Episode 115: Eve Acquires the Appraisal Skill!
“Commander (Ma’am). A cutter is approaching.”
“Oh. They’ve finally made a move.”
Approximately two hours had passed since the ＜Paraiso＞ fleet had docked at the port. A rowboat cutter, presumably carrying important figures, was spotted emerging from the harbor in front of them. The video feed displayed by ＜Ringo＞ even included supplementary information on the occupants’ profiles.
“…So this is the cheat skill I’ve heard so much about, Appraisal.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Conceptually, I believe it is the same.”
While exchanging such idle chatter, Commander (Eve) and ＜Ringo＞ observed the scene.
The flagship Panas’ Strategic AI, finding the opponent’s reaction within its predicted range, executed the optimal response according to the pre-arranged simulation. The intentionally left open route was slightly to the left of the Panas’ front. The cutter’s rowers, looking apprehensive, rowed their oars, glancing up at the Hedgehog-class Destroyers on either side as they approached. Standing at the stern of the cutter was a naval lieutenant commander adorned with several medals. He could be considered to have sufficient rank as a negotiator.
“Communicator Doll deployment commencing. Six units are moving across the deck, armed. Drei designated as fleet leader. Considering accumulated experience, it is a reasonable role.”
“That’s right. He’s been active in various roles from the beginning.”
The Communicator Dolls, armed with Assault Rifles and wearing long coats to conceal their silhouettes, rushed to the ship’s edge in synchronized movements, taking up kneeling firing positions one after another. They weren’t actually on alert, but it was a performance for the benefit of the other party.
Incidentally, although the occupants of the cutter were unaware, the close-range defense guns mounted on the Hedgehog-class Destroyers on both sides had already locked on. The moment they took any hostile action, they would be turned into mincemeat.
“Halt!”
Drei, following the Communicator Dolls, shouted in fluent Repuytari.
“Stop!”
The lieutenant commander on the cutter shouted, and the rowers simultaneously plunged their oars into the water, applying a sudden brake. They likely didn’t perform such abrupt maneuvers often, so it could be said that they were well-trained. Confirming that the cutter had stopped, the lieutenant commander began to speak while standing.
“I am Lieutenant Commander Revidel Klinkika, of the Repuytari Kingdom Royal Navy’s External Affairs Department! State your affiliation and name! What is your purpose in entering our port!”
His voice carried well. He might be using some method of amplification. Analysis of such fine details hadn’t caught up, and there was a high possibility that they were using unknown tools. However, since it was only amplification, the Panas’ Strategic AI moved the Doll Machine (Drei) without any particular caution.
“We are ＜Paraiso＞. Drei=Ringo, of ＜Paraiso＞. I am the fleet commander. Our purpose is negotiation with your kingdom.”
Not trade, but negotiation. That was the demand from ＜Paraiso＞.
However, the other party probably expected as much. There were no freighters or merchant ships, only warships. It was obvious that they had no intention of conducting business.
“Understood! Our country also has no intention of harming your fleet! I promise to arrange a meeting for negotiations!”
Drei nodded at the response.
“Return.”
With that word, the six Communicator Dolls released their stances and stepped back. Lieutenant Commander Revidel Klinkika, the naval officer, let out a slight sigh of relief at the sight. The use of guns was, of course, practiced in the Repuytari Kingdom, and although they hadn’t reached the point of individual carry, the deployment of machine guns had begun. He seemed to have that knowledge, and he fully understood the meaning of the guns pointed at him.
They were far more refined, higher performance, and capable of rapid fire than those of the Repuytari Kingdom.
And ＜Paraiso＞ had the technology to mass-produce them.
“First, we wish to have an exchange. Come here at two hours after dawn tomorrow morning. We will guide you onto the deck of our flagship.”
“No problem! What is the maximum number of people allowed to board!”
At that question, Drei quickly glanced around and nodded.
“The limit is seven, including escorts. We will also have seven people in attendance. Is that acceptable?”
“I am grateful! Then, we shall visit two hours after sunrise tomorrow morning! We can also provide water and food, if you wish!”
“Unnecessary. Then, we shall meet again tomorrow.”
Normally, the provision of water and food would be appreciated by sailors. Drei dismissed it with a single word and turned on his heel. Two of the Communicator Dolls followed him, while the remaining four stayed in place for警戒.
“…”
The naval officer stood speechless for a while, but eventually sighed and gave the order to turn around.
◇◇◇◇
Lieutenant Commander Revidel Klinkika, of the Repuytari Kingdom Royal Navy’s External Affairs Department. He was recalling the foreign sailors he had just exchanged words with.
Because it was the bow of a massive warship, he had been looking up at them quite a bit. It was already late in the day, and his visibility wasn’t very good. But even so, he had gotten the impression that they were quite small.
And when he actually heard their voice, his suspicions grew stronger.
The words themselves were clear, and there were no problems with their content. Well, it was problematic that they had barely negotiated at all, but there were no inconsistencies in the conversation.
However, that voice.
It was as clear as that of a boy before his voice changed, or a girl.
A dignified attitude.
A stance that didn’t yield an inch to the great power that was the Repuytari Kingdom.
Clear speech and coherent demands.
And a beautiful, superior voice that didn’t match any of them.
“In any case.”
The arrangements for the meeting had been made.
Whether he would be able to participate in that meeting would be up to his superiors, but it could be said that he had achieved a certain level of success. There were various concerning words and actions, but it was the job of another department to judge them.
His job was to conduct a certain level of communication while being careful not to be caught making any careless statements. There was nothing in particular this time, but it was important, for example, to be able to calmly refute the other party’s provocations, and to be able to continue the conversation rationally and logically.
(Even more than the ship itself, the movements of the sailors were remarkable.)
That was the impression he had as a soldier.
Those movements were second to none, even compared to the elite soldiers of the Repuytari Kingdom. The speed of their running, their deployment to their positions, and the way they held their guns. The posture of holding the gun without wavering was also excellent.
Since they were probably the fleet commander’s escorts, it was natural that elite soldiers would be attached. Even so, it was hard to believe that personnel who seemed to be combat-specialized were gathered for a long-distance voyage.
And the audacity to say that they didn’t need food or water.
After sailing for months, fresh water, vegetables, and meat should be attractive. The fact that they dismissed it without a moment’s hesitation, and without any regrets.
Normally, they would buy them as soon as they reached port, but they had declared that they were unnecessary.
(Perhaps they are wary of poison.)
If they recognized them as an enemy country, it was certainly possible that they would refuse.
(However, with a fleet size of only nine ships, there must be sailors who are dissatisfied…)
Even so, sea voyages are harsh. There must be many sailors who want to drink fresh water. If they were perfectly suppressing that, then the fleet commander’s skill must be considerable.
He didn’t think that the experienced upper echelons of the Repuytari Kingdom’s proud navy would make a mistake in their judgment.
But it was necessary to accurately convey what he had felt when facing them. Small insights often have important meanings.
And so, Naval Lieutenant Commander Revidel Klinkika reported everything that had happened and everything he had felt. Based on that content, the External Affairs Department would spend the entire night compiling the negotiation details.
However, there was too little information at the present time.
A full-scale discussion would have to wait for another day.
The other party’s demands were completely unpredictable. If it was military pressure, there would be more ways to do it, and if it was trade, it was strange that they didn’t bring even one merchant ship.
In the end, it seemed that they would have to deal with it on a case-by-case basis.