----Kouki Arakawa Viewpoint

Suit is coming back from bearing 0-0-1, going to the fort.

All right, land in hatch number two. Sailors, get ready to land.

　In the dim blue lights of the land battleship Alice's Combat Command Center (CIC), the captain of the ship is giving instructions to the operator's words. As I recall, that captain was the captain of the Tolstoy, right? Why is he commanding a land battleship?　As I was vaguely thinking about this, the captain stood up from his seat and walked over to 'me' and spoke to me with a salute.

'Sir, the scouts have returned. Alice will be departing in an hour as scheduled, if that's alright?

It's all yours.

　As I look at the captain, who salutes my words and walks back, Claire now speaks to me.

'Sir, there is still time. Would you like a drink?

Well, I'll take it.

　I rest my head on the back of my chair as I watch Claire's back as she leaves with a smile and a 'I'll get ready'. Below me, about 30 CIC personnel are busily moving about, but no one complains to me for not doing any work. As I was feeling terribly uncomfortable, Claire came back with a cup of coffee.

'It's hot, please be careful,'

　The coffee that was handed to me, the mellow aroma of coffee was relaxing. Checking the time on the terminal on my arm, I found out that it has already been four hours since we left Noah Island, so it's time to get into this situation.

''Claire-san, do you have a moment?''

Yes, what can I do for you?

"Why do I have to sit in the admiral's seat, sir?

　Claire-san replies while tilting her head as if she had been asked something strange.

''Gongju-kun.......no, my apologies. His Excellency Major General Special Affairs is 'General'.

'No, that's fine here. And I'm sorry to ask you a strange question, but you need to get back to work.

　At my words, Claire-san began to operate her communication device to contact 'second ship Claire'. But that's not what I meant. That's not what I meant!　What I'm trying to say is, why am I sitting in the admiral's seat on the first ship and serving as commander-in-chief of 25,000 advance troops?　That's what I'm complaining about!　And isn't it strange that no one is questioning that? I'm about to say, 'All the troops, all the way to the fort! And if I tell you, you'll obey!　Let's stop ... if we start thinking about it any more, we'll never stop.
　Let's watch the documentary I've been recording on Earth about the ecology of the sea turtles until I get a call from the second ship that my mom and the others are aboard. It's not an escape from reality..., I said to myself, and then began to play the footage on my device.

'Sir, sir?'

　While I was watching the scene of the sea turtles returning to the sea, Claire-san came to talk to me. Apparently quite some time had passed, I turned to Claire-san while drinking a cup of cold coffee and she gave me a report on the current situation.

'Currently, the second ship has passed the scheduled point. This means that the first ship has received a message to 'commence the scheduled operation'. As of the present time, the first ship, Alice, has departed. I would like to proceed to the Merkava Kingdom Fort, if that is alright?

Yes, sir.

　With my approval, Claire-san recites to the captain as is. I don't understand these instructions very well, because I basically only have three choices: 'Yes, no, and leave it to me'. I'll take care of Claire-san....Oh, right!　Mr. Claire, who plays second in command, is on this ship to fill in for me as a decorator, and I finally understand why I'm sitting in the admiral's seat.
　Then if I give you wrong instructions, don't expect Claire-san to correct or disagree with me, next time you ask me something, I'll feel comfortable speaking up. As I was thinking about this, I saw the captain of the ship getting ready to launch.

'Preparing to launch!　Engines disengaged.

Engines up. Reactor is at 35 percent power and holding steady. Deployed bodyguard suits we're locked in, fixed anchors we've retrieved and can launch.

All right, Alice, you can go.

　Whoa!　It's cool, it's like walking into an anime I saw in a previous life. I was leaning forward in excitement when the captain spoke to me, showing me his stopwatch.

"Sir, we have 98 seconds from full engine shutdown to launch. What do you think?

I think it's wonderful. You're all very well trained.

　I'm not sure about the speed, but since the captain of the ship says it with a smile, it must be a speed that should be praised. When I looked at Claire-san with a goofy compliment anyway, I saw her nodding with a smile, good, good.......................it seems to be a correct answer.
　And it looks like Claire-san's idea earlier of 'filling in for me' isn't wrong either. I asked for another cup of coffee while being satisfied that my instincts were clear.

