Toaru Hikuushi e no Seiyaku:V7Part5

Part 5

The moment the report came in that a massive mobilization was taking place within the Harmonia Empire, the Central Command of the St Vault Operation Headquarters erupted in excitement. For so long, they had been pondering how to provoke the enemy into starting a war, and now the Harmonia Empire had thrown the first punch without any provocation. St Vault's Chief of Staff, General Raphael Donauer, eagerly prepared himself and, accompanied by his two most trusted staff officers, boarded a transport plane bound for the Kukuana Line.

Raphael, who essentially functioned as the brain of the St Vault military, spoke to the two staff officers he had appointed as his right hands while aboard the transport.

"It's more meaningful to bring two geniuses than a hundred competent men."

One of the two officers, Major General Victor Khan, had developed Operation Thundersteel a year earlier, leading the victory in the Battle of Hydrabard. The other, Major Balthazar Grim, had managed to completely defeat Victor in a military exercise. Both were humbled by Raphael's high praise.

In particular, Balthazar was inwardly exhilarated by this extraordinary promotion.

──This is the nerve centre of the St Vault military.

──These two men are the minds that control the entire army…!

General Raphael and Major General Victor.

These two brilliant officers, who were revered by all soldiers and officers alike, had acknowledged Balthazar’s capabilities and allowed him the privilege of making direct recommendations. While suppressing his inner excitement, Balthazar maintained a composed demeanour, careful not to speak out of turn unless specifically asked for his opinion—a lesson his former superior, Brigadier General Andy Bott, had drilled into him during his days as a junior officer.

‘You tend to let your inner thoughts leak into your expressions and speech. The scariest part is that you don’t even realize it. Take it from an old man like me: don’t get ahead of yourself. Only speak when the Chief of Staff asks for your opinion, and keep it as concise as possible.’

While slightly exasperated by Bott's nagging habit, Balthazar half-listened to the advice. He was confident that none of his thoughts had surfaced, but if they had, he knew he would be immediately dismissed. After all, the target of Balthazar’s ambitions was none other than the chair currently occupied by Raphael—the Chief of Staff.

──Enjoy your time while you can. Someday, I'll knock you off that chair...

While harbouring such dark thoughts, Balthazar listened to Raphael's words with an intelligent, impassive expression.

"We will refer to the conflict with the Harmonia Empire as the 'Mitterland Front,' while the battle on Akitsu Continent will be the 'Archipelago Front.' Although the war will be fought on two fronts, the Akitsu Federation Army has already collapsed, and the Mitterland Front has the Kukuana Line. We can inflict significant losses on the Empire while preparing for a counteroffensive. The longer this drags on, the more the situation will favour us."

As Raphael outlined the grand strategy, Balthazar gazed out of the transport's window.

October, Imperial Calendar Year 1350, Northeast St Vault Empire, Kukuana Line──.

The seemingly endless expanse of red earth stretched out below. On the horizon, scattered concrete structures were faintly visible—likely the scale-shaped bunkers of the Kukuana Line. This fortified zone had no blind spots, allowing machine guns to fire from the front and both flanks at any enemy that tried to infiltrate. The half-underground structures, reinforced with thick concrete, were impervious to all but the heaviest bombardment. Even without these defences, layers of trenches, barbed wire, and fortified tank emplacements made a frontal assault impossible.

The fact that the Harmonia Empire was willing to wage war against such formidable defences puzzled Balthazar. If he were the Chief of Staff of the Empire's military, no matter how preoccupied the St Vault military was with the Archipelago Front, he would never provoke such a fight.

"The reason the Empire is so bold must be that 'Ultra,'" Raphael commented.

Balthazar and Victor nodded in agreement. "Ultra" referred to the ultra-classified information accessible only to the upper echelons of the military. Thanks to the St Vault intelligence division successfully decrypting the Harmonia Empire's codes, they had learned that the Empire had completed a "secret weapon" designed to break through the Kukuana Line, which had already been deployed near the border.

That weapon was the Adem Super Railway Gun.

Weighing 1,300 tons, 80 meters in length, with a caliber nearly twice that of the main guns on super-dreadnought battleships—this colossal weapon could fire 5-meter-long, 5-ton shells 50 kilometres away, penetrating 7 meters of concrete. It required 4,000 personnel to operate, moving along dual railway tracks as it travelled. If it hit the Kukuana Line's bunkers directly, they would be completely obliterated.

"They've gambled their nation's fate on an obsolete weapon," Raphael remarked disdainfully as the transport landed at a fighter base behind the Kukuana Line. High-ranking officers were lined up to greet the Chief of Staff's party as they disembarked.

Hastily boarding an armoured vehicle, they made their way to the fortress command centre. Along the way, they observed soldiers, energized and eager for the Harmonia Empire to launch its attack.

For these soldiers, who had been relegated to boring rear-line duty, the Kukuana Line would soon become the front line, where they could finally demonstrate the results of their training. They couldn't wait to mow down the advancing Harmonia soldiers with machine-gun fire and crush them under the tracks of their tanks. None of them appeared concerned about the threat posed by the Adem Super Railway Gun.

"Firepower without mobility is meaningless. Once we secure air superiority and launch aerial strikes, Adem will be reduced to scrap metal within 20 minutes," Victor stated, gazing out at the fortress through the vehicle window.

Upon reaching the fortress command centre, they greeted the Kukuana Line's commanding general and received a detailed briefing. Two weeks had passed since the Empire began its massive mobilization, and their troops had finally gathered and started moving. The total force amounted to approximately two million soldiers, organized into 54 divisions.

"They're taking their time, aren't they?" Raphael observed.

"It's their first time moving an army of this size. They're simply inexperienced," Victor added with a relaxed tone. The confidence was clear. The St Vault military, with its wealth of combat experience on the Archipelago Front, was well-versed in new tactics involving the latest military technologies like aircraft, tanks, and ships. The Harmonia Empire’s forces, with their antiquated approach to warfare, posed no real threat. This sentiment was shared by officers and soldiers alike.

