March 13
Prime Minister's Office, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, Japan
While Kojiro Izumikawa, Prime Minister of Japan, sat at his desk, four people were waiting on the reception couch: Tatsuo Miyajima, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry; Kosuke Minegishi, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Yosuke Yasunaka, Minister of Defense; and Shigeru Sasaba, Minister of State for National Strategy Special Zones, Mugen Islands, and Overseas Deployment, the newly established Minister of Special Affairs by the transference.
"They have completed securing McTayle and Urestio Mine."
Defense Minister Yasunaka, who had received the call from the Zion Base, put down the receiver and reported its contents.
"This... has brought a ray of hope to our country's heavy industry."
Minister Miyajima smiled when he heard the victory report.
"However, there are still many resources that are in short supply. How can we obtain them...?"
Sasaba, who is in charge of National Strategy Special Zone and Minister of Special Affairs for the Mugen Islands and Overseas Development, rubbed his chin with his right hand and looked at the concern over resource supply that still cannot be dispelled.
"The local SDF resource survey team has reported the possibility of large deposits of bauxite and sylvite ore in the Seiren Kingom, which are not expected to be produced domestically and have not been confirmed in the Mugen Islands."
Once again, the narrator shifts to Defense Minister Yasunaka. A resource survey team had been dispatched to the Zion Base in the Seiren Kingdom to investigate the distribution of resources on the Seiren Island.
"In the postwar talks with Seiren, we will ask the Seiren Kingdom to approve the right to mine new resources throughout the country in exchange for the cancellation of the obligation to pay the war costs."
Foreign Minister Minegishi describes the future diplomatic policy toward the Seiren Kingdom.
"What shall we do about the Altian Empire?"
PM Izumikawa, who had been silent until now, opened his mouth.
"First of all, it is essential to seize the Yawa Peninsula in order to secure the Urestio Mine, coal mines, and to establish the United States. As for the other resources within the territory of the Empire, what do you think of our policy to allow them the right to mine the resources except for those already developed?"
"...That's fine. What we are protecting is the peace and prosperity of Japan."
Izumikawa accepts Minegishi's proposal and announces his final decision on foreign policy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs then begins work on drafting provisions to be concluded with the Seiren Kingdom and an armistice agreement against the Altian Empire.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Imperial Palace State Council Chamber, York-Arden, Shorteria-San Empire
York-Arden, the capital of the Shorteria-San Empire, which rules the western side of the continent, is a highly artistic city with marble buildings, and people call it the 'White City'. Even in the White City, news reports from the World Magic Telecommunications Company were running around, and the 600.000 citizens living in the capital city were in an uproar when they learned of the sudden appearance of a military power. In the palace where the emperor resides, an emergency meeting is held with the leaders of the country.
"The long-time nemesis, the Altian Empire, is now on its death throes! There is no better time to attack!"
Octavius Cronus, the Military Chief in charge of military affairs, appeals to Emperor Celtius Missal Antonis to go to Altia. Although there is currently a ceasefire between the two countries, they were once rivals who fought each other many times for the unification of the Wirenia Continent.
"...Denied."
Emperor Celtius quietly rejects Octavius' proposal.
"Why, Your Majesty!? This is a rare opportunity to fulfill the First Emperor's long-cherished dream of unifying the continent!" Octavius pressed the emperor.
Having lost almost all of its forces in the Iloa Sea, the Altian Empire was now almost militarily unarmed, making it an ideal prey for the Empire.
"...The fall of the Altian Empire itself by Japanese is probably not far off. In other words, if we send out our troops now, there is a high possibility that we will clash with Japan. If we do so, we may end up following in the footsteps of the Altian Empire," Vizier Kontis Alveolis explained to admonish Octavius. They were concerned about the possibility of confronting the Japanese if they sent troops to Altia.
"If the Japanese military is as strong as the Telecommunications Company claims, we will suffer tremendous damage in the event of a conflict with this country!"
"Gah... that's!"
Unable to refute the Vizier's precise points, the Military Chief Octavius had no choice but to fall silent. At the conclusion of the meeting, it was decided that the Shorteria-San Empire would continue to observe the Japanese-Altian War.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Night of the same day
South District, Custefai, Altian Empire
The news from the World Magic Telecommunications Company that has been circulating around the Eastern World has been disturbing people even after the sun has set. And now, in the corner of the slums of Custefai, the capital of the Altian Empire, there are people scrambling to put an end to the war.
