Toaru Hikuushi e no Seiyaku:V3Part6

Part 23 (Part 6 of Volume 3)

Air Hunt Island was completely covered by a swarm of Idra.

Like a mantis, the sinister limbs formed a battle formation, rampaging through the skies over the island as if it were their own territory, obscuring the remnants of the morning glow.

From several spots on the surface, flames began to rise. The fire, scorching the edges of the dawn, gradually expanded its area, intertwining with one another, eventually becoming a raging inferno on the ground.

The Urano Air Force, which suddenly attacked Air Hunt Island, consisted of a massive formation of two hundred sixty aircraft. Fighters, bombers, attack aircraft, and over thirty large bombers that had taken off from an airfield formed one squadron, with eight squadrons attacking the newly formed fleet and defensive facilities on the island—such as the airfield and anti-aircraft gun positions—according to their operational plans. Thanks to information provided by the infiltrator Hachidori, the positions of the island's defences were completely known to Urano, allowing the attackers to meticulously arrange their operations before reaching the combat area.

The third squadron responsible for attacking the new fleet included torpedo bombers capable of submerged navigation in shallow waters and large bombers equipped with timed explosives for the airfield assault. Another squadron, tasked with destroying bridges, communication lines, radar, and other facilities, comprised precision bombing dive bombers. Following an orderly process like an assembly line, the Urano Air Force methodically incapacitated Air Hunt Island.

On the other hand, the defensive force, the St Vault Army, was unable to recover from the chaos and was subjected to one-sided attacks for an hour after the combat began.

While one might expect such a situation at the front lines of islands like Crossnodal or Mauregan, no one ever dreamed that two flying fortresses would approach the relay base of Air Hunt Island. Even if the enemy air force were to mount a sudden attack, it was believed that inflicting damage on the newly stationed fleet in Sanjiru Bay, with its shallow waters, would be impossible.

Not just the depth of the water. The newly stationed air battleships and air carriers were protected by underwater defence nets. Even if the enemy used new torpedoes, they were supposed to get tangled in the specially laid underwater nets and couldn't possibly hit the hull—so it was thought.

However, the oxygen torpedoes launched by the Urano attack squadron pierced through without encountering any obstacles, embedding themselves into the sides of the new air battleships. The two super-dreadnought battleships, symbols of hope for the citizens of the St Vault Empire and considered trump cards in the Hydrabard campaign, were unexpectedly struck by over twenty oxygen torpedoes each, turning them into mere debris without ever participating in a naval battle.

The defence nets had been pre-emptively compromised by something that had submerged underwater. The nets that were supposed to envelop the torpedoes had been torn apart, resulting in a one-sided torpedo assault. By the time the commander of the Air Hunt Island garrison considered the existence of infiltrators, not a single warship remained afloat in Sanjiru Bay.

It wasn't just the naval base. The airfield and anti-aircraft gun positions were also unilaterally destroyed. The eight squadrons of Urano unleashed all their bombs and torpedoes onto Air Hunt Island without facing any counterattacks, returning leisurely to their flying fortresses to prepare for a second assault.

The next attack targets were public facilities such as fuel depots, military supply depots, waterworks, and residential areas. If these were destroyed, Air Hunt Island would be left virtually defenceless. If an invasion occurred, the entire population would likely be slaughtered without any means of resistance.

To retaliate, the air force had to be able to launch fighter planes from the airfield. The St Vault Army’s engineering team worked desperately to repair the runways, which had been set ablaze and torn apart by the initial bombing, using bulldozers to fill the gaps as the Urano Air Force prepared for their second attack.

The day before had been a typhoon, so the military had been on leave; however, upon receiving a sudden attack, soldiers returned one by one to their posts. Yet, due to the destruction of roads and bridges, many soldiers were unable to return. The commander of the airfield’s air unit hurriedly assigned aircraft to the returning pilots, launching them in order as they became ready. However, the number of available planes was insufficient. Hoping that as many pilots as possible would arrive at the airfield as soon as possible, the commander anxiously gazed at the sky. Soon, the Urano second attack squadron would arrive, targeting civilian facilities. If they couldn't retaliate here, many civilians would become casualties. They had to somehow strike back and prevent further damage...

As the commander prayed like this, two officer candidates arrived on motorcycles. They were the pilots from the "Seven of Eriadore," well-known to the commander. They had overcome hardships to come and fight, even as students.

The commander hesitated. They were still students. He couldn't believe they could be of any use in actual combat.

However, these two were descendants of the two legendary "Kings of the Skies." If they worked together, perhaps they could down at least one enemy aircraft. If that happened, there would at least be a record of them having "bravely attempted a counterattack." It wouldn't be a mere observation; they too fought with all their might. That would be an excuse to present to the media and the public. Even if both of them died, they could be honoured as heroes who fought bravely, stirring the public's anger and desire for revenge. Even a death in a reckless battle could serve the nation if framed correctly.

"I understand your feelings well. I hereby assign you a mission to head directly to the airfield. Go."

After this thought process, the air unit commander gave the two officer candidates permission to board the fighter planes with a stern expression.

"Yes…!" "Thank you very much!"

The two of them brightened up with enthusiasm, sprinting towards their assigned fighters with all their might.

Ideally, they would shoot down some enemies.

But if they died, they would be honoured as heroes.

Watching their backs, the commander whispered in his heart.

"It was surprisingly easy to get permission…!"

As they ran towards the line beside the runway, Kiyoaki called out to Illia, who was beside him.

"Yeah. They probably don't have enough pilots. The roads and bridges have been destroyed, and the soldiers on leave can't return."

Illia replied, looking straight ahead while confirming the mechanics pulling the fighter planes out from underground shelters. All the aircraft parked in the surface hangars had been destroyed in the initial attack, but the planes stored underground had survived. Kiyoaki and Illia were entrusted with these precious surviving fighters.

The maintenance chief, having received a call from the command centre, brought out the polished Beowulf fighter right before them.

"Get out immediately! If they return, you won’t be able to take off!"

Kiyoaki expressed his gratitude to the frantic maintenance chief and jumped onto the wing. In the St Vault Air Force, take-offs under aerial attack are strictly forbidden. During take-off, aircraft are slow, unable to evade bullets or shells, and are left exposed with their upper surfaces vulnerable. They wanted to get as many fighters airborne as possible before the take-off ban. The anxiety in the faces of the maintenance chief and all the mechanics, smeared with oil, conveyed that prayer. They, too, had families on this island and could not bear to witness further destruction.

"Yes. I will do my utmost. I will fly at the risk of my life."

Having made that promise, Kiyoaki exchanged glances with Illia.

Illia tightened her expression and nodded.

"Let’s go. It’s time to demonstrate the skills we’ve honed until today."

At that moment, Illia appeared to waver slightly, as if obscured. A sense of foreboding stirred deep within his chest.

"Yeah. But Illia, don’t be reckless."

"You be careful too."

"…Yeah. Let’s come back alive."

Kiyoaki smiled. He felt anxious if he didn’t. Illia slightly relaxed her cheeks, showing a calm expression she had recently begun to wear occasionally.

"When it's over, let’s meet on the ground again."

"…Yeah. We’ll meet again on the ground, Illia."

Since they would return and meet on the ground, there was no need for overly grand farewells. Shaking off the bad premonitions, he jumped onto the wing and climbed into the cockpit. He confirmed Illia boarding the aircraft behind him. After receiving the frequency from the maintenance chief, he checked the communication with Illia.