"Based on our estimates, they’ll begin their assault in less than a week. All we have to do is sit tight and wait," the fortress commander remarked with satisfaction, explaining how the Imperial forces would likely allow the Harmonia soldiers to break through at a single point, only to be lured into a trap where reserve forces would be swiftly deployed via underground transport, encircling the enemy and annihilating them from both sides. His staff officers eagerly offered additional strategies for bleeding the Empire's forces, each trying to impress Raphael with their ingenuity. After hearing their various plans for a massacre, Raphael turned to Balthazar.

"I’d like to hear your thoughts as well, Major Grim."

Finally.

Suppressing a grin, Balthazar calmly presented the opinion he had been mulling over for some time.

"Rather than focusing on the Kukuana Line, I’m more concerned about the Unlon Mountain Range."

"Hmm," Raphael raised an eyebrow. The unspoken disapproval from the other staff officers—"who does this young upstart think he is?"—was palpable, but Balthazar pressed on.

"Communications traffic from the Zunjin Dynasty region has been increasing. Something is stirring there."

The tension in the room grew as Balthazar continued, undeterred by the silent criticism of the other officers, who clearly saw this as a non-issue. After all, the natural barrier of the Unlon Mountains made it impossible for a large force to cross.

"Only lightly equipped mountain troops could possibly cross, and we have heavy tanks. As long as they fight on open ground, there’s no problem. The Unlon Mountains, towering at over 3,000 meters, are a natural fortress stronger than even the Kukuana Line. There’s no need for concern," Victor countered.

Balthazar knew this. But still...

"The communication patterns are what worry me. They remind me of the data we analysed during Operation Judeka."

At the mention of Operation Judeka, the faces of the staff officers grew even darker. Two years earlier, the Empire’s fleet at Air hunt Island had been annihilated by a Uranos flying fortress, and its military base had been decimated. Balthazar, then a young cadet, had been the only one to recognize the approaching threat of the flying fortress during a typhoon.

Now, he was detecting similar patterns coming from the Zunjin Dynasty region.

"We trust your ability to analyse communications," Raphael said, nodding. "It's not about reading decoded messages but recognizing shifts in communication volume and context, and discerning trends from the data—a task that requires both meticulous work and intuition."

──As expected, this is a job only a genius like me can do.

──These fools can’t possibly understand.

The hostility from the staff officers only increased, but Raphael’s support was a welcome relief. Encouraged, Balthazar continued his explanation.

"There’s a possibility that Uranos flying fortresses could be heading toward the Zunjin Dynasty’s airspace."

His words sent a ripple of silence through the room.

"There are four Uranos flying fortresses in the Archipelago theatre. The Balsinos and Kalkinos were captured, but the other two, Leon and Zigos, remain unaccounted for. It’s possible these two are resupplying in the Harmonia Empire and may approach from the Zunjin Dynasty side."

The Zunjin Dynasty had always been isolated from other nations due to its mountainous terrain. Its air force was still in its infancy, relying primarily on biplanes. If Uranos decided to deploy their flying fortresses, the Zunjin Dynasty would be helpless to stop them.

"The flying fortress is essentially a mobile base of operations. If they manage to cross the mountains and drop land forces within our territory, the flanks of the Kukuana Line will be exposed."

In the tense silence of the operations room, Balthazar’s voice echoed.

The St Vault military lacked operational experience with flying fortresses, and many of the staff officers still regarded them as "unsinkable carriers" without fully appreciating their potential as logistical platforms.

"Unfortunately, we have no radar coverage in the Unlon Mountains. Since mechanized forces can’t cross and the Zunjin Dynasty has no territorial ambitions, radar installations were concentrated along the Kukuana Line. If the flying fortresses approach, we’ll have to rely on visual detection. Let’s hope Uranos doesn’t exploit this vulnerability."

It was Victor who responded to Balthazar.

"I hear the operating altitude of flying fortresses is about 2,000 meters. To cross the Unlon Mountains, they’d have to fly above 3,000 meters."

Balthazar had anticipated this question and answered without hesitation.

"We’re still studying how Uranos operates their flying fortresses. If they were to outfit them with additional lift devices under the fortress, it’s possible they could exceed 3,000 meters."

The expressions of the staff officers soured visibly. They exchanged displeased glances before one of them spoke up.

"Listening to you, one would think you’re one of Achilles’ staff officers."

The name of Achilles Karamakion, the Chief of Staff of the Uranos military and Raphael’s rival, was invoked.

"I’ve studied our military’s blind spots as if I were in Achilles’ shoes."

"But the Empire has mobilized two million troops and taken over two weeks to advance on the Kukuana Line. Their Adem super railway gun is aimed directly at us. Isn’t it obvious where they’re concentrating their efforts?"

"That’s precisely what I fear Achilles is counting on. The massive mobilization and Adem are distractions. They’re pinning our attention on the Kukuana Line while the real threat—the flying fortresses—sneak in from the unguarded flank. That’s my concern."

Balthazar’s calm explanation triggered a furious outburst from one of the staff officers, veins bulging at his temple.

"Uranos doesn't have that kind of intelligence! They’re just sky barbarians!"

Balthazar struggled to hide his exasperation.

Another staff officer added, his voice dripping with anger, "Are you seriously suggesting we divert precious resources to defend the Unlon Mountains based on the possibility that flying fortresses might show up? What if they don’t? This isn’t a child’s game—we’re talking about the fate of the nation! ‘Oops, they didn’t come, my bad’ isn’t going to cut it!"

Ultimately, responsibility for such decisions fell on the Supreme Commander. Balthazar didn’t need to worry about it, but he knew better than to voice such thoughts. Carefully, he crafted his response.

"I was merely pointing out a blind spot in our strategy."

"This isn’t a stage play or an art scroll. This is real war. Do you honestly believe that such a childish tactic could be carried out in reality?"

