Imperial capital Runepolis, Holy Mirishial Empire
The Holy Mirishial Empire. A country blessed by the riches of the world. In the middle of the country is the most adorned capital of Runepolis and in the heart of the city lies the imperial castle where the Emperor resides.
Hirkane Parpe, the Director of the Antiquities Department of Ancient Arms Analysis Tactical Operations of the Imperial Ministry of Countermeasures Against the Ancient Sorcerous Empire, was visiting the imperial castle due to a summon order from His Excellency.
Since it was a direct order from His Excellency, he nervously stood in front of the room. The doors opened, and he entered the room in the direction of the Emperor’s attendants.
Set in the middle of the room are tables and chairs, and placed on top of the table are cups of the Empire’s local specialty of tea, with slight vapors emanating from them. At the end of the table sat the ruler of the world, Emperor Mirishial.
“Take a seat. Let’s have a cup of tea while we talk.”
At the Emperor’s word, he sat down on one of the seats.
“Nervous, are you? Well, drink up. The tea is great.”
It cannot be helped to feel jittery in the presence of the Emperor, who is said to reside at the heart of the world. It is the most unusual for His Excellency, the Emperor, to summon a director of one of the ministries. He filled his mouth with one gulp of tea. He couldn’t feel the flavor due to his nervousness.
“Your Excellency, what business do you have for me on this occasion?”
The Antiquities Department of Ancient Arms Analysis Tactical Operations of the Ministry of Countermeasures Against the Ancient Sorcerous Empire has something to do with the superweapons of the ancient sorcerous empire that were excavated from the Empire’s regions.
They are a department responsible for the analysis and integration of these superweapons into the Empire’s military assets and sometimes, the maintenance, analysis, and operation of weapons that are still functional.
The fact that the head of the department most needed in the coming war against the ancient sorcerous empire was summoned at this time…
“Do you guess to the reason for why I have summoned you?”
“Have you caught signs of the ancient sorcerous empire’s revival?”
“No. This is regarding the Gra Valkas Empire.”
As the head of the Holy Mirishial Empire’s superweapons operations department, Hirkane Parpe couldn’t comprehend why he was summoned for a mere non-civilized country.
“Are they the barbarian country that conducted a surprise attack on the port city of Cartalpas? I was told that Defense Minister Agra had deployed 3 fleets with the World Union to destroy the enemy fleet gathered off the coast of Leifor.”
Silence…
The Emperor slowly started to speak.
“As an extremely cautious person who wants to be doubly assured, I am thinking of introducing the ancient weapons into this war… To assure complete annihilation of this Gra Valkas Empire and its fleet…
The aerial battleship Pal Chimera… Yes! That’s it. Deploy 2 vessels at once.”
“Wha-!!!”
The Empire possesses 7 excavated vessels of the ancient sorcerous empire’s aerial battleship Pal Chimera, with only 5 of those vessels operational. For him to send out 2 of those extremely powerful vessels against a non-civilized country; he couldn’t believe what he had just heard.
“With all due respect, Your Excellency, there are still parts of the structure of the Pal Chimera that are not yet well understood! In the very small chance that it will get shot down, we don’t have any replacements! We cannot manufacture new ones! Please reconsider!”
“I understand the fact that we can’t create more and that replacements are not possible. However, I have an unpleasant hunch.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Defense Minister Agra calculated that 3 fleets would be sufficient in destroying them. However… In our empire’s eventual struggle for all races… I mean, with the existence of those races on a knife’s edge, to push for even a slight advantage in this fight, we need to instill in all the other countries a feeling of difference in might.
By leaving them guessing on how powerful the weapons we have excavated from the ruins of the ancient sorcerous empire, if they ever make an enemy of the world’s grandest empire, they would then feel that our might is overwhelmingly enormous.”
Hirkane bows in agreement as he reflects upon the Emperor’s words.
His Excellency continues.
“With such a difference, we would immensely be victorious with just appearances.”
“But, would that be okay?”
“For a country, it is more than okay. I think that to be called the best would do our analyses, technologies, and military a blessing.
However… Even if one were to be careful, successive victories can be deceiving. Defense Minister Agra is superb. I believe that he doesn’t underestimate the Gra Valkas Empire. Nevertheless, deep in my heart, I feel that he has been careless.
Scientific civilized countries… are enemies not to be underestimated.”
Hirkane reflects upon the Emperor’s words.
“Understood. As you command… 2 ships of the ancient superweapon aerial battleship Pal Chimera will be dispatched to punish the Gra Valkas Empire.”
“I’m counting on you. I will inform the military. In the very unlikely event that one of the ships is shot down, they are to retreat with haste.”
“It is unthinkable for the ancient weapons to be shot down, but your command is acknowledged.”
After some arguments on obtaining permissions for the day of deployment, Hirkane left the room.
Emperor Mirishial looks out the window. As he looks at the profound prosperity of the imperial capital, he whispers.
