Chapter 142

Chapter 142. Bullying is the Right Civilization (2)

—

“This is strange. No matter how strong the enemy’s anti-air defenses are…”

“Right, how could they take out nearly half of our 3,000 aircraft?”

—

Of course, even though I sent them out half-heartedly, my loyal superhumans couldn’t wrap their heads around the fact that a measly private fleet of just over 10 ships managed to shred the monster’s super-main ship’s aircraft.

—

“Commander, the enemy might be a stronger pirate group than we thought.”

“Why don’t you deploy us now to stop them?”

—

Thanks to that, the kids, who felt that the greenish (or whatever) private fleet was way stronger than they expected, started panicking and making a fuss to me.

—

“That’s only natural. No matter how powerful their ships and aircraft are… they’ve barely gained any experience.”

“Huh?”

“Think about it, Belial. The Kraken hasn’t even been alive for a full day yet.”

“…Ah.”

“Exactly! Without experience or knowledge, even if they follow Commander Icarus’ orders, they’ll just charge in recklessly without any finesse!”

—

As Oxianor and Her Highness Princess Luka, who came to see the Kraken-class that hatched from the cocoon they brought, chimed in with their interpretations…

The superhumans, who had a fleeting thought like, “Is the Kraken-class actually trash…?” or Marian, who seemed to be thinking, “Was allying with the monster a mistake? Should I just crush them now and take over the monster myself?” were left in a state of confusion.

—

While those guys were busy bickering among themselves, the pirate friends had already entered our firing range.

Belial, who was acting as the on-site commander and my terminal, measured the distance and contacted me again.

—

-“Commander, the enemy fleet has entered the Kraken’s firing range.”

—

“They’re faster than I thought.”

“Hmm? Looks like they’re using afterburners to charge in, trying to avoid our aircraft attacks.”

—

Following my question, Marian, the pirate doctor (?) chimed in with her analysis.

I nodded at her words and, since the aircraft were still recharging anyway…

—

“Then the answer is simple, Belial.”

—

-“Yes, Commander.”

—

“Order all ships, including the Kraken, to commence bombardment. Stop them from getting any closer.”

—

-“Understood.”

—

—

At the same time, inside the bridge of the Blue Fang Pirate Group’s flagship, *Valpus*.

—

“What the hell!!”

“Why the hell is an aircraft carrier raining down artillery fire?!”

—

Despite their grotesque appearance, it was clear that those monsters were the only ships on the battlefield capable of launching thousands of aircraft.

Kaltar had pushed each ship’s engines to the limit, using afterburners to close the distance quickly.

His plan was to avoid further airstrikes from that massive aircraft carrier while either sinking it or at least destroying its hangar to aid their escape.

Given that the enemy only had one heavy cruiser and two destroyers as escorts, aside from the one that had just exploded, Kaltar thought his 17-ship pirate group could handle it.

—

But defying Kaltar and the pirates’ expectations, the “aircraft carrier” monster ship fired a devastating focused beam cannon.

—

“Aaaah!”

“We’re done for! That’s not an aircraft carrier—it’s a battleship!”

—

From the pirates’ perspective, the ship they were charging at wasn’t an aircraft carrier with weak armor due to its hangars and weapon bays, but a heavily armored battleship.

With their strongest ships being light cruisers at best and their heaviest firepower being light torpedoes from light cruisers and destroyers, they realized they couldn’t even scratch it.

Panic set in immediately.

—

“You idiots! Get a grip!”

“Just charge in! Use speed and maneuverability to disrupt them and get out of here!”

—

Of course, the pirate officers tried to suppress the panic, frantically working the comms channels, but…

—

“Screw this! We’re getting out of here!”

“Hey! You damn bastard!”

—

Faced with an “impossible” terror, some pirate ship captains turned their ships around and fled the formation.

If this continued, the charging pirate group would disintegrate into chaos, leading to a total disaster.

—

“Damn it, we’re all gonna die at this rate.”

—

Kaltar, the captain of the flagship *Valpus* and leader of the pirate group, felt that this was the end of their privateer-pirate group.

But that thought was short-lived.

—

-*Boom!*

-*Kaboom!*

—

“Huh?!”

“The escort ship’s been sunk!”

—

As one of the escort ships trying to escape was obliterated by the battleship’s (?) bombardment, leaving no trace behind…

Kaltar…

Right now, this very moment, is the time to showcase his leadership.

He realized it was the moment to straighten out the wavering pirate group and seize the opportunity for a counterattack.

“Hey, you idiots, watch closely! That’s the end of those selfish bastards trying to save themselves!”

“···!”

“Oooooh!”

“Let’s go!”

==========

<Event>

<The 'Blue Fang Pirate Group' is granted the 'Berserk' trait.>

<Berserk>

<Attack Power +20%, Evasion Rate -5%, Accuracy -5%>

—————————————-

“Wow, I can’t believe this.”

After the Kraken took out a patrol ship with a lucky shot, now they even get a berserk buff on top of that.

On top of the already insane multiplier system, another multiplier is added.

At this rate, it’s no joke—just one hit and my Kraken might get a lucky shot.

In a small-scale battle meant to test the newly acquired ships, experiencing such unfairness repeatedly is just…

The situation is so ridiculously improbable, and now that our ships are within their range…

I decided to abandon my plan of stalling and leveling up against these unfair pirates.

Instead, I moved the Kraken forward, planning to use its abundant tentacles to harpoon their ships to pieces.

But as soon as I advanced the Kraken…

-“Commander, the enemy fleet is splitting into three and advancing.”

“Ah, these bastards, really?”

The crazy pirates, with what seems to be their flagship—a light cruiser and escort ships at the center—and light cruisers and destroyers on both flanks, charged towards the Kraken.

My escort fleet, outnumbered, couldn’t properly block the pirate fleet, which used afterburners to break through…

Soon, seeing the pirates bypassing the Kraken’s tentacles and flanking it…

‘Oh no, we’re screwed.’

At this rate, the pirates’ light torpedoes and beam cannons will mercilessly tear through the Kraken’s weak side armor.

It’s clear that my precious Kraken will be shredded like fish meat.

I lamented internally that my Kraken, less than a day old, would be hospitalized in the monster base after its first battle.

At the same time, just as Princess Luka’s shrill scream was about to echo, witnessing the Kraken’s humiliation rather than its majesty…

-“Goodbye, you damn battleship bastard!”

“···?”

Suddenly, curses from the pirates came through the public communication channel.

Instead of attacking, they used additional afterburners to flee the battlefield at high speed.

Although in the process, about two more ships were destroyed by the Kraken’s tentacles…

“Those pirates are impressive.”

“···.”

“Pretending to charge mindlessly, sacrificing a few to save the majority, that’s something.”

Unbelievably, they succeeded in returning alive, sacrificing just three destroyers and one escort ship.

Feeling my mind blown by this absurd battle outcome, I shook my head in disbelief.

‘Well, I have to admit, that’s something.’

Thinking this, I had no choice but to return to base, but…

Right at that moment.

-Boom!!

“?!”

-“Commander! Mines have been scattered around the Kraken!”

Amazingly, those green bastards laid mines as they passed by the Kraken.

Now, my precious Kraken can’t return to base until all those damn mines are cleared.

“Haha, these bastards.”

“Launch the Kraken’s aircraft, chase them down, and destroy them.”

-“Understood, but with the Kraken’s current aircraft status, it might be hard to deliver effective attacks.”

“Then call in other fleets and tell Pashtira to deploy the base fleet.”

“Got it♡”

Determined to crush those pirates who dared to mess with me, I decided to use every means at my disposal.