“I have thoroughly examined the search area, but I couldn’t find any signs of artificial activity.”
“There was a fortress-like structure near the border between the forest and the desert. This is most likely the front line.”
Ichigo and Akane reported their analysis.
“I see. Thank you. So, it’s unlikely we’ll be discovered if we advance…”
She pondered, gazing at the map with a hum.
There are no issues with airlifting various machinery.
If we stay below the horizon, we won’t be visible. Even at an altitude of 1,000m, the horizon is only about 150km away, so even if there are Surveillance Personnel at the fortress, they shouldn’t be able to see us.
What we need to worry about is whether there are ground patrols.
“Why would they build a fortress in such a place in the first place?”
Technically, the desert is also part of the Forest Country (Lebresta)’s territory.
However, the fortress and its walls seemed to be built facing the desert.
It’s as if they were set up to stop enemies coming from the desert.
“There don’t seem to have been any civilizations there, and it’s unlikely that an army landing on the coast would traverse the desert to attack. So, it must be a facility to stop something coming from the desert.”
“Something?”
“Yes, Ma’am. Probably some kind of Monsters.”
“Ah, I see. Come to think of it, there were Monsters in this world…”
If that’s the case…
If ＜Ringo＞’s prediction is correct, there’s a possibility that the Forest Country (Lebresta) is struggling with the southern desert region. If that’s true, it would be good news for ＜The Tree＞.
“I wonder if there’s any way to confirm that… If we could get even a little information about their internal affairs, it would help us make a decision.”
“Let’s check with the Lebresta ambassador in East Gate City. If we inquire about the port town of Lebresta and ask about it in that context, it shouldn’t seem too unnatural.”
“Hmm. Are you going to mention the port town? Wasn’t it preferable to go through East Gate City for trade?”
“We were planning to promote it from the perspective of economic revitalization, but there’s no problem in changing the priority to secure oil. Also, it shouldn’t have much of an impact if it’s just casual conversation.”
“Is that so? Well, I’ll leave it to you. I hope you can get some information.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
＜Ringo＞ carefully constructed the conversation and obtained information about the desert region from the Lebresta ambassador.
The desert region is a harsh land where plants are almost non-existent, water is scarce, and humans basically cannot survive. No useful resources have been found, and there is no particular merit in venturing into the desert region.
Rather, the problem is the unique species of Monsters that inhabit the desert region. Large Monsters, from what she heard, are probably swarms of giant scorpions that try to advance into the Grassland and forests in search of food.
To prevent this, or to detect it in advance, fortresses and walls have been built.
However, it is impossible to stretch walls across the entire vast desert. They seem to be using a method of stationing soldiers as decoys in the fortresses to lure and eliminate the Monsters.
“You managed to get a lot of information. And there seems to be more information than I expected.”
“Yes, Ma’am. It seems that the general perception within the Forest Country (Lebresta) is that the desert region is Monster territory, and it’s not something to be hidden. Occasionally, there are those who venture in search of Monster Materials, but even then, they probably only go about a day’s walk south.”
There’s also the question of what Monster Materials are, but she cut it short because going that far would exceed the level of casual conversation.
Such questions will be confirmed in Telek Port City or Flattala City.
“If we advance at low altitude or on the ground, there’s no need to worry about being discovered even if we operate around the oil field…”
“Yes, Ma’am. In the first place, they may not even be aware of the existence of the oil field. It is more than 200km away in a straight line from the location of the main fortress, so it would be difficult to reach unless they formed a caravan specifically for traveling through the desert.”
She considers.
In a world where there is no international framework yet, the problem of a force with the power of ＜The Tree＞ seizing the resources of another country.
The other party recognizes it as their own territory, but they are not able to govern it. If they are only claiming it and it is not accompanied by reality, then it is the same as a theory.
If there was a group that occupied that area without being obstructed by the other party, could any sanctions be imposed on that group?
“In the end, the question is whether ＜The Tree＞ will be sanctioned by the Forest Country (Lebresta) or other countries, and whether a battle will occur.”
“Yes, Ma’am. In Earth’s history, international treaties are only effective when there is the power to enforce them, that is, sufficient military or economic power to inflict damage on the country being sanctioned.
For example, if there was a country with enough national power to fight the world, could any treaty be forced upon that country?”
“No, it couldn’t. If they can withstand a situation where everyone except their own country is the enemy, then their claims cannot be forced upon them.
Because, in the worst case, they can win the war. It is because a war can inflict sufficient damage that the means of negotiation becomes effective.”
“Yes, Ma’am. It is only when you have the military power to compete with the other party that you can sit at the same table.
…I’m getting a little off topic, but if the possibility of the other party advancing into the desert region is sufficiently low, then I believe there is no problem even if ＜The Tree＞ secures this oil field.”
“Hmm… That’s right. To put it extremely, there’s no problem as long as it’s not revealed that the force that secured the oil field is ＜The Tree＞. At worst, we can secure a certain amount of oil and then withdraw.”
It seems ethically problematic, but is there any point in protecting that ethic?
“If I take one step, the second step will be easy…”
“Yes, Ma’am. If you are worried about not being able to stop, it is also possible to introduce an ethical warning AI.”
“Hmm. Well, let’s see how it goes and take care of it later.”
As long as there is the structural problem of one human, her, making decisions, there should be an entity that can restrain her actions.
However, there is no such entity in this world, and ＜The Tree＞ has the potential to run wild without limits. It is possible to prepare an AI that has the role of rationally judging and warning, but well, if you think about it normally, ＜Ringo＞ should be able to fulfill that role sufficiently.
“＜Ringo＞, I want you to keep an eye on it. This invasion should maximize the benefits for ＜The Tree＞ and minimize the damage to the other country.”
She closed her eyes once, and after a while, opened them.
“I will secure the oil field within the territory of the Forest Country (Lebresta). ＜Ringo＞, make the appropriate arrangements.”
“Roger.
＜The Tree＞ is moving to Second Class Combat Readiness.
Fortress Two, First Class Combat Readiness.
I will appoint Ichigo as the fortress commander. Akane is the vice commander.
The operation objective is to secure the oil field.
After securing the coast, we will promptly construct port facilities.
I will appoint Utsugi and Erika to manage the facilities.
I will entrust Olive with the design, construction, and operation of the oil field mining equipment.”
“I approve.”
“Roger. Operation: “Give me oil.” will begin.”
“Huh, what’s with that name?”
One after another, planes take off from the runway.
Six propeller planes loaded with cargo follow.
All of the aircraft used in this invasion operation are motor-powered propeller planes.
There is no need for the speed of a jet plane, and motor propellers were chosen because they are cheaper and easier to mass-produce.
Eight advance reconnaissance planes rise into the sky to secure the route.
The altitude is kept to about 800m, and they monitor the sky and sea for any abnormalities.
Following them are cargo planes and their direct escort planes.
The cargo planes are loaded with Multi-legged Tanks for ground suppression, Multi-legged Heavy Machines for port maintenance, and a large amount of materials.
The plan is to secure the coast with these air forces, and then transport a large amount of heavy machinery and materials by sea.
The Work Vessel used to construct Fortress Two, fully loaded with equipment and materials, set sail at almost the same time.