Chapter 133 – Rabbit Hunt

Chapter 133 – Rabbit Hunt

It didn’t take long to clear out the Monsters near Nashville. Including, of course, the Dragon Worms.

The crew of the USS Constitution seemed quite surprised by my Fleet’s firepower, especially the firepower shown in the process of eliminating the Dragon Worms, but…

‘Well, it’s not the first time.’

I decided not to pay much attention to it.

Afterward, the USS Constitution contacted us, saying they would land in the reservoir of the dam located in Eastern Nashville. I also decided to land my Fleet with them in the reservoir.

“What, this could land on water too?”

“What can’t it do…?”

Even my Bridge seemed a little surprised this time, but… again, I decided not to pay much attention to it.

***

It had been a long time since I had seen William.

We decided to meet at a small amusement park located north of the reservoir. This place, equipped with various water slides and swimming pools, was the only facility still intact.

In particular, the large parking lot could provide enough space to build temporary shelters. I smiled with satisfaction, watching the sailors diligently set up 24-person tents and the like.

‘Temporary shelters… it’s been a long time.’

In the previous cycle, when I was active with William, I also needed such temporary shelters. The reason was simple.

The USS Constitution, no matter how many modifiers like ‘historic’ or ‘epoch-making’ you attach to it… in reality, it was a decrepit sailing ship built all the way back in 1797.

No matter how much it was renovated, it was still inherently a wooden sailing ship. Furthermore, 1797 was not a very kind era for sailors.

Slavery in the United States wasn’t abolished until 1865, so it was a relief if you weren’t whipped, let alone having any concept of human rights.

Consequently, the cabins were cramped, and we had to suffer from various problems, such as the smell of mold that had accumulated for over 200 years.

Therefore, we tried our best to escape the ship by building temporary shelters whenever we had the chance.

Tents were just as uncomfortable, but no matter how you looked at it, they weren’t as uncomfortable as the USS Constitution.

Compared to that, the Assault Landing Ship was nothing short of paradise.

Of course, there were soft beds, a wardrobe so large that there was still space left after organizing all kinds of seasonal clothes, and storage space comparable to that of a house. The utilization of space itself was fundamentally different.

Furthermore, there were electrical outlets prepared everywhere, and even small private bathrooms and shower facilities…

The private space itself, excluding the shared kitchen, sauna, and lounge filled with soft sofas, was incomparable.

On top of that, Worker Bugs were busily moving around day and night, doing all the chores like cleaning and organizing…

It was better than most hotels.

Meanwhile, I wasn’t the only one who noticed that they had started building temporary shelters.

“Oh? What are they doing?”

“I don’t know, they were setting up some strange tents…”

While Seoyeon and Su-a tilted their heads in confusion.

“That’s called a 24-person tent.”

Seongjae, who had completed his military service, answered. They then began to have various discussions about why it would be necessary to set up tents…

The content of the man was quite a sight to behold.

“Isn’t it because he’s a soldier?”

“Right, there’s military discipline, rules, and all that.”

“Oh… that makes sense, doesn’t it?”

They couldn’t possibly imagine that the inside of the USS Constitution would be terrible.

‘Ugh… you really have no idea how hard you worked to set up those tents last time.’

I shook my head repeatedly.

Last time, building a temporary barracks was like an engineering operation. Every single step was memorable.

Leaving out Sua, who wasn’t a former colleague, compacting the ground with mana was a given, and…

Rai would remove fallen trees and other debris, or Seongjae would scorch the ground to remove moisture; they did all sorts of things just to get a comfortable night’s sleep.

But on the other hand…

‘Still, this is good.’

My mind was at ease.

The reason I gathered them all from the start was, of course, their abilities. But I also really wanted to spare them the hardships we went through last time.

Of course, I haven’t gathered all my companions yet.

William, one of the people in question, helped set up the 24-person tent himself, then saw me and greeted me brightly.

“Ah, Lord! You’re here!”

It was so typical of him to do it himself, even though he could have ordered his subordinates to do it, but…

“Please bear with me for a moment. My hands are a bit dirty…”

He smiled awkwardly, and for some reason, he seemed rather pathetic.

I shook my head at him.

“No, you don’t need to.”

“Huh?”

“Take down the tents. Everyone will be able to sleep somewhere warm tonight.”

…And so I decided to bring them into the Assault Landing Ship.

* * *

“Oh… my goodness.”

The sailors’ reactions were a sight to behold.

“Wow, there’s an electrical outlet here!”

“There’s one here too?”

They were so impressed by each electrical outlet they passed.

“Does that faucet work?”

“So… you’re saying there’s a washing machine installed?”

“A shower! A shower! A shower with clean water… No, you mean a bath is possible?!”

“Yahooooo!”

At the news that there was water on board, everyone made a fuss.

