Chapter 30
Erudia's Adventure
The Celestina Empire, Mechania Heavy Machinery, Production Facility, 29th January 1524 / 225
After the Liberation of Selarong, Lolita and Lassan disembark at Mechania before regrouping with diplomat officials at Mechania Heavy Machinery. They gathered before they depart to the Royal Capital of Regnieburg. The Mechania guide took them into the Mechania Heavy Machinery Production facility. They can see the production of heavy arsenals that are working together between technology and magic.
"This is the main production of all technology arsenals: Firearms, equipment, even parts of the vessel such as starships are being made here."
Lolita, Lassan, and other officials just silent as they look at the robot and engineers working along, and it seems they are doing their jobs in unison. Their accuracy was accurate, and it seems they enjoy the job the most.
"Is the materials arrived from the processing facility?"
"It's on its way! ETA 10 minutes!"
"Prepare the sorting facility!"
The workers are preparing to welcome the materials gathered by the adventurers. Lolita and Lassan are curious as they want to know how adventurers were able to make their earnings.
"How did they were able to make their earnings from the adventure?"
"Dungeons in our country are constantly growing and expanding. So we regularly do a subjugation. There are thousands of dungeons inside the Celestina Empire, from a simple one to a formidable dungeon that requires a raid party to conquer it. The deeper the dungeon and the higher the threat is, the better the rewards will be. We put our lives on the line to obtain that material, and we give them the payment based on the quantity and quality of the materials.
Death is a thing that we always face day to day without breaks. It becomes our routine when we go into the dungeon. That is why the quest on the Adventurer's Guild request board are endless."
It seems even the worker from this facility goes into the dungeon to earn more money by risking their lives to earn more materials by subjugating the monsters.
They saw several containers arrive from the production facility, and once the contents inside are being poured out into a sorting area for production. Some went to the bullet production, some went to the equipment production, and some went to weapons and armor production.
The factory scale is already beyond Erudia's expectations, let alone that because of the Dimensional Disruption Technology made by the combination of magic and technology, they can increase their space up to five times its size. The production facility is also one of the main points where Erudia finds that the Celestina Empire makes a balanced production between guided weaponry and direct weaponry. Lolita was curious as she wants to know further about the other facility at the Celestina Empire.
"Is it possible that we can go to the Celestina Drydock tomorrow? We want to see their strongest warship on the sea."
"Of course. I will arrange it with the crew of Scharlwarltz right away."
With the arrangement set, they set out for the Royal Capital of Regnieburg to visit the drydock that houses Celestina's warship that was being branded as the strongest warship on the sea, Scharlwarltz.
The Celestina Empire, Royal Capital Regnieburg, Drydock Luarca 1, Scharlwarltz-class Superheavy Battleship, 30th January 1524 / 225
"I can't believe this…"
What lies in front of Lolita and Lassan is the warship that becomes a pinnacle of the warship. They look at the ship's record as this battleship itself was famous as "The Strongest Warship in the history."
On the Fourth Interstellar War, it single-handedly destroys the entire United States of North America's 2nd Fleet. It turns USNA's Capital, Washington, into ashes by demolishing the critical structures and destroying the 4th Fleet single-handedly while withdrawing. Battle records indicate that the ship was practically "invulnerable" from Fire and Forget attacks as it uses the enemy's own technology against them. Any missiles and torpedoes with a direct locked on will be immediately destroyed by Scharlwarltz's defense measures, rendering the Battleship untouchable and the concepts of beyond visual range and fire and forget obsolete.
Looking at the Third Interstellar Battle record, the lead class of the Scharlwarltz-class, Scharlwarltz, is nearly destroyed after forcing several Cruiser Starship to go down from the orbit to face it directly during Defense of St. Celestina. The USNA Navy Command was caught entirely off-guard, believing that the Celestina Empire uses Beyond Visual Range and Fire-and-Forget methods to defeat the Scrin Fleet during Third Interstellar War.
