Chapter 119: Learning Sample
As they were served tea and cookies, the crew of the flagship Panas briefly explained its features. They presented the delegation from the Kingdom of Repuitari with cellulose thread and cellulose fabric as gifts, while Drei, Vier, and Sechzehn saw them off. The time was just approaching noon.
They had entertained their guests for about four hours.
“I wonder if we conveyed that we mean no harm?” Ma’am mused.
“Yes, Commander. I believe we successfully demonstrated that,” RINGO replied with a nod.
“The information we provided this time was kept superficial. Naturally, they didn’t share any critical details either, but that’s not a problem. We still haven’t fully analyzed the intricacies of their culture and ideology, so we can’t read between the lines of their unspoken intentions. However, within the scope we’ve confirmed, there is no information that would put us at a disadvantage.”
Currently, the Spy Bot was gathering all kinds of information, but it was difficult to collect data on customs and unwritten rules—knowledge and experiences that only people possess. RINGO remained cautious about such tacit knowledge but ultimately concluded that it wouldn’t significantly affect the overall situation.
“Now, we have daily meetings scheduled from here on out. I suppose we’ll just have to keep refining our approach,” Ma’am continued.
“Yes, Commander. At some point, we will need to conduct a demonstration, such as a gunnery exercise, but fundamentally, it will be about negotiating terms.”
The ultimate goal was to secure a supply of Redstone and trade for metal resources. However, revealing that intention from the start would lead them to be taken advantage of, so it was best to present some form of compromise.
“We need to use the Redstone supply card wisely. We’ll have to predict the flow of conversation and be prepared for anything,” she added.
And then there was the strongest card of the Paraiso. Well, while military might was the ultimate strength, in terms of a peaceful card, they had begun mining Redstone around the Port Town of Terek.
The mining was done manually, but through trial and error, they discovered that utilizing water flow allowed them to excavate without causing unnecessary shock or pressure. Mechanical excavation had previously resulted in the Redstone being crushed and ignited due to contact, but this new method resolved that issue. With the introduction of non-mechanical digging methods using magic tools, the mining speed had dramatically improved.
However, RINGO raised a question about the phenomenon of no heat being generated despite a considerable amount of water pressure being applied. Asahi, the brain unit, suggested, “Perhaps the fire attribute is being suppressed by the water attribute,” but RINGO realized it was futile to dwell on that and began to direct the problem towards Asahi.
Well, as of now, Asahi’s opinion had not been proven. It was clear that they needed to find a systematic way to study magic. RINGO’s predictions were of little use, and Asahi’s analyses were based on incorrect knowledge, leading them to only make guesses.
“Today, we proceeded with conversations aimed at deepening our friendship. Tomorrow, unless there are specific requests from their side, we will introduce trading items other than Redstone,” Ma’am stated.
“What do we have available?”
“Yes, Commander. We have several types of cellulose thread and fabric, tea leaves and sweets from the Forest Country, dried fruits, jerky, and preserved foods. We also have sealed cellulose containers for drinking water produced in The Tree, carbonated water in glass bottles that began production at the Second Fortress, and high-purity alcohol produced through industrial methods. Additionally, we have alcoholic beverages that started production in the Port Town of Terek. There are various seafood and dried fish, but since the Kingdom of Repuitari is a maritime nation, those may not hold much appeal. If the alcoholic beverages are well-received, we can also prepare distilled spirits.”
At first glance, none of these items would likely cause any economic issues for the Kingdom of Repuitari. They lacked essential goods, and the products from the Forest Country were luxury items. The drinking water could be stored long-term without displacing existing water resources, and carbonated water was merely a luxury. As for the alcoholic beverages, they were self-explanatory.
As long as the quantities were regulated, that is.
“The Kingdom of Repuitari is a burgeoning nation, but it hasn’t lost its historical knowledge rooted in the region, and the bureaucratic organization still retains knowledge and experience passed down through generations. They won’t make short-sighted decisions that would devastate their domestic industry through our trade.”
However, RINGO continued, “Considering a span of ten or twenty years, for example, it is possible to devastate the Kingdom of Repuitari’s industry from the perspective of preserved drinking water.”
If they continued to supply bottled drinking water and alcoholic beverages at fair prices, within ten years, the bottled industry within the kingdom would likely collapse. After all, they could obtain what they needed at a fair price without investing time and money in development.
There was a possibility that tariffs imposed by the rulers could offer some protection, but that was where gunboat diplomacy excelled. Moreover, if stable supply continued for five or ten years, the sense of crisis would diminish, and domestic industries would decline due to price differences and, above all, quality disparities.
“Historically, trade on Earth has suppressed such issues by mutually holding each other’s lifelines, but we can initiate this unilaterally.”
That said, at this point, it was unlikely they would employ such a strategy against the Kingdom of Repuitari, which was not an enemy state.
“And if we can instill such concerns in them, we can consider this trade a success. We will need to offer something commensurate for our goods. In this case,” Ma’am said.
“What we need is metal resources.”
“Yes, Commander. They will be compelled to offer metal raw materials as compensation. From their perspective, raw materials and resources are extremely important strategic assets. Exporting them in sufficient quantities will influence their national strategy to some extent. That will be their judgment.”
And the centerpiece of that exchange would be Redstone. It was a crucial resource directly linked to the energy policy of the Kingdom of Repuitari.
“Redstone is hardly produced in the territory of the Kingdom of Repuitari. Their import sources are the Country of Wheat and the small southeastern nations. Both have limited or no domestic production, with almost all of it being looted from the Afrasia United Kingdom. Well, from their perspective, they are managing lands that they cannot control,” Ma’am noted.
“We’re doing the same, so it’s a mutual situation,” RINGO added.
“Therefore, if we proceed with the current strategy, we will ultimately handle almost all of the Redstone supply through The Tree. As long as we govern, we will absolutely not allow any looting.”
“Of course. Although, judging by the output, it seems quite minimal…”
The southern region of the Afrasia United Kingdom was already under constant surveillance by high-altitude drones from The Tree. The mining conducted by the small nations and the Country of Wheat was all manual, and their output was limited. At that rate, it would take ten years to equal just one week’s worth of output from The Tree. Conversely, this meant they could sufficiently cover the annual consumption of the Kingdom of Repuitari in just one day.
“Once the mining method is established, we will only need to scale up. However, if the industrialization of the Kingdom of Repuitari progresses as predicted, the consumption of Redstone will increase exponentially.”
With mechanization, the output from the mines would also rise. If they exported technology, the metal production in other countries would likely improve as well. Increasing the production of iron and other metals would allow Paraiso to import them. In exchange, they would supply Redstone, creating a false sense of economic security.
“That said, we have no need to break this security from our side. If, by any chance, relations turn hostile, we may reconsider, but under normal circumstances, it is unlikely that relations would deteriorate to that extent.”
“Let’s be good neighbors. The Kingdom of Repuitari seems to be an excellent leader among the surrounding nations, and managing the entire Northern Continent would be quite a hassle. It’s best to leave such matters to the local inhabitants.”
In the southern part of the Northern Continent, where various factions vied for power, they would offload the role of regional stability onto the Kingdom of Repuitari. They had originally aimed to establish hegemony, so there should be no particular issue with this arrangement. It was a win-win situation.
“Now, I wonder how long they will hold out. They seem quite intelligent, being experts in their field. They are articulate as well. Don’t you think it’s very educational?” Ma’am remarked.
“Yes, Commander. As a learning sample, they are exceptionally valuable. Let’s look forward to their efforts.”