Arknights, but the family has fallen into decline again and again and again

Enciodes Silverash's brow furrowed.

Karlan Trade did indeed operate abroad under the name of a Kjerag state-owned enterprise.

But Kjerag could hardly be considered "a country" anymore. It was closer to a tribal alliance held together by a shared faith.

When seriously discussing "Kjerag's partners," the Silverash family could represent, at most, one-third of Kjerag. With Manjushri in the picture, the real share might be even less.

"Karlan Trade is merely a state enterprise of Kjerag. We have no authority to speak for all of Kjerag."

"Perhaps." Oute replied blandly. "We intend to transfer a batch of mineral-smelting technologies to Kjerag and help establish its mining industry."

"Compared to the outdated goods Karlan Trade purchased, these technologies are better in every respect."

Did he not understand the relationship between Karlan Trade and Kjerag?

Otherwise, why had he specifically emphasized Kjerag?

Perhaps... or had he noticed something?

Was he representing some country, here to sound me out?

Which one?

The theocratic "nation" of Kjerag was surrounded by powerful enemies: Kazimierz, Victoria, Columbia... and even Minos.

Yes, in terms of strength on paper alone, Kjerag could not even defeat Minos.

Enciodes's thoughts raced, but his expression remained unchanged as he asked, "If I recall correctly, Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals is a pharmaceutical company?"

"Originium is a mineral," Oute evaded.

As for why Rhodes Island was so advanced in mineral-smelting technology... those who knew, knew.

"As far as I know, more advanced technology is not necessarily better. Can Rhodes Island's technology adapt to Kjerag's climate and ore grades? I still believe that technology transferred by Victoria might be more suitable."

Kjerag's technology was an international hodgepodge, and what it had bought from Victoria was merely one part of it. Enciodes had only brought up "Victoria" to introduce the word.

"That is indeed a concern." Oute readily admitted it. "Machines are far more delicate than people. Industrial parks in extremely cold regions must be redesigned, or all manner of problems may arise."

"And Kjerag's problems are not limited to the cold. There is also the altitude... the issue of elevation."

"Kjerag possesses the tallest peaks on this land."

Enciodes found Oute's honesty almost unbelievable. Who negotiated business like this?

But he was too honest to seem like someone sent to pressure him...

Oute truly disliked lying.

To him, credibility was a consumable resource, one that needed to be spent where it mattered.

Even when he had been forced to lie through his cheat ability, he had chosen to do so by selectively withholding facts.

Oute said, "As you just mentioned, if both elevation and temperature are taken into account, then from that perspective, nowhere in all of Terra has technology suited to Kjerag."

"No matter where you purchase it from, the technology will ultimately need to be adapted locally."

Enciodes pinched the bridge of his nose.

This Dr. Oute, whom he had never met before, was astonishingly similar to Noesis.

That subtle, headache-inducing sense of superiority... did scholarly bureaucrats in high positions all end up like this?

But what made it even more unbearable was that they were usually right.

A snow leopard can run, but the mountain cannot.

"Rhodes Island's terms are indeed generous, but... what is the price?"

"The transferred technology will be held by a subsidiary jointly controlled by Rhodes Island Pharmaceuticals and Karlan Trade. Rhodes Island will contribute the technology as capital, while the equity distribution remains open to negotiation."

At that moment, a slight commotion arose downstairs.

Oute's expression did not change. "And Rhodes Island will have priority purchasing rights for the minerals Kjerag produces and the metals it smelts."

Enciodes found it unbelievable.

For Karlan Trade as a company, these terms might even be considered harsh.

But what Oute had repeatedly emphasized was Kjerag.

He seemed completely unconcerned with how much profit this subsidiary would make. His focus was entirely on Kjerag.

Besides, for Kjerag as a nation, even if Rhodes Island owned ninety-nine point nine percent of this "subsidiary," it would still be practically giving it away for free!

