This is the story of when Liam received economic sanctions.
At the Seventh Weapons Factory, which Liam was on good terms with, various orders were being placed by the Empire during transactions.
If the Banfield family places an order, raise the tax.
Do not buy rare metals from the Banfield family.
Delay orders from the Banfield family—basically, detailed instructions were coming in.
Nias had a cold expression in response.
"Our best customers are the Banfield family! Orders don’t come in so easily that we can delay them."
The Seventh Weapons Factory, which manufactures high-performance weapons, is not popular within the Empire.
It’s only because they are the developers of Avid, Liam’s mobile knight, that Liam has been doing business with them.
If we suddenly start treating the Empire coldly just because they say so, the economic loss to the Seventh Weapons Factory would be immeasurable.
"Besides, they don’t even send us rare metals! When they have money, they immediately place orders with popular weapons factories!"
It was infuriating.
A junior who had been watching Nias asked about the future.
"What do we do? We have to deliver three fortress-class ships to the Banfield family by the end of the year, right?"
For the Seventh Weapons Factory, Liam, who consistently purchases without hesitation, is the best customer.
We can’t cut ties now.
If we do, the Seventh Weapons Factory will be finished.
"There’s no reason for us to be told what to do with orders placed before the directive."
"But we just received an order to prepare a thousand ships today."
These are the ships being prepared for Cedric.
"If we’re sending them to the military, why don’t we put the name in the military’s name?"
"Is that okay?"
"It’s not okay. It’s not okay, but if we cut ties with the Earl, we’ll be in trouble!"
There’s a reason why Nias is so attached to Liam.
It has to do with the next-generation ship she is developing.
When she tried to build a prototype ship with all her enthusiasm, the amount of rare metals required was astronomical.
Only Liam in the Empire can provide that much rare metal.
Many nobles own rare metals, but only Liam would provide such a large amount for her hobby.
Personally, she absolutely couldn’t cut ties with Liam.
"Senior—aren’t you pushing it too far to complete your own battleship?"
"I’m betting my life on this ship! I will definitely make this plan a reality!"
The battleship Nias is developing is a culmination of the Seventh Weapons Factory’s technology.
She is determined to complete it.
"Are you really okay with this?"
"I’m sorry, but there’s no other way. Besides, the situation will change soon anyway. If we always respond seriously, we’ll be the fools."
In this vast Empire, such things are not uncommon.
Even the powerful Barclay family was easily destroyed by Liam.
The situation can change easily.
Just then, Nias received a message from Liam.
"Oh, Lord Liam~"
Nias answered the call with a purring voice and made a request to Liam.
"Nias, I want rare metals~"
The junior, seeing her senior’s behavior, had a distant look in his eyes.
Liam on the other side of the screen was also exasperated.
"Didn’t I send you some before?"
"I want more! I want to try new technology!"
"You always—fine, I’ll send more. More importantly, how is the construction of the fortress-class ships going?"
"It’s about 60% complete. With three ships being built simultaneously, we’re short on manpower."
"I’m short on manpower too. A slight delay might be just right."
Liam then asked Nias about Avid.
"More importantly, how is Avid doing?"
Nias had requested a detailed inspection of Avid, which was equipped with the Machine Heart, from the Seventh Weapons Factory.
Nias’s expression became serious.
"There are no issues, but personally, I find it very interesting."
"Interesting?"
"I think it can be handled without any problems as a mobile knight, but the Machine Heart is gradually infiltrating Avid. No, it’s spreading its nerves. It’s slowly merging and trying to become one completely."
"Is it safe?"
"There are no issues. The performance is actually improving. It will continue to improve in the future, so consider it a growing unit."
"Romantic."
"Ah, you understand? Yes, it’s romantic!"
The two of them got excited talking about Avid, and they agreed on the additional rare metals.
After the conversation ended, the junior asked Nias.
"Is it okay? To buy rare metals from the Earl?"
"Oh? No, this time we’re receiving the rare metals. It’s free!"
"But in exchange, we did the inspection of Avid. Still, the Earl finds some amazing things. The Machine Heart is a legendary item."
"That’s true. I wish he had told me before using it. I wanted to see it, study it, and even take it apart."
The junior agreed with Nias.
"That’s right!"
Bryan (´；ω；｀) "That’s it for Chapter 5. Thank you all for reading this chapter. Chapter 6 is still undecided, but until we meet again."
Sakamoto (゜∀゜) "Not yet! My performance isn’t over! If you found it interesting, please leave your thoughts and comments! And please rate it! Let’s spread the word about Sakamoto’s performance—"