Chapter 53

Chapter 53 \n\nThe eleven nations were devastated by the Gra Valkas Empire’s surprise attack, having many of their people taken as prisoners. To negotiate the return of their citizens and to convey their desires towards the Gra Valkas Empire, they headed to the diplomatic counter in the provincial capital of the Leifor district, Leiforia.

Among these nations with high pride, the majority of their opinions could be summarized as “Just shoot at Gra Valkas!”, so this would only be an informal visit. It was also unclear what the Gra Valkas Empire had meant when they had said “Fall within our great country”, so the diplomats needed confirmation regarding the Empire’s goals.

Ambassador Asada, who had fought a tongue-in-cheek battle against the Parpaldia Empire, was well qualified to be the Japanese diplomat and was hastily dispatched to negotiate the return of the Japanese prisoners.

The participants in these negotiations were:

Holy Mirishial Empire, Director of Western Foreign Affair, Siwarf Mu, Diplomat, Nookaul Japan, Diplomat, Asada Taiji Nation of Agartha, Foreign Minister, Lipin

These were the four countries entering the port, having sent a magical signal in advance. Leiforia, which had been bombarded by the super-dreadnought Grade Atlastar and turned into ashes, seemed to have recovered slightly, although there were still many scars.

Entering the country, they saw the state of Leifor: a former powerhouse with no animation. The eyes of the people, dead and devoid of motivation and ambitions, gave the diplomats a glimpse of the Empire’s harsh governance.

The Empire also told them that, even if they became hostile, they would be protected so long as they were at the diplomatic window, so they entered the branch office in a dignified manner.

Why do I have to deal with difficult cases again…

Tired, Asade entered the building that was said to have an imperial diplomat.

Ten minutes of waiting in the conference room later, the door opened and a man with a bad face told them to come in.

“Well, powerful nations of this world, what business do you have with this poor guy?”1

Dallas, a diplomat of the Gra Valkas Empire, made a rude remark unfitting of his profession, causing the faces of the other diplomats to harden.

Stepping forward, Asada stated, “The Japanese government expresses its regrets for the armed assault carried out by the Gra Valkas Empire, requests compensation for the sinking of the patrol boat Shikishima, requests an apology to the bereaved families, demands-”

“Well! Are you Japan, a transfer nation like us?!” Dallas interrupted. “I hear that our battleship sunk your ship in just one shot. Even between transfer nations, such a difference is evident! Being a diplomat of a weak country must be painful. By the way, what is regret? How specifically do you deal with it?”

“The Empire’s remarks at the eleven-country leadership conference can be taken as a declaration of war upon the world. Your attitude is reminiscent of a certain country from our past who turned the world into their enemy and fought with vigor. Do you think you can win?” Asada politely asked.

“No matter how many weak nations form a coalition, they will not be strong. The weak will remain the weak.”

To this response, Asada leaned forward. If Japan were to be provoked in the current situation, there was a real chance of repeating the previous tragedy, so he decided to be bullish to prevent such a thing. However, when he tried to speak, the diplomat from the Holy Mirishial Empire moved in front of him.\n“I am Siwarf, Director of Western Foreign Affairs for the Holy Mirishial Empire. Our country harshly condemns the surprise attacks and barbarism you have created in the port city of Cartalpas and demands formal apologies, appropriate compensation, and an immediate withdrawal from Leifor. I have come for the handing over of the person responsible for this barbarism, and for the return of the prisoners.“My country, the Holy Mirishial Empire, has not come to negotiate like the other countries.“This is not a request. This is an order.“If you do not obey, we will not be the only enemy. Not limited to the eleven developed countries, this is the consensus of the Central World.”

When Dallas tried to respond to the angry minister, the room’s doors opened and a beautiful woman with slanted eyes stepped through them.

“Cielia…”

“Dallas, from here on, I will negotiate responsibly.”

“But the person in charge is…”

“That is a command. It is safe to say that the other party is a coalition of the world. It’s too much for you.”

“Guh… Understood,” he grunted, giving up his seat to Cielia and sitting next to her.

