Published: January 17, 2026
Thanks to Tran's hospitality, we were able to enjoy a very pleasant ship tour and meal. After eating, Tran and his group accompanied us back to Tribute.
“Ah! Lord Van has returned!”
At Dee's shout, everyone gathered, the atmosphere buzzing with excitement. Among them was Panamera, wearing a meaningful smile as he spoke.
“Oh, you’re back. How was it?”
“It was great! We were even treated to fish dishes from the Fiesta Kingdom!”
“That’s not quite the impression I was looking for…”
He staggered slightly at my response, wearing a somewhat uneasy expression as he said that. I smiled wryly and nodded.
“Of course, I understand. I believe we can build a ship.”
“Really!? Is that true!?”
When I answered, Panamera suddenly lifted his face with sparkling eyes. But then he held up both hands, waving them from side to side.
“However, I still don’t fully understand the important functions. Especially the measures against large aquatic demonic beasts, which are the most crucial.”
Saying that, Panamera crossed his arms and lowered his chin. He seemed to ponder for a moment but soon lifted the corner of his mouth in a smirk.
“Well, if we can float such a huge ship, that's already a significant achievement. For now, I’d say you’ve built a good relationship with Rear Guard Tran. Meeting again should be possible, and we can continue research later.”
“It seems to be related to those metal plates covering the ship, but it doesn’t look simple, does it?”
I asked, slightly uneasy at Panamera’s words, and he nodded with a laugh.
“No, it won’t be easy. But it’s necessary technology. We should leave that part to the researchers in the capital city. Although, having said that, I wouldn’t be surprised if the young man just casually makes it himself.”
Panamera chuckled sarcastically.
The next day, we visited Rosso again. It seemed Tran was planning to stay in Tribute until setting sail, as he hadn’t returned to his own fortress city yet.
“Good morning, Your Excellency.”
“Good morning!”
“Oh, Sir Panamera. As beautiful as ever this morning. Lord Van, glad to see you well.”
Greeting him, Rosso responded in high spirits.
“G-good morning, Marquis Rosso.”
“Hmm. Miss Arte is charming this morning as well. I look forward to her future.”
“Th-thank you very much...!”
Rosso had a smooth way of complimenting women. Arte blushed deeply, clearly embarrassed. It was frustrating—I should probably take note of that style. By the way, Talga also greeted him, but Rosso only lightly returned, “Good morning, Sir Talga.” Talga might still be a long way from being acknowledged as a baron. Well, since he doesn’t even see himself as a noble, he probably doesn’t care.
Alright, I should try to help Talga make more progress so he can eventually receive a territory. If Panamera and Talga both hold lands, they might be able to protect them.
As I pondered these things, Rosso turned his face toward me.
“So, Lord Van, how was the ship?”
Without lingering on greetings, Rosso immediately got to the point. His attitude hadn’t changed much, but his eyes were fixed directly on me. Clearly, he was deeply interested in the ship—understandable if considering its potential as a weapon.
“First, please have a look at this.”
Not wanting to keep Rosso waiting, I quickly spread out the documents on the table. Rosso gestured for me to sit, using only hand signals, and took the seat with the best view of the materials himself. By the way, Espada had come along this time, standing silently behind me like a servant. When I unfolded the documents, he silently moved next to me.
“These are the blueprints, aren’t they?”
Espada murmured softly, and Panamera’s eyes widened as he spoke.
“…I’m surprised. I didn’t expect them to be so detailed.”
He placed his palm over the ship’s three-view drawing spread on the table and traced the lines with his fingers.
The materials on the table were ship design plans that I had drawn after borrowing study time from Espada. It was good I had studied drafting even in the general course. Behold the power of the Level 3 Drafting Skill Certification.