Chapter 131: The Baron Appears
“We’re currently negotiating how to extract the resources we desire. To begin with, it would be troublesome if we were presented with the currency of the Kingdom of Repuitari as payment, so we primarily rely on barter.”
“Is money not acceptable?”
“Yes, Ma’am. It’s simply cumbersome and not economically viable.”
“Oh, so it’s a nuisance.”
Not only is it difficult to store, but the scale of future transactions could involve hundreds of thousands of gold coins per deal. From the perspective of the Paraiso, it would be heavy, take up space, and counting it would be a hassle. Moreover, if it comes to gold coins, Paraiso could easily counterfeit or inflate the amount.
Considering the anticipated scale of trade, the current currency and banknotes used in the Kingdom of Repuitari would simply be insufficient in quantity. This could lead to a high valuation of gold, which in turn would accelerate deflation. In fact, the amount of gold reserves relative to the economic scale is already lacking, and one can feel the signs of it.
“It would be ideal if we could shift to a credit economy at this opportunity, but it’s difficult since neighboring nations are utterly unreliable.”
With a credit economy, there would be no upper limit on the issuance of banknotes. As long as the premise is to supply banknotes in line with the economic scale, there wouldn’t be a limit on the number of issued notes due to a shortage of gold. However, a credit economy, as the name suggests, is based on trust. It only makes sense if the nation is stable, including the surrounding circumstances.
“At the very least, transactions between Paraiso and the Kingdom of Repuitari should be conducted in the form of promissory notes, without involving currency or banknotes in between. If both parties complete the transaction before the expiration of the promissory notes, no actual payment will occur.”
“…I don’t understand.”
Unfortunately, Commander Eve did not grasp the concept of currency and banknotes very well. In her original world, electronic transactions were the primary means of exchange, and she had never managed a household budget. Perhaps if she had experienced fantasy works through VRMMOs, she might have had a better grasp of transactions involving currency.
“You can think of it as barter, and there won’t be any issues. We will conduct transactions after investigating the payment capabilities of the other party, so Paraiso doesn’t need to worry particularly.”
Without revealing her intentions, she aimed to establish favorable conditions for the Kingdom of Repuitari and stimulate economic activity. All that remained was to skillfully maneuver and import a large quantity of resources.
“Hmm, steering a nation is beyond me… I’ll leave it to you. I think Akane would enjoy this sort of thing, wouldn’t she?”
“Yes, Ma’am. She seems to have an interest in it, so I have assigned her as a study material for political economy.”
“Study material…”
Well, given the technological disparity, it was unavoidable. The situation within the Kingdom of Repuitari was beginning to grow chaotic, but Eve thought it best to let them take their time.
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“I apologize for the imposition, but may I add one more participant to the meeting?”
“If you believe it’s necessary, then I have no objections. In the future, if you notify us in advance, adding necessary personnel will not be a problem, as long as it doesn’t become excessive.”
The Communicator Android, Drei, nodded immediately at the suggestion to add personnel. Colonel Deck Estainka, the plenipotentiary ambassador from the Foreign Affairs Division, responded with a look of disappointment, likely hoping that Paraiso would refuse.
“Actually, that personnel is already on the cutter. Would it be acceptable for them to join from today?”
“Hmm…”
Drei quickly inquired with the Local Strategy AI. The AI determined that there would be no particular issues with anyone coming. This was because the final agreement of the meeting had already been decided by the strategy AI, and it merely needed to guide the conversation smoothly. Regardless of who came or what happened, everything was essentially an obstacle to be avoided or destroyed.
“No problem. Boarding is permitted. I will listen to introductions at the venue.”
Drei nodded and turned on her heel. The guard soldiers of Paraiso bowed and opened the gangway.
“Colonel, permission to board has been granted from Paraiso. I will lead you; please follow me.”
“Very well.”
Then, a pompous middle-aged man moved from the cutter to the gangway. His unsteady footing was likely a result of his physique and lack of exercise. The young Major Rebidel Klinkika, standing behind him, was clearly grimacing.
“What a flimsy staircase.”
As he climbed the metal gangway, the Army Colonel muttered.
The gangway leading to the flagship Panas was entirely metal, designed to be lightweight and extremely thin, with a hollow structure. To those who knew what to look for, it was an exceptional piece backed by outstanding metallurgical technology and structural design, almost an out-of-place artifact. However, to those unaware, it would appear as a flimsy and precarious staircase.
In any case…
Even if he thought so, normally one wouldn’t voice such opinions in a place where they didn’t know who might be listening.
However, despite belonging to a different organization, he was still a Colonel. With only ranks below Colonel present in this group, it was difficult to voice any criticism.
The Colonel’s complaints did not cease after that.
He rambled about how the all-metal deck was a waste and too heavy, causing concerns about mobility, while the three Navy members shot him cold looks (the Colonel was leading and thus unaware).
Upon realizing that the meeting location was on the deck, he complained about the lack of preparation, the absence of a welcoming atmosphere, the distractions making it hard to discuss, the harsh sea breeze, and the shoddy table.
“How impressive. It seems we could create a collection of quotes.”
Commander Eve couldn’t help but murmur, taken aback by the Colonel’s rich vocabulary of complaints. However, fundamentally, all of his grievances were off the mark, and most had already been explained to the Navy side. Conversely, this Army Colonel had clearly not reviewed the information provided by the Navy.
A collection of quotes was promptly created, complete with interpretations and counterarguments, to be printed and handed to him on the way back.
That aside…
“……”
“……”
As everyone took their seats, it was time for introductions, and both the Paraiso side and the Kingdom of Repuitari side fell into silence.
From the Paraiso side, they had already completed their introductions and had no intention of addressing attendees who had joined at their request. The Kingdom of Repuitari side was waiting for the Colonel, who had forced his participation, to break the ice.
There were no particularly established international protocols, and it was essentially treated as a practical meeting. In an official event, there would be some predetermined procedures. After a small sigh, Colonel Deck Estainka opened his mouth.
“Ah… Excuse me. Then, allow me to introduce. This person will be joining us for the meeting from today. Colonel, please.”
“Very well.”
The Colonel nodded pompously and leaned back.
“I am Gachirado Grand, Colonel of the illustrious Army of the Kingdom of Repuitari, responsible for the capital’s defense!”
He proclaimed this in a rather loud voice.
“I also hold a noble title! I am a Baron, a legitimate heir! Unlike those young Navy lads, I will show no mercy, even to a little girl!”
The sudden reference to “little girl” caused the three Navy members to visibly grimace. However, the target of his insult was a Communicator Android, so there was no need to react to such casual slurs.
“Thank you for the polite introduction. I am the fleet commander, Dry = Ringo.”
“I am Fleet Staff Officer, Fia = Ringo.”
In response, Baron Gachirado Grand snorted derisively.
“I had not publicly declared my noble title while on fleet duty, but I will inform you nonetheless. This fleet is directly under the Queen’s command, and there is only one supreme commander—the Queen herself. Our fleet is the Primary, and the fleet commander holds authority equivalent to a Duke. Furthermore, traditionally, the leadership of the fleet is entrusted to royalty.”
The attendees from the Kingdom of Repuitari gasped at his fluent explanation.
“In your terms, our surname Ringo is a mark of the Royal Family, and the fleet commander is equivalent to the rank of Duke. However, I do not intend to emphasize that rank during this visit.”
Let us be mindful of this in future official occasions.
Thus, Dry = Ringo concluded.