Chapter 1820 - 348: Bridge V_3

But the basic cabin can also be upgraded once more on the original foundation.

For instance, more fireproof and shock-resistant materials can be used, the ether pipeline can be upgraded, and the magic guided engine can be replaced with the latest model to maximize the ability of the Heart of Fairy—although it may only increase from one percent to two percent. But at least it's double.

Anchors, cables, the ship's balance system, cranes, small boats, and wind detectors can all be replaced, even though these things are terrifyingly expensive. Advanced goods are still unaffordable, but at least there's no need to buy second-hand ones anymore.

Fang Hong calculated carefully and suddenly felt that seven million Lycel didn't seem as much as he had imagined.

He also looked at the ledger from the past half month—from the Eteliria side sent over from Tansnier—the Seven Seas Traveler was still in the dragon bone stage, but the shipyard had already been spending money like water.

He found that his previous estimate of shipbuilding prices was somewhat off. He estimated the average price above the community, but in fact, he didn't consider price fluctuations.

In places where the shipbuilding industry is developed, shipbuilding workshops are concentrated, and various supporting workshops are also concentrated, so related materials and parts are cheaper. However, in a place like Tansnier, the actual prices are much higher than he estimated, and he saw this, making his eye twitch.

No wonder Hilveld said so before. If it weren't for this sum of money he had, the construction of the Seven Seas Traveler would really encounter many difficulties. In fact, even now, the Grand Princess has already advanced a lot of money to them, although this money might not be much to the Princess, it is still a difficult favor to repay in Fang Hong's view.

And this is just the ship's items. After this round, everyone in the Seven Seas Travel Group has increased in level quite a bit, but the equipment hasn't been updated yet—it still needs a round of updates. He can bear part of it, and Tabopolis people are responsible for raw materials, but after all, he is not truly a jack of all trades, as alchemy is categorized.

After reaching level twenty, there are some things he can't make, and have to rely on buying—

Previously, in order to build the ship, everyone lived frugally, wishing every penny could be split into two. Updating equipment was needless to say, at most, one could only find a set of white equipment to replace. But with a little extra money, they could consider replacing some of the key equipment with superior quality ones.

While the Seven Seas Traveler is important, the strength of the Seven Seas Travel Group itself is the fundamental for their future further development.

In the end, everything requires money.

Fang Hong read with a pounding heart and put down the account book, and his previous sense of pride faded a lot.

Unexpected windfall is easy to come by, but spending it fast as well. This large sum is more than enough to build the Seven Seas Traveler, even with quite a bit of surplus.

But after that?

Building a ship costs money, and maintenance costs money as well. Floating ships are just gold-eating beasts, and it's no wonder that a small guild can't afford one. Fang Hong then realized he had simplified the matter in his mind before. Lucky for him, he managed to get an unexpected windfall this time, but such an opportunity doesn't appear every time. They'll have to figure out a genuine economic source eventually.

Hilveld seemed to see through his thoughts and gave a slight smile: "Lord Captain, floating ships are a scarce resource. Once we have the ship, we can use it to transport cargo or guests or something, and the cost of daily maintenance would be covered."

Fang Hong shook his head.

He understood that Lady Noble was just comforting him; it was just speaking from a business perspective, but that's not easy, right? If you're not careful, not only won't you make money, you might even lose money. Being a believer of Lady Roman is not an easy thing. Moreover, within the team, there isn't such talent.

Tianlan has some business acumen, but she's not as knowledgeable about local specialties and seasonal price fluctuations as Gita is.

However, these matters could be postponed for future discussion. In any case, it's great news that the Seven Seas Traveler could be built smoothly. With sufficient funds, if they work overtime at the Tansnier Shipyard, they might see their new ship as soon as next month.

Since the adventure group's floating ship launch date has been set, the Seven Seas Travel Group must also quickly handle the remaining matters in Istania before that.

"We strive to leave Istania before November."

Thinking of this, Fang Hong said somewhat seriously.

"Before that, it would be best to perfectly solve the Princess's commission—in a few days I'm planning to return to Bain again, if things go well, finding the person Princess wants to contact, then things here would be a great success."

"After that, we'll return to Tansnier, focus on shipbuilding there, and once the Seven Seas Traveler is launched, we'll head to Nosniel, from there to the Rust Marsh to meet the Lizardmen—then to Saint Hugon Corner, after which, our next stop will be at Scepter Coast—"

He still has some matters to deal with at Scepter Coast.

After all, as promised to Bishop Tirios, Shana, and his teacher R, it just so happens that these matters have all gathered together.

Everyone nodded, as the direction of action of the adventure group is naturally decided by Lord Captain.

And after Fang Hong said this, he suddenly paused.

He calculated the time, feeling a bit sentimental, realizing he hadn't been in Eteliria for long, yet in a blink of an eye, it was already approaching a year and a half, almost two years. Once December passes, it will mark his first time arriving in this world. He spent the first half-year in Kapuka and then embarked on his first adventure in Eteliria, led by Miss Sicape.

Last year's long summer, he spent in Egon Forest, and afterward was the encounter at the Elf Ruins, followed by Traveler's Rest, Dolifen, and so on...

Time sure flies.

...