Chapter 27: World Government Medical Development Cooperation Nation!
Returning to the Kingdom Castle at the peak of the Main Peak, King Arnold sat firmly upon the Throne made of iron, looking down at Minister Malvani and Vice Admiral Kuzan standing below the Stairway.
From this moment on, the meeting between the Affiliated Countries and the World Government officially began.
The previous welcome and the politeness shown upon arrival were merely private etiquette and hospitality, fully demonstrating respect for the guests. But now, the Aura befitting a King must be displayed.
"So, can you tell me now, what is the purpose of your visit to my Drum Kingdom?"
Along the way, the Administrative Department Minister and Admiral Candidate before him had been speaking in riddles, their words vague and confusing, which had long piqued the King's curiosity.
"Your Majesty King Arnold, I have been ordered by the Political Affairs Department to discuss with you the Matter of designating the Drum Kingdom as a 'World Government Medical Development Cooperation Nation'."
Saying this, Minister Malvani took out a Scroll with a white background and gold threads from his bosom, and said, "This is the Cooperation Agreement. If you agree, you only need to sign it."
At the same time, the Official from before walked over, took the Scroll, and presented it to the King on the Platform. The King took the Scroll, unrolled it, and began to read.
As he read, a look of pleasant surprise leaped into his eyes.
This really was a great thing!
The Scroll stated that the so-called 'World Government Medical Development Cooperation Nation' meant that the World Government would advocate, support, and encourage the Drum Kingdom's Research and Development in the Medical Field.
Starting next year, as long as the Drum Kingdom's Medical Development passes the Assessment by the Political Affairs Department, the amount of Heavenly Tribute paid each year would be significantly reduced, by up to fifty percent.
Furthermore, the World Government and the Drum Kingdom would jointly establish a Medical Academy, specifically responsible for the collection, organization, and in-depth Research of World Medicine, and it would be required to serve the World Government free of charge.
Of course, 'free of charge' only meant that the Medical Academy could not charge fees when its services were needed. In reality, the Medical Academy's expenses would primarily be covered by the World Government taking the larger share, with the Drum Kingdom responsible for the smaller share.
Moreover, it was specified that Dr. Kureha, who was already 117 years old this year, would serve as the first Dean of the Medical Academy.
This point made King Arnold's eyelids twitch. While Dr. Kureha was indeed the foremost figure in the Drum Kingdom's Medical Field, both in terms of Medical Skill and seniority, her personality was too eccentric.
Honestly, having her as the Dean gave him a feeling of considerable unreliability.
He continued reading.
The World Government hoped that the Medical Academy led by Dr. Kureha could establish a rigorous Physician Promotion System to standardize Doctors worldwide. In the future, Doctors wishing to improve their Physician Rank would need to come to the Drum Kingdom for Assessment.
This point made King Arnold's eyes light up.
He wasn't stupid.
This was essentially making the Drum Kingdom the center of World Medicine!
"Quick! Send someone to invite Dr. Kureha over immediately! Tell her the World Government is looking for her, and it's a Matter of great importance!" The King quickly gave the Order to the Official below.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" The Official quickly exited the Castle Hall.
Just then, Minister Malvani from the Administrative Department spoke again.
"You must have seen the Matter of establishing the Medical Academy. Didn't I ask you about the other Drum Mountain Peaks earlier? I hope to build the Medical Academy on one of those Mountain Peaks. What do you think?"
"This..."
King Arnold felt a bit conflicted. To be honest, he didn't really want to do this. Otherwise, wouldn't the Civilians be able to casually reach the same Height as their Royalty in the future?
But the Minister had already said so, and he truly had no suitable reason to object. Furthermore, he very much hoped that the Medical Academy could be built.
Finally, he gritted his teeth and nodded, "Alright, no problem. In a few days, I'll have people set up Aerial Cableways and Cable Cars on the Mountain Peak to the left!"
"Heh heh, regarding this Matter, our World Government already has a plan." Minister Malvani was very happy that everything was going smoothly and was in a very pleasant mood.
"Vice Admiral Aokiji will find a way to solve the transportation difficulties."
"Oh?"
King Arnold looked curiously at this overly tall Admiral Candidate. Kuzan stroked his chin and said thoughtfully.
"When I came in just now, I glanced at the surrounding Drum Mountain Peaks and found that the distance between them isn't very far. It should be possible to connect them all using Ice Bridges, allowing free passage between the peaks."
"What, connecting all eight Drum Mountain Peaks?!"
King Arnold was so startled he immediately stood up, showing extreme surprise. If this were done, the seven Drum Mountain Peaks that had been idle could all be used, which was equivalent to increasing the Kingdom's area.
"Yes, I actually strongly suggest that your Nation relocate the Citizens below to the peaks, because the Town is located too low, right below the Snow Mountain Range. It would be too dangerous if an Avalanche occurred." Kuzan sincerely suggested.
The Drum Kingdom's Citizen population wasn't large. Even if one Drum Mountain Peak was used for the Medical Academy, the remaining six could fully accommodate all the Citizens.
"This..."
King Arnold was conflicted again. It was one thing to let the Doctors be 'on equal footing' with him, but why bring up even the lowest Civilians?
As for Avalanches and such, he genuinely didn't care. Avalanches did occasionally occur in the country, but hadn't the Citizens below been living perfectly fine all these years?
But just like before, Kuzan's words made a lot of sense, and he had no suitable reason to refuse. Coupled with the other party's Identity, a future Marine Admiral!
If they were attacked by an overly Strong Pirate one day, they would still need to rely on the other party to come and help deal with them.
"Vice Admiral Aokiji, even if we are to relocate the Citizens, it's not an easy Matter. With just the transportation Efficiency of Cable Cars, this would take several years to complete, wouldn't it?"
King Arnold attempted to struggle.
"Yes, while Cable Cars cannot be abandoned, they cannot be the primary mode of transportation in the future. Therefore, for most of the time to come, I will create a Stairway connecting the Ground and the Main Peak."
"Because the Height is a full five thousand meters, a relatively spacious Platform is needed every thousand meters for people to rest. Arararara, no matter how you look at it, this is a huge project~"
Kuzan sighed helplessly. Ever since he created the thick and useful Ice Field Battlefield for Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admiral Garp, it seemed he had been targeted by the World Government.
Now he had become a Construction Team, well, a Construction Team of one person.
But he also knew that this Matter was a great thing for the Citizens of the Drum Kingdom, truly worthy of being called a Mission of Justice, fitting the word Justice he carried.
Therefore, he didn't feel any resentment in his Heart; instead, he was somewhat happy and looking forward to it. At the same time, his impression of the World Government had also improved significantly.
It would just be tiring for a few days, as his Ice-Ice Fruit had not yet undergone Awakening.
(End of this chapter)