"Illia, can you hear me?"

As he called into the microphone, a voice responded from the speaker on the instrument panel.

"I hear you. Sensitivity is good."

"Okay. After take-off, we will immediately take cover at four thousand five hundred meters above the airfield."

"Understood. Four thousand five hundred."

After a brief discussion, Kiyoaki connected the aircraft's control surfaces directly to the engine axis and began to spin the propeller.

The sturdy beating of the Beowulf reverberated through his body. It was on another level compared to the training aircraft, Gray Fox. Although he felt anxious about heading into battle with a plane he hadn’t fully mastered, there was no time for luxury.

──I fight for Air Hunt Island.

──Even if it costs me my life.

With that vow deeply etched in his heart, he received the signal from the ground crew and began his take-off run.

This was a real fighter plane. The acceleration was different. He quickly reached take-off speed, pulling back on the control stick.

The propeller roared violently, sending a fierce wind over the runway.

Kiyoaki could not suppress the tremors of a warrior. This strength was a world apart from that of a training aircraft. He was now about to engage in a real aerial battle in a genuine fighter plane.

──Don’t get carried away. Your life is at stake. The fate of this island is at stake too.

──Fight, shoot down the enemy, and return alive.

──That is the mission of one entrusted with a fighter plane.

As Kiyoaki reminded himself, he fixed his gaze on the distant enemy airships floating aloof in the sky.

──I will shoot down those enemies.

In a moment, like hornets emerging from their nest, a tremendous number of bright spots were unleashed from the upper surfaces of the flying fortress.

To deliver a finishing blow to Air Hunt Island, the second attack squadron was aiming its devilish beak directly at them. Leading the charge was a group of three Type 3 Idra fighters.

Dozens of friendly Beowulf fighters, which had taken off before Kiyoaki, were circling at an altitude of five thousand meters above the airfield to defend it, but they were clearly outmatched.

The enemy was nearly ten times greater. The fleet in Sanjiru Bay had been completely wiped out, and the anti-aircraft positions had been neutralized. The defeat in the air was all but assured even before the battle began.

But he would do his best. And return alive. For that, he must cast aside personal pride.

Noticing Illia rising from below and beginning to circle at the same altitude as Kiyoaki, he picked up the radio microphone.

“Illia, let’s team up. You lead, and I’ll follow.”

A response came immediately from the speaker.

“If that’s what you want, I welcome it.”

“Yeah. I think you’re better suited to take down the enemy.”

“You’re being quite straightforward.”

“I want to live and go back. My pride doesn’t matter.”

“...Understood. Then let’s do it that way.”

With Illia’s agreement, Kiyoaki positioned himself at her right diagonal rear. While Illia aimed at enemy aircraft, it would be Kiyoaki’s role to protect her from other enemy planes. It was a modest task, but by doing this, they could more easily achieve results.

“...This is my first real battle with a fighter plane. Don’t take unnecessary risks. If you feel danger, choose to descend immediately.”

Illia, unusually, threw out such advice. Kiyoaki replied in kind.

“You too, Illia. Let’s protect our lives over pride. The opponent is a professional, and we are students.”

Though it echoed Cecil's earlier words, Kiyoaki felt an unsettling premonition. He couldn’t predict how Illia, with her strong sense of justice, would react when fighting in a real battlefield.

“...I know. Let’s both be careful not to get too heated.”

Once again, Illia accepted Kiyoaki's advice unusually well.

She was surely anxious as well. Last summer, she had experienced actual combat aboard the Eriadore airship, but this time it was a genuine dogfight between fighter planes. The ammunition loaded into the machine guns wasn’t non-lethal special rounds but real armour-piercing, incendiary, tracer, and explosive rounds—bullets designed to destroy both aircraft and human bodies. It was terrifying, but if she hesitated when pulling the trigger, it would mean her own death. Kiyoaki firmly reminded himself of this as he glared at the horizon beyond the windscreen.

The Urano forces charged towards them, seemingly ecstatic. They were evidently thrilled that the St Vault fighters had finally taken off. The pilots’ exhilaration was palpable from the silhouette of their aircraft, typical of the Urano.

“Stay calm. Take them out one by one.”

“Yeah. Keep an eye on our surroundings. If it looks dangerous, we’ll escape.”

Exchanging their plans over the speaker, Kiyoaki and Illia waited tensely for the enemy’s approach.

The key was to protect the airspace above the airfield.

As long as they controlled this airspace, their allies’ aircraft could take off. If they regained air superiority, the enemy would likely give up on further destruction.

The distance to the enemy fighter group closed to under six thousand meters. The three Type 3 Idra’s wings loomed closer and closer. Having gained altitude first, they would be able to attack from a higher position than the enemy.

Sweat began to gather on Kiyoaki’s palms gripping the control stick. Honestly, it would be a lie to say he wasn’t scared. Yet, swallowing his anxiety and fear, he thought of the people he had to protect.

The enemy formation reached the combat airspace. The cockpit reflected sunlight, revealing the shape of the upper surface of the aircraft.

A clear and resolute voice from Illia echoed into the cockpit.

“Let’s go!”

With her command, Illia dove towards the enemy aircraft like a hawk.

“Yeah, let’s go!”

Kiyoaki guarded her rear.

──Live and return.

──With Illia.

Kiyoaki and Illia united their hearts and began their descent towards the group of Idra.

“Cecil, stay here.”

On the way to the police station, Reiner stopped the bike and said this while looking back at the passenger seat.

Still straddling the seat, Cecil looked at Reiner with a puzzled expression. They were in a desolate suburb, about two kilometres from the city centre. A distant fire could be seen, but since they were in an empty area, it seemed unlikely that there would be any bombardment.

“What?”

“It’s a shelter. You just need to stay here.”

Reiner gestured toward the side of the road with his chin, indicating the entrance of an underground bunker, partially overgrown with grass. It was an emergency shelter for local residents.

“But I’m going to pick up Mio.”

“I’ll bring her back. If you’re with me, I won’t be able to take Mio home. Just stay here for a while.”

“Eh... But…”

Cecil puffed up her cheeks in dissatisfaction, but Reiner wouldn’t budge.

“I can’t carry three people. You understand, right? I’ll be back with Mio soon. The air raid is starting any minute, so just stay put.”

“But at least to the police station…”

“You won’t be able to do anything even if you go. It’ll just complicate the return trip. Just stay here.”

After some back-and-forth, Cecil reluctantly got off the bike and followed Reiner’s instructions.

“Come back soon, okay? I’m worried about Mio.”

“I know. So stay put until the air raid is over.”

Waving dismissively, Reiner left Cecil behind and revved up the bike towards the police station.

Above them, the Idra fighters of the air superiority squad were engaged in combat with the Beowulf interceptors. The Urano second attack unit would be arriving shortly after the air superiority squad. The attack on public facilities would begin soon.

“Now, what to do? Reiner asked Hachidori.”

While driving, Reiner consulted his inner self.

──Change.

A response came immediately.

“Got it.”

Reiner Beck closed his eyes as he sped down the road.

Opening his eyes, Hachidori spat out.

“Foolish man.”

Gripping the throttle, the engine roared to life, and Hachidori sped down the public road at nearly four times the legal speed.

“It’s absurd to turn an amateur into an operative.”

This was a grievance directed at Chief Zenon. However, if he didn’t resolve this troublesome situation, his own life would be in danger. If Mio was captured, she wouldn’t withstand interrogation at all. After an hour of torture, she would undoubtedly spill the beans about Reiner Beck’s true identity.

