Chapter 69
That strange discomfort didn't last long.
"Since you said the lifespan of the guns isn't very long, it seems we should purchase enough spare weapons as well."
"Yes. Until the empire's craftsmen can produce guns, we'll have to use those made by the dwarves..."
Moritz focused only on work without separate mention, and,
"Were the accommodations good too?"
"I didn't know there would be separate accommodations prepared to fit human sizes."
"Unlike other dwarf kingdoms, the Anchester Kingdom frequently interacts with humans."
"Is that so?"
Erika spoke actively, lightening the atmosphere.
As neither I nor Anna had any ill feelings towards each other, the awkwardness didn't even last a few days.
"How was it for you, General?"
"Hmm... I'm not sure."
"What do you mean you're not sure..."
"To save money, I just slept adequately on the floor of a regular room."
"..."
"We haven't even arrived in Dinium yet, so there's no need to put on airs. ...Don't worry, I made sure the soldiers slept comfortably in the special human-only accommodations."
"...Please don't be stingy with money for such things."
Our party advanced smoothly without any particular problems, and,
"Corps Commander Viktor, we've arrived at Dinium Castle."
A few days later, we arrived in Dinium, the capital of the Anchester Kingdom.
Setting aside my personal goal of confirming the 'crisis', our objective is the mass purchase of guns and technology sharing.
The purchase itself doesn't seem difficult.
It's said that some mercenaries in the western continent use firearms purchased from dwarves, and the empire has a history of purchasing siege cannons.
The problem is technology sharing.
As other nobles pointed out, it's best to produce weapons domestically as much as possible.
But if the Anchester Kingdom refuses to share technology, the empire will have to secure technological capabilities in other ways.
Reverse engineering takes a lot of time and money, and even if successful, it could seriously damage relations with the Anchester Kingdom.
If signs of 'mine depletion' are seen, we might have to resort to reverse engineering, but if not, it's not easy to take the risk of potentially fighting all future wars against opponents wielding dwarf-crafted weapons.
If I had high-level engineering knowledge, I could design advanced firearms myself, but I only know very basic operating principles.
This is realistically difficult.
So the best direction is to gain the cooperation of the dwarves.
Considering that in the game, only a small number of elite troops could be armed with firearms except for dwarf countries, it won't be easy.
Fortunately, I have excellent gifts from Louise's personal treasury.
I've chosen things that will make the dwarves' eyes turn, so if I handle it well, it should be possible.
Even if we fail to share technology, it's okay.
In my opinion, if they don't accept our conditions to this extent, they probably won't accept anyone's request.
"Usually, when facing a trade delegation, they were already frowning. There was frequent friction, especially with the escort."
"Escort... Hmm."
I pondered how to approach while conversing with Erika, who was relatively familiar with the customs of the Anchester Kingdom.
Considering the tendencies of this world's dwarves with their strong craftsmanship spirit, I devised a strategy.
If I were to name the strategy, it might be something like 'Operation Pride Boost'.
"Everyone change clothes."
"Yes!"
The start of this was changing the escort from plate armor to Red Dragon Corps uniforms before entering Dinium Castle.
Looking at the huge castle gate, almost no different in size from the empire's gates, I fell into thought.
---
"...Do I really have to go personally?"
Dominic Smith wiped the grease from his fingernails and fiddled with the uncomfortable collar of the traditional Anchester Kingdom ceremonial attire.
"It was just before the technology progressed. If I had waited just an hour, no, 30 minutes more, I might have been freed from the inconvenient matchlock."
"The Dragonian Empire is the country that trades most actively with our Anchester Kingdom."
Jamie, who had served Dominic for a long time and was used to such situations, responded coldly to Dominic's grumbling.
"We can't treat the delegation sent by their Empress carelessly, so it's natural for you, Dominic, who has both authority and knowledge about firearms, to greet them. That's why His Majesty also..."
"Ah, I got it. I got it. ...Hah."
Dominic dressed well in ceremonial attire and departed from the workshop with his group who had been waiting for him.
"So, Jamie. Who did you say came?"
"The representative of the delegation is someone named Viktor. He's the commander of the Empress Louise's direct corps and is said to have achieved great merits on the battlefield recently."
They conversed while moving their short legs.
"So he's a soldier?"
"That's right."
"Really, do I need to explain things personally? It's obvious he'll just say things like 'So, how well do you kill enemies?'"
"...You shouldn't speak like that in front of the delegation."
"I know. I know, but I just don't feel motivated. They know too little about us."
Recalling his experiences trading weapons with humans, Dominic shook his head with a frown, and,
"That's right. Thinking about those mercenaries who came last time... Phew."
"They're people who just put on airs without recognizing the soul and spirit contained in our work."
"Didn't they say they want to buy guns? They'll probably be happy even if we just throw them some early models."
