your citizens. There is nothing more to say!!!â
The negotiations broke down.
The Undersecretary of the Gra Valkas Empire Foreign Affairs Ministry requested the military to commence an all-out attack on the country of Japan.
ă»ă»ă»
High-end traditional restaurant Miltcomo, Imperial capital Ragna, Gra Valkas Empire
Two men were talking with one another.
âAnd so begins Japanâs end. Thanks to the idiot Crown Prince going to the frontlines in the name of justice, the arms industry is swimming in money. Hey, El Chilgo, theyâre really gonna go all out now, arenât they?â
The man in formal wear called El Chilgo smiled in a vile manner.
âIt will be scandalous if word gets out that you are bad mouthing His Highness, Mr. Undersecretary of the Office of the Sovereign. You better take care now.â
âAh. My bad. Anyways, you said that youâre getting a lot of money?â
An expression of greed appears on his face.
âIndeed. To you goes my long lasting gratitude. Because of your considerations, Mr. Oldeika, Karslein Co. has been brimming to the top with orders.â
The Gra Valkas Empire has entered its wartime mode. With the world as its enemy and a grand invasion of the eastern ends planned, their mass production has kicked into gears it has never used before. Karslein Co. used to have been at a disadvantage against its competitors in terms of technology, but with Oldeika, the Undersecretary of the Office of the Sovereign, leaking to them the go-betweens of the orders and the estimated price of the bids, they were now getting rich.
El Chilgo of Karslein Co. bowed deeply to Arsen, the Secretary of the Office of the Sovereign.
âWith the mass production of shells and even warships, it is no stretch to say that we have entered general mobilization. Thatâs just how much Cabalâs capture means to this country. Well, there were means to forcefully block the imperial family from going to places with imminent danger. There were cases where they were stopped by the authority of the Office of the Sovereign, and while there were some who did try to stop him this time, I just had them taken care of.
And the end result: empire-wide general mobilization and your⊠enrichment, as a pleasant side effect. Speaking of which, do you have any proof that you are indeed swimming in money?â
âForgive me, Mr. Oldeika. Where are my manners! I will provide proof this instant. This isnât thanks, but I think these are sweets that you may absolutely love. Please take it.â
Something wrapped in paper placed on a tray was placed in front of Oldeika. He tore open the paper wrapping. Inside the paper wrapper were banknotes of the Gra Valkas Empireâs highest denomination of currency.
His face softened.
âThis is just a mere manifestation of our feelings. Eventually, I will have a truckload carrying a hundredfold of what we have here sent to you.â
Even if he were to mess about his entire life, this was a sum of money that he could not completely use up.
âHohoho⊠Am I being demanded of something?â
âNo, no! Gracious, no! This is just our mere feelings. Even if you were to request it, we would never ask for anything in return. By the way, Mr. Oldeika, regarding the 3rd orderâŠâ
âI get it! I get it! Hohoho⊠Still, El Chilgo, you too are a pretty malicious character yourself!â
âNot as malicious as you, Mr. Oldeika!â
âHahahaha!â
In the darkness that crawled beneath the empire, some people welcomed the grand invasion with open arms.
ă»ă»ă»
Castle Albion, Imperial capital Runepolis, Holy Mirishial Empire
In the imperial castle of Albion in the Holy Mirishial Empire, a meeting before the Emperor was being held.
Lined up along the seats of an elliptical table with Emperor Mirishial VIII at one end were Peclas, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arneus, Director of the empireâs Intelligence Bureau, Harkon, Secretary of the Imperial Ministry of Countermeasures Against the Ancient Sorcerous Empire, Schmill Pao, Minister of Military Affairs, Agra, Director of National Defense, and several other green military officials.
They were reporting on the results of the skirmishes between the Gra Valkas Empire and the Second Civilization allied forces and the recent movements of the Gra Valkas Empire. Everyone was silent while they read through the summary documents.
âWell then, is it true that the combined forces of the Second Civilization Area and Japan have destroyed the enemy mechanized division, successfully secured the empireâs frontline base Valkyries, and then captured the enemy Crown Prince, Gra Cabal?â
Foreign Affairs Minister, Peclas, asked the Intelligence Bureau Director, Arneus.
âIt is as written. The enemy mechanized division was destroyed by an attack from Japan, and with the Japanese air force securing air superiority, they followed up with airstrikes on the base, reducing it to a point where it could not retaliate and allowing the Second Civilization Area forces to converge all their forces to wrestle control of the base.