"How long are you going to make us wait? Where is that person!?"
Minister of Military Affairs Sitos Sphinoid, who was surrounded by Imperial soldiers while trying to escape from the capital, was brought with his family to the Temple of Wilcock in the slum. Although he was rescued from imprisonment and execution, his current situation in the temple, surrounded by soldiers who are supposed to be his subordinates, is causing them undue tension, and there is no one who wants to talk to him. The anxiety and frustration of Sitos, his wife and children are growing. At that moment, a soldier barged through the temple's door.
"It's coming!"
Immediately after the soldier enters the chapel, a figure in a noble costume appears from behind the door. The person who could move the soldiers privately and who wanted to talk to Sitos, a figure he could not conceive of even as he contemplated it, appeared.
"Hello, Lord Sitos."
"P-Princess Savia!"
Sitos is shocked by the unexpected figure that appears before him. The person who had led the soldiers to bring him here was the Third Princess of the Empire, Savia Iliam.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I haven't had a lot of time."
"N-no. I too am grateful to you for saving my life, but why is that Your Highness is moving the soldiers of the Imperial Army!? And how do you know what we're up to...?"
There should be no army in the Altian Empire that Princess Savia could move. It was also a mystery as to how she and the others had been able to ascertain Sitos' whereabouts. Savia sat down on an old sofa and explained the circumstances that had led to the current situation.
"They were soldiers aboard three warships that had escaped with their lives from the Battle off Rovania Kingdom, the first battle with the Japanese. The captain of the Zusa, Colonel Gorta Carthyridge, and other high-ranking military officers aboard the three ships are currently under house arrest by your order due to suspected mental illness. In addition, all of the soldiers aboard the three ships have been expelled from the military for dishonoring the military. Since then, they have made this temple their home. I have come here in sympathy with their intentions. I have been keeping an eye on your movements at your residence."
"I-I see, but... what is their will?"
"Ending the war with Japan."
"...!"
Savia knew from the words of her lover Gorta, and from the attitude of Sitos when she probed him, that he was hiding some information about the Battle of Iloa Sea. Furthermore, this morning, reports of the Battle of Iloa Sea were circulating, revealing the true power of the Japanese navy.
"I have called you here for no other reason for that. It is because I needed the information you have on Japan. And don't you have some way of communicating with the Japanese military?"
"..."
The current Altian Empire has lost most of its regular army, and there are many rebellious movements in the vassal states and territories. They don't know how long the neighboring Shorteria-San Empire will stay quiet, and the day is not far off when the Japanese will invade the capital. The country has already been driven into a situation where there are not many years left before it is destroyed. Under such circumstances, there was no time to wait for the emperor to change his mind. Therefore, Savia and her men brought Sitos here to make independent contact with the enemy, Japan.
"It is true... that one of my most trusted men, who commanded the fleet that invaded Japan, is being held as a prisoner of war in the Seiren Kingdom. The news of his defeat was sent to me through his faith shell. Perhaps, if you call him on his faith shell, you may be able to talk to the enemy general."
Sitos told the truth without concealment. The subordinate he mentioned was a naval general, Tema Sympathetic. Finding hope for an end to the war, Savia looked pleased and ordered her men to bring the long-range faith shell to her.
"I knew it... you have a connection to the enemy, then you must contact them right now. Shall I ask your wife and children to rest in the other room...?"
Savia asked Sitos to contact the Japanese military. Sitos nodded silently, knowing that he was not given the option of refusing. His wife, Tin Sphinoid, and the children were then led by a soldier to a separate room with a bed ready for them, leaving Sitos alone in the chapel.
"...Well, I'll call on them."
"Please do..."
Handed the long-range faith shell, Sitos chanted the transmission code to Tema's shell as Savia and the soldiers looked on. A few dozen seconds after the transmission, a voice came from inside the shell.
"Yes, this is the Japanese base in Zion."
On the other side of the shell was an SDF member stationed at the Zion Base in the Serien Kingdom. At this moment, a dialogue, albeit informal, took place between the Altian Empire and Japan.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meanwhile
Iloa Sea
SDF Base Command, Temporary Capital Zion, Seiren Kingdom
Since the SDF liberated the Seiren Kingdom, the branch of the World Magic Telecommunications Company that had been established in this country was restored, and articles written by Grandura and others covering the SDF were circulating in this country as well.
