Let's Try Diplomacy, I'll Just Observe
That day, Japan was enveloped in an unprecedented sense of tension. Early in the morning, the Mobile Battleship Ama no Murakumo anchored off the coast of Ishikari Bay, retrieved its D-Anchors and began to move slowly towards Tokyo. The Chinese fleet, which had been monitoring it, began urging the battleship to surrender as a result.
"To the person in charge of the mobile battleship, cease resistance and surrender, or we will commence an attack."
However, as if ignoring China's warning, Ama no Murakumo continued heading south across the Pacific Ocean. The fleets of various countries surrounding Ama no Murakumo followed behind while keeping their distance, on high alert and ready to enter battle at any time.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Noon. Ama no Murakumo arrived in Tokyo Bay and then headed straight for the National Diet Building. Just like in Ishikari Bay, it launched D-Anchors 500 meters into the air, fixing the ship in place.
"It’s a good thing that they are willing to discuss the matter and even sending a goodwill ambassador. However, of all things, to have a gigantic battleship waiting in the sky above the National Diet Building...."
Defense Minister Hatakeyama looked up and sighed. According to the survey team's report, Ama no Murakumo's maximum length was about 2,500m. If you considered the sky above the National Diet Building as the center, depending on the angle, nearly half of the Imperial Palace would be directly under it. In a sense, Ama no Murakumo has taken the National Diet Building and the Imperial Palace hostage.
The Self-Defense Forces were not just watching in silence as this situation, which could be considered a state of emergency, unfolded. Ground Self-Defense Force, Air Self-Defense Force, and Maritime Self-Defense Force, all of them had been placed on high alert, ready to scramble at any time.
"That's right.... Even so, there's nothing we can do but listen to what the other party has to say first."
"Mr. Asao, you are taking this too lightly. If you handle this wrong, your approval rating will go into free fall, you know?"
"I know, but I'm still doing better than the opposition parties, which is a fraction of a percent. They only all talk, and if there's something they don't like, they refuse to discuss it. Even now, they refuse to discuss the additional defense budget for measures against Ama no Murakumo. Are they really Japanese?"
"Hahaha. They say whatever they want because there's no mass media coverage. However, there are some decent people among them."
Fearing the worst case scenario, the government had decided to withhold any information related to Ama no Murakumo. This decision was not well received by the mass media and the opposition parties. Meanwhile, something suddenly jumped out of Ama no Murakumo.
*sparkle*
"Hmm..?"
"What is that?"
Asao and Hatakeyama looked up at the sky, at something falling from Ama no Murakumo. Then, as the objects were gradually getting closer, their curiosity turned into shock. Not just the two men, the reporters from all over Japan and the world who were filming in the sky, and people all over the world who were watching the broadcast, were all shocked.
A large mobile weapon with a crimson body, deployed its back thrusters to the left and right and landed with a spray of magical power. Its silhouette, which looked as if it had leapt out of the world of anime and manga, made those who saw its image or sight of it felt fear, astonishment, envy, and longing. The humanoid robot weapon that we had longed for at least once in our childhoods had now made their appearance.
Then, as if to solidify the front, back, left, and right of the crimson robot, silver robots landed one after another. The chests of the silver robot in the front and the crimson robot in the center then opened, revealing a figure wearing what looked like a black pilot suit from within. After that, the two pilots jumped out of the cockpit, which was about 9 meters high, and landed on the ground as if nothing had happened.
"I am Helmviecke, who has come as an envoy by the order of Captain Misaki."
"I am Rossweise, who also serves as the task force commander, will accompany Helmviecke as her escort."
The face under the helmet was that of a human. The two women looked like Westerners and spoke fluent Japanese.
"Welcome to Japan. Our country welcomes the Mobile Battleship Ama no Murakumo. Please come this way."
