Chapter 211. Let's make a boat... a very big boat (3)
“It's called Houtil. As you can see, we are all people who ate on the boat even before we grew up.”
Zelsen was afraid that they would be rude to me, but his tone was more polite than I thought.
Well, if you look at the detailed manners, it's a bread point, but considering that he's a sailor, there's no problem.
In the first place, I'm not the type to go into details like that.
“Raise your head. The story will be long, so sit down too.”
“yes.”
After he left, I sat at the top of the table.
And to my left and right like that, escorts stood guard.
“Don't mind them. It is my escort.”
“All right.”
“don't worry. No matter what we talk about here, they won't point their swords at you.”
Of course, there is such a thing as that, but I warned you in advance that I would not commit a cruel thing just because I spoke badly.
Only then did some of the sailors show a bit of relief.
“...you know why I came here myself'?”
“That's right. Rather, to make the prince come directly. Even though it was because of our stubbornness, we would like to ask for forgiveness here.”
“are you okay. forgive me.”
For now, I decided to leave the rough greetings up to this point.
First of all, I have to tell them in advance that I am not angry with them so that the next story will be easier.
“I heard that they are not happy with the ship's remodeling. It's true?”
“....That's right.”
Houtil quietly admitted.
“The remodeling of the ship is never bad for you guys, right? That is very strange.”
Yes.
Along with the development of the engine, I was pushing ahead with a plan to remodel the ship currently owned by our firm.
Although according to common sense here, the boats owned by the former Geotal Company are not small, but they were not enough in my eyes.
That's why, as long as the means of trade to cross the sea became mine, I tried to refine it to my liking.
But it seems they didn't like it very much.
I can roughly guess why.
“Is it because of pride?”
“I have no face. That's right.”
Houtil replied with a hard expression on his face.
“We didn’t learn anything because we only rode a boat. That's why I can't understand what kind of technology the ship modification is.”
He continued calmly, slowly trying to convey to me his and the watching crew's will.
“But I have heard that the boat to be converted will go forward without riding the wind and will not need rowing.”
“Yes, yes.”
“I heard that it is made of steel, so it won't break even if it hits any reef, and even monsters won't be able to harm it easily.”
“Yeah, I heard you right.”
Even if you say you haven't learned anything, it's clear that you've been trying to figure out what the remodeling plan I told you above is.
It really is.
In fact, it can be said that it is correct to say that horses are almost completely renovated.
And that was the reason the sailors were unhappy.
Up until now, he had been towing the boat well, but suddenly I said, ‘Your boat is old, so I'll give you a new one that's more convenient, so bring me the old boat.'
No, don't you usually have to like it if they give you a new pear?
“You seem hard to understand.”
“....sorry. But this is our pride and pride.”
Houtil lowered his head as if he was about to ram his head on the table, telling me the will of himself and the crew.
“We have been working as sailors for generations. I had to go out to sea and experience the roughness of the waves before I even grew up.”
“That must have been hard.”
“We take pride in that.”
There was no lie whatsoever in his words.
They really seem to be proud of the family business of going out to sea.
I nodded and respected their feelings.
“But the boat the prince gives me…”
“Is it going against your pride?”
I couldn't answer yes, but I thought I knew roughly how he felt.
I can guess what they don't like.
“It is our pride to come out of the sea with a strong body trained in rough waves and a feeling passed down from generation to generation. But what does that mean to us if we don't need rowers and sailors to measure the wind?”
At some point, he couldn't overcome his emotions and spewed out a passionate speech.
Apparently, what they didn't like was that they were afraid that the meaning of their existence would disappear if the boat I was going to give them was introduced.
‘...It's not like I can't understand.'
It's the same everywhere.
If something new concept or equipment is mobilized, someone will feel threatened by it.
but.
“It’s old.”
“Prince....?”
“Old. It's really old and selfish thinking.”
I dismissed their argument thusly.
Although I understood, I did not feel empathy.
“...Does the prince not understand our feelings?”
“No, I know roughly what you mean.”
“if.?”
“But why do you have to give up a more convenient and powerful ship for that reason?”
For a moment, everyone was speechless.
“It's not just for the benefit of the company. Introducing this ship is also for your sake.”
“You said you take pride in facing the waves. But let's ask the other way around. Then how many of your comrades and your ancestors were swallowed up by those rough waves?”
As we have said before, trade across the sea is risky.
There are a lot of problems that can never be taken lightly, such as capricious weather, reefs, and various diseases.
Besides, there are monsters here.
In the sea, there is a hell that is comparable to the continent, such as krakens and harpies that come out to find food.
Pirates also cannot be ignored.
