CHAPTER 17 THE FÜHRER AND THE START OF THE MARCH

Yamato Calendar 1 June, Year 304. 

On this day, we are finally ready, in both military and civilian preparations, to begin the war against the other nations of this world. 

Its purpose is quite simple the self-preservation and protection of the Empire. 

In order for our Yamato Empire to survive, we need both food and markets, which cannot be met only by the Balka Kingdom, which is the only one we have succeeded in establishing diplomatic relations with. 

The population of our Empire is 120 million, and the population of the Balka Kingdom is estimated to be only 40 million at most. 

So, we have to ‘negotiate’ with the other alien races nations as well. 

Several dozen kilometers off the coast of Beastvania Peninsula, in the western part of the Eastern Continent. 

The 1st and 2nd Fleets of the Imperial Navy, consisting of 6 Battleships, 6 Armored Cruisers, 2 Protected Cruisers, and 8 Destroyers, were advancing through there. 

The current Imperial Navy has three fleets, so that is two-thirds of its war potential. 

The ship, which was damaged in the final war at the time of the transfer, is finally repaired and ready to move. 

It’s like we have a lot of room in our military strength to move such a large force. 

The goal is Ieneko Island, a small island the size of Oahu, just south of the Beastvania Peninsula. 

This is the first capture target of the upcoming war. 

This island belongs to Beastvania, a nation in the western part of the Eastern Continent, and Beastvania is the closest country to our empire in terms of location. 

Intelligence reports indicate a population of about 10 million at most, less than one-tenth of our country’s population. 

There seems nothing to be afraid of as their technology is only at the medieval level. 

In terms of location and national strength, it is the easiest country to deal with among the various otherworldly nations that are hostile to us. 

They don’t have weird monitor lizards like the nomadic Moruro Empire, and they are not exactly like Elves who are good at magic. 

Striking a susceptible opponent and gaining a victory. 

And the first step toward that goal is this Ieneko Island. 

This is a small island in the countryside, far from the heart of Beastvania’s Beastkin Country. It is about the size of Oahu, and the only industries there would be agriculture and fishing. 

There is a cat-type beastkin living in the region. 

There are about 10,000 islanders.　Apparently not so much. 

To me, it doesn’t look like it would be strategically important. 

It has no economic value, and it is too rural to put political pressure on the Beastvania Beastkin Country when it is occupied. 

On the contrary, with the medieval level of information transmission capabilities of the beastkin countries, it could take months to realize that this island has been attacked. 

After all, the Beastvania Peninsula is about the size of Alaska. 

I wonder how long it would take to contact the center from the border without using a radio. 

The island is so rural that it would not have to worry about being attacked at all, even if there was a war going on in the Eastern Continent. That is what Ieneko Island is. 

But for those of us attacking from across the sea, it is a completely different story. 

The island has a minimal inhabitable area, and yet, there is there are almost no defensive forces on the island. 

Furthermore, there is a good bay that can be used as a port at a minimum. 

So if we deploy our Navy from this Ieneko Island, we can attack the Eastern Continent more efficiently. 

Now, here is our force to capture Ieneko Island… 

The Army consisted of two divisions with about 30,000 men. 

The Navy, as I mentioned earlier, has a core fleet of 6 Battleships and 6 Armored Cruisers. 

And the Imperial Guards personnel escorting me have been greatly augmented since the last time I went to the Manchuria Continent. With the addition of one battalion of tanks and one battalion of motorized infantry. 

It’s exactly finishing little things in a grandiose manner. 

An island with a population of less than 10,000 is attacked by an army of 30,000 with the support of artillery fire, so it’s not even a battle. 

　……In addition, there is also an armored battalion, although it belongs to the Imperial Guard. 

“The main battleship of our fleet, the Shikishima-class Battleship, can be seen on the right hand side. It’s a pre-dreadnought battleship with two 31-centimeter twin cannons as its main guns.” 

“How majestic! It’s a wonderful battleship.” 

This is the bridge of Führer’s personal ship Fugaku. 

There are me and the Saint Roshana-san in there… Also, the Captain and all the bridge personnel, and Ayame-san, who is always a set with me. 

Roshana-san is excited like a child to see my fleet. 

In this battle, an overwhelming victory is assured. 

So I want to use this opportunity for a political performance. 

That’s why I brought her here, the Saint. It’s like a spectator military officer. 

I had hoped to invite a spectator military officer from the Balka Kingdom to show the power of our Empire, but my schedule did not allow me to do so… It’s a shame. 

Now, what I am introducing to Roshana-san is the Shikishima-class Battleship. There are four Shikishima-class ships in this fleet, and I’m not sure which one is which… 

I can’t tell the difference between the same type of ship. 

Anyway, the Shikishima-class ship that approaches and runs alongside the Fugaku as if boasting its huge hull. 

