Chapter 320: I Want to Recruit an Advisor
About twenty crew members came over from Tran’s ship, the Fleetwood, and boarded the prototype ship. I watched as the crew, while expressing their surprise, hoisted the sails and checked the movement of the steering wheel.
“Lord Van, if you can make the spar of the mast somewhat movable, you can angle the sails. It is a small change, but it will make a difference in the fine control and stability of the ship.”
“It’s like a yacht. Is that possible precisely because you have Wind Magic?”
“Lord Van, the pulley system used for raising and lowering the anchor should be improved. With this setup, no matter what kind of superhuman strength one has…”
“Huh? Dee pulled it up by himself, though?”
“Wahahaha! Well, it makes for good exercise!”
“Is… is he a monster…?”
And so, I received advice on minute details from Tran and took notes on everything. Tran was inspecting the ship and offering advice even more actively than I had expected.
“Also, you need mechanisms in several places to prevent flooding when water enters the ship. With a ship of this size, you can seal off the first and second levels, and even if they flood completely, the ship will manage to stay afloat. However, if flooding begins on the third level, there is nothing that can be done.”
“I see. Ah, come to think of it, what do you do when a hole opens in the hull?”
“As a first aid measure, we block it with Earth Magic. Once the water intake stops, we hurriedly plug the hole with repair materials. That is the standard procedure.”
“Ooh, with magic…”
I took notes while listening to various unexpected answers.
“Furthermore, since we cannot see the underwater situation, it is difficult to judge, but it lacks stability against lateral waves. Perhaps you have not attached boards called side fins near the bottom of the ship? If you attach side fins, the hull will stabilize. Making the boards larger increases stability when picking up speed, but in exchange, the speed at which you can change direction decreases.”
“Side fins… I see! That certainly seems like it would stabilize it!”
“…Sorry to interrupt your lively discussion, you two, but shouldn’t we head back and eat soon? The sun will be setting shortly.”
I was called out to by Panamera during our third lap of walking around the ship with Tran. When I looked around to check the state of the deck, I saw everyone looking at us with wry smiles. It seems I was so engrossed that I had lost sight of my surroundings.
“I-I’m sorry. Then, let us return to Tribute. Ah, would you and your men like to join us for dinner, Mr. Tran?”
“Dinner, is it?”
“I found a delicious restaurant! Though, to be honest, it’s the only one I know yet…”
When I invited him to dinner saying that, Tran laughed happily.
“Hahaha! In that case, it seems we know more about Tribute than you do. If that is so, I know a restaurant that serves delicious meat dishes, although it is a bit on the outskirts of town.”
“Really!? When I thought of Tribute, I only thought of fish dishes, but meat sounds great too! Then, let’s go there!”
As I was agreeing with Tran’s words with great joy, Rosso walked over with a wry smile.
“Hmm. I was thinking of hosting a banquet at my manor since you are all here, but it seems Lord Van possesses the skill to break the ice with Lord Tran better than I. That reminds me. If it is alright, may I join that dinner as well?”
“Eeeh!? The Marquis is going to eat at a restaurant!?”
I stepped back in shock at Rosso’s statement. As I stood there astonished, leaning backward, Panamera shrugged her shoulders with a dissatisfied look.
“I believe I have also eaten at general eateries with the Boy from time to time. I feel a sense of discrimination in how you treat me compared to His Excellency.”
“I apologize for that!”
I apologized reflexively. That said, as someone who calls herself self-made, Panamera doesn’t have much of a ‘noble’ air about her. Rather, her image is closer to that of a mercenary captain or a bandit chieftain. I can easily imagine her taking her knights to a mess hall and drinking booze like water. However, Rosso is a genuine, blue-blooded noble just by looking at him. I simply cannot imagine him eating together with commoners in a regular shop.
“Hm? Boy, are you thinking something rude? My intuition is tingling…”
“P-Panamera-san, will you join us too!? It’s meat! Ah, they have alcohol too, right!?”
“Ah, yes. The variety of liquor is abundant, and the reputation among my subordinates was good…”
Running away from Panamera, who was looking at me with half-lidded eyes, I shifted the conversation to Tran, and Tran read the room and played along.
“Aren’t you changing the subject, Boy?”
“Panamera-san! I’ll treat you to meat and booze!”
“Mumu, meat and booze, you say.”
Not bad. Panamera backed down with a face that said as much. As I stroked my chest in relief at escaping the crisis, Rosso shook his shoulders and laughed.
“Hahaha! No, I am glad you look like you are having fun. I would certainly like to be included in your group, but what do you say?”
At Rosso’s words, I instinctively turned my face to Tran. Then, Tran nodded with a wry smile.
“Of course. There are things I wish to ask you as well.”
Thus, a dinner gathering with a truly rare combination was decided. I had been bracing myself because he is a Grand Marquis, but I am just surprised by Rosso’s frankness.
