When I returned to the mansion from town, I immediately visited my father in his office.
I had told him in advance about the test drive and the pocket watch that accompanied the completion of the charcoal car.
He seemed to have been waiting for my return and let me into his room immediately.
Then, as usual, my father and I sat down on the sofa across the desk.
At that moment, Garn puts the tea he made for me and my father on the desk, and I look at him.
'Thank you for everything, Garn."
'Not at all.'
He smiles at me and refrains from interrupting our conversation.
When the situation had calmed down, my father looked at me and muttered.
'Well, let me ask you something. How was The Coal Car?
'Yes, it's better than I expected. I think we can make overwhelming logistical reforms if we can secure the roads and refuelling points. The road maintenance can be done for the time being with the use of earth attribute magic. We have already trained the children of the beastmen to use it."
I smile wryly as I answer.
The reason for developing the charcoal truck is of course to secure a stable supply of 'lute grass', the raw material for mother's healing potion.
But that's not all.
Anyone with a bit of intelligence will immediately realise the potential of the charcoal truck.
It would also be a material that could be used to negotiate with the state.
Logistics reform and magic - the possibilities are immense when you combine the two.
Well, there are still other reasons for developing the charcoal car.
Father grins when he hears my answer.
'Hmm, I guess that means it's finally time to recover our investment. Rid, by the way, did you 'drive' the charcoal truck or something like that?'
I couldn't help but make a disapproving face at my father's question.
'Oh ...... actually, I couldn't drive it, I had Deanna do the test drive.'
'......? Why, you were looking so forward to it."
In fact, when I told my father about the completion of the coal car, I had made a big show of saying, "I will drive the coal car with flying colours and report back to you how it feels to ride in the car.
I couldn't bear my father's quizzical look and blurted out.
'Actually, it's ......, not .......'
'Hmm? What, don't you say it clearly?
I answered in desperation to the questioning.
"I'm not tall enough to drive, so I couldn't do it."
'What, height ......?'
The father, with a dubious look on his face, slowly stares at me.
Then, with a start, he covers his eyes with his hands and turns his head down.
He shook his shoulders, but eventually, unable to bear it any longer, he turned his head this time and laughed out loud.
'Ha ha ha, I see, I'm not tall enough yet. Oh no, I wish I could have been there.'
'...... Father, you laugh too much. Isn't that a bit rude?"
I don't think it's necessary to laugh that hard.
I saw my father laughing so hard that he puffed out his cheeks and turned away.
Father laughs bitterly and continues his conversation.
'Oh no, sorry, sorry. But it's been a long time since I've heard you talk about childish things. I laughed a lot, forgive me. But more importantly, Diana. Tell me what it feels like to test drive a charcoal truck."
While apologising to me, my father turned his gaze to Deanna.
She takes one look at me and then bows with a polite gesture.
'I see great potential for a charcoal truck that runs on 'power' from 'charcoal', without the use of man or horse power. But ......"
She takes another glance at me in mid-sentence as she replies to Father.
Father also noticed this and asked.
'But ...... what's wrong?'
'Don't worry about me, just tell me honestly what you feel.'
Apparently, Diana did care about me.
But what she felt would be more convincing than what I felt.
When I smiled at her, she bailed again and then continued.
'Well, let me be presumptuous. Considering the time needed to move the horse, the initial movement, acceleration, and so on, it would not be suitable for quick activities. Depending on the nature of the activity, the horse may still have the advantage. Based on the above, we believe that its use is currently limited. However, even so, the operating procedure was relatively simple, and considering the fact that, unlike horses, anyone will be able to handle it in a short period of time, I think it has remarkable future potential."
The father finished listening to Deanna's story, and with a grim look on his face, he turned his attention to me this time.
'I see, ...... Rid, how do you take Diana's opinion?'
'Yes, I see. I think that her sharp points and observations are brilliant. I generally agree with her. The nature of a charcoal truck makes it unsuitable for 'military action' where a quick response is required. But, as I told you at the beginning, they should be used for logistical purposes by building roads. The rest would be material for ...... negotiations."
Hearing the words 'bargaining chip', Father grins.
Perhaps Father knows this point better than I do.
I smile wryly and continue.
If we showed them this 'charcoal truck', the bright ones would immediately realise its potential. And if we undertake the construction of roads and refuelling stations for the use of the 'charcoal truck', it will bring enormous profits to the Bardia territory."
'Hmm. 'That's a very good plan. So, who is the first negotiating partner you have in mind?
Perhaps my father knows what I'm asking. I reply without a pause.
'It's obvious, isn't it? The only choice is 'Renalute', the country that produces the raw materials for mother's cure. Besides, that country and the Bardia territory are connected by intermarriage through me and Fara, so it will be easy to negotiate amicably with them. After we have established a track record, we can call on the territories in the Imperial Capital and the Empire that are friendly to us.'
'Hmm, yes. There should be no problem in that direction. Then, let's send a letter to His Majesty Elias of Renalute immediately. I'm going to be busy from now on."
