“An ambulance… that’s the white vehicle with a red lamp on top that you sometimes see driving around outside, right?”
“I don’t understand what you’re talking about with that ‘kyu-kyu-sha.’ I can generally imagine what a medical facility is, though.”
The document described an idea to create a mobile hospital using a battleship.
It was obvious that a ship of that scale could be equipped with medical facilities while maintaining its performance.
Furthermore, being a battleship, it would have some level of defense, making it safe even on the battlefield.
The reason I focused on that particular point was also explained in the document.
“As I was sifting through the documents, I noticed that the Demon Lord’s Army, as a whole, is short-handed, but the attrition of soldiers is particularly high. This is understandable since they are at war, but if we could reduce this soldier attrition, wouldn’t it significantly reduce costs for the army? It’s difficult to supply soldiers in any world.”
Instead of being useful as fighters, they would take on the role of healers.
In all the military structures I had seen, there were no generals who specialized in that role.
“Yes, training and gaining experience aren’t easy, and it costs money.”
“It’s difficult to maintain even during peacetime; every region struggles to secure soldiers’ salaries.”
“Wouldn’t you agree that it would be good if the attrition rate of soldiers, maintained with such effort, decreased?”
“I think that would be a good thing. However, every army has its own doctors and soldiers who can use Healing Magic. Considering that, I don’t see the benefit of requesting healing from an external source. Is there really a need to go to such lengths?”
As the saying goes, the history of warfare has driven medical advancements. In this otherworld, Healing Magic has developed more than Attack Magic in many aspects.
While users of magic that can fix missing limbs are rare, wounds that would be fatal in Japan can be healed in an instant in this world.
Even bone fractures can be healed in mere seconds.
This can be seen as a result of constantly fighting and walking alongside history in wars fought to preserve life.
Therefore, although the methods of advancement vary by region and species, significant progress has been made in healing. This development is driven by the necessity of magic and pharmacology.
It is precisely because of this background that Keiri-san views my idea of a mobile hospital using a battleship with skepticism.
Her opinion is valid. Healing roles already exist within the existing military forces, and healing items like Potions are readily available.
It’s understandable to think that the facility I want to create would overlap with these.
“You’re right, it’s difficult to see the value, and it might not be easily evaluated. However, I believe this is the most important part.”
Despite the difficulty in evaluation, I am convinced that this system holds significant value.
“There are two reasons why I want to do this: first, to contribute to the Demon Lord’s Army. For that reason, it’s important to have personnel who can provide complete treatment from the rear and fly in to assist.”
“Fly in? You mean appear on the battlefield?”
“Yes, that’s what the battleship is for. If healers can fly onto the battlefield, they should be very useful in terms of treatment.”
Even in our world, field hospitals exist, so it’s common for doctors to be present on the battlefield.
And it is a fact that they save many lives there.
Whether soldiers or civilians, everyone’s life is equally precious and should be saved if possible.
From what I’ve researched, battles within Dungeons usually involve being cornered by the enemy and forced to focus on defense.
Other battles are primarily fought in enemy territory or on occupied land.
As such, the further the supply lines extend, the more severe the attrition becomes on-site, making resupply difficult.
The ability to form a mobile unit capable of healing even during intense fighting would be a significant advantage.
“Whether it’s during a battle, after a battle, or even during a lull in continuous fighting, if they can arrive, they can treat wounded soldiers, thereby recovering military strength. They can also transport soldiers requiring difficult treatment to the rear. I want to create a specialized unit capable of doing this. I want to build this facility within a part of the Dungeon, a region that includes a medicinal herb farm, a facility for making Potions, medical equipment, a place to learn medicine, and a docking bay for modified battleships.”
This is a world where a single Potion can be the key to survival.
Specializing in this area and becoming the unsung hero would not only honor my senpai generals but also buy time to build a foundation for my faction.
“Ideally, I’d like to create areas that can connect to each general’s Dungeon, similar to the current company’s facilities. And, if it becomes necessary to connect the Dungeon entrance to Isal, I want to establish an entrance with excellent stealth.”
The expressions of the two individuals scrutinizing my words were visibly displeased.
“I understand the purpose of the battleship, and I agree that there are benefits as you say, Jiro-. This field is largely unexplored. However, I cannot determine if it’s worth that much effort. Regarding the operation of the battleship, I understand that it can serve its purpose as a support role by being operated and maintained within the Dungeon as a medical facility. However, I don’t see how you expect other factions to agree to allow their battleships into the highly confidential space of a Dungeon.”
“I agree. It could be seen as a spy disguised as a medical dispatch or something similar. If it’s the Oni King, who is on good terms with you, Lord Husband, there’s a good chance he would accept. And there’s a small possibility the Machine King, who gifted us that battleship, might also consider it. However, the remaining Tree King, Giant King, and Dragon King would likely refuse.”
“Furthermore, even if we were to accept aid, what would be the return? Providing it for free as a charitable act would only put us in a difficult position. We need to calculate that thoroughly, or it will simply end up unevenly distributing the attrition of the Demon Lord’s Army’s forces.”
This is due to knowing the actual situation of the Demon Lord’s Army.
The reason why medical care has developed independently among the factions lies there.
Each has its own unique characteristics, which means they are strongly individualistic. It can be rephrased as believing in their own healing methods.
Knowing the difficulty of venturing into such an area, the poor reactions of the two were within my expectations.
