In the sea region that is called the Great Orient, far from the Three Great Civilized Lands, there was a continent.

Its size was about half the size of Australia, so it was too small as a continent, but also too big as an island.

This land was called Rodenius, where three countries existed.

The agricultural nation that was endowed with fertile soil and had an extensive farmland region, "Qua-Toyne Principality".

The poor country with great desert expanses where it was hard to grow crops, "Quila Kingdom".

The human-only country continues to discriminate against the demi-races like elves, dwarfs, and beastkin, and aim to unite Rodenius, "Louria Kingdom".

Both the Quila Kingdom and the Qua-Toyne Principality had one-third of their population composed of demi-humans like elf, dwarf, and beastkin. For that reason, the two nations didn't maintain a good relationship with Louria who sang the demi-humans extermination plan, have a good relationship with each other, and together they cooperate to oppose the Lauria Kingdom's threat.


Central Calendar Year 1639, Month 1, Day 24. 8:00. Morning.

The Dragon Knight from the 6th Flying Squadron of Qua-Toyne Principality was under a patrol duty in the clear blue sky.

Clouds could only be seen at the faraway horizon, so the visibility was extremely high that they even could see too far distances.

In that sky, a creature that has a remarkably gallant figure flapped its wing.

A jet black body and sharp tail. If any modern Earth people see it, they might call it the creature of the fantasy, "Dragon".

Atop that dragon, there was a person who wore light armor.

The armor was of a simple design, but it was functionally stunning.

Maarpatima, a Dragon Knight of the Qua-Toyne Principality was manipulating a flying dragon called "Wyvern" and was assuming the duty of patrolling the Principality's eastern area.

Even if he went northeast or east from the Principality, there was nothing but a vast expense of sea, but since at present the state of tension continued with the Louria Kingdom, it was hypothesized that they might perform a surprise attack from this empty region.

As a countermeasure so they could detect it early, he and his partner flew on the Principality's northeast for patrol duty.

The sea that spread out underneath him, was the sea where countless adventurers sailed towards the east to search for new lands, but until now, no one ever returned.

"!?"

He found something.

"What is that!?"

He found something in the sky that should be empty of anything but himself.

"An ally...?"

On this place that was definitely out of the cruising range of any wyvern that came from Louria Country, he concluded that it was no other than an allied wyvern. However, he should be the only one who flew at this airspace right now.

Though there were wyvern mother ships called "Dragon Carrier" in the Three Great Civilized Lands, there shouldn't be any of this ship in this far away land from the Civilized Lands.

The flying object that was small as a grain gradually became bigger, and then could be fully seen.

As it became closer, he could confirm that it was not an allied wyvern.

"It doesn't flap its wings?"

He quickly used the communication magic tools, also popularly called mana communicator, and reported the situation to the headquarters.

"I discovered an unidentified object. Will engage to identify. The current location..."

Fortunately, there was no great difference in their altitude. To do a pass by with the unidentified object, he closed the distance.

"It's big..."

He passed by with the unidentified object.

The object was absurdly big than what he thought. It didn't have flap its wings, but have six-something attached to its wings and rotated at high speed.

The body was white and as well as its wings.

He made the wings of his beloved partner spread out from side to side which then flaps. The wind pressure became heavier as he flew faster. The vast distance was covered in a mere second... But he couldn't catch up with the object.

A wyvern maximum speed is 235 km/hour. It was boasted as the fastest animal (though in the Three Great Civilized Lands there exist a superior breed), faster than a horse. But this supreme champion of the sky mobility couldn't catch up with the object.

He couldn't comprehend at all, just what kind of animal the object was?

"Kugh...! What is that? That thing!"

He uttered the word of shock.

"HQ! HQ! Even if I want to identify the unidentified object, the speed is too different! Can't pursue! The unidentified object moved towards 'Maihark' direction in the mainland. I repeat. It moved towards Maihark direction!"

The Dragon Knight Maarpatima, separated from that flying object.


Qua-Toyne Principality. 6th Flying Dragon Squadron Base.

Kalmia, the base communication operator, couldn't believe her ears when she heard the report that came from the manacom (mana communicator).

"Currently the unidentified flying object is in the airspace 130 km northeast from the base, it's no use, can't pursue! The flying object is really big and doesn't flap its wing. The speed is surpassing our own!"

"Report the nationality."

Kalmia was considering the possibility of an attack from the Louria Kingdom that was in a state of tension with the Principality during recent years, so she asked for the nationality of the object.

"The nationality is unknown!"

"Is there a possibility of it being an elder dragon or something else?"

"It's not an elder dragon nor it's a Louria Kingdom's Wyvern! It's unknown if it's a living being! Request urgent reinforcements!"

"Roger!"

Kalmia quickly went to report the communication to her superior, the Base Commander.

"Unidentified object, you say?"

The Base Commander asked Kalmia.

"Yes. The speed extremely surpassing our own, furthermore, the object doesn't flap its wings, these are the report from the Dragon Knight Maarpatima."

The Base Commander didn't have any idea of what kind of creature that surpassed a dragon. However, he remembered a rumor that there was a country amongst the Great Powers that use a non-living object called a flying machine.

"Doesn't flap its wings... That can't be."

"The unidentified object is moving towards Maihark's direction. From the location of the report, it will quickly arrive at the mainland."

It seems that the unidentified object is heading towards their country at ultrafast speed. He was panicked at the urgent prompt decision.

"W-What did you say!? Launch every standby knights of the 6th Dragon Knights! If it's only a single object then there is a high possibility that it's a scout, but if by any chance we get an attack, our army's pride is at stake!"

The flustered Base Commander passed the order to the whole headquarters who then became noisy like a beehive.

An unidentified object that couldn't be pursued even by a wyvern and it was heading towards Maihark, a city that was the economic center of Qua-Toyne Principality. From the object's speed, perhaps it already intruded on the country's airspace.

