Brasilia, February 16, 2025, 12:14 pm. Office of the President.
President Arthur was swamped with documents since the transfer. It had been over two days since he had slept. Hundreds of companies were going bankrupt due to losing their foreign investments. Also, there was a shortage of manufactured goods that used to come from China. Moreover, resources that were imported, such as tungsten and oil, would soon be scarce. The government's measure to prevent an imminent recession was the declaration of price freezing. If it weren't for the luck of the pre-salt being teleported along, the fuel would be at astronomical prices.
"Mr. President, I have a report!" His assistant Adriel Sousa, a close friend of his with a bald head to envy even Dwayne Johnson, entered the room carrying a file folder.
"FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, PLEASE TELL ME IT'S SOMETHING GOOD?" In a sea of bad news, all Arthur wanted was to hear some good news.
"I'm not sure if it's that good, but we managed to complete a complete map of this world with most nations named."
"Finally!" Arthur picked up the map and looked at it for a while. He noticed that Brazil was in what would be considered the east.
"I have two important news. The first is that diplomat Henrique has contacted the Kingdom of Quila and they are willing to start negotiations with us. From what our experts evaluated, Quila has more oil than Venezuela and Saudi Arabia combined. In addition, the south of Qua-Toyne has a large amount of fossil fuel."
Arthur jumped with joy from his chair after hearing the news. The expectation was that, with the current reserves, it would be possible to hold on for a maximum of 2 years.
"I want you to expedite the negotiations as much as possible. We need oil yesterday." He recomposed himself in the chair and assumed his serious façade again.
"I will pass your words on to diplomat Henrique. The second news is not so good." Adriel pulled out a folder labeled 'TOP SECRET'. When Arthur opened it, he felt a chill run down his spine.
"You must be joking, this is a Mig-25!" As a big fan of everything related to the armed forces, he knew this fighter that was one of the most feared by the Allies during the Cold War, as no one had any information about it.
"This photo was taken by one of our satellites in the territory of a country called the Annorial Empire. According to the Quatonians, they are a nation on the same level as them, but our satellites showed large modern cities."
"We should try to contact them." If there is a nation with modern technology, then they should try to create a cooperative relationship.
"Here's the question I wanted to get to: it seems that they have adopted an isolationist policy. No foreigner has ever entered their country," Arthur soon realized something strange. How could a nation with this level of development not be known to the people of this world? The only option was that the Annorials were trying to hide it, but why?
"I want our satellites pointed at these Annorials. Gather as much information as possible." It may seem hasty, but if they want to hide at all costs, there must be a reason.
"Yes, sir." Adriel was leaving the room when he remembered one more thing to say. "Oh, I almost forgot: the delegates from Qua-Toyne are in the waiting room. The ministers are already arriving for the meeting."
Arthur had forgotten about the meeting. With the amount of work and the recent news, he had pushed it to the back of his mind.
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15 minutes before, at the entrance of the Palácio do Planalto.
On that day, dozens of reporters had gathered in front of the Palácio do Planalto. Their objective was to film the arrival of the first delegation from this new world firsthand.
"This is Victor Bonilia, reporting from the entrance of the Palácio do Planalto, for those of you watching on Rede Globo. According to the information we have, the cars bringing the delegates from the newly discovered nation to the west, the Kingdom of Qua-Toyne, have just passed the commercial center and will arrive here in about 5 minutes." One of the reporters said to the cameras while waiting.
The excitement grew when the five minutes passed and five cars arrived, with the first and last two being the escort. The envoys were in the two middle cars. The first to exit were Hanki and Yagou. Their medieval-style clothing was the first thing to catch attention, but what really stopped Brazil at that moment was when Linus disembarked and showed his large, pointed ears to the cameras.
The three envoys made their way through the entrance of the Palácio do Planalto, escorted by a security team that didn't allow anyone to approach. Vice President Rodrigo Alehandro came to greet them and guide them to the waiting room.
"Sorry for all the commotion. Things are always like this when someone important comes." Rodrigo was used to media attention, but he remembered very well what it was like to go through it for the first time.
"No problem, Mr. Rodrigo. This is still better than the nobles who usually hover over us." Often, nobility came to offer their daughters to marry Linus and other ministers and senators. Some of them were extremely persistent.
"If I recall, your nation is something like a constitutional monarchy, right?"
"Something like that. The king is just a public figure, and the prime minister is the one who runs everything."
"It's quite similar to England. How do you choose your prime minister?" Rodrigo had read a bit about the qua tonian system of government.
