The Hungry Fortress Wants to Build a Battleship in Another World – World of Sandbox

“Commander Sis-ter! Ahh, Asahi is so happy, surrounded by her elder sisters! Hwaaah~!”
“…I wonder how you ended up like this in the first place.”

Asahi, having finally obtained her Humanoid Android body, immediately launched herself to snuggle into Commander Sis-ter’s arms. Blocked by ＜Ringo＞, she refused to give up, and after a string of scuffles the result was this: Commander Eve, ＜Ringo＞, the Five Sisters, and Asahi — eight in all — crammed together on the recreation room sofa, bundled up tight while spectating the negotiations with the Kingdom of Lepuitari.
Incidentally, Asahi had naturally claimed a spot on Commander Sis-ter’s lap.
“It is nearly time, Commander Ma’am.”

“Mm.”
About fifteen minutes before the scheduled hour. From the harbor, a steam-driven screw vessel, already standing by fully prepared, began to move out. It was likely one of their most modern small powered craft. Clearly, they wanted to demonstrate some form of technological superiority…
“Commander Sis-ter! To have miniaturized a practical steam engine to this size is impressive too!”

“Yes, indeed. My own image of a steam engine is that of the iron railway engines.”
What she remembered were steam locomotives viewed only in archival footage. Massive vehicles roaring forward while belching smoke, their grainy black-and-white recordings only adding to the overwhelming impression. Compared to those, yes, this was certainly small for a steam engine.
“Since the combustion chamber is essentially unnecessary, downsizing and higher output seem possible. Given the property of generating heat under pressure, a confined volume might actually produce higher temperatures.”
“＜Ringo＞! You have schematics on that, don’t you!? I want to see them later! If possible, the real thing too!”

“…Yes. A prototype is already under fabrication at the Telek Port City base. We can have it delivered. Should Asahi examine it, there is some probability of a breakthrough occurring…”
Showing a trace of hesitation, ＜Ringo＞ still agreed. Commander Eve chuckled at the sight and reached out to pat ＜Ringo＞’s head — who, of course, had conveniently secured the seat at her right-hand side.
“As for magic-related matters, let’s hand those to Asahi for now. You’ve integrated the library data, haven’t you? Compared to us with our half-baked knowledge, her thinking may yield more flexible ideas.”

“Yes-affirmative, Commander Ma’am.”
The live feed was coming from a camera mounted atop Panas’ mainmast. The screw vessel, having departed harbor, approached slowly. Small though it was, it bore a steam engine, and several crew were darting about managing the machinery and its fittings. On deck stood several high-ranking officials — likely today’s delegates: three officers by rank, with roughly eight escorts.
“By the way, what will become of that ship during the talks?”

“Yes-affirmative, Commander Ma’am. The plan is for it to stand by alongside. Infiltrator bots are already aboard, so no issue. Evidently they are not reckless enough to attempt an attack under such circumstances.”
Boarding Panas would be limited to seven, exactly as stipulated. In truth, the vessel could simply be sent back, but the local Strategic AI judged it unnecessary to impose such harsh caution. Allowing the ship to remain spared their side the appearance of intimidation — and reassured the delegates who would otherwise feel exposed.
The primary aim remained trade, with deterrence only secondary. If they pressed too forcefully, the other side might harden its stance. The plan was to maintain parity in tone, seeking negotiations on equal footing.

“Overnight, no suspicious craft attempted to close in, which attests to high order in the harbor. Being the king’s own domain, strict controls are surely enforced.”
“Commander Sis-ter, warships from both Braoritter and Weissritter ports are beginning to weigh anchor. No hostile intention yet, but the bay could be blockaded.”
That report came from Ichigo.

“Oh-ho, so they can move after all. Those are main fleet ports, right? Are these powered ships?”
“Yes. The latest steam engines, screw-driven battleships. Their metallurgy limits gun length, but they mount steam-powered rotating turrets as main batteries, and their striking power is considerable.”
For Lepuitari, these were the prized jewels of its navy. Construction was ongoing to build up numbers, so they were not yet the mainstay of the line. But given another year, the fleet could be fielding them in respectable quantity.

