After Ash put in the support for the foundation, he was out of materials. And creating things from scratch by using his reserves was a pain, so he decided to wait for Nian to finish the foundation.
"So? How'd you like it? Maybe I should also make a construction company with Nian? Half price for the first mobile city." Ash chuckled and Ascalon was actually considering buying one.
She is a Sarkaz that received the hope and ideals of the previous king; Theresa. Saving as many Sarkaz as possible was her dream.
Kazdel might be their home, but it's just a shit hole right now that is filled with strife and anarchy. The Sarkaz are all spread out on Terra due to the endless civil wars.
"Don't, we do not have enough money for that..." Kal'tsit squinted her eyes.
"We're mining gold through Rhodes island's collection system for originium Kal'tsit. I think we have enough money." Ascalon argued, so Maria calculated the amount needed to buy Paradiso's special mobile cities.
"The foundation of Paradiso's mobile cities is actually a new substance that Ash personally makes. Even Nian can't make it, the support beams are also made of black steel." Maria started counting them.
She then gave them a number and Ascalon almost felt her soul escape her body. It had tons of zeroes on it.
"Hmph, our mobile cities are made to be fortresses that can power through sieges from entire armies you know?" Ash huffed in pride. Paradiso's first mobile city might be small, but they assembled it themselves in Kjerag.
They made it with blood, sweat, and tears. It was the first major project that he completed.
"I told you so, I had a feeling that the place wasn't normal." Kal'tsit shrugged and Amiya took a look. Her hands trembled and she almost fainted after seeing the many zeroes.
Rhodes island definitely can't afford that. Even if they sell their landship and everything inside of it.
It was funded by two business tycoons after all, Ash and Enciades.
"Now we wait, let's have a little house here for now." Ash formed a house made out of sandstone. Compressing it so it would harden.
"That's awfully convenient..." Ascalon was getting envious of what he could do. They would definitely be able to defeat Theresis easily.
But Ash has other plans, Victoria is just there. Unlike the threats that he deemed to be more important.
They entered inside and Ash prepared some food, drinks, and furniture.
And while they were waiting inside the unique house. Ascalon tensed up after she saw a massive shadow loom above them.
"Oh, Nian is here." Ash went outside and he waved his hands.
Nian landed in front of him and she looked around excitedly. She then noticed the other members of Ash's group that turned into lolis.
"Heh, this is going to definitely sell like hotcakes." Nian took out a camera and started filming them.
"Spare us from your perverted intentions." Zofia glared at her and Nian ignored her of course.
"Nice to see you're doing well Nian, I heard that your movie even sold really nicely." Kal'tsit greeted her.
"Oh, Kal'tsit. I forgot that Ash is actually here to bail you out of trouble." Nian waved her hand and continued filming Maria and the others.
"Can you give me a cute pose?" Nian wanted to direct them for maximum profit.
"We aren't here for pleasantries Nian. Film them later alright?" Ash returned them to their normal forms and Zofia sighed in relief.
"Awww, they were definitely going to be a new best seller! How about we market them as girls of justice?" Nian was having ideas.
Ash sighed and he just pinched her cheeks. "Ow! Okay! Okay! I'll survey the area." She rubbed her cheeks and pouted.
She then looked around and the support for the foundation was already there. "Good job." Nian started her work and put down gigantic slabs of steel where the wall would sit.
"Nian's powers are as ridiculous. Yan was so lucky to have her, but now they're down a few. Arguably the most important ones too." Ascalon commented and they nodded.
Chongyue, Dusk, and Ling have ridiculous powers. And the eldest brother being whisked away to Paradiso decreased their military might so much, it wasn't even funny.
They watched the dragon do her job and even Ash won't get tired of it. The powers of the Sui siblings are just ridiculous.
"Ash!" Irene waved at them and she ran towards them.
"How is it? Did the talk go well?" Ash smiled at her and Irene nodded.
"Dario sent a message to Gran Faro, saint Carmen; the leading high inquisitor wants to meet up with you." Irene reported and Ash nodded.
'They do want to fortify Iberia against another profound silence. The tsunami and invading seaborne that wrecked them was devastating.' Ash rubbed his chin, pleased that it is as expected.
Iberia was once a world superpower 60 years ago. Then, the seaborne nation attacked. Resulting in their isolation, Aegirians have also been treated badly there like they were infected in Ursus.
"Okay, then let's go. Iberia was once known for their navy. But we'll be going there via our chopper." Ash gestured them to follow and they arrived at their parked chopper.
The Rhodes island team looked at it in interest, while Irene was doubtful that it could really fly. Especially with so many passengers.
"Don't worry, it can lift several tons of weight you know?" Maria assured her and Irene nodded with a bit of anxiousness.
Everybody set out to Gran Faro, the last place there with an eye of Iberia. Massive towers that guides the navy through the waters. Because celestial navigation is not feasible.
Though decades ago, the majority of them got destroyed. And Iberia's mighty navy were overrun by seaborne. Even the last tower is infested with the abyssal monsters.
"Woah, I didn't know that everything looks so much smaller when you're this up high." Irene looked outside the window with curiosity, she was like a country bumpkin.
