Chapter 208

BOOOOM!!

“First wave attack successful! Heavy damage to the enemy fleet!!”

“Great! Fire all remaining missiles!”

The Ekranoplan fleet races across the sea, unleashing another salvo of missiles.

Although the Invader submarines resist with their own barrage of firepower, the first strike devastated many of their ships, leaving gaps in their anti-air defenses that made proper interception impossible.

BOOOOM! PSHHHH!

Another devastating barrage of anti-ship missiles rains down on the Invader fleet.

Simultaneously, Ed and his companions unleash their remaining strength in a powerful assault.

“Mistletoe! Excalibur! Ardvark!”

In front of the fleet, the silver knight unleashed an overwhelming bombardment, ceaselessly creating fiery explosions.

The White Knight’s strike pierced through the enemy ship’s force field armor, striking the hull and causing an explosion from the damaged heavily fortified area.

The Black Knight, Ardvark, swiftly flew around, delivering precise sniping and cannon fire against AbyssMother’s carrier-based aircraft, then soared back into the lofty skies with the White Knight aboard.

While the three knights wreaked havoc on the disordered enemy ranks, Balder, who had been closely monitoring the situation, raised his voice.

“Lieutenant, our carrier-based aircraft are returning!”

“Understood. Disengage Collection Mode!”

With a dazzling flash, Invader anti-aircraft weapons emerged from the upper part of the Argonaut.

“Disposable weapons are fine, so go all out, Ed!!”

“Yes! Fire!!”

The upper part of the Argonaut was covered in white smoke from the launch of large missiles, and the flames of the anti-aircraft machine guns flashed as an enormous firestorm engulfed the enemy carrier-based aircraft.

[Huh?!]

The enemy command was caught off-guard, and their aircraft, unable to react properly, were hit by large and small anti-aircraft missiles and machine gun fire, falling one after another.

“Engage Collection Mode, disengage Collection Mode!”

After launching the missiles, the weapons were immediately stored and replaced with others to maintain the offensive.

The situation, which had been greatly disadvantageous, gradually improved, and the Northern Fleet, encouraged by their efforts, responded in kind.

“This is our chance! Let’s use all remaining attacks to open the way!!”

The Northern Fleet fired off their remaining missiles and continuously unleashed their naval guns.

Amidst the missiles and naval gunfire, flames and thick black smoke rose from the fleet, intensifying the chaos.

The rapidly changing battlefield atmosphere.

[What?! Is that our ally’s weapon?]

[Warning, fleet damage continuing to increase.]

[I know! Confirm the extent of the fleet’s damage!]

Ravelia urgently issued orders.

The atmosphere of calm just moments ago had vanished without a trace, and her desperation was palpable as she was pushed into a corner.

[Confirmed. Numerous Shark-class ships sunk, 3 Hammerhead-class cruisers heavily damaged and 5 are combat ineffective, 4 Carcharodon-class battleships heavily damaged and 2 are combat ineffective.]

More than 30% of her subordinate fleet’s strength.

Even more painfully, the core strength of her fleet, the main battleships, had suffered significant blows, and as her hand was raised high and then fell,

Thud.

A striking action that anyone could understand the depth of her frustration, despite her expressionless face.

[Regroup the fleet around AbyssMother, reorganize the formation, and counter the enemy. How are the preparations for the carrier-based aircraft going?]

[Confirmed, numerous bombers and a few interceptors are ready.]

Weapon formations composed of weapons capable of delivering heavy firepower for delivering a decisive blow while in a favorable position.

But the situation had turned completely due to the enemy reinforcements and unexpected abilities.

Still, it was not a situation where they could just stand by and do nothing.

[Since they’ll serve as a deterrent, send them all out! Place the main force in the front and send a few troops to the rear to respond to the enemy reinforcements approaching from this side!]

[Understood, launching carrier-based aircraft.]

Woo-oo-oo-

A sound resembling a whale’s cry spread across the battlefield once more.

Carrier-based aircraft soaring into the skies from AbyssMother’s opened back.

Watching this scene silently, Ed shouted loudly.

“Miss Banetta!”

