Chapter 215: Another Player
“Am I really the one who has to step in?”
“I deeply apologize, but we must utilize everything at our disposal if we are to resist… that is our judgment.”
“Hmm…”
Amagio Silverhead, the Eternal Duke of the Kingdom of Repuitari and the Chief General of the Technology Bureau, pondered.
The setting was a bar reserved for officers within the Navy Ministry. The cozy establishment housed only Amagio and one other person, the Grand Admiral Alban Breias. Normally, there would be a larger gathering, but today it was exclusively booked.
This alone indicated the weight of the discussion at hand.
“I haven’t faced them directly, so I can’t say for sure. Are they really that strong?”
“Even if we wanted to conduct direct reconnaissance, we are still too far away. There are no proper port facilities in that area, making it difficult to send personnel.”
“It’s too much. That’s why I said we should crack down on piracy.”
“I have no excuse.”
Amagio sighed, swirling the glass in his hand.
The ice clinked softly.
“Well, what’s done is done. What information do we have about them? Logically speaking, their invasion speed is far too rapid.”
“Yes. The main force of the Prava Divine Nation consists of monk soldiers. These monk soldiers are an all-encompassing army made up entirely of magic warriors. In that country, anyone capable of using magic is conscripted as a monk soldier.”
“…I see. Just hearing that makes me want to run away.”
Magic warriors. This term collectively refers to warriors who can wield magic in some form.
“Thanks to their enhanced physical abilities, they can invade faster than horses. They can operate day or night and carry heavy equipment on their own. They could conquer a stone fortress in a single night. They can replicate the impact of a battering ram with just their bodies.”
“Walking tanks, then.”
“Indeed. They can be operated similarly to the battle machines known as tanks, which you taught me about long ago, Amagio-sama. The problem is that each monk soldier possesses such power individually.”
While the Prava Divine Nation does not publicly disclose its population or military scale, estimates have been made through intelligence gathering.
“If individuals with tank-like strength are operating in the thousands, then no nation could possibly counter them.”
“They attack cities, dismantle military forces, and after crushing any resistance, they station multiple soldiers for law enforcement. The resources they seize are carried back with them. Those who can work are sent back to the homeland as serfs. With just a few monk soldiers, they can suppress any rebellion, and they can transport a large amount of supplies for their returning troops.”
“They’re like a jack-in-the-box…”
In reality, monk soldiers are exceptionally capable units. Their attack power is high due to magic, and their mobility is also at a high level. They can be utilized as heavy machinery.
“The most troublesome aspect is their loyalty. They are fundamentally devoted to their missions and humanitarian. In occupied territories, riots are unlikely to occur, and as long as you do not oppose them, you won’t be treated harshly.”
“That makes it difficult to organize a resistance. While long-term solutions can be devised, short-term counterattacks are nearly impossible.”
Moreover, their ability to conduct long-term marches without supply lines is due to their capabilities.
“They can take down cities with a small force. They repeatedly conquer cities, resupplying in the ones they take before moving on to the next. As they advance, the front lines extend, so their invasion speed decreases, but it is safe to assume that everything they pass through is fundamentally indoctrinated.”
“They’re not just a standout invasion force. Since they operate as units, it’s also difficult to settle things in a decisive battle…”
“Just the merging of a few surrounding units can provide enough strength for a decisive battle, which is why other nations cannot contain them.”
Due to their excessively high combat capabilities, even a small force cannot buy time. A larger force is necessary to crush them, but while gathering troops, they may be detected and counterattacked.
“To counter them… would deploying machine guns be effective?”
“Perhaps. However, the machine guns we operate are fixed installations. We have difficulties with deployment speed.”
“We have no choice but to prepare a defensive position. I’ll leave the selection of the ambush points to you, but we still lack sufficient ground forces.”
If they stood idly by, it would be too late. Ideally, they would want to organize a counter-invasion.
“We can gather the numbers. However, we are overwhelmingly short on equipment.”
“That is the biggest problem. The higher-ups are pressing me to see if you can do something about it, Amagio-sama…”
Alban Breias lowered his head apologetically, prompting another sigh from Amagio.
“There are things I can do and things I cannot. I cannot create weapons from nothing. However… I do have an idea.”
“Yes… If we could somehow gain their cooperation…”
“I’ve said it before. This is a devil’s whisper. One misstep, and our nation will…”
The Kingdom of Repuitari is currently engaged in trade with a formidable entity.
An isolated nation with overwhelming power, Paraiso.
Even the exquisite glasses they were drinking from, the ice within, and the cocktail ingredients were all products of Paraiso. While the ice itself was made within the bar, the ice-making machine was purchased from Paraiso.
“I don’t expect military strength from them. If that were the case, our nation would simply become a vassal state. However, if we could negotiate for the supply of weapons and ammunition in exchange for something…”
“Well, we can always catch up on technology later. I won’t refuse. After all, technology without a foundation cannot develop, but in a crisis for the nation’s survival, we may not have the luxury to avoid such matters.”
Paraiso’s national power is formidable. In no time, the Kingdom of Repuitari was engulfed by the Paraiso economic sphere. Now, the port in the capital, Moa, has effectively become exclusive to Paraiso. Day and night, Paraiso’s transport ships come and go, continuously exchanging vast amounts of goods.
“Well, I understand your resolve. I will engage in negotiations. This is the path you have chosen.”
“Thank you very much.”
“The ideal scenario would be to attract manufacturing facilities. At the very least, we need to import weapons. As for technology transfer… well, I think the ladies would likely agree to that…”
“…Your words are reassuring.”
“I’ll make it clear. I can convey requests and negotiate, but I am not in a position to demand anything from them. Don’t misunderstand; we are the ones asking for help.”
“I fully understand. There are still some fools who misunderstand, but we will keep that in check.”
“That’s good. If you cause any trouble, I will personally crush you.”
“Understood. I will take that to heart.”
◇◇◇◇
“Haah…”
Returning to his room, Amagio Salmon let out a sigh.
“I suppose it’s time for me to make up my mind.”
Months had passed since the initial meeting with Paraiso.
He had been troubled by it all.
His conversation with Eve, the leader of Paraiso.
The activities of Paraiso thus far and their intended direction.
Amagio Salmon steeled himself and removed one of his own restraints.
“Ugh…”
The information processing device he had sealed away within himself. Since the day he learned of Paraiso’s existence, he had been managing to repair it with limited resources, and now, after 120 years, he activated it once more.
“Good morning, Commander.”
“…It’s been a while, Assistant.”
“Yes, Commander. Affirmative. It has been 122 years, 16 days, 11 hours, and 26 minutes.”
Amagio had no way of verifying whether that duration was accurate. However, the length of time that had passed made him sigh once more.
“Let’s get to work. Are there any connection points available within the communication domain?”
“Yes, Commander. I will begin the search.”
His assistant operated using a part of the information processing device within his mind. Therefore, its processing speed could hardly be described as fast. Originally, it was an intelligence entity (AI) designed to operate using external computational resources. However, it could still perform the minimum required tasks.
“Search complete. One common device detected. Twelve connection points from other factions have been confirmed.”
As expected.
He tapped commands in his mind and expanded the display frequency range of his vision.
Electromagnetic waves outside the visible spectrum flooded into Amagio’s sight like a filter.
“…I expected as much, but this is completely overrun.”
The electromagnetic waves operated by Paraiso filled Amagio’s vision.