Chapter 112: Breakthrough at Kalmora Strait
“The Kingdom of Repuitari, 80 kilometers to Kalmora Port.”
“Entering Kalmora Strait.”
“No ships detected within a 50-kilometer radius.”
“At 2 o’clock, 125 kilometers away, a vessel presumed to be a patrol boat has been spotted.”
The fleet of the Paraiso continued its voyage smoothly. Currently, the flagship Panas and eight Hedgehog-class destroyers maintained a circular formation as they sailed toward the capital of the Kingdom of Repuitari, Moar.
The fleet was approaching the vast bay nestled between the continent and the Kingdom of Repuitari, known as the Lafret Sea. The Kalmora Strait was the body of water situated between Kalmora Port at the westernmost point of Repuitari and the peninsula on the continental side.
“Reduce speed to 60 kilometers per hour. Gradually decrease to 40 kilometers per hour while considering the surrounding situation.”
“The patrol boat’s course remains unchanged. We will continue to approach.”
“All ships’ statuses are normal. The fleet’s tactical link is functioning properly.”
The operations of the fleet were being conducted by Utsugi and Erika, who had become adept at unit command, with Olive assisting them. Akane and Ichigo were stationed at the Second Fortress.
“The Paraiso fleet will continue northward. While approaching the patrol boat, we will maintain a speed difference to appear inconspicuous. Ideally, we want to enter Moar Port and report to the coastal defense forces almost simultaneously.”
“We’re not going all out, are we?”
“Yes, Ma’am. If we display too much of a technological gap, it could provoke an excessive reaction. We need to keep our information disclosure within the bounds of their common sense to predict their responses.”
If an overwhelmingly superior force were to appear, there was a risk of causing panic among the populace. Controlling such panic was exceedingly difficult, so the strategy was to prevent it from occurring in the first place.
“Unfortunately, there seems to be no manual for responding to an unengaged nation’s fleet entering our waters, so our response will be entirely speculative. However, given the lack of irregular elements, we shouldn’t deviate too far from our expectations. After a warning from the patrol boat, we will conduct a show of force with warning shots, deploy military vessels, issue stop orders from a blockade, and proceed with intimidation shots, parallel sailing, and forced boarding. All of this can be avoided through maneuvering and speed. Once we enter Moar Port, we will seek dialogue while taking port facilities as hostages.”
“Ah, the refreshing approach of gunboat diplomacy. Well, if worst comes to worst, we can take a hit, right?”
“Yes, Ma’am. Each ship can intercept with their secondary guns. We will not allow them to approach to a position where they can respond.”
“Preventing them from getting close means intimidation shots, I suppose?”
“Yes, Ma’am. After issuing a verbal warning, we will fire warning shots. For larger vessels, we will use close-in defense weapons, and for smaller vessels, we will employ the Communicator Androids for firing. It seems the concept of rifles is already widespread. If they ignore our warnings, we will classify their actions as hostile and sink them. We will assert extraterritoriality, so it shouldn’t pose a problem.”
“Extraterritoriality, huh…”
Naturally, the laws of the Kingdom of Repuitari would not apply to the influence of The Tree. Ultimately, the laws of The Tree would revert to Commander Eve. In essence, they could do as they pleased. This would be a form of an unequal treaty, but they would not make any blunders that would reveal this to the Kingdom of Repuitari.
“If it comes down to the details, the local strategic AI will concoct an appropriate narrative.”
“Doing as they please, huh?”
Next, they would engage in trade negotiations to supply Redstone. It would be ideal to procure metal resources, but it seemed that domestic mines were consumed for local needs, making imports unlikely. The staple wheat was primarily for domestic consumption or imported from the neighboring Country of Wheat, which also wouldn’t be a target. Industrial products were, of course, unnecessary, and the development of magical technology was lagging. The conclusion drawn by Ringo was that the Kingdom of Repuitari would not become a favorable trading partner for The Tree.
“Well, it’s a bit anticlimactic. The Kingdom of Repuitari has potential for development, but it’s not a resource-exporting nation. In fact, the smaller nations on the continent seem to have more undeveloped mines, and it might be more meaningful to engage with them.”
