Episode 307: Reconnoitering the Demon Forest
The Hungry Fortress Wants to Build a Battleship in Another World – World of Sandbox Volume 3 is Coming Soon!!
“Reconnaissance team, launch!”
Reconnaissance aircraft took off one after another from the field airfield built in the suburbs of the Prahva Theocracy’s Holy Capital.
Stealth Reconnaissance Aircraft LSRF-1 “Little Owl.”
This jet was developed for aerial reconnaissance, maximizing stealth in the microwave range.
It specializes in concealing itself from radar waves, making it essentially invisible to radar. However, it has no stealth capabilities in the visible light or sound wave ranges.
It is designed to counter threat creatures that react to microwaves.
“Target location: Trout Nursery. Estimated time of arrival: 40 minutes.”
“Amadio-san’s information suggests there might be some monsters…”
Eve muttered while looking at the information coming from the reconnaissance team “Scout A,” controlled by Akane.
Currently, they were trying to gather information about Amadio Silverhead Duke’s former base, Trout Nursery. As a first step, they started with aerial reconnaissance.
“Sister! According to recorded information, multiple flying monsters have been confirmed! The timestamps are over 100 years old, so the ecosystem may have changed, but even so, aerial intrusion might be difficult!”
Even with the information they had, aerial reconnaissance was considered dangerous. The flying machines owned by Amadio Salmon seemed to have been shot down by monsters very early on.
Moreover, they were swarmed by a large number of monsters. It seems they were destroyed by attacks from small monsters, not large threat creatures.
Fortunately, the flying monsters didn’t seem to attack the ground.
“That being said, direct dispatch is still good for improving information accuracy.”
“Yes, Sister. The precision of the installed sensors has also improved. We should actively dispatch externally from now on.”
With the acquisition of a large amount of resources, the production of rare materials had also increased proportionally. As a result, they were able to manufacture higher-performance equipment.
Not only were there minor performance improvements, but new technology systems could also be unlocked.
“Jet engines have improved combustion temperature, increased output, improved fuel efficiency, and reduced weight. I heard Little Owl is in pre-production, but how is it?”
“…Operational data is increasing. Ichigo said they’re dispatching Little Owls to survey the Northern Continent, assuming they’ll be expendable…”
Olive, who was adjusting the production facilities at the Second Fortress (Black Iron), answered Eve’s question.
Olive was currently identifying and improving the problems with the pre-production Little Owl, and preparing the mass production line.
Once the line was operational, it would supply hundreds of aircraft per day.
“…Without a control aircraft, they can’t move flexibly…”
Little Owl is a reconnaissance aircraft and cannot share information closely with a rear base. Radio communication is very noticeable, so it is intended for stand-alone operation or operation in small units centered on a control aircraft.
However, especially in stand-alone mode, the amount of information that can be processed is limited, so there is no room to install a high-performance processor capable of advanced thinking.
Therefore, they were envisioning a unit accompanied by a large control aircraft.
“The control aircraft is also a stealth type, right? Oh, and it has an active stealth function.”
It would be best if they could simply be invisible, but that becomes more difficult as the aircraft gets larger. Moreover, given the function of control, it is necessary to transmit some kind of information to the outside. Hiding that would cut off communication with the controlled aircraft.
Therefore, the control aircraft incorporates a new type of active stealth device.
This includes both optical camouflage by manipulating the surface color of the aircraft and electromagnetic camouflage that emits deceptive radio waves.
“Well, it’s unclear how effective it will be against threat creatures! We know almost nothing about their other senses, let alone biological radar!”
As Asahi said, even with aircraft with stealth capabilities, their effectiveness could not be evaluated.
For example, it was certain that Wyverns had biological radar using microwaves, but that didn’t mean they didn’t have other means of detection.
If there were magical search methods, they wouldn’t be able to deceive them.
“We have to feel our way through it. We don’t want to do anything careless and attract a large number of threat creatures.”
“If we were invaded by The Reflector in the current situation, the Prahva Theocracy’s forces wouldn’t be able to resist.”
Akane was right.
The Tree had greatly improved its strength by gaining territory, but it had not gained enough power to repel all the observed threat creatures.
To counter them, it was necessary to analyze, understand, and be able to handle the mysterious technology of magic.
“Anyway, Sister, Scout A is approaching the target area. It can start observation within 10 minutes.”
“Oh, it’s already that close?”
When they continued chatting, about 30 minutes quickly passed.
The Little Owl squadron, flying at subsonic speeds at an altitude of 8,000m, had already reached the Demon Forest area.
So far, nothing had happened, but they were still on the outer edge of the Demon Forest, and far from the depths where the problematic monsters were thought to appear.
“Well, a little more. If we can confirm the safety of the airspace, we can dispatch rotary-wing aircraft for investigation…”
If they could send out aircraft, they could eliminate most distance constraints.
Quantitative problems could also be handled by shuttle transport, unless it was something extraordinary.
Moving on the ground to the site was too difficult. Using aircraft would greatly reduce the time, but…
“Multiple biological reactions detected. Sister, something’s coming out.”
“Ugh. I knew they were there…”
“Oh, Sister! It seems flying creatures have appeared!”
But Eve’s wish was in vain, and Scout A reported an anomaly.
Akane displayed the detected information on the command room’s display.
“Primary analysis. Group of 3, number of detections, between 140 and 220. Body length, 2m to 3m. Appearing from the forest, gaining altitude. Flight speed fluctuating.”
“Sister! Monsters, definitely monsters! The group is ascending vertically! Speed is over 400km/h!”
Scout A, for the purpose of reconnaissance, had each aircraft spaced far apart. The distance between aircraft was about 1km. They were in a diamond formation, and the flock of flying monsters seemed to be rising towards the lead aircraft.
“Video, display.”
The Little Owl at the rear transmitted the captured video. The video was processed in real time and displayed on the command room’s large screen.
“…Peacocks?”
And the creatures shown there were birds with long tails, like peacocks. Their feathers and bodies sparkled, reflecting the sunlight.
“Secondary analysis. 183 targets. Average body length 3m, wingspan 2m. Flight speed expected to reach 900km/h.”
“Wow, these monsters are about to catch up with Little Owl!”
The Little Owl’s cruising speed was about 900km/h. It was a subsonic speed, not reaching the speed of sound.
Supersonic flight would generate a loud sonic boom, which was naturally unsuitable for reconnaissance flights.
It was an aircraft that pursued speed to the limit while avoiding that, but the monsters were approaching that speed while rising vertically.
“Distance, less than 1km.”
“Peacocks flying at subsonic speeds…?”
Eve with a dumbfounded expression, Akane reporting calmly. And Asahi, happily starting information analysis.
“Luminescence confirmed.”
“Ah! The sensors!”
“Eh?”
Then, a yellow flash occurred from the peacock flock. At that moment, the lead Little Owl exploded.
Well, it’s about time to dispatch to the Demon Forest in earnest. It’s that phase, but as expected, there’s a baptism…
That’s the episode. Yes.
Resuming updates. Thank you for waiting.
Well, I struggled with Volume 3 and finally submitted the first draft.
The release date is still undecided, so please wait a little longer!