Chapter 137 (1/2)

137. Information Gathering 2

While brilliantly ignoring Mitchan, I proceed the talk with Marquis sama.

No, this is [The job of a n.o.ble family head]. That's why, Mitchan who is being ignored is not that angry. Now, it's a [Place of Business Talks] between her father and other n.o.ble. It's not a good time for the family to get in the way of the talks.

And Mitchan is a well-educated daughter of a senior n.o.bleman, and a clever one at that.

”…I'm also interested in the ships of this country. In trade perspective, like how much load they can carry, how long they can stay out at the ocean, and how much cost needed to operate them. What is the probability of losing a ship, cargo, personnel etc. in a pirate or marine accident? And…” (Miitsuha)

”And? (Marquis-sama)

”How much expectation we can put in this country in the event of when our country is in a crisis?” (Mitsuha)

It's all about digging the information about the military strength and the performance of the ships of this country, so this is the result of my thinking about how to ask without being suspicious.

Marquis-sama seems to be thinking quite a bit.

”Hmm, that was a rather difficult questions… Depending on the merchant, there are various places where you have a ship, ask a shipping company, and so on. And there's a ship and the crew's arms. Even accidents and pirate damage can vary widely, depending on the route taken, the ship used, the size of the fleet, the weather, and the season. It's not something that can be simply quantified or expressed in one word.” (Marquis-sama)

Oh, I see… of course it'll be like that.

”And I wouldn't be able to speak lightly about relationship between countries. It depends what kind of treaty is to be concluded, how far should the content of the treaty be interpreted, and it will also depend on the mutual relationship at that time, the domestic situation and the international situation.” (Marquis-sama)

Well, I'm convinced!

Let's not ask about the ship's performance directly here. It would suffice to examine the captured ships and ask former POWs, who are now citizens of our country. I don't think any new ship will have such a sharp improvement in performance. Unless there is a great breakthrough.

And I've heard to some extent about the state-of-the-art ship from soldier-kun, and it's not too difficult to meet with him again. A sailor or a cadet candidate probably well aware of the ship's capabilities to some extent. After all, it is the [Underling] that actually measures the speed of the ship and operates the sails by tying a rope to a piece of wood.

It would be useless to ask any more about the ship here. The Marquis may not be a ship expert and I can't ask him about the country's foreign policy like, [if you find a new continent, would you invade it?], there's no way I can ask something like that. That's why I need more time and the source of information.

What's left is, gossip and teatime before I run away from here.

”And how much would it take to transport goods from the country of yours, if using the ship of your country?” (Marquis-sama)