“There’s no way we can lose… We have to eliminate those insolent, alien imperials…”
To destroy the Gra Valkas Empire’s fleet off the shores of the former Second Civilization superpower Leifor, the world’s strongest country, the Holy Mirishial Empire, has decided to dispatch 2 ships of the ancient sorcerous empire’s superweapon, the aerial battleship Pal Chimera.
・・・
Technological Intelligence Bureau, Leifor sub-branch, Gra Valkas Empire
Naguano, bringing with him the intel report he stayed up all night doing and the Treasure Continent Extra Issue document that is thought to be made in Japan, takes a seat with his superiors. He begins explaining.
“As detailed within, if the weapons described in the book are real, there is a possibility our empire will take catastrophic damage!”
Naguano asserted in his explanation.
Anti-ship-guided munitions that fly faster than 4 times the speed of sound and possess enough destructive power to sink a cruiser with a single hit… There is no doubt that if they have made this into reality, our military will take catastrophic casualties.
His superior, Hamidall, is at his wits’ end on reading the report.
“Naguano… What do you think of this book’s authenticity?”
“Ah, yes! Besides the conjectures and scope of our military, the book’s description of the performance of our weapons is exceedingly accurate. Furthermore, this book says that Japan sits at a technological level 70 years ahead of us, and so this makes them a serious…”
“Are you a fucking fool?!”
Hamidall’s anger reverberated within the office. The people within the vicinity all cast their glances on him.
“Can’t you tell the difference between fact and fantasy, between information for the consumption of the enemy’s masses and deceptive information for mass confusion?! Why in god’s name are you in the technology department of the intelligence bureau?!”
Summing it up, he continues.
“The foremost problem with this book is how information from our military has leaked into a country from the Third Civilization!
Setting aside your report, I will have this reasonably communicated to the military executive as a data breach.”
The office has fallen silent. Hamill began speaking again to admonish Naguano.
“You still need a lot to learn, Naguano. For example, this book has described many false information points.”
“Such as?”
“I mean… Take a look at this description for an Aegis ship. It says here it can track more than 200 targets at once and then it can engage 12 of those targets at any given time.
Furthermore, if an enemy gets past a ship’s defense and then it gets past the main cannon’s barrage, it will then finally be intercepted by a 20mm Vulcan Phalanx… It intercepts enemies in flight by predicting their future position. For this, it needs to calculate and account for the enemy’s flight speed, the gun’s stabilization, and even the round’s velocity.
You are aware of the current processing speed of the empire’s calculators, are you not?”
“I’m sorry. I have not researched sufficiently in the field of calculators.”
“If what is written in this book is by any chance true, there is no doubt that the size of the calculator alone will exceed a battleship’s. If not done properly, it would be as big as a high-rise building.”
“If there is a technology gap of 70 years, it is possible.”
“No, the speed of an actual calculator will not increase even in 70 years. There is a limit to how small vacuum tubes can get.
If there was a chance that they got a replacement for the vacuum tube and then downsize them to about the size of a coin, it would still be too big. This kind of computation power is not possible within 70 years.
If you say that there is a gap of 400 years, I wouldn’t be able to say much since the means of production and the extent of development is unimaginable. However, 70 years is an imaginable number.”
With Naguano silent, Hamidall continues.
“Ahh well, I will have this sent to the military as reference. I will communicate to them the results of the book’s analysis sans the preconceptions that you have.”
Naguano hung his head as he has limited knowledge of the framework of calculators.
However, his instincts are exhaustively sending him grave warning signals on the capabilities of Japan.
“B-but if in fact! If this book is real and not deceptive, they WILL catastrophically devastate us and shake the empire to the core!”
“Yeah. If there will be damage, then maybe the military brass will ponder on it. Information is to be appropriately analyzed then sent to the upper echelons. That is just how our job is.”
The discussion seems to have ended. However, Naguano refuses to back down.
“I’m telling you, if this book is real, the empire will be dealt a shocking blow! To ascertain this information’s credibility, I think we should report to the military to get them to have intelligence operatives undercover in Japan and at the same time strengthen our intelligence gathering in neighboring countries!
If it were indeed a data breach in the military, that would also make it possible to apprehend the mole on the enemy side.
If it will be difficult to send undercover operatives to an enemy country in a state of war, then information gathering from neighboring countries would suffice!”
“Yeah, yeah, alright. I will report that to the military straight from me. But Naguano, I don’t think you need to worry.”
“What do you mean?”
“The other-worldlings’ grand fleet is heading straight towards here to strike against our military in Leifor. The empire’s Eastern Fleet and Imperial Judgement Forces are teaming up and they are set to annihilate the other-worldlings’ fleet. After this battle, it is planned for our army to commence a ground invasion of Mu.
Once Mu falls, we’d get our hands on more information on Japan.”
“If so, then we must immediately hand this information to the military!”
“No need. Japan isn’t sending ships with the fleet. You’re worrying too much!”
Despite convincing his superiors, Naguano couldn’t get rid of his uneasiness.
・・・
Eastern industrial city of Mykal, superpower Mu, Second Civilization Area
The coast was bustling with lots of people trying to see with their own eyes the departure of the military. With worrisome eyes, the families of military personnel have come to see them off. There were a lot of mothers and children who have become anxious and are on the brink of crying.