Balthazar fought to suppress a retort. Instead, he carefully responded.

"During Operation Judeka, I heard the same thing."

The moment those words left his lips, he knew he had made a mistake. He could feel the room turn against him. Back then, if the staff officers had seriously considered his warnings, they might have avoided the complete destruction of the new fleet.

But delivering a valid argument in the wrong way was his undoing. Even Victor, who had been supportive, now looked at Balthazar with a mix of emotion.

"Interesting idea, but it feels somewhat detached from reality. The maximum altitude of a flying fortress is 2,000 meters, while the Unlon Mountains exceed 3,000. To bridge that 1,000-meter gap, they would need an immense amount of lift, which would require a budget rivalling that of an entire nation. Besides, no air force has ever crossed the Unlon Mountains."

The point of a surprise attack, Balthazar thought, was precisely to do what had never been done before.

"The fact that two million ground troops are deployed right in front of us, and the massive land-based super-battleship, Adem, is advancing—it’s hard to believe that all of this is just a decoy."

It is precisely because it looks like the main force that it can serve as a decoy.

Balthazar swallowed down the words that almost left his mouth twice and replied.

"Indeed, it sounds like a pipe dream. But my concerns remain. I would like to conduct an inspection of the Unlon Mountain region. I would appreciate permission."

Let Raphael at least have a reasonable head on his shoulders. Praying silently for his response, Balthazar waited for a few seconds. The brains of the St Vault Empire finally spoke.

"Leave today. You can gather whatever personnel you deem necessary. I'll have a Teodora prepared for you. Report back immediately if you find anything."

Thank goodness. At least his brain cells aren’t dead yet.

"I appreciate it. I will depart immediately."

Straightening his heels and standing tall, Balthazar responded. Now, it was just a matter of getting out of this group of fools as soon as possible...

Raphael's arrangements were as swift as expected. After receiving the authorization letter for the inspection of the Unlon Mountains, Balthazar selected one quartermaster and one communications officer. Silently cursing the group of strategists, he made his way across the airfield's runway. A large Teodora bomber, its four exhaust turbines roaring, stood ready in the hangar, prepared for take-off.

In front of the ramp, a soldier stood waiting for the group. As Balthazar approached, the large man broke into a broad grin, raising a hand in a casual greeting.

"Long time no see, Balthazar. Surprised to find me here?"

The muscular, burly man spoke as though they were acquaintances, but Balthazar had no recollection of him. His rank insignia indicated he was a second lieutenant. No ordinary second lieutenant would speak like this to a major.

With a suspicious furrow of his brow, Balthazar stared at the man. The man, still wearing a cocky smile, continued.

"I'll be your pilot. Impressive, right? I've never flown to the Unlon Mountains before, but don't worry, you're in good hands. You know firsthand how skilled I am at piloting."

No, I don’t know. Who are you? Actually, it doesn't even matter. Let’s just get going already. Balthazar swallowed his words at the last moment and stared at the unfamiliar giant. Racking his memory, he couldn’t recall ever encountering such a gorilla-like person. But the muscular man didn’t care at all, slapping Balthazar on the back with a hearty laugh and then addressing the rest of the group.

"I'm Second Lieutenant Obando Esmo, your pilot. Balthazar and I go way back to our Air Hunt Military Academy days. We may hold different ranks, but we’re old friends who understand each other. Rest assured, we'll be swapping stories from the old days along the way, but don’t worry. I’ll carry out my mission perfectly. It’s a pleasure to be of service."

Obando Esmo...?

That name didn’t ring a bell. Apparently, they had gone to the Air Hunt Military Academy together, but Balthazar had no memory of such a person. Yet, somehow, this gorilla had decided they were best friends. Carrying a sense of bewilderment, Balthazar chose not to challenge his identity—dealing with it was too much of a hassle. Right now, he needed to focus on the inspection. Without saying anything, he boarded the aircraft and took a seat by the window, where the navigator would sit.

Obando settled into the pilot’s seat as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Leaning back against the chair, he turned around and addressed Balthazar with a familiar tone.

"First time flying together, huh? Back in school, it was all single-seaters. You remember that final mock air battle, don’t you? I still think about the excitement from that match. Going up against Sakagami and his crew—that was something, huh?"

Mock air battle finals... Sakagami? Are we talking about that event from our fourth year? I remember it now. Illia and I formed a formation team and went up against Sakagami, Kagura, and Reiner in the finals. The newspapers hyped up the battle between Sakagami and Illia so much that a huge crowd gathered on the island to watch. That part I remember clearly.

But wait, something doesn’t add up. Sakagami’s team had three planes, and Illia and I only had two. The numbers don’t match. There must have been a third member in our formation... but I can’t remember who. That person must have been entirely forgettable.

As these thoughts swirled in Balthazar’s head, the Teodora began its take-off run, ascending high into the sky. The latest state-of-the-art bomber from the Empire set its course toward the Unlon Mountains. Even as they flew, Obando’s chatter didn’t stop.

"I was the first one to get shot down by Sakagami, but my flying skills were still head and shoulders above the rest. It was my manoeuvring that lured Sakagami in, which led to our eventual victory."

Obando continued to confidently spin his version of the story. As Balthazar listened, he vaguely began to remember. Yes, during that mock air battle, there was indeed someone like that in our team—someone insufferably sweaty, with muscles for brains, whose very presence was like an overload of testosterone.

"My career’s been on the rise ever since we fought in that final battle, you know."

You’re still a second lieutenant, right? You’re not exactly on a fast track to promotion, are you? Balthazar considered pointing this out, but again, the effort didn’t seem worth it.

"Man, those were good times. Every time I think about it, I get all fired up. Oh, and remember? Kagura and I swore we’d get married after that air battle. She’s back in the Akitsu Federation now, but I’m sure she’s still waiting for me. I hope this war ends soon so we can be together again."

"What?"

For the first time, Balthazar reacted to Obando’s words. He shot a sharp glare at him.

"What did you just say about Kagura? Repeat that."

