Chapter 312: Technology of the Maritime Nation
Thanks to Rosso‘s arrangements, a meeting with Tran was set up. Rosso sat before a low table, with Tran seated opposite him. Panamera, Talga, and I sat surrounding them.
When the five of us gathered around the table, Rosso spoke first.
“Now then, regarding the ship first, is there anything you wish to ask?”
Prompted by Rosso, Panamera looked at me. Oh, I can ask the first question? That makes me happy.
Thinking that, I opened my mouth, addressing Tran.
“I am Van Nei Fertio. If you wouldn’t mind, please tell me about the structure of the ship.”
“The structure of the ship, is it?”
At the broad question, Tran furrowed his brows and pulled his chin back.
“…It is difficult to explain without drawing a diagram or something.”
Saying that, Tran explained while scratching his head with one hand. The ship was shaped just as I imagined, with a thin, sharp bow. Inside the hull were warehouses and cabins; on the deck were masts and a steering wheel. The rudder was something like a fish fin located at the bottom of the ship.
It was a design much better made than I thought. Turning the steering wheel used gears to rotate a shaft, and grooves carved into the shaft were used to move the fin left and right to decide the ship’s direction.
Furthermore, the Kingdom of Fiesta apparently has even larger ships for royalty and councilors, and it seemed they were currently creating maps of the surrounding area.
“Have you reached any other lands?”
“Hmm. We reached several small uninhabited islands, but this is the first time we have reached a large country like this. My Kingdom of Fiesta has been in a state without drifters from the outside for many years… roughly over a hundred years. However, due to words left by past drifters, we understood that there were several large countries across the sea spreading around the Kingdom of Fiesta. That is precisely why our captains, from the First Fleet to the Fifth Fleet, set sail in different directions respectively. I was shown a map by His Excellency Marquis Rosso, but perhaps setting aside the Kingdom of Yelenetta, we likely have not arrived at the Solstice Empire.”
Saying that, Tran explained the situation of the Kingdom of Fiesta as well. Perhaps to protect the country, he didn’t tell us where the island was. However, based on looking at the map and hearing about which countries they reached, I somehow understood the general location. Most likely, it is quite far from the Solstice Empire. They might have already arrived at the Kingdom of Yelenetta, but it seemed they would return without reaching the Solstice Empire.
“U-Umm, may I ask how you move the ship?”
It was likely a military secret, but unable to hold back, I asked the question. Perhaps because he surprisingly thought of it only as a child’s curiosity, Tran explained simply.
“The ships we handle are operated by thirty to forty people per vessel. The large ships that the King and Councilors ride are operated by over fifty people. The crew’s roles include the helmsman, navigator, deckhands, and so on. Then there is the captain who decides the ship’s destination and policy, but the ones actually moving the ship are the helmsman and the deckhands. The deckhands raise the anchor sunk to the seabed and hoist the sails, and the helmsman aligns the direction. After that, either the captain or the navigator decides the ship’s speed using Wind Magic.”
“With Wind Magic?”
Surprised by Tran‘s casual words, I interjected. Then, Tran blinked his eyes and nodded.
“That is, of course… Usually, the captain must be a Wind Mage, but is it different in the Kingdom of Scuderia?”
Being told that, I thought, I see, and revised my thinking. There is no need to use natural wind for movement. Thinking about it that way, the utility of a sailing ship might even exceed that of a steamship. After all, not only is fuel unnecessary, but depending on the mage, the speed is also controllable at will. If they use a rotation system, a large ship sailing at maximum speed endlessly is not a pipe dream.
“This is beyond my expectations.”
Muttering quietly, I organized the information in my head. In the meantime, Panamera and Talga were also asking Tran questions.
“What is the extent of the Kingdom of Fiesta‘s military power?”
“That, I apologize, but is classified.”
“What kind of offensive equipment is on the ship?”
“That too, I apologize, but I cannot speak of it.”
The two asked questions from a military perspective, ending without obtaining any answers. Well, both seemed to have expected that, and although they looked disappointed, they backed down immediately.
“I see. Come to think of it, you said you won a struggle for hegemony within the island. Lord Tran, does the Kingdom of Fiesta boast a considerable territory?”
Hearing the information that there were multiple countries, Panamera seemed to have estimated that it was a quite large island nation. At that question, Tran groaned while tilting his head slightly and looked at the map spread out on the table.
“Most likely, the size is about half of this Kingdom of Scuderia or the Kingdom of Yelenetta… We were also surprised because we did not think there were this many countries outside the sea.”
To Tran, who answered with a mix of wry amusement, Panamera nodded in response.
“However, that ship is phenomenal. If you have a long-range attack method exceeding the effective range of magic, the Kingdom of Fiesta would be able to produce results equal to or greater than any country you fight.”
“…Well, I wonder about that.”
At the words Panamera spoke, Tran shrugged his shoulders with a fearless smile.
