Toaru Hikuushi e no Seiyaku:V9Part6

Part 24 (Part 6 of Volume 9)

The runway at Odin First Airfield had been transformed into the venue for a grand send-off ceremony. Numerous pilots gathered, their faces radiant with bright smiles, looking up at the sky they wouldn’t see for some time, and filling their lungs with the fresh air they wouldn’t be breathing again soon.

“Alright, let the send-off party begin!” “Cheers!!”

Prompted by someone’s loud voice, the sound of clinking mugs echoed all around. No one knew how many times they had already celebrated like this, but for many, this could be the last time. These elite soldiers, regarded as the best in the Multi-Island Sea, quietly harboured that thought as they raised their cups with foreign pilots, sharing a drink before the final battle.

Imperial Year 1352, early February, evening, Odin Fortress—

Here, at the raucous gathering of the “Odin Air Squadron,” were nearly 900 elite pilots from across borders, brought together specifically for the operation to capture Pleiades. Their forces included 188 fighter planes, 56 fighter-bombers, 212 dive-bombers, and 32 heavy bombers. The newest and most advanced fighter and bomber aircraft from different nations and manufacturers had been allocated, and for almost a month, the pilots had endured gruelling training.

Particularly intense had been the group mock air battles of the fighter units, more severe than actual combat. The Valkyrie squadron, the Isla fleet air squadron, the Voltec squadron, and the Kusanagi air squadron had fiercely competed, putting their pride on the line. Despite using paint rounds, fifteen aircraft had been completely destroyed in one month, and eleven elite pilots had lost their lives due to collisions, stalls, or mid-air disintegrations—such was the ferocity of the training.

However, the harshness of the training had produced remarkable results. The pilots, already experienced, absorbed each other’s unknown techniques, and as a result, they seemed to have reached an even higher dimension. Initially, there had been friction between the squadrons, but as they clashed with all their pride, they began to respect and recognize one another.

“Hey Sakagami, are you drinking?” “Captain Sakagami, you’re not going to refuse my drink, are you?”

With flushed faces, two men, Voltec squadron’s McGuire and Kusanagi squadron’s Special Officer Yamashita, threw their arms around Kiyoaki Sakagami and tried to get him to drink. Both renowned as heavy drinkers, these two had tied not only in aerial combat but also in drinking contests. Ever since then, they had been competing with each other both in the air and on the ground. Despite barely understanding each other’s languages, they had somehow become inseparable, always exchanging vulgar jokes in their native tongues and laughing uproariously.

“Uh, yeah, I’ll drink, I’ll drink.”

Kiyoaki couldn’t refuse the offered drink, so he reluctantly joined in. Around him, the Kusanagi squadron members had also integrated smoothly with the other squadrons, breaking through language barriers with gestures and shared laughter, enjoying the moment together.

“This is nice,” Kiyoaki thought, feeling a deep sense of warmth.

Until recently, they had hated and killed each other to the bone. Yet, after just under a month of facing each other, they had become friends. The hatred that should have been impossible to discard had vanished, and now they laughed together, arms around each other, like McGuire and Yamashita. Even though some had lost comrades in training accidents, there was no turning that grief into hatred; instead, everyone had focused on improving themselves, striving for greater heights.

Humanity wasn’t so bad, after all. Kiyoaki reflected on this once more. Despite being selfish, greedy, and shallow, somewhere deep inside, everyone harboured the same kindness and nobility.

Feeling that warmth in his chest, a voice suddenly called out from close by.

“Hey.”

When Kiyoaki turned around, he saw the person who had relentlessly defeated him over the past month smiling at him.

Kiyoaki returned the smile brightly. He owed this person a thank you before their deployment.

“Seagull.”

Without thinking, he extended his right hand, which was firmly grasped in return.

Seagull, otherwise known as Charles Karino, smiled cheerfully and brought up the topic of yesterday’s final group mock air battle.

“It was impressive,” Charles said with a grin, to which Kiyoaki could only respond with a bitter smile.

“I finally managed to get one over on you in the end.”

Thanks to Charles, Kiyoaki had tasted bitter humiliation like never before. The frustration had been so intense that he had lashed out at himself after returning to the ground. Charles had completely overwhelmed him to that extent. Kiyoaki had even gone so far as to ask the Kusanagi squadron commander for permission to fly the elite aircraft Ikaruga, and he had used his connections with Balthazar for help.