“Having to clean up after the Chief’s little games...!”

Muttering curses, Hachidori quickly arrived in front of the military police station.

It wasn’t a particularly grand facility. It stood as a modest two-story mixed-use building. Hachidori parked the bike haphazardly in front of the police station and boldly entered through the front.

The military police had rushed out to handle the air raid, leaving the station quiet. Ignoring the reception, Hachidori headed for the stairs.

“Hey, who are you...?”

One of the military police, noticing the uninvited visitor, approached.

Hachidori grabbed the soldier’s shoulder, pushed him down, and delivered a palm strike to his chin, breaking his neck.

Drawing the soldier's pistol from his fallen body, Hachidori descended the stairs.

The sound of a thunderous explosion resonated from outside. It seemed the bombing of the city had begun. This chaos was fortunate; the sounds of explosions outside would help cover up some noise.

Hachidori walked down the hallway as if he were familiar with the garden. He had already researched the layout of the station in case other operatives were captured. Just then, new military police appeared from below.

"Hey, you can’t go past here...!?"

Before the words could finish, Hachidori aimed at the officer’s forehead and pulled the trigger.

The gunshot echoed in the hallway. Without hesitation, Hachidori stepped over the military police officer's corpse and descended to the second underground level. Ahead in the narrow corridor, three surprised police officers were standing, their expressions one of shock.

"Wha- an enemy...!?"

"It’s Urano, they've come to retrieve their comrade!!"

The police officers were the same ones who had captured Mio at the observation tower. They quickly drew their pistols, aiming at Hachidori.

Hachidori’s expression didn’t change. He maintained a calm gaze on the police officers, moving silently down the corridor and closing the distance to his targets.

"No matter how hard you try, I don’t think it will do any good."

The captain of the military police looked down at Mio, who was bound to a chair.

"Your identity is already exposed. Our country’s special forces aren’t fools. Did you not realize that your family has been kept under surveillance?"

In the small interrogation room, it was just the captain and Mio. Her arms were restrained behind her back, shackled to the pipe chair. The captain, in his late forties, leaned in closer to Mio with an amused expression.

Mio kept her head down, not looking up.

"This island has fallen into chaos. It’s all thanks to you. Outside, because of you, many soldiers have died."

The captain reached toward Mio’s chin, lifting her face as if raising a wine glass.

"You’re quite a girl. You’ve betrayed your dear friends and leaked information about this island to Urano. Now, you’re leading many people to their deaths. I’m impressed that you can remain so calm with such a cute face."

Mio’s eyes were lifeless. The captain’s thumb traced her lips, but there was no sign of her expression changing. Even when faced with degrading words, she neither showed anger nor resistance—she was like a doll.

The captain plunged his fingers into Mio’s hair, roughly grabbing it and forcing her to look up.

He brought his face close, almost touching her lips, and threatened her.

"Are you trying to play indifferent? There are countless ways to make you speak. If you continue to be so uncooperative, it won’t end well for you."

The captain’s face clearly showed a hint of sadism, but Mio remained unmoving in response. Stripped of her vitality, she was now presented before a beast.

The captain took a deep breath through his nose and suddenly tore at Mio’s clothing.

"……!?"

Finally, a slight tremor returned to Mio’s eyes.

Without a word, the captain revealed more of Mio’s skin with his coarse hands.

"Stop...!!"

Instinctively, Mio tried to escape from his grasp. However, her arms were restrained behind her back, shackled to the chair, leaving her unable to flee.

The foul breath was blown close to her face. Those filthy hands began to impose humiliation upon her.

Mio screamed. Struggling and cursing, she begged him to stop, finally calling out the name of her beloved in a tearful voice.

"Kiyoaki…!!"

The moment she spoke that name, the captain was violently thrown sideways, crashing against the wall and collapsing helplessly. Crimson liquid dripped from his mouth, spreading out beneath him.

"……!?"

Unbeknownst to them, a boy had entered the room and was looking at the captain’s lifeless body with disinterest.

Hachidori carelessly pulled the keys from the captain's pocket and inserted one into the handcuff’s lock, freeing Mio.

"You were lucky it didn’t end worse, you fool."

The cold words were directed not at the captain, but at Mio.

Mio tumbled off the chair, bracing herself with one hand on the floor as she adjusted her dishevelled clothing.

"Ugh… ugh…"

A sob escaped her lips. She wiped her tears with her fingers, glared at the captain's corpse, then put her hand to her mouth to suppress her nausea.

Hachidori grabbed her collar roughly, forcing her to stand.

"We're leaving. Your place is no longer in this country. We’re escaping this island."

He began to drag her out of the interrogation room. Mio managed to brace her legs, looking up at Hachidori.

"What about Dad and Mum… my siblings? What happened to them?"

"How would I know? Go check for yourself. If you believe their words, they’re probably captured."

"That can’t be… this is…"

"Such things happen. Consider the trouble you’ve caused me. Come on, walk quickly before the military police return. If you get caught again, it will be even worse."

Threatened, Mio hurriedly followed Hachidori out into the corridor. Her mind was frozen, but she could no longer tolerate the treatment she had just received. For now, it seemed best to obey Hachidori. He was a terrible person, but at least he wouldn’t do what the captain had just done.

The corridor was in a horrifying state.

"Hah…"

Three police officers lay piled on top of each other. Hachidori must have done this during his infiltration. One body lay on the stairs, and another was sprawled at the entrance of the police station.

"Did you… do this?"

"Thanks to you, I have extra work to do. Just disappear. Get off this island."

Hachidori spat this out as he stepped outside, tossing a helmet at Mio and gesturing for her to sit on the back of the bike.

"Where… are we going?"

Following his instructions, Mio sat down behind Hachidori and gripped the tandem handlebars.

Hachidori started the bike without answering. It smoothly accelerated, weaving through the damaged road from the bombings.

In the sky, a battle was unfolding. The Idra and Beowulf were engaged in fierce combat, the propellers roaring. Occasionally, aircraft would fall with long black trails behind them, and distant explosions echoed. Hachidori cut through the road, undeterred by the thick clouds of smoke and dust rising from the burning ground.

"Is everyone safe? What about Kiyoaki? Illia and Cecil?"

"Be quiet. You have no right to worry about them. Right now, we need to head to the extraction point as fast as possible."

"…Huh?"

"You are escaping this island. Go to Pleiades. Your new role awaits you there."

"…Huh?"

Mio couldn’t comprehend what Hachidori was saying.

—The floating city of Pleiades.

It was the name of the capital of Urano. According to the mythology of Urano, it was said to be a giant city in the sky that would someday rule this world.

"Am I going to Pleiades?"

"That's right. There’s no choice."

With an unyielding tone, Hachidori declared this and opened the throttle.

Cutting through the thick, blue-gray haze, Hachidori raced toward the communication point with the Urano invasion force. In preparation for emergencies, he had previously marked points on the map where they could contact the invading troops. If they could get there, Mio would be handed over to the main force of Urano.

── Those who know my true identity will no longer be on this island.

Finally, he could rid himself of this nuisance. Hachidori concealed a slight sense of relief deep within his chest as he navigated the damaged road, skilfully avoiding bumps and obstacles, aiming for the Jujiji Cape.

"Does that mean… I won't see everyone again?"

Mio asked from the backseat.

Of course. Hachidori thought, but he ignored her.

"Does that mean this is goodbye to everyone?"