"The prime minister is chosen by a vote among the noble houses, with the current one being Mr. Kanata, elected about 15 years ago." Linus had no good memories of Kanata. After all, the two were opposites. While Kanata supported new ideas, he always made it clear his position in favor of traditions and customs. That was until he met Brazil and had his ego destroyed.
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The conversation between Rodrigo and Linus lasted about five minutes, until President Arthur finally appeared and greeted the delegation.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I am the current leader of Brazil, the 38th elected president, Arthur Álvares. I apologize for keeping you waiting."
"Pleasure is ours, Mr. President. I am the leader of the delegation sent from Qua-Toyne. My name is Linus. The two with me are Hanki and Yagou," Linus introduced himself with a bow to Arthur, who was a little surprised.
"Please, Mr. Linus, this kind of thing is unnecessary here." Instead, he offered a simple handshake, which shocked the elf with the man's simplicity. Not only his behavior, but his clothes were also the same as others. A black suit and formal pants, with a tie on his chest.
Arthur greeted the other two members of the delegation and then they went to the room where the meeting would be held.
The room where the meeting would be held had a simple look, with a round table in the middle. There were several Brazilian ministers who were summoned.
"These people are the ministers called for the negotiations. They are Defense Minister Carlos Almeida, Economy Minister Ana Luis, Energy Minister Bruno Marcelo, Technology Minister Juliano Caetano, Foreign Affairs Minister Mauro Souzones, Social Equality Minister Kaique Magalhães, Human Rights Minister Carla Morais, Admiral Osvaldo Carneiro, Army Marshal Theodor Mascilenes, and Air Marshal Manfred van Eizenberg." The vice-president introduced them, and the delegates greeted each one and sat in their chairs.
"With everyone present, we can begin the meeting."
"The first topic we want to discuss is commercial relations. We have dozens of Brazilian companies that want to establish themselves on Qua-Tonyan soil. We would like to know if the local government allows their arrival." Minister Ana was the first to start talking.
"We have no problem as long as these companies follow the rules of our country." Increased trade was not bad for Qua-Toyne. On the contrary, it would help raise annual income, and Linus had no problem with it.
"Great, then we will schedule a meeting in the next few days with the major cooperatives to discuss tax rates." A few days later, there would be a meeting with major leaders of famous companies who would later set up a large network of commerce.
"The second topic is the natural resources of the Qua-Toyne territory." The Energy Minister, Bruno Marcelo, took over.
"Qua-Toyne has much more than you imagine, Mr. Linus. Our main interest is in what you call black water," said Bruno.
"Black water? Why are you interested in that? It only destroys crops and is extremely difficult to remove. The principality had great problems in the southern region because of this. Large crops were destroyed," replied Linus.
"You must have heard of diesel, haven't you? Well, its base is exactly that water." When Bruno spoke, the elf was shocked that the diesel the guide had mentioned at the beginning of the ship's journey was made through this black liquid.
"Our estimates are that Qua-Toyne can provide up to 50 billion barrels of oil per year." The gigantic number surprised Linus even more.
"Even if our nation can produce that amount, we don't have the technology to extract and even transport anything close to that."
"We would like to make a deal with you. We will build all the necessary infrastructure for extraction and transportation. In exchange, Qua-Toyne will sell us the barrel for 10 reais per unit," said Bruno.
Linus made a quick calculation in his head to figure out how much they would earn annually if they accepted. When he thought about the result, which would be in the tens of billions, he had no doubts.
"We accept the deal with two conditions. We want to use the transportation infrastructure not only for oil. And we would also like to sell it not only to Brazil."
"The first one is not a problem. As for the second, you can sell a maximum of 20% of the extracted barrels to other buyers," Bruno replied. This number was reasonable, and he doubted that many countries could even use the oil.
"Then the deal is closed."
"Brazil also wants to extract other resources located in the mountains that divide your country with Louria and Quila," said Linus. Experts have identified many important minerals in the mountain ranges.
"In those mountains? From what I know, the environment is extremely rugged. But what will you offer us in exchange?"
"We want to offer access to the basic technology that you witnessed here, but only if we have free access to the exploration of resources on qua tonian soil. What technologies are you willing to give us?" Linus asked.
"We are thinking of providing technologies such as electric light, with the construction of power plants and distribution centers, and piping systems with potable water available to everyone," said Bruno. Of course, more vital technologies would not be provided, with only a few basic things being offered.
