Summoning Japan × The New Order: Last Days of Europe

Chapter 45

August 15, 1963 / Year 1639 Central Calendar, 13:00

Foreign Affairs Bureau Guest House, Parpaldia Empire

'This diplomat from Japan... does his country already have our country's information...?'

Director Kaios, who greeted the Japanese envoy at the reception house, was wondering what manner of savages they were when he heard that the seemingly harmless-looking person before him had casually thrown documents containing the Parpaldia Empire's military secrets to the receptionist.

However, both the envoy, Asada, and his subordinate, Shinohara, appeared to Kaios as harmless individuals, wearing glasses and seeming gentle. Although their attire lacked the Parpaldian grandeur, they were dressed in appropriate formal wear, indicating that they were not lacking in manners. The fact that such individuals were aware of a matter of great importance known only to high-ranking officials within the Parpaldia Empire implied that Asada's superiors... and consequently the Japanese government, might possess even more specific confidential information.

Centered around the Third Foreign Affairs Bureau, it was also clear to these two men that there were territorial disputes between the ministries for the acquisition of mining rights in the Kingdom of Altaras.

'Parpaldia Empire is a major power... As such, it should have intelligence agencies, an oversight force, and the armed forces... However, from the perspective of the Japanese Empire's diplomats before us, they might not perceive us as a major power...?'

Indeed, the military strength of the Parpaldia Empire was widely known both within and outside the Third Civilization Area. Even considering military and economic power, there were no countries within the Third Civilization Area that could rival it. Except for Japan before them...

"Please, have a seat. I am Kaios, Director of the Third Foreign Affairs Bureau. I apologize for the rude behavior of the receptionist earlier..."

"No, I also let my temper get the better of me and responded rudely. My apologies."

Kaios apologized for the earlier rudeness of the receptionist, and Asada bowed his head in apology. At least they seemed capable of conducting diplomatic formalities. Inwardly, Kaios felt relieved, but what Asada said next shattered his peace.

"The Japanese Empire government demands that your country, which has provided military aid to the Kingdom of Louria, pay war reparations to the Principality of Qua-Toyne and to our country."

"What... what did you say!?"

"Do you even understand what you're saying!?"

"Such insolence towards our country!"

Kaios couldn't help but shout, and his subordinates, Thal and Barco, were also furious, their faces turning red.

It was understandable. Even if the National Strategy Bureau was deeply involved in providing military support to the Kingdom of Louria, it was seen as an issue of the department or organization, not a national issue. Despite Japan being in a position to prevent it, they claimed that ignoring it had resulted in the outbreak of war.

"Then, can you still say that after seeing this?"

"What is this?"

"These are photographs. All taken in Qua-Toyne."

To calm down the indignant Parpaldians, Asada showed them several photographs.

When Kaios, also using it as an opportunity to find out about the situation, took one and saw it was a photo, he couldn't help but let out a sound, wondering if they possessed similar technology to Mu, a major power, which was known for its photographic capabilities.

"Uh... This is..."

In vivid full-color, the photographs displayed a horrifying scene with remarkable clarity. What was depicted there were photographs of corpses of people brutally murdered by the Lourian Eastern Conquest Army. If they had been in black and white, perhaps it would have been easier to look away and avoid leaving a lasting memory. However, many of the photographs taken by high-performance cameras from Guangdong clearly depicted the bodies of civilians, non-combatants, who had been brutally slaughtered by clearly barbaric means. Even Thal and Barco, who had been insulting the Japanese until a moment ago, were rendered speechless by the incredibly gruesome scenes depicted in the photographs.

"Due to the military support provided to the Kingdom of Louria by your country's National Strategy Bureau, most of the people in this town, with few exceptions, were massacred."

"Massacre... So, does this mean your country has our confidential information...?"

"You catch on quickly. A member of the National Strategy Bureau who committed war crimes on the ground confessed. He wished to defect to our country, so we are responsibly protecting him for his safety."

"...So, your higher-ups are aware of this?"

"Yes, you are most correct in that understanding."

Japan already held many diplomatically advantageous cards. Not just one or two. It was evident that if they attempted to counter, Japan would return double.

Continuing, Asada said, "At least in Gim alone, more than 90.000 civilians have been confirmed as victims. It's a tragedy caused by the military support to the Kingdom of Louria. Unless the responsibility for this military support is clearly addressed, the government of the Japanese Empire will not budge an inch on this matter."

For Kaios, Asada's statement was essentially an offer of surrender.