ASAHI NO NISHISEI - Rising Sun Goes West (1)

Setting Out

March 25

Shimabara Bridge, Juperia Continent, At sea near the Redille Peninsula

Shortly before the signing of the Lithianburg Peace Treaty, more than 7.000 POWs were interned at the Lucinia Base as a result of the Second Battle of Glenkia Peninsula. The POWs were packed tightly on board the amphibious assault ships Shimabara and Oga, and the transports Ōsumi and Shimokita, which were away from Miket Tirith. These four ships were escorted by two ships, the Shimakaze and the Sawagiri, which accompanied them from Lucinia.

These six vessels are currently sailing south of the Redille Peninsula, where the territory of the Holy Rovance Papal State is located. They are headed for the Lysania Kingdom and the Duchy of Lievant, which are in the midst of turmoil due to a series of uprisings and rebellions by the conquered peoples. Their mission this time is to send back prisoners of war to these two countries that have attacked the Lucinia Base and demand compensation.

Captain Junya Osaki looked out to sea from the bridge of the Shimabara as he gazed out over the open ocean leading to their destination. Another officer, Commander Tokikage Masuda, reported to him with binoculars in his right hand.

"Captain, we will soon be separating from the Oga, Shimokita, and Shimakaze. We, the Ōsumi and Sawagiri will continue our course westward to the port of Geis, the capital of Lievant."

"I understand."

Captain Osaki nodded curtly. Soon after, the six ships that had been sailing side by side split into two groups. The Oga, Shimokita, and Shimakaze turned north toward their destination, the port city of Valhan in the Lysania Kingdom.

Of the 7.102 POWs on board the Shimabara and Ōsumi, which were separated from the other ships, 3.300 belonging to the Lievant Army were crammed into the ships. In the well docks of the two ships, former Lievantine soldiers, were huddled together on blankets spread all over the floor. To keep the prisoners fed for two weeks, as many food containers as possible are stacked on the flight deck of each ship, giving the ships the appearance of a container ship.

. . .

Sawagiri Officer's Quarters

In the officer's quarters of the ship, two diplomatic envoys sent to the Duchy of Lievant to demand the return of prisoners of war and compensation for the recent war are now awaiting their arrival at their destination.

"Nitta-san... they definitely think we are bored..."

"...I'd like them to think so......"

Noboru Nitta, one of the Foreign Ministry bureaucrats, answered the question. He smiled forlornly in response to a joke told by his subordinate Kazuya Endo.

"But... do you really think they will accept the claim for compensation?"

Endo raised one element of concern. It was doubtful that the Duchy of Lievant and the Lysania Kingdom, which were in the midst of chaos due to the destruction of the army they had dispatched and the riots of the conquered people, would accept the return of prisoners of war and the claim for reparations.

"Well, Lievant is certainly not in a position to accept the claim for reparations, but we have to return what we should return and receive what we should receive... The Japanese government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not intend to establish trade relations with the rapidly worsening Orient (Indoctrination Army States) (this area between the Arabanne Empire's cultural sphere and the Crossnellyard Empire's dominion are called 'Orient' for convenience's sake). So I guess they don't care what happens to them after that. For the time being, all we can do is to make them accept the demands made by the Foreign Ministry."