“I understand your concerns, and I have considered them.”
That’s precisely why I prepared the documents in advance.
A presentation hinges on how effectively one can present benefits and gain empathy from the other party within their own acceptable range of discretion.
Cutting into the medical field or selling existing technology could be done by merchants.
However, the key to achieving this lies with a certain trump card.
“Look at this.”
“What is this?”
“…It’s a list of farmers, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s a list of farmers who supply medicinal herbs to the Demon Lord’s Army.”
This was prepared by Memoria, listing how many farmers on the continent cultivate medicinal herbs.
“As you can see, most of the medicinal herbs for the Demon Lord’s Army are supplied by farmers in the territories ruled by nobles. However, the cultivation of medicinal herbs by these farmers is largely at the level of home gardening. There are very few who cultivate on a large scale.”
“Well, medicinal herbs grow like weeds in the mountains. They’re practically no different from weeds. Rarely does anyone go to the trouble of tilling a field to grow them.”
“Indeed, for us Dark Elves, medicinal herbs are things that children or those with spare time gather. Those with weak legs who cannot enter the mountains or fight monsters might cultivate seedlings in small patches, but the profit is meager.”
“However, the medicines sold are quite expensive.”
“That’s because it takes a considerable amount of magic to create a single Potion. We need to reduce the cost of medicinal herbs to make it feasible.”
Keiri-san trailed off, concluding that they wouldn’t be sellable. Indeed, medicinal herbs in this world are quite cheap.
Even a basket full carried on one’s back would fetch no more than a thousand yen.
If priced by the gram, it would be around ten yen per hundred grams.
“Yes, the magic consumption. That’s the problem, but what if we could make Potions cheaply without worrying about magic consumption?”
“That would be ideal… but where would we get that much magic?”
“…No, there is a source of magic. Lord Husband, you don’t mean…”
In Japan, there is a method called varietal improvement, aiming for high-quality produce through hybridization, to make vegetables and rice more delicious.
In this world, medicinal herbs are so common they’re practically weeds. In this world, they convert rare herbs of the same species into Potions by using magic and applying special spell formations.
Upon investigation, it was found that the cause of the immense magic consumption is the loss of magic power stemming from trying to elevate non-uniform quality wild herbs into the same effect.
However, expecting uniform quality from wild herbs is difficult, and everyone in this world accepts that as a matter of course.
This is where I focused my attention, and along with it, the source of magic that Muil-san likely noticed.
“Yes, we will use the Dungeon’s magic for Potion creation.”
“!”
“That… Well, the Dungeon itself is a defense mechanism against Isal’s invasion, and whatever is done within it is left to the general’s discretion. While it might be viewed with some suspicion if it were a factory making goods for profit, producing Potions, which are a means of recovery for our own forces, can be considered gray-to-white. The idea of increasing production capacity by weakening the defense mechanism itself is something other generals would not conceive.”
When I declared that Potions would be made using the Dungeon’s magic, that is, Feri’s magic, Keiri-san was about to object. However, upon calm consideration, she realized that the method was legal and posed no problems.
“To use a Divine Beast in such a way… a divine punishment might befall you.”
I had sworn to stay by my family’s side.
The possibility of breaking that oath was the first thing that came to mind.
“I have obtained their permission.”
So, my preparations were thorough.
Just yesterday, I sat down with Feri and had a thorough discussion. I had already made arrangements.
Now, if I were to take out a single framed document from my sturdy bag.
“Hahaha! Lord Husband, you are not bound by our common sense! To think you would get permission from a Divine Beast!”
Upon seeing it, Muil-san burst into laughter.
The document contained an agreement stating that magic would only be provided for Potion creation, medicinal herb cultivation, and treatment. It concluded with Feri’s paw print, imbued with magic, granting exceptional permission beyond the Dungeon’s defense mechanisms.
Muil-san’s face brightened considerably upon sensing that the magic was from the Divine Beast he had met recently. He became quite cheerful, remarking that no previous general had ever conceived of such a thing.
“Incidentally, regarding medicinal herb cultivation, I plan to hire the individuals on this list compiled by Memoria and try the varietal improvement methods I learned from an acquaintance I gained through my connections.”
“For the farmers, poaching their labor could be fatal to their households. However, if the Toris Trading Company provides assistance, there will be fewer complaints or dissatisfactions. In fact, they will have more financial leeway.”
“Because it is a special space like a Dungeon, the best environment can be prepared for the land. If high-quality Potions can truly be produced here in large quantities and at low cost…”
“A revolution will occur, and your plan, Lord Husband, will gain realism. Once these Potions are circulated, they will gain credibility. With the Toris Trading Company handling sales channels and the Nordis family’s backing, the initial trust issues can be resolved.”
Muil-san was impressed by this approach, while Keiri-san looked dumbfounded.
With Feri, an understanding Divine Beast, and my background born in Japan, this combination seemed to be enough to get them to consider my plan positively, which brought me great relief.
“You mentioned two reasons, Lord Husband? I understand the revolution in medical technology, but I’d like to hear the second reason.”
“That’s right, you did say that. So, what else will you tell us next?”
Having finished the first part of the presentation, I moved on to the second.
“The second objective is to establish my position on Earth using this medical technology.”
The expressions on Muil-san’s and Keiri-san’s faces when I uttered those words were ones I would never forget.
Today’s Word:
Changing one’s perspective is difficult, but amazing if achieved.
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