Father smiles happily when he hears my answer.
But I muttered something that was bothering me.
'Just ...... a few things I'm concerned about.'
'What, tell me.'
'Yes. What is the position of the Bardia territory within the empire by moving independently between the Bardia territory and the Renalute? This is an area that is difficult for me to grasp. What do you think about this, Father?'
The Bardia territory's position in the empire, this point is honestly difficult for me to see because I cannot go to the Imperial Capital, and it is also a source of concern for me.
In other words, I can only hope for my father's political skills.
However, my father smiled wryly at my question.
'Don't worry. I have not failed to do anything so far. I have already laid the groundwork for that. The Bardia territory is frontier territory. As such, we have been granted some discretionary powers of our own with regard to the countries whose borders are adjacent to ours. This time, we plan to operate within that scope. Well, I guess you could say that."
'Yes, Father. I think that's brilliant, Father."
I nodded and smiled.
But I did not think that I had finished laying the groundwork.
These days, father often went to the imperial capital, it may have been for the purpose of that negotiation.
At that moment, Father cleared his throat and his eyes changed a little.
'Lid, and what about the ...... examples watch? I assume you've finished the prototype.'
'Yes, Father. 'Yes. I have it for you.'
I nodded rapidly, reached into my pocket, took out a 'pocket watch' and placed it carefully on the desk.
Then I turned my gaze to my father.
This is the pocket watch.
'Well ......, surely you can carry this with you. Now, would you like to explain to me how to use it?'
"I understand".
After that, I explain to my father how to use the pocket watch.
I explained in detail how to use the pocket watch and the precautions to be taken.
He immediately understood how to use it and asked me about mass production.
'We are not ready for mass production yet. But I have given instructions, so please wait a little longer. Instead, I would like to make and dedicate a quantity for Their Excellencies".
'Of course, start that immediately as well. Their Majesties will be delighted. And ...... the new watches that Their Majesties have. The nobility in the centre would not want a portable watch like that. Hmm."
Father grins and smirks, smiling menacingly and suspiciously.
I grin in return.
'Hmph, you're bad too, Father.
'Don't be stupid ...... and don't talk in a misleading way. We only sell to the nobility at 'a price befitting the goods'. Oh, and you. You've got some to give to Chris, don't you? Then have a meeting and move immediately. I'll move quickly too."
My father and I continued our meeting afterwards with a fearless, black smile, just like the evil lord and the gangster in the period drama I remember from my previous life.
When I returned to the mansion from town, I immediately visited my father in his office.
I had told him in advance about the test drive and the pocket watch that accompanied the completion of the charcoal car.
He seemed to have been waiting for my return and let me into his room immediately.
Then, as usual, my father and I sat down on the sofa across the desk.
At that moment, Garn puts the tea he made for me and my father on the desk, and I look at him.
'Thank you for everything, Garn."
'Not at all.'
He smiles at me and refrains from interrupting our conversation.
When the situation had calmed down, my father looked at me and muttered.
'Well, let me ask you something. How was The Coal Car?
'Yes, it's better than I expected. I think we can make overwhelming logistical reforms if we can secure the roads and refuelling points. The road maintenance can be done for the time being with the use of earth attribute magic. We have already trained the children of the beastmen to use it."
I smile wryly as I answer.
The reason for developing the charcoal truck is of course to secure a stable supply of 'lute grass', the raw material for mother's healing potion.
But that's not all.
Anyone with a bit of intelligence will immediately realise the potential of the charcoal truck.
It would also be a material that could be used to negotiate with the state.
Logistics reform and magic - the possibilities are immense when you combine the two.
Well, there are still other reasons for developing the charcoal car.
Father grins when he hears my answer.
'Hmm, I guess that means it's finally time to recover our investment. Rid, by the way, did you 'drive' the charcoal truck or something like that?'
I couldn't help but make a disapproving face at my father's question.
'Oh ...... actually, I couldn't drive it, I had Deanna do the test drive.'
'......? Why, you were looking so forward to it."
In fact, when I told my father about the completion of the coal car, I had made a big show of saying, "I will drive the coal car with flying colours and report back to you how it feels to ride in the car.
I couldn't bear my father's quizzical look and blurted out.
'Actually, it's ......, not .......'
'Hmm? What, don't you say it clearly?
I answered in desperation to the questioning.
"I'm not tall enough to drive, so I couldn't do it."
'What, height ......?'
The father, with a dubious look on his face, slowly stares at me.
Then, with a start, he covers his eyes with his hands and turns his head down.
He shook his shoulders, but eventually, unable to bear it any longer, he turned his head this time and laughed out loud.
'Ha ha ha, I see, I'm not tall enough yet. Oh no, I wish I could have been there.'
'...... Father, you laugh too much. Isn't that a bit rude?"
I don't think it's necessary to laugh that hard.
I saw my father laughing so hard that he puffed out his cheeks and turned away.
Father laughs bitterly and continues his conversation.
