Chapter 99 - Worsening State Of The World

(Here another chapter for the challenge. We didn't reach it yet but it didn't matter because I just want an excuse to mass release and catch up to the latest chapters.)

Upon his return back to Azur Lane world, he immediately contacted the Royal Navy to update himself on the situation of the world. However, Adam didn't expect that the state of the world would deteriorate this fast.

Since time moves twice faster in Contract Worlds. Only four days had passed in Azur Lane World since he left. In that brief 4 days, humanity actually decided to go into war against the KANSEN. The rebellion of the Royal Navy and Eagle Union became the catalyst for the rejection of KANSEN.

The Anti KANSEN group deployed propaganda and false information to paint KANSEN in a bad light while the Pro KANSEN people are being similarly targeted by the Anti KANSEN group.

"This is not what I'd expect to return to." Adam sighed as he ended the call with Belfast who updated him with the information.

"We suspected someone was pulling the strings behind all this. However, there is little we can do to investigate when we are busy defending against attack from Siren and humans." Belfast said while trying to mask her exhaustion that didn't go unnoticed.

"I will take care of that." Adam said and was thinking about handing the task to Agent since it's a job that suited her skillset.

"I must thank you in Her Majesty's stead." Belfast bowed.

"No, it's nothing that needs to be thanked. We are allies for a reason. It's natural for me to aid the Royal Navy." Adam explained.

"Then if there's nothing else, I wish you a pleasant morning, Lord Admiral."

"Hmn." Adam nods but still not comfortable with the title Queen Eli forced on him.

Regardless, even though he wished for nothing more than to laze around and enjoy a few days of break. He unfortunately has a lot of matters to tend to. He turns to his side and looks at Agent.

"I leave the task of investigation to you." Adam said before taking a sip of the coffee she served to him.

"Should I depart immediately? Or after I handle the relocation of the KANSEN facilities?" Agent wonders.

"Immediately." Adam replied before he took another sip and placed down the cup. "I can handle it alone since I just need to monitor the Engineer Mechs doing the actual job."

"Alright, Master." Agent nods and leaves through the door despite being able to simplify teleport away.

With Agent handling the investigation, the remaining task is to communicate with the Pro KANSEN people. Aside from Britain, Japan is the other Pro KANSEN nation that participated in the Project KANSEN.

The similarity of these two nations is that they are island nations. They are constantly attacked by Siren and realize the horror of Siren and the necessity of KANSEN.

All the Anti KANSEN groups and nations come from either landlocked or nations with a lot of land to spare so that even if they lose their shore, it isn't a big deal. Otherwise, they wouldn't dare talk that much shit.

The Sakura Empire and Japan wished to join the Azur Lane coalition. Previously, their stance was neutral. However, pressured by the Anti KANSEN movement. They expressed their desire to join the Azur Lane.

So, the next destination is Japan.

———

"Why do I have the feeling that my position haf once again been elevated without me knowing?" Adam sighed as he was immediately put into a limousine and escorted by a motorcade the moment he appeared in Japan.

"I think this is appreciated, Adam. In their point of view, we qualified as an independent nation with sufficient military and political influence. You even have Eagle Union under your control. Then Britain and the Royal Navy as your ally."

"I don't think this kind of treatment is exaggerated. Instead, I found it sort of underwhelming." Winter said as she looked out and saw there was a lack of guards to protect Adam in case of an ambush unlike a presidential motorcade.

"Actually, this is fine enough. I don't need more." Adam said while accepting the glass of wine poured for him by Jalter who participated as his bodyguard along with Siegfried. Both wearing black suits and sunglasses.

"Pfft! Someone actually dares." Adam coughed his wine after sensing a killing intent directed to him from a skyscraper to the left side of the limousine where he sat.

*Crack*

The bullet hit the bulletproof glass and pierced through however, stopped by his Forcefield that automatically surged out to block the attack.

*Boom!*

The bullet exploded after a few moments. Apparently the sniper is really intent on killing him although this kind of attack would do nothing to harm him at all. However, it does harm to his wife, Winter. She survived with just some scratches when she activated her Aura on time.

