Chapter 48: Telek Harbor's Transformation Project

Telek Harbor basked in peace.

“Hard to believe there’s absolutely nothing going on,” Eve muttered, staring at the strategic map.

Ringo, interpreting it as idle commentary, remained silent.

“Sis, will Olive’s turret come in handy?”

“Hmm… not anytime soon, I think.”

“Oh…”

Eve comforted her youngest sister, Olive, who looked visibly disappointed, while she considered their current situation. Telek Harbor and Iron Town were thriving. The influx of iron ore had revitalized The Tree Fortress, keeping the automated manufacturing units busy—even if their silent operations betrayed no such activity.

“Don’t worry, Olive. Thanks to your turrets, we were able to enhance the Alpha-Class ships. That’s already a huge accomplishment! Besides, defense systems are at their best when they don’t need to be used.”

“...Thanks, Sis.”

Patting Olive’s head, Eve returned her attention to the strategic map. No hostile forces were detected near Telek Harbor or Iron Town. The chaos from earlier conflicts had seemingly wiped out potential threats. While skirmishes persisted inland, no one appeared interested in the sea.

“Is this country going to be alright?”

“From our aerial observations, it’s a complete mess,” Ringo replied.

With an expanded fleet of Swift solar-powered reconnaissance drones deployed over the northern continent, details about the Afrasia United Kingdom’s internal situation had begun to emerge.

According to Kulavia Telek, the head of Telek Harbor’s merchant guild, the kingdom had formed from the merger of three nations. Its political system revolved around a triumvirate of rulers, each acting as a "king." For two decades, power struggles among the three leaders had escalated. The country fractured into factions, further splintered by declarations of independence. Amid endless wars, the population suffered: farmland was ravaged, water sources polluted, and diseases spread from unburied corpses.

“It’s a hellscape.”

“Yes, Ma’am Commander. Additionally, the kingdom’s geography doesn’t favor recovery.”

Ringo displayed a 3D topographic map.

“The land is mostly flat plains, with no major rivers running through it. Water sources consist of springs and wells, limiting arable land to narrow areas.”

Further north, a mountain range with perpetual snow likely supplied underground water reserves. While drilling technology could potentially provide access to this water, the kingdom lacked the requisite technical expertise.

“Our investigations have also found no surface-level mineral deposits. Consequently, their ironworking techniques appear underdeveloped. This land lacks many essential resources.”

Unsuited for farming, devoid of mineral wealth, and reliant on imported food, the kingdom struggled economically.

“Livestock farming may be their only viable industry. Horses, in particular, seemed to be their primary source of export income. Some regions also raised cattle or similar grazing animals.”

Telek explained that other nations typically converted open pastures into farmland, leaving horse-rearing to Afrasia. While this gave the kingdom a niche, its dependency on food imports left it vulnerable to exploitation.

“So there’s no room for growth…”

Even with a focus on raising horses, the proceeds went toward importing food, leaving little profit. The domestic population couldn’t grow due to inflated food prices, stunting industrial development.

“They’re stuck.”

“Yes, Ma’am Commander. The situation is dire.”

Telek Harbor, however, stood out as an exception. Founded to facilitate maritime trade, it had developed into a significant hub. The lack of southern settlements meant the port faced no competition.

“Telek Harbor was a rare success story in this country.”

The kingdom had invested heavily in Telek Harbor as a national project, constructing ships and establishing trade routes. They even attempted salt production but were ultimately undercut by cheaper foreign imports.

“Talk about being under someone’s thumb.”

“Most likely due to sabotage,” Ringo noted.

Despite initial success, civil war broke out, derailing Telek Harbor’s growth.

“And here we are.”

Both Iron Town and Telek Harbor had avoided the flames of war due to their isolation. Their locations were too remote and offered little strategic value, deterring potential attackers.

“The nearby feudal capital was reportedly burned to the ground.”

The local lord had been killed, and scouts from Telek Harbor confirmed widespread looting. Most strategic sites, including the lord’s manor and forts, had been destroyed, leaving no usable maps or records. Telek Harbor and Iron Town had essentially become forgotten outposts.

“Nearby, bandits had been a concern, but they’ve been eliminated.”

“Oh, right, that deployment.”

Eve recalled how refugees and bandits had been absorbed into Telek Harbor or wiped out, creating a secure perimeter around the town.

“So, it’s relatively safe even if we do nothing?”

“Yes, Ma’am Commander. There may be minor intrusions, but no significant threats are expected.”

The main exception was Iron Town. Its iron reserves made it a potential target, as iron was essential for war materials.

“Even so, their handling of iron seems so poor that bronze weapons dominate the battlefield…”

This kingdom’s underdeveloped industries were truly evident.

“...Alright, let’s build a production facility.”

With the surrounding regions largely neutralized, investing in Telek Harbor’s development seemed viable.

Manufacturing machinery could dramatically increase iron ore extraction rates. Although underwater mining platforms were being constructed, iron shortages persisted. Boosting production in Iron Town might resolve this issue. While concerns about provoking regional powers had previously restrained expansion, the current situation appeared manageable.

“Ringo, let’s build a facility outside Telek Harbor. Draft the plans.”

“Yes, Ma’am Commander.”

If the investment promised returns, allocating some of The Tree’s resources was justified.

“There was a workship, wasn’t there? Let’s use it to carve out the harbor and build everything quickly. If there’s no risk of leaks, we can even lay down a railway.”

“Yes, Ma’am Commander. I’ll also enhance counterintelligence efforts.”

“Alright, so… we’ll build a plant, lay tracks, and excavate the mines. Can the drones detect ore veins?”

“Yes, Ma’am Commander. The Swifts are equipped with sensors and are currently surveying. Since Iron Town’s mines were discovered through exposed veins, we’re checking for similar formations nearby and conducting magnetic surveys for hidden deposits.”

While larger-scale exploration would be ideal, the Swifts were limited by their equipment. However, with a new class of aircraft nearing deployment, broader reconnaissance might soon be possible.