Chapter 325: The Completed Ship and Tran's Decision

Thanks to Tran‘s advice, Van-kun’s Special Large Ship Number Two achieved overwhelming stability compared to Number One. Well, since the ones operating it are Tran and his skilled crew, I’m not confident if we can move it the same way.

“Ooh, this is amazing!”

“Boy! I didn’t think it would be this much! What speed!”

Rosso and Panamera are squealing with delight on the rooftop of the bridge. Perhaps returning to a childlike state, they both seem to be enjoying it from the bottom of their hearts.

“It’s fast! It’s like a cruise ship! Hyah-ho!”

Of course, as the creator, I enjoyed it more than anyone. Even if I am the genius boy of the century Van-kun, I am still a ten-year-old beautiful boy. If I get such an interesting toy, it would be a loss not to enjoy it.

By the way, the ship’s speed was truly beyond imagination. Hearing “sailing ship,” I imagined bicycle speed, but this looks like it’s doing 40 km/h. It might even be possible to cruise at over 50 km/h. Also, the ship didn’t shake as much as I expected.

“Wow, the wind feels good!”

“Ships are amazing…!”

Till and Arte are also holding onto the handrails installed on the roof with both hands and cheering. Khamsin is silent, but his eyes are sparkling as he looks at the scenery, so I know he’s enjoying it.

“Viscount Van! We will return to Tribute soon! We’ve gone a bit too far!”

“Ah, oka-ay! Please do-o!”

When I replied to Tran, who was taking the helm himself to pilot the ship, the vessel drew a large arc and headed toward the town of Tribute.

“…Since we attached side fins for stability, it is a bit hard to make tight turns, but the straight-line cruising speed is equal to or greater than the Fleetwood. If facing a country where large shipbuilding technology isn’t mature, it will be overwhelmingly advantageous.”

Perhaps having entrusted the wheel to a subordinate, Tran came over to me and gave that impression. Indeed, this is phenomenal technology. It is revolutionary for the transport of supplies I was thinking of, but as a military force, it is outrageous. With Van-kun’s ballistae, it is a moving fortress traveling at over 40 km/h.

Since it is finished to this point, the rest is just about that exterior for countermeasures against large aquatic magical beasts. Even in this state, if we can get this much speed, maybe we can outrun large aquatic magical beasts. But I wouldn’t call it sufficient crisis avoidance.

On the way back to Tribute to moor at the pier, I conveyed that to Tran who was giving instructions to the crew.

“Mr. Tran. Won’t you tell me about that metal plating?”

When I asked that, Tran fell silent with a difficult face. As I thought, he probably can’t talk about just this.

It’s incredibly disappointing, but it can’t be helped. Drooping my eyebrows to make a face on the verge of tears, I apologized to Tran.

“…I’m sorry. You can’t tell me, right? I asked something unnecessary…”

“Ah, no…”

I tried to stimulate Tran‘s guilt to make him confess, but that seemed impossible too. To think Van-kun’s tearful appeal didn’t work, he is a terrifying man.

“Thank you for today. If possible, I was hoping we could have dinner together again today.”

“Ah, y-yes. That is, of course.”

Tran answered while showing signs of being troubled about something. Perhaps the tearful appeal did work. As expected, the sorrowful face of the innocent genius beautiful boy Van-kun must have stimulated his guilt heaps.

Jokes aside, maybe he might transmit the knowledge to me. Thinking that, we returned to the town of Tribute. This time, Rosso insisted, so we held a dinner party at Rosso‘s manor. Eating noisily in town is fun, but receiving top service at a noble’s manor is also good. Rosso‘s boasted chef serves the best dishes, so I’m looking forward to the delicious food.

However, since the manor’s dining room can’t handle a large number of people, the participants were the six of us: Rosso, Tran, Panamera, Targa, myself, and Arte. Till and Khamsin remained in the dining room as my servants, but the other members, including Dee and Esparda, went to eat at town restaurants.

The dinner party proceeded in a solemn yet harmonious atmosphere, and everyone enjoyed the delicious meal. What is this fish with the crispy surface and soft inside? It’s super delicious.

While I was thinking that, Tran spoke up with a solemn face.

“…Marquis Rosso. Do you have a moment?”

“Hmm, what is it?”

When Rosso asked back, Tran answered quietly while receiving everyone’s attention.

“…I was asked by Viscount Van, so I thought I should speak about the ship’s exterior.”

“Ooh, that magnificent metal plating. Has Lord Van not created that yet?”

Rosso nodded at Tran‘s words and said that. Well, it seemed pointless to just imitate the shape, after all. It can’t be helped.

While I was listening thinking that, Tran looked at me apologetically, then turned back to Rosso.

“…Due to my country’s laws, I cannot speak about that exterior. Normally, we must avoid letting shipbuilding technology leak to other countries, but I judged I could excuse transmitting minimum knowledge as a means to understand Viscount Van‘s magic. However, the exterior is different.”

“Mumu… That is a very unfortunate thing.”

When Rosso said that with a sigh, Tran raised his face with a serious expression.

“…To speak honestly, I believe I can trust everyone here, starting with Marquis Rosso. I am also positive about forming an alliance. Therefore, I intend to take this story back to the Kingdom of Fiesta and propose it to the King and the Council.”