36: Observation of Planet Groglobeeta 1

"Got the ultra-precise telescope, as requested, Vee-sama."

"Thank you. Notes."

The next day.

From the balcony of room 301 at the hotel 'Edible Crescendum', we observe Planet Groglobeeta 1 through the massive window installed in the first primal colony.

Today, we plan to continue our observation session all day, taking it as a chance to rest our bodies as well.

We’ve even arranged for lunch to be brought to our room if needed.

"Is the telescope really necessary?"

"Of course it is. My enhanced vision does have its limits."

"I see."

With that, Mekoshi brought from the hotel a high-precision telescope equipped with a mod, essential for the observation, and set it up.

Once the adjustments were complete, Vilijanira would use this telescope to take a look at Planet Glogrobeta 1.

"Speaking of satellites, they're just as unnecessary as the memo, aren't they?"

"Not really needed. We can just go there in person."

"If we're using the intelligence unit's standing, the memo can access regular street cameras and farm surveillance systems."

Now, regarding the observation... Even though she's of royal lineage, if only Vilijanira sees it, the perspective and scope will be too limited.

That would pose problems in terms of fairness, impartiality, and the potential to uncover issues.

That being said, both I and Memokushi will be joining the observation session.

However, unlike Virijanila, we'll be using our own individual methods.

"But really, this is a farming planet. All I see are fields or orchards... Buildings are kept to a bare minimum."

Observation begins.

This is Planet Glogrobeta 1, and during its colonization, terraforming was carried out using mods. As a result, temperature, humidity, wind, and rainfall are now perfectly controlled across the entire planet, turning it into a massive farm.

Agriculture takes place not only on land, but also at sea, underwater, and underground.

"Indeed. Thanks to the effects of Sw (Starware), crops continue to grow right before our eyes."

Seeds are sown, sprout, grow, bloom, bear fruit, are harvested, and then seeds are sown again in the fields; most of the harvest is processed initially before being sent into space.

This is the cycle of agriculture, but on Planet Grogrobeta 1, one stage of this process is always underway.

Drones buzz busily scattering seeds and herbicides, while people continue operating machinery for harvesting, and the ships connecting space to the ground and the orbital elevators remain in constant operation.

Crop growth speed varies—depending on the type, most take several days, but some grow so quickly they seem ready for harvest on the very same day the seeds are sown.

Yet, despite such a hectic pace, the farmers' faces remain cheerful—probably because they earn more the harder they work, and they maintain a proper shift system that ensures each person has time for their private lives.

Hmm, at least there don't seem to be any blatantly bad policies in place.

Of course, that's to be expected.

"But if they're producing such vast quantities of crops, and exporting them to colonies within the Glogrobeta system and other star systems..."

"That's right. Naturally, we need to import just as much as we export."

At that moment, a ship that had reportedly launched from the First Prime Colony the previous day descended toward Planet Glogrobeta 1.

As it approached the farm, it began dispersing its cargo—liquid substances across the fields.

Yeah, that's fertilizer.

Fertilizer, yes...

"But that means the raw material for it comes from what humans produce."

"..."

"Lord Sata. I must say, that's rather lacking in delicacy."

"Yeah... uh, I don't produce it myself, so I can't really relate to that kind of embarrassment. Sorry about that."

The material originates from waste expelled by spacecraft arriving from the Groglobeeta system, or even specially purchased chicken manure from the Hiratratuzumi system.

It's processed in the factories of the First Prime Colony and then spread like this.

Frankly, I don't quite understand the kind of embarrassment humans feel in situations like this... but this process is definitely well-designed.

"But I do understand that the calculations involved are extraordinary. Ultimately, that system is replenishing the various elements lost from Planet Glogrobeta One through exports—exactly the amount that was lost. The balance must be precise; too much or too little wouldn't work. It's obvious that the person controlling it has vastly superior computational ability."

"That's right. If the calculations and controls for this are off, the planet Groglobeta 1 will either suffer eutrophication or desertification—depending on the direction—but in any case, its industry will collapse. Considering that, the handler's competence is certainly reliable."

"Frankly, it's almost like witnessing the essence of agriculture itself."

"Say what?"

"Transforming atoms and molecules that humans can't use or find difficult to utilize into a form we can use—into crops. This age-old effort to modify nature. Humanity's wisdom and the culmination of noble people's endeavors. I think it's something wonderful."

"Is that so...?"

Maintaining the balance of the scale, the contents of the pan were continuously being transformed.

Thinking about it, this is far more impressive than any clumsy mod ever could be.

And as I'm marveling like that, Vilijaniela suddenly gives a pained, wistful smile.

What's with that?

I just expressed my honest opinion, that's all.

Meanwhile, Memokshi remains expressionless, so I can't tell what she's thinking.

"Hm?"

"Is something wrong, Satu?"

"No, I just picked up a distress signal from the main body. Something seems to have happened on the planet Groglobeeta 1. I'm going to check it out."

"That's... unusual. On a fully controlled agricultural planet, distress signals shouldn't be needed under normal circumstances."

"……. You're physically present and within phase space, yet you're reacting to something that can only respond through machinery, as if it's completely natural."

And then, having picked up a distress signal here, I decided to redirect my main body toward it.

Though I can't do much while within phase space, I'd at least like to assess the situation.

The location... seems to be in a night zone on Planet Glogrobeta 1.

Well, what could possibly be happening?