Conspiracies And Global Speculations Surround Us, But Somehow Japan Remains Peaceful
My three-day stay in Guam came to an end and it was time to return home. I agreed to let the US Navy fighter jets escorted us because they insisted, but the sight of FA-18E Super Hornets flying in formation with Magia Ritters was truly spectacular. A sight that any enthusiast would drool over. I switched to autopilot to enjoy the scenery outside.
Well, there's only the blue ocean stretching to the horizon, but I can also see the fleets of various countries scattered here and there. However, it's not just three ships per country like in the Battle of Tokyo Bay, but proper fleets.
"Phew. I guess I can't take it too easy from today onwards. I have to be careful not to overdo it."
"*beep*.... There will be some reports I want to make after you return."
"Got it."
Now, I'm getting scared to hear Octa One’s reports. It's probably related to the recent battle with French vessel.
When Ama no Murakumo came into our view, the fighter jets turned back toward Guam.
Thank you, Super Hornets.
Maybe we should build our own fighter jets, too.
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The upper center deck of Ama no Murakumo opened and we landed safely on the runway. I left my Magia Ritter to a Servant for maintenance, changed into casual clothes, and headed to the bridge right away.
*slide*
The door slid open, and when I entered the bridge, all the Valkyries inside showed relieved expressions.
Oh, it looks like Takeda and Chosokabe have their own workstations now. It’s no longer just makeshift chairs and monitors.
"Welcome back, Master. I'm glad you're safe."
"I'm back.... Now then, Hildegard, Octa One. Can you please tell me what happened while I was away?"
"*beep*.... We engaged in battle with a French vessel and eventually seized it."
"We decided to build an offshore platform right under Ama no Murakumo. Since the foundations are built on the seabed, we can claim it as our land territory."
"*beep*.... There was a protest from the France government, but we have explained the entire situation and urged them to verify the facts first."
They explained everything matter-of-factly.
"In other words, only this oceanographic research vessel Pourquoi Pas took offensive action, correct?"
"Yes, that's correct. They had been meddling with our territorial waters marker buoys for some time and continued to ignore our warnings. Therefore, we deployed Combat Servants to deal with them."
"*beep*.... Fighting broke out as a result, but it was their side that opened fire first."
"What happened to the crew of Pourquoi Pas? They've all left the ship, haven't they?"
"Umm, about that...."
Hildegard's expression clouded. I understood that there were some casualties.
"Octa One, lower the security level around our territorial waters marker buoys. We will take a strict action only when they try to break in."
"*beep*.... Understood. Their bodies are stored in the warehouse."
"Please treat them with respect. Also, make arrangements to return them to France."
"*beep*.... I will dispatch Rossweisse. Please grant her permission to use Magia Ritter."
"I guess that's the only option. Okay, she can use Magia Ritter.... Octa One and Hildegard, I put you two in charge during my absence, so your decision is also my decision."
People died because of my decision. The old me would probably have been so shaken up that my mind would have gone blank. However, I'm the head of state now. This position has its own set of responsibilities. I just learned in a hard way
"*beep*.... Lady Misaki, your vital signs are fluctuating. Is everything alright?"
"People died because of my decision. Even if I pretend to be calm and composed, I guess you will see through it."
"Master. If I had understood your true intentions better, this wouldn't have happened."
"Hildegard, it's not your fault. This is the result of my decision.... Alright, what else? "
I can't change my mood quickly, but right now, I'm on duty. I have to focus on my job.
"Following the recent argument with France, we have begun construction of offshore platform. Here is the data."
The giant monitor in front of me showed an image of offshore platform measuring 100 square meters, constructed directly beneath Ama no Murakumo. The offshore platform was 20 meters above sea level, with a two-story building in the center of it. I asked how they managed to set up a building in such a short time, but it turned out they simply relocated it from the city section. There was also a single white flag fluttered on the rooftop of the building, which apparently served as Ama no Murakumo's national flag.
"Come to think of it, we don't have a national flag yet. I need to come up with a good design quickly...."
"You can design it as you wish, Master. The building in the center will serve as the central administration building and the offshore platform itself will be the mainland of Ama no Murakumo. It's connected to the ground, so we can argue that it's a proper land territory."
"Everything looks good, but please take down the white flag. That's a sign for surrendering."
"Understood."
Additional offshore platforms would be built directly beneath the bow of the Ama no Murakumo, and directly beneath the safety lights on both sides of the rear, all of which would then be connected by a 20m-wide walkway. By further connecting these three offshore platforms at the apexes of an isosceles triangle to the main offshore platform in the center with walkways, this structure would be as big as Ama no Murakumo when completed. There was only one building at the moment, but the plan was to relocate Ama no Murakumo's city section to these offshore platforms over time.
To be honest, when they explained such a grand scale project as if building it with Lego blocks, my head couldn't comprehend it. However, I can already see the project taking a shape in just two days. This is over-technology at its finest.
"Is there no further communication from France?"
"Yes, they seem busy with other problems over there. If they have nothing more to say, I think we can conclude this matter."
"If they still have a bone to pick, then we will respond accordingly. We have declared Ama no Murakumo as a country, legally under the UN Charter and international law. The question is whether the other countries recognize it. France does not, and even claims that Ama no Murakumo is obstructing the high sea. However, that's just their claim in the end."
This kind of exchange is nothing more than a difference in perception and opinion on both sides. If neither side yields, it will just continue to be a deadlock. However, if we continue to solidify our position, someday the other side might finally yield to us.
“Understood. I will continue to monitor the situation with France.”
"*beep*.... That's all for the major things that happened during your absence. For the minor ones, we have reviewed the security systems on each floor of the urban area and the necessary equipment is currently being developed."
"I’m counting on you."
