Chapter 44: Otherworld Shipbuilding Competition
The pervert maid captures the Führer, and the saintess tries to make a love potion…
One day, after the war between the Yamato Empire and Beastvania ended, the world became a little bit more peaceful.
There was a group of muscular macho men who had just landed in the Yamato Empire, their chests swelling with great expectations.
Yokosuka, the port city of the Yamato Empire.
This port city, located near the Imperial Capital, has flourished as a naval port since ancient times, and is still the home base of the Imperial Navy, playing a vital role in the defense of the mainland.
A cruise ship named ‘Asukamaru’ docks at the port of Yokosuka.
Boasting a total tonnage of 30.000 tons and being capable of reaching a maximum speed of 26 knots, it is the fastest and most luxurious cruise ship in the empire.
In terms of image, it would be similar to the famous Titanic.
And this, Asukamaru.
Currently, this ship had a very important mission.
That mission was…
“What a big city… Look at it, Muscle General.”
“It’s bigger than our kingdom’s capital, Mushclle.”
“Even so, as the capital of this country… No, it is surprising because, according to them, this is not the imperial capital.”
That’s right, its mission was to transport Baal Balka, the King of the Balka Kingdom, and Muscleosu, the Muscle General. This massive and luxurious ship was used to bring the leaders of the friendly nation of Balka to the mainland of the Yamato Empire.
From the ship, they look down at the stylish Yokosuka cityscape with its red brick buildings and raise their voices of admiration.
By the way, the population of Yokosuka easily exceeds one million.
Constant clusters of buildings stretch as far as the eye can see. To an otherworldly person who lives at the medieval level, it would feel like an unprecedented metropolis.
Furthermore…
“Whoa, look at that. That’s a battleship, isn’t it?”
“It’s the Fuji-class battleship that has visited our country before. It’s huge, no matter how many times I look at it. It would be great if our country could also purchase such a ship.”
“it’s impossible. We’re over budget just to operate one ship.”
Docked at the port is the strongest naval force the Yamato Empire prides itself on, The 1st Fleet of the Imperial Navy.
With the Battleship Fuji at the helm, the sight of D-class battleships and armored cruisers lined up is truly that of the ruler of the sea. The sight of it alone is enough to amaze the people who come to this place.
And so, speaking of why this king and general came to the Yamato Empire…
“Your Majesty. The new type of frigate ‘Muskel’ that our country purchased has come into view. Next to it, must be the second ship, ‘Muse’.”
“Oh, that one!”
In the corner of Yokosuka Harbor, where battleships and cruisers are lined up, two sailing ships were moored quietly.
That is the ‘Muskel-class 38-gun frigate’, a vessel built for export by the Yamato Empire specifically for the Balka Kingdom.
As expected, it does not include any technologies that are prohibited from being exported, such as steam engines. Additionally, it has a displacement of approximately 600 tons.
The maximum speed is about 12 knots, depending on the wind, as it is a sailing ship.
As the name suggests, it is a small warship equipped with 38 front-loaded guns that could have been used in the Age of Discovery.
They came to this country in order to receive this ship.
When Asukamaru arrives at the port and the ceremony commemorating King Balka’s arrival in Yamato is over…
They immediately headed for the newly constructed new model ship.
“This way, people of Balka.”
“Oh, that would help. Sir soldier of Yamato… Your Majesty, look. The ship’s hull is made entirely of steel. Compared to existing ships, its performance is a world apart.”
“Hmm, I thought battleships and the like were lacking in muscle but… looking at it up close like this, it’s not so bad.”
Two machos look up at the first ship ‘Muskel’ from the pier, guided by a military officer of the Imperial Navy.
It is needless to say, their upper bodies are bare, with the king wearing a crown and the general wearing a spartan-style helmet.
Due to their cosplay-like appearance, which is unthinkable for a modern country person, the citizens of Yokosuka who pass nearby wonder, “What kind of a pervert is that?” They got that kind of attention, but…The two machos do not seem to be concerned about it.
Rather, they casually jiggle their pectoral muscles to make their presence known.
“But, it’s clear that it’s a good ship, but I’m not entirely sure about its size, whether it’s large or small.”
“…It’s small in comparison to Yamato’s battleship. By our country’s standards, these ships are big enough.”
“Well, I’ve gotten numb to the size of ships ever since I got on that cruise ship called ‘Asukamaru’.”
Hrmm, King Balka groans.
A frigate with a 600-ton displacement is small in comparison to Yamato Empire’s warships, but to the Balkans, who only had galleys, this is still a large enough ship.
Furthermore, although it looks like an 18th-century sailing frigate, it is not a wooden ship but a steel one.
For the Yamato Empire, where there is large-scale production of steel, steel ships are much cheaper than wooden ships. Thus, it is extremely natural for the ship hulls to be made of steel.
But, for the Balkan people who don’t know such a thing, it could be described as ‘an expensive ship made entirely of valuable steel.’
“I bought it for the purpose of improving relations with the Yamato Empire, but… Is it the right decision to buy this?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Setting aside whether it’s necessary for our country or not, it’s perfect for improving our national prestige.”