"To accept the deal, we also want the technology of railway systems and transportation trains," added Linus. Potable water and electricity were things that would greatly improve the living conditions of civilians, but railways were something that would greatly help the qua tonian economy itself.
"If that's the case, then we'll also include the railway system in the agreement." Trains were not big secrets in modern society, as they have existed since the industrial revolution.
"I take the floor now, Mr. Linus, we would like your help with something." Minister Kaique was the next to speak.
"How can I assist you, Mr. Kaique?"
"We humans have difficulty coexisting with our differences, and I believe it will be even worse with the races of this world. Because of this, we want to create a law of equality between species and a campaign against discrimination." Humans have always fought among themselves over differences such as skin color, beliefs, and race. Now imagine adding three more races to that equation?
"I don't mind helping you. Qua-Toyne has always had a strong government in favor of combating discrimination between races."
Later, Linus would be recorded in history as one of the great elves to sign the pact between species.
"The next topic will be the creation of mutual embassies in both countries. I believe Qua-Toyne has no objections to this." Foreign Minister Mauro Souzones was in charge of the topic.
"If you'll allow me, we have nothing against the idea, but with our current technology, information can take almost a month to reach our territory." Yagou was responsible for matters involving diplomacy.
"No problem, Mr. Yagou, we will provide you with everything necessary."
"With this, we are approaching the end of the meeting. The last issue we want to discuss is the purchase of the magic knowledge that you possess." Minister Juliano was eager to get his hands on this phenomenon called magic.
"We usually do not negotiate our knowledge of magic, Mr. Juliano. It is essential for the defense of the nation." Hanki, in charge of matters involving national security, responded.
"We are willing to pay a lot for it, Mr. Hanki, just tell us your price." There was a saying that Juliano held dear: "The three things we can't buy are the F22, J-20 fighter jets, and atomic technology."
"It is not negotiable, sir. We are at war with the Lourians who threaten to exterminate us." Arthur, who had not said anything until now, noticed the tension beginning to rise and decided to act before it got worse.
"Mr. Hanki, can you tell us more about these Lourians?"
"They are a nation to the west that borders us. Initially, that area was divided into several small countries, but something changed some time ago."
"And what would that be?"
"The superpower of the third civilization, the Parpaldian Empire, began to help them, and so Louria expanded and annexed all the surrounding countries that were mostly formed by beastmans, who were all massacred and enslaved." Hanki focused heavily on how cruel the Lourians were towards non-humans.
"Can you prove this?"
"Just send a spy to one of their cities and you'll see dozens of chained and tortured slaves, but why do you ask?"
"You said that knowledge of magic was vital for the defense of your nation, but what if Brazil guarantees your security?" That was exactly what he wanted to hear.
This did not please many of the other ministers who stood up trying to convince the president to give up the idea.
"Mr. President, we cannot send soldiers to a foreign nation in the midst of a national crisis." Vice President Rodrigo was the first, with the defense minister close behind.
"We would be risking our security if we moved troops outside of national soil."
They were right, but Arthur had already thought two steps ahead.
"The most important thing now is to maintain the only ally we have at the moment, besides, I doubt Louria will accept making deals with us, not to mention that the public opinion will not like it at all if we negotiate with slavers."
"But what about public opinion if we send soldiers to another country? Besides, they won't support it, they'll start to think we're trying to practice imperialism."
"I've already thought of everything, Vice President Rodrigo, we will send troops only to protect civilian workers from alleged monsters and mercenaries."
All the ministers knew that when the president set his mind to something, he would go all the way.
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The following agreements were struck at that meeting and later the Kingdom of Quila was included along with it:
— Companies could set up shop in both nations as long as they respected local laws and taxes.
—The two kingdoms would sell the barrels of oil extracted from their territory at about 10 reais per barrel, with Brazil having the right to buy up to 80% of what was extracted with the remaining 20% being left to the choice of the countries to whom they would sell. In exchange, Brazil will build the infrastructure for extraction and transport.
—Basic infrastructure such as railroads, piping systems, water filtration and electricity have begun to be built, with thermal power plants being inaugurated about 1.5 years later.
—The port of Mihark and the city's air base were expanded to be able to receive airplanes and cargo ships.
— An exchange rate was established, with 1 gold coin being worth about BRL$100, 1 silver coin being worth BRL$10 and 1 bronze coin being worth BRL$1.
— Brazilian bases were established in both nations to protect the workers from 'monsters and mercenaries'.
— A guarantee of independence was given to both kingdoms, that in case of attack Brazil would defend its freedom. This agreement was known only to the upper echelons of the government.