“＜Paraiso＞ will present Representative Drei and Staff Officer Vier. One secretary will accompany. Escorts, four. Equipped ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ with ceremonial cutlasses and revolvers. In addition, eight personnel will remain on station under adaptive environmental camouflage, armed with assault rifles.”
“Thank you, Akane. Coverage is sufficient. Though, an outright assassination seems unlikely…”
“Yes-affirmative, Commander Ma’am. Panas’ Strategic AI concurs. Nonetheless, contingencies exist, especially concerning magic, where vigilance can never be excessive.”

Everything lay within ＜Ringo＞’s grasp — save for the one factor of magic, which remained elusive.
From the intelligence gathered, the Kingdom of Lepuitari was decidedly backward in the arcane arts. Their own assessment placed the Forest Kingdom of Levresta at the pinnacle of magical advancement, followed by the religious federations to the west. Lepuitari, Wheat Country Weizenland, and the smaller nations trailed behind on roughly the same tier.
As for the United Kingdom of Aphrasia, the common perception was that of nomads in tents across an undeveloped wilderness. Unfortunately, this was accurate.
“It seems even ordinary citizens can use fire-starting spells! Ahh, I want to try magic too! How does one even learn it?”

“At the very least, not in that Android body… isn’t the Brain Unit the only part that’s biological?”
“Ahh, that’s cruel, Commander Sis-ter! My skin and internal systems are made of pseudo-cells, you know!”
What was actually required to wield magic remained unknown.

They had studied several people from the United Kingdom of Aphrasia, but no special organs had been detected. Incidentally, the data was gathered when those patients were placed in medical pods for illness or injury treatment — entirely legal.
“What we do know is that without training of some kind, magic cannot be learned.”
“Then I want to train! I’ll practice too!!”

“In that case, we need to find a teacher first…”
As they exchanged such harmless banter, the screw vessel finally drew near to the ＜Paraiso＞ formation.
Today, the Hedgehog-Class destroyers remained in their tight spacing, leaving no passage.

Realizing this, the screw vessel began to slow.
“Hedgehog-Class No. 3 and No. 4 are moving now.”
Immediate maneuvering was, of course, possible.

The destroyers adjusted their under-keel nozzles and shifted laterally. Using multiple outlets dispersed the water flow, preventing turbulence.
From the outside, however, it appeared as though the massive hulls had suddenly slid sideways over the water’s surface.
The screw vessel’s crew were visibly stunned. The demonstration had exactly the intended effect. ＜Ringo＞ seemed faintly pleased; Asahi, not having downloaded the maneuvering plan, reacted with unfeigned delight. Seeing that, Commander Eve smiled warmly as well.

At length, almost exactly on schedule, the screw vessel carrying the Lepuitari delegates arrived before Panas, flagship of the ＜Paraiso＞ fleet.
“Identify yourselves!”
From Panas’ deck, the Android Communicator standing watch issued the challenge. In response, a man on the screw vessel’s deck raised his hand.

“Lieutenant Commander Revider Klinkika, External Affairs, Royal Lepuitari Navy! We await as agreed, for the conference with Fleet Leader Drei=Ringo of ＜Paraiso＞!”
“Understood. You are on time.”
As on the previous day, the Navy’s Lieutenant Commander served as escort leader.

Panas promptly responded, lowering a gangway from her side.
Unlike a common rope-and-pulley rig, this gangway was constructed with steel supports and gear-driven mechanisms for visual impact. Smoothly descending, it then extended across to align exactly with the screw vessel’s rail.
This performance too left the delegates astonished. Normally, such tasks still relied heavily on manpower — at best, a steam winch hoisting cables.

“Your ship may moor alongside. Come closer, it is permitted.”
“…Acknowledged! Helm, bring us in there!”