The Inspection Team’a Daily Life and Misaki's State of Mind
The inspection team members first put their luggage in the rooms allocated to them. Although they had rested overnight in Guam before coming here, the fatigue due to the tension and excitement when seeing Ama no Murakumo and Magia Ritters up close, came flooding back all at once. They had no choice but to rest and recover their energy in their room for the time being. Meanwhile, unlike those bureaucrats, the special forces members who had come as their escorts immediately began their activities by confirming the evacuation routes to ensure their safety.
They were free until the gathering after dinner, so some of the inspection team members went out with their escort to visit nearby souvenir shops. Of course, it was for information gathering. Lifestyle, culture, dietary habits, technology, and military power. Everything must be investigated thoroughly. Fortunately, the duration of their stay was one week. With that much time, both the bureaucrats’ diplomatic information gathering and the special forces’ covert investigations could be expected to yield some results.
When it comes to food, Ama no Murakumo paid particular attention to detail. The food was served in buffet style, taking into account all differences in culture and customs between countries, yet ensuring that no one's hobbies or preferences were compromised. The only dissatisfaction was that all the prepared food, drinks, and alcohol were very similar to those from Earth. Nothing that was offered could serve as a clue to Ama no Murakumo’s unique culture. Even so, the representatives and their escorts were very satisfied with it and the food investigations had become something they look forward to.
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The night gathering. Since it was the first day, the discussion was limited to initial impressions from the representatives of each country. Other than that, it was revealed that out of the twenty escorts, eight belonged to Chinese special forces and four belonged Russian special forces. They were assigned to replace the escorts of some countries at the direct request of the permanent members of the UN Security Council. Once the safety of those representatives was confirmed, then they would conduct independent infiltration investigations.
The Chinese special forces had already failed in their mission. However, he had no obligation to report this to the people gathered here. In addition, Gerhilde had told them that they could try it again as much as they wanted.
The representatives wouldn't be just conducting an investigation either. They had been ordered by their respective presidents to start diplomatic negotiations if they were able to have a private meeting with Misaki Tendo. They had duties as part of the UN inspection team, but their own countries' interests was their top priority. They were trying to gauge each other's intentions throughout this gathering.
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"The area up ahead is where Jiaolong got caught, right?"
"Yes. There was a door deeper inside, but beyond that seemed to be a restricted area. You won't be killed even if you get caught, so you can try again as many times as you want."
“But this woman called Gerhilde is not an easy opponent, right? Oh well, knowing that someone is guarding it, we're not so bored as to challenge the same place repeatedly. Let's head back.”
The four members of the Russian special forces headed back to where they came from after briefly investigated the basement area of the inn.
"Hmm. This team is quite perceptive. That captain was constantly sending murderous intent my way. I'm looking forward to seeing them in action."
Gerhilde praised the Russian special forces for not recklessly stepping in before disappeared somewhere.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Ama no Murakumo bridge. I was making magic tools as souvenirs for the inspection team.
"Is that a bag...?"
"Yeah. It's the type you sling over your shoulder. Its interior has been expanded to a maximum capacity of three cubic meters using Space Expansion magic formula. If you put your hand inside, you can instantly know the content of the bag, and you can also take it out at will."
It's something like a typical fantasy game item --- an infinite storage bag. However, making it truly infinite would risk misuse, so I settled on three cubic meters. Of course, when handing it over, the recipient's magical wavelength must be registered, and only the registered person can use it. I'm planning to give this only to the representatives. The escorts are soldiers, after all. They would definitely use it for military purposes. I would never hand such a convenient item to them.
"That's very generous. But if you give them something like this, won't it cause another stir?"
"*beep*.... Lady Misaki's alchemy is considered over-technology in this world. People who covet it will come in droves, bringing all kinds of stories.."
"That might be true.... Even though I just want to live a relaxed life...."
To tell the truth, when I just came back to life and learned about the existence of this mobile battleship, I was pretty surprised, but I admit I was also excited. Unlike when I was stuck in a black company every day, I realized I could live freely, just for myself this time. I became the lord of my own castle, and I have capable assistants.
But, you know, the presence of Ama no Murakumo is just too overwhelming. I fled toward Ishikari Bay to escape the press helicopters, I was suddenly attacked by the US fighter jets, and before I knew it, I was surrounded by various countries' military forces. I even thought it might be better to just dive into a multidimensional space and shut myself away there forever, but it's lonely not being able to meet other people. It's not that I crave human touch, but I can't stand not having anyone around. The reason I made the Valkyrie completely human-like is because I can't stand that kind of loneliness.
The reason I entered into negotiations with the Japanese government is because I was Japanese. However, if my existence risks turning Japan into a battlefield, then I should keep my distance. I even went as far as making sure they wouldn't be blamed for it. After that, I adopted the opinions of Octa One and the Valkyrie to establish ourselves as a nation, so that other countries could not interfere with us.
I don't think I'm wrong up to this point. Even if there are some discrepancies or differences in perception, with such a powerful weapon in my hands, it's understandable if my senses have become a little distorted. This body is also different from that of an Earthling above all. That being said, my soul is still that of an Earthling. No, let's stop thinking about that.
Then we went to Geneva to declare the establishment of our country in front the representatives of countries from all over the world, set the coordinates for our territory, and moved there. Lastly, the UN inspection team came and we welcomed them with open arms. I don't know what kind of report they would make, but I hope we can finally relax here.
