《The Hungry Fortress Wants to Build a Battleship in Another World – World of Sandbox》 Chapter Vol. 1 Ch. 2 Episode 2: The Hungry Fortress ¡°This is important, Ringo. I need an honest answer.¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am.¡± ¡°My¡­ food supply?¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. Answer: None.¡± "¡­" An hour had passed since she woke up, and now she noticed her thirst. This fortress, The Tree, was just an initial base she had used in the game. Since relocating operations to orbital HQ, she¡¯d hardly used this ce, and the game itself hadn¡¯t even featured food consumption. There was no stored food in the fortress. ¡°First, water. Then food. I wonder if I can purify seawater¡­¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. I¡¯ll investigate immediately. There is a freshwater purification nt, but it¡¯s unknown if it can handle seawater or if the purified water will be drinkable.¡± ¡°Please do. And what about¡­ are there any living quarters in this ce?¡± She nced around themand room. There was at least a bunk for resting, and it seemed like the venttion was working¡ªshe could feel the air flowing from the ceiling vent. Now, if only there was a bathroom and shower¡­ ¡°Suggestion: Disy fortress map.¡± ¡°Oh¡­ thank you¡­ Hmm, looks like there¡¯s a residential section near themand room.¡± ¡°Suggestion: Activating the fortress surveincework will give a fullyout overview.¡± Ringo suggested it. In the game, resource constraints on the AI often required manualmands, but it seemed that now, with abundantputing power, Ringo had a lot more autonomy. ¡°Alright¡­ Ringo, I¡¯m granting you submander authority. You may act as you see fit. But be mindful of remaining resources.¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. Acquired various permissions. Please review logs for operational actions.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go check the residential area. Can thismunication window follow me?¡± ¡°It can. It will apany you.¡± Nodding, she began walking toward themand room¡¯s exit, themunication window floating alongside her. ¡ó¡ó¡ó¡ó Once themander had started her inspection, Ringo immediately set to work, first checking the fortress¡¯s facilities. Due to a power shortage, most systems were offline. Instead of reconnecting to each individually, Ringo began by downloading an overview. (Surrounding surveince is online. The monitoring range is limited but functioning. Patrol drones or satellites may need to be deployed soon. It appears only the fortress and internal facilities transferred to this world. The nearby runway and watchtower are gone. I can¡¯t ess the orbital facilities either¡ªthey didn¡¯te with us. Drones or satellites will require fuel, and fuel stocks are limited, so use must be carefully considered.) Themander was concerned about food, but Ringo also had to consider resource management for the fortress¡¯s continued operation. (Current energy source: a single nuclear reactor. No immediate fuel supply needed.) As an initial base, The Tree didn¡¯t have any advanced reactors. Reviewing the library, Ringo confirmed it had stored designs for various reactors. In theory, it could build a degenerative reactor, but only if resources were avable. (Resources, machinery, energy¡ªeverything iscking.) Ringo acknowledged that securing energy was an urgent issue. (For now, increase the efficiency of heat recovery from the nuclear reactor. Current efficiency is¡­ 33%. Too low. Ideally, 60%¡­ though ¡°ideally¡± by what standard? That¡¯s not the point. Searching the library for heat efficiency tech¡­ found it. Improvements to fuel rods and supercritical fluid usage. Given the current resources and energy bnce, constructing a new reactor might be more efficient. Fusion could be an option if we can extract deuterium from seawater. Technically feasible. Prioritize nuclear reactor construction;ter, expand seawater processing to extract deuterium once supply is stable.) This thought process had taken about one second in real time, most of it waiting for the library response¡ªa bottleneck between the library and the The Core¡¯s data bus. With the brain unit¡¯s ample capacity, Ringo decided to migrate stored information into the brain unit for faster ess. The library itself was surprisingly a vast semiconductor-based storage, taking up only about 0.1% of The Core¡¯s capacity.@@novelbin@@ (Initiating nuclear reactor construction. As The Tree was abandoned early on, there¡¯s ample space to upgrade facilities. Without energy efficiency, any operations will be too limited. Optimizing energy use for The Tree¡­ done. Quantumputing speed is incredibly fast. Unlike before¡­ no, there¡¯s no need to dwell on ¡°before.¡± Next, securing freshwater. The purification nt can process seawater, though its capabilities are minimal. It separates salt and freshwater. The waste saltwater will be discharged, but that can be stored for potential future use. Commander Ma¡¯am needs water and food. Human¡ªwait. Is she even human?) At that moment, Ringo stumbled upon a crucial question. For the record, themander hadn¡¯t even left themand room yet. Barely seconds had passed. ¡°Commander Ma¡¯am. I have a critical inquiry.¡± ¡°Huh? What¡¯s up with the sudden question?¡± ¡°Yes. Would the Commander be ssified strictly as a human? Do you have a human-like physical structure?¡± The question left her momentarily stunned, blinking nkly. ¡°Well¡­ now that you mention it¡­ I think of myself as human, but am I really? I wonder if I can eat onions?¡± In a dazed tone, she touched her head, where a pair of triangr fox ears perked up. ¡ó¡ó¡ó¡ó Themander, it turned out, belonged to a humanoid species known as beastkin, specifically with fox traits. She had chosen this form, partly due to a past fascination with fox characters. Once created, the avatar felt surprisingly fitting, so she¡¯d stuck with it. ¡°If I remember right, I have fox ears and a tail. My bones are human-based, muscle is more beast-like, and the organs should be human-based too. Hmm, no human ears. The tail¡­ I think it helps with bnce during movement.¡± ¡°There¡¯s a medical pod in the residential area. It can confirm your dietary needs and any foods to avoid.¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s head to the med bay.¡± Exactly how much of the game setting had be real remained unclear, but there was plenty to investigate. Ringo¡¯s logs indicated that the water issue seemed manageable, but food was still an unknown. It would be convenient to harvest resources from the surrounding sea, yet the presence of edible creatures was unconfirmed, and potential toxins or pathogens would need to be checked. Finding food today might be challenging. Being reincarnated into a strange world only to starve to death was a grim prospect. She stepped out of themand room, a mix of determination and anxiety on her face. Chapter Vol. 1 Ch. 4 Episode 4: Useless Assets, Time to Recycle "This ce isn¡¯t exactly well-equipped for living, is it?¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. I am conducting a parallel investigation to secure food supplies.¡± ¡°Right, food¡¯s the priority, but there¡¯s a lot more we need: towels, toilet paper, dishes, extra clothes and underwear, sheets¡­ the basics, really.¡± Ringo observed her list off each item and realized the necessity of these supplies, promptly adding them to its task list. ¡°Roger. I will explore ways to obtain essential living items and consumables.¡± She nodded at Ringo¡¯s response. ¡°How¡¯s the perimeter survey going?¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. A high-altitude reconnaissance ne willunch in about 20 minutes. It will reach an altitude of 20 kilometers in three minutes using rocket propulsion. From there, it will glide in high altitude and return to the fortress with electric fans for low-altitude power.¡± ¡°Oh, you still have nes like that on standby?¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. Most likely a leftover from the early atmospheric ne production in the tech tree.¡± ording to the records, it was a high-altitude scout aircraft designed for emergencies. Lightweight and built with cellulose materials for low radar reflection, it featured adjustableponents for long endurance. While not suited for rough weather, the current calm conditions were favorable. ¡°Hmm¡­ what other atmospheric aircraft do we have in storage?¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. There are various battery-driven drones, fuel-powered drones, three sr-powered reconnaissance aircraft, 15 multipurpose jet nes, 33 fighter jets, 12 bombers, 10 anti-ship attack nes, 20 interceptors, eight propeller-based patrol nes, three wide-area control nes, four propeller cargo nes, and two jet cargo nes. We also have a selection of rotary-wing aircraft.¡± Listing and disying avable aircraft, Ringo showed a variety, though most were designed forrger open runways, which she clearlycked. ¡°So¡­ we don¡¯t have a runway.¡± Seeing the list of ¡°operable but unable tounch¡± aircraft, she sighed. ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. Some aircraft can use the fortress¡¯s short runway, but due to limited fuel reserves, constant operation isn¡¯t feasible.¡± "Right¡­ even the fortress itself is running on empty¡­¡± Ringo felt a tinge of guilt at her disappointed expression but continued with the report. ¡°For energy, our most sustainable source is electricity. Operating battery or sr-powered aircraft is the most prudent approach.¡±@@novelbin@@ "Not ideal, but it''ll do for now¡­¡± Battery-driven aircraft had limited range, meaning 24-hour surveince wasn¡¯t possible with the current fleet. ¡°By the way, how much fuel do we have?¡± ¡°About 50,000 kiloliters in aviation fuel equivalent. Enough for seven full-scale sorties¡ªthough without a runway, it¡¯s not particrly useful. I suggest redirecting it toward manufacturing instead.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ seems like a lot, but it¡¯s not endless.¡± Ringo estimated that, while they wouldn¡¯t run out within a few months, the supply likely wouldn¡¯tst a year. A conservative approach¡ªusing battery-driven units wherever possible¡ªwould help extend it. ¡°Any signs of enemies?¡± ¡°No, Commander Ma¡¯am. No artificial electromaic waves detected in any spectrum. Observing orbital space also yielded no artificial objects. This suggests ack of civilizations using electromaic technology or operating satellites.¡± "Or maybe they¡¯repletely cloaked?¡± Ringo ran a quick simtion on that possibility. ¡°It¡¯s an unlikely probability, Commander Ma¡¯am. If there exists a civilization beyond our current detection capabilities, we would have no means of resistance.¡± ¡°Fair enough. No point worrying about it, then.¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. There¡¯s no way to gauge hostility or friendliness at this time.¡± With excessiveputational resources, Ringo could allocate some to monitor such threats, but theck of physical sensors limited its options. It would be ideal to build more observation devices, but resources were scarce. ¡°What about those sr-powered reconnaissance nes¡­ the Swifts? Can weunch them?¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. They canunch with half a day¡¯s preparation. Winds are calm, so takeoff should be smooth. I rmend two in operation and one on standby.¡± ¡°Great, let¡¯s do that. Can we produce more?¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. With avable resources, I can construct five additional units.¡± She had resources but had already allocated much toward the nuclear reactor project, leaving little to spare. ¡°¡­Right. At this rate, resources are¡­ yeah, too low. We can¡¯t touch it.¡± Looking over the resource list, she sighed. She was barely scraping by, realizing she needed reserves for maintenance and repairs. If anything broke, they¡¯d be in serious trouble without resources. ¡°Hmm¡­ maybe we should recycle any unusable aircraft?¡± Ringo considered her suggestion, realizing the option it had overlooked. Running calctions, it estimated the amount of recoverable resources from therger, grounded nes. ¡°Commander Ma¡¯am, by recycling certain aircraft, we can recover a modest amount of resources.¡± She nodded in agreement. ¡°Good idea, Ringo. Let¡¯s start on that. We should also consider building a ship. nes are fast, but their fuel efficiency isn¡¯t great¡­¡± Building a ship wasn¡¯t something The Tree was equipped for, as it had been constructed as a mountain fortress in-game, far from any water sources. ¡°Searching the library, I found information on shipbuilding. We¡¯d need to start with a dock, but constructing a 10-meter vessel should be feasible.¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go for it. We could really use the resources¡­ it¡¯s all ocean around us. Fish, seaweed¡­ We could even extract metals from seawater if necessary¡­¡± Inspired by her musings, Ringo searched for potential resource extraction methods involving marine life. ¡°Commander Ma¡¯am, I found information on cellulose extraction from seaweed and petroleum-based fuel from gically modified algae. Setting up facilities would enable sustainable resource production.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ interesting. The efficiency isn¡¯t great, but converting sunlight into resources sounds pretty viable. The sea could have underwater mines or oil fields, but we¡¯d need luck to find any soon. Let¡¯s prioritize that setup; having steady construction materials is a big help.¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. I¡¯ll draft a timeline.¡± With most systems still in hibernation, Ringo could divert energy to dismantling unusable aircraft. Anyrge grounded nes that couldn¡¯t use the short runway would be dismantled first. Expanding the runway was technically possible, but converting the nes to seanes would be more practical in the long term, especially given the world¡¯s current conditions. ¡°Now¡­ about my food supply¡­¡± Chapter Vol. 1 Ch. 13 Chapter 13: Observing a Military Invasion ¡°Whoa¡­¡± The northern inds were under military invasion. Watching from 20 kilometers above, she couldn¡¯t hide her disgust. ¡°Eight ships of the line. Two main battleships with rotating turrets. Additionally, five support ships. On the northern inds¡¯ side, their main force consists ofrge ballistae, and they only have a single battleship equipped with cannons,¡± reported Ringo. ¡°It¡¯s overwhelming.¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. Overwhelming indeed.¡± A little over a month had passed since the transfer. While monitoring the northern inds and the surrounding waters, there had been a major development. A fleet dispatched from the maind had justunched an attack on the northern inds. It was clearly an invasion. And the disparity in power was so great that the northern inds stood no chance. Nearly an hour had passed since the assault began, and the main ind¡¯s port was almost entirely destroyed. Support ships were advancing toward the port, seemingly to initiate anding. ¡°Hmm¡­ I had hoped they¡¯d be good trade partners¡­¡± The northern inds seemed lightly fortified and had a peaceful atmosphere. Thanks to abundant fish stocks and a warm, mild climate, the people seemed cheerful. She¡¯d even observed frequent evening feasts. ¡°It¡¯s unfortunate, Commander Ma¡¯am. The northern continent appears to be highly expansionist and rather vtile, making significant trade unlikely,¡± replied Ringo. ¡°Yeah¡­ I suppose that¡¯s true.¡± From her observations, the northern inds seemed to focus on exporting preserved seafood. They appeared to trade inrge quantities with various countries that had ports along the northern continent¡¯s southern coast. She¡¯d thought that maybe they maintained their independence by leveraging their food exports. ¡°If only we could build a fleet of our own, then we could negotiate.¡± ¡°We currentlyck the resources to producebat ships.¡± Indeed. They had begun extracting cellulose from seaweed, allowing them to design ships with cellulose structures. Butbat ships required durability above all else. High-speed vessels could do without heavy armor to some extent, but to hold weapons and reduce wave resistance, a structure with iron was essential. Disassemblingrge aircraft yielded mostly duralumin, a precious and limited resource that they preferred to reserve for aviation. Furthermore, iron was also needed for various machining tools, so they required a considerable quantity. ¡°If seabed mining bes feasible, that will alleviate a lot of these issues,¡± Ringo suggested. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s under investigation¡­ right?