第８４７堀：解析結果 (Part1)
Chapter 847: Analysis Results
Side: Yuki
"Delicious!"
"Who would have thought these monsters could taste so good?"
"Well, the last time we brought some back, they were already rotting. We never even considered eating them..."
"They devoured so many of our comrades. Eating them ourselves is the ultimate revenge!"
"That’s true. It feels like by consuming them, we’re bringing our comrades' souls back home."
Exchanging such words, the Sea-Sif cadets were enjoying their monster sashimi with gusto.
While they likely harbored complex feelings beneath the surface, they were soldiers, after all. Their ability to compartmentalize was truly commendable.
"…And that is how it happened."
"I see. Understood. I appreciate you sharing such valuable information. Now, please, take your time and enjoy your meal. It is a fitting way to mourn your fallen comrades."
"Thank you very much!!"
With those words, the officer who had briefed me on the 2nd Fleet returned to his companions.
The content of his story didn't differ much from what Kagura had told me, but I now had a clearer picture of the formation at the time.
"The 2nd Fleet was a massive task force of twelve ships, setting out to hunt the monsters, weren't they?"
"Yes. Among them, the three ships carrying the gathered mages were targeted by concentrated attacks and sunk."
"It seems that included some friendly fire during the chaotic melee, too."
"…It is deeply embarrassing to admit."
"No, such things are to be expected when facing something for the first time."
It was no wonder General Lake, Prime Minister Aquamarine, and Queen Emerald hadn't mentioned this.
It was true that the monsters focused their attacks on those three ships, and the mages aboard were devoured.
However, one of those ships had been destroyed when a crew member, panicked by a monster leaping onto the deck, unleashed fire magic in a desperate attempt to kill it, causing the ship itself to catch fire and burn.
…The crew jumped into the sea and became bait.
It was nothing more than a self-inflicted disaster. With information like that, one couldn't definitively conclude that the monsters were specifically targeting mages, and providing such details to another nation would be hesitant at best.
It would be tantamount to admitting, "We are just idiots."
Well, that wasn't the only reason they hadn't told us.
Setting aside the ship that blew itself up, half of the escort ships accompanying them had also been taken out before the other two were sunk.
Under those circumstances, it would be difficult to judge that the monsters were specifically hunting mages.
"Still, I think I might understand why the monsters didn't attack the remaining ships and instead retreated."
"Indeed. It wasn't that they were full, but that they had replenished their magical energy, so they had no reason to attack the rest of the fleet, correct?"
"Yes. That is highly likely. What do you think, Agil, Comet?"
I turned my gaze toward the two engineers sitting with us, but they both wore difficult expressions.
"What’s wrong? Did I say something off-base?"
"No, as far as the current story goes, I think you're right, Yuki. But the fundamental issue remains."
"Exactly. I expect information from Zargis will arrive soon, but while we understand they attacked people because they were low on magical energy, the question remains: why are the monsters in that sea area to begin with?"
"Well, sure. But given the situation, the theory that they drifted in from somewhere else has been on the table from the start, hasn't it?"
I tilted my head at Comet’s observation, which felt a bit late in the game.
They had appeared out of nowhere, which was why the Sea-Sif military had been deployed to defend this region.
"No, I phrased that poorly. The mystery is why these monsters are *staying* in this sea area."
"Right. As Comet says, it’s unclear why monsters would remain in a region where replenishing magical energy is so difficult. If we solve that mystery, I think the monster problem in this sea area will be resolved as well."
"That’s exactly why we’re conducting the survey. At any rate, we’ve confirmed there’s a hint to be found in this region."
There must be some reason why these monsters are lingering here, even at the cost of depleting their own magical energy.
Just as we were discussing this, someone entered the mess hall.
This aircraft carrier’s mess hall was primarily for Sea-Sif officers, so in this situation, no one else should have been coming in...
"I didn't see you at the CDC for the urgent work, so I asked around and was told you were here. And here you are, enjoying a leisurely meal. Must be nice to have such a privileged position."
The one who entered, delivering that sarcasm, was Zargis.
Come to think of it, hadn't he mentioned that the analysis would be finished soon?
"Well, it is a nice position. I am the Prince Consort, after all."
"Please don't respond to sarcasm with such sincerity. More importantly, here is the report."
"I appreciate you going out of your way. You could have just sent the data via call."
"I knew I’d be summoned here anyway, so I just came."
He handed the documents to those concerned.
Zargis wasn't just good at his work; he had this kind of meticulous consideration.
I truly think he’s better suited for this than that useless Four Heavenly Kings guy I met when I first arrived.
Then again, Queen Liliana recognized Zargis’s ability, so perhaps my assessment wasn't wrong.
Anyway, I needed to look through the documents...
"Alright, I can't make heads or tails of just a list of numbers. Try to make your documents with the recipient in mind next time."
"Don't ask for the impossible. These are for people who understand them at a glance. I’ll provide the explanation..."
As I was saying this to Zargis, Comet, who had received the documents, chimed in.
"Hmm, hmm. As expected, it’s significantly lower than the average for Weed’s monsters. About ten percent, I’d say."
"Right. They’re on the verge of exhaustion. That’s why they attacked people who came into the sea area to gain magical energy."
It seemed the two of them had already provided the explanation.
"I see. So, compared to a magic stone of the same size in Weed, their stored magical energy is extremely low. Ah, I see it here..."
There was a summary at the bottom of the document.
He probably made it in Excel, but he could have at least added a title or a total column.
Well, he didn't have much time, so I suppose it couldn't be helped.
"Yes, exactly. But that is the problem. In the first place, it is impossible for monsters to exist in such a state."
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"Normally, monsters outside of a dungeon generate their own magical energy to maintain their bodies. You know that, right?"
"Yeah. Otherwise, monsters couldn't exist."
Usually, if there were no way to replenish magical energy, a monster couldn't exist.
If that were the case for everyone, things would be peaceful.
Ah, well, if they could exist as biological entities, they wouldn't need magic stones.
"So, what is necessary for a monster to generate that magical energy?"
"Well, food... Hmm? But this sea area is full of food, isn't it?"
"That is correct. I have read Commander Dressa’s report. That is exactly why it is strange. They are able to eat, yet their replenishment of magical energy is still lagging. Such inefficient monsters shouldn't exist in the first place. If such creatures were born, they would simply vanish immediately."