Chapter 138: Container
With the participation of Amadio Silverhead and Alban Blayais, trade negotiations began to progress rapidly.
Amadio’s presence, in particular, was significant.
He was able to grasp the conditions and political concepts presented by ＜Paraiso＞ to a certain extent, and even undertook explanations and adjustments to the Repuytari Kingdom.
In particular, the understanding of the gold standard issue and the transmission of the concept of promissory notes were completed faster than expected.
“However, Drei-san. Bringing out promissory notes, does that mean you’re planning on doing a large transaction?”
And that, of course, led to a natural question.
With the trade items currently presented by ＜Paraiso＞, the scale of trade should not be large enough for them to consider it a problem.
“You’re quick to catch on. Originally, this topic was planned to be discussed after the start of trade.”
Thus, the Local Strategic AI readily admitted it.
Due to the presence of Amadio Silverhead, the negotiation strategy had been significantly changed.
“We know what you desire. We intended to proceed cautiously, but with these participants, we can still keep it contained within this room.”
The greatest fear was domestic turmoil caused by unnecessary information leaks.
The chaos of numerous independent wills intermingling was something that ＜Paraiso＞, which wanted to quickly establish a resource export system, absolutely wanted to avoid.
“Let me state this in advance. What we desire are resources. Especially, we are seeking metal ores.”
“…Hoh.”
At that declaration, everyone in the room stiffened.
From the Repuytari Kingdom’s perspective, metal resources were strategic materials. Moreover, they were the kind that they would prefer to consume domestically if possible.
“Of course, we will not suddenly demand a large amount of this, and we will provide sufficient compensation. However, the target quantity is enormous, and you cannot provide it at present.”
“Hmm, is that so? Not to boast, but our country’s steel production is exceptionally high.”
“At a minimum, 10 million tons per year. In your units, that would be approximately 3.73 million VARCA. We want to trade for more than this amount of Iron Ore alone.”
“T-3.73 million VARCA…”
Faced with an unprecedented number, the Repuytari Kingdom side was shaken. However, Amadio Silverhead did not change his expression.
“…So. You’re saying you can prepare enough compensation to conduct that trade?”
“We can.”
Of course, everyone understood that they would not start saying they would pay in gold coins.
“Let me show you. As a sample, we have some loaded on this ship.”
Behind the meeting venue on the deck was a direct Elevator from the ship’s hangar. Currently, a single Container was being brought out from there.
“…An Elevator, huh. Makes me sick of it…”
Amadio Silverhead muttered involuntarily. The difference in technological capabilities must have left him with nothing but sighs.
With a smooth driving sound, the Container rose. The floor was fixed, and at the same time, the sides of the Container were folded down and lifted.
“Given the direction of your technological development, you should be able to manufacture a steam-powered lift. Piston operation can also achieve low-speed driving relatively easily. You should try it.”
“…We will consider it.”
Given a direction for technology development so casually, Palliard Aminas, the Major of the Technology Bureau, responded with a shrug. Steam Engines were under research, and various ideas were being considered.
However, the reality was that Burnstone (Tone Mug) prices were rising, making it impossible to conduct sufficient experiments.
Therefore, being given a direction for research and development was appreciated, but it was probably a frustrating feeling for a researcher.
“Now. This is the main product that we of ＜Paraiso＞ offer.”
In response to Drei’s words, Sechzehn grabbed one of the handles inside the Container, which was divided into a grid pattern, and pulled it out with a clatter.
The inside of the Container was designed as a drawer-type storage, making it possible to take things out manually.
“Please.”
Sechzehn took out a rectangular block that was neatly arranged inside.
A dark brown ore, with a size of 12cm x 12cm x 46cm.
Holding it with both hands, Sechzehn stepped forward in front of the dignitaries of the Repuytari Kingdom.
“Hmm… …This is…”
In appearance, it was just a neatly cut stone.
But those present were the top elites of the Repuytari Kingdom.
The initially suspicious expressions gradually turned to astonishment.