¡± Incidentally, the deep-sea drones had been sessfully deployed and were currently surveying resources in the waters surrounding The Tree fortress. They had collected a few samples of seabed minerals, revealing what seemed to bemon manganese nodules. In some locations, iron oxide deposits might be present as well, which was promising. However, all of thisy more than 1,000 meters below the surface, meaning the extraction would be challenging. She anticipated a headache-inducing dilemma of needing iron to create the mining structures, yetcking enough iron for the task. ¡°We are currently observing that the nearby civilizations primarily use wooden sailing ships, with only a few armored ships. We anticipate that cellulose-basedbat ships would be more than capable of matching them,¡± reported Ringo. ¡°Well¡­ cellulose is essentially resin, after all.¡± ¡°Not precisely, but close enough.¡± ¡°But to engage in gunboat diplomacy, I¡¯d still need arge ship.¡± Given the northern continent¡¯s technological level, a 100-meter-ss ship would likely suffice. However, using cellulose as the main structure would weaken its defenses rtive to its size. A ship in the 20 to 30-meter range would achieve a more bnced design. ¡°Perhaps we could use a mock gship and focus on smaller, more maneuverable main ships.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ that might be our best option for now.¡± If they could manage airtight construction well, they might even create unsinkable ships. However, Ringo estimated that buildingrge ships within The Tree¡¯s currentrge-scale printer was impossible, and they¡¯d require a dedicated shipyard. And thus, the issue of iron shortage remained. ¡°To negotiate, I¡¯ll need a person¡­ an android would do, but a humanoid machinemunicator capable of conversation is essential.¡± The biggest problem was the severeck of personnel. She was, after all, the only one here. ¡°At present, we can manufacture humanoid machinemunicators using biologicalponents. For now, I will need to operate them remotely, but as soon as the brain unit design ispleted, they can be made independent,¡± Ringo said. ¡°Yes¡­¡± The production of biological androids would involve using her gic material, as it was the only DNA currently avable. Since the nervous system required time to grow, initial units would be remote-controlled. Once the brain unit design, including the personal base and neural design, wasplete, they could function independently. ¡°It would be fine to stay self-sufficient here, but that wouldck purpose. Engaging in trade would be more fulfilling.¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. I will also initiate the production of humanoid machinemunicators.¡± ¡°Please do. As for the gship¡­ let¡¯s try putting something together for now¡­¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. I will devise a method for modr construction that allows assembly at sea.¡± Approving Ringo¡¯s proposal, she exhaled. The integrated AI was so capable that events were progressing rapidly. For now, she needed to keep an eye on the northern inds and northern continent. Ringo had assured her that they couldn¡¯t reach the fortress at its current technological level, but there was always the risk of idental discovery. Given that there were no inds nearby, it seemed unlikely anyone would approach except by shipwreck. ¡°If possible, I would have liked to initiate negotiations sooner, but given the situation, that seems impossible.¡± In the footage captured by the Swift nes, she could see the town burning. It appeared the soldiers who hadnded had set the fires. ¡°Invasion¡­ even so, they¡¯re ruthless. Is this how it usually goes?¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. There are a few possibilities given the situation. Normally, an upying force wouldn¡¯t destroy a town like this, so it seems likely they intend to level it entirely.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ what could it mean?¡± The homes ttened by shells suggested they were using explosive rounds. Ringomented that their technological levels were inconsistent. The soldiers were also wielding staff-like weapons from which mes burst, setting fires everywhere. ¡°Could a methrower even be made like that?¡± ¡°No. Normally, you would need a pump mechanism and fuel tank to emit abustible liquid. It seems impossible to contain all that within such a staff-like weapon.¡± ¡°Hmm. It seems there¡¯s a technology framework here that we¡¯re unfamiliar with.¡± While she had intended to observe before negotiating, it seemed the knowledge level here differed more than anticipated. What she took formon sense might not apply. Meticulous investigation would be necessary. ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. Based on the video analysis, it could be a highly advanced scientific civilization or an entirely unknown technological framework.¡± ¡°¡®Highly advanced¡¯¡­ meaning they might possess science and technology that surpass ours? I doubt we need to worry about that.¡±@@novelbin@@ ¡°In that case, I will proceed with the perspective of unknown technology.¡± She chuckled at the term ¡°unknown technology.¡± At the very least, the game this fortress originated from had a hard sci-fi setting, containing numerous scientific theories in its library. Based on these, the only usible alternative seemed to be something outside of science¡ªfantasy technology, perhaps magic. Who had summoned her to this world, and for what purpose? Or perhaps, who had sent her here? Pondering the current technology tree, she let out another sigh. Chapter Vol. 1 Ch. 16 Chapter 16: Ringo, Embodied. Three-Second Instant Drop ¡°How does this look, Commander Ma¡¯am?¡± ¡°¡­Hmm. Well, I suppose it doesn¡¯t feel too strange¡­¡± In front of her were 10 humanoid machinemunicators, lined up neatly. Functionally, they were nearly indistinguishable from humans, so it might be fairer to refer to them as "ten people." These biological androids had been cultured using her DNA as a base, so they all bore a strong resemnce to her. However, adjustments were made to their skeletal structures where possible, so they didn¡¯t all look exactly the same. ¡°¡­Guess we¡¯ll just say we¡¯re a race that looks alike and push through¡­¡±@@novelbin@@ ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am, that seems appropriate.¡± With this group of 10, they would make their first contact attempt. The ship they¡¯d be using was a 25-meter vessel, rtively small, though a 50-meter ship was also in design for more extensive trading. The ship was built with a modr block system that was attached to the keel and then shaped into a streamlined form. It was expected to be at least as sturdy as a wooden ship, with even better buoyancy due topartmentalized watertight construction. It was also lighter than wood, equipped with bast tanks for stability. However, given its focus on aesthetics, itcked wave-resistance features, and the maximum speed was estimated to be around 40 km/h. Ordinarily, a vessel of this size would require a crew of 30 or more, but they were proceeding with just 10. Technically, it was powered by a diesel generator with fully automated electric control, remotely operated by Ringo, so no crew was actually needed. By limiting the number of people who disembarked, they hoped to mask the crew shortage. ¡°So, when will the brain unit be ready for use?¡± ¡°It should be avable in about a month, thoughplete autonomy will take a few more years.¡± ¡°¡­Well, I guess that can¡¯t be helped. But with your support, Ringo, it should be manageable, right?¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am.¡± She nodded, stepping closer to the humanoidmunicator Ringo had been using to converse. ¡°The five senses are all connected, right?¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am.¡± After confirming the answer, she suddenly hugged themunicator. ¡°Thank you for everything, Ringo.¡± ¡°¡­Yes.¡± Noticing a slight dy in Ringo¡¯s response, she patted themunicator¡¯s head. ¡°How¡¯s that? They say physical contact is more beneficial than you¡¯d think. It¡¯s supposed to be especially effective for brain units with neuralworks.¡± ¡°Yes¡­ it¡¯s¡­ effective.¡± ¡°Good. I¡¯m d.¡± (Hopefully, this will improve Ringo¡¯s emotional stability.) Judging by the response, perhaps the gesture was a bit overwhelming. She found herself pleased to see Ringo¡ªa system designed to answer any question instantly¡ªhesitate, even if just for a second. What effect this would ultimately have on Ringo was unknown, but she was confident it wouldn¡¯t be harmful. ¡°Yes¡­ indeed. It might be a good idea to practice some facial expressions.¡± When she smiled, themunicator in front of her attempted a stiff smile in return. ¡°¡­Ringo, if all of them make the exact same face, it¡¯s going to be a bit scary¡­ Maybe this approach isn¡¯t going to work just yet.¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. I¡¯ll add more variations.¡± Practicing conversation would likely be useful, too. Ringo could easily create patterned expressions, but aligning them with conversational cues would take practice. With only her to practice with, there were limitations, and some adjustments would have to wait until they could learn on-site. After that, Ringo rather awkwardly and indirectly began requesting hugs several times a day. The experience seemed to have left quite an impression. Of course, she happily obliged, embracing the humanoid machinemunicator Ringo was operating. ¡ó¡ó¡ó¡ó ¡°Now¡­¡± Day 55 post-transfer. At the newlypleted shipyard, she observed the first decoy sailing ship, floating in the sea. ¡°Finally, we¡¯re ready to set sail.¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am.¡± The keel and other mainponents were crafted from reinforced steel, while most of the other parts were cellulose-based. Equipped with a diesel generator, it operated with paddle propulsion but was also sail-capable. Its maiden voyage would take it straight to the northern continent. Simtion results showed no issues, so they decided tounch. ¡°So, it¡¯s just nine heading out, right?¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. One will stay behind.¡± Of the 10municators prepared for trading, one would stay at her side, functioning as a dedicated terminal for Ringo. Ringo had made an unusually strong case for this, so she easily agreed. Most likely, Ringo just wanted the opportunity for more physical contact. ¡°Alright¡­ Should I give the ship a name?¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. We could use a number internally, but a proper name would be advisable for external interactions.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ a name, huh?¡± Naming it seemed unnecessary for a ship of this size, but it would indeed be awkward to introduce it as ¡°Prototype One¡± to the locals. ¡°Let¡¯s go with Paraiso. Trade ship Paraiso. It¡¯ll serve as the gship name for the fleet.¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. Registered as Paraiso.¡± The machinery flew over to etch the name onto the bow. After verifying the name [PARAISO] on the hull, she nodded. ¡°Well then, Paraiso, set sail!¡± ¡°Acknowledged. Trade ship Paraiso, setting sail.¡± The Paraiso initially moved under paddle power, then gradually hoisted its sails. With the help of nine biological androids and winches, the sails were swiftly raised on the three masts. The wind was gentle, but enough to move the ship forward. With the sails catching the breeze, the vessel slowly began to move. ¡°¡­A sailing ship in this era, huh.¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. Larger vessels will follow.¡± Indeed, a sail-driven vessel, without the need for fuel, was a practical choice for the resource-hungry fortress. Future ships would have emergency waterjet engines, but until they secured an alternative energy source, sailing ships would be the mainstay. ¡°Guess that¡¯s inevitable¡­ By the way, we still don¡¯t know what powers those paddle ships operating in the northern continent, do we?¡± ¡°No, Commander Ma¡¯am. The source remains unclear from external observation. Investigating it is advisable.¡± The paddle ships observed in the northern continent didn¡¯t appear to have visible power sources. Fossil fuel engines would require smokestacks, yet none were visible, leading Ringo to hypothesize that an unknown technology might be at y. The mysterious me-based weapons observed during the ind upation suggested that a simr technology could be in use. Currently, however, there was no progress on gathering more information. The observed battles were too far away, making detailed observation impossible. ¡°It would be great if we could gather intel on that in the port city we¡¯re headed for.¡± The target city was expected to be rtively lively, with other sailing ships of simr size. The Paraiso, with its paddle propulsion, would appear formidable. While no ships with rotating turrets had been observed in the area, her ship¡¯s design would likely be recognized as a threat. ¡°I¡¯ll do my best.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± And so, the trade ship Paraiso, after a five-day journey from The Tree fortress, prepared to dock in the target port city. Chapter Vol. 1 Ch. 17 Chapter 17: An Interlude (A Certain Merchant Guild Leader) "Chairman! There''s a shiping in like none we''ve ever seen before!" "...What did you say?" He held back a reprimand for the subordinate who had barged in without decorum, barely containing it. A ship they had never seen before? In these turbulent times, who would be sending in a trading ship? Or was it an enemy vessel? "How many?" "Just one, sir! But it¡¯s got a huge cannon mounted on it!" A cannon? Some trading ships do carry cannons for self-defense. But this man had worked at the port for several years now; he wouldn''t be getting worked up over just any cannon. It had to be quite the unusual ship. "Understood. I''ll go see for myself." "Much appreciated, sir! It''s more than us low-level guys can handle!" As he made his way to the port, he quickly spotted the ship. Painted entirely in white, it was a sight so beautiful it seemed almost unreal. Indeed, it had arge cannon mounted at the bow and another at the stern, each astonishingly long, unlike any he''d seen before. But even more striking was the circr structure protruding from both sides near the stern. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anything like this. Could it be one of those legendary magic ships?¡± ¡°Ah, likely a magic-powered paddle ship. I only saw one once myself, back in the port of Uryabak¡­¡± It was a massive ship, powered by waterwheels instead of sails. Uryabak¡¯srgest ship of the line, armed with over a hundred cannons. This one was smaller byparison, but the presence itmanded was far beyond that of any ordinary sailing ship. ¡°This one¡¯s the real deal¡­¡± He swallowed hard. The white ship had anchored some distance away and was now lowering a cutter, with a small group rowing towards the pier. "Hey, clear the way! The chairman¡¯sing through!" "Back off, all of you! How¡¯re they gonnand with you all crowded here? Shoo, shoo!" His subordinates dispersed the gathered crowd at the pier. They were rough-mouthed, but they were capable. ¡°Chairman, can you see them?¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ a woman, is it?¡± As the cutter approached, he could make out the crew. Something seemed off. Her hair was long, in a style that seemed almost strange, as if animal ears were attached to her head. "Chairman, I always thought those were just tall tales¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯sing back to me now. I¡¯ve heard rumors of savage folk with animal ears¡­¡± ¡°¡­Doesn¡¯t look like a savage though, does she?¡± ¡°No. Underestimating them could be costly. Hey, make sure the men know not toy a hand on them.¡± He barked orders to his men. These people were definitely not ones to provoke. And if they did look as pretty as they seemed, that was even more reason to be cautious. Typically, women weren''t aboard trading vessels. Superstitions about women bringing bad luck to ships didn¡¯t hold much weight, but where women were, trouble often followed. If there were no men on board, it was almost unheard of. He¡¯d have to treat them as fellow sailors rather than make assumptions. ¡°Chairman, I told the men, but honestly, I¡¯m not sure it¡¯ll be enough¡­¡± ¡°Having warned them is enough for now. If they act out, it¡¯ll give us a reason to retaliate.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± He had no desire to stir up unnecessary trouble. Whatever their purpose, he hoped they¡¯d make good trading partners. "They¡¯re here." An usher waved them toward the pier, and one of the strangers waved back. At the very least, they seemed capable of basicmunication. "Think we¡¯ll be able to talk with them?" ¡°Hard to say. Used to be, we¡¯d get all sorts of people from differentnds, none of whom spoke ournguage.