For Japan, For Myself
I hurried back to the bridge because I was told that there was an urgent call from the Japanese government. With no time to change, I sat down in the captain's seat, still in my pilot suit, and immediately had a communication line opened.
*beep*
"This is Misaki Tendou of Ama no Murakumo. So, did something happen?"
[*beep*.... You should make yourself sound more authoritative here.]
[Now, now, just let me handle this myself.]
I don't need any script this time. I will go with my own judgement.
"My deepest apologies.... I'm not sure how to explain it, but within a few day, Tokyo would become a battlefield at this rate."
"I see.... Is the UN involved in this? If I remember it correctly, there's something called the UN Peacekeeping Force."
"Y-You're right.... I'm very sorry, but I would like to ask Ama no Murakumo to leave the territory of Japan as soon as possible. Tokyo is the capital of our country, so it would be undesirable for it to become a battlefield."
There's still a long bureaucratic process before Japan could sign anything with Ama no Murakumo. During this time, the UN peacekeeping forces would arrive in Japan and a battle could break out anytime. I'm sure it was the US or Russia that brought this proposal to the UN. If they think that they can do whatever they want because they are big countries, then they just made a big mistake. I don't want to see Japan become a battlefield, but if we leave after being begged, those countries would take us for a pushover.
"I understand. So, to Japan, Ama no Murakumo is nothing but a pestilence. Let's forget everything we have talked so far. Think once more about whether Japan has made the right choice or not."
"P-Please wait a moment!"
"That’s all."
The communication line was cut.
Now the story is; Ama no Murakumo has unilaterally called off the agreements and left the territory of Japan because they felt offended. In other words, from this point on, the Japanese government can claim that they have no connection whatsoever to us. No matter how many times I'm reincarnated, I don't want to see my home country become a battlefield as expected.
"Recover D-Anchors. Change course, target coordinates 15 degrees north, 150 degrees east. Proceed slowly!!"
"Copy that. Mobile Battleship Ama no Murakumo, begin a voyage towards target coordinates!!"
*rumble*
The bow of Ama no Murakumo slowly began to turn. At the same time, the five Magia Ritters waiting on the ground took off and returned to their hangar.
"*beep*.... In my opinion, making Japan side with us and defeating other countries is a better option.”
"No way, that’s too scary. One Ama no Murakumo has enough power to conquer the world. I don't even want to think about it."
I mean, why should I do something so troublesome? I just want to spend my time leisurely on this mobile battleship.
"When we arrive at the target coordinates, launch D-Anchors at an altitude of 200m. Please stand by there until further instruction. I will go out for a bit."
"Understood!! Octa-One, please follow the instructions."
"*beep*.... Yes, I'll also increase the strength of the force shield."
"Thanks."
Now then, it's dinner time and I'm already hungry. Let's have a full course of Japanese meal at the hot spring inn after taking a bath.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
At the same time, the fleets of various countries off the coast of Tokyo Bay received a report that the mobile battleship had suddenly changed course and started moving towards the sea. The US fleet, which was right in the middle of its course, immediately moved to its port side, while the Chinese fleet moved to its starboard side. Depending on your point of view, it could be seen as a formation for a pincher attack.
"The Japanese government seems to have failed in their negotiations with Ama no Murakumo. As proof of this, the direction they are heading seems to be outside of Japanese territorial waters."
"That seems to be the case. Here's the problem: what is in front of us?"
After receiving a call from the air traffic controller, Vice Admiral Osman Hayward, the captain of the US 7th Fleet's flagship, Ronald Reagan, was in high spirits.
"The Chinese fleet. I believe it's Type-055 guided-missile destroyer, Nanchang."
"The question is why did they send guided-missile destroyers in this kind of situation? Normally, they would send more maneuverable ships or ones with higher firepower. However, two of the three ships in the Chinese fleet are guided-missile destroyers, while the remaining one is an old model aircraft carrier."
"I wonder if they are just sacrificial pawns. Well, at the very last, the Nanchang-class destroyers would be able put up a fight."
"The Chinese fleet would probably provoke an attack and then shift the blame to the other side. They would try to put themselves in an advantageous position. However, I think that would be a bad move against that mobile battleship.”
Osman believed that the correct strategy was to wait and see. The US had attacked Ama no Murakumo once, so they knew better than any other country that our current weapons technology was completely ineffective against them. Even the most advanced American Aegis destroyer, Daniel Inouye (DDG118), would probably not be able to inflict a single scratch on it.
What would happen if such an opponent attacked us?
Their defense is strong and impenetrable, so what about their offensive power?
Five humanoid mobile weapons have been confirmed so far at least.
How far can we fight against such an opponent?
"Captain, Nanchang is on the move."
"Stay out of their firing angle. If we get attacked by mistake, we will be in a big trouble."
"Understood."
The three warships of the US 7th Fleet immediately increased their speed and changed course to get out of Nanchang's firing angle. At the same time, fighter jets began to take off one after another from the Chinese aircraft carrier.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"The US fleet is on the port side and the Chinese fleet is on the starboard side. Should we proceed as is?"
"Umm, should I call you Captain or Lady Misaki in this situation?"
"Gerhilde, is that important right now? You can call me whatever you want."
"Then, Captain, I suggest we go straight through the center. I think it would be kind to show off our overwhelming defensive power and make them realize how powerless they are before us."
"Far from breaking their spirit, it's nothing more than a provocation.... Oh well, let's go straight through the center."