“I’ve heard the story,” she continued with a dignified face and clear eyes. “The Empire’s ideas are as explained at the eleven-country conference. No changes.”

“What does the Gra Valkas Empire want, then?” Siwarf asked as he glared at her.

“Falling at our army’s doorstep, of course. The sovereignty of any nation will not be recognized.”

“More specifically?”

“Colonies. Is that easier for you to understand?”

“Do you think the Central World will drink to this?”

“No, I don’t think they will drink to it now, but when they’re defeated, you’ll be drinking to our plan, no matter the state of your miserable armies. The diplomatic window is open — if you feel for your people, make a decision quickly.”

“You mock!– … Will you not accept the return of the POWs?”

“Until the end of the war, prisoners will not be returned. If you fall to our army, the prisoners will be returned.”

“Will the human rights of POWs be recognized?”

“That is…” Cielia’s eyes swam momentarily. “That is up to us to decide. We have no obligation to answer you.”\nCielia hurts my heart, Asada remarked after witnessing their exchange. However, there was still work to do.

“Ms. Cielia, Japan demands the immediate return of the Japan Coast Guard staff.”

“Did you not hear me? Prisoners will not be returned until the end of the war.”

“If you are a soldier, you can understand that you are a prisoner of war. However, the Japanese people you have captured are not military personnel. They are akin to police of the sea in their work as staff of the Japan Coast Guard.”

“So, you are saying that the ship that downed a lot of fighters was not a warship?”

“Yes. They are not military personnel. As in other countries, ships of the Coast Guard are not military ships.”

Still sitting next to Cielia, Dallas opened his eyes and butts in. “What’s the Coast Guard? So what? Are you trying to say that Japan sent the Coast Guard, which combats piracy, to the eleven-country conference across the sea instead of warships?”

“That’s right. So you are not capturing so-called military personnel, thus we demand their return, immediately.”

The moment Dallas is about to curse Asada, Cielia motions at him to back down and begins to speak.

“I don’t care about the definition of military personnel in your country. It’s not a warship while having such anti-aircraft capabilities? It’s no good to make these decisions on a country-by-country basis. They bravely challenged us, who had an overwhelming advantage in military power, and lost. I personally appreciate it. We shall treat them as military personnel.”

“I’ve told you that they’re a police force just now. Since you’re insisting on treating them as military personnel, are they guaranteed to be safe?”

“As I answered earlier, it is up to Japan to decide.”

Asada felt as if Cielia’s eyes were in confusion. Are you wondering something?

A small silence followed. Taking the initiative to restart the conversation, Mu’s diplomat, Nookaul, began asking questions.

“I am Mu’s diplomat, Nookaul. From the previous conversation, I understand that you aren’t willing to negotiate the return of prisoners and, as I’ve guessed from the mood, we just really want to know the facts.“So, you have currently declared war against the whole of the Second Civilization, including Mu. And, at the eleven-country conference, you declared war on the Central World and Japan in addition. Is this correct?”

Cielia looked at Nookaul with eyes that pitied his stupidity and gave an answer that would have a significant impact on the future of the Gra Valkas Empire.

“Oh, no doubt.”

Nookaul smiled a little and looked towards Asada. For Mu, who was already at war with the Empire, his job during this meeting was only to drag Japan into the war. For that, he found that it would be necessary to have a clear statement that a state of war had been declared against Japan. Neither the atmosphere nor an off-handed remark would be acceptable as definitive, but the official statement of the person who conveys the intentions of the Gra Valkas Empire would be more than enough. 

The contents of her statement were already recorded on an IC recorder purchased by one of Mu’s other diplomats in Japan, and Nookaul, who had achieved his diplomatic goal, smiled a big smile.\n“Again, this is uncertain information.”

The king’s chamber plunged into despair.

“If the 0th Magic Fleet was wiped out, there is no way to resist them in this world…”

Silence.

“Foriegn Minister!”

“Yes?”

“For the people… In some situations, consider the path of surrendering without a fight.”

The king and some of the attendants began to cry.

“Understood. I will also consider the path of surrender. It will be painful to lose our 1200-year-old country and traditions… ”

As such, the Sonal Kingdom considers surrendering without fighting.