“If Lord Okinaga is with us, we’ll be a hundred times stronger.”
“Stop that, don’t call such a handsome man an old geezer.”
While exchanging such light banter, they were rocked by the ship.
Their destination was the familiar pure white giant warship, anchored slightly offshore.
It was Panas, the flagship of the fleet dispatched from ＜Paraiso＞.
“But is it really okay for such a young man to participate all of a sudden?”
“Hahaha. Don’t worry, they won’t underestimate him based on his appearance. After all, they look like young girls no matter how you look at them. Rather, Lord Amadio would make a good picture standing next to them.”
One was Alban Blayais, the top of the Repuytari Kingdom Navy, Grand Admiral. And the other was Amadio Silverhead, General Director of the Technical Bureau.
The two men standing at the pinnacle of the Repuytari Kingdom continued their conversation while gazing at the approaching Battleship.
“I’ve read through the negotiation records so far, but frankly, I can’t read their intentions.”
“Yes, that’s right. We’re also troubled because we can’t see where the compromise lies. Yet, the detailed rules and regulations are decided smoothly. Our conventional wisdom is completely useless.”
And then, there was the major blunder by the army colonel the other day. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was struggling with unprecedented responses.
“But even that brave and resolute army is a shadow of its former self.”
“It’s lamentable. Almost none of the personnel who participated at the time remain, and the upper echelons have been completely replaced. It’s a pitiful sight. Well, I intend to take this opportunity to intervene.”
“Is that so? Well, do it well. I have no intention of getting involved ever again.”
“I understand. However, I would like you to stick your nose into anything related to ships.”
At the Grand Admiral’s words, the man shrugged.
He was fed up with political struggles, it seemed.
“Well, we’re getting close.”
“I observed it a little from the port yesterday. I could understand what you guys were saying.”
A pure white fleet floating on the sea.
While gazing at it, the man muttered.
“Depending on the direction of development, there’s probably a technological disparity of over 100 years between us. If we’re unlucky, it could be over 200 years. Naturally, it can’t be closed in 10 or 20 years. And if we advance, they will advance accordingly.”
“Even from your perspective, huh? After all, it’s reckless to resist with force…”
The ship had a refined hull, no steam was observed during movement, and the engine noise was minimal.
If that ship was manufactured with scientific power, the power source would be electric. This was somewhat predicted by the engineers. Duke Silverhead said that electric power has infinite possibilities.
“However, I can’t tell whether it’s purely science or if they’re using magic technology in combination.”
“We are completely backward when it comes to magic technology. We can’t even extract information from the Forest Country (Lebresta) or those detestable priests.”
“If we could control the production of Burnstone, we could negotiate in various ways. Well, I’ve heard about that problem, but I won’t get involved that much.”
“I understand. It’s enough if you occasionally listen to my complaints.”
“No, I don’t want to do that either…”
While they were doing that, their ship was approaching the ＜Paraiso＞ fleet.
“…There are no seams in the hull, and I think it’s made of metal, but how did they make it…? There are no bumps or dents either…”
Looking up at the Hedgehog-class hull that was approaching, the man muttered.
That was to be expected.
Although it was a block construction method, the hull was manufactured by adjusting at the atomic level using a large general-purpose machine tool (printer).
In addition, the members are joined together by interatomic forces without changing the composition, by means of strictly controlled heating vibration and electromagnetic interference.
The appearance and bonding strength were comparable to those of integral molding.
“Lord Amadio. I think you can see it, but that’s the flagship Panas. It’s more than 1.5 times the size of our military’s latest Battleship. That alone is a threat, but in live-fire exercises, we are lapped in terms of acceleration, maximum speed, grouping, loading speed, and Cannon Shell power. In the first place, I don’t think they’re showing their full power.”
“Ah, I’ve checked the report. Well, if what’s written is true, we’ll be unilaterally shot down unless it’s a close-quarters brawl. I’m glad we were able to make friendly contact.”
The man said so earnestly.
Then, as usual, a gangway was lowered onto the side of the flagship Panas.
At the bottom of the gangway, unusually, was a Communicator Doll.
“Welcome to Panas.”
Those who came out to greet them were Vier and three guards.