"Rear Admiral Suzuki, there was a message on General Tema's faith shell that was captured after the Iloa Sea."
One of the personnel manning the command center, Leading Private Rokufuku Oma, was visiting Rear Admiral Suzuki in his office. In his hand is a faith shell held by Tema. It was glowing as it received sound signals from the other shell.
"Call for Minerto-kun... immediately!"
"Yes, sir!"
The base commander, Rear Admiral Minoru Suzuki, ordered one of the POWs, an Altian Imperial Army soldier named Minerto Inominit, to come here. Japanese who do not have magic power in their bodies cannot use faith shells. Therefore, Minerto, who had been working as a sound operator in the army, was chosen to provide the magical power necessary to use the shells. He is always on standby inside the command center in case the shells are received.
"I, Minerto Inominit, am here!"
Minerto was summoned and immediately entered his office. While Oma makes sure he has a shell, Suzuki prepares a recorder to record the first contact from the enemy.
"I'll get it, okay?"
"O~K~!"
Suzuki responded to Minerto's question with a bit of excitement. Minerto pressed the call switch.
"Yes, this is the Japanese base in Zion."
Suzuki called out to the other side of the shell held by Minerto. Then a voice came from the other side.
"Sorry for taking your time. I am Minister of Military Affairs of the Altian Empire, Sitos Sphinoid."
"!"
The man who contacted the Zion Base was the man in charge of the military of the Altian Empire. When Suzuki and others learned of Sitos' identity, they were astonished.
"The head of the military is here... if it is an offer of peace negotiations, you are more than welcome."
Suzuki, remembering the negotiations with Tema, asked about the requirements in a slightly nasty way.
"Unfortunately, no... but we have the same intention to end this war. We are all of us of the same opinion that we want to end the war with your country, and we are all colluding to take action!"
Sitos spoke for the will of Savia and her group in a strong tone of voice. In fact, he himself already knew that his country would not win, and he believed that if Japan won, he and his family would not be executed by the emperor. Furthermore, if he showed the Japanese generals that he was willing to cooperate in ending the war, he might be able to extract a pardon from the Japanese government if he was held responsible for the war in his position as a military leader during the war. As a result of his search for a way to survive, he had decided to cooperate fully with Savia and her group.
"Then... Sitos-dono, what kind of cooperation are you willing to give us to end the war?"
Suzuki asked what Sitos intends to bring to the table. As a minister, he should not have the authority to decide on peace, so Suzuki and the others had only one expectation of Sitos.
"You are going to assault the capital, aren't you? Certainly, you can do it. But... you are very much afraid of one thing when you attack Custefai, aren't you?"
"...What are you talking about?"
"It's the custody of the emperor. Even if you succeed in capturing the capital, the situation afterward will be very different if you do not have the fact that you have secured the emperor, the head of our country. If by any chance the emperor should escape from the capital and later collude with the lords and nobles who are entrusted with the governance of the provinces and advocate a total war against you, you will have to bear a considerable amount of trouble. Am I wrong?"
Sitos accurately stated what the Japanese fears most. His ability to rise to the position of the Minister of Military Affairs, despite his young age, was not an ordinary feat.
In the final phase of the battle plan, the landing operation on the capital, the Japanese government is placing the greatest importance on securing the heads of state, including the emperor. The reason for this is that the hardships that the Japanese would have to bear later on would differ greatly depending on whether or not they missed this step. If the leaders of the empire, especially the emperor, were to escape and become guerillas, there is a plan to set up a puppet government in the capital with an appropriate member of the imperial family to rule the empire, but with the original ruler declaring his opposition, the entire empire may not follow a puppet feted by another country, no matter how legitimate their lineage.
Furthermore, the movements of the Shorteria-San Empire are also a concern, even though they are still keeping a quiet eye on the situation. If, in addition to the rebellion of the vassal states, the leaders of the empire become guerrillas, and on top of that, this country marches in from the west, the Altian Empire will completely collapse. If this were to happen, it would be impossible to occupy and rule the country, and the party to demand reparations would cease to exist.
Worst-case scenario, they thought it would be enough to secure only the Yawa Peninsula, a resource zone, but in that case, if they were to force the development project, there would be a situation where forces that are hostile toward Japan would continue to exist right next to the development area, and the development team might be in danger even though they would be escorted by the SDF.
