ASAHI NO NISHISEI - Rising Sun Goes West (2)

Far Eastern International Tribunal 2

Thank you Colombia, congratulations Nishino Japan.

- Bokutotsu Zen'u

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Supreme Court Grand Chamber, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, Japan

The courtroom was once again buzzing with the presence of the prince of the country that had waged war against the Western World. Edwasta, who was sworn in as a witness, gazed at the presiding judge, Sasabuchi, with straight eyes. Nakaoka, the representative of the prosecution team, approached him as he took the stand.

"Edwasta-san... do you recognize any of the eleven people sitting here at the defendant's table?"

Nakaoka pointed to the 11 people sitting in the pipe chairs behind him on the stand. Edwasta turned around and looked the judge in the eye again as he answered.

"I don't recognize the woman at the end of the row, but the remaining ten men must be from the Secret Congregation, which was a magical research institute commanded directly by the royal family," Edwasta answered honestly.

His words confirmed to the world that Slephen and Elmerand were connected.

"When did you and the Secret Congregation first become involved?" Nakaoka continued.

"About 30 years ago, they came out of nowhere and offered to help our country with magical technology in exchange for financial support. The weapons they created contributed greatly to the defeat of the Great Sou Empire 22 years ago, and since then the trust of the Slephen Royal Family in the Secret Congregation has been absolute. However, the weapons they created at that time caused many casualties among our soldiers due to their enormous demand for magic power..."

Edwasta explained Slephen's involvement with the Secret Congregation in chronological order. He explained that Slephen had been funding the group as they asked and that before the war with the Western World began, they presented the royal family with a magic power amplifier they claimed they had created, which led to a major upgrade of the Slephen naval fleet. The strengthened navy had destroyed the Israfail fleet... and then he proceeded to tell them everything that had happened in the past six months.

"Did you know about the existence of the City Saucer?"

"No... I had no idea that something like that was buried under the capital. Now that I think about it, the only reason they came to us was for that giant saucer. The collapse of the capital killed almost all of Rhodim's citizens. What a tragedy."

Edwasta emphasized that his country's goals were different from those of Elmerand, which had attacked the entire world. He brought this to the attention of the international tribunal, which included journalists from the World Magic Telecommunications Company, and casually reminded them that they were victims, too.

"The saucer was holding many Sou people, but was this prepared by the Slephen government?"

"Yes... the Slephen government has given them a total of 210.000 people from Sou for about five years now, at the request of the previous king."

The previous King Slephen, who had been at the behest of the Secret Congregation, had given them what they asked for, just as they asked for it.

"Did you know the reason for this?"

"...No."

Edwasta shook his head. He distrusted the Secret Congregation that requested large numbers of Sou slaves every year and made them disappear.

"...That's all for now."

After corroborating Edwasta's testimony about inhumane acts against the Sou people, Nakaoka bowed to the presiding judge and returned to the prosecution table. Shinohara, the representative of the defense team, then got up from his seat and approached the witness stand.