Ch.198198. Kyushu (1)

News of North Korea and China’s situation spread not only across the Korean Peninsula but also to neighboring countries… especially to Japan, one of East Asia’s three major nations.

In particular, Takashima Shiro, the mayor of Fukuoka City who personally attended the International Reconstruction Conference as Japan’s representative:

“Well, this is troublesome. North Korea and China are in chaos?”

“Yes, sir.”

He considered the current situation extremely problematic.

In truth, this crisis had only occurred in the Korean Peninsula and China, with Japan remaining outside its sphere of influence, which could make Shiro’s statement about it being “troublesome” seem contradictory.

But Shiro genuinely found the situation concerning.

“What about trade with Seorabeol after this crisis?”

“No problems yet. Currently, it seems to only affect Seoul.”

“That’s fortunate.”

Naturally, having personally attended international organization meetings to prioritize relations with Seorabeol, he couldn’t welcome a situation where Seorabeol might become paralyzed by this crisis.

Currently, Fukuoka City’s largest market was none other than Seorabeol, and trade with Seorabeol was essentially Fukuoka’s lifeline.

Seorabeol was Fukuoka’s only customer, purchasing many industrial products manufactured in Fukuoka during every trade, while Fukuoka also bought necessary items from Seorabeol for its own reconstruction.

And…

‘I planned to purchase weapons from Seorabeol to reclaim Kyushu. If Seorabeol’s trade becomes paralyzed, our current plans could fall apart. With modern weapons, a break in supply can be fatal.’

Currently, Fukuoka was purchasing magical weapons that Seorabeol prided itself on, arming Japan’s Awakened with them.

This was not only for Fukuoka’s self-defense but also preparation for reclaiming the Kyushu region to which Fukuoka belonged.

However, if this crisis destabilized Seorabeol’s trade, their planned reclamation operation would be disrupted.

This was the worst-case scenario for Fukuoka, which aimed for Japan’s normalization.

“I hear there are now groups in China calling themselves nations?”

“Yes. The powers we could potentially establish relations with would be Qi, Chu, Wu, and Yue.”

“That’s quite a few. Well, considering that vast landmass, I suppose it’s only now becoming properly divided.”

Therefore, Shiro first considered not relying solely on Seorabeol but trading with other regions… especially with the various divisions of China.

He thought about establishing trade agreements with Wu, Yue, and Qi nations along China’s coastal regions, but:

“What about discussing relations with them?”

“It would be more difficult than expected.”

“Why is that?”

Contrary to Shiro’s proposal, his aide expressed a negative opinion.

Though Shiro was somewhat disappointed that his opinion was opposed, he didn’t take issue with it and instead asked for the reason.

“Although they’re called representative powers of those regions, there are numerous interest groups within each. So there’s essentially no single warlord who can be pinpointed as the true representative of those nations.”

“So you’re saying that in East Asia, apart from Seorabeol, there’s no one to discuss diplomacy or interests with.”

China’s biggest problem was that, proportional to its vast territory, there were too many groups claiming to be warlords.

In other words, there were too many claiming to be representatives, too many heads, making it impossible to find a true representative for diplomatic negotiations.

This meant that even if they negotiated with someone claiming to be a representative now, there would be too many others who would claim such agreements invalid, making it impossible to comfortably establish agreements or transactions.

“At least Kim Su-ho in the Korean Peninsula remains.”

Besides Seorabeol, Kim Su-ho of Seoul was another power in the Korean Peninsula capable of diplomatic activities.

But upon hearing Kim Su-ho’s name from his aide, Shiro shook his head and:

“I firmly reject that. We need to earn Seorabeol’s trust right now, and I don’t want to arouse their suspicion by engaging in diplomatic activities with their rival, Kim Su-ho.”

He firmly rejected the idea.

The most important thing now was Seorabeol’s trust, and to gain that trust, engaging in diplomatic negotiations with Kim Su-ho was not the way.

What was important to Shiro was rather to steadfastly believe in Seorabeol and support them as the legitimate power of the Korean Peninsula.

It made more sense to avoid the risk of arousing Seorabeol’s suspicion by unnecessarily contacting Kim Su-ho.

“Moreover, with ethnic tensions already high, do we need to proactively provoke Seorabeol?”

“I apologize.”

Above all, as a Japanese person, such actions could be seen through the lens of ethnic trauma as Fukuoka trying to drive a wedge between Seorabeol and Kim Su-ho.

In that case, relations with Seorabeol would effectively end, and Shiro didn’t want to risk such diplomatic consequences by trying to maintain relations with both Seorabeol and Seoul’s Kim Su-ho simultaneously.

‘We don’t have that luxury anyway. We’re a power that hasn’t even fully secured Kyushu yet.’

The fact that Fukuoka wasn’t in a position of such luxury also played a role.

If Fukuoka had been powerful enough to take such risks, Shiro might have briefly considered it as a contingency plan.