There was an order with the communication magic in the whole base area of the 6th Flying Squadron.

"Every knight of the 6th Flying Dragon Squadron, scramble! An unidentified object is believed to approach Maihark and intruded on our territorial airspace. As soon as discovered, bring it down! I repeat, as soon as discovered, bring it down!"

On the runway, the Dragon Knights of the 6th Flying Dragon Squadron and their wyverns soared to the sky in turns. The numbers were 12 Knights, it was a full sortie, they soared high towards the clear sky.

The 6th Flying Dragon Squadron was lucky to confront the unidentified object from the front. The unidentified object that was just a point in the sky quickly became bigger before their eyes.

"What a mysterious object..."

"The hell!? What's that!"

"A monster?"

Each of the squadron members muttered their impression.

"It's so fast..."

The unidentified object quickly closed the distance. Its speed, even after considering their relative speed, was extremely fast.

The object was just like in the report, it could fly at an extremely high speed.

The captain of the 6th Flying Dragon Squadron ordered each of the squadron members using the manacom.

"Fire a fusillade of a concentrated flame ball. There is a report that our opponent has a speed greatly surpassing our own. So there is no other chance than when it passed us. Gentlemen, let's show the result of our daily training!"

The captain cut off the manacom and muttered.

"...What in the world is that thing?..."

The 12 Wyverns were lined up side by side and its mouth.

It was to perform a fusillade of the concentrated flame ball. There are no flying dragon that won't fall if this hit.

Inside the wyvern's mouth, the fireball gradually taking form.

Perhaps it had seen through their timing, the unidentified object began to climb up the wyvern already flew at their highest altitude at 4000 meters, so it was beyond their expectation. The object continued to increase its altitude with an absurd climbing power. The 6th Flying Dragon Squadron range of fire couldn't reach that unidentified object and so they disengaged.

"This is 6th Flying Dragon Squadron, reporting to Headquarters. We discovered the unidentified object. When we prepared to attack, the unidentified object increased altitude and now moving forward to Maihark while maintaining its extra high altitude. I repeat-"


Qua-Toyne Principality. Trade City Maihark.

The Qua-Toyne Principality was a country located in the northeast of the Rodenius Continent.

The region that was blessed by the Goddess of the Land, in spite of being fertile, was a hard place for weeds to grow. Even if the edible herbs or grains were neglected and didn't get any human's attention, they would grow steadily. A country with a food self-sufficiency rate far above 100%, where water and food are, and where even the livestock could eat delicious food.

At the northeast of this agricultural nation lies the Trade Center City, Maihark. The antiquated shops building lined up at the paved main street at the center of the city where carriages and land birds hustled and bustled with overflowing liveliness.

With a large bang, a door was opened, where a woman in her mid-20's rushed out with an alarmed expression. The woman was wearing armor, sword at her waist and bow at her back.

Behind the woman who began to run with such vigor, there were people, who seemed to be her subordinates, following her.

In contrast with the peaceful city scenery, every member was donning their armor and nervousness enveloped their expression.

They were running towards the top of the building located at the corner of Maihark Castle.

"Ha... Ha... Ha..."

These people, who rushed up to the top of the building while heavily clad in armor, started to look at the sky while regaining their breath.

The Captain of Maihrak Defense Knight Corps, Ine, remembered the report from the 6th Flying Dragon Squadron and ordered her subordinates.

"Before long, the unidentified object will arrive on Maihark's airspace! According to the 6th Flying Dragon Squadron's report, the unidentified object will come intruding with speed faster than a wyvern. All hands, take your positions!"

Every member of the Knight Corps nocked an arrow at the bow held in their left hand and once again looked towards the sky.

Ine shifted her eyes between the watchtowers at the city's 4 directions as every Knight had assumed their position.

She began to reassess the situation. According to the report, with its speed and altitude, the unidentified object had shaken off the 6th Flying Dragon Squadron that this country was proud of. Typically, the air to ground attack method of a flying dragon was only by firing a breath from its mouth. This was because the flying dragon was surprising couldn't carry any heavy objects. If it was only a single unit that came to this place, then even if it attacked, there wouldn't be any major damage. She guessed that perhaps the enemy's objective was to conduct a reconnaissance.

However, what in the world is that object that even couldn't be pursued even by flying dragons?

To easily fly above the height ceiling of the flying dragon, what a fearsome existence. Then before long, that object will appear in the sky above Trade City Maihark.

Ine was observing the sky.

"It comes!"

The Knight at the east building, who was watching the eastern direction, loudly yelled.

Everyone immediately turned towards that direction.

The sand grain-like object, before long showed its true nature. While giving out a faint whirring sound that they have never heard before, the flying object arrived at Maihark's sky.

The object slowed down and circling at the altitude that no bow could reach.

The whitish object was bigger than a wyvern, then the unflapping wings were drawn with a red circle.

"So fast..."

The mysterious object that could fly even faster than the most proficient Wyvern-user Dragon Knights of Qua-Toyne Principality. That object was had intruded at the city's airspace, but it didn't seem to perform any attack.

It was possible to attack the object by using wyverns but the 6th Flying Dragon Squadron had already sortied and was in the middle of returning. Since the object approached so rapidly, they also couldn't prepare any additional equipment.

The only counterattack method they had at the present point was only firing with bows from the ground. Even so, it was clear that the arrow won't reach the object.

The object was circling several times above Maihark as if aiming for prey while giving out the eerie whirring sounds.

"W-What the hell is that!?"

"Waaaaaa, monster! A monster has come!"

The citizens' face was frozen with fear. The people inside the house were so overwhelmed with fear. The people inside the house were so overwhelmed with fear that they began to close windows and doors one after another. It was chaos as people on the road started to run around searching for a hiding place.

