Ch.34The Road to Technological Development is Long and Arduous. (2)

# Chapter 34: The Road to Technological Development is Long and Arduous (2)

About a month had passed since that conversation.

On a day when the perfect Mediterranean climate of Ka’zan made the year-round sunshine feel particularly warm.

“Hmm… Let’s take a break and continue later.”

“Yes, Minister.”

With the morning work finishing early for once, Riel and I decided to have a simple cup of coffee.

*Sip.*

After taking a cold cup of coffee to help clear my mind.

Standing by one side of the office, looking out through the glass window, how should I put it…

“Well, this is quite a peaceful moment, something I haven’t experienced in a while.”

“Indeed it is. Oh, here are some snacks produced in Alicia.”

“Thank you.”

With the peaceful atmosphere both inside and out, I wondered if this was really the same world that had been suffering from a large-scale war just a few months ago.

‘Well, peace is good.’

Unlike in games, now that this was reality, not fighting and growing steadily was better, so what did it matter?

With such thoughts, I was about to take another sip of my coffee when…

*WEEE! WEEE! WEEE! WEEE!*

An alarm suddenly blared.

*…WOOOOOM KWAAANG!!*

Followed immediately by a massive explosion and shockwave.

‘What the hell.’

With this completely unexpected event, my beautiful morning break time disappeared without a trace, just like my coffee spilled on the carpet.

————————

[Event: The One Who Descended from the Sky]

[Minister Vermut, one of the Empire’s officially recognized madmen, has crashed her personal drop pod into the fountain in the Diplomatic Enforcement Ministry’s garden.]

[Upon witnessing such a rare and wondrous comet, a buff effect is applied to the entire capital!]

[Comet variable added to the capital city of Ka’zan]

[Additional reward: You receive a small amount of goodwill from ministers who know the comet’s true identity.]

“Duke Arto! I heard you needed my help?!!?!!”

And the culprit who blew away my coffee and relaxation time entered my office with an incredibly confident attitude.

“…Minister Vermut, isn’t it common sense to call ahead before coming?”

The perpetrator who opened the door was Minister Vermut.

Living up to her reputation as a clear-eyed madwoman, she spoke proudly with an expression as clear as could be, without a speck of dust.

“It’s a surprise!”

“…Ah, I see.”

If only she were afraid of me like the Minister of Industrial Technology, it might be burdensome but at least easier to deal with.

“You crashed a drop pod—something used by assault forces—right in the middle of the Diplomatic Enforcement Ministry grounds.”

“Yes, of course?”

The innocent actions of a pure madwoman had the effect of leaving the other person speechless.

Of course, part of it was my own inadequacy in not being able to respond properly…

*Kiriririk, kigigik!*

What made it worse was that her sub-arms—looking like Doctor Octopus’s mechanical arms from that genetically modified spider-man movie—were taking a threatening stance toward me.

“You guys, behave yourselves!”

*Kigigik…*

And Minister Vermut, who scolded these seemingly self-aware sub-arms into submission.

“Anyway, what is it that you’re curious about? Has Minister Arto finally become interested in developing the Hyper Lance System using tachyon particles?”

As she rushed at me like a true engineering geek, I used Riel as a shield and said:

“…Let’s calm down first and talk.”

“How can I calm down?! The saintly Minister Arto has finally decided to dedicate his life to science!”

Was I meeting with the Minister of Science and Technology, or a professor who had come to kidnap an unsuspecting college student?

Seeing even the previously well-behaved sub-arms joining in the frenzy, caught up in the clear-eyed madwoman’s atmosphere, I sighed deeply and said:

“Wait, you’re still a minister, so don’t cross the line.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

At my words, Minister Vermut tilted her head with a puzzled expression, but…

“…Are you alright, Duke Arto?”

“If the boss wants it, we have no choice.”

“Wha-what is this?!”

With whispered words, my personal guards—or rather, self-proclaimed purge unit members—deactivated their stealth and appeared, pointing their weapons at Minister Vermut herself.

“…”

First shocked that they actually pointed weapons at her, and then…

‘How was that? We did well, right?’

Seeing their faces looking at me with expressions clearly seeking praise, I was shocked a second time…

“…Let’s sort this out first.”

With a feeling that I was rapidly aging, I collapsed onto my sofa and held my head in my hands.

After listening to the construction sounds from outside the office for a while:

“Minister, they say it’s all done.”

“Haaa… Alright, tell them to come in.”

Minister Vermut, who had displayed the rare sight in a class-based society of a ministerial-level noble directly participating in manual labor alongside field agents.

“That was quite an enjoyable experience after so long! Oh, and I also added pressure adjustment and transformation functions to the fountain while I was at it?”

“…”

Seeing her talk about modifying someone else’s fountain as if she had fixed a baby’s toy, I had to do my best to keep my composure from escaping.

“Minister Vermut, let’s set aside what just happened… There’s a reason I called for you.”

“Oh right, there was that!”

Having barely maintained my sanity, I naturally began to explain why I had called for the clear-eyed madwoman.

———————-

After listening very seriously to my inadequate explanation, nodding earnestly and even managing her expressions, Minister Vermut asked what the conclusion was, and…

“Hmm.”

After taking a moment to gather my breath, I finally threw a straight pitch, but…

“What exactly is the direction of the Empire’s technological development? I’m wondering if it’s being controlled at all.”

“Oh, that?”

Minister Vermut blinked her eyes 2-3 times at my words, then eventually nodded and opened her mouth with a confident attitude.

“We respect the will of our scientists and engineers, so as long as results are produced, that’s all that matters?”

“…Excuse me?”

At such a statement that defied common sense, I had to devote all my energy to managing my expression that was desperately trying to contort.

‘What kind of nonsense is that?’

Of course, I could only manage my expression; there was no way to control my thoughts.

‘So what I’m hearing is that the Empire’s technological development is no different from the random development of a deranged AI?’

It was an incomprehensible statement, but I continued to desperately maintain my expression, took a moment to regulate my breathing, and continued:

“Although I’m not an expert in weapons development, to be honest…”

While making a gesture of looking around slightly, I continued:

“…Compared to our immediate neighbor and potential enemy, Prosnack, our fleet’s combat power is far too inadequate. What do you plan to do about that?”

When I said this, Minister Vermut also nodded in affirmation and responded:

“Indeed, they say Minister Arto’s loyalty to the Empire is genuine, and the rumors were true.”

‘…?’

Minister Vermut, who had delivered another blow to my unprepared mental state, eventually continued with a gesture suggesting she understood my feelings:

“Don’t worry too much. In anticipation of such an evaluation someday, we have already succeeded in creating weapons that can be mounted on ships.”

“…Oh?”

“In addition, we have completed the design of our Empire’s new ships that will form the foundation of the fleet.”

“Ohhh.”

At what could truly be called an expert’s bold claim, I felt my lost trust being somewhat restored.

But whether it was just empty talk or not was impossible to confirm here and now…

“Of course, thinking you might find it hard to believe, I brought the designs for the new ships and weapons I mentioned.”

…or so I thought, but her preparedness in bringing the design drawings and photos was impressive enough to draw admiration.

“Impressive. This is good enough to show to His Majesty right away.”

I was so impressed that I unconsciously revealed my connection to Artlaia, but…

“No, unfortunately, to show it to His Majesty, we need to at least have the prototype reach initial production quality.”

“Hmm, indeed… Minister Vermut’s opinion is correct.”

Seeing her speak so coolly this time, I decided to believe her bold claim for once.