Chapter 311: Head-On Collision
With a resounding crack, a massive tree toppled over.
The cause of this destruction was a colossal bulldozer manufactured by The Tree. Equipped with continuous tracks and two large legs at the rear, it boasted enhanced stability for pushing aside obstacles.
Suddenly, a thick branch slammed against the side of the bulldozer.
The deafening sound of metal colliding with a hard object echoed through the forest.
However, the bulldozer, clad in composite armor made from high-tensile steel, ceramic, and aramid fibers, remained unscathed.
Executing a super inverted turn right on the spot, the bulldozer slammed its front blade against the attacking False Green Tree (Treant).
Struck by several tons of metal, the Treant was unable to resist and was snapped in half. Perhaps due to the overwhelming damage, the tree-like monster fell silent, unable to thrash about.
“With this size, a Treant is no problem at all,” Eve remarked.
“Yes, Older Sister! We can crush monsters of that strength with sheer mass!” Olive chimed in enthusiastically.
Currently, the massive bulldozer, measuring around 10 meters in length, was being utilized for the development of the Demon Forest.
In addition, numerous construction machines were deployed.
All of them were covered in robust composite armor. Since monsters would inevitably attack at the front lines, most automated machines were heavily armored to withstand even minor assaults.
“…Big Sister. The mass production system for the development team is ready,” Olive reported.
“Oh, really? Well done!” Eve praised, gently patting Olive’s head as she zoomed in on the tactical map.
A vast rear base had been established in the Holy Capital of the Prava Divine Nation, where many automated machines were being produced. Additionally, a massive warehouse had been constructed to stockpile food supplies and molded fuels for cooking.
“Hmm. Are we producing food locally?” Eve inquired.
“RINGO?”
In response to Eve’s question, RINGO, the AI Assistant, deftly directed the inquiry to the Local Strategy AI, Iris.
“Yes, Older Sister. Agricultural production is indeed taking place within the Prava Divine Nation. However, we are primarily relying on maritime transport from the Afrasia United Kingdom. Even under the best conditions, harvesting takes over a month,” Iris explained.
“Oh, right. It’s only been about a month since we finished the pacification,” Eve acknowledged.
“In two months, we expect to produce the necessary quantities within the Prava Divine Nation,” Iris added.
Nitrogen oxides synthesized with mined phosphorus and potassium, along with various soil amendments, were being utilized to transform the agricultural land in the Prava Divine Nation.
Still, the growth rate of plants was not dramatically improved.
While cultivable land was being expanded with agricultural machinery, this required irrigation, which took considerable time.
Unlike the Afrasia United Kingdom, the Prava Divine Nation did not guarantee the emergence of groundwater when digging underground. Thus, water had to be transported from the source to the fields.
Of course, deploying a large number of construction machines could solve this issue quickly. However, since there was no immediate food crisis, the local populace was entrusted with the task.
“The temporary railway has been completed as scheduled, and construction of the standard railway has begun. The initial phase of development in the Prava Divine Nation will conclude in about a month,” Iris reported.
With the establishment of railways, rapid and large-scale transport from the rear base to the front lines was now possible. Currently, the tracks were rudimentary and poorly paved, but construction of a massive railway was underway alongside it. Additionally, a direct road connecting the base allowed for wired energy supply.
Energy was being transmitted to fully operate all automated machines. Installing an energy reactor on-site posed a risk; if it were destroyed, the automated machines could be rendered powerless.
Of course, having a backup reactor would provide peace of mind.
However, the constant operation of an energy reactor, which generated noise, high temperatures, and various electromagnetic waves, was not permitted due to the potential for unforeseen disasters.
“…Hmm? Hostile response?”
While Eve was checking the tactical map, a notification pinged her attention.
“Older Sister, a skirmish with boar-type monsters has occurred at the front lines,” Iris reported.
“Oh?”
Iris interpreted Eve’s interest and transmitted footage from the front lines.
A bird’s-eye view showed a gigantic boar charging toward the leading bulldozer.
“This is likely a Forest Boar! It measures about 6 meters in length!” Iris exclaimed.
With a thunderous roar, the bulldozer’s blade collided with the Forest Boar. The sound of metal screeching echoed, and the bulldozer’s status changed to damaged (yellow).
“Blade damaged. Blade support structure damaged. Shock absorption system compromised. The onboard AI reports that the damage level is within acceptable limits.”
“Hmm, still quite impressive. How many have we faced now?” Eve mused.
“This is the fourth Forest Boar,” Iris replied.
Since the commencement of the project to clear a path through the forest, this marked the third encounter with these large monsters. Although the first encounter had been quite challenging, they were now able to handle them with relative ease.
“Oh, it’s time for action,” Eve said, watching the scene unfold.
A figure leaped onto the immobilized bulldozer, which had come to a standstill after the collision.
It was the Chimiya family, stationed as guards.
The Chimiya family readied their short spear, aiming it at the raging Forest Boar before them.
The Forest Boar thrust its two tusks, protruding from its lower jaw, into the bulldozer’s blade, struggling to lift it. However, the bulldozer’s blade was a solid mass of metal, weighing over three tons, and was currently attached to the bulldozer itself.
Although the impact had damaged the holding mechanism, the subsequent reattachment to the main body had turned the blade into a trap for the Forest Boar.
Even with its massive size and enhanced physical strength from magic, it seemed unable to do anything against a weight approaching a hundred tons.
Still, the fact that it could charge full force into such a metal mass and remain unscathed was a testament to its monstrous nature.
“Here it comes! Prongit!”
The Chimiya family thrust their short spear forward with determination.
The target was likely the hardest part of the Forest Boar: the front of its head. Behind the thick skull, hidden was its critical weakness—the brain.
With the technique known as Prongit, the short spear pierced through the frontal skull. The Forest Boar, its brain destroyed, rolled its eyes back and fell silent.
“It’s become much easier to exterminate them,” Eve remarked.
“It seems that magic-enhanced monsters are particularly vulnerable to magic! However, penetrating the skull of a Forest Boar of this size requires considerable training!” Asahi chimed in, clearly pleased.
Indeed, even without the enhancement of mysterious magical powers, piercing the sturdy skull of a 6-meter-long boar with a spear was no ordinary feat.
“With the Chimiya family participating, the speed of monster extermination has increased. While the development team can be accompanied by multi-legged tanks for protection, reconnaissance units found that difficult. The casualty rate has dropped below 1/10,” Iris reported.
By incorporating the Chimiya family as combatants, they could swiftly eliminate relatively smaller monsters.
Even the Black Monkeys that attacked in packs could be surrounded and annihilated with their superior strength and agility. The only issue was that there weren’t many teams within the Chimiya family possessing such skills.
“Well, if we focus on creating paths, the numbers won’t be a problem,” Eve concluded.
“At least, we can expect the Chimiya family to handle security for advances of about 10 kilometers,” Iris added.
Once they could construct solid roads and facilities, the operation of fixed artillery would become feasible. With these as a foothold, they would be able to expand their dominion even further.
Now, the power of science enables mass production—truly a cheat. While the brute force of fire and iron is impressive, I also want to utilize the magical units we’ve integrated. It’s a common trope to have newly developed units join the party from the start, isn’t it?