Despite his determination to win, even flying the Ikaruga, Kiyoaki had still been no match for Charles.

Charles was extraordinary. It was almost as if he could use some kind of psychic ability, always anticipating Kiyoaki’s every move. Even when surrounded by three planes, Charles might temporarily be at a disadvantage, but in the end, his paint rounds would always strike their target’s fuselage.

His flying wasn’t normal either. A typical plane would drift in a crosswind, but not Charles. He flew as if he were immune to the wind itself. Charles seemed to not only anticipate his opponent’s intentions but also understand the movements of the air.

Of course, Kiyoaki wasn’t the only one to be defeated. Illia, Kal-el, Yoshioka Takeo—every one of them had been thoroughly outmatched. Whenever Charles participated in the mock air battles, his team would always win. No matter what formation was used, no one could shoot down Charles.

Kiyoaki had learned from Charles, not just in the air but also after returning to the ground. He would go to Charles and bombard him with questions—how had he seen through his tactics, how had he executed his manoeuvres? Charles never held anything back. In fact, he was so generous with his knowledge that he would openly explain his techniques and point out Kiyoaki’s mistakes. At times, Kiyoaki had felt embarrassed for ever suspecting Charles of using psychic powers. In reality, Charles’s extraordinary observation skills had simply allowed him to read Kiyoaki’s habits and predict the plane’s next move.

It had been a humbling experience, realizing how thoroughly Charles had seen through his every move, leaving Kiyoaki unable to sleep from the shock. Even after all the sorties and dogfights Kiyoaki had experienced, it had been shocking to discover he still had so many weaknesses. However, rather than being discouraged, Kiyoaki had persisted, working tirelessly and repeatedly challenging Charles.

Kiyoaki wasn’t the only one. Illia, Kal-el, Takeo, even Lala and Dambazolik—everyone had become obsessed with the goal of shooting down Charles. And as they did, everyone’s skills had improved to levels they had never reached before.

And then—yesterday.

Kiyoaki had finally shot down Charles.

The group mock air battle, which had started with twelve planes on each side, had come down to a showdown between Kiyoaki and Illia against Charles. Working together with Illia, Kiyoaki had managed to corner Charles, and when Illia sacrificed herself, Kiyoaki had landed a paint round on Charles’s tail. When they returned to the ground, the Valkyrie squadron had erupted in celebration.

“You must have let me have that one in the end,” Kiyoaki said humbly.

Charles shook his head.

“I gave it my all and lost fair and square.”

Hearing this, Kiyoaki felt a surge of pride.

He had beaten Charles.

Only once, but still. He knew he would lose the next time, but at the very end, he had managed to overcome this enormous challenge. Now, he stood on a new, higher plane.

Charles looked at Kiyoaki and, with sudden seriousness, said:

“I think you’re the strongest one here right now.”

A shiver ran down Kiyoaki’s spine. It was a compliment far beyond what he deserved, but Charles continued.

“You should lead everyone. You’re the one who’s qualified for it. In fact, only you are. So…”

He paused briefly and smiled at Kiyoaki, encouraging him.

“Never give up, no matter what. No matter what hardships or despair lie ahead. If you give up, the world ends.”

Charles lifted his glass and lightly clinked it against Kiyoaki’s.

“You’re going to save the world.”

With the air of a prophet, Charles said this with a mischievous smile. Before Kiyoaki could respond, a public relations officer from the Sylvania Kingdom approached him.

“Captain Sakagami, it’s almost time…”

“Oh, right. Is it that time already…?”

About a week ago, Queen Elisabeth had made a request to Kiyoaki. She had asked him to perform a special role before their departure today. He had hesitated at first, but as the commander of the operation to secure air supremacy over Pleiades, he had been convinced that it was an important role to raise everyone’s morale. Originally, Balthazar, the commander of Odin Fortress, should have done it, but he had refused and passed the responsibility to Kiyoaki. For the past three nights, Kiyoaki had spent fifteen minutes each night practicing, but he still wasn’t confident it would go well.

