Upon arriving at her residence, the first thing Ayame did was to look for her bow and katana. Only they gave her a feeling of security.
However, that feeling of security made the tears she had been holding back fall down her cheeks.
After all, Ayame was still young. She had been very afraid that Lanord would use force.
"Ayame, what's wrong?" At this time, an extremely weak voice sounded.
At that moment a man who was almost skin and bones, with sunken cheeks, dull eyes and a plaster bandage on his right arm, emerged from the inner room.
"No, it's nothing..."
Ayame was startled and turned around quickly, wiping the tears from her face. This made Kurusu even more worried. He slowly approached her and placed his left hand on his wife's shoulder.
"You can't lie at all. Tell me. We are husband and wife. No matter what happens, we should face it together!"
"I..." Ayame hesitated.
...
Starfish World.
At the headquarters of the Other Worlds Strategic Committee, Vice President Bulwer Gabriel received an intelligence report in his office.
As he read it, he frowned. When he finished reading, his eyes reflected rage. He hit the table hard and exclaimed: "Lanord, you just got promoted and you've already become arrogant!"
"Now I understand why you didn't want to leave the Kabane world. You wanted to be a little emperor there!"
Gabriel was not angry at Lanord's attempt to force himself on a woman, but because he dared to do so with a leader supported by the World Government.
What if Ayame, outraged, led the people of Kabane World in rebellion?
Although it was not difficult to suppress it, it created unnecessary trouble after all. Lanord's behavior is likely to damage the interests of the World Government.
This is the key!
The World Government before the Dimensional Gate was opened was a pool of dead water that had existed for eight hundred years, and it was lifeless and full of decay. After the Dimensional Gate was opened, it was like a continuous infusion of fresh living water.
Although there was still a lot of decay, some people had already smelled the breath of the future.
In the future, as the world government continued its conquests, more and more wealth would undoubtedly arrive, and even all kinds of unimaginable treasures and abilities.
To enjoy these benefits, it was essential to have a significant position and merits within the world government.
Gabriel was one of the people who had noticed this new trend. And he would not allow any parasite to damage his own merits or affect the efficiency of the World Government.
That is why he immediately issued an order written personally by him.
...
The next day.
Kabane World.
Lanord, busy with his papers in his office, suddenly heard the door slam open. He looked up in displeasure.
"Don't you know how to knock on the door? Hmm..."
Three men dressed in black entered, with one at their head whom Lanord recognized.
"Sam, what are you doing?"
But Sam, with an impassive expression, only showed him a document.
"Lanord, you have been removed from your position as Minister of the Kabane World branch of the World Government. Come with us, the Other Worlds Strategic Committee will question and investigate you."
"What?!" Lanord's jaw dropped as he read the contents of the document.
...
At the same time three officials dressed in black also appeared in front of Ayame and Kurusu.
First, they informed them of the outcome of the World Government's action against Lanord and then gave Ayame a Den-Den Mushi.
"From now on, you can use this to directly contact the Other Worlds Strategic Committee."
Without waiting for Ayame to come out of her astonishment, the head officer took a sealed white box from the hands of one of the men in black. He opened the box and took out ten white pills with a purple butterfly pattern on them.
"These are the new Purple Butterfly Emergency Pills, developed by the Academy of Medicine. They can quickly replenish a small amount of vitality and nutrients to the body. They are mainly for seriously injured soldiers. You can try them."
Kurusu, with some hesitation, took the pill, then looked at Ayame before swallowing one of the pills. He had no choice. If he wanted to live, he could only choose to believe.
"Ugh!"
Instantly, Kurusu's body began to emit a soft purple glow, then in an astonishing scene he began to regain his vigorous appearance from a year ago. Even his broken arm had healed. Ayame, surprised and happy, could not hold back her tears of emotion.
"This first aid pill can only treat the symptoms. It is recommended that you use your abilities with caution in the future. These ten pills are given to you for free, but you will need to pay for them in the future."
The black-clad officer warned: "An emergency pill costs one million berries."
..
Since his return from the Demon Slayer world, Sengoku has been frequently calling the Ministry of Industry. Mainly asking when the battleships could be built.
But each time he receives the same answer: they are still in preparation, they have to wait, they cannot rush it, which leaves Sengoku very frustrated.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Industry was extremely busy, especially the Ship Division, which manages the large shipyards.
Because these shipyards have been building wooden ships for eight hundred years, and now they suddenly have to build large iron ships. First, they must completely remodel the shipyards.
This first step will take up a lot of time and manpower.
Next, there must be various large-scale shipbuilding equipment. The first is the steelmaking furnace process that can meet the needs, which is the most basic. Then there are large forging machines, cranes, etc.
But the most critical thing is the people. Former shipwrights are practically useless, they have no experience in building battleships.
Even if they can learn, does the World Government have time to wait for them to learn?
The only option is to bring in shipbuilding experts from the world of Demon Slayer.
This is a very complicated and time-consuming process.
And those most affected by the battleship construction technology of the Demon Slayer world are, naturally, the shipwrights of Water 7, known to be the best and most numerous in the world.
...
[Knock! Knock! Knock!]
"Come in."
"Mr. Jerome, have you called us?"
Tom and the mayor of Water 7, accompanied by Iceburg and Cutty Flam, entered the office of the director of the sea train research base.
"Yes, please take a seat."
Jerome, the current deputy director of the Department of Maritime Affairs, pointed to the chairs in front of him.
"Thank you."
Tom first gave up his seat to the mayor and then sat down in another chair. Iceburg and Cutty Flam stood at the sides.
"I have summoned you because there is a matter that affects the fate of Water 7, and I wish to discuss it with you." Jerome spoke as he pulled four folders out of a drawer.
"Should Iceburg and Cutty Flam also participate?" Tom asked curiously.
"Of course, one is a talent recognized by the Administrative Department and the other is a researcher appointed by the Academy of Sciences. There is no problem with them accessing this information."
"First review the documents. Once you read them, you will understand."
"Okay, please give us a moment."
The mayor nodded and opened the folder, taking out the documents to read them. Tom, Iceburg and Cutty Flam did the same.
As they read, their expressions changed from surprise to amazement and then to disbelief.
"Now that you've finished reading, I'll explain."
"First, Mayor, you must decide whether Water 7 is willing to accept the reform, moving from building wooden ships to building iron ships."
Jerome got straight to the point.
"Surely you already feel that wooden ships are destined to be replaced in the future. If Water 7 doesn't change, then..."
The mayor nodded with difficulty, his mind already overwhelmed with worry.
"So our Maritime Affairs Department hopes that all major shipyards in Water 7 will suspend operations for a year, so that outstanding shipbuilders, including Iceburg and Cutty Flam, can go to the Demon Slayer World to learn shipbuilding technology."
"During this period, the World Government will ensure the daily lives of the residents of Water 7."
The sincerity in Jerome's voice was evident. At that moment Tom spoke.
"What about me, do I have to go too?"
"Do you want to go?"
Tom nodded and laughed. "Tahaha, otherworldly shipbuilding techniques! Of course I'm interested!"
"But what about the research and development of the sea train?"
"This..."
Ultimately, Tom could not put aside the sea train project because of his desire to study. After all, this project was his lifelong dream.
However, he asked for some educational materials on shipbuilding so as not to fall behind on the theoretical side.
Jerome naturally had no objection. In fact, he did not want Tom to abandon the sea train project either. His own promotion to director, or even to a ministerial post, depended on the success of this project.
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