The roar of engines echoed through the bustling forward operating base as aircraft departed one after another from the runway.

 

In the command office of this noisy outpost, Kazuya found himself immersed in various tasks. It had been five days since they repelled the invasion of the Elzas Magic Empire. During that time, there had been a significant influx of prisoners requiring transportation and accommodation, as well as delays in meetings with Karen and others due to the time-consuming process of reorganizing the increased forces and structuring them as the "military state of Parabellum."

 

"Master, I've sorted out the schedule for the meeting," said Chitose.

 

"Oh, sorry, Chitose. What time did you arrange?" Kazuya inquired.

 

"It's set for noon two days from now. They seem to be busy with reconstruction work over there," Chitose replied.

 

"I see. Oh, and did you manage to get that report I requested?"

 

"Yes, right here," she said, handing him the file.

 

With the reorganization of ranks accompanying the restructuring of the organization (from a military unit to a nation), Kazuya had been promoted from Colonel to Lieutenant General. He now held various titles within Parabellum, such as Vice President and Commander of the Guard. Kazuya took the file from Chitose and began to review it immediately.

 

"As stated in the report, the renovation work on each vessel is progressing smoothly," Chitose informed him.

 

"So it seems," Kazuya acknowledged.

 

At present, numerous plans were underway on Parabellum's mainland (the island where the first base was located). One of these included extensive renovations of the vessels.

 

The renovation work primarily focused on vessels from the Second World War era. At Parabellum's naval dockyards, modernization renovations such as the installation of anti-aircraft weapons, radar systems, and even engine replacements were being carried out at a rapid pace around the clock. Furthermore, not only vessels but also outdated weapons owned by Parabellum were undergoing some form of modification or improvement.

 

"Now then, what's next?" Kazuya wondered aloud.

 

"It's a meeting," Chitose reminded him.

 

"...Another meeting?" Kazuya sighed.

 

"It can't be helped. Many matters require your instructions or approval, Master," Chitose explained.

 

"I know," Kazuya grumbled, but he pushed his tired body to move and, accompanied by Chitose, headed to the conference room.

 

As Kazuya and Chitose entered the conference room, their subordinates all stood up and saluted.

 

"We've been waiting for you, Your Excellency and Chitose, Your Excellency," one of them greeted.

 

"Thank you. At ease," Kazuya and Chitose returned the salute and took their seats, and the briefing began promptly.

 

"Firstly, reconnaissance photographs captured by reconnaissance satellites and high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, such as the SR-71 Blackbird and unmanned reconnaissance aircraft RQ-1 Predator, are here," the Lieutenant General of the Information Department stated, displaying several images on the large monitor in the conference room.

 

"It appears that approximately 100,000 of the 200,000 troops that fled into imperial territory are still scattered across five forts near the border, awaiting further orders. However, given the extent of the damage they suffered, it is unlikely that they will launch another invasion against the Canary Kingdom anytime soon. Furthermore, information from spies infiltrating the Imperial Army supports our assumptions," the Lieutenant General explained.

 

"In that case, we can leave them be for the time being," Kazuya pondered upon hearing the report from the Information Department.

 

"Master, if we know the enemy's location, wouldn't it be advisable to eliminate them with strategic bombers such as the B-52?" Chitose suggested.

 

"It's not ideal to reveal too much of our hand. If they formulate countermeasures, it could be troublesome," Kazuya responded.

 

"With all due respect, Master, I believe there is no need to worry about that considering the enemy's technological capabilities..." Chitose countered.

 

"Don't forget that the Elzas Magic Empire harbours that pretentious fool. Until we understand his abilities, it's best to proceed cautiously. We're just cautious enough for now," Kazuya reminded her, causing Chitose to retract her statement with a hint of embarrassment.

 

"My apologies, Master. I underestimated the situation," Chitose apologized.

 

"No, it's fine. More importantly, I want to make it clear to everyone here. Even though our military strength is relatively solid now, we mustn't let our guard down. We don't know what the enemy will do, especially in a world where magic exists. There's a significant possibility that they will employ weapons or tactics beyond our expectations. Keep that in mind," Kazuya addressed the room.

