Published: January 17, 2026
We moored the prototype ship at the pier and moved through Tribute Town with a large group. Rosso and about a dozen of his subordinates. Panamera with around ten of his men. Then myself, Talga, Arte, Dee, Espada, Til, Kamushin, and about fifteen others. And finally Tran and his twenty or so subordinates… It was a group so large it resembled a daimyo procession.
By the way, the other knights had either returned to their inns or gone out to eat. As for Ort and his group, perhaps judging that it would take too many days, they had gone hunting demonic beasts in the nearby mountains.
Still, I worried whether such a large group could fit into one restaurant. But this was a place chosen by Tran. Since he usually commanded about fifty subordinates, the restaurant was quite large.
“Wow, this is amazing!”
I voiced my honest impression as I looked at the huge chunk of meat laid out before us. It was a massive slab, about the size of a human head. It didn’t look fully cooked, but its impact was impressive, and the young knights cheered with delight.
At the central table sat Rosso, Tran, Panamera, Talga, Arte, and myself. The table was wide—usually meant for eight to ten people. Six of us comfortably used it, sitting with plenty of room.
“Everyone, let me pour your drinks.”
“Thank you, Til.”
Though there were restaurant staff, Til personally offered to serve us. Thanks to that, our table had the attentive service befitting a noble banquet. And if Til ever made a mistake, Espada was stationed close by, ready to assist, which was reassuring.
Feeling delighted to enjoy such a fine meal with flawless service, drinks were soon placed before everyone. In front of me was a sweet and sour fruit juice.
“Now then… to the prosperity of the Kingdom of Scuderia and the Fiesta Kingdom.”
“Cheers!”
Rosso raised his glass and spoke. Panamera gave the signal, and everyone clinked their glasses together. The atmosphere wasn’t as rowdy as a tavern, but it certainly didn’t feel like a gathering of high-ranking nobility.
Smiling and sharing their drinks, some already biting into the meat, Rosso took a sip of his drink and opened his mouth.
“This is quite a rare experience… Do the common people always have such lively meals?”
Rosso murmured with a smile. It seemed he didn’t often visit ordinary eateries so casually. Which was understandable.
While I was thinking that, Tran’s expression darkened slightly as he spoke.
“…Marquis Rosso, may I ask you one thing? Why did you go so far as to share that astonishing shipbuilding technology with us? Is it not to show off your power?”
Upon hearing that, Rosso nodded deeply.
“Of course. We want to build a friendly relationship with the Fiesta Kingdom.”
Rosso answered confidently. Tran gave a shallow nod and glanced our way.
“…Then, to gain our trust, you deliberately used Viscount Van’s shipbuilding technology? In that case, I would like to see the actual construction of the ship.”
It was a clear challenge. Several knights and sailors tensed at Tran’s words. Rosso smiled broadly, shaking off the tension, and replied calmly.
“Indeed. Sir Van’s skills are remarkable. I would like Tran-dono to witness some of it for himself and consider building a positive relationship with the Kingdom of Scuderia.”
Upon hearing this, Tran furrowed his brows and muttered.
“…I see. You have that much confidence in it.”
As Tran pondered, Rosso leaned back in his chair, waiting for a response. This was the flow decided after discussions with Rosso and Panamera. Well, they took my opinion seriously, but at the core was Rosso’s strategy of winning us over.
Tran and the Fiesta Kingdom’s captains, who knew little about other countries, surely sought a trustworthy ally above all else. It took weeks to reach anywhere on the nearby continent from the Fiesta Kingdom. Without at least one friendly nation, supplies would be impossible. You can’t stay floating on the sea forever. For the same reason, you can’t fight across the ocean without allied or friendly countries.