Chapter 329: His Majesty's Shock

“How is the ship? Does it look like we can move it?”

“Hmm… I have memorized how to hoist the sails, but actually moving it seems difficult after all. It would be better to practice operation on a smaller ship.”

“I guess you can’t predict its behavior unless you’re accustomed to moving ships? We can’t exactly gather a whole group of Wind Mages either, so it really is difficult.”

While I was having that exchange with Dee, who was confirming how to move the ship while commanding everyone, Khamsin came running over. I wonder if he’s okay because it’s a large ship, or if he’s finally gotten used to it; Khamsin was running across the deck with his usual expression.

“Lord Van! Lady Panamera is coming this way! His Majesty is with her too!”

“Eh? The audience is already over? I wasn’t called, though.”

Surprised, I moved across the deck and looked toward the land. Then, sure enough, a luxurious carriage was lined up separate from Panamera’s carriage. The royal crest flag was displayed on the side of the carriage.

“If we were going to do it, I wanted to surprise them by moving the ship, but I guess that was impossible. Too bad.”

When I muttered that, Dee nodded with a serious face.

“We must gather personnel somehow. However, regarding Wind Mages, what should we do…”

“It’s difficult, right~”

While exchanging such words with Dee, Panamera, His Majesty, and Prime Minister Aperta climbed the ladder attached to the side and boarded the ship.

“Your Majesty, long time no see!”

“Mu! Viscount Van! Even though it is your first time coming to the Royal Capital, what is the meaning of going to the coast first!”

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

“Hmph.”

His Majesty said that discontentedly, but he nodded at my apology and immediately shifted his interest to the ship.

“Ooh, this is amazing…! It was an outrageous size even from a distance, but when you actually board the ship, it is comically huge!”

“Hmm, to think there is a country operating such ships… it is quite a threat.”

His Majesty and Aperta were surprised by the vastness of the deck and the size of the masts, looking around while raising voices of admiration. Panamera walked over to me while glancing at the two.

“I made a request for an audience, but upon hearing about the ship, both His Majesty and Lord Aperta left the castle immediately. We haven’t been able to talk properly about the maritime nation, the Kingdom of Fiesta, or this large ship yet. What should we do?”

“Then, shall we do a tour of the ship once and then talk on the bridge?”

“Hmm, that might be best. Indeed, both His Majesty and Lord Aperta are seeing a large ship for the first time. To explain the ship’s utility, it might be better to do the tour first.”

“Then, I will take His Majesty and conduct the tour.”

Briefly confirming the flow with Panamera and deciding on it, I moved toward His Majesty. I approached His Majesty and Aperta, who were observing Dee folding the sails, and called out to them.

“Your Majesty, Lord Aperta. Shall I explain the ship to you?”

“Ooh, Viscount Van! That is appreciated!”

“We shall leave it to you.”

The two happily agreed.

“Then, first let’s start from the third floor. From the perspective of the deck, it is the first basement level. Here is the warehouse to store cargo and…”

Saying that, I guided them inside the ship while explaining the facilities and functions to His Majesty and Aperta.

The Kingdom of Fiesta’s ship was made with much thought, and except for the lack of a bath, it was a ship that was more than sufficient. Well, if there is a Water Mage, you can put water in the storage tank and take a shower, though.

“…And so, the Kingdom of Fiesta’s ship is shaped like this.”

Finishing the guide, I led everyone to the rest area made in the bridge and explained the scenario of actually moving the ship as the final topic.

His Majesty, who had been listening silently, sighed heavily after hearing everything.

“…This was beyond my imagination.”

At His Majesty’s mutter, Aperta nodded with a solemn face.

“Indeed. To think it can move faster than a carriage… on top of that, if attacked while moving, a country without ships has no way to deal with it.”

“With this, it would mean we’d have to deploy mages to all towns and villages near the sea. However, there is a limit to opposing with mages. Our country has Viscount Van’s ballistae, and the Kingdom of Yelenetta still has remaining cannons, but…”

“If the Kingdom of Fiesta forms an alliance with the Solstice Empire, it means the worst-case scenario is conceivable.”

With their conversation, the air suddenly took on a sense of tension.

“Regarding that, I believe we were able to build a quite intimate relationship with Lord Tran of the Kingdom of Fiesta in Marquis Rosso’s territory. Can’t the Kingdom of Scuderia form an alliance with the Kingdom of Fiesta ahead of others?”

Panamera said that, but His Majesty and Aperta’s expressions didn’t change much.

“It is a difficult point. The Solstice Empire is larger as a country. If forming an alliance, one would usually choose a major power. The rest is distance. If our country is much closer than the Empire, mutual trade is easier. The benefits will be larger.”

“In a sense, showing Lord Van’s ability might have been good. Whether it is shipbuilding technology or the ballistae. From the Kingdom of Fiesta’s perspective, it must be a phenomenal ability that makes them want to have us as allies.”

The two had such a conversation and looked at me.