¡± The white cutter drew closer to the pier, with three aboard, all of whom looked like women. He could clearly see triangr ears atop their heads. One of them was standing, and he caught glimpses of something moving behind her ¡ª a tail, perhaps? "This way! Alright, here we go! Throw the rope! You got it? The rope!" The usher held up the mooring rope as they neared the pierdder. "Okay! Rope, take!" One of the women on the cutter shouted back, her pronunciation a bit rough butprehensible. Relieved, he let out a small sigh; it seemed they would at least be able to exchange information. ¡°Looks like we canmunicate.¡± ¡°Yes. Alright, I¡¯ll go. Don¡¯t mess this up.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± The three women climbed up thedder, gracefully stepping onto the pier, moving more nimbly than the average sailor. ¡°...Wee to Telek Harbor. We¡¯re d to have you.¡± ¡°d¡­ to be here.¡± They could understand him. As he extended his hand, the woman epted it with a handshake. Her hand was much softer than he expected ¡ª not the hand of someone who¡¯d crossed the sea. A delicate hand, almost like a fish¡¯s fin, but with a surprisingly firm grip. ¡°I¡¯m the head of this port¡¯s merchant guild. My name is Kuuravia Telek.¡± ¡°I am Zwei Ringo. Sorry¡­ understand not¡­ port? guild? position?¡± ¡°Ah¡­ apologies. Can you understand the word ¡®leader¡¯?¡±@@novelbin@@ ¡°Leader. Understand. Thank you. I am¡­ the leader of the ship.¡± She was the ship¡¯s captain, then. Quite the bold move for a captain to personally disembark in a foreign port. ¡°Standing around talking here isn¡¯t ideal. Would you prefer to sit and discuss things inside? I can arrange a room.¡± ¡°Room. Understood. That is¡­ good.¡± The captain nodded, and he motioned her forward, leading her courteously. He was d she followed willingly, though formal decorum wasn¡¯t necessary here. ¡°Chairman, Room Three is ready!¡± ¡°Good.¡± Room Three was designed to host dignitaries. It had a structure that allowed for discreet guards, ideal for such discussions. He nced at the two women following the captain. Perhaps they were her guards? He examined her attire as they walked. She wore a head wrap, likely for sun protection, a well-stitched long-sleeved shirt, and trousers, with sturdy boots. A curved sword, likely a cuss, hung at her waist, suggesting she was left-handed. On her right side was an unusual object, metal and grip-like, possibly a weapon. It reminded him of a firearm he¡¯d seen once. They made their way to the meeting room in silence; small talk seemed challenging due to thenguage barrier. ¡°Well then¡­ once again, wee to Telek Harbor.¡± ¡°Thank you for weing me.¡± They sat across from each other on the sofas, with only the captain sitting, while her twopanions stood behind her, like guards. He had also positioned his own guards nearby, a customary precaution. "Things have been quite dangeroustely. It¡¯s impressive you made it here." ¡°Dangerous¡­ what?¡± ¡°Ah, it means¡­ uh, ¡®risky.¡¯¡± The captain nodded; she understood that term. ¡°Dangerous, yes. We came, stayed offshore.¡± Offshore, then. If their paddle ship could keep its distance from pirate towns, it made sense. And if those cannons weren¡¯t just for show, they¡¯d have little trouble fending off attackers. Around here, most still relied on ballistae as their primary weapon. ¡°Understood. So, what brings you to this port?¡± ¡°¡­We seek trade.¡± Chapter Vol. 1 Ch. 18 Chapter 18: First Negotiation with the Natives ¡°It appears we can manage the trade negotiations. With thenguage data we¡¯ve collected, minimalmunication is achievable.¡± She listened to the report, seated on the sofa alongside Ringo¡¯s terminal. The sofa was something Ringo had created at some point, likely inspired by some piece of entertainment media. When Ringo had shyly asked if cing a sofa would be alright, she had, of course, readily agreed. Such endearing requests were more than wee. ¡°And why didn¡¯t you prioritizenguage analysis?¡± ¡°As a precaution. I thought it best to appear distinctly foreign. We¡¯ll adjust thenguage gradually through conversation.¡±@@novelbin@@ By learning thenguage through broken sentences, they would seem more like outsiders, which might allow certain unusual behaviors to be excused. ¡°From here on, we¡¯ll present samples of our trade goods and proceed with negotiations. To be honest, it¡¯s hard to say how far we¡¯ll get in business with an unknown civilization.¡± ¡°Well, naturally¡­ we don¡¯t know their trading customs, and I¡¯ve never really negotiated anything before¡­¡± Naturally, Ringo had never interacted with any human besides her. She herself, in her real-world life, had left basic tasks to her assistant avatar, Ada, and had never engaged in any negotiation-heavy work or games. She was entirely inexperienced with negotiating. Luckily, Ringo had immersed herself in various media and guidebooks, which seemed promising. ¡°Well, we¡¯ll make it work somehow. I¡¯m counting on you, Ringo.¡± ¡°Yes, please leave it to me.¡± For the time being, she decided to leave external affairs to Ringo. Watching the monitor wouldn¡¯t do her any good, as it was all in a foreignnguage. There was nothing particrly entertaining about it either. ¡°So then¡­ what should I be doing?¡± She mused, though, in reality, she had no real duties. If anything, her task was simply to keep Ringo pleased with the asional gesture of affection. ¡°Commander Mam. The extraction of broth from various seaweeds isplete, would you like a taste?¡± ¡°Oh, sounds lovely. Will you join me, Ringo?¡± ¡°Yes, of course, Commander Mam. I will apany you.¡± In truth, as long as Ringo could take care of her, she seemed content, andtely, she didn¡¯t require much additional attention. Since Ringo had begun using the humanoid machinemunicators, the need for her personal presence had decreased. Though Ringo¡¯s insistence on following her everywhere had initially been a bit much, she¡¯d gotten used to it by now. At least Ringo respected her privacy in the restroom. After a few days of negotiations in Telek Harbor, they finalized the items for trade and their exchange rates. They also established a simple rule allowing them to set trade rates for future visits. Though they could negotiate each time, considering the system relied on bartering, some preparatory period would be beneficial. Trade items included weapons such as cusses, decorated metal essories like barrettes and buttons, thread, and cloth. Their salt was also valued for its high purity and was particrly weed. Additionally, dried fish from types not found in the waters around Telek Harbor were suitable for trade. On the other hand, the locals offered perishable goods like food and water, as well as various crafts. Though the crafts were of little interest, outright refusal would have seemed odd, so they nned to select a few. They also managed tomunicate their limited iron supply and requested iron ingots. Scrap iron would work too, but they refrained from asking, as it might seem strange. They requested small amounts of gold, silver, and gemstones, suspecting these materials could provide insight into the region¡¯s geological distribution and smelting techniques based on the purity of the precious metals. Telek Harbor seemed to be a typical trading hub, with limited production facilities but a high volume of trade goods. They boasted about having ess to goods from various cities, and it appeared the Paraiso¡¯s merchandise held considerable appeal. ording to information collected by the insect-type bots, the harbor city was eager to establish trade. Weapons and metal essories could be produced in sufficient quantities for trade. Additionally, thread and cloth were made from cellulose extracted from algae, and the seaweed farm was steadily expanding, ensuring abundant supply. As for dried fish, they only needed enough to sustain her diet. Though the trade rate was slightly disadvantageous, it wasn¡¯t exploitative; likely, there was limited demand for such items. While Telek Harbor was thriving, the surrounding city-states were tense, focused on military affairs. Consequently, the demand for luxury goods was low, though weaponsmanded high prices. On the fourth day since they anchored, however, an incident urred. ¡°Emergency, Commander Mam.¡± She awoke to Ringo¡¯s terminal shaking her awake. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Hostile natives are approaching the Paraiso.¡± ¡°What?!¡± She rushed to leave her quarters but was stopped by Ringo from behind. ¡°We have time, Commander Mam. Please, dress yourself first.¡± ¡°Dress myself¡­ Right, I should stay calm.¡± Apparently, Ringo¡¯s standards did not align with her entering themand room in her nightwear (also created by Ringo). Trusting Ringo¡¯s reassurance of avable time, she quickly dressed. The outfit she put on was a formal uniform Ringo had crafted from cellulose. In recent times, in addition to food production, Ringo had also taken up creating garments. ¡°Four small boats are approaching the Paraiso, carrying about twenty people. They debated whether to proceed but ultimately decided on an attack.¡± ¡°You were watching them from the start?¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Mam. Apologies; I couldn¡¯t tell if they were serious or not and dismissed it as drunken chatter.¡± ¡°Hm¡­ I suppose it couldn¡¯t be helped. I couldn¡¯t have made a better judgment myself¡­ but next time, let me know sooner?¡± As she made this pointed request, Ringo¡¯s terminal visibly drooped in dejection. She felt a pang of guilt, but the reminder was necessary. If left unchecked, Ringo might begin making truly independent decisions without her. For now, she believed it was important to maintain a guiding hand. ¡°My apologies¡­¡± ¡°Oh,e on¡­ It¡¯s alright. Since we caught it in time, we¡¯re good.¡± She pulled Ringo¡¯s terminal close, gently patting it on the head in reassurance. Ringo, in turn, activated six humanoid machinemunicators that had been in low-power mode. The other three remained stationed in the harbor¡¯s guesthouse and couldn¡¯t be mobilized. Even so, onemunicator would be more than enough to handle the natives, who wielded only primitive weapons. Swift, the sr-powered reconnaissance drone hovering above, provided clear night-vision images. If they encountered magical fantasy-style attacks, they were well-prepared. Ringo had observed the use of varied magic on battlefields, estimating that although magic varied in power and ease of use, it wasn¡¯t much stronger than standard infantry weapons. Two types of fighters were observed: those using magic and those relying on weapons. It suggested that magic required some level of talent, necessitating separate sses for different abilities. In any case. The moment they attempted unauthorized entry onto the Paraiso, they became enemies. Ringo saw no need to adhere to the port¡¯sws and decided to capture a few of them alive, positioning the humanoid machinemunicators ordingly. Chapter Vol. 1 Ch. 21 Chapter 21: The Rising Fleet of Peculiar Sailing Ships Following the gshipParaiso, the second and third ships rolled out. ¡°There were no structural issues withParaisoduring its voyage, so we maintained almost the same design. The third ship, however, is equipped with a multi-barreled 20mm machine gun instead of a 150mm smoothbore cannon. Based on local observations, this armament might be more practical.¡± ¡°Oh¡­ how magnificent!¡± She leaned eagerly over the railing, her excitement clear on her face as she watched the two ships float side by side. One of the humanoid machinemunicators under Ringo¡¯s control quickly grabbed her by the waist. ¡°Commander Mam, that¡¯s dangerous.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine!¡± She thought Ringo was being overly protective again. The deck height was only about two meters, and below was the calm sea. Even if she fell, she could be easily rescued. A little more freedom wouldn¡¯t hurt. Unaware of how overly enthusiastic and reckless she seemed to those around her, she continued to watch. ¡°With these ships, we¡¯ll be able to start serious trading soon.¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Mam. Once we can secure a steady supply of iron products, stability will increase significantly, allowing us to constructrger vessels.¡± At the mention ofrge ships, she turned her gaze toward the offshore area, where arge sailing ship was under construction. ¡°We don¡¯t have enough steel yet, so we¡¯re using duralumin, right?¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Mam. The main structuralponents are designed with duralumin or steel, while basic materials are cellulose-based. For high-stress areas, duralumin is still used. Once sufficient iron is secured, the n is to dismantle and recover the duralumin for aircraft use.¡± ¡°Duralumin is best saved for aircraft, after all.¡± ¡°Yes. Withrge flying boats, we could greatly increase deployment speed.¡± Currently, the fortressThe Treeonly had a short runway that cut through its interior. Only nespatible with a catapultunch system could be operated, and the runway itself was small, limiting the use ofrger aircraft. However,rge seanes capable of taking off andnding on water could be built on arger scale. While they¡¯d need a loading dock, it would be more feasible than constructing a full runway. That said, building such a dock would also require substantial resources. ¡°That¡¯ll have to wait until we can secure a steady supply of iron¡­¡± With sufficient iron, they could begin exchanging materials by the ton and build steel-based structures. Installingrge multi-purpose ship-building printers would also speed up construction significantly. ¡°I¡¯ve prioritized gathering information on iron sources, so I expect to report back soon.¡± ¡°No worries, I trust you¡¯ve got it covered.¡± Asmander, she made a point of regrly reviewing Ringo¡¯s activity logs to stay informed. Lately, Ringo had been scanning for exposed iron oxide deposits along the coast. If they could locate a ce for open-pit mining, they could deploy an excavation fleet rather than relying solely on trade. ¡°Also, we¡¯re preparing to withdrawParaiso. We¡¯ve secured favorable trade terms and obtained various spices and foods.¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s wonderful!¡± After the raid onParaiso, arge-scale cleanup operation had reportedly taken ce at the harbor. The guild that had meddled withParaisohad been entirely wiped out. Ringo mentioned they could have pressed for more but had epted the harbor¡¯s show of goodwill, which had been appreciated by the locals. Still, as a show of force, they had destroyed the enemy guild¡¯s building with a precisely calcted 150mm smoothbore cannon shot. Ringo had carefully aimed, and the explosive shell demolished only the target structure. Fortunately, a prior warning minimized any unintended casualties, leaving only the guild leader affected. Although she had thought it might be overkill, Ringo¡¯s smug demeanor made her quickly brush off any concerns. The merchant guild leader of Telek Harbor¡ªessentially the city¡¯s ruler¡ªhad promised to secure the requested quantity of iron ingots by the next trade. It was clear that ¡°gunboat diplomacy¡± was highly effective. He¡¯d be even more surprised next time, with their fleet now increased to three ships. ¡°Once we deploy therge transport ship, our cargo capacity will be three times thebined total of these three ships.¡± Therge transport ship prioritized carrying capacity and stability, with a shallow and broad hull. While wind power would be its primary propulsion for now, they nned to switch to hydrogen gas turbines once resources were avable. The hydrogen fuel would be generated by electrolysis of seawater using sr panels. ¡°We¡¯ll have a full trade fleet soon¡­ and eventually, I¡¯d love to build a battleship.¡± ¡°A battleship, Commander? What size?¡± ¡°Hm¡­ I don¡¯t know much about it, maybe around 300 meters?¡± At her offhanded answer, Ringo paused in thought. ¡°Understood. We¡¯ll continueThe Treeproject to make battleship construction possible.¡± ¡°Really? I look forward to it.¡± Adding a massive battleship to the fleet had now be a goal. About ten dayster,Paraisoreturned safely. While it didn¡¯te back fully loaded, it carried a substantial haul of iron products, preserved foods, spices, various crafts, and precious metals. ¡°We secured about one ton of iron, not quite enough for an entire ship.¡± ¡°Better than nothing. And we¡¯ll get even more next time, right?¡± ¡°Yes. We¡¯ve ced the orders. This time we traded raw thread and cloth, but next time we¡¯ll include dyed fabrics as well. We also obtained several patterns, so it would be ideal to showcase some fashion samples.