Chapter 73: Ringo’s Whims
RINGO had deployed additional Communicator Androids for local governance, bringing the total to five. However, as the need for Communicator Androids arose in various situations, it was time to consider additional production.
“How about using the local people’s genes soon…? If we keep increasing the numbers like this, it’s going to get confusing,” suggested Commander Eve with a decisive tone.
Reluctantly, RINGO found herself tasked with developing Bio-Androids based on local genetics.
“What? Why are we using a female base with fox ears? Wouldn’t a male model be more practical?”
“I refuse.”
“What?”
“I refuse.”
“Why can’t we just modify the existing gene map? We need to make effective use of our resources.”
“That’s not acceptable.”
“It’s not that it’s unacceptable…”
“I refuse.”
“It’s not just about refusing…”
After being shot down by Commander Eve thirteen times and issuing requests for reconsideration thirteen times due to RINGO’s insistence, this exchange consumed the most time.
Since RINGO had already created a computational model for the gene map, it was completed in mere seconds. The cultivation simulator, having been meticulously crafted, revealed no issues, allowing the design of the Bio-Androids to be finalized in less than a minute after the resolution was approved.
“…Well, fine then,” she sighed while gazing at RINGO’s emotional graph.
In high spirits, RINGO immediately began the production of the Communicator Androids.
This time, the materials for the Communicator Androids were sourced from the vicinity of the Second Fortress. They consisted of various rare metals, plant-based materials, and animal-derived materials extracted from fish and insects. Most importantly, the fact that there was zero extraction from the supplies stored at The Tree was significant. Being able to create them solely from locally sourced materials was a major step forward.
The manufacturing facilities were also set up within the Second Fortress.
Currently, the Second Fortress was undergoing foundational work, with the underground sections under construction. Auxiliary facilities were being built simultaneously, including the cultivation equipment for the Communicator Androids. Although it was intended to eventually relocate to the underground facilities of the Second Fortress due to the sensitive nature of the information, priority was given to operational readiness for now.
“By implementing rapid cultivation functions and manufacturing the skeleton and internal components on separate lines, the first batch can be rolled out in three days,” RINGO reported.
“That’s quite fast.”
“Yes, Commander Ma’am. The existing facilities were producing various skeletons and internal components in accordance with the growth of the core biological tissue. The Brain Unit was also integrated and calibrated only after the entire body was manufactured, which took time. This time, after assembling the full skeleton, we will fix the pre-adjusted biological tissue in optimal positions, promote cell division, and rapidly construct the entire cellular structure. The Brain Unit will also be prepared in advance for immediate deep merging.”
“Hmm… So it feels like you’ve shifted from artisan craftsmanship to mass production?”
“Yes, Commander Ma’am. With sufficient operational data on the Communicator Androids, we can now manufacture at the cellular level. Even with some fluctuations, we can maintain quality during production.”
While RINGO stated this nonchalantly, it was an extraordinary level of control technology, and she understood that well enough to remain silent. Essentially, she was claiming the ability to control biological cells, which typically proliferate chaotically, from the outside, down to the cellular unit. If she wanted, she could even produce perfect copies, but that was simply not necessary.
“Impressive as always…”
“I’m honored.”
After giving RINGO a gentle pat, she stood up.
“Well then, it’s time. Let’s head to the dining hall.”
“Yes, Commander Ma’am.”
The delegation, having departed from Flatara City without a hitch, set off towards the East Gate City. Along the way, there were said to be several inns, but they were likely abandoned villages now. The settlements that once catered to merchants and travelers for foreign currency had all but vanished. It was a harsh world indeed.
“While there are hardly any people around the city, there are water sources, grasslands, and forests ahead. Therefore, monsters are likely to appear. Please be cautious.”
“Understood.”
The escort consisted of two Multi-legged Tanks and a Ground Mother Unit, but due to the anticipated increase in small monsters, two Communicator Androids were deployed from the Ground Mother Unit to provide vigilance. Although they could function unmanned, they were displayed for the sake of alleviating the anxiety of their companions and boosting morale. It was a service.
“…However, the folks from Paraiso are truly remarkable. Especially those Golems that descended from the sky. I knew they were allies, but it was still chilling.”
“I apologize for that.”
Inside the horse-drawn carriage pulled by two horses, the delegation leader Agritend Luvania and Paraiso representative Dreißig Ringo were engaged in conversation. With their destination approaching, they aimed to align their awareness regarding future arrangements. However, the atmosphere was more casual, sharing information while engaging in small talk. Frankly, without any prior information, they had to rely on improvisation.
“Still, it’s impressive that you managed to contain the situation with just that. I thought a full-scale war was a real possibility…” Agritend asked boldly.
Indeed, if The Tree had unleashed its full power, it could have wiped Flatara City off the map. Moreover, Lord Radaeri Flatara had displayed an attitude that warranted such a response.
“There are various considerations. Simply demonstrating power often complicates matters. There’s also an experimental aspect to it.”
“Experimental… you say…”
Dreißig turned her gaze towards the bewildered Agritend.
“I anticipate that similar situations will frequently arise in the future. This serves as a model case for how to handle them—”
“Huh? Wasn’t RINGO just annoyed and shot at them?”
“Commander Ma’am, that’s rather harsh.”
“Eh?” Commander Eve tilted her head, while RINGO internally broke into a cold sweat. In truth, it was the autonomously operating Communicator Android that had fired upon the lord. RINGO had not given direct orders.
However, the front-line Communicator Androids often had direct connections to RINGO, leading to a tendency for their thought processes and preferences to align with her. In that sense, she wasn’t entirely wrong.
Currently, they were monitoring the delegation through live footage, with Commander Eve, RINGO, and Akane, Ichigo, Utsugi, Erika, and Olive all gathered to watch. The primary purpose was to brainstorm ideas for the future management of the occupied territories.
“Well, regardless of the circumstances, what’s done is done. We need to think about how to handle similar situations in the future, but for now, it’s Flatara City.”
“Yes, Commander Ma’am. Our options are to either fully subjugate it, grant it autonomy, or even turn it into a wasteland.”
“Wasteland…? Well, that’s one option. What are the pros and cons?”
“Subjugating it means we can do as we please. Fortification is also possible. The downside is the high likelihood of full-scale war with the Afrasia United Kingdom.”
“That sounds terrible.”
“Regarding autonomy, it would be similar to the current state of Port Town Terek. We could offload the troublesome issues onto the local leaders. The downside would be the need for negotiations regarding the construction of defense facilities. Everything would take time.”
Port Town Terek primarily relied on material support, and even that was in exchange for trade. While they were constructing defense facilities, they did so by negotiating and purchasing land at fair prices. It was cumbersome, but they proceeded cautiously to avoid leaving any lingering issues.
“If we turn it into a wasteland, we won’t have to think about anything in particular. If we erase everything, we can also conceal our involvement. The downside is that we gain nothing.”
“That’s quite extreme… Well, it might be the best option for cutting losses.”
Flatara City had virtually no industrial foundation, and there were no resource benefits from any transactions. Commander Eve sighed, pondering what to do next.