第１４６５堀：会議その５ 海軍空軍について (Part1)
Chapter 1465: Meeting Part 5 - Regarding the Navy and Air Force
Side: Shera
It has been about an hour since the meeting began. Even though it is just us, the number of people is vast, and the departments represented are wide-ranging. Consequently, we are still stuck on grasping the operational status of tasks that were already underway before the Great Flood.
Well, without hearing these reports, there is no way to plan for the future, and more importantly, learning the current state of other departments is incredibly informative.
The International Exchange School, which Weed is currently pouring significant effort into, seems to be doing well overall, which is a relief. However, I have also become aware of certain concerns. The current students are transfers from specialized magic academies on various continents that have direct ties to Weed, so they possess a certain level of understanding from the start.
But the students scheduled to arrive next will be those selected by the major powers. Regarding the Rogali Continent, I would like to think that since they have had a relationship with Weed for some time, it will be fine... but if they allow their arrogance to lead to blunders that surpass those of the If Continent, the Haiden region, or the Zurabl region, they will find themselves trailing behind in the future international community.
That is a situation we must avoid. I should send out a warning to the nations of the Rogali Continent once more. Especially regarding the students from Gartz—I will consult with Father and my brothers to ensure I can personally oversee and guide them.
As I was thinking about this, Dressa, who is in charge of the Navy, stood up. The recruitment plan for the military headquarters seems to be lagging slightly, but what about the Navy?
No, the Navy is not conducting recruitment itself. The flow is for personnel recruited by the military headquarters to be deployed to each branch, so there is no need for the Navy to solicit applicants independently. Yuki-san stated that this is both to prevent internal competition for personnel and to teach the importance of coordination between the land, sea, and air forces. Well, friction between military branches is something that exists everywhere. One of the causes is that each branch tends to become self-contained.
Regardless, I am curious about Dressa’s report and what they have been doing.
"Now, I will provide the Navy's report. Currently, we are tasked with defending the sea lane from the ports of the Seasypho Kingdom in the Haiden region to the Aurelia Port of the Gusdo Kingdom in Zurabl, as well as conducting surveys around the Blue Hole."
Ah, that’s right. Dressa and her team’s primary mission is the surveillance and defense of the sea lane—the maritime path—stretching from the Seasypho Kingdom to the Aurelia Port. And the Blue Hole is a location near that lane that used to be the lair of monsters.
To the eye, it looks like ordinary ocean, but from the sky, one can see its abnormality. Yuki-san called it a mystery of nature, but it is literally a gaping hole in the middle of the sea. Without prior knowledge, it is a place that would make one think it leads straight to hell.
Actually, since the Sea Dragon, Shi-chan, was inside the Blue Hole, it is nothing but hell for any adversary.
"Regarding the defense mission, we have dispatched sea monsters to escort merchant ships, and so far, the damage is zero. Or rather, the encounter rate on the Seasypho side is zero. It seems the barrier deployed by Hairen is indeed excellent. Conversely, ships on the Aurelia Port side, where the barrier does not reach, are frequently targeted, but they are being repelled by the monsters assigned to guard them."
"They’re surprisingly useful, aren't they? By the way, I haven't heard about naval reinforcements—are you short on personnel?"
"‘Surprisingly’... you say? These monsters are Yuki’s subordinates, you know? Aslin raised them, and I am in charge of their overall command. It is only natural that they succeed."
Yes. I share Dressa’s opinion. It is precisely because Yuki-san summoned them, Aslin trained them, and Dressa placed them under her command and gave precise orders that this result was achieved, yet Yuki-san’s reaction is, how should I put it, strange.
It seems the others felt the same way...
"Are you dissatisfied with something?"
When Milly asked curiously, Yuki opened his mouth.
"I'm not dissatisfied. I'm just surprised they’re producing results beyond my expectations. The reason being, Dressa and the rest of us humans don't have that much experience in underwater combat, do we?"
"That is a given. But the monsters under my command live in the water. They have underwater combat experience, so it is not strange at all."
As Dressa says, it is natural for aquatic monsters to be skilled at underwater combat, and it shouldn't be a surprise that they perform their jobs perfectly, but...
"Hmm, well, I’ll take a look at their training later. It’s hard to explain in words. Just like aerial combat, you have to be vigilant in a 360-degree sphere, so it’s much harder than it looks. A tactic that can defend against that is quite impressive."
"...Um, is that so?"
"It is. Well, it depends on the conditions, but it’s worth researching later. So, what about the Blue Hole?"
So, Yuki-san recognizes that underwater combat is as high-difficulty as aerial combat. He said he would look into it later, so I should make sure to show up for that research.
Next, the Blue Hole, which is a subject of magical research.
"There have been no strange movements at the Blue Hole so far. Regarding the marine surveys in the vicinity, we are still finding new species, but there are no monsters that pose a particular threat."
"That’s good to hear. And does the magic research department have any findings?"
"Yes. We will summarize the survey results of the Blue Hole and the like in a separate report, but while we’re at it—there are no abnormalities regarding the Blue Hole, which the Navy is monitoring. We have obtained the same testimony from the Sea Dragon that made it its home, so the accuracy is high."
"I see. Then we can be at ease for now. Still, considering the Leviathan, the sea is vast. Do not let your guard down."
" "Yes." "
Thus, the discussion on the Navy concluded, but when one considers the vastness of the sea, the places we have confirmed are likely only a fraction of the whole. And above all, there is the giant rotting fish, the Leviathan, that the Sea Dragon encountered. Since the Sea Dragon described it as "giant," I cannot even imagine its size. I hope it is smaller than an aircraft carrier. If not, I cannot think of any countermeasure other than blowing up the entire surrounding sea area.
While I was lost in such unpleasant imaginings, the conversation moved on to another branch.
"As for the military, there is the Air Force... but this is a bit ambiguous. It’s a flight unit used by both the Army and the Navy. I am technically in charge of the Air Force, but the airport is located in the Jarna Barony, the hometown of Micos of the Haiden Kingdom, and there is almost no operation via aircraft carrier either."
"That’s true. We do treat it as separate from the Air Force, but... when it moves, coordination with the land and sea forces is essential."
"Exactly. Whether it’s an attack from the sky or defense, it’s always support for the units or bases below."
As Yuki-san said, the Air Force is almost always tasked with supporting either the land or sea forces.