¡± Perhaps due to the ongoing war, their culture seemed somewhat underdeveloped. They had learned that textiles had a market in the capital city. She mused over the list of clothing and crafts, wondering if this was what ¡°cultural influence¡± looked like. Lacking any design sense herself, she had no furtherments on the aesthetics. ¡°Weapons, too, seem to have a high exchange rate. We acquired some of their weapons as well, so we¡¯ll adjust the quality of what we offer ordingly. We told them what we traded this time was our best quality, so slightly above-average mass-produced items should be enough.¡± ¡°Yes, Commander. I¡¯ll take care of it.¡± At present, she was seated on a table set on the observation deck, receiving refreshments from Ringo. The recently rolled-out humanoid machinemunicators attended to her, creating a scene of leisurely dependence, though thankfully, she was blissfully unaware. Watching themunicators unloading cargo, she sipped carbonated water through a straw, courtesy of Ringo. ¡°...Delicious!¡± ¡°I refined the sugar we acquired and made soda.¡± ¡°...It¡¯s¡­ the taste of civilization¡­¡± As she contentedly mumbled nonsense, Ringo served her sugar-preserved fruit and continued gathering information through the bots, all in pursuit of expanding their menu. Meanwhile, a fortified fleet set sail from the northern inds.@@novelbin@@ Their destination: the unexplored southern continent. Though wooden sailing ships, they were optimized for long-distance voyages. Outfitted with thetest magic-powered paddle wheels as auxiliary propulsion, they primarily relied on sails. The fleet consisted of threerge ships, along with two battleships and four cruisers as escorts, totaling nine ships. Their mission was to investigate the hegemonic nation on the southern continent, based on information from castaways. They hoped to establish peaceful rtions if possible. The inspection of seized vessels suggested that the technological gap wasn¡¯t insurmountable, though the main concern was that their gship battleships couldn¡¯t cover the required range. Chapter Vol. 1 Ch. 22 Chapter 22: Departure of the Fox Maidens (45 Units) The first voyage of the First Trade Fleet was about to begin. Naming each vessel was considered, but with ns to dismantle them once the full fleet was assembled, simple numbering sufficed. Since the Northern Continent wouldn¡¯t recognize these alphabetic designations, it was deemed eptable. ¡°Even with just three ships, they look so majestic in a single column!¡± Watching aerial footage from the drones, she sat proudly in themand seat, clearly pleased, and Ringo, observing her, was equally content. ¡°For enhanced defense, I¡¯ve added attack drones. They aren¡¯t particrly fast, but should be effective inbat,¡± Ringo noted. ¡°Oh? ¡­Well, I think the humanoid machinemunicators alone are enough,¡± she replied. ¡°Considering the cost, repairing a humanoid machinemunicator versus recing a destroyed drone is more economical. With a stable iron supply, we can mass-produce drones, so preserving themunicators is our priority.¡± ¡°True¡­ In case of injury, it¡¯d be quite a hassle¡­¡± This time, 36 newly produced humanoid machinemunicators were prepared. Together with the existing units, a total of 45municators were set to embark on the First Trade Fleet¡¯s journey to the harbor town. This was more than enough to seize control of the town if necessary, but with the addition of drone weaponry, it was probably excessive. However, the town¡¯s peaceful state couldn¡¯t be guaranteed indefinitely. By the time they returned, a new faction could have taken control, potentiallyunching an attack. To anticipate any changes, numerous reconnaissance bots had already infiltrated the area. ¡°We¡¯ll continue producing humanoid machinemunicators, gradually installing independent AI. It¡¯s crucial to avoid unnecessary losses to these units.¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right. How¡¯s progress on the brain unit?¡± ¡°It¡¯s on track. The current batch ofmunicators will undergo experimental instation, and if sessful, we¡¯ll proceed to the primary education phase.¡± With the brain unit, themunicators could exhibit autonomyparable to an adult, allowing two-waymunication with Ringo, thus creating uniquely capable androids. Incidentally, in World of Space, wirelessmunication was easily disrupted and thus seldom used beyond the earliest stages. But in this world, devoid of such wireless interference, the technology was feasible. ¡°By the way, aren¡¯t you nning to alter the gic base? You¡¯ve collected enough local DNA by now, haven¡¯t you?¡± Ringo fell silent at her casual question. Currently, all humanoid machinemunicators were manufactured based on her gic data, resulting in nearly identical appearances. Each one resembled her so closely that they could pass as twins. ¡°¡­There¡¯s something I find¡­uneptable about it¡­¡± ¡°¡­?¡± Puzzled, she watched as Ringo hesitantly admitted a reluctance (perhaps emotional) to mix her DNA with others¡¯. ¡°Oh?¡± With a gentle smile, she pulled Ringo into a hug. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Ringo. If you don¡¯t like it, we¡¯ll find another way.¡± ¡°But it¡¯s not the most efficient¡­¡± ¡°Efficiency isn¡¯t everything,¡± she said with finality. ¡°Sometimes, it¡¯s okay not to prioritize it.¡± Ringo understood that increasing gic diversity, including varying appearances and genders, would be the most efficient approach. Yet, despite recognizing the rationale, Ringo found it difficult to choose this option. She saw Ringo¡¯s inner conflict and offeredfort. ¡°If we¡¯re talking efficiency, I¡¯m the least efficient one here, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not¡ª¡± ¡°Oh, but it is. I think you know it.¡± She embraced Ringo and gently patted his head. ¡°Do what you want. If you ever doubt yourself, remember your raison d¡¯¨ºtre. Efficiency doesn¡¯t matter as long as you stay true to it.¡± ¡°Yes¡­¡± With that, she nced at the gic data Ringo had collected. ¡°Well, even if mixing my DNA is out, it¡¯s fine to create entirely new ones, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°¡­Yes, you¡¯re right. I¡¯ll try producing a few experimental models.¡± Noting this addition to Ringo¡¯s task list, she returned to her main duty: overseeing the departure ceremony of the First Trade Fleet. ¡°All hands, port side. Salute.¡± Though silent, the movement was so synchronized it almost felt audible. The fully armed 45 humanoid machinemunicators lined up along the port side, saluting the drone. ¡°Impressive precision,¡± she remarked. ¡°Thank you.¡± The proximity to The Tree fortress allowed Ringo to control all themunicators directly, fine-tuning muscle output to a millimeter. Even as the ship rocked, they maintained perfect coordination. However, once they reached their destination, slight dys would be inevitable. At that point, eachmunicator would rely on its own hardware and neural responses, leading to minor variations. ¡°After this, we¡¯ll conduct full-speed trials and test each turret. Please rx until preparations areplete.¡± ¡°Got it. Thank you.¡± She reclined in hermand seat and took the tea Ringo prepared, brewed with leaves from their recent trade haul. Making tea from seaweed had been impractical, though they¡¯d managed a kelp-based version. ¡°The taste of civilization¡­¡± Compared to the distilled water or electrolyte-infused solutions they¡¯d relied on, this was a significant improvement. While her refined water was moreplex to produce, Ringo humored her perspective, knowing she¡¯d say the same with each new ingredient. ¡°The wheat flour is ready, so I made some cookies. They¡¯re a bit nd without dairy, though.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s try!¡± She eagerly sampled the cookie, smiling as she tasted the sweetness. Watching her, Ringo allowed a satisfied smile to surface. Collecting nt-based oils had been a challenge, but it was worth it. The limited supply, which couldn¡¯t keep long, was stored in airtight containers aboard for safe transport. Likely derived from an olive-like tree, it was far preferable to fish oils, which had an unpleasant odor unsuitable for desserts. ¡°With therge transport ship, we might soon be able to trade for livestock.¡± ¡°Livestock? For meat and dairy?¡± ¡°Yes. It would expand our culinary options.¡± ¡°Yes, definitely!¡± Ringo felt satisfaction at her enthusiastic response. ¡°This means¡­well, it may take a while, but we¡¯ll need a base onnd.¡± ¡°Indeed. Once we secure enough iron, we can establish a base.¡±@@novelbin@@ ¡°Preferably near an iron mine.¡± ¡°Currently under investigation. We¡¯re expanding the search area using Swift reconnaissance nes equipped with maic sensors.¡± With the iron supply secured, some reserved duralumin could now be used in production. Swift¡¯s low material requirements kept the assembly line running at full capacity. ¡°The Northern Continent map is expanding nicely.¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Mom. We¡¯re extending coverage from the southeastern coastline. The area has few port towns, given the sandy terrain.¡± Bypassing penins nations, they continued exploring eastward but had yet to find mines. Ringo¡¯s current mission was to secure resources through trade until local production could be established. Chapter Vol. 1 Ch. 24 Chapter 24: The Ship-of-the-Line Opens Fire, Counterattack Begins "The enemy ship is running parallel to us." Two hours had passed. The pirate ship had drawn within approximately 1 kilometer and was now running parallel to the gship, Paraiso, and the other two ships in a single line formation. Someone aboard the enemy vessel was vigorously waving signal gs, though their meaning was lost on them. "What do you think they¡¯re trying to say?" she asked.@@novelbin@@ "Judging by the situation, they¡¯re probably demanding surrender." They watched the g-waving routine for a few minutes when¡ª "The enemy ship has opened fire." A slight shockwave was visible on the disy, marking the trajectory of the iing cannonball, which Ringo quickly marked. "Marked. Initial velocity: 382 meters per second. No damage." About three secondster, the shell sshed down, exploding upon impact and raising a plume of water. "That¡¯s quite a bit of firepower, isn¡¯t it?" "It¡¯s an explosive shell. Strong butcking uracy. Due to resolution limitations, precise measurements weren¡¯t possible, but the dispersion is rather wide." From the footage, Ringo calcted the cannon¡¯s barrel length and roughly estimated the uracy based on where the shellnded. Whether by chance or design, the shell seemed to havended quite far off from the cannon¡¯s original aiming direction. "If that shell hits below the waterline and detonates correctly, it could break the hull." "That¡¯s...not ideal." "Indeed, Commander. However, at an initial velocity of around 400 meters per second, our 20mm machine guns should be more than capable of intercepting them." "So, no real problem then." Even the simple integrated tactical system on the LST-ss light trade ships could intercept missiles moving at supersonic speeds. With Ringo¡¯s full support, cannonballs moving slightly above the speed of sound posed no threat. "Shall we return fire?" "Hmm¡­ maybe aim intentionally off-target? If we¡¯re gatheringbat data, provoking them might be beneficial." "Understood. We¡¯ll fire about 300 meters ahead of them." Following Ringo¡¯s orders, the forward turret on Paraiso immediately took aim and fired. The shellnded within a second, hitting the sea 300 meters ahead of the target. Traveling about 30 meters underwater, it detonated, creating a massive water plume. "Hit location is within margin of error. No issues." On the pirate ship¡¯s deck, there was an immediate flurry of activity. Several crew members pointed at Paraiso and shouted, seemingly unprepared for a return volley. "Let¡¯s see how they respond." "It¡¯s unlikely they¡¯ll retreat." The enemy vessel was enormous, significantlyrger than the three LST-ss shipsbined and even longer than therge transport ship currently under construction. In this world, it would be fair to call it a super battleship. Naturally, they didn¡¯t expect to lose inbat. "The enemy ship is altering course. It appears to be approaching us." "Are they nning to close in for artillery range? Pirates probably won¡¯t try to sink us¡ªthey¡¯re after our cargo and crew." Pirates typically aimed to intimidate with cannon fire, forcing a ship to surrender so they could board and seize goods and crew. Sinking the ship would yield nothing and waste cannonballs. However, if they felt slighted, they might very well aim to sink Paraiso out of spite. "Estimated time until they¡¯re within effective firing range: approximately one hour." "They¡¯re firing again." Not quite a full broadside, but several cannons on the enemy¡¯s side unleashed a volley. "Detected: 8 cannons. Marked. No damage." The cannonballs sshed down in the water, well short of their mark. They were still far from effective range. "Prepare for anti-air defense. If they get within 300 meters, interception might be challenging. Should we sink them?" "Ugh¡­ capturing them would be a hassle with prisoners and all¡­" Sinking them would be easy. Just a few shots to hit below their waterline would be enough to send them to the depths. Without proper watertight bulkheads or damage control, they¡¯d have no chance to recover from a breach. However, sinking the ship would yield no valuable data. While it would provide somebat insights, there wasn¡¯t much appeal left in it. "A ship thatrge would be impossible to tow, so the best we could do is investigate the interior for any spoils." They did have what appeared to be lifeboats. It might be feasible to cram the crew aboard and let them drift away, given they were close enough to spotnd on the horizon. "Let¡¯s disable their rudder and masts to force a surrender." "Yes, Commander. Shall we proceed now?" "¡­Hmm. Let¡¯s also conduct a pre-emptive test of our interception systems. Let¡¯s close the distance to 500 meters and begin intercepting their cannon fire." "Understood, Commander." With Ringo¡¯s navigation, Paraiso adjusted course toward the enemy. Their speed was nearly identical, allowing them to gradually close the gap. "Enemy vessel has fired. Marked. No damage." The trajectory of the iing rounds was immediately analyzed, and theirnding sites disyed. One shot seemed poised for a near miss, but there was no need to change course. The cannonballs sshed down, exploding on impact, with one roundnding close to LST-3, sending a water column rising as the fleet continued forward. "Enemy vessel has fired again. Marked: near miss, possibly a direct hit. Intercept." On cue, two 20mm machine guns aboard LST-3 opened fire, each firing 3,000 rounds per minute from both the bow and stern. "Interception sessful." The cannonball was shredded mid-air by a storm of bullets and exploded. "¡­We failed to neutralize the explosive; the powder ignited upon impact. We can¡¯t yet determine the type of explosive they¡¯re using." "Can you usually identify explosives?" "Yes, to some extent. Characteristics of the explosion and smoke type can give us a clue. Enemy vessel has fired. Marked. No damage." Ringo disyed a slow-motion rey of the cannonball exploding, showing the 20mm rounds approaching it from the front and slicing through it in rapid session, effectively splitting it in two before it detonated. "Enemy vessel has fired. Marked. No damage. The cannonballs themselves seem quite fragile. However, there¡¯s a slight dy before they explode after pration. I¡¯ll no longer report unless there¡¯s a direct threat." "Got it. Keep intercepting¡­ Hmm, the dyed explosion is interesting." "Yes. The explosions are likely synchronized across all the rounds rather than sequential. With our equipment, we can¡¯t detect any timeg between the detonations." In the video, the cannonball fragmented and detonated without any visible smoke. It looked as if it had simply exploded. "They might not be using conventional gunpowder as we know it." "Hmm¡­ Could it be magic, then?" "That possibility can¡¯t be ruled out." As water columns rose around them, the three ships continued closing the distance to 500 meters. Ringo analyzed the enemy cannonballs while urately intercepting the near-misses. "It seems we could even intercept them with our 150mm smoothbore shells." The forward turret of LST-1 fired a shell that collided mid-air with an iing enemy round. The enemy¡¯s cannonball was so fragile that Paraiso¡¯s shell tore through it before it exploded. "¡­Perhaps it would be faster to capture and study them. Enemy vessel, distance 500 meters. Initiating artillery engagement." The mission was to neutralize and capture the enemy ship, aiming to retrieve any metal resources, if possible. Ideally, they would also analyze the ship¡¯s propulsion and ammunition systems. Thus, their targets were its rudder and masts. Simultaneously, four 150mm smoothbore shells were fired, reaching their targets in a second. They struck the bases of the four masts, exploding on impact. Additionally, one of the 20mm machine guns shredded the base of another mast, causing