Episode 325: Top-Level Meeting
“It seems the Northern countries have finally calmed down,”
Alban Blayais, Grand Admiral of the Repuytari Kingdom, initiated the conversation while skimming through documents.
“For a while, I didn’t know what would happen… The report stated that the Prawa Theocracy had reached its limit of offensive capability.”
“I wonder about that. In the end, we still don’t understand the internal affairs of the Prawa Theocracy.”
Duke Amadio Silverhead responded to that.
Gathered in this place were the top figures of the faction that effectively steered the Repuytari Kingdom.
Grand Admiral Alban Blayais, who leads the largest force in the kingdom, the Royal Navy.
Duke Amadio Silverhead, who has returned to the top of the House of Lords.
And Asidanthera-Ayame Zero, the plenipotentiary ambassador of ＜Paraiso＞, who, despite being a foreign power, is seizing control of the economy.
Furthermore, Drei=Ringo, the admiral of the ＜Paraiso＞ fleet, which is demonstrating its power in the surrounding waters.
“Their blockade line is also stable. We’re moving into the phase of infiltrating scouts.”
“Phase… meaning stage, was it? Yes, thanks to your assistance, we can send abundant supplies to the front lines. We also have plenty of personnel to spare.”
“Can’t you… have a little more sense of urgency…?”
Amadio sighed at Alban’s easy agreement with Asidanthera’s words.
However, this exchange was already a regular occurrence.
Alban already personally trusted Asidanthera, and by extension, ＜Paraiso＞ behind her.
In the first place, Amadio Silverhead, the founding father, took the initiative to hold tea parties, inviting influential figures in the country one after another.
It could already be said that they were in a deeply entrenched relationship.
Alban had a history of following Amadio Silverhead from a young age and developing the navy.
Therefore, it was only natural for him to have good feelings towards ＜Paraiso＞, with whom Duke Amadio was fully engaged in exchanges.
“Are you going to give me your usual lecture again? However, at least in the current situation, I believe we can trade with the people of ＜Paraiso＞ with utmost sincerity. The trade volume between both parties is skyrocketing, and there’s no need to antagonize them unnecessarily.”
“I always feel Lord Alban’s sincerity. We want to respond to that spirit.”
“…Lord Cera seems to have been quite bribed.”
Asidanthera-Ayame Zero responded to Amadio’s teasing with a snort. Then, she pierced a sliced pastry with a fork and gracefully brought it to her mouth.
“An excellent creation today as well. The tart crust is perfectly baked. The custard cream has no impurities and a well-balanced sweetness. Please convey my gratitude to the craftsman.”
“Oh, I’m glad you like it. I heard that he’s been very motivated since Lady Asidanthera directly expressed her gratitude before. It seems like he’ll be able to come up with a new creation next time as well.”
“That’s good. Lord Amadio, I’m counting on you for the next one too.”
“…Yes, yes.”
He was immediately urged to hold the next tea party, but today’s tea party had only just begun. Amadio sighed and focused his mind.
Reacting to that Thought Control signal, a projection display built into the table showed an image.
“…Now, let’s get to the main topic for today. The support for the problematic Northern countries. We’ll need to transport a large amount of supplies for a while, so the military transport ships will have to work hard.”
“Mainly building materials and metal fittings, wasn’t it? Well, it’s the inland sea, so even if we load them to the brim, they won’t capsize.”
By the way, this projection display is also made by ＜Paraiso＞. For now, only Amadio can use it.
“The building materials are fine. But for food and other supplies, we’ll need to send them by land, and by horse-drawn carriage for the time being. I want to get the railway running as soon as possible…”
Amadio seemed to be very dissatisfied with the inefficiency of horse-drawn carriage transport.
Well, the amount of cargo that can be carried is at most about 1 ton. Even if we use the steel vehicles supplied by ＜Paraiso＞, the limit is 5 tons due to the road problems.
And that’s only on the main roads. At the end, at worst, we have to hire laborers to transfer the cargo to small carts.
“I heard that road maintenance is actually disliked.”
When Drei interjected, Amadio agreed while holding his forehead.
“That’s right. Because of defense issues and such… Seriously, that’s why small, self-contained cities are a pain.”