The object, that had bestowed dread and terror to the peaceful city, didn't do anything, and after some moment, as if it had satisfied, it flew towards the north.


Central Calendar Year 1639, Month 1, Day 27.

Qua-Toyne Principality. A Port North of Trade City Maihark.

The port that was located north from Trade City Maihark was somewhat apart from the city, but since it was affiliated with Maihark, it was called "Port Maihark".

At that Port Maihark, there was a base where the 2nd Fleet of Qua-Toyne Principality Navy was wrapped with a tension that was above the usual.

The origin of this tension was the event that happened 3 days ago. A large unidentified object had easily crossed the air defense network of the flying dragon squadron that the Principality's possessed and circled above Maihark. Since it didn't perform any attack, it was conjectured conducting reconnaissance, but the problem was, the unit was not something from the Louria Kingdom. Moreover, there was no report of the existence of that unit in the Major Power of Three Great Civilized Lands, Papardia Empire. In the first place, there is a possibility that it wasn't affiliated with any country.

Even so, it was a fact that the Principality had been scouted out by an unidentified existence, which doubled the military's air of tension.

Because the Qua-Tone Principality's Military was in a state of high alert, every warship was all out for offshore patrol duty. The 6th Flying Dragon Squadron too was tripling the vigilance of their observation network more than ever.

The patrol situation from every direction was routinely reported to Maihark Defense Control Room.

There was no particular abnormality and they didn't detect anything.

"What does Commander Nouka think about the true form of the unidentified object?"

The young officer asked the Commander.

"Hmm... Since I didn't see it, I can't say it. It's just if it was only seen by one Dragon Knight, then that will end no more than idle gossip. But every member of 6th Flying Dragon Squadron had witnessed it, furthermore, there were eyewitness reports from the Maihark citizen and the Knight Corps. At the very least, the unidentified object surely exists."

Nouka continued his deduction as if he was putting his thoughts in order.

"There is no country in the east, and in the northeast, there is a group of islands with settlements, however from the report, none possessed that kind of unit. There is a possibility that it was from the Louria Kingdom or Papardia Empire in the Three Great Civilized Lands on the north, but based on the armaments of both countries that had been recorded until now, there wasn't anything that had that characteristic. We couldn't exclude the possibility that it was a newly developed unit, but its shape is radically unusual. My intuition says it doesn't belong to either one."

"I see..."

The inexperienced young officer, couldn't conceal his uneasiness and dropped his shoulder.

As if instigated by that uneasiness, the communication operator yelled loudly.

"Commander! Commander!"

The commander and the young officer's expression was dyed with tension and looked together at the communication operator.

"Report from warship Pima! 'Detected unidentified large ship. Current location, 60km north from Port Maihark. Will approach the ship and perform on-ship inspection'."

"Large ship...?"

What they discovered was not the unidentified object, so the commander made a doubtful expression. However, it's a safe bet to say that this party had a connection to the aforementioned matter.

"If they only detected it, then it still isn't clear what kind of ship it is... Warship Pima is the ship of Captain Midori, correct? Instruct them to report as soon as they distinguished the ship, but plenty of attention when inspecting the ship without any incident, any suspicious point must be thoroughly investigated,"

"Yes, Sir!"


Qua-Toyne Principality. 60 km North from Port Maihark.

The warship Pima that belonged to Qua-Toyne Principality Navy's 2nd Fleet, was currently heading towards the strange large ship.

The sail was fully hoisted, the caught wind was transformed into kinetic force, while the oars were thrust out from the ship and rowed according to the beat of the drum.

The warship already switched into combat readiness. All the crew was wearing leather armor. The sword-armed crew already standing by on the upper deck and readied their bow. Wooden shields to ward arrow were lining up at the upper deck, and a large ballista was installed at its side. There were also several oil jars placed nearby for fire arrow attack. They were ready to jump into combat at any time.

While keeping this readiness, the ship's captain Midori turned pale at the unidentified large ship as they drew closer. Perhaps he realized the reason why they hadn't yet arrived even after they had been approaching it for quite some time.

"Captain, perhaps the unidentified ship noticed that we are approaching so it seemed that they suddenly decreased their speed."

Midori began to address the Vice-Captain who haven't realized the situation yet.

"That's true... Vice Captain, I will lead the inspection party. If something happened, I leave the command to you."

"Yes, Captain... Is there something you worried about?"

Since Midori's stared at the large ship with unchanged expression, the Vice-Captain also stared at the large ship.

Before long, finally, he too realized the truth why they haven't arrived at the ship even though they had been approaching since some time ago. Only the ship's silhouette that gradually became bigger. Because it was so big, they had miscalculated the distance between the ships.

"...Vice-Captain. Doesn't its size has crossed over a normal ship standard?"

"Yes... I also couldn't see it other than a floating small island."

Midori and his vice-captain were lost for words, but somehow they able to wrung out words to talk.

"It seems that there is a flag of a red sun spreading throughout the plain white background atop the ship. Do you recognize that kind of flag?"

"No, I never saw or heard a red sun on a flag before."

"Then do you know any country that possesses a ship that big?"

"That is... I had gone to Papardia for training before, even compared to the Empire's '100 Cannons-Class Ship-of-the-Line' which can be called as a superweapon, that unidentified ship is bigger."

All crew of the warship Pima was overwhelmed by the gigantic size of that large ship as it drew closer.

Then, from the top of the large ship, dozens of people send forth blinking lights towards Pima. The crew was putting their guard thinking that it was some kind of attack, but they looked that the people were waving them to communicate that they don't have any hostile intention.

Captain Midori turned his back to the bow and then address the crew with removing his stern expression.

"We will soon send an inspection party to board that ship. Unless there is an order from me, or the other ship attacked, never attack the other ship. Also, the affiliation of the other ship is still unknown, perhaps it belongs to a newly emerging nation. Since it could become an international exchange, I forbid any careless intimidating attitude, do you understand!"

