Deciding the plan

Spending those days…
The ten of us are now gathered in the briefing room within ‘Mamiya.’

After spending a week together, marveling at the ancient technology, struggling to learn how to use various equipment and portable gear, playing games together, and engaging in real fights, we became companions…
Now, I address them, people I’ve grown somewhat familiar with.

“Over this past week, we have fought hard to understand the abilities of ‘Mamiya’…
Thanks to our efforts, I believe we now have a rough idea of what it can do.”

As I look around, everyone, except the expressionless Eve, confidently nods and displays assured expressions at any time.
As a confirmation of my words, both Banho and I, as well as the samurais, appear slightly different from last week.
While we wear the same functional attire acquired from ‘Mamiya’…
At our waist, we carry personal firearms called ‘Blasters’ obtained on board, holstered and hanging.

While I had only the blaster, the samurais also had katanas of various sizes sheathed on their left side, making them quite heavily equipped.
After receiving instructions on how to use it from Eve, feeling its power firsthand, and carrying it around, they still cannot part with their katanas.
For them, the katana was more than just a blade.
…The actions of the Empire, which hunted down and systematically destroyed them, must have been considered more monstrous than the beasts by the beastmen.

Putting that aside, I look around at everyone and declare once again.

“The time has come…
Now, let’s embark on this major undertaking.
Yes…”

“…It’s the challenge of obtaining all stars.”

With a smug look, Banho interrupted with the previous words, receiving a deep nod in response.

“That’s correct.
There is no doubt that significant difficulties lie ahead.
The dexterity of manipulating the controller, the memorization of charts, the ability to recover from failure…
Everything will be put to the test.
However, no matter how many days it takes, we will indeed surpass the records of ancient civilizations… no, that’s not it.”

I impulsively went along with it but immediately denied it.
Upon looking, Eve was expressionless… Uruka had a wry smile, while the samurais, Banho, and others had solemn expressions.
I don’t think it was meant seriously, right? I joined in the fun as well, but you guys are way too obsessed with the game.

Since the conversation hit a snag, I drank the green tea prepared before the meeting to regain my focus.
The tea poured into the cup was prepared by Uruka herself.
During this week, she had been learning how to use the facilities for cooking, laundry, and other tasks.

Mmm… Delicious!

“Phew…
Putting jokes aside, there’s only one thing we will focus on next.
A full-fledged settlement in the Land of Death, in other words, building a hidden village.”

Manipulating the keyboard and mouse set on the large round table in the briefing room, I selected the prepared images.
Then, the round table itself functioned as a monitor, projecting the images I had chosen.

The projected image was a photograph.
It was a highly detailed aerial photograph taken from above…
One of the items shot by the three major modules that ‘Mamiya’ boasts.
Regarding him, I will likely explain later on…

“Here are the aerial photographs of the Land of Death and its surroundings…
When you look at them like this, you can see how desolate this place is.”

I chuckle while looking at the photos.
For the past five years, I have wandered in the Land of Death…
Viewed from above, it presented a landscape consisting only of a dark red wasteland, resembling an empty space within the continent.

The eastern part forms a coastal area…
To the north is the Fain Empire, and to the southeast lies the nostalgic Lombard Kingdom.
Stretching from the west to the southwest is the Zanro Mountain Range.

This mountainous region, aptly described as sheer cliffs, is like a colossal wall created by nature… Despite being adjacent, it is utterly impassable on foot.
In an RPG analogy found in ‘Mamia,’ it’s like a terrain that cannot be crossed without a flying vehicle.

In the section corresponding to the Land of Death, upon closer inspection, green dots are discernible…
By operating the mouse to zoom in, those dots transform into our current location - the green enclave created by Keaton, alongside the ‘Mamiya’ hovering nearby.

“It’s a green zone I created to understand Keaton’s power…
Since it’s been made, we shouldn’t let it go to waste.
Let’s start by creating a hidden village here where the ten of us can live.”

“Finally, the first step towards establishing an independent faction begins, right?”

I nod in response to Uruka’s words.

“That’s right…
This can be considered as an experiment looking into the future.
Our future goal is the rise of an independent power and the founding of a nation.
For that, it is essential to gather people and create a place for them to live.
Therefore, firstly, we need to create a hidden village outside ‘Mamiya’ where the ten of us can live.”

Using the scribble function, I draw small house-like icons on the map.

“If this initiative is successful, we will gradually gather more people. Similarly, expand the green spaces from the hidden village to a settlement, from the settlement to a town, and from the town to a country…
It’s like steadily increasing influence, similar to an ambitious fish swimming upstream, right?”

“That’s right.”

In response to the severe remark from Banho this time, I showed my agreement.
On a side note, the issue with this plan is the aspect of ‘how to gather people.’
However, there are two possible solutions to this.

One is the plan I have envisioned over the past five years, and the other is the one Banho proposed.
Well, for now, the priority is to build a village foundation for the members present here. We can discuss gathering people later.

“Anyway, no matter how massive a castle we build, it all starts by stacking one stone…
I hope each of you will bravely face the challenges ahead.”

With that said, when I looked around, everyone responded with a resolute nod.
…It’s reassuring.

“Well then, let’s get started!
Regarding the division of our tasks, Eve has already prepared a plan.
Eve.”

“Yes.
First, about the installation of the solar power system…”

Prompted by me, Eve explains the plan in her usual emotionless voice.
However, her hair is changing colors more rapidly than usual…
Perhaps she was feeling joy as she could finally demonstrate her true capabilities.