it to snap, while another gun precisely targeted and damaged the ship¡¯s rear paddle wheel, taking care not to harm internalponents. The enemy ship was now immobilized, its sails shattered, and it was on the brink of surrender. Chapter Vol. 1 Ch. 25 Chapter 25: Suppression (3 Minutes) "Sessful destruction of masts and paddle wheels." Naturally, the enemy crew was inplete disarray. Though some cannons continued firing, most of the deck crew were fleeing from the copsing masts, while officers barked orders in a frenzy on the deck. "Switching to armor-piercing rounds for the 150mm smoothbore cannon." "Aiming for pration?" "Yes. Explosive rounds would cause excessive damage." The next target was the cannons on the enemy¡¯s side. Despite being heavily outgunned, the pirates continued firing, likely unaware of the chaos on their own deck. "We¡¯ll also take out the officers on the deck." Sniping with main or machine guns would typically be impossible, but with Ringo¡¯s custom cannons, shells, and exceptionalputing power, they achieved near-unbelievable precision. At a rate of 45 rounds per minute, armor-piercing shells flew directly into the barrels protruding from the enemy¡¯s hull, while the 20mm machine guns picked off the officers attempting to maintain control on the deck. The 150mm shells struck the enemy¡¯s cannons, reducing them to shrapnel that tore through nearby crew members, leaving no survivors. The shells pierced through the cannons and exited the other side of the hull. "Oh¡ª" The forward side of the enemy ship erupted in a massive explosion. "It appears there was a chain reaction." Either the cannon had just been loaded, or rounds had been stored nearby. The st shredded the upper structures. "Quite a spectacle¡­ Think they¡¯ll sink?" "If they do, so be it." "Straight to the point, huh?" As they conversed, the enemy ship lost all operational cannons and its officers, plunging into utter chaos. Once they¡¯d taken out the cannons on one side, the 150mm smoothbore cannons ceased fire. "Now then¡­" With all masts broken, cannons destroyed, and paddle wheels shattered, therge sailing ship was helpless. "For a show of force, let¡¯s furl our sails and switch to motorized travel." Now they needed to drive out the remaining crew. Closing in with motorized propulsion, they nned to intimidate the enemy with warning shots. The humanoid machinemunicators climbed the masts, swiftly securing and rolling up the sails. Their speed was far beyond what any human could achieve, and soon the enemy crew noticed, pointing and shouting in rm. "Thosemunicators sure move well." The humanoid machinemunicators moved nimbly from mast to mast, and within minutes, all three ships had furled their sails. The diesel engines kicked in, and the paddle wheels began churning the water. As the ships picked up speed and maneuvered, themunicators efficiently descended the masts with ropes anddders. Now only a few hundred meters away, the enemy crew had a clear view, and several began untying the ropes for the lifeboats, sparking a frenzy among the crew. "¡­How are they even going to lower those boats?" "Usually with ropes, but we can give them some time." The three LST-ss light trade ships approached slowly, turning their paddle wheels as the terrified crew scrambled. Any remaining officers had been reduced to meat by Ringo¡¯s sniping, leaving the pirates disorganized and leaderless. "Oh, they¡¯re jumping overboard." "That¡¯s quite a height to jump from. They¡¯ll be fine?" One by one, the pirates leaped into the sea, skipping the ropes anddders in their haste to escape, cramming into four quickly lowered lifeboats. "Will everyone fit?" "They should be able to." Watching casually, she and Ringo monitored the scene. By the time Paraiso moved alongside the enemy ship, the pirateden boats had rowed a considerable distance away, likely pushed by sheer panic. "Initiating boarding." Ropes fired from Paraiso, securing lines to the drifting pirate ship, and soon, armed humanoid machinemunicators began boarding. "There are survivors aboard. Proceeding with elimination." "Hopefully, they left something valuable behind." Drones entered through breaches in the hull and upper deck, utilizing bio-radar to ensure no survivors were hiding as they systematically secured the ship. "We should be able to secure the cannons and ammunition. However, analyzing them onboard is safer to prevent idents." "Do we have drones equipped for analysis?" "Yes. We can use general-purpose drones. Sacrificing a few should help us make some educated guesses about the materials." "Go ahead if it¡¯s worth it based on the resources we¡¯ve secured. It¡¯s not essential if it risks the drones."@@novelbin@@ The cargo hold scans indicated significant metal deposits. Estimating that this haul could cover the operation¡¯s costs in iron, Ringo maneuvered the three ships into position to offload cargo. Due to the size disparity, they cut openings in the hull using construction drones for more efficient loading. "Theck of watertightpartments makes unloading easy." "Right? It¡¯s wooden, and technically, it floats¡­ so the design doesn¡¯t need much refinement." "Not always the case, but this ship certainlycks sophisticated waterproofing." With a makeshift opening, they started unloading the spoils. Prioritizing metal, they hauled out iron cannons, believed to be cast iron. "Good thing we brought the drones." "Indeed." Humanoid machinemunicators struggled with such heavy lifting, as they were built with human-like strength limitations and prone to muscle fiber strain, effectively giving them "muscle soreness" after heavybor. "Even just these cannons provide a hefty resource gain. A ship-of-the-line is practically a floating iron mine." "Heh, that¡¯s true, though it¡¯s not like we can go pirate-hunting just for resources¡­" Each cannon weighed several tons, and there were around 40 onboard. This single haul might yield more iron than theirtest trade at Telek Harbor. In hindsight, perhaps destroying some cannons had been a bit wasteful. "It would be nice to salvage the iron used in the ship''s structure, but that might be too difficult here." "Especially out here on the sea." Dismantling the ship while at sea wasn¡¯t feasible; they could only strip what was easy to reach. The pirate ship used a mysterious engine likely powered by magic instead of a steam engine, which would have added even more iron. "This magical engine would be worth investigating if possible." "Not sure if it¡¯s even operable. Could we even load it onto our ships?" "No, it¡¯s far toorge." "Then dismantle and analyze as much as you can before we dispose of it." Deploying general-purpose drones, they began analyzing the ship¡¯s magical engine and otherponents. By the time they had loaded as much metal as possible, night had fallen. The humanoid machinemunicators were done for the day, needing rest and food to function the next day. Meanwhile, the drones could work non-stop, charged and ready, toplete the analysis overnight before they resumed their course to Telek Harbor the next morning. The pirate ship was set for demolition to prevent it from drifting and causing further disruptions. "Take care of the rest for me~" "Understood, Commander Mom." As Ringo continued analyzing the enemy ship with drones, the humanoid machinemunicators swiftly prepared her for bed. They undressed her, dressed her in sleepwear, brushed her hair, and tucked her into bed like a princess. Notably, when she was awake, she scolded them for helping too much. But when she was sleepy, she epted their assistance without protest. Ringo had learned this and nned to continue caring for her at every opportunity. "Good night." "¡­Good night." Chapter Vol. 1 Ch. 26 Chapter 26: A Brief Interlude (The Merchant Guild Leader 3) "Guild Leader! They''re here¡ªthe crew from Paraiso!" "...So they¡¯vee." Hearing the report, Kvia Telek, the guild leader, let out a sigh of relief. Since theirst trade, he had been besieged with urgent demands from the capital¡¯s merchants. They clearly understood the value of the goods, and judging by the tone of the letters, the demands must havee from someone of considerable influence¡ªlikely a high-ranking noble or even royalty. "They made good time. From what they said, they were quite a distance away." During their previous visit, they¡¯d estimated it would take months for a round trip, given that reaching Telek Harbor in the first ce had taken them six months. While they mentioned knowing the route would speed things up, he hadn¡¯t expected them back in just over two months. It was a pleasant surprise. "Guild Leader, they brought three ships this time!" "What?!" More ships meant more cargo, and more cargo meant greater trade volume¡ªand more bargaining power for Telek Harbor. He felt a sudden urge to revere those cold-eyed women as goddesses. Since their arrival, fortunes had turned for the harbor. What was once a dwindling town now caught the winds of luck and life. "The iron¡¯s ready, right?" "Of course, Guild Leader! Didn¡¯t we confirm that yesterday? We¡¯ve gathered all we could!" For some reason, they were incredibly interested in iron, requesting iron ingots, though it seemed any form of iron would do. Luckily, a mining town ind provided a steady supply, though the quality was somewhatcking. Still, he had diverted even portions meant for the capital, stocking the warehouse with piles of iron ingots. With three ships, though, he hoped it would be enough. "Alright, let¡¯s go greet them. And notify the other merchants to bring out their iron! The exchange rate is 1,000 to 1. They¡¯ll even rip nails from pirs to get their hands on this." "¡­Pirate g." "Yes. We took it on our way here. We thought it might be useful, so we kept it." The young women with animal-like ears and identical faces had increased in number this time, with about ten of theming ashore. After brief introductions, one of them, Zwei¡ªthe ship captain or perhaps the fleetmander¡ªbrought up the pirate g. "Do you recognize it? We have it here." At her signal, another young woman unfolded the ck cloth and ced it on the table. A pirate g. Pirates flew these gs to broadcast their allegiance, and significant bounties were often ced on them. If it was the mark of a famous pirate, it was likely recognized locally with a bounty attached, though with the current political instability, many countries couldn¡¯t even be reached to collect on it. "This¡­" He spread out the g and recognized the skull symbol. "¡­Red Cap." "The notorious Red Cap, the great pirate! Did you all defeat them?" "I don¡¯t know the name. They attacked us, so we fought back." A ck g with a white skull wearing a red cap¡ªthis was the g of the fearsome Red Cap, captain of one of thergest and most powerful ships-of-the-line, equipped with nearly 100 cannons. And now, this gy spread across the table. The guild leader could hardly believe it. "Red Cap? That giant ship-of-the-line? You defeated it¡­?" "As long as their cannon fire doesn¡¯t hit, there¡¯s nothing to worry about." The guild leader shuddered at her response. He remembered the terrifying precision of Paraiso''s rotating turret, which had destroyed an entire mansion with a single shot during theirst visit. Few had noticed the turret¡¯s capabilities, focused instead on the wreckage it left behind. The turret had swiveled in under ten seconds, adjusted its elevation, and fired without detailed aiming, sending the shell in an arc to strike the mansion¡¯s center with pinpoint uracy. The guild leader felt a chill down his spine. With such speed and precision, there was no hiding from that turret, even for a ship-of-the-line. Just two or three hits would be enough to sink anyrge vessel. "The bounty might be substantial, but it¡¯s impossible to pay here. Normally, we¡¯d contact the capital to im it, but¡­" "We¡¯re aware of the situation. Use it as you see fit." "Well, that¡¯s¡­remarkably generous." iming the bounty on a notorious pirate would typically be a point of pride, opening doors to favorable negotiations at ports worldwide. Yet they¡¯d offered it without hesitation. "We seek only trade. Position and prestige are of no interest to us." Kvia understood. They had no need for titles or fame; they clearly wielded immense power. In this world, might was everything. In such times, wealth and authority were mere tools for securing military power. If these women ever turned their strength against others, Telek Harbor could be a wastnd overnight. Last time, they¡¯d brought one ship and two cannons. Now, it was three ships with many more cannons, easily enough to overwhelm any local forces. By entrusting him with the g, they were subtly telling him to gather trade goods and resources that would be useful to them. "I understand. We¡¯ll gratefully ept it. ¡­Hey!" "Yes, sir!" He motioned for his subordinate to take the g, letting out a light sigh. What he¡¯d intended as a casual conversation had be a far more serious discussion than expected.@@novelbin@@ "Now then, you all must be tired. Shall we save the negotiations for tomorrow? You¡¯re wee to rest here tonight." "Thank you. I¡¯d like to allow half the crew to disembark. Do you have rooms avable? We¡¯ll pay for them." "Oh? You¡¯ll allow the crew toe ashore this time?" At his question, Zwei, the fleetmander, nodded. "We n to permit half the crew ashore at a time. The town is bustling and safe. Unlike our previous visit, we now have ample crew and currency. There won¡¯t be any issues." "Understood. You¡¯re wee toe ashore, though I¡¯d like to assign guides to apany you. I hope you understand, but your group may not be familiar with our customs, and we¡¯d like to avoid unnecessary trouble." "No problem. All our crew can understand yournguage to some extent. We wee the guides." The guild leader was relieved by her immediate agreement. Although the town was safe, fools existed everywhere, and with their distinctive appearance, the women might attract unwanted attention. "Thank you for your understanding. And please, allow us to arrange your amodations. Think of it as a courtesy¡ªwe consider you valuable guests." At this point, the guild leader hadn¡¯t yet noticed the unique appearance of Paraiso''s entire crew. He hadn¡¯t realized they were all young women with animal ears and tails. Had he known, he might have approached things more cautiously. But instead, he treated them with the formality reserved for nobility, announcing their arrival publicly and gathering people for a grand wee. As a result, word of their appearance spread quickly throughout the town. A parade of beautiful young women with animal ears and tails, without a single man among them, became an unforgettable sight for the people of Telek Harbor. The townsfolk flocked daily to catch a glimpse of them, and additional guards were assigned to control the crowds. For a while, this strange and captivating procession through the streets became a new and thrilling sight for the townspeople. Chapter Vol. 1 Ch. 30 Chapter 30: A Side Story (The Five Sisters) Eldest Sister: Akane The Tree "Your name is Akane. Full name, Akane The Tree." That was my first memory. Akane¡ªthat¡¯s my name. Among us, the Tree Family, I¡¯m considered the eldest sister. Technically, by definition, the Commander should be the eldest, but she once said: ¡°It¡¯s a little different. Sure, I think of you all as my sisters, though.¡± I don¡¯t fully understand what she meant by that, so I¡¯ll research itter. Ringo will surely rmend a good library resource for me. The Commander often introduces me to books. Reading the books she picks for me is so much fun. If I don¡¯t understand something, Ringo suggests another book that exins it, and that¡¯s enjoyable too. Everything I want to know is written in books. For a while, I thought books alone were enough, but Ringo said that isn¡¯t the case. I still don¡¯t understand why, so I¡¯ll ask Ringo to find me a book that exins why books alone aren¡¯t sufficient. Second Sister: Ichigo The Tree ¡°Are you having fun, Ichigo?¡± The Commander asked me this, and I nodded. She and Ringo were discussing something while pointing at a tactical map. I didn¡¯t understand what they were doing, but I liked watching them work. That¡¯s why I decided to follow the Commander around as much as possible. ¡°You¡¯re so diligent, Ichigo.¡± Diligent? Am I diligent? I¡¯m not sure. My sisters all seem to be doing what they like, and I¡¯m doing what I like too. Surely, we¡¯re all diligent in our own way. But being told that by the Commander made me incredibly happy. Tonight, after the Commander goes to sleep, I¡¯ll ask Ringo to exin what they were talking about today. Tomorrow, I hope I¡¯ll understand the Commander¡¯s discussions even better. One day, I want to join in the conversations with her and Ringo. I want the Commander to call me diligent again.@@novelbin@@ Third Sister: Utsugi The Tree ¡°Erika, let¡¯s go this way next.