Episode 190: Big Moth

In the northern forest region of the Forest Country (Lebresta), including a portion of its national territory, a large-scale outbreak of butterfly-type monsters (Big Moths) was occurring.

The name of the monster was discovered in the documents of the Adventurer’s Guild in North End City.
There had been records of subjugation several times in the past.

Big Moths are omnivorous.

Especially in their larval stage, they seem to eat almost anything indiscriminately, except for soil and stones.
As adults, they seem to prefer to eat forest trees, probably even False Green Trees (Trent). However, there are also records of them preying on other monsters, animals, or even humans.

“Lebresta is likely taking measures to deal with these monsters. Trade at the East Gate city will probably become more active.”

“That’s good, but will the compensation be okay?”

“For the time being, precious metals and jewels. However, at this rate, it is expected that they will run out sooner or later. We should send a delegation as soon as possible to investigate trade goods.”

“If we were to send reinforcements, what kind of compensation should we ask for?”

If left unchecked, the worst-case scenario would be that the neighboring country becomes a nest of monsters, resulting in a large number of refugees.

There are ways to deal with that if it happens, but considering long-term relationships, it’s better to maintain a good relationship with the neighboring country and have them survive for a long time.

Dealing with a fallen nation is troublesome.

“National bonds, or plainly speaking, debt. Or perhaps the cession of some territory. Or we could lease land. We don’t intend to import anything useless, so it would be good if they could prepare something.”

＜Ringo＞, understanding Commander (Eve)’s intentions, is considering providing aid to Lebresta.
However, at this point, a return on that expenditure cannot be expected, so ＜The Tree＞ cannot intervene on a large scale.

If at least some kind of lode could be found within Lebresta, they could send troops under the guise of occupation.

Well, it would actually become an occupation, so it wouldn’t be good for Lebresta.

“Let’s subjugate these Big Moths once around North End City. If we can figure out their weaknesses and durability, we might be able to pass that information on.”

“I see. I see… Hmm, it’s difficult. In a game, you’d get some kind of event clear reward, but that’s not how it works here…”

And so, it was decided to use aerial combat forces to subjugate the butterfly-type monsters (Big Moths) for the time being.

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“Adult form visually confirmed. Total length 12.3m. Wingspan 14.8m. Body length approximately 6m. A manageable size.”

“Hmm, huge.”

The monitor showed a Big Moth fluttering gracefully in the sky above the forest. According to ＜Ringo＞’s analysis, no scientifically inexplicable flight methods were observed.

In other words, the Big Moth is flying according to aerodynamics, despite its enormous size.

“Although we are not taking precise measurements, it is assumed that the Big Moth’s weight is much lighter than it appears. Its low density probably makes it easier to float.”

Light means fragile, weak. But the Big Moth doesn’t look weak.

“The structure supporting that giant body is thought to be magically enhanced. If it performed those movements at that size, various parts would break.”

“So, it’s a monster after all. Body enhancement, or rather, structural enhancement is taking place.”

“Yes, Ma’am. No other magical (fantasy) phenomena have been observed. It doesn’t seem to be accelerating abnormally either. Also, once it lands, it seems difficult to take off again, so it spends its time in the air, even at night.”

The Big Moth is moving with the wind. It flaps its wings, but if it lands in the forest, the trees get in the way, and it can’t flap its wings properly.
It seems that it has been confirmed to land on the ground in open areas such as within Fairy Circles.

“No other individuals within visual range. Commencing attack.”

The attack aircraft is a tiltrotor for ground targets or slow-flying targets. It can suppress its flight speed and attack while hovering if necessary.

The gunpowder-based multi-barrel machine gun mounted on the lower part of the nose scattered 7mm machine gun bullets.
If ordinary animals were hit by such a barrage, they would be minced without any resistance.

“Machine gun bullets are ricocheting. They’re being deflected by the surface.”

“A, as expected of fantasy…”

The overall shape is rounded, and the large wings themselves are positioned diagonally to the attack aircraft.
There’s also the issue of the angle of entry of the bullets; all the bullets are sliding off the surface, and no damage is being inflicted.

“Being shot by a machine gun and still charging in without a problem, it might be stronger than our attack aircraft…?”

“It depends on what kind of attack methods it has. But looking only at the defensive aspect, it’s more robust than the aircraft we operate.”

The targeted Big Moth seemed to have noticed that it was being shot by the machine gun, and it moved its giant wings with a flap, taking a course towards the attack aircraft.

Apparently, it doesn’t have any effective long-range attack methods.
This is good news.

“Only close-range methods? Just being rammed by that giant body would tear us apart.”

“Since it relies on aerodynamics, its movements are also easy to predict. If it’s alone, we shouldn’t have any trouble.”

Nevertheless, the fact that it didn’t even flinch when hit directly by 7mm machine gun bullets at a relatively close range was genuinely threatening.
At least, with infantry-class portable weapons, it would be difficult to inflict effective damage.

“Changing attack weapon to grenades.”

If machine gun bullets don’t work, the next thing to try is large-caliber ammunition.
A 60mm grenade launcher mounted coaxially with the machine gun is used.
The warhead is a grenade. It is intended to inflict damage by scattering fragments from the explosion.

“Attack commenced.”

The launched grenade exploded near the Big Moth due to a proximity fuse.
Metal fragments are scattered.

“Not an effective hit… It seems that the hardness of the surface simply exceeds the impact force of the fragments.”

“Hmm… So, it’s just an anti-personnel weapon after all. Do we need to hit it directly with a more powerful cannon?”

If you think about it carefully, the machine gun bullets that hit directly were deflected.
Even though it’s close range, it’s only natural that it can’t be damaged by metal fragments blown away by gunpowder.

However, it seems to have the effect of destabilizing its course due to the pressure of the explosion.

“It can be used as a deterrent to keep it from getting close. But it won’t lead to destruction.”

Grenades are hitting directly or exploding nearby in rapid succession, but no significant damage can be confirmed.

“Well, predictably, a railgun then.”

“Yes, Ma’am. Direct firing with a railgun. Ammunition type: Armor-Piercing Shell. Capacitor charge start. Complete. Fire.”

A short-barreled railgun mounted on the side of the attack aircraft. From there, a cannon shell was fired at an initial velocity of 4,000 m/s.

“Penetrated. Acknowledged as an effective attack.”

The fired cannon shell pierced the Big Moth from the front.
The impact caused the Big Moth’s body to explode. Its wings and legs were blown away, and its fragmented body scattered and danced in the sky.

“Ooh… Splatter.”

“Shall I process the video?”

“No, it’s not that bad.”

At least, it was found that an armor-piercing shell with an initial velocity of 4,000 m/s is overkill.
If it’s this fragmented, it probably can’t be used as a material.
Also, the crucial Magic Stone cannot be recovered in this state.

“Shall we continue to subjugate a few more?”

“Well, I want to recover it as a material, and we need to think about a good attack method. This time, let’s try not to make it explode.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”