A Military Force That Overwhelms Other Countries?
The mood at Andersen Air Force Base was more tense than usual. Charter planes carrying the inspection team sent out from the UN headquarters were landing on the runway one after another. The team would spend the night in Guam, and tomorrow morning, they would board a smaller plane for their flight to Ama no Murakumo. Nevertheless, a battle of wits was already taking place even before the inspection itself started. While the representatives from each country keeping each other in check, which country would be able to strike a favorable deal with Ama no Murakumo?
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The next day, having recovered from the fatigue of their journey, the inspection team departed Guam without any problems. Once the inspection was over, the members would once again transfer to larger planes from Guam and return to the US. There would be a debriefing session at the Security Council afterwards, and then followed by a resolution on whether to recognize Ama no Murakumo as a nation.
In this sequence of events, the problem lied with the members of the inspection team. Ama no Murakumo had limited the members of inspection team to 20 people. Naturally, the permanent members of the UN Security Council like the US, Russia, and China, as well as the UK and France, would participate in this inspection. In addition, non-permanent members like Czech Republic, Bahamas, Mexico, Ireland, Norway, Kenya, Niger, Tunisia, South Korea, Vietnam, Germany, Australia, India, Brazil, and Japan would also send their representatives. The inspection team members were looking forward to tomorrow's visit, wondering how well Ama no Murakumo would do in such a short period of time in dealing with countries with different values and culture.
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The preparations for welcoming the UN Security Council inspection team that would arrive in an hour were finished. They would be staying at the hot spring facility that I usually visited during the inspection. Therefore, while they were here, I would be using a super bathhouse located on another floor. In addition, after discussing it with Octa One, we had also made and arrangement to showcase Ama no Murakumo's military might.
"Hey, I've seen this kind of thing in the movies. Is it really necessary to go to this extent?"
"According to Octa One, this sight alone is enough to make our opponents lose their fighting spirit."
While listening to Hildegard's explanation, I gazed at the scene before my eyes. We were at the upper deck of Ama no Murakumo with the hatches opened, revealing a 1500m long runway to the outside. Here, Magia Ritters stood on either side runway at equal intervals. Each of them held a matching shield in their left hand, and in their right hand, they held various weapons, such as a spear, a halberd, or a great sword. In front of them, support golems wearing matching pilot suits were lined up neatly. It was truly a spectacular sight. Then, in front of the central hangar, was my personal Magia Ritter standing tall while holding a two-handed sword in a reverse grip like a cane.
"Master's Magia Ritter is the symbol of Ama no Murakumo's military might, so it will be positioned right at the front to welcome the inspection team."
"Is it okay for me to go outside? Won't the special forces suddenly jump out of the plane and capture me?"
"Please rest assured. No special forces of this world are capable of capturing Master."
Hildegard explained it to me with a laugh, but I myself didn't know the extent of my own power.
"Oh well, let’s get changed then. You bring my suit, right? The one I ordered at the men's clothing store in town."
"Yes, it's ready. Let me help you get changed...."
Nice. I'll register it with the automatic outfit change ring later.
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Taking off from Guam, the plane carrying the inspection team slowed down as it approached the gigantic floating object before them. Then, as the plane got closer to it, a section of the faint rainbow-like barrier surrounding Ama no Murakumo's territorial waters opened, revealing what appeared to be guide lights. The barrier was configured to repel those with malicious intent, so in the worst case scenario, the whole inspection team wouldn't be able to cross it. For this reason, the barrier was lifted partially, allowing the inspection team to enter through that opening.
"This is Ama no Murakumo Control Center. We will be guiding you to the landing site. Please enter through the designated point and follow the instructions."
"Copy that. Heading to the designated point."
Immediately after receiving such instructions, the upper hull of Ama no Murakumo slowly opened, showing a massive runway illuminated by guide lights.
"This is Ama no Murakumo Control Center. We have activated the ILS, so please follow the instructions. The code number is...."
