Episode 170: The World Map
“Using only optical observation, we’ve managed to create a world map of sorts.”
“Oh? Finally?”
A large aerial display appeared in front of Commander (Eve).
It was a three-dimensional representation of the planet.
“Hmm?”
“The equatorial circumference is approximately 67,990km. ＜The Tree＞ is located here, about 350km north of the equator. And 1,000km north of that is the Northern Continent.”
“I knew that much from the aerial photography we’ve done so far. Hmm, seeing it as a globe like this, this planet is huge…”
Indeed it was.
On Earth, where Eve used to live, the equatorial circumference is 40,075km. This planet was about 1.7 times larger.
Because the scale of Earth was automatically unfolding in her mind, she felt that the Northern Continent was close, even though it was 1,000km away.
“Well, that’s fine. So the Northern Continent looks like this.”
The map was created by stitching together aerial photographs taken from satellite orbit, so it was reproduced in detail.
Eve’s expression brightened as she saw the image of the planet she lived on for the first time.
“Let’s start with an overview.”
＜Ringo＞ began to explain for Ma’am.
“We have completed a full circumference scan and identified all the continents on the planet. There are six continents in total: the Northern Continent, where our current base is located, the Southern Continent, far south of ＜The Tree＞, and four other continents around them.”
71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by ocean.
On the other hand, 78% of this planet is ocean.
“However, compared to Earth, its surface area is about three times larger, and its land area is just over twice as large. At this point, we don’t even have a prospect for surface exploration.”
Simply increasing the number of satellites deployed would increase the area that could be confirmed.
However, there was a reason why they could not easily choose that option.
“In the end, the ecology of the Threat Creatures is still unknown. We don’t know what kinds there are, and we have no way to investigate…”
What she feared was not knowing what kind of reaction there would be when they increased the number of satellites flying in the sky.
Especially those Wyverns.
“Wyverns have the ability to sense and emit microwaves. If we increase the number of satellites too easily, we cannot rule out the possibility that they will detect them.”
“And that breath of theirs. In the end, isn’t that the same principle as a Charged Particle Cannon? If they shoot it upwards, it might reach satellite orbit.”
“Yes, Ma’am. The higher up you go, the fewer atmospheric molecules there are, so there is a good chance of that.”
Of course, the power would be attenuated accordingly at an altitude of several hundred kilometers. However, satellites do not have proper armor in the first place to reduce weight.
The electronic equipment they carry is also vulnerable to disturbances.
If a Charged Particle hit them directly, they would easily lose function.
“Well, the basic policy is to be inconspicuous and quiet. For the time being, we have no choice but to build up our strength.”
With the level of civilization that can be observed at present, they cannot interfere with satellite orbit.
How easy it would be if they could judge that.
“So, for the time being, it’s the Northern Continent. Does it have an official name?”
“In the Repuytari Kingdom, it is simply called ＜Mother Earth (Grand Earth)＞. The concept of continents and planets is not generally widespread. Therefore, there is no unified way of calling it.”
Currently, in the civilization where ＜The Tree＞ has contact, the concept that they live on a spherical planet seems to be spreading as general knowledge.
However, it is difficult to say that they fully understand it with scientific accuracy.
Well, uniform education for the general public is not carried out in the first place. It is only natural.
“The Repuytari Kingdom has the most advanced education. We have not yet had direct contact with other countries, but there are probably no countries more advanced than the Repuytari Kingdom.”
Currently, the Afrasia United Kingdom is under the control of ＜The Tree＞.
To the east of it lies the Forest Country (Lebresta). Although they have made contact with it, its level of civilization is not yet well understood.
And, looking to the east, further east than Lebresta, there are some countries or groups of countries.
“From aerial photography alone, we have confirmed the existence of cities or city-states. The amount of heat generated at night is low, so the level of civilization does not seem to be very high. They can be found on plains, in mountains, and along the coast, and they seem to be actively interacting with each other.”
