Paradis Island, Shiganshina Airport.
As the commander of the Survey Corps, Erwin inspected the area.
All of their fighter aircraft, a total of 339, had been transported there. These were all the fighters they had produced since they began manufacturing the advanced model of the first aircraft two years earlier.
The performance of these fighters was limited by the industrial precision and material constraints of Paradis Island and the rest of the world, and they still had many shortcomings.
For example, the most basic Type 1 fighter could only carry two people: a pilot and an observer.
The aircraft could not carry mounted weapons; the observer had to manually drop the bombs onto the ground, either while using a machine gun or by hand.
The Type 2 fighter was similar to the manned aircraft they had used in the capital of Marley three years earlier, featuring a storage compartment and capable of serving as a bomber.
However, the number of Type 2 fighters was fewer than eighty, simply because the cost and technical requirements were too high.
After construction began on the nuclear industrial zone, fifty percent of the island's resources were devoted to its development. Out of the island's population of approximately one million, after excluding soldiers not involved in production and the workers responsible for meeting basic needs during construction, the remaining skilled workforce was extremely limited.
These workers were responsible for manufacturing aircraft and warships, as well as storing and preparing weapons and ammunition.
Even with the help of the Titans, producing just over three hundred fighters was a remarkable achievement. The Type 1 fighter had an endurance of only about eight hours, which greatly limited its flight range.
Even crossing Paradis Island diagonally required three hours, meaning that using it against the Allied Forces required waiting for them to approach before taking off from Shiganshina Airport.
The Type 2 fighter, with reserve fuel, had an endurance of forty hours. However, Paradis Island was surrounded by the sea and far from the mainland. The journey from Paradis Island to Marley took thirty hours, posing a formidable challenge for the pilots.
Their current national capacity was simply insufficient to build an aircraft carrier while simultaneously constructing a nuclear industrial zone; the limitations in development time and manpower were simply too great.
Whenever Paradis Island sent leaflets to the outside world, all aircraft took off from the island, slowed down using air bags after exhausting their fuel, and landed in the sea to be recovered by ships.
They lacked suitable locations outside the island from which aircraft could take off.
Even if they had such locations, taking off from outside the island would be far too risky. If the enemy discovered them, a direct attack on the airfield would result in the loss of valuable fighter aircraft, while the soldiers stationed there would be left without supplies or support.
Technologically, there had been no progress compared to three years ago.
The technology of Paradis Island had been built entirely from scratch by that person; basic science and advanced talent were virtually nonexistent, and the scientists they were able to employ had almost all been recruited from Isfar.
However, for the people of Isfar, some of the island's technologies were already too advanced. They simply could not offer better technology or theories than they had three years earlier. For example, regarding aircraft, the scientists from Isfar could only provide minor improvements to the existing aircraft blueprints.
Fortunately, even after three years of stagnation in military technology, the island's military capabilities remained overwhelmingly superior to those of the approaching World Alliance.
The enemy lacked aircraft that could be considered true "fighter planes," and their firearms were obsolete bolt-action rifles; the firepower of the two sides was completely different.
In addition, they possessed "Titans."
Erwin turned his head to look at the small Titans equipped with machine guns standing beside him.
These Titans were controlled through a pressure-operated mechanism; pressing on their muscles activated movement and jumping commands.
During the day, these Titans could be deployed on the battlefield, providing significant support.
However, they were only effective during daylight; at night, they became useless.
The Alliance was naturally aware of this and would most likely attempt to land on the island under the cover of darkness.
To be honest, Erwin had no idea where they would land.
If he were the enemy commander, he would undoubtedly disperse the fleet.
Paradis Island was enormous, covering a total area of approximately 6.4 million square kilometers. Less than 30% of the island was urbanized, while the remaining 70% was untamed wilderness.
The Walls were ridiculously vast; they could not even effectively manage the territory within them, much less monitor the entire island.
Their communications still relied on the telegraph, a technology they had copied from the outside world. Without technological advances from the outside, it was only natural that they could not develop better methods of communication.
Erwin's available forces were limited and could only be used to defend key areas. Most of his forces were stationed near the nuclear industrial zone; it was unlikely that they would launch proactive attacks outside the central area.
Paradis Island sought peace, not war.
They would not start any war or conflict, nor would they occupy the territories of other nations or carry out threatening bombings or acts of intimidation against other peoples.
Doing so would only validate Marleyan propaganda, turning the "threat of Paradis Island" into a reality in the eyes of people around the world.
Paradis Island would only respond to aggression and provocation.
Erwin had never desired death or war. If possible, he hoped that the other side would voluntarily withdraw after seeing the aircraft and weapons on Paradis Island.
But war was never a trivial matter. Since the Allied Forces had declared war, they would not retreat unless their losses became unbearable.
Conflicts between people never end, a truth that Erwin had come to understand more and more clearly over the past few years.
…
Several days later, Paradis Island, Stable District.
Falco, together with Gabi, Sophia, and the others, were packing their luggage.
Carrying bags of every size, they cast one last glance at the small town where they had lived for nearly half a year.
Having finally settled on the island, they now had to leave this coastal town near the harbor.
Falco's brother, Colt, was also there, helping with the evacuation.
The war was about to begin. Since they lived at the farthest end of Paradis Island, they were among the last to be evacuated, waiting for more than a month before it was finally their turn to board the train and enter the walled city.
The children looked up at the blue sky, where several fighter aircraft flew overhead. Looking toward the sea, they saw steel warships lined up along the coast.
Falco pursed his lips and followed the main group.
"Brother," Falco asked in a dejected voice as he looked at Colt, "when will we stop running?"
Colt paused before gently patting his younger brother on the head.
"I don't know..." Colt said, unable to give a definite answer.
"I miss Mom so much," Falco murmured, tears welling up in his eyes.
Colt paused before embracing his brother; that was all the comfort he could offer him.
"So do I, little brother."