Chapter 241: Asahi, the Leaf, and the Laser Cannon
“Situation report!”
“Yes, Commander. A high-temperature area has appeared on the ground. Simultaneously, we detected an electromagnetic wave burst transitioning from the infrared to the microwave range. Shortly after, our reconnaissance satellite was attacked by a concentrated high-energy electromagnetic wave and was destroyed.”
While this was merely a recounting of the facts, articulating them was crucial. The superintelligences, including Ringo, had already begun data analysis. It was necessary to relay the results to Commander Eve.
“What is the firing point?”
“Estimated to be on the ground, at the high-temperature reaction site.”
In other words, there was some entity, either above or below ground, that had launched an attack. Moreover, it possessed enough power to take down that wyvern in a single strike.
“What about the satellite?”
“Data is currently being downloaded. Although the resolution is low, I will display the footage from before and after the attack.”
The footage played in slow motion, showing the scene from above. The satellite transmitted data intermittently and with a highly directional signal to prevent electromagnetic leakage, which inevitably caused a time lag in receiving the data.
In the overhead footage, the survey machine was moving. Then, a point in the grassland began to shine brightly, and simultaneously, the survey machine flashed before shattering into pieces.
“It seems the entire craft became high-temperature in an instant, igniting combustible materials like fuel and resulting in an explosion. We suspect the attack was from a high-energy electromagnetic wave, likely a beam containing wavelengths from the infrared to the microwave range.”
“Are we talking about a laser or a maser?”
“No, it was more like a powerful light that included many wavelengths, akin to white noise. In terms of attack efficiency, it was quite poor.”
Lasers and masers are types of electromagnetic waves that operate on a single wavelength. By oscillating at a single wavelength, they minimize energy loss and efficiently deliver energy to the target, effectively heating it. If the wavelengths are not aligned, the peaks of the amplitudes cancel each other out, resulting in decreased energy transfer efficiency.
“Commander, Ringo, we are dealing with something fantastical! Discussing scientific inefficiencies is pointless! It was likely some magical attack! Otherwise, I can’t imagine anything, no matter how powerful, piercing through the scales of that wyvern!”
Asahi’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he made his case.
“Well… I suppose you have a point.”
Eve hesitated for a moment to argue but recalled the threat creatures they had faced and conceded.
“There’s no movement in the grassland. Perhaps it’s lurking underground?”
Ichi’s report drew everyone’s attention to the grassland displayed in the zoomed-in footage from the rear.
The wreckage of the downed survey machine was ablaze, yet there was no other sign of movement.
Speaking of which, it seemed the downed wyvern was also left untouched. The threat creature had not shown itself to feed.
“…For now, we might have to observe for a while longer. Let’s deploy drones for surveillance. It seems the wrecked survey machine isn’t being targeted.”
“Yes, Commander. Akane, prepare the drones. Utsugi and Erika, continue monitoring until the drones take over. Ichi, adjust the orbit of the reconnaissance satellite. Ensure there are no gaps in surveillance. Olive, review the fuel resupply plan for the satellite.”
“Yes!”
“Okay!”
The Five Sisters cheerfully responded to Ringo’s orders and got to work.
“Asahi, you’ll assist me with data analysis.”
“Yes, Ma’am!”
Asahi, who had not been assigned a specific role within The Tree, became Eve’s assistant. Or rather, it was Eve who was assigned to Asahi. No one could predict what might happen if she let him wander off.
A full day and night had passed since the survey machine was shot down. During that time, there had been no movement in the grassland.
“Hmm. Still no signs of activity. Are they being cautious…?”
Some threat creature was believed to be lurking in the grassland. Since they had gone to the trouble of shooting down the wyvern, it was expected that they would come out to feed, yet there was absolutely no movement.
The wreckage of the downed survey machine was also left untouched.
“…………”
Meanwhile, Eve, who was receiving reports from Ringo, was still in bed. She was unable to move because Asahi had restrained her left arm.
Not that Asahi was sleeping; in fact, he had somehow class-changed into a 24-hour warrior, so he didn’t need to sleep. However, he insisted that sleeping alongside his older sister was important, so he remained as he was.
Currently, Asahi was apparently contemplating the threat creature lurking in the grassland. According to Ringo, one of the three Brain Units was in sleep mode, one was analyzing, and the last was controlling his body.
“We’ll continue to observe for at least a week. It would be ideal to completely destroy the wrecked survey machine, but given its location, we can’t take action for a while.”
The site was outside The Tree’s territory. Ideally, they would want to destroy the survey machine that had no hope of recovery, but doing so might provoke the lurking threat creature.
“Well, there’s no hostile civilization present, so leaving it for a while should be fine. If anything happens, we can always launch a missile.”
“Yes, Commander.”
The current time was 8 AM in The Tree’s time zone. It was about time to wake up. The other Five Sisters had not been sleeping at all; they were moving around to monitor the grassland.
Without feeling jealous that Asahi was the only one resting, they had instead pushed Eve and Asahi into the bedroom, as they usually slept together. They were good daughters.
“Alright. Asahi, it’s time to get up.”
“…Yes, Ma’am. By the way, I’d like to share my analysis results too!”
“Asahi, let’s wait until after breakfast for that. I’ll change first.”
As Asahi sprang up, Ringo handed her the uniform she had been holding. Indeed, there was no rush, and there was no need to do it in her sleepwear. Unlike Asahi, Eve needed to eat.
And so…
“Let’s eat!”
“Let’s eat!”
Everyone gathered for breakfast. Although Asahi could only consume liquid food, she was happily sitting next to Eve, so she didn’t seem to mind.
“That grassland still shows no signs of activity.”
While poking at her salad drizzled with dressing, Eve remarked, and Akane nodded in agreement.
“None. There’s been no response at all.”
During the attack, such intense heat—or rather, electromagnetic waves—had been released. It was undeniable that a threat creature capable of storing or generating high energy was lurking nearby.
“On the contrary, when comparing before and after, it seems the heat level has decreased. It could be that it released the energy it had stored.”
As Akane cracked a boiled egg against the table, she continued.
“Asahi, do you have any thoughts?”
Asahi, who had been sucking on a tube of nutrient paste, nodded vigorously when addressed.
“…Mmmph! Yes, leave it to me!”
Since she didn’t need to chew or portion her food, Asahi’s meal time was over. She downed her cup of water and jumped off her chair.
“Please listen while I eat!”
Asahi exclaimed, raising both hands. In sync with her movements, multiple projection monitors activated.
“I’ve considered various possibilities, but my top pick is this!”
The footage of the grassland zoomed in further.
“This leaf! It covers the entire grassland! While we’ve only been able to conduct passive observations, this plant seems to have an exceptionally high efficiency for absorbing electromagnetic waves!”
It was likely the result of analyzing the reflectivity of various frequencies. The reflectivity for wavelengths other than visible light, especially near the green spectrum, was quite low. If they captured the grassland using wavelengths outside the visible spectrum, it would appear dim overall. That area would seem as if it were shrouded in darkness.
Scientifically speaking, if it was dark despite being exposed to light, it meant that a significant amount of electromagnetic waves were being absorbed.
“It’s suspicious, isn’t it? I’ve heard from adventurers in North End City that there are plant-type threat creatures, so perhaps!!”
“…Are you saying there’s a plant-type threat creature in that grassland that fires Laser Cannons?”