In the southeast of the continent, there are several islands and archipelagos.
Several cities of considerable size have been confirmed on these as well, and economic activity seems to be thriving.
“The level of civilization is not much different here either. According to video analysis, ships-of-the-line are the mainstream. We have not been able to confirm their land forces, but we assume that the Repuytari Kingdom is one step ahead.”
In that sense, these countries do not seem to be much of a threat either.
It seemed that there would be no major progress even if they were left alone for the time being.
“And in the northeast, from the foot to the middle of the North Wall Mountains. There also seems to be a country or group of countries.”
The North Wall Mountains are a series of peaks that rise to a height of over 10,000m. The foot of these mountains spreads out relatively gently, and there are many cities there as well.
However, the places where people live are concentrated in open areas.
What is completely devoid of human activity is the ＜Demon Forest＞, which also exists in the northern Afrasia United Kingdom. This covers as much as 80% of the foot of the North Wall Mountains.
“And countries are also spreading to the west of the Afrasia United Kingdom.
First, the group of countries including the Wheat Country (Weizenland).
From the north, the Tenber Empire, the Karl Redia Empire, the Wheat Country, the Diaratorain Kingdom, and the Soltia Merchant Republic.
The Ironia Kingdom on the Repuytari Kingdom side.
And the Repuytari Kingdom.
There are also several countries north of the Repuytari Kingdom.
Furthermore, there are some countries or groups of countries to the west.
They seem to be simply called the Divine Nation forces, but we have not conducted an accurate survey.”
Here, too, the level of civilization seems to be below that of the Repuytari Kingdom.
Because this information is coming in, ＜The Tree＞ can focus on consolidating its power in the Afrasia United Kingdom.
“Finally, further north of the North Wall Mountains. Here, too, there are plains, although not as many as in the south, and we have confirmed the existence of some countries or groups of countries.
In any case, the amount of heat generated at night is low, so it is estimated that there is no major difference in the level of civilization.”
In the end, from the result that the satellites were operating without any problems, it was determined that there was no threatening scientific civilization.
Slowly solidify the ground and expand the power.
This is the basic policy of ＜The Tree＞, and by extension, ＜Ringo＞.
“However, the immediate problem is the Threat Creatures that we have encountered so many times.”
Human forces themselves cannot be a threat to ＜The Tree＞.
However, there are creatures that are a threat.
“Wyverns, or similar Threat Creatures, have been confirmed to inhabit a wide area of the North Wall Mountains.”
Because the images are from satellites, there are limits to the resolution.
However, even so, if a creature the size of a Wyvern was flying in the air, it would be possible to distinguish it.
“Furthermore, even limited to the Demon Forest, unnatural breaks in the vegetation, probably traces of movement, have been confirmed. It is clearly huge and long, and unnatural. There is almost no doubt that such a huge creature exists and is moving.”
What ＜Ringo＞ displayed was a line drawn in the Demon Forest. Although it was already covered with trees, traces of something knocking down the trees as it moved could be clearly confirmed.
“In the future, these Threat Creatures will be the biggest threat that ＜The Tree＞ must deal with.”
“That’s troubling…”
The immediate task is to deal with the Threat Creatures that exist within the territory of the Afrasia United Kingdom.
Presumably, there are a large number of Worms that they have defeated before.
“Also, in this Demon Forest, we have confirmed many signs of life at night, probably heat sources that appear to be bonfires. In the countries bordering the Demon Forest, it seems that they are naturally trying to conquer or develop the Demon Forest.”
Even the Afrasia United Kingdom, whose national power was dying, was attacking the Demon Forest, and in fact, one city was completed just by doing that.
This Demon Forest may be a gold mine economically.
“I want to investigate this Demon Forest as well. Should we focus on this for the time being? It seems like it would be helpful in analyzing the magic power of this world.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Analyzing magic is also an urgent task in order to counter Threat Creatures. Let’s build a forward base separate from North End City.”