Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 286 - 279: Goodbye, Princess

Chapter 286: Chapter 279: Goodbye, Princess

The ship’s smokestack billowed black smoke as the steam engines on each side drove the two massive paddle wheels, propelling the ship upstream on the Roen River.

In the thirty years since the end of the war, the steam engine was the only form of earth’s industrial power that had been proven to work and had been commercialized in the Otherworld. Earth’s electric power, internal combustion engine technology, including wireless communication technology, could not be utilized in the Otherworld.

The differences between the two worlds had encouraged Earthlings to come up with more ideas regarding the Otherworld’s strategic deployment. The traditional Earth military mobile communication system could not possibly be used in the Otherworld. Only specific issue-by-issue analysis and adaptation to local conditions could allow Earth’s military technological advantages to be brought into play.

Although the Otherworld’s armies had the support of magic, the advanced advantages of Earth’s army were still there. It simply was not possible to make up for these by relying solely on magic.

For instance, during the first and second Otherworld wars, the Otherworld’s army viewed the use of firearms by earth people as a very treacherous and despicable act of warfare. However, today, most Otherworld adventurers are willing to purchase a firearm from Earth, not to mention the Otherworld armies equipped with Earth’s weaponry.

The export of weapons from Earth to the Otherworld once led to serious shortages of weapons caused by regional conflicts on Earth, because even old-fashioned weapons from the World War II era would be bought by merchants to sell in the Otherworld.

An old-fashioned rifle could sell for 10 to 15 Aud gold coins, one gold coin weighed around ten grams, equivalent to about 5000 to 7500 US dollars. Although the price of gold on Earth has depreciated under the impact of the Otherworld gold, an old gun could still make a profit of 3000 to 4000 US dollars. In comparison to the cost, this is practically a business without capital investment.

To capital, as long as there is a decent profit, capital will become bold. If there is a 10% profit, it will be widely used. If there is a 20% profit, it will become active. If there is a 50% profit, it will venture. If it were not constrained by the weapon export principles set by many countries, the Otherworld would have been filled with weapons from Earth by now.

Of course, being born traders, those keen Blaiqi people would never miss such an opportunity. Over the past thirty years, they have become the bridge between Earth and the Otherworld. They shuttle between Yazhi City and Ulysses City, purchasing weapons and industrial products from Earth with gold, and then selling them in the Otherworld.

Of course, these two kinds of goods are just representations of many goods because their profits are tempting, of course, they are also very restricted. Besides these goods, the Otherworld buys most quantities of food from Earth.

Although the agricultural production technology brought by the Earth people has allowed the Otherworld’s agriculture to develop rapidly, and even parts of the area have begun to initiate a land enclosure movement. Yet the rapidly increasing population means the Otherworld countries still have to import a large amount of food from Earth just to barely maintain a balance. This is why the Command Department believes that their deployment of troops will receive acknowledgment from the Church Court soon.

Because even the most devout believers need food to fill their bellies.

The Earth people’s attitude towards the Otherworld has always been contradictory. On one hand, they hope the Otherworld could develop to expand their product market. Yet on the other hand, they fear that the rapid development of the Otherworld will affect their interference in the Otherworld.

Before the Otherworld war, most countries in Europe and America had completed de-industrialization. However, with the opening up of the Otherworld market, they found out embarrassingly that their high-end industrial products had no market in the Otherworld. The only thing they could take out were the classic military products. Therefore, in the thirty years after the Second Otherworld War, they reopened the industrial system in an underhanded way.

Luo’er held a somewhat optimistic attitude towards the upcoming Third Otherworld War. Although the Command Department believes they may be attacked by the Church’s army, once the war began and Earth shuts down the industrial goods and food trade channel. It is estimated that within a month, the countries in the Otherworld will implore the Pope to stop the war and agree to fulfill the Earth’s military garrison’s requirement.

Because the ship was fully loaded, its speed was very slow. According to Luo’s calculation, even if they sailed non-stop day and night, they would not arrive until at least a week later. Thankfully, the good thing about industrial machines is no need for rest.

The ship was loaded with weapons and also carried military officers and translators, in addition to hiring a dozen fully-armed mercenaries. They said that the Advance Team was escorting the weapons, but it would be more accurate to say that they were escorting the Advance Team to Princess Melia’s camp.

Going upstream along the Roen River, there were only a few pontoon bridges, after all, it was basically impossible for a ship this size to pass through stone bridges. Luckily, the route to Princess Melia’s camp had no stone bridges.