It seems that the Japanese government's intention is to maintain a few years of occupation rule over his country, and indirect rule with a legitimate monarch and government in between, in order to prevent an anti-Japanese spirit from taking root in the region and to make Altia economically dependent on Japan as a country. In that case, it would be better for the Altian Empire to remain alive and well as a country.
"So... are you saying that you will take the emperor and the heads of the government into custody?"
"Of course... but for that to happen, we need information from you."
Sitos was trying to get certain information from Suzuki in order to pull off a coup.
"You mean... you want me to tell you our schedule of operations?"
"...Yes."
The soldiers gathered under Sitos and Savia numbered about 300. With this small force, a coup by themselves would be overpowered in an instant by the soldiers of the Capital Guard and the Imperial Guard. Therefore, it was the view of Sitos and others that the coup should take place on the same day as the landing of the SDF in the capital. However, there was no way Suzuki could divulge the plan of action of his army to the enemy, who he did not even know if they were trustworthy.
"Please, please trust us! The current emperor... I know his character best as his daughter! He will never allow the empire to surrender, no matter the circumstances. The surest shortcut to ending this war is for us and you to work together!"
Unable to stay put, Savia pushed Sitos aside and spoke to Rear Admiral Suzuki. Suzuki was surprised to hear a voice from the other side of the shell suddenly change to that of a woman.
"...Who are you?"
"My name is Savia Iliam, Third Princess of the Altian Empire..."
"...Huh!?"
Suzuki was astonished to hear the voice of the imperial princess coming from beyond the shell. He learned that a faction wishing to end the war had taken in the imperial family as well.
"...!"
Suzuki was troubled. In fact, they had no idea what was going on beyond the shell. Savia and her group were communicating with enemy generals for the sake of saving the country, at the risk of being suspected of espionage if exposed, but there was no way to prove it. From Suzuki and his group's point of view, it was conceivable that the emperor and senators were listening in on these two.
"...Unless the acceptance of the Joint Declaration by the 'legitimate government' of the Empire is notified, Japanese forces will not suspend operations. And with the fall of the capital, the Japanese military operation will come to an end. And... the landing operation on the capital is scheduled to be carried out in the near future."
Suzuki finally opened his mouth. Sitos and Savia listened with bated breath. He reveals that the SDF is preparing to occupy Custefai.
"And, when's the date!?"
"That... I cannot tell you yet. Until you are found to be trustworthy."
Even after being shown the cooperation of the SDF in the coup, Suzuki did not reveal the date of the landing operation.
"B-but...!"
Rejected at this point, there was nothing left to do, so Sitos frantically pressed the enemy commander, whose face he could not see. Suzuki interrupted his frustrated words and presented a proposal.
"...In that case! We would like to make physical contact with you. If your intentions are genuine, would you be so kind as to tell us where you are hiding? There we can work out a detailed plan... to end the war."
Suzuki asked for a face-to-face meeting as a means of building mutual trust.
"...That is most appropriate, for we are in the Temple of Wilcock, located in the slum of the southern part of the capital city of Custefai."
Savia does not hesitate to tell them where she is hiding.
"Alright, I will send my men there shortly... Well, then."
Suzuki then made eye contact with Minerto, who was holding the faith shell, and asked him to cut the communication.
"...Please report to the Japanese government immediately on the content of the current communication. And contact Akagi in the fleet."
"Y-yes, sir!"
Suzuki gives instructions to Oma, who was standing by his side. Upon receiving the base commander's order, he immediately left his office.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Flagship Akagi, off the coast of McTayle, Altian Empire
At that time, off the coast of McTayle, which had been overrun by the SDF and American forces, each of the anchored ships was preparing for the next operation. On the flagship Akagi, carrier-based aircraft are being serviced. Rear Admiral Hasegawa, who is in command of the fleet, looked out over the darkened sea from the bridge.
"Rear Admiral Suzuki of the Zion Base is on the line."
"...Huh."
A crewman working at the below-deck CDC appears on the bridge and informs him of the incoming call from the Zion Base. Upon hearing these words, Hasegawa frowned for a moment.
"...Is there something wrong?"
"No, it's a call, sir."
Upon learning of the incoming call from Rear Admiral Suzuki, Hasegawa goes down to the CDC with the personnel who came to tell him about it.
