Chapter 339: Pursuit Beneath the Ground
“Information gathering unit has arrived. Data transfer commencing.”
“Older Sister, I’m bringing up the satellite images now!”
Less than an hour into the operation, the situation had escalated dramatically. The rapid developments caused Eve to feel a headache as she turned her gaze towards the display where Asahi had added the images.
“There’s a lot of dust being kicked up.”
“Just a moment, I’ll make some adjustments!”
Following Asahi’s instructions, the analysis AI applied multiple filters to the satellite images. By overlaying various data, including electromagnetic wave maps, it brought hidden information to light.
“Wow, the earth is really being disturbed! It seems like something is pushing the soil beneath The Reflector’s body aside!”
“Something is pushing it aside…”
“Of course, it’s magic, Older Sister!”
Asahi cheerfully responded to Eve, who frowned at the notion.
So, what exactly is magic?
Eve’s expression clearly conveyed her skepticism.
“Let me check the timeline… just a moment.”
Images flickered on the display as they switched rapidly.
Of course, there was no need for the display to change due to Asahi’s analysis operations. It was merely a presentation for Eve.
“Yes, it looks like the soil and bedrock below have become so soft that it’s as if they’ve turned to water! It appears more like it sank under its own weight rather than digging its way down!”
“Well, I can understand how that behavior would occur if it were to submerge with that mass and volume…”
Logically speaking, that is.
When something burrows into the ground, it must displace an equal volume of soil. For smaller entities, they might fill in existing gaps, compacting the soil as they go. Otherwise, they would need to excavate the soil and push their bodies into the created void.
“Based on the data from the information gathering unit, it seems The Reflector did indeed disturb the ground, but it doesn’t look like it scattered soil everywhere. It’s clear it didn’t dig its way down with something like a drill; it sank, that much is certain!”
“Sank, huh… Well, never mind that. It’s not worth pursuing since we won’t find an answer… Can we track it?”
“Just a moment. Iris, how’s it looking?!”
“Deploying sensors now. Seven minutes remaining.”
According to Iris, multiple information gathering units were currently scattering a large number of sensors around the area. These were primarily composite sensors designed to detect vibrations underground.
The rod-shaped sensors, dropped from the air, deployed stabilizing parachutes before igniting their rocket motors to pierce the ground. Some had collided with trees and were damaged, but so far, about 80% had successfully embedded themselves in the ground and begun data collection.
“First, we’ll gather data using passive sonar. If we don’t collect any significant information, we’ll resort to explosives.”
“That’s what you’d call an artificial earthquake! I’d prefer to avoid using it since it could attract strange threat creatures…”
To track The Reflector, Iris had begun deploying numerous sensors. It would be ideal if they could pinpoint its location through passive detection, but if that failed, they would have to use active sensors.
However, there were very few sensors capable of probing underground.
There were those that used radio waves or ultrasound, but they could only penetrate about 100 meters at best.
The Reflector stood at approximately 140 meters tall, and it was currently completely hidden underground.
This meant it could easily submerge more than 140 meters deep.
And if it possessed such capabilities, it was only logical to assume it had gone even deeper. There was no need for it to remain near the surface.
“Very well. If it seems impossible, you have permission to use it. If the results are catastrophic, I’ll allow a retreat from the continent.”
To accurately grasp the situation hundreds of meters underground, a significant shock would be necessary. There was no telling what unseen threat creatures might be drawn in.
However, Eve chose to prioritize information gathering, accepting the risks involved. This decision was bolstered by the low likelihood of an increase in threat creatures and the unexpectedly smooth resource collection from the ocean.
Currently, the recovery of seabed resources was progressing well, with 30% of The Tree’s production resources already supplied by underwater development. Furthermore, seabed exploration was actively expanding. Even in the worst-case scenario of losing the continental base, recovery would be entirely feasible.
“First sensor deployment complete. Commencing data collection.”
“Now, I’d like to advance the automated machines a bit more, but… having a threat creature like the Peacock around would be troublesome.”
The Peacock was an aerial-type monster residing in the forest leading to Amagio’s base, the Trout Nursery. Since the information gathering units had already ventured into the sky, it was likely that none were present in the vicinity.
“The Reflector’s movement might have caused them to flee.”
“If that’s the case, it might be a good opportunity to establish a base now!”
The Reflector was undoubtedly the apex threat creature in this Demon Forest. Any creature with even a modicum of intelligence would naturally flee upon sensing such a massive presence.
Well, there had been observations of other threat creatures that had previously challenged The Reflector.
“Is it true that Wyverns are rather dim-witted…?”
“Analysis indicates they have a smaller brain capacity relative to their body size! If most of their brain is used for maintaining their bodies, their cognitive capacity could be even smaller than expected!”
“Even so, they still have a larger capacity than an average species. It’s crucial not to underestimate them.”
Conversely, there was also the possibility that their moderate intelligence could lead to miscalculations, so it was wise to remain cautious. Nevertheless, that discussion was irrelevant at the moment.
“We’ll consider establishing a base later. Even if we fortify it, maintaining it would be quite the challenge.”
Recalling the Gladiolus Fortress, which had become the frontline of the Demon Forest, Eve pulled the display closer. The screen showed information about The Reflector’s escape point and its surroundings.
“Information should be coming in soon. What’s the situation underground?”
“Displaying results now.”
A new display appeared before Iris’s gaze, revealing a subterranean map constructed from the analyzed data.
“We’ve managed to analyze down to about 220 meters underground. It appears The Reflector sank almost vertically. This section shows a cylindrical area with differing geology—where The Reflector has submerged.”
It seemed that The Reflector had somehow softened the soil enough to allow for its descent.
A massive vertical structure, fitting for its colossal form, was clearly depicted on the underground map.
“Well, it must be magic. I’d say it’s earth magic! After all, it previously created and launched rocks into the air!”
Eve recalled how Asahi had excitedly mentioned Stone Bullets during the conflict between The Reflector and the Wyvern. She found it somewhat challenging to connect that to the current underground submersion.
“We can detect vibrations that are likely from The Reflector. However, the source is probably too deep for accurate analysis. To gather information swiftly, we’ll need to induce an artificial earthquake.”
And so, Iris had detected vibrations that seemed to originate from The Reflector. Yet, it appeared that they hadn’t gathered enough data for precise analysis. This meant they needed to actively create a massive vibration akin to seismic waves.
“…Let’s do it. Understood, Ringo?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Understood. Flinghorni, launch missiles equipped with large bunker buster warheads.”
The Bunker Buster, a ground-penetrating bomb, was a brute-force weapon designed to accelerate a large bomb protected by a high-strength warhead from the air and drive it into the ground. By deploying multiple of these, they could generate artificial seismic waves.
Eight missiles shot into the sky from Flinghorni’s vertical launch system.
If only we could pinpoint the location with some convenient sensors, but that’s not how it works. The underground is an unknown realm, requiring considerable effort to explore. And now, the anticipated Bunker Busters would serve as our sensors.
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