The Kingdom of Repuitari, being a hegemonic state, was more of a resource-consuming nation. The leadership had a correct understanding of this, which was why they were plotting an invasion of the Afrasia United Kingdom.
“That said, it is undoubtedly a hegemonic nation at the pinnacle of surrounding states. It might be easier to negotiate through the Kingdom of Repuitari rather than dealing directly. Especially with inland nations, we might not be taken seriously if we were to approach them ourselves.”
While gunboat diplomacy was possible with coastal nations, it would not work with inland countries. To avoid troublesome negotiations, importing through the Kingdom of Repuitari was not an unreasonable choice.
“By selling Redstone, we can earn currency and use it to purchase resources. It seems the concept of promissory notes is also maturing in the capital Moar, so we might be able to convert Redstone into resources using that. If transactions become routine, resources will naturally accumulate.”
“So, we’re nurturing the market.”
It was a roundabout method, but there was a chance of success. The rapid development of the domestic railway network was a significant factor. Even with steam engines, the transport capacity of railways was incomparable to that of horse-drawn carriages. Moreover, not having to worry about pollution was a considerable advantage.
“I hope the negotiations go well.”
“Yes, Ma’am. I will do my utmost.”
“Patrol boat detected within visual range.”
“Waterborne radar successfully detected. Ship type measurement initiated. Completed. Comparable to a frigate.”
“Radar reflectivity is low. Wooden vessel. The number of masts could not be detected.”
“Determined through optical observation. There are three masts. Seven side-mounted cannons. Estimated length is approximately 40 meters.”
The Paraiso fleet had entered the visual range of the coastal patrol boats of the Kingdom of Repuitari. It seemed the crew of the patrol boat was doing their job diligently. Some of the crew appeared to have noticed, as they were seen pointing in their direction repeatedly.
“Maintain course. Keep sailing at a speed of 38 kilometers per hour.”
“The patrol boat’s speed has been confirmed. Currently at 13 kilometers per hour. Optical measurements and radar measurements match.”
“The atmospheric conditions are stable. No significant fluctuations in wind direction or speed are expected.”
It would soon be apparent that they were moving at considerable speed without raising sails. The long-distance communication methods of the Kingdom of Repuitari relied solely on carrier pigeons. This involved sending magically enhanced birds along predetermined routes, the mechanism of which was not well understood, but it was produced within the kingdom. The distance and speed of travel depended on the type of bird, but it seemed any bird could be trained as a carrier pigeon. The preferred choice was small, lightweight birds capable of long-distance flight.
“They seem to have spotted us. The patrol boat is changing course.”
“Course change confirmed. If there are no further changes, we will be at closest approach in eight minutes.”
“At closest approach, the distance will be approximately 800 meters. If we change formation to a Single Column Formation, the approach distance will expand to 1 kilometer.”
In the enlarged view, several carrier pigeons were seen being released. This would inform the Kingdom of Repuitari about the approach of the Paraiso. From there, they would simply continue toward the capital Moar as planned. Along the way, they would likely pass by patrol boats or military vessels, but the plan was to shake them off using speed differences. In the unlikely event of an attack, they would not retaliate but would only intercept the incoming projectiles.
A sail-less frigate was slowly approaching. It seemed the entire crew was on deck, creating a crowd on the deck. They would soon realize the scale of the fleet arranged in a circular formation. The ship they had been observing was merely one vessel on the outer edge, while a massive ship was sailing at the center.
“Additional carrier pigeons have been released. They likely spotted the flagship Panas. Recording the crew’s reactions.”
The length of the Panas-class nuclear cruiser was 141 meters. Compared to the patrol boat, it was a staggering 3.5 times longer. They must have been utterly astonished. Moreover, its speed was three times that of theirs.
Eventually, the Paraiso fleet effortlessly left the pursuing patrol boat behind and successfully entered the vast bay of the Lafret Sea, where the capital of the Kingdom of Repuitari resided.