Chapter 61 – Carrier Has Arrived

I put a great deal of effort into the material composition of the Aerial Mothership.

First, I wrapped the exterior in Adamantite plywood. Some might ask why I would use heavy armor for something meant to be in the air, but for something of the Aerial Mothership’s scale, there was enough leeway to provide a certain level of plating.

This was possible because most of the internal structures were made of lightweight yet sturdy Mithril. This was the reason I could achieve mana efficiency while keeping such a massive object airborne.

“Man… I’m really glad I gathered the materials in advance.”

However, since the Interceptors were generally crafted from Mithril, I was slightly short on the supply.

I decided to temporarily substitute it with titanium alloy obtained by stripping down a Boeing 747.

While it wasn’t as useful a material as Mithril, it was certain to serve its purpose until I could replace it with Mithril later.

Meanwhile, this was also possible because I had now brought Incheon International Airport under my control.

The Air Force elements operating at Incheon International Airport had been isolated due to the overwhelming number of Harpies and Underwater Monsters.

As I secured Incheon and provided supplies, they were naturally absorbed into Choi Yongjin’s Volunteer Knights through continued interaction.

The most notable point was that the Air Force equipment was still intact. There were numerous active fighter jets and bombers, such as the KF-16 and F-15K, as well as transport helicopters and unmanned reconnaissance aircraft.

Apparently, they hadn’t been able to take off because they lacked air superiority and were nearly out of fuel.

Fuel was a simple matter of providing it, and since my Interceptors had begun operating, I could secure that air superiority for them.

It was no longer difficult to see fighter jets flying over the skies of Incheon once again.

However, in terms of potential, they didn’t hold much significance. Modern fighter jets were inferior to the Interceptors in every aspect.

It wasn’t as if I could just pour those expensive missiles into the Monsters. Even if they used their machine guns, they couldn’t compete with the Interceptor’s Photon Autocannon.

To begin with, there were issues with ammunition and missile replenishment, making them little more than white elephants now. As for using their reconnaissance assets, I already had Observation Probes.

Still, the transport helicopters were somewhat useful, as they could quickly transport urgent supplies between cities and move troops if necessary.

‘Well, they’ll be useful until I summon those guys.’

Even so, my judgment was that they would soon become obsolete.

Still, the most important thing was that I had secured the personnel to operate air power. As a side note, Seongjae was delighted that he, along with the Seoul National University personnel, could now take apart fighter jets. He mentioned that they would have been treated as top secret in the United States.

While waiting for the Aerial Mothership to be completed, I focused as much as possible on internal affairs.

Before spring arrived, I began reorganizing the farmlands located between the cities.

Although the weather remained mild 365 days a year, I wanted to cultivate farmland on Earth as well—aside from the first Dungeon, which had difficulties with defense and the disadvantage of consuming mana every time one moved.

Centering around Deokchan, who acted as the work foreman, I began operating heavy equipment such as excavators and bulldozers, thanks to the growing workforce in addition to the Rough Terrain Pioneers.

The construction speed was so fast that the oil production speed of Seongjae’s makeshift refinery couldn’t keep up.

“Well… the oil problem will be solved soon.”

I smiled.

One of the reasons I wanted to fully acquire Incheon was… because it housed the only refinery within the downtown area of the Seoul Metropolitan Area.

* * *

Around the same time, the Assemblymen inside the Yeouido underground bunker were holding a meeting with grave expressions.

“Sigh… the situation is turning worse and worse.”

They were examining satellite maps shared by the US Military.

In this day and age, where reconnaissance assets like spy planes cannot properly take off, satellites served as the sole source of information.

Once a day, they received low-resolution photos of the Korean Peninsula taken by a satellite passing over for barely 30 minutes.

More specifically, they were looking at the satellite map of North Korea, which had been occupied as the Siberian Front pushed southward. Even Pyongyang, the final stronghold of North Korea, had fallen.

“What… what happened to that Special Entity?”

“It has not yet been eliminated.”

All the Assemblymen looked devastated.

The entity that had defeated Russia’s Far Eastern Army.

That had partially destroyed China’s Northern Theater Command.

And on top of that, had completely repelled North Korea.

The infamous Special Entity was continuing its southward march and was expected to reach the ceasefire line of the Republic of Korea soon.

“Is there still no answer from the Pentagon?”

“The United States is also pouring all its strength into maintaining its own internal situation. They likely feel the need to put out the fire at their own feet first.”

It was an unavoidable reality.

In a situation where all of humanity was under attack, no matter the alliance, no country would ignore its own citizens to help another nation.

Meanwhile, amidst the darkening atmosphere, Assemblyman Park shouted in a hopeful voice as if he had remembered something.

“What about… what do those guys say?”

“Who do you mean by ‘those guys’?”

“You know, the Volunteer Knights!”

“Ah… you mean Choi Yongjin.”

However, the expressions of the others remained dark. Even so, Assemblyman Park desperately tried to cling to hope.

“I heard they’ve started moving along the 38th parallel recently? I heard their influence is growing by the day as they gather the remnants of the National Army that were defeated at the front!”

“That may be true, but—”

“If we persuade them well, they might protect us!”

The opposition party Assemblymen shook their heads at Assemblyman Park’s words.

“That little Captain brat has been under the Lord for months now; what on earth are you talking about?”

“Even if that weren’t the case, he’s someone who doesn’t know how to respect his superiors in the first place. There’s no way he’d help us.”

They began to whisper among themselves.

“I tried calling him directly through Apoin last time, and guess what? He said he wouldn’t cater to old fossils anymore. And he said it while speaking informally to me.”

