Chapter 82: Elf’s Mystic Eyes (Presumed)
This world is extremely vast.
Based on the areas ＜Ringo＞ has surveyed using Solar-Powered Reconnaissance Aircraft (Swift) and other means, compared to Earth, this planet is very large.
The launch of the exploration rocket the other day has significantly improved the accuracy of that information.
The diameter of this planet is approximately 20,000 km. An artificial satellite is needed for accurate measurement, but it is estimated from ground-based measurements and calculations to be between 21,000 and 22,000 km.
Assuming it is 21,500 km, the equatorial circumference would be 67,500 km, and the surface area would be 1.45 billion square kilometers. Since Earth’s circumference is about 40,000 km and its surface area is 500 million square kilometers, this is 1.7 times and 2.9 times larger, respectively.
Exploring a planet three times the size of Earth without being able to operate artificial satellites is extremely difficult.
As a result, the exploration of the Northern Continent is currently progressing very slowly.
In particular, the Forest Country (Lebresta) has not been touched at all. Partly because we are avoiding violating their airspace, we have almost no information about them.
There is also the circumstance that we are prioritizing the land survey of the Afrasia United Kingdom.
Moreover, the number of High-Altitude Drones themselves is small.
Swift was being used as a platform for communication relay, so there were not many that could be used for reconnaissance purposes. The High-Altitude Drones that have been increased since then basically prioritize microwave relay functions, and their structure is not suitable for use as reconnaissance aircraft.
“Even so, our resource production is increasing, so I want to focus on gathering this information.”
“Yes, Ma’am. In that regard, the completion of the 4,000m runway at Fortress Two is in sight, so ground aircraft will be able to take off and land.”
“Ground aircraft, huh? Hmm, I want to investigate the Forest Country (Lebresta)…”
When we intruded into the forest airspace of the Forest Country (Lebresta) from the Afrasia United Kingdom side, we were shot down by that arrow message. Presumably, we had already been detected before the intrusion.
It is not impossible to repeatedly intrude without giving up, but if we were shot down, we would not be able to recover it, so we have been moving with a policy of avoiding that.
However, we managed to make contact with the ambassador of the Forest Country (Lebresta).
From here, we want to extract as much information as possible.
“There is room for consideration as to how much information to disclose to the Forest Country (Lebresta) ambassador.”
“That’s right. In the first place, how much of our technological capabilities should we show them? I wonder if it would be better to ask them what they can prepare as Trade Goods first…”
The details of the exchange with the Forest Country (Lebresta) are currently being worked out, including the civil servants of the East Gate city.
How much to set the tariff, renting warehouses to store Trade Goods, preparing personnel and rent, etc. Currency exchange rates, the presence or absence of bills, payment methods, delivery deadlines for goods, and provision periods.
Also, ＜Ringo＞ basically does not approve of the conventional practices and is requesting that everything be clearly written, so it is taking time.
And the Forest Country (Lebresta) side, which is participating in this long negotiation, seems to have high expectations for this trade.
“But somehow, that ambassador is ingratiatingly rude, or rather, arrogant.”
“Yes, Ma’am. I agree. I infer that they often speak and act as if everyone around them is in a lower position than themselves. However, I can understand it if I think of it as an attitude towards the Afrasia United Kingdom, at least.”
In any case, their way of speaking is somehow condescending.
Well, as far as I can see, there is too much of a difference in the degree of development between the Forest Country (Lebresta) and the Afrasia United Kingdom. It is not possible to simply compare them because they handle different materials, but judging from the manufacturing accuracy and the precision of the work, there seems to be a gap of several decades in terms of Earth’s history.
Therefore, there is a possibility that they are looking down on us as an underdeveloped country.
“They basically seem to have the same stance towards us… They don’t seem stupid, so is it their national character?”
“Yes, Ma’am. That may be the case. It’s a relief that they don’t seem to have a personality that gets offended or enraged. Otherwise, we might not have been able to negotiate in the first place.”
Well, the negotiation itself is progressing, even if the other party’s attitude is bad. ＜Ringo＞ and the local Strategic AI do not have such fragile mental structures that they would let go of their control over their words and actions just because they were looked down upon.
In the sense of looking down on others, for the AIs of ＜The Tree＞, everyone except Commander (Mum) is invariably inferior.
Since they are not being antagonized, nor is Commander (Mum) being directly insulted, they did not care what the subordinates said.
“For the time being, it seems that they have requested samples of Trade Goods from their home country, so more will be added in the future. While looking at the contents, let’s prepare something on our side as well.”
“That’s right. Basically, something that matches the value, right? By the way, was there something among the metals that they were interested in?”
This is about the fact that the ambassador of the Forest Country (Lebresta) was very interested in a specific item among the metal crafts that were given as samples at the beginning.
＜Ringo＞ had grasped the origin of this by collating the hidden serial number of the target.
“Yes, Ma’am. The target is a metal manufactured from the resources stored in ＜The Tree＞. And it seems that they did not react much to the metals obtained through trade from Telek Port City. As a raw material, they did not seem to react even to an alloy of stored resources and traded metals. Therefore, I have determined that the target is a pure stored resource from ＜The Tree＞.”
“I see…”
The difference between the stored resources and other resources is clear.
In other words, whether it existed in this world, or whether it was transferred along with ＜The Tree＞.
The stored resources that appeared as an accessory of ＜The Tree＞ are so valuable that the ambassador of the Forest Country (Lebresta) could not help but show some kind of reaction.
“In that case, it’s better not to release them as much as possible. We can’t tell the difference, though…”
“Scientific analysis has not found any different characteristics. It is presumed that they are distinguishing them by some kind of sensitivity unique to the people of the Forest Country (Lebresta). At least, it seems that the personnel of the Afrasia United Kingdom cannot tell the difference.”
The resources derived from ＜The Tree＞ have characteristics that can be easily identified by those who can see them.
“…Hmm. In that case, at worst, the history of the Solar-Powered Reconnaissance Aircraft (Swift) might be revealed…?”
“Yes, Ma’am. There is a possibility. If there are personnel on the other side who can confirm the materials of a flying object at an altitude of 20km, the similarity with the Trade Goods samples we gave them this time may be pointed out.”
“Hmm…. I don’t know. What should I do?”
We may have given the other party an important card. Noticing this possibility, Commander (Eve) held her head. She may be pressed about the airspace violation, and the trade negotiations may become disadvantageous.
“Ma’am. There are no countermeasures we can take regarding this matter. I think you shouldn’t worry too much about it.”
＜Ringo＞ also noticed this problem and has been repeating various simulations. As a result, it had reached the conclusion that there was no way to take countermeasures.
Swift has already been seen by the other party, and we have already handed over the samples. And we did not notice this problem at either of those timings, and it was impossible to take countermeasures at that point.
If so, we have no choice but to wait and see what the other party does.
“That’s right…. There’s nothing we can do. I guess we can just play dumb. For now, the delegation has been moving on the ground, and we haven’t disclosed anything about Swift to Telek Port City either. There’s no way they can know if we’re directly involved, right?”
“Yes, Ma’am. I think that’s a good premise.”
This world is full of unknowns, and there is a limit to what can be done in advance.
Regarding the airspace violation, even if it is questioned, we will push through by pretending not to know.
In terms of materials, the samples are iron and its alloys, which are not used in Swift.
Swift is mainly made of resin and Duralumin, and contains almost no iron. It will be possible to make excuses.
“…But, what kind of ability is it that allows them to tell just by looking? Mystic Eyes?”
“Yes, Ma’am. I can’t imagine.”