In reality, Celestina used manual designator targets to prevent their warship from being backtracked. Scharlwarltz was able to defeat the Scrin Fleet with a few damages, except for air targets that must be handled through fire and forget methods. The guidance missiles were launched from the warship into a designated coordinate, while the Celestina Navy deploys several spotters to mark and guide the missile to the target. It was a very risky tactic, but it clearly shows the results that the stratagem is worth to be used. Because the entire crew of the ship is Valkyries, they can mark the target in mid-air due to their natural ability to fly.
The Scrin uses Earth's own tracking technology against them, allowing them to track any threats and counter-attack effectively. Celestina saw this exploit, and they launch a guided missile to the designated coordinates without targeting the ship where the spotters will mark the target for a kill once the missile is in range. On Earth itself, they were the best units to deal with the Scrin Navy and Starships. Celestina's Starships and Scharlwarltz-class becomes a hot topic amongst military and civilians on Earth. Celestina also uses the same tactics as Scrin did in the Fourth Interstellar War, which ended up in the Celestina Empire's decisive victory.
Another notable note is Scharlwarltz-class is purely designed with Starship specifications for offense and defense, making it the first Navy Warship to fit with Starship specifications.
"So, how did this warship received damage to the point where the invasion fleet almost destroyed it during the Third Interstellar War?"
Lolita asked the Valkyrie crew, who guide them around the ship, makes an answer.
"They choose to take us head-on, which was our defense measures are lacking or not sufficient to take them head-on. Although we have superior firepower, our defensive capability for manual-guided weapons is limited. That is how their attacks almost destroyed our warship during the Third Interstellar War."
"So you mean, they need a spotter or have to be manually controlled to make sure it hit the ship?"
"Precisely. We have sensors to detect an incoming target. We can intercept some, but not the entire attack. If they lock us on using guided missiles with Fire and Forget concepts, our defense measure will immediately track and destroy it before reaching visual range. Since we know the nature of the guided missile, it's easy to counter it compared to manual-controlled missiles."
The Scharlwarltz-class Superheavy Battleship was loaded with:
Offensive Arsenals:
2 x Twin 250mm Navy MAC Onager Mark IV
2 x Triple barreled 460mm Naval Cosmo Matrix Hybrid Cannon SSM GEN IV
2 x Twin 40cm Plasma Cannon HD-1 SSM GEN II
6 x Twin Bofors 50mm
10 Point Defense Gun 25mm RAS-54
8 x 8 SDAPM-2 DLS
12 Flak 88R MACA
4 x 4 Assault Torpedo Bay
240 VLS Hybrid AAPM-1
Defenses:
8 Ultrawave Undersea Crusher UOI S-12
36 Stanchion Barret 6.0mm NSA UHS-22
24 Pulse Laser Defense MHM-2
4x Field Dispersal Generator MiA-SSM Grade 1 GEN IV
2x Heavy Astral Shield KL Grade 1 GEN IV
Titanium Nanolaminate Sage S-Class
JTM-7 Hybrid LTM
Electromagnetic Defenses
Sea Tractor Beams
Engine:
4 x 6 Side Booster
Navy Repulsor Engine UOI Mark-II BB Series (2 Primary, 4 Secondary)
LMI-12 Propeller (Three each for bow and rear, Tertiary)
WET Detrium Fusion Reactor GEN IV S-7 (20 Terawatt)
Sensors and communications:
Holographic Sensor LMI-2
Aurora UOI-5 Sonar
FSA-2 Wavecom Datalinks (12 Channels)
FSA-4 Radar Drone Sensors
BMT FSA-8
KI HijTec Mark-IV
Complement:
1,200 Crew (Low to High Officers)
2 Combat Battalion up to 600 personnel + 18 pilots.
5 Starfighter + 2 ID-22 TC
Size:
379.2 meters (Length), 45,2 meters (waterline width), 35,4 meter (waterline), 106,2 meter (overall height), 56,5 meter (Surface deck wide)
275.000 tons (displacement)
210km/h (Repulsor Engine maximum speed)
70km/h (Propeller maximum speed)
Manufacturer:
Scharlwarltz Sage Manufacturer
Ship Constructed:
24 (All in service)
The more Lolita, Lassan, and the Military Officers look at it, the more sweat they made. Not only that, this ship has the best record in the entire warship history, where it remains undefeated for centuries. Scrin Navy Battleship, Annihilator-class Battleship was exclusively designed to combat Scharlwarltz-class Superheavy Battleship, and it was one of the most memorable moments for both sides. One note makes Lolita curious as she wonders what the meaning of twenty-four Captains and Executive Officer is.
