Very Wrong Reincarnation: Isekai with Game Nation

The Japanese delegation stood at the sight of towering warships on the horizon. The display was overwhelming, a veritable showcase of naval might that seemed to scream power at anyone who dared look. For Kondo, a representative of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was a stomach-churning realization of how out of depth in common sense of this world they were are.

“Does everyone here lack restraint? Gunboat diplomacy in full swing—and everyone and the host country itself no less!” Kondo muttered to himself, trying to maintain his composure. The sheer scale of military power displayed here was intimidating.

Standing beside him, Inoue, another diplomat, shook his head in incredulity. “Our policy backfired spectacularly. We should’ve sent the Kongō,” he remarked, it was Japan’s advanced Aegis destroyer that had been withheld from deployment due to Milishial’s assurances of security.

Kondo sighed. “Milishial assured us that they would handle security, but we didn’t anticipate this level of ‘security.’ And with the convoy arrangements from Sanctium and Cignus, we’re completely overshadowed.”

The diplomatic logic had made sense at the time: leveraging the goodwill of Sanctium and Cignus to normalize relations with them while ensuring the safety of the Japanese delegation, thus, they would tagged along with their armada for protection. However, the sheer magnitude of the escort fleet—fielded in part due to the presence of Sanctium royalty and the ruler of Cignus himself—had backfired. Milishial had begrudgingly allowed it, citing the need for proportional protection for such high-ranking figures. But this parade of battleships and escort vessels now painted a far different picture.

Inoue gestured towards the port. “Look at this. They’ve got battleships parked like it’s a Sunday stroll. Where’s the rest of their fleet, though?”

Kondo glanced at him. “From what I’ve gathered, they’re too numerous to fit here. Sanctium’s fleet has another 30 ships anchored near the Catralpas EEZ. Milishial accepted that arrangement since crowding the port with the entire escort fleet would’ve been a logistical nightmare.”

“They brought all that firepower just to escort the princesses and children? Overprotective much?”

Kondo rubbed his temple. “The Emperor and Crown Prince of Sanctium are known for doting on their family. Word is, something happened in the past—something bad. They’re taking no chances with security.”

“Something bad,” Inoue echoed, his voice troubled as he gazed at the grand sight before them. The cultural center stood beyond the port, its elvish façade stood out sharply with the cold steel of the warships.

“Let’s hope we’re not about to witness a repeat of it,” Kondo said, his tone grim as he nodded in reluctant agreement.

________________
Half an hour later, after exchanging pleasantries with other dignitaries and enduring the wait for the official commencement, the Japanese delegation finally took their seats in the grand assembly hall. Kondo’s gaze scanned the gathered faces, assessing the atmosphere of this unprecedented meeting.

“His Excellency Oliver and the princesses of Sanctium seem unusually close, don’t they?” Inoue whispered, nodding toward the trio seated together. Instead of being spread out among their respective entourages, they sat side by side, chatting comfortably. Their demeanor was casually dismissive, as they gave only polite, light-hearted responses to diplomats from other nations attempting to engage them.

“They don’t seem particularly interested in making connections here,” Inoue added, his tone puzzled.

Kondo gave him a disapproving glance. “Decorum,” he reminded sternly, though he shared Inoue’s curiosity. The closeness between the Sanctium princesses and Oliver of Cignus was surprising. While rumors existed about their shared isolationist tendencies, there had been little to suggest such a deep bond between their leaderships. After all, both nations rarely participated in international affairs beyond limited trade at northern Vestal’s ports.