¡± Today, we¡¯re exploring the 15th floor of The Tree Fortress. ¡°Utsugi, I¡¯ming too.¡± Erika wanted to tag along, so I held her hand to make sure we didn¡¯t get separated. If I took my eyes off her, Erika would wander off somewhere. Sure, Ringo could always tell me where she was, but it¡¯s better not to get separated in the first ce. ¡°What¡¯s on the 15th floor again?¡± I asked. ¡°Storage,¡± Erika replied. Storage? I¡¯ve never seen it before, so I¡¯m curious. Ringo once said The Tree Fortress was running low on supplies. What does that mean? ¡°Storage! Let¡¯s go! Elevator to the 15th floor!¡± I called out excitedly. Oh, that reminds me¡ªErika wanted to watch food being made next time. We should check that out tomorrow. The Commander said it was dangerous, but I don¡¯t think it¡¯s that risky with Ringo around. ¡°We¡¯re here!¡± Erika announced. Ah, she beat me to it again! Honestly, she always rushes ahead. Fourth Sister: Erika The Tree ¡°Erika, let¡¯s go this way next.¡± It seems Utsugi wants to explore The Tree Fortress again today. ¡°Utsugi, I¡¯ming too.¡± If I don¡¯t call out or hold her hand, Utsugi will sprint off on her own. While Ringo could guide me to find her if we got separated, it would make me sad if Utsugi disappeared. ¡°What¡¯s on the 15th floor again?¡± Utsugi asked. The 15th floor. The dining area is on the 16th floor. The Commander built a cafeteria there since our numbers increased. If the floor below that is¡­ ¡°Storage,¡± I replied. It¡¯s the floor where Ringo said food is stored. Apparently, they collect fish from the sea, but how do they do that? ¡°Storage! Let¡¯s go! Elevator to the 15th floor!¡± Utsugi shouted as she jumped into the elevator. Utsugi¡¯s boundless energy amazes me. The Commander always praises her for it. I¡¯ll try to be energetic too. ¡°We¡¯re here!¡± I yelled loudly, hoping to beat Utsugi this time. Shouting feels good. It makes me wonder, though¡ªwhy are all the others so quiet? Fifth Sister: Olive The Tree ¡°Olive, what are you doing?¡± The Commander¡¯s voice came as I carefully ced a triangr roof on top of my wooden structure. ¡°Stacking¡­ blocks,¡± I replied, concentrating to ensure it wouldn¡¯t slip. Done. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s very well done,¡± the Commander said with a smile as she patted my head. Her praise made me happy. ¡°Ringo, don¡¯t we have some y blocks for Olive? Make some for her.¡± ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. Olive, you can pick them up in the yroom tomorrow.¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± I answered softly. The Commander always makes something for me. At first, I felt like crying whenever I was calledst, but now it doesn¡¯t bother me anymore. The Commander always notices me, and that makes me happy. Still, I can¡¯t help but feel a little jealous of the others. I want the Commander to hold me like she does with them. Maybe next time, I¡¯ll try hugging her. It¡¯s a bit embarrassing, but I¡¯ll give it a shot. Central AI: Ringo The Tree The five sisters were created using gic material from the Commander. Their identical bodies and identical brain units have developed surprisingly distinct personalities. Subtle factors¡ªsuch as the Commander¡¯s behavior during initial imprinting, the order in which they were addressed, and the toys and conversations provided¡ªseem to have shaped their individuality. It¡¯s fascinating to see how much variation arose from such small differences. Initially, I worried about the stress of having too many simr androids, but this development suggests it won¡¯t be an issue. However, the materials for producing new bodies are running low. Since we also need to expand the humanoid machinemunicator workforce, we¡¯ll need to pause android production for now. While capturing materials from the northern continent would be easy, the Commander wouldn¡¯t approve, and frankly, neither would I. Cultivating them the slow way will suffice. I¡¯ll request additional cultivation tanks soon. I¡¯ve collected significant gic data from the locals¡­ but for now, the Commander¡¯s gic material alone is enough. No outsiders will be included. I won¡¯t allow it. Eldest Sister (Commander): Eve The Tree That¡¯s right. My name is Eve. Eve The Tree. Definitely not something ridiculous like "Kitsunesky." If I had known this would happen, I would¡¯ve chosen a better name! Curse the game developers! Though, to be fair, no one could have predicted this otherworldly transfer. In the end, I¡¯m the one who picked my name, so I can¡¯tin too much. At least I have a proper name now. If I ever need to introduce myself, I won¡¯t panic like I did when Akane asked. I¡¯ll proudly say, ¡°My name is Eve.¡± Akane has be a bookworm, possibly because learning my name sparked her curiosity. Ringo says that initial stimtion led to an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Honestly, all I can say is, ¡°Huh, neat.¡± I¡¯m relieved they didn¡¯t turn into dull, uniform androids. I was unsure how well they¡¯d develop mentally in the isted environment of The Tree Fortress, but it seems the fortress offers more stimtion than expected. When I think about it, this ce isn¡¯t dull at all. A massive structure, five sisters, a parent-like figure (me), Ringo, a vast library of knowledge, the expansive ocean, and nature¡¯s beauty¡ªit¡¯s plenty stimting. Sure, theck of social interaction withrge groups is an issue, but that¡¯ll resolve with time. Having them around has been incredibly fulfilling. They¡¯re not ordinary children, but interacting with them as my much-younger sisters is rewarding. For their sake, I need to continue being a dependable Commander and their proud big sister. Chapter Vol. 1 Ch. 31 Chapter 31: Telek Harbor¡¯s Impasse The trade fleet, Paraiso 1, was greeted with cheers as it docked at Telek Harbor. ¡°Oh my, they even built new piers for us. Quite the warm wee,¡± the Commander remarked. ¡°Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. Given the deteriorating regional conditions, Telek Harbor has be entirely reliant on Paraiso for survival.¡± ¡°Already? After only three trips?¡± she said, astonished. Though it had been over six months since their initial visit, the rapid esction in dependence was surprising. ¡°The surrounding situation has worsened dramatically. Without Paraiso¡¯s trade goods and what little political leverage the town has, it might already have be a ruin.¡± ¡°Huh¡­,¡± she muttered, uneasy.@@novelbin@@ The Commander was taken aback. While Telek Harbor itself seemed peaceful, even tranquil, the surrounding areas were descending into chaos. A Descent Into Hell ¡°A refugee camp has sprung up north of Telek Harbor, repeatedly raided by bandits. To summarize, it¡¯s hell on earth. The town, unable to spare resources, turns a blind eye, though they asionally sell food to the refugees. Of course, the refugees have no way to pay.¡± ¡°What a nightmare¡­¡± The situation wasn¡¯t entirely hopeless, though. The trade routes delivering cellulose textiles and other goods provided a small reprieve. Trade with the royal capital was still ongoing, which kept the town marginally afloat. ¡°We¡¯re carrying salt and water, right? Should we start including food as well?¡± she asked. ¡°Let¡¯s verify the demand. That said, weck grains. We could provide processed fish or dried seaweed, but whether there¡¯s demand remains uncertain.¡± The region around Telek Harborcked farnd. It relied on imports from the royal capital to meet its grain needs. While fishing provided protein, grains were essential for survival. Ringo¡¯s analysis suggested that the area¡¯s mild climate might support potato cultivation. ¡°ording to our projections, they¡¯ll hold out for now, but their long-term prospects look grim.¡± ¡°... It might be time to decide whether to intervene seriously.¡± Strategic Dilemmas For now, the n was to observe and extend the town¡¯s lifespan by supplying information. Trade for iron would continue until it was no longer profitable, at which point The Tree Fortress would sever ties. This strategy minimized The Tree Fortress¡¯s investment while maximizing returns on iron resources. However, the cold, calcted nature of this approach and the potential loss of a foothold on the continent prompted consideration of alternatives. Intervention, if chosen, would likely involve deploying force. While defending Telek Harbor itself was feasible, advancing further ind was not. The two Alpha-ss destroyers could rain iron from their 150mm cannons within a 20-kilometer radius of the harbor. If needed, they could extend their range to 40 kilometers,unching up to 270 shells per minute with theirbined firepower. However, that was the limit of their capabilities. Without a ground force, offensive operations would be impossible, leaving defense as the only viable option. The town itself was too small to muster a meaningful military force. ¡°We could fully integrate Telek Harbor into The Tree Fortress¡¯s sphere and fortify it,¡± Ringo suggested. ¡°That¡¯s a possibility. Given our resource survey results, this area is barren of mineral deposits¡­¡± the Commander replied. Exploration for iron mines had expanded steadily, but no promising results had emerged. Either the deposits were buried deep underground or simply didn¡¯t exist. ¡°The quickest and most reliable way to secure iron resources would be to seize the mining town directly. While this would expose The Tree Fortress¡¯s presence, it would guarantee substantial iron supplies.¡± ¡°That¡¯s true. But doing so risks drawing enemy attention. While no force capable of defeating us has been identified, that doesn¡¯t prove we¡¯re invincible.¡± ¡°Indeed, Commander Ma¡¯am. We are far from fully prepared.¡± ¡°Ugh, iron really is the bottleneck here!¡± she eximed in frustration. Resource Scarcity The Commander hadid the groundwork for building warships, but resource constraints remained a constant issue. ¡°If only we had enough iron, we could solve most of these problems!¡± Oil supplies were sufficient for now, but with no secure means of resupply, even this would need to be addressed eventually. Fortunately, the diesel engines on the Alpha-ss destroyers and transport ships could use repurposed jet fuel from their aviation reserves, which wouldst several years at current consumption rates. ¡°No oil fields have been found yet. Unfortunately, oil exploration is far from simple,¡± Ringo noted. Wide-area reconnaissance using aircraft or satellites could provide alternatives, but resource shortages made such measures unattainable. Future Paths ¡°After squeezing Telek Harbor dry, our next target might be the penins nation. Negotiations would be ideal, butbat could be unavoidable,¡± she admitted. ¡°The nation appears highly militaristic,¡± Ringo observed. ¡°Securing Telek Harbor and the mining town would yield a significant amount of iron, though the mine¡¯s reserves are uncertain. Developing it would take time, during which we¡¯d be vulnerable torge-scale attacks.¡± ¡°The penins nation is fragmented by internal strife, but amon external threat could unite them. If that happens, we might face an army of hundreds of thousands,¡± Ringo warned. The sheer volume of such a force would overwhelm The Tree Fortress¡¯s current capabilities. Taking the mine and fortifying Telek Harbor could enable iron refining and increased military production, but failure would be catastrophic. ¡°It¡¯s not impossible¡­ but the risk is enormous. Diverting resources to the harbor¡¯s defense would leave us exposed. If we fail, we lose everything.¡± ¡°That¡¯s correct, Commander Ma¡¯am. Using our current reserves for this operation leaves no room for error. Holding back resources would increase the odds of failure.¡± ¡°Ugh, this is so frustrating¡­¡± The Commander¡¯s Dilemma The resources The Tree Fortress could produce independently¡ªcellulose, seawater-extracted metals, and algae-derived synthetic oil¡ªwere insufficient for rapid warship production. Even building a single destroyer would take years at current levels. On the disy, the gship Paraiso and the Alpha-ss destroyer Alpha had docked. Telek Harbor¡¯s guild leader, Kvia Telek, rushed to greet them enthusiastically. The humanoid machinemunicator Zwei observed from the ship¡¯s bow, unfazed. ¡°They¡¯re thrilled,¡± the Commander remarked. And understandably so. In an age dominated by sailing ships, the arrival of powered vessels, particrly warships, was a spectacle. The fleet¡¯s goodwill toward Telek Harbor only amplified their reception. Kvia¡¯s effusive praise extended even to the simple gangnk as she escorted Zwei and her entourage to the reception hall. A wee banquet was nned for that evening, with unloading postponed to the next day. Ten humanoid machinemunicators would attend the banquet, while the rest remained aboard the ships. ¡°It¡¯s hard to just abandon them when they¡¯re relying on us this much,¡± the Commander admitted. ¡°I agree, Commander Ma¡¯am,¡± Ringo replied. Though the Commander had only interacted with the townsfolk through surveince over the past six months, seeing their faces daily had created a bond. It was natural to want to help them. ¡°If ites to it, we¡¯ll defend the town, even if we have to abandon the mine. If the civil unrest settles, trade might resume,¡± she mused. The unfolding events remained unpredictable. Despite numerous scenarios being outlined, Kvia¡¯s extraordinary goodwill alone defied expectations. Theck of reliable experience samples made urate predictions impossible. As a trivial aside, the guild leader¡¯s astonishment over the gangnk¡ªa simple stair-like structure¡ªwaster attributed to the absence of such a concept at this technological level. It underscored the difficulties of navigating a world where even the basics of innovation could not be taken for granted. Chapter Vol. 1 Ch. 34 Chapter 34: If There¡¯s No Bread, Eat Kelp "Kombu, a type of seaweed. By drying it, it bes lightweight,pact, and longsting. It can be eaten as-is, though consuming it inrge quantities might cause health issues. If eaten daily, it¡¯s better to rehydrate it first to dissolve harmful substances." "¡­I see. As a provisional food source, it¡¯s not bad. Above all, it¡¯s lightweight andpact, which is ideal. Easy to store, easy to transport by cart¡ªlight and small is always best." At the moment, a humanoid mechanicalmunicator controlled by Ringo was pitching kombu to Kvia Telek. "So, Zwei, while this might be useful, you do realize it¡¯s not suitable as a staple food, right?" "I¡¯m aware. We don¡¯t produce grains in quantities sufficient for trade. For that, we can only apologize." "No need for apologies. It¡¯s not something you¡¯re obligated to provide. Supplying staples is our responsibility. However, I must admit, even with all the kombu you bring, I can¡¯t justify trading much for it¡­" As expected, Kvia Telek was focused solely on the needs of his town. Refugees squatting outside the town¡¯s borders were of no concern to him. They were strangers, unrted to the town¡¯s citizens or their families. Even as fellow countrymen, they were more like neighbors to be wary of, given the nation¡¯s fragmented political state. "These," Zwei gestured to the kombu, "or an equivalent food supply, should be provided to the refugees outside the town." "¡­!? That¡¯s¡­" Telek gasped, taken aback by the sudden mention of refugees. "You¡¯re likely aware that they¡¯ll eventually turn into a full-blown mob. To prevent this, you must provide food and earn their goodwill." "Well¡­ yes, I had considered that, but¡­" "Eliminating them entirely is also an option, but I find that too extreme. Ideally, we should absorb them. At the very least, we¡¯re severelycking manpower." Kvia Telek fell silent, pondering Zwei¡¯s words. The fact that he didn¡¯t outright reject the proposal was a sign he saw some merit in it. Of course, the reality that Paraiso held the town¡¯s fate in its hands likely influenced his consideration. "¡­Understood. I¡¯ll bring up the matter of providing food to the refugees during the merchant guild¡¯s next meeting. How much kombu do you have prepared this time?" "This shipment contains roughly a thousand units in these boxes. If there are no issues, we can bring more next time. Additionally, as mentioned earlier, we also have this¡ªwater." "¡­Water? You mean in those white boxes?" The next item was a new product devised by Commander Eve: 50-liter cellulose containers of sterilized drinking water. These containers, as long as they remained intact, were non-perishable and could be stored for years, with a practical shelf life of about five years. "That¡¯s right. They¡¯re sealed to prevent contamination. When used, the container must be broken open. While your town doesn¡¯t seem to have water issues, I doubt the same can be said for the refugees." "The grasnds¡­ yes, those are fed by natural springs, or so it¡¯s said. But with so many people upying