"Copy that. Code confirmed. Commencing touchdown."
"Copy that. Air absorbers are on standby on both sides of the runway, so please rest assured."
The plane switches to semi-automatic landing upon receiving guidance signals sent from the control center. As the plane descended, the pilot looked to the left and right of the runway in awe.
"Jesus, are we dreaming? Or is this inside a movie?"
A number of Magia Ritters lined up on both sides of the runway. Watching this scene unfolded from inside the plane, the inspection team members were both fascinated and terrified.
"....3....2 ....1 approach. Thank you for your hard work. We'll connect the ramp, so please wait a moment."
A passenger ramp extended and connected to the plane's fuselage hatch. Accompanied by the sound of the lock unlocking, the door finally opened. Then, after all passengers got off the plane, the biggest Magia Ritter that was already waiting outside, knelt down and slowly lowered its right arm.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all. I am Misaki Tendou, the captain of Mobile Battleship Ama no Murakumo, and the monarch of Ama no Murakumo nation. Thank you for your hard work on your long journey from New York."
Misaki Tendo, dressed in what appeared to be some kind of traditional outfit, emerged from the lowered arm. She then looked at the inspection team members from the left to the right, and then greeted them in a dignified manner. The inspection team members, who had initially been told that they wouldn't be able to meet her directly, were shocked by this turn of events. Misaki Tendo, after confirming that everyone present had bowed their heads, opened her mouth again.
"This concludes my part. From here on, our council's diplomat, Helmviecke, and her assistant, Rossweise, will guide you around. Please take your time."
The Magia Ritter raised its lowered arm. Then, after Misaki tendo entered the cockpit, it started to walk away.
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The special forces that came with the inspection team were racking their brains. Some of them had received a secret order from their home countries to capture or assassinate Misaki Tendo when there was a chance. However, they were overwhelmed by the number of Magia Ritter in the surroundings, as well as the presence of even bigger Magia Ritter in front of them. When they got off the plane, all they could think was gathering as much visual data as possible. They had never expected Misaki Tendo herself would appear in person. Moreover, it was her first appearance, so it was understandable that they would prioritize record-keeping instead of thinking about abduction or assassination. They only remembered it after Misaki Tendo was gone.
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Inside the hangar, I got off my Magia Ritter and changed into my regular clothes.
"My job is done with this, right?"
"Yes. Please leave the rest to Helmviecke and Rossweise. Master can just relax as usual."
"*beep*.... Our mission is to fulfill all of Lady Misaki's wishes. To that end, we will create the safest and most ideal environment that will make that happens."
"Is that your original program? Or is it something programmed when I received Ama no Murakumo?"
"*beep*.... The Great God set the initial setting. I'm to serve Misaki Tendo. That's all I can say. This is also the default setting registered in the Valkyrie and all support golem you have created."
Is that why they can always anticipate my actions? Now that makes sense. Oh well, let's go to the cafeteria and get something to eat. Today's lunch is a Hokkaido butter-fried scallop set meal. If I remember it correctly, the inspection team is scheduled to tour the city after having lunch at the inn.
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After finishing my lunch, I checked my upcoming schedule with Hildegard.
"There's nothing scheduled, but some of the inspection team members have requested an audience with Master."
"Huh? Does that mean I can meet them in person? If it's not dangerous, I don't mind accepting it."
"In principle, as the head of state, you should not engage in diplomacy directly with them. That is why we, the councilors, exist, and there are also the two sages to help in making decisions. If they want to have an audience with Master directly, I'd say they should bring someone with a foreign-minister-level of authority at least."
"*beep*.... The special forces who came with the delegations should have already lost their will to fight. I think it's okay to meet them once we're sure they're not carrying any weapons."
I've never expected Octa One would give such a positive response. There must be something behind this. It's only been a month since we have known each other, but I can already read his personality to some to some extent.
