"What?" Obadiah responded.
"You heard me. I just received a letter from a bishop related to the new country. And, according to him, he could conquer two duchies in only 4 days, in total." Archbishop Hughes answered.
"Oh, really?" Obadiah answered, with cynicism.
"My dear old friend, shut up and listen." Hughes said, with a "friendly" smile. "This was confirmed by a member of the church. If they really have these powerful weapons, we can guarantee ou independence, and, maybe, expand our territory. Also, we have the leverage: they want do separate the church and the State, while also trying to keep a good relationship with our church. We can try make him at least sell those weapons at a discounted price."
"hmmmmmm" After a few moments of thinking, Obadiah reached a conclusion. "Hughes, go there and negotiate with him. See if those weapons are the real deal or just talking. If they are the true deal, i do not care if you sell my mother: get them."
"Right away!" Hughes said, while leaving the room.
"That man is a pain." Obadiah said, while sighing.
——
After about one week of traveling, Hughes found himself in a very luxurious room, alongside Dwight, who was there to intermediate the meeting. After getting a seat and waiting a few minutes, a man in a rather luxurious military attire passed through the door.
" So you must be Archbishop Hughes. It is a pleasure to meet you." Said Isaac.
"Thank you, you majesty." Hughes said, gently.
"As everyone is now here, may we start this meeting?" Isaac asked. The bishops nodded.
"Excellent. As said in the letter, we would like to maintain those demands. As for your side…"
"we would very much like to reach an agreement. We can agree to your demands, but, in return, we would like something in return." Hughes answered.
"Of course. What would you like?"
"we would like… weapons."
"Hoh? Which one would you like? MBTs, frigates, Automatic weaponry, artillery?" Issac asked, not trying to mock the Bishop, but to really know what type of weapon he wanted.
Hughes gave an confusing look to Dwight, that answered "Your majesty, we would like to see an comparison of them. We aren't sure what to buy."
"Of course. I got a little too excited. Please, accompany me." He said, while gesturing for the clerics to follow him.
They entered an military helicopter and departed to the 1st Manufacturing Bunker, that by now had grown to the size of a city. From ports, to farms, ranging from nuclear devices to rockets. It was a real manufacturing monstrosity. The religious authorities couldn't even fathom the real scale of it, and because of that, were just surprised and terrorized by the industrial complex.
The helicopter descended upon the airstrip, and the group started walking towards a testing site. They sat down on some chairs and the demonstration began.
The equipment demonstrated were some old WWII equipment that were fabricated for comparison purposes. The 210 mm soviet artillery, the 80 mm german artillery, machine guns (the PPSh, for example), tanks, like the panzer-classes, Shermans, armored cars, chemical weapons, incendiary weapons, ordinary explosives, etc.
Some older ships were also presented. Also from WWII, Bismarck class ships, U-boots, Battlecruisers, Anfibious landing vehicles, waterproof rifles, torpedoes, destroyers, etc.
Of the items presented, the chemical weapons and tanks were specially attractive to the Archbishop. They appeared destructive, reliable, and useful.
However, that paled in comparison to his evaluation of the airplane. He had already seen mages of the 4th ring flying, but not that high nor that fast. And the treat of a B-17 bomber plane, capable of delivering all kinds of offered ordnances, almost made him piss himself. The airplane, combined with the power of a Yorktown-class aircraft carrier, could wreck havoc across the continent.
From airborne units, to striking the heart of an enemy nation. All those options passed trough the mind of the Cleric. After the demonstration ended, Hughes was determined.
"The contract, Where do I sign it?"
seeing this confirmation, Issac couldn't help but strike a sly smile. He pulled two piles of paper, one for each party.
the terms on the treaty were as follow:
"First, the Kingdom of Judea, or Party A, shall give training on the handling of the military equipment that are to be permanently lended to the Holy Nation of Varla, or Party B.
Second, all the equipment that can only used once, like ammunition, or fuel, shall be sold by Party A to Party B at a 80% market price, with Market price being defined as the cost of production plus 25%.
Third, all equipment maintenance, and equipment that does not fall under article second, but is lost or destroyed, can be done by 50% of the original cost, in the case of maintenance, or can be bought by Party B from Party A at 50% of the market price.
Fourth, Party B must recognize the existence and absolute sovereignty of Party A as an equal nation and State.
Fifth, both Party A and Party B shall enter an defensive alliance, in which, in the case where one is attacked, the other shall help with defense and counterattack. This article, however, does not apply if Party A or B are the ones that initiated conflict. For clarifying reasons, also, both nations cannot enter in conflict with each other, as far as military conflicts go.
Sixth, this treaty has a validity of 2 years. If neither side decides to go against its renewal, it will be automatically renewed, for another 2 years, if the contract is ended, the equipment lended to Party B cannot be brought back to Party A, but ."
after reading carefully the treaty, and checking that both documents were equal, he decided to sign, but not before asking a question "What will be given to us?"
"100 tanks, an aircraft carrier, 15 bomber planes, 40 fighter planes, a small number of ships, like 4 destroyers and 5 submarines, 2 cruisers, 16 pieces of artillery, around 1000 shells of chemical and incendiary weaponry, and equipment for 500 soldiers."
As these numbers dawned upon him, and he realized the full scale of wha they represented, Hughes signed the deal.
"It was a pleasure doing business with you, archbishop." Isaac said, while extending his hand, that was promptly shaken by the archbishop, that had an ear-to-ear smile on his face.