Without missing a beat, Obando smiled wider, clearly oblivious to the rising tension.

"You didn’t know? We’re engaged. I’m sure you’ll be happy for us."

The moment Obando said those words, a flash of realization struck Balthazar’s mind.

In just an instant, all of his memories related to Kagura came flooding back, perfectly vivid, down to the dates. And along with them, the actions of the brute sitting in front of him.

Yes, I remember. Back in school, there was a muscle-bound gorilla who never listened to anyone and constantly pestered Kagura. She got so furious once that she almost drew her sword and yelled, ‘Listen when someone’s talking to you!’

I remember.

That guy... was him.

The moment Balthazar recalled this, an overwhelming rage surged within him.

This muscle-headed imbecile, who had relentlessly harassed Kagura despite her hatred, still believed they were engaged. To make matters worse, he had the audacity to declare himself Balthazar’s ‘best friend.’

"Listen up, Obando. Let me make one thing absolutely clear. Kagura never agreed to marry you."

"She didn’t agree to marry me…? What are you talking about? Of course, we’re engaged. I even have a transparent wedding dress ready for her."

The fact that you even have that disgraceful garment is enough to enrage me. What exactly do you plan to do with it? Suppressing the shout rising in his throat, Balthazar forced himself to speak rationally.

"Let me make this crystal clear. Kagura hates you from the depths of her soul. Got it? Now repeat what I just said."

As if this were a normal conversation, Obando puffed out his chest and smugly repeated,

"Kagura hates you from the depths of her soul!"

"What did you say, you bastard!?"

"You told me to repeat it!"

"I don’t want to hear it from you!"

"Calm down, Balthazar. You’re not making any sense."

The fact that Obando was the one telling him to calm down only infuriated Balthazar further. He finally realized just how agitated he had become. For some reason, every time this brute mentioned Kagura’s name, it sent Balthazar’s blood boiling. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, and then spoke.

"Let’s make a deal. On this inspection trip, we won’t mention Kagura’s name again. We have an important mission, and we don’t have time to argue over nonsense."

"Is that so? Well, I don’t mind... But wait a minute. Does that mean what I think it means?"

Obando suddenly smirked, blushing as he leaned in closer, clearly eager to share his newfound ‘insight.’

Balthazar braced himself. He knew this was going to be something idiotic.

"Are you... in love with Kagura? Come on, admit it!"

With a sly grin, Obando began nudging Balthazar’s chest with his elbow, his expression gleeful.

"So it’s a love triangle between us, huh? We’ll be fighting over Kagura, won’t we?"

Snap.

Balthazar could almost hear the sound of something breaking inside him.

A fury he had never experienced before—one so primal that it seemed to burn through the very neurons in his brain—surged up inside him. This simpleton had the audacity to insinuate that he and Balthazar were rivals in love.

Balthazar grabbed Obando by the collar with one hand, rising from his seat, and addressed the flight crew.

"Open the hatch."

"...What?"

"I said, open the hatch. I need to lighten the load by tossing out some unnecessary cargo."

"But, Major, there’s no excess cargo on board. Everything is essential…"

"Your calculations are off. There’s something incredibly unnecessary sitting right here. If you won’t open it, then I’ll do it myself. Now sit down and be quiet."

Dragging Obando along, Balthazar headed toward the aircraft’s hatch. Though he was in clear danger, Obando only continued to smile dreamily.

"Oh, so we’re gonna fight over Kagura, huh? Whoever wins gets to marry her, right?"

"Major! Stop! Please, calm down!"

The reconnaissance officer desperately tried to hold Balthazar back as he reached for the hatch handle, intending to throw it open. The reconnaissance officer grabbed the speaking tube and shouted.

"Co-pilot! Help! Stop them, please!"

The door to the cockpit opened, and the co-pilot rushed in, panicked. He tried to calm Balthazar while distracting Obando by telling him ridiculous stories about how some shopkeeper’s daughter supposedly had a crush on him and how there was a fan club of nuns dedicated to him. While Obando was being placated, the reconnaissance officer finally managed to get Balthazar back into his seat and apologized profusely.

"I'm terribly sorry, Major. The lieutenant means no harm, but he often lacks tact…"

The co-pilot managed to lead Obando back to the cockpit, and Balthazar finally regained his composure.

"...No, it’s fine. I lost control as well. It’s rare for me to act like this…"

"Between you and me, the pilot doesn’t really listen to anyone. If you can accept that, your interactions will go a lot smoother."

"...I see. I question whether that can be called ‘interaction,’ but I’ll keep that in mind."

After offering a few kind words to the now-despondent reconnaissance officer, Balthazar finally let out a long sigh of relief. The flight to the Unlon Mountains would take a few more hours. With any luck, Obando would stay in the cockpit, and Balthazar could enjoy a brief moment of peace.

The high peaks were already covered in snow halfway up. The towering, sword-like mountains—rising three thousand meters into the sky and gleaming silver—pierced the sky like soldiers raising their swords in triumph.

From an altitude of four thousand meters, Balthazar gazed out the window at the mountain range below.

It looked like a frozen, turbulent sea, a vast white tapestry of chaos. Deep gorges and steep ridges intertwined like veins, and the silver sheen of the mountain faces seemed to cut through the very fabric of the sky. Under different circumstances, Balthazar might have admired the majestic scenery. But in times of war, his task was clear: he needed to assess whether these mountains could be breached by an aerial fortress.

──It’s impossible for mechanized units to pass through here.

"The steep and rugged terrain of these mountains, combined with the density of the peaks, makes it clear that sending a tank unit here would be a suicide mission. They’d burn through a massive amount of fuel, only for the engine oil to freeze, rendering them immobile. The entire unit would be wiped out in the mountains without ever seeing combat.

──But if it's an aerial fortress, it could cross over these mountains.

