Treaty-Prohibited Weapon ‘The Hanged Man’ part 2
「We can’t get in touch with Abel.」
「He probably went into space. Honestly, I had planned to ask someone else to handle it, but I’ll get in touch with him later.」
Kou had a good idea of what Eirene and Abel were up to.
「I thought we’d never use it again…」
「The Hanged Man?」
The name of the weapon escaped Aimer’s lips. Hearing its name, Kou recalled its details.
The Skyhook-style Panjandrum, known as The Hanged Man, had left a massive impact—both positive and negative—on allies and enemies alike. It was a weapon that every faction on the planet Asia had come to fear and monitor closely.
In the peace negotiations with the Stones, the Stone’s side had been adamant in their demand to prohibit its use, and in the end, the Panjandrum Hanged Man had been classified as a treaty-prohibited weapon.
「Thanks to it becoming a restricted weapon under the treaty with the Stones, we can’t use it against them anymore, after all.」
The treaty explicitly stated the following provisions. The Hanged Man was directly named:
The prohibition of whis powered mass weapons, including the Skyhook-type Panjandrum The Hanged Man. This applies regardless of whether the weapon is manned or unmanned. Specific dimensions are outlined in the attached appendix.
The details were meticulously documented. While still provisional, both sides were obligated to make every effort to comply with the agreement. There was no doubt that the Hanged Man had sufficiently terrified the Stones.
「Yeah, its power was incredible, I’ve never seen anything like that.」
「In the peace negotiations, using whis powered unmanned mass weapons to collide with enemy equipment was strictly banned. For manned weapons, it wasn’t even a debate—completely out of the question.」
The peace negotiations with the Stones had been thorough and painstaking. Both sides recognized that any loophole could be exploited, and given the intensity of the conflict, the negotiators themselves were engaged in a different kind of fierce battle.
The Skyhook-type autonomous explosive devices and aircraft carrier bombs were at the top of the list of banned weapons for both sides. Adjusting the wording to include similar weapons had proved challenging, but once the treaty was finalized, any faction that violated it risked direct intervention by Okeanus.
Given this, neither the Stones nor Metal Iris would likely resort to using such weapons again against each other.
Although Metal Iris had temporarily disbanded, Kou had made a formal declaration of ownership over its assets. As long as Kou and his affiliated organization upheld the treaty terms, there would be no issue.
The Stones, aware of the stakes, quickly moved to confirm the continuity of the peace agreement and formally announced their intent to continue negotiations. Such developments, as Kou noted, were characteristic of the political world.
「Then who should we contact? Astraea… maybe you shouldn’t have scolded Eirene so harshly?」
「The issue with the Aubade Force was too much, she should have at least given a report. I didn’t expect she had even approached Okeanus to approve it.」
「Why don’t we contact George-san? I don’t know Robin-san very well.」
Kou suggested, mentioning George from the British BAS Corporation.
「George-san is someone we can trust… or, at least, I think we can trust him.」
Aimer quickly agreed with Kou, but soon began to hesitate after she recalled the numerous dubious acts performed by BAS Corporation.
「George-san is the person who protected the R001 Fortress Area. A brilliant tactician. I’m glad he’s on our side.」
Though Kou only knew of the battle through reports, the Argoforce had also launched a fierce assault on the R001 Fortress Area. It was George’s leadership, combined with reinforcements centered around Gogyou Heavy Industries, that had successfully repelled the offensive. Both companies were among the first to formally declare their participation in Ulysses too.
Kou wasted no time in initiating contact.
「Admiral George, can you hear me? This is Aimer.」
「Admiral Aimer! I’m delighted to hear from you. My apologies for not reaching out sooner.」
「We’d like for the Astraea to join forces with you. Would that be acceptable?」
「Of course! We would be honored to welcome you all. It’s a privilege to fight alongside you.」
「Thank you. We look forward to working together.」
「It’s been decided that the operational command of the Aubade Force will be transferred to you, Admiral Aimer. We look forward to fighting under you. That’s all.」
George said cheerfully before cutting off the transmission.
「What?」
Aimer was stunned, left speechless by the unexpected declaration.
「Incoming communication from the Aubade Force fleet battle system. Confirming… Connection established. Indeed, the upper command authority is assigned to Aimer, with Kou positioned above her. Confirming the fleet’s flagship… The designed flagship is the Astraea.」
「What? Isn’t it supposed to be the Enterprise or the Gracious Queen? Even the Eirene would make more sense.」
「I’ve been made the flagship.」
Astraea interjected, her tone reflecting her own confusion. She had been made the flagship without her knowledge.
「So, this means the Aubade Force is part of Aimer’s fleet now?」
「Why…?」
Aimer murmured, still in disbelief. She had suddenly been appointed admiral of a grand fleet, representing some of the more powerful corporations on planet Asia. It was overwhelming.
「Attention, everyone! Hear this! The ship of our leader, the ever-victorious Astraea has officially joined our ranks!」
As soon as George finished the call with Aimer, he took the communicator again and announced the news to the fleet. His voice boomed across the entire Aubade Force fleet.
Cheers erupted from every corner of the fleet, celebrating the addition of Astraea to their forces.
「We now proclaim this moment! Our cause is JUST! With Astraea, the symbol of the scales of fairness and the sword of justice, as our flagship, the prophecy is fulfilled! We are the army that shall bring the dawn to this planet!」
Robin declared passionately, unable to contain his excitement.
He was finally seeing with his own eyes the realization of Jack’s vision—the army to save Asia was now complete.
「I was wondering how we’d welcome the Astraea as our flagship. That person is too modest, after all.」
Said Captain Kiefel of the Jeanne d’Arc, breathing a sigh of relief.
「Wouldn’t it have been better to get Admiral Aimer’s permission first?」
Eri, who had watched the scene unfold, noted Aimer’s frozen expression, clearly overwhelmed. Soon, a private communication arrived from Aimer.
「Aimer-chan?」
Eri answered, using the affectionate nickname she reserved for her in private.
「Eri-san, there’s something I need to ask you.」
「Of course. What is it?」
「I’m certain Eirene was the one who united BAS Corporation, Atou, and General Arms. But why is Gogyou involved in the Aubade Force too? Astraea and I both find it puzzling.」
Eri awkwardly averted her gaze, looking remarkably similar to Kou whenever he was caught in a blunder.
「Eri-san?」
「…It was kind of… a spur-of-the-moment thing.」
「A spur-of-the-moment thing?」
「I just happened to be there and got scouted. Into the Aubade Force.」
「You just… happened to be there?」
Aimer couldn’t help but repeat the ridiculous explanation, struggling to process it.
「And Gogyou Heavy Industries leadership was okay with this?」
「Gogyou ’s headquarters was absolutely thrilled about it. Even now, they’re all fired up. Apparently, Kou’s declaration of a fight for freedom and dignity really resonated with them as fellow Japanese.」
「I see. Thank you for explaining. I’ll let Kou know that he has support from his compatriots.」
「You’re not disappointed, are you, Aimer-chan?」
「No, it’s fine. I think I sort of understand how things work around here.」
Eri wasn’t entirely sure whether she felt reassured or more concerned by Aimer’s response.
「Okay, the crew of the Jun’yo is waiting eagerly for your arrival.」
「Understood. We’ll head your way shortly.」
The transmission ended.
「Alright, everyone, let’s gear up and give it our all. No way we’re losing to the pathetic Mercenary Association Headquarters!」
Unbeknownst to her allies, Eri and the Jun’yo crew were the most fired ones for this war.
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