"I've finally got it all together in my head. Alright, I've decided my position and my way of being."
"Congratulations, Master."
"*beep*.... Lady Misaki, you are free to assign more work to us. If you give us the order to conquer the world, we can launch military action immediately."
"Octa One, why do you keep suggesting me to conquer the world?"
"*beep*.... I'm originally a magical brain programmed for such purposes. My mission was to head to the target world with this mobile battleship and destroy it."
"Cancel it! That kind of mission, which threatens nature and the world, I'm cancelling it! I mean, who would give such a mission in the first place?"
According to Octa One, such a mission was incorporated to his program by the Creator God. If a certain world was deemed as a failure, the Creator God would send mobile battleships equipped with magical brain like Octa One to destroy it without question. However, when I received my mobile battleship, the mission was changed to 'serve me and obey my orders'.
"I see. Is this the same for Truss One too?"
"*beep*.... That's correct."
"Then, this is my order. Don't even try to destroy this world. I just want to live a leisurely life, and not alone, but with other people."
"*beep*.... Let's increase the population."
"That's my intention. Now that we have declared Ama no Murakumo as a country, the next step is to establish diplomatic relations with other countries. That's the reason I accepted the UN inspection team's visit. Well, I'm sure they actually came with a different intention, though."
I understood that much from my previous talk with Octa One and Hildegard. However, I don't think the entire inspection team is just here to use us. I want to believe that at least.
"Now then, it's my turn from here on. I will show you the skills I've honed throughout my time as a corporate drone. I will win over those bureaucrats with my hospitality and entertain those special forces thoroughly. I will make them forget all those schemes before the last day of inspection."
"Understood. The Valkyries will now carry out Master Misaki's orders."
"Yeah, I'll leave the rest to you. I'm going to prepare souvenirs for the escorts next."
"*beep*.... In the end, nothing really changes, does it?"
"I'm an alchemist, after all. For future negotiations, we'll need 'samples,' right? Not custom-made items, but affordable sample versions."
Now that's decided, let's continue. No, let's go to the super bathhouse to freshen myself first and then get something to eat. Japanese food sounds good.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The commercial district, located next to the tourist district, was essentially a collection of commercial facilities. Normally, you'd think of it as a district bustling with many people, but when the four members of the Russian special forces arrived, there was no sign of human presence here.
"This place isn't locked either. What the hell is going on with Ama no Murakumo's security system?"
They carefully entered a nearby building. The door wasn't locked and there was no sign of surveillance cameras.
"It feels like a city built for a movie set, or rather, a structure with a purpose different from what it seems."
"I agree. Let's postpone investigating this area for later. Instead, we will look for an elevator and head to the hangar where those mobile weapons are stored."
"Jiaolong will act as our decoy. They should do their best while patching up their repeatedly broken pride."
They finally found the elevator they were looking for after walking around for some time. The control panel was very similar to the one used on Earth, and although the characters indicating the floors were unfamiliar, from the currently stopped floor and the button layout, they understood which button would take them upstairs.
*ding*
Once they pressed the button and the door closed, they split to the left and to the right, close to the elevator wall, to avoid a surprise attack when the door opened.
"No problems so far. The female soldier from Jiaolong's report doesn't seem to have noticed us either."
"I heard Ama no Murakumo entrusted most of its security to golems. Maybe they don't understand strategies like using allied countries as decoys because they can't think like humans."
"Computer-based thinking, huh. Even in our country, AI research is progressing, but it still can't match the flexibility of humans."
Unbeknown to them, Octa One was listening to their conversation through the communications system inside the elevator. However, the only message sent to the Servants working on the upper floors was to raise their alert level.
"*beep*.... I hope you do not compare your AI technology to our pseudo-souls. Oh well, the next game seems to be against the Russian special forces."
Octa One checked on Schwertleite who was already waiting in front of the elevator doors, holding a mithril alloy knife in each hand.
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*ding*
The elevator that had arrived at the intended floor opened its doors. From the outside, it looked empty inside, but four Russian soldiers were hiding on each side of the wall while monitoring the situation.
"Hmm, with the motion sensor turned off, it's really hard to tell. You are there, right? Come out!"
Not long after Schwertleite shouted, two Russian soldiers jumped out from both side. They closed in on her and simultaneously swung their knives. Meanwhile, the other two soldiers fired their gun at Schwertleite from inside the elevator as she dodged the knives aimed at her.
*bang-bang*
Ignoring the bullets, Schwertleite kicked a nearby soldier on the abdomen, knocking him unconscious with a single blow. Following that, she delivered a horizontal chop to a soldier on the other side, also knocking him unconscious. Had he not worn a protector on his chest, his bones would have been shattered.
"Impressive teamwork. This is definitely worth studying."
Schwertleite kicked the floor hard and running towards the elevator. Seeing that, one of the soldier frantically pressed the close button, but Schwertleite had already inside before the doors closed.
"Alright, this is the first game over for Russia. I suggest you obediently return to the starting point."
"I got it, we surrender! We will follow your instructions"
"Good choice. Then, let's collect those two and return to Manyo Pavillion."
Schwertleite was chatting happily with the two Russian soldiers on the way back. However, that smile looked nothing less than the smile of a battle maniac to them.