Chapter 5

January 5th, 1900

Arkport, Kingdom of Arkport

The Kingdom of Arkport was credited as the smallest nation within the world of Seach, being neighbored by the more powerful Barthorn Imperium and Maddock Kingdom.

While being the weakest amongst their neighbors they were always prone to being faced with threats of invasion by the Brathorn Imperium or Maddock Kingdom when tensions rose. Fortunately for now tensions were at a low, and the three civilizations were in neutral relations right now.

While having the least amount of land compared to it's neighbors, the kingdom focused it's economy related to fishing and whale and shark hunting, with markets filled with various fish, shark meat, and whale related items. Having their focus on the sea, the kingdom shifted much of it's budget into shipbuilding. Having the largest fishing fleet of seven hundred ships, and a strong navy of fifty ships-of-the-line, sixty frigates, and three hundred brigantines and smaller vessels.

While seemingly large for a navy, it was small when compared to the Brathorn Navy with three hundred ships-of-the-line, over a thousand frigates and six hundred smaller vessels, or the Maddock Kingdom with two hundred ships-of-the-line, nine hundred frigates and seven hundred smaller vessels.

Their army and air force received the least amount of budget with only two hundred thousand soldiers to count on, and only one hundred ordinary wyverns to count on when defending the homeland. Meanwhile the Brathorn Imperium and the Maddock kingdom both had two million soldiers to count on with thousands of wyvern bronzes and fewer silvers.

Most of their land was used in the lumber industry, and was heavy on forests for chopping down and processing wood for the construction of ships with little farmland available. This put their main diet on fish while importing more than half of the grain and vegetables the people also fed on from other nations. They also imported magisteel and mana crystals as they had little access to such elements within their own territory.

However an opportunity presented itself when it came to the expansion into the frontier. The Kingdom wanted to establish a colony of it's own much like how the Imperium was establishing it's own colonies. After some bargaining and negotiating with the Imperium, they were granted permission to establish their colony along the eastern coast of the frontier.

At present, Princess Rose of the Fletcher royal family was sent out to sea to reach the colony and check up on it's growth process, and to make a public appearance to boost the moral and determination of the people. Rose was the most popular royal amongst the people as she, unlike most, would believe in value in even the most common of commoners. Having her appear at the colony was a sound idea for —,

"Your majesties! Your majesties!" A guard burst into the throne room before the current rulers of the kingdom. Queen Nora Fletcher and King Patrick Fletcher sat up from their thrones as the guard kneeled before the base of the steps to their thrones. "Forgive any interruption, but something has come from the sea and is approaching the city harbor!"

"Something is coming?" King Patrick questioned. "Is it some sort of leviathan from the depths, or is it a ship?"

"It's...we believe it to be a ship. But it's unlike any ship we've ever seen before." The guard answered. "I don't even know how to describe it other than some sort of hulking mass floating above the waves."

"Then let us see with our own eyes," Queen Nora responded as she stood up. "I wanna know what exactly has caused disturbance within our waters."

Both the royals and the guard ventured out of the throne roll and made their way outside into the garden where a balcony would provide them a perfect view of the surrounding city and harbor. The royal palace was elevated above the city, constructed on a hill where the base and foundation was set up above even the roofs of most buildings. Looking down they had a clear visual on the harbor, as well as the hulking mass they were informed of.

"Good god! By the heavens!" Queen Nora exclaimed as she laid her eyes on what was certainly a hulking mass riding above the waves. "Is that even a ship?"

"I've never seen a ship of that size! Is it even possible to build one of such mass?" King Patrick questioned and he observed and noted as much detail as he could in this mysterious ship. If there was one thing to go by, it's size and armament was impressive.

The large ship glided up the waves towards the port with an impressive set of what looked like guns. Magiguns perhaps, but they were larger than any known to have been built, and they came in sets of three within four massive turrets, and several smaller guns along the sides aiming port and starboard. Surrounding the massive ship were four more vessels of smaller mass, but were still noticeably massive while two had very flat decks with an island structure on the starboard side.

Looking at what looked like a second mast at the rear of the ship's superstructure was a large blue flag with six white and gold stripes and a gold cross in the center. "I've never seen any ship wave a flag such as that." King Patrick noted as the ship approached the port.

Two frigates that were guarding the port identified the large ship and had moved to try and intercept it, but then they realized the imposing size comparison. Most ships were built to be at most sixty to eighty meters in length, a beam of fifteen meters, a draught of seven meters, and with a displacement of two thousand tons made of wood with magisteel armor. This thing exceeded that norm and looked to comprise entirely of steel. Realizing this, they backed off as the large ship sailed past them and reached the port where it had decided to anchor itself with it's escort detail.

The large ship of unknown origin let loose a bellowing horn announcing it's presence as if it wanted the whole world to know it was here, catching the attention of even those who have yet to notice until now.