“C-could it be, could it be…”
Grand Admiral Alban Blayais staggered towards Sechzehn.
“…May I touch it?”
“No problem.”
Confirming Sechzehn’s nod, Alban Blayais gently touched the ore she was holding.
What was transmitted to his palm was the feel of hard ore and a faint heat.
A dark brown appearance, and heat-bearing properties.
If it was what it seemed to be, it was a strategic material that the Repuytari Kingdom currently desired more than anything.
It was a lump of Burnstone (Tone Mug).
“…Are you kidding me?”
Amadio Silverhead muttered.
“Oi oi… Drei-san, could it be that the contents of that box (Container) are…”
“Affirmative, Lord Amadio. The contents of this Container are Burnstone (Tone Mug). All of them are standardized to this size.”
Responding in that way, Drei turned on his heel and approached the Container.
Then, with his own hands, he pulled out another drawer.
“This case contains 24 Burnstone (Tone Mug) blocks. As you can see, the drawers are in 5 rows by 24 columns. This is on both sides.
The Burnstone (Tone Mug) blocks are 8.51CF x 8.51CF x 34.0CF in your units, and weigh 4.9433TR.
In other words, each Container contains approximately 26.99V of Burnstone (Tone Mug).”
“……”
Even Amadio Silverhead was silenced by the explanation.
26.99V, or 72.33 tons in ＜Paraiso＞ terms. This was the amount they currently mined in about a week, but it was an amount that easily exceeded the Repuytari Kingdom’s annual purchase volume.
Furthermore, the usefulness of Burnstone (Tone Mug) itself varies depending on its quality.
In particular, the size of the crystals is directly related to the amount of heat and durability, and the performance of sandy Burnstone (Tone Mug) is completely different from that of crystals, even if they weigh the same.
Therefore, if the presented Burnstone (Tone Mug) was as it appeared, its value would be immeasurable.
Due to the overwhelming impact, everyone on the Repuytari Kingdom side was completely silent.
A year’s worth of Burnstone (Tone Mug) that they struggled to import was placed right in front of them.
Moreover, it was aligned in incredibly high-purity lumps.
Its value could easily swell to dozens of times its original worth.
“All of the Burnstone (Tone Mug) that we plan to sell to you will be standardized to this specification. Since this shape is for our convenience, we will generally not accept requests.”
Furthermore, Drei dropped a bombshell.
As long as they purchased from ＜Paraiso＞, Burnstone (Tone Mug) could be obtained as crystals of the same size. Naturally, this was very useful in an industrial sense.
Currently, crystals of various sizes are used uniformly, so Burnstone (Tone Mug) compression ignition devices are bulky in terms of volume and weight. This could potentially lead to miniaturization.
“As you may know, Burnstone (Tone Mug) can be processed underwater. If it is too large, it can be easily broken by driving in wedges.”
The Repuytari Kingdom participants were making faces as if to say, “Breaking this is out of the question.” However, only Amadio Silverhead seemed to have suppressed his agitation.
“…I see, I see… This is certainly not something that can be shown off so easily…”
Letting out a big sigh, he approached the Container. As if finally snapping back to their senses at that action, the other members hurriedly followed after Amadio Silverhead.
“From what I can see, it’s certainly all Burnstone (Tone Mug). …Seriously, you’ve brought out something incredible, Drei-san. Trading this certainly can’t be done using our gold coins. But with promissory notes, there’s leeway in the payment deadline, and we can even exchange it for goods.”
At Amadio Silverhead’s words, the Repuytari Kingdom members finally seemed to understand. Certainly, if buying just one of these Containers would blow away the annual budget, it would be difficult to trade.
However, by allowing a grace period for payment with promissory notes, and by accepting the promissory notes as payment for other Trade Goods that ＜Paraiso＞ desired, there would be no need for exchanges through currency.
In this way, trade negotiations between the Repuytari Kingdom and ＜Paraiso＞ began to advance significantly with the appearance of Amadio Silverhead.