 

"Understood," came the unanimous response from everyone in the conference room, who then stood up, saluting Kazuya before dispersing.

Two days later, on the day of the meeting with Karen, Kazuya boarded the VH-60N Presidential Hawk, escorted by AH-64D Apache Longbow for protection, and headed towards the fortress city.

 

Upon landing at the landing site set up by the First Division, a welcoming party from the fortress city awaited them.

 

Escorted by the welcoming soldiers, Kazuya was immediately led to the room where Karen was waiting.

 

Upon entering the guided room, Kazuya found not only Karen but also Count Zail Argus, who led the reinforcements from the Kingdom of Canaria, along with dozens of nobles, awaiting him.

 

After Karen prompted Kazuya and his party to take their seats, the conversation began promptly after brief introductions on both sides.

 

"Well then, shall we begin?" Karen, taking charge of the proceedings, spoke up.

 

"Firstly, may I inquire as to who exactly Kazuya (and his companions) are? Could you enlighten us?" she continued.

 

"Allow me to explain," Chitose spoke up to address the queries from Karen and Zail.

 

"We are..."

 

"We are?" Karen echoed, urging Chitose to continue.

 

"We are individuals belonging to the militaristic nation of Parabellum," Chitose stated.

 

Upon hearing Colonel Chitose's words, Karen and Count Zail exchanged looks of surprise. Count Zail, wearing a perplexed expression, spoke up, "Forgive me, Colonel Chitose. We have never heard of a nation called Parabellum..."

 

"That is to be expected. Parabellum appeared in this world only a few months ago," Chitose responded while distributing prepared documents, disregarding the murmurs of the nobles, and continued speaking according to the predetermined scenario.

 

"In other words, our country, Parabellum, has transmigrated from another world to this one, much like wanderers."

 

"Such a thing!?"

 

"A country of transmigrants!? Unprecedented!"

 

"Unbelievable!! To appear in this world as an entire nation!!"

 

While other nobles clamored, Karen, listening to Chitose's explanation mixed with lies, nodded in realization.

 

"I knew it... There's no way they'd possess such powerful weapons in abundance without reason. So, Kazuya, what position do you hold in Parabellum? Perhaps a general?" Karen asked, her expression somewhat delighted. However, the room fell silent at Chitose's next words.

 

"Your Excellency is the Supreme Chancellor. In other words, you are the King of Parabellum."

 

".........."

 

The room fell silent, filled with a heavy atmosphere.

 

"W-Wait a moment... K-Kazuya... Is what she said true?" After about five minutes of silence, Karen, the first to recover, questioned Kazuya.

 

"Yes, it's true," Kazuya affirmed.

 

"P-Please, may we have a moment—no, excuse us?" With Kazuya finally speaking up after remaining silent, the discussion was temporarily halted upon Karen's request.

 

...Well, if suddenly confronted with the king of another country armed with powerful weapons, anyone would be taken aback.

 

As Kazuya killed time in the waiting room guided by a young maid, pondering various thoughts, the discussion resumed.

 

"Forgive the numerous discourtesies thus far..."

 

"No, no, don't worry about it. Just speak normally."

 

However, upon entering the room, Kazuya saw Karen kneeling on the floor with her head bowed in respect, feeling puzzled, he spoke up, urging Karen to stand up.

 

"...Alright. If that's what you desire, we shall proceed as such," Karen said as she stood up, but apart from Karen, no one else dared to move, remaining kneeling on the floor, fearing to incur Kazuya's displeasure.

 

"Nevertheless, I never expected you to be a king—no, a chancellor..."

 

"Surprised?"

 

"...You have got to be kidding me! Surprised? That's an understatement!"

 

The conversation continued among Kazuya, Chitose, Karen, and Maria, the four remaining in the room.

 

"(M-My lady Karen! Please calm down! Even though he is an acquaintance, Lord Nagato is the chancellor of Parabellum, which possesses a powerful army! If he were to become displeased and send his troops stationed outside, we would all be doomed!)"