Mio asked again in a sorrowful tone. Hachidori remained silent.

── Such naivety.

He mentally spat this out, accelerating to shake off Mio's wishes──.

Flames danced through the air like writhing dragons.

What had once been a dawn that could be mistaken for the heavens had now transformed into a hellish scene of blood, smoke, and explosions.

The chaotic machines of Urano and St Vault continued to spit out streams of gunfire like a murky river. The discordant sounds of propellers and lift devices intertwined, creating a symphonic cacophony of aerial warfare, pregnant with thousands of fragments.

The large Urano bomber "Gorgona," which aimed to incinerate the city of Air Hunt Island, was met by a Beowulf fighter that dove in, showering it with concentrated gunfire while slipping through a ferocious curtain of anti-aircraft fire. But the Gorgona did not fall. It dispersed rounds of armour-piercing shells from its top and bottom like a porcupine, pushing the Beowulf away instead. The injured St Vault pilot, determined to protect the city, made a suicidal charge toward the Gorgona, and the two aircraft collided in a fiery explosion as they plummeted to the ground.

The surviving anti-aircraft batteries fired at the Gorgona as it approached from high altitude with all their might. Anti-aircraft fire, adjusted for a height of six thousand meters, erupted as if a protective flame curtain were being drawn over all of Air Hunt Island. The two Gorgonas bombers that had entered were hit, and the bombs they carried exploded within the aircraft, creating a horrific bloom of flames that added new colours to the cruel sky.

The Idra rushed into the island’s depths to protect Gorgona, raining machine gun fire on the anti-aircraft gunners. However, the gunners continued to aim at the high-flying Gorgona, determined to defend their island, even as they were shot at by the Idra. Despite their comrades being shattered beside them, the soldiers gritted their teeth and focused solely on targeting the enemy bombers.

We must protect this island.

That was the collective sentiment of all St Vault soldiers.

Just this morning, they had enjoyed a peaceful daily life with their families and friends. They could not stand by and watch as their homeland was burned and trampled. Each soldier stood their ground against the mighty forces of Urano, risking their lives.

The counterattack against the second wave of Urano forces was brutal beyond measure. The airfields and anti-aircraft batteries that were supposed to have been neutralized in the first assault were quickly restored by Urano. The fighters taking off from there, along with the surviving anti-aircraft guns, confronted the overwhelming enemy with all their might.

Meanwhile, the St Vault naval fleet, which had been stationed at a nearby island, rushed to the combat zone. United in their training, the newly formed fleet navigated at maximum speed, seeking revenge for their fallen comrades.

They had suffered catastrophic damage. But they could still fight.

Kiyoaki and Illia, battling in the sky, shared the same prayer as every St Vault soldier.

"I'll shoot you down...!!"

The power of the Beowulf was incomparable to the training aircraft Gray Fox. If Gray Fox was a donkey, Beowulf was a wild horse. Undeterred by the G-forces pressing down on him, Kiyoaki concentrated fully, fixing his bloodshot eyes on the target.

Smoke, sparks, and debris from the aircraft hit the windscreen like hail, streaming past behind. It felt like navigating a rapid river filled with floating debris, pursuing through the air.

Visibility was poor. The colour of the sky was obscured. Relying solely on the barely visible wings of the Type 3 Idra, Kiyoaki kept his pursuit steady.

"Illia, I've got your back...!!"

"Do it...!!"

Their voices, exchanged over the speaker, were already parched. Ahead of Kiyoaki's target was Illia. And beyond her was another enemy aircraft. The four aircraft—two enemies and two allies—formed a line, engaged in a fierce survival race.

Illia, trying to take down the lead enemy aircraft, was left vulnerable. Kiyoaki aimed at the enemy aircraft that was poised to take advantage of her opening from behind. If Kiyoaki missed his shot, it would mean Illia’s death.

However, the enemy was also weary. After two assaults today, Kiyoaki and Illia had the advantage in stamina. As time passed, the distance between them shrank, and the enemy aircraft grew larger in Kiyoaki's sights.

Kiyoaki placed his finger on the trigger. The horizontal distance was less than a hundred meters. Eighty, seventy, sixty. Closing in to a critical distance.

At that moment, despite all his self-discipline.

──If I pull the trigger, that person will die.

Such thoughts exploded in Kiyoaki’s mind.

This wasn’t a mock battle. It was real air combat. He had never killed anyone.

──Is it right for me to kill?

──That person has a family. They might have a lover, friends, or children.

──Is it okay for me to kill that person?

His finger trembled. His teeth chattered.

But.

──I must shoot.

──For the sake of my loved ones.

The enemy aircraft, framed in his sights, was covered with the irreplaceable smiles of two people.

This was a smile that must be protected, even at the cost of his own life.

──Mio and Illia.

Their smiles supported Kiyoaki from behind.

For a moment, he was bewildered by his own thoughts, but then Kiyoaki pulled the trigger.

There was no hesitation. Even as debris from the exploded enemy aircraft struck the windscreen, Kiyoaki continued to squeeze the trigger.

"I shot it down!!"

Illia's voice came through the speaker.

She too had apparently taken down her target.

Together, they broke through the debris of the enemy aircraft, ascending. Almost simultaneously, they had both downed their targets. It was a remarkable achievement for their first battle.

Like a pair of birds aiming for the heights of the sky, Kiyoaki and Illia danced side by side.

"I also took down one enemy aircraft!!"

Kiyoaki could hardly contain his excitement.

He was simply happy. He felt no guilt for taking a life; only the joy of having protected his loved ones remained.

"Don't get too excited, there are still enemies out there...!!"

"I know, stay calm, don’t rush...!"

But they quickly regained their composure, reminding each other. Their words were more for the other’s sake than for their own survival.

For the first time in battle, Kiyoaki realized that his bond with Illia was stronger than he had thought. She was someone he could not afford to lose.

──I will protect Illia.

Strengthening that resolve, Kiyoaki scanned the surrounding airspace. He had learned from Akmed that to survive in the battlefield, the first priority was to spot the enemy before they spotted you.

Current altitude: five thousand five hundred meters.

Below, Air Hunt Island was in flames. At the naval port, a new battleship was broken in two, and a new aircraft carrier was grounded, belching black smoke. The bombardment of the city seemed to have begun as well, and fires were erupting in familiar streets, despite the desperate defence. He recognized the area near the movie theatre where he had gone on his first date with Mio. A place filled with memories was being destroyed helplessly...

"…Damn it!! Damn it…!!"

All he could do was curse. An overwhelming hatred for Urano surged within him.

"Enemy fighter formation to the lower right!! Aim for the lead aircraft!!"

Illia's calm voice reached him through the speaker. Looking in the direction indicated, he saw a formation of seven Idra fighters advancing at an altitude of about four thousand five hundred meters. From behind, a new squadron of Gorgona bombers was coming in. Illia was targeting the leader of the air superiority fighter squad.

"Got it, be careful...!"

"I’ll go for a hit-and-run, don’t fall behind!!"

"Understood, let’s go!"

Illia turned sharply like a hawk and dove straight down. Kiyoaki followed closely. The top surface of the enemy leader's aircraft came into view──.

The commander of the Urano air superiority fighter squadron, Karnasion, sensed a slight discomfort above him. It was the murderous intent of an enemy pilot, detectable only by those favoured by the sky.

Instinctively, he turned his gaze toward the eastern sky, right next to the sun. Without focusing directly on the sun, he consciously shifted his point of focus away from it to recognize the approaching enemy aircraft.