After quickly tying the mooring lines to the gangway, Alban Blayais and Amadio Silverhead jumped over first.
“…Thank you for coming out to greet us, Lady Vier. Ah, this is one of our country’s four dukes, whom I told you about yesterday.”
“Pleased to meet you, Lady Vier Ringo. I am Amadio Silverhead, Archduke of the Repuytari Kingdom. In the Navy, I hold the position of General Director of the Technical Bureau.”
Vier nodded lightly at the self-introduction and stared intently at Amadio’s face.
“…? Is something the matter?”
“…No. No problem. Well, before the meeting, let me give Lord Amadio a quick tour. Drei is waiting for us up above as well.”
Making light sounds, Vier and the guards went up the gangway.
Following them, Alban Blayais and Amadio Silverhead also stepped onto the stairs.
“…Ngh!?”
Amadio arched his back.
“Lord Amadio!?”
Alban Blayais, who had gone ahead, hurriedly turned around. Of course, he didn’t feel anything strange himself. Amadio next to him had suddenly stepped back.
“No… No way…”
With a stunned expression, he looked up at Vier, who was going ahead.
Vier stopped and looked down at Amadio.
“Lord A（・）m（・）a（・）d（・）i（・）o（・） S（・）i（・）l（・）v（・）e（・）r（・）h（・）e（・）a（・）d（・). Communication Protocol: Personal Call. I will give you the Public Key in physical form later. Is exchange possible?”
“……. Ah. Possible. Due to circumstances, direct calls are not possible. Preparation for a Common Device?”
“No problem. I’ll hand it over together. …Sorry to keep you waiting, let’s go up for now. I’ll guide you.”
“……”
Alban Blayais stared blankly at the sudden exchange between the two.
“Lord Amadio…? Do you have some connection with ＜Paraiso＞…?”
“……. No. It’s the first time I’ve met them, definitely.”
Amadio shook his head and stepped onto the stairs again. This time, he moved his feet without any problems.
“Alban, there’s no problem. It’s not directly related to today’s negotiations. I’ll tell you the details later. Today, we’re going to do today’s work.”
◇◇◇◇
“Ma’am. About that Amadio Silverhead, remote scans have revealed that he is not entirely organic.”
“……. Huh? Sorry, can you say that again?”
Commander (Eve) turned around with wide eyes at the report from ＜Ringo＞.
“Amadio Silverhead. He is probably some kind of enhanced physical ability user. It is believed that he is improving his information processing ability, muscle strength, and robustness through scientific methods.”
“Eh… So, …a Cyborg?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
In other words, there was a possibility that some kind of super-technology force other than ＜The Tree＞ existed in this world.
“I called out using several Communication Protocols, but he seems to have stopped external communication functions, so there was no response. However, I was able to establish communication with only a specific notification (Knocker). The exchange of some personal data was successful.”
“Eh… So…?”
“He is a transferrer who shares the same foundation of technology system as us, or a person who has benefited from that technology. Whether the inside is the same human as Ma’am, or a Sentient Entity derived from a Brain Unit like us, cannot be determined at this time.”
For her, it was a bolt from the blue.
The possibility that a transferrer other than herself existed in this world.
And of course, ＜Ringo＞ felt that threat even more than she did.
As a foreign object that threatened the peaceful life that Commander (Mum) desired.
“From the investigation results so far, no forces using advanced technology have been confirmed. However, the possibility that it is concealed has become high. We are not hiding our activities, so it is quite possible that information has been leaked to the opposing forces.”
“…Hmm, I wonder? Hey ＜Ringo＞, was this encounter intentional? Or was it accidental?”
“Based on the situation, the possibility of it being accidental is very high. There is no rational reason to attempt such contact.”
Commander (Eve) thought.
＜Ringo＞’s reaction to unknown events was very extreme.
That’s why she had to hold the reins. If left alone, she might just start world domination.
“In that case, the enemy isn’t maintaining their power. Or rather, there’s a high possibility they’ve already ceased operations. Even we can’t do anything if our resources run out. If this ＜The Tree＞ stops, I’ll have to live by myself. And if the enemy is in that state…”
“Yes, Ma’am. Then we will make contact peacefully.”
“Please do.”