The Land of the Rising Sun Transfers to Another World

Chapter 38: The Intentions of Each Country

If time allows, I'll try to post two chapters.

- ワイアード

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Inside a dragon carriage, somewhere in the sky

Ester Swinton, the Foreign Secretary of the Republic of Berk, was boarding a dragon carriage pulled by two giant dragons over 100 meters long. Ester drank as he watched the sea of clouds passing by the window.

"...Foreign Secretary, do you really intend to launch an assault on Japan?"

"Of course! That backwater, barbaric country is hardly worth worrying about!"

"I-I understand! I'll inform our homeland immediately—"

As the attendant was about to order a communication with their homeland via manacomm crew, Ester scoffed and stopped the command.

"Like I'd actually do that."

"...Eh? Ummm... Eh!?"

"You heard about how Japan launched a rebellion against the Thestania Empire, used the confusion to strike, and won, right?"

"Yes..."

"But that means Japan has a covert organization skilled at internal sabotage. Japan is... likely strong... They probably even have firearms and cannons. But they have an issue with numbers... which is why they rely on covert operations. That's Japan's approach to war."

"...But—"

"Did you hear how they took away all those hundreds of thousands of hostages in a single day?"

"!?"

"And at the same time as the slave rebellion, their colonial territories also revolted... neutralizing the wyverns. Without a doubt, this was also Japan's covert group. Pulling off such feats isn't something just anyone can do."

The attendant, his face showing bewilderment and nervous sweat, listened. Though he had been present in the hall during that meeting, he hadn't heard the details of Japan's actions in Thestania.

And understandably so, as the Hardique Empire had only conveyed that "the Japanese military attacked amidst the chaos. Due to the slave revolt, they defeated the enemy with minimal resistance."

"...Mr. Neyham from the Hardique Empire didn't explain it in such detail?"

"He purposely left it out. They wanted us to think Japan wasn't much of a threat, and drive us into conflict with them."

"But why...?"

"Their usual tactic of obtaining things without unnecessary effort."

"Unbelievable..."

"And you're aware of the current state among the Five Great Powers, right?"

"...Yes, for the most part..."

"Anyway, we need as much military strength as we can get. Even if it's a low-end nation, increasing allies is critical... especially if it's a new power that defeated the Thestania Empire."

"I see..."

"They likely have some information about Japan's military capabilities—something beyond just cannons and guns... They're probably planning to wear us, the Republic of Berk, and the Kingdom of Leis in conflict, only to eventually absorb us."

"Gah...!?"

"On the surface, relations may look good, but they're always probing for weaknesses beneath."