Chapter Text
Chapter 1: The Sinful Kingdom
Part 1: The Arrival of Japan and the Gra Valkas Empire
In the historical records of the new world where Japan was summoned, the Gra Valkas Empire was feared as the enemy of the world. This aggressive nation declared war on the entire world, annexing neighboring countries one after another with overwhelming military force. However, they were cornered after losing a naval battle to Japan, another summoned nation.
The Gra Valkas Empire was summoned later. Whether by some mistake or due to the impatience of the gods, Japan was summoned in the waters where the Gra Valkas Empire was supposed to appear. This occurred on January 15, 2015, in the Central Calendar year 1638.
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Part 2: The Paganda Kingdom
Central Calendar 1638, February 10
Second Civilization Sphere, Western Mu Continent, Paganda Kingdom, Foreign Affairs Bureau
To the west of Mu lay a sinful and arrogant kingdom. The Paganda Kingdom enjoyed close relations with the Leifor Kingdom, the fifth-ranked power in the Second Civilization Sphere, and served as its gateway.
Under the protection of a major power, the people of Paganda were filled with confidence and arrogance, often looking down on other nations due to their inflated pride.
"Lord Douglas, a nation from outside the civilization sphere has come to speak with us," reported Martha, an employee of the Paganda Foreign Affairs Bureau, handing documents to Douglas, a member of the royal family and the head of foreign affairs.
"The nation seeking to establish diplomatic relations is called Japan, a country from outside the civilization sphere."
"Oh? What kind of country is it?"
"Likely a newly emerging nation. However, they seem completely unaware of the Second Civilization Sphere's affairs. They attempted to negotiate directly with Leifor without going through us, but were turned away and have now come to us."
Douglas frowned. It seemed that Japan not only disregarded the diplomatic norms of the Second Civilization Sphere but also ignored the very existence of the Paganda Kingdom.
"Do they look down on us? How can those who manage a nation be so ignorant of the Second Civilization Sphere's common knowledge?"
Douglas, already known for his short temper, spat out harsh words, clearly in a foul mood.
"They do wish to establish diplomatic relations with us, but... well, it seems we are of lower priority than Leifor."
"What a ridiculous country. I'll deal with them personally."
With that, Douglas, despite his displeasure, decided to meet with the Japanese delegation.
Part 3: The Japanese Delegation
Meanwhile, the Japanese delegation was waiting in a reception room. Japan had suddenly been transported to this new world, facing crises in food and fuel supplies. While they were managing with preserved food and fuel reserves, both were expected to last only a few months.
Frustrated by the slow progress in establishing diplomatic relations with the nations of this world, Japan’s Foreign Minister had personally led the delegation to Paganda.
“Thank you for waiting. Please come this way. The head of foreign affairs will meet with you. Please note that he is a member of our royal family, so be respectful,” Martha instructed as she guided the Japanese delegation.
The delegation was led into a chamber that could hardly be described as tasteful—an ostentatious display of glittering jewels adorned every surface. At the center of the room, Douglas lounged on an ornate throne, his legs crossed, exuding an air of overwhelming arrogance.
“What...?” The Japanese delegation was momentarily stunned.
On Earth, even the most tyrannical regimes treated foreign diplomats as equals in official settings. Yet here, despite their visit for formal negotiations, Douglas remained seated in an insolent posture, making no effort to acknowledge them properly.
Chairs had been prepared in the room, but there was no invitation to sit. The blatant display of disrespect was beyond anything the Japanese diplomats had ever experienced.
Suppressing their frustration, the delegation took their seats and initiated the discussion.
“Greetings. We are representatives of Japan, a nation from the west. We have come to establish diplomatic relations with the nations of the Second Civilization Sphere, beginning with your esteemed country.”
The Japanese envoy spoke humbly, setting aside Douglas’s rudeness for the sake of diplomacy. Even by Earth’s standards, enduring such treatment without protest was remarkable.
However, Japan had learned of a hierarchical international order in this world known as the Civilization Sphere. Without fully understanding its structure, reckless actions could be dangerous. The diplomats, aware of this, kept their irritation in check.
Douglas scoffed, his expression filled with disdain.
“Our Paganda Kingdom is under the benevolent protection of the mighty Leifor Kingdom, a great power of the Second Civilization Sphere,” he declared, his voice thick with condescension. “And yet you, a mere upstart from beyond our borders, dare to bypass us and seek an audience with our suzerain directly? Such audacity is beyond comprehension!”
The Japanese diplomats had expected some level of disdain, but they had not anticipated such outright hostility. They could already tell that this discussion would be challenging.
“Our nation finds itself in an unfamiliar land, and we are still learning the customs of this world,” the Foreign Minister replied calmly. “If we have erred in protocol, we offer our sincerest apologies.”
