The Land of the Rising Sun Transfers to Another World

Chapter 63: The Archbishop's Scheme

Meeting Room, Prime Minister's Office, Japan

"Well now... this has turned into a bit of a troublesome situation, hasn't it?"

Prime Minister Hirose and the various ministers present in the meeting room had serious, concerned expressions as they deliberated. Chief Cabinet Secretary Koshimizu scratched his head before turning to Hirose with a question.

"Hirose... that Federated States of Cuadrado is currently in a skirmish with the Hardique Empire, one of the great powers, right?"

"That's right, Koshimizu-san. It's the same country that sent in those operatives."

"...I see... And if I recall correctly, that same country was involved in the incidents with the Kingdom of Reumel and the Kingdom of Amdis too, right, Kuze?"

Defense Minister Yasuhito Kuze replied while reading from his briefing documents.

"Yes, that's correct. To elaborate, one of the senior officials from the Kingdom of Reumel, Mr. Linute Thümel, was assassinated. The culprit used advanced mimicry magic to take his place and engage in espionage activities. Moreover, had the mission been successful, the agent would have been granted control over the Dom Continent."

"And... when did the Kingdom of Reumel find out that Mr. Linute had been murdered?"

"Just over a year ago... it caused quite a stir within Reumel when Mr. Linute suddenly disappeared. Then, by chance, one of the household staff looked into an old well, where they found Mr. Linute's skeletal remains."

"So... Mr. Linute had been killed quite some time ago."

At that moment, Deputy Prime Minister Nanbara clapped his hands, interrupting the discussion.

"Alright, alright, this isn't the time to dwell on that matter. What we need to focus on now is how to handle the situation with the Federated States of Cuadrado... isn't that right, Prime Minister?"

"Right on, Nanbara! Always dependable!"

"Uh, thank you."

"If what Diplomat Horiuchi said is truly happening, then Japan being drawn into war is a very real possibility. The people are afraid of Japan once again stepping into conflict."

"........."

Foreign Minister Azumi's words brought a heavy silence over the room. Japan, forming an alliance with Cuadrado to defend itself from the Hardique Empire, sounded good on paper, but it was clear that this would bring the fires of war to Japan as well.

"May I add something? Our people still remember the chaos at Unbekannt that occurred just before the war with the Thestania Empire, don't they?"

"Y-yes..."

"In that case, hasn't public awareness shifted? They must realize by now that this world is vastly different from the one they came from."

"Well... some may have changed, that's for sure. But if you ask whether they'll approve of this alliance, many will still voice opposition."

"...But what if that country had its sights on Japan from the start? ...Just like the Thestania Empire did."

"Hm?"

"What I'm saying is...what if the Hardique Empire's campaign for continental unification included a plan to invade Japan?"

"What!? Prime Minister, surely you don't mean that!?"

"In that case... wouldn't it be better to strike before we're struck?"

Everyone was stunned by Prime Minister Hirose's words. The idea of the head of state endorsing war and moving toward it was unthinkable. It went against Japan's pacifist stance, and the public would surely unleash a torrent of criticism.