There was nothing there.

Next, he looked straight up. Two Beowulf fighters were descending at a forty-two-degree angle. They didn’t seem to be the cunning enemies who would hide behind the sun.

──Newbies.

Karnasion’s heart swelled with joy.

He longed to torment inexperienced foes, rob them of their flying capabilities, and witness their expressions of despair as they faced death.

"Uheh...!!"

Letting out a pleased sound, Karnasion pushed down on the control stick.

He would feign escape. The enemy should get cocky and chase after him.

──I will send them to hell.

Behind the bandages wrapped around his face, the scorched smile of the "King of the Skies" spread wide.

Suddenly, the lead aircraft spun around. It seemed to have noticed Karnasion’s aggressive approach. It hastily turned to flee toward the sea, but it was clear from its erratic movements that it was taken by surprise. He could not let this opportunity slip away. Kiyoaki shouted into the mic.

"I can take it, Illia...!!"

"I know, cover me from behind...!!"

Kiyoaki shifted his focus to the enemy aircraft behind. They seemed to have noticed Illia and were trying to swarm her. Without hesitation, he opened fire with his machine gun. Three friendly fighters, realizing the danger posed by the Idra, charged in at high speed from the side. Chaos erupted as dozens of friend and foe became entangled in the melee.

"Ugh...!!"

Kiyoaki was experiencing aerial combat for the first time, surrounded by a chaotic mix of allies and enemies.

He couldn't tell which aircraft was Illia's.

If she had her nose art on, he would have recognized her, but students were not allowed such privileges.

"Illia, I can't see you!!"

He called out over the mic. The noise from the speaker grew intense. The communication lines were all mixed up with both friendly and enemy transmissions. The barely audible response came through:

"…Kar…sion!!"

The interference was terrible, making it hard to make out what was being said. It seemed she was shouting something, but he couldn’t grasp it at all.

Kiyoaki panicked, searching the surroundings for Illia. All he saw were the Idra, lurking and waiting for an opening.

As he focused on searching, one enemy aircraft suddenly positioned itself directly behind him from the upper right.

"Dammit…!!"

By the time he realized his mistake, it was too late. Kiyoaki had found himself on the receiving end of the chase.

──If this continues, I will be shot down.

"Illia, I'm sorry, I’ll definitely find you…!!"

He threw out an apology into the speaker, but there was no response.

Bullets spewed from the enemy aircraft, whizzing past the windscreen. The aircraft rattled loudly, indicating that it had taken hits.

──I can't die here.

Kiyoaki steeled himself, prepared to confront this enemy.

One of them would end their life here today, leaving sorrow and despair for those who remained.

"I'm coming for you, Urano…!!"

Gathering all his courage, Kiyoaki executed a half-roll, flipping the world upside down and diving toward the ground──.

At that moment, the fleeing enemy aircraft twisted to dive further, and the nose art painted on its front became etched in Illia’s mind.

──A black panther.

In that instant, every hair on Illia’s body stood on end.

"Karnasion!!"

The King of the Skies was now fleeing with all its might right before her eyes.

Words her father had instilled in her since childhood burned into Illia's brain.

"I fly to become the King of the Skies."

Illia had been pursuing this distant goal, sacrificing any decent treatment as a girl and any true happiness as a human since the moment she was born.

Now, that goal stood right in front of her.

She was in a fighter plane, soaring through the same sky.

──Everything is for this moment.

Illia's eyes transformed into those of a fierce predator. A year ago, when she met Karnasion, she was piloting a large airship. The conditions had not allowed for aerial combat then. But this time, she was gripping the controls of a fighter plane. In this sky, she could fight under the same conditions.

"Don't run away, fight!!"

She shouted as she chased after him at full speed.

Her calmness had completely vanished. She was only filled with excitement.

If a pilot lost their composure in aerial combat, it meant death.

Her father, Karsten, had drilled this into her. It was common knowledge among pilots worldwide.

Yet, the figure of Karnasion fleeing beyond the obstruction and windscreen burned through Illia’s thoughts.

──If I shoot down that enemy, I will become the King of the Skies.

──Father will recognize me.

──He will praise me.

"Fight, Karnasion!!"

She roared.

Karnasion, fleeing at full speed, had almost forcibly pulled his nose up.

However, perhaps due to his panic, he made a mistake in his manoeuvre, executing a strange roll at an awkward angle.

If she continued this chase, she would catch up.

──I can shoot down Karnasion.

Illia followed that roll without hesitation.

Karnasion was about to reach the top of the roll, but it was clear that her positioning was advantageous.

Illia peered through the sights.

Karnasion’s silhouette was already extending beyond the crosshairs.

It was a distance that even a novice could hit without missing.

──I’ve won...!

As she felt goosebumps all over her body and prepared to pull the trigger in that moment──.

"I thought I had won until the top of the roll. Your wings were sticking out of my sights."

Kiyoaki’s voice echoed in the back of her mind.

"But after that... you froze in mid-air. Just for a moment."

His words shifted to an incomprehensible murmur.

──It’s a trap.

In that instant, Illia kicked the footbar with all her might.

Her aircraft was flung away from the trajectory of the roll.

A tremendous force pressed down on her body.

Clenching her teeth, she sent her right eye outside the windscreen.

Karnasion was suspended in mid-air.

Then, like a solo performer, he rotated his aircraft, directing the nose back toward the previous roll's trajectory.

If he had continued to pursue, Illia’s side would have been ripped apart by Karnasion.

“Karsten Turn.”

That name echoed once more in the back of his mind, in Kiyoaki's voice.

The technique that only her father, Karsten, could perform was now being executed right before Illia’s eyes.

“Guh...”

In that moment of frustration──.

Illia's aircraft shattered into pieces.

It had suffered a structural failure due to excessive load.

Illia was thrown from the cockpit, head down, plummeting toward Air Hunt Island──.

“Gih...!?”

Karnasion opened his right eye, barely able to due to the burns.

He had just completed the Karsten Turn and should have been aiming his guns at the foolish rookie’s side──but there was nothing in his sights.

──Had I been read?

He quickly glanced behind his aircraft.

The pursuing enemy craft had been shattered to pieces.

Before he entered the turn, they must have realized the trap and kicked the footbar. Their reckless manoeuvre had pushed their aircraft beyond its limits, resulting in a self-destruction.

There was no thrill of victory. Only frustration remained.

──Does this enemy know this technique?

No one should know that Karnasion could perform the Karsten Turn. Because he had shot down every enemy aircraft that had pursued him using this technique. Seeing the Karsten Turn meant death for that enemy.

And yet, he had been sensed.

“...Gii...”

Inexpressible frustration transformed into a sound deep in his throat.

Looking down, he saw the parachute of the enemy pilot that had been ejected from the cockpit opening slowly, beginning its descent. Karnasion tilted the control stick and slowly circled around the pilot.

──It’s a girl. Still young.

To his surprise, the pilot was a girl with long red hair. She executed a textbook parachute descent, extending her long legs forward. She seemed aware, fixing her sharp gaze on Karnasion with her slanted eyes.

She was a beautiful girl.

She possessed an external beauty that Karnasion lacked, along with remarkable qualities as a pilot.

Somewhere, he recognized her. Yes, she was one of the young officers referred to as "The Seven of Eriadore," featured in a publication of the Urano Air Force.

──Karsten Kreischmidt's only daughter.