"*beep*.... Lady Misaki, may I ask you something?"
"Hmm? Go ahead."
"*beep*.... When did you realize that Ama no Murakumo was a fully combat-type ship, and that the city section wasn't originally there?"
"Oh, about that.... I only became certain recently. I had a feeling something was off at first. Then I remembered that what I received from God wasn’t an 'immigrant ship' but a 'battleship'."
You might think it’s trivial, but these trivial things can make a big difference sometimes. It’s like when a junior staff member makes a mistake in inventory checks, overorders consumables, and hides them in the warehouse, but it gets discovered when the invoice arrives.
"Oh, I'm thinking of naming the city section. The first floor is a tourist district, so 'Country Road', the second floor is a commercial district, so 'Akindo', and since the third floor is a high-class residential district, I will call it 'High Road'."
"*beep*.... Your naming sense is too old-fashioned. It would be better to name the residential district 'Juno,' the commercial district 'Calamity,' and the tourist district 'Boss'.'"
"Then this mobile battleship would be called 'The Will' instead of Ama no Murakumo. I mean, where did you even learn about 'The Five Stars Stories'?"
"*beep*.... From internet."
"Forget it. If you’re dissatisfied with my names, then everyone should come up with your own names. Let's discuss and decide them later."
"Yes, My Lord... By the way, where are you headed?"
"Hot springs! Guam resort was fun, but our hot springs inn is the most relaxing."
I've only been living in Ama no Murakumo for about half a month, but it feels like I've been living here for years for some reason.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The suicide of French oceanographic research vessel Pourquoi Pas' captain had caused a stir. The cause of his death was head trauma, and it was determined to be suicide by handgun. However, there were many suspicious points surrounding his death. For example, his body had been thoroughly searched for any weapons before he was transferred to the Mistral-class amphibious assault ship --- De Gaulle, and confined. So, where did he get the handgun? The handgun he used was a Beretta Model 92, standard issue for the French military. Two 9x19mm Parabellum cartridges were found inside the magazine, while the bullet that killed him was found lodged in the wall. The only possible explanation was that someone on board the ship handed the handgun to the captain and encouraged him to commit suicide. Therefore, the captain’s body was bagged and stored in a small, cold morgue for further investigation, after the ship returned to France.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
The current ruling party was considering various measures to address Ama no Murakumo's declaration as a country. Even though general election would be held due to the cabinet’s resignation, the current ruling party was still in charge of Japan until the next ruling party formed a new cabinet. They continued to monitor the movements of other countries day and night while maintaining the status quo. On the other hand, the opposition parties were busy with their campaigns.
Determined to seize power in the upcoming elections, these opposition parties held street speeches and spread various baseless rumors to reduce the approval rating of the ruling party. This was a political battle, not a policy one, so as long as they could destroy the current ruling party, it didn't matter if they lied or even made some random promises. The media would never report anything that was inconvenient for them, so they just did whatever they wanted. On top of it, they took this opportunity to 'fabricate' scandals involving candidates from other parties, and even went so far as to intimidate other candidates who were speaking across from them during street speeches.
"Sign a security treaty with Ama no Murakumo."
"Establish diplomatic relations with Ama no Murakumo."
"Analyze Ama no Murakumo's technology to realize a clean energy policy."
"Allow Ama no Murakumo to build military bases in Japan to protect us from threats in Asia."
"Cure diseases that were previously untreatable with Ama no Murakumo's medical technology."
....and so on. All just wishful thinking.
"Please support Ranpo of the Constitutional Democratic Party in the next House of Representatives election!"
"We cannot entrust our country to that corrupt Liberal National Party. Please support me, Onishi, in the election! "
"Ama no Murakumo and I have already been able to set up a forum for discussion through diplomatic channels. It's time for us to become the leaders who will lead Japan. Please support Kozue in the election! "
Despite holding street speeches, things were not going well at all. Occasionally, some passersby stop to listen, but most of the audience were groups of planted supporters hired behind the scenes. Genuine supporters were only a handful.
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"Is there still no contact from Ama no Murakumo!?"
A certain female lawmaker shouted inside her campaign office. She, who was known for her anger tactics ---- deliberately losing her temper and intimidating others during Diet sessions --- was growing increasingly frustrated. Her party's approval ratings weren't as high as she hoped, just over 3% at the time of the cabinet's resignation. But no matter how much behind-the-scenes maneuvering she did, that number barely changed.
"There's still no contact yet. Or rather, are sure she will contact us?"
"Of course she will! Listen, Misaki Tendo is definitely Japanese. There's no way she will not contact us after reading our letter."
Hearing the female lawmaker said so with such confidence, her secretary could only shake her head and sigh. If it was a personal letter from a representative of a country, it would be one thing, but it was just a personal letter from the leader of a political party with low approval rating. There was also no guarantee that her letter has really been delivered to Misaki Tendo.
In the first place, there's no way the ruling party wouldn't know about this letter and let it be delivered. Why doesn't she realize it?
*sigh*
Another sigh escaped from the secretary’s mouth.
"The fact that there was still no contact from Ama no Murakumo remains. So, what should we do? I don't think we have any chance of winning at this point."
"Then we just have to scatter the bullets. I planned to introduce postal voting for the next election, but everything has gone off the rails...."
"Even with postal voting, the votes won't change, right? You don't think your approval rating will go up just because the system has changed, do you?"
"I tell you it will. Our party could even make a comeback. Oh well, we can just introduce it next time."
The female lawmaker was openly and fully prepared to manipulate the votes. Her secretary could only nod in resignation, thinking that if a politician like this were to become the country's representative, Japan's future would be bleak. Unaware of this, Ama no Murakumo was also about to put a certain plan into motion.