Reincarnated as Napoleon

After Henri proudly stated those words, he settled into his seat and fastened his seatbelt. Shortly afterward, the Japanese delegates, seated by the oval windows, felt a rumbling sensation throughout the aircraft's body. They gazed outside curiously, their eyes widening as the rotor blades of the aircraft began to spin faster. The sound of the engines grew louder, filling the cabin with a steady hum. The plane started to move, slowly at first, then gaining speed as it headed towards the runway. The delegates watched, fascinated, as the scenery outside began to blur with the increasing velocity.

As the plane reached the end of the runway, there was a momentary feeling of lightness. The delegates realized the aircraft was lifting off the ground, ascending into the sky. The sensation was unfamiliar but exhilarating. They could feel the aircraft's angle changing as it climbed higher, leaving the ground further behind. The landscape below shrank, transforming into a miniature version of itself.

"Impossible!" Takenouchi exclaimed, gripping his armrest tightly as the aircraft climbed higher. "We…we are really flying!"

Around him, the other delegates echoed his astonishment. One of them, looking a bit pale, said in a shaky voice, "It's like being on top of a mountain, but moving through the sky!"

Another delegate, trying to hide his nervousness with humor, joked, "Perhaps we should have brought wings instead of our swords."

Henri, overhearing their conversation, though not really understanding what was coming out of their mouth but knew they were amazed, turned towards them with a reassuring smile. 

"It is quite an experience, isn't it? The world below looks very different from up here."

"What kind of sorcery is this?" Takenouchi let out a half-joking, half-serious remark, still grappling with the reality of flight.

The translator, who had been quietly observing the conversation, quickly intervened to explain the joke to Henri. Henri chuckled and replied, "No sorcery, I assure you. It's all science and engineering. Humans have dreamed of flying for centuries, and now it's a reality."

A younger delegate, his eyes glued to the window, expressed his wonder, "The buildings and trees look like toys from here. It's a perspective we never imagined we'd see."

Henri nodded, "Yes, flying changes how we see the world. It brings distant places closer and shows us the beauty of our planet from a new angle."

The conversation then shifted as the delegates began to ask practical questions. "Then how does this machine fly?" 

"Well, I don't know the exact details, but the basic principle is based on the laws of aerodynamics," Henri explained. "The wings of the plane create lift as they move through the air, allowing the aircraft to rise and stay aloft."

When the translator translated Henri's explanation into Japanese, the delegates exchanged glances, still not fully grasping the concept, even in its simplified form.

"The Shogunate would be shocked if he sees this…" Takenouchi muttered, still amazed by the view outside. "No, even the Emperor would be astonished."

One delegate added, "It would change everything we know about travel and communication. The isolation of our islands could be a thing of the past."

Another delegate, deep in thought, said, "It's not just about technology. This kind of advancement could influence our culture, our economy, everything. The West already possessed this kind of technology…We have fallen behind to the barbarians."

While the Japanese delegates exchanged words, the translator translated them to Henri for him to understand. And when he heard about the Japanese calling them barbarians, his eyes narrowed.

"Excuse me, sir Takenouchi," Henri began, addressing the group after hearing the translation. His tone was calm but firm. "Did you just call us barbarians?"

Takenouchi, realizing the potential offense his words could cause, quickly sought to clarify. "No, no, that was not my intention. It's a term sometimes used in our culture to refer to outsiders, not meant as an insult," he explained, his tone apologetic. 

"Hmm…doesn't sound like that to me. Even the Qing Dynasty referred to us as barbarians and you know exactly what they meant. Barbarians are uncivilized brutes with nothing but brute strength. In other words, an inferior kind. In our eyes, the Tokugawa and the Qing Dynasty are the ones who are inferior and barbarians. You should be grateful that our beloved Emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte, has allowed you to come into this country. Your kind are not welcome here…I still don't understand why France didn't colonize you."

When the translator translated his remarks, one of the Japanese delegates stepped forward aggressively, his hand reaching to the hilt of his katana. 

"What did you just say?" 

"Still using swords I see," Henri said mockingly. "How primitive." 

"Enough…" Takenouchi interjected, stepping in to diffuse the tension. "Sir Henri, I apologize for my men acting too rashly and for speaking such words." 

Although Takenouchi displayed a submissive stance in front of Henri, inwardly he was seething with anger over the condescending remarks. He understood the importance of maintaining diplomacy and the bigger picture of their mission for the Shogunate. They couldn't let their emotions jeopardize this crucial diplomatic endeavor.

Henri, after hearing the apology, simply turned his head forward, choosing to ignore the Japanese delegates. The rest of the flight passed in silence, with an air of tension lingering in the cabin.

The Japanese delegates, recognizing the need to remain composed, refrained from further conversation. They instead focused on the view from the windows and their thoughts about the upcoming diplomatic tasks in France. Despite the uncomfortable exchange, they were determined to represent their country with dignity and forge meaningful connections.

As the aircraft landed in Paris, the delegates gathered their belongings and stepped out of the aircraft. Henri maintained a distance between them. Even though no conversation was exchanged after things got heated, there was still tension. 

Nevertheless, Henri performed his job of escorting the Japanese delegates to the Palace of Versailles. Doing so, he instructed the guards to do what he was supposed to do. 

The Japanese delegates entered the automobiles and before making their way to the Palace of Versailles, Henri arranged something to show the Japanese that the capital of the French Empire is beautiful. He showed them the Bonaparte Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Salle des Capucines, the Louvre, the Tuileries Palace, and many more. 

It took almost an hour and after that, they went straight to the Palace of Versailles, where the delegates would have the chance to see the Emperor of the strongest nation on the planet.