Vol 4. Chapter 1: Interlude (A Certain Maritime Nation)
Kingdom of Lepuitari, Royal Council.
Held once every four months, this is a critical meeting where the future course of the nation is determined. The meeting is attended by the King and other key figures, and major decisions are made.
Naturally, every agenda item has already been coordinated beforehand; no actual debate takes place during the meeting itself. The gathering serves as a final confirmation—and as a symbolic occasion for receiving the King’s formal approval.
However, that reality does not diminish the authority of the meeting in any way. On the contrary, the very act of being listed on the meeting agenda is significant in and of itself.
“Then, with His Majesty’s approval, this item shall be enacted. Passed as Resolution No. 5613. All departments are to devote their utmost efforts to its realization following the conclusion of this meeting.”
“Thank you very much!”
All attendees, excluding the King, responded with applause to show their approval. Thus, a new policy was ratified, and the Kingdom of Lepuitari took another step into the future.
“Next item on the agenda. Supreme Commander of the Royal Navy, Alban Bleyas.”
“Yes, sir.”
Over the past decade, the Royal Navy had undergone astonishing growth. The development of cannons and the extension of their range, improvements in accuracy, loading assistance devices, the advancement of steam engine performance, welding technology for iron plating, the invention of screw propellers, and developments in fluid dynamics—
All of it originated from the Navy. And all of it contributed to the Kingdom of Lepuitari’s rise in national power—and by extension, its military strength.
Naturally, the influence of Admiral Alban Bleyas, the Navy’s highest authority, had grown accordingly.