Dozens of Mu’s state-of-the-art carrier-based fighters, the Marin, are lined up crowded on the decks of 5 aircraft carriers. Joining up with the World Union Fleet to lay waste on the Gra Valkas Empire’s fleet, a total of 50 ships from the Second Civilization superpower Mu which comprises of 5 aircraft carriers, 4 La Kasami class battleships, 8 armored cruisers, 12 cruisers, 16 light cruisers, 5 supply vessels, have left the port of the industrial city of Mykal.
・・・
Gra Valkas Imperial Navy
With the Holy Mirishial Empire as the proponent, the Central World and the Second Civilization Area have congregated into a World Union and have dispatched a grand fleet to challenge the Gra Valkas Empire.
The Gra Valkas Empire has spotted the fleet heading towards the former Leifor district, the stepping stone for the empire to the rest of the Second Civilization Area, and has begun amassing its fleet at the western sea off Leifor to force a decisive battle using their aircraft carrier squadrons and battleships.
Luxtal, captain of the empire’s strongest superdreadnought, currently with the Imperial Judgment Forces, the Grade Atlastar, looks out to the sea in front of the bridge.
“Magnificent…”
The sight was something to behold, even for him who is the most acquainted with the superdreadnought. The empire’s beautiful fighters fly overhead in perfect formation like a sword that has been meticulously sharpened. The proficiency of the empire’s pilots can be told simply by the beauty in the orderliness of their formation.
He then casts his sights on the ocean.
The empire’s Eastern Fleet and the Imperial Judgement Forces have come together with several warships that seemingly envelop the entire ocean. If one were to witness this vast conglomeration of gigantic battleships and aircraft carriers they’d be overwhelmed by the conviction that such immense power cannot be silenced.
10 battleships, 9 aircraft carriers, 18 heavy cruisers, 20 light cruisers, 112 destroyers, and 64 submarines that are currently not visible are participating in the fight. The number of battle-capable vessels is 233 and if replenishment ships and other support vessels are factored in, that number would rise astoundingly.
“The Imperial Judgment Forces and the Eastern Fleet… I get the feeling that this is overkill even if we are to just crush the main force of the other-worldlings.”
The Grade Atlastar’s XO says to the captain.
“This battle will be the culmination of our efforts in letting this world know how truly powerful our empire is. The people of our empire wanted to go all out, no?”
“Even with that said, the Western Fleet and the Homeland Defense Forces are still necessary.
Considering that the mainland is completely defended, I think that they have built up substantial strength in this deployment.
It’s unlikely but if they were to send out every fleet, the number of battle-capable vessels alone would number around 790 which is enough to decimate any country.”
With a sigh, Captain Luxtal lets out a smile.
“Alright then, why don’t we go send these fools who have pointed their blade against the empire to the depths?”
“Let’s.”
The Gra Valkas Empire’s Imperial Judgement Forces, as well as the 233 warships and auxiliary vessels of the Eastern Fleet, combined into a single armada and has set sail for the sea of Baltica where the decisive engagement is likely to go down.
・・・
Area 48, a secret base under the direct control of the Antiquities Department of Ancient Arms Analysis Tactical Operations of the Imperial Ministry of Countermeasures Against the Ancient Sorcerous Empire, Vaneta District, Holy Mirishial Empire
A group of gigantic buildings stands in a vast expanse of land. Within these buildings, 2 ancient superweapons, legacies of the ancient sorcerous empire, are about to commence a sortie.
If a modern-day Japanese person were to look at them, some structures resemble the symbol of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries that extend outwards in three directions equidistant from each other, connecting the circular structure in the center to a ring-shaped outer body. If there was another symbol that closely resembles the flying subject, it would be the logo of Mercedes which is then laid sidewards.
On top of the circular structure in the center is a castle-like structure that resembles a ship’s bridge.
Currently, the ancient aerial battleship Pal Chimera, at the orders of the Emperor, is about to sortie. The 2 ships gradually lifted themselves into the air.
Present to oversee the sortieing is Hirkane Parpe.
“Mr. Hirkane, not only is the World Union marching to contest the army of those insolent aliens, but also an ancient weapon needed to fight against the sorcerous empire…
I don’t mean to object on how His Excellency does things but I feel that he is overdoing this.”
“It certainly feels too much. His Excellency probably wants to prove the benefits of the magical civilizations in this fight.
I hear that the nascent scientific country of Japan has raised itself to become a unifying force for the countries outside the civilized areas.
It seems as if his Excellency feels the necessity of an absolute victory over the Gra Valkas Empire but…”
He looks up towards the sky. Befitting its name as an aerial battleship, the sight of the vessel inspires awe in the people looking at it as it floats in the sky by non-aerodynamic means. There’s only a select number of people from the military and even in the intelligence bureau who have seen and heard it from rumors.
The aerial battleships possess armor that can withstand anti-air magic munitions and with a cruising speed of 200 kph, no anti-ship artillery cannon can hit them. The enormous objects span 260 m at their widest.
