"Hmm…this is very interesting. Yes, King Gazel would like this idea very much. He is the right person to seek help in constructing something like this."
Vesta was saying as he looked over the train idea and plan. This was feasible, and even though he was more of a scientific and research-focused person, he could clearly see the value this could have in trading between countries. He'd love to see the reaction the finance minister would have upon seeing this.
"I'll talk to King Gazel about this. He should agree easily and be very open to negotiation."
Artoria stopped him before he could go further
"We're also fine with him sending representatives. It doesn't have to be him. He's probably busy looking at the aftermath of our war with the Eastern Empire."
Vesta thought about it, and it was true. Gazel was still looking at the aftermath of the war, even if not much support was given.
"Yes, that is right. But from my conversations with him, he sees it as justified, and respects your decision to help rebuild the Eastern Empire after your war. He understands the process behind it. I'll talk to him and report back to you soon, Lady Pendragon."
"Good. I'll look forward to it."
And with that, Artoria and Rimuru left his workshop and lab. It was that easy.
"Wow, that went a lot faster than I thought it would," Rimuru said in slight surprise.
"I'm telling you, Rimuru, it's easy. And with a mind like Vesta's, he'll do his best to sell Gazel on the idea. Most of it coming from him wanting to research it further and put his mind to use."
"Is that why you didn't want Raphael making all the blueprints and plans?"
"Yeah, pretty much. Make his brain work. And of course, you can review them and have Raphael make adjustments and improvements. Raphael should help, not do everything."
"So, now what?"
"Now, we wait for the festival."
/\\//\\//\
(One month later)
Wow, Shuna is really starting to show. I guess that's what happens when you have seven kids growing in you. But she knows illusion magic, and she can hide whenever and if she wants. Personally, I don't care, since all of that is her choice. My only problem is that time doesn't seem to pass fast enough.
I want those months to pass NOW! I want to see the little ones and then spoil them rotten.
Wait, no, I still remember way back when I said that I wouldn't become someone who spoils and dotes on my children.
And I will stand by that.
Anyway, what's happened this month? Oh, right, there's the festival. There won't be a parade for this one, just a massive festival on a national scale. And it's happening right now. The oni are going crazy about it. I've never seen them so passionate and enthusiastic about all of this, not even when fighting. But this is expected.
And what's even better is that the trains are a go. Vesta came back very quickly and told us the good news that Gazel was very interested in this idea and that he would send over some representatives to look it over. Now, this happened before the festival, or else Gazel himself would've come, and then it would've been harder to get what we really want. Full ownership of the railroads and trains.
This must've been how J.P. Morgan felt when he tried to consolidate control over most of America's railroads.
To make things short, we have full ownership of the railroad and trains. Yeah, we did have to concede a bit of money and other things, but that would very quickly make itself back. We have Vesta and Kaijin fully working on it, and Geld and his orcs would help in construction. Many materials, mainly steel, are being brought from the Dwargon, and the rest we can make here. The first scheduled railroad is to run between Dwragon and Tempest, and as such, we are also building many train stations. After that, we'll expand to other nations, like Blummond, Milim's country, Fulbrosia, Eurazania, Sarion, and I would say Lubelious as well, but that would require having to go through some western states and Ingrasia.
The Western states should be no problem, because we can just impose our will on them, and last I saw, Ingrasia isn't doing so well, not since Yuuki was executed and his crimes exposed to the whole world. The Free Guild was basically Ingrasia, and with that basically defunct, combined with so many sanctions, things were going downhill. Many other things, like the Free Guild, popped up, basically creating a bunch of competition. And most of them were fragments from the Free Guild. And the biggest one came from what used to be the main headquarters of the Free Guild, but that's really not saying much.
What happened to the Free Guild is basically what happened to Standard Oil after they were forced to be split, which only means that it's a matter of time before some of them start merging.
All this to say that we could come in and take advantage of the chaos to either secure a very lopsided deal to let them use part of their land for our railroads, or if we want to step it up a notch, make them give over part of their land where our railroads will go, or to go further, take over their territory.
I mean, I don't think there would be any opposition to it. No one has come out in support of them because of much of a hot topic it is. It's a political hot potato. It would be easy to justify it, so that at least no one would oppose us at the minimum. I don't think anyone would care much about a country that harbored a person like Yuuki. Not even if they lost a bit of territory. We'd have to take the upper half of it to avoid some mountains for the railroads.
I'm thinking a bit like a robber baron here, but that's all assuming that Luminous would want a railroad connecting us.
Once we get cargo trains done, we can go to passenger trains, but that's all for much later in the future.
Right now, there's a festival to have fun at and eat a lot of food. It's time to conquer more food challenges.
/\\//\\//\
"Artoria, that's the fourth challenge you've done already."
Shuna was a little concerned, maybe frustrated with Arotria and how she tackled every challenge. This one in particular was a 72-oz steak challenge with a large side of fries, mashed potatoes, and bread rolls. As well as soda for the beverage.
And of course, Artoria made it look easy.
"It's a festival, Shuna, there's nothing wrong with it. You should eat more, too, Shuna. You're eating for eight."
Shuna sighed at her antics. "That's now how it works, but I appreciate the sentiment. But please, no more challenges."
"Okay, Shuna."
They kept walking hand-in-hand, enjoying the various activities and festivities, until they came across a sign. A hot dog-eating contest.
"Artoria, no. You told me no more challenges."
"Hold on, Shuna. It was no more 'challenges', this is a 'contest'. There's a difference."
"No, you're not doing it."
"All those contestants should consider themselves lucky."