"Yes!"

Captain Midori then guided by the large ship's crew, boarded the large ship.


Imperial Japanese Navy Shokaku-Class Fleet Carrier "Zuikaku".

It's been nearly six years since the Empire of Japan realized that the communication to other countries suddenly ceased, and adding the fact that there were some terrain changes and missing patches of land that were supposed to be there, they then realized that they had been transferred to another world. And after five years of isolation, and with the confirmed orders of the Government and the Emperor himself, they launched the Type 4 Very-Long-Range Heavy Bomber Aircraft "G10N2 Fugaku (Mount Fuji)" in all directions.

The Imperial Government judged that it was time for them to make contact with the inhabitants of this world after the Isolation Policy was lifted. They then need to enter a diplomatic relation with civilized nations and securing any information as an indispensable action, so when the signal was raised they acted in a speed that was unprecedented before since the beginning of their transfer.

First of all, to find out the possibility of initiating diplomatic relation with people that seemed to be civilized based on its scale, which they had discovered at the south direction, the Imperial Government decided to dispatched diplomats alongside with one of its 20 Fleet Carriers (with 16 of them being the Unryu-Class and the rest being the Shoukaku and Taiho-Class), the second ship of the Shokaku-Class Fleet Carrier, the modified Armored Carrier Zuikaku.

If a military uninformed people from the Modern age saw that ship, they will instantly recognize it as a carrier ship. That was the second oldest carrier of the rebuilt Carrier Fleet after four of the original six that were sunk before the transfer leaving Shokaku as the oldest Fleet Carrier in the Imperial Navy's disposal.

The reason this ship was chosen to thread the unknown waters of another world where anything could happen was since this ship could operate 72 aircraft with an additional 12 "spares" at most, can accommodate a large amount of personnel and its adaptability and mobility are high.

The IJN had been preparing it to sail at any time ever since the transfer after numerous upgrades during the 5-year-long isolation policy. So after the diplomat boarded, Zuikaku immediately departed.

Behind Zuikaku, outside the visual radius, there were several destroyers of the Shimakaze-Class to escort Zuikaku. Properly speaking, there should be several destroyers at its surroundings, but as an extra precaution, several I-400 Class Submarines were sortied out in advance outside the range of Zuikaku's early-warning radar systems to properly aware and assess what kind of threats lurking the vast seas this world offers. They also put the concern that the other party might get alarmed more than necessary.

Zuikaku planned to approach the small ship that had somehow been caught by its radar, which they considered as the ship from their target civilization, finally they able to see a small sailing ship. It was an antiquated design that came out from a history textbook. On closer inspection, at the ship's deck, there was what looks like oil jars, wooden shields to ward arrows installed at regular distances, and armor-wearing soldiers in battle formation with a dumbfounded expression.

Since the world's structure and organization were completely unknown, they mustn't injure the native, so the Marshal Admiral, now Prime Minister of Japan, Isoroku Yamamoto ordered them to. That includes hiding their national status as an Empire.

Zuikaku carefully decelerated and lowered a rope ladder. Since there was no other native warship, the unarmed crew beckoned and ushered several natives from the ladder.

The crew showed the native to Zuikaku's deck where they will talk with the diplomat.


Midori was bewildered.

Is this place the top of a ship? It made such a wide deck that made him thought that they even could perform cavalry battles at this place. At such a place, several people wear strange clothing and didn't carry a single weapon, stood before him. Perhaps he was the person in charge who will talk with Midori, one of the men who wore refined clothing stepped forward.

There were no other people at the deck, but a ship this big would have an incredible number of crew members. If, for example, Midori's group kill these men, then they wouldn't be able to return to their ship alive. Nevertheless, since the other party seemed to have no hostile intention, Midori mustered his courage and began to talk.

"I am Captain Midori of Warship Pima from Qua-Toyne Principality's 2nd Fleet. This location is the adjacent sea of Qua-Toyne Principality, if you proceed beyond this then you will enter our country's territorial water. May you please tell me your ship nationality and the purpose of your sailing?"

The person in charge and the people around him made a surprised expression.

"What the!? He understands Japanese!"

What are they marveled about? Midori couldn't comprehend

The person in charge replied.

"Excuse our manners. I am Tanaka, a Diplomat from a country named Japan. The Government of Japan, our country, wishes to initiate a diplomatic exchange with your country, which I presumed to be called Qua-Toyne Principality. Depending on the circumstances, then we will consider establishing a diplomatic relationship. I am grateful if you can relay it to the people in charge of your country."

"That means, you are a country's envoy?"

"Yes, that's true. The people behind you seemed to be nervous, but we have no hostile intention, so please be at ease."

Midori's subordinate nervousness slightly loosened, and even for just a bit, they calmed down.

"I understand. I will report your intention to your country. But I want to ask you a question. The unit that appeared above Maihark in our country several days ago, is it your country's knight?"

"Knight...? If you mean our country's 'G10N', then that is correct. About that incident, then I hope you can relay the formal apology from our country."

The word "gee-ten-en" that Tanaka spoke was something that Midori never heard at all.

Midori was doubtful, but after a short pause, Tanaka began to talk an unbelievable story to Midori.

"Our country suddenly arrived at this world five years ago. To ascertain what kind of world this world is, we launched many aircraft after a five-year-long isolation policy made by the Government. As a result, one of these aircraft ended up intruded on your country's airspace. We are sorry if it had caused a major problem for your side"

The baffled Midori's subordinates were looking at each other, but also at the IJN personnel.

It was understandable. For an entire country transferred to another world, it was a very foolish story.

However, judging from the serious expression that possessed by Tanaka and the men standing around him, it didn't appear to be just a joke. For the moment, Midori decided to report what he had heard as it is.

"...I see I understand your circumstances. Since I will report your intention to our country, I ask you to wait."