Even Hirkane, who has grown accustomed to the superweapons, was blown back by their beauty and power as the 2 ships set out in succession towards a real war.
If the enemy was a superpower at the level of Leifor or the Papaldia Empire, with the sortie of these 2 ships the matter of victory or defeat has already been set in stone.
The 2 Pal Chimera ships would catch up to the advancing World Union fleet in no time, maybe even arriving at the site of battle just as the hostilities break out. With such overwhelming strength, they’d easily smash the enemy, sending shockwaves of fear and respect to the nations present.
The world’s proudest superpower, the Holy Mirishial Empire, with its pride at stake, has committed one of the ancient weapons in its arsenals into the war.
2 vessels of the ancient sorcerous Ravernal Empire superweapon, the aerial battleship Pal Chimera, fly into the dawning sky to crush the Gra Valkas Imperial Navy deployed off the shores of the former Leifor.
・・・
Ministry of Defense, Tokyo, Japan
A reconnaissance satellite under control of the Ministry of Defense is currently in orbit to assess the threats posed by other nations for the protection of the country.
This planet, in comparison to Earth, is orders of multitudes larger and the time to complete a single orbit is also significantly longer.
With the current number of satellites in orbit, it is impossible to monitor hostile countries 24/7, and so all efforts are focused on conducting analyses of fixed-point photographs of each country’s situation through their capitals, geographies, military bases, and so on.
Yokota, who was analyzing pictures taken by the satellites, came across 3 pictures of the same shot taken at intervals of 20 seconds. Upon looking at them, he felt a tense chill.
Thinking his mind was playing tricks on him, he analyzed them further.
“A-are you serious?! Hey! Over here! Look at this!”
He tells Horiyama over at the other seat with an excited tone.
“What are you excited over?”
Horiyama took a peek at one of the pictures.
“What am I looking at?”
Something incomprehensible was visible in the pictures.
“Here, compare that to this!”
He compares the one he’s holding with 2 other pictures Yokota took out.
“Wha-! What the hell? Is this for real?”
They were both aghast.
“This is a picture of a military base in the Holy Mirishial Empire. This picture is of the same base 20 seconds later, and then this one is 20 seconds after the last one. This object is moving.
Furthermore, according to my analysis, it is floating at a height of 100 meters.”
Looking at the object from above, there is a sphere in the center that is connected to an outer ring by 3 slender structures that resemble the shape of the leaves of a water caltrop plant. The ring wrapped around the entire object, forming its fuselage.
“This… this size…”
“They’re about 260.2m wide. These gigantic monstrous objects float and move. What’s more, is that there are at least 2 of them.
Can you believe it?”
“It’s unbelievable yet we could only believe it. I wonder what principle does it use to hover?”
“No idea. However, the direction at which it moved was towards the Mu continent, so maybe it will participate in the fight against the Gra Valkas Empire.”
“There’s no way something this big is hovering… It’s just like a UFO… What a frightening world this is.”
Japan had just immediately recognized the existence of the Holy Mirishial Empire’s aerial battleship Pal Chimera.
From the pictures, the Ministry of Defense had concluded that its threat level was extraordinarily high and had expedited the programming of anti-ship missiles capable of engaging airborne targets.
・・・
Gra Valkas Imperial Navy, Baltica Sea, the continent of Mu to the north, Second Civilization Area
The grand fleet was facing east.
If a modern-day Japanese person were to look at the fleet, the sight would have been breathtaking. The powerful main cannons of the Imperial Navy’s proud battleships and heavy cruisers are a far cry from the main cannons fielded by the destroyers of the Maritime Self-Defense Forces.
Remaining vigilant up in the sky were hordes of perfectly coordinated formations of the empire’s Antares-class carrier-based fighters. The fleet is also in a well-coordinated formation, and since they are bound to clash with the other-worldlings’ main fleet, the soldiers’ morale is high.
Fortunately, the sky is crystal clear and visibility is excellent.
From the bridge of the Gra Valkas Empire’s largest and strongest battleship, the Grade Atlastar, Captain Luxtal stares ominously out towards the ocean. He gets an unpleasant hunch; one he has never felt before.
“Brace yourself, XO. I get the feeling that this battle won’t be as straightforward as before.”
“Since negligence is to be avoided in battle, I will take that to heart. However, captain, this isn’t me being negligent but, I think the empire’s superiority is unquestionable. What else is there to worry about?”
“It’s my intuition. Years of intuition tell me so.”
“Yikes. The captain’s intuition is always on point.”
As the two conversed, a communications soldier shouted.
“Incoming report! Enemy fleet spotted 250km ahead, 1 hour away from our ships furthest in front! The first squadron of attack fighters is preparing to take off!”
“And so, the fight has come…”
The glint in Luxtal’s eyes sharpen.
The Gra Valkas Imperial Navy has spotted the World Union Fleet in the sea of Baltica.
The curtains rise on what is later recorded as a fierce battle: the Battle of Baltica.