Asao said this with a nervous look on his face as he bowed his head. Then he led the two ladies into the National Diet Building, where a place for the meeting had been prepared overnight. If they were ordinary guests, he could have used the Prime Minister's official residence to welcome them. However, since the other party was an unknown entity, he couldn't use it due to security reasons. Such a consideration had been made behind the scenes.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Aboard the Mobile Battleship Ama no Murakumo.
"Phew~ I made it in time."
Earlier this morning, I thought I'd have the members I was sending out as envoys carried cameras. However, it would be a problem if they went to a place where cameras were prohibited, so I installed Magic Cameras in both Helm and Ross' bodies instead. Not just one, but one in each hand to correspond to their line of sight, and three in the front, back, left, and right of the pilot suit to check the surroundings. The auditory sensors in their ears have also been expanded to pick up more sound.
"*beep*.... As expected. As expected from the world's best alchemist. The 'as expected' part is important, so I said it twice."
"Yeah, yeah, thanks. Grim and Hilde, be sure to keep an eye on the surroundings with sensors and be prepare for the worst case scenario."
"The worst case scenario?"
"Yeah, there might be countries that will try to destroy Ama no Murakumo so that no one can't obtain it."
This is important. There are a number of countries that could really do something like this. If Japan were to obtain a mobile battleship or something from us, there would be also those who would try to take it from Japan through diplomacy.
"*beep*.... Don't worry. Even if Tokyo is reduced to ashes, this Ama no Murakumo will not be scratched."
"That doesn't make it sound any better!! Prepare to deploy a multi-layered force shield on the ship and the surrounding area up to a radius of 2 km. Can you do it?"
"*beep*.... That's no problem. However, the headquarters of the black company where Lady Misaki used to work will be included in that range. Is that okay?"
"Just leave that part out."
"*beep*.... I understand."
"It's a problem that I can't tell if you are joking or serious...."
"*beep*.... I thought so, but I didn't miss the mark. There's still a lot to learn."
Shut up, you super magical brain!!
It's scary how you really react like a human.
"Lady Misaki, Helm and Ross have been ushered into the conference room."
"Understood. Display the videos from all angles on the monitor. Now, what will the Japanese government do?"
"*beep*.... You can't stop feeling excited, can you?"
"How do you know that line?"
"*beep*.... I learn something new every day."
"I see, well, it's tiring, so I won't ask the details."
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
A special conference room inside the National Diet Building. The two envoys from Ama no Murakumo were guided there. Gathered in this room were Prime Minister Asao, Defense Minister Hatakeyama, eight representatives from each party, their security personnel, and an acting press secretary from KHK (National Broadcasting Corporation).
"Then, shall we begin the talk now? Since we have already gathered all the information about this world, I will start by answering your questions."
Helmviecke was the first to speak. Even the Japanese government had not anticipated this. Furthermore, they were expecting the other party would make some kind of demand and negotiations would then begin from there. However, she handed over the first move to the Japanese government.
"I understand. Then, I will ask questions as the representative. Is that okay?"
Asao asked for a confirmation from the assembled party representatives, but the opposition parties looked dissatisfied.
"This is troubling if you only asked questions that are convenient for you. Why don't we discuss in another room what kind of questions we should ask?"
"That's right. For us, this is a serious issue that could determine the future of Japan."
"I would like representatives from Russia and other countries to participate as well, not just Japan."
The representatives expressed different opinions. Helmviecke looked surprised at this.
"Even though he is the head of this country, does he not have the power to make decisions?"
"Our country is a democratic country. The representatives of the people, the parliament, and the assembly, hold the power to make decisions. Therefore, in a situation like this, we must first unify our will."
"This is not worth discussing!"
Having said that, Helmviecke and Rossweisse stood up from their seat.
"Yesterday we informed your side that we would be coming. Then we started moving this morning, adjusting the time to be here at noon. If we're talking about unifying your will or whatever is that, you surely had enough time, right?"
