Something to Line Up, Something to Compete With, Something to Think About
The sixth day of the inspection team began with a surprise and was about to end with another surprise. The special forces' operation ended by evening, and at the subsequent banquet, there were no lingering tensions anymore. Everyone was happily chatting until Misaki Tendou of Ama no Murakumo appeared, completely changing the situation. She was performing a form of restraint under the guise of greetings.
"Well then, I have some business to attend to after this, so please make yourself comfortable."
Misaki bowed and was about to leave, but several people who seemed to want to talk to her immediately tried to approach her. However, Hildegard blocked their path until Misaki disappeared behind the stage.
Everything they had seen and heard here would be reported at a debriefing session to be held upon returning to UN Headquarters, and depending on the outcome, Ama no Murakumo could be deemed as an enemy or a dangerous state. If that happened, it would become difficult for the countries that wanted to be on friendly terms with Ama no Murakumo to even establish diplomatic relations.
Helmviecke, the diplomat in charge, explained that Ama no Murakumo was considering establishing diplomatic relations and concluding various treaties, provided there were no hostile intentions. However, if the UN Security Council denied the existence of Ama no Murakumo as a sovereign country, then such plans would be impossible.
In that case, wouldn't it be safer to side with Ama no Murakumo? Even if something unfortunate happens, our country would be safe as long as Ama no Murakumo protects us, right?
There were some representatives who thought along those lines. However, Misaki Tendo had already left before they could get any confirmation. Feeling disheartened, some people sat motionless in their chairs, while others contemplated various schemes while watching Misaki Tendo left.
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"Do you feel anything when you see Misaki Tendo in person?"
"No matter how you look at her, she's just an ordinary young girl. However, if we're going by her age, she seems strangely used to the situation."
The Russian representative asked the captain of his country special forces about his impression of Misaki Tendo. Naturally, he was closely observing her every move, hoping to obtain data on her fighting ability rather than her personality.
"Anything else?"
"She hasn't received any combat training. Her walking, posture, eye movement, and breathing. None of these show trained movements."
This thoughts were also shared by the other escorts who were watching her at the same venue. Misaki Tendo looked so defenseless, as if she believed no danger would come to her. But it wasn't for no reason, since after she entered, the atmosphere around the golems in the venue had completely changed. If they tried to do something, they would really be killed this time. The murderous intent was completely on a different level than what Gerhilde and Schwertleite had exuded during their countless battles over the past six days. Because they understood this, no one dared to make a move.
"Captain, do you think you could win?"
The representative asked, pointing at Hildegard standing in front of the stage with just his thumb. The captain just shook his head from side to side.
"My prediction is that even if everyone here attacked that woman, there would only be as many corpses as our number. In addition, the number of golems serving in this venue has been adjusted so that they can fight in pairs against us escorts."
After hearing this explanation, the Russian representative shrugged his shoulders in defeat.
"Understood. Well then, let's just enjoy the meal. All that's left now is to wait for the reaction from our home country. Our mission will be completed by tomorrow evening."
"Yes."
The captain finally let go some of his tension.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
"I see.... so this is Japan's policy."
Leaving the banquet venue behind, I returned to the bridge. Then, after changing into my usual captain's uniform along the way, I sat in the captain's seat and reviewed once more the letter I had received from the Japanese escort.
The Government of Japan wishes to recognize the establishment of Ama no Murakumo as a country. However, we will comply with the decisions of the UN Security Council.
Until a decision is made by the UN Security Council, the incursion of the mobile battleship Ama no Murakumo into Japanese territorial waters will be tacitly tolerated.
If Ama no Murakumo is internationally recognized as a country, Japan is considering transferring an uninhabited island to Ama no Murakumo as a token of friendship.
These are the main points of this letter. They also mentioned about positively considering signing trade agreements and the currency exchange rates that will be used. Overall, it’s clear they want to cozy up to us. The problem is that this letter is not an official document issued by the state.
The current Japanese government's House of Representatives is facing a general election following the dissolution of the Cabinet. Normally, receiving an official letter at such a time would mean it came from the current administration. However, this letter bears the signatures of the current opposition party leaders and is titled as the representatives of the next Japanese government.
I guess this is one of their trump cards. Currently, one of the hot topic in candidates' speeches and debates is how to interact with Ama no Murakumo going forwards. Therefore, it seems that they have sent this letter in secret while hoping to receive an endorsement from us. They're probably just going use it as talking points for political purposes, so I have no intention of going along with them. But well, the content of the letter itself isn’t so bad, so I'd like to consider it positively, with a few exceptions.
"*beep*.... I recommend refusing the transfer of the uninhabited island mentioned in the letter."
"I had no intention of accepting it from the start. The ownership of that uninhabited island is still in dispute due to its location. The place where we are now is the best."
"*beep*.... That's a wise decision."
To think they would offer that island of all places. In the end, they just want us to take care of their problem. If they were sincere, I would have agreed to more constructive talks.
"Oh well, I won't give them a reply. I'll pretend I never saw this letter. That being said, make a copy and keep it somewhere safe."
"Yes, my lord, as you command!"
I handed the letter to Rosweisse, who then dashed off energetically.
Such a lively child....
"Now then, Octa One, I'd like to hear your impression of the inspection team over the past six days."
"*beep*.... The movements of Russia and China were dangerous. Their special forces seriously engaged in data collection and annihilation operations, but today, it was at a training level simulating actual combat."
"So, they were seriously attacking while gathering our data. How about the representatives?"
"*beep*.... They're carrying out their duties as an inspection team sent by the UN properly. But well, some of them occasionally made ominous remarks in a low voice during the tour, such as 'If we got Ama no Murakumo' or 'Would our country’s city fit in this district?' and so on."