There was no doubt about it. The vibrant red-haired girl from the article matched the appearance of the girl now parachuting down.

──Should I kill her?

If he caught her parachute with his wings or fired a bullet, this girl would die.

For Karnasion, having a beautiful girl’s life in his hands was satisfying.

He persistently circled around the helpless girl, slowly observing her miserable descent.

She seemed to understand that her life was being toyed with. Drifting helplessly in mid-air, the girl glared at Karnasion with a determined gaze.

──This woman will pursue me, be defeated in return, and become mine.

He suddenly thought of this.

It was a pleasurable game. To carve the humiliation of defeat into the talented, beautiful girl, making her pursue him and, after she grew stronger, to deliver another defeat. Watching the tear-stained face of this girl, twisted in frustration as her efforts crumbled, he wanted to revel in his own greatness.

Karnasion opened the windscreen, exposing his grotesque appearance to the girl.

He spread a burned, scarred grin beneath the bandages.

The girl’s expression twisted in clear anguish. For a girl raised under the elite education of "The King of the Skies," Karsten Kreischmidt, this must have been unbearable humiliation.

──Chase me. With all your heart and soul.

──Fill your thoughts with me.

──Devote your life to pursuing me, only to be defeated in the end.

──Become a wretched loser, having your dreams and hopes snatched away, and become mine.

As he showered these unspoken words upon the girl, Karnasion flapped his wings. After mocking her with several wingbeats, he returned to the combat zone in search of his next prey──.

At the hill before Jujiji Cape, Hachidori stopped the bike and turned back to Mio.

“...I’ll distract the military police. You need to go on alone from here.”

“...Huh?”

“Fire this signal flare at the rocky area below Jujiji Cape. A flying vessel should land to recover the stranded personnel. Get on it and escape.”

Mio remained frozen in the back seat. Hachidori, looking ahead down the road, spoke coldly and matter-of-factly.

“They must already know that you’ve escaped. Police officers all over the island are searching for you. If I’m seen with you, I’ll be suspected. I need to stay at the officer academy and continue my mission.”

After delivering this in one breath, he gestured with his chin toward Mio, who still wouldn’t move.

“Get off.”

Mio silently dismounted from the bike and gazed out over the island’s landscape from the hilltop.

In the sky, fierce aerial combat continued. Enemy and allied aircraft fell, spewing smoke and turning into flames upon hitting the ground. The burning city, the military port, the anti-aircraft gun positions were all vividly drawn into Mio’s eyes.

“...Did we help with this?”

“Yeah. Based on the information I leaked, plans were made to neutralize the island's military forces. You supported me. We share the guilt.”

“...I see. ...That’s how it is.”

Mio stood quietly, being blown by the wind at the hilltop.

Then she closed her eyes, as if contemplating something, and turned to Hachidori.

“Hey.”

In her jade-coloured eyes, there was a glint of a dead soul.

“Kill me.”

The wind swept through, tousling Mio's golden hair.

“You don’t mind killing someone, do you? You said I was a burden. So, go ahead and kill me.”

Hachidori snorted.

“Do you really want me to kill you?”

“Yes.”

“If you thought I would stop, you were mistaken.”

Hachidori drew his pistol, aiming it between Mio’s eyebrows.

“There will be no pain. It’ll be over in an instant.”

“Yeah.”

Before death, Mio’s eyes did not waver.

It was clear from her gaze that she was completely despairing of life.

──I’ll kill her.

So Hachidori thought.

──It would be easier for her this way.

Hachidori understood Mio’s pain. Every choice offered led to despair, and as long as she lived, there would be no light of hope. There was no reason to live in such anguish. He thought that killing her without inflicting pain would be the least he could do to show compassion.

──Hey, Hachidori.

Just as he was about to pull the trigger, he heard Reiner Beck’s voice from within.

──Could you do it for me? I won't do anything bad.

Hachidori tried to ignore it. Reiner, who acted as if he were alive, was merely a created being. It was impossible for him to possess independent will and speak.

But.

──If you kill Mio, you’ll anger General Zenon, you know?

──Mio is the general's favourite. It’d be better to keep her alive; it’ll earn you points.

That was a plausible argument.

“Can you keep her alive?”

He asked Reiner.

──I don’t know. But I’ll try my best.

──Just so you know, this isn’t for Mio. It’s for your advancement.

Hachidori pondered briefly and then relinquished his consciousness to Reiner.

A carefree smile spread across Reiner’s face as he raised the gun.

“Jumping off a cliff for a dramatic suicide? What a tragic heroine. So lame.”

Reiner lowered the gun and smiled at Mio.

“I’m not going to shoot. Run away. The Urano recovery team is excellent. They won’t leave a comrade behind in enemy territory. Go down to the cliff and fire the signal flare. You’ll be saved.”

Reiner forcibly placed the flare gun into Mio’s hands.

Mio’s powerless eyes turned to Reiner. She seemed to quickly realize that his persona had switched.

“...Why? I don’t want to escape. ...I’m fine here. ...I don’t want to live anymore.”

Tears flowed from Mio’s eyes, unable to be held back, spilling over.

“You betrayed your comrades. You plunged everyone who helped you into this hell. You drove the kind people of the town to their deaths. There’s no way I can continue living like this!”

Mio threw down the signal flare and attempted to snatch the pistol from Reiner’s hands.

Reiner moved the pistol behind his back, refusing to give it up.

Still wearing a frivolous smile, he poured strength into his words.

“Stop whining, you idiot. If you die, who will they hate?”

Though he continued to chuckle, his eyes were devoid of any laughter.

“If you want to atone for your sins, don’t die.”

Mio turned her gaze away from Reiner.

“Live. That is your atonement.”

Holding onto Mio’s wrist tightly, Reiner spoke firmly.

“You’re the lowest of the low. You betrayed the comrades who saved your life, leaked information to the enemy, and ended up turning this island into what it is now. You can’t escape from this. You’re a perfect, utterly despicable traitor, just like me.”

Mio squeezed her eyes shut, tears continuing to flow from beneath her closed lids.

“But if you die here, the ones who have been trampled will have no one to hate. They won’t be able to throw stones or spit at you, or curse and beat you until death. You have a duty to let those who were trampled throw stones and spit at you, to bear their curses.”

Reiner grabbed Mio’s chin and forced her face toward him.

“Don’t run away. Look at me.”

“...Let go...”

“Open your eyes. Look at me.”

“...Just... let it be...”

“Mio!!”

When he shouted, Mio opened her eyes slightly, frightened.

Reiner was no longer smiling.

It was the first time she saw Reiner’s serious expression.

“Live, even if you’re hated by your comrades. That is your atonement.”

“...”

“If they are important to you, if you truly care for Kiyoaki, then...”

The earnest words woven by Reiner were carried to Mio by the howling wind.

“Even if you crawl, even if it’s unglamorous, live. Keep living and survive. That is the only way you can atone for your sins right now.”

Then he let go of Mio’s wrist.

Mio crumpled to the ground, powerless.

Having said what he needed to, Reiner put on his helmet and mounted his beloved bike.

“I’ll leave the rest to you. You can choose to die here or to live. I have things to do, so this is goodbye.”

He revved the bike’s engine and looked down at Mio.

“It was fun, Mio. I believe we’ll meet again somewhere. I want to eat your katsudon until I’m full again.”

Then, looking up at the sky with a carefree smile, Reiner shouted loudly.

“Even if we become enemies, we will not hate each other!!”

