“Optical observation only, but we were able to create a world map to some extent.”
“Oh, finally?”
A large aerial display appeared in front of Commander Eve.
It was a three-dimensional display of this planet.
“Hm?”
“The equatorial circumference is approximately 67,990 km. The location of <The Tree> is here. About 350 km north of the equator. And 1,000 km to the north, the Northern Continent exists.”
“I already knew that part from the aerial shots so far, but... mm, seeing it again as an actual globe, this planet is biiig...”
That was how it was.
On Earth, where Eve used to live, the equatorial circumference was 40,075 km. In other words, about 1.7 times.
Because Earth’s scale automatically unfolded in her head, even though it was 1,000 km away, the Northern Continent ended up feeling close.
“Well, fine. So the Northern Continent looked like this.”
Because it was a map created by stitching together aerial images from satellite orbit, it was reproduced in detail all the way down to the fine points.
At the first-ever footage of the planet she lived on, Eve’s expression brightened.
“Let’s start with an explanation of the overall picture.”
<Ringo> began explaining for Commander Ma’am.
“Full-circumference imaging has been completed, and the continents that exist on the planet have been identified. There are six continents in total. The Northern Continent, where our current base is located. The Southern Continent, which exists far to the south of <The Tree>. And four other continents exist around them.”
On Earth, 71% of the surface is covered by ocean.
On the other hand, on this planet, 78% is ocean surface.
“However, compared to Earth, the surface area is approximately three times larger. The land area is a little more than double. At present, we do not even have a prospect for surface exploration.”
Simply increasing the ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ number of satellites deployed would expand the area that could be confirmed.
However, there were also reasons that this could not be chosen lightly.
“In the end, even now, the ecology of the threat creatures is unknown. We don’t even know what kinds exist, and we have no means to investigate them...”
What was feared was that if the number of satellites flying in the sky was increased, it was unknown what kind of reaction would occur.
In particular, that dragon species—the Wyvern.
“The Wyvern possesses a function to detect and emit microwaves. If we increase satellites carelessly, we cannot eliminate the possibility of being noticed.”
“And that Breath, too. In the end, that’s the same principle as a charged-particle cannon, right? If it fires upward, it might even reach satellite orbit.”
“Yes-affirmative, Commander Ma’am. The higher the altitude, the fewer atmospheric molecules there are, so the possibility is fully present.”
Of course, at several hundred kilometers up, the power would attenuate accordingly. However, satellites, in the first place, do not have proper armor due to weight reduction.
The electronic devices carried on them are also vulnerable to disturbances.
If they took a direct hit from charged particles, they would easily lose function.
“Well, the basic policy is to stay inconspicuous and quiet. For a while, we have no choice but to store up strength.”
If, at the civilization level we can currently observe, they cannot reach into satellite orbit.
If we could judge that, how easy it would be.
“So for now, it’s the Northern Continent. Does it have an official name and such?”
“In the Kingdom of Lepuitari, it is simply called <Mother Earth Grand Earth>. The concepts of continents and planets are not widely established. Therefore, the way it is called is not unified.”
At present, within the civilized sphere that <The Tree> has contact with, as general knowledge, the notion has spread that the place they live is apparently a spherical planet.
However, it is difficult to say that they understand it firmly with scientific accuracy.
Well, uniform education for the general populace is not being carried out in the first place. Naturally so.
“The Kingdom of Lepuitari has the most advanced education. We have not yet made direct contact with the other states, but there will be no state more advanced than the Kingdom of Lepuitari.”
The United Kingdom of Aphrasia that <The Tree> has currently placed under its influence.
To its east exists the Forest Kingdom of Levresta. We have made contact, but we still do not understand its civilization level well.
And when you look to the east, further east than Levresta, some kind of state—or cluster of states—exists.
“Optical observation only, but we have confirmed the existence of cities, or city-states. At night the heat output is low, so the civilization level does not appear to be very high. They can be confirmed on plains, in mountain regions, and along coastlines, and it appears they also engage in active exchange.”
To the southeast of the continent, several archipelagos and island chains exist.
