Episode 196: A Banquet on Board
“The waterway connects all the way to the capital, you see.”
The transport ship was of considerable size.
While there wasn’t enough passenger traffic to warrant a full-fledged passenger liner, it was a VIP transport ship that maintained a level of elegance sufficient to satisfy people of a certain status.
The cargo this time consisted of trade goods between the Forest Country (Lebresta) and the Afrasia United Kingdom.
Wheat, thread, cloth, salt, and sake. Dried small fish had also recently been added to the list of items.
“We will have rest days along the way, but we expect to arrive at our capital, the beautiful Linda, in about ten days.”
“Is this waterway really suitable for a ship of this size?”
“Yes. Originally, there were only seven lakes and the rivers connecting them. In ancient times, we utilized these to continue our country’s growth. And over many years, we widened these rivers, reinforced the banks, and dredged the riverbeds. It was all completed many decades ago, though.”
Teariada Elemes and her wife, Eleka, along with their attendants.
And, representing ＜Paraiso＞, Arborea Heath and Alisterta-Heath, with two more attendants.
This group was aboard the VIP transport ship.
The remaining attendants of ＜Paraiso＞ were riding in the multi-legged tanks and the Fusion Reactor Power Vehicle (Little Whale) following behind.
“Well, it’s about time for departure. Is everything alright in the rear?”
“No problem. You may depart.”
Teariada confirmed Arborea-Heath’s nod and signaled the captain on the bridge.
“Set sail!!”
The anchor was raised. At the same time, the Magic Tools installed on the ship began to operate.
It was simply called a Magic Blower, and its mechanism was very simple.
A Magic Stone that generated wind was placed in a box, with a hole only on one side.
Strictly speaking, an air intake was also necessary, but the point was that it was a Magic Tool with the sole function of sending wind backward.
Dozens of these Magic Tools were installed on this VIP transport ship.
“It’s moving.”
“Without these Magic Tools, our country would not have been able to develop this far.”
The VIP transport ship began to move slowly.
Due to the nature of the Magic Tools, there was no operating noise.
Only the sound of the generated wind hitting the water surface and scattering spray could be heard.
Massive transportation of goods using a long river.
Going upstream would be difficult, but going downstream, it was possible to move goods without any power.
This was an important means of transportation for enhancing economic power.
“Well, and this is something that’s probably pointless to say to you all now, but the horses exported from the Afrasia United Kingdom also became a major driving force.”
To go up a river by boat, some kind of power was necessary.
If there was a tailwind, that is, if the wind was blowing from downstream to upstream, it was possible to sail upstream. But usually, the wind was fickle, and the river itself was winding.
In that case, one could either row with oars or pass a rope and pull from the shore.
And horses were made to do the job of pulling from the shore.
“When the river flow is fast, or when there is a lot of cargo, or even on ships that don’t have these blowers, horses are still used to tow ships.”
Recently, the number of horses imported has been decreasing, and in the end, we’ve begun to focus on breeding within our own country, Teariada explained.
It was cheaper to import adult horses from the Afrasia United Kingdom than to raise them ourselves. That was why the trade was established, but if the number of horses decreased, we would have no choice but to prepare them ourselves.
“If your country wishes, horse exports can be resumed. The vitality of each city is also returning. We have the capacity to breed horses again.”
“Is that so? Well, I’ll bring it up with the Council of Elders. Adjustments will be necessary so that the current horse ranches are not strained.”
There was a custom called vested interests.
When something that should have been one’s income is no longer so due to an external disturbance, people harbor resentment towards the cause, that is the reaction.
Well, that’s not exactly it, but it’s something like that.
When the number of imported horses, which had been decreasing, increased, the businesses currently supplying horses within the Forest Country (Lebresta) would suffer the disadvantage of a decrease in the number of shipments.
If this adjustment was not made, friction would arise, and unnecessary conflicts would occur.
Of course, this was a problem that ＜Paraiso＞ didn’t care about.
Horse exports were not essential for the Afrasia United Kingdom. They would simply supply them if requested.
“The number of exports can be adjusted. If it looks like it will become a concrete matter, we will consider it.”
＜Heath＞ casually brushed off this topic and moved the Multi-legged Ground Carrier (Planter) in which she was housed.
The Planter was an all-terrain model. Therefore, it had no problem operating in the river.
It was designed to float on water when the ballast tanks were empty, and it was also equipped with a simple underwater propulsion system. Of course, it was also possible to walk on the riverbed, but doing so would obstruct microwave power transmission, so it was usually necessary to keep its head above water during normal movement.
The Planter slowly submerged itself into the water. The multi-legged tanks were already behind the VIP transport ship in front.
The draft was deep, with only the top surface slightly above the water. Occasionally, waves washed over the top.
This was the same for the Multi-legged Ground Carrier and the Fusion Reactor Power Vehicle (Little Whale) that followed.
However, the Little Whale had a self-propelled multi-wheeled transport vehicle on its vast upper surface, so its draft was lowered by the weight.
In any case, the group successfully began to move.
◇◇◇◇
Teariada Elemes, who had moved to the stern and was observing the ＜Paraiso＞ group, was sweating cold.
These giant Golems accompanying them this time naturally followed along in horse-drawn carriages specialized for transportation, and even followed them into the water.
Their movement speed was the same as the standard speed in Lebresta.
No, since they didn’t seem to be straining themselves, it was better to assume that they could move even faster.
As a diplomat, she couldn’t help but imagine.
What if this group of Golems invaded Lebresta?
They had already built roads. They had already built them.
Could our country’s army stop these giant Golems advancing along the roads?
The chief diplomat couldn’t imagine the scene of defeating these giants.
And if the defense line was broken through and they reached the Lanta River.
Using the river, using the well-maintained, wide, and deep waterway, the Golem group would rush into the country all at once. The Lanta River was connected to the beautiful capital, Linda.
Above all else, we must not become hostile to the Afrasia United Kingdom, no, ＜Paraiso＞. And I must make the Council of Elders understand this threat.
Teariada Elemes vowed so in her heart and clenched her fist.
The high-sensitivity sensors of the Multi-legged Ground Carrier (Planter) were observing her every move in detail.
◇◇◇◇
On the ship, they were served steamed and grilled large river fish that had been caught during the journey.
Fresh herbs obtained from a small village where they stopped for accommodation were rubbed in, wrapped in giant leaves, thrown into a kiln, and heated whole, a hearty dish.
In addition, dishes using plenty of river fish, such as sautéed and stewed dishes, were prepared.
“This is a local specialty around the Lanta River. I hope you enjoy it.”
Steamed whole fish.
I see, so there are dishes of this kind, Arborea-Heath and Alisterta-Heath nodded. ＜Heath＞ immediately uploaded the dish information to the strategic network. It should be processed with the highest priority.
It’s perfect for party dishes, which means Commander (Eve) will like it.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
The VIP transport ship was quite fast because it was equipped with Magic Blowers.
Therefore, it passed by the developed port towns and stopped at a small fishing village ahead. Of course, there were no accommodations in the village.
That’s why they would be spending the night on the ship as it was.
The villagers were stunned by the group of giant Golems that had come ashore for maintenance.
However, they were given various gifts (mainly food) by the beast-eared girls who then disembarked, which eased their wariness, and they seemed to be holding a welcoming banquet.
Thanks to the abundantly prepared Magic Tools for lighting, the deck was kept bright.
From the terrace attached to the VIP room, they looked down on the deck, where food and sake provided by ＜Paraiso＞ were being served, and the crew was holding a banquet.