"Your majesties, should we issue the guard on the port to standby?" The soldier asked as the two monarchs watched as some sort of pully system started moving and picked up what looked like a small boat stored on it's deck.

"Have the guard stationed at the port. I will accompany and make my presence known." The king announced. "It seems we have visitors coming ashore."

While coming down from the palace, the small wooden motorboat from the Jemcaster battleship was placed into the water and detached from the crane system used to move it. Standing in it was the ship's first officer, two armed sailors, the diplomat, Sir Keaton, and Princess Rose who would help in opening diplomatic relations between the two nations.

"We're clear. Seaman get us to the harbors." The first officer ordered as one of the sailors set down their carbine and began working to start the motor at the back of the boat. With a few tugs of the cord, the engine sputtered before roaring to life. With the engine now running, the boat was able to move as the sailor at the helm guided the boat towards the shore where the docks were.

Up at the bridge, the captain looked down at the boat using his binoculars, while also inspecting the rising number of people coming along the docks to get a good view of his ship. Among them he noticed blue uniform soldiers armed with muskets forming up with a few wheeled field guns with an unnatural design to them. Just in case, he had ordered several of the AA and secondary batteries to be manned incase the ship found itself in a fight and needed to defend itself immediately.

Men were stationed and ready at the 40mm quad guns and 152mm twin guns with all barrels loaded. However they remained aimed in stationary positions rather than at the city, not wanting to risk starting the fight should it come.

On the docks, King Patrick stepped down from the royal carriage that brought him down from the palace and the captain of the guards stationed there ran up to him.

"Your majesty! The unknown large vessel had lowered a smaller vessel and is heading for us? Should we send out warning shots?" The captain asked as the king stepped forward.

"No, but do be on your guard. A single boat should not be of much threat to us. Perhaps they come seeking a word." His assumptions would be correct as the motor boat pulled up in the docks between small sailboats and a few larger ships with mana powered engines. Waiting for them was a line of armed guards with muskets as they watched the boat pull up and dock itself with the outstretched wooden platforms. The occupants looked strange, except for two who looked familiar and were immediately recognized by the guards.

"Princess Rose? Is it —, is it really you?" The captain asked with signs of shock all over his face at the sight of their princess disembarking from an unknown vessel.

"Indeed it is I Theo," The princess answered, knowing the guard's name as she was familiar with the captain during the times she attended military command meetings where he would be present. "I come with much disturbing news yet intriguing discoveries. I assume mother and father have already seen the massive battleship outside?"

"Rose?" A voice called out as King Patrick made his appearance behind the line of guards, shocked to see his daughter on the docks. "My daughter, is that really you? What are you doing here? How did you get here, I thought your were supposed to be at the colonies?"

"Father, I have much to tell you. And it involves the men standing behind me." The princess mentioned to the Sartomans standing behind her as one of the sailors tied down and secured the boat on the docks. "We should bring mother into this first before I reveal everything. There is much for me to say."

"Much to say? What has happened while you were away? Where's the ship you came on?"

"Destroyed. Sunk by pirates that attacked us out at sea. It was thanks to these people that I am here right now. They've sent a diplomat in hopes to establish diplomatic relations with our kingdom."

The news about the ship they sent with the princess being sunk was disturbing, however they were eased seeing she returned safely. Apparently so by these strange men who came with her and her bodyguard. Patrick would be sure to question him personally once they were alone.

The carriage was capable of seating the king, princess, bodyguard, first officer, diplomat, and one of the two sailors while the other would remain to guard the boat and keep away any prying eyes. The carriage was pulled by two horses up the small hill where the palace sat on. On the way, the king had decided to engage in conversation with this diplomat in hopes of finding the answers he wanted.

First question was expected, "Who are you people?" As he didn't recognize their flag waving above their giant metal ship.

"I am Christopher Messerschmitt, diplomat representative from the United Provinces of Sartoma. We're a new nation who have found ourselves in a rather peculiar situation," The diplomat answered. "However I assure you we come with no ill intents against you or your people. That battleship out in the water is just a means of precaution."

"I see. Where is this United Provinces of Sartoma, because I have never heard of the existence of any such nation with that name?"

"All will be explained once all ears who will be listening are present."

The carriage arrived outside the palace, and the occupants stepped out and made for the large doors being the entrance. On the sides, two guards were standing stationary while keeping watch for any intruders daring to try and sneak into the structure. Standing before the door was Queen Nora who noticed the group and ran towards them.

"Rose? What are you doing here? Has something gone wrong while at sea?"

"Mother, I have much to share with you as much as with father. But perhaps if we were to take this inside would be more preferable." The princess responded to her mother.

The party of six now seven made their way into the palace and climbed up a flight of spiral stairs to one of the upper floors, where they entered a private room and Rose began to explain everything that happened.