Imperial capital Runepolis, Holy Mirishial Empire
The Holy Mirishial Empire. A country blessed by the riches of the world. In the middle of the country is the most adorned capital of Runepolis and in the heart of the city lies the imperial castle where the Emperor resides.
Hirkane Parpe, the Director of the Antiquities Department of Ancient Arms Analysis Tactical Operations of the Imperial Ministry of Countermeasures Against the Ancient Sorcerous Empire, was visiting the imperial castle due to a summon order from His Excellency.
Since it was a direct order from His Excellency, he nervously stood in front of the room. The doors opened, and he entered the room in the direction of the Emperor’s attendants.
Set in the middle of the room are tables and chairs, and placed on top of the table are cups of the Empire’s local specialty of tea, with slight vapors emanating from them. At the end of the table sat the ruler of the world, Emperor Mirishial.
“Take a seat. Let’s have a cup of tea while we talk.”
At the Emperor’s word, he sat down on one of the seats.
“Nervous, are you? Well, drink up. The tea is great.”
It cannot be helped to feel jittery in the presence of the Emperor, who is said to reside at the heart of the world. It is the most unusual for His Excellency, the Emperor, to summon a director of one of the ministries. He filled his mouth with one gulp of tea. He couldn’t feel the flavor due to his nervousness.
“Your Excellency, what business do you have for me on this occasion?”
The Antiquities Department of Ancient Arms Analysis Tactical Operations of the Ministry of Countermeasures Against the Ancient Sorcerous Empire has something to do with the superweapons of the ancient sorcerous empire that were excavated from the Empire’s regions.
They are a department responsible for the analysis and integration of these superweapons into the Empire’s military assets and sometimes, the maintenance, analysis, and operation of weapons that are still functional.
The fact that the head of the department most needed in the coming war against the ancient sorcerous empire was summoned at this time…
“Do you guess to the reason for why I have summoned you?”
“Have you caught signs of the ancient sorcerous empire’s revival?”
“No. This is regarding the Gra Valkas Empire.”
As the head of the Holy Mirishial Empire’s superweapons operations department, Hirkane Parpe couldn’t comprehend why he was summoned for a mere non-civilized country.
“Are they the barbarian country that conducted a surprise attack on the port city of Cartalpas? I was told that Defense Minister Agra had deployed 3 fleets with the World Union to destroy the enemy fleet gathered off the coast of Leifor.”
Silence…
The Emperor slowly started to speak.
“As an extremely cautious person who wants to be doubly assured, I am thinking of introducing the ancient weapons into this war… To assure complete annihilation of this Gra Valkas Empire and its fleet…
The aerial battleship Pal Chimera… Yes! That’s it. Deploy 2 vessels at once.”
“Wha-!!!”
The Empire possesses 7 excavated vessels of the ancient sorcerous empire’s aerial battleship Pal Chimera, with only 5 of those vessels operational. For him to send out 2 of those extremely powerful vessels against a non-civilized country; he couldn’t believe what he had just heard.
“With all due respect, Your Excellency, there are still parts of the structure of the Pal Chimera that are not yet well understood! In the very small chance that it will get shot down, we don’t have any replacements! We cannot manufacture new ones! Please reconsider!”
“I understand the fact that we can’t create more and that replacements are not possible. However, I have an unpleasant hunch.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Defense Minister Agra calculated that 3 fleets would be sufficient in destroying them. However… In our empire’s eventual struggle for all races… I mean, with the existence of those races on a knife’s edge, to push for even a slight advantage in this fight, we need to instill in all the other countries a feeling of difference in might.
By leaving them guessing on how powerful the weapons we have excavated from the ruins of the ancient sorcerous empire, if they ever make an enemy of the world’s grandest empire, they would then feel that our might is overwhelmingly enormous.”
Hirkane bows in agreement as he reflects upon the Emperor’s words.
His Excellency continues.
“With such a difference, we would immensely be victorious with just appearances.”
“But, would that be okay?”
“For a country, it is more than okay. I think that to be called the best would do our analyses, technologies, and military a blessing.
However… Even if one were to be careful, successive victories can be deceiving. Defense Minister Agra is superb. I believe that he doesn’t underestimate the Gra Valkas Empire. Nevertheless, deep in my heart, I feel that he has been careless.
Scientific civilized countries… are enemies not to be underestimated.”
Hirkane reflects upon the Emperor’s words.
“Understood. As you command… 2 ships of the ancient superweapon aerial battleship Pal Chimera will be dispatched to punish the Gra Valkas Empire.”
“I’m counting on you. I will inform the military. In the very unlikely event that one of the ships is shot down, they are to retreat with haste.”
“It is unthinkable for the ancient weapons to be shot down, but your command is acknowledged.”
After some arguments on obtaining permissions for the day of deployment, Hirkane left the room.
Emperor Mirishial looks out the window. As he looks at the profound prosperity of the imperial capital, he whispers.