"Yes. -Umm, how many days should we wait?"

"Ah, no. I will immediately report to our country with manacom and request their decision, so it will be fine to wait for a few moments. Something like this can't be decided by myself alone."

"I see... Since, you have a communication device, right?"


Qua-Toyne Principality, 2nd Navy's Control Room.

"Commander Nouka! A dispatch from warship Pima has come!"

"Read it!"

"'Performed onboard inspection of the large ship, the other party doesn't have a hostile intention. Furthermore, there are foreign affairs officials from Japan, the nation that dispatched the ship, onboard the ship, and wishes to have a conference with diplomatic relations establishment with our country as their objective. The size of the ship, length 260m by eye measurement, width 30m by eye measurement, can't confirm anything resembling sails or oars.'"

Nouka was speechless. He had heard that it was a large ship, but that size was already similar to a palace.

"'About the incident with an unidentified object several days ago. It was Japan's 'aircraft' unit who entered our country when in 'patrol' flight. About their circumstances... The country had been transferred to this world, is what the person in charge informed me'... Is what he reported..."

"A country transferred to this world!? What nonsense, how can I report something like this to the superiors!"

As expected, he couldn't just listen to this in silence, so Nouka shouted out. Fortunately, it seems they understood each other language, but in this situation, it was much preferable if they couldn't understand the language of the other party.

"A moving 260m ship is something quite absurd, but it's a fact that they have seen it with their own eyes... In my humble opinion, to not report this will be quite bad. Furthermore, they continued 'Japan Government offered a formal apology to our country. So they appealed for an answer from Principality's Foreign Affairs Officials.'"

The communication operator answered in a somewhat calmer attitude than Nouka and carried out his duty.

"Gugh...! What a nonsense situation... Ah, that's right!"

"Is something wrong?"

"Right now, there should be a government meeting about the unidentified unit. Immediately made a report."

"Yes, Sir"

The communication operator then transmitted the onboard inspection to Qua-Toyne Principality Capital City with the Mana Communicator.


Qua-Toyne Principality Government Office.

Prime Minister Kanata was worried about this conference where the representative of the country gathered.

It was about the report that the Military Minister who administered Qua-Toyne Principality's defense and military affairs gave to him three days ago. An unidentified flying object had intruded the airspace above Maihark and then after what seemed to be scouting the city, it turned away and left.

It invaded with speed and altitude that couldn't be matched by a flying dragon.

Its national affiliation was unknown and its airframe was painted with a red circle, but there was no country with a red circle in their national flag in this world.

Kanata opened the conference.

"Gentlemen. What do you think about this report? How do you explain it?"

The Head of Information Analysis raised his hand and made a statement.

"According to our analysis group, the object resembled the flying machine that is developed in the Second Civilized Land's major country, 'Mu'. However, even Mu's newest flying machine only has a top speed of 350km/hour. The flying object has a speed that passed 600km/hour. It is just..."

"It is just?... What is it?"

"Yes. There is an alarming report that far west from Mu, in the west end away from the Civilized Lands, there was a new country that appeared who called themselves 'The Eighth Empire' which invaded the surrounding nations with overwhelming might. Yesterday there was a report from the intelligence section, that the Eighth Empire declared war against the Second Civilized Land's Continental Nations Alliance, but the weapon that they used was completely unknown."

There were small waves of laughter burst out in the conference room. A newly emerging nation away from the Civilized Lands, declared war against the whole Second Civilized Land where the second strongest country of Five Major Power of the Three Great Civilized Lands was located. Even recklessness should have a limit.

"However, the Eighth Empire was far west from Mu. Even the distance of our country to Mu is more than 20,000 km. No matter how overwhelming their military force is, it was difficult to imagine that the object this time had any relation with them."

The conference returned to its starting point.

In the end, the fact that they didn't know anything, didn't change. Besides, in this semi-emergency situation due to the continuous state of tension with the Louria Kingdom, there too many reports with unknown details, "Unconfirmed this. Unidentified that", that the ministers were greatly troubled.

If the other party were then it will likely make contact. But since the other party deliberately took a hostile action with airspace violation, the Principality couldn't help but be diligent.

Just when the mood in the conference room was getting stale from deadlock, a young staff from the diplomatic section suddenly rushed into the government conference while gasping for air.

This was not normal, an emergency must have happened.

"What happened!?"

The Foreign Minister shouted.

"Report!"

The young staff began to give his report. In summary, the content of that report was:

This morning, in the sea north from Qua-Toyne Principality, a large-sized ship, 260m in length appeared.

When the navy performed an onboard inspection, they made contact with a diplomat from a country called Japan, who conveyed that they have no hostile intention.

As a result of the inquiries, there were several facts had been ascertained. Furthermore, there is what the person said.

The country of Japan suddenly was transferred to this world.

Since it had been completely severed from their former world, they sent aircraft units to search the surrounding area. During that patrol, they discovered Rodenius Continent where our country resided. They deeply apologize for intruding on our country's airspace during their patrol.

They want to perform a diplomatic conference with Qua-Toyne Principality.

It was quite a crazy story, there was no one in the government conference could believe it.

A whole country transferred away? Even if it appeared in myths, it was impossible to happen in the real world. However, the country called Japan understood the decorum of politeness, and it made sense that they offer an apology and propose a diplomatic conference.

For the time being, it was decided to invite the so-called diplomat to the Prime Minister's official residence.


Qua-Toyne Principality, Capital City Qua-Toyne, Prime Minister's Official Residence.

Prime Minister Kanata was nervous in front of the reception room where the foreigners who he will meet with were waiting.

Usually, the people from the Foreign Affairs Ministry would hold preceding negotiations or preparatory conference, then the Foreign Minister will establish a diplomatic relationship, and for a while, they would carefully watch, in addition to laying numerous groundwork over another, that finally, the head of government of the Qua-Toyne Principality, the Prime Minister, would announce the treaty with the country's ruler.

