The world's focus had imperceptibly converged on this tiny island nation.
Even though it was clear that this attention and importance weren't aimed at Japan itself, but rather at Mobius, Japan had still fully embraced its role as the gracious host in its own fantasy.
Who cares why everyone's here—they're here, aren't they? Take that, [South Korea].
Facing this old acquaintance of a country whose situation was so similar to its own, Japan now had a sense of superiority to cling to, even if it was only an illusion.
As time passed, departments and organizations from various nations gradually filed into the conference hall.
With Mobius's final entry, many subtly cast their glances her way.
While no one had truly met her in person before, her photos and videos were seen often enough. It had to be said, the Mobius in real life was far more beautiful than in any picture.
Though she didn't look very old, one could distinctly sense a beauty that transcended her age.
Yet, proportionate to that beauty was a sense of danger that also far exceeded her photographs. No matter who it was, upon truly seeing Mobius, they couldn't help but place her in the category of 'definitely scheming something.'
Kotori sat in the second seat of the Ratatoskr delegation. She had requested this position, as she was essentially Ratatoskr's primary point of contact with Schicksal.
Combined with her identity as a Spirit, Elliot hadn't hesitated much before granting it to her.
This was also her first time seeing Mobius in person rather than through a monitor or photos. Kotori felt a suffocating sensation, as if wrapped by a giant serpent.
This feeling grew especially intense when the other party glanced over with those smiling eyes.
She wanted to return the smile, but due to various influences, her attempt came off as somewhat forced and hollow.
The meeting didn't dive straight into the main topic.
Instead, Japan, as the nominal host, delivered the opening remarks, followed by the usual haggling over strategic resources.
In the past, such wrangling over resources and mutual accusations of probing actions would have been the main theme of the conference, all fundamentally driven by interests.
But today was different. The reason was simple: Mobius, or rather, Schicksal.
Black Amber, of course, knew that everyone was waiting for her to speak, but she showed no urgency whatsoever.
This leisurely attitude confirmed some people's suspicions and caused many others' hearts to sink slightly, their eyes drifting back to the prepared statements of condemnation in their hands.
Unlike the composed Black Amber, Miku was feeling rather antsy. A setting like this had never crossed her mind. Whether as a student or an idol, she never imagined she'd one day be sitting nervously in such a solemn conference room.
She wasn't wearing her Astral Dress, nor her usual school uniform. Instead, Black Amber had insisted she wear a formal black suit.
A good-looking person looks good in anything, but Miku seemed completely out of place here.
First, her features weren't the bold, mature type of beauty, but rather a soft, gentle, and non-confrontational kind. Secondly, she looked distinctly young. But most importantly... she utterly lacked the bearing to blend seamlessly into such an environment.
Kotori Itsuka, despite being younger and possessing a more delicate, 'girl-next-door' beauty, carried an imposing aura that allowed her to hold her place here.
Seeing Miku's obvious discomfort in the setting, everyone began forming their own conjectures.
Truth be told, while Miku's features were soft, her personality was normally quite strong-willed. Unfortunately... that was before.
Right now, Miku just wished this bewildering trip would end quickly, so she could return to her comfort zone and have Durandal shield her from that awful woman, Mobius.
She was genuinely scared. Not only of Mobius using various punishments to trample her self-esteem and shame, but also, more frighteningly... she found she didn't harbor excessive disgust towards such behavior.
She knew these actions and feelings were wrong, yet she couldn't help wanting to explore them further.
Come to think of it, she still didn't know why she'd been brought here this time...
Miku cautiously glanced at the green-haired woman sitting ahead, who maintained a languid posture even in this formal setting.
With everyone intentionally keeping the haggling brief, it was soon Schicksal's turn.
Black Amber rose to her feet with an air of boredom and dropped a bombshell with her opening words: "Schicksal intends to provide aid operations for Spacequake-related matters in East Asia, expected to be formally completed within six months."
...Excuse me?
"I have no objections," said the representative from China.
"I have no objections either," said the representative from Japan.
South Korea, North Korea, Mongolia: ???
Of course, China had no objections. Schicksal's support for China was well-known.
During the Eurasian Sky Disaster years ago, which had nearly wiped out half of China, Schicksal had provided substantial support for reconstruction efforts.
Although Schicksal's floating islands later hovered over Europe, the nature of the relationship between China and Schicksal was something those in the know, knew.
As for Japan, needless to say, their chance to play host this time was entirely thanks to Mobius.
'Aid operations' sounded nice, but it essentially meant armed deployment, increasing one's own say in another's home.
Uttering such words was, in most cases, no different from stepping on someone's head. After all, what sane person would allow another's army to stand guard at their door?
However, this perspective was largely confined to the normal world—non-Spirit-related factions.
To put it bluntly, Spirit-related factions only emerged in the last thirty years.
Initially, only Schicksal had the capability, followed later by DEM. Over the years, Schicksal had already established armed aid operations in nearly half the regions worldwide.
For other organizations, conducting armed aid in another country would be a joke.
For Schicksal... well, that wasn't really acceptable either. Not only because times had changed and everyone now had anti-Spirit capabilities, but more importantly... Schicksal's turf was already vast enough.
Besides, who didn't know what Mobius was thinking?
While everyone knew Mobius's true appearance here meant she was planning something big, starting off with East Asia?
Combined with Schicksal's arrangement in Europe over the years, that would mean two-thirds of the world had Schicksal's pieces on the board.
Other national powers couldn't possibly allow Schicksal to expand further.
Setting aside China and Japan—one a close ally, the other a professional bootlicker—but...
The South Korean representative felt a twinge of irritation. 'I am of the great Korean people! The Korean people never yield easily to others! Besides, we already have a... patron.'
North Korea and Mongolia were more self-aware. Their opinions wouldn't make much difference anyway.
"Ms. Mobius," Westcott spoke up with a smile, "Schicksal's reach extends across most of the world's nations, bearing the most critical responsibility in confronting Spirits. However, its arm can only stretch so far."
"When an organization grows too big, that very size can render it 'bloated.'"
With those two sentences, he steered the conversation toward the topic everyone had been waiting for.
"And bloatedness can bring about excessive desires, even affecting an organization's original intention."
"For instance... the unexpected conflict in Tengu City six days ago."
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T/N: Yo why they dissing my country wtf
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T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.