Japan Space-Time Strange Chronicles

Delegation to Yokosuka

This is my first post in the Reiwa era. The era in this novel is also set in 'Reiwa' in case you are wondering. Maybe it will appear somewhere.

- Kazuhiro Kasami

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February 24, 1738

Grand Lago Kingdom, Port City Elkara

About a week had passed since the Grand Lago Kingdom decided to send a delegation to Japan. Those who were to be sent to Japan as a delegation gathered in this port city of Elkara. First was Falco, a diplomat who made direct contact with the Japanese envoy. Next was Kitoun, the dragon knight who was in contact with Japanese facilities and vessel. Then there is Hoguno, a dwarf woman from the General Technology Development Department (a division that researches all technologies that will lead to the technological development of the kingdom, from ships to automobiles). In addition, Diles, the dragon-man captain of the Calcite-class protected cruiser Garena from the Navy also participated, completing the 12-men delegation.

After the decision was made to dispatch them, all but those who had had contact with Japan, such as Falco and Kitoun, complained about the situation. The fact that they would be sent as a delegation to a barbaric land in the far west of the world (according to Grand Lago's standards) did not sit well with the proud people of Grand Lago, the second most powerful nation in the world. However, thanks to Falco and Kitoun's persistent efforts to persuade them, the delegation members recognized that Japan was a country that should not be looked down upon any more than necessary.

On the day of their departure, Falco and his group were waiting at the port to be picked up by the Japanese. Falco had expected them to use the same small boat that had brought the delegation ashore, but his expectations were betrayed.

Batabatabatabatabatabata!!

With pounding sounds in the air, the helicopter Super Puma 332 "Umitaka 1" mounted on the patrol vessel Shikishima landed on the pier. Falco, who had heard that rotary-wing aircraft existed, and Hoguno of the General Technology Development Department turned pale when they saw this object.

Hoguno blurted, "That's just a security ship, isn't it? I can't believe it... it has an object on board that can fly freely in the air like this."

"Yes. I heard that Japan also has a flying machine called fighter planes for air combat... with speeds said to exceed the sound. This one seems to be more for the purpose of transportation... and I guess the operational philosophy is different. It must have been prepared to carry 12 of us, all at once."

For this, Sonomura, a diplomat, contacted his home country and was informed that "First, we want to amaze the other side by showing them that our country owns these things," so he asked Shimazu, the captain of the Shikishima, to get it operational.

The door opened and a person stepped out from inside. A man, slender and taller than the dwarves, but smaller than the dragonoid, saluted with a snap.

"Thank you for waiting. My name is Terauchi, pilot of the Umitaka 1 onboard the patrol vessel Shikishima. Is everyone ready for departure?"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Then, please get on board."

When they were ushered to board, they were all stunned by the softness of the seats and the spaciousness of the cabin. Kitoun, who often flies in the sky as a dragon knight, muttered.

"It is impossible for a wyvern to carry a people this many. Moreover... this is a very spacious aircraft. That must mean it was developed with the assumption from the start that it would carry a large number of heavy objects."