Moving To Inspect The Prototypes.

“The sight of His Majesty the King and Her Highness Consort Helena attending the launching ceremony of the Avalon-class battleship.”

“The majesty of the Avalon-class battleship. The surprised faces of ambassadors from countries around the world who attended can be seen.”

“At last, a 40,000-ton-class battleship has been born in our Polia Kingdom!”

“With this, the Polia Kingdom, which has come to possess sixteen battleships, displays its majesty as a great kingdom.”

“The naval power of the Polia Kingdom, which possesses no fewer than eleven fleets, is developing day by day.”

The image of the Avalon-class battleship, printed in huge headlines in the newspapers, became known to the people of the Polia Kingdom. Seeing the majesty of this battleship made everyone admire it and think, as expected of our kingdom. However, even amid this situation, there were also newspapers that showed reactions of concern regarding the number of battleships.

“A launching method of one battleship every five years. Is this truly all right as it is?”

“Battleships that are far too few in number compared to the empires. Should we not build at least twenty-five?”

“Compared to the low production volume of battleships, are aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, and submarines being built relatively more?”

“The situation has reached a dangerous level, to the point that there are even aging battleships whose production year was over thirty years ago. As such, should we not hurry and proceed with building additional battleships?”

“One naval official argues: the current kingdom navy’s strength is far too focused on defense. There is a need to possess a force closer to an offensive type.”

Whether in the past or now, battleships were still regarded as the center of the navy. As such, the number of battleships could be called the core of a nation’s naval power. In reality, foreign countries considered the Polia Kingdom’s naval power to be quite abnormal.

It was focusing on developing and producing aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, and submarines while relatively excluding battleships. As such, there were quite a few people who had doubts about whether the Polia Kingdom’s naval power was as powerful as they thought.

There were also people who thought that if this much effort in producing forces had instead been poured into battleships, they might have had thirty battleships by now. Naturally, there were many people who mocked the actions of the King of Polia, who was said to have made such decisions.

Because this was the situation, many naval officials had no choice but to still have concerned feelings. Sixteen battleships. It certainly could not be denied that they were a powerful force.

Basically, if an ordinary kingdom possessed battleships, there would be one or two if few. If many, there would be three or four, which was already a large number. However, compared to an empire, it still inevitably lagged far behind.

Over the past several years, the empires had been endlessly producing battleships with new technologies applied, as if they were restoring the forces they had lost. In this situation, before long, they had come to possess battleships numbering over forty.

The fact that they had recovered their numbers so quickly in just a few years could, in reality, be said to be because everyone divided up and took the battleships possessed by the Doicheun Empire as if seizing them. Since these were the circumstances of the empires, they inevitably drew too much comparison, and everyone had no choice but to be worried.

“They really do worry a lot.”

“It is probably because the difference in numbers is too great, so they keep worrying.”

Since Mardin had once been a naval officer, he did not fail to understand the thoughts of naval officials, so he must have said that. At this, Ian spoke with the feeling that there was no need to worry at all.

“To be honest, I think we no longer need to compare our forces with the empires.”

“Why do you think so?”

“First of all, if battleships are excluded, have we not reduced the numerical gap to around ninety percent of most empires in reality? Compared to the past, we have achieved great development.”

In reality, whether during the moment when all the empires were at war or from the end of the Great War until now, every year they had been producing aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, and submarines. They had even continued development, and they continuously produced warships with new technologies applied.

‘To be honest, I am now confident we would not lose even if we faced one empire head-on.’

Why did he think that? It was because the weapons that they had finally begun jointly developing with the Doicheun Empire had taken proper shape and entered the final stage of development. It had only been a few years, but the experience with tanks accumulated during the Great War, newly obtained technologies, and aircraft had also established a technological foundation through much experience.

In addition, a large number of excellent engineers from the two countries had been deployed and had entered development. In other words, not only had the designs been completed, but the tanks and fighter aircraft that would be prototypes for field verification were just about to be produced. He had even heard that transport aircraft and bombers for bombing, though still early models, were almost finished in development.

‘July, huh. I can go see them directly during the vacation period.’

