Chapter 298: The Walk Begins
With continuous updates, let the adventure commence!
The Threat Creature classified as a Fenrir, known by the individual name Froze, was patrolling its territory as usual.
Emerging from the Demon Forest, it made its way toward a nearby abandoned village.
The village, destroyed during Froze’s initial attack, was now completely overrun by greenery. A type of plant-based monster known as the False Green Tree had flourished, forming a small forest within just a few months.
Froze wandered through the forest enveloping the abandoned village, using its keen eyes and nose to ensure no troublesome monsters or hostile creatures had intruded. As it moved, it rubbed its body against the trunks of the False Green Trees, marking its territory without fail.
After wandering through the forest for several hours, Froze exited and began walking again.
In a single day, it would cover about four abandoned villages or towns. By the time the sun began to set, it would arrive at the former Royal Capital. Although the False Green Trees had already taken root there, the sturdy foundations, stone walls, and fortifications remained intact. The crumbled Royal Castle at the center of the capital was Froze’s favorite resting place.
This territory patrol would likely revolve around that location, a conclusion drawn from past patrol records.
After a full day of observation, it was confirmed that this patrol followed the same route as before. Consequently, the A-Class Strategic AI Iris, responsible for the Prava Divine Nation area, determined that there were no obstacles to commencing operations.
“I have received a notification from Iris that preparations are complete.”
“The checklist has passed all criteria. The deviation rate from the expected model is less than 2%. Iris is awaiting final judgment.”
Hearing this report from the command seat, Eve nodded thoughtfully.
“I’ve also contacted Amagio. He’s on standby over there. Alright, let’s proceed. Akane, authorize the start of the operation.”
“Roger. I will announce the commencement of the operation, Walking the Dog.”
“I have received a response from Iris. Walking the Dog, commencing now.”
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“…That’s quite a flavorful operation name, isn’t it?”
“I affirm. The naming of such large-scale operations is primarily handled by the First Generation Akane. It succinctly conveys the operation’s content and has received high praise from the Commander.”
“…A parent stock, huh? Seems we share the same sensibility.”
Though Amagio, being an adult, refrained from voicing criticism, the Communicator Android Ashidancera, who had a somewhat better understanding of human nuances, cast a sidelong glance at Amagio.
“What is it?”
“Nothing much. But are we really going to provoke the Fenrir? Wouldn’t it have been better to leave it be?”
That was Amagio’s honest thought when he learned about this operation.
“There’s no need to throw stones at a sleeping dog. Isn’t there a possibility of unnecessary complications?”
“That concern has already been considered. If we leave the Fenrir unchecked, it is predicted that in two years, the area of the Demon Forest will expand southward by 13 kilometers, and the forest that has formed around the original villages and towns will grow to about 25 kilometers in circumference. If this rate of expansion continues, calculations suggest that in 50 to 80 years, the territory claimed by the Fenrir will be completely covered by forest. Therefore, it is necessary to take early action.”
Along with this explanation, simulation results were sent to Amagio. Even assuming a constant rate of expansion, it seemed the country would be engulfed by the forest within a century.
“…I see. Well, even if we fail, it won’t change the Fenrir’s territory. Since we have the available military strength, it’s not entirely wrong to engage. Unlike human nations, the loss of military strength doesn’t lead to a decline in national power.”
“Effective utilization of the automated machines slated for updates. Deployment of next-generation units has already begun.”
The automated machines under the control of The Tree not only required regular maintenance but also periodic equipment updates. Typically, equipment lifespan could be measured in years, but currently, The Tree was rapidly unlocking its technological tree.
As a result, equipment was becoming obsolete within months.
Moreover, with various mineral veins being secured one after another, resource production continued to rise.
In this situation, it was more costly to recycle outdated automated machines than to keep them operational.
“Additionally, conflicts with Threat Creatures will continue to arise. Until now, most encounters have been incidental, but this time we are initiating combat with preparations in place. Iris has determined this will provide valuable experience.”
“So it’s about gathering intelligence. That makes sense. Considering the expansion speed of Paraiso… no, The Tree, we will likely need to venture into the Demon Forest. That means exterminating monsters will also become necessary.”
“I affirm.”
To the north of The Tree’s current dominion lay an expansive area of the Demon Forest. Untouched land, a veritable treasure trove of resources.
From the resource distribution status within the exploration range, it was assumed that considerable mineral veins lay dormant within the Demon Forest as well. Thus, The Tree coveted that territory.
“Perhaps because we’re on a peninsula, our underground resources are rather meager. I hear the mainland has many exposed veins, so there’s hope there.”
“The Kingdom of Reputari is fundamentally similar to the Northern Continent. If we dig, we might find something, even beneath the sea.”
The territories controlled by human nations were merely a small part of the Northern Continent, limited to areas far from the Demon Forest. In that sense, developing the Demon Forest was far more efficient than cultivating the plains where humans lived, which was The Tree’s perspective. Of course, if one considered the future of humanity, that would not necessarily hold true. However, since the representative of humanity, Eve, did not wish for that, the immediate safety of human habitation was assured.
“If we can dig, that is. Also, we lack the technology to investigate the distribution of underground resources. Well, in another hundred years, that might change. For us, the policy is to leave it be, right?”
“I affirm. Older Sister’s gaze is not directed toward the human nations. She likely perceives them as just another crowd.”
For Eve, who did not venture outside The Tree Fortress, foreign lands were merely a narrative construct. Thus, unless they posed a direct threat to The Tree, she had no intention of actively engaging with them. Whether one viewed this as precarious or secure was likely a matter of ideology.
“Eve is a good girl. Well… I suppose it’s best if she stays just as she is.”
And that was likely Amagio’s true sentiment. For Amagio, who had regained over a century’s worth of memories, Eve was still a child taking her first steps. A gentle, non-violent ideal figure.
Given that she seemed somewhat satisfied with the current state of affairs, there was no need to expose her to humanity’s foolishness.
In the current power dynamics, the chances of anything going awry were minuscule, but should the need for clandestine actions arise…
“The behind-the-scenes work can be handled by you AI types, and I’ll take care of the rest. That’s the plan, right?”
“…At least, that is the intention of RINGO.”
A sweet, dreamlike world. RINGO was striving to create it. Among Akane and the other AIs, opinions were divided, but generally, they supported this vision.
However, to achieve it, the journey was still far from over. The Tree was greedily seeking resources.
“By the way, has your Trout Nursery achieved energy shield technology?”
“Huh? No, we haven’t reached the manufacturing stage yet. Hmm, there might be some obsolete items related to that among the mothballed weapons. I never got around to organizing the warehouse.”
At last, the green light has been given for the Great Fuzzy Ball Operation. Can Eve and her companions establish the hierarchy they seek?