October 31, 2029
Sea south of Juperia Continent
Four huge ships, the Shimakaze, Kaede, Sawagiri, and Jintsū, sailed over the sea. The four ships belonging to the 13th Escort Squadron were making their way over the open ocean. Originally stationed in Sasebo, the 13th Escort Squadron had been moved to this location a year before the reinforcement of the port city of Lucinia in the Elmstacia Empire and the construction of a base were completed by the Japanese government's ODA. The Elmstacian government had granted the Japanese government the right to station and build a base in this port city in return for the Leviathan Subjugation Operation conducted about two and a half years earlier, with the main objectives of maintaining security in the sea lanes and developing undersea resources.
In some of the friendly countries and the outer territories that Japan acquired after the transference, trading ports and bases have been built and maintained by the Japanese government for use by Japanese-flagged vessels. Among them, those that are large and largely Japanese-owned, such as the base in Lucinia (of course, Japan has full usage rights for trading ports and bases built on Japanese territory outside Japan), are numbered from 0 to 6 in order of their construction.
Furthermore, in some of the port cities where these seven trading ports and bases are located, the Maritime Self-Defense Force's regional deployment units, which were moved to Japan, are stationed. These are Makuteru in the outer Yawa Peninsula, Zion in the Seiren Kingdom, Pais in the Tomino Kingdom, and Lucinia in the Elmstacia Empire. Of course, ships belonging to the JMSDF sometimes arrive in port cities other than these four cities, but unlike the four cities, no specific units are assigned to them.
And this time, the 13th Escort Squadron, which moved its home front from Sasebo to Lucinia, is headed for the Holy Rovance Papal State of the Seven Dragons, with which there are still no diplomatic relations. It is the smallest of the Seven Dragons, and its territory is small even on a global scale. Its standing military strength is also small, reaching only a few tens of thousands of troops.
The reason why this country is one of the Seven Dragons is because it is the center of the world religion called Irulanism, which is widely spread on the Juperia Continent. The religion has under its control the heads of state of all nations, including the emperor of the Crossnellyard Empire, who is called the strongest of the Seven Dragons. Therefore, although the Holy Rovance Papal State are weak in terms of standing forces, they have virtually the largest military force in the world that can be called upon in case of emergency.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Shimakaze Officer's Quarters
"...that concludes the description of the Holy Rovance Papal State, where we are currently headed."
Jingo Osawa, one of the foreign affairs bureaucrats, bowed to the seated senior SDF officers and foreign affairs bureaucrats as he finished explaining their destination, the Holy Rovance Papal State. Their purpose is to formally 'protest' to the Papal government about the 'attempted intrusion of the Imperial Palace,' including the illegal entry into the country until now.
The Japanese public has not yet been informed of the incident, with them only being told that three foreign nationals broke into the outer moat of the Imperial Palace and were arrested, partly out of concern that it could reignite the demonstrations by right-wing groups, which have been gaining momentum since the military conflict off the Senkaku Islands.
However, there is a great deal of anger within the government over this incident, which clearly crosses a line that should not be crossed, and the decision to go to this country, which is believed to be the mastermind behind this incident, to protest was quickly made, and a delegation was quickly organized and a schedule arranged for this purpose. It would be all right if the meeting resulted in an apology and the matter was settled. If they failed to apologize and declares war on Japan...
"Will the other party... agree to the meeting?"
Naotaka Shiga, one of the foreign affairs bureaucrats accompanying the delegation, expressed concern about the mission. If the other party is just a weak country, the Japanese will have no difficulty. If that were the case, Japan could take it to the extreme, publicize the incident worldwide as a declaration of war against Japan, and then attack them unilaterally.
However, the other party is the center of the world's religion, which boasts virtually the world's greatest military power, and if they make a bad move, they will make enemies of a wide range of countries on the Juperia Continent. If this were to happen, the Japanese who are active on the continent would be harmed, and the trade routes around Juperia could also be interrupted. The Japanese government and their delegation were faced with the frustration of dealing with a religion and ideology rather than a single country.
"If push came to shove, we could just casually threaten them. That's why we brought four destroyers..."
Touji Higashizusu, the administrative vice minister of the Foreign Affairs and plenipotentiary of Japan, who is the representative of this delegation, answered with a frown.
"Operation Black Ships, huh..." Shiga murmured.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, having reflected on the incident four years ago in diplomatic negotiations with the Altian Empire, when a delegation visiting their country was attacked and a diplomat was killed because they were careful not to provoke the other side, has decided to dispatch a special envoy this time around, with the aim of protecting the diplomat and the delegation from the attack. The Operation Black Ships is launched with four vessels to board directly into the capital of the other country to show the other side how powerful they are. This is what the 13th Escort Squadron is for.
"Bridge to all quarters. Destination in sight. We will arrive shortly."
