Episode 346: Interlude (Small Nations)
The Repuytari Kingdom is recognized by most powers as the most dynamic nation, excluding a certain faction.
This kingdom, with its formidable naval strength, is currently experiencing rapid expansion of its port cities.
In particular, the newly opened port city was expanding at an astonishing rate.
Vast warehouses stretched across the newly cleared land.
The port itself was enormous, with numerous merchant ships moored at its long piers.
The piers were plentiful, and the seabed was dredged deep, allowing large cargo ships to dock even at low tide.
Indeed, very large cargo ships frequently called at this port.
These large, pure white ships were shrouded in secrecy from other nations.
Sailors visiting the port spread various rumors about these unprecedentedly massive vessels.
Sometimes, the cargo ships unloaded vast quantities of huge crates; at other times, they loaded massive amounts of ore spewed out by mysterious machinery.
The nationality of these large ships was unknown, but they were rumored to be experimental vessels built by the Repuytari Kingdom or visitors from another continent.
The surrounding area was heavily guarded, with numerous sentries watching for intruders.
As a result, no one had obtained accurate information, and only dubious rumors circulated.
However, even more talked about than the large ships were the factories sprawling outside the port facilities.
Giant tanks, distillation towers, and pipelines snaking everywhere.
The sight of these massive facilities, unseen in other countries, attracted much attention.
◇◇◇◇
“…I would like to observe them, if possible.”
“We have made inquiries several times. However, we have not received favorable responses from those who are close to them.”
“I hear it is under the direct control of the navy. The nobles lament that they have no involvement at all…”
In a room at a certain embassy, a gathering masquerading as a party was actually a clandestine meeting.
There, ambassadors from countries other than the Repuytari Kingdom were whispering among themselves.
“The ship in question… Since its arrival, everything seems to have changed…”
“Ah, the one from that country called Paraiso. Certainly, the timing coincides. We have heard various rumors, but what is the truth…”
“We are also gathering information. The prevailing theory is that it is a fleet dispatched from a country across the sea.”
“The one that conquered the Afrasia United Kingdom?”
“Indeed. At the very least, it is certain that all the embassies of that country have been seized by the military of this Paraiso. But whether they have conquered the entire country is impossible to verify.”
“…However, I have heard that the border areas have become quite troublesome. Is burnstone mining also dwindling in your country?”
At this pointed remark, the other ambassadors fell silent for a moment.
Of course, exposing one’s own weaknesses to other countries was a bad move.
But everyone understood that accurate information sharing was required in this situation. Hiding it would bring no benefit.
“Indeed… I have heard that contact with our pioneer villages has been lost without explanation.”
However.
There was no need to reveal all information. Only the facts needed to be conveyed.
Information such as the annihilation of a pioneer village that resisted Paraiso, including the knights dispatched, should be kept within the relevant parties.
“Is that so in your country as well? We have heard that even if we send pioneer groups, they disappear without a trace. It seems that their borders are being heavily guarded…”
The other ambassadors frowned thoughtfully at the information from the ambassadors of countries bordering the Afrasia United Kingdom.
Everyone knew that the Repuytari Kingdom desired burnstone.
It was just not written in documents or spoken aloud.
“We have reduced the volume of burnstone transactions, but it seems that they are not urging us as much as before.”
“Is that so in your country as well? The demands on our country have also remained the same, and it is helpful that they no longer demand penalties even if there is a shortage…”
“It is quite unsettling. I cannot believe that they no longer need burnstone…”
They all recalled the Repuytari Kingdom’s new warships.
Huge hulls with multiple large-caliber turrets mounted on them.
The steam that spewed out from various places during operation made it clear what the power source was.
After all, locomotives, transportation vehicles that run on burnstone, had spread even to the civilian sector.
Although the technical details were hidden, the actual objects were there. Everyone knew the outline of the power source called the steam engine.
“…It seems that they have found a way to obtain burnstone stably…”
“There is no doubt. As your country knows, the number of those locomotives has recently increased dramatically. Naturally, the amount of burnstone consumed should increase proportionally.”
“I cannot believe that we can trade that amount of burnstone among ourselves at the current exchange rate.”
“I had the estimated amount of burnstone calculated at the current transaction rate, and it amounts to a national budget’s worth of money moving every month. I cannot believe that such an amount of gold coins can be moved and kept hidden.”
“Indeed. In other words, the trading partner is…”
“…＜Paraiso＞, then. In that case, the information that they occupied the Afrasia United Kingdom…”
“Perhaps, perhaps it might be true… Hmm, this information must be taken back to our home country. No, I am truly glad that I was able to participate in this meeting. We must take action quickly.”
“We should refrain from trying to outmaneuver each other. We will surely collapse together. Only a country with the national power of at least Weizenland…”
Conversely, Weizenland was a common neighbor to be wary of for the countries participating here.
In fact, some countries were dependent on food imported from Weizenland.
Until now, they had been in a cooperative relationship to some extent in order to confront the common threat of the Repuytari Kingdom, but that may no longer be the case in the future.
Fortunately, the Repuytari Kingdom did not have much territorial ambition.
But if the Repuytari Kingdom’s interest was directed towards ＜Paraiso＞, the story would change.
Weizenland was a typical land power.
Until now, the obstacle of the Repuytari Kingdom had stood in its way, and its ambitions had been suppressed.
But if that restraint was removed, there was no guarantee that the country would not bare its fangs at the small countries to its south.
“Hmm… It seems that we are entering a difficult era. We may need to open our hearts and discuss things soon.”
“We here know that well enough. But what about your home country…”
“…It will be difficult. The king is one thing, but the nobles around him are often stubborn…”
Diplomats dispatched to the Repuytari Kingdom were in a position that required the most difficult maneuvering.
Therefore, most of them were very talented.
Regardless of the intentions of their home countries, they were on such good terms at the field level that it could be called unity.
Of course, the relationship between countries was different. It was rare for countries to be on good terms with their neighbors.
Even so, prior unity was essential in order to deal with the great power of the Repuytari Kingdom.
“I hope that ＜Paraiso＞ does not bare its fangs at us…”
“We have no information at all… We must be more careful.”
Thus, the small nations of the south were also caught up in the great historical vortex.
The small nations that did not have a particularly strong presence. I tried to put the spotlight on them here.
I guess they will have a very hard time from now on…
★50% coin redemption campaign at Bookwalker! Until 1/21!
★Belly-Pinching Fortress Wants to Build a Great Battleship in Another World World of Sandbox All 3 volumes on sale!
KADOKAWA Official https://www.kadokawa.co.jp/series/417083/?i=322212000471