"I'm sorry if I have to ask, but… Why there are only twenty-four Captains and Executive Officer, who are they, and why no one can replace them?"
"Nine of them are the Main Councils member. The rest of the fifteen are currently classified as they are the ones who were selected by the founder of the class to become a Captain and XO of the ship. This ship itself possesses abilities when commanded by a certain Captain and or XO. When it was operated by a Captain and XO that was not on the twenty-four Commanders' list, it will not have an ability.
We do not make additional ships since the Main Advisor decided to do so."
Compared to Erudia's battleship Tripzit, this is clear that their ship was far behind the Celestina Empire's warship. The Valkyrie smiles as they become more nervous. To think that Tripzit must land all a direct salvo hit on Scharlwarltz, but they doubt that even with numbers of the battleship Erudia possesses, they can't take that battleship down. The entire navy may not be able to sink this ship, let alone suppress it.
"Right now, we will take you to one of the shipyards. Please bring the new crew and the fresh recruits since we estimate that this ship's construction will complete in two years, and we will give it to Erudia to study."
"Eh? What?"
Lolita, Lassan, and the military officers went to another shipyard where they find the battleship is currently under construction.
"What is this… what do you want to build?"
"One of the battleships that were more suitable for you to study than our current battleship. We will call this Antoinerei."
"W-What?!"
Celestina already prepares to give Erudia a more advanced battleship than their own. If Erudia can own this, perhaps they can learn everything from these technologies.
"A-are you sure that the Celestina Empire is going to give us a battleship?"
"Certainly. We also take your aircraft Noumenon for upgrading. Feel free to tear it apart for study when you reach back home."
"!"
To think that the Celestina Empire wants to give Erudia a battleship and upgrading Erudia's engines. Lolita continues to ask for more information about the Battleship they will receive.
"S-so, how this ship will fare against Rune Dragon?"
"Toe-to-toe if you got a well-trained crew. The best is you can send it to us as soon as possible for training since operating this battleship will not be easy as you can think of. If your crews are veterans, it has more advantage than Rune Dragon."
"O-of course! I will arrange it once I get back to Erudia!"
"Good. I'm looking forward to it."
One Hour Later, Wings of Valkyrie Fortress, Battle Group Scharlwarltz Headquarters
The Valkyrie guide from the Navy base hands the Erudia diplomat to Fleet Admiral Randgris Flauvel, the Supreme Commander of Battle Group Scharlwarltz. guides the Erudia Officials into one of the Strongest Battle Group Headquarters on the Celestina Empire, Battle Group Scharlwarltz. Inside this base itself, the Valkyries are training themselves to the limits as the Erudia military officials and diplomats can't make a single comment to witness on how fierce the training is.
Sword, spear, axes are clashing against each other. They also train themselves to deflect and dodge the bullets while some Valkyries are practicing their magic strength. The Valkyries train themselves at every inch of the aspects of combat, indicating their awareness and seriousness. They are the primary strength of the Celestina Air Force. Despite there are snows around and it was the end of the winter, the training remains intense.
The Erudia officials are astonished to see the entire personnel on this Battle Group are all females as there are no males around the Valkyrie ranks.
"D-do they enlist females into the battlefield?"
"We do. Sasha Sylwinder, the adjutant of Freya Luminaire, is also a female. She holds the current title of the Strongest Kick of the Empire. We put them in an equal league with males, to be exact. Because on Battle Group Scharlwarltz, only a very few people can be selected by Main Advisor and us, and it's also a handpicked one. Also, the ones who can authorize the mobilization of this group are not the Main Council or even the leader of nations itself."
"Who has the authority to deploy it?"