'Oh no, sorry, sorry. But it's been a long time since I've heard you talk about childish things. I laughed a lot, forgive me. But more importantly, Diana. Tell me what it feels like to test drive a charcoal truck."
While apologising to me, my father turned his gaze to Deanna.
She takes one look at me and then bows with a polite gesture.
'I see great potential for a charcoal truck that runs on 'power' from 'charcoal', without the use of man or horse power. But ......"
She takes another glance at me in mid-sentence as she replies to Father.
Father also noticed this and asked.
'But ...... what's wrong?'
'Don't worry about me, just tell me honestly what you feel.'
Apparently, Diana did care about me.
But what she felt would be more convincing than what I felt.
When I smiled at her, she bailed again and then continued.
'Well, let me be presumptuous. Considering the time needed to move the horse, the initial movement, acceleration, and so on, it would not be suitable for quick activities. Depending on the nature of the activity, the horse may still have the advantage. Based on the above, we believe that its use is currently limited. However, even so, the operating procedure was relatively simple, and considering the fact that, unlike horses, anyone will be able to handle it in a short period of time, I think it has remarkable future potential."
The father finished listening to Deanna's story, and with a grim look on his face, he turned his attention to me this time.
'I see, ...... Rid, how do you take Diana's opinion?'
'Yes, I see. I think that her sharp points and observations are brilliant. I generally agree with her. The nature of a charcoal truck makes it unsuitable for 'military action' where a quick response is required. But, as I told you at the beginning, they should be used for logistical purposes by building roads. The rest would be material for ...... negotiations."
Hearing the words 'bargaining chip', Father grins.
Perhaps Father knows this point better than I do.
I smile wryly and continue.
If we showed them this 'charcoal truck', the bright ones would immediately realise its potential. And if we undertake the construction of roads and refuelling stations for the use of the 'charcoal truck', it will bring enormous profits to the Bardia territory."
'Hmm. 'That's a very good plan. So, who is the first negotiating partner you have in mind?
Perhaps my father knows what I'm asking. I reply without a pause.
'It's obvious, isn't it? The only choice is 'Renalute', the country that produces the raw materials for mother's cure. Besides, that country and the Bardia territory are connected by intermarriage through me and Fara, so it will be easy to negotiate amicably with them. After we have established a track record, we can call on the territories in the Imperial Capital and the Empire that are friendly to us.'
'Hmm, yes. There should be no problem in that direction. Then, let's send a letter to His Majesty Elias of Renalute immediately. I'm going to be busy from now on."
Father smiles happily when he hears my answer.
But I muttered something that was bothering me.
'Just ...... a few things I'm concerned about.'
'What, tell me.'
'Yes. What is the position of the Bardia territory within the empire by moving independently between the Bardia territory and the Renalute? This is an area that is difficult for me to grasp. What do you think about this, Father?'
The Bardia territory's position in the empire, this point is honestly difficult for me to see because I cannot go to the Imperial Capital, and it is also a source of concern for me.
In other words, I can only hope for my father's political skills.
However, my father smiled wryly at my question.
'Don't worry. I have not failed to do anything so far. I have already laid the groundwork for that. The Bardia territory is frontier territory. As such, we have been granted some discretionary powers of our own with regard to the countries whose borders are adjacent to ours. This time, we plan to operate within that scope. Well, I guess you could say that."
'Yes, Father. I think that's brilliant, Father."
I nodded and smiled.
But I did not think that I had finished laying the groundwork.
These days, father often went to the imperial capital, it may have been for the purpose of that negotiation.
At that moment, Father cleared his throat and his eyes changed a little.
'Lid, and what about the ...... examples watch? I assume you've finished the prototype.'
'Yes, Father. 'Yes. I have it for you.'
I nodded rapidly, reached into my pocket, took out a 'pocket watch' and placed it carefully on the desk.
Then I turned my gaze to my father.
This is the pocket watch.
'Well ......, surely you can carry this with you. Now, would you like to explain to me how to use it?'
"I understand".
After that, I explain to my father how to use the pocket watch.
I explained in detail how to use the pocket watch and the precautions to be taken.
He immediately understood how to use it and asked me about mass production.
'We are not ready for mass production yet. But I have given instructions, so please wait a little longer. Instead, I would like to make and dedicate a quantity for Their Excellencies".
'Of course, start that immediately as well. Their Majesties will be delighted. And ...... the new watches that Their Majesties have. The nobility in the centre would not want a portable watch like that. Hmm."
Father grins and smirks, smiling menacingly and suspiciously.
I grin in return.
'Hmph, you're bad too, Father.
'Don't be stupid ...... and don't talk in a misleading way. We only sell to the nobility at 'a price befitting the goods'. Oh, and you. You've got some to give to Chris, don't you? Then have a meeting and move immediately. I'll move quickly too."
My father and I continued our meeting afterwards with a fearless, black smile, just like the evil lord and the gangster in the period drama I remember from my previous life.