As dusk fell, the voice of the female public relations officer echoed through the loudspeakers, announcing that Queen Elisabeth of Sylvania, Supreme Commander of the Multi-Island Sea Coalition Forces, would now explain the mission. Rumours about the destination of Odin Fortress had been circulating, but now that the Queen herself was about to reveal the plan, excitement surged through the crowd.

Queen Elisabeth's popularity in the Multi-Island Sea was immense.

Not only because of her innocent appearance, but also her intelligence, compassion, and approachable nature. Her childlike ideals, devoid of any political cunning, endeared her to people across the Hydrabard Archipelago, the St Vault Empire, and the Akitsu Continent. Among the multinational pilots of the Odin Air Squadron, she was affectionately known as the "idol of the Multi-Island Sea."

With the chance to see the Queen up close, nearly 900 pilots gathered in front of the hastily constructed stage, drinks in hand. Cheers and whistles hurried the "idol’s" appearance. The public relations officer called for quiet, and Queen Elisabeth, surrounded by aides in tailcoats, emerged from the air command post, prompting a chorus of loud cheers.

Gracefully smiling, the Queen stepped onto the stage, grasping the hem of her skirt with both hands, pulling back her right foot, and bowing deeply to the soldiers with elegant court etiquette. She then straightened, met the eyes of those calling out her name, and spoke in a clear voice through the microphone.

“I am Elisabeth of Sylvania, Supreme Commander of the Multi-Island Sea Coalition Forces. I am here to deliver the outline of a battle that will be recorded in human history, to the brave soldiers gathered before me.”

Her voice sparkled with a brilliance that matched her words. Once again, cheers erupted from the hardened airmen, ascending into the evening sky.

“As you know, Uranos has finally revealed its ambitions toward the surface. The Harmonia Empire, now a puppet of Uranos, has meticulously prepared and broken through the Kukuana Line, driving the St Vault Empire’s forces off the Mitterland continent and trampling the remaining imperial citizens beneath their boots. They have executed prisoners and civilians alike, and they have violated the dignity of women. One of the greatest atrocities against human rights in history is now being inflicted upon the ordinary citizens of the Empire. And now, their plundering and violence are aimed at the entire Multi-Island Sea. The massive Uranos air fleet, more than twice the size of our coalition forces, approaches steadily, leaving us little time. To prevent the people of the Multi-Island Sea from being cast into hell, and to rescue the imperial citizens now suffering in that hell, we need the strength of everyone gathered here.”

Though Elisabeth’s tone was calm, it was sincere. As she spoke, the raucous cheers and whistles subsided, and a serious look returned to everyone’s faces.

“Not only the St Vault Empire but also the Sylvania Kingdom, the Hydrabard Archipelago, and even the three nations of the Akitsu Continent have resolved to stand united as the Multi-Island Sea Coalition Forces against Uranos. You, the Odin Air Squadron, are the symbol of that unity, and at the same time, the last hope for the world.”

At that moment, another figure joined Elisabeth on stage: a male officer holding a single flag. Though slightly nervous, he stood with dignity, letting the flag, adorned with the emblem of the warrior-maiden Valkyrie, symbol of the coalition, flutter in the wind.

“Many of you are already aware, but allow me to introduce him again. This is Captain Kiyoaki Sakagami, commander of the Odin Fighter Squadron, who will lead the battle to secure air supremacy over Pleiades. Captain Sakagami will now explain the details of the mission.”

Finally, the full scope of the operation was about to be revealed. The murmuring in the crowd died down. Kiyoaki stepped up to the microphone, his expression a bit tense, and began to speak.

“I will now explain the outline of the mission. As you are aware, it is still uncertain whether the Uranos fleet will come from the north, through the Crossnodal region, or from the east, through the Zunjin Dynasty. Therefore, we must divide our naval forces in two. If they come from the north, the Second Isla Fleet will intercept them, and if they come from the east, the St Vault Multi-Island Sea Fleet will engage. In the meantime, the invasion fleet will depart from Air Hunt Island, with 140,000 soldiers landing in the Bluetonia region of the Mitterland continent. The goal is to seize the port city of Nautilus within 24 hours and begin unloading supplies. This is an extremely difficult operation to sustain. Splitting our fleet in two to face an enemy twice our size, maintaining sea supply lines for the landing forces… Attempting this head-on leaves little chance of success. However, thanks to the tireless efforts of our exceptional communications and intelligence units, we have miraculously obtained information on the location, heading, and speed of Uranos’s capital, Pleiades. Though I cannot disclose the details, this is a divine blessing. We, the brave warriors gathered here, will now bet everything on this divine favour.”

