ASAHI NO NISHISEI - Rising Sun Goes West (1)

New Nation in the Far East

September 13, 2025

Sea west-northwest of the Japanese archipelago

A flock of gray flying objects flies across the sky with the calm sea below. A total of nine aircraft from the 41st Air Wing of the JMSDF took off from the Akagi, Japan's first aircraft carrier after World War II, and were heading west-northwest. They consisted of eight F-35C Lightning IIs, which are carrier-based fighters, and one E-2D Hawkeye, an early warning aircraft. At first glance, the E-2D looked like a strange aircraft, but it was monitoring the surrounding airspace with its powerful radar while rotating the huge saucer-shaped radome that sat on the back of the plane.

"Attention all aircraft. An object has been spotted 375 kilometers ahead of us, numbering around ten!"

The E-2D's operator, Warrant Officer Asahi Daimon, relayed through his head-mounted communicator what they were heading towards.

"Are those planes, or birds or something?"

Gosuke Sasanuma, the commander of the 1st Squadron leading plane, asked what the flying object ahead is.

"It's unknown. But if we keep moving forward, we'll make contact in 45 minutes."

The E-2D's radar showed a swarm of flying objects near the coast of the "civilized island" that they had discovered during their recent survey. The size of each one was moderate, but to Daimon's eyes, they looked like sea birds flying around.

"...Okay, all planes, be on alert! We'll continue to approach the unknown object."

"Roger that!"

After receiving orders from the leader, the planes prepared for battle and headed for the skies above the island where the unidentified flying objects are waiting for them. 45 minutes later, however, what appeared before their eyes was an incredible sight.

"Are those... dragons!?"

Ensign Sasanuma exclaimed in surprise. The other pilots were also speechless. What appeared in front of them was a flock of dragons flying with people on their backs.

. . .

Same time

Off the coast of Alinor, the capital of the Ilamania Kingdom, in the eastern part of Northaroia Island

There are five kingdoms on the island of Northaroia, which is located in the eastern part of this world... the Far Eastern World. One of those kingdoms, the Ilamania Kingdom, has an unusually tense atmosphere in the government because of an incident that happened the other day.

It was two days ago. A gray sword flying at high speed with a roaring rack suddenly appeared from the eastern sky and circled over the capital. The king immediately ordered the dragon riders to defend the capital's airspace, but by the time the dragons were ready to launch, the "flying sword" had already returned to the eastern sky.

In order to prepare for the next attack of the mysterious flying object, the royal government decided to keep the dragon riders flying on patrol. On this day, the patrol was led by Saxa Claudine, a colonel in the royal army, and the 2nd Capital Dragon Cavalry. They were flying around off the coast of the capital, keeping an eye on the eastern sky.

"...Still nothing strange?"

Saxa, the leader of the squadron, was looking at the eastern horizon with a sharp gaze that belied the fact that he was an old soldier. It was the second day since the patrol had been strictly enforced, and the "flying sword" that had caused such a stir in the capital had yet to appear. But then, black dots suddenly appear in the eastern sky. As they gradually grow larger and larger, Saxa realizes that some kind of flying object is approaching.