Ah, the signal light is flickering. 

“Your Excellency, communication from Mikasa, who is running alongside us. It is said, ‘Greetings to Her Excellency the Führer, by all means, see the battle of this ship.'” 

“Ah, Captain Yozakura. Thank you for deciphering.” 

The captain of the Fugaku, Yozakura-san, decoded the Morse code from the Mikasa and told us. Her boobs are still big today. 

　……But why, I wonder, why are they staring at each other with Ayame-san standing behind me. 

　……No way, are they in that kind of relationship? 

“That’s not true, Eryu-san. I’m just trying to be vigilant, so she doesn’t mess with my Eryu-san.” 

“*sigh*” 

When I was thinking of something stupid, Ayame-san hugged me tightly from behind, saying, “I am devoted to Eryu-san.” 

I wouldn’t feel bad about it… I mean, Ayame-san, aren’t your breasts getting a little bigger? 

Could it be, breast pads?　

It is a mystery whether breast pads made of silicone material exist in our country, which only has World War I-level technology… 

This is a country where only perverts exist, and only such technology is probably as advanced as in the 21st century. 

I don’t know, but… 

As for Ayame-san boobs, let’s pretend not to notice them. Women’s breasts are a very difficult subject. 

Now, let’s get back to the story with the Saint. 

Mikasa was running alongside Fugaku until a few minutes ago. 

Shikishima-class… What ship number was it? 

Unlike the Shikishima-class of the Japanese Empire, the Shikishima-class of the Yamato Empire nation has built more than 20 ships, so it is hard to tell which one is which. 

Due to the Naval Disarmament Treaty established in the game, I couldn’t build a more powerful ship than the Shikishima-class, so I ended up building only this one. 

I have forgotten which ship it was, but I remember the name Mikasa well. This ship was the flagship of the combined fleet until just a few days ago. 

The ship was only used as a flagship because of its excellent name. 

And when Mikasa leaves… Here they come. 

After the previous flagship of the Combined Fleet left, it was the new flagship of the Combined Fleet that came to replace it. 

“Lord Eryutheia, what about that ship…? It looks bigger than the one we just saw.” 

“Yeah, it’s big. Roshana-san, that is our country’s first dreadnought battleship, Fuji.” 

“…Fuji.” 

Unlike the Fuji-class battleship― that of the Japan Empire, which was a pre-dreadnought class battleship, ours is a dreadnought-class battleship with four 31-cm cannons and eight guns. 

As for the main guns, they are placed on the center line of the ship, two at the front and two at the back, similar to the arrangement of the Nagato-class. 

Our country’s first dreadnought battleship with a displacement of more than 20,000 tons, is a huge ship that would surprise even the most scientifically unaware otherworldly person if they were to see it for the first time. 

The speed is about 22 knots. It also has adequate armored protection. 

This ship was built because the Naval Disarmament Treaty was nullified by the outbreak of the Final War. 

Due to construction delays caused by the war, it was barely finished in time for the Final War… Thus, after coming to another world, they are finally completed and participate in the actual battle. 

The first ship Fuji and the second ship Yashima, which have been completed, are participating in this operation. Two ships are sailing side by side with Fugaku. 

　……I’m not sure which is which, though. 

“It’s a magnificent steel behemoth with a ship like this, surely we won’t be defeated in our fight against the Elves.” 

“I hope so.” 

Fighting the Elves… To be honest, we have our hands full on the Eastern Continent and can’t afford to turn our hand to the Western Continent where the Elves are. 

Since the Elves do not seem to have proper navigational skills, it seems unlikely that they will come to the Yamato Mainland, and even if they are left alone, they are unlikely to do any real harm other than violating human rights on the Western Continent. 

Of course, if our hands are free, we could invade the Western Continent to secure markets under the guise of humanitarian aid… At least, that will be a little further down the line. 

“Sir, it appears that the protected cruiser Izumi, the frontrunner of our fleet, will be arriving at Ieneko Island shortly.” 

“Very well Then, Captain, we will follow. We have to give our guests the best show we can.” 

I order that to be done as reported by Yozakura-san. 

If we don’t see the battle on the front lines, there is no point in bringing our guests with us. 

=====

A little commentary on “Beastvania, the Beastkin Kingdom” Edition

A nation of beastkin in the western part of the eastern continent, on the Beastvania peninsula. The land mass is about the size of Alaska and with a population of about 10 million people. 

Although it is the country closest to the Yamato Empire in terms of distance, it is about 4,000 km away across the sea. 

The political system is, for the most part, a monarchical one centered on Lycan II, the King of the Lion Clan. 

However, since the chiefs of the other clans are also prominent, the atmosphere is more feudal than absolute monarchy, or a confederation of a number of small nations.