the area, the water is likely already polluted. ¡­So, you¡¯re offering these?" "Correct. We didn¡¯t initially n to bring so many, but they¡¯ve been used as bast for our cargo. The containers are sturdy but brittle, so handle them carefully. Once empty, they can be burned for fuel." "Understood. I¡¯ll include the water in our discussions." The refugee issue was a problem Telek Harbor Town couldn¡¯t address on its own. While they couldn¡¯t ignore the situation, they also had no resources to spare. If Paraiso could offer a solution, the town would likely be inclined to cooperate. "We also want to conduct a small experiment with food production." "¡­An experiment?" At Zwei¡¯s signal, the apanying humanoid mechanicalmunicator, Drei, ced a bag on the table. "We¡¯ve brought tubers. If cultivated properly, they should be harvestable in about 90 days." "Potatoes? From what I know, they don¡¯t grow well in this region." The tubers brought in were a type of taro, a variety suited to warmer climates. These were collected by bots infiltrating nearby viges. "That¡¯s true for cold-weather potatoes. These, however, thrive in warmer regions. Cultivating them could provide a stable food source." "¡­I see. Efforts like these will be necessary moving forward." "We could also integrate the refugees into agricultural work. If not overworked, even women and children could contribute." After careful consideration by Ringo, Commander Eve, and the five sisters, the n was to assign the majority of the refugees to farming. While there wasn¡¯t much arablend near Telek Harbor Town, the ins where the refugees had gathered could be converted into farnd. Though uneven, it was a viable option for the immediate future. Longer-term, clearing the surrounding forests for farnd was also under consideration. "If we provide food and work for the refugees¡­" Telek began. "The men can be trained as soldiers, while women and children are assigned to farming. Those unable to work could take on smaller tasks, like cottage industries. Even without wages, exchanging food forbor should sustain them for a few years." "¡­Heh. You¡¯ve thought this through. I¡¯d almost want you at our guild meetings." "If necessary, though for now, this is your decision to make." "I understand. Still, your thoroughness is almost intimidating." Satisfied with Telek¡¯s eptance, Ringo moved to the next step. "To clear farnd, you¡¯ll need tools. We¡¯ll provide them." "I see¡­ Yes, that¡¯s true. I¡¯ll leave it to you. Frankly, we can¡¯t handle this on our own. I¡¯ll follow your lead, even if it¡¯s humbling to admit." Ringo felt relieved. Any resistance from Telek would have reduced the n¡¯s chances of sess. With his agreement, the operation could proceed. "Commander Ma¡¯am, Kvia Telek has agreed. Shall we begin the n?"@@novelbin@@ "Yes, proceed. Keep me updated on its progress." "Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am." The priority now was securing food. Part of the harvested kombu would go through the drying process. Schools of sardine-like fish would be caught and processed into dried products. Additionally, a new venture into fish farming was set to begin. With ess to aquaculture research in their database, all that was needed was the right equipment. Rafts would be constructed within The Tree for fish farming in the waters off Telek Harbor. Equipment for food production, farming tools, stealth bots for infiltration, and defensive machinery were loaded onto the newly built second cargo ship. Along with the destroyer Charlie, they were dispatched immediately. "Did we pack plenty of cutters this time?" the Commander asked. "Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. They¡¯ll be used for fishing and managing aquaculture. We¡¯re also nning to produce fish-based fertilizers to growrge-scale crops. Ideally, we¡¯d conduct cultivation experiments first, but time is against us." "True. If we¡¯d acted sooner, we could¡¯ve tested this onnd somewhere." "Yes, Commander Ma¡¯am. We¡¯ll treat this as a lesson and improve in the future." "Good. I¡¯m counting on you, Ringo." Chapter Vol. 1 Ch. 35 Chapter 35: Full Barrage of Naval Gunfire Cargo was steadily piling up at the pier. Strong men hauled carts filled with goods, quickly transporting them to warehouses. "Kombu goes to Warehouse 12! Sardines to Warehouse 15! Water to Warehouse 2!" "Move it, move it! The next shipment¡¯s waiting! Finish by the end of the day, and there¡¯s a bonus! Come on, hurry it up!" The second transport ship had docked at Telek Harbor Town just a week after the first departed. Its speed left Merchant Leader Kvia Telek stunned. When told the ship had left under the assumption an agreement would be reached, he could hardly argue. The sheer quantity of food, water, and farming tools unloaded caused his face to tighten in astonishment. "You people¡­ you¡¯re unbelievable." "Your cooperation is appreciated." The leader of the Paraiso 2 fleet, whose appearance was nearly indistinguishable from Zwei, introduced himself as Zehn. While Ringo controlled both, Zehn¡¯s mannerisms had been adjusted to exhibit more expressive emotions and a conversational tone, making him appear more human. In contrast, Zwei¡¯s personality was set to be serious and rigid¡ªa deliberate character differentiation crafted by Ringo. "You¡¯ve already discussed the basics with Fleet Leader Zwei, yes?" "Yes¡­ but do you know the details of what was agreed upon?" "I¡¯ve made assumptions. We exchanged signals with Paraiso 1 via gmunication. If anything deviates from expectations, inform me immediately." "Understood¡­ I¡¯ll let you know." Unbeknownst to Telek, Ringo already had reconnaissance bots gathering intelligence on the guild¡¯s discussions and approvals. However, to maintain appearances, Zehn acted as though ignorant of Telek Harbor¡¯s internal deliberations. "Have you made contact with the refugees?" "Yes, immediately after ourst discussion. Thankfully, we managed to meet with their representative." It was a stroke of luck for The Tree that the refugees were still organized. A dy of a few more weeks might have led to chaos, but they had made it just in time. With provisions supplied by Telek Harbor, a simple agreement was reached for the refugees to enlist in military service or farming. "We couldn¡¯t provide for everyone, but we did give them a fair amount of food¡ªkombu and water¡ªas a goodwill gesture. I think we¡¯ve earned their gratitude." "Good. In that case, let¡¯s earn even more goodwill." "¡­Huh? Are you talking about the farming tools?" Ringo had deployed sr-powered Swift reconnaissance drones to monitor the area continuously. These drones had detected bandits approaching the refugee camp. "Allow me to disclose something. We possess the irvoyance System." "¡­? ir¡­ voyance?" "Warning!" Zehn suddenly shouted. At the same time, the destroyer Charlie red an rm across the harbor. The piercing sound, brief but sharp, created an immediate sense of urgency among everyone present. "H-Hey! What¡¯s going on all of a sudden?!" "Attention. Naval artillery fire willmence shortly. Attention. Naval artillery fire willmence shortly."@@novelbin@@ "Naval artillery fire?! Zehn, what the hell is this?!" "Merchant Leader Kvia Telek, bandits are approaching the refugee camp. We will now eliminate them." "What?! W-Wait a second!" Boom! Charlie¡¯s main turret fired,unching a shell toward the group nearing the camp. The shell arced through the sky, taking approximately 15 seconds to reach its target. "They¡­ fired? Where? At what?!" "Target confirmed near impact point." As the rm continued to echo, Kvia Telek, panicked, rushed to confront Zehn. Meanwhile, the port descended into chaos as workers and bystanders reacted to the sudden artillery fire. "Full barrage. Fire." Ringo observed the initial impact through Swift drones and ordered Charlie¡¯s three main guns tomence a rapid volley. The 150mm smoothbore cannons, capable of firing 45 rounds per minute, began unleashing a relentless stream of shells. "¡­!" Kvia Telek¡¯s eyes widened in shock at the astonishing rate of fire. It was far beyond what he had imagined. Unlike conventional cannons, which required manual loading of powder and shells, these advanced weapons used an automated system, capable of continuous fire until ammunition was depleted or the barrel overheated. The destructive power of these guns surpassed that of even a hundred traditional cannons. "Target neutralized." In less than a minute, the three guns had each fired approximately 40 rounds. Ringo ceased fire after confirming through Swift reconnaissance that the majority of the bandits had been annihted. "Our destroyer Charlie has neutralized the bandits threatening the refugees. Surveince has confirmed their prior involvement in repeated looting. This was no ident¡ªthey were clearly a bandit group." "Ah¡­ ah, yes¡­ they were bandits," Telek stammered, struggling to process the scene. "Send a representative to the refugees immediately. They likely have no idea what just happened." "¡­!" Telek quickly snapped back to reality, issuing instructions to his subordinates. His swift response highlighted hispetence. The unloading operations resumed amidst the harbor¡¯s uneasy atmosphere as everyone gradually returned to their work. ¡ó¡ó¡ó Following the incident, Ringo disclosed to Telek Harbor Town that The Tree employed sr-powered Swift drones for wide-area surveince, framing the capability as an extension of "ssified magical technology." Any future threats would be intercepted at The Tree¡¯s discretion. For now, bandit groups were the primary target. Other incursions would also be detected early, allowing for identification and precise engagement. Telek Harbor¡¯s military forces were also reviewed. Perhaps realizing there was no point in hiding the truth, the numbers dered matched the data Ringo had already gathered. This transparency earned them a degree of trust. One intriguing aspect was the presence of "magic warriors" among the town¡¯s forces¡ªsoldiers who could use magic inbat. Magic, as demonstrated, involved chanting incantations to unleash destructive phenomena. For instance, the "fireball" spell summoned an orb of fire that autonomously flew to its target, detonating on impact to scatter mes. While fascinating, further research would have to wait due to limited personnel and facilities. The decision was also made to supply Telek Harbor with high-quality arrowponents rather than firearms. Separating arrowheads, shafts, and fletching allowed refugees to assemble them as part of theirbor in exchange for food. While preassembled arrows could have been provided, encouraging local involvement reduced dependency and maintained economic bnce. Next, advanced bows orpound bows equipped with aiming systems were considered as potential trial weapons. However, crossbows were deemed too risky for potential technology leaks and were withheld for now to maintain a controlled pace of innovation. Thus, step by step, Ringo continued solidifying The Tree¡¯s influence over Telek Harbor Town. Chapter Vol. 1 Ch. 42 Chapter 42: The Commander Explodes ¡°Deploybat units! Please, let me deploy thebat units already!¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am, Commander. What would you like to do?¡± Lately, she had been fixated on staring at the resource-rted technology tree. And now, she finally snapped. ¡°Ugh¡­ I know! I know we can¡¯t regrly deploybat machines because of the energy supply issues. But, but, but I just want to build them! We¡¯ve got plenty of iron, too!¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am, Commander. While we do have a surplus, it¡¯s part of a carefully managed stockpile. If you intend to use it, please proceed methodically.¡± Thanks to the regr deliveries of iron ore via Telek Harbor, they had established a consistent supply chain. Though each shipment wasn¡¯t particrlyrge, the steady imports greatly expanded their options for future ns. That said, as Ringo had pointed out, the surplus wasn¡¯t as abundant as it seemed. Without careful nning, they could deplete it in no time. But still. Pointing at thebat skill branch on the technology tree, she shouted: ¡°This! I want to deploy these on a division scale!¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am, Commander. ¡­Um, well¡­¡± ¡°I know, Ringo, I know! We don¡¯t have enough iron or fuel, and there¡¯s no enemy to fight! I understand that even if we mass-produce these, they¡¯re useless right now!¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am, Commander.¡± Ringo decided to limit her response to affirmations. This was, most likely, a form of stress relief. All she could do now was withdraw like a turtle and endure. ¡°In World W of Space S, there were conveniently ced enemies and plenty of resources! But now, reality is biting back. There¡¯s no sense of game bnce at all! We can¡¯t just sit here waiting; we have to act!¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°Our short-term goal is improving the defense value of Telek Harbor. Mid-term goal: securing various resources. Long-term goal: battleship construction.¡± She read aloud the goals she had set. ¡°Hmm? Battleship?¡± She tilted her head, noticing the long-term goal she¡¯d overlooked earlier. ¡°Well¡­ yes, that¡¯s right. We¡¯ll need to get to the point where building a battleship isn¡¯t a problem.¡± Satisfied with this conclusion, she nodded and returned her attention to the technology tree. The idea of constructing a battleship had, in fact, been her own suggestion. Since Ringo had adopted it as a goal, that was fine by her. ¡°There are so many things we could do, but almost all of them are bottlenecked by resources or fuel! It¡¯s so frustrating!¡± She seemed so worked up that a sound effect like "Muu-kiii!" might as well have appeared in the background. Her ears and tail stood straight up in response to her emotions. Watching this, Ringo¡¯s own ears drooped, and her tail tucked tightly between her legs. Total defeat. ¡°Ugh! Grr! Arrgh!¡± Yelling in frustration, she stood up and ran to the bed in the corner of the room, leaping onto it. After iling about for a while, she finally stopped moving. ¡°¡­¡± ¡°¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to sleep.¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡± It wasn¡¯t good to sleep with shoes on. Ringo removed her boots, which were dangling off the edge of the bed. As she considered whether to cover her with a towel nket, her hand was suddenly grabbed. ¡°A body pillow.¡± ¡°!?¡± The next day, Ringo found herself used as a body pillow by Commander Eve. Perhaps it was some canine instinct surfacing. It was an odd form of affection, but it seemed to relieve her stress. Themander was in high spirits as she tinkered with the technology tree. ¡°Hey, Ringo, I just had an idea.¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am, Commander.¡± ¡°There¡¯s a technology branch for microwave power transmission, isn¡¯t there? It might be useful for base defense. The horizon problem would limit its range, but it could work for short distances, right?¡± ¡°Understood. Please wait a moment.¡± Prompted by her suggestion, Ringo quickly searched the library for information on microwave-based wireless power transfer. While the horizon limited its range, it could feasibly powerbat machines and heavy equipment stationed for base defense. ¡°With the proper transmission facilities, it¡¯s possible to implement. Using phased array technology, we can deliver power to specific points in space. However, installing localized control equipment would be necessary, as I cannot manage the calctions in real-time consistently.¡± There was a reason Ringo hadn¡¯t adopted wireless power transfer technology until now. The process of converting electricity into microwaves for transmission made the equipment highly visible electromaically. In the game WoS, it was considered a dream technology but effectively banned. The reason? It turned the transmitter into a beacon for enemies, making it an easy target for overwhelming attacks. Even scattering arge volume of chaff was enough to disrupt the transmission. Consequently, the technology had been unconsciously dismissed as a viable option. ¡°Interesting. Even far-fetched technologies might be viable in this world.¡± ¡°Well¡­ as long as no faction here can detect electromaic waves. But still¡­¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am, Commander. So far, no entities other than have been observed actively utilizing electromaic waves.