"The Main Advisor, the Commander in Chief of the Zealot Strike Force, and the Great Emperor's father."
"Why the Main Council and the Emperor are not authorized to deploy it?"
"This Battle Group was designed by the leaders exclusively for at least the world conflict level. Any local military conflict or even where the Pardina Empire will wage war on the Celestina Empire, we will not deploy them. A squad from this Battle Group can vanquish the Pardina Empire because of their combat capabilities, and they are very lethal.
Right now, the Main Council has issued a new order. The Main Advisor also verified the order, so we put a heavy restriction on our strength and magic because we are aware of the Ravernal Empire's return.
All personnel on the Battle Group Scharlwarltz are officers. Scharlwarltz-class Superheavy Battleship and other ship that was entirely operated by the Valkyries are all officers. The Main Council doesn't have the authorization to deploy us since they already have their own Battle Group unless the Main Advisor commands the Main Council to deploy us."
Lolita's ears went down, realizing the reality of the Celestina Empire's military strength is beyond her expectations. If they are serious about conquering this world, then perhaps two squads from the Battle Group Scharlwarltz are more than enough to conquer this world. Thankfully, the Celestina Empire know how to behave as a Superpower, let alone that Erudia's decision to admit Celestina as one of the superpowers was the right choice.
However, presenting Erudia with a new battleship is definitely going to bring the entire Navy brass into an uproar since they will never expect a gift from the Celestina Empire. She can admire that the Celestina Empire is always preparing their troops for the war, so they were ready when the time comes.
Two Hours Later, Adventurers Guild Royal Capital Headquarters
Around the Headquarters, the Erudia Official did not see any vehicle nearby. The only exception they see is the truck used to deliver supplies from and to the Adventurers Guild, the public transportation such as bus, subway, and hover tram, and the ambulances. People with varieties of clothes are often flocking around the guild. Some of them are using mounts such as biological creatures like Mystic Wolves, Pegasus, and mechanical mounts such as Overlord Aegis and June Dreadnought.
Across the guild was the Adventurers Guild Transportation Tower. Public transportations are being directed into the tower for disembarking and embarking adventurers and civilians who work here. From the second floor onwards, the adventurers that gather for the dungeon exploring, subjugation, and going into other territory's tower must pay a certain amount of money to the gatekeeper before they are allowed to come in by the gatekeeper.
"It feels like the privilege of being an adventurer in this Empire can make you rich than doing office work all day."
That was Lolita's first impression upon witnessing the Celestinian Adventurers' activity going in and out of the Adventurers Guild Transportation Tower. Adventurers from multiple races wearing the equipment they like as it becomes their daily habit. The military personnel is also there since at least a quarter of the Celestinian Adventurers are military personnel, either active or reserve personnel.
The medical area was also bustling with wounded adventurers that require immediate attention. Most of the wounded adventurers receive their wounds due to their own mistake and going on an adventure without any contingency plans. Some of the healers and supports are reprimanding the attackers for going too recklessly. Both support and healers also scold the adventurer who took a role of a tank due to not giving them proper protection. In some cases, the supports and healers sometimes receive a scolding from tanks and attackers, especially if they often make a blunder on supporting them, such as wrong timing to recast the buff or wrong target on healing.
Adventurers who fell ill after the adventure are immediately escorted by the medical team to the hospital to receive treatment and diagnose the symptoms they receive from the recent adventure. The supply store that sells potions and medicines are often running out of supplies due to the high demand from the adventurers. As a result, the quest board often got filled by the potion maker and hospitals' tasks, ranging from A to F Rank. The materials requested by herbalists, alchemists, and hospitals not only doubled but sometimes tripled the initial amount. However, the rewards are also increasing up to four times than before.
Special elixirs, such as Resurrection Potion, Disease Recovery, and Full Restoration Potion, are some of the potions that can only be produced by a certain herbalist and alchemist. The ingredients alone were worth to be classified by the guild at least S Rank. The price was ranging between 1 to 10 Platinum Coins or 1 million to 10 Million Ceny. It was one of the most expensive potions to be made due to the difficulties to obtain the ingredients, and it requires a Master-class License of potion-making from the Main Council to produce it.
