In other words, what this boils down to is that Baron Gachirad Grand insulted a member of another country’s royalty, a woman who officially holds the title of Duchess, by calling her a little girl.
Since they haven’t established diplomatic relations, it doesn’t violate any treaties or laws. However, if another country were to make similar remarks to the Repuytari Kingdom’s delegation, it would certainly escalate beyond a mere international incident. They could be killed on the spot for lese-majesty, and no one would complain. Well, they could complain, but it would be seen as a declaration of war, and hostilities would be imminent.
In fact, there have been many such reasons for war in past diplomatic encounters, a fact known to all Repuytari Kingdom officials.
Silence fell over the room.
“If we follow your laws, the laws of the country to which the ship belongs apply on board a diplomat’s ship and within a warship, is that correct?”
“That is…!”
“That understanding is correct, Drei-dono.”
The army colonel, Gachirad Grand, was flustered, while the navy lieutenant commander, Deck Estainka, wore a stiff expression.
If the other party were a weak nation, they could have used the threat of a diplomatic incident to gloss things over. But such threats are useless against those with superior power, and excuses won’t work.
“As I said before, this is an informal meeting, and we don’t feel the need to stir things up unnecessarily. If you behave yourselves in public, there won’t be any problems. …However, even according to your navy’s regulations, the captain of a large warship should be a captain or higher, and the commander of a fleet should be a rear admiral or higher. Colonel, you may not know this since you’re in the army.”
It was a sharp jab. He was implying that Drei’s status was higher than Gachirad Grand’s, even without mentioning his title.
Of course, there’s no way Colonel Gachirad Grand didn’t know this. He was a typical small-minded person who changed his attitude depending on the other person’s status. His animosity towards the navy, his unnecessarily high pride, and the other party’s appearance as a young girl had clouded his judgment.
And when this was pointed out, Colonel Gachirad Grand’s face turned bright red, and he fell silent. If he had apologized here, the subsequent events might have unfolded differently.
“…Well then. I apologize to the three members of the navy. In our country, flaunting one’s status is considered shameful. Therefore, I only conveyed the status of our fleet. So, there’s no need to change your attitude from now on. Now, let’s begin today’s discussion.”
Having been told this by the person who was insulted, the Repuytari Kingdom side could only nod. The highest-ranking person in this place was Colonel Gachirad Grand. Since he wouldn’t apologize, the lieutenant commander and lieutenant couldn’t apologize either, and when they were asked to start the meeting, they had no choice but to end the conversation there.
“Now, the issue is tariffs. Have you reached a conclusion internally?”
“…For now, we will give you our answer. At this time, the discussion on the abolition of tariffs is at a standstill. We have conveyed the other conditions you have set, and there is some agreement on lowering tariffs. However, when it comes to complete abolition, there is a strong resistance…”
“…W-wait, wait! Tariff abolition! What do you mean by that!”
As if on cue, Colonel Gachirad Grand interrupted as soon as they started discussing the biggest issue, tariffs.
“Now then. Haven’t you been listening to the previous meetings? We have been requesting every time that tariffs not be allowed in our trade.”
“A-are you saying that you’re discussing not allowing tariffs! Lieutenant Commander Estainka, this is an act of treason!”
“…Colonel, this matter is the biggest point of contention with the ＜Paraiso＞ side, and I have already stated in the report that it is necessary to find a compromise.”
“I don’t know! I haven’t heard! There’s no way such a discussion should be allowed! Drei-dono, do you really think such an unreasonable demand will be accepted! Tariff abolition is a clear act of interference in our country’s internal affairs!”
That was certainly true. In normal international trade, zero tariffs are unheard of. Except in cases where a country is very confident in its domestic industries, it is common practice to impose tariffs to protect domestic industries.
However, they were well aware of that. Even so, with violence as their backdrop, ＜Paraiso＞ was demanding it. Of course, the Repuytari Kingdom had been forcing unequal treaties on weaker nations for a long time.