But for the current Fukuoka, such risks were tantamount to a shortcut to downfall, so he more firmly expressed his true thoughts to his aide.

“At least until this apocalyptic situation ends, I want to maintain friendly relations with Seorabeol. Isn’t Seorabeol’s market stable and sustaining our Fukuoka City’s industry?”

So realistically speaking, the goal was to maintain friendly relations with Seorabeol until the global apocalyptic situation ended.

They could consider other options after the apocalypse ended, but during this apocalypse, they needed to remain faithful allies.

“Support for the reclamation of Kyushu is progressing successfully.”

“That’s good news.”

Moreover, the policies Shiro was implementing were gradually showing results.

With sudden policy changes also being burdensome, he needed to focus on diplomacy with Seorabeol to complete his policies rather than entertaining other thoughts.

“What news from Kyoto or Tokyo?”

“We’ve heard survival reports from both. However… no warlord has reclaimed either city entirely.”

“So external support is the issue. But it’s difficult for us to take the initiative when we haven’t even fully reclaimed Kyushu yet.”

The next important matter was Kyoto and Tokyo, Japan’s most important major cities.

Both were political centers and cities symbolizing Japan, but the answer from his aide was utterly miserable.

Hearing that there was no representative warlord for these cities, Shiro lamented that they couldn’t take the initiative themselves, though he found it regrettable.

“Yes. Unlike how Seorabeol reclaimed North Ulsan port area and stabilized the sea route, the route to Tokyo is currently unstable. Above all, because of pirates.”

To make matters worse, pirates had appeared in Japan.

Pirates had emerged in Europe, and it would almost be disappointing if they didn’t appear in Japan as well, given the fame of the Wokou pirates.

But the problem here was:

“The Self-Defense Forces?”

“Yes. Deserters from the Self-Defense Forces have formed their own power.”

“That’s troublesome.”

The fact that these pirates were formerly Japan’s regular military before the apocalypse.

It essentially meant that the Self-Defense Forces had broken away from central government control and become warlords, which Shiro assessed as troublesome news.

While Japan’s internal news was utterly bleak, Shiro believed he needed to bring hope to all of Japan somehow:

“Realistically thinking, rather than focusing on Tokyo or Kyoto, our priority should be to completely reclaim the Kyushu region and create a safe zone.”

He argued for resolving the immediate issues at hand.

Takashima Shiro’s mission was none other than the reclamation of Kyushu.

He believed that if they could somehow reclaim Kyushu, it would bring hope to all of Japan, and simultaneously, Fukuoka could escape the threat of the undead.

Emulating how Seorabeol had established buffer zones to secure internal safety, Shiro also planned to undertake expeditions for territorial reclamation like Seorabeol.

Moreover, unlike Seorabeol which was connected to the continent, Kyushu was distinctly an island, so if they succeeded in eradicating all undead within Kyushu, they could completely secure safety by just being vigilant against external threats.

“Yes. I believe it was crucial that we quickly reclaimed Fukuoka City when Jin A-yeon was here.”

“Sigh. We should have captured her.”

The problem was that Fukuoka lacked an Awakened who could single-handedly turn the tide.

Jin A-yeon’s departure was extremely regrettable for Fukuoka, but:

“Well. Are the troops fully prepared?”

“Yes. They can deploy immediately upon your order.”

Nevertheless, Shiro didn’t give up and was steadily preparing operations to reclaim Kyushu.

Like Seorabeol, the first step was to organize forces composed of Awakened and arm them with magical weapons and armor from Seorabeol.

“Then, let’s execute the Kyushu reclamation operation. Prepare the combat uniform I’ll wear.”

“Are you planning to lead personally?”

“Yes. I hear that Seorabeol’s Dragon Priestess personally leads the most important battles. And in England, the Queen herself is leading directly. So…”

He declared his intention to personally lead like other leaders of the same era.

Especially in Seorabeol, the Dragon Priestess personally led and turned the tide, and even England, which had deep relations with Japan, had its Queen leading directly.

“I too should follow their example and personally lead this important battle. Don’t worry. I’m also an Awakened who has reached level 15. Though I’m still far from the realm of superhumans, I can still do my part.”

Above all, he hadn’t neglected to train his abilities.

Compared to the Dragon Priestess and the Queen of England, he was utterly inadequate, but nevertheless, through blood-like effort, he had reached level 15 and was in a state where he could fight as an Awakened doing his part.

Of course, the participation of one level 15 Awakened wouldn’t single-handedly turn the tide compared to superhumans.

“I wish you good fortune in battle.”

“Thank you. I will definitely return after reclaiming Kyushu.”

Nevertheless, a leader personally leading without sparing himself could greatly affect the morale of soldiers heading to the battlefield.

Shiro declared that he would definitely reclaim Kyushu, donned the prepared combat uniform, and left Fukuoka.