At that point of time, whether by coincidence or not, the enemy Crown Prince was present in the base. Getting caught up in the fighting and suffering injuries, which Muâs medical tech couldnât reliably treat, he was then sent to Japan.â
Leading the World Union, they have once tried to strike back against the Gra Valkas Empire. Taking extra precautions, they have even deployed the aerial battleships of the ancient sorcerous empire. However, the result of the clash ended in a draw, exacerbated by the disgrace of having one of the aerial battleships getting shot down and sunk. It is not an exaggeration to say that the operation has caused the Holy Mirishial Empire to fall from its position as a unifying force.
In the midst of this shame, they received word that the enemy base had been captured.
In what should have been a call of triumph for the Holy Mirishial Empire, a difficult and delicate atmosphere enveloped them instead, being excluded from the great results of the operation.
âThe Intelligence Bureau has managed to acquire more information.â
A paper with a red seal stamped to the upper right was distributed to everyone. It was a sign that the information is of the utmost secrecy and required no further explanation. It couldnât be copied by magical duplication and it wonât be reflected on magical photographs. Time-sensitive disappearing ink was also used.
âThe Gra Valkas Empire has demanded Japan to hand over the Crown Prince, but the government of Japan has refused to do so. One of our investigators embedded in Leifor has learned that, in the name of punishment, the Gra Valkas Empire has decided to commence a grand-scale attack on the Japanese capital. Furthermore, due to the unprecedented situation that their Crown Prince was captured, the scale of the fleet being sent far exceeds the amount of ships in the fleet that clashed with the World Union.â
They were all silent due to shock.
The enemy possessed that much firepower tucked away in their homeland.
âJapan sure has some nerves. What cocksure confidenceâŠâ
âStill, the number that theyâre gonna send is too much, isnât it? Japanâs main force of ships doesnât even hit the hundreds, right? When they sunk the enemy Home Fleet that aimed for Muâs capital, I recall that there werenât even many ships to contest, let alone the presence of battleships in the enemy fleet.â
âAccording to the analysis of the military, they may be able to inflict a certain level of damage against the Gra Valkas Empire fleet, but they wonât be able to stop them completely, resulting in the shelling of cities in their mainland. Still, the damage the empire will inflict will change depending on which city they aim forâŠâ
The place erupted in hushes.
Mirishial VIII raises his hand, quieting the meeting room.
âWe shall wait and see what becomes of the enemy invasion. Naturally, once we verify that an invasion will happen, we will inform Japan. After knowing that their cities are at stake, they too will naturally get serious. Up to this point, we have reacted just like everyone else. However, we as a country cannot afford to sit still. Once they shell Japan and run out of ammunition, we will flawlessly rain down on their fleet. By then, we will have secured a grand victory.â
The Emperorâs words were heavy.
Everyone prostrated themselves before His Excellency.
With the enemyâs invasion and return routes still unclear, attacking them will be challenging, forcing them to make some predictions and conduct surveillance, further complicating the nature of their battle plan.
Despite this, the military officials simply swallowed their words.
The Holy Mirishial Empire has decided to watch how the Gra Valkas Empireâs grand invasion unfolds.
ă»ă»ă»
Intelligence Bureauâs technology department, Gra Valkas Empire
âI-is it true?! We donât even know the weapons used by their main force, yet we have already commenced our invasion?!â
Tech officer Naguano doubts what he heard from his boss.
âIt may have started in earnest but this is simply just air bombings by the Navy Air Corps and the shelling and destruction of enemy cities by naval bombardment. A land invasion is obviously difficult given the circumstances.â
âI know that. Still, our information on the Japanese military is only as good as one magazine, and with an actual invasion, we could suffer great casualties!!!â
They once got their hands on a Japanese book called Treasure Continent. If the performance of Japanese weapons detailed in the book were true, they would be dealt a serious blow. His head writhes in pain as he worries over the fact that they are moving in earnest despite such dangerous red flags.
âThe capture of the Crown Prince is an even bigger problem than the casualties weâd suffer. This is also the will of His Highness, the Emperor. The military would naturally go all out. It cannot be helped that all of this has been set in stone already. In the meantime, we are currently looking for duties which only the Intelligence Bureau do.â
âWhat the hell⊠In that case, are we really ready to suffer the consequences?â
âAt any rate, the distance that will be covered by this operation is humongous. It seems that for that fact, they are resolute, even upon suffering casualtiesâŠâ
It was exceedingly difficult to tell whether they could do anything. Even with just a certain level of damage sustained, it will still amount to a tremendous amount of assets lost.
âThere must be something we could⊠Ah!â
âWhat?â
âI donât know how to tell you but there is a way!! There is!!! We may be able to lessen the damage they inflict!!!â
âWell then, compile all the necessary documents by tomorrow!â
âUnderstood!!!â
Tech officer Naguano switched his head into overdrive for the sake of his country.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!