“There’s no way we can lose… We have to eliminate those insolent, alien imperials…”
To destroy the Gra Valkas Empire’s fleet off the shores of the former Second Civilization superpower Leifor, the world’s strongest country, the Holy Mirishial Empire, has decided to dispatch 2 ships of the ancient sorcerous empire’s superweapon, the aerial battleship Pal Chimera.
・・・
Technological Intelligence Bureau, Leifor sub-branch, Gra Valkas Empire
Naguano, bringing with him the intel report he stayed up all night doing and the Treasure Continent Extra Issue document that is thought to be made in Japan, takes a seat with his superiors. He begins explaining.
“As detailed within, if the weapons described in the book are real, there is a possibility our empire will take catastrophic damage!”
Naguano asserted in his explanation.
Anti-ship-guided munitions that fly faster than 4 times the speed of sound and possess enough destructive power to sink a cruiser with a single hit… There is no doubt that if they have made this into reality, our military will take catastrophic casualties.
His superior, Hamidall, is at his wits’ end on reading the report.
“Naguano… What do you think of this book’s authenticity?”
“Ah, yes! Besides the conjectures and scope of our military, the book’s description of the performance of our weapons is exceedingly accurate. Furthermore, this book says that Japan sits at a technological level 70 years ahead of us, and so this makes them a serious…”
“Are you a fucking fool?!”
Hamidall’s anger reverberated within the office. The people within the vicinity all cast their glances on him.
“Can’t you tell the difference between fact and fantasy, between information for the consumption of the enemy’s masses and deceptive information for mass confusion?! Why in god’s name are you in the technology department of the intelligence bureau?!”
Summing it up, he continues.
“The foremost problem with this book is how information from our military has leaked into a country from the Third Civilization!
Setting aside your report, I will have this reasonably communicated to the military executive as a data breach.”
The office has fallen silent. Hamill began speaking again to admonish Naguano.
“You still need a lot to learn, Naguano. For example, this book has described many false information points.”
“Such as?”
“I mean… Take a look at this description for an Aegis ship. It says here it can track more than 200 targets at once and then it can engage 12 of those targets at any given time.
Furthermore, if an enemy gets past a ship’s defense and then it gets past the main cannon’s barrage, it will then finally be intercepted by a 20mm Vulcan Phalanx… It intercepts enemies in flight by predicting their future position. For this, it needs to calculate and account for the enemy’s flight speed, the gun’s stabilization, and even the round’s velocity.
You are aware of the current processing speed of the empire’s calculators, are you not?”
“I’m sorry. I have not researched sufficiently in the field of calculators.”
“If what is written in this book is by any chance true, there is no doubt that the size of the calculator alone will exceed a battleship’s. If not done properly, it would be as big as a high-rise building.”
“If there is a technology gap of 70 years, it is possible.”
“No, the speed of an actual calculator will not increase even in 70 years. There is a limit to how small vacuum tubes can get.
If there was a chance that they got a replacement for the vacuum tube and then downsize them to about the size of a coin, it would still be too big. This kind of computation power is not possible within 70 years.
If you say that there is a gap of 400 years, I wouldn’t be able to say much since the means of production and the extent of development is unimaginable. However, 70 years is an imaginable number.”
With Naguano silent, Hamidall continues.
“Ahh well, I will have this sent to the military as reference. I will communicate to them the results of the book’s analysis sans the preconceptions that you have.”
Naguano hung his head as he has limited knowledge of the framework of calculators.
However, his instincts are exhaustively sending him grave warning signals on the capabilities of Japan.
“B-but if in fact! If this book is real and not deceptive, they WILL catastrophically devastate us and shake the empire to the core!”
“Yeah. If there will be damage, then maybe the military brass will ponder on it. Information is to be appropriately analyzed then sent to the upper echelons. That is just how our job is.”
The discussion seems to have ended. However, Naguano refuses to back down.
“I’m telling you, if this book is real, the empire will be dealt a shocking blow! To ascertain this information’s credibility, I think we should report to the military to get them to have intelligence operatives undercover in Japan and at the same time strengthen our intelligence gathering in neighboring countries!
If it were indeed a data breach in the military, that would also make it possible to apprehend the mole on the enemy side.
If it will be difficult to send undercover operatives to an enemy country in a state of war, then information gathering from neighboring countries would suffice!”
“Yeah, yeah, alright. I will report that to the military straight from me. But Naguano, I don’t think you need to worry.”
“What do you mean?”
“The other-worldlings’ grand fleet is heading straight towards here to strike against our military in Leifor. The empire’s Eastern Fleet and Imperial Judgement Forces are teaming up and they are set to annihilate the other-worldlings’ fleet. After this battle, it is planned for our army to commence a ground invasion of Mu.
Once Mu falls, we’d get our hands on more information on Japan.”
“If so, then we must immediately hand this information to the military!”
“No need. Japan isn’t sending ships with the fleet. You’re worrying too much!”
Despite convincing his superiors, Naguano couldn’t get rid of his uneasiness.
・・・
Eastern industrial city of Mykal, superpower Mu, Second Civilization Area
The coast was bustling with lots of people trying to see with their own eyes the departure of the military. With worrisome eyes, the families of military personnel have come to see them off. There were a lot of mothers and children who have become anxious and are on the brink of crying.
