Chapter 117: Chilled Water
The Repuytari Kingdom’s envoy and their guards, a total of seven individuals, ascended the lowered gangway. It seemed the eighth person onward would remain on the ship. Apparently, they had no intention of behaving outrageously.
“Welcome to the flagship Panas. I will guide you to the conference location. This way.”
Greeting the party was the Doll Machine (Communicator), Sechzehn, its entire body concealed. Doll Machines (Communicators), visibly armed, were also standing by in the vicinity.
The group, seemingly bewildered by Sechzehn’s assertive demeanor, began walking towards the bow of the ship. They appeared captivated by the colossal vessel, a structure that defied their common sense. Their pace was slow, and Sechzehn halted, turning around to face the lagging group.
“If you are curious, a brief tour can be arranged before your departure. For now, please keep up.”
“My apologies. It is a truly fascinating ship…”
“I understand your sentiments. If permission is granted, a comprehensive tour can be arranged. It depends on the negotiations.”
“Ouch… That’s harsh.”
Perhaps feeling slightly embarrassed, the group quickened their pace. Sechzehn nodded in response and resumed walking. While their pace didn’t falter again, they now seemed curious about Sechzehn walking ahead.
Its entire body was hidden by a coat, and its eyes and mouth were covered by goggles and a mask, making it impossible to imagine its true face. However, it was generally petite, and its voice was childishly high.
Could it really be a young girl?
However, the other sentries also appeared to be of similar stature. It was possible that they were simply a generally small-statured race.
The group continued walking, passing by the massive bridge, and arrived at the venue, astonished by the height from which they could see the sea surface.
The conference venue for the day was set up in a corner of the deck, which was surprisingly spacious for a warship. A tarp was stretched, a carpet was laid, and tables and chairs were arranged. Already seated were Drei, serving as the fleet commander, and Vier, serving as the staff officer.
They were clad in matching military uniforms, but made no attempt to conceal their appearance.
Silky white hair that shimmered even in the shade.
And a pair of erect fox ears that asserted themselves atop their heads.
Their skin was as white as porcelain, and their pink lips adorned their mouths like flower petals.
Their golden eyes gazed at the group, and the all-seeing gaze made them involuntarily gulp.
“Welcome. Let us show our hospitality on this occasion.”
She appeared to be an exquisitely crafted bisque doll, but she was, of course, a living being with a body made of pseudo-biological cells. As the envoys from the Repuytari Kingdom approached, she greeted them with a beautiful, bell-like voice.
“This way. This is not a place for standing conversation. Please, be seated.”
Drei and Vier remained seated.
As a welcoming gesture, it was somewhat discourteous. However, this attitude was intended to consistently demonstrate ＜Paraiso＞’s position.
As prompted, the three diplomats from the Repuytari Kingdom approached the table.
“Please.”
Sechzehn, who had been leading the way, pulled out chairs for the three, then moved to the opposite seat and plopped down. As it was short, a high chair had been prepared for it. This was to ensure eye level with the diplomats.
＜Ringo＞ had calculated whether it would be more favorable to have it sit in a high chair or look up at them, and had chosen the former. This is irrelevant information.
“Now then.”
After confirming that the three diplomats were seated and the four guards were standing behind them, Drei raised her right hand. In response, four Doll Machines (Communicators) moved into guard positions. At the same time, Sechzehn gently removed its mask. Beneath it was a lovely face and white skin similar to Drei and Vier. From the removed hood, loosely wavy white hair spilled out.
“First, allow us to introduce ourselves. I am Drei=Ringo, the commander of this fleet.”
“I am Vier=Ringo, the fleet staff officer. And she is Sechzehn. She will serve as the scribe for this conference.”
“Sechzehn. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
With the ＜Paraiso＞ side’s introductions complete, the ball was now in the Repuytari Kingdom’s court. They seemed taken aback by the proceedings, which differed somewhat from their customs, but they regained their composure, and the man in the center spoke.
“I am Deck Estainka, Lieutenant Commander of the Repuytari Kingdom Royal Navy, attached to the External Affairs Department, and the plenipotentiary for this conference with you, ＜Paraiso＞.”
“I am Palliard Aminas, Major of the Repuytari Kingdom Royal Navy’s Technical Bureau.”
“I am Revidel Klinkika, and I am responsible for recording this conference. My rank is Major. …In our country, it is customary for the person who made initial contact to be appointed as the plenipotentiary, but negotiations with your fleet are considered a matter of utmost importance, and Lieutenant Commander Deck has been appointed as the plenipotentiary. Please accept this as a sign of our sincerity at this time.”
Drei nodded slightly at those words.
“Understood. We will remember that you have placed importance on us. …Now, there are several topics to discuss, and it will be a long session. Let us prepare some refreshments. May I call a boy to this location?”
“That would be… most welcome. We have no objections.”
Confirming their response, Sechzehn clapped its hands twice. After a short delay, a Doll Machine (Communicator) in a maid outfit, accompanied by a self-propelled wagon, approached from behind the diplomats.
The diplomats could be seen wearing startled expressions as they noticed the wagon that automatically followed her without being pushed or pulled.
“Thank you for waiting.”
The Doll Machine (Communicator) bowed smoothly. She was a first-generation Doll Machine (Communicator) based on local human genes designed by ＜Ringo＞. Her hair was slightly wavy, her hair color was dark brown, and her skin tone was yellowish. Her height was set at a slightly taller 155 cm, and her appearance differed from the original generation, such as Drei and Vier. The fox ears, however, remained unchanged.
The maid took the tray with pre-arranged glasses and a bottle that had automatically risen to the top of the wagon, skillfully held them in one hand, and approached Lieutenant Commander Deck Estainka’s right side. Then, with a leisurely gesture, she placed a glass and poured water from the bottle. The glass already contained square, transparent ice cubes, and the side of the glass cooled by the poured chilled water quickly fogged up with condensation.
“…This is.”
Lieutenant Commander Deck Estainka involuntarily let out a surprised voice. The Doll Machine (Communicator) did not react in particular and proceeded to prepare the glasses in order.
The ＜Paraiso＞ fleet, which should have been on a long voyage and without resupply, was now presenting this. This was the first preemptive strike from ＜Ringo＞. The existence of ice, which could not be easily prepared even on land. And the well-chilled, clear water without any impurities. Incidentally, the glasses themselves were also valuable items.
In the first place, even the self-propelled wagon that had appeared was a mass of unknown technology.
“Please do not worry too much about etiquette. Our cultures differ from yours.”
Drei said this as a disclaimer, then picked up the provided glass and took a sip of the chilled water. This was a performance to show that it was not poisoned. Of course, there was no reason to commit assassination at this juncture, but the fact that the other party drank something poured from the same bottle would lead to unconscious reassurance.
Lieutenant Commander Deck Estainka also asked for permission before putting the glass to his lips.
“…It is very chilled.”
That was all he could say. As a lieutenant commander in the navy, he understood deeply how valuable chilled water served on a ship was.
The remaining two also drank the chilled water, their astonishment evident. In the first place, even on land, chilled water was a valuable commodity. Furthermore, the water they drank did not have a strange taste and was very easy to drink.
On top of that, there was the existence of ice, which they would not normally see.
Of course, ＜Ringo＞ had provided the water and ice knowing that they were valuable. From here, they planned to further entertain them with Lebresta tea and various sweets.
＜Ringo＞ had explained that even the Repuytari Kingdom’s dignitaries would be helpless to resist this offensive, but Commander (Eve) had tuned it out. She still did not trust ＜Ringo＞’s sense of taste.