However, under the current this semi-emergency condition due to a continuous state of tension with the Louria Kingdom, their real intention was to establish a friendship with a country with power, even for a little bit. Furthermore, in the case that the country called Japan is a hegemonic country, then they must avert any outrageous demand to the end. If they still press the unequal treaty, then he cannot help but comply.

It was pathetic for the head of a country was nervous like this, but the unidentified unit and the large-sized ship, either of them demonstrated great technological strength, so Japan's national power is the real deal. Even if his opponent was just the government's agent, he can't stop this nervousness.

...Then, shall I enter?

Just a short time ago, Japan's envoy ― the diplomat, was guided into the room.

As soon as Kanata opened the door and entered, they stood up and bowed to him.

"How do you do? My name is Tanaka, a diplomat from Japan. In spite of our sudden visit today, I am glad to hear that the country's representative will meet us. This is such an honor for us, please let us express our utmost gratitude."

The Japanese side representative was Tanaka, who made the greeting, while two other men were accompanying him.

One of them was a man easily two meters tall, and Kanata frankly admitted that he was ugly, one of the ugliest humans he had seen so far in his time as Prime Minister of the Qua-Toyne Principality.

Impressions aside, he seems trustworthy enough that the diplomat would bring this man along with him.

Kanata thought before he greeted as well.

"Yes, it's our pleasure."

For the Qua-Toyne Principality's side, Prime Minister Kanata as the center, the Foreign Minister Rinsui and 5 Foreign Affairs Ministry staff took their seat.

"I will serve as the conference chairperson, Qua-Toyne Principality's Foreign Minister Rinsui. Nice to meet you... This might be sudden, but Honorable Sirs from Japan, may I question the purpose of your country for this visit?"

Rinsui made a quick greeting and immediately cur right into the heart of matters.

"Yes, first let me distribute the documents."

One of the Japanese diplomats distributed the documents. The foreign minister frowned when he looked at the document.

"I am sorry, but I completely couldn't read what is written here..."

"How surprising! Since you are speaking in Japanese, I thought you could read it too. Which reminds us, we also couldn't read the signboard in the city at all. However, why are your language is the Japanese language?"

"No, from our point of view, we heard you talking using the Continent Common Language."

Kanata who exchanged looks with the Foreign Minister answered Tanaka."

"It might be true. For this kind of mysterious phenomena to occur... Then, let me explain from a country called Japan that is located about 1000 km north of this country... Do you understand the measurement unit?"

"Of course. But please wait. There shouldn't be any country located in that place. Certainly, that sea region had an island group and chaotic sea current. Some of the islands indeed had villages, so did those villages gathered and formed a country?"

"No, our country is an island country with a total land area of 378,000-kilometer square, so I don't think it could be called villages."

Rinsui was bewildered by the size of the land that Tanaka mentioned. Certainly, it was plenty vast for a country, but he had never heard any report about the discovery of islands that big. Kanata and the others too were also dumbfounded similarly to him.

"Though this might be difficult to explain, we came from a planet called Earth and transferred into this world in one way or another. The cause for it was still uncertain."

Rinsui took this opportunity to pursue Tanaka's words.

"Certainly, we had received that kind of report at the government conference. But, but for a country to be transferred... Just how much mana is needed is beyond my imagination. I'm sorry but rather than a fairy tale, I only could hear your story as a tall and bull story."

"It's natural if you can't believe a phenomenon where a country is transferred. For our side too, we wouldn't believe it without any objective proof. Perhaps, if on Earth, there are people appeared and say 'our country had been transferred into a location 1000km from this place', we wouldn't take them seriously. Perhaps, to make both our countries acquainted with each other better, how about if your country dispatched a diplomatic mission to our country? If they reported from their direct observation, then your country should be able to believe it, wouldn't you agree?"

"However..."

It was natural for Rinsui to demonstrate his disapproval. Even if the Foreign Affairs Ministry staff are public officials, they are still a citizen. If something happened when dispatching them to a suspicious opponent's territory and they died, it would be clear who is the one who would be responsible for this.

"Foreign Minister."

Unable to watch Rinsui vacillate in his reply, Kanata forced himself into the conversation.

"I understand the minister's worry. However, they flew their unit atop Maihark and visited using a large-sized ship. Even if the villages on the island formed a country, they shouldn't be able to suddenly built a large ship. They possessed abilities that we don't have, but they have proposed for us to send a diplomatic mission and see it with our own eyes. Above all, they understand propriety. Depending on the condition, it would be even beneficial if we could establish a diplomatic relation, don't you agree?"

Kanata had been judging the situation with some composure. Then he faced Tanaka and continued.

"Gentlemen from Japan, what do you desire from initiating diplomatic relations with our country? Surely it wasn't only for sightseeing."

After a brief silence, Tanaka slowly began to speak.

"The foremost is... Food. Then, Natural resources. Furthermore, we completely don't know anything about this world. So we hope to be informed as much as possible about this world."

"Hohoho! So, it's food!"

"Yes, we like to provide food as much as possible. The food requirement in our country is quite... Enormous. Of course, we don't think it could be managed just by your country alone, so we will also perform food procurement negotiation with other countries too."

"I see. How much is your country's food-self sufficiency rate?"

"...I am sorry, but it's not on a level that I could answer."

The answer couldn't be read from Tanaka's expression. For a person in the lower position, he was quite a skillful man. Rinsui secretly admired him and decided to concede information of his own country.

"You say that our country is the first contact since your country transferred?"

"Yes. This visit is our country's first diplomatic activity since the transfer."

"Then your country is fortunate. No, perhaps it is blessed by the gods. Our country received a blessing from the Goddess of the Land. All kinds of crops and vegetables grow even without any special care. No matter how big the food requirement of your country, I believe our country could considerably satisfy most of it."