Dozens of Mu’s state-of-the-art carrier-based fighters, the Marin, are lined up crowded on the decks of 5 aircraft carriers. Joining up with the World Union Fleet to lay waste on the Gra Valkas Empire’s fleet, a total of 50 ships from the Second Civilization superpower Mu which comprises of 5 aircraft carriers, 4 La Kasami class battleships, 8 armored cruisers, 12 cruisers, 16 light cruisers, 5 supply vessels, have left the port of the industrial city of Mykal.
・・・
Gra Valkas Imperial Navy
With the Holy Mirishial Empire as the proponent, the Central World and the Second Civilization Area have congregated into a World Union and have dispatched a grand fleet to challenge the Gra Valkas Empire.
The Gra Valkas Empire has spotted the fleet heading towards the former Leifor district, the stepping stone for the empire to the rest of the Second Civilization Area, and has begun amassing its fleet at the western sea off Leifor to force a decisive battle using their aircraft carrier squadrons and battleships.
Luxtal, captain of the empire’s strongest superdreadnought, currently with the Imperial Judgment Forces, the Grade Atlastar, looks out to the sea in front of the bridge.
“Magnificent…”
The sight was something to behold, even for him who is the most acquainted with the superdreadnought. The empire’s beautiful fighters fly overhead in perfect formation like a sword that has been meticulously sharpened. The proficiency of the empire’s pilots can be told simply by the beauty in the orderliness of their formation.
He then casts his sights on the ocean.
The empire’s Eastern Fleet and the Imperial Judgement Forces have come together with several warships that seemingly envelop the entire ocean. If one were to witness this vast conglomeration of gigantic battleships and aircraft carriers they’d be overwhelmed by the conviction that such immense power cannot be silenced.
10 battleships, 9 aircraft carriers, 18 heavy cruisers, 20 light cruisers, 112 destroyers, and 64 submarines that are currently not visible are participating in the fight. The number of battle-capable vessels is 233 and if replenishment ships and other support vessels are factored in, that number would rise astoundingly.
“The Imperial Judgment Forces and the Eastern Fleet… I get the feeling that this is overkill even if we are to just crush the main force of the other-worldlings.”
The Grade Atlastar’s XO says to the captain.
“This battle will be the culmination of our efforts in letting this world know how truly powerful our empire is. The people of our empire wanted to go all out, no?”
“Even with that said, the Western Fleet and the Homeland Defense Forces are still necessary.
Considering that the mainland is completely defended, I think that they have built up substantial strength in this deployment.
It’s unlikely but if they were to send out every fleet, the number of battle-capable vessels alone would number around 790 which is enough to decimate any country.”
With a sigh, Captain Luxtal lets out a smile.
“Alright then, why don’t we go send these fools who have pointed their blade against the empire to the depths?”
“Let’s.”
The Gra Valkas Empire’s Imperial Judgement Forces, as well as the 233 warships and auxiliary vessels of the Eastern Fleet, combined into a single armada and has set sail for the sea of Baltica where the decisive engagement is likely to go down.
・・・
Area 48, a secret base under the direct control of the Antiquities Department of Ancient Arms Analysis Tactical Operations of the Imperial Ministry of Countermeasures Against the Ancient Sorcerous Empire, Vaneta District, Holy Mirishial Empire
A group of gigantic buildings stands in a vast expanse of land. Within these buildings, 2 ancient superweapons, legacies of the ancient sorcerous empire, are about to commence a sortie.
If a modern-day Japanese person were to look at them, some structures resemble the symbol of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries that extend outwards in three directions equidistant from each other, connecting the circular structure in the center to a ring-shaped outer body. If there was another symbol that closely resembles the flying subject, it would be the logo of Mercedes which is then laid sidewards.
On top of the circular structure in the center is a castle-like structure that resembles a ship’s bridge.
Currently, the ancient aerial battleship Pal Chimera, at the orders of the Emperor, is about to sortie. The 2 ships gradually lifted themselves into the air.
Present to oversee the sortieing is Hirkane Parpe.
“Mr. Hirkane, not only is the World Union marching to contest the army of those insolent aliens, but also an ancient weapon needed to fight against the sorcerous empire…
I don’t mean to object on how His Excellency does things but I feel that he is overdoing this.”
“It certainly feels too much. His Excellency probably wants to prove the benefits of the magical civilizations in this fight.
I hear that the nascent scientific country of Japan has raised itself to become a unifying force for the countries outside the civilized areas.
It seems as if his Excellency feels the necessity of an absolute victory over the Gra Valkas Empire but…”
He looks up towards the sky. Befitting its name as an aerial battleship, the sight of the vessel inspires awe in the people looking at it as it floats in the sky by non-aerodynamic means. There’s only a select number of people from the military and even in the intelligence bureau who have seen and heard it from rumors.
The aerial battleships possess armor that can withstand anti-air magic munitions and with a cruising speed of 200 kph, no anti-ship artillery cannon can hit them. The enormous objects span 260 m at their widest.