“We are not requesting tariff abolition unconditionally. We have also said that we will limit the annual transaction volume so that it does not have a major impact on you. Of course, the transaction volume will be reviewed every year. From the perspective of industrial protection, there should be no particular problem.”
“I-industrial protection! A-are you saying that our country’s industries are inferior to yours!”
Colonel Gachirad Grand knocked over his chair, stood up, slammed his fist on the table, and shouted.
“D-don’t be ridiculous! Is that an insult to our country! Are the navy seriously considering the nonsense of such a little girl…!”
It was an extremely rude attitude. Perhaps, if they were his direct subordinates, they would have pulled their superior down to try and calm him down. But Colonel Gachirad Grand was in the army, and Lieutenant Commander Deck Estainka belonged to the navy.
Insulting the royal family, verbally abusing a duke, and both towards a foreign delegation. It was a violation of domestic law, a diplomatic problem, and a violation of ＜Paraiso＞ law (fabricated by ＜Ringo＞).
The three members of the navy had given up on him. As far as the navy was concerned, they had no intention of protecting this colonel, no matter what happened to him.
And the Local Strategic AI, who had been observing the situation, made a decision.
“Don’t underestimate us, Colonel Grand.”
Drei raised his right hand and snapped his fingers.
At the same time as Drei’s signal, the upper deck of the vertical elevator on the bow side sprang open, and a Multi-legged Tank (MLT-E-04) appeared from inside.
With agility that belied its massive size, it immediately rushed towards the venue, and the Multi-legged Tank grabbed Colonel Gachirad Grand with its manipulator.
“Ugh…!”
The muzzle of the upper turret of the Multi-legged Tank was pointed directly at Colonel Gachirad Grand’s face. Since it was a railgun, it probably wasn’t a familiar muzzle.
But it was still a vicious weapon.
He was, after all, an officer in the army. He should have understood the power of cannons all too well.
“……!”
The three members of the navy had fallen off their chairs. There was no physical impact, but they were stunned by the sight of the giant rushing towards them.
And in contrast, the girls belonging to ＜Paraiso＞ hadn’t moved an inch. Including the guards behind them, they didn’t change their expressions at all and didn’t move from their spots.
“It’s very unfortunate, but we have no choice but to show our power.”
Drei declared.
“Our fleet also has land forces. If you wish, we would be happy to show you this power.”
Overall length 6m, maximum walking speed 65km/h, maximum wheel speed 110km/h.
Upper rotating turret, 1 railgun, 1 coaxial gatling gun, 1 grenade launcher.
Lower rotating turret, 1 gatling gun.
2 missile launchers, 1 anti-air laser gun.
This Multi-legged Tank was newly developed for installation on Hedgehog-class Destroyers and Panas-class Cruisers. It is a model that has been shortened in overall length and lightened to enable it to be mounted on ships. It also has built-in floats and is characterized by its high maritime mobility. It can also be submerged by adjusting buoyancy, making it more adaptable to underwater environments than previous models.
Its nickname is Hopper.
As the name suggests, its jumping performance is extremely high.
“Colonel Grand, we must ask you to leave. Insulting our royal family is the same as insulting ＜Paraiso＞. Unfortunately, we have no choice but to record today’s conversation.
We forgave you the first time, but there will be no second time.
Please keep that in mind.”
“G-guaah! W-what…!”
The Multi-legged Tank (Hopper), still holding Colonel Grand, walked across the deck with smooth, biological movements and approached the side of the ship.
“N-no way, hey, stop, stooooop!”
It extended its manipulator as it was and released Colonel Grand.
The army colonel was caught by Gravity and fell into the sea, flailing his arms and legs.
A scream.
The sound of splashing.
“Today is obviously not a situation where we can have a meeting. Please proceed as usual tomorrow.
It was an unfortunate encounter, but the person in question has received due punishment.
Today’s events will not affect future negotiations, but there will be no second time.”
“T-that’s… that’s right. Thank you for your generous response…!”
“I don’t mind increasing personnel, but I want you to be careful in selecting them.”
And so, with their shoulders slumped from the outrageous events of the day, the three naval officers set off on their journey home.