Episode 311: Head-on Collision
With a resounding crash, a large tree toppled over.
The culprit was a massive bulldozer made by ＜The Tree＞.
In addition to its caterpillar tracks, it was equipped with two large legs at the rear, providing extra support when pushing through obstacles.
A thick branch slammed into the side of the bulldozer.
The loud clang of metal against a hard object echoed through the forest.
However, the bulldozer, equipped with composite armor made of high-tensile steel, ceramics, and aramid fibers, remained unscathed.
The bulldozer, performing a super-spin turn, slammed its front dozer blade into the False Green Tree (Trent) that had attacked it.
The Trent, struck by several tons of metal, couldn’t withstand the force and snapped in half.
Perhaps due to the extensive damage, the tree-like Monster fell silent without much struggle.
“At this size, Trents aren’t a problem, huh?”
“Yes, Onee-sama! Even slightly enhanced Monsters can be crushed by mass!”
Currently, the machine being used to develop the Demon Forest is a massive bulldozer, about 10 meters in length.
In addition, many other construction machines have been deployed.
And all of them were covered in tough composite armor.
Since they are always attacked by Monsters at the front lines, most of the automated machines have been heavily armored to prevent them from being destroyed by minor attacks.
“…Onee-chan, the mass production system for the development team is ready…”
“Oh, really? You did a good job.”
While patting Olive’s head as she sought praise, Eve zoomed in on the tactical map.
Many automated machines were being produced at the massive rear base built in the Holy Capital of Prawa.
And in the equally large warehouses that had been built, food and daily necessities such as shaped fuel for cooking were being steadily stockpiled.
“Hmm. Is the food being produced locally?”
“＜Iris＞?”
＜Ringo＞, sensing Eve’s question, turned to the Local Strategic AI, ＜Iris＞.
“Yes, Onee-sama. Agricultural products are also being produced in Prawa. However, most of it is being transported by sea from the Afrasia United Kingdom. Agricultural products need at least a month or more to harvest, no matter how fast.”
“Ah, right. It’s only been about a month since the subjugation ended.”
“In another two months, we plan to be able to produce the required amount within Prawa.”
Synthetic nitrogen oxides, mined phosphorus, potassium, and other chemical fertilizers, as well as various soil improvement materials, were being used to drastically transform the farmland within Prawa.
Even so, the growth rate of plants was not dramatically improved.
The amount of arable land was also being expanded by cultivation machinery, but that also required irrigation, which took a considerable amount of time.
In Prawa, unlike the Afrasia United Kingdom, groundwater does not necessarily spring up even if you dig underground.
Therefore, water had to be brought from the water source to the farmland.
Of course, this could be solved at once by deploying a large number of construction machines.
However, since there was no particular food shortage, the project was being left to the locals.
“The temporary railway has also been completed as planned. Construction of the standard railway has also begun. The initial phase of development within Prawa will be completed in another month.”
High-speed, large-volume transportation from the rear base to the front lines was achieved through the railway.
Currently, it is a simple track with questionable paving, but a huge line is under construction in parallel.
In addition, the establishment of a direct road to the base has made it possible to supply energy via wired connection.
Currently, energy is being transmitted to allow all automated machines to operate at full capacity.
If an energy furnace were installed locally, there would be a risk that the automated machine group would be rendered powerless if it were destroyed.
Of course, it would be safer to prepare a backup furnace.
However, the regular use of an energy furnace, which generates noise, high temperatures, and various Electromagnetic Waves during operation, was not permitted because it could invite unforeseen disasters.
“…Hmm, enemy reaction?”
Eve, who had been checking the tactical map, reacted to a message that popped up.
“Onee-sama. A battle with Boar-type Monsters has occurred at the front line.”
“Hoh?”
＜Iris＞, judging that Eve seemed interested, sent footage from the front line.
The overhead view showed a giant boar charging towards the lead bulldozer.
“That’s probably a Forest Boar! It’s about 6 meters long!”
With a bellow, the Forest Boar collided with the bulldozer’s blade. A loud crash of metal being crushed echoed, and the bulldozer’s status changed to damaged (yellow).
“Dozer blade damaged. Blade support device damaged. Shock absorber damaged. The onboard AI reports that the damage level is within acceptable limits.”
“Hmm, still powerful. How many is this now?”
“This is the fourth Forest Boar.”
Since starting the project of building a road through the forest, this was the third battle with this large Monster. Although they struggled quite a bit during the first encounter, they can now handle it with almost no problems.
“Oh, it’s showtime.”
As Eve watched through the video, a figure jumped onto the bulldozer that had stopped moving after the head-on collision.
It was a Chimyera Clan, deployed as a guard.
The Chimyera aimed the short spear in his hand at the raging Forest Boar in front of him.
The Forest Boar was stabbing its two tusks, which protruded from its lower jaw, into the dozer blade, trying to lift it up.
However, the dozer blade was a lump of metal. It alone weighed over 3 tons, and it was now connected to the bulldozer body.
Although the holding mechanism had failed due to the impact of the collision, the connection with the main body was re-established after the collision, turning it into a trap that restrained the Forest Boar.
No matter how large it was, even if its strength was enhanced by Magic (Fantasy), it seemed impossible to immediately do anything about an object weighing nearly a hundred tons.
Still, the fact that it could collide with such a lump of metal with all its might and still be unharmed was truly monstrous.
“Here it comes! Penetration (Prongeit)!”
The Chimyera thrust out the short spear he was holding with a shout.
The target was probably the hardest part of the Forest Boar, the front of its head. And the weak point hidden behind the shield of its thick skull, the cerebrum, which is the center of thought.
With a technique called ＜Prongeit＞, the short spear penetrated the front of the skull without fail. The Forest Boar, its brain destroyed, rolled its eyes back and fell silent.
“Extermination has become easier…”
“It seems that magic is very effective against Monsters enhanced by magic! However, it is said that you have to train considerably to be able to penetrate the skull of a Forest Boar of this size!”
Asahi happily told her.
Certainly, even if it wasn’t enhanced by some mysterious fantasy power, it would not be an ordinary skill to penetrate the solid skull of a giant boar that was 6m long with a spear.
“The participation of the Chimyera Clan has increased the speed of Monster extermination. The development team itself can be guarded by Multi-legged Tanks, but that was difficult for the reconnaissance team. The attrition rate has been reduced to 1/10 or less.”
By incorporating the Chimyera Clan as a fighting force, it became possible to quickly exterminate relatively small Monsters.
Even Black Monkeys that attack in groups can be surrounded and Zistroi with their superior strength and agility.
The problem is that there are not many teams of Chimyera Clan with that much skill.
“Well, if we specialize in building roads, the number isn’t a problem.”
“At least, we can assume that the Chimyera Clan can handle security up to an advance of about 10km.”
If solid roads and facilities can be built, it will be possible to operate fixed cannons.
Using these as a stepping stone, the controlled area will be further expanded.
Well, mass production by scientific power is truly a cheat.
The brute force of slamming Fire and Iron is good, but I also want to utilize the magic unit that was incorporated.
A new technology unit that has grown from the beginning becomes an ally, this is also a common occurrence.