"Ahem. In that case, the Xianzhou Luofu will provisionally order 3,500 base-model Gundams, 1,500 mid-tier models, and 120 high-end versions."
"As for the customized weapon loadouts, we will provide a detailed list shortly. Payment will be settled within half a year."
Two hours later.
Inside the Palace of Astrum, Jing Yuan represented the Cloud Knights, while Yukong represented the Sky-Faring Commission. Together, they signed a Gundam procurement agreement with Akashi.
The base models would serve as standard-issue equipment for ordinary Cloud Knights, while the high-end customized versions would arm a select group of elite units.
Compared to the Gold Golems previously used by the Xianzhou, the Gundams' combat capability was on an entirely different level.
More importantly, they were piloted by humans.
For the people of the Xianzhou, who still carried psychological scars from the Gold Golem rebellion, this point was crucial.
"You've got a sharp eye, nya!"
Akashi was overjoyed. She had just arrived on the Xianzhou and already secured a massive contract. Expanding into overseas markets had clearly been the right move.
"How about buying a few more? If you round it up to a nice whole number, I can give you a bulk discount, nya?"
"Ahem. We'll start with this first batch. If there's future demand, we'll place additional orders."
Jing Yuan coughed lightly.
Tingyun had been calculating at the side for quite some time. The price of several thousand Gundams was astronomical.
Even though the Luofu was the most commercially prosperous and economically developed flagship among the Xianzhou Alliance, paying this sum was still no easy feat.
If representatives from the Xianzhou Yaoqing or Xianzhou Zhuming were here, they would likely be able to do nothing but sigh in envy.
"Select those among the Cloud Knights who are agile and sharp-minded, and assign them to the Gundam combat units."
"From now on, the Divine Foresight's martial examinations will include a Gundam piloting course. The Cloud Knights must become proficient in operating these machines."
Jing Yuan issued a few additional instructions to those around him.
"Yes, General!"
"Additionally, does the Starsea Empire provide instructional materials related to Gundam piloting?"
He humbly sought advice from Akashi.
"Of course, nya! I came prepared and specially compiled a full set of teaching materials tailored for you, nya!"
Akashi pulled out a thick stack of documents and piled them onto the table.
Naturally, those were sold separately.
Tingyun could not help but admire the repair shipgirl's advanced business sense. She had anticipated every possible customer need and provided a comprehensive, one-stop service from beginning to end.
"I have a bold suggestion."
After thinking for a moment, Yukong suddenly raised her hand.
"Would it be possible to purchase the manufacturing technology for the Gundams as well? If the Luofu could produce its own armaments in the future, it would certainly be more convenient."
"Nya?"
Akashi laughed.
"You want to build Gundams yourselves? You can give it a try, nya! But I'm confident you'll give up very quickly, nya~"
...
After signing the contract, the Xianzhou held a customary banquet in honor of their guests.
They also spent an additional sum to purchase the design blueprints for a specific Gundam model, handing them over to the Ministry of Industry to see whether the Luofu could assemble one independently.
A few days later, a report arrived from the Ministry of Industry.
"Reporting to Lady Yukong and Miss Tingyun: the Ministry of Industry has analyzed the Gundam manufacturing technology. For the more obscure sections, the representative from the Starsea Empire even provided us with some guidance."
"We have now roughly mastered the assembly techniques required for the Gundam."
"Oh? Lady Akashi is remarkably generous in business."
Tingyun could not help but sigh.
In the past, the Luofu had also purchased equipment from other merchant groups and factions.
For high-tech products like these, there was usually an unspoken rule: you could buy the finished product, but dreaming of buying the technology itself was another matter entirely.
The purpose was simple—to prevent the buyer from gaining independent production capabilities and force long-term reliance on imports.
Yet the Starsea Empire seemed entirely unconcerned. Akashi had even thoughtfully gone over to offer pointers. The only explanation was that they did not particularly value this technology.
It was completely different from the shrewd merchant image the shipgirls often gave off.
The group boarded a starskiff and arrived at the Delve where the Ministry of Industry was located.
Countless artisans bustled about, forging machinery and weapons. The entirety of Xianzhou industrial manufacturing relied upon the craftsmen here.
"Although Gundam production technology is extremely complex and would require establishing multiple new production lines, from a technical standpoint, the Ministry of Industry can meet the manufacturing requirements."
A master artisan stepped forward to receive them.
