Chapter 225: Care Package
The footage sent from the Recon Bot displayed a tranquil village.
“Is there really nothing of particular note here?”
“Yes, Ma’am. It appears they are producing wheat, but there are no other noteworthy features. The labor is primarily provided by the villagers and the cattle they raise. Additionally, it seems that sheep, goats, and pigs are being grazed on the fallow land.”
From the reconnaissance, it seemed that the Prava Divine Nation employed a four-field crop rotation system similar to the historical Norfolk method. Their agricultural technology could be considered relatively advanced.
“I’ve confirmed within the range we can scout, and the farmland is almost identical to this. The farmers are diligently engaged in their agricultural tasks.”
“Hmmm… The food production in the homeland is going smoothly. Their national strength is indeed impressive.”
Moreover, a network centered around the church existed in the sprawling agricultural lands.
“There are many urban clusters structured around a magnificent church, with farmland spreading out around it. From what I can see, the entertainment industry doesn’t seem to have developed much. It’s likely due to religious control.”
“So they’re managing to keep things together through religion, huh?”
The church held large gatherings once a week. On that day, the surrounding farmers would take a holiday, moving to the town with the church in the morning to listen to sermons, partake in meals prepared by the church, and enjoy socializing until evening before returning home. It seemed that alcoholic beverages were also provided during the meals.
“Occasionally, disputes arise, but they are swiftly quelled by the Clerics.”
The Clerics appeared to be using some form of magic. After all, they easily subdued unruly adult men, so there was no doubt about it. Their physical abilities seemed enhanced.
“The church also functions as a hospital. More importantly, it plays a significant role as an educational institution. There are facilities similar to outposts in the villages, where small children are gathered and cared for. After that, they are taken to the town with the church around the age of five or six.”
To allow parents to focus on farming, it seemed that weaned toddlers were collectively cared for in the village center. At a certain age, they were sent to the church’s dormitory. Meetings with parents occurred once a week on their day off. It appeared that the parent-child relationships in these families were quite healthy.
“The education must be good. Adults are allowed to concentrate on agriculture, stabilizing food production. The children receive standardized education, are taught religious concepts, and learn about parental love simultaneously. It’s a sort of managed society, but it seems to have created a system where they can live both physically and mentally healthy lives.”
“Hmmm… Well, that’s not really my concern, but it seems they’re doing well.”
“Yes, Ma’am. There are no signs of revolution either.”
The hospital function was also crucial. Injured or ill individuals were notably scarce.
“Perhaps some form of magical healing is being practiced. While there are indeed places that accommodate terminal patients like a sanatorium, it seems there are fewer patients compared to the population. We’ve confirmed instances where injured individuals were discharged within a few days.”
The Clerics were treating the farmers using some form of magic. It was likely offered free of charge. Naturally, the operation itself was funded by taxes disguised as donations, but for the farmers, it was synonymous with free service. It was understandable why the church had gained their trust.
“I can see how magic complicates predictions.”
“We have infiltrated the city with a group of Recon Bots. With a little more time, we should be able to gather more detailed information.”
“Okay. Then, next is the battlefield. You’ve been able to deploy bots there as well, right?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
Reconnaissance within the Prava Divine Nation was progressing centered around infiltration points. Other potential bases were also being selected, and soon enough, the internal affairs would be laid bare.
The challenge lay in gathering information from the battlefield.
“The front lines of the battlefield are constantly shifting, so rapid deployment and withdrawal are crucial. For now, we are primarily scouting areas close to the coast. We can deploy the bots from underwater.”
“It’s difficult to conceal the Mother Unit on land…”
If it comes to that, they would likely have to deploy aircraft at night. For now, they were using the method of launching and recovering the bot groups from the sea.
“We utilized bird-shaped bots modeled after local seabirds.”
Since there were many seabirds resembling seagulls inhabiting the area, they had sent similar bots into the battlefield.
“We are analyzing the specifications of the warriors from the Prava Divine Nation. While there are individual differences, on average, their running speed is between 40 to 60 km/h. Some individuals have been observed exceeding a peak speed of 80 km/h.”
“On two legs? They’re more advanced than the ones we’re currently operating…”
“Yes, Ma’am. Furthermore, it seems their physical structure is enhanced during combat. They can withstand direct hits from arrows without injury and can even break stone walls with their bare hands.”
They would charge straight through horse barricades set up on the battlefield. Even in cities protected by stone walls, they could demolish them with sheer force. There were instances where they became stuck after a powerful charge, only to be dug out by their comrades. Yet, they didn’t appear to bear any significant injuries.
“Long-range attacks using stones and throwing spears also seem possible. Their detection abilities are impressive, as they’ve been confirmed to skewer hidden enemy soldiers with throwing spears from a considerable distance.”
“Seriously, they’re like one-man tanks…”
The Divine Nation Soldiers exhibited enhanced physical structure, detection abilities, and strength. Additionally, each individual could wield some form of magical phenomenon.
“The most common ability observed is the ability to unleash fireballs that explode in flames. Others can create water, manipulate wind, and some have been confirmed to control voltage differentials.”
“Voltage?”
“Yes, Ma’am. There’s been one instance of an electromagnetic pulse being detected, suggesting they can generate high voltage instantaneously.”
“Not your average human…”
And the most troublesome seemed to be those who could perform some form of healing.
“It appears they possess the ability to heal external wounds, such as visibly closing injuries and mending fractures through magical phenomena. The Divine Nation Soldiers seem nearly invincible in combat, but it has been confirmed that they can sustain injuries when caught off guard during movement. There have been records of individuals who deflected arrows only to be struck by a surprise shot.”
“Hmmm. So, this physical structure enhancement likely requires conscious activation.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Additionally, there may be limitations on the duration of its effects. If it could be used indefinitely, they would simply maintain it at all times.”
“If it deactivates when they’re not conscious of it… then there might be more casualties on the battlefield. That suggests a time limit could be a strong possibility.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
However, even if they managed to inflict injuries unexpectedly, if healing through magic is possible, then rapid recovery of their combat strength would be feasible.
“To neutralize the Divine Nation Soldiers, we would need to incapacitate all of them, isolate them, or catch them off guard for a quick kill. Alternatively, we could conduct a saturation attack that exceeds their processing capabilities. Those are the only viable methods.”
“That’s troublesome. Small nations wouldn’t stand a chance against that.”
While it might be possible to defeat a small number by surrounding them with a larger force, the casualties incurred would be immense. The question remained whether the soldiers could continue their assault without fleeing in such a situation. If they were trained professional soldiers, perhaps. But most of the opposing nation’s forces were conscripted civilians.
“We have no choice but to resort to guerrilla warfare. That way, we can minimize casualties. However, with guerrilla warfare, it would only serve as an annoyance to the Divine Nation Soldiers. We could delay their invasion, but…”
In the first place, the Divine Nation Soldiers were conducting invasions in small, multiple groups, which ironically resembled guerrilla warfare.
“It seems absurd that major cities could fall to guerrilla warfare…”
One could only imagine the stress on the leaders of the nations that must push back against this.
“I need to send a care package to Amagio.”