Episode 298: Commence the Walk
Continuous updates, let’s get this started!
The Threat Creature classified as ＜Fenrir＞ by ＜The Tree＞ forces, individual name ＜Froz＞, was conducting its usual territory patrol.
Leaving the Demon Forest, it headed straight for a nearby abandoned village.
That village, destroyed in Froz’s initial attack, was now completely covered in greenery. A type of plant-based monster called False Green Tree (Trent) had proliferated, forming a small forest within just a few months.
Froz walked through the forest covering the abandoned village, using its eyes and nose to check for any intruding monsters or hostile creatures. It didn’t forget to rub its body against the trunks of the Trents, marking its territory.
After wandering through the forest for several hours, Froz left the forest again and began to walk.
It spent the day circling around four abandoned villages and towns. And as the sun set, it arrived at the former Royal Capital.
The Royal Capital was already infested with False Green Trees (Trent), but the solidly constructed foundations, stone walls, and fortresses still remained.
Froz’s favorite sleeping spot was the collapsed Royal Castle in the center of the Royal Capital.
This time, too, its territory patrol would likely be centered around this location.
This was judged to be almost certain based on past territory patrol records.
Then, another full day passed.
As a result of continued observation, it was confirmed that this territory patrol was being conducted along the same route as before. Therefore, Strategic AI Iris, in charge of the Prawa Theocracy direction, judged that there would be no hindrance to the start of the operation.
“Received notification from ＜Iris＞ that preparations are complete.”
“All checklist items passed. Predicted model divergence rate is less than 2%. ＜Iris＞ is awaiting final judgment.”
Eve, hearing the report from the command seat, nodded.
“I’ve properly contacted Amadio-san as well. He’s on standby over there. Okay, let’s do it. Akane, authorize the start of the operation.”
“Roger. Operation ‘Walking the Dog’ is commencing.”
“Received a response from ＜Iris＞. Walking the Dog, commencing.”
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“…That’s quite the flavorful operation name, isn’t it?”
“Affirmative. The naming of large-scale operations like this is generally done by Akane of the First Generation. It succinctly describes the operation’s content and is highly regarded by Ma’am.”
“…The original stock, huh? She’s got the same sensibilities.”
Amadio, being an adult, didn’t voice his criticism.
Asidanthera, the Communicator Doll operated by ＜Ayame Zero＞, who had a slightly better understanding of human nuances, glanced at Amadio.
“Something?”
“Nothing. But, you’re going to mess with ＜Fenrir＞? Wouldn’t it have been better to leave it alone?”
That was Amadio’s honest impression when he was informed of the operation.
“There’s no need to throw stones at a sleeping dog, is there? Isn’t there a possibility of unnecessary complications?”
“That concern has been considered. If ＜Fenrir＞ is left as is, the Demon Forest’s territory is predicted to expand southward by 13km in two years, and the forests that have sprung up in the original villages and towns will expand to around 25km in circumference. If this rate of expansion continues, the area that ＜Fenrir＞ claims as its territory will be completely covered in forest in about 50 to 80 years. Therefore, it is necessary to start dealing with it early.”
Along with that explanation, the simulation results were sent to Amadio.
Even assuming a constant rate of expansion, the country would be swallowed by the forest in less than 100 years.
“…I see. Well, even if it fails, ＜Fenrir＞’s territory won’t change. And since there’s available combat power, throwing it at the problem isn’t exactly wrong. Unlike human nations, combat power attrition doesn’t lead to a decline in national power.”
“Effective utilization of automated machines subject to updates. Deployment of next-generation machines has already begun.”
The automated machine groups possessed by ＜The Tree＞ forces require not only regular maintenance but also regular equipment updates. Normally, equipment lifespan is expected to be several years, but ＜The Tree＞ is currently unlocking its Tech Tree at an incredible rate.
As a result, equipment is becoming obsolete in a matter of months.
Moreover, resource production is constantly increasing as various Lodes are secured one after another.
In this situation, it’s more costly to scrap the old automated machines.
“Also, conflicts with Threat Creatures will continue to occur in the future. Until now, there have been many engagements resulting from accidental contact, but this time, we are opening hostilities with preparations in place. ＜Ringo＞ has judged that this will be a good experience.”
“Information gathering, huh? Well, that’s true. Considering the expansion speed of ＜Paraiso＞… no, ＜The Tree＞, we’ll be entering the Demon Forest for development in the future. Which means we’ll need to exterminate monsters.”
“Affirmative.”
To the north of the current area controlled by ＜The Tree＞ lies a vast Demon Forest. Untouched land, in other words, a treasure trove of resources.
From the resource distribution status in the exploration range, it was assumed that considerable Lodes were sleeping in the Demon Forest area as well.
Therefore, ＜The Tree＞ desires that area.
“Our side is a peninsula, so underground resources are so-so. Apparently, there are many exposed Lodes on the continent, so we can expect a lot.”
“The Repuytari Kingdom also has a similar basic structure to the Northern Continent. If you dig, including the seabed, you’ll find something, won’t you?”
The area controlled by human nations is only a small part of the Northern Continent. Only the areas away from the Demon Forest. In that sense, ＜The Tree＞ believes that developing the Demon Forest is far more efficient than developing the plains areas where humans live.
Of course, that’s not the case if you don’t consider the future of humanity.
Since the representative (top), a human (Eve), doesn’t want that, it can be considered that the safety of the human sphere of existence is guaranteed for the time being.
“If we can dig it up, that is. And simply, we don’t have the technology to investigate the distribution of underground resources. Well, that’ll change in another 100 years. From our perspective, the policy is that there’s no problem leaving it as is, right?”
“Affirmative. Onee-sama’s eyes are not on the human nations. It seems that she only recognizes them as part of the masses.”
For Eve, who doesn’t go out from Fortress The Tree, foreign countries are fictional entities. Therefore, she probably has no intention of actively intervening unless they become a direct obstacle to ＜The Tree＞.
Whether that point is considered dangerous or safe depends on one’s ideology.
“Eve-chan, huh? Well… it’d be best if she stayed as she is, wouldn’t it?”
And that was probably Amadio’s true feeling.
For Amadio, who had regained all his memories of over 100 years, Eve was still a toddler. Moreover, a gentle, non-violent ideal person.
There was no need to expose her to the foolishness of humanity, as she seemed to be somewhat satisfied with the current situation.
Although there was only one in ten thousand chances with the current power relationship, if shady actions were ever needed.
“The behind-the-scenes work can be handled by you AI Kinds and me. That’s probably the intention, right?”
“…At least, that’s ＜Ringo＞’s intention.”
A sweet, sweet, dreamlike world. ＜Ringo＞ is trying to create it.
Akane and the other AIs who have been exposed to many stories seem to have mixed opinions, but they generally affirm it.
But to achieve that, we are still only halfway there.
＜The Tree＞ is greedily seeking resources.
“By the way, in your ＜Trout Nursery＞, was energy shield technology realized?”
“Huh? No, I don’t think it ever reached the manufacturing stage. Hmm, maybe there are some related mothballed weapons among the stockpiled weapons. I couldn’t organize the warehouse after all.”
Finally, the GO has been given for the Giant Furball Understanding Operation. Will Eve and the others be able to make it understand the hierarchy?