'Report!　The Royal Guard is deployed in front of the fort. They number about 8,000, expand.

　As I sat there drinking coffee for about an hour, a CIC officer reported to me. I was almost surprised by the content, but I regained my composure when I saw the enlarged image.　It's true that there are a lot of them, but the knights who are deployed are all wearing shiny, polished armor and fluttering the flag of the knights and the kingdom. Probably the honor guard who were waiting for our arrival, I'm ashamed of myself for thinking that they were going to start a war, even for a moment.

''My lord, what shall we do?''

　Ms. Claire is going to ask me questions, but I know what I'm doing!　The old me would be like, 'What do I do now? I'm about to cringe, but this time I've done some prep work. Since Mom told me to 'relax in my room', I've been doing proper research on how to return the other honor guard in the event of a diplomatic ritual.
　Since Macho was using Earth's manners inside the fort to treat Cloviens-san as an equal, I think the manners of other Earths will be adapted as well. Once all guns are emptied, it should be necessary to show that there is 'no intention to engage', I will convey my thoughts to Claire-san.

'Claire-san, fire four straight main guns into the air. You can use blanks as your ammunition type, you have blanks ready, right?

　Alice has two 26cm 3-guns on board, so it's 24 rounds in a straight four-round series, so that's three more rounds, but that's fine for more.

'Ha, yes. 'Blanks are fine, Captain!　The main gun's four main fires straight into the sky. Bullet type is blank.

　Hmm, Claire-san didn't particularly object to it either, so it seems her decision was correct. I'm in a good mood because I was able to show off my cleverness to the beautiful woman, and I decided to watch the CIC people work with a smiling face.




----Alice type land battleship captain Dylan's point of view----

　Fifteen days after the ex-Torstoy's crew gathered on Noah Island, I was notified by the personnel department that I would be inaugurated as the captain of the "Alice," the first land battleship of the "Alice type land battleship," which I am now aboard. At first, I only thought of it as a huge tank with a big name, such as a land battleship, but when I heard that it was Kouki's idea, I secretly had high hopes for it.　When I first saw the Alice, whose huge body had been transferred not to Noah's Island, but to the newly created frontline base on the continent... I was astonished. Almost as large as the flagship of the Strategic Carrier Strike Group, the Alice was exactly what one would call a land-based battleship. I went to appeal directly to Noah's president, Ms. Arakawa, but she laughed and denied it, claiming that I was too big of an appointment to be the captain of the Alice, a mere submarine pilot.

'The first ship will be manned by Kouki. You will need to be very careful in your handling of the ship, but I believe that only Captain Dylan and all of the captain's men who commanded the most advanced attack nuclear submarine can do that. I've discussed this with my husband and we've decided it's the best possible appointment, and I ask for your patience.

　She bowed to me and I choked on my words. With the development of missile defense technology and the total abandonment of nuclear weapons on Earth, offensive nuclear submarines have become irrelevant, and for this reason, many countries are only aware that it is better to have them than not. As a result, many countries are only aware that it is better to have them than not to have them.
　No matter how sensitive our skills are in the depths of the sea, where we have no visibility, we will never be appreciated, and the general opinion is that submarines are considered to be weapons of the weak. She bowed to me and asked me to become the captain, and even gave me the honor of having Kunugi aboard the submarine. I was grateful for her attitude.

I will serve as captain with all my heart and soul, sir.

He didn't have any other way to answer other than to reply, "I'm going to leave it to you. And today, for the first time, we set out on a mission with Kunugi-kun aboard, but no matter what I asked, Kunugi-kun - His Excellency only responded by saying, "I'll leave it to you.
　Normally, my subordinates and I would oppose such an attitude, saying 'I don't have the will to do it', but since I have worked together with His Excellency in rescue operations, I don't feel that kind of emotion. I trust that he will give his own orders when necessary, just as he did before.

'Captain!　The first ship, Alice, departed at the present time. Proceed to the fortress of the kingdom of Merkava.