At the mention of Pleiades, the crowd stirred. It had been rumoured, but now it seemed certain that their target was indeed the flying capital, something many had only heard of in legends.

“Underneath this Odin Fortress are 80 state-of-the-art jet engines. As soon as this feast ends, all engines will be ignited, and Odin will soar to the northeast, flying faster than the enemy could ever anticipate, as we launch a surprise attack on the enemy capital, Pleiades! This will undoubtedly be the largest air battle in history, and the fate of the world rests on your shoulders. Each of your efforts will determine the fate of the Multi-Island Sea for the next thousand years. I expect all of you to carry out your duties with every fibre of your being!”

A loud cheer, impossible to suppress, erupted from the crowd. Some, grinning broadly, began clinking their mugs together.

At this point, Elisabeth returned to the microphone and offered her final words as Supreme Commander.

“As you’ve heard, this will be a duel between Pleiades and Odin. If we succeed, the war will end. If we fail, none of us will return alive. I trust there are no longer any who hesitate, but if anyone wishes to leave, I will close my eyes and allow you to take one of the parachutes and descend to the surface. The parachutes are ready here, so please do not hesitate…”

Elisabeth closed her eyes, just as she had said.

A deep silence descended. As the moments stretched on, the soldiers grew restless. Just as Elisabeth had mentioned, there was indeed a large pile of parachutes beside the stage, ready for those who wished to flee. But no one here would run at this point.

In the midst of the anxious crowd, a loud voice rose up.

“We don’t care about our lives. We’re here to crush Uranos. We’re here to save the people of Mitterland. We’re here to save Hydrabard and the Multi-Island Sea. Give us the order, and we’ll take any sky. Just point us in the right direction, and we’ll fly there and claim the sky for ourselves!”

Transcending nationality, race, and language, not a single pilot moved to flee. All eyes were on Elisabeth, waiting for her command. The fervour for orders spread through the crowd, and just as it reached its peak, Elisabeth’s amber eyes slowly opened.

“Thank you, brave warriors. May the blessings of Saint Aldista be with you.”

After offering a smile to everyone present, her expression turned solemn.

Her tone shifted.

"The Supreme Commander of the Multi-Island Sea Coalition Forces, Elisabeth of Sylvania, issues the following order!"

The atmosphere tightened with a sharp, almost tangible tension.

In the next instant, Elisabeth's voice, noble and commanding, struck the ears of the audience like a thunderclap.

"Take down Pleiades!"

All those present snapped their heels together, scraping the ground as they straightened their backs and stood to attention, accepting the command.

"For our freedom, seize the Sky Capital! End this war! For the future of our children, bring us victory!"

The warriors echoed Elisabeth's resolute command with their own battle cries.

"Victory for us!" "Victory for us!" "For the future, for hope, victory for us!"

The silent voices of fallen friends from countless battles, the unvoiced rage and sorrow of helpless citizens robbed of their lives, all swelled within the warriors' souls, shaking Odin Fortress like a rumbling earthquake.

Kiyoaki stepped back to the microphone, scanning the impassioned faces of the pilots.

Frenzy had overtaken the gathering. The heightened desire for battle burned like fire, warming the frigid winter air.

The pride of these men, who had fought and survived hundreds of air battles, blazed like flames, sending shivers through Kiyoaki's very being.

They had finally come this far.

Raising the Valkyrie battle flag toward the starlit sky, Kiyoaki, as commander of the air supremacy operation, issued his command.

"The mission name is 'Odin's Spear!' We will become the spear of Thor and pierce the very heart of Uranos with a single strike!"

Cheers that could pierce the heavens shot up, as if aiming to bring down the stars themselves. The intense emotions of the warriors warped the very air around them like heatwaves.

"We go, to Pleiades!"

Kiyoaki's command sliced through the night sky, the raised battle flag seeming to command the stars themselves.

At the same time, the roar of countless souls reverberated through the heavens, as if answering him with the rumbling of thunder.

"We'll do it! We’ll show them our strength! No matter how many they have, we'll shoot them all down!" "We'll win and come back! We'll win and return here again!"