Hmm, I guess some of them haven’t given up yet. I thought after showing them the difference in our military power, they would given up on antagonizing us.
"*beep*.... I don't think that's the case. For example, China seems to have changed their goal of acquiring Ama no Murakumo to coexisting with Ama no Murakumo as much as possible. Also, what they were muttering was probably just a diversion and not what there were actually thinking. There's no way they would send people who would make such mistakes as their representatives, after all."
"What do you mean?"
"*beep*.... There are quite few possibilities such as appealing this idea to the other representatives, pretending to be in agreement with the other representatives, or they might be trying to mislead us, on the assumption that we were eavesdropping them."
Can they gain an advantage in negotiations by doing that? No, there must be some way. Imagine you are at the negotiating table, believing that you know what the other party wants, but it turns out that everything is just a diversion.
"Hmm.... I don't have any experience when it comes to diplomatic interactions between countries. Is there anything else that caught your attention?"
"*beep*.... South Korea and several other countries have been in contact to form a joint effort."
"Leave them be. In the first place, I don't think those countries would go so far as to ignore the UN Security Council's decision just to curry favor with us. In the end, whether the world becomes our enemy, chooses to ignore us, or becomes our good neighbors, the final decision lies with the UN Security Council."
Oh well, whatever the outcome, what I do won't change. Ama no Murakumo is completely lacking when it comes to luxury goods and entertainment, so I'm willing to start negotiations with other countries to cover this area. I can understand all languages, so I can embrace entertainment from any country. However, since I was originally Japanese, I'd like to prioritize Japan.
"Alright, let's go with that!"
"*beep*.... Have you come to a conclusion? As a non-UN member state, should we become an observer in the UN General Assembly, like the Holy See or the State of Palestine?"
"No, it's not about diplomatic relations, it's about obtaining luxury goods. There's no need to think too deeply about it."
"*beep*.... You disguise yourself, go on a shopping spree at Japanese shopping centers, put everything you bought into Infinite Storage, and go home.... right?"
"H-How did you know what I'm thinking!?"
Well, if I use that method, it would be like smuggling and an illegal entry. I need to devise a more rational way to shop in other countries.
While I was thinking about this, I received a report that the banquet had ended safely and that all representatives had returned to their respective room.
Let's finish this and go to bed.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The next morning. All representatives gathered in the conference room for the final meeting. Hildegard and Helmviecke were also there for the last Q&A session. Naturally, the content differed from previous sessions, evolving into advanced discussions about Ama no Murakumo's future goals, reasons for existence, whether integration into other countries was considered, and whether they would accept integration from other countries. Ama no Murakumo's stance remained the same. Now that they were independent as a nation, they had no intention of being incorporated into another country. The US representative then asked more in-depth questions.
"Would Ama no Murakumo participate in military operations to resolve global conflicts?"
A wave of agitation ran through the venue. Depending on the answer, Ama no Murakumo's involvement could be expected in global conflicts. Unlike the former Palestine Liberation Organization, the military intervention by this single mobile battleship nation could almost guarantee a complete victory. For a country holding a various conflict zones all over the world like the US, it was a very important matter.
"Ama no Murakumo have no intention of participating in conflicts arising from differences in religion, ideology, or racial issues among countries. If I may be bold, our stance is 'moderate'."
Hearing Hildegard's declaration, some of the representatives breathed a sigh of relief. They were worried that Ama no Murakumo would threaten their countries' interest.
"Does that mean Ama no Murakumo will just ignore global conflicts?"
"Like I said earlier, Ama no Murakumo's stance is moderate, not neutral. We will change and adapt according to the circumstances. Conflicts are, after all, struggles between extremes, right? If we have no choice but to get involved in a conflict, we won't stand in the middle or commit to one side."
Everyone gasped. Hildegard was essentially declaring that Ama no Murakumo would act independently on their own sense of justice. In other words, both sides could end up facing Ama no Murakumo.
"However, if an enemy that threatens the survival of this world were to appear, Ama no Murakumo would spare no effort to eliminate it, as long as all countries unite and join hands."
There is no such a thing. If there is one, isn't it Ama no Murakumo fit that criteria? ---- everyone thought so, but Hildegard had a different scenario in mind.
Ama no Murakumo was originally created to destroy the world. There must be other similar mobile battleships out there. If the Creator God deemed this world as a 'failed work', they would surely send those mobile battleships to destroy it.
What would Lady Misaki do then? Escaping to a multi-dimensional universe wouldn't be difficult with Ama no Murakumo. The Creator God's goal is the destruction of this world, not the destruction of Ama no Murakumo. However, Lady Misaki will probably choose to fight. Even though she has been reborn, Earth is still her home planet. If Lady Misaki decides to fight, then Ama no Murakumo will also fight with all its might. Only similar mobile battleship like Ama no Murakumo stands a chance against them, after all.
How will the world view Ama no Murakumo at that time?
Will they just watch because they can't do anything?
A world where Lady Misaki is the only one who fight....
Is such a world worth protecting?
"Umm, Miss Hildegard...?"
It was only a fleeting moment, but Hildegard's thought routine stopped. Shaking her head as if to deny it, Hildegard resumed the Q&A session. Eventually, the meeting ended, and by evening, the inspection team departed on small aircraft. Just like when they arrived, part of the barrier was lifted, and after confirming that the small aircraft had left the airspace, the barrier was reconstructed once more. Even though there wasn't much interaction, Misaki was happy to have many people around. Now that they were gone, she felt kind of lonely.