“Should we dispatch a recovery team, Onee-sama!?”
“Too soon. Calm down.”
“The crash site is approximately 21km away, in the 1 o’clock direction from North End City. It’s about 7km north of the forest boundary. Since it’s in a region called the Demon Forest, Monsters could pose a threat.”
Information gathering on North End City hasn’t progressed much.
It’s the farthest city from ＜The Tree＞, over 2,300km away in a straight line, and the Spybot network construction is incomplete. However, we’ve assessed its threat level based on the city’s size and total population, and determined it’s not a problem for invasion.
In a few more days, we’d have gathered considerably more information, but at this point, we have almost no information about the Demon Forest.
“Should I use a Communicator Doll to ask the residents for information!?”
“Let’s leave that to the Local Strategic AI, okay?”
“I won’t allow Asahi to operate directly. Coordinate with the Local Strategic AI for any confirmations.”
“Eeeeh!? Why not!!”
There was no way we could entrust it to Asahi, who was rampaging in Telek Port City.
Moreover, she seemed to be using the three Brain Units effectively, moving around 24 hours a day without sleep. ＜Ringo＞ said she didn’t include such a function, so she must have done something herself.
Her tenacity was terrifying.
So, when recovering the Wyvern that crashed in the Demon Forest, we first need to confirm the threats.
Although we’ve only just seized North End City, we’ll pick out some of the more spirited residents and question them.
In parallel with this, ＜Ringo＞ began analyzing satellite images from before and after the Wyvern attack.
The area was last photographed about 4 hours before the attack.
After that, Unit 1 and Unit 3 passed overhead shortly after the start of the battle.
The first image was a wide-area shot, so the resolution wasn’t very high. The image from Unit 1 was in relatively good condition, and the figure of the flying Wyvern was clearly captured.
Unit 3’s image was the most detailed, as it had changed its orbit and altitude.
However, it was only able to capture images some time after the battle started. It would be useful for analyzing the Wyvern’s combat maneuvers, but it wasn’t enough to investigate where the Wyvern came from.
“Ma’am. I’ve analyzed the Wyvern’s movement path.”
From the Gigantia Squad’s radar information and satellite images, ＜Ringo＞ projected the approximate predicted route onto a map.
“In this satellite image from about 4 hours ago, we found a flying object that appears to be a Wyvern.
There is an object reflecting sunlight and the shadow it created at the foot of the Northern Mountain Range.
Estimating from the position of the shadow, the flight altitude is 600m to 800m.
It’s approximately 500km away from North End City.”
“…You’re saying it found us from 500km away and flew here?”
“If the flying object captured in this image is the same individual that engaged us, then that’s a possibility.”
Even for ＜The Tree＞, it would be impossible to detect a Dragon that was 500km away in an unexpected situation.
Well, if you say that we neglected to be cautious about the existence of a fantasy creature called a Dragon, even though we were warned about it, then maybe that’s the case.
“Well, it’s impossible, isn’t it?”
If we had at least some eyewitness information, it would have been different, but at least within the Afrasia United Kingdom, the Repuytari Kingdom, and even Amadio Salmon, no one knew of the existence of Dragons.
There were plenty of rumors, though.
“Perhaps the human race has never invaded a Dragon’s Territory before.
Or, even if they could invade, they were annihilated.”
“That’s likely. The Adventurers in this North End City don’t seem to be aggressive enough to traverse hundreds of kilometers through the unexplored forest and return.”
While immediately organizing the information the Communicator Doll had gathered, Commander (Eve) and ＜Ringo＞ continued their discussion.
“There are rumors of people who pushed forward in search of unexplored lands, but no one has ever returned.”
“There are also stories of bases being built in the forest, only to be attacked by Monsters immediately. It seems that territorial disputes frequently occur between Monsters as well.
When Adventurers hunt Monsters, Monsters from the surrounding area rush in to fill the vacant territory.”
Even with just a little information, it seemed to be a demonic region where bloody conflicts were repeated.