The face of the Japanese delegation became brighter. Even Tanaka considerably loosened his shoulder.

"Then, Japan will immediately conduct preparation for the mission. We will meet again on the settled date."

"I understand. Foreign Minister, please make preparation as fast as possible. The next mission will be given the power to some extent as an ambassador."

"Certainly, Prime Minister"

Qua-Toyne Principality decided to dispatch a diplomatic mission to inspect Japan first-hand.


Qua-Toyne Principality Foreign Affairs Ministry

This place was a building where foreign affairs related to foreign affairs officials or ambassadors to other nation was handled, but currently, this place was running a tight schedule for groundwork preparations in opening a diplomatic relationship with Japan. Documents and manacoms exchanges were fluttering around in frantic paces, dealing with securing personnel for the delegation party, adjusting the authority to be granted for the ambassador extraordinary, or other related matters.

"Yagou! I heard that you will go as one of the mission delegation members to the newly emerging nation called Japan! So envious, I also want to go there too."

Yagou was called out by one of his coworkers.

It wasn't uncommon to dispatch a diplomatic mission to another country. In this world where many countries exist, ruler replacement and the country's rise and fall were an everyday occurrence for mid-sized countries. It was also often for a large-sized country to splintered into many small and medium countries, in other words, this was the evidence that the world situation wasn't stable and indeterminate.

There were many lands where the public order worsened when the national policy was restructured and there were places where the standard of living even worse than Qua-Toyne Principality. It's often the case that if an area had many deaths, then the sanitation will become bad, that there might take a toll on the member of the delegation. So to be a member of a diplomatic mission was a work that was detested by everyone.

The standard of living and public order in Qua-Toyne Principality were notably higher amongst the remote countries.

As seen from the major power Papardia Empire, the closest Three Great Civilized Lands nation from the Rodenius Continent, together with the Topa Kingdom on the north, Fuen Kingdom, and Gahara Thearchy, Qua-Toyne Kingdom was at the easternmost remote region. They might look down on this country as "Barbarian Lands", but it had abundant food resources that gave birth to a culinary culture that won't lose even to the Civilized Lands. So, it was understandable why they didn't eagerly to be included as a member on a diplomatic mission.

However, the target country where the mission is dispatched into this time was extraordinary.

Yagou had scanned the documents that had been distributed beforehand to the delegation members and it offhandedly described unbelievable information. A high-speed flying object that could fly at an altitude that is impossible to reach by a wyvern or a large 260-meter-long ship, each utilized a tremendous level of technological prowess.

There even a reminder, "Don't underestimate the unidentified country, by all means, don't be discourteous", that prudence was demanded in the current task.

"How unbelievable..."

Yagou racked his brain.

A wyvern was an expensive weapon. Dragon knight is an elite amongst elite; a supreme ruler of the sky, whom any soldiers dream to be one even for a moment. Just like a Cavalry Knight is superior to an infantry, Dragon Knight is overwhelmingly superior to a Cavalry Knight. A single wyvern could play with the whole battalion (1,000 men) of Cavalry Knights like toys.

It can fly in a high speed of 230 km/hour at an altitude that couldn't be reached by bow, Wyvern could use its mana to create a concentrated flame ball, that couldn't be mimicked by a human and has a power that surpassed any weapon that man has created. Furthermore, its hard scales could even resist steel arrow and tough enough that an antipersonnel blade couldn't pierce it through.

If he had to name a creature that even stronger than Wyvern, then only think Wyvern Lord that succeeded to be raised in a small amount in the Three Great Civilized Lands came to his mind.

Although, if he included ones that couldn't be controlled by humans, then there were creatures that couldn't be matched by wyverns like the elemental dragons, elder dragons, or divine dragons. It was unthinkable for a man to control those natural calamity-like creatures.

For an "object" to rival those natural calamities, furthermore to be flying with such large body size, it was impossible to even for Mu from the Second Civilized Land.

Due to that repetitive unbelievable information, Yagou began to have a strong interest in the country called Japan.

The delegation dispatched this time… Perhaps my name will be chiseled into the history of Qua-Toyne Principality.

"Then let's begin the meeting. Participants assemble."

His thought was interrupted by the sudden order.

At the small conference room, the Chief of Diplomatic Missions began to explain.

The number of members for the diplomatic mission this time was five people. Everyone was people who held the position as a foreign affairs official, excluding general Hanki who was temporarily transferred to the Foreign Affairs Ministry from Military Affairs Ministry.

The Chief began to talk.

"Our first objective this time is to judge whether or not Japan is a threat to our country. As you gentlemen already know, Japan's metal dragon easily penetrated our country's air defense network. At present, our country doesn't have any means to counter that metal dragon. They had told that they intend to establish a diplomatic relationship with our country, but they might conceal the fact that their country is a hegemony-seeking country, or perhaps they have extreme discrimination against demi-humans just like the Louria Kingdom, also for what reason they want to establish a diplomatic relationship with our country? We must investigate their real intention."

Everyone nodded.

"How high is Japan's development degree is unknown, but there is no doubt that they have high technological strength, and correspondingly, high military strength. I think you understand, not only you need to interact with them with a firm attitude, buy pay thorough consideration in your speech and conduct to not provoke the other side. Also another point, I want you to investigate what is the strength and weaknesses of Japan, and search for a field where we are more advantageous than them. Then, I want everyone to take a look at the distributed guideline."

The mission members looked down at the newly distributed documents and their expression changed into one of puzzlement.

"…'The entire country was transferred?'"

After he confirmed that everyone uniformly took notice, the chef then began to explain.

"According to their words, one day the whole nation suddenly gets transferred to this world. The veracity of this claim is not ascertained yet, but just like what I have mentioned earlier, please bear in mind to refrain from any doubting manner to not provoke the other side."

