Dr. Mercedes Musk.
Despite my attempt to approach with as much composure as possible, my body reacted more quickly than expected the moment I heard her name.
“Nice to see you again.”
As I almost kicked the door open, Captain Johannes greeted her warmly. The middle-aged man standing next to him, with his hair slicked back to a glossy shine, must be Dr. Mercedes Musk.
The prodigious genius who enabled Rhinehardt Empire to secure such technology and a Tier 1 scientist-hero. Even he couldn’t do anything about his baldness, it seemed.
I hastily shifted my gaze from his gleaming head and politely greeted him.
“Nice to meet you, Dr. Mercedes Musk.”
“It’s truly an honor to meet such a renowned doctor. Please come in.”
Just as there are twelve Grand Magi on one side of the magical spectrum, there were eight scientists known as their counterparts.
One of them was Rhinehardt Empire’s Mercedes Musk. Though I had anticipated some connection to technology given that she was introduced by Count Petrinant for the military exposition, bringing someone of this caliber was unexpected.
‘Still, the future artillery commander is indeed the artillery commander.’
I guided both of them to the reception room inside the quarters. Lumina, ever prepared, had arranged some light refreshments as soon as the guests arrived. She really was efficient.
“We have one more guest coming. Could we trouble you for another cup of tea, Lieutenant?”
“Of course.”
Lumina replied gently with a smile. Sensing her composed grace, Johannes asked curiously,
“Were you raised in nobility? Your presence feels quite different from what I observed at the exposition.”
“Ho ho, thank you.”
Even I initially mistook her for someone of noble birth upon first meeting her. Such comments weren’t new to Lieutenant Lumina Blue, who skillfully prepared an additional cup of tea before excusing herself.
“I’ll take my leave now. Glory to the homeland.”
“Glory to the homeland.”
She saluted sharply before retreating upstairs where she was staying. It was a clean and sensible exit.
“To think Ukraine has so many talents like this, it’s astonishing.”
“There’s no way our country could withstand the winds of change sweeping across the world.”
“With the Great Magus maintaining various cooperative relations with our Rhinehardt Empire as well.”
Light small talk and formal pleasantries ensued.
Since I hadn’t merely been idle since being reincarnated into this world, I was able to converse easily with Dr. Mercedes based on information gathered from newspapers and people.
This might be due to the reincarnation bonus, but my ability to use Rhinehardt language also contributed.
“You speak Rhinehardt quite well. Did you use translation magic?”
“Hahaha, learning without purpose is meaningless. With the world uniting sooner or later, it wouldn’t hurt to study ahead.”
“It seems you share my perspective from the viewpoint of futuresociology.”
Not bad.
Dr. Mercedes Musk looked at me with very amicable eyes. Confirming that I could somewhat handle her language and shared similar views on science and society evidently pleased her.
“Then, let’s get straight to the point…”
“Recoil-operated cannons. I’ve heard Ukraine is currently developing them.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Has the prototype already been produced?”
After pondering for a moment, I shook my head in response. While I had been vague with Johannes, it would be impolite to do so with the doctor present.
“No. However, the prototype barrel itself is complete. The last time I checked, they had successfully controlled the recoil.”
“So you’ve succeeded in applying the concept.”
“Yes.”
“Hmm…”
It’s not uncommon for many people to come up with similar ideas around the same time.
Take the telephone for instance. Although it’s widely known to have been invented by Alexander Graham Bell, the concept had already been established by several inventors and scientists prior to that.
In fact, Elisha Gray almost claimed the title of the telephone’s inventor if the patent application hadn’t been filed just hours later.
The same applies here. Even though the concept of recoil-operated guns was made possible in Ukraine due to certain variables,
Dr. Mercedes Musk seemed to have thought along those lines. In real-time, her evaluation of Ukraine must be changing within her mind.
“We too were developing a mobile cannon using a similar concept…”
“Is that so?”
“However, applying this concept proved rather challenging.”
Although recoil-operated systems may appear simple, they’re actually quite complex. We struggled to produce only a 57mm cannon—by modern standards, smaller than a mortar—due to our technological limitations.