"P-Please calm down. Our role is to keep an eye on the current government so it doesn't get out of control. To do that, we need to decide what the representative thinks and what direction the discussions will take."
"Is this country's government really that incompetent? To think that you need to keep an eye on it to prevent it from getting out of control. You mentioned democracy earlier, but the person in charge was elected by the people to represent the country, right?"
Rossweise asked the quirky-looking female party leader.
"That's right. However, we don't think that it reflects the will of the people."
"The will of the people? He won through this country's election system and became the country's representative, right? In other words, isn't that the will of the people? What is the will of the people that you're talking about?"
"The will of the people who believe in us is the will of the people."
"You're just saying whatever is convenient for you now. This country's system is out of whack.... Now then, are we going to continue this talk? However, we will be only speaking with the head of this country. You may observe, but please do not interrupt."
Helmviecke's voice dropped in tone, and the magical power in her voice sent chills down the spine of everyone present. The party representatives, who had been so bullish until just now, nodded their head and straightened their back. Seeing this, Helmviecke and Rossweise smiled and simply said 'alright' and sat back in their seats.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The meeting was not broadcasted on television. However, all discussions held here were recorded and, if deemed necessary, would be broadcasted later. This decision was both correct and, in some ways, a failure.
"First of all, why did the Mobile Battleship Ama no Murakumo appear in our country, Japan?"
"There's no particular reason. We just happened to be in that place after we released our dimensional dive."
"Why didn't you respond to our inquiries right away?"
"We hadn't yet finished analyzing the language system of this world at that time. There was also a lack of information and it took time to gather it."
"Is there any hostility towards us?"
"The answer is simple. If you are hostile towards us, we will consider you an enemy. Any acts of aggression or deception will be taken as hostile intent."
"What is your purpose in coming to this planet?"
"You could say something like a trip, I guess."
"A trip? While bringing a huge battleship like that?"
"To our master, Ama no Murakumo is her home, her vehicle, and her family. Please understand that it is an appropriate vehicle to protect our master."
At this point, Asao was at a loss. He wondered how far he could go, and at what point it would become dangerous.
"So, is the master you are talking about the person in charge and owner of that mobile battleship?"
"Yes. That's correct."
"To which country does your master belong? I understand from looking at the mobile battleship that it is not in Earth."
"Well, if you want to talk about which country, then we don't belong to one. However, the Mobile Battleship Ama no Murakumo is like a country itself, and my master is the head of state."
Helmviecke's words caused a little stir in the room.
"So, if we were to sign a treaty, it would be between our country Japan and Ama no Murakumo, correct?"
"Yes, that’s correct. I will say this in advance since some of you may be wondering about which world we came from, but we will keep that a secret. Please also abandon the idea of going to the world where Ama no Murakumo was developed."
Helmviecke took the initiative. According to her research, the literature of this world was full of stories of people who yearned for other worlds. They might want to go to the world that created the mobile battleship, and form a technological partnership with that world. They might even try to seek new horizons in another world. However, it was impossible.
"If we become friends, will you disclose the technology of that mobile battleship?"
"That's impossible. Let me ask you this in return, will your country show us the blueprints of all your weapons and technology if we become friends?"
"My apologies. That was a foolish question. The Japanese government would like to stand on an equal footing with Ama no Murakumo, and is ready to assist you to the best of our ability. I hope you would consider this positively."
"Thank you. Now that we have concluded our discussion, this will be the end of our official talks with the head of this country."
Hearing this, the party representatives finally sighed in relief.
"So, from here on out, will we be having informal discussions?"
"I don't mind, but is there anything else beyond what we just discussed? You haven't prepared any topics to discuss with us as far as I remember."
"I, that's true, but...."
"That's all then. We will be taking our leave."
Helmviecke and Rossweise stood up and left the room. They just needed to return to Ama no Murakumo, and that would be the end of it. However, they were not yet aware that contrary to their will, various intentions were beginning to take shape.