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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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Dr. Mercedes Musk.
I had intended to approach him with a relaxed demeanor, but upon hearing his name, my body moved faster than my thoughts.
“It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
As I practically kicked the door open, Captain Johannes greeted me warmly. The middle-aged man with slicked-back, thinning hair standing next to him must have been Dr. Mercedes.
A once-in-a-generation genius who had enabled Reinhardt to secure such technology, a tier-one scientist hero. It seemed even he couldn’t do anything about hair loss.
I quickly averted my gaze from his shiny head and greeted him politely.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Mercedes Musk.”
“It’s truly an honor to meet such a distinguished scholar. Please, come in.”
If there were 12 Archmages on the magic side, on the other end were the 8 Scientists. One of them was Mercedes Musk of the Reinhardt Empire.
Of course, I had thought that a cavalry captain and someone in charge of introducing Count Ferdinand’s military exhibition would have some connections in the technology field, but I hadn’t expected him to bring such a big shot.
‘Still, a future artillery general is an artillery general.’
I guided the two of them to the reception room inside the lodging. Lumia, who had prepared some light refreshments as soon as the guests arrived. She was always one step ahead.
“We have another guest. Could I trouble you for another cup of tea, Lieutenant?”
“Of course.”
Lumia replied with a soft voice and a smile.
Sensing a quiet dignity in her demeanor, Johannes asked with a slightly surprised look, “Were you from a noble family? You have a completely different atmosphere from when I saw you at the exhibition hall.”
“Hehe, thank you.”
Even I had made that same mistake when I first saw her. It wasn’t the first time she had heard it, so Lieutenant Lumia Blue skillfully prepared another cup of tea.
“Then, I’ll be taking my leave. Glory to the motherland.”
“Glory to the motherland.”
She gave me a sharp salute and disappeared upstairs to her room. It was a clean and sensible exit.
“It’s surprising to see so many talented people in Ukraine.”
“In the winds of change blowing across the world, our country couldn’t possibly stand still.”
“The Archmage of the Sky also maintains a cooperative relationship with our Reinhardt Empire in many ways.”
Light icebreaking and formal pleasantries. Since being possessed, I hadn’t just been lazing around, so I was able to converse with Dr. Mercedes without difficulty, based on the information I had gathered from newspapers and people.
It was also thanks to the fact that I could speak Reinhardt’s language to some extent, whether it was due to the possessor’s correction or not.
“You’re quite fluent in the Reinhardt language. Did you use translation magic?”
“Hahaha, there’s no learning without purpose. In the future, the whole world will come together, so there’s no harm in studying in advance.”
“You share my perspective on future sociology.”
Not bad.
Dr. Mercedes Musk was looking at me with a very favorable expression. He had confirmed that I could speak his language to some extent and that our scientific and social views were similar.
“Then, to get straight to the point…”
“The recoil-type cannon. I heard that Ukraine is currently developing it.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Has a prototype been produced yet?”
I thought for a moment before shaking my head and answering. I had been vague with Johannes, but I couldn’t be so disrespectful to the doctor.
“No. However, the prototype barrel itself has been completed. The last time I saw it, they had succeeded in controlling the recoil.”
“So you’ve succeeded in applying the concept.”
“That’s right.”
“……Hmm.”
It wasn’t uncommon for many people to have similar ideas at similar times. Take the telephone, for example.
Although it was known to have been invented by Alexander Graham Bell, the concept itself had been established by several inventors and scientists before him.
And if the patent had been filed a few hours later, the title of the first inventor of the telephone would have been taken by a man named Elisha Gray. HOI was no different.
The telephone seen at the exhibition─, the military communication equipment, was probably being developed not only by the Reinhardt Empire but also by the United Kingdom of Bretton.
Of course, the reason why Ukraine was able to apply the concept of a recoil mechanism was purely because of a variable called ‘me’. Dr. Mercedes Musk seemed to have thought so.
His assessment of Ukraine was probably changing in real time.
“We were also developing a mobile cannon operating on a similar concept…”
“Is that so?”
“It’s just that it’s not easy to apply this concept.”
The recoil mechanism, although it seemed very simple, was a more complex concept than it looked. Even we, with our lack of technology, were only able to make a 57mm cannon, which was smaller than a mortar in modern terms.