Even Hirkane, who has grown accustomed to the superweapons, was blown back by their beauty and power as the 2 ships set out in succession towards a real war.
If the enemy was a superpower at the level of Leifor or the Papaldia Empire, with the sortie of these 2 ships the matter of victory or defeat has already been set in stone.
The 2 Pal Chimera ships would catch up to the advancing World Union fleet in no time, maybe even arriving at the site of battle just as the hostilities break out. With such overwhelming strength, they’d easily smash the enemy, sending shockwaves of fear and respect to the nations present.
The world’s proudest superpower, the Holy Mirishial Empire, with its pride at stake, has committed one of the ancient weapons in its arsenals into the war.
2 vessels of the ancient sorcerous Ravernal Empire superweapon, the aerial battleship Pal Chimera, fly into the dawning sky to crush the Gra Valkas Imperial Navy deployed off the shores of the former Leifor.
・・・
Ministry of Defense, Tokyo, Japan
A reconnaissance satellite under control of the Ministry of Defense is currently in orbit to assess the threats posed by other nations for the protection of the country.
This planet, in comparison to Earth, is orders of multitudes larger and the time to complete a single orbit is also significantly longer.
With the current number of satellites in orbit, it is impossible to monitor hostile countries 24/7, and so all efforts are focused on conducting analyses of fixed-point photographs of each country’s situation through their capitals, geographies, military bases, and so on.
Yokota, who was analyzing pictures taken by the satellites, came across 3 pictures of the same shot taken at intervals of 20 seconds. Upon looking at them, he felt a tense chill.
Thinking his mind was playing tricks on him, he analyzed them further.
“A-are you serious?! Hey! Over here! Look at this!”
He tells Horiyama over at the other seat with an excited tone.
“What are you excited over?”
Horiyama took a peek at one of the pictures.
“What am I looking at?”
Something incomprehensible was visible in the pictures.
“Here, compare that to this!”
He compares the one he’s holding with 2 other pictures Yokota took out.
“Wha-! What the hell? Is this for real?”
They were both aghast.
“This is a picture of a military base in the Holy Mirishial Empire. This picture is of the same base 20 seconds later, and then this one is 20 seconds after the last one. This object is moving.
Furthermore, according to my analysis, it is floating at a height of 100 meters.”
Looking at the object from above, there is a sphere in the center that is connected to an outer ring by 3 slender structures that resemble the shape of the leaves of a water caltrop plant. The ring wrapped around the entire object, forming its fuselage.
“This… this size…”
“They’re about 260.2m wide. These gigantic monstrous objects float and move. What’s more, is that there are at least 2 of them.
Can you believe it?”
“It’s unbelievable yet we could only believe it. I wonder what principle does it use to hover?”
“No idea. However, the direction at which it moved was towards the Mu continent, so maybe it will participate in the fight against the Gra Valkas Empire.”
“There’s no way something this big is hovering… It’s just like a UFO… What a frightening world this is.”
Japan had just immediately recognized the existence of the Holy Mirishial Empire’s aerial battleship Pal Chimera.
From the pictures, the Ministry of Defense had concluded that its threat level was extraordinarily high and had expedited the programming of anti-ship missiles capable of engaging airborne targets.
・・・
Gra Valkas Imperial Navy, Baltica Sea, the continent of Mu to the north, Second Civilization Area
The grand fleet was facing east.
If a modern-day Japanese person were to look at the fleet, the sight would have been breathtaking. The powerful main cannons of the Imperial Navy’s proud battleships and heavy cruisers are a far cry from the main cannons fielded by the destroyers of the Maritime Self-Defense Forces.
Remaining vigilant up in the sky were hordes of perfectly coordinated formations of the empire’s Antares-class carrier-based fighters. The fleet is also in a well-coordinated formation, and since they are bound to clash with the other-worldlings’ main fleet, the soldiers’ morale is high.
Fortunately, the sky is crystal clear and visibility is excellent.
From the bridge of the Gra Valkas Empire’s largest and strongest battleship, the Grade Atlastar, Captain Luxtal stares ominously out towards the ocean. He gets an unpleasant hunch; one he has never felt before.
“Brace yourself, XO. I get the feeling that this battle won’t be as straightforward as before.”
“Since negligence is to be avoided in battle, I will take that to heart. However, captain, this isn’t me being negligent but, I think the empire’s superiority is unquestionable. What else is there to worry about?”
“It’s my intuition. Years of intuition tell me so.”
“Yikes. The captain’s intuition is always on point.”
As the two conversed, a communications soldier shouted.
“Incoming report! Enemy fleet spotted 250km ahead, 1 hour away from our ships furthest in front! The first squadron of attack fighters is preparing to take off!”
“And so, the fight has come…”
The glint in Luxtal’s eyes sharpen.
The Gra Valkas Imperial Navy has spotted the World Union Fleet in the sea of Baltica.
The curtains rise on what is later recorded as a fierce battle: the Battle of Baltica.