The days on the ship were dull. During their free time, both the military officers and translators would gather around Hu Daoke to listen to his far-flung stories of the adventures the Advance Team had weathered. Hu Daoke was not at a loss for words, describing the exploits of the Advance Team as if they were godly soldiers sent from heaven. His boasting was so outrageous that even his own men found it too much to bear and kept their distance from him.

Baiyue was still perusing the diary her father gave to her. Although she could read Russian, she could not understand it all, so she carried a thick Russian dictionary with her, occasionally flipping through it to look up words. She was truly the epitome of a good student.

Luo’er kept hiding from Tangmo, even going so far as to lock his cabin door from the inside when he went to sleep at night for fear that she would ambush him. The closer they got to Melia’s camp, the more Tangmo seemed to be worried. Every day, she feared Luo’er would be lured away by Melia.

Tangmo’s obsessive behavior reminded Luo’er of a certain iconic character from Future Diary. He was becoming increasingly worried about whether this girl would snap one day and become a murderer just to have him all to herself.

After a week of sailing, the ship finally reached the dock of Melia’s camp. Melia had received a report from a scout earlier and had been waiting at the dock for their arrival.

The ship sailed into the ferry port and moored by the pier. The Advance Team was all set, and Luo’er heaved a deep sigh of relief, leading a group of people off the ship. As an old acquaintance of Melia, he felt obliged to negotiate with her.

Perhaps in anticipation of Luo’er and his company’s arrival, Melia was not donned in her usual hunter’s attire, but instead donned a princess’s gorgeous long dress, her hair meticulously styled.

She had applied a light foundation that covered her barely noticeable freckles, making her look even more charming. Her lips were painted with a light, crystal-clear lipstick. As she saw Luo’er and his companions disembarking, she bit her lip, put on a charming smile, and greeted them warmly.

"Greetings, your Royal Highness!" said Luo’er, slightly bowing. Although he had promised Melia not to use such a title before, he was representing the headquarters now, and basic courtesy was needed.

"Thank you for your efforts, Lord Luo’er!" replied Melia, her eyes squinting in a smile. Her voice was as sweet as ever, laced with genuine joy.

"Your Majesty, here is the list of our aid materials. Please take a look," Luo’er said, respectfully handing her a list.

"Thank you!" Melia reached out to take the list, her fingertips accidentally brushing over the back of his hand, causing his heart to ripple.

Luo’er’s courtesy towards Melia was intentional as Tangmo was standing right behind him. He was afraid that the young girl might suddenly throw a fit, causing awkwardness on both sides. After all, since finding her in the forest last time, Tangmo’s behavior became increasingly unpredictable.

Melia was smart. She knew Luo’er would not be so respectful to her out of the blue, even in front of others.

Her gaze swept Pp>

"By the way, these people are the accompanying military officers and translators. They will assist Your Majesty in training the army and learning the use of Earth’s weapons and tactics in the next two months," Luo’er continued to introduce.

"Thank you all for coming a long way. We have prepared a lavish banquet. Please follow the Knight Commander to the banquet hall," Melia said, gesturing invitingly. Although the Knight Commander looked upset, he led everyone to the banquet hall.

Melia was extremely beautiful. As a princess, she exuded an elegance possessed only by nobles. She smiled charmingly, her beautiful eyes turning, leaving the people who accompanied her stunned and unable to shift their gaze.

Tangmo might be beautiful, but she still looked childish. Baiyue was close to perfection, but her aloof demeanor made most people dare not approach her. However, Melia, whose beauty and wisdom coexisted, and who was noble yet enchanting, captured these people’s hearts instantly.

Even Luo’er admitted that if he wasn’t looking for his mother now, or if he hadn’t met Tangmo and Baiyue beforehand, he would have fallen in love with Melia by now.

"You guys go to the banquet hall with the Knight Commander first," Luo’er turned around and told everyone.

"No, I want to stay with you," said Tangmo coldly and stubbornly.

"Don’t make a fuss, the princess and I still need to inspect the goods on the ship," Luo’er smiled wistfully, immediately breaking out in a cold sweat.

Seeing her still unsatisfied look, Luo’er sneakily signaled Hu Daoke. The latter nodded his understanding and moved to pull Tangmo’s arm, coaxing her, "Sister Moumou, let’s go eat something first. The boss still has work to do."

Tangmo forcefully shook off his hand. She gave Luo’er a disgruntled look, then turned to the smiling Melia, and all of a sudden, did something that surprised everyone.

She abruptly wrapped her arms around Luo’er’s neck, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him on the corner of his mouth. Were it not for Luo’er’s timely dodging, she would have kissed him right on the lips.

Covering his lips, Luo’er could help but chuckle in embarrassment, his face turning red under everyone’s surprised and envious stares.