第１６１１堀：軍の更なる活動 (Part1)
Chapter 1611: Further Military Operations
Side: Yuki
"So, that’s the situation. I want you to launch aircraft from the completed naval base to survey the direction of Litea."
We are sitting face-to-face with Dressa and the rest of the navy, discussing how to track the dark guild. As for the construction of the public port town, the personnel pulled from Weed, led by Sisua and Sona, are working hard, so there’s no need for me to show my face there too often. After all, we have the Gate, and the necessary lodging for the time being has already been prepared.
As for Dressa, the person in charge...
"...Are you sure it’s okay to show off takeoffs from airports and aircraft carriers? Those planes are practically bundles of classified technology, you know?"
"Both have already been seen in the Zurabl region. I don't want them touched or dismantled, but there’s no need to hide them anymore. It’ll be fine."
"I suppose you're right, but... is it really necessary to go that far with aircraft, especially reconnaissance planes? Wouldn't drones suffice? If you’re seen, you’ll be on their radar."
"That’s why we’ll do a high-altitude, wide-area scan first to avoid being spotted. Once we identify suspicious areas, we’ll send in drones or familiars."
"Ah, I see."
Dressa claps her hands, seemingly satisfied with my explanation. The enemy this time—the remnants of the dark guild—are on the run with a dungeon core. Tracking them from the ground has proven to be quite difficult, and the area to cover is vast. I had been racking my brain over how to gather information until Dressa mentioned that the naval base was finished and could accommodate aircraft carriers, which is when this plan came to mind.
"But are you sure? High altitude is fine, but there’s no guarantee there aren't monsters with territorial claims in the sky, right?"
Dressa is right. The reason I’ve been cautious about the skies until now is the fear that if such monsters existed, launching aircraft might provoke them and cause collateral damage on the ground. However...
"If there were people living below, like over Weed, Roschur, or Gartz, we’d have to avoid it, but..."
"Ah, I see. There are certainly no towns along this coastline."
Exactly. We have confirmed no human settlements along the stretch from this area to the Litea coast. Well, considering the powerful monsters confirmed in the region, it’s a place where even veteran adventurers would struggle.
"Exactly. And if there is any damage, it would be to the new port town, but we can prepare an interception force there."
After all, we’ve established a naval base. It’s not just for ships; the base is equipped with runways, allowing us to operate aircraft that can't use carriers, and we have plenty of surface-to-air equipment ready. It’s fast enough that slow-flying monsters won't be able to dodge it.
"True. We can handle things if it’s just here. And besides, now is the perfect time, isn't it?"
"Yeah. Right now, the only things functioning in the town are the administrative office and its immediate surroundings."
The reason we should act now is precisely because the town isn't developed yet. The population is kept to the bare minimum. If tourists were to start pouring in, it would be chaos; pre-briefings and emergency evacuations would be a nightmare.
"I see. So, if there are monsters claiming the skies above the port town, the plan is to annihilate them while we have the chance?"
"No, if we can reach a reconciliation, that would be ideal."
I don't want to kill everything just because they’re monsters.
"...If they’re willing to talk, I’ll do that. Besides, the air force—or rather, aerial combat—is basically under your command, Yuki."
"Fair enough. So, for the coastline, we’ll use aircraft to conduct a wide-range survey. And as for the sea..."
"That’s my department. Understood, leave it to me."
With that, the plan for tracking the dark guild was settled.
"I’ll have the proposal drafted and submitted by tomorrow."
"I’m counting on you."
Once Dressa submits the plan, we’ll execute it, provided there are no issues. If the plan just said, "We’ll fly fuel-hungry planes at random," people like Eris would tear the document to shreds with a smile. As I was thinking about that, Dressa didn't leave her seat, but instead stared at me and opened her mouth.
"So, Yuki, what are your actual thoughts on this?"
"What do you mean?"
"The dark guild. It’s confirmed they moved from Hinsua’s Vinosia toward the sea, but it’s questionable whether they’re actually following through with that, isn't it?"
"Ah, that part."
"If we’re not careful, this whole operation could end up being a waste of effort."
"Well, if the only goal is to track the dark guild, then yes."
As Dressa says, there is no absolute proof that the dark guild headed out to sea. They could be hiding somewhere else, waiting for a massive outbreak like the one in Sulus.
"But the port town isn't just for that. If we can build it, it’s worth building regardless."
Exactly. The port town isn't just for tracking the dark guild. We have long-term goals for it, which is why we obtained approval from each nation to build it.
"Well, I understand that. But what I’m saying is, if something like Sulus happens again, our forces will be spread thin. How are you accounting for that?"
"Ah, that concern. Well, in those cases, we’ll just form a temporary task force. It shouldn't be much of a problem."
"Eh? Is that how it works?"
Dressa looks surprised by my answer and asks for confirmation.
"That’s right. Even our visit to Vinosia a while back was essentially a temporary formation. Given our environment, the idea of being away on a business trip for a month or two is impossible. Rejoice—even in an emergency, we can return to our workplaces and do our paperwork."
As I revealed the reality she had forgotten, Dressa grimaced.
"...That’s right. I forgot. With the Gate, it wasn't a problem at all."
"Exactly. It’s true that our forces will be spread thin as you say, but that only matters if multiple crises happen simultaneously. We can handle two Sulus-level outbreaks easily. If three or four happened at once, we’d be struggling."
"...What makes you so confident? Sulus, I mean."
"Exactly. That was an emergency, and since it was our first time, we poured in as much force as possible. But now, we can deploy forces more appropriately. Even if we split the forces we had then into four, we’d manage."
"Steve and the others would literally be struggling, though."
"Well, the commanders would be split among the four of them. In your case, Dressa, it would be like Hiiro or Vilia acting independently."