The effect of the strategic supplies (gifts) was dramatic.
The gifts themselves, and the various phenomena associated with them, seemed to be extremely shocking to Teariaarda Elemes, the head of the Forest Country (Lebresta) embassy.
First, the fact that Dreissig and Zwanzig looked exactly alike. I explained that they weren’t twins, but that they were from a clan like that, but I wonder how much she understood.
Well, in reality, they’re like twins.
And then, the fact that Zwanzig unloaded the luggage all by herself. When she tried to lift the luggage that Zwanzig had unloaded from the carriage, a maid almost threw out her back.
In the end, Zwanzig stopped Teariaarda from calling for laborers and carried the luggage to the designated location.
By the way, Zwanzig was wearing an assist suit, which allowed her to exert more than five times the strength of a normal adult male.
Furthermore, the trade samples (gifts) that I had prepared. She seemed impressed with the refined salt and granulated sugar, but not surprised to that extent.
In other words, she knows of similar things.
What surprised her were some of the metal products. She examined the swords and precious metalwork that I had prepared as samples with enthusiasm, or rather, with an attitude of looking at something unbelievable.
However, it seemed that she was more interested in the materials themselves than in the shape or the fineness of the craftsmanship. This was an unexpected attitude, and ＜Ringo＞ is scheduled to analyze it in the future.
She was very interested in the preserved water sample. She seemed interested in the idea of storing water.
In addition, she was interested in canned preserved food, but she didn’t seem to like the fact that it was made of iron. Bottled goods seemed to be fine.
Cellulose thread, cloth, and paper. These were very well received. In particular, the cloth was nothing short of praised.
The texture was good, and the weave was fine and uniform. Also, depending on the weaving method, it was possible to create stretchy fabrics, and this sample was very well received.
She said that if we could supply it stably, she would want it immediately.
Agriteンド was surprised, so it must have been an unusually enthusiastic reaction.
She didn’t seem to be very interested in jewels, but she seemed impressed with the accurately cut gemstone shaping technology.
Finally, the alcoholic beverages. Mainly distilled spirits made from grains similar to wheat. ＜The Tree＞ is not yet producing alcohol itself, but it is distilled from alcohol obtained in the port city of Telek.
It was brought as a sample of distillation technology rather than the alcohol itself.
The alcohol content is divided into several levels, with the highest being 96%. It’s at a level where it can easily be ignited by a cigarette lighter.
Judging from her reaction, it seems that distilled spirits themselves already exist. However, she seemed surprised at the alcohol content.
“Wait, is the Forest Country (Lebresta) an elf country?!”
Commander (Eve) shouted after watching the video explanation.
“The proper noun ‘elf’ does not exist in this country, but it is assumed that there is a race close to that concept.”
“Their ears are pointed, their faces are good, and they’re tall. And there are bows displayed in the reception room. Did you notice? This old man isn’t wearing any metal products at all.”
＜Ringo＞ nodded at her, who was talking excitedly.
“Yes, Ma’am. Maids and butlers, and other non-Forest Country (Lebresta) people, wear metal ornaments normally, so it is highly possible that they dislike metal.”
This is probably why she wasn’t interested in canned goods. I don’t know if she hates or dislikes metal, but it’s hard to imagine any other reason why bottled goods are OK and canned goods are NG.
However, she was holding it with her bare hands when she checked it, so it doesn’t seem to be so bad that she can’t touch it.
After that, the group was welcomed on the terrace. It was like a standing buffet.
There was almost no useful information, as it was mostly small talk, so most of the video couldn’t be shown, but the content was summarized by ＜Ringo＞.
First, about the so-called beastmen, which are the appearance of communicator dolls. According to Teariaarda, it seems that there are races with beast-like characteristics.
However, at least they do not reside on this land, but have built a country on another land across the sea.
I was also able to confirm a little about Teariaarda, or rather, the people of the Forest Country (Lebresta). As expected, many of them dislike metal, especially iron.
If they touch it on their skin for a long time as an accessory, it seems to cause inflammation.
It seems that the race is prone to metal allergies.
Of course, there are some people with unique constitutions who do not experience any inflammation at all, but such constitutions are very rare and valued.
Also, Teariaarda’s wife, Eleka Elemes, was introduced. Her extremely beautiful and well-proportioned appearance was exactly like an elf princess.
A tall, handsome old man and a slender beauty.
Several other people were introduced, but ＜Ringo＞ judged that they were not very important, so they were cut.
Well, Commander (Eve) doesn’t need to remember them. If necessary, ＜Ringo＞ can explain them again on the spot.
The snacks that came out were sandwiches, sweets, and something like well-chilled green tea.
When I asked about the tea, I was told that it was one of the trade goods and a specialty of the Forest Country (Lebresta). It is made from tea trees grown in the forest, where there is not much sunlight.
The vegetables were grown on a farm run under the guidance of the Forest Country (Lebresta). It was very delicious – apparently.
Commander (Eve) still doesn’t trust the taste of the communicator dolls that ＜Ringo＞ controls, so she only believes half of what she hears.
Well, even so, Agriteンド on the Telek port city side and the two secretaries were eating it deliciously, so it doesn’t seem to have a special taste.
After that, they talked about the current situation of the Afrasia United Kingdom.
Perhaps because we were personnel from a city in the southern end of the country, isolated from the political center, the content was almost a protest or a complaint.
It seems that the situation around the capital of the Afrasia United Kingdom is quite bad. As a result, they are unable to trade properly.
Their main trading item is fuel stone, but the supply is decreasing day by day. Given the situation, this is to be expected.
After that, they seem to be able to secure a decent amount of wheat and horses. This is thanks to the fact that the Wheat Hill city, the main production area, is somehow maintaining its independence.
However, as there was pressure on the Fratala city, the situation seems to be gradually deteriorating.
It must be pretty bad if people from other countries are saying that.
We can assume that the Afrasia United Kingdom is no longer able to maintain its structure as a country. The regions are divided, declaring independence as they please, and small pioneer villages are being wiped out one after another.
And the biggest problem is that the main cause of all this is internal strife. It’s a nuisance to the surrounding countries. There is a possibility that deserters and refugees who have turned into bandits will rush to the border.
“Just to reconfirm, this country is screwed, isn’t it?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
If we find a promising mine, we might as well develop it by force. That’s what she thought.
She didn’t want to deal with hundreds of thousands of infantry, but the more information she gathered, the lower the possibility of a full-scale war became.
The disconnection between regions is severe, and it is difficult to obtain proper information, but this is the same for every town.
Even if ＜The Tree＞ advances a little, by the time that information circulates, I feel like we can have a major force ready.
“However,”
Beyond this, to the north of the Fratala city, there is the Wheat Hill city, which has considerable power as an independent force.
＜The Tree＞’s military strength is still weak, and there is a great deal of anxiety in the event of a full-scale war. For the time being, we should continue peaceful contact through trade or appeasement.