"!!"
An announcement echoed through the ship. The time had finally come to make the first official contact with the fourth superpower, the Holy Rovance Papal State.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Holy Rovance Papal State... although the size of its territory itself is in the range of small and medium-sized countries when viewed from a global perspective, it boasts a long history and a large amount of wealth that is out of proportion to the size of the country, thanks to the 'contributions' and 'donations' collected from the various Irulan states on the Juperia Continent. Its capital, Rovance Delight, is called the Head Temple, and devout believers from neighboring countries come here to worship. The city has an artistic splendor to show off its wealth, and its appearance is breathtaking to those who visit it for the first time.
On October 31, 2029, huge ships suddenly appeared off the coast of the city. The 100.000 people living in the capital of Rovance Delight were in an uproar.
Papal Administration, Capital Rovance Delight, Holy Rovance Papal State
The country's government had also called an emergency meeting for countermeasures. Seated at the round table were the heads of state, the highest-ranking officials of the Irulan religion, which unites most of the Juperia Continent.
"The emissaries of Japan have requested a meeting with our country! Perhaps it is about the last incident!"
Leon Azrophilic, head of the diplomatic service, informed the participants about the extraordinary situation.
"Those insolent heathens from the outskirts of the world are getting brazen! What have we to fear, who are blessed by the Absolute God! We should declare a holy war with impunity! And then—"
A nation with a power that exceeds the powers of the world appeared off the coast of the capital city with four gigantic ships, the likes of which had never been seen before. Under such circumstances, Pontifical Secretary Gregorio Bronchas urged the Pope to reveal his long-held hostility toward Japan. However, this is not a wise choice under the current circumstances. He was interrupted by a man who spoke up.
"But the current emperor of Crossnellyard, who is our greatest shield, has formed a close relationship with Japan... I don't think he will bend to our will..."
Venedikt Medulla, head of the Internal Affairs, lamented the fact that the reins on the current emperor of the Crossnellyard Empire, Fasta III, who had been the greatest backer of the power wielded by the Holy Rovance Papal State on the continent, were about to be removed. Since his accession to the throne, Fasta III had often spoken and acted in opposition to the Head Temple. The fact that this had become more and more pronounced in recent years was troubling them. In the worst-case scenario, a flicker of excommunication might bring them back to their knees. Unlike the emperor, the 18 heads who governed the states of Crossnellyard are the heads of the Irulan religion. There are few people who have a rebellious spirit against the Pope. If he were to excommunicate Emperor Fasta in his current state, he would be at odds with the heads of the various regions.
However, excommunication means that the Pope himself will throw the subject outside the framework of the Irulan religion. In other words, while Emperor Fasta would be greatly inconvenienced by the excommunication in the current situation, the Pope would be even more disadvantageous because he would be throwing away the backing of Crossnellyard by his own hand. Therefore, the two sides have been forced to continue their quiet standoff for some time now.
In recent years, however, thanks to Emperor Fasta's steady persuasion, more and more of the 18 heads have come to agree with the emperor's views. In other words, the emperor has begun to create a climate in which excommunication is not a problem. What the Head Temple did not expect was the emergence of a new group of pagans, Japan. Their contrary to the scriptures medical practices quickly eliminated the epidemic, spurring the emperor's doubts about the current Irulan religion, and at once two margraviates and a knighthood converted to the emperor's cause. The Papal supporters within Crossnellyard are gradually being driven into a corner. This frustration was stirring the hearts of the executives of their headquarter.
"I never expected... that plan would fail...! Useless bastards!"
The director of the Defense Department, Boniface Ganglion, lamented the fact that the Japan Indoctrination Plan, which he had been planning and preparing for a long time, had failed so easily after all was said and done. The attempted intrusion of the Imperial Palace had sent the Japanese government into a whirlpool of unrest and anger. It was the upper echelons of the country that orchestrated this. Their aim in this incident was to bring Japan under the control of the Irulan religion.
Originally, he had heard that the Japanese were a people with wildly disordered religious views, who indiscriminately clung to all the gods of all religions. If he could explain to them through the mouth of their emperor how wonderful the Irulan religion and Thiam, the Absolute God were, they would immediately fall in line with the Irulan religion. Then, they would be able to stop the practice of medicine, which is contrary to the scriptures.
Moreover, if they can draw the suddenly emerging third party to their side, the situation will change at once. With the new backing of the new power, Japan, they would be able to maintain their power on the continent even if Crossnellyard were to leave their hands. That is what they thought.
"Shouldn't we just keep our mouths shut about their plans...?"
"What are you talking about!? Are you going to go against the heathens and lie about your intentions?"
"But there is no proof that we gave the order... If we put it all on the three of them..."
Pope Innocent III, sitting in the presidency of the conference, was pondering the situation.