She spoke about the pirates, the lack of Imperium ships, the jets and flew in and saved them, being found by the Sartoman ships, and everything between then and now. To say, both the monarchs were shocked, and it was all further backed by Sir Keaton who was with Rose the whole time.

"I—, I guess we're in your debt," The king spoke to the diplomat who was with them. "However your nation came from the frontier, are you by chance some isolated nation or a result of the colonies?"

"No your majesty, we're of no relations to these colonies or this frontier." Messerschmitt answered. "While our origins are similar in location, the frontier lands you probably are familiar with are no longer where they are. Our lands have replaced them."

"Your lands have replaced them? What are you saying good sir?" The queen asked with skepticism as she didn't understand what the man was talking about.

"Your daughter hadn't yet mentioned this, and it took us a while to figure out and confirm it. But this is not our world." The diplomat answered. "Our nation was transferred where these colonies, we've heard about, are supposed to be. How this has happened we know not, but we're hoping to make our presence now known to avoid any future incidents from occurring."

This news shocked and disturbed the monarchs who were hesitant to believe it, especially how their colony was now gone and nonexistent. The idea of a transferred nation was unheard of as no such experiences or records were ever recorded of such events. However this diplomat claimed to be from a transferred nation. If these Sartomans came from another world, how did they get here and what are their intentions?

"What are your intentions coming to our homeland? And where is the captain and crew of ship we sent out?" The queen questioned.

"They're alive and well. We're currently sheltering them on our territory until we could guarantee a safe return home. Now that we've established our intents as peaceful we can send them back home by whichever date your prefer. We have no goal or gain by keeping them on our lands and would like to send them back as soon as possible. We also hope to open diplomatic relations with the Kingdom of Arkport, as our former allies and neighbors we were familiar with no longer exist, and we find ourselves in a hostile environment. Establishing our place in this world is necessary for our survival and prosperity."

"I understand. Indeed we will take back the crew and captain on home soil. As for establishing diplomatic relations..." The king was in thought for a moment before he continued. "What does our kingdom receive in return and what terms are you offering?"

"Simple." The diplomat responded. "We will participate in free trade with the Kingdom of Arkport, and maintain overseas security along our territorial waters against piracy for defending ships filled with cargo. As for agreeable terms, we'll be willing to introduce some technology, but nothing of weapon related as we fear doing so may pose a security threat to our nation."

"Technology?" The king asked. "What sort of technology do you have? Do you not offer the share of magical knowledge or elixir combinations?"

"Actually we have no magic. Your daughter explained this to us before, and where we come from magic is a nonexistent factor. Everything we have and come with runs off of technology rather than magic."

"Is that so?" The king and queen were both curious yet uncertain, hearing these people who came before them completely lacked magic, yet brought with them such a mighty warship. "While usually we would prefer not to deal with commoners, it is undeniable that you brought our daughter back to safety. So you have our thanks, and perhaps we can make an exception starting from now." This praised a positive response from the diplomat. "What will Sartoma be willing to export and request for imports in return?"

"Sartoma is offering exports of steel, aluminum, coal, corn, wheat, coffee, and various health and sanitation products we can provide a full list of." The diplomat answered. "What is the Kingdom of Arkport able and willing to export?"

"We're currently exporting fish, and lumber. Our land is small and we have little access to precious resources, so most of everything we need is imported from across the world."

"We can agree on both. Our eastern coast doesn't have as much of an effective fishing industry as our western coast and we can make use of more lumber in various construction projects."

"Then I believe we may have a deal, but first I would like to view this nation of yours myself in person. I want to see with my own eyes if this prosperous society with no magic is true." King Patrick responded as the diplomat nodded.

"Take anyone you want to bring along. I'll get in contact with our head of government to make preparations for your visit, and requisition a proper luxury ship."

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Meanwhile...

Arkport Capital Docks

"Get me closer! I must see this magnificent vessel in closer detail!"

A small commercial barge was out in the water around the docks of the Kingdom of Arkport capital, rowing closer towards the impending steel warship. The ship had caught the attention of many curious inhabitants, while also catching the interest of several opportunists who wanted a closer look. One of such opportunities was Jacob Lloyd of the Lloyd Shipbuilding Company running as the primary shipbuilder for the Arkport Royal Navy.

"Incredible," Lloyd marveled at the impressive ship. "A full steel hull, imposing mass, and terrifyingly large guns! Who in their right mind would construct such an ingenious work of art?"

"Sir, how should we proceed from now?" One of the rich nobleman's employees asked as they stopped the barge just under a hundred meters from the large ship's starboard hull.

"Hold here while I draw this up! Perhaps we can find a way to incorporate these designs into our next projects. I'm positive the navy would enjoy the new concepts."

Looking down from the sides, the crew of the battleship watched the small barge and other ships crowding around them. It was obvious they were the current center of attention for these people. The captain remained cool about it, tolerating the amount of ships surrounding his vessel unless they got too close for his liking or armed anything resembling a weapon.