　As I was thinking about that while doing my normal work, His Excellency's second-in-command, Lieutenant Colonel Clare, gave me instructions. Following those instructions, I get ready for Alice's launch. As I was measuring the time to launch with my stopwatch, it was a good 98 seconds to completion.
　I was over 120 seconds the first time around, so this number is a satisfactory speed. As it is, I take the stopwatch to His Excellency without resetting it and report that it was '98 seconds'.

'I think it's excellent. You are all very well trained.

　His Excellency laughed and was pleased with the numbers we gave him, and uttered a compliment. Even the CIC personnel loosened their mouths happily at those words, it was worth the rigorous training to not be embarrassed!　I looked at His Excellency asking for more coffee and then decided to return to my command.
　After moving on for about an hour without incident, the fort came into view ahead. The scouting officer zooms in on the camera and reports back to me with a change in color as he looks at the fort.

'Report!　The Royal Guard is deployed in front of the fort. They number about 8,000, expand.

　As I hurriedly checked the enlarged image, I saw that the knights on the kingdom's side were deployed in a formation. I had studied ancient history out of curiosity when I was young, but I'm sure that formation was a Roman-style formation, 'Legio'?　
　It seems that the kingdom side has already begun to prepare for battle. It would be better to retreat and report to the following troops once, I decided that and was about to give my opinion to His Excellency when my subordinate stopped me.

I was about to give my opinion to His Excellency when my subordinate stopped me.

　Mmm, I'm in trouble. If we retreat here, we will have succumbed to the pressure of the kingdom's side, but if we go out honestly, we may be attacked. Shall we leave it to your Excellency's discretion?　With that in mind, I tried to watch His Excellency sitting in the Admiral's seat, and was given instructions surprisingly quickly to the Commander.

'Mr. Clare, fire the main gun straight into the air, four rounds of blanks. Blank ammunition is fine, you have the blanks ready, don't you?

"Aye, aye. Blanks are right, sir!　The main gun's four main fires straight into the sky. Bullet type is blank.


　That's ridiculous!　Are you suggesting we fire a warning shot?　To fire a warning shot in front of the Knights who have already completed their deployment, if it's not good enough, there's a possibility of an immediate open battle with the kingdom's side. Are they aware of such a situation?　I froze, trying to get confirmation again if I was really allowed to shoot.
　It is not a good idea to stop, because it is not an order to put "grenades" directly at the knights, although the lieutenant colonel is also puzzled by the order to fire warning shots, but he does not seem to have any intention of stopping, because it is not an order to put "grenades" directly at the knights. I raise my voice and order the firing commander.

''Four main cannons in a straight line, ready to fire!　Bullets, blanks.

"Hull anchor ejection ... secure!　Confirmed that the accompanying vehicle is out of the danger zone. Target set at 40 degrees above port side. Ready to fire.

Shoot!

Boom!　Boom!

　When you start firing, a tremendous impact shakes the ship's body, even though it is an empty shell. The relatively light weight of the Aris type is relatively light in spite of its size, and the recoil will lift it up unless the anchors that hold it in place are shot into the ground and the bombardment begins. Therefore, firing between marches is not possible, but the 40 VLSs mounted on the rear of the ship make up for this shortcoming.
　There are other 'secret weapons' on board in case both the main gun and the VLS become unusable, but they won't be in play this time.

Positive fire complete, the front of the fort will be on the main screen again.

　The image shown on the screen showed the Knights of the kingdom side that had been deployed were retreating in a total collapse. When I was satisfied with the sight, I saw that only the black armor-clad knights were perched at the front of the fort, and I admired their courage and placed the danger level of the black knights in my mind at the same time.

''My lord, what shall we do next?''

　When I ask him this, his lordship gives me the same smile as before and commands me.

'Send the accompanying power suit over there and ask permission to enter the fort.

How would you like to explain the firing of the main gun?

　We need an excuse on the part of the kingdom for the warning shots, but are they going to push it through as gunboat diplomacy?　Well, it's the other side that put pressure on me first, so I feel like that's fine....... As I waited for His Excellency's response, he opened his mouth with a nimble smile.

''In my name, he said, 'Your honor guard was very brilliant. Please tell them that I have sent you a celebratory gun in return.'

　 While issuing instructions to my subordinates - - I imagined what kind of life the young and talented Major General of Special Affairs would lead in the future.