"Right? When you look down, the people look like garbage." Ash chuckled and everyone but Lappland gave him a weird look.
As a Liberi, flying had a profound effect on Irene. Her race in Paradiso actually regularly use the choppers as stress relief. It just calms them down really well.
They then arrived at the city of Gran Faro. The most defended city of Iberia.
"So? Where's this Carmen guy? Does he like cars? Why is he called Carmen then?" Lappland fired questions at Irene and the inquisitor just blinked at the rude questions.
"Don't worry about her. And he'll definitely like our cars Lappland, those have immaculate suspensions. It would feel like you're gliding on the pavement." Ash replied to her and Lappland shut up for now.
He then gave Zofia a look. "Uhhh, Ash... Isn't this a bit too high level for us? We're talking with the leading inquisitor you know? Maria isn't exactly that good in politics."
"Hey..." Maria pouted at her and Ash shrugged. "You gotta learn on the job, best way is experience." He shrugged.
"Don't worry, saint Carmen isn't that uptight and hard to talk to." Irene assured them and Zofia nodded.
"Good thing I'm an assassin, those kinds of talks are troublesome." Platinum lazily waved her hand.
"Indeed." Ascalon nodded and Kal'tsit was quite excited that Ash is really being proactive against the seaborne.
'This has been bugging me for decades now. The nations don't know that Iberia is the first line of defense. And with their flagship gone, they would be rolled over by the seaborne without fail.' Kal'tsit sighed in relief.
"Come on, I'll lead you to saint Carmen. Dario is also there to help us explain the situation. Especially what happened back in Sal Viento back then." Irene remembered Skadi transform into a leviathan.
They were going to keep it under wraps, Dario already decided. Because the emperor of Leithanien, which is the strongest nation on Terra will help Iberia.
'Negotiations will definitely break down if that woman isn't kept a secret. And with the Gelato Accords being passed, multiple nations will definitely make a decision to force Iberia in accepting their demands.' Irene nodded at Dario's good decision.
It was a lose lose situation for their nation if they don't accept. Not only will they make it harder, the allied nations; specifically the red axis would bulldoze their way to fortify Iberia. Why else would the emperor come there?
After walking a bit, they saw people bow to them due to an inquisitor being with them.
"They're a bit too respectful..." Ash gave Irene a look and thought that the totalitarian regime really made the inquisitors feared.
Irene is also a distinguished swordmaster. She's the youngest inquisitor in the line of duty. And will be the youngest high inquisitor as well.
"Iberia has been in a rough situation for decades. The church of the deep didn't help too. Those lunatics are causing chaos in the nation." Maria sighed.
"You're right, Iberia's definitely not in a good situation right now." Irene frowned and she led them to Gran Faro's inquisitor HQ.
They were met by an old man that looks a bit like Yvangelista. The difference was, Carmen is wearing a top hat and he looks more like a priest.
"Hello, your majesty; the emperor. I am honored to meet you." Carmen checked Ash out and his state of dress surprised him a bit.
Ash chuckled at his reaction. "I can't wear too much clothes. They burn too quickly due to my arts." He shrugged. His current set of clothes are made of graphite fiber that he had to create himself.
"Ahem, now that you are here. I believe that you want to build fortifications?" Carmen hardened his expression and Ash nodded.
"Yes, the seaborne are getting active. And we're actually acquainted with gods from the ocean, a Feranmut yeah?" Ash smirked and Carmen blinked.
"I see, so this information came from them?" Carmen rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Ash bullshitted his way into Iberia. And it wasn't even false, Alive Until Sunset did tell them that the seaborne are attacking Aegir as well.
Maria then stepped in and she continued the conversation. "Hello, I am an engineer of Ash. And I will show you the plans for the construction." She spread out a map of Iberia and Carmen was dumbfounded.
'Good lord, they even have such an accurate map of Iberia? It seems that we don't have much of a choice in this.' He smiled wryly.
Maps were extremely important. And mapping on Terra isn't exactly easy. Hundreds of people will die for just a small section of an area. Without satellites, it was a herculean task.
Irene and Dario also supported them by reminding Carmen about the small invasion of seaborne back in Sal Viento.
And it really was quite small, except the quality was different. Leviathans appeared and those things are like juggernauts.
Dozens, or even hundreds of people will die just to take care of one. And they don't know how many are there.
After more discussions, Carmen went quiet a bit and he made a decision. "I accept, but can you please help us in reclaiming the last eye of Iberia?"
Carmen pleaded, it was their last hope to find their flagship, the Stultifera Navis. The golden ship of Iberia that led their legendary navy.
Maria looked at Ash with excitement. A legendary ship like that would definitely have interesting engineering. So she wanted to accept.
He nodded and Maria smiled at Carmen. "That would be acceptable. We can also use the Stultifera Navis, board it stock full of arts users from Leithanien. And the campaigning knights will protect the crew. They can thin out hordes of seaborne." Maria reached out with her hand and Carmen shook it.
"The united nations will help Iberia in this project. Let's have a meaningful cooperation. Now, let's talk details." Maria clasped her hands and the negotiations will start.
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Thanks for reading everyone, ciao.