"This is the city?" Atten questioned the adventurers.
"Y-yes…" Marie couldn't help but look behind Atten and Wagner.
Behind them; a full one hundred men were steadily marching in rhythm.
"S-sir Atten."
"Yes? What is it?"
"Wouldn't it be better to lay low? W-with your… A hundred sailors… The town'd be… Scared. To say the least."
"Bah!" Wagner cried, "girl! Have you no idea what projecting power is!? See, if one has power, one shows such! If we are in a world where they haven't even any battleships, then they wouldn't be able to defeat us! Meaning… Power!"
"Ah. I see, thank you sir Wagner." Marie couldn't help but nervously laugh.
The adventurers were from the city of Crane, it was a river-side city with a middling population. Atten had questioned, and apparantly; these Adventurers were a part of this guild (this spreads the entire continent) that takes tasks to subjugate monsters, do escort missions, and the other latter. Wagner joked it had no connection to adventuring.
"What is that castle?" Questioned Atten, eyeing up it's realistic and ornate features similar to those in Germany.
"I do say…" Wagner added, "it looks of a more smaller version of that Eltz castle in Wierschem."
"Ah…" Herald raised his hand, lowering it when Atten looked at him. "That is the Wilmmer Family's castle. We call it the Crane Castle."
"Wilmmer Family?" Atten probed, "you'd yet to say that in our questioning the day before."
"I-I… I apologize." He rubbed his hands together nervously.
"So what of that Wilmmer Family?" Wagner joined in.
"They're a family of knights, sir." Harvey continued, "their head; Kumph Wilmmer III is the city's Marquis, however his lordship isn't here at the moment and is currently still on his year-long diplomatic mission with the Grand kingdom's neighbors."
"I see." Atten mired, "then who takes in his stead?"
"His daughter, Phoebe Wilmmer. She is… Quite capable, sir."
"Hm." Atten pursed his lips.
As their company of sailors approached, the knights at the entrance were stunned. Beyond belief! They didn't know what to do, were they to train their spears at them? Of course not, and the fact they had these weird stick barrels on their side, meant they were a military force, since no adventurer would use something as unconventional as that.
Approaching with the same marching stride as the sailors before Atten and Wagner; the knights saluted, "sir! Please, state your business in entering the city of Crane! I am Gate-Guard Joose at your service."
"Ah, hello knightly Joose." Atten lightly bowed, "we are here to converse with your lord, your leader. Understand that we mean business, and that their cooperation is quite needed."
"Yes, sir!" The knight stepped back swiftly.
"Ah! Wait!" Atten shouted.
"Yes, sir?"
"May we also enter? To that castle, we'll wait."
"Yes, sir!" The knights left.
"That was easier than I imagined." Chuckled Wagner. "I fear we're invading this city for ourselves now!"
"Sir!?" Marie blurted.
"A joke, a joke it was, I tried to joke." The German Wagner thought back, was his joke good?
She sighed in relief.
Atten collected his troops so that they may fit in the rather narrow opening that was the gate. The many townspeople observed the congregation of sailors with awe and in confusion. What were they doing here? And, Who were they?
The many adventurers there, those ex-knights, and knights. Looked at Atten's and Wagner's sailors in curious awe. Who they were, they didn't know. The Grand kingdom's sailors don't dress in all white, and didn't wear such rich-looking colors of blue, and greatly maintained-selves.
Marching on with great stride, Atten and Wagner made sure to showcase theirselves with pride. Having their sailors wave and smile, while keeping an army's stride as they walked ahead and towards the castle.
---
"And who are they?" Phoebe Wilmmer questioned the knight bowing to her.
"We did not confirm, ma'am."
"You should have." She ticked her tongue, "judging by their uniforms, they're not from here. And though I am not experienced, I neither think they're from our surrounding neighbors. Please bring them inside, prepare a dine for the two esteemed."
"Yes, ma'am." The knight exited her room.
"Ah what a great start to a day." She sarcastically said, jumping to her bed and sighing. "It's my first time dealing with military officials, ones from another country more so. How…" -she clasped her hands together, extending them outwards her face as she rested upright- "How'll I do this?" She released her hands and let it fall to the sides of her bed.
---
"Truly a great looking castle!" Atten cried, taking a sip of the wine offered to him. "Yet the flavor of this wine is rather bold…" He grimaced in it's taste.