----Adrienne's Point of Viewーー


　After the messenger left, without hearing me and Cloviens stopping them, the stupid nobles said they were going to set up camp in front of the fort. Desperately, ''Please don't provoke them! I tell them that, but other than the Platinum and Black Gold Knights, they have never seen Noah, so they just call us 'cowards'.
　His Majesty reluctantly allowed us to deploy in front of the fort, as it was likely to cause a fight between the knights before Noah's visit. Before I left the fort, Cloviens walked up to me and whispered in my ear.

'We will hold Noah back if we have to, and in the meantime, the princesses and His Majesty will have to leave the fort. We can't win without a doubt, but please consider it your last will and testament and flee to King's Landing.

　A short while after seeing off Cloviens, who went off with such a grief-stricken resolve, Monomi, who had been monitoring the front with a distant magic tool, raised her voice.

''From the front of the fort.......ya, the mountains are approaching!

　Mountains?　What does that mean?　As I was thinking about it, I saw a large nanika coming toward the fort. And around it, a small iron box-like object is moving around it as if it were not being towed by a horse or a ground dragon but accompanied by a small iron box.

''What the hell is that thing?''

　As I mentioned it, the general, Auguste, explained in a trembling voice.

''In the Northern Empire, there is a weapon named 'Cannon' that flies round iron bullets far away. I've seen the real thing once myself, and that mountain and the one attached to the iron box looks a lot like a cannon.
　But the size is incomparable.....

What will happen to the Order if that thing is used?

You'd be pulverized by a single blow.

　After all, he should have stopped the Knights' sortie even if he had to take a stand. If Noah perceived the deployed Knights as enemies instead of honor guard, the kingdom would be destroyed!　I was just about to turn my body around to get the Knights back inside the fort, when Auguste held me back.

''Princess!　I'm sorry, but please be patient. There's movement in the mountains.

　The moment Auguste said that, doh!　Boom!　and a sound that seemed to be many times louder than a thunderstorm rang out. When I looked at the mountain from within Auguste's arms as the sound rang out to the point that my body was shaking, I saw that the entire mountain was engulfed in flames with each sound. The figure looked to my eyes like a mountain god roaring in anger at the sight of the Knights.

''We made the wrong decision........ We should have gone completely underhanded.''

　Sister Cassis let the words slip out in frustration. It's not that she didn't trust me, but I didn't think that Noah was preparing such an overwhelming force. I think Noah has no intention of doing diplomacy from the start, probably today or tomorrow he will launch an all-out invasion against the kingdom.
　It's not yet a direct attack, but I can't help but sigh as I look at the knights who have fallen into a total collapse and are retreating to the fort. You will be able to get a good deal more information about the company.

''Nanika is coming at us from around the mountain and the box!

　I huffed at the words of the thing and looked at Noah and saw about 10 soldiers in suits heading towards the Black Gold Knights. Is this where we're going to see the knights slaughtered from?　As I pictured the scene, unlike my imagination, Noah's side stopped at the front of the Knights and made the 'surrender signal' that was shown last time, then slowly made contact with the Knights.

''I wonder if he's giving them a document to start the war?''

　Sister Cassis is watching over the knights with a strange look on her face, but a little while later one of the knights started running towards the fort. Considering the danger at the moment, I decided to ask His Majesty to stay inside the fort, so it was just me and Sister Cassis heading to the square. At the same time as we come to the square, the messenger soldiers also arrive and report to us.

''I'm reporting, Noah's side is requesting permission to enter the fort.

Permission?　Not Noah's entry into the castle?

　Sister Cassis asks the messenger soldier back with a heartfelt question. I agree with you, is this different from a surrender order or an order to leave?

Yes, 'permission'. Also, that attack you just mentioned, it wasn't an attack, it was a ritual 'celebration gun' in return for our honor guard.

　 To summarize Noah's side of the argument simply, 'I'll let you off the hook for what you just did, so just get in the fort. The next time we'll attack you directly.
　It is better to give your permission immediately because the possibility to negotiate is seen at the moment, the better to give your permission to the Cassis sister, she seems to have come to the same conclusion and sent instructions to the messenger soldiers.

