第１９３４堀：ここで必要になるのはなんでしょう？ (Part2)
Well, if there’s any significant progress, a report will surely arrive, so I’m not overly worried.
Still, as a nation, we can’t simply ignore it, and there’s the issue of our efforts not being quite in sync.
"In truth, the regions of the New Continent inhabited by people—as you can tell from the reports—are becoming quite a headache. But setting that aside, this is the perfect excuse to mobilize the land battleship, isn't it? Right, Firia?"
"That is correct. It is the perfect opportunity. So, you mean we should increase the development speed to match that, right?"
"Exactly. If you explain this to Big Brother, he can make the arrangements to speed things up."
As Hivia-chan says, if I relay this conversation, I imagine the development speed will increase to some extent, but...
Is building a land battleship really that simple?
Well, I suppose that depends on Firia-chan and her team.
Thinking this over, I decide to contact Big Brother and fill him in.
"I see. Indeed, if we deploy a land battleship, we could simply have it operate independently to conduct surveys, barring any unforeseen circumstances."
"That’s right. From our side, it’s nearly impossible to expand the defense of the wilderness any further due to manpower shortages, so this would be a huge help."
"Agreed. It’s a good plan. I was surprised when I first heard it, but considering both the wilderness survey and our defense needs, I’d be very grateful for it."
Big Brother nods along to our proposal, and Fiora-onee-sama and Tori-onee-sama, who are in charge of defending the Southern Fortress, seem delighted at the prospect of operating a land battleship.
"So, what do you think?"
"As things stand, we cannot increase the development speed."
"True. We’re strictly focused on the southern tip survey, but if Big Brother changes our orders, we could go elsewhere, but..."
Right, our top priority is the survey of the southern tip.
That said, even without moving us, Tori-onee-sama and the others could potentially scrape together personnel from the Southern Fortress.
After all, we are currently in the forest at the southern tip.
We can’t exactly operate a land battleship here.
Well, we could if we were allowed to clear-cut the trees, but that’s a last resort.
"...I understand the situation. I’ll consult with Seraria and the others. I can’t exactly speed up production on my own authority."
"Do you think it will go well?"
Firia-chan seems anxious to know what will come of Big Brother’s negotiations.
"Honestly, I don't know. So, Firia, could you and Narjia-san discuss and calculate the necessary personnel, time, and resources required to increase the development speed?"
Indeed, without those figures, there’s no way to get any approval.
Simply adding one person wouldn't change much, after all.
"Understood. As for the time..."
"Right, how long would it take to gather Narjia-san and the others for a meeting to finalize those numbers?"
"...If I can pull them away from their current tasks and start the meeting immediately, I can have the estimate ready by the end of the day."
"Understood. Then have it ready by tomorrow morning. I’ll explain the situation to Seraria and the others today and prepare for the meeting tomorrow."
"Understood."
"And, Aslin."
"Yes?"
I tilt my head, surprised that the conversation has turned to me.
"I understand the situation with Firia’s land battleship, but I need you to continue the survey of the southern tip. As you know from reading the reports, something dating back a thousand years seems to hold the key. I don't know what Ovik has uncovered, but something is connected. At worst, it might even involve the wilderness."
"Ah, I wouldn't say the possibility is zero, but that would be such a hassle."
"Tell me about it. That kind of comic-book plot... it couldn't happen, right?"
"At this point, we are already living in a comic-book plot. Hivia, who is conducting the survey on the ground, might just hold the key to the story!"
"Stooooop it!"
With Hivia-chan’s scream, we return to our respective duties.
There is a saying: "Truth is stranger than fiction"—that reality can be even more absurd than the stories we imagine.
Therefore, it wouldn't be strange if anything were to happen.
Oh boy, this is going to be a handful.