Chapter 3

Crimea Dukedom - Port Town Patta

Matt Von Hilliary, the Viscount and Lord of the small land bordering the sea in the north, is resting in his summer vacation home with his wife and children. He’s currently in the Naval base which was recently constructed with two 50 cannon ships 45m in length and 7 sail ships 15 metres in length loaded in the dock, the ships were made by an acquaintance in the capital at excellent quality matching those in the royal navy. The Chief in charge of the newly constructed port and navy, a 56-year-old veteran in the royal navy, when Matt first entered the academy, Charl supported him in studying; they were best mates but Charl was a senior so he graduated and joined the navy, Matt found Charl in a popular bar one night and they drunk until morning because of their reunion, Matt’s wife severely scolded him the next day and invited Charl over so Matt could ask him to be the head of the territory’s navy. Currently, Matt was walking down the streets towards the naval base when Charl suddenly rushed towards him.

“What’s wrong, Charl?”

Charl wouldn’t run up to him like that in public, there’s probably something troublesome coming.

“A fleet of ships is heading this way! The fleet seems to have an unknown flag according to the patrol boats, maybe an advanced civilization from the unknown northern waters!”

Matt stood there dumbfounded making a poker face at Charl, a civilization from the north could be bad considering the tension from the south because of the Malando Empire.

“Prepare all the ships available, I’ll go meet them to find out what their business is with us, in the case they attack, send a messenger to the capital and warn them about a potential invasion.”

“But-”

“You should know better, as the Lord I must put the country and the citizens first and foremost, and please evacuate my family and everyone in the city if by chance they’re hostile.”

“You better come back alive then, promise me that and I will prepare it.”

“I promise I will, my children need their father by their side, I don’t want them to grow up like me.”

“Hahahaha, I’ll get 'em ready then, it should take about 30 minutes.”

Charl quickly rushed towards the base and ordered preparations for the ships to set sail within 30 minutes.

Matt saw a ship more than 300 metres in length, made of tough metal, a floating island. Approaching next to it is a smaller ship the people on it called out to us.

“Hey! Do you understand what we’re saying?!”

Great, it seems the people of the north know the continental common language, communication won’t be a problem but how could we hear them from so far away?

“Yes! May we ask, for what reason have you entered our waters?”

“We’re from the Raquam Empire! The Admiral ordered us to tell you to board the aircraft carrier for more information! Something about another world.”

Matt didn’t hear the latter but a long ladder flew down onto the deck as his ship drifted next to the floating island, up there was the wide flat ground paved with high quality stone, is this a wyvern carrier? No, there’s no wyverns but strange metallic shaped things that resembles a bird was on the floating island, Matt turns towards a tall tower on the side and approaching him is a child with platinum blonde hair waving, next to her was a tall man who has a tough build and an eye patch, he looked like he was a veteran, but why is there a child here? She looks 12-ish at best with a cute face, she’ll be very popular when she matures. The girl then faces Matt and starts speaking.

“Nice to meet you, I’m the minister of defense, Major Shiro Ra Von Lesse, the old man on the left is Colonel Juchi, the Admiral of the fleet.”

The girl’s word dumbfounded Matt and his escorts, the girl who has yet to reach adulthood is a minister, what does she do as minister of defense? What power does she have? What King is crazy enough to appoint a kid as a minister?

“Ah, my title as minister of defense means I’m the head of every branch of the army if you were wondering.”

Matt was again dumbfounded by the little girl, could she read his mind? It took him a few seconds to recover, he then introduced himself.

“Eh-uh, I’m Viscount Matt Von Hilliary, the Lord of the nearby port town, I was wondering why someone like you is here in our waters.”

“Alright, let’s head inside first and continue the talk there.”

Matt reluctantly entered the tower about 10m tall and headed down some stairs all made of metal, all the passing people stood to the side and saluted when they saw us, giving way to us. we entered a room with 2 sofas facing each other and a table which looks like it’s worth about 15 gold coins on the market, some cookies were in the middle of the table laying on a plate, I sat down across from the little girl which was happily munching on her cookies, the pure sight relieved the stress and tension in the air.

“Alright, then, what is your reason for coming to our country without prior notice?”

Matt asked nervously but the girl didn’t reply and continued to finish the cookie.

“We apologize for invading your waters, we’re currently looking to trade with your country, we can’t support our nation currently with the amount of food we have.”

“If it’s food then it’s pretty simple, how much do you need?”

“Enough to feed 189 million people.”

“Eh? Can you repeat that? I think my ears are starting to get deaf.”

“We need food for 189 million people.”

“189 million people? Not 189 thousand?”

“189 million.”

“I’ll have to contact the capital and request for the foreign affairs office in order to deal with such a large scale transaction but what is there for us?”

(They have a pretty powerful military from what I see so maybe a defense contract or even better an alliance? Fighting with such a large ship can turn the tides of wars.)

“We will send aid to your country during natural disasters, develop your transport system and help you develop some basic hygiene, unfortunately we have a new law that forbids us from sharing weapons and advanced technology, we can’t help you during a war either unless certain circumstances are met.”

“I will pass that on to the Capital, it’ll take a few months so please wait until then.”

“Our current supply can last us 2-3 years at best, we hope for a quick reply, we’ll also send some diplomatic delegation to your capital but it’ll take a few days.”

“Thank you, I will take my leave now and send a report to the capital.”

“Wait!”

“What is it?”

“Can I visit your port town? Doing paperwork is bor- I mean, I need to investigate the livelihood there.”

“Of course, I’ll welcome you to my territory, unfortunately we can’t prepare a luxurious big welcome though.”

“Major, Vice minister Hacka won’t be happy if you don’t attend work tomorrow and get in trouble with a potential trading partner.”

“It’s fine, I’ll take some guys and go there via the chopper, I just want to explore town.”

“I cannot stop you but only warn you, please don’t do anything rash.”

“Oh, um, I can send some esc-”

“No need, anyways I’ll be going now, do you want to join me on the Black Hawk or go by your ship?”

“Black Hawk?”

“It’s a flying thingy, you’ll get there faster.”

“Then, if you may excuse me.”

10 minutes later

POV - Shiro

After landing in the front yard of some fancy mansion, I left my escorts to guard the helicopter and ran into town.

Walking down the street bustling with business, everyone for some reason directed their gaze upon me, I got some of this world’s currency from the viscount guy, 2 gold coins and 7 silver coins. After wandering for a couple of minutes I found a stall selling some delicious smelling food.

“3 bags please!”

“Oh my, Ojou-san, are you sure you can pay that? Where are your parents?”

Damn, I look like a kid, just let me buy the tasty looking things already!

“How much would 3 bag cost?”

“Oh-hohohoho, fine, I’ll tell you, it’ll be 4 silver coins.”

I passed over 5 silver coins, grabbed my 3 bags with tasty looking food and went off enjoying it.

“Eh? Hey Little miss, there's 1 extra coin!”

“Keep it as a tip!”

Shiro wanders off as the sun sets, and her escorts are worried waiting at the mansion, they know she can destroy the entire town within 3 seconds using her large scale magic.