Fixed Races And Unexpected Events
The French oceanographic research vessel Pourquoi Pas engaged in battle with Ama no Murakumo military. Fleets from various countries watched this scene from afar and those who were also conducting similar investigations hurriedly withdrew their ships to avoid suffering the same fate as France. The crew members who escaped from the seized Pourquoi Pas were immediately rescued by other French ships and were now reporting in full detail the tragedy they had just experienced. However, the testimony of Pourquoi Pas' captain differed in content from the testimonies of those who were also there, so a thorough investigation was deemed necessary. Because of this, the French fleet began a temporary withdrawal from the waters near Ama no Murakumo. Similarly, the fleets of countries that had previously disregarded Ama no Murakumo warnings began to keep their distance and switched to a wait-and-see approach, like China and Russia.
"They seized Pourquoi Pas, huh. But that mobile weapon keeps surprising me. This is a technology far beyond our imagination, so I can understand why Chairman covets it."
“Its official name is Magia Ritter. It’s unimaginable by our common sense that just four of them can lift a ship with a maximum displacement of 6,500 tons into the air.”
"Isn't that gigantic battleship before us already a mass of absurdity?"
"Its official name is Mobile Battleship.... Captain, can you please remember it already?"
"This is not an official occasion, so isn't it fine to call them whatever I want? Putting that aside, what will our country do from now on?"
Wang Daoming, the captain of Type-055 missile destroyer Nanchang, flagship of the Chinese fleet, sighed and muttered as he gazed upon Ama no Murakumo in the distance
"The Chinese government neither accepts nor actively opposes Ama no Murakumo as a country. For now, we will just watching from the sidelines. If we were to establish a diplomatic relation with them, we would first need to apologize for the Battle of Tokyo Bay, after all."
"Well, we will not bow our heads. Ama no Murakumo probably doesn't know what that means to us."
The Chinese did not bow their heads. This was not because they refused to apologize. The meaning of apology differed between Japanese and Chinese. The Chinese did not offer apologies just to cover up a situation. An apology meant acknowledging one's own fault and it also entailed taking full responsibility. They may admitted their mistakes and apologized, but they did not bow their heads. There is gold beneath one's knees --- this proverb meant that one should not kneel or bow their head lightly. Therefore, China, and especially Chairman Ouyang, must not bow to Ama no Murakumo. For the head of state to bow signified total defeat, and above all, there was no custom equating 'apology' with 'bowing the head' in China.
"I agree. Depending on your perspective, it's probably a country that's easier to get along with than Japan."
"Well, we don't know what decision our home country will make in the future. For now, we are given a certain degree of discretion on the ground. There shouldn’t be any danger so as long as we don't take hostile actions."
China remained completely unaware of the turmoil in France, and continued to be China as usual.
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Meanwhile, on the Russian side. Under the instructions from their home country, the Russian fleet continued to monitor Ama no Murakumo while keeping an eye on the movements of other countries. Their current anchorage coordinates were outside Ama no Murakumo territorial waters, but still within the contiguous zone. If they were to wait at sea like this within Japan’s contiguous zone, the Coast Guard or Self-Defense Forces would immediately be dispatched to ask them to leave. However, Ama no Murakumo saw no value on the contiguous zone or the exclusive economic zone. The reason they insisted on territorial waters was for self-preservation, and they were not averse to lifting the barrier if necessary. In fact, during the recent commotion caused by the French vessel, there was even some consideration of lifting the barrier.
“Now then, what do you think about that faint rainbow-colored barrier?”
“According to Ama no Murakumo’s official statement, it blocks those with hostile intent. I suppose that could be use as an evidence.”
The deputy captain pointed out to the sea. In that direction, within Ama no Murakumo territorial waters, a Japanese deep-sea fishing ship was peacefully fishing.
"Is that a Japanese ship? If we contact them to ask for permission to pass through their territorial waters, do you think they will grant it?"
“If they are not showing favoritism to that Japanese ship alone, then they would grant us permission according to international law.”
“This might be worth trying.... Communication with Ama no Murakumo is possible, right?”
“Yes. When the UN inspection team visited, they have confirmed a radio frequency that can be used as an open channel. We should be able to contact them through it.”
Testing Ama no Murakumo like this would be somewhat insulting in a way, but it also carried an experimental purpose of confirming whether they would abide international law.
"Three drinks on they would allow us to pass."
"Then three drinks on they would not allow us to pass."
The captain and deputy captain made a gesture of drinking with their fingers and hands. Immediately afterward, the Russian aircraft carrier --- Admiral Kuznetsov, sent a communication to Ama no Murakumo.
"This is Admiral Kuznetsov. We declare the right of innocent passage and request assurance of the safety of the route to the designated coordinates. I repeat....”
It was illegal to use the territorial waters of other countries as a shipping route without permission. However, 'the right of innocent passage' was a right granted to all countries, and if the proper procedures were followed, it couldn't be refused.
“Well then, how will Ama no Murakumo respond?”
“This is outrageous no matter how you look at it. The idea of an aircraft carrier, the flagship of a foreign country fleet, exercising the right of innocent passage is something that would be laughed at in any country."
The deputy captain shook his head in resignation. However, shortly after, part of the barrier marking Ama no Murakumo's territorial waters began to flash, and a section including the sea surface slowly opened up.
"This is Ama no Murakumo. Have a good voyage."
"Copy that. May your ‘country’ have a prosperous future."
After ending the communication, the captain lightly flicked his deputy's neck with his index finger.
"I’ll prepare some special vodka when we return.”
