After walking past the last of the Belkan patrols and checkpoints, Amaterasu and Vill-V meet up with their retinue before boarding their convoy. Now situated inside the relatively comfortable Mitsubishi limo, Amaterasu let out a strained sigh. An expression of defeat marred her porcelain face. Seeing her dear patron like that, Vill-V scoots over to her before wrapping the Sun Goddess in a hug.

Leaning into the hug, Amaterasu complains breathlessly. "Unbelievable... An entire night wasted without any gain. While it was fun discussing daily topics and gripes with Lu and Bryn, whenever work-related matters came up, I couldn't help but feel that I'd been butting my head against a wall. It's incomprehensible how in just a span of a few years, Belka has put up an iron curtain that safeguards every bit of their interests. I'd never imagined that there would be a time when it's impossible to pry something out of Lu, much less negotiate anything. Not to sound like a whining bitch but I thought that our friendship must have some worth at least for Lu to listen to my proposals. I know that what happened back then was just the worst but all of it was due to the rogue elements of our military, couldn't they just let it be bygone after slapping our military intelligence around like no tomorrow? Remuneration had been paid in full, our nation was disgraced, just what sort of things do they want from us to amend our political relation then!"

Vill-V can only wryly smile at the rant, her smile is hidden out of view as she nuzzles into Amaterasu's hair to comfort her. "Well, to be fair, it wasn't just our spies that caused such a major political disaster, there were cases of critical faux pas against Yuki, and those happened after that bloody incident. In their minds, we still haven't learned our lessons and deserve to be given the cold shoulders. And they're correct in thinking so for your subordinates, and even your brother, insulted Yuki who holds not just the title of Reich Marshal but also the Crown Princess of Belka. There's also the matter of her holding the title of Yggdrasil's Champion... Now that I think about it, just the amount of titles being infringed upon alone would have been enough to justify hostilities between the two nations. Wars have been caused for less, after all."

Amaterasu rolls her eyes, obviously displeased at the analysis. "So, we're just supposed to stomach it?"

Vill-V nods. "That and trying to keep our people in line the best we can. Though honestly, I think Belka is just dead set and content on being indifferent, borderline antagonistic to us. Ever since the pact between us and them was broken, China has been getting very cozy with the Reich. This has culminated in a very profitable and harmonious friendship between the two parties. Belka reaps loads of money from arms deals and modernization projects in China, while the Long Dynasty is poised to achieve regional supremacy. The latter might actually cause us trouble in the near future since the disaster has also hampered our own capability to enact a widespread modernization program. But I digress. Ultimately, it would take a miracle for us to amend our national relationship in any reasonable timeframe. In the far future, maybe, just not now or in the next few years."

Amaterasu groans after hearing Vill-V's speech. "Arrgh... Things could have been great, you know. We could have been set on a stable path of development and expansion. But no! Some asshats just had to think that they were smart and spoiled everything! In just a short few years, Belka is now well underway to earn a global friendship while Japan is truly getting isolated! And it's absolute bullcrap that I couldn't just put the hammer down and eliminate the true root of the matter, the archaic mindset of our people! It's tyranny, they said! It's the world that is wrong, they said! Mother Goddess damn it, are they fucking blind!?"

Vill-V lets out a chuckle at Amaterasu's uncharacteristic cursing. Thankfully, she has already made sure that the rear compartment of the limo is soundproofed before anything else. It's rare for Amaterasu to lose her composure like this, but even a Goddess cannot escape from work-related stress.

Patting Amaterasu's hair, Vill-V says. "There, there... I reckon that things will be looking up in the future. Though you should pay attention to your language, young lady."

Amaterasu facepalms. "Give me a break..."

-------------------------------------------------

The morning of the next day, Lu and Bryn can be seen enjoying their morning tea party in one of the many private seatings of Hogberga Hotel. That said, they're not alone, for a group belonging to the American delegation is gathering around their table. Headed by Roosevelt, these Americans are falling into a pleasant cooperative discussion with their Belkan counterparts. The President of the United States, on his part, is exchanging noteworthy matters with the Empress of Belka and her aide. After taking a sip of his dark brew coffee, Roosevelt states.

"It has lightened my heart to see that our agreements have been agreed with both sides walking off smiling. You can have faith that even if I won't be the President in the future, the people of America will not forget the grace you have bestowed on them."

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Lu smiles while letting Bryn refill her tea. "You surely have a way with words, President Roosevelt. It's still nice to hear that the hard work of my people will be appreciated though. I hope that in the future, your citizens will be able to get back up on their feet and as stalwart as ever. The recent events shall be nothing more than another trial that your nation has overcome."

Roosevelt smiles, raising his coffee mug. "I can drink to that."

