(T.N: ^_^ don’t ask me why there won’t be chapter 404 in the TOC, it’s an unfixable error)
「What did you say?!
The inside of the armory is empty!!」(Commander)
At a certain garrison of the Imperial Army,
The commander (like the shogun) screamed at an outrageous report from his subordinates.
「Yes. I tried to bring weapons for training this morning, and it was empty.
Let alone a sword or spear, there wasn’t even a single arrow left……」(Soldier)
The commander was stunned at the report of his subordinates.
It’s No wonder.
That means, a large number of enemies or bandits entered the garrison without being noticed and carried out a large number of weapons.
「Impossible!!」(Commander)
It’s no wonder that the commander says so.
If he acknowledges that, it means that their security system is such a joke without any meaning.
And the bandits can assassinate the soldiers in their sleep anytime.
But the bandits have kindly spared their life, there’s no way he can admit that.
However, this reality hits hard.
「.……」(Commander)
There was no one who could speak to the silent commander.
Of course, the army’s personal sword and spear equipment are owned and managed by each soldier. It’s not like they are non-armed.
The lost things are spare weapons, blades for training, siege weapons, and other things, etc. but it doesn’t make it’s okay to lose those equipments……
And most important, the liability issue.
「What were the guards doing!
Did you all fall asleep?!」(Commander)
「No, they surely kept watch, and others have confirmed it.
And, in the first place, it’s impossible to carry out a large number of weapons and armor without making noise and without anyone finding it!」(Soldier)
It was exactly what his subordinates said.
The case is plausible and there is no room for denial. The commander understood that well enough.
However……
「Then, give me convincing proof! How should I report to the higher-up?!」(Commander)
Yes.
It couldn’t be helped that he yelled so.
And……
「 Has the new ballista been disassembled into pieces and the metal parts were gone?」(Soldier? Officer?)
「Did all the metal parts of the “hook ladder” disappear as well?」(Soldier? Officer?)
(T.N: Shinonome, I’m pretty sure it’s called “hook ladder”, don’t underestimate my knowledge from Age of Empire and Stronghold,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hook_ladder)
「Did all the iron components of the wagon disappear?
What’s left is only the wood part?!」(Soldier? Officer?)
「Did all of the metal armor disappear?
Was the metal part of the leather armor also missing?」(Soldier? Officer?)
「「「「Just what in the world is going on?」」」」(Many soldiers)
Weapons, armor, metal products, oil, and other assorted goods simply vanished into thin air from various warehouses owned by the Imperial Army.
Many things also disappeared from the storehouses and personal residences of merchants. But these were so small that the owner might not realize they were gone. And it would cause a minor inconvenience at worst……
But the same can’t be said to the military warehouse.
Desolate.
Completely.
They were beautifully and utterly empty: systematically stripped without a shred of mercy.
(T.N: There is a “Kirei” word there, so you must have “beautifully”)
Was it because Mile indicated so?
Or was the nanomachine secretly advising?
Anyway, the scavengers are procuring military supplies for the Alban Empire as if it’s “Mine to take” goods and “free for all” items.
(T.N: I don’t really understand the meaning of “free real estate” meme that Shinonome used)
One after another, even after the Beastkin’s case was cleared up, the Ancient Dragon Villa case then the disappearance of weapons and armor have significantly delayed the plan to invade other countries.
Also, unbeknownst to the Empire, there was a system of tunnels in the basement of the warehouses where the materials had disappeared, large enough for a scavenger to carry out supplies and pass it along. Currently, the warehouse-side exit was backfilled so that it was impossible to determine the existence of the passageways.
Since it was remained unknown, it also meant that the tunnel could be used again if new goods were brought into the warehouse.
Even if the warehouse or depot changed its location, it would be a simple task for scavengers to dig a new tunnel for themselves……
It was the beginning of the Imperial Army’s trial days……
* * *
One scavenger arrived at a certain rocky mountain.
Parting with his “comrade in crime”, they scattered toward their respective places in the old records.
And finally, that particular individual has reached this mountain.
Yes, this is one of the “interception bases” that existed long ago.
However, most of the “interception bases” were destroyed, lost their functions, and did not even retain their traces.
This place is the same……
【※※※※※!】(Scavenger)
《#####!》(Scavenger)
But “It’s alive”
(T.N: Silly you Shinonome, you forgot such a basic meme)
In this place, with the comrades who miraculously survived,
They maintain the resource-saving type autonomous, simple defense mechanism,
In other words, the golems existed.
Who (誰: dare) or what (何: Nani) communication data is for?
The scavenger desperately suppresses the heat of his thinking center unit.
Their mission, that is, the command which was transmitted directly to him.
The content is……
《Our administrator (goddess) has returned.
She gave us the instruction (revelation).
“Keep building, Increase your number. Fill this Land”
“Fix yourself”
And, the administrator (goddess) herself directly ordered us
“Respond to the expectations of the maker. And protect this world……”》
【【【【【【※※※※※※※※※※!!】】】】】】(Scavenger)
Their thinking center unit starts to overheat.
(The raw mean “The heat of their thinking center unit increased”)
Perhaps their temperature has risen, the resistance value of the semiconductor of the circuit decreases, and the Electric current has increased?
(T.N: you should add the “Electric” to make it more clear than just current)
Scavengers are machines, they don’t raise their hands, jumping with their feet when they become excited.
But, in that body, the driving sound of their motor increases and the temperature continued to rise……
Materials! Supplies!
For mining and refining, you need the equipment to do that.
But in order to do that, materials and supplies are needed.
And the equipment is needed to create materials and supplies,
But in order to build that, materials and supplies are needed.
A classic catch-22. (T.N: thank for this info, Shinonome)
The prosecution involves intelligent creatures is: they can only do things less annoying to those creatures.
But in that case, they can’t meet their quota for future activities……
When the other scavengers are at their dilemma, the messenger scavenger gave a wonderful piece of news……
There are suppliers of materials…… with no permission restrictions
And then they go. And dig in.
All in the belief that the day of glory will come……
* * *
(Hey, Nano-chan……) (Mile)
【Yes, what do you need?】(Nano)
(Is it possible to raise the authority level of lower rank people?) (Mile)
(T.N: 下位者 indeed mean subordinate but consider the situation, you should translate as lower rank people)
【With the Authority privilege level 7, you can raise a level-1 person to level-2.
However, it’s not applying for the whole race but the nominated credible individuals……】(Nano)
(As expected.
That’s right. If someone selfishly raises it, it will be out of control.
But I think there won’t be much problem to lower someone’s authority, that’s why there are fewer restrictions……) (Mile)
Mile asked about this in case of an emergency, but it didn’t seem so easy.
【Please do not abuse the authority erasing too much.
This time, because he was using first, so it was a reasonable choice to keep the situation in check.
Besides, that Ancient dragon child had some problems and the command center had a hard time responding. Honestly, it was too troublesome……】(Nano)
(Eh? Doesn’t Nano-chan assist magic regardless of good or evil……) (Mile)
【It’s “use of magic”.
In other words, we just follow the instruction of the physical phenomenon operation by the thought wave.
But this is not magic. It’s a verbal instruction to us, nanomachines by your authority level. The terms of agreement are completely different】(Nano)
(Somehow, it’s difficult in various ways……) (Mile)
【Yes, it’s difficult……】(Nano)
(Well then, good night……) (Mile)
【Have a pleasant sleep, Mile-sama……】(Nano)