“Ed? What is it?”

“Does Argonaut have any powerful naval guns?”

“Naval guns?”

Ed nods in response to Miss Banetta’s question.

Even as the Invader fleet showed signs of trying to endure after suffering significant damage from our reinforcements and the surprise use of Collection Mode,

That meant one thing, didn’t it?

The Bonaparte and the Invader surface ships are coming.

“Yes, I think if we deal heavy damage to AbyssMother, the enemies will retreat.”

“You mean we need a finishing blow.”

A self-assured smile appeared on Banetta’s face as she nodded.

“Of course we do. However, our defense becomes incredibly weak while the main cannon is operating. Is that okay?”

“That’s something we’ll handle.”

“Good, then I’ll leave it to you. Jason! Activate Muspelheim! Code: Surt. Disable all safety measures!”

[Confirmed. Main cannon, Muspelheim, activated. Code: Surt. Concentrating all the ship’s output into the main cannon.]

Groooonn…

The hull of the Argonaut, firmly closed, slowly split apart into upper and lower sections, revealing the hidden main cannon within.

The sunlight seeping into the dark space.

All the power used throughout every section of the ship now concentrated into the center of the Argonaut, Muspelheim.

The circular fans began to rotate rapidly.

The folded barrel extended forward and multi-colored lights illuminated all the devices.

[Warning, abnormal reaction detected from the enemy airship.]

[What is that…?]

Upon noticing the split Argonaut, Ravelia called out in urgency.

[All weapons, prioritize attacking the enemy airship! Whatever it is, we cannot let it fire!!]

[Understood, setting priority attack target.]

The movements of the Invader forces changed.

Carrier-based aircraft and naval gun fire from the fleet ignored everything else and surged toward the Argonaut.

“Mistletoe! Intercept!!”

An outpouring of silver knight’s gunfire towards the incoming enemies.

Numerous explosions in the sky and dark smoke spreading everywhere.

Amidst that attack, relentless counterattacks from the Invader anti-aircraft weapons covering the upper deck continued towards the enemies that broke through.

BOOOOM! PSHHHH!

Invader troops falling like burning moths.

A few medium bombers break through the gunfire, dropping their bombs, but even those are intercepted by a crossfire before reaching the Argonaut.

[22%…35%…41%…]

Muspelheim, glowing with an increasingly bright and blue light in proportion to the rising energy.

Steam spewing from various locations, the extended barrel firmly locked and secured.

[Advance the fleet! Stop it!!]

[Fleet, full speed ahead.]

The Invader submarine fleet gave up their defensive line, increasing speed and continuing their bombardment.

“Hold them back!”

The Northern Fleet also added their strength, but as the enemy’s bombardment intensified, the attacks gradually approached close to the Argonaut.

[61%…72%…80%…]

“Mistletoe! Excalibur! Ardvark! Armory replenishment! Guard Argonaut! Engage Collection Mode! Disengage Collection Mode!”

Still insufficient time, even with the desperate defense.

[Attack.]

The closing enemy battleship fires a shell.

A large-caliber naval gun flying accurately towards the gap in Argonaut.

“Excalibur!”

Excalibur swiftly moves to cut through the shell, and the intense explosion engulfs Excalibur.

BOOOOM! PSHHHH!

Meanwhile, naval guns firing from both sides simultaneously.

“Ed, leave this to me!”

“Nisia?”

With eyes closed, Nisia seemed to be concentrating, then slowly opened her eyes and placed her hands on the equipment.

The warm sensation of a golden glow spreading instantly across the entire Argonaut through her hands.

And then, the shell hits.

PSHHH! BOOOOOM!!

An intense explosion sound.

But strangely, there was no impact felt throughout the vessel.

And then, a memory that surfaced in my mind from the friendly competition.

“Nisia, is this what we saw back then—”

“That’s right, the ability I showed you before. It’s tough to maintain for long, but I’ll give it one more try!”

A bead of cold sweat rolled down Nisia’s cheek.

She looked strained, but thanks to her help, we remained unscathed.

“Thank you, just a little longer please!”

“Okay!”

I turned my head to look at Miss Banetta.

