A Peaceful Land of the Orcs (5.8)
The first line intersected with the others and converged at a single point.
"This should be a fairly accurate estimate of the target's current location."
The crowd murmured.
Of course, there was a huge difference between saying, "There's something in that direction," and "There's something right here."
Why had no one noticed something so simple before?
"… Triangulation! Magic triangulation. I'm not sure if that's the right term, but…"
Major General Rothenberger, Director of the Military Topography Bureau, shouted.
As the head of a department responsible for surveying and mapping terrains, he quickly grasped the concept. Triangulation, using the sides of a triangle, was a known surveying method.
"Exactly."
Dineluth smiled gently and added with a hopeful tone.
"There’s no need to limit it to three locations; a minimum of two will suffice. However, the more detection reports there are, the more accurate this method becomes. The same applies to reverse detection of magic communications. If a hypothetical enemy uses magic communication and our army intercepts it, we can roughly pinpoint their location using this method. Since magic communication interception can be done from quite a distance, this could be of great utility."
Reverse detection of magic communication was a slightly complex matter, but its detection range exceeded the communication range.
Imagine magic communication as two people shouting back and forth to converse over a short distance.
The range where their voices can be clearly heard is the "communication range."
Currently, this distance is a maximum of about two and a half kilometers.
On the other hand, while their words may not be entirely clear, you can hear that someone is shouting loudly from even further away.
This is the "maximum detection range" for reverse detection of magic communication.
This range, roughly five kilometers, is the same as for magical location detection.
Amid the voices of understanding and agreement filling the tent—
"Pfft. Ahhahaha, gahahahaha!"
Gustav burst out laughing.
He seemed genuinely amused.
His laughter was so loud that everyone turned to look at him.
After laughing so hard he nearly doubled over and cried, he finally spoke.
"M-Major General. Major General, Major General! You’ve been considerate, haven’t you? What you really mean to say is that, with this method, our current use of magic communication and detection in the army must be entirely exposed to Elfynd, isn’t it? Isn’t that right? After all, the Elves can all do this, whether they’re in the military or not!"
The atmosphere in the tent thickened instantly.
Everyone understood the implications and was left stunned, horrified, and speechless.
—The Elven race, every one of them, possesses powerful magical abilities.
It was true. If that were the case… But, no, surely not.
"Th-That’s absurd…"
Major General Staupitz appeared the most shocked.
"No, no, Staupitz. Neither you nor your race have neglected your efforts. Even I didn’t imagine Elfynd could employ such a method. I have mana myself, but all I can do is control the weather and perform minor healing magic. Communication and detection are entirely beyond me…"
Only being able to control the weather was quite something in itself. That, in itself, was far more impressive. While Dineluth was astounded, she was also grateful that he had fully understood and even that she has taken care to be considerate of Major General Staupitz.
"Yes, My King. Please take a look at this. I believe it is more or less accurate."
She retrieved her notebook, which she used for writing.
It was a military-issue, waterproof notebook with waxed pages.
Using a pencil, she had recorded the predicted locations of the forces involved in the exercise, based on her own detection and the information detected by her subordinates.
Gustav took it, glanced at it, and after laughing again, handed it to Zebek.
Zebeck took one look at it, then slumped heavily into a chair.
He buried his head in his hands.
It was as Dineluth had said—nearly perfectly accurate.
"Old man, you don’t need to be so disheartened. The countermeasures shouldn’t be too difficult, right?"
"… Indeed. Before launching operations, we must strictly enforce a ban on magic communication. Communications should be limited to telegraphy. Additionally, regulations for suppressing magic communication should be established, prioritizing mana detection and reverse detection of magic communication until engagement in the field. The results can then be conveyed via telegraph or messenger, and only after lifting the ban should our magic communication be utilized. Something like that."
"Yes, exactly. Of course, as Major General Andariel said, if we adopt this as our own, it could become a great asset to the military. Think about how to utilize it effectively. Especially you, Major General Rainders—"
"Yes."
"Among our forces, your unit is likely the best suited to this detection method. Kobolds are remarkable in terms of mana, but your unit can carry this out from high altitudes. By sending up two or three, you could perform triangulation. You’d probably need to take accurate maps and compasses with you. Please, study this thoroughly."
"Understood, My Kng."
"Goodness, it seems we have yet another burden to carry into the sky, doesn’t it?"
"Hahaha, something like that, yes."
Laughing softly, Gustav nodded.
"Schwerin. You’re fortunate, too. You’ve finally heard an old story. The Major General kept her promise."
"… Huh?"
"Don’t you get it? This is probably the reason we lost at Rosalind Valley 120 years ago. Back then, we were ambushed multiple times, with unnervingly accurate strikes to our flanks and rear—even during our retreat. We didn’t have magic communication at the time, but if they used triangulation for detection, it all makes sense. Isn’t that right, Major General?"
"Yes, My King. Your insight is correct."
"Hahaha, your insight, isn’t it?"
"—Ah."
The High General stood abruptly, his chair screeching, before sitting back down again.
Schwerin, true to form, burst into laughter, louder and longer than Gustav’s.
"I see! I see! Tonight, I’ll sleep soundly for the first time in 120 years!"
"Gahaha, so you’re going to sleep after all!"
"Of course, I will!"
He was that kind of man.
A fine man, indeed.
"Major General. If you have any other old stories, let Schwerin and the others hear them. This is a rare opportunity, after all."
"Yes, My King—"
This king truly was remarkable.
Grateful that the atmosphere hadn’t turned hostile, Dineluth continued.
"What I’m about to tell you is one of the tactics we employed 120 years ago—"
"Go on."
"The Elfynd military targeted enemy commanders and officers."
As expected, the atmosphere in the tent grew restless.
By their values, such actions were considered extremely dishonorable.
Until about a hundred years ago, before the National Army arose during the Dutone War, the wars on the Star-Euro Continent had various restrictions imposed. They were almost an art form.
Kings and lords would lead armies of professional soldiers or mercenaries, avoiding direct confrontations and employing maneuver warfare to neutralize their enemies with ingenuity.
In that context, intentionally targeting commanders was nearly taboo.
Even in daily life, duels and single combat were valued as means to fight within clear rules and fair circumstances. Ambushes and other such acts that broke those rules were seen as violations of chivalry—thus, the spirit of those ideals still lingered.
Gustav raised his hand to silence the murmuring.
"I see. That makes sense. It’s remarkably effective. Schwerin, Zebek, and only a few of the generals and leaders of that time survived. Hardly any of them."
"… It’s an honor."
"But how did they identify them?"
"One way was by their banners. They were quite extravagant back then."
"Yes."
"And by the shape of their helmets."
"… I see."
At that time, the Orcsen forces’ generals wore uniquely shaped helmets with spikes.
And those designs…
… became the basis for the current military helmets.
What do you think about this chapter?