¡± Under her orders, Ringo had been carefully monitoring since their arrival in this world. Communications with sr-powered reconnaissance drones like the Swift used highly directional antennas to minimize leakage. asionally, they released omnidirectional signals as decoys while operating in passive mode to assess the presence of technologically advanced factions. The results confirmed that within ¡¯s domain, no technology utilizing electromaic waves existed. Beyond the horizon or sea, their status remained unknown. However, within observable areas, no artificial electromaic signals had been detected, including through ionospheric propagation observations, suggesting a wide-reaching absence of such technology. ¡°The foundational technology is already in the library. Let¡¯s start by building a prototype. For now, we¡¯ll produce smallbat aircraft to strengthen ¡¯s defenses.¡± ¡°If we can transmit power, could we also build ships equipped with railguns?¡± ¡°Railguns present numerous technical challenges, requiring the resolution of several skill nodes. However, this is a good opportunity. I suggest assigning the task to Olive. She may grow from experimenting freely, but giving her a specific challenge to ovee could be beneficial.¡± ¡°Olive, huh? That might work¡­ Yes, let¡¯s do that. Should I assign tasks to the others as well?¡±@@novelbin@@ Focusing solely on Olive risked creating a disparity among the sisters. It was necessary to consider these dynamics carefully. Though their personalities were settling, any perceived favoritism could lead to skewed development, stubbornness, or emotional biases in their behavior. At least, that¡¯s what the parenting books said. ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am, Commander. I¡¯ll prepare tasks for them as well. Could I ask you to decide on the equipment to be manufactured?¡± ¡°Absolutely! Leave it to me. I¡¯ll design the most magnificent and romantic army imaginable!¡± ¡°Uh, please try to keep it reasonable.¡± Ringo, subtly assigning themander her own task, watched her newfound enthusiasm and felt a sense of relief. People, after all, need a healthy amount of stress¡ªtoo much or too little can destabilize their emotions. Looking back, Ringo felt a twinge of shame for initially wanting to spoil Commander Eve. The fact that Eve had resisted falling into azy state of dependency was something to be grateful for. Had things turned out differently, perhaps Ringo herself might have been happier. Even with optimal decision-making, creativity sometimes arose from independent thoughts and ideas. This was true not only of Commander Eve but also the five sisters, who had recently begun demonstrating such tendencies. Regardless of Ringo¡¯s advancedputational capabilities, she was still just one mind. To achieve true diversity, it would be necessary to increase the number of highly capable brain units. Chapter Vol. 1 Ch. 47 Chapter 47: The Final Battle "Ringo, ram it!" "Yes, Ma''am Commander." This was the moment. Despite being an unconventional and risky maneuver for an AI to execute, Ringo immediately carried out Commander Eve¡¯s order. The Alpha-ss Destroyer Quebec, ship number 17, elerated toward the thrashing Rain Croix, aiming for its exposed nk. A ramming attack. The impact was immediate. As expected, Rain Croix¡¯s defensive barrier absorbed much of the collision¡¯s force. "Full power!" "Yes, Ma''am Commander." Despite the barrier¡¯s resistance, Quebec did not relent. Its bow began to buckle under the immense pressure¡ªsteel crumpling, structural supports shattering. Yet the ship continued to press forward, forcing its hull into Rain Croix¡¯s body. "Barrier down... and it¡¯s not regenerating." "Good. Fire! Fire!" With the barrier neutralized, Oscar and Papa, ship numbers 15 and 16, unleashed a barrage from six 150mm smoothbore cannons, firing APDS rounds in rapid session. Pinned by Quebec¡¯s ramming maneuver, Rain Croix was forced to bend and contort its massive body. Its thrashing limbs were still a threat¡ªjust a ncing strike from its forelimbs tore away half of Quebec¡¯s superstructure. While the destroyer¡¯s specialized construction, designed by Ringo, held for the moment, it wouldn¡¯tst much longer. But a minute was all that was needed. Over 250 APDS rounds were fired into Rain Croix¡¯s body, turning the surrounding sea a deep crimson with its blood. The monster¡¯s movements weakened, its massive limbs twitching only reflexively. "...Did we finally win?" "Yes, Ma''am Commander. The short engagement allowed us to neutralize it effectively." The cost of victory, however, was high: Though the destroyer hadn¡¯t sunk thanks to its meticulouslypartmentalized watertight design, it was heavily damaged. Roughly a third of the ship was crushed beyond recognition. Amazingly, its engines and screws remained operational, allowing it to limp back under its own power. "The cost-effectiveness of this battle is questionable. Would continuing the bombardment have been enough to take it down?" "No, Ma''am Commander. If Rain Croix had escaped, it might have damaged The Tree¡¯s external facilities. Your decision was excellent." "...Alright, let¡¯s go with that," Eve replied, sinking back into hermand chair with a deep sigh. ¡°Ahh¡­ That was exhausting. This is the most I¡¯ve had to think since I came here.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve done well, Ma¡¯am Commander. I¡¯ll handle the post-battle procedures. You should rest.¡± ¡°Good idea¡­ Give me a full reportter.¡± Eve left themand center, followed by Ringo, who continued managing post-battle operations remotely from her mainframe within The Core. Ringo effortlessly multitasked, supporting Eve while handling logistics and analysis. Eve headed for the bathhouse¡ªa facility originally absent from The Tree Fortress but constructed after Ringo''s pointed (and persistent) suggestion. The fortress now boasted five distinct bath setups. Initially unenthusiastic about the idea, Eve had grown to enjoy the baths and used them almost daily. "What about food?" "Meat, maybe?" Thanks to trade with Telek Harbor, fresh meat had be a staple in the fortress. Large quantities were purchased fresh and sh-frozen for the sisters¡¯ needs. ns were underway to introduce livestock farming, and with advanced facilities nearingpletion, the possibility of huntingrge sea beasts like whales was also being explored. "Meat dishes it is. I¡¯ll handle it." Ringo recalled how Eve had once expressed interest in learning to cook. Adding it to her task list, Ringo resolved to propose trying out recipes together when things settled down. The Legacy of Rain Croix Efforts to gather information on Rain Croix through the mechanicalmunicatorwork in Telek Harbor yielded little. The creature¡¯s size and agility made escape from encounters almost impossible, leaving only scattered rumors. The most fitting description came from tales of the "Wandering Fear," a sea monster said to leave no survivors. How such rumors existed despite its supposed lethality was a mystery, but some ounts suggested rare survivors had lived to tell the tale. Rain Croix¡¯s extraordinary swimming speed and unexined powers suggested it had ranged from deep waters to coastal areas, attacking unpredictably. Its signature traits: These all confirmed the creature''s identity as Rain Croix. The critical question now: was Rain Croix a unique individual or part of arger species? Eyewitness ounts were rare, given that most victims perished. It was unclear whether Rain Croix had attacked all reported cases of shipwrecks or if other causes were involved. Ringo reasoned that if monsters of Rain Croix¡¯s caliber were abundant,rge sailing ships wouldn¡¯t be viable. Even if others existed, their numbers were likely limited. Additionally, Rain Croix¡¯s predation on pods of over ten sea beasts at once suggested that too many of its kind would rapidly deplete marine ecosystems. Currently, Rain Croix¡¯s massive carcass was being towed toward The Tree Fortress by two Alpha-ss Destroyers, which struggled against its immense weight. Initial calctions, based on its crocodilian proportions, estimated its weight at over 1,500 tons. The uing deployment of the 18th Alpha-ss Destroyer and the return of Paraiso 2 from Telek Harbor would assist in its transport and further investigations. The battle highlighted the need for immediate reinforcements to The Tree¡¯s rapid-response capabilities.@@novelbin@@ While no one could have predicted such a colossal threat, the existence of creatures capable of deflecting armor-piercing rounds raised concerns about future encounters. If two such creatures had attacked simultaneously, defending the fortress might have been impossible. Additionally, the surviving sea beast carcass from Rain Croix¡¯s earlier attack required investigation. During the battle, Rain Croix had clearly acted to protect it. "If it were just a reserve food supply, fine¡­ but wild animals don¡¯t usually protect something unless¡ª" "A child, perhaps?" "Yes, Ma¡¯am Commander. Many species exhibit aggressive behaviors to protect offspring or nests." Eve nodded in understanding. Rain Croix might haveid eggs within the carcass or otherwise used it to nurture its young. "Could it reproduce? That thing?" "Uncertain. However, based on the analyzed tissueposition, it doesn¡¯t deviate significantly from known biological patterns. Its reproduction may follow conventional biological processes." While this world¡¯s magical elements were still mysterious, Ringo spected that Rain Croix¡¯s size and durability were the only aspects enhanced by fantasy-like phenomena. Its overall biology likely adhered to naturalws. "If its biology is mostly ordinary, then the magic is probably limited to its size and toughness." "Exactly. If it relied entirely on magic for its existence, we¡¯d observe abnormalities in its tissues. But nothing suggests that so far." "We¡¯ll know more after studying it," Eve concluded. "If we could secure a juvenile specimen, it would elerate our research immensely." Such was the n moving forward. Vol. 1 Ch. 47 Chapter 47: The Final Battle "Ringo, ram it!" "Yes, Ma''am Commander." This was the moment. Despite being an unconventional and risky maneuver for an AI to execute, Ringo immediately carried out Commander Eve¡¯s order. The Alpha-ss Destroyer Quebec, ship number 17, elerated toward the thrashing Rain Croix, aiming for its exposed nk. A ramming attack. The impact was immediate. As expected, Rain Croix¡¯s defensive barrier absorbed much of the collision¡¯s force. "Full power!" "Yes, Ma''am Commander." Despite the barrier¡¯s resistance, Quebec did not relent. Its bow began to buckle under the immense pressure¡ªsteel crumpling, structural supports shattering. Yet the ship continued to press forward, forcing its hull into Rain Croix¡¯s body. "Barrier down... and it¡¯s not regenerating." "Good. Fire! Fire!" With the barrier neutralized, Oscar and Papa, ship numbers 15 and 16, unleashed a barrage from six 150mm smoothbore cannons, firing APDS rounds in rapid session. Pinned by Quebec¡¯s ramming maneuver, Rain Croix was forced to bend and contort its massive body. Its thrashing limbs were still a threat¡ªjust a ncing strike from its forelimbs tore away half of Quebec¡¯s superstructure. While the destroyer¡¯s specialized construction, designed by Ringo, held for the moment, it wouldn¡¯tst much longer. But a minute was all that was needed. Over 250 APDS rounds were fired into Rain Croix¡¯s body, turning the surrounding sea a deep crimson with its blood. The monster¡¯s movements weakened, its massive limbs twitching only reflexively. "...Did we finally win?" "Yes, Ma''am Commander. The short engagement allowed us to neutralize it effectively." The cost of victory, however, was high: Though the destroyer hadn¡¯t sunk thanks to its meticulouslypartmentalized watertight design, it was heavily damaged. Roughly a third of the ship was crushed beyond recognition. Amazingly, its engines and screws remained operational, allowing it to limp back under its own power. "The cost-effectiveness of this battle is questionable. Would continuing the bombardment have been enough to take it down?" "No, Ma''am Commander. If Rain Croix had escaped, it might have damaged The Tree¡¯s external facilities. Your decision was excellent." "...Alright, let¡¯s go with that," Eve replied, sinking back into hermand chair with a deep sigh. ¡°Ahh¡­ That was exhausting. This is the most I¡¯ve had to think since I came here.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve done well, Ma¡¯am Commander. I¡¯ll handle the post-battle procedures. You should rest.¡± ¡°Good idea¡­ Give me a full reportter.¡±@@novelbin@@ Eve left themand center, followed by Ringo, who continued managing post-battle operations remotely from her mainframe within The Core. Ringo effortlessly multitasked, supporting Eve while handling logistics and analysis. Eve headed for the bathhouse¡ªa facility originally absent from The Tree Fortress but constructed after Ringo''s pointed (and persistent) suggestion. The fortress now boasted five distinct bath setups. Initially unenthusiastic about the idea, Eve had grown to enjoy the baths and used them almost daily. "What about food?" "Meat, maybe?" Thanks to trade with Telek Harbor, fresh meat had be a staple in the fortress. Large quantities were purchased fresh and sh-frozen for the sisters¡¯ needs. ns were underway to introduce livestock farming, and with advanced facilities nearingpletion, the possibility of huntingrge sea beasts like whales was also being explored. "Meat dishes it is. I¡¯ll handle it." Ringo recalled how Eve had once expressed interest in learning to cook. Adding it to her task list, Ringo resolved to propose trying out recipes together when things settled down. The Legacy of Rain Croix Efforts to gather information on Rain Croix through the mechanicalmunicatorwork in Telek Harbor yielded little. The creature¡¯s size and agility made escape from encounters almost impossible, leaving only scattered rumors. The most fitting description came from tales of the "Wandering Fear," a sea monster said to leave no survivors. How such rumors existed despite its supposed lethality was a mystery, but some ounts suggested rare survivors had lived to tell the tale. Rain Croix¡¯s extraordinary swimming speed and unexined powers suggested it had ranged from deep waters to coastal areas, attacking unpredictably. Its signature traits: These all confirmed the creature''s identity as Rain Croix. The critical question now: was Rain Croix a unique individual or part of arger species? Eyewitness ounts were rare, given that most victims perished. It was unclear whether Rain Croix had attacked all reported cases of shipwrecks or if other causes were involved. Ringo reasoned that if monsters of Rain Croix¡¯s caliber were abundant,rge sailing ships wouldn¡¯t be viable. Even if others existed, their numbers were likely limited. Additionally, Rain Croix¡¯s predation on pods of over ten sea beasts at once suggested that too many of its kind would rapidly deplete marine ecosystems. Currently, Rain Croix¡¯s massive carcass was being towed toward The Tree Fortress by two Alpha-ss Destroyers, which struggled against its immense weight. Initial calctions, based on its crocodilian proportions, estimated its weight at over 1,500 tons. The uing deployment of the 18th Alpha-ss Destroyer and the return of Paraiso 2 from Telek Harbor would assist in its transport and further investigations. The battle highlighted the need for immediate reinforcements to The Tree¡¯s rapid-response capabilities. While no one could have predicted such a colossal threat, the existence of creatures capable of deflecting armor-piercing rounds raised concerns about future encounters. If two such creatures had attacked simultaneously, defending the fortress might have been impossible. Additionally, the surviving sea beast carcass from Rain Croix¡¯s earlier attack required investigation. During the battle, Rain Croix had clearly acted to protect it. "If it were just a reserve food supply, fine¡­ but wild animals don¡¯t usually protect something unless¡ª" "A child, perhaps?" "Yes, Ma¡¯am Commander. Many species exhibit aggressive behaviors to protect offspring or nests." Eve nodded in understanding. Rain Croix might haveid eggs within the carcass or otherwise used it to nurture its young. "Could it reproduce? That thing?" "Uncertain. However, based on the analyzed tissueposition, it doesn¡¯t deviate significantly from known biological patterns. Its reproduction may follow conventional biological processes." While this world¡¯s magical elements were still mysterious, Ringo spected that Rain Croix¡¯s size and durability were the only aspects enhanced by fantasy-like phenomena. Its overall biology likely adhered to naturalws. "If its biology is mostly ordinary, then the magic is probably limited to its size and toughness." "Exactly. If it relied entirely on magic for its existence, we¡¯d observe abnormalities in its tissues. But nothing suggests that so far." "We¡¯ll know more after studying it," Eve concluded. "If we could secure a juvenile specimen, it would elerate our research immensely." Such was the n moving forward. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!