The warriors' voices, encouraging one another, echoed over and over into the depths of the night sky. Every single person here understood the immense difficulty of the task ahead. The defensive power of the enemy's Sky Capital, Pleiades, was beyond imagination. The Alice actus fleet waiting for them might number over a thousand. Fear, of course, existed, but no one spoke of it. Instead, they clinked their mugs and glasses together, drinking and cheering without end.

Thousands of raised arms praised the Valkyrie and the Multi-Island Sea Coalition, their cheers crashing like tidal waves into the night sky. Even when the public relations officer announced that all jet engines would soon ignite and instructed everyone to return to the barracks, the cries for victory continued unabated.

"Victory for us!" "Victory for us!"

The sky above Odin silently received their prayers. The stars, in their timeless splendour, seemed to add their own light to the warriors' hopes.

"Well done, Sakagami. Just as I predicted, your ferocity works well in situations like this."

Balthazar, the commander of Odin Fortress, grinned with satisfaction as he praised Kiyoaki, who had just returned to the officers' lounge within the air command post.

"I'm ferocious?" Kiyoaki responded with a wry smile, while Cecil shook his head beside him.

"He means 'brave.' The way you raised your arm and shouted, 'We go, to Pleiades!'—it was incredibly cool!"

Cecil mimicked Kiyoaki, raising his hand as Kiyoaki had done, causing Kiyoaki’s wry smile to deepen.

"Yeah, no need to mimic me. It's embarrassing..."

"We go, to Pleiades!"

"Okay, okay, I get it. That's enough. I was just following the script."

Seeing Kiyoaki genuinely uncomfortable, Balthazar spoke with a serious expression.

"You’ve got some nerve, delivering lines like that."

"You wrote the script!" Kiyoaki suddenly shouted back. Balthazar glanced at Cecil.

"See? Ferocious."

"This time, it’s the captain’s fault," Cecil said with a nod.

Every word of Kiyoaki's speech had been written by Balthazar. The pause before Cecil's order, the suggestion to drop with parachutes to provoke the soldiers' anger, and the dramatic delivery of the command were all part of Balthazar's clever plan. Kiyoaki couldn’t help but be impressed by, and slightly exasperated with, Balthazar's boundless cunning.

"…The soldiers' morale is certainly higher now. It was a good speech."

From a corner of the room, leaning against the wall, Illia spoke up, offering her approval. Kiyoaki blushed slightly.

"You should have helped me, Illia."

"…I couldn’t do something like that. It had to be you."

Illia's quiet words of praise sank deep into Kiyoaki's heart. They were the kindest words he’d heard all night.

"The engines will ignite soon… Cecil, we should go."

Encouraged by Illia, Cecil frowned slightly.

"…I want to go with you…"

Forgetting her status as queen, she spoke with the sincerity of a young girl. However, Cecil couldn’t accompany them on this path. As the Supreme Commander of the Multi-Island Sea Coalition Forces, her duty was to remain in the rear and oversee the entire operation.

"I’ll come back. I promise."

Illia stepped away from the wall and smiled reassuringly, extending her arms to Cecil.

Without hesitation, Cecil leapt into Illia's embrace, burying her face in her chest.

"…Please don’t die, Illia."

"We’ll win and come back. We’ll take control of Pleiades."

They had known each other for nearly ten years now. Even after Cecil became queen, they had continued to support each other like sisters. Kiyoaki understood the depth of Cecil’s anxiety and sorrow as if it were his own.

"Wait for us at Sierra Greed. We’ll end this war and come back. Then we’ll go to the Akitsu Continent together to meet Kagura."

"Yes… Yes…"

Wiping away her tears in Illia's embrace, Cecil hesitantly let go, then turned and hugged Kiyoaki tightly.

"Aki too. Come back. Don’t die. Come back with Mio, Reiner, and everyone."

Kiyoaki smiled as he gently placed his hands on Cecil’s small back.

"I will. We’ll come back. We’ll win, end the war, and all return together to Sylvania."

