第１４６５堀：会議その５ 海軍空軍について (Part2)
The objective is to secure air superiority during aerial combat, thereby enabling the army and navy to seize or defend their intended targets. Beyond that, our current capabilities are limited to intercepting enemy aircraft or conducting preemptive strikes as a temporary nuisance. Ultimately, infantry remains indispensable for pacifying an enemy, making coordination with the army and navy an absolute necessity.
That said, the operational range of the Air Force within a single day far exceeds that of the land or sea forces, and its strike potential is vastly superior. From the heavens, we can unleash everything from gravity bombs to guided missiles with impunity. Recently, through our collaborative research with Zargis, we have even been developing methods for aerial bombardment using magic...
"That’s the crux of it. Because we only mobilize upon request from one of the other branches, we rarely have any operational reports to speak of. For now, it’s just constant training. We haven't had a single accident at the base or on the carriers, but the lack of actual combat experience is a real drawback. Oh, and keep in mind that wyverns and other avian monsters don't fall under the Air Force; they’re a separate matter."
"I understand the logic, but it’s impossible for the Air Force to engage in real combat, isn't it? We have no idea where we might be spotted. We can't exactly tell the neighboring countries, 'Don't look at the sky.' If we were discovered without prior notice, it would cause absolute chaos."
"Fair point. Though, our operational altitude is so high that we’re practically invisible... but the take-offs and landings are another story. I suppose it has to be the ocean, doesn't it?"
"Or that outlying island we secured, where Holly was hiding."
"That place is still technically in a state of war. It’s under Taiki’s jurisdiction, and if we start launching fighter jets from there, it would only invite more confusion..."
"Indeed. For the citizens already pushed to the brink by that Demon Lord, it could easily trigger a panic, viewed as yet another existential threat."
"...So, it really is just the open sea, then?"
"And even over the sea, you’ve mentioned yourself that we can't guarantee there aren't high-altitude monsters lurking about."
"Right, I did say that. Well, this is something we’ll just have to take slowly. I don't want to deal with a Great Outbreak, the Dark Guild, and Dungeon Master-related issues all at the same time."
Everyone nods in agreement. None of us want to invite—or allow—any more trouble than we already have. At the very least, we should wait until the International Exchange School has settled into a rhythm.
Setting that aside, that should conclude the military reports. Next is...
"Alright, that covers the military. Now, onto Weed’s administrative affairs. ...Seraria, are there any departments you’d like to inquire about as Queen?"
Indeed. It is better for Seraria, who actually manages and operates the nation, to make those judgments rather than Yuki.
"Ah, that’s true. But before that, keep in mind that these are currently just 'sections,' not 'departments.' The scale has grown so much that we really need to upgrade them to departments. In practice, they are already functioning at a departmental level."
"I’m aware, but the timing is always..."
Everyone can only offer a wry smile at that. Not everyone works at the government office, but we have all gone to assist at one time or another, and we are well aware that they are chronically understaffed. The scale of Weed has now grown to rival that of any major city. No, considering our technological prowess and the quality of our entertainment, I pride myself on the fact that this is already the number one nation in the world.
However, that expansion has occurred over the last few years, and the staff at the government office, who have been managing and operating it during that time, have been constantly short-handed while trying to keep pace with the growth. Thus, while they continue to operate under the title of 'sections,' the reality is that they are of departmental scale. In terms of actual work, there are no issues, but...
"People coming from the outside are always surprised, aren't they? They ask, 'It’s just a section here in Weed?'"
"Exactly. From the perspective of those seeking our services, they worry that we aren't serious about handling their requests."
Indeed, those who visit for the first time assume that a 'section' implies a lack of personnel, leading them to believe that responses will be incredibly slow. Or, they interpret it as an indirect way of saying we have no intention of dealing with them at all. While we manage to get by because we provide thorough explanations in advance, it is a shared consensus that we should eliminate that unnecessary labor. However...
"If we change the names, we’re talking about compatibility issues with all our existing documentation. Rewriting everything—contracts and all—would be a nightmare."
"..."
Everyone falls silent at Yuki’s words. He is right. Switching from 'section' to 'department' would require not only notifying and training the staff but also amending every single contract and record we have on file. ...We certainly don't have the time or the manpower to handle that.
Yes, it is a headache.
"Sigh. Well, that’s a challenge for the future. So, as a whole, that’s the issue causing the bottleneck."
"Understood. Sigh, that’s the biggest hurdle of them all. Alright, let’s pull ourselves together and move on to the next item."
"Understood. Then..."
And so, the status reports continued.
Setting the navy aside, the Air Force really is in a delicate position. In reality, even modern militaries have fighter jets owned by both the army and navy; there is almost no such thing as a standalone Air Force operation. I really need to think of more ways to utilize them.