“Language analysis required.”
“I see.”
To secure resources for the time being, I want to start trading somehow. However, communication is necessary for trading. It’s possible to just load up trade goods and go, but it’s unclear whether we can get the resources we’re aiming for, mainly iron, that way. Rather, the possibility of them recognizing heavy and bulky iron as a valuable exchange is quite low.
Therefore, ＜Ringo＞’s opinion was that it would be faster to make an effort to learn the language to some extent so that we can clearly specify the consideration.
“Is there any way?”
“Yes, Ma’am. I propose collecting audio from a distance with a directional microphone and infiltrating with Insect Bots.”
“Hmm?”
She peers at the overview of the directional microphone operation machine and the Insect Bots displayed by ＜Ringo＞.
“You have things like this too, huh.”
A relatively large self-propelled device that serves as a mother ship, and Insect Bots as child units. Wireless power supply is also possible, but in normal circumstances, it would be immediately discovered if wireless power supply was used, so it was useless. However, in this world, electromagnetic waves are not used, so we can use it without worrying.
“I’ll send them to the frontier in a submarine to gather information. If we can analyze the language to some extent, we can send Bio-Androids to negotiate directly.”
“I see. Well, should we start by manufacturing this directional microphone and Insect Bots?”
“Yes, Ma’am. I will start production immediately.”
◇◇◇◇
“A subject… comes first, then probably a verb. And then adjectives and… various things. Hmm, is it the so-called English type?”
“Yes, Ma’am. I think there’s a high possibility. However, there are still too few samples to say for sure. The word that seems to be the subject may come first, or it may come in the middle or at the end. Other pronunciations that are very similar to verbs have also been observed, so there is a possibility that it changes depending on the meaning.”
“I didn’t take linguistics, so I don’t know… but well, if you can analyze it that far, can I expect good results?”
“Yes, Ma’am. If we continue to observe for a few weeks as is. Once the deployment of the three mother ships currently moving is complete, it will be within a few days.”
“As expected, you’re fast.”
“If we have enough samples, there will be no problem.”
She smiles at ＜Ringo＞, who seems a little proud, and confirms the tasks in progress.
“I’m glad that various things are going smoothly. The meals have also become stable… but still, I want to eat something from the land soon.”
“Yes, Ma’am. In parallel with language analysis, we are also observing the food situation in the target village. If we can confirm the difficulty of obtaining it, we will also collect it.”
“Please do.”
By the way, her recent enjoyment is mostly meals. Or rather, that’s all there is. She also browses the library and studies to kill time, but it’s not entertainment, so meals are still the most important thing.
“Also, the cultivation of the Bio-Androids is almost complete, so they will be ready to operate in a few days. If there are no problems with the functions, I will send them to a suitable seaside village as is.”
“I see. By the way, what are the candidates?”
In response to her question, several candidate sites were displayed on the map of the Northern Continent displayed on the main display. From the east side of the country that occupied the Northern Islands (still haven’t named it), several villages and towns located hundreds of kilometers away are targeted.
“Since the language analysis is going smoothly, if the dialect is within the expected range, we are trying to target a relatively large port town like this. If the language barrier is large, we will contact the village that was the target of this observation or its surroundings.”
“…You’re going to a big city right away?”
“Yes, Ma’am. For the time being, we will enter the port under the guise of a merchant ship. If it’s a business, it wouldn’t be unnatural to enter a foreign port without prior notice. Assuming from the level of civilization, there shouldn’t be any fixed port entry procedures yet.”
Considering from the history she knows, that’s certainly the case. I don’t know if it’s the Age of Exploration, but if you’re going to another country on a huge sailing ship to do business, it seems like you’ll be forgiven even if there’s a cultural misunderstanding.
“But… hmm, I have a feeling that everyone will have the same face, but is that okay…?”
And the concern was the Bio-Androids to be put on board. Because they are base bodies cultivated based on her genes, they basically have the same face.
Furthermore, what must not be forgotten is.
“…I wonder if they’ll think we’re a fox Beastkin cosplay group…”
So far, no races in the category of Beastkin like her have been confirmed among the groups that have been observed. I wonder if it will cause a commotion if we enter in this state.
“Unfortunately, we won’t know until we try. Honestly, I think we can manage if we push through.”
＜Ringo＞’s assumption was that because the level of civilization is low, they might easily recognize them as such a race. For the time being, if they are going to a port, they intend to form a fleet and sail without sails to show off that they are a powered ship. The prediction is that they will not take any reckless actions against a fleet with more advanced technology than themselves.
“In the end, gunboat diplomacy is difficult.”
“Yes, Ma’am. This Northern Continent is much more rugged than expected. Even if you threaten one port, the surroundings won’t stay quiet. Something will definitely happen. If you were to do it, you would need to send out a large fleet that could conquer the surrounding area at once.”
As a result of the investigation, it has become clear that the southern part of the Northern Continent is quite fiercely war-torn. That country that occupied the Northern Islands (still haven’t named it) is showing some stability, but the surrounding area seems to be divided at the level of towns. Despite that, they have also been observed to have an attitude of uniting against external enemies, so ＜Ringo＞ believes that they are extremely troublesome.
For example, even if you establish diplomatic relations with one port town, it is conceivable that it will not apply to the village right next to it. It is thought that they are not united as a country, and therefore there are countless points of contact.
That was the situation in the southern part of the Northern Continent.
“It’s frustrating… It doesn’t look like we’ll be able to get iron right away, so it looks like we’ll have to do it steadily. I want to find continents other than this Northern Continent, but I can’t find them.”
“Yes, I’m sorry, Ma’am. I’m expanding the reconnaissance range, but I can’t find it.”
“Well, that can’t be helped. Let’s have you continue searching.”
Change the display and switch to the overall map.
“Hmm… As expected, it’s wide.”
An area with a radius of about 2000km centered on the Fortress ＜The Tree＞ is currently displayed as having been explored. The reconnaissance range has been expanded to 3000km on the Northern Continent side, but the southern side is progressing slowly. Moreover, most of the places were only confirmed visually from an altitude of 20km, and no detailed information was obtained at all. At best, the coastline and altitude are vaguely known, and large cities can be visually recognized. Only a few cities on the southern coastline have been investigated in detail.
“After all, the radius of this planet is estimated to be about 10,000km. If so, the surface area is 2.4 times that of Earth. It is difficult to grasp the whole picture unless observations are made from satellite orbit.”
“I can’t imagine… How many kilometers would it be if I went around once?”
“It’s an estimated value, but it’s about 63,000km. The area that can be explored now is 1%.”
“Whoa.”
This planet was incredibly vast. The area explored in one month is 1%. At this rate, I can’t imagine how many years it will take to grasp the whole picture.
“Once we have a prospect for securing resources, the next thing to do is satellites, right?”
“From the perspective of information gathering, yes. I believe it is necessary to deploy a large number of satellites in order to secure military superiority.”
“Hmm. Manufacturing orbital transport rockets… It’s impossible with the current facilities of ＜The Tree＞. Manufacturing facilities and a launch base are essential. I have to get involved in offshore construction too… Yeah, there are too many things to do after all.”
While tracing the unachieved nodes of the Tech Tree, she sighs. It’s a relief that no clear hostile entities have been confirmed. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to protect ourselves unless we put all our resources into military affairs.
“Oh well, I have to do the work in front of me steadily… right?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”