Adam sends the door flying with a kick and immediately jumps out with Hornet ready and immediately aims back at the sniper that is still looking down at his scope with a big frown. Never expecting his target to pull out a sniper rifle in the middle of the street and aimed back at him.

*Bang!*

Adam shot his sniper rifle and then dismissed it without bothering to look back a second time to confirm the kill. The security forces that finally reacted, quickly escorted Adam into a spare limousine and immediately left the scene for the police to handle.

Hours later, the sniper that tried to assassinate Adam was found with a bullet hole punch straight through his right eye. From the look of it, a bullet first hit the scope of the sniper before piercing through his head, killing him on the spot and bathing in the pool of his own blood that leaked out the gaping hole on his head.

The next day, aside from public apology regarding the assassination. Adam finally get to meet the leader of Sakura Empire's KANSEN, Nagato.

"Greetings, Commander of Eagle Union or should I refer you as Admiral of the Azur Lane Coalition?" Nagato greeted with a light nod.

"Neither. Just call me by my name is sufficient. I dislike pleasantries." Adam shrugs as he follows Nagato to a garden and sit down for a talk while a few female human dressed in white kimono helped serve some refreshments.

Adam sense her gaze of curiosity, sizing up him for a moment before she blinked and said.

"It is inappropriate in such official setting we are currently in. Perhaps next time if the Lord Admiral is willing to entertain a more casual meeting outside of official business."

"Of course. If that is the case then let's not beat around the bush." Adam adjusted his lax and care free personality to a more stern and imposing as befitting his position as a leader. "I heard from the Royal Navy that the Sakura Empire wishes to enter the Azur Lane coalition as a member."

"That is true." Nagato nods. "The Royal Navy did not hide the fact they are receiving supports including financial and resource support from you."

Adam nods, confirming the statement as Royal Navy does received a lot of support. Not just financially to stabilise their economy after being sanctioned by most of the world. They also received resources support from Adam's deep sea mining and hydrogen fuel processing to rebuild their military and reinforce their costal defences. Also military support in the form of Mechs that outclassed the military forces of the world to deter other nations from starting an invasion.

Adam also rapidly expanding with asteroid mining, when he created mining drone that will harvest the materials in the asteroid belt. With the addition of BETA, he could even send them to mine out resources outside of the solar system. All these are to fund the member of the Azur Lane coalition and also his own personal uses.

"I assume you wished a similar support in order to protect the nation and the Siren's invasion after being isolated from most of the world?" Adam quickly state out the reason why she wished Sakura Empire to join Azur Lane coalition. It's for the sole purpose of ensuring Sakura Empire's survival and also Japan.

"Yes." Nagato nods and her expression immediately hardened because now is the time to discuss what can Sakura Empire and Japan promise in exchange for the support as nothing is free after all.

Adam actually is willing to even help for free because it's his mission to unite all of the KANSEN factions. However, there's nothing wrong with reaping free benefits as no one wants to work for free after all.

"We are willing to provide military aid and commitment to the cause of the coalition." Nagato listed out the initial offer while trying to gauge Adam's reaction which remained unchanged.

In his mind however, Adam is frowning. The response given by Nagato is quite… lackluster. Military aid? They could barely fend against Siren and harassment from China. Commitment to the goal of Azur Lane? Well duh, Siren is their common enemy. Even without the coalition, Japan and the Sakura Empire will still fight against Siren regardless.

Perhaps this is some kind of test. Nagato isn't the type to joke with something this serious. Reading her intentions didn't help much when she is such an expert in controlling her thoughts and expression.

"I hope Lady Nagato isn't joking."

"I am not." Nagato replied by shaking her head. "This is the consensus reached after discussing with the Prime Minister and the Emperor."

"Japan truly has nothing left. Neither do we have our economy after being sanctioned and neither are we willing to subordinate our nation to anyone. We only have our meager military force and KANSEN to offer in exchange for your aid." Nagato admitted.

"So, in other words. Is Japan willing to sell away their military and the Sakura Empire in order to receive my aid and join the Azur Lane?" Adam tried to confirm because if that's true, he won the jackpot. Literally.

