Chapter 281: The Web of Secrets Within the City
“The analysis of the data is complete. May I report?”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
Akane stood before Eve, who was seated in the command chair, and began her report. While AI could share data instantly through communication, Eve, being human, required explanations through words and visuals.
Although biological modification was possible, Eve had not felt the need for it thus far. This was partly because Ringo had not actively recommended it.
“First, let’s evaluate our combat capabilities accurately.”
Currently, they had prepared humanoid-sized bipedal machines, quadrupedal attack units, quadrupedal tanks, hexapodal multi-legged tanks, ground mother units, and land battleships. While they could also produce multi-wheeled vehicles and tracked units, they had not yet deployed them within the Prava Divine Nation.
“If we’re dealing with a typical human nation, quadrupedal tanks would suffice. However, against high-performance units like the monk soldiers of the Divine Nation, we would be somewhat underpowered. We need to deploy our main multi-legged tanks.”
For units up to the level of the High Priest of the Divine Nation, deploying the main multi-legged tanks would be sufficient. While quadrupedal tanks could also manage, the attrition rate would increase, making it ultimately inefficient.
“Iris has accumulated ample combat experience. I believe we can effectively suppress them by deploying the main multi-legged tanks.”
“That’s true. It’s more than we anticipated, but still within the expected range.”
“The scenario set by Ringo is manageable. Iris has proposed a re-invasion one week from now.”
With a week, they could recover all lost combat power. The main multi-legged tanks were already prepared, so the focus would be on rebuilding the quadrupedal tanks and the land battleship, Yotun. Since Yotun could not be constructed at the Divine Nation’s base, transportation would be required from the Second Fortress (Black Iron).
“The force reconstruction plan has been registered. Production of the quadrupedal tanks has already reached 8% of the specified amount.”
“Oh, thank you, Iris. Resource production is going smoothly. It seems we can recover enough for the war expenses. We were richer than expected.”
Iris presented a graph of the anticipated recovery of combat power and the resource production status within the Divine Nation. It included results from the survey of discovered ore deposits and the production rates of several mines that had begun extraction.
“As for the Divine Nation, the balance between consumed resources and produced resources is expected to turn positive within a few weeks. We are already covering all production equipment needs with resources produced within the Divine Nation.”
“Right, right. Transportation costs can be outrageous.”
Transporting automated machines produced at a different base incurs significant costs. It’s not just about the fuel needed to move them; large transport vessels and self-propelled machines for land transport add to the expenses. If they were to lay down railways, the maintenance costs would also be considerable. Most importantly, it takes time. While mined resources can be replenished, the time spent cannot be regained.
“The necessary production bases, including backups, have been completed. For the time being, production resources will be allocated to fortress construction. We will continue to produce invasion forces.”
After conquering the Holy Capital, they would proceed to subjugate the northern part of the Divine Nation. Additionally, negotiations with the unit referred to as Chimiya would be necessary. However, the priority was to eliminate the forces in the Holy Capital first.
“Now, it’s my turn~”
Erika spun around and stood up from her seat. Akane nodded and returned to her own seat.
“We didn’t deploy aerial forces for the initial attack, so I measured various factors. If we deploy aerial forces, we can handle units at the level of that Bishop (Yepisukop)!”
With bombers flying at speeds over 900 km/h and supersonic fighters, they could launch attacks without being detected.
“If we combine it with the Gigantia unit, deploying two units could potentially suppress even the Archbishop (Alhiepisukop).”
The Gigantia unit consisted of one aerial carrier (Gigantia) and four aerial escort ships (Titan). With the numerous artillery pieces mounted on Gigantia and Titan, along with the striking power of the aircraft they launched, they predicted they could take down the Archbishop.
“Can we withstand ballistic missiles, though?”
With weights falling from directly above at speeds approaching Mach 10, they could potentially strike before being detected. Even if they didn’t hit directly, a near miss could yield significant effects.
“Thank you, Erika. So, does this mean we can eliminate all the monk soldiers in the next invasion?”
“Exactly! Of course, that’s only if we properly commit our forces!”
This meant that limited force deployment, like the previous attempt, would not suffice. However, they had gathered ample intelligence. Now, all that remained was to crush them.
“What concerns me is that we couldn’t confirm the Pope’s presence, and the Chimiya didn’t show up either.”
“…If strength and rank are correlated, then the Pope’s strength remains an uncertain factor. But is the Pope determined solely by strength?”
During the previous invasion, the forces of the Holy Capital had been in a dire state. The consensus among the AIs was that it was unlikely they still had hidden forces to spare in such a critical situation. The absence of the Chimiya was understandable, as their command structure seemed fundamentally different.
“Unknown, Ma’am. However, since their structure promotes advancement through military might, it is highly probable that the top ranks are determined by intellect rather than brute strength.”
The Prava Divine Nation was, at least at this point, among the more successful in terms of governance. If leadership were determined solely by physical power (or magical prowess), it would be impossible to maintain such a stable societal structure. It was also possible that the Pope possessed both high intellect and strength.
“Well, I suppose the only way to confirm is to clash with them again. Alright, I understand the next invasion plan. Do your best.”
“Leave it to me~”
Erika and the tactical AIs, led by her, would control all automated machines on-site. They would primarily participate from within the Gigantia.
“Now, Sister! We need to check the magical barrier surrounding the Holy Capital!”
The last thing to confirm was the barrier that enveloped the walls and the skies above. It was assumed that the source of this barrier was a massive magic stone installed in the center of the Holy Capital.
“As for the size of the magic stone, it seems to be at least a size larger than both the Wyvern and the Rain Croin! In terms of volume, it appears to be roughly double!”
The magic stones recovered from within the Wyvern and the Rain Croin were measured, and the results indicated that the one in the Holy Capital was significantly larger.
“Indeed. If we consider the size of the Mountain Boar, it might possess a magic stone of that size!”
The Mountain Boar was a gigantic boar observed in the Forest Country (Lebresta). While its size was comparable to that of a Wyvern, its volume and mass were estimated to be several times greater. It was certainly plausible that such a massive creature would harbor a colossal magic stone within its body.
“Well, we can’t deduce the origin of the magic stone just by guessing! The important thing is the mechanism behind the barrier’s generation!”
The invading bots had been largely exterminated by the monk soldiers, and the real-time data coming in had decreased. However, they had managed to gather high-precision information thanks to a temporary surge in deployed bots.
“From that magic stone, there seemed to be something like cables extending toward the walls through a pedestal! It didn’t appear to be metal, so detection was quite challenging!”
It seemed that a pipe-like structure had been buried underground to lay those mysterious cables, which radiated outward in six directions from the magic stone, reaching the walls.
“I managed to excavate a portion for inspection, and it is likely some sort of biological vein!”
“…A vein?”
“Yes, Sister! Of course, it wasn’t flowing with blood! But it was clearly a tube made of biological cells, so it must be a vein!”
It appeared that tubes made of biological cells connected to the magic stone were buried in the ground, extending all the way to the walls. While they could not confirm what lay beyond, it was presumed that similar structures were also spread throughout the interior of the walls.
“…So, what you’re saying is that a magic stone and veins taken from some kind of monster are buried throughout the entire city?”
“Yes, Sister!”
Creating magic tools from materials derived from monsters is a staple in fantasy worlds, isn’t it? It’s a classic trope, but after writing this, I can’t help but feel it’s a bit grotesque. Why is that?