Chapter 318: The Importance of Manual Labor
The Tree, which is engaged in the development of the Demon Forest, has cleared a path approximately 6 kilometers from the forward base established just before the forest. Here, upon a proposal from the Chimiya Family, it was decided to construct a fortress at this location.
“…………”
“Noin-dono. The sweep of the surrounding area has been completed. I will return the squad to normal patrol. Is that acceptable?”
Noin Iris, who had been gazing at the display at the foot of the command vehicle, turned her face towards the Grand Archbishop Turanta, who had spoken.
“Understood. No suspicious movements have been detected. I assess that there are no issues.”
“Indeed.”
The Chimiya Family communicates among themselves in ways that The Tree cannot detect. They are likely utilizing the power of magic.
Turanta, who seemed to have remotely instructed a change in personnel deployment, nodded and approached Noin’s side.
“The hill is an excellent location. If we build a solid wall, we can launch one-sided attacks.”
“The terrain is favorable. If we advance a few more kilometers, there are even better conditions in the mountains, but for now, this is our limit.”
“True. It is not yet time to push ourselves.”
Having secured the small hill, The Tree’s forces deployed multiple Multi-legged Tanks at the summit to establish a defensive posture and began sweeping the surrounding area. Together with the Chimiya Family, they ensured safety.
Currently, they are in the process of cutting down trees to secure construction sites.
Of course, they are meticulously checking for any lurking monsters beneath the ground.
“However, your construction capabilities are truly remarkable. Without you, we would not have even been able to advance this far.”
“It goes both ways. Without us, we would have had to burn the forest to reach this point.”
Thanks to the joint operations of The Tree and the Chimiya Family, the clearing of the Demon Forest is proceeding remarkably smoothly. The automated machines of The Tree handle labor, defense maintenance, and supply transport, while the Chimiya Family conducts the extermination of monsters and reconnaissance of the area.
This division of roles has fit together exceptionally well, allowing for rapid deployment.
Currently, the maintenance and guarding of the road through the Demon Forest are primarily the responsibility of the Chimiya Family. Regular patrols and the extermination of invading monsters protect the various facilities established by The Tree.
The immediate goal will be to establish buffer zones on both sides of this main road, ultimately minimizing the need for Chimiya patrols.
“The frequency of monster incursions has not shown significant fluctuations so far. However, whether we interpret this as a non-issue or an anomaly is still uncertain.”
“Hmm… Ah, I see. The number of sightings and exterminations over time. I had an intuitive understanding, but seeing it represented in this way makes it much clearer.”
As Turanta nodded repeatedly at the graphed data, the detection and engagement numbers for monsters and ordinary animals were impressively flat over the past week.
“It seems that the territorial disputes in the surrounding area have not yet settled. The monsters pushed out by our advance are spreading while fighting among themselves. A certain number of them are invading our territory. However, I believe this will decrease in a few weeks.”
“Understood. If any fluctuations are observed, I will consult with you again.”
As she replied, Noin waved her hand, changing the display to the design plans for the fortress.
“Now then. For the time being, this is the fortress we plan to construct. At the hilltop, we will deploy a Laser Cannon for primarily anti-air surveillance. From there down to the mid-slope, we will install ground attack artillery. The barracks will be built underground, while living facilities will be located below the mid-slope. The outermost barrier will be constructed with wire mesh to maintain visibility.”
“Wire mesh, huh? That’s a good choice; it has strength and doesn’t obstruct the view. I thought we couldn’t eliminate walls due to the many ground-dwelling monsters.”
While constructing walls with materials like concrete would ensure strength, it would make it difficult to observe smaller monsters. Particularly, if they were to attach themselves to the base, there could be issues where holes were made without notice.
Thus, they decided on a structure that would deploy multiple layers of wire mesh for temporary hindrance, and in case of contact, quickly incinerate the mesh with lasers and reinstall it.
While this would be less effective against massive creatures like boars, it could be dealt with by bulldozer-type automated machines. In the worst-case scenario, they could blast them away with the Electromagnetic Projectile Cannon (Coil Cannon), leading to the conclusion that a solid wall was unnecessary.
“Next, we just need to relocate the Barrier Emitter installed in the Holy Capital.”
And this is the centerpiece of the fortress.
The extraction and relocation of the enormous Magic Stone and its structure that deploys the magical barrier, which is currently situated in the Holy Capital of the Prava Divine Nation.
“The Holy Barrier, huh? We only know it as a record. I apologize for the trouble this will cause you.”
“No problem. Once the relocation is complete, we may be able to add similar structures in the future.”
They plan to excavate and transport the massive Magic Stone located at the center of the Holy Capital, along with the biological structures extending throughout the city, and install them at this fortress.
This proposal came from the Chimiya Family.
Originally, the Holy Capital was built as a frontline city to serve as a shelter for the citizens. However, as the influence expanded, it became increasingly distant from the frontlines, and its original purpose was completely forgotten. Although it had been set as a pilgrimage route as a religious symbol, it had not become entirely useless.
“It seems we could not use our heavy machinery. It would become a target for the barrier’s protection.”
“I see. It rejects anything that harms itself. Your machines likely do not convey the intent of repair.”
And then, they began the relocation work, but a problem arose.
When they attempted to break through the wall with heavy machinery to excavate the buried biological structures, a barrier was generated.
The Holy Capital is a city where many residents live. It seems that routine repair work, building demolitions, and renovations can be carried out normally.
However, large-scale construction by Paraiso is completely repelled.
It appears that destruction with the intent to repair is permitted, but indiscriminate destruction using heavy machinery is rejected.
Thus, they have begun gathering manpower to dig through the wall. Even then, if they simply try to excavate without understanding the intent, they are repelled, making it necessary to clearly communicate the purpose of the work, resulting in a rather tedious situation.
“This phenomenon is difficult for us to comprehend.”
“…You were unable to use magic, were you? Yet, to operate something of this magnitude is truly admirable…”
To the Chimiya Family, who take the existence of magic for granted, the automated machines operated by Paraiso seem strange. Despite not using any magical effects, they are far stronger and sturdier than the monk soldiers.
Of course, from The Tree’s perspective, the monk soldiers, who perform at the pinnacle of technological prowess, are nothing short of a threat.
“At the very least, we will take responsibility for this relocation work. If you were to work directly, it might somehow work out…”
“Our numbers are limited. It is impossible for us to carry out the construction of the entire Holy Capital by ourselves. Well, it will become a public work for the citizens of the Divine Nation, so there is no problem.”
In fact, they had already obtained verification results indicating that construction in the Holy Capital could be possible using Communicator Androids. However, the Communicator Androids are not suited for heavy labor. Currently, all the Communicator Androids operated by The Tree are in female forms. If they were adult male forms, there might have been a way to manage it.
“Once we can deploy the Holy Barrier at this fortress, the safety of our development will increase dramatically. We should be able to relocate our main force here as well. This would make it easier to rotate the monk soldiers and allow for more efficient training.”
It seems the Chimiya Family is eager to establish their headquarters closer to the frontlines.
For them, the closer they are to the Holy Land, the greater the boost to their motivation.
The notion that a civilization based on magic resembles a medieval European style, yet fails to develop due to an over-reliance on individual skills, is quite intriguing. Having such reasoning in place is incredibly important.