The big door before the dining table opened, and out came a girl in formal dressing, after bowing, she made her way to the dining table (where the two were sitting) with calculated walking, quietly sat down her chair with a pleasant smile; "good morning, humbly, I welcome you to the abode of the Wilmmer household."
"I thank you." Wagner expressed himself in a serious manner (so unlike his usual self, it was strange to Atten). "I thank you for letting us dine with you madam, however, I think you understand this to be no formal meeting."
"Straight to the point?" Phoebe thought.
"And…" She looked up at Wagner with a fake-put smile. "What will we be talking about, good sir?"
"The associates I have encountered during our venture will explain much about our presence…" Wagner said, unwavered. "However, in truth, we are hear to find a dock for our warships. Fulfil this request and we will entrust to you some bits of… Knowledge."
Phoebe couldn't help but grin slightly, "Knowledge? What will… Excuse me, but… What will your knowledge give the Wilmmer family?"
Wagner noticed her tenacity and started grinning slightly, he laid back on his wooden seat, "I am aware of this city. Even if I am not familiar with the kingdom. My… Associates have told me that the city of Crane suffers with one thing…"
A sweat poured down Phoebe's face.
"You are affected by the territorial disputes in the north do you not?"
"Yes." She put bluntly, "the city of Crane and it's territory is quite big. And the kingdom of Sanzan is not so friendly to our delegates. If you've heard of the territorial disputes, then you know of my father… The lord. And his venture towards the span of territory. Without my father, I do not think I should be making decisions such as… Docking another country's warships. Especially if we do not know of your intentions."
"That I understand." Atten bumped into the tense conversation, "however. I do not think you're finding the full scope of our request. It is a yes or… Yes."
Phoebe was distressed, trying her best to cover it in her smile, "is that a threat?"
"It is a comment! A suggestion." Atten replied whimsically, "at this moment, four of our battleships are approaching the river. And should, by some time, be here. I apologize for our actions, however this is important."
"How so? How will I… How will I see you… Not an enemy?"
"Now an enemy? That's preposterous, madam." Atten smiled, "bah! I cannot help myself, I should just tell you myself rather than my associate."
Wagner looked at Atten, sighing in defeat.
Phoebe looked at the two of them nervously awaiting.
"I am Admiral Wagner of the German navy. And he," he glanced at Atten, "is Atten. Admiral of the British Navy."
"German Navy? British Navy? Who're these countries? Don't tell me… Are they from the West!? I've no understandings of the West!"
"We are four Admirals of four equal countries." Wagner continued. "We had taken apart in a joint mission of four great navies. Unfortunately, we had… Ended up here. Of the four admirals, we command our country's flagships."
"And then you wish to dock, and…"
"Help you."
"What do you mean by that?" She was genuinely confused. "The kingdom of Grand are not declaring war, neither the Sanzan."
"Ah, you're taking us the wrong way." Atten cried, "I mean… Protection. Our flagships are, daresay. Better than any country's galleon! No galleon, no gallesea or what not, can defeat us. Not one I say."
Her grin softened, she thought deeply; "I've not heard of these countries, and… The Sanzen 'are' making some… Terrifying remarks, and tensions are going out in a craze, if this other naval force wants to help… Then… Just maybe… For father… I could do something to become… To become notable to him."
She sighed in defeat, "I shall permit your docking in my city."
Wagner's and Atten's face immidiately blew in joy, "ah thank you good madam!"
She chuckled awkwardly.
"Our battleships are already coming, we thank you for your accomodation, please come with us. We will treat you with our hospitalities."
"Ah?"
( * )
It just couldn't be…
Everyone, the sailors, the adventurers, from the commoner child to the man. Every single last man of the city of Crane couldn't understand what they looking at. A mix of emotions, all of awe and curiosity.
Four great big ships.
Four great big fortresses.
"Four great big battleships!" Cried Atten, his eyes looking at Phoebe's astonished reaction, "yes! Yes. I welcome you the age of steam!"
"This is impossible." Phoebe observed as the ships were docking themselves on the reserved ports, "These ships… They're not something made by the Southern, nigh the Great Eastern continent. I haven't seen a ship like this… In my life! Why does smoke blow out from the chimneys on it's middle? What are those two great cylinders aft and front!? I cannot!? What a steal this was for me!"