Fierce enemy attacks.

But the time we lacked has been bridged by Nisia’s ability and desperate resistance, and the seemingly endless waiting period is finally over.

[Power charged to 100%, Muspelheim activated.]

“Alright, let’s go full power!! Everyone, hold on tight!!”

Simultaneously with Miss Banetta’s shout, the sound of static electricity echoed throughout the command bridge.

The light leaking from beneath the command bridge becomes more intense, and the strait is covered in light.

[Turn, evade, emergency maneuver!!]

Ravelia’s urgent shout.

Almost instantly, a streak of lightning is fired towards AbyssMother.

In an instant, it travels through the air and pierces through AbyssMother with a blast of light.

The superheated plasma violently tears apart the barrier, melts the thick armor wrapped below it, and penetrates inward.

The beam greedily incinerates and tears apart everything in its path like a ravenous predator.

The light trails penetrate cleanly through the side of AbyssMother and disappear into the sea, and a delayed explosion occurs from the large hole in the side of AbyssMother.

BOOOOOM!

AbyssMother, emitting black smoke.

Looking at the sight, Miss Banetta tightly clenched her hand and shouted confidently.

“So, how does it taste?!”

“Amazing, Miss Banetta!”

Though it was expected that a finishing blow was needed, this level of power was beyond anyone’s expectations, thus eliciting an honest reaction.

Miss Banetta raised her hand and made a “V” sign towards us.

“Hmph, isn’t this the kind of performance expected from a main cannon?”

Still Miss Banetta, we trusted you!

“There’s not much time left! Let’s keep going!!”

Eduardo and his group’s momentum grew.

Conversely, Ravelia was so taken aback that she stood frozen in place, staring blankly at the screen.

[Dealt a blow to the fortress-class unit with a single attack…?!]

[Severe damage to the main body. Reduced navigation capability. Concern for reduced combat capability due to damage to the power system.]

A calm report from AbyssMother.

Only after hearing that report did Ravelia snap back to her senses and issue orders.

[…An unexpected attack, but if we hold on a little longer, we’ll bring in the fleet and reorganize our formation… ]

[Warning, enemy fleet approaching.]

Interrupted before her words could finish, came the warning.

[Didn’t I already mention, that’s not important right now… ]

[Correction, not referring to the enemy airship. A new enemy fleet is approaching.]

[What?! What did you say?! ]

Ravelia turned her head towards the radar screen.

Just as AbyssMother reported, there’s an approaching enemy fleet quickly closing in and another enemy fleet heading this way from a distance.

While unable to confirm the exact scale, the number of detected heat sources was not ordinary.

At that moment, a thought crossed Ravelia’s mind.

– Could it be, was this all a trap?

Yes, it has to be.

The perfectly timed arrival of the enemy reinforcements and the unexpectedly strong foes.

Thinking they had trapped the enemy, but that thought was their own misconception.

They weren’t trying to retreat.

They were luring us out, luring out AbyssMother and me.

[…What about the location of Bonaparte’s fleet?]

[Passing through the V5-G3 Strait. Estimated arrival within the effective firing range in 10 minutes.]

[….]

10 minutes.

A short time to some, but as AbyssMother rightly said, they’re only reaching the effective firing range.

Meaning they won’t be able to meaningfully assist us from here.

Having lost a large fleet after just a 20-minute skirmish, and damaged AbyssMother, Ravelia dispassionately assessed the situation.

[We’re retreating. All ships, dive underwater.]

[Warning, retreating now will cause issues in our cooperation with allied forces.]

[That plan has already failed! We’re withdrawing before further losses!]

[Confirmed.]

AbyssMother turning its body.

The subordinate Invader submarine fleet also stowed their armaments and slowly submerged into the sea.

“Ed! They’re… they’re retreating!!”

“Yes! See, I said we couldn’t know until we tried. This is our victory!!”

Ed raising his hand high.

“““Yeahh!!”””

Everyone in the command bridge echoed his cheer, and all from the Northern Fleet ran onto the deck to raise their voices.

The passionate cheers directed towards the retreating Invader fleet.

It was a victory.

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