“There are some minor issues, but overall it’s going as planned,” Eve muttered, gazing at the process chart.
The moment the number of Prawa Theocracy’s main force, the Warrior Monks and priests, differed from the initial estimates, the difficulty would change drastically. Moreover, they moved on their own, making it impossible to avoid discrepancies in the predicted force ratios.
Even so, the invasion plan accounted for that. The expected damage might fluctuate, but overall, things were progressing smoothly.
“The calculation of the Prawa Theocracy’s overall military strength is complete. We’ve also gathered data that allows for real-time measurement on the battlefield. The fall of the Holy Capital should proceed without issue. The enemy’s troop concentration speed is also within the expected range.”
Commander Eve nodded at ＜Ringo＞’s boastful explanation. It was indeed satisfying to see things proceed as planned, and apparently, the AIs felt the same way.
“＜Ringo＞, how are the resources looking?”
“Yes, Ma’am. Resource exploration is proceeding smoothly. The coastal control is also on schedule. We are currently constructing a breakwater for the port construction. Unloading of the lode excavation equipment will begin in five days.”
Currently, Yakari Port, which served as the invasion base, was filled to capacity with combat machinery being unloaded.
They could expand it sideways, but resource-related facilities required warehouses and loading equipment, making the current space cramped. Therefore, they were planning to construct a port at a convenient location along the wide coastline facing the open sea.
“You’ve really gotten the hang of base construction, haven’t you?”
“Thank you, Ma’am.”
Base construction utilized the Class-O Strategic AI, Olive, as its backbone. Olive seemed busy overseeing the initial startup and providing thought support.
The same went for Utsugi and Erika, who were assisting the invasion force’s AIs. They were playing a major role in supporting the Class-U and Class-E Tactical AIs that managed the continuously deployed combat machinery.
“I suppose we’ve found most of the lodes that can be spotted from the air. We don’t know the reserves yet, but they seem to be quite widely distributed.”
“Yes, Ma’am. From an economic activity standpoint, many locations wouldn’t be profitable, but that’s not much of a concern for us.”
Mining operations required solving the issue of profitability when done by human hands. However, SF mechanical civilization forcefully bypassed that problem.
Of course, there was still a profitability line, as deploying work machinery in harsh environments would lead to unacceptable levels of wear and tear. However, that line was considerably lower compared to ordinary civilizations.
In particular, they had an abundance of time and energy to spare.
The amount of resources they could deploy was on a different scale.
“We’ve already landed work machinery at the lodes near the new base. Geological surveys are underway, but they look quite promising. Copper ore and gold content have been confirmed near the surface. There may be a gold lode nearby.”
“Hee, gold, huh? Weren’t we recovering that from the hydrothermal deposits?”
“Yes, Ma’am. However, gold is an extremely valuable material for electronic components. The more we have, the better.”
Currently, the machinery made by ＜The Tree＞ operated primarily on electrical energy. Therefore, gold, which didn’t corrode in the air and had high electrical conductivity, was a useful material. In terms of utilizing thermal energy, gold also had an advantage due to its high thermal conductivity. Copper and silver were also high-performing, but they had oxidation issues.
“In human society, it’s used as currency, right?”
“Yes, Ma’am. In that sense, the Jötunn might appear extremely valuable in their eyes.”
The Land Battleship Jötunn was manufactured using a large amount of resources. It was equipped with three fusion reactors, which were powerful power plants, and many precious metals were used extensively to efficiently utilize the enormous energy generated.
For example, if the Jötunn were to be defeated and captured by the enemy, it could provide enough precious metals to cover several decades’ worth of demand in this world.
Well, even if that happened, they would be exposed to harmful heavy metals and compounds.
It would be a mine of death.
“Well, it’s good to have more promising lodes. Resource production is skyrocketing!”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
◇◇◇◇
“Onee-sama doesn’t seem to be concerned, but that Amadio guy’s base, Trout Nursery, was it? I wonder why it was attacked by a horde of Threat Creatures?”
“Insufficient information. Unable to predict.”
Inside the airship soaring through the sky, Asahi, bored, was chatting with ＜Ringo＞.
“If it suddenly appeared in a place like that, I could understand Threat Creatures that had been claiming the territory attacking it. But, looking at the data you showed me earlier, they’re swarming in like in an old tower defense game.”
“Tower defense? I see, that’s an apt description.”
Presented with an example from an ancient game, ＜Ringo＞ searched its library for information. It was a general term for games where you built facilities to defend a base and Zistroi waves of enemies.
Certainly, the situation where they had to keep repelling swarms of Threat Creatures was similar to a tower defense game.
“So, I think it’s correct to assume that there was something at Trout Nursery that attracted Threat Creatures. What do you think it is?”
“Insufficient information. Unable to predict.”
It was the same answer as before, but Asahi didn’t seem to mind.
It seemed that ＜Ringo＞’s response was as expected.
“I wonder what it could be. Something that was at Trout Nursery. Or, maybe it’s still there? How interesting, my imagination is running wild!”
“If it’s still there, wouldn’t that be terrible?”
“Ah, that’s true. Then, at least for now, things must be calm. Even so.”
Asahi looked back at the luggage loaded with her.
“Is there a difference between ＜The Tree＞, the place Asahi and the others protect, and Trout Nursery? Don’t you think this is information we need to be careful about?”
“Agreed. This is certainly information that should be examined urgently.”
And, after a flight of about an hour.
Asahi, holding an attaché case, stepped onto the pier.
“Onee-sama, Asahi is back!!”
“Welcome back, Asahi. Now, let’s get you overhauled.”
“W-w-w-wait a minute! Just 10 minutes, please wait!”
Asahi was about to be captured without question, but this time she had spoken to ＜Ringo＞ in advance. It was okay.
“Ma’am. There are matters that should be confirmed first, so capture should be after that. I’ve made preparations.”
“Oh, is that so? What is it, Asahi?”
After flustering for a moment, Asahi placed the attaché case on the floor.
“Onee-sama, this is a Maso Meter! I’ve made a certain number of them, so I brought one to show off!”
When the lock was released, the lid opened with a click.
The inside was decorated gaudily, but in the end, what mattered was the number displayed. The rest was occupied by communication devices, energy packs, and nutrient tubes to supply the biological cells.
“I did some research over there and set the baseline to zero at the place with the lowest Maso concentration. And, I’ve adjusted it to display the Maso Density as a percentage, with the center of North End City as 100!”
“Oh. I see, so this is a magical tool? Certainly, it’s the first time I’ve seen one in person. You brought it all the way here.”
“Yes, Onee-sama! Please praise me!”
“Asahi is so honest with her desires, she’s so cute…”
After ruffling Asahi’s chest, who was puffing it out proudly, Eve turned her eyes to the Maso Meter placed on the floor.
“Um, Asahi? It seems to be over 1,000%, but is this correct? Is it broken?”
“Huh?”
The hardworking sisters are buried in their dedicated chairs in the Command Room, working away.
Mostly wireless communication. Onee-sama occasionally walks around to pat their heads.