The mountain range is vast, dense, and its sharp, sword-like peaks slope steeply from the summits down to the middle, where around 2,000 meters, the bases of the mountains connect to form what could be called a wall of rock. There are no gaps wide enough for an aerial fortress to thread through, and it would be impossible to cross without flying at least 2,500 meters above the ground.

I deliberate.

I can understand why the other strategists dismissed the idea of the fortress crossing the mountains as a ‘child’s fantasy.’ The chain of peaks stretching as far as the eye can see, as if sculpted by the gods, is a natural fortress far surpassing the defences of the Kukuana Line. Attempting to breach it could indeed seem like a challenge to the gods themselves.

However.

──Given the current level of modern weaponry, the idea that it’s impossible to breach may already be a thing of the past.

That lingering doubt remains. Aviation technology is advancing day by day, and what was common sense last year may not apply this year. If Uranos has succeeded in innovating their lift technology and can raise the flying altitude of their aerial fortress by an additional 500 meters, then it would not be impossible for a large force to cross the Unlon Mountains.

Balthazar shifted his gaze from the mountains to the sky.

In the clear blue, there was no trace of any aircraft. The Zunjin Dynasty's air force was weak, and despite a large bomber flying near the border, they hadn't even come out to investigate. The incredibly tranquil and peaceful scene felt almost as if it were mocking Balthazar's concerns.

But thorns of anxiety still pricked at the edges of his thoughts.

──If I were the chief strategist of Uranos, I would pour most of the development budget into new lift devices.

──Because crossing this mountain range would ensure the Empire’s victory.

Since the Empire has ruled out the possibility of a breach, they haven't deployed any troops on the Unlon Mountain front. There are no radar bases or air squadrons stationed here. If the enemy crosses the mountains and quickly launches a ‘landing’ operation on the other side, they could strike at the flank of the Kukuana Line, charging through undefended terrain. If the aerial fortress remains stationed here to support the logistics (fuel, ammunition, and food supply systems), then even the Royal Army's ground forces would be able to continue their operations on enemy soil.

──The Empire would fall.

A small amount of complacency and arrogance in underestimating the enemy could lead to an irreparable future. This is the kind of war we are currently fighting.

After finishing the reconnaissance, Balthazar landed at Albert Airfield, the closest airfield to the Unlon Mountains. It wasn’t much of an airfield—just a levelled stretch of land with two guiding lights, and a wooden shack serving as the control tower. Lined up on the airstrip were biplanes that appeared unmaintained, not likely to function properly in an emergency.

The bored-looking air traffic controller greeted them and introduced Balthazar to a local landowner who had been arranged in advance by the quartermaster to provide accommodations. The landowner, clearly excited by the presence of a staff officer from the operations headquarters, welcomed Balthazar warmly.

“I’ve read about your exploits in the newspapers many times! For someone as renowned as Major Grim to visit such a remote village, the people are overjoyed, and we’ve prepared a banquet in your honour! Please, enjoy yourself tonight!”

After a 20-minute drive, they arrived at Albert Village, where Balthazar was greeted with an abundance of rural dishes. He wasn’t here to socialize, but the villagers, thrilled by the visit of a famous figure, refused to leave him alone.

The reconnaissance would continue for some time. They were to remain stationed here to observe any movements. If the fighting in the Kukuana Line commenced without any signs of movement in the Unlon Mountain region, Balthazar could return to the operations headquarters. But if things didn’t go that way, their stay could be extended. To make a long-term stay bearable, he’d need to maintain good relations with the locals, so despite the hassle, he had to endure events like this.

“Wahaha! This village is the best, Balthazar! I wouldn’t mind living here in Albert permanently!”

Obando, with a village girl on each arm, was loudly boasting in his drunken stupor. Honestly, Balthazar wished he could leave Obando to handle all the socializing while he quietly slipped away to sleep. Nevertheless, he patiently endured the company of the villagers and finally lay down in a bed in one of the local houses near midnight.

──If nothing happens, I’ll be the laughingstock for real...

He thought of the front line, where soldiers’ fighting spirits were likely soaring, and reflected on his solitude in a remote village far removed from the action. With those thoughts, Balthazar drifted off to sleep.

For the next week, Balthazar flew over the Unlon Mountains every day.

The skies remained completely calm. Meanwhile, daily reports from the Kukuana Line indicated that the Royal Army continued to build up their forces. The Empire’s soldiers were ready and waiting for the Royal Army’s assault.

As the days passed, Balthazar could sense the growing frustration among his companions and the bomber crew. They were on the verge of a decisive battle with the Royal Army, yet here they were, patrolling an empty sky in the middle of nowhere. These men wanted to use the combat skills they had trained so hard to develop against their long-time enemy. They hadn’t endured all their training just to circle aimlessly over a rural sky. The unspoken discontent was visible in their faces and behaviour.

Among them, one man’s dissatisfaction stood out.

“This is boring, Balthazar. I want to go back. I’m tired of this. I want to go back.”

“Shut up. No one cares about your opinion.”

“I’m bored of the village girls. The food’s the same every day. Rural life isn’t for me—I’ll rot away out here. I’m a city boy at heart!”

On the first day, he had proclaimed that he wanted to “live here forever,” but apparently, a week was enough to change his mind. Still, it was easier to deal with someone who expressed their dissatisfaction openly rather than someone who bottled it up. By now, Balthazar had also learned how to handle Obando.

“If you’re bored, grab the control stick. I’ll take the pilot’s seat; you fly according to my instructions.”

“Oh, really? I’ve been dying to fly! I never understood why the pilot can’t be the one flying the plane!”

Balthazar allowed Obando to take the primary pilot seat, assigned the actual pilot to the rear gunner position, and sat in the co-pilot seat to monitor everything. Occasionally switching up roles to refresh the crew helped ease some of the tension. Though Obando was a flawed human being, Balthazar had come to realize over the past few days that he wasn’t a bad pilot. He seemed to make up for his lack of intelligence with good instincts, handling the aircraft with surprising finesse and reading the wind well.

