Nihonkoku Shoukan: Beyond

Chapter 57: Du Schuldest Mir Was

Yushin-tei Annex, Akasaka Palace, Tokyo, Japan, 21 April 1640 CCY

The current Yushin-tei Annex is one of the recreations of the structures in the former Akasaka Palace after the war. Originally built in 1974, the annex was very different from the Western style of the former crown prince's palace. It was built with mainly wood and took on the design of the traditional style of Japan. The entrance of the annex is surrounded by a bamboo garden, covering the karesansui covered in white gravel. With the windows that separate the rooms from the walkway situated at the back of the annex looking out to the pond filled with colorful carps, the Yushin-tei Annex is truly a perfect balance of human and nature and a representation of the traditional Japanese culture.

"Your Highness... you called for me?" – Phillame

"Yes, I did. Tell me, Phillame. Did their government say anything about the prospect of them becoming the ally of the Empire?" – Lyari

The chief diplomat of the Holy Milishial Empire walks into the room, and the Holy Guards whose jobs are to protect the Milishial delegation close the doors behind him. Sitting on the tatami mat, the prince of the Empire is holding some magic tome from the Sanctuary deep below the palace in Runepolis. Next to him are several other valuable tomes that even Phillame has never seen before.

"Your Highness... is that...?" – Phillame

"These...? Ah yes, the magic tomes that I have asked His Holiness for. I guess these would be the first time you see them?" – Lyari

"Yes... Your Highness... this is the first time I have ever seen these valuable treasures. May I ask why..." – Phillame

"As you may know... a lot of these tomes came from the Ancient Sorcerous Empire. All of them have been combed through at least once before. For all of the bits of knowledge that we can gain and use, we can better prepare ourselves to fight if they return. However... many of these are useless to us. Our scholars and mages can't comprehend the knowledge or have the magitech good enough to use these. So... I figure... we could ask that genius at the Tokyo Magic Institute to help us." – Lyari

"Your Highness... this may..." – Phillame

"Reveal our secret and increase Japan's ability even more? Yes... I am well aware. But letting these priceless treasures just sit in the sanctuary without doing anything with them is the same as not having them. The purpose of the Imperial Family of Milishial is not just defending the Holy Empire, but also Elysia. Having a stronger Japan with us will be better. Besides, these are just copies and not the original manuscripts. And on that note... what have they told you, Sir Phillame?" – Lyari

"My deepest apologies, Your Highness... it seems that the Japanese Government is still suspicious of us. From what I heard... There had been a failed attempt on the life of Her Highness, the Imperial Princess Mirai, and the two Gra Valkan imperial family members. Right now... it may be counter-productive to push them further on this matter..." – Phillame

Lyari looks up from the magic tomes, his face clearly unchanged, but his eyes clearly show weariness. The last time an Imperial family member of a nation new to this world was murdered, one kingdom and a world superpower were ground to dust under a might that they couldn't comprehend. At that time they did not know what was coming for them. But now the HME and Mu cannot use that as an excuse.

Phillame and Lyari can feel that their Empire and Mu are like characters in an old children's story that has dragons and knights, and they are not the main characters. They know very well what would come for them if they go off the script in any way, and considering the reaction of the Gra Valkans themselves, it would make the destruction of Leifor look insignificant in comparison. So that's why Mu's ambassador has been asking Lyari's empire to show a friendly posture to Japan. In order to not step on the tail of the friendly dragon, or offend the mighty knight.