Chapter 98
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: Chapter 98 - 라인할트의 기술력은 세계 제일 (4)
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Chapter 98
The Technological Prowess of Reinhardt (4)
Dr. Mercedes Musk.
I had intended to approach the situation with a relaxed attitude, but the moment I heard that name, my body moved before I could think.
"It's a pleasure to meet you again."
Captain Johannes opened the door with a forceful push and greeted me warmly. Standing beside him was a middle-aged man with his hair slicked back, who could only be Dr. Mercedes.
The genius of the century who enabled Reinhardt to secure such technology, a first-tier scientist and hero. Even he, it seemed, could not do anything about his thinning hair.
I hurriedly averted my gaze from his glistening scalp and gave him a polite greeting.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. Dr. Mercedes Musk."
"It is a great honor to meet such a distinguished doctor from the academic world. Please, come inside."
If there were twelve Grand Archmages on the side of magic, then on the opposite end, there were eight individuals known as scientists.
And one of them was Mercedes Musk of the Reinhardt Empire. Of course, given that he was a cavalry captain and was in charge of introductions at Count Petrinant's military exposition, I had assumed he had some connections to the technological field, but I never imagined he would bring such a heavyweight.
'Well, a future artillery general is still an artillery general, I suppose.'
I guided the two of them directly to the reception room inside the lodging. Lumia, who had prepared simple tea and snacks the moment the guests arrived, was, as expected, right on the money.
"We have one more guest, so may I ask for another cup of tea, Lieutenant?"
"Of course."
Lumia answered in a soft voice with a smile. Her graceful composure, which exuded a subtle sense of leisure, made Johannes look slightly surprised.
"Is she a noble daughter? Her aura is quite different from what I saw at the exposition hall."
"Hoho, thank you."
Even I had misunderstood her at first glance, so it was an understandable mistake. As it wasn't the first time I'd heard such a thing, Lieutenant Lumia Blüeh skillfully prepared another cup of tea.
"Then I shall take my leave for now. Glory to the Fatherland."
"Glory."
She gave me a sharp salute and disappeared to the floor above where she was staying. A clean, sensible, and perfect conclusion on her part.
"I'm surprised to see such talent in Ukran."
"We couldn't possibly hold our ground against the winds of change blowing across the world."
"The Grand Archmage of the Sky is also maintaining a cooperative relationship with our Reinhardt Empire in various ways."
A light icebreaker and formal pleasantries.
Since being possessed in this world, I hadn't just been lounging around, so I could now easily converse with Dr. Mercedes based on the information I'd gathered from newspapers and people.
This might be a perk of being possessed, but it was also thanks to my ability to speak Reinhardtian to some extent.
"You handle Reinhardtian quite well. Did you use a translation magic spell?"
"Hahaha, there's no such thing as learning without purpose. The whole world will be united before long, so there's no harm in studying ahead of time."
"So you share the same perspective from a futurist sociological standpoint as well."
Not bad at all.
Dr. Mercedes Musk was looking at me with very favorable eyes. He had confirmed that I could speak his language to some extent and that our views on science and society were quite similar.
"Then let's get straight to the point..."
"The Recoilless Cannon. I heard Ukran is currently developing one."
"Yes, that is correct."
"Has a prototype been produced yet?"
I hesitated for a moment and shook my head. I had been vague with Johannes, but since we had brought the doctor all this way, it would be a great discourtesy to continue being so.
"No. However, the prototype barrel itself is complete. The last time I checked, we had successfully controlled the recoil."
"So you have succeeded in applying the concept."
"Yes."
"...Hmm."
Truthfully, it's not uncommon for many people to have similar ideas at the same time.
The telephone is a prime example. It is known to have been invented by Alexander Graham Bell, but in fact, the concept itself had already been established by numerous inventors and scientists before him.
In fact, if he had been just a little slower in filing the patent, the title of the telephone's first inventor would have been snatched by a man named Elisha Gray.
It's no different in the modern era. The military communication equipment, that telephone-like device I saw at the exposition, is also being diligently developed not only by the Reinhardt Empire but also by the Bretton Allied Kingdoms.
Of course, the reason Ukran was able to apply the concept of a recoilless cannon was purely because I, a variable, was present.
But Dr. Mercedes Musk seemed to have thought otherwise. His opinion of Ukran was probably changing in real-time inside his brain.
"We, too, were developing a mobile artillery piece using a similar concept..."