Other dwarves strongly sympathized with his words.
They were just trading with humans because it was necessary, and they welcomed the imperial delegation without any expectations.
However,
"...That's unusual."
The imperial delegation was different from other humans from the first impression.
"Those following behind must be the escort?"
"The delegation members are said to be four, so those following must indeed be the escort."
The dwarves focused their attention on the attire of the escort approaching, pulling the carriage.
Usually, human escort troops wore armor and weapons of quality that didn't satisfy the dwarves, often irritating the craftsman dwarves who had expertise in metal processing.
Moreover, when the craftsmen pointed out problems with the armor, most humans would get angry, saying things like 'Don't disrespect human technology!'.
After such situations occurred frequently, it became an unwritten rule for dwarves not to interfere with human equipment, but dwarves felt bad just seeing metal being wasted.
Most trades between humans and dwarves started off on the wrong foot even before they began.
Unlike such ordinary humans, the imperial escort entered wearing neat uniforms with all weapons sheathed.
"Looks like they left all their scrap metal behind."
"I was worried about how to hold back criticism, but thankfully."
"Hmm."
As the dwarves had no intention of evaluating even unseen weapons, they murmured in a more favorable attitude than usual.
"..."
Meanwhile, Dominic carefully observed the appearance of the delegation walking in front of the carriage.
Although he didn't want to even speak to them if they had come riding horses or carriages and looked down on Dominic, he was willing to tolerate having to slightly raise his head due to the height difference.
"Master craftsman... Hmm. I am Prince Dominic Smith of the Anchester Kingdom."
"Nice to meet you. I am Viktor, commander of the Red Dragon Corps, representing the words of Her Majesty Empress Louise Zainburg."
Dominic extended his right hand towards Viktor, who was standing at the front of the group, and Viktor slightly bowed his head and grasped that hand.
Dominic's eyes sparkled at Viktor's restrained movement.
"Due to the large scale of this negotiation, His Majesty the King has decided to personally engage in the negotiation. Now, I will guide you to the royal palace."
"Thank you."
As much as Dominic disliked rude individuals, he disliked those who tried to be excessively considerate.
He found it unpleasant when humans bent their waists or knees to an uncomfortable level as if to emphasize their height, so he was somewhat pleased with Viktor's attitude of showing appropriate courtesy without excessive fuss.
And Viktor's actions didn't stop there.
-Clang! Clang!
"Is that workshop producing leaf springs?"
"That's right."
"Oh ho... By any chance, how many can they produce in a day?"
"The small leaf springs we're making recently can produce 20 or more per day."
"20 leaf springs of this quality in a day... Indeed, remarkable skill."
He expressed admiration while looking at the numerous workshops along the way to the royal palace.
"Haha! A human with a discerning eye!"
"How do you do the heat treatment? The blacksmiths in the empire were struggling with uniform heat treatment, but this leaf spring has just the right ductility and rigidity. Is there a secret?"
"That's the thing! Come, come. This way!"
"..."
Although there had been humans who showed such an approach before, Dominic, who was suspicious of Viktor's intentions, also thought such behavior looked undignified, but,
"Oh, is this where you make gun barrels? Master, may I take a look for a moment? Her Majesty is very interested in the firearms produced in your country."
"Hmm! You're free to touch anything laid out here."
"Thank you. ...Indeed, the uniformity of the inner and outer diameters is remarkable. How do you do it?"
"Hohoho! I like how agreeable you are. Come here! I'll show you a little."
"Thank you!"
Seeing his unexpectedly discerning eye and continuous admiration for dwarven technology,
"This uniform surface and seams, these elegant curves... Is this sword a masterpiece of yours, Master?"
"Oh my, that's just put out for sale. I put effort into it, but my masterpiece is elsewhere!"
"Is that so?"
Before he knew it, his shoulders tensed, and the corners of his mouth loosened.
The dwarves in the workshop, rather than looking down on Viktor who was pulling a carriage engraved with the imperial Empress's symbol, treated him favorably, proud of having their skills recognized.
"Is this an assembled gun? The structure seems a bit different from the one I obtained, is it an improved version?"
"Ahem. I can explain that."
He eventually came to explain the structure of the gun incorporating his technology.
"...He might be a human who knows something."
"I thought he was a soldier, but is he someone related to blacksmithing?"
"The empire's prestige is great, but when it comes to metal processing, it's difficult for them to match us. Hmm."
Instead of rushing Viktor, other dwarves had pleasant conversations about Viktor's reactions.
"...This is the royal palace where His Majesty resides."
They arrived at the royal palace much later than the scheduled time, but,
"After meeting His Majesty, I'd like to visit Master Dominic Smith's workshop."
"Very well. I'll be waiting."
Unlike when they first met, Dominic and Viktor's party were able to enter the palace conversing amicably.