Chapter 49: Reconnaissance

“To think there exists a magic tool capable of capturing images while flying through the sky…”

“In our world, it’s called a machine powered by electricity. Even so, I had no idea devices this useful had become readily available to the general public…”

Gustav, a native of this world, and Rain, who had been reincarnated here sixteen years earlier, stared at the drone in amazement.

Back in Rain’s previous life, he probably could never have imagined that high-performance drones would one day be sold at ordinary electronics stores.

“There are quite a few restrictions on flying them in that world, though. And one of this size only has about thirty minutes of battery life.”

Japanese aviation laws restricted where drones could be flown, but none of those rules applied in this world. Naturally, Wi-Fi and GPS did not function here, so features such as automatic return and flight-data recording were unavailable. However, because the controller communicated with the drone by radio, I could still operate it without difficulty.

More expensive commercial drones could apparently fly dozens of kilometers, carry large-capacity batteries, and avoid obstacles automatically. However, models like that cost around 200,000 to 300,000 yen, which would have completely destroyed our budget.

Even this fairly capable model had cost about 50,000 yen. I had also purchased several other items that might prove useful in the coming battle, pushing us completely over budget. In the end, I had swallowed my pride and borrowed money from Yuuka’s parents…

I was practically a kept man already; adding debt on top of that felt truly pathetic. I would have to work hard to repay them once the crisis was resolved. Yuuka had explained the situation to her family over video and assured them that we would not act recklessly. Her family respected her wishes, but I still had no intention of allowing either Yuuka or Aoi to take unnecessary risks.

“A device that can survey distant terrain without risking personnel or expending magical power… If such technology became available, it would transform warfare completely. I see. Now I understand why Lord Rain concealed and protected you, Lord Kakeru.”

“Right?”

“…”

Though the actual reason was probably to secure manga and anime and such…

Gustav was right: devices like drones could completely change the way battles were fought. I had no intention of assisting with that, but few tools could be more useful in combat between humans.

“…So that’s the Abystortas. Compared to the surrounding trees, it really is absurdly huge.”

I guided the drone across the grassland until something enormous and pitch-black appeared on the screen. At first, I mistook it for a black mountain, but as the drone drew nearer, it became unmistakably clear that it was alive.

Its light-absorbing, jet-black shell was covered in countless protrusions as sharp as a bed of swords. The creature was dozens of meters long, so enormous that it was difficult to believe it was alive. It crept forward on massive forelegs. Its head and limbs were as black as its shell, while its huge eyes glowed an eerie crimson.

Then it opened its gigantic maw and swallowed an enormous tree, roots and all, in a single bite. It truly deserved the name “Earth Eater.”

“As expected of an S-rank equivalent monster. In terms of sheer size alone, it’s the largest I’ve ever seen.”

“It really is enormous. I’ve never seen a monster this big either.”

Both Aoi and Yuuka were stunned by the Abystortas’s size. Yuuka was an S-rank adventurer who had slain all manner of monsters, while Aoi had hunted many creatures in her search for magical research materials.

…Though at the time, she was driven solely by the desire to return to Japan—she really was reckless, going at it all alone.

“Huh, aren’t there monsters around it too?”

“The Abystortas has a trait that attracts nearby monsters. Their numbers were reduced by Soraval’s all-out assault the other day, but they have already gathered again.”

“I see…”

Nearly twenty monsters clustered around the massive Abystortas like attendants. It fed on trees and other vegetation and paid no attention to them because it did not eat monsters or humans.

Perhaps monsters were simply drawn to overwhelmingly powerful creatures.

“It’s huge, but its movements are quite slow—just as we were informed beforehand.”

“Yes. With this, there won’t be any problems at all. The monsters surrounding it are faster than it is.”

“I have no issues either. I won’t be getting close to the surrounding monsters in the first place.”

Yuuka and Aoi answered after observing the Abystortas’s movements.

Given how slowly it moved, retreating should indeed have been easy.

“All right. Then we’ll proceed according to plan. But neither of you should push yourselves. If you can divert its course, the operation will be a success.”

“Yes, leave it to us!”

“We’re off, Kakeru-sama!”

The two nodded firmly.

Now, everything depended on them.