"Is that so?"
"It's just that it's not easy to apply this concept."
The recoilless system may seem very simple, but it's a more complex concept than it appears. For instance, even with me here, our technical limitations meant all we could manage was a 57mm cannon, which is smaller than a modern-day mortar.
If we apply the concept properly, Reinhardt's technology, the best in the world, could develop an artillery piece with a much larger and more beautiful caliber than our pathetic 57mm.
'It all depends on how much delicious bait they throw our way.'
I tapped my fingers on the underside of the table, gauging the reactions of the doctor and the captain. There was only one thing I wanted: Reinhardt's support for the 'railway transportation system,' including the armored trains.
"I heard from Captain Johannes, but you seem to have a strong interest in our Moldok armored train, which we are currently developing, correct?"
"Ah."
"I will guarantee the purchase rights for the improved Moldok armored train. We will sell you the rights to the concept."
Guaranteeing purchase rights for trains and selling the technology rights?
The profit margin seems a bit off.
"Hmm."
As I showed a slightly withdrawn attitude, Captain Johannes and Dr. Mercedes exchanged glances.
"Then how about we establish a factory on-site and produce it under license? We can't guarantee all the rights to the armored train, but you should be able to produce general military transport trains yourselves."
See? The moment I pulled back a little, they came up with an offer that was incomparable to what they had proposed earlier.
In fact, this meant that both of them had already considered this range. Even if I am a magic officer accompanied by the Grand Archmage of the Sky, Soni Chepelin, it's only natural to test the waters.
In the end, both Johannes and Mercedes were businessmen. The basics of haggling are to start with a low price and slowly raise it to meet a reasonable standard.
Accepting their initial conditions would be amateurish.
Now that the Reinhardt side has proposed a clear benefit like on-site license production, if I pull back again, I'd be a pro.
'It's us who are in a hurry, after all.'
It's only four years away. The Sovye Empire, with its overwhelming quantity and firepower, will launch a full-scale invasion of Ukran.
If we want to avoid having our homeland ravaged by new weapons incorporating all sorts of cutting-edge technology, including mutants, we can't afford to be stubborn.
"...Alright. I will consult with the Ukran Technical Research Department as soon as possible. I assure you, we will have a good result."
"Thank you. Joint development will surely be of great benefit to both sides."
"Of course."
I stood up from my seat and extended my hand to Dr. Mercedes. Okay, thank you, okay! The license!
I had squeezed out the maximum possible from the empire of technology. Now it was time to roll the snowball.
***
After that, Captain Johannes and Dr. Mercedes spent some light time with Enok Levandel. They had conversations that could only be had by people from another country, discussing the future international situation and the like.
The doctor, who had been skeptical at first, also realized through his conversation with Enok Levandel that the Ukranian in front of him was no ordinary man.
"What do you think, Doctor?"
"Just as you said. He has a certain sophistication. His thinking is also very progressive. Honestly, he's a talent too good to have in Ukran."
It was high praise. For Dr. Mercedes, who was notoriously stingy in evaluating people, to say such a thing meant that he was very impressed with Enok Levandel.
Captain Johannes Weisenberg was not exactly displeased with Enok Levandel either. He just felt that he was hiding something.
However, Johannes chose not to voice it. What if he was just misjudging him?
As promising an officer as Enok Levandel was, there was no way he could have such insight. If he did, he wouldn't be in the military; he'd be somewhere in a magic tower being called a Great Sage.
Instead, the captain actively agreed with Dr. Mercedes's opinion.
"He also has a good sense for external technological cooperation and proposal adjustments. I hear he's a new officer who has only been commissioned for about seven months, but I can see why he was promoted so quickly."
"From Lieutenant to Captain in just seven months. If he's a talent the Grand Archmage of the Sky personally intends to nurture, it's understandable."
"I agree."
Dr. Mercedes nodded.
"Anyway, remember this. We have a duty to lead the Reich people to a more progressive future. We should accept Ukran's help if we can, but they are not yet our equals."
"The moment I decided to give my life to the military, I was prepared to sacrifice myself for the Reich people."
"Some may call us madmen or cold-blooded creatures without blood or tears. But don't feel guilty."
Reichism.
An ideology that combined expansionism and nationalism, recently spreading widely among the intellectuals of the Empire.
"For the Reich."
"For the Reich."
The meeting of the three men who would lead the turbulent times to come. No one knew what results this would ultimately bring.