3:45 PM, Outskirts of Rome
There were only a few times where Remille willingly sat and did nothing but think. Usually she needed some form of entertainment but despite the passing buildings, cars, and trees outside the bus, she remained quiet.
Her conversation with Jana continued to poke at her mind. Antonio and his display of the Roman Empire before associating it with Parpaldia or at least implied it struck paranoia into her. She didn't want to admit it but it bothered her heavily.
Kaios meanwhile was on the same boat. Antonio's hidden threats reminded him of his own ways to deterring smaller nations around Parpaldia. And only realised now how hypocritical it was that he felt fear for something that he does to others. But what can he do? It was official Imperial policy to threaten nations for a beneficial deal.
He looked out the window. Soon the passing buildings turned into fields and forests. Kaios pulled out the pamphlet he had in his bag. A pamphlet of Italian flying machines with pictures. Though he couldn't understand the words on it, he was reassured by Antonio that the machines would be displayed.
Kaios then looked to Antonio. He sat ahead in the bus with his back faced towards the Parpaldians. The young man terrified him in a way. His smiles and joyful demeanour while he showed the fall of the Roman Empire reminded him of himself. Subtle threats and warnings. He felt a shudder run up his back.
As for Antonio he was on his phone coordinating with the air force. With an abrupt air show planned they expected a few civilians in the military airport but officially it's an exclusive event for the Parpaldians. After advising them they were almost there to the base, he pocketed his phone as he adjusted his Italian flag pin.
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Mario di Bernardi Military Airport
There was a perfect mix of clouds and sun today and anyone could've been put in a good mood for outdoor activities, but Remille was not one of them. Sitting in the shade of a canopy tent, she along with the rest of the delegation were rather perplexed by the strange area: a wide area of nothing but grey.
Regardless that wasn't what Remille contemplated about. The black flying machine that was on display certainly didn't help her calm down about the air show. The booming sounds back on Esthirant was bad enough, up close it would certainly be equivalent to standing beside a cannon.
Remille's thought of the cannon then brought her back to her dream. She sighed as she kept her eyes closed while she gripped her skirt. The same dream she's had as a child ever since then only changed plot when Italy arrived and it truly terrified her.
Antonio meanwhile looked down ahead on the taxiing tarmac. There where a whole bunch of jets and planes lined up and ready to take off along with a few helicopters from the army and navy. He smiled as he saw that there was a way smaller crowd than usual for the airport. Nothing too strange, it was a sudden event after all and probably only the nerdiest of aviation geeks would know about the event in advance to check it out.
Soon the speakers cracked to life and the announcer in his own air force uniform spoke. "Testing, one two, good afternoon everyone! Welcome to the Mario di Bernardi Air Base. We got quite a few impressive aeroplanes and helicopters to show you all. I want to give a special welcome to our first foreign guests since the Transfer, the delegates of the Parpaldian Empire."
Well at least there's still some respect for them, Remille thought to herself. Soon the announcer continued. "Now then! A bit of backstory. The Italian Air Force was founded just a hundred years ago in 1923 and since then our air force has only gained momentum not just with our planes but with our power. With the army and navy getting their own planes and helicopters it has since become a big pride of Italy. Today Italy is one of the only couple nations that is capable of creating our own equipment. Now then, let's get started first with the air force!"
Antonio then soon watched the first jets start to taxi down the tarmac. And what accompanied the waves of the pilots to the delegation was the announcer's voice.
"Coming up first is the Italian Air Force's most abundant and prominent fighters, the Eurofighter Typhoon! Built in collaboration by Italy with our allies, this fighter jet is capable of going 2,495km/h and can fly up to 55,000 feet!"
The delegation gasped at that. The loud sound of the five jets taxiing along was dwarfed once they started to take off. Kaios and Remille especially looked in disbelief as they watched the jets fly higher and higher up into the sky at immense speed and power.
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"The Italian Air Force employs over ninety of these jets and has since become a staple of the armed forces. Coming up next is the Panavia Tornado. Once more developed by Italy and our allies, this jet is capable as well of flying around the same height and speed as the Eurofighter Typhoon."
Remille looked through the cockpit as there, a pilot whose face she couldn't see waved at her almost cockily while the announcer spoke on. "There are over 60 of these jets in the air force's arsenal and like their counterparts, their power is a sight to behold!"
Soon the booming sound of the Tornadoes resonated through the base while Remille and the others watched the jets fly off.