“It seems that a ship was sunk by a Kraken attack last year as well. Is that the pride you should carry?”
A few hear that and tremble their fists.
“I'm not specifically trying to insult the deaths of your comrades. But that doesn’t mean that such sacrifices are justified in the future, right?”
As technology advances, there will surely be some who feel threatened. But there is so much to be gained.
I wish they looked a little further ahead.
“On the other hand, let's say you get swept away by that wave by accident. Then what will you guys think?”
“What do you think... what the hell are you talking about?”
“Are you going to resent your comrades alive at that moment and wish them the same? or not!”
I take a deep breath and
“Do you at least hope that your comrades and your next-generation children will not meet the same fate?”
This time the strength went out of their arms.
Tight muscles loosen up effortlessly.
Listen to my question now and each of you will have your own thoughts.
The branch manager said they were ignorant and did not understand the advantages of the new ship.
I do not think so.
Surely they will know.
“Above all, your jobs will not change.”
Even with the introduction of newer ships, the need for these never goes away.
Rather, they need more experience.
“Do you really think that someone else is in charge of the ship, so you can get to that continent faster than you?”
I asked them again with a slightly provocative smile.
“Was your sailing skill just about that?”
“?...that.”
“If so, I will reconsider.”
Now this is deliberately encouraging them.
Were your skills so insignificant that they would disappear just because your pride changed and your skills evolved?
Are you proud of that?
“Give me a moment.”
I put a small hourglass on the table.
“I will ask each of you for your opinion once this sand runs out right here and now. Tell me honestly if you are for or against building a new ship.”
“You mean... everyone's opinion?”
“okay. Oh, don't promise me No matter what opinion you have, I will never penalize you for it. I promise on my name and on the coat of arms of the royal family.”
Don't worry. I have no back end. It's just sulking.
It's a joke.
I will never retaliate against them for their comments.
In the first place, I'm not even that small.
And then...
“...Time has passed.”
As soon as I ran out of sand, I looked at the sailor on the far left and asked.
“What are you going to do?”
“Yes, I agree.”
He bowed his head and agreed to refurbish the ship.
okay? Then next.
“I agree too.”
next.
“Neither do I.”
“Your prince is absolutely right.”
“A new ship would be nice too.”
No one ever gave me an opinion against the repair of the ship.
yes yes You mean everyone wants to agree?
Whoop whoop whoop whoop. It's desirable.
Also, when people talk to each other with sincerity, they recognize it.
So the consent continued, and I looked at Hutil for the last time.
“What is your opinion?”
“I agree... If you punish us for our stubbornness without knowing the prince's will, I will accept it.”
ok forgive me
I smiled heartily.
“Then, from now on, this dwarf here will give you a technical explanation of the new ship you will board. If you have any questions, ask this person.”
Finally, the time has come for Aken, who had been silently behind, to step out.
“I am Aken, the blacksmith who will be responsible for repairing the ship this time.”
“…Are you a dwarf?”
“Are there any complaints?”
Aken and Houtil glared at each other.
Two men who seem to have strong self-esteem.
Sea Man and Dwarf.
Two hot-tempered men face each other.
Surely there won't be a conflict of opinions now?
For a moment, I imagined that it wouldn't be strange if we punched each other on the spot.
However, the two soon recovered the sharp atmosphere from before.
“Looking at your arms, you seem to have skills.”
“This is what I want to say.”
For some reason, both look at each other's forearms and flow into an atmosphere of acknowledgment.
....Couldn't this have just ended if I had just told Aken to go and convince him instead of talking about it?
I was belatedly wondering if that was the case.
For now, Aken decided to take charge of the detailed questions and answers.
It was because it seemed that Arken, who had a rough personality, would explain things to suit their temperament much more than what I said.
look at that
We are already swearing at each other.
I left my seat looking at the scene with satisfaction.
After closing the door, Asha, one of the three guards, spoke out in relief.
“I'm glad everyone recognized Arell's will.”
“Ah…that’s what I mean. Maybe he didn't know.”
Seina glanced behind her and said so.
“okay. Did Seina notice?”
When I admitted that I was correct, Asha was puzzled.
“What do you mean by that?”
“In the first place, in that atmosphere, everyone had no choice but to agree.”
“yes'?”
Ah... It seems that Asha is still not good at these tricks.
When I glanced at her, Seina nodded as if she understood, and went on to explain.
“This is a method often used by mercenaries. If you think you might disagree, gather them all in one place, claim that this is right, and then ask each other for their opinions. Then, most of the other mercenaries who have not decided on their opinions will agree.”
“Seina is right.”
“Does that really make you agree?”
“Human beings generally cannot ignore the atmosphere.”
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