Atten had each of the sailors in each of the battleships to welcome the city in great salutation, they wore their best faces, serious and stern. Their posture correct, and their presence greatly.
Many men, especially adventurers and children, were cheering on and looking with admiration; those sailors in white. They waved their clean white handkerchiefs in the air, and to those who had hats, they had waved those too.
In the presence of the battleships; from the ungainly French to the beatiful American. Everyone couldn't help but feel a sense of protection with only a little bit of dread. There was, of course, the question of; are they unfriendly? But after the little show of appreciation, the military salute. How would they not be friendly?
"Sir Admiral Atten," Phoebe looked at him.
"Sir Atten shall do."
"Well then, Sir Atten." She re-stated, "I would love to talk with you more, with your other comrades this time."
"Oh good!" Atten joyed, "you truly get us!" -Atten caught Bundle and Pais leaving their ships- "There! There, madam, are the other Admirals. The lanky one's name is Pais. Of the French navy, whilst the one whose bulky in muscle is named Bundle!"
"Ah," Phoebe bowed as the two neared them. "Good morning, I am Phoebe Wilmmer, the acting lord of the city of Crane."
Bundle showed his hand, "Good morning." She clasped his hand and shook it.
Pais had done the same.
Being escorted by Crane's best knights and twenty sailors with rifles; the five hastily made their way to the castle, weaving themselves through the crowds of people that had piled up when the ships were docked.
( * )
To better conduct this meeting to Crane's every official, Phoebe Wilmmer had her subordinates join the meeting with the four admirals. Herald and Marie explained the happenstance to Phoebe, and once she grasped the situation fully, she had a more polished idea about what she wanted done in the future.
There was a easy-growing tension in the meeting room; from the left side (with Atten and Bundle), they sat with Crane's adventurer's guild leader and further; Crane's highest ranking naval officer (a captain).
Then from the right side (where Wagner and Pais sat) they were with the merchant guild's leader and advisor to the Wilmmer family and practically (as Atten interpreted) the vice mayor/vice marquis.
There were a couple more less important people (not that they weren't important in the upkeeping of the city) that were set off to the side of the meeting room, so that they could still participate.
At the end of the long table; Phoebe Wilmmer sat with an unwavering expression of pride, her smile was modest, and her posture was confident. Atten couldn't help but notice it. "We should begin, madam!" Atten cried.
"R..Right." Phoebe broke her expression.
The other retainers were shocked with the tenacity of the admiral, especially since it was normal for the lord to do the bidding and not those attending to a lordship's land.
"This meeting concerns our future with the contested lands up North, our future with the monsters, and the concerns of the four admirals."
"Lord," the advisor raised his hand, "admirals," -he looked to them- "I apologize for not knowing, however; for the sake of everyone in this room, we would love to understand… Well first off; where the four of the admirals come from, why the City of Crane, and what the four admirals wish to achieve in their staying in Crane city."
The room murmured soft whispers to each other, curiously anticipating the next words to come.
"Ah! I shall answer this one…" Joyously, Atten cried. Everyone looked at him. "We're from the continent of Europe! Collectively. Although, Mr. Bundle," -he pointed at him, sipping the tea given to him- "he is from the American continent!"
They all gasped in shock, another continent? No… Two other contients we don't know of!? They thought.
Phoebe knew of it already, but hearing it from the man himself, there no doubt were two other continents. But where? Where could it be in this vast, vast world?
"I am from the United Kingdom, the serious-looking man yonder," -he pointed to Wagner- "is from Germany. Who are imperialists and have not the greatest of relationships with him, "-now to Pais- "who represents the French navy, a republic! And Sir Bundle is here as the Americans have made advancements in the Naval field. Our… Main mission was to form a joint cooperation of the four navies, to hopefully… Try and dull the sourness that we've incurred with each other…"
"Wait," the merchant leader raised his hand. "I mean to understand, does the Europe and America utilize those revolutionary boats, or things like it?"
"Yes!" Atten responded joyously, "of course yes! Every single country has a ship. Warship or for the public; ships bigger than ours, and ships taller than ours exist! Although, the formula of the warships is to be small and have lower drafts… There exists ships so… Olympic! In size and in speed for the general populous. For trade, for ferry! All because of the industrial revolution."
"The industrial revolution?" The economist from behind him questioned.