"And the manufacturing cost?" Yukong asked.
"Some materials would need to be imported. The cost calculations for each model are detailed in the appendix."
The artisan handed her a document.
She glanced over it a few times. The more she read, the more something felt off.
"Wait. Why is the cost you've listed even higher than Lady Akashi's selling price?"
"The Starsea Empire only accepts payment in physical goods. Converted into patrol tokens, a single missile launch array costs around 21 million. Yours is over fifty percent higher."
"And the other versions are the same. For the high-end model, your quoted cost is several times the selling price. What is going on here?!"
For every single model, the Ministry of Industry's quotation was far above the Starsea Empire's price. No matter how she looked at it, something seemed suspicious. Even the optional components were significantly more expensive.
She cast a doubtful glance at the artisan, her gaze making him break out in cold sweat.
There was only one message in her eyes:
Are you taking this opportunity to embezzle funds?!
The artisans and officials of the Ministry of Industry loudly protested their innocence.
"Lady Yukong! Miss Tingyun! Please judge fairly! Every component and process cost on the Gundam production line has been itemized in full. There is absolutely no concealment!"
"Ahem—"
The head of the Ministry, the Grand Artisan, stepped forward and projected an intricate list onto the holographic display.
"To assemble a Gundam, we would need to establish at least forty-five new production lines, including composite alloy smelting, propulsion engine construction, and more..."
"To fully master these technologies would take at least three to five years. Once all production lines are operational, we estimate costs could be reduced by another ten to twenty percent."
"I stake my life on it—there are absolutely no hidden dealings, nor anyone abusing their authority for personal gain."
...
Gundams were considered extremely early technology within the Starsea Empire. However, after several upgrades, they had incorporated numerous elements from other worlds.
To manufacture a high-tech weapon from another world from scratch required an entire supporting industrial system.
It was not as simple as handing blueprints and design plans to the Ministry of Industry and expecting them to conjure one out of thin air.
"Mm..."
Yukong and Tingyun reviewed the budget repeatedly.
Given their usual familiarity with market prices, they could tell that the Ministry of Industry's calculations contained no discrepancies.
The quoted figure truly represented the lowest possible cost at which a Gundam could be manufactured on the Luofu.
"But... the Starsea Empire's selling price is still much lower than yours," Tingyun muttered.
"Impossible. Absolutely impossible!!!"
"You've seen how complex the required production lines are. I haven't even factored in the salaries of the artisans and officials!"
The Grand Artisan waved his hand emphatically.
"Opening so many new production lines would require the Ministry of Industry to at least double its workforce."
"Unless they're selling at a loss—dumping products onto the market!!!"
"Dumping Gundams onto us? Is that even necessary?..."
Tingyun was completely baffled.
"Come to think of it... doesn't the Starsea Empire have its own production line here? Why don't we go take a look?"
...
Near the Palace of Astrum.
Within the Delve of the Starsea Empire delegation, activity bustled with fiery intensity.
After recent renovations, the area had already been transformed into a moderately sized city.
Grey and Akashi directed the Bulins as they constructed massive experimental facilities.
"Hm? You want to observe how Gundams are manufactured?"
"Oh, over there. Feel free to watch. It's not classified, nya."
Akashi looked at the small inspection team from the Ministry of Industry and, as if unsurprised, pointed them in a direction.
A squad of Bulins was busy on the construction site, each carrying a wrench.
Nearby, mountains of raw materials were piled high.
"Mm... Bulin, let's see. This time we're making the MSZ-010 Gundam, buli!"
The leading Bulin glanced at the structural blueprint and chirped cheerfully.
"Everyone get ready—time to work, buli!!"
"Burin thinks this is too easy. Burin doesn't want to do it. Stupid big sister can handle it, burin."
The colorful Bulin could not even be bothered to move. She squeezed herself beside Grey to tinker with some new contraption instead.
A group of purple Bulins dragged out piles of raw materials from their rigging, stacked them on the ground, and gathered around, hammering away.
Bang bang bang—
One team of Bulins hammered the alloy into rough shapes and tossed them to the next team.
Bang bang bang—
The next team piled materials together and, with a few strikes of their wrenches, shaped transmission systems, sensor arrays, and reserved weapon modules before passing them along yet again.
There were no high-precision processing machines in sight. To the Bulins, such equipment was unnecessary. As long as they had enough raw materials, that was sufficient.
