43: Chapter 43 Report

Title: Report on the History and Partial Information of the Edenia Knight Federation and the Qianhe Empire

Reporting Party: KMS Z23

1. Report Summary

This report aims to comprehensively analyze our current strategic environment, focusing on assessing the history, characteristics, and potential threats posed by the two major powers—the Edenia Knight Federation and the Qianhe Empire. Based on the analysis, our current situation is severe; we must navigate carefully while accelerating the enhancement of our own defense and deterrence capabilities.

2. Power Background and Core Conflicts

The current world order originated approximately 150 years ago from the partitioning of the former hegemon, the 'Xia Empire', by the Federation and the Qianhe Empire. Both sides have been in a long-term standoff due to issues with the distribution of interests. A key historical legacy is that the citizens of the original Xia Empire, the so-called 'Remnant', are discriminated against within both major powers. Commander, I must explicitly point out that your physiological characteristics are highly similar to those of the 'Remnant', which will serve as a fundamental disadvantage when we contact either side.

3. Assessment of the Edenia Knight Federation

This power evolved from military knight orders; its social structure is rigorous, valuing order and mechanical Logic. In military technology, they have demonstrated a unique development path; their main army consists of various walking mechs, while their air force relies on large armed airships for deployment and bombing. Notably, they have also mastered the technology of using wisdom cubes to create Ship Girls.

In contacts with the Federation, they may show a cautious intent to cooperate due to our unknown technology and maritime power. However, their deep-rooted social hierarchy and rejection of the 'Remnant' mean that such a cooperative relationship is extremely fragile and could turn hostile at any moment should our 'Remnant' characteristics be exposed.

4. Assessment of the Qianhe Empire

The Qianhe Empire originated from overseas vassal states. Its core population generally possesses animalistic features, which has led to a racial superiority ideology that views themselves as supreme. Militarily, they possess a highly developed traditional navy and are similarly equipped with Ship Girls. Their most unique feature is the deep integration of a 'Power of Faith' into their combat system. Current intelligence indicates this power is primarily applied to auxiliary fields such as generating protective force fields, providing battlefield healing, and support, giving their troops extreme resilience and sustainability.

Based on its racist ideology, the Qianhe Empire will be our highest priority potential enemy. They are highly likely to categorize us as 'inferiors' and launch an attack solely based on our physiological characteristics, leaving extremely limited room for diplomatic mediation.

5. Comprehensive Conclusion and Action Plan

In summary, we are caught between two powerful and hostile entities. The Qianhe Empire, due to its ideology, is a clear and imminent threat, while our relationship with the Federation is like walking on thin ice, filled with uncertainty.

To this end, I propose the following action recommendations:

First, we must treat the Qianhe Empire as our primary hypothetical enemy; all defense planning and force construction should prioritize scenarios involving conflict with them.

Second, in limited contact with the Federation, we must maintain the highest vigilance. The core goal is to obtain necessary intelligence while avoiding premature exposure of our full strength and 'Remnant' connection.

Finally, and most importantly, we must race against time to accelerate the construction of our own military forces, especially the integration and training of the main naval fleet and the new generation of aviation units. Our unique sea-air coordinated combat system is currently our greatest advantage; we must convert this advantage into a solid force capable of deterring any invasion before the two major powers decide to deal with us with full force.

Commander, the road ahead will certainly be difficult, but we will face it together with you.

——————

[Received by Commander]

[Reply]

Title: Report on the Frontier Contact with the Edenia Knights

I. Summary of the Contact Process

During a mission, this unit encountered a storm at sea and discovered the distressed civilian vessel, the 'Knight Commander Holmes'. After providing humanitarian aid, we made contact with the Federation naval unit sent to handle the matter (including an acting sub-lieutenant Finn Hawke and his Ship Girl Olena). Both sides conducted basic communication and subsequently responded together to a natural disaster (waterspout). Currently, both sides have separated peacefully.

II. Key Information Obtained Through Direct Observation

1. Social Attitude Issues

· During the rescue of the Federation civilian ship, the staff on board showed a clear change in attitude after seeing me clearly, carrying a sense of contempt and exclusion.

· Preliminary Assessment: Federation society generally holds negative views or discriminates against personnel with our physical characteristics (black hair and black eyes). This is a primary factor we must consider when dealing with any Federation personnel in the future.

2. Characteristics of Military Organization

· The Ship Girl Olena introduced herself as being from the 'Osterwick Maritime Knight Order', while acting sub-lieutenant Finn is from the 'Maritime Academy'.

· Observations revealed that the interaction pattern between the Ship Girl Olena and acting sub-lieutenant Finn is closer to that of equal partners rather than a simple superior-subordinate relationship. Olena possesses considerable autonomy and influence in practical matters.

· Preliminary Assessment: The Federation's military forces may not be a modern national army as we understand it, but rather composed of multiple groups similar to 'Knight Orders', where Ship Girls hold a high status.

3. Impressions of Personnel and Technology

· acting sub-lieutenant Finn has an outgoing personality and a strong curiosity about unknown things (such as our aircraft), but is able to follow reasonable instructions and cooperate in crisis situations.

· Their naval ships are conventional steel warships, with a technological level comparable to our early models; no technology obviously beyond our understanding was found. They seem to rely primarily on large airships for aerial operations.

· Preliminary Assessment: The Federation is a technologically mature power, but its development path differs from ours. Its grassroots personnel can be communicated with, but the society as a whole is unfriendly toward us.

III. Comprehensive Conclusion and Recommendations

1. Basic Characterization: The Federation is a mature regional power with a unique social structure and potential discrimination against us. It is currently not advisable to view them as allies.

2. Risk Analysis: The possibility of conflict occurring due to cultural bias and misunderstanding is higher than the possibility of establishing stable cooperation.

3. Subsequent Action Recommendations

· Maintain Vigilance: All units should remain on alert in potential future contacts, prioritizing their own safety.

· Limited Communication: If contact is required again, it is recommended that Fujian or Z23 be primarily responsible for communication to avoid direct opposition triggered by my physical characteristics.

· Accelerate Development: The external environment is more complex than expected; we must prioritize accelerating the development of our own defensive forces and long-range reconnaissance capabilities.

The above are my personal observations and analyses from this contact, provided for everyone's discussion and reference.

P.S. What does everyone want to eat tonight?