"You mean we need a medium-size s.h.i.+p."

"If we're doing volunteer work to promote the royal family's image, it will be better to operate two small hospital s.h.i.+p lines, each with 50 to 100 beds."

A s.h.i.+p of that size should weigh between 3,000 tons and 5,000 tons.

The minimum size of s.h.i.+ps going in and out of the ocean should be big enough to weigh more than 3,000 tons to withstand heavy waves and carry enough materials for long-distance trips.

"The 300-bed s.h.i.+p can be operated when there are large-scale victims or in war-torn areas while smaller s.h.i.+ps can be operated during normal times. Within a few months of the operation of the Kazakh royal hospital s.h.i.+ps, it will gain global fame."

"There should be a minimum of armament."

"Of course. Most of the places the hospital s.h.i.+ps visit will be out of administrative power or have ethnic conflict."

"I'm worried that Zeynep will board the s.h.i.+p too."

"The royal guards will protect her."

"Well, then the problem will be recruiting medical teams. If the working environment is a hospital s.h.i.+p, everyone's going to shake their heads."

"You can adopt a rotation system. If they're only on the s.h.i.+p for a month or two a year, they're going to love it since they can travel on the s.h.i.+p."

***

"Your Highness, I found the entrance to the cave."

Dr. Park Young-sun appeared at the office looking scruffy as if he just came back from the cave.

"Great. Is it big enough for people to get in and out?"

"We're still digging it, so it's a little too premature to say that, but it looks like a place where the surface water used to flow in. It's likely that there used to be a lot of forest here."

"It must have been before Christ."

"Probably. We believe that the groundwater has been exhausted because there has been no inflow of surface water."

"You mean it's not an artificial cave after all."

"Are you disappointed that it was not what you expected?"

"I was expecting a bigger secret. Still, wouldn't there be more paths that surface water used to flow in?"

"There could be a larger flow path somewhere. Maybe that's where people came in and out of the cave."

"Your face is telling me not to expect anything special. Alright, I won't imagine anything crazy anymore."

"Hahaha... Your Highness, it's too early to conclude anything. We might find some things that would not disappoint your imagination."

"Oh, you don't have to cheer me up."

"I'll go down there soon so that I can give some answers to your questions."

"Don't you wonder why I'm so interested in the cave, Dr. Park?"

"I a.s.sumed that it's because our neighboring countries are potential threats to us. Who will protect us if we don't?"

"That's right, but don't you get nervous since I look like I'm preparing for war all the time?"

"You've so thoroughly prepared our nation, so what am I to worry about? In fact, I'm relieved that you're not invading neighboring countries yet."

"Hahaha..."

"Do you seriously think that I will do such a reckless thing?"

"Well, if you have power, you shouldn't bow down to other powers. You're preparing Kazakhstan with state-of-the-art weapons, and I'm sure they're not only for defense, am I right?"

"I'm not going to sit back and wait if there's provocation. The best defense is offense after all."

"Of course you should. I support you 100%."

Park Young-sun whom Youngho thought was a quiet geologist showed another side of him today. Having to live in Kazakhstan for a long time, he was now becoming a Central Asian. No, he was a complete Central Asian now.

***

Szechenyi in Denmark informed Youngho that he had found a vessel that could be converted into a hospital s.h.i.+p. It was decided to remodel a s.h.i.+p to shorten the time instead of building a new one.

"How old is the s.h.i.+p that will have 300 beds?"

-It's about 15 years old. The hull's in very good shape. It will survive for the next 20 years if we change our internal facilities. Officials at the Danish s.h.i.+pyard also said the s.h.i.+p was in good condition.

"Isn't a s.h.i.+p in the 25,000-ton cla.s.s too big?"

-That is only big enough to go back and forth across the oceans without being supplied in-between.

"Okay, what about the s.h.i.+p to be converted to a mid-sized hospital s.h.i.+p?"

-I can't find suitable s.h.i.+ps in the 3000-ton cla.s.s, but 5,000-ton s.h.i.+ps are overflowing. Considering safety, wouldn't a bigger s.h.i.+p be better?

"It's not like it's going back and forth to the ocean."

-There is little difference in the price of the hull and the cost of the repair. I think this size would be great for a rainy day. You have to think about the comfort of sailors and medical workers. And even though it's a hospital s.h.i.+p, shouldn't it be armed to a certain extent for protection?

"An armed hospital? Don't you know it's a violation of international law?"

-Come on, you always stressed that. There should be at least one hidden room.

Youngho emphasized self-defense as he taught Szechenyi since he was young. He used to say that there should be a hidden trick to protect one's self and his family. Having learned from Youngho, Szechenyi was also emphasizing it now.

"Well, old destroyers will be arriving from England in the near future. Make sure you keep your security tight and make it well."

-Don't worry. I've already arranged that. I've also found a dock that will be dedicated to the Royal Navy.

"Won't the Queen or the Crown Prince of the Danish royal family worry about that?"

-Not at all. They actually loved that their armed forces are strengthened because of us. They're saying that if the two navies join forces, it will be the second most powerful next to Britain in this area.

"It's just one Aegis destroyer and three frigates. I hope they don't get disappointed to see them."

-They're state-of-the-art missile-equipped combat s.h.i.+ps. What are you talking about? Also, we have a backup squadron there. Who's going to take us for granted?

"It sounds great to you, but it's nothing compared to the Russian navy."

-With a multi-purpose landing s.h.i.+p and a support fleet of two Aegis destroyers, the navy will be invincible.

"The support unit is not a static force. It will mostly be stationed in the Persian Gulf."

-Hyung, please station them in the Danish port for my sake. You can quickly get into the Persian Gulf from here, right?

"What on earth did you say to the Danish royal family?"

-I didn't say anything bad. I just said that you are planning to manage the Arctic Sea route while using our port as the base.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me."

-But you're actually going to do that, aren't you? You told me a man should know how to act boldly at the right time.