第１０７８堀：明日の予定 (Part1)
Chapter 1078: Tomorrow's Schedule
Side: Comet
"My, my, that village over there looks like it's having a blast."
I say this while watching the festival-like commotion being transmitted via drone.
"Well, I suppose this much is fine. After all, they’ve been holding back until now."
"Yeah. I’m not joking when I say the water shortage was serious. When it finally rained over at Mikos-chan's place, it was the same kind of festival."
"Indeed. I recall it being much the same when my prayers for rain were successful."
Seeing Yuki and the others say that, it feels like they’ve finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Yep, yep. Even though it was a makeshift job, it was worth all the effort we put into building it.
"It could have easily turned into a war-related issue, so I'm glad it worked out. If it hadn't, my reputation would have been completely ruined after I’d gone and told them to leave it to us."
"That's true. You’re probably watching it from your end too, but the current operational status is good. The readings for both units are within acceptable limits. That said, once the magic power in the air runs out, that’ll be the end of it."
That’s right. This device that produces water isn't fundamentally different from the core of the Weed fountain.
It simply converts magic power into water and supplies it.
However, because it’s specialized solely for producing water, the conversion efficiency is 100 times higher than what a normal mage could achieve.
To put it concretely, it’s set up so that 1 unit of magic power produces 100 units of water.
Man, magic power is a mysterious thing, isn't it?
Well, it’s like the difference in efficiency between a novice mage and a master mage using the same spell.
This thing reduces waste as much as possible and focuses entirely on converting magic power into water.
When a person produces water with magic, they don't just create it; they have to gather it in one place, shape it, and solidify it to inflict damage on an opponent, and then they even have to launch it.
We’ve eliminated the magic power used for those unnecessary things and focused it purely on water generation.
That’s why, for now, the magic power in the air is enough to sustain it, but if that runs out, this device won't work.
"Well, there’s no need to worry about that for the time being. If this were the If Continent, that would be a problem, but this is the Rogari Continent."
It’s true that the Rogari Continent is rich in ambient magic power.
Still, if we keep extracting it like this, it might eventually run out, but it’s unlikely to hit zero anytime soon.
"Even if that happens, we’ll provide the magic power for maintenance for the time being, so it’ll be fine. After all, I prefer moving my body anyway."
"Riel. I appreciate your sentiment, but make sure you keep the bare minimum amount of magic power for yourself."
I make sure to pin that down for Riel, who is puffing out her chest and giving me a V-sign.
Riel is just too straightforward, you see. If she starts, she’s the type to give away all her magic power until she’s completely drained.
"And as for the other water devices, we’re scheduled to deliver and install them in each village starting tomorrow, so I’m counting on you to monitor those as well, Comet."
"Leave it to me. Now, that aside, what are you planning to do regarding the investigation of the water source? You aren't actually thinking of just rushing in, are you?"
It’s unthinkable for Yuki and the others to suddenly charge into a place where a magical anomaly might be occurring.
Yuki and the girls are irreplaceable existences.
I know that much, and Yuki and the others are aware of it too.
Under normal circumstances, even this visit shouldn't have happened.
Furthermore, for Yuki and the others to suddenly go to a place that hasn't been investigated—a place where the investigation team hasn't even returned from—is a case I must absolutely prevent.
"I won't do that. I’m not suicidal. That said, since I’ve already told them to leave it to us, it would be a problem if I hesitated too much. So, tomorrow, I’m sending Steve and his team as an advance party."
"Ah, I see. Steve has it rough. Or rather, is 'General' really that kind of position?"
In my image, I felt like a General was someone who commanded the army from the rear.
No, wait, isn't that what a General is in games?
As I was thinking that, it wasn't Yuki, but Agil and Stasia who interrupted the screen, looking indignant...
"No, I must insist that is absolutely incorrect."
"Likewise. In the first place, the primary duty of a General is to command the army entrusted to them. It is unthinkable for them to take the lead and charge into enemy territory to conduct an investigation themselves."
They denied it flatly.
Ah, well, both of them are Generals, after all.
"Oh? I was the type to take the lead and command from the front, though?"
"Your Majesty, please be silent. Comet-sama, this is a bad example."
"Ah, right. I see, so it’s a matter of individual differences."
The Queen said something outrageous from the side, but I think I dodged that gracefully.
It just means that command styles differ from person to person. It’s personality, just personality.
"I’d like to deny that absolutely as well, though. Boss, isn't it about time you made some sub-organizations?"
"I could send your subordinates to investigate, but I feel more at ease with Steve."
"Well, that’s because I’m the highest level, after all. Or rather, a General doesn't necessarily need to be the strongest in physical combat, so why not train others in that regard?"
"It takes time to educate, familiarize, and gain experience. Or rather, the workload isn't that heavy lately, is it?"
Yeah. I understand Steve’s feelings, and I understand Yuki’s feelings too.
That’s right; it’s only natural that Steve is busy. In addition to his normal duties as a General, he’s out here on the front lines leading his subordinates and conducting operations himself.
And as for Yuki, it’s understandable that he feels at ease with Steve. Well, after raising him with such care and seeing those battle results, it’s only natural.
It would take too much time and money to train other subordinates now.
"No, I don't know what the standard for 'not heavy' is. I mean, it’s not like I’m in charge of the entire Weed army like Quar-neesan."
"However, Steve-dono is the commander of the monster army that serves as the core of our Weed. I don't think it’s appropriate to spend so much time on these kinds of missions... Well, if I say that, I’m also somehow acting as the secretary and aide to His Majesty."
"Oh, are you dissatisfied?"
"Yes, I am dissatisfied. However, considering the scale of the country, we cannot easily increase the size of the military."
"Quar is right. If Weed were to bolster its military, other countries would inevitably be on guard. Since Steve’s monster army’s capabilities have been recognized recently, we have no choice but to form an investigation team from the existing units. Seraria, can you do something about that?"
"The great powers know Weed's strength, so if you push it, you could probably get it done. But would you really choose to invite the resentment of other countries by going that far?"
Yeah. That’s a very difficult problem.
I understand. I understand it too.
But even if I understand it, I don't know the optimal solution.
So, I’ll just skip over that and move the conversation along.
"Well, we can discuss that later. In any case, it means Steve and his team are heading out for the investigation."
"Yeah. That’s the plan. So, Steve. How is the preparation?"
"It’s just a simple investigation, so the preparations are already done. The morale of my subordinates is stable, as always."