While taking a long vacation, he thought he could secretly go to the island where the prototypes had been made and look at them, even if only for a short time. Deep down, he felt anticipation at the thought of seeing them. Judging from what had been shown through the materials, weapons far superior to the weapons used during the Great War had truly been developed.

‘They said even drop bombs had been newly developed, at the very least.’

If they became able to drop large-capacity bombs that could target battleships, battleships would truly become nothing more than targets floating on the sea. Of course, for that to happen, the performance of fighter aircraft would have to be much faster and larger than existing ones. Naturally, such fighter aircraft were currently being developed and coming out as prototypes.

“It is certainly true that our kingdom’s forces have increased greatly in numerical terms, but…”

In reality, even because of the quantitatively increased number of these warships, the empires were not taking the Polia Kingdom lightly. Of course, while they felt burdened by it, they did not think it was stronger than them. Both sides were filled with confidence.

“However, the fact that the number of battleships, which are the core of the navy, is small keeps bothering me. Of course, I believe in Your Majesty’s methods and thoughts. The aircraft-carrier-centered strike system Your Majesty spoke of is also an innovative method.”

“Even if you say that, it is something hard to believe without seeing it directly.”

“No. I believe in Your Majesty.”

“Good. Then once July comes, I will show you directly why I am so insistent on aircraft carriers.”

“Yes? July?”

“I intend to go see the weapons that were being developed in secret during the vacation. You should come with me then as well.”

“I heard that prototypes would come out, but are you thinking of seeing them directly? Then first, we must prepare a way to move secretly so that other countries do not discover it.”

“Are you not curious about what those weapons are like?”

“I am curious. But is Your Majesty’s safety not the top priority?”

He thought Mardin did not seem particularly interested in seeing the newly developed weapons. At this, Ian thought that if he saw them directly, his thoughts would certainly change.

‘They say the power of magic allows technology to develop faster than anything else.’

In reality, the level coming out now should not even be thought of according to Earth’s level. Though the time had been short, they would be completed with engines and materials that had far superior performance. In reality, even the tanks and fighter aircraft that appeared during the Great War had been at a level far higher than Earth’s for the era.

‘So the prototypes coming out now are inevitably far higher in function.’

He thought he wanted to see them directly as soon as possible. Amid these thoughts, June passed, and before long, July was approaching.

July 5.

There was the sight of a large-scale fleet moving while cutting through the waves. It was the Polia Kingdom’s 10th Fleet, a fleet under the command of Admiral Derian Ribi-ro (Major General). The task this fleet had undertaken was none other than escorting the Polia royal family as they moved to their vacation destination.

In a sense, since most of the royal family was moving together, they had no choice but to devote all their power to the escort. Since more than a thousand guards were currently accompanying them, strict security was being maintained.

“Certainly, since the battleship is large and wide, it does not shake much.”

Through Ian’s gaze as he said that, the wide deck outside the bridge and the heavy naval guns located there could be seen. For reference, the ship they were currently aboard was none other than the Avalon-class battleship, which had completed its launching ceremony not long ago.

This battleship, which had temporarily joined the 10th Fleet this time, was currently moving with them while also conducting a trial voyage. As such, a total of thirty-seven ships were moving, creating a rather magnificent sight.

The majesty of a fleet advancing across the wide sea showed that it could fully overwhelm the naval power of most kingdoms. At that moment, a man’s voice was heard from beside him.

“Of course. Just who participated in the design?”

The one speaking in a voice that seemed to carry pride was Armin. Since he had married Ian’s younger sister, Charlotte, he too was a member of the royal family, and because of that, he was moving with them on this vacation. For reference, it could be said that he had shown enough enthusiasm to even participate in the core design of the battleship Avalon.

“In a sense, Armin, you have finally achieved your dream.”

“That is right. I have finally achieved my dream of building a battleship.”

Back in World Era 1916, while he was in the middle of handling the design of an anti-air cruiser, he had heard the news that a battleship would be built and told Ian that he wanted to take charge of the design work, allowing him to participate. From what Ian heard, he had taken on a considerably central role.

In a sense, this battleship they were currently aboard could also be called Armin’s masterpiece. Watching Armin speak while sniffling, Ian thought that a capable person truly was a capable person. He had taken charge of aircraft carrier design, anti-air cruiser design, and, in that situation, even the design of such a battleship, showing the ability to succeed perfectly.