In these as well, multiple cities of a reasonable scale have been confirmed, and it seems active economic activity is being conducted.
“The civilization level does not differ greatly here either. Based on video analysis, ships of the line are the mainstream. We have not confirmed ground forces, but it is assumed the Kingdom of Lepuitari is one step ahead.”
In that sense, these clusters of states also did not seem to be much of a threat.
Even if left alone for the time being, there did not seem to be major progress.
“And then, to the northeast—along the foothills to the mid-slopes of the Northwall Mountains. Here as well, it appears a state, or a cluster of states, exists.”
The Northwall Mountains, where peaks exceeding 10,000 m in elevation continue in a chain. The foothills spread relatively gently, and many cities exist there as well.
However, the places where people lived were concentrated in open areas.
The place where no human activity could be felt at all was the <Demon Forest>, which also exists in the northern part of the United Kingdom of Aphrasia. This covers as much as 80% of the foothills of the Northwall Mountains.
“And states also spread to the west of the United Kingdom of Aphrasia.
First, the cluster of states including the Wheat Country of Weizenland.
From the north: the Tenbeel Empire, the Karl Redia Empire, the Wheat Country, the Kingdom of Diaratline, and the Soltia Merchant State.
On the Kingdom of Lepuitari side, the Kingdom of Ironia.
And then, the Kingdom of Lepuitari.
There are also several states north of the Kingdom of Lepuitari.
Further to the west as well, some kind of state, or cluster of states, exists.
They are simply called the Divine Kingdom Bloc, but we have not conducted an accurate investigation.”
Here as well, the civilization level seemed to be below the Kingdom of Lepuitari.
Because information from around this region was coming in, <The Tree> could focus on consolidating its position within the United Kingdom of Aphrasia.
“Lastly, farther north of the Northwall Mountains. Here as well, while not as much as on the south side, flatland exists, and we confirmed the existence of some kind of state, or cluster of states.
All of them have low heat output at night, so we estimate there is no major difference in civilization level.”
In the end, from the result that we were able to operate satellites without issue, we judged that no scientific civilization exists that could become a threat.
Proceed slowly with groundwork and expand influence.
This is <The Tree>’s—indeed <Ringo>’s—basic policy.
“Even so, the immediate problem is the threat creatures we have collided with time and time again.”
The human powers themselves cannot become a threat to <The Tree>.
However, there are living creatures that can become a threat.
“In the Northwall Mountains, across a wide range, we confirmed habitation of Wyverns, or similar threat creatures.”
Because it was imagery from satellites, the resolution had its limits.
Even so, if a creature as large as a Wyvern was flying in the air, it was, as expected, identifiable.
“Furthermore, even limited to the <Demon Forest>, we confirmed unnatural breaks in vegetation—likely movement traces. They are clearly gigantic and long, and unnatural. That a creature this enormous exists and is moving is almost certainly the case.”
What <Ringo> displayed was a single line drawn across the <Demon Forest>. Though it was already covered by trees, a trace that seemed to show something moving while knocking down trees could be clearly confirmed.
“Going forward, these threat creatures will remain the greatest threat that <The Tree> must deal with.”
“It’s troublesome...”
What we must respond to for the time being are the threat creatures that exist within the territory of the United Kingdom of Aphrasia.
Most likely, it was thought that there were large numbers of the Giant Ground Worms we had defeated before.
“And also, regarding this <Demon Forest>, at night we have confirmed numerous signs of life—heat sources that are likely campfires. In the states that border the <Demon Forest>, it appears that, as a matter of course, they are conducting conquest or development of the <Demon Forest>.”
Even the United Kingdom of Aphrasia, whose national strength had been on the verge of death, had been making attacks on the <Demon Forest>, and in fact, just that alone had allowed a single city to be self-contained.
This <Demon Forest>, economically, might be a money tree.
“We want to investigate this <Demon Forest>, too. For the time being, can we focus on this? It seems like it would also help with analyzing the power called magic in this world.”
“Yes-affirmative, Commander Ma’am. To oppose the threat creatures as well, analyzing magic is urgent. Separate from Northend City, let us construct a forward base.”