“That’s also why we were able to gain so much power. Our country has struggled quite a bit to organize its transportation network.”
Roads are the arteries of a country. If this flow is good, the country will be revitalized, and if it stagnates, it will lose its vitality.
The Repuytari Kingdom drastically increased its national power by thoroughly implementing this. That was the common understanding of those present.
“We can also provide transport trucks, but is it too early?”
“Ah… that thing, the Stirling engine or something. We can’t maintain it here, such a precision machine. We can’t just abandon it if it breaks down, can we?”
“It’s just a matter of processing accuracy. The theory and design can be reproduced with your technical capabilities.”
“Thanks to your technical guidance. Haven’t we advanced 100 years into the future? Hmm?”
And this is also the rapidly advancing technological innovation of the Repuytari Kingdom. With the construction of factories by ＜Paraiso＞, many engineers are exposed to its wisdom, expanding their inherent abilities.
“Isn’t that a good thing?”
“From our perspective, we are worried that you are giving away too much. Trade is based on equality. If it’s not, it will eventually break down somewhere.”
“Hmm…”
When Alban said that, Drei turned his gaze to Asidanthera.
The person in charge of this area is ＜Ayame Zero＞, who controls Asidanthera.
＜Ringo＞ did not interfere and remained in a posture of watchful waiting.
“There are differences in values between both parties. What you consider valuable and what is truly valuable to us are not necessarily the same. And I understand that the basic principle of trade is to profit from the difference by trading those non-matching items.”
“The greater the gap between the two parties involved in the transaction, the greater the discrepancy in value recognition. Currently, there is a large gap between us, Paraiso, and you.”
“There is certainly a divide, and as it is, even dialogue is difficult. That is what I have determined. Therefore, I am trying to build a bridge first. …Besides, it’s not a one-sided giveaway. For example, this pastry. If we were to try to make something similar, we would have to put in a lot of effort. And I pride myself on fully understanding the weight of the history that creates these things.”
Asidanthera’s words, Drei’s agreement. Hearing that answer, Alban nodded in understanding.
“Hey, Miss Cera. So, what you’re saying is? Because the sweets are delicious, let’s build a factory? Choose your words a little more carefully. You just sound like you’re greedy.”
Alban looked slightly surprised at Amadio’s casual words.
He didn’t think Asidanthera and Amadio were on such good terms.
“How rude, Lord Amadio. I want to say that it’s precisely because you generously disclose your history. And it’s not just sweets. Preserved foods in each region, unique seasonings. The evolution of food inferred from the climate and vegetation of that region. Or the history of trial and error for Increased Food Production. The development of long-distance Means of transportation, the improvement of preservation technology. The resulting decrease in mortality rate, the improvement of lifespan. All of these records are worth a fortune to us.”
“80% of it is about food, isn’t it?”
“I don’t want you to make fun of me. Longevity is greatly related to the reduction of malnutrition and food poisoning, the increase in physical strength due to improved nutrition, and the improvement of immunity. Not 80%, but 100%.”
“Hey, is it all about food!”
“It’s a waste to just eat it. It’s history, Lord Amadio. I am tasting the history packed into this pastry right here. This delicate taste is the accumulation of this country’s history. In other words, I am eating the country. I don’t want you to use vulgar expressions like gluttony.”
Asidanthera finished speaking with a triumphant expression, and brought the pastry she had pierced with her fork to her mouth.
Amadio, who had originally made a casual remark like a friendly jab, muttered, “So it’s the country…” while cutting the pastry with his fork.
“Um, I’m sorry, but I heard from the craftsman that all the ingredients for this confectionery were purchased from Paraiso, and the recipe is an arrangement of what I learned from Lady Asidanthera…”
“…………”
“…………”
An awkward silence fell over the room.
Mr. Amagake, moving like a grandfather who is sweet to his grandchildren.
In terms of life experience, they are undoubtedly grandfather and grandchild.
★Promotion of Volume 3
It will finally be released on Monday, September 30th!!!!
The keywords for Volume 3 are artificial satellites, naval vessels, fleet battles, magic knights, trampling, giant machines, and dragons. We have added and revised quite a bit to the Web episodes.
It seems some bookstores already have them on their shelves!
★The existing e-books are also having a coin redemption sale, so please take this opportunity to check them out.