Chapter 123: Training Commences
“Commander (Ma’am), it seems there is some unrest within the Kingdom of Repuitari,” Ringo reported.
“Hmm?”
As she was developing export items at the Second Fortress (Black Iron), Ringo brought in the news.
“Our ground intelligence network has picked up some information. The Navy’s External Affairs Division is secretly negotiating with the Paraiso, but it seems the details have leaked.”
“Oh? That sounds troublesome…”
Her tone suggested she didn’t find it particularly alarming. In truth, whether the information leaked or not was fundamentally irrelevant to Paraiso. In fact, the more confusion the other party faced, the better the opportunity to negotiate favorable terms. Paraiso could even benefit from instigating chaos within the Kingdom of Repuitari.
“But it wouldn’t be amusing if this drags on too long. Will it have any impact?”
“Yes, Commander (Ma’am). It is anticipated that significant obstacles will arise in the treaty negotiations.”
Nonetheless, as Commander Eve pointed out, it was indeed unwise to prolong the situation. The honest desire was to finalize a suitable treaty and swiftly commence trade.
The primary objective of preventing the departure of the expedition fleet to Port Town of Terek had already been achieved. While the remaining tasks were merely formalities, initiating trade and securing imports of various metals would allow The Tree to develop further. Ideally, the Kingdom of Repuitari would grow accordingly and thrive as a resource-exporting nation.
“Hmm… vested interests can be quite troublesome. They should just calculate the future profits properly.”
“It is only natural for humans to fear losing what they currently possess. The problem lies in the fact that there is no guarantee that current profits will be enjoyed in the future.”
If vested interests truly existed, they should be leveraged to launch new ventures. Current profits are not guaranteed to last indefinitely. At the very least, efforts must be made to maintain them. Neglecting this and merely clinging to the status quo would inevitably lead to decay and eventual disappearance.
“Well, fundamentally, this is not our concern. The Navy will have to manage it.”
However, the turmoil was solely on the side of the Kingdom of Repuitari; Paraiso merely needed to wait. While some precautions were necessary to avoid being underestimated, in a sense, they were in a passive position.
“Lieutenant Colonel Deck Estainka, this way. There are glass windows only here. I apologize for the lack of chairs.”
“No, I appreciate the guidance. So, this is the bridge?”
“That is your understanding. However, this area will not be used during combat.”
“And why is that?”
“There is a combat command center in the central area. This place has thin armor and is not safe.”
“I see…?”
Led by Drei through the ship, Deck Estainka cautiously surveyed his surroundings. Behind him stood two armed guards from Paraiso, standing at attention. However, their presence was more about maintaining numbers than actual surveillance. At this point, Paraiso was not wary of the people from the Kingdom of Repuitari.
“It seems preparations are complete for Major Pariard Aminas and Major Rebidel Klinkika. We will set sail for the designated sea area. Is that acceptable?”
“Yes… no problem.”
Deck Estainka was being escorted to the bridge of the flagship Panas, while the other two were aboard a different ship, a destroyer primarily scheduled for bombardment training. However, the fact that Drei received communications from them, despite no particular action occurring, likely felt odd to him.
Yet, he had already come to deeply understand the stark technological gap between them and Paraiso.
“Paraiso fleet, set sail. Target point Alpha, commence turning.”
The Paraiso fleet, consisting of a total of nine ships centered around the flagship Panas, began to turn in place, controlling their water jet propulsion systems.
To the port townsfolk accustomed to traditional sailing ships, this must have appeared as an absurd and bizarre sight. Normally, sailing ships would use tugboats to move out of the harbor. Paddle steamers and screw-driven vessels could move under their own power, but typically, they would first reverse.
It was unthinkable to turn around in place.
“Course confirmed. No obstacles. Proceed at slow speed.”
Without taking much time, the fleet pointed its bow toward the harbor exit. The notice regarding the bombardment training had already been issued to all ships. If any vessels obstructed the fleet’s path, there was a possibility of being sunk in the worst-case scenario.
No ship would dare attempt to obstruct the path of such a fleet.
“……”
With countless bottom slits expelling jet streams, the Panas began to advance. The view from the bridge slowly began to change. Deck Estainka, a lieutenant colonel of the Kingdom of Repuitari Navy, observed this scene with a grim expression.
Due to his position in the External Affairs Division, he had boarded various ships and been dispatched overseas. Thus, he had recognized the performance of the Panas and the accelerating Hedgehog-class vessels.
Compared to his nation’s latest battleship, he noted the acceleration capabilities and, above all, the silence. The desperate technological gap between their nations was painfully evident.
“Approximately 15 kilometers to point Alpha. In Tarl, that translates to 9.93t f. Lieutenant Colonel Deck Estainka, the target is within visual range.”
“With a telescope, it would be possible to confirm.”
It was impossible to see a floating target 15 kilometers away with the naked eye. A standard bridge would typically have a fixed telescope, but the bridge of the Panas lacked such equipment.
“Let’s display the long-range image.”
Drei nodded and touched the control panel at hand. One of the glass windows in front turned white, and an enlarged image appeared.
“I can display the long-range image in front. You can move and zoom in and out using the controls at hand.”
“Wha-what?!”
Deck Estainka was captivated by the glass window (display) before him. There, indeed, was the floating target prepared by his own forces—a dilapidated clipper ship. Its sails had been removed, and a red flag fluttered, indicating it was a target vessel.
“Lieutenant Colonel, here. You can move the view with this lever. The wheel allows for zooming in and out. This button will return to the original display. Please, go ahead.”
One of the guards explained how to use the control panel.
“Ah… So the view from the telescope is reflected on this glass…”
He struggled to comprehend the phenomenon. Naturally, he had no idea how it worked. Using the control panel, he zoomed in and confirmed that the image was not a bluff but indeed a distant scene.
This device alone held immense strategic value. It allowed for one-sided observation and impact confirmation from far away, without entering the enemy’s line of sight. Unlike telescopes or binoculars, there was no need for each person to peer through, and the field of view was far broader.
Moreover, there was no shaking of the view caused by the ship’s vibrations.
Deck Estainka, having conducted numerous observations with a telescope, was acutely aware of this issue. Normally, maintaining focus on a distant point while on a swaying ship was a formidable challenge. While a skilled observer might manage it, this image was likely achieved through mechanical means.
Lacking magical technology and with advanced mechanical technology, he felt a deep fear of Paraiso’s capabilities. The mechanisms were within the realm of his imagination. If this were the power of some incomprehensible magical tool from overseas, it might have offered some comfort.
Thus far, various devices and onboard equipment had been introduced, and most importantly, Fleet Commander Drei-Ringo had even explained some simple theories.
Deck Estainka had no choice but to acknowledge it. This nation of Paraiso was far ahead of his own.
“It seems your observation ship has also positioned itself. The bombardment start time will be upon us shortly.”
“Understood. The schedule has been communicated. You may begin at your discretion.”
In response, Drei nodded and faced forward.
“Commence, Paraiso fleet flagship Panas, Fleet Commander Drei. Begin Operation 167 of the training exercise.”
Those words were transmitted through the intercom attached to Drei’s throat, reaching the bridge of the Hedgehog-class third ship.
The two majors, Pariard Aminas and Rebidel Klinkika, who were receiving guidance on another ship, were startled to hear Drei’s voice so clearly, despite him being elsewhere, but it was a minor issue.
“Then, let the bombardment training commence.”
A siren blared, warning of live-fire discharge.
And precisely ten seconds later, a shell was fired from the foremost main gun of the Hedgehog-class third ship.