''Permission granted, please tell them, 'I'll be waiting for you to prepare tea.

What is the maximum number of men allowed in the fort?

　Are these messenger soldiers stupid?　Do you really think we can give orders in this situation? Just before I was about to raise my voice, Sister Cassis calmly replied.

''Tell them that they can bring as many as they want while armed.

　The messenger soldier returned to the front line to deliver our instructions with a look of disapproval. This is good, if we don't buy at least some time, the kingdom will disappear without a way to make it happen. I returned with Sister Cassis to call His Majesty to greet Noah's people in the square.




　About half an hour later, Noah appeared at the front of the fort and told me there were a total of 200 people, and Kouki-sama came down from inside the armor that resembles the example demon camped in the center of the fort to greet me.

'It's been a long time, Adrienne-san. Some of you are meeting for the first time, so let me introduce myself again. My name is Kouki Arakawa, nice to meet you.

"Holy Merkava, this is King Carlos.

My name is Cassis, also the first princess.

　I'm surprised that even His Majesty used honorific language, let alone Sister Cassis. After all, His Majesty himself must be aware that his existence is in danger, and he is treating her with the utmost respect. I was about to usher him in when we were done greeting each other, 'Tea is ready,' but Kouki-sama stopped me.

'Please wait. I'm sorry, but the advance party is looking tired. If you don't mind, I'd like to let the people waiting outside the fort rest freely, is that alright?

That's right, sir. You're free to go as you please.

　You can find a lot of people who have a lot of experience in this field, but you can't find a lot of people who have a lot of experience in this field.
　But since we gave our permission, we can't complain. And since the cannon of the mountain is pointing firmly in our direction, it is not a situation that we can complain about any more.
　You will be able to get a good deal more information about the company and its products.

"Koki-sama, what is that mountain-like thing?

　His Majesty asks Kouki-sama while drinking the tea the maid has brewed. He offered the escorting guards a cup of tea as well, but they politely declined.

''Mountain?　Oh, that's a battleship that runs on land. Understand that it's an automatic ship with a big cannon on board. I was surprised by a worm I encountered the other day, and I brought it to you because it scared me a little. Hahahaha.

　Don't lie to me!　What's 'a little scary' in the habit of killing the Class A designation for a second? Only dragons and Fenrir are monsters that are higher than the Sandworm. There's no way those kinds of things can just appear with impunity!

In case you're wondering, that thing is named 'Alice,' after my girlfriend. Isn't that cool?

'Well, that's just the right name for a graceful and divine figure!　I'm sure Lady Alice has a beautiful figure.

　I can see His Majesty's eyes are swimming as he has trouble answering. I mean, I can't believe the sense of naming your own lover on a weapon, I would reject such a lover at all costs. As it is, His Majesty asks a few questions, but seeing Kouki-sama's somewhat off-kilter answers back makes me seriously want to return to the castle.
　When I thought the barren exchange would continue, the woman who was waiting beside me was giving Kouki-sama an earful of something. She nodded a couple of times at that and spoke to us with a serious expression on her face.

The main unit has arrived earlier than planned. As soon as possible, our negotiators will arrive, and we would like to start discussing the establishment of diplomatic relations.

　It was supposed to be tomorrow, but now it looks like we'll have to fight a war without weapons for the survival of the kingdom...





----Cassis Viewpoint

　As they were preparing to receive Noah's diplomats in the round table room in the fort, His Majesty, Father, spoke to them.

'Cassis, I leave the negotiations to you. Negotiate with what you think is best for the kingdom, and if the name of Merkava remains, at worst, I don't mind if it's a genus. I'm counting on you.

Yes, sir.

　Your father is not an incompetent king, but he's not an effective one either. In normal times, he would have ended his life as a mediocre king.
　With the encouragement of my father, who looks older than his actual age due to such an environment, I am determined to make Noah recognize the sovereignty of the kingdom, at the very least.

'Also, please take care of the Council of the Confederacy.

Yes, sir.

　I had forgotten that I had to get a commitment for Noah to attend that headache-inducing meeting, and I was desperately trying to compose myself to be overwhelmed by the responsibility of two major tasks when a Noah's diplomat entered the room, accompanied by his security guard, just as I was finishing setting up the conference room.

