The Hungry Fortress Wants to Build a Battleship in Another World – World of Sandbox

The effect of presenting strategic supplies was dramatic.
Not only was the gift itself impactful, but the surrounding circumstances left Tiariada Elemes, the chief ambassador of the Forest Kingdom of Levresta, visibly shocked.

First, there was the striking resemblance between Dreissig and Zwanzig. It was explained that they were not twins but rather part of a similar lineage. Whether Tiariada fully understood this explanation was unclear.
Well, in reality, they might as well be twins.
Then there was the fact that Zwanzig singlehandedly unloaded all the cargo. When a maid attempted to lift one of the items Zwanzig had removed from the carriage, she almost threw out her back.

Ultimately, Tiariada attempted to summon porters, only for Zwanzig to carry the items to their designated locations herself.
Incidentally, Zwanzig was wearing a reinforced assist suit, enabling her to exert more than five times the strength of an average adult male.
Furthermore, the trade sample gifts prepared for the occasion drew varied reactions.

While Tiariada was impressed by the refined salt and granulated sugar, she didn’t seem particularly surprised—likely because similar products were already known.
However, the metal products were another matter entirely. The swords and decorative metalwork included as samples were scrutinized intently, almost as though they were objects of disbelief.
Rather than admiring the designs or craftsmanship, Tiariada appeared far more intrigued by the materials themselves. This unexpected reaction has prompted Ringo to schedule further analysis.

The sample of preserved water drew significant interest. The concept of storing water appeared to be particularly appealing.
Canned preserved foods also attracted attention, though the use of metal containers was deemed less than ideal. On the other hand, glass jars were met with approval.
Samples of cellulose-based threads, fabrics, and paper were extremely well received. The fabric, in particular, received high praise.

Its smooth texture, fine and uniform weave, and even the elastic varieties produced through specific weaving techniques were met with enthusiasm.
Tiariada expressed interest in securing a stable supply immediately, to the point that Agritend was visibly surprised by the level of excitement. Clearly, this response was unusual.
Jewels and gemstones garnered only mild interest, but the precision-cut designs of the gems did earn some admiration.

Finally, the alcohol.
Primarily distilled liquor made from grains resembling barley. While The Tree has yet to set up full-scale liquor production, the presented samples were distilled from alcohol sourced in Telek Port City.
These samples were brought not for their taste but as demonstrations of distillation techniques.

The alcohol was presented in various concentrations, with the strongest reaching 96%—flammable enough to ignite with a cigarette.
From their reactions, it seemed that distilled liquor already existed in this world, but the high concentration levels clearly astonished Tiariada.
“Wait… so the Forest Kingdom of Levresta is an elf nation?!”
After reviewing the video logs, Commander Eve shouted in surprise.

“This country doesn’t use the term ‘elf,’ but they appear to be a race similar to that concept.”
“Pointed ears, good-looking faces, tall stature—and did you notice? There were bows displayed in the reception room. And look at this guy—no metal accessories at all.”
Excitedly, Eve pointed out her observations, and Ringo nodded in agreement.

“Yes, Commander Ma’am. While the maids and butlers, who are not Levresta natives, wore metal accessories, the Levresta people themselves appeared to avoid metal. It’s reasonable to assume they might have an aversion to it.”
Their disinterest in canned goods suddenly made sense. Whether it was a dislike or an outright intolerance remained unclear, but their preference for glass jars over metal cans was difficult to explain otherwise.
Still, they didn’t seem completely averse to touching metal, as evidenced by how they handled the samples barehanded during the inspection.

Later, the delegation was hosted on a terrace in what resembled a standing buffet party.
The footage didn’t capture much useful information—mostly small talk—but Ringo summarized the key points.
One noteworthy topic involved humanoid mechanical communicators—referred to as beastfolk by the Levresta.

According to Tiariada, beast-like people were not unheard of, but they didn’t reside on this continent. Instead, they were said to inhabit distant lands across the sea, where they had established nations of their own.
Additional insights about Tiariada and the Levresta people emerged.
Many Levresta individuals appeared to have sensitivities to metals, particularly iron. Prolonged contact with metal jewelry reportedly caused inflammation, suggesting a pronounced tendency toward metal allergies.

There were exceptions—individuals with rare tolerances who were highly valued.
Tiariada also introduced his wife, Eleka Elemes, a woman of striking beauty and elegance—practically the image of an elven princess.
Together, they made an impressive pair—a tall, dignified gentleman and a slender, graceful lady.

A few others were introduced as well, though Ringo deemed them less significant and omitted detailed reports.
Eve decided she didn’t need to memorize every name, trusting Ringo to provide reminders if necessary.
The refreshments included sandwiches, sweets, and a cold green tea-like beverage.

When questioned, Tiariada explained that the tea was a local specialty grown in the shaded forests of Levresta.
The vegetables, meanwhile, were cultivated on farms operated under Levresta’s guidance. Apparently, the produce was highly flavorful—at least according to Agritend and the scribes from Telek Port City, who ate enthusiastically.
Eve, however, remained skeptical of the taste-testing abilities of Ringo’s mechanical communicator and took the reviews with a grain of salt.

Discussions later shifted toward the current state of the Afflaysia United Kingdom.
Given that the delegation had come from an isolated southern town far from the political center, the conversation often leaned toward complaints and grievances.
It seemed that the situation around the capital was deteriorating rapidly, effectively stalling meaningful trade.

While coal remained the primary trade commodity, its supply was steadily declining.
Wheat and horses, however, were still relatively secure, thanks to the semi-independent Wheat Hill City.
Even so, as demonstrated by the pressure faced by Fratara City, the situation was progressively worsening.

For a foreign diplomat to voice such concerns, the crisis must have been severe.
It was no stretch to conclude that the Afflaysia United Kingdom no longer functioned as a cohesive nation.
Regions were breaking off, declaring independence, while smaller settlements were being wiped out one by one.

The root cause was civil war—a nightmare for neighboring nations, which now faced potential waves of deserters and refugees crossing their borders.
“Just to confirm—we’re looking at a failed state here,” Eve remarked.
“Yes, Commander Ma’am.”

Finding rich veins of resources and forcibly developing them seemed increasingly viable.
Eve had initially dreaded facing an army of tens of thousands, but the more intelligence they gathered, the less likely such large-scale warfare seemed.
The nation was simply too fragmented.

By the time word of The Tree’s advances reached others, the fortress could already establish itself as a dominant force.
“That said…”
North of Fratara City lay Wheat Hill City, an independent force with considerable strength.

The Tree’s forces remained limited, and a full-scale war still posed risks.
For now, diplomacy, trade, and subtle persuasion remained the preferred strategies.