"Yes… However! We have our conditions you must agree to." Nagato said before she listed out the conditions.

Those conditions are pretty standard stuff. Adam will be responsible to protect Japan from any conflict from other nations, he will not use the JSDF and Sakura Empire to attack another nation, he cannot order or stop them if Japan is under attack by Siren, etc.

Look bad and very restrictive when analyzed by someone else. But for Adam, this is perfect. All he needs is just the Sakura Empire and most of the battles he's gonna throw them on would either be Siren or people not from this world so it didn't really matter.

For the first instance, Adam sensed Nagato breaking her facade. She is feeling anxious and filled with anticipation for Adam to make his decision.

After all, what she placed on the table did not match up to what Adam offered. It can be said that Japan and the Sakura Empire is trying to take advantage of Adam. So, in her mind. It's difficult to imagine Adam would accept the offer she made.

"I accept." Adam said after giving the offer a thorough consideration.

"Please reconsider! We cann- Eh? Did you just say you agree?" Nagato looked genuinely confused, surprised and stupefied.

"I did." Adam nods his head to confirm.

"But why? Why would you agree to such an unfair deal so easily?" Nagato looked very agitated for some reason and demanded to know Adam's reason.

Adam wondered how he should answer this question as he could sense the unbearable curiosity in her mind. He decided being truthful might be the best option.

"Well, to be honest. I would still provide aid even if you offer nothing. To me, fighting the Siren is more important than whatever benefits your country and faction could offer." He answered truthfully to Nagato who listened with a shocked expression. "Well, I'm just trying to get some extra benefits and I didn't expect Lady Nagato to willingly offer the Sakura Empire to me."

Nagato was left speechless. She didn't know the extent of Adam's ability and what'd available were quite scarce. But to say he can support Japan and the Sakura Empire with resources and support their economy for free is something very hard to believe. She might even think he is cracking a joke if not for the air of confidence he exuded and the seriousness in his tone.

Looking at Nagato that still harbors doubts for his words, Adam continues to explain.

"To begin with, my goal is to unite all the KANSEN factions in preparation to fight our common enemy. Surely Lady Nagato heard a rumor about me being a human from another world. In that world, I was the commander of Azur Lane, a coalition of KANSEN to unite and fight against Siren."

"Yes, I heard of such a rumor before." Nagato said but she still had doubts which made Adam feel helpless. But what she said next betrayed Adam's expectations.

"If so, I, Nagato of Sakura Empire, accept your offer." She bowed her head.

"I accept too." Adam responded before he added. "I will send my representative to handle the aid in a few days."

Nagato simply nodded without any words as Adam stood up and was ready to leave.

"Will you not stay for a bit and enjoy the hospitality prepared for you?" Nagato wonders as Adam only arrived yesterday and today he already wanted to leave in a hurry.

"Unfortunately, I have a lot on my plate to deal with, especially the Queen of England who is trying to retake her throne with the help of the Anti KANSEN movement that is trying to find a justification to wage a war." Adam sighed and rubbed his brow, looking haggard unlike his previous appearance.

"I see, the Lord Admiral is very busy. Then I will not hold you here any longer." She said and said her farewell.

But before Adam left, he remembered the wooden comb that Shinano gave him. He gave it to Nagato who looked shocked.

"This… is… Yamato Onee-sama— Kgh!" She suddenly clutched her head due to an intense headache.

"Are you alright!" Adam worriedly asks and tries to check on her while calling for her bodyguard, Kawakaze who is standing guard outside along with Winter, Jalter and Siegfried.

"No… it's alright. I feel unwell, please excuse me." Nagato apologizes before asking Kawakaze to help escort her out.

Adam sighed in relief nothing happened to Nagato and just a headache or he might be to blame since they spend time alone in this garden discussing and there is no other possible culprit other than him.

"Let's go home." He said to the three on his way out.

—————

I forgot to add the rewards in the last chapter for his mission completion.

So, other than level and System money. Adam received the BETA hive core and the superordinate. So, now he can command the superordinate to create BETA for himself which is originally just a group of biological robots made for mining and harvesting resources made by alien.