Balthazar understood the crew’s frustration. At first, he had been confident in his decision, but as time went on, even his certainty began to waver. Had he been too carried away with his own imagination, as the other strategists had suggested? While he had been thrilled to have his proposal approved by Raphael and to be given the opportunity to undertake this mission, if nothing came of it, he would be made to look like a fool. If those insufferable strategists managed to fend off the Royal Army at the Kukuana Line, Balthazar’s reputation, which he had painstakingly built, would be ruined.

Despite his growing doubts, Balthazar kept his eyes fixed on the now all-too-familiar blue haze of the Unlon Mountains. There was no turning back now. All he could do was stick to his conviction. If the aerial fortress didn’t appear, it would prove that his rival, the Royal Army’s chief strategist, Achilles, was an inferior tactician.

The sky outside was as cold and clear as ever.

A pristine blue, untouched by any impurity, with dazzling clouds and the vast white ridges stretching out to the horizon.

It almost felt as though the mountains, the sky, and the sun were mocking the foolishness of the human conflict unfolding below them. Compared to the sublime grandeur of nature, the ambitions of men seemed so insignificant.

Just as Balthazar was indulging in an unusually sentimental moment, the voice of the communications officer crackled through the tube.

"Message from ground command! At 1300 hours, the Empire has entered into a state of war with the Royal Army! The Kukuana Line Air Squadron has launched all units to target the super-cannon Adem!"

The air inside the plane froze.

The battle had begun at the Kukuana Line. The Imperial soldiers were no doubt in a frenzy, turning the attacking Royal Army into mincemeat. Balthazar could easily imagine the strategists back at headquarters eagerly listening to reports of the battle.

And yet, here we are, leisurely flying over this rural sky...

As a complex feeling, somewhere between impatience and regret, simmered in his stomach, Obando, peering northeast, casually spoke up.

“Hey, what’s that? A battleship?”

“…!?”

Balthazar quickly turned his gaze in the same direction. He saw nothing.

“What do you see? An airship?”

“Not sure. Could be... what’s it called again…?”

“An aerial fortress?”

“Oh, yeah, that’s it. Can’t tell for sure, it’s too far.”

Suppressing the urge to snap at him for forgetting the name of what they’d been searching for, Balthazar gave the order.

“Get closer. Get us close enough so I can see it. Recon, send out a radar ping. Communications, pick up anything? We might have found our target...!”

“There are two—either battleships or fortresses.”

Obando spoke with amusement. Balthazar still couldn’t see anything.

──Is he really seeing this?

Just as Balthazar was about to voice his doubts, the reconnaissance officer monitoring the radar shouted.

"We’ve got a return signal! It’s a massive airborne structure, possibly a floating island…!!"

Goosebumps ran up Balthazar’s arms.

“Well done. Prepare to take photos.”

"Yes, sir."

The enemy might have detected their presence from the radar ping, but it didn’t matter—they had confirmed something was there.

Without a doubt, something enormous was trying to cross the Unlon Mountains.

Obando pointed toward a spot in the sky.

“Can’t you see it yet? Right over there.”

Following the direction of his outstretched finger, Balthazar squinted.

Sure enough, there it was—a faint shadow floating in the sky!

His throat tightened. His heartbeat quickened.

“There are two of them... Communications, have you picked up anything?”

"We scanned all frequencies but only got static. They’re likely enforcing radio silence."

“They must be in the middle of a major operation. After we confirm the target, send an urgent report to Albert Airfield. Even if the enemy spots us, the report takes priority.”

"Yes, sir!"

Using their radio would likely alert the enemy to their presence, but the risk had to be taken. At this moment, even a delay of a minute or two could drastically affect the course of the battle.

“Balthazar, should we get any closer? They’ll spot us soon.”

“Yes. We need to confirm the details. Prepare to be seen.”

“Got it.”

Obando, showing no sign of hesitation, focused on the sky ahead with a look of excitement.

Balthazar steeled himself.

They might die here. But this was their moment of truth. There was a job that had to be done, even at the risk of their lives. Grabbing the communication tube, Balthazar issued his orders to the crew.

“Listen up, everyone. This is the turning point for the Empire. After confirming the full structure of the target, we’ll retreat at full speed. Expect enemy fighters to pursue us. Be ready to bail out at any moment.”

As he gave the orders, Balthazar strapped on his parachute. They had no idea what might happen in the next few minutes, but he couldn’t afford to die here.

“Let’s blend into those clouds behind us and climb higher. This is getting interesting. If that’s really Uranos’ main fleet, we’ll be heroes…”

Even Obando’s voice now carried a note of excitement. His usual lax demeanour was nowhere to be found.

Obando carefully retraced their path, slipping through the clouds, using the vapor as cover while accelerating and beginning to climb. They figured it would be harder to spot them from above.

“I’ll leave the approach to you. The reconnaissance officer just needs to snap a few photos of the surface. Then we’ll retreat at full speed.”

“Leave it to me. Teodora’s tough—she won’t go down easily.”

They climbed to 6,500 meters and continued their approach. There were some clouds below, but not enough to fully hide their silhouette. There was a high risk of being spotted and pursued, but this was a gamble they had to take.

Using the water vapor as cover, Balthazar and his team crept closer to their target.

Slowly, the structure came into full view.

“No doubt about it, that’s an aerial fortress…!”

Joy and fear exploded simultaneously within him.

At a distance of about 20,000 meters, they could clearly see the flat surface of the "flying island" gleaming in the sunlight.

It had to be Leon and Zigos.

Balthazar leaned forward from the co-pilot seat, examining the details.

What came into focus was an aerial fortress equipped with gun turrets, airstrips, military ports, and main roads. Furthermore, a strange structure, resembling silver plates, extended around the entire perimeter. At first, Balthazar thought it might be a pier jutting out from the military port, but upon closer inspection, he realized it was a lift device.

“...A new type of lift device!”

A sigh of relief escaped Balthazar's lips.

──My prediction was flawless.

