Chapter 141: What’s Yours is Mine
Today, a large cargo aircraft lands at the airfield constructed on the outskirts of Furatara City. The cargo plane tirelessly transports supplies to the Furatara City outpost, day and night.
“I would prefer to operate a large cargo train, but it’s a bit premature for that,” one officer remarks.
“It’s too far to transport by truck. It’s inefficient, but it seems we have no choice but to rely on aircraft,” another replies.
This cargo aircraft is a large electric propeller-driven model capable of flight through microwave power transmission. Its maximum takeoff weight exceeds 300 tons. Moreover, since it doesn’t require fuel, its payload capacity is significantly greater than it appears.
Still, compared to ground-based railways and trucks, it inevitably falls short.
“It can only fly within the microwave power transmission range, and it’s inherently a cumbersome aircraft. It can only operate in airspace where air superiority is secured,” the Commander (Eve) responds while displaying a large cargo plane taking off from the runway of the Second Fortress (Black Iron). The takeoff distance when fully loaded is approximately 2,000 meters, which is quite long for a propeller aircraft. Its maximum speed is around 500 km/h, and its maneuverability is not impressive.
“Well, it is a wartime mass-produced aircraft, so the cost is very low,” another officer adds.
“True enough.”
This large cargo aircraft can only be operated about five to ten times. Maintenance is not performed, and once it shows signs of wear, it is sent to the scrap yard—a rather wasteful usage. However, it was an emergency deployment for the rapid construction of a frontline base, so it is to be expected. Long-term operational aircraft are currently being designed by Olive.
Meanwhile, RINGO is also designing another aircraft.
“In three days, the frontline base on the outskirts of Furatara City will be ready for combat. After securing the surrounding area, we will begin construction of a direct railway line to the Second Fortress (Black Iron).”
“By surrounding areas, you mean… Furatara City, Great Horse Town, and then East Gate City and West Gate City, right? I’d prefer to avoid unnecessary interference, so please expedite this.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Understood.”
The Afrasia United Kingdom has vast stretches of wilderness as its territory. As a result, settlements are centered around oases, leading to a limited number of cities. From north to south, the following cities exist:
- North End City (the northernmost point)
- Aflarasia Royal Capital
- Play Knight Territory Village
- Wheat Hill City
- East Gate City
- Furatara City
- West Gate City
- Great Horse Town
- And the Iron Town and Port Town of Terek, which were secretly seized by Paraiso.
Additionally, there are small villages scattered throughout, but their numbers have drastically decreased in recent years. Fortunately, Wheat Hill City is steadily producing wheat, supporting the food supply of the major cities. The proximity of the city to a lake rich in water also ensures a stable source of protein.
Each city operates semi-independently, but the Afrasia United Kingdom manages to maintain some semblance of order.
However, the nation has completely lost its cohesion.
The forces of The Tree are cautiously expanding their territory. High-altitude drones are deployed to bolster the energy supply network while simultaneously sending out Spy Bots. Currently, Wheat Hill City has fallen within their surveillance range.
“The Furatara City base is planned to become the Third Fortress, and we will now complete the transfer of forces and supplies to this location.”
The last cargo aircraft, loaded with the planned supplies, has landed on the runway. While there are still many transportation plans ahead, from this moment, the invasion operation against the Afrasia United Kingdom begins.
“Ma’am, the supply accumulation plan has been completed without any issues. Please give the order to commence the operation.”
“Here we go.”
At the Second Fortress and the Furatara City base, large weaponry prepared for deployment stands in neat rows.
The first invasion operation aims for the complete domination of the southern region of the Afrasia United Kingdom. The target cities are two:
- Great Horse Town
- West Gate City
Additionally, there is another crucial operational objective: the reclamation of territory from the Country of Wheat and other small nations to the west of the Afrasia United Kingdom.
“Alright, everyone! We are now commencing the ‘What’s Yours is Mine’ operation! Each of you, fight valiantly!”
“Yes, Ma’am!”
“Roger!”