"???"
The Grand Artisan and the Ministry's craftsmen who had come to observe discovered that the Bulins were practically assembling the Gundam with their bare hands.
Their only tools were the wrenches in their hands. A single Bulin was effectively performing the duties of multiple departments within the Ministry of Industry.
Clack—
The final team of Bulins assembled the components onto the Gundam's skeletal frame, then dragged their chins thoughtfully.
"Finished, buli! Bulin thinks there's no problem!"
Clank—
An Angeloid hoisted the completed mech aside and sealed it for storage.
The Bulins immediately began repeating the same process.
"Aba... aba..."
The Ministry of Industry personnel stared at the Bulins' performance as if struck senseless.
Some uninformed craftsmen had even brought notebooks, intending to carefully record and learn from the Starsea Empire's advanced experience so they could improve Xianzhou manufacturing techniques upon returning.
Instead, they stood there, utterly dumbfounded.
"Uh..."
Yukong looked at the Ministry of Industry, then at the Bulins.
For some reason, the gap between the two sides felt... rather enormous.
"So... can you learn anything from the Starsea Empire's Gundam assembly techniques?"
"?"
"Lady Yukong, we're discussing technology with you—and you're talking to us about Bulins? What are we supposed to learn from that?!"
In any case, after touring the Starsea Empire's production line on the Luofu, the Ministry of Industry essentially abandoned the strange notion of independently producing Gundams.
The disparity in cost and efficiency between the two sides was simply not on the same scale.
By the time they finished establishing new production lines and assembling a Gundam from scratch, the Bulins would have already hammered out an entire squad.
And at a lower price, with absolutely no defects.
Even the most outstanding master craftsman would not dare claim that the mechanical engineering he produced would be one hundred percent flawless.
But when a Bulin said there was no problem, then there was no problem.
"Still, the Xianzhou ought to retain independent production capability at the very least..."
A few artisans tried to argue.
"This humble one believes that may not be necessary."
Tingyun spoke while leisurely twirling her folding fan.
"The Starsea Empire and the Xianzhou currently enjoy good relations. Since their production efficiency is higher, we can simply import directly."
"The Xianzhou's resources should be allocated to areas of greater utility."
"Mm... and if something were to go wrong between the two sides, it would not be something that manufacturing our own Gundams could resolve, would it?"
"..."
The crowd fell silent for a long while, finally grasping this simple logic.
Between ordinary nations, it was indeed wise to avoid technological dependence.
But given the vast disparity in scale between the two sides, during times of friendly cooperation they could at least cling to the Starsea Empire's leg and import advanced equipment.
If something truly went awry, it would not be resolved by their ability to manufacture Gundams anyway.
"Lady Tingyun, the preservation of Xianzhou peace rests upon you!!"
"You must maintain good relations with the Starsea Empire—please!!"
...
The Bulins' production speed was astonishing.
Within only a few days, the first batch of Gundams had already been delivered.
On the Cloud Knights' training grounds, soldiers enthusiastically began Gundam piloting exercises.
Those selected as pilots were jubilant. Those not chosen were filled with regret, able only to stare longingly at the massive machines soaring through sky and earth, satisfying themselves with a mere visual indulgence.
"Forward!"
At the instructor's command, the Gundam unit stepped forward in perfect unison, shaking heaven and earth.
"Coordinate your movements! Maintain balance—move as if you're walking on your own!"
"Unit Six! Unit Six, your steps are out of sync!!!"
Many Cloud Knights were piloting a Gundam for the first time. Nervous and tense, they frequently made odd little mistakes. Even basic ground maneuvers proved somewhat difficult.
Their instructors were not much more experienced than the students. While flipping through manuals, they also had to consult the Angeloid standing beside them.
That Angeloid had been hired as a consultant, responsible for correcting shortcomings in the training process.
"Mm..."
Watching the Gundam unit still in training, the upper echelons of the Xianzhou felt their hearts surge with emotion.
It was not difficult to imagine the shock this special unit would bring when deployed onto a battlefield in the future.
"Once the first batch of Gundam troops completes training, dispatch them to hunt the Abominations of Abundance and test their combat capability," Jing Yuan instructed.
"Yes."
Standing beside him, a yellow-haired youth nodded in acknowledgment, his expression slightly peculiar.