With arms wide open like a theatre actor, he called out to the sky.

“Friendship is eternal!!”

He proclaimed the vow made among the seven, jokingly but with all his might.

The sky seemed to embrace that vow.

Though the ground was hell, the heavens were ironically clear.

Mio couldn’t understand why they had to revisit such a promise at this moment.

After saying that much, Reiner opened the throttle and dashed away like the wind.

Mio sat on the ground, powerless, staring at the objects lying on the road.

The signal flare and the pistol.

Tools for living and tools for dying.

The cruel god had presented her with a choice laid out before her.

Mio stared blankly at the two tools with her colourless eyes.

“Live, even if you are hated by your comrades. That is your atonement.”

Reiner's words echoed in the back of her mind.

“Even if we are divided into enemies and allies, we will not hate each other.”

“Friendship is eternal.”

For some reason, the vow they exchanged rose from the depths of her heart.

Was she going to die here to end this unbearable life?

Or was she going to live, to atone for her betrayal to her comrades?

No matter which choice she made, both paths led to hell. Mio had to choose one from these sad options.

Rushing through the flames, bloodshot eyes quickly scanned the surroundings, finding a brief opening in the thick smoke to soar towards the sky.

Only when he broke through the pitch-black haze did he realize his aircraft had reversed direction.

Looking up at the ground, he saw the sky below. Correcting his line of sight with the control stick, Kiyoaki confirmed that he had shaken off the enemy aircraft that had been pursuing him. He had learned that by skilfully utilizing clouds and explosions, he could recover even when being attacked from behind.

Quickly surveying the area, he searched for more enemy aircraft.

The combat zone was a chaotic mix of allies and foes.

The Urano patrol ship, equipped with a lifting device, was fiercely firing on the attacking enemy fighters amidst a torrential downpour of explosions. In response, the St Vault's attack fleet, which had rushed to the scene, was unleashing a tremendous barrage of anti-aircraft fire, creating a chaotic scene between the sky and the sea filled with gunpowder smoke, where countless aircraft burst into flames and plummeted down.

With the roar of a thousand cannonballs echoing, the impact shook the entire aircraft like a hammer. Gripping the control stick with all his might, Kiyoaki soared through the explosion-laden battlefield. No matter how far he flew, fire, smoke, or shattered steel armour lay before his eyes.

He had experienced air battles before in Eriadore and Red Goat, but this was on a completely different scale. It was a major showdown between the massive air forces of Urano and St Vault. He was spread-eagle in the heart of it all. He was still alive and able to fight.

But.

──Don’t get too heated. Know your limits.

He continued to remind himself as if telling Illia. If he got caught up in the frenzy of the battlefield and became a mere pawn, he would die. He repeated that caution to himself every time he spotted enemy aircraft at the corner of his vision, resolving not to pursue recklessly.

At that moment, the shape of the Jujiji Point of Air Hunt Island came into view.

An ominous feeling swept over him. A sense that had saved Kiyoaki's life several times before knocked on his temple.

His gaze caught sight of the source of his instinct.

"……!?"

At the base of the cape, a girl was approaching the rocky shore where white waves crashed.

A cluster of four diamond-shaped rocks marked a spot where seawater formed a cross. That girl inexplicably stepped down to a dangerous place where one could be swept away by the waves.

He recognized the golden hair and her way of walking.

No, even with the difference in altitude and distance, he couldn't mistake her.

"Mio!!"

A scream burst forth. Kiyoaki's current altitude was two hundred meters. His voice couldn’t reach her.

He couldn’t understand what Mio was doing. However, he could tell it wasn’t something ordinary, even if she looked like a mere speck from afar. Why was Mio not at the police station, and why was she alone in such a place?

Then──Mio's small hand was raised to the sky, and a flying object with a green tail was launched towards the air.

It was a flare. Following the green one, blue, yellow, and white flares were successively drawn in the sky, each with a long tail of various colours.

It seemed to be some sort of distress signal, but it was clearly not from the St Vault air and naval forces.

An ominous premonition burned in Kiyoaki's mind.

"……Mio……!!"

He shouted briefly and focused his gaze around. He spotted a small stretch of white beach near the rocky area. If he landed there, it seemed possible.

There was no need for thought. Kiyoaki dove straight towards the white beach, successfully touching down on the sandy shore.

He opened the cockpit.

Mio stood at the rocky point, staring intently at the sky above.

From here, the horizontal distance was about seven hundred meters.

"Mio!!"

He called out shortly, straining his eyes to scan the surroundings. He spotted a small white beach near the rocky area. That looked like a spot where he could land.

There was no need to think. Kiyoaki immediately aimed for the white beach and descended, kicking up sand as he successfully touched down at the water’s edge.

He opened the canopy.

"Mio!!"

Kiyoaki shouted at the top of his lungs, leaping out of the plane and setting foot on the sandy beach. He began running toward Mio.

Mio stood at the edge of the rocky outcrop, her gaze fixed intensely on the sky. The horizontal distance between them was about 700 meters.

The wind above scattered the colourful smoke. She couldn’t be sure if help was truly coming or not.

However.

──Whether it comes or not, it doesn’t matter.

She had lost interest in her own fate. She didn’t care what happened to her. Even if a bomb hit and she was blown apart right here, she wouldn’t feel a shred of sadness.

What was left for her now was just a single determination.

──To live, to be hated by everyone.

Dying was easy. It would all end, and she could return to zero. For her, it would be quite comfortable, and if possible, she would want to do just that.

However, as Reiner said, choosing that would be too cruel to her comrades.

──Why did I commit suicide without knowing about my betrayal, leaving them tormented?

She thought that was incredibly irresponsible. She wanted to avoid causing any more suffering to her innocent comrades.

──If the anger of the comrades with nowhere to go could be released by hating her.

──If it would allow them to find a target to take aim at without anguish.

──Even if it was shameful. Even if it meant crawling.

──She had to live.

Mio raised her face.

She looked back at the island and gazed at the blazing Air Hunt Island.

Deeply imprinting this sight into the depths of her soul, into the very core of her being.

──To live, bearing this sin.

She had made that resolve. She didn’t care how or where she would die from here on. She would live and live until her fate ran out, believing that this would atone for her sins. She hoped that the hearts of the comrades she had hurt would be saved, even just a little.

At that moment, the roar of a lifting device echoed down from the sky.

Looking up, she saw an unfamiliar airship about twenty meters long descending towards the Jujiji Point. It was a small flying ship from Urano, equipped with four lifting devices on its hull, without any wings. It seemed to have already spotted Mio, as it came to a halt fifty meters above the ground and dropped a recovery rope.

Mio focused on the rope hanging before her. A hook for personnel recovery was attached to its end, and the crew of the airship leaned out from the hull, urgently signalling her to hook onto it with one hand.

──I’m going to ride this ship and go to Pleiades.

Mio silently grasped the hook.

Then she looked back once more at the sight of Air Hunt Island.

It had been a place that had allowed her to spend a rich year. She had made many good memories.

She had met comrades she believed she would be with for a lifetime.

But now, she felt she had no right to say goodbye to them.

──It’s okay to hate me.

──It’s okay to want to kill me.

Flowing unspoken farewell words deep within her heart, Mio looked up at the sky and was about to signal the airship's crew that she was ready.

At that moment──.

"Mio!!"

A familiar voice reached her.

Startled, she turned her gaze back to the rocks.

On one of the split rocks, separated by a strip of seawater, stood Kiyoaki.