To think that I could see through the enemy commander’s intentions and their execution to this degree—it’s just like me. However, even though I had seen it coming, I wasn’t able to mobilize the operations headquarters. Without that, it’s meaningless. Now, I must inform them of this as soon as possible, or the Empire will fall.

"Communications officer, send an emergency message to the base! '1335 hours: Two aerial fortresses sighted. Unlon Mountain area, operational coordinates 204—1078. Heading southeast at 15 knots, destination likely Albert.'"

He dictated the message and then turned to the reconnaissance officer.

“Begin filming. Keep shooting until I say stop.”

"Yes, sir!"

There were few precedents of photographing an operational aerial fortress from above. The resulting footage would be invaluable for future studies, so Balthazar wanted as much as possible recorded while they could.

As Balthazar continued to stare intently at the target, they steadily approached the aerial fortresses.

There were no escort fleets. Uranos wouldn’t be foolish enough to deploy an aerial fleet deep into enemy territory. Using an aerial fleet in an invasion would only turn them into easy prey for dive bombers and anti-aircraft guns, spilling the Empire's top secrets onto enemy soil.

Everything was concentrated within the two aerial fortresses.

After observing the shape of the fortresses and comparing them with the classified Imperial records of the twelve known aerial fortresses, he concluded:

"Leon and Zigos. The battle at the Kukuana Line is a diversion. This is the real target. And those are... assault boats equipped with lift devices."

Through his binoculars, Balthazar saw dozens of large assault boats lined up on the surface of what he believed to be the Leon fortress. From a distance, rows of troops and tanks were steadily boarding the vessels. Although it was difficult to discern from so far away, they appeared to be light tanks. Those large aerial assault boats could carry between five to ten tanks and around five hundred soldiers. If they were deployed from the aerial fortress near Albert, they would land virtually unscathed, completing the invasion with little resistance.

The reason airborne landings from aerial fortresses were unheard of was that the operation was deemed too dangerous. From the time they left the fortress to the moment they landed, they would be shot at without mercy by ground artillery and aircraft. A single hit could send dozens of soldiers and tanks crashing to the ground. This operation was only possible because there were no defensive facilities in the Albert area. It was clear that Uranos had developed new lift devices and assault boats specifically for this mission.

──What a meticulously planned operation...

They must have spent decades preparing this. Nothing less could explain the level of readiness. And because they poured so much time, effort, and money into it, they have managed to outwit the St Vault military, ready to deliver a fatal blow.

“There’s no time to watch the landing. Communications officer, send a detailed report on the enemy forces. I don’t care if they detect us, be as thorough and accurate as possible. Also, tell the non-combatants in Albert Village to evacuate. The Royal Army permits looting. If they encounter anyone, everything will be stolen, and they will be killed.”

An invading army usually advances while plundering as they go, especially if they expect their supply lines to be cut. When the opportunity arises, they don’t hesitate to take food and other supplies from the locals. Looting itself also serves as a reward for the soldiers. Any town or village in their path will be stripped of food and valuables, and human dignity will be trampled underfoot.

This hell was about to become a reality within the Empire.

“They’ve likely detected our transmission by now. They'll be here soon…”

He saw several shadows take off from the airstrip on the Leon fortress. More and more fighter planes were lining up on the runway and starting their engines.

Enemy fighters.

They weren’t Idra, Ion, or Meteora—they were of an entirely unfamiliar design.

“They must be cutting-edge fighters. We’re pulling out. Head toward the Kukuana Line. If we’re lucky, some of our fighter squadrons may come to assist us…”

He knew the chances were slim, but he said it to encourage the crew. At present, all the forces at the Kukuana Line were engaged with the Royal Army’s diversion, and there was no way they could redirect support to Albert.

“They’re fast... really fast. What the hell are those things?”

Obando glanced at the pursuing fighters with excitement as he steered the plane. Balthazar also caught a glimpse of the enemy fighters and immediately recognized their exceptional speed.

It seemed that Uranos had deployed state-of-the-art fighters capable of rivalling the Empire’s Beo-Strike and Ikaruga.

“Full speed, get us out of here! I have a bad feeling…”

“The Teodora won’t go down that easily, don’t worry.”

“Ikaruga of the Akitsu Federation brought down a Teodora with a single shot, and if those things are armed with 37mm cannons, we’re in big trouble!”

“Calm down, you’ll go bald if you keep worrying. We’re higher up and lighter since we’re not carrying bombs. If we climb high enough, they won’t catch us with single engines.”

Obando began climbing. The four turbocharged engines roared, propelling them to higher altitudes. Teodora, being the latest heavy bomber, had impressive climbing capabilities, making it difficult for older fighter models to even follow.

The small sense of relief was shattered in the next moment by the panicked scream of the co-pilot in the tail gunner’s seat.

"They’re catching up!"

“What!?”

"Increase altitude! They're closing the distance fast…!!"

Among the voice transmissions, the sound of a 20mm cannon firing could be heard. The co-pilot had fired, meaning the enemy was already within shooting range.

At almost the same time, the right-side gunner began firing. The deafening sound of gunfire reverberated through the cabin, accompanied by slight vibrations through the floor.

This is bad.

Balthazar’s instincts screamed alarm bells. Something massive and unfamiliar was bearing down on them through the sky.

“Is this for real? These things are monsters.”

Even Obando glanced back in disbelief. Though there was only a bulkhead behind him, his reaction was understandable.

"To the right!!"

As the co-pilot’s scream reached them, Obando banked the plane to the right.

The high-pitched whine of propellers cut through the air, as something resembling a burning spear flew past the left side of the plane, narrowly missing them.

Moments later, a shadow overtook Teodora with a shrill whine.

It was fast. Unbelievably fast.

Balthazar squinted to get a better look at the shape of the enemy plane.

A long, locust-like fuselage. A rounded canopy. Its long wings bristled with unsettlingly thick guns.

Balthazar quickly recalled the intelligence on Uranos’ latest fighter models and identified it.

