The meeting entered its second round.
"May I ask one thing first: do you possess a world map?" Gajue Tsuga asked to confirm. Without one, they couldn't even hold a proper discussion.
"Of course. We procured it through merchants. The one we currently use is the Lauren Continental Calendar Year 3900 edition."
"That will be more than sufficient."
Satisfied, Gajue Tsuga shifted the subject to foreign exploration.
"First of all, let me clarify that exploration and adventure are fundamentally different endeavors."
"Hmph? How so?" the Duke asked, sounding slightly taken aback.
"Adventure entails taking risks, whereas exploration is about searching for and investigating the unknown. To put it in extreme terms, adventure focuses on overcoming danger, while exploration aims to gather knowledge."
"Hmm... I think I grasp the distinction."
Gajue Tsuga continued.
"Therefore, an expedition requires meticulous preparation, avoiding reckless actions at all costs."
"Understood, understood... So, how does this relate to foreign exploration?" the Duke prompted.
"Could you show me the map?...Ah, thank you. This is your nation, correct?" Gajue Tsuga pointed to the Jagus Principality on the map. "Now then, let us run a simulation....Please choose a location you would like to visit."
"I see, that sounds intriguing....How about here, then?"
The Duke pointed to a cluster of small islands located slightly west of the Darato Principality's border.
"Let's see... To begin with, you would need to prepare a ship."
"Why a ship?"
"In my personal opinion, if you intend to explore these islands without seeking the cooperation of the Darato Principality, you will need a vessel to serve as your operating base."
A ship would serve not only as a means of transport, Gajue Tsuga explained, but also as a supply depot and living quarters.
"Would a balloon or an airship not suffice?"
"They are not bad options, but a balloon is a step behind in terms of reliability. With an airship, the main drawback is not knowing whether it will find a suitable place to land." Tsuga added that this was specifically considering the destination was an island.
"I see....Please, go on."
"Certainly....This town here..."
Tsuga pointed to the westernmost town on the border, and the Chancellor supplied the name.
"Ah, that is Kiara."
"...We would make this an advance base."
"Hmm, that makes sense. It is to keep the ship's sailing route as short as possible, correct?"
"Yes. At the same time, it would serve as a supply base, and ideally, you would also prepare a secondary expedition team."
"And why is that?"
"So that if the primary expedition team meets with disaster, a rescue team can be dispatched immediately."
He concluded that portion of the explanation there. Once they made landfall on the island, the process would not differ much from standard land development.
"Hmm, I see... So exploration involves going to such meticulous lengths." The Duke was visibly impressed.
"Our nation lacks such expeditionary know-how, after all." The Chancellor gave a polite, slight bow, acknowledging that the explanation had been educational.
"Then, could you run a simulation for another location?"
"Certainly. Where would you like?"
"This time, not an island, but a mountain."
The Duke pointed to a towering peak rising east-northeast of Lake Kotsushi.
"Let's see..." Gajue Tsuga pondered for a brief moment before speaking. "It would be best not to ask for the cooperation of the Norha Principality, correct?"
"Naturally."
"...In that case, a large ship will be necessary after all. From here..."
"That is Soyalgu," the Chancellor supplied the northern coastal town's name.
"...We would establish an advance base in Soyalgu and sail toward this area."
Tsuga pointed to an island slightly north of the Tropic of Cancer.
"Why head to an island first?"
"Of course, you would need to confirm that no immediate threats exist before landing. However, when verifying the safety of unfamiliar territory, a small island takes far less time." Tsuga explained that being surrounded by the natural barrier of the sea made it less vulnerable to outside attacks.
"I see the logic."
"From there, using the island as a secondary advance base, you would expand toward the continent. You would push deeper inland only after confirming the area is safe."
"That seems quite a roundabout, leisurely way of doing things."
"It is entirely for the sake of safety." Gajue Tsuga smiled. "Imagine if you were the captain leading the expedition."
"...Well... yes, point taken." With that analogy, the Duke seemed to grasp the importance of caution.
"In that sense—though this reverses the order a bit—conducting aerial reconnaissance beforehand with a balloon or an airship would be even better."
"...Then wouldn't it make more sense to head there by airship from the very beginning?"
Gajue Tsuga shook his head.
"No, this was merely one scenario. If you were to fly to the mountain by airship, you would likely need to notify the Norha Principality beforehand."
"...Ah. Flying through their airspace might be perceived as a declaration of war."
"Indeed. Furthermore, I believe this mountain is in the six-thousand-meter range, so reaching it with a hot air balloon might prove difficult."
Gajue Tsuga explained that while the balloon could technically ascend up to ten thousand meters, that was purely a matter of altitude; flying all the way there from the Jagus Principality would likely cause it to run out of fuel mid-journey.
"A fair point."
"With an airship, the cabin is pressurized, so you wouldn't need to worry as much about the freezing temperatures or the drop in air pressure."
"I see. That makes sense." The Duke nodded in agreement. "My apologies for interrupting. So, would you then establish a third advance base at the foot of the mountain before ascending?"
"That would be the standard approach....However, climbing a six-thousand-meter-class peak becomes an entirely separate expedition in itself."
Gajue Tsuga proceeded to explain the difficulties of navigating mountainous terrain, the sheer physical toll, and the dangers of altitude sickness.
"Hmm... I see. So that is the true nature of exploration. I feel I understand it much better now. You have my thanks."
"Not at all. I am glad if it proves helpful."
At that point, the minister of foreign affairs spoke up with a question.
"...Pardon me, but regarding this world map, how exactly was it created?"
Manon answered in his stead.
"The foundational topographical map was provided by Jin-sama, the Second Generation Magi Craft Meister. We are told it was compiled by surveying the terrain from an altitude exceeding ten thousand meters."
"T-ten thousand meters... you say?"
"Does this 'Magi Craft Meister' truly possess such unfathomably advanced technology?"
Both the Chancellor and the minister of foreign affairs stared back in sheer disbelief.
The Duke, however, stroked his chin with keen interest.
"The Magi Craft Meister... A figure renowned enough to become a legend. I would certainly like to meet him."