Chapter 287 - Defense White Paper
"So, Big Brother isn't a person from this country?"
Saying that, the girl smiled.
With a gruesome appearance, her limbs severed and having been made a plaything for the soldiers.
That smile somehow reminded me of a trampled dandelion.
The girl's name was Myarmyar.
Since she was a girl of the Beastkin Race, her naming conventions were different from the Human Race. Her culture was different. Her appearance was different.
Her limbs were covered in fluffy fur, her ears were those of a feline, and she even had a tail.
However, because her facial structure was almost no different from a human's, it gave rise to tragedy.
It goes without saying what kind of treatment she would receive from men if she stood on a battlefield with such looks.
"Yeah, that's fine then. Big Brother, please kill me."
Myarmyar smiled. Her family was all dead anyway, so she had no reason to live. Big Brother, you're the Hero who came from another world, right? It would be spiteful to be killed by the people of The Kingdom. I don't want to become one of their trophies.
"If you live, something good might happen."
I thought the words themselves were questionable, but they were the only things that came out.
Naturally, there was no way they were persuasive, and
"There won't be,"
she stated flatly.
...To prolong her life any further would be nothing more than abuse.
I nodded silently, saying "I understand," and took the girl's head.
It was the moment The Kingdom achieved victory over the Demi-Human Alliance.
"You've done it, Hero-dono. A great achievement indeed. By the way, before we sell the prisoners to the city, it has been decided that we shall all have a taste; would you care to join us?"
The middle-aged knight spoke without a hint of shame. With a tone as if inviting me for a drink after work, he was inviting me to a gang-rape party.
"I'll pass. I'd feel bad toward Elsa."
I didn't feel like blaming this man.
Because the Beastkin Race had done similar things to the Human Race.
This is the war of another world. The human rights sensibilities of the Middle Ages.
A world where I should not be.
＊ ＊ ＊
I want to protect you all. I want to protect this country. While shouting such things, an election campaign car passed by.
What a coincidence. I was thinking the exact same thing.
Just how can one construct a defense system that covers the entire national territory? My thoughts were dyed entirely in that single color.
Even if the Chloe legion can take countermeasures, we must oppose the other soldiers through different means. I tried consulting Sugitani-san as well, but I was told, "Unless you present persuasive evidence, the higher-ups won't move."
It's only natural.
If I were to submit a statement to the top brass saying, "An army will soon invade from another world!", normally they would just recommend taking paid leave and seeing a psychiatrist.
"Persuasive evidence, huh..."
I should have sent several demi-human corpses by now, but it seems that isn't enough. Unless I show them an organization from another world acting in coordinated groups—the higher-ups won't budge their heavy hips unless they see that. Those in power can think of endless reasons not to take action. Even that campaign car must have received plenty of complaints, yet they still haven't come up with a new way of doing things.
As I stared vacantly at the receding vehicle, Rio, who was walking beside me, spoke with a displeased face.
"What's up with elections? They're seriously loud."
"True."
"They should just use the internet or TV and do it more quietly. It's super annoying."
"I think so too."
Since it's been like this since I was a kid, it might be proof that the heads of politicians have hardly progressed. In such a state, I couldn't imagine the country being able to prepare for war.
"Maybe we have no choice but to come up with a self-defense plan."
"? What are you talking about?"
"A plan for how to protect the country from the other world."
A pedestrian crossing came into view, but unfortunately, the light was red. I stopped my feet and waited for it to turn green.
Currently, Rio and I were on our way to the studio. It is common knowledge to the public that she and I are in an engagement relationship. Therefore, whether we hold hands in public or I smooth her hair with my fingers, it isn't thought much of.
While some candidate was giving a speech about how the Youth Protection Ordinance is this or that, I was proudly flirting with an active high school girl.
I feel like I'll be told to follow the metropolitan ordinances before protecting the country, but if a fresh teenage girl links arms with you, it's a man's instinct to spoil her. It's not my fault; it's the fault of the God who designed the human heart this way. So, I'd like them to take their complaints to the Church.
"Since we can't rely on public authority, we have no choice but to establish a defense system with our own hands. You understand, right, Rio? War is coming soon."
"I see."
Rio said with distant eyes.
"But what should we do?"
"For now, I'll probably prioritize watching the places where the enemy army is likely to invade. I'll make sure we can strike them immediately if they appear."
"Do you have an idea of where they'll show up?"
"To some extent. An army from another world will attack the area where their combat power is most concentrated. You see, they're obsessed with things like a knight's honor. They love fierce battles."
"They're quite bellicose, aren't they?"
"Thanks to that, I can read their movements to some degree. The otherworld army will surely target Tokyo first. Because it has the largest population. If they want to engage in a fierce battle, they will naturally target this place."
A campaign car lecturing about the Okinawa base issue drove past us.
"...Hey. Isn't the place where the most combat power is concentrated in Japan Okinawa?"
"Eh?"
"Because there are tons of US Military bases there."
...True.
When she put it that way, it suddenly felt that way.
"No, wait, there are US Military bases in Tokyo too... I wonder? Which would have higher military power, Tokyo or Okinawa?"
"In short, you just don't know."
We suddenly hit a reef.
It can't be helped, so I'll devise a different plan.
"Forget it, if we can't predict where they'll come from, then we'll just focus on strengthening our combat power."
"The 'training us' thing, then."
"It's not just that."
"?"
I will find ordinary people with high aptitude and level them up one after another. Of course, since it would become a hassle if I bestowed power upon villains, I will also conduct character screenings.