Episode 104: Interlude (A Certain Maritime Nation)
Repuytari Kingdom, Imperial Council. A crucial meeting held once every four months to decide the future direction of the nation. Key figures, led by the King, participate in this conference to make decisions.
Naturally, all agenda items have been pre-arranged, and no real discussion takes place during the meeting. It is a symbolic event for final confirmation and to obtain the King’s approval.
However, this reality does not diminish the authority of the council. Rather, the very fact that an issue is brought up in this meeting is what matters.
“Now then, this matter has received the King’s approval. Resolution No. 5613 is passed. After the meeting, exert all efforts to realize this project.”
“Thank you very much!”
All attendees except the King express their agreement with applause. Thus, a new policy is authorized, and the Repuytari Kingdom takes another step into the future.
“Next on the agenda: Grand Admiral of the Royal Navy, Alban Blayais.”
“Yes, sir!”
The Royal Navy had increased its power remarkably over the past decade. Development and extension of cannon range, improvement of accuracy. Development of loading assistance devices, performance improvement of steam engines. Iron plate welding technology, screw development, and the advancement of fluid dynamics.
All originated from the Navy, which led to the improvement of the Repuytari Kingdom’s overall national power, and consequently, the strengthening of its military force.
And naturally, the influence of Grand Admiral Alban Blayais, the head of the Navy, had increased accordingly.
“Now then. We have received word that the survey team dispatched to the Southern Continent has returned to the Stepping Fortress.”
The conference room buzzed with the words of Grand Admiral Alban.
The Southern Continent survey fleet was a large fleet that had departed two years ago. There was naturally no means of communication, and the return schedule was unknown.
It was quite a feat to send out such a fleet, but that was the decision made by the head of the Navy. At worst, complete annihilation was expected, but it seemed they had somehow made it back.
“Five ships have returned. Four were lost during the voyage. First, I would like to pray for the souls of our comrades who did not make it back.”
“…Understood. Everyone, you have heard. From now, we will honor these brave men with a moment of silence.”
“Moment of silence!”
At the King’s voice, the chairman responded immediately. All participants placed their hands on their chests and bowed their heads.
“Moment of silence, over. We all wish happiness to our comrades who have been welcomed into the mother sea. …Now, Alban, continue.”
“Yes, sir.
According to the first report via message bird, they have established friendship with a promising nation on the Southern Continent and brought back their letter of credence.
Also, they seem to have recorded sea charts, though minimally, taking 12 months for the outward journey and 8 months for the return.
Details will follow upon the fleet’s return to the home country, but first, I report the successful voyage of the survey fleet.”
“Thank you, Alban. Now, are there any questions regarding this matter? …Then, Grand Admiral of the Royal Army, Dolger Gowan.”
“Yes.
First of all, Alban, allow me to congratulate you on the return of the survey fleet.
…The details will follow, but in the end, is the threat from the Southern Continent that you were originally concerned about still a concern?”
“Thank you, Dolger.
I will answer your question.
The fleet commander reported that they were able to confirm the situation on the Southern Continent to some extent.
There are several powerful forces, but basically, it is a state of disunity.
There are many conflicts, but technological progress is also rapid. It will not be an immediate problem, but it is unclear how things will turn out in the future.
The general policy will be formulated from now on, but I believe the original concerns have been dispelled.”
“Understood. It is enough to know that there is no imminent threat from beyond the sea.”
Dolger nodded and glanced at the prime minister, who was in charge of the proceedings.
“Are there any other questions? …It seems not. Then, Alban, continue.”
“Yes, sir.
Now, regarding our country’s defense system, as you know, the Royal Navy has continued to expand, and I am proud to say that we are sufficiently deterring foreign countries.
However, this is only at the present time, and in the future, the gap with other countries that are continuing to expand their military power in the same way is expected to narrow.
In order to counter this, further expansion of each military force is necessary, but unfortunately, we are approaching the limits of material resources.
In particular, the shortage of burnstone, which is the lifeline of our Navy, is serious, and we need to take some kind of action immediately.”
Along with the explanation, paper materials were distributed to the attendees.
Written there were the ideal and projected lines of force expansion. The required amount of each resource and its projected line. A breakdown of the sources of resources, and proposals on how to deal with the shortfall.
“We are currently covering metal resources with domestic mines, but we can increase imports via ＜Weizenland＞ or increase maritime imports via the Lafret Sea.
We need to apply pressure so that we are not taken advantage of, but there are no particular concerns here.
The problem is burnstone.
Currently, the only import routes are via ＜Weizenland＞ and the Southeastern small nations, domestic production is almost non-existent, and trade with the Afrasia United Kingdom, a major production area, has been cut off for more than three years.”
Everyone present here was aware of the civil war in the Afrasia United Kingdom.
It is the driving force behind the recent rapid advancement of the Repuytari Kingdom Navy. The use of burnstone as fuel for the steam engines of warships. It also provides the power necessary to operate the huge rotating turrets, so burnstone has become the most important strategic material.
This is a fact that the surrounding countries are probably vaguely aware of, and if this is tightened, the Repuytari Kingdom’s navy could collapse at once.
“Therefore, Grand Admiral of the Royal Navy, Alban Blayais, proposes sending a special envoy to Telek Port City, a trading port of the Afrasia United Kingdom.
If possible, negotiate the resumption of burnstone imports. If that is not possible, then colonization for burnstone mining.”
Securing burnstone, which is absolutely indispensable for the Repuytari Kingdom’s strategy. No one opposed this, and the proposal was unanimously approved.
“I also understand the importance of securing burnstone. I approve the proposal from the Royal Navy.”
“Thank you very much.”
Applause arose from the attendees. It was the moment when a full-scale military dispatch, the first in several years, was decided under the direct approval of the King.
Moreover, this time, the opponent is the Afrasia United Kingdom, which does not have a navy. The army, which had not had a chance to participate for some time, was also fully cooperating in the dispatch.
“Now then, this matter has received the King’s approval. Resolution No. 5614 is passed. After the meeting, exert all efforts to realize this project.”
“Understood.”
After that, several reports and agenda items followed.
These included domestic production issues, mysterious booming sounds, or something small flying from south to north across the sky, but none were more significant than the dispatch to the Afrasia United Kingdom.
In this way, the Repuytari Kingdom steadily made preparations.
The formation of a special envoy fleet with the newly built, state-of-the-art battleship as its flagship.
Three battleships, six cruisers, two supply ships, and eight escort cruisers.
All equipped with magical engines, driven by the new technology of screw propulsion, with rotating turrets for both main and secondary cannons.
The battleship’s main cannons were even equipped with automatic elevators for ammunition loading, which greatly reduced loading time.
At this point, only the Repuytari Kingdom could dispatch such a naval force in the surrounding countries, making it truly the strongest fleet.
Moreover, they also had a defense fleet deployed separately from this fleet, leaving no gaps at all.
Everyone in the Repuytari Kingdom believed that this was the invincible fleet.
Merchants from other countries who saw the fleet’s majesty were terrified and brought the information back to their home countries. As preparations for the expedition to Telek Port City steadily progressed.
That fleet appeared, plunging the Repuytari Kingdom’s leaders into the depths of terror.
A huge flagship that far surpassed their own battleship, which they believed to be the strongest. A fleet painted in pure white, as if to flaunt its majesty.
The fleet easily brushed aside the maritime patrol boats that were advising them to stop, and entered Moor, the largest port city and capital of the Repuytari Kingdom.