"How’s the ship? Do you think we can move it?"
"Hmm... I’ve learned how to set the sails, but it still seems difficult to actually move the ship. It would be better to practice on a smaller vessel first."
"Unless the person operating the ship is experienced, we can’t predict its movements, right? We also can’t gather many wind mages, so it’s quite tricky."
While confirming the ship’s movements as Dee directed the crew, Kamshin ran up to us. Was it fine with a large ship, or had he finally gotten used to it? Kamshin was running across the deck with his usual expression.
"Van-sama! Count Panamera is here! His Majesty is with him!"
"Huh? The audience is already over? I wasn’t called..."
Surprised, I moved across the deck and looked toward the land. Sure enough, besides the carriage with Panamera, there was a lavish carriage parked. The royal crest flag was displayed next to the carriage.
"If only I could have moved the ship and surprised them, but that was impossible. What a shame."
I muttered this, and Dee nodded seriously.
"We’ll need to gather personnel somehow. But what to do about the wind mages...?"
"It’s tricky, huh?"
As I had this exchange with Dee, Panamera, His Majesty, and Chancellor Apelta climbed aboard using the ladder attached to the ship’s side.
"Your Majesty, it’s been a while!"
"Ah! Van Viscount! To think you’d come all the way to the capital, but the first thing you do is head to the coast—what’s the meaning of this!"
"Ah, sorry."
"Humph."
His Majesty said this with dissatisfaction but nodded to acknowledge my apology before immediately turning his attention to the ship.
"Wow, this is amazing...! From a distance, it looked enormous, but being on board, it feels ridiculously massive!"
"Hmm, I didn’t think there was a nation operating such a ship... This is quite the threat."
His Majesty and Apelta were amazed by the size of the deck and the mast, voicing their admiration while inspecting the ship. Panamera, glancing at the two of them, walked toward me.
"I did make the request for the audience, but after hearing about the ship, His Majesty and Apelta immediately left the castle. We haven’t even had a proper conversation about the Fiesta Kingdom or this large ship yet. What should we do?"
"Well then, how about we do a ship tour and talk on the bridge?"
"Hmm, that might be best. Indeed, both His Majesty and Apelta are seeing a large ship for the first time. It might be better to show them the ship first before explaining its usefulness."
"Alright, I’ll take His Majesty on a tour."
After confirming the plan with Panamera, I moved toward His Majesty. Dee, who had been observing as His Majesty and Apelta watched him fold the sails, approached them and spoke.
"Your Majesty, Apelta-sama, would you like me to explain the ship to you?"
"Ah, Van Viscount! That would be greatly appreciated!"
"Please do."
Both of them happily agreed.
"Well then, let’s start from the third floor. From the deck, it’s the first basement. This is where the cargo is stored, and..."
As I said this, I gave His Majesty and Apelta a tour of the ship, explaining its equipment and functions.
The Fiesta Kingdom’s ships were well thought out and, apart from not having a bath, they were more than sufficient. Well, if there were a water mage, they could fill a water tank and take a shower.
"...And so, this is the design of the Fiesta Kingdom’s ship."
After finishing the tour, I guided them to the break area I had set up on the bridge and explained what would happen if the ship were moved.
His Majesty, who had been listening in silence, sighed heavily after hearing everything.
"...This is beyond what I imagined."
At His Majesty’s words, Apelta nodded gravely.
"Indeed. I never thought it could move faster than a carriage... And if it could attack while moving, a country without ships wouldn’t stand a chance."
"With this, it would mean placing mages in every town and village near the sea. But even with mages, there’s a limit. Our country has Van Viscount’s ballistae, and the Yellenetta Kingdom still has its remaining cannons, but..."
"If the Fiesta Kingdom forms an alliance with the Solstice Empire, we might have to prepare for the worst-case scenario."
The conversation between the two of them quickly filled the air with tension.
"As for that, I believe we have built a rather close relationship with Lord Tran of the Fiesta Kingdom’s Marquis Rosso’s domain. Perhaps the Scuderia Kingdom can be the first to form an alliance with the Fiesta Kingdom?"
Panamera spoke up, but His Majesty and Apelta’s expressions didn’t change much.
"It’s a difficult matter. The Solstice Empire is much larger as a nation. If we’re going to form an alliance, it would have to be with a major power. Then there’s the distance. If our country is much closer to the Empire, mutual trade would be easier. The benefits would increase significantly."
"In some ways, showing Van Viscount’s abilities was fortunate. Not only his shipbuilding skills, but also his ballistae. For the Fiesta Kingdom, these incredible abilities would surely make them want to have him as an ally."
The two continued their conversation and looked toward me.
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