Chapter 117: Chilled Water
Seven members of the envoy from the Kingdom of Repuitari, along with their guards, ascended the gangway that had been lowered. It seemed that the eighth member and beyond were to remain on the ship. Clearly, they had no intention of behaving inappropriately.
“Welcome aboard the flagship Panas. I will guide you to the meeting place. This way, please.”
The one who greeted them was Sechzehn, a Communicator Android fully cloaked in attire that concealed her form. Armed Communicators were stationed around, clearly prepared for any situation.
Despite their confusion at Sechzehn’s commanding demeanor, the group began to walk toward the bow of the ship. They were captivated by the sight of the massive vessel, its structure defying their expectations. Their pace was slow, and as they struggled to keep up, Sechzehn paused and turned back.
“If you’re curious, I can provide a brief tour before your return. For now, please follow me.”
“My apologies. This is indeed a fascinating ship…” one of the diplomats replied.
“I understand your feelings. If permission is granted, I can arrange for a proper tour. It all depends on negotiations,” Sechzehn responded.
“Ah, that is rather strict.”
Perhaps feeling a bit embarrassed, the group quickened their pace. Sechzehn nodded at their response and resumed walking. Though she maintained her speed, it seemed the diplomats were now intrigued by her presence.
Her entire body was hidden beneath a coat, with goggles and a mask obscuring her eyes and mouth, making it impossible to imagine her true face. However, she appeared petite overall, her voice high-pitched like that of a child.
Could she truly be a girl? Yet, the other sentinels appeared to share a similar physique. It was plausible that they belonged to a generally smaller race.
The group continued walking, passing by the enormous bridge and marveling at the height above the sea, until they finally reached the venue.
In a corner of the surprisingly spacious deck, a meeting area had been set up. A tarp was stretched overhead, a carpet laid out, and tables and chairs arranged. Seated already were Drei, the fleet commander, and Vier, the chief of staff. They wore matching military uniforms, yet their forms were not concealed.
Their silken, white hair sparkled even in the shade, and a pair of upright fox ears stood out prominently atop their heads.
Their skin was as white as porcelain, and their pink lips resembled delicate flower petals.
The golden eyes that gazed at the diplomats sparkled with an all-seeing intensity, causing the envoys to swallow nervously.
“Welcome. Allow me to express my hospitality in this place.”
At first glance, she resembled an exquisitely crafted porcelain doll, yet she was undeniably a living being, composed of synthetic biological cells. As the envoys from Repuitari approached, she greeted them with a voice as melodious as the sound of bells.
“Please, this is not a place for idle chatter. Do take a seat.”
Drei and Vier remained seated, their posture somewhat lacking in courtesy. However, they intended to maintain this demeanor to assert the position of Paraiso.
Following the invitation, the three diplomats from the Kingdom of Repuitari approached the table.
“Please, go ahead.”
Sechzehn, who had been leading, pulled out chairs for the three diplomats before moving to sit across from them, perching herself on a chair that had been adjusted for her shorter stature. This was done to ensure she could meet their gaze comfortably. Ringo had calculated which would leave a better impression: having her sit on a high chair or looking up at them. The decision was made to elevate her seat. A trivial detail, perhaps.
“Now then.”
Once the three diplomats were seated and the four guards stood behind them, Drei raised her right hand. In response, the four Communicators took their positions as guards. At the same time, Sechzehn gently removed her mask, revealing lips as delicate as those of Drei and Vier, along with skin as white as theirs. Loose waves of white hair cascaded from beneath her hood.
“First, allow me to introduce myself. I am the fleet commander, Drei Ringo.”
“I am the fleet’s chief of staff, Vier Ringo. And this is Sechzehn, who will serve as the secretary for this meeting.”
“I am Sechzehn. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
With the introductions from Paraiso complete, the ball was now in the court of the Repuitari envoy. They seemed somewhat taken aback by the proceedings, which differed slightly from their customs, but the central figure among them composed himself and spoke.
“I am Deck Estainka, the full ambassador for this meeting, representing the Navy’s Foreign Affairs Division of the Kingdom of Repuitari.”
“I am Major Pariard Aminas, from the Navy’s Technical Bureau.”
“I am Major Rebidel Klinkika, responsible for recording this meeting. It is customary in our country for the first contact to appoint the one who initiates it as the full ambassador. However, negotiations with your fleet are deemed of utmost importance, and thus, we have designated Major Deck as the full ambassador. Please accept this as a gesture of our sincerity at this time.”
Drei nodded lightly at those words.
“I understand. We will remember that you hold us in high regard. Now, there are many topics to discuss, and it will be a lengthy conversation. Shall I prepare some refreshments? Would it be acceptable to call for service?”
“That would be most welcome. We have no objections.”
Upon receiving that response, Sechzehn clapped her hands twice. Shortly after, a maid in a Communicator uniform appeared, accompanied by a self-propelled wagon, walking in from behind the diplomats. The diplomats’ expressions shifted to surprise as they noticed the wagon following her without any visible means of propulsion.
“Thank you for your patience.”
The Communicator maid bowed gracefully. She was a first-generation model designed by Ringo, based on local human genetics. Her hair was slightly wavy, dark brown in color, and her skin had a yellowish tint. Standing at about 155 cm, she was taller than the original models like Drei and Vier, though she still retained the fox ears.
The maid deftly picked up a tray with glasses and bottles that had automatically risen from the top of the wagon, skillfully balancing them in one hand as she approached Major Deck Estainka from behind. With a gentle motion, she placed the glasses down and poured water from the bottle. The glasses were already filled with square, transparent ice, and the cool water caused condensation to form on the sides of the glasses.
“…What is this?”
Deck Estainka gasped in astonishment. The Communicator maid continued preparing the glasses without any reaction.
The Paraiso fleet, having just returned from a long voyage without resupply, was making its first move with this display from Ringo. The presence of ice, which could not be easily prepared even on land, and the perfectly chilled, pure water were remarkable. Additionally, the glasses themselves were a luxury item.
In fact, even the self-propelled wagon that had first appeared was a marvel of unknown technology.
“Please, do not worry too much about etiquette. Our cultures differ greatly,” Drei stated, before picking up a glass and taking a sip of the chilled water. This served as a performance to demonstrate that there was no poison hidden within. Naturally, there was no intention of assassination in this moment, but the fact that the others drank from the same bottle would provide an unconscious sense of reassurance.
Major Deck Estainka also took a moment to speak before bringing the glass to his lips.
“…It is quite refreshing.”
That was all he could say. Chilled water served on a ship was a rare luxury, and as a naval officer, he understood its value all too well. The other two also drank the chilled water, their astonishment evident. Even on land, chilled water was a precious commodity. Furthermore, the water was not tainted with any strange flavors; it was remarkably easy to drink. On top of that, the presence of ice, which they rarely encountered, added to the surprise.
Of course, Ringo was fully aware that both water and ice were valuable resources, and she had chosen to present them here. Following this, she planned to serve tea from Lebresta and various confections. Ringo had explained that this offensive would likely leave even the high-ranking officials of the Kingdom of Repuitari defenseless, but Commander Eve had merely brushed it off. She still did not fully trust Ringo’s judgment regarding taste.