Chapter 85: The Emergence of the Typhoon
That day, rain had been falling continuously since morning. Given the location of The Tree, this was quite rare; a gentle drizzle persisted for hours.
“You’re right. Rain typically falls like this, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, Ma’am. However, unfortunately, this area is experiencing what could be considered abnormal weather.”
“I know that,” she replied with a laugh at Ringo’s observation. The Tree was situated near the equator (though over 1,000 kilometers away), and it belonged to a tropical climate. Thus, when it rained, it usually poured in heavy downpours accompanied by fierce winds, all within a short span of time. A day like today, with calm winds and continuous rain, was a cause for concern.
“Due to the differences between Earth and this environment, accurate predictions are challenging, but it seems that a massive low-pressure system, commonly referred to as a cyclone or typhoon, has formed far away and is dragging rain clouds toward us. If we had a weather satellite, we could observe it more accurately.”
“Well, it’s good enough that we can observe it from above. It’s not heading directly toward us, is it?”
The Tree was a strategic fortress, built with the consideration that it might become the frontline in certain situations. Even if exposed to a cyclone with wind speeds of 70 m/s, its structure could withstand it with ease. However, all external structures needed to be reinforced against the wind, and the ships and drones deployed around it would also need to be secured. Additionally, any simple structures like antennas installed outside would likely need to be abandoned. While a direct hit from a cyclone wouldn’t cause significant damage, minor damages would still occur, so ideally, it wouldn’t come this way.
“Yes, Ma’am. A low-pressure system has formed 300 kilometers off the eastern coast and is rapidly moving north. Based on its trajectory, it is expected to veer slightly east of the Afrasia United Kingdom and make landfall on the coast of the Forest Country, Lebresta. However, due to the lack of weather data, its path could deviate by about 2,000 kilometers east or west.”
“…So, that means we don’t know where it will land?”
“Yes, Ma’am. That is correct.”
Ringo replied nonchalantly, but she wasn’t overly worried. The Second Fortress lay along the predicted path, but the chances of a direct hit were slim. The absence of past weather data meant that various possibilities had to be considered, resulting in an uncertain final trajectory. Nonetheless, Ringo continued to refine and calculate theoretical models. Unless some unknown phenomenon unique to this planet occurred, the path would likely follow Ringo’s predictions.
“Hmm. But I wonder if we’ll be okay if a storm of this magnitude makes landfall?”
For instance, if it were to strike Port Town of Terek directly.
It was easy to imagine the devastation that would ensue without needing to run a simulation.
“I checked with Port Town of Terek, and it seems there have been several significant storms in the past. Both resulted in catastrophic damage, essentially leaving everything in ruins. However, they had anticipated such events and had prepared by building basements and sturdy storage facilities. This low-pressure system this summer will cause destruction, but it should avoid total annihilation.”
“Is that really okay…?”
“Well, that’s just how natural disasters are. If the damage is manageable, they likely consider it acceptable. In that sense, the prevalence of relatively easy-to-build yet structurally weak buildings might be a characteristic of the region.”
In any case, this storm had little to do with Port Town of Terek. Recently, trade with other countries had ceased, and only the Paraiso was making trips, leaving Terek in a state of information blackout. No updates regarding the storm had reached them.
“Still, this rain…”
She grumbled as she sank into the reclining chair. Beside her, Ringo stood by, watching her every move. She (Eve) was in the all-weather terrace on the observation deck. It was constructed using a meticulously adjusted glass thin film to minimize the refractive index of visible light to the extreme. Its strength was high enough that a standard cannonball would leave no mark.
Moreover, due to its layered structure, it wouldn’t shatter into pieces the moment it was scratched like regular tempered glass. At most, only the outer glass layer would break.
The transparency was exceptionally high, and harmful ultraviolet and infrared rays were cut to some extent, making it an ideal setup for lounging in the sunlight while daydreaming. Positioned about 50 meters above the sea, the view was splendid. On rainy days like today, visibility was poor, but that was part of the charm.
“We’re negotiating with the Forest Country (Lebresta), but… that low-pressure system lacks any real intensity. Can we call it a typhoon?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“That tropical storm (typhoon) seems poised to make landfall in Lebresta, right? Is that going to be a problem?”
“Yes, Ma’am. According to predictions, it will rapidly weaken after making landfall, and after moving a few hundred kilometers inland, it will simply become a low-pressure system. At most, it might bring some heavy rain. Rather than causing damage, it is expected to be a blessing in disguise.”
“Oh, is that so?”
While she hadn’t gathered much information about the land conditions of the Forest Country (Lebresta), from her distant observations, it was clear that not the entire country was covered in forest.
The coastline stretched for hundreds of kilometers with desert areas, completely barren. Inland, about 70 to 80 percent was covered in forest, with varied terrain. Green plains dotted the landscape, and large lakes had been observed. The scarcity of plains might suggest it was unsuitable for habitation, but it seemed the people of Lebresta preferred living within the forests. According to the Lebresta ambassador, most lived in the woods, while those residing in the plains were considered eccentric.
“The desert area in front will likely be quite tumultuous, but since there seem to be no towns there, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Hmm. By the way, doesn’t Lebresta have a port?”
Suddenly recalling some basic information about Lebresta, she (Eve) asked, and Ringo nodded while displaying a map.
“Yes, Ma’am. There is a large river that forms the eastern border of the Forest Country (Lebresta), and there seems to be a port town located upstream. It appears they utilize the waves generated by tidal bores to navigate upstream.”
“Tidal bore?”
“Yes, Ma’am. It is a phenomenon where waves surge upstream from a wide estuary at high tide. It’s similar to a tsunami. If a ship can ride the wave correctly, it can travel several hundred kilometers upstream. It seems there have been several visits from Port Town of Terek.”
“Oh, really…?”
Seeing her still somewhat puzzled, Ringo thought it was indeed hard to imagine just from words alone. Unfortunately, they couldn’t capture any footage, and merely simulating it would lack flavor.
“Ma’am, while I can’t say when, it is likely that we will be able to engage in maritime trade with the Forest Country (Lebresta) in the future. When that happens, you’ll be able to see it on video.”
“That’s true. While I do have a desire to see it for myself, well, a sightseeing trip is off the table for the time being.”
After all, she thought to herself, I’m a bit of a recluse, and with a chuckle, Ringo let out a sigh of relief internally.
If she were to express a desire to go see it, Ringo would be at a loss for what to do.
Considering her (Eve’s) safety, it would be best not to let her out of The Tree. However, Ringo wanted to fulfill her (Ma’am’s) wishes as much as possible. Unfortunately, The Tree’s military strength was steadily increasing, and preparing a sufficient escort force would likely become feasible in the near future. If that happened, there would be no reason to keep her (Ma’am) confined within The Tree.
However, Ringo couldn’t afford to halt her thoughts here.
In the not-so-distant future, Commander (Eve) would likely feel the urge to step outside into the world on her own. This was a realistic prediction derived from countless personality simulations conducted by Ringo. And it was impossible to suppress that desire. Therefore, Ringo needed to begin preparations now to ensure that she could safely embark on an expedition.
“That aside…”
Commander (Eve) gazed at the rain streaming down the ceiling, murmuring softly.
“I feel like I’m really becoming a recluse lately.”
“……”
688 days after the transfer of The Tree.
Three days after a massive tropical storm (typhoon) made landfall on the Northern Continent.
The Solar-powered Scout Aircraft (SWIFT), conducting reconnaissance flights, discovered an oil slick flowing across the sea—specifically, crude oil.