Meanwhile, people on my Battleship, like Seongjae, looked bewildered by their incredibly low standards…

“Why are they acting like that?”

“Don’t they have a Water Ability User on their ship?”

…But I, at least, understood their feelings.

Since they were originally part of the US Military, of course, the USS Constitution did have a Water Ability User, but the ship’s facilities themselves weren’t good, so there were clear limitations on how it could be utilized.

William teared up as he watched the sailors.

“Thank you, Lord. Thank you so much!”

I decided to make him a new offer.

That’s why, Captain William…

Yes, please speak. Anything I can do-

Join my command. I’ll give you an Assault Landing Ship.

An offer he absolutely could not refuse.

* * *

William’s eyes widened.

I truly appreciate the thought, but I am part of the US Military-

Didn’t I tell you the Pentagon is already destroyed?

Even so, there are still resistance forces-

The Western Alliance is also a form of resistance. I’ll give you the position of Fleet Commander of the Western Alliance, not just Captain.

Ha, Fleet Commander…

He seemed speechless.

I appealed to him, saying that this was not only for his immediate benefit but also for the sailors who had fought alongside him.

Have you seen the cabins? Everyone here has private quarters.

P-private quarters?!

…He was eventually persuaded. However, there was one more task he needed to resolve.

Lord… I truly appreciate the offer. I sincerely want to accept it right away. But…

But?

As you know, the USS Constitution is a very important battleship in United States history. And although the US Military is disintegrating, I am the one appointed as the Captain of such a ship.

That’s right.

So, I can’t just abandon the ship…

Such a responsible statement of conviction. It was truly characteristic of him.

I nodded gravely at his words.

Of course, I understand. You can’t do that.

For example, let’s say there was one Turtle Ship left in the Republic of Korea Navy. And a ship over 200 years old, still in active service.

But that’s exactly what happened with the USS Constitution.

Having been entrusted with the captaincy of such a ship, William naturally felt an immense sense of responsibility.

Then, a moment of silence.

We both spoke almost simultaneously.

“Therefore, it would be difficult to join your command, but we can continue the close cooperative relationship we’ve had until now…”

“Then if you go to California by armored transport early tomorrow morning, a fleet will be waiting for you to command when you arrive…”

“?”

“?”

Question marks floated above our heads.

William, flustered, asked me back.

“No, wasn’t it that you understood I couldn’t abandon the USS Constitution?”

“Of course I understand that.”

“So it’s difficult to join your command…”

“Why does it have to be that way?”

“Huh?”

I instructed the machines to begin deploying a significant number of troops from the Assault Landing Ship.

Thump- Thump- Thump!

Not only Colossi shaking the ground, but also Magitech Artillery Units with powerful firepower, and Magitech Armor and Assault Cannons for mopping up stragglers were a bonus. Furthermore, a considerable number of Worker Bugs were also sent out to support them.

William was astonished by the scale of the forces, yet he tilted his head, looking confused, and asked me.

“I, I don’t quite understand what this means…”

“These are the forces to escort the USS Constitution.”

“Are, are all of them for that?”

Instead of answering him, I just grinned.

“So, tomorrow, you’re going to California on an armored transport plane.”

“Yes, yes! I’ll do that!”

It was only then that he could kill two birds with one stone.

***

The next morning.

William and the sailors, who had a cozy night’s sleep, mostly boarded the armored transport plane and began flying towards California with their escort.

However, there were also the Magitech Legion stationed on the ground and some remaining troops, who wished to preserve the USS Constitution. For them, I built mana facilities and various defensive facilities with the Factory Ship.

The USS Constitution was temporarily moved by William’s ability to a giant wave pool within an amusement park. This was based on the judgment that it would be easier to defend than a reservoir.

“It does feel a bit like a tourist attraction.”

I grinned as I looked at it.

Meanwhile, it was a given that I had contacted California in advance and begun preparing the American Fleet that William would command.

Though not yet complete, this fleet, which would ultimately consist of one Assault Landing Ship, two Photon Destroyers, and numerous Aerial Motherships, similar to my own fleet, would operate across America independently, eliminating monsters and protecting cities.

In addition, escorting trade with Korea was also under his jurisdiction. Since there was also a fleet composed of the Former Etherium Expeditionary Fleet operating in East Asia, it wouldn’t be a difficult task.

Finally, I also received a significant amount of valuable information from William. This information concerned my targets, the Giant Nest and the Archmage Villain.

The unfortunate news that the White House and the Pentagon had fallen was also something he practically shouted as soon as we met.

Thanks to that, I had to change my route.

‘Now I won’t have to meet the President…’

My original goal was to head to Washington D.C. to confirm the US President’s whereabouts, but now that it has been confirmed, my judgment was that the Giant Nest was the most urgent matter.

[Rate of Fire Amplification Research in progress… 23%]

“Well, I won’t be lacking firepower this time.”

I grinned as I watched the research progress.