'How do you do, I'm Noah's representative, Miki Arakawa.

　Arakawa!　Considering her appearance, it seems to be the mother of the boy who called himself Kouki, but could it be that the queen herself went to negotiate with him?　That would explain the unusual number of soldiers. Noah's side continues to introduce itself as your father and I are surprised.

'I'm Clare Dauntless, the political negotiator.

I'm Ellis Dauntless as well.

I am his secretary, Roberta Scarlett.

　This one also introduces himself and looks at the four diplomats. They are dressed in the skirt style of the boy's military uniform, the color is not white, but black, the opposite. It's a good idea to have a large bag with the negotiator and the guard behind him, but what on earth is in that bag?
　Considering the difference in national power, the kingdom side doesn't carry out any inspection of belongings against Noah. If there are weapons and other items in them, that's all we have to do.

''I have one request. Please do not use translation magic on Roberta here, she needs to learn the language you all use for later.

I understand.

　As I excluded the designated woman from the scope of my translation magic, the woman who identified herself as Elise began to interpret at the same time. But could they learn a different language from us that easily?　I was just about to break off the negotiations with my doubts when Miki broke off the negotiations.

'First of all, please look here. This paper is a map we made, but are you sure that the island and part of the continent marked in red is the territory of the Merkava Kingdom?

I'm sure of it.

　I almost sat back looking at the elaborate map as if the ground was cut out of the sky.

'This mark is where we currently have an outpost. Since the current situation is that we are illegally occupying the territory of the Merkava Kingdom, we would like to pay 'reparations' for this matter first.

　Miki snaps her fingers, and the guards behind her open a large bag and take out its contents. A huge gold nugget was placed on the desk with a loud thumping sound.
　Furthermore, when the negotiator turned over the bag he was carrying on the desk, a large amount of diamonds, sapphires, rubies and other jewelry came out from inside. From their brilliance, it was possible to understand from a distance that they were the highest quality products of high purity.

"The gold bars weigh 10 kilos in the unit we use. As compensation, we will give you 500 kilos which translates into 50 bars of gold, with no strings attached. If the gold has no value in the Kingdom, then I will give you the other 500 kilos of jewelry. Take your pick, whichever you prefer.

　I have no idea what the hell they're thinking. You think that if you give it to us now, it's because you can collect it later?　She laughed and spoke to me as I looked at Miki quizzically as I looked at her.

''I apologize for the excessive amount of force we brought with us. I don't want you to misunderstand, but we don't want to use force to make your country a vassal state, nor do we want to impose an unequal treaty on you. We want only one thing, and that is to establish diplomatic relations on an equal footing.

I'm sorry, but I don't trust you.

'I know, sir. Well let's start with our origins. It's going to be a little long, but please stay with me.

　I was shocked by the history of "Noah" that she began to share with me after she said so up front.



　I was surprised to learn that "Noah" is not a country, but a guild of sorts. And to my surprise, Noah had moved to this world from another world. In the world where Noah and his friends lived, a major war had ended more than 150 years ago and the world was largely at peace. Fifteen years ago, a child was born into that world.

　This is the boy in the white military uniform that was born, and it wasn't long after he was born that his extraordinary brain blossomed. At just three years old, he surprised his mother by completing a theory of advanced magical equations and accelerated the world's development for more than fifty years using his own mind alone.

　The world that had benefited so much from his achievements eventually turned its back on him and began to view him as a danger to itself. He is a kind-hearted boy who loves nature and animals, but the world has mistreated him, calling him the "devil's child". But some good adults have decided to stand up to repay the debt of gratitude they've received from him, and they can't go directly to war with him because it would hurt his heart.

　So why not ... escape from the very world that hates him?　He seriously thought about such a fairy tale thing and put it into action. The truth seems to be that he was looking for another world to settle in while gathering other humans who adored him along the way, and ended up in our world. It's too grandiose to feel real, but considering the weapons and clothing Noah is using, he's probably telling the truth.

'So you really want diplomatic relations on an equal footing?

