REIWA JIGOKUHEN - Chaotic Disturbance of Reiwa Era

Chapter 113 - Honorable and Fruitful Dialogue

Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo: Prime Minister's Office

"First of all, I must express my heartfelt congratulations, Mister President."

As soon as the formal greetings were over, Prime Minister Kato delivered a fluent speech in English befitting his position. The historical figure on the other side of the screen was not supposed to be seen in such a way, and the pitifully worn-out face was distorted horribly, as if he had been told to utter a blasphemous incantation that was utterly incomprehensible and out of this world.

As expected, the reaction was just as Kato had predicted. The world of international politics is a world dominated by Machiavellian theory, and at the same time, the human relationship between leaders is vital. But for now, Kato told himself that emotions were unnecessary. He continued to speak with a tone that assumed an ideal environment where the latter was completely cut off.

"Just now, you have gained a unique opportunity to save your country from the brink of destruction and provide a path to peaceful survival for the 130 million citizens suffering from the immense war damage. Considering the military action taken against our country just after the Time-Space Cataclysm, and the devastating war defined by your predecessor, we recognize that this is undoubtedly the greatest fortune and gospel for your country."

Immediately, a groan of despair was heard. It seemed to be interpreted as an attempt to add a gun to kind words in order to gain more. The interpretation was correct.

"There is no future in continuing the war. Even if our country does not take any further military action, an estimated five million people will suffer from starvation within a few months due to the breakdown of transportation and communication networks, and it is predicted that more will die due to the decline in administrative functions and the disorder of society. Otherwise... atomic weapons will explode one after another, and tens of millions to hundreds of millions of casualties, including indirect damage, are expected."

Kato thought it was a rather detached way of speaking.

"The atomic weapon we showed you earlier has a theoretical output of about 200.000 tons of TNT explosive equivalent, but in the world we were supposed to have, there were also ones with about 500 times that theoretical output, and if necessary, they could be put into practical use within six months. As for the lower output ones, there are already dozens of them—at least those that can be immediately put into use."

"What?" Truman was shocked on the other side of the screen, and after a moment of stiffening, he asked Lieutenant General Fargo about the truth.

He was given a truly sad response. Then, the reality that there was no need to use atomic weapons was once again thrust upon them.

"On the other hand, if peace is achieved here, there will be no need for such sacrifices. Also, our country does not wish for any more sacrifices. I hope you can believe me on this point."

"...So, does the fact that we are able to have this meeting prove that?"

"Exactly."

In response to the rough question, Kato replied with a mostly mechanical smile, "As I explained earlier, our country appeared in this era due to a strange time-space phenomenon. It is a bizarre disaster that cannot be explained by existing scientific systems, and it is unknown when, where, or in what form it will recur, making it a global task to identify its cause. Even if there is an 80-year difference in equipment, facilities, or accumulated knowledge levels, ultimately, research is conducted by humans, and there is no essential difference there. I have judged that further continuation of the war will also bring damage to our country in terms of delays in research on the Time-Space Cataclysm. That is my decision."