“That barbarian has no filter. Just a Captain, and yet he doesn’t know to fear an Assemblyman.”

Just as everyone was cursing Choi Yongjin, Assemblyman Kim quieted the crowd and drew their attention to himself.

“However… there is some good news.”

“…….”

As everyone listened in silence, he spoke.

“The report from the Pentagon says that the Special Entity will move south toward the west. It’s likely that it will fight a bloody battle with the Lord of Geumhwa.”

“Oh!”

“That’s great.”

“The Lord’s power will be diminished!”

The meeting room, which had been gloomy, buzzed with excitement for the first time in a long while.

* * *

Meanwhile…….

“Oho.”

I assessed the Siberian Front using the Observation Probe.

I saw not only the fall of Pyongyang but also the full extent of the Special Entity’s abilities, which had played a key role in that battle.

Furthermore, I realized that the creature was being drawn by the power of my Mana Facilities and was gradually moving south toward me.

“I’m quite interested in its Essence, so this works out well.”

I grinned.

Coincidentally, the Aerial Mothership was nearing completion.

* * *

Through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows of the Shopping Mall 6th Floor, the interior of the fortress could be seen at a glance. Since the view of the surroundings was also excellent, it was the place Minju visited most often.

She would come here in the morning with a cup of espresso.

Minju loved the peaceful and quiet atmosphere as people slowly woke up and began their activities. However, for some time now, there was one thing that monopolized her gaze.

Chiii— chiii— zap— screee—

Giant machines moving without rest.

Minju stared blankly at the machinery.

‘Wow, it got even bigger today?’

Usually, she just accepted it, but seeing the machine grow larger and larger sparked a sudden curiosity.

Looking beside her, she saw Seongjae eating cereal with half-closed eyes. Minju decided to ask him.

“Seongjae… what on earth is that?”

“Ah, that.”

Seongjae still looked unimpressed.

“It looks similar to the production facilities. Maybe it’s a production facility?”

“That’s a production facility? Something that big?”

“It looks about four times the size. It’s probably several of them linked together to produce things simultaneously.”

While Seongjae stared blankly into space, Minju continued to ask questions.

“Do you think so? I can’t see it well from the ground because of the screens… but since the ceiling is open, I can see it clearly from here.”

“Uh… yes, that’s right.”

“Why is the ceiling open? Is it okay if it rains?”

“There has to be a hole for the finished product to come out.”

“A finished product… then what on earth are they making?”

Clink, clink—

Seongjae stirred his cereal with a spoon once before answering.

“It’s wrapped in Adamantite Armor… but the interior is mostly Mithril. It’s probably something that flies in the air.”

“That… that huge thing flies in the sky?”

Minju asked back with a look of disbelief.

“I think it sounds nonsensical too. It doesn’t even have wings. But… Siwoo’s abilities always exceed imagination.”

Seongjae continued to put cereal into his mouth with half-open eyes.

Minju watched him quietly, and then…….

“Huh, huh?! Seongjae!”

She was horrified.

“Yes?”

“Are you eating your cereal with water right now?!”

Minju looked as if she had seen something truly disgusting.

“No… well. There’s no milk. And I’m too lazy to cook rice.”

Just as Minju shook her head at Seongjae’s answer.

Clang— screeeee—

Suddenly… a loud noise began to emanate from the production facility.

K-BOOOOM—!

And a massive cloud of dust erupted.

“Se-Seongjae?!”

“Oh, could this be it!”

Only then did Seongjae’s eyes light up with vitality. The dust grew so intense that it was now blowing away the construction screens.

Clang! Bang bang bang!

The force was so strong that steel plates were being flung far away like autumn leaves. Since the area had already been restricted, it was a huge relief that there were no people around.

And from within that cloud of dust.

Like a whale breaching the surface of the water.

Something elongated began to reveal its form.

“That… that is… what on earth…….”

Minju was speechless as she watched it.

“Wow. Wow. Wow!”

Seongjae seemed as if he didn’t even want to use words. And just as the oval hull completely emerged above the dust.

T-KWA-AAAA! KWA-AAAAANG!

Once again, engine sounds began to roar from various directions. But this time, the sound wasn’t coming from the giant hull.

“What is this now?!”

“That sound is definitely… the Interceptors?”

Seongjae was correct.

From the temporary hangars installed on the roof, Interceptors began to take off in an instant.

KWA-AAAAANG!

With so many Interceptors taking off simultaneously, it looked almost like a fireworks display.

“M-Mom?!”

“What is that!”

“Is… is it a battle?!”

The sight was visible throughout the fortified city, and now everyone, not just Seongjae and Minju, looked on in astonishment.

The Interceptors scattered in all directions before gradually slowing down and gathering in one direction.

Right… toward the [Aerial Mothership].

As the Interceptors approached.

Click— pshhhhhhh—

With a mechanical sound, the left and right centers of the Aerial Mothership’s hull opened.

Long, small openings appeared. And like a swarm of bees returning to a hive, the Interceptors began to find their respective places and enter the Aerial Mothership one by one.

KWA-AAANG! KUANG! KUANG!

The maneuverability required to find those small holes in mid-air and enter them was something that would be impossible for anything other than the Interceptors.

It was truly… an overwhelming sight.

* * *

Meanwhile, by the time all the Interceptors had found their places…….

I headed toward the floor-to-ceiling glass windows of the 6th floor.

The Aerial Mothership happened to be floating at exactly the same height as the 6th-floor glass, and I saw Seongjae and Minju staring at the hull, completely entranced.

I naturally stood beside the two of them.

And I, too, gazed at the Aerial Mothership.

“It’s finally finished.”

A smile naturally escaped my lips.