Kiyoaki lied to ease her worries and get Cecil safely off the island. In reality, if he did bring Mio and Reiner back to the Multi-Island Sea Coalition, they would be arrested and executed on the spot. During their time at Air Hunt Academy, both had leaked critical information about the newly formed fleet docked on the island to Uranos, leading to a surprise attack by the enemy’s aerial fortress. There was no escaping the fact that they were branded traitors. The military facilities, the academy, and the fleet docked on Air Hunt Island had all been destroyed. Not even Elisabeth could protect them from the punishment they faced. They had no place in the Multi-Island Sea anymore, and even if Kiyoaki brought them back, it would only bring harm to Elisabeth and everyone else.

Even if they could reunite, they could never return together. No matter how much they longed for it, the St Vault Empire would never forgive Mio and Reiner.

Cecil, her eyes wet with tears, looked up at Kiyoaki and nodded. Then, she turned toward Balthazar.

Sensing danger, Balthazar took a step back.

"Stay away. Don’t come any closer."

"Captain…"

Like a patient shepherd corralling a nervous animal, Cecil bent her knees, hands outstretched, slowly closing the distance between herself and Balthazar.

"I’m telling you, stay away. Get back."

As Balthazar, pale-faced, backed into a corner of the room, Cecil finally jumped into his arms.

"Captain…"

Her arms tightened around him. Balthazar, who had turned pale just moments ago, was now turning beet red, his arms hanging stiffly at his sides as his fingertips twitched awkwardly like a penguin. He clenched his teeth and shook his head in discomfort as Cecil apologized to him.

"I’m sorry for saying you’re small-minded. I’m sorry for keeping that terrible letter you wrote hidden. I’m sorry Aunt Colette and I made fun of you behind your back…"

"You did all that…?"

"You’re not the type to die in battle. You wouldn’t look good doing it. No matter how dirty, cowardly, or inhuman your tactics might be, you’re the kind of man who will survive and come back. I believe that. I believe in you…"

"Alright, fine! I’ll come back, so please… just stop…"

At Balthazar’s plea, the island’s public address system announced that the jet engines would ignite in fifteen minutes. The airship waiting to take Cecil back to Sierra Greed was already prepared and waiting on the runway.

"Cecil, you should go now."

Illia urged Cecil, and when she finally let go of her arm, she glanced around at everyone with tearful eyes, reluctant to say goodbye.

"I believe in it. We'll meet again, all of us."

Kiyoaki smiled.

"Yes. Once this is over, we'll all meet again."

"It's a promise."

"Yes. I promise. So don't worry. I'll definitely return. We'll all come back together."

The officials who had come to escort them entered the waiting room, announcing it was time to leave. Cecil, looking troubled, glanced at everyone one more time before reluctantly leaving the room.

Now, with just the three of them left in the room, Balthazar shrugged his shoulders in exasperation.

"As always, he brings bad luck. I keep telling him not to talk about what we'll do after surviving before a sortie..."

He loosened his tie, muttering complaints to hide his embarrassment.

"You two should return to the barracks. Once the engines ignite, you won't be able to step on the surface. If you do, you'll be tossed out beyond the island, so be prepared. Now go."

With not even a trace of sentimentality, Balthazar brusquely tried to send Kiyoaki and Illia on their way.

Perhaps this was their final farewell to Balthazar as well. The next battle was one where, if they lost, everyone on the island would die.

It was thanks to Balthazar that they were able to proceed with the Pleiades surprise attack operation and take on the core of the mission. Without him, they would never have made it this far.

"Baltha."

Kiyoaki raised his clenched fist to his chest. Balthazar saw it and twisted his mouth into a frown. As Kiyoaki extended his fist with a smile, Balthazar, still looking away, extended his own fist, lightly bumping it against Kiyoaki's.

"Get going. You're the one who said you could secure air superiority with two hundred aircraft. If you fail, it's all your fault, so make sure you succeed even if it kills you."

"…Yes. I will definitely secure Pleiades airspace. You be careful too, Baltha."

Balthazar didn't turn to face them, simply waving his hand slightly as if to say, "Get out." Kiyoaki and Illia left the command post together, gazing up at the sky full of stars.

For the first time today, Kiyoaki felt like he had had a real conversation with Balthazar. Though unkind, inhuman, and treating them more as subordinates than comrades, Kiyoaki respected Balthazar and wished to win the battle, survive, and someday exchange more words with him as men.