"So, what exactly are you scheming?"
"*beep*.... There is no one who can overpower Lady Misaki physically. That being said, we will immediately neutralize them before they even have a chance to touch you. Then we can use this incident as a bargaining chip against their country."
"Are you telling me to be a decoy!?"
I felt like hitting Octa One with my backfist if he had a physical body.
"Hey, Hilde. I want to check out my physical stats, so come with me for a bit."
"Understood, Master."
Thus we headed to the gym. The facility was equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, and if I wanted to, I could go there regularly and aimed to become Mr. Olympia.... I meant, Miss Olympia. I did some experiments and found that there was something wrong with my body that I couldn't have never imagined in my previous life.
- Deadlift: 850kg
- Grip Strength: 220kg
- Vertical Jump: 15m
- Long Jump: 35m
- 100m Sprint: 5 seconds flat
- Punching Power: Unmeasurable (the machine was destroyed)
- Kicking Power: Unmeasurable (the machine was destroyed)
- Etc....
I stopped experimenting with my physical strength halfway through. Furthermore, when I concentrated, I could see a thin layer of magical energy was constantly forming around my body, that reduced or even nullified a certain damage. In other words, a force shield was constantly surrounding my body, even when I wasn't aware of it.
"Hilde, this force-shield-like thing that's formed around my body, can it hurt the people around me?"
"No, it can not. To explain briefly, bio-energy called aura is constantly circulating in the human body. This exists to cover both the soul and the body, and cannot be touched even by the conscious mind."
In my case, this aura seemed to be constructed from magic power. The bio-energy of a normal person was aura, while my bio-energy was magic aura. The magic aura radiating from my body created something like a force shield, covering my whole body automatically. You could say it was like a layer of extra-flexible mithril super-armor attached to my skin. I didn't feel anything unusual when I touched my skin and it had never caused any inconveniences in my daily life.
“So, what difference does it make?”
"For example, if Master were to be shot by a tank's cannon, you would be blown backwards because the inertia cannot be neutralized, but your body wouldn't even get a scratch. The magic aura is part of Master's body and it's possible to increase its strength with your willpower."
"I see. That's reassuring, indeed.... I can see why Octa One has no problem with me having a direct meeting with the delegations."
Now that I have an insurance, I can appear openly in public without worrying about assassination. Let’s start with the plans I have been postponing.
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The buses for transporting the inspection team and their escorts arrived at the runway. Their destination was the hot spring inn where they would stay during their inspection. The bus driver was a humanoid support golem, dressed in a uniform and gloves. If not for his face, it would be difficult to distinguish him from a human. There were several lines on his face like that of an electronic board, and his eyes lacked pupils, consisting only of the whites and blacks of the eyes.
"This is Katayama. He will be your driver for the duration of your stay here. Although he's a support golem, he possesses both a pseudo-soul and a personality, and is a resident of our country."
Being introduced by Helmviecke, Katayama stood up, removed his hat, bowed, and returned to the driver's seat.
"Excuse me, Miss. Helmviecke. You just said that he was a resident of this country, but are all the residents of Ama no Murakumo golems?"
"Of course not. Humans live here, too, so don't worry. However, I don't think you will meet them during the inspection. The city has four districts, but the first district where you'll be staying is not inhabited by humans."
There was a human named Misaki Tendo, so it was not a lie. For golems with pseudo-souls, their master had said 'If they have a soul, then they're no different from humans, right?'. For this reason, support golems were treated as humans in this country.
"Umm, so will it be the golems who accompanying us?"
"No, it's mainly me and Rossweise who will be accompanying you. The support golems are only there to provide support, but if you wish, they can entertain guests as well."
"I see. The golems are not dangerous, are they?"
"Yes. There will be no problem as long as you treat them with respect like normal humans. But any hostility or coercion beyond acceptable limits will be dealt with appropriately."
That last statement summed it all up. That was what the members of the inspection team sensed.