From the perspective of the Yamato Empire, it is an obsolete and outdated ship. However, from the other world’s perspective, it is considered a state-of-the-art warship due to its steel construction and the fact that it is equipped with cannons.
As to whether such a warship is necessary for Balka, it’s quite doubtful.
The region surrounding the country is under the control of the Imperial Navy, which is operating from Ieneko Island― an island that was soon renamed Truk Island.
Even without making the extra effort to prepare a battleship in one’s own country, Yamato Empire will declare, “We are the world order!” And walk the American Way, since they can at least defend the navigation route.
Even without a navy, the Yamato Empire, their friendly nation, would secure control of the seas for them.
The only situation when a navy might be necessary is when hunting pirates or opposing the Yamato Empire… Even in that case, such a ship would be useless.
This seems excessive for dealing with pirates. Against the Yamato Empire, an armored cruiser would crush them, let alone a dreadnought.
An absolutely unnecessary ship.
However, there is still something pleasing from a nationalistic point of view about owning such an ‘otherworldly’ high-performance warship.
They admired the new ship as if it had just been delivered, like a salaryman admiring his brand-new car.
At such moments…
All of a sudden, their attention was drawn to the dry dock on the opposite side of the pier.
What was it that caused them to turn their attention to such a place? That’s because there was a nearly finished ship, even though it was still under construction.
It’s a large sailing ship with a high mast similar to the Muskel-class frigate.
“…Sir Yamato soldier, what is that ship?”
“That ship?”
The Muscle General inquires.
Yamato ships don’t have sails. Which means the ship is the same as the one they bought. It is a warship for export.
“That ship was commissioned for the Kingdom of Londeria, a member of the Albatros United Kingdom.”
“…It looks bigger than our Muskel-class.”
“Yeah, it’s bigger. With displacement is 1.500 tons. It is a battleship equipped with 74 cannons. Furthermore…”
We have also accepted an order for a 100-gun, large-scale battleship with a displacement volume of 3.000 tons from the Londeria Kingdom.
The soldier serving as a guide says it nonchalantly.
“3.000 tons, my king, our country too…”
With a wistful look on his face, the muscle general turns to the king.
if his feelings at that time were to be expressed, “it would be something like feeling happy about a new compact car being delivered to his home, only to see a new luxury sedan being delivered to the neighbor’s house.” A feeling of being overshadowed or outdone.
It’s kinda hard to be genuinely happy about it… Yeah, probably something like that.
As a matter of national pride, they want warships that are superior to those of other nations.
But…
“No, calm down, Muscle General. Our country does not need such a huge ship. All we need is a few ships that can serve as flagships. Rather than that, you should prepare for the battle with Moruro by training your muscles.”
“You’re right… I, Mucleosu, almost lost myself due to jealousy. As expected. My king.”
Baal Balka, the King of Balka.
He turned out to be a surprisingly capable man.
To judge things calmly and without giving in to materialistic desires. Even the Yamato Empire is a little reluctant about this.
In fact, they deliberately unveiled their new ship in a position where the ship under construction was visible.
By showing them a ship larger than their own new ship, it makes them want a larger ship to compete with it.
In particular, royalty and nobility are proud creatures. This tendency is strong.
Also, these export ships are easier to build than the Yamato warships.
There aren’t countless water-tight compartments, nor is there a steam engine installed. Even the cannons are the old-fashioned front-loaded cannon, which makes them easy to make.
Rather than saying the structure of the ship is that of a warship, it’s more accurate to say it’s structured like a merchant ship. It’s like taking a high-speed transport ship and turning it into a sailing ship. Then drill holes in its side to mount cannons.
Even a 3.000-ton class ship can be put into service within six months.
We can make any number of them because it’s that kind of ship. That’s why it’s not a problem for us to sell more and more. If they ask for it, we will make it for them in no time.
King Balka did not fall into the trap set by the Yamato Empire.
He has the appearance of being a buff macho man with a muscle brain.
But he was a surprisingly clever man, and especially with the threat of the Moruro Empire always looming in front of him, he had to be a calm thinker.
That’s why he was able to resist the sweet temptations of the Yamato Empire.
But as to whether all the national leaders of every country could have overcome the temptation, the answer is absolutely no.
By using a sales method that stimulated the pride of the royalty and aristocracy, the Yamato Empire was able to sell its warships smoothly.
As if mass-producing transport ships during wartime, they were building large 1.000- to 3.000-ton class ships one after another.
It would later come to be known as the “Otherworld Shipbuilding Competition”.
This will be regarded as the symbol of the golden era of the “human” race.
Meanwhile…
“Look! The world is right in the midst of a shipbuilding competition! Our Imperial Navy will not fall behind in this race and will construct state-of-the-art battleships in large quantities!”
And it goes without saying that the Imperial Navy insisted on it.
And then.
“I don’t see how a sailing ship like that could pose even the slightest threat. Even if there is a need for a number, cruisers are enough.”
The Ministry of Finance provided valid arguments that completely refuted it.
Later in the story, the Fuhrer gets involved in this discussion, and things get complicated… That’s for another time.
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