Yes, but I would like to warn you about one thing. In regards to my son, Gongju, please do not 'unnecessarily stimulate' him. As a mother, I am ashamed to say this, but my son has some ethical problems due to the world's oppression of him.
　 We've made improvements in ethics education recently, but please, please help me out.

　I'd like to correct that, I think that Kouki-kun is responsible for about 30% of the reason why Noah's people can no longer stay in the other world. I thought about that for a moment, but then I pulled myself together and resumed the discussion with Noah to make a formal treaty.




---- Miki Arakawa's point of view----

　I sat down in the admiral's seat in the admiral's seat after returning to the second ship of the Alice type land battleship, Claire. When I was loath to wear a uniform that I usually only wear white, which I'm not used to wearing, Shuichi-san called out to me.

''Good job. How did the negotiations go?

So-so. We're too different from each other's cultures to take the time to work out the details, but in the meantime, we've signed the document. We have a limited concession of Noah's Island and the continent, while the other side has the protection of national sovereignty, so there was no problem with the signing. It just turned out to be a huge hassle.

What?

"Attendance at the Allied Conference.

　Shuichi suppressed his eyebrows and said, ''What's that?'' He said. From what I've heard from the kingdom side, this continent is organizing a five-nation coalition army to prepare for the attack of the Demon King's army. It's not an exaggeration to say that the Merkava Kingdom, which is the weakest among them in terms of national strength, is almost at the mercy of the four countries.
　In such a situation, they bowed to me and said, 'Please!　I couldn't refuse, since I saw Princess Cassis half-heartedly asking me to join the meeting. Honestly, I don't want to go to such a troublesome place, so ''Isn't there some way to give me a reason to refuse?'' I asked Shuichi for advice, but my beloved husband said the thing that annoyed me the most.

'If I didn't go when I promised, Kouki would say, "I hate my mother for not keeping her word! I'm going to say it.

　That's a real problem, I can't live with myself if that girl doesn't like me.

'Oh, by the way, I had dinner with Gouki a while ago, and he said, 'Mom's so good at her job and so cool, I'm going to borrow her name for the third ship and make it Miki.'

　I still think we should be at the confederate conference for the sake of our friends!　If you think about it, you might have to get involved with other countries as well, so it would be better to have a face-to-face meeting once. When I was weighing up the troublesome aspects of the job in my mind, Shuichi-san asked me a question.

"By the way, where is this meeting of the Allied Nations, where is it going to be held?

He said it would be held in the royal castle of the kingdom. He said he has a 'magic tool' in the conference room that allows him to talk to distant places.

It's like a video communication device.

　Leaving Shuichi-san silent after that, I think of something else. The first thing that comes to mind is 'Roberta'..... Since coming to Noah's Island, all she did was basically eat something, but after the meeting ended earlier, she suddenly began speaking the language used in the kingdom fluently.
　She said, 'It's easy once you learn the words,' but ordinary people can't do it, just like Gongju said, the speed of language acquisition was monster class. But I really don't want to consume 15 servings of food for a soldier to eat in a day, the people in the cooking team aboard Claire are always screaming at her in the mess hall.
　The next thing I think about is the 'Demon King's Army', why don't they launch an all-out assault against one country while possessing more forces than a five-nation coalition army can handle?　It's as if they don't really want to go to war, which makes me wonder about the move. It doesn't make sense to me that the kingdom side is also deliberately building a cleverly hidden defensive position, is there something going on between the two countries?　While I was vaguely thinking about this, the night had gone by before I knew it.



　Two days later, we arrived at the royal capital slowly at the speed of the kingdom's movement, and were immediately ushered into the royal castle. The castle was decorated without being obnoxious, and the furnishings were pleasingly subdued.
　I was expecting to take a break in a salon or something, but unexpectedly, I was immediately shown into a conference room. Inside the room, the guide, Princess Cassis, explains the situation to me with her eyes downcast.

''I'm sorry, the Allies are already waiting for you in their respective chambers. Well, I'm sorry, I know you're tired, but please...