“Alice Actus…!!”

Like the Ikaruga and Beo-Strike, it was equipped with a turboprop engine. According to the intelligence report, it was armed with two 30mm cannons and two 17mm guns.

“This is bad. They’ve got 30mm cannons.”

“Yeah, that spear-like thing earlier must’ve been one of those shots. If that thing hits, we’re done for.”

“I’m not dying here. Run for your life!”

Obando levelled the plane off at an altitude of 8,800 meters.

The four engines roared as they fled at top speed.

But then.

"They’re still coming after us... four of them!!"

The co-pilot’s voice conveyed despair. Even though Teodora was climbing to its maximum altitude with its powerful engines, the single-engine fighters were still gaining on them.

“Damn it! They’re faster than Beo-Strikes!”

“Uranos is serious this time. They used outdated planes to fool us in the archipelago, but they’ve sent the real deal here.”

“Get us out of here!”

“I’m doing my best!!”

Obando’s response came just as Balthazar’s tactical judgment kicked in. In this sky, a moment’s delay could be fatal.

“Open the hatch. We’re abandoning the aircraft.”

“We haven’t even fought yet.”

“We’ll lose without a fight. One hit and this thing will become a fireball. Abandon ship.”

“No way. This is my baby.”

“But—”

Balthazar’s words were cut short as the plane shook violently.

“Whoa!!”

The plane shuddered hard, and Obando frantically pushed the control stick forward. They began losing altitude rapidly.

They had been hit.

"Engine two has been hit! It’s on fire!!"

"A fire in the tail section! We can’t extinguish it!!"

While it wasn’t a direct kill shot, the damage was significant, and the situation looked grim.

“Are you serious? Not even 20mm rounds could bring this thing down before.”

“The old rules don’t apply anymore. We’re being hunted by real monsters, just give it up.”

Balthazar grabbed the communication tube and spoke to the crew.

“Abandon ship. Open the hatch and evacuate calmly.”

Overruling Obando, Balthazar’s command was met with relieved responses from the crew through the communication tube.

“We’re leaving too.”

“……………………”

“I’m not dying here. I’m going.”

Balthazar stood up, opened the door to the bulkhead, and turned to look back at Obando.

“Don’t be stubborn. Someone would be sad if you died.”

He tried to reason with him, but Obando wouldn’t let go of the control stick. A glance out the window showed that engine two was engulfed in flames, ready to explode at any moment. The rest of the crew had already parachuted out, leaving the cabin empty.

“For example, Kagura.”

Uttering a name he didn’t want to say, Balthazar donned his oxygen mask and threw himself out of the hatch into the sky.

As he plummeted through the clouds, he looked up. Teodora, trailing a long line of fire, continued its desperate escape. The four Alice Actus fighters circled it like hunters toying with their prey.

“Run, you damn fool…”

As Balthazar plummeted toward the ground, watching Teodora vanish into the horizon, he clicked his tongue. The man may have been all muscle, even in the brain, but seeing him die right before his eyes would be unpleasant. Worse yet, it would be sickening if he made a showy death out of it.

At about 1,000 meters, he deployed his parachute.

Swaying gently as he floated through the air, he gazed at the endless expanse of red earth below. He strained his eyes toward the Unlon Mountain range, but the shadows of the aerial fortresses had already disappeared.

Had the operations headquarters received the emergency message?

Whether they believed its contents was uncertain, but they should have noticed the loss of contact by now and would likely dispatch a reconnaissance plane. Then they would be horrified to see the Royal Army advancing en-masse toward the flank of the Kukuana Line.

They would probably scramble intercept fighters, but they wouldn’t stand a chance against the Alice Actus in an air battle. The Beo-Strikes hadn’t been deployed in sufficient numbers yet, and it was likely that even the airspace over the Kukuana Line was now under Uranos control. Without air cover, the Imperial ground forces wouldn’t be able to fend off the Royal Army, which was now attacking from the side...

──This war will be lost...

Everything was playing out according to Uranos’ meticulous plan.

Perhaps even the battles of Hydrabard and the Second Archipelago War were merely Uranos' strategy to exhaust the major powers of the archipelago.

By instigating a war between the Akitsu Federation and St Vault in the Hydrabard Union, they had drained both major powers, only to have the Harmonia Royal Army strike from behind. This long-term strategy for territorial conquest, meticulously crafted over more than twenty years, was about to reach its culmination. If the Kukuana Line fell, the Empire’s two-front war would become its downfall, hastening defeat. The Akitsu Federation, weakened but still alive, might recover, and even the Hydrabard Archipelago, now under Imperial control, could rebel against the Empire...

Imagining the hell that awaited, Balthazar shuddered. He could already picture the Imperial heartland trampled under the boots of the Royal Army, scorched into desolation. He could see the Imperial forces, retreating in despair from the archipelago islands they had fought so long to conquer.

Lost in this grim thought, Balthazar noticed a single white flower blooming in the sky above him. It drifted slowly, swaying gently as it descended toward the earth.

"A wise decision, Obando."

He smiled faintly, barely lifting the corner of his mouth. The man was as annoying as they came, but his choice to survive and fight rather than die with his beloved aircraft wasn’t a bad one.

──Don’t give up hope. Survive, and fight on...

Balthazar refocused his gaze on the distant Kukuana Line, urging himself onward. Once he landed, he had to find a way to return to the command centre. The thought of the journey filled him with further despair, but there was no use in complaining.

If there was a silver lining, it was this:

──Once again, I saw through what the rest of the strategists couldn’t.

──The Imperial Operations Headquarters can no longer ignore my opinion...

He stared intently at the vast blue sky, contemplating the fate that lay ahead.

──My mind will become the brain of the Imperial Army...

The future he had longed for was now within reach.

Even though the Empire was on the brink of being cast into the depths of hell, for him, it might just be an opportunity.

──My will shall move the Imperial Army.

He etched his resolve deep within himself, glaring into the bleak future that awaited.