Both parties laugh before the conversation takes another turn, with the US President saying. "There's also the matter of intelligence that I must talk about. You have my personal thanks for helping our nascent Office of Strategic Service achieve the required foothold in the field of espionage. It shocked me and my close confidants to see such an astounding number of foreign operatives operating on our soil. The fact that your military intelligence tipped us off before they could do any sort of substantial damage during this chaotic time has been a blessing and a half for our nation. Then, when your Office of National Intelligence offered to cooperate with our OSS, it was like a windfall for the boys, you know? Your agency of spy masters are both revered and feared in the underground world, our OSS has learned much during each and every single joint operation."

Lu giggles. "That's high praise coming from you, Mister President."

"Trust me, it is." The US President admitted with a chuckle. "To be quite honest, the US of now doesn't want you as an enemy, and for good reason. As such, I am hoping that we can achieve further tangible treaties if you're open for discussion?"

While not unexpected, it still comes out as a surprise for both Lu and Bryn due to the suggestion being faster than predicted. Though outwardly, they only express a minute twitch of their eyebrows, not noticeable to Roosevelt.

Lu ponders for a bit before responding. "That's highly intriguing, President Roosevelt. I am sure that other than the aid program and our intelligence work, we will have much to discuss about. But I think such talks will require a much different venue than this open-air one."

Seeing that it's not a rejection, but rather an agreeable suggestion, Roosevelt gladly takes up the offer. "I am sure that once things have cooled down, we can arrange a state visit to negotiate for an improvement of our national relationship."

Both sides share a nod before Lu asks a question. "Speaking of your OSS, have you found a suitable replacement for the Chief position of that Office?"

Shaking his head, the US President replies. "Unfortunately, with the previous Chief resigning due to poor health, we haven't been able to find anyone with a suitable skill set for the position. In fact, it's my hope that I can leverage the cooperative agreement between ONI and OSS so that your spymasters can train our own."

Instead of Lu, it's Bryn who falls into a contemplating mood with a finger under her chin. "Interesting, you're seeking to find a replacement for the Chief among the batch that got trained. It will ensure that your OSS will always be up-to-date in the field of espionage, moreso when threats may come from the supernatural side of things."

Roosevelt nods. "It is what has been decided upon. The fact that more than half of the foreign operatives belong to the Empire of Japan has raised warning bells among a considerable number of us."

Hearing that, Bryn responds. "I will forward the request to the Reich Marshal. Personally, I think she will accept it for a strong America is a strong friend of the Reich."

Roosevelt smiles, glad that a possible step forward has been laid in stone. The man then says something else. "On the topic of military intelligence, I trust that words must have reached your ears about the Erusean Kingdom seeking to procure heavy armaments from us?"

Because Bryn is the most familiar with the military talks, Lu is content with leaving her to further discuss with Roosevelt. The Valkyrie nods, replying with. "That we are aware, Mister President. We also know that two days earlier, the Erusean delegation had approached your group to lay the groundwork for an arms deal for long-range bombers."

Roosevelt fakes a shudder. "Your intelligence-gathering capability is something indeed, you know? And yes, even with everything that's going on back in the States, the Erusean still think that we're fully capable of producing a major arms order for them. Due to them being something of an overseas acquaintance, I've only put the talk on hold. We still need to see whether our industrial sites are able to focus on external orders. There's also the fact that procuring resources and materials has been stuck in a slough, much like getting food on the market. There's no guarantee we will be able to respond to their order on favorable terms."

Bryn understands Roosevelt's underlying meaning, however. "Mister President, to be honest, I don't think you need to be afraid of selling arms to our enemies. I can quite confidently say that even with modern weaponry, the Erusean Kingdom doesn't have the military acuity to use them properly against us. In fact, I think this is a chance for you to keep your citizens employed and well-paid. Material-wise, I am sure that you have learned about the new mineral deposits that were discovered after the tectonic shift. By mining them, you can fuel your industry for quite some time at the very least, not to mention opening even more work opportunities for your people."

Roosevelt ponders about the words said by Bryn before he shakes his head. "While it's a good plan, mining jobs gonna be a dead sentence with how much toxic fumes are already in the air around the new mines. Yellowstone did us bad on this one."

Lu is the one to speak up next. "I am sure that our scientists and doctors can work something out, President. In exchange for a small percentage of the profits, Belka can supply your workers and miners with protective equipment and modern medical treatments. By doing this, you can kickstart economic recovery by months, if not years."

Roosevelt idly nods, humming to himself. As the good capitalist he is, Roosevelt can see a new surge of monetary income in the form of taxes by taking up the Belkans' suggestion. It's feasible, while also fulfilling a portion of his plan to make the USA a factory nation. By going along with this plan, maybe Roosevelt will be able to have Belka invest in the nation and even place their orders too. Why? Because goodwill means something and Roosevelt knows that Belka has limited lands for their industries.

"Ok," Roosevelt said with a smile. "I can see your points and I am partial to them, I must admit. That said, it will be best for us to do our research properly before fully committing to something. The last thing we need is a mistake that does damage to both of our populations."

Both Lu and Bryn nod in return. "Then I guess we can file this as a discussion for another day then. Though I think we all have high hope for it."