Vol. 13 - Ch. 780 - Preparation for Conquer Day #4 - Tactical Warships 2

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Allen tasked Leon for the inspection of Tactical Class Magic Warships; or, as the other commonly called them, "Tactical Warships."

Magical ships typically came in varying sizes. For reference, magic passenger ships would usually boast a range between 50 meters to 100 meters in length.

Of course, those were mere standard units. The empires—Bowkis or Giamut—had their own special warfare ships capable of overturning the tide of war by themselves—Tactical Class Magic Warships.

The ships, Tactical Warships, were unlike others, boasting 500 meters in length. Just by themselves, they're capable of bringing along many small-size magic ships during sail. And, needless to say, they're also used by respective major powers to flaunt their strength. 

These class of warships were magnitudinally superior in transporting innumerable people. Then, their capabilties—as their name would imply—also extend to carrying huge quantity weapons and other supplies. With a fleet of magical ships, and golem users on-board, they were used in holding the frontline, or in destroying enemies. 

But as brightly they shone in the battlefield, they'd required just as humongous resources to sustain—the absurd amount of mana stones. Even when stationed outside of battle, they'd still have a buffed budget, leading to strain on the national budget more often. Due to such drawbacks, the major powers would try to refrain from dispatching first. 

—The Tactical Warships Possession Count—

Giamut Empire - 1

Bowkis Empire - 2

Roseinhelm - Nil

Albahar Beast Kingdom - Nil

Prostea Empire - 3

As the result of Allen's negotiation, he and major powers had drawn a contract to lend their warships for the upcoming battle. The Giamut Empire would be offering their one ship, similar to the Bowkis Empire, and Prostea Empire had promised to deliver two warships.

Right now, the bulwarks of the ship had been taken off, exposing the engine and propeller machines. While the ships were borrowed, they lacked enough firepower that Allen desired, and hence, now they're being remodelled. 

Given the scarcity of time, Leon had been dispatched regularly to check the program and confirm if they'd any complication or if they could make it till the deadline. 

(Hmm? They've dispatched merfolks together with the magic ship, huh. Great, that will help with the deadline.)

Amidst the remodelling, Allen noticed alongside dwarves, operating an arm-attached magic machine, merfolks were mingled among them. It appeared the newly arrived tactical warship had come with merfolks as additional force. And now, the dock space was filled with shouts from dwarves and merfolks and their leaders. 

"Godmman, merfolks. Where in the world do you see these screws enough for the propelling!? Bring the stronger propelling device!!"

"There is canon for the other ships! Where should they be carried to?!"

"Woah, there. What is with that size?! This will push past the loading capacity! With that weight, it wouldn't be easy for people to enter!!"

"It's going to be alright!! After all, we're going to modify and integrate the magic core to engine mana machine. This should improve the driving force by three times atleast!!"

"Three times?! That's ludicrous!"

The hustle and bustle, alongside the spirited shouts, had brought up the temperature of the dock by quite a margin. 

(There's no need to hold back on magic cores, too. It's almost like Allen's army had gathered the magic core precisely for this moment. We're going to wipe the floor with you, Demon King's Army!)

The merfolks' faces were laced with a look of surprise. The magic core had come from the depth of S-rank Dungeon; to be precise, it was an occasional drop from its last boss Goldino. It's not a surprise merfolks were unaware of it.

The Magic Core was like a compact version of dungeon core, capable of generating energy that surpassed even the S-rank magic stone when equipped with magic tools or machines. To ensure the success of blitzkrieg tactics, each tactical warship was going to be equipped by 20 such magic cores. 

«Heh, that's interesting. But, Director Tajijis, do you have no reservation in allowing merfolks to work together?»

 Leon inquired, posing the question to Director Tajijis. He figured, since Allen had been observing together, this might be the next question Allen might urge him to ask. 

The modification was an urgent task that dropped Bowkis Empire out of nowhere, and given the urgency, Allen had doubts if there was enough manpower to finish modification of four ships by the eve of their war. 

"I believe we've already gone through how our current staff was lacking in numbers given the urgency of the situation. Today, we have welcomed ten thousand dwarves, plus the additional force of three thousands merfolks. They are veterans who know how to handle a magic ship by heart. The Empress has laid out her verdict that no one is allowed to return back until the task has been finished."

In other words, Prostea Empire seemed to have dispatched experienced merfolks foreseeing the need of manpower. And the dwarves, too, had immediately begun the work on the ships as soon as the 3rd day. 

(Mhm, it's definitely a lifesaver; they've sorted out the situation perfectly. Well, it's still far from my ideal number, at least the manpower needs to be twice, but the situation is so. It seems it's going to be rough on staff too. Maybe I should have Luvanka help out with muscle work?)

"A-aarrrrrgh! It's too heavy! Hey, send me some golems for help!!"

"We're currently busy modifying the cabin. There's not enough hands going around, either!!"

The current manpower seemed to be the limit the Empire could bring out. There were tens of thousands of manpower, but not a single soul had enough leeway. The shouts golems help were increasing, but the number didn't help them either. 

Allen contemplated if he should have Luvanka, a perfect fit for physical tasks, give a helping hand when—

*THUUUD*

(Huh—It's beastkin!!)

Just as Allen was musing over his idea, the entrance gate of the Dock opened with a loud, thud sound. 

"Woah, I didn't expect to see the dock being so huge! Mhm, then it's Bowkis Empire. As expected, eh?"

A leopard beastkin, donning the military uniform, entered while pulling in his subordinates. 

"Wow. They must have taken a fast ship to appear so soon. Hey, everyone, Albahar Kingdom has sent their help for the ships!!"

Tajijis leaned forward from the office—it was built on the outer wall of Dock, and the observation platform was connected to it—and displayed a surprised expression.