Yanqing had practiced the sword since childhood. Now the strongest swordsman of the Xianzhou Luofu, he had been promoted to Cloud Knight Lieutenant at a young age.
And yet, had the era changed?
It seemed the Luofu intended to vigorously develop Gundam units. This kind of armament did not require overwhelming individual strength—so long as one mastered piloting techniques, formidable combat power could be unleashed.
"Additionally, when time permits, we may hold a martial exhibition ceremony on the Luofu and invite generals and colleagues from the other flagships to attend and observe," Jing Yuan added.
The Starsea Empire's trade partner was the Xianzhou Alliance as a whole. The Luofu could not monopolize the benefits.
Still, being closest to the water meant catching the moon first. Showing off to the other flagships was hardly inappropriate.
Especially a certain flagship that prided itself on martial valor, celebrated daily victories, and boasted of being the strongest military force in the Alliance—one wondered what they would think upon witnessing the Luofu's Gundam units.
In the future, the Luofu would not only be the economic center of the Xianzhou, but also the most militarily powerful flagship in the entire Alliance.
"The Sky-Faring Commission must properly manage relations with the Starsea Empire."
He gave Tingyun an extra reminder.
"...That makes the third time I've heard that today."
Tingyun sighed softly.
Previously, aside from the diplomatic delegation, most people had held no concrete concept of the Starsea Empire. After seeing the Gundam unit, everyone had glimpsed the tip of that interstellar empire's iceberg.
"Additionally, there is indeed one matter on the Whistling Flames Guild's side that requires advance planning."
Tingyun paused briefly.
"From this point forward, the Luofu's primary trade partner will likely be the Starsea Empire. Preliminary estimates suggest they will account for at least eighty percent of our import and export volume."
"If the other flagships also begin trading with the Starsea Empire, their situation will likely be similar."
"Ordinary merchants and small worlds are manageable. However, this would necessitate canceling cooperation projects with some of our former major clients."
The Starsea Empire's goods came from countless worlds. All manner of novel commodities would swiftly capture the market.
Not to mention high-level, government-led trade projects such as purchasing Gundams and other advanced weaponry, which would constitute a substantial proportion.
When a new force entered the trade market, someone's share would inevitably shrink—or be squeezed out entirely.
"You mean... the Interastral Peace Corporation?"
Yukong and Fu Xuan immediately grasped the implication.
"Yes. They should already be aware of the Starsea Empire's existence. If their trade share within the Xianzhou Alliance shrinks drastically, the IPC will likely dispatch investigators again."
"Aside from the Xianzhou Yaoqing, that would mean coming here."
Tingyun considered it.
The Luofu's exchanges with the Starsea Empire were semi-public. Fleets had traveled back and forth several times. It would not be difficult for the well-informed IPC to learn of it.
The Yaoqing had once been most deeply influenced by the IPC, even entering extensive cooperation.
—But that had been in the past.
After witnessing the Gundams, anyone could guess how the Yaoqing—forever shouting about charging headlong into battle—would choose.
"The IPC cannot possibly confront the Xianzhou Alliance directly. In that case... hm?"
The group exchanged looks.
Under normal circumstances, the Interastral Peace Corporation sought to draw unfamiliar civilizations into its trade system and have them accept corporate rules.
Even when met with rejection or conflict, the IPC's methods were primarily economic—such as destroying the opponent's financial system.
But no matter how they considered it, the IPC and the Starsea Empire seemed utterly incompatible. Their usual tactics might not work at all.
"Would they wage a trade war? From a personal standpoint, I support the Starsea Empire," Yukong said.
"They do not carry that dangerous aura the IPC does."
"..."
Tingyun recalled her experiences within the Starsea Empire.
"...Compared to a trade war, I feel they might prefer eliminating their opponents physically?"
...
Elsewhere.
Not long after arriving at the Luofu and gaining a rough understanding of this universe, Akashi initiated communication with Setsuna.
"Commander, I have a grand plan, nya!"
"Let's hear it."
"There are many civilizations here. If we conduct trade in this universe, we can earn a lot of money!"
"..."
Setsuna had never particularly cared about making money. He regarded it merely as the repair shipgirl's personal hobby.
"If you want to sell loot boxes or run your gacha games, go ahead. Just don't overdo it."
"I want to develop the trade market! Just in case, I might need some assistance, nya!"
"What do you need? More Bulins and Angeloids?" Setsuna asked.
"A fleet."
"Oh. Sure."