"Yes." Atten clasps his hands together, "the industrial revolution… Since we were given permission to dock, and that I've promised her lordship that I was to give information; I will thus give such. The industrial revolution… Where to start… Ah! First of all, steam. Steam is what makes our machines run."
"Not magic?"
"Magic?" Atten was confused, "truly you are humble to say our technologies are of magic!"
They were stunned to hear that the ships were not moving that fast without the use of magic. In the whole continent, there existed some ships that used magic stones that were used to be able to propell warships some three knots faster even without sails. Unfortunately; they're rather expensive, as expressed by the economist.
"Well. Simply. We heat up water using a fuel, we use coal, but some of our ships also use oil."
"Coal we know… But oil?"
"Let's not get further with the oil, I feel the Sir Bundle looking at me with sharp eyes."
"Ah."
"Anywho," Atten continued; "the steam from the heated up water is of higher pressure! This in turn drives the steam engine to be able to turn our shafts that rotate the propellors at our aft."
"Propellors? Shafts?" The captain questioned. "Propellors… That word I've heard, once! In my life. It was in a meeting with Crane's sewage treatment officers. The propellor that we use under Crane's roads are to transport sewage up elevations. I am not an expert at it, but that is my gist."
"That reminds me of the Screw Propellors our older older ships used. They were primative in design, and that was still in our own age of sail. But it kickstarted our use of propellors for viable propulsion from weak and naught canvas sails."
"So by turning the propellors, the water does something and then results in the moving of the ship?"
"Of that gist." Atten smiled, "and the faster and more efficient a steam engine is… The faster the ship is. We reach speeds of eighteen all the way to thirty knots-"
"Thirty knots!?"
"Well that is for our more smaller ships," Atten shrugged.
"That is still a great improvement!" The captain was befuddled, "if your steam engine inventions work so greatly that they can propell ships, even of the small variants, that fast? Then the world of merchants, of the navy, will change! Indefinitely!"
"indeed, captain." Atten agreed with him, bowing his head in appreciation of the man's agreeing with the invention of propellors and the want for speed in ships. "I am glad you share my views."
"Those cannons you have aft and bow, and also those smaller ones midship, they are large! And the cylindrical housing… Is this for the turning? As it also serves as armor for your… Devices internally?"
"Yes, of that gist. Our turrets can fire many kilometers away (the main ones), while our secondary ones can shoot a little less far." Atten fixed his seating as his buttocks were getting sore, "we rely on caliber and ammunition types. Not of the grape shot, or normal cannon ball; but because our great battleships of steel also fight other great battleships of steel, we innovate by using better ammunition! Thus the advent of… HE shells and AP shells."
"Let me guess…!" The captain smirked, "from context clues of the latter one; AP is an acronym of Armor Piercing, that HE means not that… It means exploding like a TNT barrel!"
"Indeed, indeed!" Atten laughed, and the captain also.
The others in the room were engrossed into their conversation but they were starting in nervous laughter, staring at their bonding over ships.
"Ah, please." Phoebe interupted. "I hope we can continue we the fact of what you will be doing in the future, as my advisor had questioned you earlier."
"I apologize, my lordship." The captain stood and bowed, before sitting again.
"That is fine." Her gaze landed on Atten, awaiting an answer.
"Ah, I forgotten already." Atten chuckled, "however. My comrades have devised a singular, great plan."
"I wish to hide it from them…" Atten thought to himself. "However… For the sake of 'that' letter. I will show my true intentions trough hidden truths."
"We wish to assert our presence in the continent by first wishing for an alliance. Ah, how do you say this… By having a talk of alliance with your kingdom's king."
"That is a great idea, but that is for beyond the future." Phoebe commented, resting her face on her open palm. "What of the future after now?"
"We will do everything needed to help with the territorial dispute." Atten said with a sinister grin. "It has been years since the United Kingdom's peak. It has gone down ever since, believe this; it had ruled many lands, spanning many continents. We had fleets, whole armadas and armadas of fleets. You wouldn't believe it's sail. And we… We controlled the world with our fists. No man could have stopped us."
The room grew dead silent and worried about what he was insinuating by making that comment.
"That will help the dispute how?"
"With our experience, we will help using the most simplest deception ever possible!" Cried Atten, looking at his comrades. "Self defense!"