Episode 176: Adventurer Party
In order to conduct a full-scale investigation of the Demon Forest, it was necessary to prepare a forward base.
This was less for the sake of ＜Paraiso＞ personnel and more to support the adventurers belonging to North End City.
While it would be fine to learn about the Demon Forest’s action policies on the ground, it was judged more efficient to learn from the adventurers, who were already experts.
Moreover, when conducting surveys with ＜The Tree＞, it inevitably becomes a war of attrition, which could significantly impact the surrounding ecosystem.
Therefore, it was necessary to deploy a small, elite force.
Additionally, North End City thrives on the various resources that adventurers bring back from the Demon Forest. ＜Ringo＞ believed that promoting this economic activity would also develop the city itself.
Buying valuable samples from the adventurers wasn’t a bad idea either.
It would also provide employment for the locals, so they were planning to promote this aspect as well.
There was an untold story that Commander (Eve) had shown interest in adventurers, saying things like, “I wonder if there’s an Adventurer’s Guild?”
At this rate, ＜The Tree＞ might end up becoming the mastermind behind the Adventurer’s Guild.
But that’s beside the point.
＜Paraiso＞ created a gateway to the Demon Forest.
They constructed an airstrip in the suburbs of North End City to serve as a logistics hub.
From there, they would整備 a road leading to the city and then to the Demon Forest.
Multi-legged Heavy Machines roughly leveled the ground, and tracked and multi-wheeled heavy machines created a flat road. It took about 50 hours to connect the airbase, North End City, and the candidate site for the forward base.
From there, multi-wheeled transport vehicles rapidly transported materials to construct a simple base.
They prepared the site and built a defensive wall using iron fences and barbed wire.
A giant roof was installed within the site, and capsule-type accommodation facilities were also set up.
Prefabricated buildings were installed to serve as general stores and cafeterias, completing the base.
Completing all preparations in a short period of five days astonished the adventurers heading to the Demon Forest.
Now, no one would take the words of ＜Paraiso＞ conducting a survey of the Demon Forest lightly.
“They’ve seriously built a city…”
“Amazing, they even have stores!”
The adventurers, who usually walked to the Demon Forest, were first impressed by the ease of walking on the paved road, cheered at the sight of a gate at the forward base, and finally froze when they saw the general store.
“Hey, is that a cafeteria…?”
“They’re serving meals?”
Although it was a takeout system, the forward base also had a place to eat. Even if it rained, they could eat without worry under the giant roof.
The accommodation facilities were capsule-sized but stacked with individual rooms, ensuring a certain level of privacy. The prefabricated construction method also made it attractive, as it could be expanded as needed.
“I heard that ＜Paraiso＞ was getting involved in the Demon Forest, but this is serious…”
“I heard that some party became guides…”
The management of this base was handled by several automated machines, but Doll Machines (Communicators) were also used for interaction with users.
＜Ringo＞, having overcome some of her initial resistance, or perhaps for the sake of diversity, had introduced multiple races using random genes.
The fact that it became mul(・)ti(・)ple(・) ra(・)ces(・) due to randomness might be a problem.
Commander (Eve) muttered with a grimace, “Kemono lovers rejoice,” but it was a minor matter.
Also, once things settled down, they planned to hire locals.
“Ma’am. The整備 of the base is almost complete. The guide party is scheduled to arrive tomorrow.”
“I see. The backup system for the Doll Machines (Communicators) is fine, right?”
“Yes, Ma’am. We will constantly attach Multi-legged Machines to maintain a directional communication network. If we could use a wide-area communication antenna, we would have a little more freedom.”
“The radio waves seemed to attract that Wyvern… We can’t expand the range until we can implement various countermeasures.”
She smiled wryly at ＜Ringo＞’s grumbling.
Well, considering efficiency, it wasn’t wrong to expand without worrying about anything.
However, Commander (Eve) had issued a policy of not expanding their power unnecessarily.