Kiyoaki looked up and shouted at the airship's crew.

"Stop…!! Let Mio go!!"

It seemed he mistakenly thought Mio was being taken away. If that continued, she would be shot from above. She was too exposed in front of the enemy ship.

Mio shouted back.

"Don’t come!! I called for this myself!!"

Kiyoaki returned his gaze to Mio, still unable to comprehend the situation.

"Let’s go back, Mio…!!"

The seawater gap separating them was only about one and a half meters wide. Kiyoaki looked as if he would leap over to her rock any moment now.

──He must not come.

──He would be shot.

Mio shouted with all her might.

"Don’t come here!!"

Kiyoaki flinched, startled by Mio's angry voice for the first time.

He was within reach if she stretched out her hand.

But she couldn’t reach out. The distance between them was now a barrier that would never close.

──She had to say goodbye to Kiyoaki here.

Mio steeled herself. She raised her palm to the airship above, signalling them not to shoot.

──I must tell the truth.

──So that Kiyoaki can forget about me from now on.

──So that her comrades can truly hate her.

Grateful to the cruel god for this opportunity, Mio put as much disdain as she could into her expression as she looked at the one she loved most.

"Maybe you still haven’t realized? What that cop said was true."

"……Huh?"

Mio put on an even more disdainful expression and looked coldly at Kiyoaki.

"I’m a traitor. A spy for Urano. I entered the officer academy to deceive everyone."

Kiyoaki heard her words, but there was no reaction. He stared at Mio with his mouth agape like a mechanical doll.

Mio shrugged and continued with even colder words.

"I’d appreciate it if you could understand quickly. But it seems impossible for you. After all, my performance was too perfect."

Kiyoaki's expression gradually began to show signs of shock. He was starting to comprehend Mio's words.

Waves crashed onto the rocky shore. The summer sky was painted with thousands of silver sprays, and a heavy roar covered Mio’s voice.

Against the backdrop of silver glimmer, Mio wore a cruelly pale expression that Kiyoaki had never seen before, with the Urano airship hovering above.

But deep within Mio's heart, pain screamed in anguish. Her words and feelings were separated, more painful than any hurt she had ever experienced.

Yet she couldn't let tears fall. Mio summoned all her willpower and began to weave together the disjointed words from her heart and mouth.

"Hey, Kiyoaki, do you know?"

"I'll say it again since once probably isn’t enough. I’m a traitor."

"When I first met you, I thought you were my destined one."

"I leaked all the information about this island to Urano. Thanks to that, this happened. What a great achievement. I’ll be praised by my superiors when I return."

"It was my dream to become your bride."

"By the way, the operation on Messus Island was also my dad's doing. He leaked all the island's information to Urano, making it easy to conquer Odessa Fortress. The reason the area was safe back then was because my dad was there."

"I believed we would always be together."

"Deceiving everyone was the most fun. You’re all so gullible. I’m a member of Urano, yet you all trusted me so easily."

"I thought I would spend my life by your side, laughing together."

"Making promises like not hating each other even if we became enemies—how foolish."

"Goodbye, the first person I fell in love with."

"Everything I’ve said to you until now was a lie."

"Goodbye, my beloved hero."

"Maybe you don’t believe me? The things I said in the canola field? I only said them because it was funny to see you suffer, so it would help if you just forgot."

"Thank you for all the memories."

"This concludes my mission. I’m heading back to Pleiades. Ah, it was fun. Well then, bye forever."

"I will never forget you."

"……Huh……?"

Despite the harsh words hurled at him, Kiyoaki continued to stare only at Mio.

Mio looked up to the sky and shouted.

"What are you hesitating for? The job is done, so hurry up and retreat!! I don’t want to stay on this island for even a second longer!!"

The crew, flustered, made the lifting device roar to life.

The airship began to ascend. The rope tightened, lifting Mio's body, her shoes leaving the rocky ground. The howling wind tangled Mio's hair, and below, Kiyoaki grew distant. Tears that she had held back threatened to spill.

──Not yet, don’t cry.

──Absolutely, don’t let the tears fall.

Mio maintained her cruelly pale expression as she looked down at Kiyoaki.

As they ascended beyond a hundred meters, and their expressions became indistinguishable, Mio finally twisted her face and let go of her reason.

"Ugh… ugh…"

She knew she had done something unforgivable.

But this was the only way to reveal the truth. If she didn’t do this, Kiyoaki and the others would have no one to hate.

"Sniff… hic…"

With tears streaming down her face, Mio was taken aboard the airship. The ship quickly departed the combat zone, heading toward the distant air fortress "Balsinos."

Outside the window, the blazing Air Hunt Island receded into the distance.

Leaving the island where her comrades were still fighting desperately, Mio was being taken alone to the air fortress she had never visited and to the unseen aerial city of Pleiades──.

"Mio…?"

Left behind on the rocks, Kiyoaki gazed up at the small airship disappearing into the distance, dazed.

At first, he couldn’t understand the meaning of Mio’s words, but gradually they began to sink in, confronting him with an undeniable reality.

"Mio is… a traitor?"

Since the winter break, Mio had suddenly begun to distance herself from everyone. She had started to treat Kiyoaki like a stranger, as if he were someone else.

The reason was.

"Because she’s a spy for Urano?"

He didn’t want to accept it. But various events aligned with what Mio had said.

"It was… fun deceiving everyone?"

Mio’s disdainful expression and her terrible words echoed in his mind.

"What does that even mean? What is this…?"

Kiyoaki looked up at the sky. The battle continued as fiercely as ever, with enemy and allied aircraft clashing violently, but the airship with Mio had already vanished beyond his sight.

"Is this… goodbye?"

Mio was gone.

That fact was the only thing he understood.

"Is this how we’re parting?"

If he believed Mio’s words, then it meant that she was the one responsible for destroying Air Hunt Island like this. Not just this island, but the invasion of Messus Island too, as Ethan had claimed she was involved.

Mio's true identity was that of a covert operative.

The weight of that truth pierced Kiyoaki’s heart.

"…What… is this?"

That was all he could murmur.

Floating in the airspace where Mio had disappeared was the Urano air fortress "Balsinos." It continued to unleash its aerial strike teams from above, showing no signs of relenting in its attack on Air Hunt Island. Despite knowing the situation was anything but peaceful, Kiyoaki continued to seek Mio's form within the demonic shadow of the fortress.

After approximately fifteen hours had passed since the attack began, and as the sun set, the two air fortresses vanished beyond the horizon, having destroyed every military facility, residential area, and the Air Hunt Officer Academy on the surface. Although they could have occupied the island at any time, they apparently judged that maintaining control would be difficult due to logistical reasons, and no landing was made. After the monstrous destruction had departed, only the wreckage of the new fleet and the scorched remains of Air Hunt Island were left behind.

Amidst the rubble, Kiyoaki and his comrades waited for Mio’s return.

But she never came back.

In the days that followed, the operation headquarters investigation committee examined the incident of the Air Hunt Island attack and publicly announced the fact that a covert operative had leaked all the island’s information to Urano.

The investigation report released to the entire St Vault Empire concluded that a single officer candidate was responsible for the outflow of critical information, including the locations of military facilities, underground fuel depots, fleet moorings, and vacation dates, as well as sabotage of defence nets and anti-submarine nets.

The name of the infiltrating operative was Mio Syira.

That name would forever be imprinted in the St Vault Empire as a synonym for "traitor"──.

END VOLUME 3