‘He is a genius, after all.’

Because he was such a person, Ian thought he could trust him and leave things to him. Of course, the same was true of his younger sister.

“Did my younger sister not say anything about you going like this?”

“Well, she has to look after the baby, so it cannot be helped.”

For reference, in January of this year, his male nephew, who was named Jade, was born. Originally, Armin had wanted to come with them, but since Jade was still a baby, they could not come together, so Armin had come alone. In reality, he had come with the purpose of going to the vacation spot, but on the other hand, he was also going in order to see the new weapon prototypes together.

“Somehow, it seems you are happy to have come alone?”

“Yes? What do you mean? You have no idea how much it weighs on my mind that I left only my wife and child behind. I keep thinking of them even when I sleep.”

At the sight of him raising his voice unusually, Ian felt that he understood a little. Through Karina, Ian had felt how hard it was to care for a newborn baby. Of course, nannies and maids had helped, but since it was his first child, Ian had wanted to do everything with his own hands, so he would personally hold and soothe his daughter when she burst into tears.

‘If I had not had something like Psychic Power, it would have been even harder. How did everyone endure it?’

“In any case, treat them well. My younger sister, and my nephew too.”

“Oh my, of course. Both of them are my everything, so I will take responsibility for them until I grow old and die.”

“Hehehe, I will watch and see.”

“Ahem, even hearing it in words is frightening.”

At the sight of Armin deliberately avoiding his gaze, Ian let out a small laugh. At that moment, Armin beside him saw something and made an “Huh?” sound. When Ian moved his gaze along with his, he could see dark storm clouds gathering from far away. It was a typhoon often seen in the warm southern sea.

“Is it a typhoon?”

“The timing does not seem right for it to move in here, does it? If it is a typhoon, is that not a serious problem?”

“It will probably pass by.”

“Will it really? What if it comes this way?”

At Armin’s worried appearance, Ian thought inwardly that such a thing would not happen. A large ship like this would naturally be able to push through such a typhoon. However, there was no need to go through it with difficulty. Currently aboard the ship were Queen Adrina, Princess Karina, and even Consort Helena.

In truth, his mother had also wanted to come, but saying that this vacation, at least, should be spent among ourselves, she said she would remain in the royal palace and sent us off. Ian could not help but feel sorry while also feeling grateful to his mother for thinking of them.

‘That aside, there is no need to make them suffer through a typhoon.’

Rrrring—

The power obtained by fully absorbing the White Crystal was the power to manipulate weather. Since he had been refining his ability by summoning rain clouds and making rain fall over many places to benefit agriculture, he was now in a state where he could also manipulate the power of a typhoon.

The moment he made up his mind, the typhoon carrying dark storm clouds slowly began to change the direction from which it was approaching. At this fact, those who had already detected the typhoon and were about to issue an emergency alert let out sighs of relief.

At other times, it might have been one thing, but now the royal family was aboard, so there could not be even the slightest danger, and because of that, they had no choice but to feel even more relieved.

As the typhoon retreated like that, the 10th Fleet was able to leisurely move toward the Marin Archipelago located in the south. And not many days later, they were able to safely enter the sea area where the Marin Archipelago was located.

Since trade was taking place far more actively than before, there were occasionally examples of ships passing by. Of course, those ships had been warned in advance by the destroyers that had gone ahead and had to take a much farther route around.

The place they arrived at amid this voyage was an island with a beautiful natural environment. Seeing the emerald-colored sea unique to the southern sea was a sight that naturally drew admiration. This island had been requisitioned as an island exclusively for the royal family, becoming a place where only royal family members spent their vacation.

The guards landed on the island in advance and secured safety, and in that situation, we finally got off the ship and entered the prepared lodging, allowing us to rest on land rather than on a ship. The lodging located under the warm sunlight was spacious and luxurious.

It had originally been high-class lodging for nobles, but since it had been requisitioned and decorated even further, they could stay there comfortably. Ian planned to spend a few days with his family in this place and then secretly move to the island where the prototypes were located afterward.

Of course, he had already asked for understanding in advance from Queen Adrina and Consort Helena.