Published: July 8, 2025
Thanks to the information provided by the Etosha Government and the intelligence gathered by those sent earlier by Cardinal Adolfito, the situation of all forty mining sites has come to light.
Based on this information, the Fundebie Kingdom Army is constructing a plan of action.
This has also been communicated to the allied kingdom forces that will serve as rear support.
"Forty sites, all to be suppressed simultaneously? That's impressive."
"Generally, there seems to be one vampire and about ten Strigoi at each location."
"Strigoi are those that turn into creatures after being bitten by a vampire, right?"
"Yes. They're not as strong as vampires and their intelligence is considerably lower, but they're faster and stronger than humans. It might be understandable that the Etosha military couldn't retake them alone."
Abel points out.
"It seems that not only the inquisitors but also golems are going to be deployed."
"The Holy Knights, right? I see, they should be able to overwhelm the vampires."
Suzu nods at Abel's addition.
In Suzu's mind, golems are referred to as "they."
It seems there's a standard unique to Suzu, who can generate ice golems.
"That aside, it looks like the Empire's explosive flames mage is also being deployed. And from what I see, it seems to be the area with the most enemies."
"Of course, they're a powerful force. It's only natural to want to deploy them in the most troublesome areas. Moreover, it seems there was a request from the Empire to cooperate on the front lines, for the reason that they will assist in rescuing Baron Hagen Benda."
"Ugh... to win Graham's favor like that is rather foolish! As expected of the explosive flames."
The last part seems to be meant as sarcasm.
Abel simply shakes his head in silence.
"The areas where the explosive flames will be deployed and where the main forces of the French Army will be stationed... both are iron ore mining sites, but those are the ones with a high number of vampires."
"That's right. It says that both of those places have more than five vampires each, and the number of Strigoi is unknown. They are incomparable to the others."
"If the explosive flames fail, we might be called for an emergency deployment. We need to be prepared!"
"…It seems that the explosive flames mage and Duke Rubine's subordinates are members of the imperial mage brigade that the two trained in the past. Is it possible that they would fail to suppress only a few vampires?"
"…It seems unlikely."
Abel shrugs as he says this, and Suzu reluctantly agrees.
While Suzu dislikes the explosive flames mage, Oscar, he does not underestimate his abilities at all.
In fact, he even thinks that Fiona, his wife, might actually be quite a remarkable person.
After all, she is married to that explosive flames!
"The mental strength honed in the Imperial Castle since childhood is truly terrifying."
Suzu murmurs.
Hearing that, Abel lets out a small sigh and reviews the documents in detail once more.
And then he notices.
"There are no mining sites for mitriro ore."
"Mitriro ore is produced in the Southern part of the continent, right? But this is the Southern part, isn't it?"
"The primary production area is said to be the eastern side, near the town of Newton."
"Oh, Newton."
Suzu nods.
It's not his usual casual acknowledgment.
Because it shares the name with a famous physicist, he remembered it when Kinme mentioned it in the café.
They reportedly fought a large swarm of kraken near that port.
"But it's not like it's completely unproduced outside of the Newton area, right?"
"I believe so. At least, it doesn't appear on the list of areas to be retaken this time."
"There must be secret mining sites that can't be disclosed."
"What do you mean by secret mining sites that can't be disclosed?"
Abel looks at Suzu with suspicious eyes.
Of course, he understands that it's just Suzu's usual capricious imagination.
Yet he doesn’t dismiss him.
Abel is a good guy.
"They're mining sites for ores used for smuggling."
"Smuggling?"
"Suspicious trade with foreign countries that nobody knows about."