Chapter 828 - 106 Further Cooperation

Bang!

As the sun rose, prefabricated building components were slammed into pits by workers wearing exoskeletons, and the dawn in Latovia was far busier than most cities around the world.

After resolving the issue of the Eastern Accord, Lille and his nation began a new round of work.

First, without a doubt, were greetings from European allies—

[Speaker Schulz: Good morning, King. Here, I represent the European Union to congratulate you on your victory.]

[Speaker Schulz: If possible, I would like to discuss some situations that arose during the war with you...]

In the holographic projector, Schulz looked somewhat more tense than before—

Or rather, more formal.

It’s not that he lacked respect and reverence for Lille before, but previously, the Speaker appeared more relaxed during meetings with Lille, often expressing various levels of concern in his words.

It was different now; Latovia, once considered the world’s most backward country—hardly even a modern nation—had transformed.

Despite having a population of only over five hundred thousand and a territory of just a hundred thousand square kilometers, they captured floating fortresses from the Eastern Accord, seized a large number of war mechas, possibly including aircraft—

If it were ordinary rebels or backward nations capturing aircraft, Schulz would just shake his head and remark: Do these primitives even know how to use aircraft? Don’t get blown up by the plane’s engines.

Latovia was different. The AK47s were upgraded, the civilian supplies aided by the European Union were transformed into high-end prosthetics, exoskeletons, and combat gear—in such a short time, Lille managed to raise a world-class special forces unit!

This was why Schulz became more formal: Latovia was no longer a country just liberated from medieval poverty.

The conflict between the Eastern Accord and Latovia primarily involved several small nations, including the already captured Sokovia, which received military aid from other larger countries, while Latovia received humanitarian assistance.

If the Eastern Accord had won the war, or if the Sokovia trio experienced minor defeats needing time to advance, it would be favorable for the Eastern Accord and their sponsors...

The issue was, the Sokovia trio weren’t just minor defeats—they were completely disarmed.

Throughout the Eastern European region, it’s hard to find a country more oppressive than Latovia, not to mention Lille’s representation of Atlas, along with the technology he held...

This country might have a sparse population, but that doesn’t mean they are easy to be pushed around.

Schulz’s request was simple: they needed the military technology Lille possessed, and if possible, they also needed... space fortresses.

[Lille: I can tell you how these Iron Riders are trained, even export equipment to you.]

[Lille: But I suggest you first take a look at their training standards.]

[Schulz: What do you mean?]

[Lille: This training is deadly, even the first phase of virtual training.]

Schulz was stunned, not understanding how virtual training could be deadly.

[Lille: Virtual training simulates scenarios with 100 percent neural system stimulation; if your nervous system declares your death during training, you will die.]

[Schulz: ...Can’t it be organized through technical means, like stopping the stimulation at the last moment?]

[Lille: Then the training would have no meaning. Even if you train by weakening sensory input, unqualified Iron Riders will die in subsequent actual combat.]

[Lille: Ordinary people cannot withstand the high-intensity pulling forces of three-dimensional maneuvering equipment, so they need enhanced prosthetics and exoskeletons.]

[Lille: To obtain the most agile feedback in fast-paced combat, they need better neural implants deep into the brain.]

[Lille: If they can’t even pass virtual training, it’s only a matter of time before they die in such battles.]

[Lille: The strongest weapon requires the strongest will to command.]

Schulz recalled the files Atlas Group had once uploaded to the public network, specifically the reports about "cyberpsychosis," and stroked his chin, inwardly sighing:

They can’t risk allowing a bunch of soldiers to go mad during training.

Schulz glanced deeply at Lille:

[Schulz: How does Latovia handle this issue?]

[Lille: Latovia doesn’t handle this issue; we have bigger problems to solve.]

[Schulz: Okay... is it possible to lower the intensity for ordinary soldiers to train? Also, the firearms and other equipment you use... weaker versions?]

[Lille: Mr. Speaker, there are indeed some weaker versions of military supplies for sale, but I suggest you better understand your military procurement situation.]

Not all equipment is so rare; for instance, a weakened version of three-dimensional maneuvering gear is nothing more than hooks and recovery ropes...

Lille could sell them, but he didn’t think these things would bring any substantial improvement to the current European military.

[Schulz: Hmm... very sincere advice, thank you for your reminder, Your Majesty.]

[Schulz: One more thing, perhaps you would be willing to join...]

Lille shook his head:

[Lille: Impossible, we go through regular trade channels.]

Schulz shrugged lightly; he had expected this result: even when Latovia was weakest and most vulnerable, they never sought protection. Asking them to join now?

No point.

As for the population support trade proposed by some members of the parliament, he silently ignored the suggestion and didn’t bring it up again.

Strangely, why did he feel like the European Union was reaching up to this small nation?

Cooperation with the European Union was quite simple; Schulz would continue to allocate large amounts of civilian supplies from Europe to support Latovia’s construction: food, raw materials, large quantities of semi-finished and not too complex finished products, etc.

The difference this time was that Latovia would begin exporting products to the European Union.

The first export technologies included virtual training products suitable for ordinary armies, a small number of high-end neural implants, and a series of prosthetic medical standards and knowledge that Atlas had yet to export to Europe.

Simultaneously, Latovia would experimentally provide Europe with some network repair services—including infrastructure services.

Eventually, when this cooperation project’s draft was settled, Schulz was surprised:

It looked like they were exporting low-tech products from Europe in exchange for... high-end products from a more backward nation?

This idea had just surfaced in Schulz’s mind when he immediately thought of other things:

The first batch of exports wasn’t much, mostly services and software-related items, because Latovia’s industrial capacity was evidently still very backward.

If they become stronger...

The European Union might not be as significant to Latovia.

Suddenly, the idea he had discarded earlier came back to him: population factors are a significant restraint on Latovia’s development.

What else is constraining Latovia’s development? Or, in other words, how can they choke Latovia’s neck at the right time?

Thinking about these issues, Schulz proceeded to wrap up this conversation:

[Schulz: Well... although this wasn’t quite as I initially imagined it, I believe it’s a successful conversation.]

[Schulz: Once again, congratulations to you and your country, Your Majesty.]

[Schulz: May God bless you.]

[Lille: Same to us, thank you for your assistance.]

Zzz—

Communication closed.

Johnny appeared at the window:

[Johnny: I’ve never spoken face-to-face with such an impressive person, but I think this guy surely isn’t satisfied.]

[Johnny: A group of primitives in a village shared the secret of prosthetic technology with them... you’re practically a treasure trove now.]

[Johnny: I think he’ll go back to discuss with his colleagues how to make a move.]

[Johnny: Why did you agree to give them so many good things?]

"The part of human nature that is sentimentally kind is infinitely diluted in collective activities; in this level of exchange, no goodwill is without a reason."

Lille rode the Steel Bone Warhorse across the fields, not feeling much about Schulz’s change in attitude, simply engaging in normal conversation following Johnny’s words.

"However, no matter what, the supplies previously aided by the European Union were a big help. Just look at the results; they are indeed good allies."

[Johnny: If anyone else told me this, I’d call them an idiot; but you make sense. Thinking about devouring all benefits without giving others a sliver, that might really be a jerk move.]

"Indeed not very smart."

As the words fell, the horse beneath him stopped moving, and Lille looked towards the floating fortress stationed between the mountains.

This scarred fortress doesn’t need to hover in the sky at all times, but the communication arrays on it are very useful. With amplification from a few communication stations, the signal can cover the other three occupied countries.

Apart from land and potential labor population, Hydra’s military bases are also extremely valuable assets.