"Right now, the flag of Japan is a circle representing the sun. But that red circle is too similar to the red eyes of the Gastrea, and that's why this flag is not popular in my area. I want to change its color, either yellow or black or anything else, I don't care. As long as it's not red."
Masamori Kaihoku, the head of the Hakata Area, who possessed tanned skin, a rather broad jaw, hair streaked with silver, and his characteristic thick eyebrows, spoke with palpable anger.
"In that case, let's choose black. Since our nation is the world's largest producer of varanium, black would be a very suitable color."
The person who immediately agreed was the newly appointed head of the Hokkaido Area, sitting next to him.
A while ago, the previous head of the Hokkaido Area, Kiryuu Souichi, had died at his private residence, but Seitenshi remained highly skeptical. Because the former Hokkaido leader, Kiryuu Souichi, was an arrogant man with a resolute hostility towards evil, which made him disliked by many and often slandered behind his back. Yet, he was the one who rebuilt the entire Hokkaido Area in just a decade after the devastating war, demonstrating his exceptional leadership ability at the time.
Radical but not blinded, Kiryuu Souichi was someone Seitenshi could have allied with.
It was a pity that he had died.
Returning to the current issue, involving the national flag, or rather, the remaining legacy of the former Japan, was not a matter Seitenshi could ignore.
"Mr. Juujouji, these meaningful things are what our ancestors protected. Please reconsider the significance of tradition."
Kaihoku, the leader of the Hakata Area, sneered.
"So should those vague traditional values be placed on par with the feelings of the populace, Your Excellency Seitenshi...?"
"I didn't mean that, but as current leaders, we must understand why the land we stand on is called Japan."
Seitenshi looked at Kaihoku again. Her voice was gentle, but her argument was extremely sharp, leaving Kaihoku speechless.
"If I recall correctly, Mr. Kaihoku, your upcoming election is about to begin. But wouldn't the arbitrary implementation of the people's wishes affect the integrity of your area?"
The Hakata Area leader clamped his mouth shut, so furious that Seitenshi could see him constantly twitching his eyebrows. Seitenshi even felt that he had cursed her as a "bitch" under his breath.
Despite enduring such disrespect given her position, Seitenshi remained calm and said, "I'm glad you understand this."
Just then, Saitake raised his hand, looked around, and spoke gruffly.
"I also have another issue that needs to be brought up for discussion. Regarding the Cassiopeia Project..."
Seitenshi immediately replied, as she had been waiting for this for a long time.
"In that case, I wish for the project to be completed as quickly as possible."
The Cassiopeia Project proposed by Seitenshi was a bridge connecting the five areas of Japan, using magnetic tunneling machines to dig tunnels for a massive underground railway system.
If this project succeeded, all five areas would be connected, bringing benefits in trade, military, and cultural aspects.
It was the core of Seitenshi's policy and her ambition—a wish she constantly sought to turn into reality.
Looking around at everyone's faces, Seitenshi spoke deliberately.
"Once the underground railways begin operation, not only will economic activities be boosted, but it will also be proof of cooperation and prosperity among the five areas."
"Furthermore, it can be seen as a signal to humanity to counterattack the Gastrea, bringing immense hope to the people of all areas."
"Despite that, I must still object..."
Seitenshi frowned tightly.
The person speaking out against it was the minister of the Sendai Area, who had remained silent for almost the entire meeting until now.
He was an old man with an appearance exactly like what people would imagine a politician to look like. His hair and eyebrows were white, his hairline had receded so much that only remnants were visible around his ears. Severely bald, his head was bright and smooth. The small eyes beneath his broad forehead made him look like a gorilla.
Muramaro Inou, the head of the Sendai Area.
Inou mumbled every word with an extremely solemn manner.
"I think this proposal is rather unrealistic. Your Excellency Seitenshi, you haven't considered the costs and time required for this construction project to be completed, have you?"
"This isn't just a simple road, but multiple inter-connected lines linking all five areas. Have you truly thought this through, Your Excellency Seitenshi?"
Seitenshi was about to stand up to refute, but Inou raised his hand.
"I think this may mean nothing to Your Excellency Seitenshi, but by the time the project completion ceremony takes place, we will be too old to travel."
These words sounded like a joke, but in the midst of the silent atmosphere, they extinguished her plan like dousing a fire with a bucket of cold water.
"Mr. Inou, perhaps you are unaware that technology is constantly developing. Given that the Tokyo and Sendai Areas use magnetic tunneling machines, the two areas could be linked in the not-too-distant future."
"Yes... Although..."
Inou scratched his head. Just as Seitenshi feared, he did not agree.
Once the five areas were connected via the underground railway system, transportation costs would drop significantly, leading to a gradual recovery of the economy.
The cheap agricultural products of Hokkaido, the military-heavy industrial sector of the Osaka Area, as well as the world's largest Varanium exporter, the Tokyo Area. Once these three areas formed a triple alliance, Japan would surpass all other regions.
However, it seemed the investors in Sendai didn't think so, because they wanted to maintain their monopoly.
Because movement between the areas was extremely difficult, the areas mostly had to develop self-sufficient systems. This led to many businesses becoming the lifeline of the entire area.
A clear example is the Shiba family in the Tokyo Area. Almost the entire system of weapons and equipment for the military comes from the Shiba family, leading to an almost absolute monopoly in the field of armament in the Tokyo Area.
However, if the inter-connecting tunnel were opened, the Tokyo government would have more options, and the Shiba family's monopoly would cease. But then again, this is not just about cutting benefits; if the inter-connecting tunnel were opened, the Shiba family could also expand its business and sell weapons to other areas, increasing its power and profit.
It just seems that the Sendai side still wants to cling stubbornly to their own position.