Episode 139: Backbone
The Repuytari Kingdom Royal Navy leadership was shocked by ＜Paraiso＞’s trump card: the export of Burnstone.
However, this fact was only conveyed to a select few trusted individuals. Given the nature of the matter, they were wary of any potential information leaks.
Then, three days later.
The Repuytari Kingdom Royal Navy decided to import Burnstone.
It was an undeniably hasty decision for such a significant national matter.
However, the truth was that they had no other choice.
The high-quality Burnstone lump was presented as a gift from ＜Paraiso＞.
After having it confirmed by trusted scientists known for their discretion, it was indeed a Burnstone crystal.
The performance of Burnstone depends on its size. The larger the mass, the hotter and longer it can generate heat.
Also, having a smooth end face is an important factor. By applying pressure evenly, the amount of heat generated, i.e., firepower, can be easily adjusted.
According to the scientists who examined it, it appeared to have been cut from a larger Burnstone mass.
And if there was such a large Burnstone, it would be a national treasure, and they would love to see it with their own eyes.
It was brought by ＜Paraiso＞, and the location of its mining source was not disclosed.
However, it was certainly fundamentally different from what the Repuytari Kingdom had been importing until now.
“Certainly, this is attractive. The performance of the Steam Engine will improve dramatically.
But at the same time, it is also a devil’s temptation.
If our industry and military become dependent on this, the people of ＜Paraiso＞ will hold our lifeline.”
Duke Amadio Silverhead warned of the dangers of this issue.
And that was something everyone in the naval leadership recognized.
Standardized, high-quality Burnstone. If a dedicated engine is designed, its performance could be dramatically improved.
If placed on a ship, it could improve top speed, cruising range, and reduce fuel storage space.
To put it mildly, its performance would double.
It was difficult to resist that allure.
“＜Paraiso＞ welcomes your country’s decision. This will allow for more concrete negotiations. We expect both parties to act in good faith.”
“For our part, this will provide persuasive material for our country. May we have a long honeymoon and mutual prosperity.”
The Repuytari Kingdom side must have had many concerns, such as the mining location and processing method. However, they couldn’t directly ask about it.
Their policy was to silently accept the benefits first and strengthen their national power.
“However, it would be uninteresting if this was the only trade item. To build a deeper relationship, I would like to decide on other items as well. What do you think?”
“We agree with that. Our country also has many specialties. For the time being, we plan to continue trade between countries and not open it to the private sector, but do you have any objections to that?”
“No. It is natural to prepare multiple products. Burnstone does not take up much space. We agree to increase the number of trade items to make effective use of loading space.”
From here, discussions began on the resources that the Repuytari Kingdom desired.
The naval side was now concerned with how much they could extract from the ＜Paraiso＞ side. How to extract technology from them, who had more advanced technology than them.
However, everyone fully understood the danger of relying on other countries for daily necessities.
If they allowed the lifeline of the nation to be held any further, they would not be able to avoid being called incompetent.
“…Water?”
“Water. It is sealed to prevent spoilage and can be stored for a long time. Your country is not short of water resources, but we recognize that it is not so abundant that it springs up everywhere.”
Bulky, heavy, consumed quickly, and cheap.
What ＜Paraiso＞ presented under such a category was a long-term storage water container.
“How you distribute it depends on your political means. If the amount we can provide is available, it will not put pressure on existing water resources. Unlike the water on the continent, it is tasteless, odorless, and easy to drink. We have often provided it here as well.”
Amadio Silverhead nodded greatly at the explanation.
“Our country’s water is soft water. The continent is hard water. It’s a matter of personal preference, but soft water is easier to use. If it is provided in that way, it can be imported as a luxury item. If it can be stored for a long time, it will be a hot topic. …Container, what is the capacity?”
“In our units, 2 cubic meters. In your units, it is approximately 0.71 cubic F.”
In terms of weight, it is 2 tons of water. It is not something that can be carried around conveniently, but it is lighter than it looks because it is a sealed container made of hardened Cellulose.
If stored unopened in a cool, dark place, it should last for 5 years.
The cost is low, but the brand power is high.
Being able to place long-term storable water in a place without a water source also has some value.
“For the time being, it would be good to distribute it to the upper classes. The nobles are always looking for rare things.”
“Lord Amadio, you are also a Duke.”
“Alban, you too.”
Ha ha ha, laughter erupts.
Well, it was just the top two in the navy who laughed.
“After that, although we will limit the sales volume, we can also provide steel sheet rolls as industrial raw materials. This will also be sold directly to you. You are free to use it.”
“…Steel sheets manufactured by you?”
“Affirmative. We guarantee the performance. This is more about exchanging for Iron Ore.”
“In other words, is it correct to understand that if the export volume of our Iron Ore increases, your steel export volume will increase accordingly?”
“There is no problem in understanding it that way. This is simply a matter of the amount of Iron that is the raw material. We will refine and reduce some of the imported Iron Ore.”
For ＜Paraiso＞, honestly, as long as they can import resources, they don’t care about anything else.
Even if a breakthrough occurs due to knowing that Over-Technology products “exist,” it is none of their business.
This is because the breakthroughs that occur as a result will never exceed the technology of ＜Paraiso＞.
However, there is no need to provide them for free, nor is there any point in selling them without limit. If possible, they want to continue healthy transactions forever.
For this reason, the Superintelligence of ＜The Tree＞ proposes an equal transaction that has been strictly calculated.
“We don’t have any samples loaded this time. We will provide them when we visit the port next time.”
“That’s great. What we can provide from our side soon is some ore and food?”
“If it’s art, Wheat Country (Weizenland)’s is good. Our country has a tendency to emphasize practicality.”
“Each ship is equipped with large refrigeration equipment. Is it possible to buy vegetables as well?”
“I see. By cooling them, they can be stored for a long time.”
“Refrigerators… I wonder if we can introduce them in our country.”
◇◇◇◇
In this way, a trade treaty was concluded between the Repuytari Kingdom and the unknown force ＜Paraiso＞.
The backbone of the trade is Burnstone and metal ore.
Several other Trade Goods were set, but the amount is negligible compared to the whole.
However, basically, what is provided by the ＜Paraiso＞ side is mostly useful things that contain some kind of suggestion.
The Repuytari Kingdom will climb the stairs of further development from here.
Even if that direction is controlled by ＜Paraiso＞.
“The Local Strategic AI is growing smoothly.”
“Yes, Ma’am. I didn’t expect much, but it seems that it can be used as an AI Backbone for local manipulation.”
“Good. After all, if there is a distance, I’m worried if I don’t have an AI in the field.”
＜Ringo＞ wrote the scenario, but the Local Strategic AI executed it.
The Brain Unit made by ＜The Tree＞ has high basic abilities. Exceeding expectations, it was steadily improving its abilities.
“We will back up the Strategic AI soon. We will optimize it within the calculation area of ＜The Core＞ and make it a template.”
“Yes. You’re sending a cargo ship next time, right? It would be good to carry in the equipment as well.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Then, I will do so.”
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＜Afterword＞
This is the end of “Chapter 4: Maritime Nation”. Thank you for your support.
Amadio’s rampage will begin from here, but the main focus will return to the United Kingdom.
Also, I’ve become too busy in real life, so it will be irregular for a while.