Rising Rays of the New Century: Tale of the Japanese Empire

The Expulsion Movement and the Witch of Mars

"Welcome, Your Majesty, the Queen of the Union. I am Akihiro Murei, serving as the Chief Administrator of Mars, the fourth planet in the solar system."

"Riza-Griant Alzawall, Queen of the Space Drifters Union. Today, I look forward to our agenda."

Murei, the de facto head of Mars, stood before the line of official vehicles and welcomed the Queen. Their words were instantly translated into each other's languages by automatic translation devices, exchanging smiles and creating a friendly atmosphere.

"We have prepared a modest welcoming ceremony at the Seleno Aqua City Hall."

"We appreciate your kindness."

At Murei's urging, the Queen boarded the official vehicle provided by her Court. Other senior officials and guards followed suit, boarding the vehicles one by one. Led by soldiers from the IFSF and local police on motorcycles and patrol cars, the procession carrying distinguished guests from the far reaches of space made its way toward the city center and the City Hall.

Main Hall, Seleno Aqua City Hall

After being submerged, the city hall of Seleno Aqua, rebuilt as a tourist waterfront city, was designed to resemble Renaissance architecture inspired by the original Venice. Inside, paintings adorned the ceilings and walls, creating a truly luxurious and splendid atmosphere. The guests from the Queen's Court were witnessing a culture entirely different from their own and gazed at these artworks with great interest.

They were then guided to the grand hall where a welcome ceremony was being held. There, members of the Seleno Aqua Symphony Orchestra, invited by the Administrative Agency, were playing background music.

"...? What is that?"

The Queen looked at the orchestra and asked an honest question. Murei, who was standing nearby, answered. "They are the premier professional orchestra on this planet, Mars. They warmly welcome your visit."

The dispatched orchestra members were performing Mendelssohn's Spring Song. The Earth delegation was listening with admiration to the performance. However, the Union's reaction was quite different from what the Earth side had anticipated.

"Do Earthlings really use such instruments to make music?"

"...Huh?"

One of the Queen's Court officials, a Kyrite man, raised a question. They had a culture of 'music,' but the concept of making it with 'instruments' was absent. Having passed through an extremely advanced mechanical civilization, they had a very faint notion of doing something with their own hands or creating something themselves. This also applied to 'warfare.' Their space battleships, fighter aircraft, and massive androids for ground control were mostly operated automatically by AI.

"In ancient Kyrie, there was also a culture of 'performance.' It's very interesting that the culture we discarded still exists on Earth."

In contrast to the officials, the Queen was genuinely interested in Earth's culture. However, the implied "primitive" nature of it made Murei furrow his brow slightly. Afterward, the Earth hosts and the Union Queen's entourage took their seats at a long table facing each other. Before them were Venetian glass wine glasses and Imari Japanese tableware. Waiters and waitresses went around pouring drinks into each guest's glass in turn. Since the Union did not have a culture of alcohol consumption, soft drinks were provided instead. Murei, the host and Chief Administrator of Mars, stood up with a glass in his hand.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Space Drifters Union and the International Federation delegation, though it may be modest, we have arranged a luncheon for you here in Seleno Aqua. Using specially sourced natural ingredients from Earth, our finest chefs here in Seleno Aqua have put forth their best efforts. We hope that all of you from the Union can experience Earth's culinary culture."