About a week had passed since observation of the mana density around <The Tree> had begun.
The location was the usual lounge. Enough data had been gathered to reach a level usable for analysis, so <Ringo> had called everyone together to explain the results.
“I will now report on the mana density around <The Tree>.”
What appeared was a 3D mesh showing mana density as highs and lows.
Centered on <The Tree>, it spread outward like ripples.
“As a result of detailed detection # Nоvеlight # of the surrounding mana density, it has been confirmed that it spreads in a distribution extremely similar to ripples.”
Those ripples extended to a radius of approximately 120 km. The maximum mana density was 3,004%.
So far, that was almost no different from the results of the simplified survey on the first day. At most, it showed that a more detailed concentration map had now been made.
“And we have also confirmed temporal movement in this mana density. This ripple-shaped concentration distribution is gradually moving outward over time.”
Under the note simulation results, the ripples began to move. The date spun forward, and over the course of many months it became clear that the ripples were gradually spreading farther outward.
“<Ringo>. Then does that mean these ripples really were generated when <The Tree> appeared in this world?”
At Akane’s question, <Ringo> nodded.
“That is the most likely inference. Like the ripples formed by a stone dropped into water, there is little doubt that mana density began changing at almost the exact same time as <The Tree> appeared.”
<Ringo> gave only a partial affirmation.
“However, whether this fluctuation occurred because <The Tree> appeared, or whether <The Tree> appeared precisely because this fluctuation had occurred—we currently have no basis whatsoever for inferring that.”
“Ah, right. That makes sense. We do not know anything yet.”
The source of origin was unknown. Since there was no way to observe it, that part could not be helped.
“And this hypothetical substance known as mana cannot be detected through ordinary observational methods. It is not detected at the frequencies of the electromagnetic waves we ordinarily handle, nor does it interfere with other matter. However, we have found that it is affected by high-energy electromagnetic waves such as X-rays or gamma rays.”
In other words, electromagnetic waves in the band commonly referred to as radiation. Visible light has a wavelength of approximately 380 to 780 nm. X-rays, by contrast, are 0.01 to 1 nm. Their frequency ranges from 10^17 to 10^22 hertz.
“Therefore, mana is presumed to be some kind of elementary particle. At the very least, it has not been discovered within the science and technology we currently understand.”
“...So magic becomes usable by sensing an unknown elementary particle? That suddenly turned into pseudoscience.”
“Big Sis, but based on everything we have observed so far, that is not actually wrong, is it? Like—do not think, feel.”
Asahi’s wording was casual, but she was the one who had observed the phenomenon that magic was the concretization of imagination. Eve had no choice but to acknowledge that much.
Even so, if that line was all someone heard, it sounded exactly like the words of a shady fraud.
“Well, fine. Just figuring out the means of observation is already a huge step forward.”
“Yes-affirmative, Commander Ma’am. And from the fact that mana density is moving slowly, we can also infer that mana particles appear to affect one another. However, at present we have been unable to observe any interaction with electrons, gravity, or other such forces. The only thing currently showing a response is thought activity by intelligent beings.”
According to <Ringo>, whether human, monster, or even an AI like Asahi, anything that thinks seemed to affect it. Accompanying thought activity, slight fluctuations were reportedly being observed.
“Assuming it possesses the property of not being affected by other force fields, we were nevertheless able to observe slight fluctuations in concentration between areas near living beings and areas where no living beings were present. However, because the precision of the mana-density meters is still low, the possibility that this is merely error or noise cannot be ruled out.”
“It looks like the strength of will affects magic activation! We also confirmed mana fluctuations between when magic is being used and when it is not! Also, this is still under follow-up testing, but we have observational results suggesting that after magic is used, the surrounding mana density becomes thinner!”
Apparently Asahi had also been repeatedly conducting experiments over on the continent. She was going through trial and error—having test subjects, the magic warriors, use magic while being photographed with X-rays, improving the mana-density meters, and so on.
“I see. X-rays are dangerous, right? Make sure they are getting proper checkups.”
“Yes, absolutely! We throw them into the medical pods once a month, so there is no problem at all!”
With the medical pods <The Tree> used as standard equipment, even cancerous cells would presumably be removed cleanly. Even if there were cells with damaged genes, the nanomachines would repair them neatly enough.
If those subjects could receive that treatment regularly, they might become extraordinarily long-lived.
“Hm. I cannot tell whether that is a punishment game or a reward...”
“Obviously it is a reward!”
Smiling wryly at the confidence with which Asahi declared that, Eve turned her gaze to <Ringo>.
“They do seem to feel that they are becoming healthier. No sign of aversion has been confirmed so far.”
“I see. Well, fine then...”
They are probably being dragged around all over the place, Eve thought with some sympathy for the subjects, then decided to forget about it. She probably could not save them. They were useful, after all.
“So, am I right in understanding that we have at least gotten a foothold?”
“Yes-affirmative, Commander Ma’am. We are currently constructing a simulation model under the assumption that this is a new species of elementary particle. It is something like fundamental research, so results will not appear immediately, but I believe that given enough time, we will be able to provide a good report.”
“If we can analyze the behavior of this mana, then we may be able to use magic systematically ourselves! Ah, this is fun!”
For androids—children of science—to use magic.
That would be a rather provocative undertaking as well.
Even so, if it could be observed and quantified into information, then it had already entered the domain of science. With <Ringo>’s processing power, some kind of theory would probably be constructed before too long.
It seemed it would not be long before the tentatively named Asahi Magic Laboratory was formally established.
◇◇◇◇
A ground transport vehicle came to a stop with a thunderous rumble that shook the earth. No sooner had the hatch on its side opened than masses of spider-type combat machines came crawling out from inside.
They were QT-EM01 units, monkey models of the normally equipped multi-legged tank MLT-E series.
The number of legs had been reduced to four, and the armament had likewise been stripped down to only a railgun and a laser gun. The high-speed movement wheels had also been removed, and the internal power supply had been omitted as well. In exchange, the reduction in weight had improved raw maneuvering performance itself.
These mass-consumption weapons would now be sent to clash with the forces of the Prava Divine Kingdom.
The four-legged tanks had been developed on the premise that they would be disposable, created solely to hurl overwhelming numbers at the enemy. Their usefulness could not yet be fully predicted, so their deployment also served as an operational test.
In any case, these four-legged tanks were being sent in one after another for the construction of the front lines.
Huge land transport craft appeared one after another, scattering masses of little spiders across the ground. Though “little” was relative, since each of those little spiders was a giant machine with a total length and width of 6 m and a maximum height of 5 m.
And once track-laying was completed, even greater quantities of supplies would be transported in.
<Paraiso> had begun committing resources in earnest toward the conquest of the Holy Capital of the Prava Divine Kingdom.
In addition to massed ground forces, the Titan series of airborne escort ships stood by overhead, while the Jotun series of land battleships waited in support.
The tactic this time was to grind down the military power of the Prava Divine Kingdom through sheer mass alone.