"Commander Hasegawa... for just one moment, he looked extremely uncomfortable."
Leading Seaman Kei Nakajima, a navigator on duty on the bridge, did not miss the momentary change in expression that Hasegawa showed.
"Yeah, because those two aren't exactly friendly."
Commander Michiyuki Saura, who serves as the chief navigator, gives his reasons.
"Rear Admiral Suzuki sometimes has a sense of humor. I think there is something about him that the more serious Rear Admiral Hasegawa cannot tolerate. I think Rear Admiral Suzuki is a funny guy."
"Eeeh, I see."
When he had just assumed the command of the 1st Escort Group, he was called the "Hero of the JMSDF" for his command during the East Asia War in which he defended the Nansei Islands. At that time, Hasegawa was still serving in the Maritime Staff Office as a captain, but after his promotion, he was appointed as the commander of the 2nd Escort Group. He had a strong sense of patriotism, and he did not like the easygoing atmosphere of Rear Admiral Suzuki, who was in the same position as him but of a different age.
CDC
Hasegawa went down from the bridge to the CDC and picked up the receiver, which was connected to the Zion Base Command Center.
"Hello, you have changed the phone. This is Hasegawa."
"This is Suzuki. I got a call from the shell today... It's the Altian Empire's Minister of Military Affairs and the Third Princess."
Suzuki got right down to business. He informed them that the enemy communication device he had captured had been contacted by heavyweights from the Altian Empire.
"They are planning to coup the imperial government. They are going to drag down the emperor who will never admit defeat."
"...Are you saying that the princess and the head of the military are going to stage a coup d'état!?"
"Yes, that's right! We have already informed the Japanese government of this."
Hasegawa cannot hide his surprise to learn that major changes are about to take place in the enemy country. This was an important piece of information that could greatly affect the future actions of the SDF and the US military.
"So what did they say?"
"They asked us the best date to launch the coup, in other words, the scheduled date of the capital landings."
"...You gave them the dates of the landings in the capital!?"
"No... no way."
The reason why Sitos and Savia came through a sound link to the Zion Base was to know when the SDF would land in the capital city of Custefai. Hasegawa feared that Suzuki might have revealed this, but Suzuki denied it with a light snort.
"Neither the Japanese government nor we believe they are trustworthy yet... So I want you to get in touch with them."
"...! And where it's at!?"
Suzuki requested that a small number of ground troops be sent to Custefai prior to the landing operation. Realizing his intentions, Hasegawa inquired about the whereabouts of those he said were trying to stage a coup.
"The Temple of Wilcock, located in the slum in the southern part of Custefai... that is where they are said to be."
"I understand. I'll send them out immediately."
"Please do... bye."
After relaying the requirements, Suzuki hung up the call. Immediately thereafter, Hasegawa gave urgent instructions to his subordinates.
. . .
Well dock of amphibious assault ship Shimabara, off the coast of Custefai
The amphibious assault ship Shimabara, which launched a surprise attack on the headquarters of the Capital Guard's Dragon Cavalry during Operation Olympic two days ago, is anchored off the coast of the capital city of Custefai with the Kirishima accompanying it as an escort. The captain of Shimabara, Osaki, received a message from the flagship Akagi, which is anchored off the coast of the city of McTayle. The contents of the message were to "send a small number of ground troops to a location in the capital city of Custefai," and in order to carry out the order, an AAV7 was preparing to go out. Inside it, 13 US Marines stand by with equipment necessary for the operation.
The ground troops selected to be sent to the capital this time were the US Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance, or "Force Recon," a unit with special operations capabilities belonging to the USMC, and among them, soldiers of the 5th Force Reconnaissance Company stationed at Camp Butler in Okinawa. The US Marines were chosen because it was determined that the facial features of the people of the Wirenia Continent are similar as the Westerners of the original world, and that infiltration by JGSDF personnel would make them stand out.
"Commence well dock flooding!"
Seawater flowed into the well dock to launch the AAV7. Several minutes later, when the flooding was completed, the aft gate door was opened. The area that could be seen through the opening of the door was a jet-black sea lit only by the faint moon and stars.
"AAV7, launch!"
With Force Recon on board, the AAV7 sets off for the mainland coast of the Altian Empire. 13 US Marines are heading for Custefai, right in the middle of the enemy territory.