Yagou nodded while thinking at the corner of his mind.

An entire country gets transferred… It's the same as Mu's myth.

The major power country of the Second Civilized Land, Mu. There was a myth passed down in that nation, "12,000 years ago there was a huge transfer of the continent." Since the official government record from that time remained, the people of Mu believed in it, but the other Civilized Lands people treated it as just a fairy tale.

"Just like in the guideline, this time Japan will provide the ship for the travel. The departure time will be at noon one week from now, so please properly finish your preparation. The evening of the second day after the departure, you will land at Japan's western city 'Fukuoka City', where you will stay for 2 nights. During that time you will be taught Japanese etiquette in addition to common knowledge. I am told that if you walk around outside as you please then there is a possibility that you could die from being run over by a transport vehicle called 'automobile'. On the noon three days after the landing, you will depart Fukuoka City and by using a transport system called 'C62', at noon the next day you will arrive at Japan's capital city 'Tokyo', then the next day after that you will have a conference with the people from Japanese government."

"""…?"""

Strange. The time table was too strange.

The distance between Japan and Qua-Toyne Principality was more than 1,000 km. This was not a distance that could be covered in just 2 days by a ship. Furthermore, the distance from Fukuoka City to Tokyo was stated to a bit more than 1,000 km. To depart at noon and arrive the next day with the exact time, just how could they possibly do this?

It might be understandable if it was the metal dragon that appeared in their country before, but there was an explanation that this "C62" was a land vehicle. Perhaps it was a vehicle that consumes a considerable amount of mana?

It seems that it's a country that our common sense couldn't apply to.

At the questions that appeared one after another in their head, starting from Yagou, the members abandoned trying to think about it.

And thus the conference ended.


It was evening.

Inside the Zuikaku, particularly the ship's mess hall, three men were feasting on a late-night dinner in silence.

It was merely a few hours after negotiations had been made with the Prime Minister of Qua-Toyne Principality that prompted the diplomat to leave for Japan and return in a week with the finest cruise liner the Empire has to offer in tow with the delegation to inspect Japan on a diplomatic mission. Along with the tactic to "awe them to submission" in mind.

It was considered a strenuous work when dealing with nations that had no idea what they are truly capable of. Especially the fact that they had been preparing this encounter since the moment they knew weren't in their world.

One of the three men, who seems to be an ugly-looking high-ranking officer, broke the silence.

"Tanaka-san, may I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

The diplomat sent from Japan's Foreign Ministry replied casually to the man before him.

"Why did you lie to them about us seeking food first?"

The man in the uniform asked, his tone of his voice was serious. Even the other person seemed to be tensed at the sudden change of the mood.

"...What do you mean by that, Vice-Admiral Ozawa 'Onigawara' Jisaburo?"

he inquired, feeling intrigued by the man who was infamously called "Onigawara" or "Gargoyle" by his men. His reputation as one of the three ugliest admirals in the Imperial Navy and one of the tallest men in Japan. Exactly 2 meters tall.

Despite his looks, he is one of the best intelligent and professional admirals the Imperial Navy has to offer since coming to this world. His expertise is needed when confirming the threats that may come when they least expected.

During the Isolation Period, they went through a series of events that tested the Empire's resilience to the natural occurrences of this world.

Changes in climate, creatures of the deep attacking small fishing vessels, infighting that would make any military branch collapse on itself, and so on.

Through and through, the Empire of Japan proved itself to endure all of its trials during the Five Year Isolation period. And after said period had gone by, the Japanese Empire was stronger than ever before.

It was natural to be on guard when you're talking to a man who had seen wonders and horrors this world had thrown at him.

"Judging by your tone, you deliberately told them that we needed food even though food is the least of the priorities the Emperor himself had ordered to tell about our reasons."

"Yes, I know Vice-Admiral. But there should be times that there should be things that needed some... Tweaking."

The diplomat responded the Vice Admiral who raised his brow on what the man was implying.

"And that is...?"

"Take one, for example, if we simply told them that we needed information then they would find us quite suspicious even after telling them that we're aren't from this world. Furthermore, with our population estimating around half a billion, which a fourth of our population is located in our acquired territories in China, we need to secure enough food outside of the Empire to feed those people. And have you forgotten a certain incident that had happened two years ago that lead a major revitalization of the Sino-Japanese War?"

"I haven't."

The Vice-Admiral answered, remembering the incident that caused an uprising due to a famine that wiped out a considerable amount of the Chinese population two years ago and the resurgence of the Nationalists and Communist forces in the region.

Although it lasted for several months, and with fierce resistance as well, both the Army and Navy managed to brutally suppress and eliminate the Chinese forces with considerable losses. Especially them possessing stolen Army equipment from various Weapons Depots throughout China as a whole.

But without supplies to keep the Chinese resistance on going in a prolonged conflict, it was bound that the Imperial Army would capitalize that advantage when the opportunity presented itself. Decimating every battle they came across.

After that, the Imperial Government issued an act that allowed the Military Police to garrison every territory the Empire has. Replacing the Civilian Oversight to prevent anymore resistance uprisings that may occur in the future.

"With that in mind, to quell a similar incident soon, we need to secure millions of tons of food to feed such a large population. I'm sure both the Emperor and Prime Minister Yamamoto had this in mind as well."

"...You're quite shrewd for a simple diplomat."

"Indeed... At least that's what everyone back in the academy told me."

"Must be a trait that a new generation of politicians ought to have."

The Onigawara remarked, feeling a bit old for his age.

Feeling left behind, the new Captain of Zuikaku, Ishizaki Katsu, fresh from the Naval Academy, brought up a different subject.

"That aside, informally speaking, what do you guys think about those elves and cat-eared women?"

They looked at the young Captain and both simply laughed as they went to the night conversing on what they saw on Qua-Toyne so far.