With the world’s best technology from Reinhardt, if they just figured out the concept, they would be able to develop a much larger and more beautiful field gun than us, who were struggling with a mere 57mm.
‘It will depend on how good of a deal they offer.’
I tapped the underside of the table with my finger and observed the reactions of the doctor and the captain. There was only one thing I wanted. The support of the Reinhardt Empire for the ‘railway transport system,’ including armored trains.
“I heard from Captain Johannes that you have a strong interest in the Moldau armored train we are currently developing.”
“Eh.”
“We will guarantee the purchase rights for the improved Moldau armored train. Sell us the patent for that concept.”
Guaranteed purchase rights for the train and a technology patent? The math didn’t quite add up.
“Hmm.”
As I showed a slight reluctance, Captain Johannes and Dr. Mercedes exchanged glances.
“Then what do you think about setting up a factory locally and producing it under license? We can’t guarantee all the patent rights for the armored train, but you’ll be able to produce ordinary military transport trains on your own.”
See. A little pushback, and a much better offer comes out.
In fact, this was within the range of what both of them had thought. Even though I was a magic officer accompanying the great mage Sony Zeppelin, it was natural for them to test the waters.
In the end, both Johannes and Mercedes could be seen as businessmen. The basics of negotiation started with a low price and gradually increased to a reasonable standard.
If I had accepted the previous offer, I would have been a novice. Now, even though the Reinhardt side had offered a clear advantage with local license production, to push back once more would make me an intermediate.
‘We’re the ones in a hurry.’
It was just four years from now. The Soviet Empire would launch an all-out invasion of Ukraine with overwhelming numbers and firepower.
To avoid having our homeland overrun by new weapons incorporating all sorts of advanced technology, including mutants, we couldn’t just stand tall with our necks stiff.
“…Alright. We will discuss it with the Ukrainian technology research department as soon as possible. I guarantee there will be good results.”
“Thank you. Joint development will surely be of great help to both sides.”
“Of course.”
I stood up and extended my hand to Dr. Mercedes.
Okay, thank you, okay! License!
I had gotten the most I could out of the empire of technology. Now it was time to start the snowball rolling.
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After that, Captain Johannes and Dr. Mercedes spent some lighthearted time with Enoch Levandal. They talked about things they could only talk about with someone from another country, such as the future international situation.
The doctor, who had been skeptical at first, also realized, after talking with Enoch Levandal, that the Ukrainian man in front of him was no ordinary person.
“What do you think, Doctor?”
“You were right. He’s experienced. And his thinking is very progressive. Honestly, he’s a talent that’s wasted in Ukraine.”
It was high praise. For Dr. Mercedes, who was very stingy with his compliments, to say such a thing meant that he was quite fond of Captain Enoch.
Captain Johannes Weissenberg also didn’t dislike Enoch Levandal. He just had a feeling that he was hiding something. But Johannes didn’t say it out loud. He could have been wrong, couldn’t he?
No matter how promising an officer Enoch Levandal was, he couldn’t possibly possess that much insight.
If he had, he wouldn’t have been in the military, but would have been called a great sage at some magic tower. Instead, the cavalry captain actively agreed with Dr. Mercedes’s opinion.
“He has a good sense for external cooperation in technology and proposal adjustments. I heard he’s a new officer who was just commissioned about seven months ago, but I can see why he was promoted so quickly.”
“From second lieutenant to captain in seven months. If he’s a talent that the Archmage of the Sky herself decided to nurture, it’s understandable.”
“I agree.”
Dr. Mercedes nodded.
“Anyway, remember. We have a duty to lead the Reich people to a more progressive future. If we can get help from Ukraine, we should, but they are not yet our equals.”
“From the moment I decided to dedicate my life to the military, I was prepared to give my all for the Reich people.”
“Some may call us madmen or cold-blooded people without blood or tears. But don’t feel guilty.”
Reichism. It was an ideology that combined expansionism and nationalism and was currently spreading widely among the empire’s intellectuals.
“For the Reich.”
“For the Reich.”
The meeting of the three men who would lead the turbulent era to come. No one knew what kind of results it would bring.
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