The Commander (Eve) calls out, and RINGO, along with the six sisters, echoes her command. By the way, Asahi is currently dispatched to the Port Town of Terek, so she participates only through a monitor. Her main responsibilities include the dispatch of forces from Terek and resource management.
“The Second Fortress is beginning the takeoff of air superiority fighters.”
“The Furatara City base is commencing the takeoff of air superiority drones.”
“Likewise, the movement of suppression units is starting.”
“The High Altitude Power Supply Platform reports no abnormalities. Power supply to the moving units is all green.”
“Link with the Supersonic High-Altitude Reconnaissance Aircraft LRF-1 (Vulture) is normal. We are entering the operational airspace.”
The various invasion weapons meticulously crafted by The Tree, prepared for this moment, begin to move in unison.
Towards West Gate City, located approximately 100 kilometers from Furatara City, ground-moving multi-legged suppression units are dispatched. Meanwhile, airborne troops from the Second Fortress are assigned to Great Horse Town, located on the opposite side of the lake.
These two operational groups are scheduled to commence their suppression battles almost simultaneously in about two hours. The most critical aspect to be cautious of is the potential information leak to the Country of Wheat and other nations.
To finalize the border line, additional forces will need to be dispatched after the two cities are secured. Currently, there are not enough forces for border suppression, so they wish to avoid unnecessarily alarming the opposing nation.
“Starting aerial reconnaissance of the operational area. Numerous merchant caravans confirmed on the trade routes of West Gate City.”
“Marking the targets. Since the airborne troops may be at risk of detection, we will restrain them with ground units. Setting the movement routes.”
Thus, all merchant caravans that could potentially reveal the suppression operation will be restrained. As long as they can seal off information for a few weeks until the dispatch of forces to the border is completed, there should be no issues.
“Multiple unidentified forces confirmed within the suppression target area.”
“Analyzing the footage. Results are in. They are estimated to be a Redstone mining group. A makeshift base has also been confirmed.”
“Proposing suppression by airborne troops. Assessment: risk of information leak is less than 1%. Setting the 16th Airborne Division.”
The operational map is continuously updated. Real-time footage from the reconnaissance aircraft (Vulture) is analyzed alongside information from the high-altitude platform that has begun its advance. Additionally, data from pre-deployed concealed fixed information collectors is included. Initially buried underground, these were exposed to the surface at the start of the operation.
“The start is going smoothly.”
“Yes, Ma’am. According to the preliminary information from the Spy Bots, no hostile forces have been detected. Asahi has also conducted sufficient analysis from a magical perspective. While there may still be threats in the direction of the Aflarasia Royal Capital, there are virtually no groups or individuals posing a threat in the southern cities.”
Particularly, the area south of Furatara City is regarded as a borderland from the perspective of the royal capital and is not considered significant. Although East Gate City and West Gate City have thrived as trading hubs, the scarcity of resources on the Afrasia United Kingdom’s side limits their influence domestically.
Had it not been for the internal strife within the Afrasia United Kingdom, these two cities might have become the two major cities within the kingdom.
From the royal capital’s viewpoint, Wheat Hill City, a food production hub, is the last major city, and everything south of it is treated as a frontier settlement.
Thus, The Tree can confidently suppress the southern cities.
“The airborne drop to Great Horse Town will commence in 114 minutes. Simultaneously, the deployed ground units will begin their invasion of West Gate City. The disarmament of each city is scheduled for six hours from now.”
“Six hours, huh…”
The multi-legged tanks will completely encircle the city. From there, the multi-legged tanks and ground infantry will invade and neutralize the armed forces. Additionally, the multi-legged Ground Mother Unit will deploy numerous anti-personnel drones.
Airborne forces will generally not participate in ground attacks. Bombardments and gunfire are deemed too powerful, as they could unnecessarily escalate damage. As a precaution, only air cover for the cargo aircraft will be maintained.
Moreover, the analysis indicates that the opposing forces have no understanding of aerial combat, limiting the intimidation effect. The overwhelming devastation caused by the multi-legged tanks is the most effective strategy.