ASAHI NO NISHISEI - Rising Sun Goes West (1)

The Empress's Decision

April 25

McTayle, Yawa Peninsula, Altian Empire

A few days after the conference, the Provisional Government officially announced the cession of the Yawa Peninsula, a territory of the Altian Empire, to Japan, a fact that was quickly heard by the citizens of the capital and the people living in the ceded area. It was decided that the cession of the Yawa Peninsula would precede the signing of the peace treaty, and the people living there were given a one-year grace period. In other words, they had one year to decide whether to leave the Yawa Peninsula and continue living as Altians or to remain there and receive Japanese citizenship.

Those who chose to remain would be granted the same basic human rights and obligations and rights as the Japanese on the mainland, but there was a widespread misunderstanding among the residents that they would be enslaved by the Japanese if they remained, and panic set in. Now, an SDF officer is visiting the mansion of the lord who ruled the city of McTayle. He, Colonel Toshikazu Okubo, was meeting with Grand Duke Pseudomonas Erginosa, the former lord of McTayle, for the first time in a long time.

"As you may already know, the provisional government has approved the cession of this peninsula. As of today, this land is officially and permanently under our administration."

Okubo, the deputy commander of the Japan-US Joint Fleet, did not participate in the landing operation on the capital, but remained in command of the occupation of the area, which was under de facto military control. The naval vessels that did not take part in the landing operation with him were anchored in the port of McTayle, and SDF and American soldiers were scattered in the city to maintain security.

"...I trust you will keep your word?"

Pseudomonas, who was looking out from the balcony, turned around to face Okubo and asked him.

"...Yes. Of course. The members of the Erginosa family, including yourself, are assured of important positions in the Yawa Western Office," Okubo replied.

Pseudomonas had accepted Okubo's conditions and had signed an agreement with the Japanese government to actively cooperate with the Japanese government's administration of the Yawa Peninsula in exchange for key positions in the local government that the Japanese government would establish in the region. The peninsula was later given a name in Kanji as the "屋和" and the city of McTayle was renamed "Makuteru," retaining the sense of the word. Furthermore, the western part of the peninsula was to be ceded to foreigners living in Japan who wished to establish a new nation, and the embassies of various countries were busy making preparations for this.

. . .

Custefai, Altian Empire

At that time, the citizens of Custefai, the capital city occupied by the Governorate-General and the Japan-US Joint Fleet, were more frightened than necessary of the patrolling SDF personnel and American soldiers. Most people were holed up in their houses, and those few who did venture outside would flee whenever they saw the strange-looking soldiers from the far eastern area.

In the midst of all this, an announcement was made by the Provisional Government that the Third Princess Savia Iliam, who serves as the representative of the Provisional Government, would give a speech in the court gardens inside the Nineva Imperial Palace, and those who could participate were ordered to come.

"What... is there to announce?"

"It's obvious... we're going to be enslaved by the Japanese..."

"No... how could our country, one of the great powers, accept such a disgrace!?"

Citizens on their way to the palace speculate about the content of the announcement from the government. On either side of the gate separating the city center from the grounds of the Imperial Palace, SDF personnel with rifles in their arms were strictly watching the citizens as they entered the gardens. The citizens, frightened of the foreign soldiers, gathered one after another in the court garden, where the speech was to be held.