No, it truly is a demonic region.
“So, is it difficult to recover that Wyvern?”
“If we投入戦力を投入し、周辺の魔物を殲滅すれば、幾ばくか時間は稼げそうです。魔の森の浅層、おおよそ10km程度の範囲をそう呼んでいるようですね。
冒険者たちが普通に活動している範囲ですので、我々の装備であれば何とかなるでしょう」
“If we invest a large amount of forces and Zistroi the surrounding Monsters, we can buy some time. The shallow layer of the Demon Forest, about 10km, is what they call it.
Since it’s an area where Adventurers are normally active, we should be able to manage with our equipment.”
It was a somewhat optimistic opinion, but it wasn’t wrong. Commander (Eve) nodded and decided to dispatch a recovery team.
In the first place, such a huge creature had fallen from the sky.
Any creature with proper senses would be wary and not approach.
Whether Monsters have proper senses or not is unknown, though.
“Drop forces by air from Gigantia. Deploy Multi-legged Heavy Machines from transport aircraft to level the surrounding area. Once safety is secured, let’s send in Rotorcraft. I wonder if we can carry that size?”
“Yes, Ma’am. If we operate multiple of the developed large transport aircraft, suspending it should be possible. According to our estimates, the weight is expected to be around 2,000 tons.”
“2,000 tons, huh…”
That’s quite a weight. However, ultra-large transport Rotorcraft for transport have already been developed, and their load capacity far exceeds 100 tons. We’ll need 20 to 30 of them, but the AI will probably handle that control well.
“Asahi. Send transport aircraft from the base. Deploy Multi-legged Heavy Machines. The Gigantia Squad should lower their radar output and move to the site.”
“Yes, ＜Ringo＞. I will instruct them accordingly. Multi-legged Tanks will be operating in the forest for the first time, but will it be alright?”
“We’ll just have to let them learn on-site. Provide dense air cover with aircraft. Deploy Spybot groups at the same time.”
“Yeeees.”
The Multi-legged Tanks’ combat experience has all been in wilderness and urban areas so far.
They have no operational experience in complex, uneven terrain like forests.
However, they were originally combat machines designed for operation in complex, uneven terrain rather than wilderness or urban areas. In fact, they may be able to demonstrate their capabilities better in forest areas.
“Secure the base with Multi-legged Tanks. Eliminate surrounding threats with Multi-legged Attack Aircraft. Received a proposal for an operation outline from the Local Strategic AI. Approved the operation plan!”
“Okay, I endorse it.”
The Gigantia that had retreated and the Titan-class 3rd ship, Coeus, changed course. They began sailing towards the Demon Forest again.
The 2nd ship, Oceanus, continued to secure Airspace Control overhead.
Since the combat data feedback has already been reflected, even if the same Threat Creature attacks again, we’ll be able to repel it even more favorably.
“Well, finally a break…”
After confirming that much, she released the strength in her body.
She was definitely tired.
“Good work, Ma’am.”
“Wow. The fantasy level suddenly increased today. Knights who can cut down Multi-legged Tanks with a single sword, Adventurers who can stand up to our mechanical units. And to top it off, a Dragon that can disable a Titan-class with a single breath…”
“My condolences.”
“Onee-sama, the outside world is so much fun after all!!”
“Asahi is energetic…”
Well then, she braced herself and stood up from the command seat.
This time, the operation objectives were diverse, so the Five Sisters, from Akane to Olive, who have inferior direct processing capabilities, were on standby.
It would be good to relax and play with them.
Asahi isn’t in ＜The Tree＞, and since she seems to be enjoying her work, we’ll leave her alone. She’ll probably complain later, but it’s her fault for not being here.
If she wants to interact, she can come back.
“…Hmm? Is this how a parent feels, eagerly awaiting the return of a child who has left home…?”
While spouting nonsense, she (Eve) started walking towards the cafeteria where the Five Sisters were waiting.