The air show then continued on. As the jets showed off their power, soon there was a change of pace. "Now with special guests from the Italian Army, here we have the AW129!"
A whirring noise then started to approach. The Parpaldians looked around to see five flying machines that looked way different from the jet fighters. Kaios took notice of this and listened carefully.
"This attack helicopter is capable of destroying armed vehicles on the ground, giving support to soldiers while also ensuring their protection." Soon the AW129s then flew off into the distance.
"And visiting from the Italian Navy, their own flying machines. First we have the AV-8B Harriers."
Five similar looking jets then took of and Remille wondered just how many of these machines do the Italians really have. "With our aircraft carriers, these ground attack aircraft are capable of dropping explosive bombs to destroy the enemy before returning to the safety of the seas."
The closest the Parpaldians could do would be ships-of-the-line launching cannons into seaport towns. Wyverns from wyvern carriers would be more effective as air supremacy tactics. The thought of a flying machine carrying bombs and dropping them before disappearing quickly terrified Remille.
"And finally, the most advanced jet fighters of the Italian Air Force and Navy, we have the F-35 Lightning, both the A and B variant. With the most advanced technology yet, Italy has the capability of producing our own F-35s to fight the enemies. With these jets in possession, it has since become a major pride of the air force and navy with more to be created."
Unlike the previous aircraft however, the F-35 didn't go down the runway. Instead it started to hover while it went up vertically. The Parpaldians had a look of surprise with this as they have gotten used to the jets quickly passing by. Soon the F-35 then took off.
Remille looked to Kaios. They had one thing in common that moment. Acceptance.
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With the airshow finished, the delegation returned to Rome as they headed to the train station this time. With their things packed while they were gone, Remille found herself back on the train this time to Naples for their last evening in Italy.
As the train passed by the suburbs of Rome, the woman stared out the window as she kept her hands clasped on her lap. She was exhausted despite the nap, not because of the activities they did but rather that she had to accept a hard truth.
However her trail of thought was soon broken as Kaios approached Remille. "Miss Remille."
"Director Kaios..." Remille looked up to the older man before she sighed and directed him to sit. The man nodded before he did so as he soon sighed.
"That... air show was truly something else," Kaios said while he looked up as the image of the jets flying off repeated in his head. "I'm not even sure if Mirishial flying machines can match them."
"Indeed... Those jets were truly extravagant," Remille said with a sigh before she clenched her hands a bit. She shut her eyes as she then spoke. "Director..."
The man looked up. "Yes, miss Remille?"
Remille gripped her skirt tighter now. "Do you think Parpaldia still has what it takes? To be strong?" she asked. She was embarrassed to ask this question to Kaios but she being a young noble needed an older and more experienced person's opinion after all.
"Of course Miss Remille," he said. "I still believe Parpaldia can still be a superpower in its own right. But..."
Remille looked up more nervously before Kaios continued, "It seems like we may become fairly challenged," the man said with a little sigh.
"I feared that," Remille said as she looked out the window, "Ludius won't be pleased I'm sure..."
"As prideful as his majesty is, he's a smart young man. I'm sure under your advice he will take it," Kaios said with a more reassuring tone. "He's a wise leader, much like his father."
Remille didn't have anything else to say with that.
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Gino e Toto Sorbillo, Naples, 6:52 PM
As the delegation sat in their table, there was a more relaxed atmosphere in the restaurant. The others laughed and discussed the air show and the amazing performance they saw. In front were various deliciously cooked meals as they took a break among the rush of the day.
Remille eyed the strange triangular food in front of her. A pizza, the Italians called it. The dishes she tried before here were nothing short of exquisite so when she took a bite, Remille stared at the food as she chewed. It was delicious. If only it wasn't the food of a new competitive nation.
Still Remille sat quiet in her seat as she ate. Her mind repeated the scenario of her discussion with Ludius once they were to head back to Esthirant.
Ludius was much like his father. Ever since King Candor's death, Ludius took every measure he could to ensure his father's legacy lived on. Country by country fell under his rule and Parpaldia gained the glory it deserved. But with his ambition thwarted, Remille was worried on how he would act.
Worry lumped in her throat as she forced a bite of pizza down. Ludius was no means idiotic, and neither was Remille. Surely they'd both agree war with Italy was not an option. The last thing Remille wanted was Esthirant being swarmed by fighter jets and being burned to the ground by explosives. Surely Ludius will listen to her.
Right?