With Rhinehardt’s world-leading technology, they could likely develop far larger and more beautiful field guns than us, even with just the basic concept.
‘It depends on how enticing the bait they offer is.’
I tapped my fingers under the table while observing the reactions of the doctor and the captain. What I wanted was solely Rhinehardt Empire’s support for the ‘rail transport system,’ including the armored trains.
“I’ve heard from Captain Johannes that you showed great interest in our Moldoke Armored Train currently under development, did you not?”
“Eh?”
“I guarantee the purchase rights for the improved Moldoke Armored Train. Let’s sell you the patent for this concept.”
Train purchase rights and technology patents?
The numbers don’t seem to add up.
“Hmm.”
Seeing my slight reluctance, Captain Johannes and Dr. Mercedes exchanged glances.
“What about setting up a local factory for licensed production? We can’t fully guarantee the patent for the armored train, but you should be able to produce standard military transport trains independently.”
Look at that. A proposal incomparably better than before because I pushed back a little.
Substantially, everything was within the scope both parties had anticipated. Even traveling with Grand Magus Sony Chepelin, probing the opponent was inevitable.
Ultimately, both Johannes and Mercedes could be seen as merchants. The basics of haggling involve starting with low prices and gradually adjusting to reach an appropriate benchmark.
Accepting the previous conditions outright would have been amateurish.
Now, even with Rhinehardt proposing the clear advantage of local licensed production, pushing back once more would indicate intermediate-level negotiation skills.
‘After all, we’re the ones in a hurry.’
In four years’ time, the Soviev Empire will launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine with overwhelming quantities and firepower.
To avoid having our land ravaged by cutting-edge weapons incorporating mutants and other advanced technologies, we cannot afford to remain complacent.
“…Alright. I’ll arrange consultations with Ukraine’s Technology Research Department shortly. I assure you, it will lead to good results.”
“Thank you. Joint development will undoubtedly benefit both sides greatly.”
“Indeed.”
I stood up and extended my hand towards Dr. Mercedes. Okay, thank you, okay! License!
We’ve extracted the maximum potential from the Technological Empire. Now it’s time to roll the snowball.
*
Afterward, Captain Johannes and Dr. Mercedes spent some light-hearted time with Enok Revendale. Conversations included topics suitable for foreigners, as well as discussions on future international situations.
Initially skeptical, the doctor came to realize through conversation that the Ukrainian individual before him was no ordinary person.
“What do you think, Doctor?”
“Just as you said. He’s seasoned and extremely progressive in his thinking. Honestly, he’s a talent too valuable for Ukraine.”
It was high praise. For Dr. Mercedes, who was usually stingy with evaluations, to say such things meant Enok Captain must have impressed him greatly.
Captain Johannes Vonsenberg also didn’t dislike Enok Revendale. He merely felt that something was hidden.
However, Johannes refrained from voicing his thoughts. He might have misjudged after all.
No matter how promising Enok Revendale’s future as an officer might be, it was unlikely he possessed such insight. Otherwise, he’d be revered as a Great Sage somewhere in a Mage Tower instead of serving in the military.
Instead, the cavalry captain enthusiastically agreed with Dr. Mercedes’ opinion.
“He shows considerable aptitude in external technical cooperation and proposal adjustments. I heard he’s been commissioned for only seven months as a newly appointed officer, yet it makes sense why he’s promoted so quickly.”
“From second lieutenant to captain in seven months. If he’s a talent personally cultivated by the Great Magus himself, it’s understandable.”
“I concur.”
Dr. Mercedes nodded.
“In any case, remember this: we have an obligation to guide the Reich people to a more progressive future. If we can receive help from Ukraine, we should accept it, but they are not yet on par with us.”
“The moment I committed my life to the military, I was ready to dedicate myself entirely to the Reich people.”
“Some may call us madmen or heartless cold-bloods. But there’s no need to feel guilty.”
Reich ideology.
A prevalent thought among intellectuals in the recent empire, combining expansionism and ethnic prioritization.
“For the Reich.”
“For the Reich.”
The meeting of three individuals who would lead the tumultuous times ahead. No one knew what consequences this encounter would bring.