Douglas sneered, leaning back into his gilded chair.
“Tch... This is why dealing with backwater nations is so dreadfully tedious,” he muttered. “However, I am not without mercy. If you seek our favor, you shall offer a suitable tribute.”
“A tribute...?” The Foreign Minister frowned. “Might I ask what you mean by that?”
Douglas let out a haughty laugh.
“Must I spell it out for you?” He snapped his fingers, and a nearby official stepped forward, tossing a document onto the table in front of the Japanese delegation. “This is the proper etiquette for those who wish to earn our good graces. Educate yourselves.”
The Japanese diplomats picked up the document, only for their expressions to darken as they read its contents:
- All trade with the Second Civilization Sphere must be conducted exclusively through the Paganda Kingdom, with tariffs levied at our discretion.
- A mandatory tribute must be paid to the Paganda Kingdom in exchange for facilitating relations with the nations of the Second Civilization Sphere. The amount for each nation is as follows...
- To ensure the continued operations of this Foreign Affairs Bureau, a portion of all tariffs shall be personally allocated to His Excellency, Head of Foreign Affairs Douglas. The specified sum is...
“You... surely cannot be serious?” one of the diplomats muttered in disbelief.
The sheer scale of the demanded tribute was staggering. The sum owed solely to Douglas himself was enough to construct a modern warship.
At last, the Foreign Minister’s patience snapped.
“We have come only to establish diplomatic relations,” he said, his tone firm. “We have no intention of indulging in corruption by paying such bribes.”
Douglas’s expression twisted into one of rage.
“You dare to question the decrees of a royal of Paganda?!” He slammed his fist against the armrest of his throne, his voice filled with fury. “You are but lowly barbarians from beyond the civilization sphere, and yet you speak as though you stand as our equals!”
He raised a hand, and the guards in the room immediately moved to action.
“Seize this insolent wretch at once!” Douglas commanded. “He has shown unforgivable disrespect toward a member of the royal family! Execute him immediately!”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“W-what are you doing?! Release the Minister at once! This is a diplomatic matter!” protested Asada, a member of the Japanese delegation.
Douglas sneered.
“Silence! You should feel honored to bear witness to what happens to those who defy us! May this be a lesson to your pathetic nation!”
“No! Stop! Stooooop!!”
The Foreign Minister’s pleas went unheard. In an act of sheer cruelty, he was publicly executed on Douglas’s orders.
The remaining Japanese diplomats were forcibly expelled from Paganda, their mission in ruins.
Part 4: The Aftermath in Japan
Tokyo, Japan – Prime Minister’s Office
The surviving diplomats, including Asada, returned to Japan and delivered their harrowing report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The news quickly made its way to the cabinet.
“...This is what transpired during our diplomatic mission to the Paganda Kingdom.”
Prime Minister Takeda and the assembled ministers sat in stunned silence. The details were so appalling that some of the female ministers covered their mouths and rushed out, unable to bear the horror of what they had heard.
“Minister Sato was... executed?”
“This is... beyond comprehension!”
Anger and outrage filled the room.
“Prime Minister, with our diplomatic channels cut off, our options are now severely limited!”
“What do we do? Our resource reserves will run out within months!”
Japan had endured the humiliation of Paganda’s arrogance because establishing diplomatic relations was critical for their survival. Their food and fuel supplies were dwindling, and their situation was dire.
“If we cannot negotiate in the east, what of the west?”
“The western continent is far beyond our reach. The nearest landmass is over 6,000 kilometers away—impossible to establish relations with at this moment.”
Desperation filled the room.
“We cannot overlook Minister Sato’s execution,” said the Defense Minister. “Nor can we ignore the fact that we are facing an existential crisis.”
Silence.
Then, he spoke again.
“We must retaliate.”
Everyone turned toward him in shock.
“You’re suggesting an act of war?” the Environment Minister asked, aghast.
“Can you offer a better alternative?” the Defense Minister countered. “We are out of options. We either act or perish.”
The ministers, often divided in debate, now found themselves in rare agreement.
“I support the proposal. Prime Minister, Paganda is a nation that does not even understand the concept of modern warfare. Their forces will crumble before us.”
“It’s justice for Minister Sato! We must make them pay!”
“Survival comes first! If it means taking from others, then so be it!”
As their voices rose in unity, Prime Minister Takeda felt something fundamental about Japan shattering.
“...Very well,” he finally declared. “I hereby order the deployment of the Self-Defense Forces. For the protection of Japan’s citizens—and as retribution for Minister Sato—we shall bring war upon the Paganda Kingdom!”
That day, Japan made its choice.
A choice that would change everything.