For the time being, they would prioritize the development of the Afrasia United Kingdom territory and not expand. ＜Ringo＞ had agreed, but it was probably a frustrating choice for a Superintelligence whose mission was to expand its power.
◇◇◇◇
The next day, a transport truck carrying the guide adventurer party departed from North End City.
They were planning to run trucks regularly from North End City to the base just before the Demon Forest. As part of publicizing this, they planned to送迎 this adventurer party this time.
“I don’t understand why it’s running!”
“And it’s so fast!”
“We’ll be able to ride this from now on, right? Amazing…”
It would be a waste to run it empty, so they were loading supplies used at the base. The adventurer party was riding in the empty space, but it was much more comfortable and less bumpy than the stagecoaches they usually used.
If this transport truck was put into full-scale operation, it would undoubtedly reduce the burden on the adventurers.
That would bring more resources and materials.
“Alpha Sulphareus=Cosmos-san, thank you! Are you really going to continue this?”
To that question, Alpha Sulphareus=Cosmos nodded.
“As long as you adventurers exist, we intend to assist you.”
“Hooray! How generous!”
The party leader, Reidus, who used daggers and short bows.
The attacker, Nadira, who used short spears and hand axes.
And Glaver, the gatherer.
These three were the adventurer party designated as guides for the ＜Paraiso＞ advance team.
Their reputation was that they were bold but cautious, with excellent teamwork and were stars of the future.
Judging from their past words and actions, the guild master’s decision to nominate them was probably correct.
“But why do you guys want to enter the Demon Forest?”
“Hey Glaver. You shouldn’t ask things like that!”
“No, Nadira, wait, wait. I’m not taking Glaver’s side, but if possible, I’d like to hear it too. Sulphareus-san, what about you? Well, of course, I don’t mind if you don’t want to talk about it.”
Asked, Alpha Sulphareus=Cosmos nodded thoughtfully.
“To put it simply, we are interested in the environment of the Demon Forest. The diverse Monsters, the various resources that can be obtained from them. There seem to be many useful things, and our intention is to actually confirm them.”
“…I see? We’ve been ordered to be guides, so should we introduce the Monsters?”
Alpha Sulphareus=Cosmos moved her distinctive beast ears and looked up.
“That’s right. I want you to tell me what you know about the value as materials, the ecology of the Monsters, their behavior, and their diet. And how to walk in the Demon Forest itself. We ＜Paraiso＞ know nothing about that forest. We also don’t want to unnecessarily provoke the Monsters.”
Alpha Sulphareus=Cosmos was chosen for this advance team because her race, among the Doll Machines (Communicators) given to the Strategic AI ＜Cosmos＞, was the most excellent at stealth operations.
The race was based on the forest hunter, the black panther.
Slightly different from Commander (Ma’am)’s race, it was a more beast-like race, with beastkin features on its ears, tail, hands, and feet. It also had whiskers as sensory organs, making it far more capable of sensing the surrounding environment than ordinary people.
The gender was female, and according to ＜Ringo＞, females were more useful as a base for the species. Whether that was true or not, she didn’t know. Eve hadn’t pursued it.
If it was completely random, a male type should have been selected, but unless specifically instructed otherwise, ＜Ringo＞ selected the female type.
“I’m sorry, but I’d like you to accompany us for a while. We may cause you some trouble.”
“No, no, we’re getting paid well! We’ll accompany you as much as possible! Right, Reidus!”
“Don’t say that. Well, but that’s what it is. Sulphareus-san, I don’t think you’ll say anything unreasonable, and we can earn safely, so it’s all good!”
Although it had only been a few days since they had met, they had a good understanding of the nature of Alpha Sulphareus=Cosmos, and by extension, ＜Paraiso＞.
She was very rational, and despite being a conqueror, she didn’t act tyrannically. At least, as long as one didn’t oppose her, she was a very good ruler.