(The director must have his doubts if this number and the timeframe would be enough, I guess. Sure enough, I knew that smile was to hide his anxiety. Leon! The schedule must meet its deadline!)

The beastkin showed an admirable expression as they ran their gaze around the Dock. With the tools they'd been carrying in their hands, they appeared to be of the same profession—engineers of magic ships. 

Then, just as they'd been curiously running their gaze, they noticed merfolks struggling to carry a huge steel plate. 

"Geh. What the hell? I can't believe you need that many men to carry that measly weight!!"

The uniform-clad leopard beastkin promptly cue'd his subordinate. Promptly, five of the beastkin leaped among the merfolk group just as they're struggling, and within a breath lifted the steel plate high up to their head.

"Wahh—you're lifting us too!!"

A flustered gasp escaped merfolks. It turned out beastkin had lifted the steel plate alongside all the tens of merfolk carrying it. The beastkin were twice the height of dwarves, and a head taller than merfolks on average. A glance at them and it was apparent they'd boasted quite the physical prowess. 

With merfolk guiding them, the beastkin carried the steel plate. 

Tajijis reeled back from his leaning posture, and went down the observation platform to greet beastkin.

"You're finally here. I can't express enough how big of a help your presence has carried. Haa...haa..."

"I am Zai, captain of the Albahar Kingdom's Special Service Squad. By the command of His Majesty Zeu, we've been dispatched to assist you. Feel free to tell us what must be done. We may not have tactical warships, but every single person has held an expertise in dealing with magic ships."

Captain Zai was straightforward in his attitude, and suggested cutting the pleasantries, immediately inquiring where their help was required. 

(I wonder if Zeu-san has drummed them up to raise workers' morale?)

"Understood. Please follow me to the office. I will be explaining the situation there."

"Great, that's it. Vice-Captain Rabu, come with me to attend the briefing. And Vice-Captain Bom, relay the command and help wherever it is necessary!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Understood!"

Captain Zai immediately issued his command, and then followed Director Tajijis to the elevator magic tool, and from there to his office. 

Inside the office, Director Tajijis awaited as everyone, including Leon, took their seat, and then began. 

"First of all, you've my utmost gratitude. I can't express how glad I am to see you making the trip within half-a-day. Now, if you don't mind, I would like to know how's request with our request for steel materials, and what's the status quo with worker numbers."

"The 60% of the requested steel material has been carried by magic ship, and is currently at the coast of the town. The harbour was quite crowded to dock it, perhaps due to the upcoming battle with the Demon King's Army."

Following the request of Director Tajijis, Albahar Kingdom dispatched the available resources through their ten magic ships. But, since the harbour was crowded with other ships loaded with resources, they couldn't dock their ships, and in the end, their captain, Zai, decided to appear first with some of their members. 

As a matter of fact, since there were some nations—chiefly Albahar Kingdom, Rosenhelm, and even the nations of Gyariat Continent—who had no tactical warship to provide, they'd been requested for materials or manpower. 

"I, I see. I apologise for the inconvenience. I will have my subordinate promptly run to the harbor."

"It would be great. And for the rest of the situation—the remaining materials and 5000 workers are expected to arrive tomorrow. Aside from our 3000 workers I have brought along, these have been dispatched by Brisen Beast Kingdom, Pariou Beast Kingdom, Remsir Kingdom. I would suggest hastening the schedule now."

It seemed Albahar Kingdom had requested aid from other beast states and birdkin states. 

"A-ah, you're right. I really appreciate every effort of yours. It's just, I think the Dock might not be able to fit everyone in."

(Wow, Zeu-san is truly thorough in his preparation. Then again, Shea's life is on line with this war, too. Hmm, perhaps I can help them with herbs?)

«It would be better to create shifts and alternate between them. Allen-dono has his detailed plan, though I will explain it later.»

"A, alternate shift? Oh, you're right. It's a great suggestion, Leon-dono."

Leon suggested his proposal as a remedy to lessen the strain on workers, and then conveyed the word Allen had asked him. The proposal from Allen. He would be delivering herbs later, allowing workers to work 24/7. With sufficient workers, it should be an easy task to create a twenty-hours shift. 

Leon had just expressed the suggestion when the door to the office suddenly flung open, and a dwarf's voice rng 

"Heeeey! A ship has arrived from the Giamut Empire. Golem squad, take your positions to welcome it!! Director Tajijis, the Engineer-Grand Marshal of Giamut Empire, Dornei-sama, has been seeking an audience!!"

"What, Dornei-sama?! Understood. Immediately guide them to the office!!"

"Right away!"

The dwarf's purpose was to inform of the arrival of the 3rd tactical warship, and its leader. After learning of the situation, Leon turned to Director Tajijis, raising his voice.

(The five continents—no, even undersea Imperium has come together to prepare one final battle against the Demon King's Army, huh. Hmm, I guess that much of the inspection is enough, and anymore would be a nuisance. Alright, it seems a reminder of the deadline is enough, and maybe offer herbs . Oh, and have Luvanka help out here. Leon, this is enough for now)

The world had cast aside any misgiving, and had come together in a march against the Demon King and his force. Allen couldn't hide his surprise at the happening of such a situation. 

Since he had confirmed the schedule should be on time, Allen instructed Leon to wrap up the situation, and leave one last reminder.

«It seems the situation is progressing in a favourable direction. I am to expect the deadline shall be met no matter what, is it?»

"Yes, you're correct. Feel free to inform Supreme Commander Allen, similarly!!"

With increasing help, Director Tejijis brimmed with confidence, and replied to Leon—the deadline shall see no change.

T/N - If your preferred genre is dungeon x light-hearted story, try out LET ME SPEND MONEY, DAMMIT!