ASAHI NO NISHISEI - Rising Sun Goes West (1)

Ceasefire Agreement

March 28

Command Office, SDF Base Command Center, Zion

The Ise departed from Japan and called at the port of Zion. Here, 20 warships of the Altian Empire's navy, which had been captured by the Self-Defense Forces, were preparing to set sail. The Altian Empire Provisional Government, headed by Savia, had carried out the agreement proposed by the Japanese government and accepted the Joint Declaration, so the prisoners of the Altian Imperial Army were allowed to return to their homelands. The news of their return was conveyed to all the captured soldiers, and the 4.000-odd soldiers rejoiced at the news.

"How are the preparations coming along?"

"The ship is ready to sail today... and we can go home."

Tema, a general in the Altian navy who had been summoned to the command office, answered Rear Admiral Suzuki's question.

"Of course. We can't leave you here forever. This is not an inn."

Suzuki replied while sipping a cup of hot water. The food on their warship had already run out, and the SDF was scraping the food supply of its members to feed them. For the SDF, it must have been a relief to get rid of the trouble.

"We really appreciate all the help you have given us. I don't know how to thank you..."

Tema repeatedly expresses his gratitude.

"No, I'm just doing my duty."

Suzuki smiled and returns the words.

"Everything I have seen and heard here has been a great source of inspiration for me. From now on, I would like to live by the charity of those of you who treat prisoners of war so generously, even those who are just one soldier at the end of the line."

Clasping Suzuki's hand, Tema said parting words. The treatment of the Altian soldiers at the Zion Base was beyond their general perception, and the captured Altian soldiers' feelings toward Japan were extremely favorable. Later, they departed for Custefai, the capital of the Altian Empire, with the Ise, which had made a port call in Japan.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Same day

Bedroom, South Palace of Nineva Imperial Palace, Custefai, Altian Empire

Eight days after the end of the battle, Custefai was placed under the semi-military control of the Japan-US Joint Fleet as a temporary measure. The fall of the capital, the death of the emperor, and the birth of the Provisional Government were also brought to the ears of the local lords who governed the various regions of the Altian Empire, who were widely divided between those who showed reverence for Savia, the government representative, and those who did not recognize her for killing her own father, the emperor, and imprisoning his princes.

The country forbids nobles from having their own private armies, so there is no possibility of a large-scale rebellion, but since the national army has been destroyed by the Battle of Iloa Sea, it is unlikely that they will be able to subdue those who oppose the provisional government led by Savia for some time to come.

Savia, who has become the head of state, has entered the South Palace of the Nineva Imperial Palace, the residence of the emperor. The lineup of the interim government's executives had also largely been decided, and all that remained was to wait for the dispatch of officials from Japan.

"Since that day, Her Highness has often appeared to be in such a daze."

"Even though there was no affection between father and child, she was still the murderer of her father. Isn't that going to be painful?"