'...But they came much earlier than I expected. In my scenario, this is after that man has made his move! Therefore, I had intended to declare war on Japan at this point, but... I had heard a lot about them, but I had underestimated their speed of movement. We must appease them first and ask the Japanese emissaries to return home peacefully...'
Gathering his thoughts, Innocent suddenly stood up and stated the conclusion he has reached.
"...I'm sorry, but Venedikt is right, we have no choice but to tell a lie and ask them to leave peacefully...!"
""!""
At the Pope's words, the conference hall erupted in noises.
"Your Holiness! Have you forgotten your own position!? Against the heathens of the east..."
Gregorio pleaded at Innocent. If the other party asks for an apology, he has no choice but to accept it. But that is not something that the head of a world religion would allow. In the crowded conference room, the Pope pointed out to the fleet offshore outside the window, while still speaking to the noisy officials of the country.
"...?"
The mysterious action suddenly taken by the Pope raised a question mark among the participants. Immediately after, Innocent declared in a powerful voice.
"Behold that swarm of warships! The Japanese are showing us how powerful they are, and holding 100.000 people of the capital hostage!"
"!!"
The participants were shocked.
"A Pope who can't even protect his own congregation can't even face God! It is true that the faithful, who know nothing about what has happened, may despise a Pope who bows down to the pagans... But for now... I want to protect the lives of my people, my congregation!"
With a sad face, Innocent appealed to the emotions of the participants. Immediately after, his eyes widen and tears well up in the corners of his eyes as he continues.
"I want you to leave it to me. I may cause you all to feel shame for a time... but the time will come! Until then, we must bide our time. Remember, God is with us!"
Let us endure now for the victory that will eventually come. The executives were moved by the Pope's words, thinking of the congregation living in the Head Temple. The meeting then comes to an end. The Pope himself is now in charge of the meeting with the Japanese envoy.
Papal Administration Hallway
As the Pope was walking back to his room to prepare for the meeting, a man dressed like a secret agent appeared from somewhere and whispered to Innocent with an eerie smile on his face.
"That was a good acting..."
"Don't talk nonsense. What about that man...?"
Innocent lightly reprimanded the man who was following him as they walked side by side on his way to his room, and asked him about the progress of the plan he had been working on.
"Yes. It will take a while..."
The man who seems to be a secret spy told him exactly what he has reported from the field.
'Another miscalculation... his indecision...'
The Pope looked annoyed and heaved one long sigh.
'Hm? ...That's right!'
The Pope perked up. He spoke again to the secret agent.
"Tell the men of Lithianburg to tell that man that—"
"...!"
Innocent gave one message to the man. The spy put his right ear to his mouth.
"I understand, Your Holiness..."
Upon receiving the message, the man removed his ear from the Pope's mouth, bowed, and left out of nowhere.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two hours after the messenger was sent, the Japanese envoys deployed off the coast of the capital received a reply: "We will agree to talks with you on condition that you disarm anyone who comes ashore." The six-member mission, consisting of three bureaucrats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and three GSDF members dispatched as escorts, boarded a small boat and headed for the Head Temple in Rovance Delight.
About four years ago, the GSDF and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had made the mistake of having a diplomatic mission attacked by the Altian Empire's military as a substitute for a declaration of war, and one person was killed. Therefore, the expressions on the faces of the six men on this delegation showed a strong sense of tension and caution. This is even more so because the other party has set a condition that they must be disarmed.
'Even if our lives are lost, we must convey the will of our nation...!'
After landing in the capital, Touji, who serves as the head of the mission and plenipotentiary envoy, felt the weight of the mission assigned to him. After that, the six of them rode in a two-horse cart sent by the Pope's office to pick them up and passed through the city under curious eyes, and they were confronted by a vast building decorated with statues and gorgeous ornaments. The Papal Palace, built with enormous funds and manpower, boasted a splendor that greatly surpassed the royal and imperial palaces of all the countries they had visited so far in this world.
"...Wow!"
Shiga, one of the delegation members, couldn't help but let out an exclamation at the majestic appearance of the place.
Papal Palace Parlor
The delegation was escorted to the reception room. Leaving their guards outside the room, the three foreign affairs officials waited for the head of this country to enter.
"........."
They sweat nervously as they are surrounded by paintings and works of art, both ancient and modern, that have been installed in the room for the enjoyment of those who come. Then...
Kachak!
"...!"
The sound of a door opening is heard, and the three stand up to greet the newcomer. Standing there was a man wearing a purple crown and a long, floor-length, yet luxurious robe. He entered the room and slowly opened his mouth, smiling, with his arms outstretched.
"Welcome... Welcome to the world's greatest city of art... the Head Temple of Rovance Delight! I am Innocent, the Head of State and Pope of Irulan faith!"
"...!"
The three were surprised by the Pope's words of welcome and his unexpected greeting.