Kjerag's problems on the production end were actually manageable. Even if its technology was inferior, it could still grind away and produce something.

But the sales end... this was a country literally tucked away in the mountains. While other nations used landships for "maritime trade," Kjerag's railways had yet to reach every corner of its territory.

Giving them both technology and sales volume—could it be... he had his eye on Enya?

A snow leopard whose brain had crashed.

"Y-you... you're not joking, are you?"

He had switched to formal address already?

Enciodes sat up straight.

"Mr. Silverash, if you have doubts about this... may I ask where you are currently?"

"A mobile city in southern Victoria."

"Then why not bring a batch of Kjerag ore to Lungmen in Yan for a detailed discussion? Rhodes Island's main landship is currently stationed here."

"Ore?"

"We need to conduct a preliminary industrial design based on Kjerag's minerals."

Enciodes was tempted, but he still said, "To be honest, your proposal is indeed very attractive. I almost want to agree immediately! But I believe that a single subsidiary is not enough to match the price Rhodes Island is paying."

The bait was so tempting that he had no choice but to be suspicious.

Oute answered without hesitation, "Rhodes Island is building a second landship. For that, we need a stable and long-term supplier of raw materials."

"And more importantly, it cannot be too strong."

Enciodes's eyelid twitched.

"Compared to other potential partners, Kjerag lacks the ability to lay claim to Rhodes Island's assets. And it has another advantage: no matter how weak it may be, Kjerag is a political entity that exists in the form of a state."

"That alone means a great deal. Given Rhodes Island's ability to seek compensation, Kjerag is a better partner than other 'companies.'"

A snow leopard could run, but the mountain could not.

"But Kjerag's problem is that your domestic metal-smelting industry is far too underdeveloped. It cannot yet provide materials suitable for our project."

The painful truth pierced the snow leopard's heart. It dispelled his doubts, but also made him anxious.

A landship.

Rhodes Island could build landships?

No, no, no—Rhodes Island... could build landships itself?

How far was that from a battleship?

Could Kjerag do it?

Could they obtain the technology?

Only when it came to saving his country could Enciodes's thoughts leap so wildly.

Of course, he had no idea that three years later, he would be squatting in the snowy mountains hand-building a battleship—ordinary people could not imagine such an absurd premise.

What Oute actually wanted was to "procure" raw materials for rebuilding the Chernobog city block.

But he had not lied just now either. He truly did want to build another landship besides Rhodes Island's main vessel to share its functions.

Enciodes had originally wondered whether something had happened to his sister.

Now, he felt like he was about to have a heart attack himself.

Kjerag had to get involved!

Even if it meant losing money!

But he forced himself to remain calm and asked, "What if Kjerag... Karlan Trade refuses?"

"Are you sure?" Oute remained utterly composed. "Then I will contact a company in Rim Billiton now."

"Although the risk would increase slightly, the conveniences brought by Rim Billiton's Originium-mining industry could somewhat compensate for that."

"My previous question was merely out of personal curiosity. Please do not take it to heart!"

"I have urgent business here. Technical personnel will follow up later regarding the specific types and quantities of minerals needed for the industrial design. Oute, end communication."

"Wait..."

Enciodes wanted to say more, but the other end of the line had already fallen silent.

Oute asked PRTS, "What is going on downstairs?"

Blaze came upstairs soon afterward.

Apparently, someone was causing trouble. They were unhappy that Rhodes Island had occupied the place.

Seeing Oute's look, Blaze immediately waved her hands. "I paid properly!"

"I'm curious. Why do you think I would care about that?" Oute said. "The mafia?"

Because you're a scholar...

Blaze nodded awkwardly. "I only considered that the location was excellent. It seems the local mafia thinks we need to pay them another fee."

"We haven't met with the people managing the slums yet. Don't kill anyone for now."

Don't kill anyone... meaning anything besides killing was allowed...?

Blaze was somewhat taken aback.

What kind of Doctor was this?