Due to its rarity and difficulty, both potions are exclusive to only S rank and above, with the exception of any adventurers that acquired a Master-class License of potion-making from the Main Council.
"What if they can build the Adventurers guild in our country?"
"That will be excellent."
Yuuna has just returned from the S Rank subjugation. She looks tired, but Lolita can see the enjoyment on her face.
"What it feels like to be an adventurer, Miss Yuuna?"
"You can take as many jobs as you want. Also, there are many types of quest, from delivery to subjugation. Please come with me if you want to see how the appraisal will appraise the loot."
Following Yuuna to the appraisal area, she drops off lots of the materials and ingredients. The appraisal takes a look at it as the staff already know what to do. Lolita saw a lot of materials, such as scales, tusks, skins, herbs, and much more.
"Please give us thirty minutes to appraise all of this."
"Okay."
While waiting, Lolita asks several questions to Yuuna about the Celestina Empire's military.
"I've been wondering, why the Empire's active personnel can participate in an adventure?"
"Because aside from the formal training we've received. We are also going on an adventure to hone our skills. Fighting with many types of monsters and stuff like that makes you able to adapt quickly to the situation. So when there is a new threat coming, we were ready. Outside this world, you can meet unknown monsters that often make the military panic and send their best guns to beat them. In reality, their best gun was not always the answer.
You know our pride of the sea, Scharlwarltz, right? That battleship was designed like that so only the Fleet Battles can defeat it. I recall the Valkyries already gave all of you a handout about how Scharlwarltz destroy USNA's 2nd and 4th Fleet single-handedly. In the future, you may need to use a guided missile and fire and forget concept. But further in the future, versatility and adaptation is your only answer."
"So, that means we need to be prepared for anything, then?"
"Exactly as I said. I'm sorry if my words may offend your higher-ups, but note that if your brass doesn't want to acknowledge it, then your country is certain to be doomed by an anomaly or opponent that you never face before if you are not prepared for war."
What Yuuna said was true. If Erudia did not prepare their defenses against the Ha Dragnov Empire and develop new technology and strategies right now, they would be certain to lose.
"Miss Caskett? The assessment is complete."
"How is it?"
"You've got plenty of high-quality raw materials. You can earn around 4 Platinum Coins, 2 Large Gold Coins, and 5 Medium Gold Coins or equivalent to 4,25 million Ceny."
"I will take it. Does it already include tax as well?"
"Yes. We already take 750 thousand Ceny as a tax."
"Thank you. Please process it and put it inside this card."
Lolita looks at how the appraisal staff to process it while Yuuna gives her card. One of the diplomats asks Yuuna
"How much the tax you must pay?"
"Fifteen percent of it. The Empire's primary income is from the adventurers, and fifteen percent was a fixed amount for everyone who goes on an adventure. We also apply a fixed amount of tax for the foreigners or any citizens who use our guild for adventure, fifteen percent. If we open the branch outside the homeland, the government of that country will earn ten percent of it, so we only took five percent tax fees."
"Where the tax goes if the Empire can collect such an abundant amount of money annually?"
"Tax from the guild will be used by the government to improve the guild further. Rewards, upgrades, salary for the staff, daily guild operational. We also utilize it to develop our infrastructure further in order to strengthen our economy and military."
Once the staff returns Yuuna's card, she looks at Lolita and the diplomats.
"You can send your people here to earn more profits. But I must warn you that it will be on their own decision since there are dungeons where we will face the oddity of getting killed by the monsters. That's why most of our citizens already face what it feels like to be dying once."
"Thank you. I will remember that."
"Oh, please make sure all of you attend the Council Meeting a day after tomorrow. Also, don't be shy to meet with other diplomats."
"Yes."
Two days later, Erudia will face their first global conference, and it will be their first experience to attend the meeting that was far greater than the conference in the new world they currently reside.
joshHCA: Oh, I would rather play nice and then struck their heart :D
The second-year council meeting will reveal the activity on their first week after transference.