“Much appreciated. I’ve always been interested in your collection.”
Ordering a slow advance, Admiral Kuznetsov proceeded into Ama no Murakumo territorial waters.
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"*beep*.... The Russian fleet flagship --- Admiral Kuznetsov is sailing directly beneath Ama no Murakumo. This is a restricted area."
Upon receiving the communication from the Russian fleet, Hildegard promptly lifted part of the barrier. Since they had exercised the right of innocent passage, allowing them to pass was the proper response according to international law. They had considered being on guard against artillery fire or missile attacks from them, but since Truss One would be able to take countermeasures in the unlikely event of an emergency, they quickly granted them permission to pass.
"They probably wants to see how far we would comply with international law. But since Russia didn't recognize Ama no Murakumo as a country, this testing attitude feels like they're picking a fight."
"*beep*.... I can predict Russia's movements to some extent and Hildegard's assessment that they are 'testing us' is correct."
"They're getting cocky, but we will close our eyes this time."
If it were Misaki, how would she judge and act? The result of simulating that was to give them permission to pass. Ironically, they sent a communication saying 'Have a good voyage.' only to be met with sarcasm in return. Even Octa One could only smile wryly at this.
"Octa One, do you think other countries will be imitating Russia's moves after this?"
"*beep*.... They probably won't use the same tactic, but for example, a country might say their ship broke down and request temporary porting, or that there are patients who need emergency care at our medical facilities, and so on. They might come up with various reasons to try entering Ama no Murakumo territorial waters."
"That's possible.... Then, Octa One, please proceed with the construction an offshore platform. Lady Misaki once mentioned how nice it would be if there was an island nearby, so I think we can fulfill that wish by building an artificial island."
"*beep*.... I will prioritize that. Everything is for Lady Misaki."
*rumbling*
Shortly after such a conversation taking place, the hatch at the lower central part of the battleship opened, and Magia Ritters carrying construction materials began to descend one after another. They then dove straight into the ocean, building foundations on the seabed, and securing them with D-Anchors. There was no need to drill the seabed, since once fixed with D-anchors, those foundations would not move from that spot until the D-Anchors were deactivated. This work process continued until the next morning.
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Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. My schedule on the second day included a social gathering with the commander at the air base in the morning. I did some light exercise in the hotel pool after I woke up, had a buffet breakfast, and then headed to the air force base in a car that came to pick me up. I was promptly guided to a special conference room, where after a brief greeting, the talk with Lieutenant General Mikhail Twining began.
"Umm, actually, I have been entrusted with a message from our delegations who visited Ama no Murakumo as inspection team members not long ago. Could you please hear me out at least?"
"Sure, I'm listening."
"Thank you. It's about the souvenirs...."
Apparently, the security features on the souvenirs were interfering with their daily lives. Even if he wanted to leave the bag at home, it would suddenly hang on his shoulder once they step outside, causing various troubles. Meanwhile, the escort who received the knife could no longer board commercial airplanes because of this, making their life very inconvenient.
My bad, I should have seen this coming....
The reason I made the bags automatically return to their owners if they were separated by a certain distance was to prevent them from being used for things like smuggling. The inspection team members who came to Ama no Murakumo were people with clear background and identity, so I'm sure they won't do such a thing. But if, for some reason or another, the owner of the bag changes, there's no guarantee that it won't be misused. I cannot allow the magic tools I made to be abused. Well, as for the knives, it was to prevent them from being analyzed or reverse-engineered. That being said, analyzing and reproducing a knife made of mithril alloy is impossible with the current Earth technology.
"I see. Then, let's disable it. However, I won't be responsible for anything that happens afterward. The responsibility lies entirely with your side."
"Thank you for your understanding. The government will be responsible for their management and other matters."
"If there are other people who are having the same problem, please tell them to contact us."
It's a security system I created, so I can disable it anytime. I just need to activate the deactivation formula. However, I won’t do it here. I’ll handle it after returning to Ama no Murakumo.
"Changing the subject, about Magia Ritter.… the more I look at it, the more I admire it. I understand that this technology will not be transfered to other countries, but.... for example, if someone wanted to buy a Magia Ritter for private use, could that be arranged?"
Hmm...?
For private use?
Not for military of research purpose?
Maybe something like hobby?
"That's a difficult matter. Magia Ritter is one of our country's greatest military assets. It is unthinkable to simply transfer it for money."
"Hahaha, I knew it. I was just asking out of curiosity."
You look extremely disappointed, though. I'm sure there;s more to it.
"Do you perhaps want a Magia Ritter for yourself?"
"!?"
Oh, it looks like I guessed it right. Well, I can't say I don't understand how he feels. Piloting a giant robot is a man's romance, after all. But the answer is still NO.
"It's really embarrassing. I know it's impossible, but I still wanted to ask regardless."
"Hmm, I see.... Then, would you like to try riding Magia Ritter? Of course, the pilot will be one of my subordinates, but you can sit on the auxiliary seat."
The air base commander looked at me like a pigeon that had been shot with a peashooter.
"A-Are you sure?"
"My Magia Ritter is off limits, but I can let you ride the other Magia Ritter."
"Thank you very much!"
He bowed so hard he almost hit the table with his head.
If you're this happy, then I'm happy too.
"Well, let's get going. I'd like to go shopping in the afternoon."
"Okay, I understand!"
The air base commander stood up and saluted.
Let's consider this as returning the favor of accepting our visit to Guam. Now then, shall we start the Magia Ritter test drive? I wonder what kind of expression the US president will make when he hears this news.