Chapter 1086: Chapter 1085: Courting Death Feels Good for a While...
Regarding those alien races that suddenly appeared on Jupiter, Fang Zheng also doesn’t plan on taking any action for now, or leaking this intelligence to the Earth Federation.
After all, meals must be eaten bite by bite, and everything must progress step by step. The Earth Federation hasn’t yet recovered from the devastating blow by the Reapers. To then unveil an alien invasion, even the Federation elite would be lining up to jump off buildings.
Therefore, Fang Zheng plans to keep this news under wraps until the Earth Federation has some capability to fight back, and then discuss this issue with them.
However, Fang Zheng is comforted by the fact that after the war with the Reapers, humanity in this world has finally started to prioritize military preparedness and begun researching more powerful weapons.
During his leisure time, Fang Zheng also took some time to hack into the Earth Federation’s weapons database, gaining some understanding of their upcoming weapons research.
The Eurasian Federation appears intent on pursuing the MS path to its extreme, developing more powerful firepower for MS... but isn’t that still MS?
The Chinese Federation, on the other hand, demonstrates the flexible adaptability of Fang Zheng’s homeland. They are currently researching an MS capable of transforming between fighter jet and robot modes. This reminds Fang Zheng of the saying "A landed Viking is no better than a chicken." Well... Good luck to them.
The Atlantic Federation is actually the most unfortunate. Their monopoly on Sakuradite means that no matter how they research new machines, they can only make improvements on existing MS, which is their own fault. Because Sakuradite is monopolized by Britannia, neither the Eurasian Federation nor the Chinese Federation wants to be subject to energy constraints from the other side, therefore they work diligently to develop MS with new types of power. However, the Atlantic Federation, due to an ample supply of Sakuradite, finds themselves unable to research entirely new power MS, relying only on Sakuradite for modifications.
Currently, the biggest dream of the Atlantic Federation, or rather Britannia, is to at least create MS capable of space battles like those of the Chinese Federation and Eurasian Federation.
How to put it, this goal is really... never mind, without a goal, what’s the difference between a person and a salted fish?
For Fang Zheng, these are minor matters, but what he needs to handle first and foremost right now... is naturally the situation in Area 11.
"These guys are causing quite a commotion."
Hands behind his back, standing at the window, watching the parade protest lineup of nearby civilians, Fang Zheng’s lips slightly curled, revealing a mocking smile. Others curiously peeked outside as well, then Yuki spoke.
"This way, there should be no problem, right, Brother Fang Zheng?"
"Oh? Why do you say that?"
"Because, look, everyone has started parading and protesting not only the Japanese but also the Britannians. Under such circumstances, Britannia shouldn’t act like before anymore, right?"
Yuki had her reasons for saying this. After the incident, the governor’s office in Area 11 tried to pin the blame entirely on the on-site Commander, claiming he deliberately misinterpreted Governor Clovis’s words. Additionally, he originally held hostility towards the residents of Area 11, deliberately issuing the massacre order—of course, this unfortunate Commander was directly brought to the military court to appease the public outrage.
Moreover, the news is now reporting that the Governor of Area 11 is negotiating with the parade demonstrators, and both sides have reached a preliminary agreement. The Area 11 Governor’s office promises to establish a Japan Autonomous Region in Okinawa, independently governed by the area’s residents themselves, with assistance from the Eurasian Federation and Chinese Federation to ensure they can build homes and live peaceful lives there.
Regarding this proposal, the curly-haired man (who indeed became the representative) and other parade representatives from Area 11 were satisfied. And as Asuna and others saw it, this was the best outcome. Although they were all angry initially, they have come to understand, as the curly-haired man said, currently, the people of Area 11 lack the strength to confront such a large empire like Britannia. At present, securing an autonomous region is quite good.
At least it is much better than a concentration camp.
However, facing Yuki’s words, Fang Zheng merely smiled.
"Let’s keep watching, and we’ll see."
"......?"
Hearing Fang Zheng’s words, the young women exchanged puzzled looks, not knowing why, but they all had a feeling of foreboding...
At the same time, back at the hotel, the curly-haired man returned with a refreshed expression.
"Ougi!"
Seeing the curly-haired man return, his comrades hurriedly gathered around.
"What’s the situation?"
"Britannia has agreed to our demands in principle. We can establish a Japan Autonomous Region in Okinawa and use our flag!"
"Great!"
Upon hearing this, the others clenched their fists and cheered loudly, rejoicing.
"Our struggle has meaning. We’ve won!"
"No, not yet victorious!"
Suddenly, in this moment, a low voice interrupted, followed by the opening of the heavy door, as several men dressed in the military uniforms of old Japan strode in. The curly-haired man was taken aback, then hurriedly stood up.
"Master Katase!"
Appearing before Ougi was Master Katase, the leader and representative of the Japanese Liberation Front, the core organization resisting Britannia. He had a resolute face and was well-trusted as a leader.
"I’ve heard all about your efforts, Ougi, you’ve done well."
"Yes..."
"I have something I wish to discuss privately with you, okay?"
"Of course, please follow me."
Also a member of the Resistance Group, Ougi greatly respected Master Katase. He nodded, then led the group to his room. Upon entering, Katase coughed, gazing again at the curly-haired man.
"You’ve done well. Your efforts during this period have not gone unnoticed, but..."
"But?"
"But, it’s far from enough!"
As the curly-haired man wore a slight smile, he saw Katase suddenly clench his fist, shouting angrily.
"Our goal is to restore Japan! To completely expel the damned Britannian invaders from our land! How can you give up just for a bit of sweet reward? Do you think a little Okinawa can make us abandon our ideals and aspirations? We are honorable Imperial soldiers, not Okinawa’s foreign parasites! Why should we be exiled to Okinawa?"
"But, Master Katase..."
Faced with Katase’s fury, the curly-haired man hurriedly tried to defend himself.
"We don’t have enough troops and manpower, it’s impossible to achieve. Establishing a Japan Autonomous Region, at least we can..."
"No! We have an opportunity now."
Saying this, Katase stretched out his hand, pressing on Ougi’s shoulder, then gestured sideways, soon clearing the room of others.
"I heard you reached an agreement?"
"Yes, three days later, we will sign the agreement at the Governor’s Office... Governor Clovis will appear personally."
"Good."
Upon hearing this, Katase smiled.
"This is our chance."
"... Master Katase, I don’t understand your meaning..."
For some reason, the curly-haired man suddenly felt his heart start pounding vigorously.
"We will enter the meeting with you, and when Clovis signs the agreement with you, we will kidnap him! Then use him as a hostage to compel Britannia to withdraw from our national territory!"
"That’s too absurd!"
Facing Katase’s words, the curly-haired man widened his eyes.
"That won’t work, Master Katase, it’s simply impossible to succeed..."
"It’s an order, Ougi."
However, before Ougi could finish speaking, Katase interrupted, coldly asserting.
"Don’t you wish to serve your country?"
"No, but if it fails..."
Even the curly-haired man, lacking political acumen, knew that if they failed, the consequences would be unbearable.
"We are Imperial soldiers, living and dying with the Empire. If we fail, then we shall apologize to our ancestors together! Remember, an Imperial soldier shall only gloriously die in battle, not live in disgrace!"
"Yes..."
Upon hearing this, the curly-haired man finally lowered his head.