 

Maria, in a flustered state, spoke with cold sweat trickling down her forehead, trying to calm Karen's words.

 

Having witnessed the merciless attacks of the Parabellum army, equipped with overwhelmingly powerful weapons, against the Imperial Army, Maria and the people on the Canaria Kingdom's side feared Kazuya.

 

"(...You're right. I let my emotions get the better of me for a moment. But it's okay. Nagato wouldn't do something like what Maria is concerned about.)"

 

"(However!! There is still a possibility of the worst-case scenario.)"

 

"(Understood. I'll make sure to handle it properly.)"

 

"(Please do.)"

 

As Karen and Maria's hushed conversation ended, Kazuya interjected.

 

"Are we ready to continue?"

 

"I'm sorry. Please, go on."

 

"So, I'd like to formally visit the Canaria Kingdom. When would be convenient?"

 

"That's... We'll have to inquire with His Majesty to know for certain, so please wait a moment."

 

"Understood. Shall we send a messenger then? While awaiting a response, I could return to our homeland—Parabellum. I'll leave behind a liaison officer and a unit to guard the fortress city."

 

"Yes, that's fine."

 

"Indeed. Karen, would you like to come to Parabellum as well?"

 

"...Can I really go?"

 

Seeing Kazuya casually inviting Karen to Parabellum, and Karen's enthusiastic response, Kazuya decided to take Karen along to Parabellum.

"This is rather unnerving, isn't it?"

Two days had passed since Karen learned of Kazuya's true identity. Seated inside the VH-60N Presidential Hawk, the helicopter bound for Parabellum, Karen murmured softly as she gazed out over the vast expanse of ocean stretching below.

"Well, it's only natural on your first flight. Ah, it's starting to come into view now."

As Kazuya spoke, a small island – the militarized nation of Parabellum – appeared on the horizon, just as he had indicated.

"Hey, Kazuya. What's that?"

Karen pointed to the countless tiny specks floating on the sea's surface with a regular pattern.

"You'll see when we get closer," Kazuya replied cryptically, deliberately keeping Karen in suspense about the true nature of the specks.

As the Presidential Hawk drew nearer to the specks, Karen finally discerned their true identity.

"No way!? Kazuya, are those all ships!?"

"Correct. What you're seeing now are the vessels owned by Parabellum's navy and coastal defense force."

Beneath Kazuya and Karen's gaze lay a multitude of various vessels, numbering close to a thousand, lined up neatly on the sea.

"Wait a moment... From this distance, they're that massive!? How big are they!?"

"They're pretty huge. Want to land and see them up close?"

"We can land!?"

"Yeah, we can. Although if they asked us to land on a submarine, that might be a bit tricky."

"...Submarine?"

"Oh, right, Karen wouldn't know. Well, submarines are essentially weapons that can submerge underwater."

Karen struggled to imagine what submarines were like even after Kazuya's explanation.

"Submerge underwater..."

"Some can stay submerged for up to two months."

"Two months!? H-how do they breathe!?"

Karen was astonished to hear that submarines could remain submerged for such long periods.

"Hmm, I don't think you'd understand even if I told you. Anyway, we're about to land."

"Huh?"

While Kazuya and Karen were conversing, the Presidential Hawk was preparing to land on one of the ships.

As the Presidential Hawk descended in altitude and landed on a particular vessel, the door opened immediately, and Kazuya's party stepped out onto the deck.

"Welcome. It is indeed an honour to have you on board our vessel. His Excellency Nagato, His Excellency Chitose, and Duke Roetreck, welcome aboard the USS Nimitz, the lead ship of the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers. I am Captain Harris, the commanding officer of this vessel. Please, this way."

Upon stepping outside, they were greeted personally by the captain, but Karen was left breathless by the sheer enormity of the USS Nimitz.

Meanwhile, as Karen's escort, who had arrived on two CH-47 Chinooks, and the nobles who had been brought along as a show of Parabellum's power found themselves idle due to the already concluded battle, they gazed in astonishment, their jaws dropping as if unhinged.