“Uh excuse me your Majesty and Mr. Nelson sir?” Yamato interrupted the two men who were very happy about the deal.

“Yes, what is it?” Nelson replied

“Sorry to burst your bubble, but we won’t be able to immediately start mining” Yamato said.

“But why?” The King asked, a bit alarmed.

“Well, since you and Ambassador Nelson already made a deal, I guess this is a good time to explain just how we will go about mining the Mithril and Adamantite” Yamato continued

“First we need to survey the mining area and take a closer look at potential environmental effects, amount of ore underneath, soil quality etc. And then we also have to assemble the mining equipment on site since it is too large to transport as it is will need to be carried piece by piece. Then there’s personnel involved, the security, the transport, you get the idea” Yamato explained

But before the King could reply Yamato immediately continued as if he forgot something.

“Oh and Mr. Nelson, I would like for you to formally request a permit for us to make a Mithril and Adamantite processing plant here at Nelithea since it would be too much of a hassle to bring back all the Ore back to Earth if we want to maintain a steady flow of production” Yamato added.

“Uh I see” Nelson replied still a bit dumbfounded

“Then about those satellite images” Nelson faced the King once more but was immediately interrupted by Yamato again.

“Uh about that Mr. Nelson”

“What is it again?”

“Making the Orbital Launch platform will also take some time, actually it will take a lot of time”

“Huh? Don’t you guys just dig a hole and stick some high tech equipment over it?” Nelson asked a little bit confused

“That’s a gross over simplification. We need to survey the soil to see if would be able to take on the weight of the structure, if not then we need to reinforce itl. And then we begin to construct the actual launcher but it’s going to take a while longer than the mines or the plants since it is a very complex piece of engineering” Yamato explained

An awkward silence then befell the room once again.

“A-ahem” the King coughed interrupting the thick awkward atmosphere

“How long do you think it will take for you to start the mining operations?” The King asked

“Hmm let’s see, the Survey alone could take up to 1 to 2 months, and the construction of the site could take between 3-4 months same with the construction of the processing plants” Yamato clarified

“What about the satellite?” Nelson asked

“Oh that one will take about a half a year to a year, depending on the condition of the soil really”

Nelson just breathed a sigh of defeat as he cursed his lack of interest in technology.

“Oh so we will get the metals first before the Satellite?” The King asked feeling a little triumphant

“Yes most likely” Yamato said without hesitation.

The king looked at Nelson and smiled.

“Don’t worry Mr. Ambassador, since I am a kind and generous King. I am willing to lower the split to 60/40 even though you still don’t have the Satellite. After all we did already make a deal, consider it as an incentive to finish this thing you are building as soon as possible”

“Thank you your Majesty” Nelson replied

“Now then let us proceed to our next agenda” Nelson now changing the topic

“Please take the floor Dr. Susan and Prof. Leia” The two women then stood up and introduced themselves.

“Your Majesty I am Dr. Susan Chang, part of the Nelithea humanitarian effort”

“Your Majesty I am Prof. Leia Bartholomew, also part of the Nelithea humanitarian effort”

Both women stood up and bowed to the King.

“Humanitarian effort?” The King asked

“Allow me to explain” Dr. Susan said as she explained their purpose

“To simply put, we are here to provide aid in education and medicine.”

“Education and Medicine? Why? What will you gain from this?” The King curiously asked

“Well, on the side of Medicine, we will have something to gain.” Dr. Susan replied

“Our world has great interest in the micro-organisms from Nelithea, for they can potentially hold the cure for some diseases back at home” Dr. Susan explained

“Mirco-organisms?” The king asked a bit perplexed

“Uh, very small creatures that cause diseases like the common cold”

“Is that why healing magic is unable to heal diseases?” The king curiously asked

“Yes. I observed that healing magic can only regenerate damaged body parts, but is unable to heal even the common cold.”

“Still you do have access to alchemical “medicine” but I suppose those are expensive correct?”

“Yes they are, plus alchemical products aren’t really used as medicine but mostly used for battle and other things. Admittedly we still rely on herbs and roots to cure ailments but they aren’t that effective.” The King shook his head.

“I see, but don’t worry we will provide aid in curing these diseases while doing our own research. Don’t worry we will not just leave you in the dark if new medicine is developed.” Dr. Susan continued

“Are you sure there’s no catch to this? Don’t you want a reward?” The king asked obviously a bit cautious

“No need, my King. I am only here to do my job, nothing more nothing less”

“I see, then I accept your assistance. Please take care of my people” The King humbly asked Dr. Susan

“With pleasure your majesty”

“And now you uh, Professor Leia. Why education?” The King then focused his attention to the motherly looking woman

“You see, the Earth believes that education is a right that must be bestowed to all. And not only that but it will also open a door of opportunities for an individual and elevate himself to higher level” Prof. Leia passionately replied.

“That is good and all, but how can I be sure that you aren’t here to influence the mind of my people” The King asked surprising both Leia and Nelson.

Nelson knew why the King was being cautious; after all, throughout earth’s history humans have successfully conquered each by influencing the populace, either by religion or a promise of enlightenment. He could only hope that Leia will be able to convince the King that it wasn’t her goal.

“Oh I expected this much” Leia said nonchalantly, surprising Nelson.

“Rest assured your Majesty, I am here only to teach your writing and simple arithmetic. I have no ulterior motive” Leia then continued

“If you still don’t trust then the moment I try something funny, you are free to arrest me. Even to cut off my head yourself” Leia said shocking everyone in the room.

“Leia what are you-” Nelson said but was interrupted by Leia

“I have been to many outreach programs throughout the earth and despite our advancements it pains me to see that there still people unable to read and write. Hence why I have devoted much of my life to teaching, because I dream of a world where people are no longer ignorant.” Leia said with a serious expression on her face

“Plus having a more educated populace will help your Kingdom a lot in the future your majesty” Leia’s normal smile then returned

“HAHA” The king let out a hearty laugh

“I respect your passion Professor Leia. So be it, I accept your offer and I am prepared to give you any kind of assistance in this endeavor as well. Please take care of my people”

“You can count on me your majesty” Leia smiled at the King.

“And now it’s ugh your turn Steven” Nelson said as if awaiting embarrassment

“Your majesty, King Xavier Aleria. My name is Steven Irwin” Steven said as he stood up to bow

“What is your purpose here?” The King asked

“I will be quick with this then.” Steven said with excitement

“Please give me permission to view your catalogue of creatures and permission to capture some of the animals found in your territory” Steven excitedly exclaimed

The King then glanced at Steven and then at Nelson. When Nelson and the King made eye contact, Nelson simply shook his head and sighed

“That’s it?” The King was again perplexed

“Yes!” Steven exclaimed

“O-okay permission granted, you may sit down now”

“Thank you your majesty!” Steven sat back down as a different kind of awkward atmosphere befell the room.

But one of them was very excited since it was finally his turn to ask the King.

Karl was waiting for this exact moment that he didn’t even wait for Nelson’s introduction, he simply stood up immediately and introduced himself on his own.

“Your Majesty, I am Karl Hoffman, theoretical physicist” Karl exclaimed as he bowed

“Physi-what? No matter what is your purpose here young man” The King asked to which Karl excitedly replied

“Please let me study and research Magic!”