Episode 129: The Changing Telek Port City
Now, let’s shift our focus to Telek Port City.
Telek Port City sits at the base of two protruding peninsulas.
One of the peninsulas curves like a lid, forming a tranquil bay.
Protected from the rough seas, the calm bay now hosts a large Work Vessel dispatched from ＜The Tree＞.
“To think a city could be built this quickly…”
To the east of Telek Port City, in a vast, barren area with sparse vegetation, ＜Paraiso＞ was rapidly expanding its influence.
Leveling the ground, creating flat and sturdy land. Buildings were being erected one after another in the grid-like sections.
Moreover, all of this work was being done by automated machines.
The wilderness was being developed by highly mobile Multi-legged Heavy Machines.
And the ground was being leveled by ultra-large soil improvement devices moving on endless tracks, capable of injecting improving agents dozens of meters underground to improve the ground.
Dozens of these Monsters were moving day and night, expanding the area of land available for construction.
However, after more than a month of this spectacle, it had become commonplace.
The residents of Telek Port City had their own lives to live, and although there had been crowds of onlookers at first, things had now calmed down.
The fact that ＜Paraiso＞ had opened its own directly-managed stores in the city was also a major factor.
Originally, Telek Port City had been kept alive by trade with ＜Paraiso＞, and in reality, they had been so impoverished that they lacked even daily necessities.
The impact of the general store that appeared there was significant.
An economy cannot thrive unless money circulates.
In Telek Port City, where contact with other cities had been almost completely cut off, trade had stagnated to the point where most transactions were bartering.
As for food, they were able to produce a certain amount from the farmland cultivated by the former refugees, and if they were short, there was also assistance from ＜Paraiso＞.
There was a shortage of housing, so the construction industry was somewhat active.
Even so, the former refugees who needed housing could not afford to pay for it, so powerful trading companies bought up agricultural products and labor and provided housing in return. No money changed hands, and almost everyone helped each other and worked with a sense of community.
In reality, ＜Paraiso＞ was providing support in this area as well, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that they were living day to day in a state of being completely dependent on them.
“Your efforts have been significant as well. We are, after all, outsiders. To be honest, if you had come to a different conclusion, this scene might have been completely different.”
“That’s… true. Well, I must say it was a wise decision. Although, in that situation… I think anyone reasonable would have come to the same conclusion.”
Kullavia Telek, the chairwoman of the Telek Merchant Guild, was climbing the Great Lighthouse under construction alongside Zwei.
This lighthouse was being built by the people of Telek Port City under the technical guidance of ＜Paraiso＞.
Of course, if the construction machinery moving outside the town were to handle it, it would be completed in just 10 days.
But ＜Paraiso＞ did not approve of that.
They decided that they should accomplish this great undertaking with their own hands.
And this also had the aspect of a public works project.
Of course, they were not making people carry stones on their backs.
While ＜Paraiso＞ did not provide tools or materials, they did transmit various technologies.
Currently, the stones for construction were being lifted by manually operated cranes that could safely carry large quantities at once.
Furthermore, in another location, they were gathering blacksmiths and promoting the manufacture of basic Steam Engines.
From how to draw blueprints, to how to make drill presses and lathes, how to quench, and the concept of alloys.
Various technologies that should have taken decades or centuries to develop were being transmitted by ＜Paraiso＞.
“The expansion of the road to Iron Town is complete. We are also putting all our efforts into developing the mines there. I feel bad for the miners, but we will be doing the mining from now on.”
“There’s nothing to feel bad about. I’ve heard that things have gotten much better since you guys came, but it was originally a terrible workplace where many people died. There were also many mine slaves. The country has become like this, and they have been released without being properly taken care of.”
Iron Town was also undergoing a major transformation. It was scheduled to become a relay town and a collection point for goods on the land route from Telek Port City or Fortress Two (Black Iron).
Here too, instead of simply giving goods, support was being provided through some kind of work.
“Working properly and getting properly paid. Food tastes better when you eat it with your own money. Having someone give you that is truly a blessing. If you guys were to take over the country, everyone would be happy to cooperate.”
And that was the consensus of the residents of Telek Port City and Iron Town.
The information that ＜Paraiso＞ was invading the Afrasia United Kingdom was spreading throughout the city in the form of rumors.
Not all residents were alarmed by this, but in the end, it was ＜Paraiso＞ that had saved their lives. Also, because they appear as young girls, there was no sign of a full-scale expulsion movement.
Well, some people who caused too many problems were naturally eliminated in the extreme conditions.
In Iron Town, everyone had to cooperate to survive in the first place.
In Telek Port City, the self-defense force led by Kullavia Telek had nipped any problems in the bud.
“Basically, we plan for you to be self-sufficient. Eventually, we will create an economic zone centered on Telek Port City and carry out commercial invasion. Of course, we will take care of defeating the military forces.”
“…Well, I’d like you to tell me more about the details later. I can’t imagine what that word means right now.”
＜Paraiso＞ was invading the Afrasia United Kingdom.
However, while they would seize the combat capabilities of the resistance forces, they were not interested in governing them. All they wanted was resources, and they would simply eliminate any obstacles.
For the time being, they were trying to proceed in a way that did not involve inhumane treatment, according to Commander (Eve)’s wishes.
Even so, governance did not offer a return commensurate with the resources invested.
Commander (Eve) seemed to understand this as well, and had given vague instructions to leave it alone to the extent that security did not deteriorate.
As a result, ＜Ringo＞, after much consideration, decided to proceed in a way that would maintain security by expanding the economic zone, while not interfering unnecessarily.
There would be various problems, but they would be resolved each time. If necessary, they could even attach a Brain Unit on a rotating basis as part of their education.
They weren’t really planning anything in particular in this area, and to be honest, it was all rather haphazard.
They didn’t want to treat them inhumanely, but they didn’t intend to actively help them either.
They wouldn’t interfere, so they could just live as they pleased.
However, if there was a problem, they would end up dealing with it somehow.
“Now then. Changing the subject…”
Zwei said, turning to face Kullavia Telek.
Sensing the change in atmosphere, Kullavia Telek also straightened her posture.
“Probably within a month, a new staff member will be dispatched to Telek Port City.”
“Oh…?”
The girls of ＜Paraiso＞ who come and go to Telek Port City. A new member would be joining them.
However, such reports had never been specifically communicated to Kullavia Telek before.
They just seemed to increase without her noticing.
And they disappear without her noticing.
The information exchanged was properly shared among them, so Kullavia Telek had never felt dissatisfied or suspicious about this.
“The fact that you’re telling me this specifically means that they have a special position?”
“Affirmative. She is, how should I put it… a little too free. She may cause some trouble, but I will try to keep a tight rein on her, so please bear with us.”
It was a rather hesitant notification.
One-sided, yet humble. Zwei=Ringo also had a somehow apologetic expression and tone.
“…Ah… I see… Well, I understand… It may be rude to ask, but she doesn’t have any malicious intent, does she? Or is she tyrannical…?”
“In that sense, I would say that she is basically well-intentioned. She is very curious and prioritizes her own interests, so she is likely to take actions that are far removed from those of our previous personnel.”
“…Hmm. Should we assign her a guide?”
“Affirmative. We will pay a monthly salary, so I would like you to assign one person. If possible, we would like someone with a wide range of knowledge who can answer various questions.”
In the end, ＜Ringo＞ was being soft-hearted after all.