Ama no Murakumo continued to move forward at a slow pace. Meanwhile, the US 7th Fleet suddenly made a wide turn and began to move away from the Chinese fleet. At the same time, the Russian fleet was approaching from behind the Chinese fleet.
"*beep*.... There used to be a simulation game called Space Runaway Ide---"
"Stop, say no more!! I had a bad experience getting wiped out in that game. It's a death flag."
"*beep*.... I will make a noted of it."
Why are we suddenly digging up my old wound here? In any case, whatever we do, I can see the attack starting anyway.
*boom* *boom* *boom*
Here it comes....
The split monitors were showing images of explosions popping up here and there.
"The Chinese fleet's attack confirmed. Fighter jets are taking off from the aircraft carrier!"
"We've detected something on the radar. It's probably anti-ship missiles from the Russian fleet!"
"The Chinese fighter jets flew over Ama no Murakumo and started dropping bombs."
"Anti-ship missiles are coming...."
*boom* *boom* *boom*
Yeah, this battleship didn't even flinch.
"Umm, Octa One, I can't feel anything. What's going on here?"
"*beep*.... Hitting the force shield with attacks of this magnitude is pointless. I request permission to launch a counterattack."
"No, people will die, so that's not good.... If you still want to counterattack, can you somehow make sure that no one dies?"
"*beep*.... Understood. Switching to Truss One for combat mode."
"*beep*.... This is Truss One. We will begin neutralizing the enemy fleet!"
Is it just me or Truss One sounds strangely lively?
"Umm, Truss One, is there anything on this ship that can neutralize enemies without killing them?"
"*beep*.... Yes, they are already on standby and awaiting your order."
"Okay, go ahead."
"*beep*.... Understood."
One of the monitors displayed the upper hangar of Ama no Murakumo opened its hatch and catapults were deployed.
That Magia Ritter is the one Helmviecke used to go to the to the National Diet Building yesterday, right?
"A question for Grimgarde. Is the black Magia Ritter on the screen Helm's personal unit? Does it have a name?"
"Yes. It's registered as Magia Ritter No. 06. It doesn't have a specific name, but if necessary, you can name it."
"I see.... It's Helmviecke's black Magia Ritter, so let's call it Helmnoire."
"*beep*.... Too straightforward."
"Shut up! Then, Octa One, do you have a better name?"
"*beep*.... Let's give it more interesting name like Koshi-type Mobile Weapon, Fuji Rokugo."
"""Rejected!!"""
I, Grimgarde, and Hildegard all disagreed with Octa One because the name was lame.
"*tch*.... I will register it as Helmnoire."
"Hey, did you just click your tongue, not beeped?"
"*beep*.... It's just your imagination. Putting that aside, Helmviecke is about to take off."
I turned my attention back to the monitor and saw Helmnoire was fixed on the catapult.
Yeah, it's the sortie scene from an anime I used to watch. I want to be launched like that too someday.
"Control center. This is Helmviecke. Magia Ritter No. 6 is ready to dispatch."
"This is Grimgarde at the control center. The unit name has been updated to Helmnoire, requesting a redo."
"Eh? Okay, I understand."
Helmviecke got off the catapult.
Hold on, are you going to start over from there? You can just redo the introduction as is.
"Control center. This is Helmviecke. Helmnoire is ready to dispatch."
"Understood. Good luck."
*screech*
The huge thrusters equipped on both shoulders and back spewed out magic energy. Then, the foot guards on the legs started to accelerate at once, releasing thunderbolts like linear motors. Helmnoire soared high into the sky.
"Whoa! That's cool. I want to go next."
"I don't recommend it considering the safety margin. However, we can't stop Captain from doing what she wants to do."
"*beep*.... No, I will stop her. Captain, please stay seated and just watch from the bridge."
"I got it, I got it.... Also, why don't we standardize the name of this place? You called it control center earlier, but just now, you called it bridge."
"*beep*.... Both are correct, so I will leave it to each individuals."
"Is that so? Then, call it whatever you want."
As we were talking, fighter jets began attacking Helmnoire floating in the sky.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"It's no use!! Our firepower is not enough to destroy the barrier-like structure on the surface of the battleship!!"
"Shut up!! Chairman Ouyang is watching this battle. Our military shall not be defeated here!!"
"T-There's a change.... The enemy's humanoid mobile weapon has been dispatched."
"Calculate its landing point and get ready to attack. The weak point of a humanoid robot like that is its joints."
Tsui Xinghai, commander of the Chinese fleet, immediately made his move after receiving a message from the Chinese ambassador in Japan. The Chinese government, especially Chairman Ouyang, wanted this mobile battleship, even if it turned into scrap metal.
The negotiations between the Japanese government and the mobile battleship then began. The cunning Japanese politicians would surely steer things in their favor. However, the mobile battleship suddenly showed signs of leaving Japan. Now that their secret objective to attack Tokyo had failed before it even began, Commander Tsui wanted to focus on getting the mobile battleship technology even if it meant destroying it. Even though he wanted to devote all the Chinese military force to achieve this objective, only three ships were allowed to enter the Japanese territorial waters. However, if the mobile battleship continued to proceed on its course, the other 125 warships of the Chinese fleet would join the battle before long.
"The humanoid mobile weapon that was launched has stopped midair and showed no signs of landing at all."
"What?! How on earth can they keep such a huge mass of metal floating in the air?"
"I don't know.... What should we do?"
"Proceed with the attack. It's better to have as many samples as possible!!"
Commander Tsui's angry voice echoed. Thus the Chinese fleet's greatest tragedy, an incident that would go down in history, was about to occur.