　I see, it's being urged on me to meet the newcomer as soon as possible, I smiled and told him 'no problem' and then sat down on a chair in the conference hall.
　There is also the mentality of the kingdom, and we want to avoid needless conflict as much as possible. As I was waiting for the meeting to begin while remembering this, I noticed the reflection of four men, albeit somewhat blurred, in the mirror in front of me. Apparently this is the magic tool for the meeting, so I greet them with as gentle a smile as possible.

'Nice to meet you all, I'm Noah's representative, Miki Arakawa.

How can there be a woman in a meeting of national importance?　You know what the bottom line is.

　As I listened to the second man from the right quickly become sarcastic, the voice of Princess Cassis explained through the earphones in his ears, ''I'm a representative of the Duchy of Raguire. Next, the man on the first right caught my attention as he shouted at me as if spit was about to fly out of his mouth.

''The small country style!　Stand up and say hello.

　What kind of criteria do they use to determine that we are a small country?　When I bail out with a laugh at the funny standard, my face turns red and I continue to yell at him. Apparently, this man seems to be a representative of the 'Lickle Church Country'.

''Well, well, I can't understand it when I preach manners to a barbarian.　Hahahaha.''

　The man on the left, who himself is hairy and looks like an ape human being, was explained to me as the representative of the "Linkdorp Empire" located in the north, the type of man I personally do not accept physiologically. Finally, the white-haired old man, who was looking at us without saying a word, was explained as the representative of the 'Capus Kingdom'.
　Alright, let's change the policy. It's probably useless to ask these idiots to have a high level political conversation like Princess Cassis, I ask them bluntly.

'You mentioned the Council of the Confederacy, but do you also want diplomatic relations with us, Noah?

　At my words, the place is momentarily quieted down, but as expected, the representative of the Rikur nation shouts at me with a swordsword that makes me worry that my blood vessels will be cut.

''Don't be silly!　I said we'll protect you from the Demon King!　Know your place, you fool.

''No need, it's already been proven that we can easily defeat a Class A demon with our skills. Besides, we have no intention of fighting with the Demon King's side, we'd rather negotiate peace.

　When I said that to the representative of the Lycurgical Kingdom who misunderstood something, the representative of the Capps Kingdom who had been silent until then was the first to speak.

I understand the policy of Noah's side. So, it is acceptable to determine that the Merkava Kingdom, which is a sub-human nation that has formed an alliance with Noah, will leave our union?

　The last mystery that I had wondered about was solved by the words of the Capps Kingdom representative. As I had heard from Gongju, the race that makes up the Merkava Kingdom is the Elf race, the explanation teaches that they are closer to the demon race and spirits than humans.
　That's why, perhaps out of a sense of belonging, they don't have the intention of fighting the Demon King's side in earnest, and have taken the roundabout way of 'delay tactics'. But what is the kingdom going to do?　Depending on the reply, we need to prepare ourselves as well. As I was looking for Princess Kassis' exit, she appeared in front of the magic tool with a dignified attitude and clearly declared her country's policy.

''We, the Holy Merkava Kingdom, will walk together with Noah, who for the first time since the founding of the country has entered into 'equal diplomatic relations'. If Noah decides not to belong to the Union, I declare that the Kingdom will also leave the Union.

'Sub-humanity betrays humans!　I won't let you get away with it!

　The four nations are shouting abuse at the kingdoms that have made their policies clear, but we need to state Noah's future plans to the confederacy to protect the kingdoms that have declared themselves to walk with us. I erase the smile that had been on my face and declare to the representatives of the nations.

''I'm sorry, but Noah refuses to join the confederation. Also, the Kingdom's side and us, Noah, have already signed a contract for the establishment of diplomatic relations. If even one of you uses economic sanctions or military force against the Kingdom, based on the 'Security Treaty', we, Noah, will immediately declare war on the four countries...and will launch a thorough retaliatory attack.

　The representatives of the four nations, enraged by my declaration, cut off their magic tools one by one and disappeared, but the only representative of the Capus Kingdom who remained until the end stared at me and said, 'Remember that. At the sight of him, I lost my patience and for the first time in a long time, I seriously shouted back at him.

''We'll always be your opponent. We are Noah!　We will do everything in our power to eliminate anyone who stands in our way!

　Looking in the mirror, which was cut off at the same time I finished saying it with a clear mind, I began to make plans in my mind for the future.