Wearing their officer coats, Kiyoaki and Illia walked side by side, covering the short five-minute distance to the barracks. At an altitude of two thousand meters, Odin was quietly waiting for its departure, connected to the seabed off Sierra Greed by wires.

Thousands of stars cast light and shade across the frozen sky. Illia, walking beside him, occasionally glanced up at the stars, exhaling white breaths as if she wanted to say something, then silently shoved her hands into her pockets and continued toward the female officers' barracks.

Ever since meeting Illia on the airship Eriadore, whether at the Air Hunt Officer Academy, the Voltec Air Squadron, or Valkyrie, they had shared countless moments looking up at the stars together, discussing aerial combat, military life, the sad things, and the happy things. Living always side by side with death made the moments spent talking with Illia precious, and nearly four and a half years had passed since.

Because there was no guarantee that tomorrow would come, the time Kiyoaki had spent with Illia became incredibly rich and meaningful. As comrades at times, as enemies to shoot down at others, they always faced each other seriously, and now, Illia's presence had become a core part of Kiyoaki both as an airman and as a person.

The world had entrusted Kiyoaki and Illia with the crucial mission of securing Pleiades airspace. As airmen and soldiers, it was the greatest job they could have hoped for.

It was because Illia had been with him that Kiyoaki had made it this far. He truly believed that from the bottom of his heart. And now, there were words he needed to say to Illia.

Just as Kiyoaki steeled himself and was about to speak, Illia suddenly opened her mouth.

"We've finally made it this far. It’s been a long journey."

Illia spoke first, leaving Kiyoaki momentarily at a loss.

"Yeah. It’s finally time."

Illia continued, looking up at the stars as she walked.

"We have to win, no matter how strong the enemy is."

"Yes. I don't intend to lose."

"We’ll win and get Mio back."

Illia said this casually, causing Kiyoaki's heart to leap.

"We’ll rescue Mio, capture Reiner, and return together."

Illia's words left Kiyoaki speechless. His feet stopped in their tracks.

"……………………?"

Illia also halted, looking at Kiyoaki curiously. Kiyoaki took a deep breath, calming his racing heart, and after ensuring no one was around, he raised his face with sincerity.

"…There’s something I need to tell you."

His heart pounded so hard it seemed like Illia might hear it. Don't be afraid, don't be nervous, Kiyoaki told himself, but he had never felt his body shrink like this, not even in the heat of aerial combat.

"…………?"

Illia looked at him with puzzled eyes.

Kiyoaki, despite his nervousness, forced out the words.

"…I want to tell you, right here and now."

Illia tilted her head, sensing something strange, and took a step back.

"W-what's this all of a sudden? Is there something on my nose?"

Illia touched her nose, but nothing was there. Kiyoaki stood upright, forcing his expression into a firm resolve, and spoke.

"I'm going to rescue Mio. That’s, of course, because I promised her. Yes, I’ll definitely save her. But… that’s as a comrade."

Illia, with a somewhat frightened look on her face, took another half-step back.

"Y-yeah. I see. That’s good to hear."

Without fully understanding, Illia gave a casual response, but Kiyoaki had already made up his mind to express his feelings. It was sudden and far from polished, but it didn’t matter how clumsy it was—he had to say it now.

He gathered his sincerity. What he was about to do would likely be the boldest thing he ever did in his life. He probably wouldn’t do something like this twice. Summoning his courage, he tried to speak, but the first word wouldn’t come out. He stood there, face strained, letting out a faint groan as he tried to summon his bravery, which caused Illia to contort her face in discomfort.

"What is it? Are you having a nervous breakdown? Should you see the military doctor?"

"N-no!! …Illia!!"

Kiyoaki made up his mind.

"Y-yes?"

"I… I love you!!"

With that shout, Illia's mouth hung open in shock. It might have been too sudden, Kiyoaki thought with regret, but there was no turning back now. He had to see it through to the end, this reckless confession.

"I've always liked you!! I can’t get you out of my head!! Whether I’m asleep or awake, I’m always thinking about you!! No matter how I look at it, or how I analyse my own feelings, there’s no doubt I love you!!"

Illia's mouth opened wider than ever, and the colour drained from her face.

"So!! I’ll rescue Mio, but not to marry her or anything like that…!! I’m saving her as a comrade!! She’s an important comrade, but you, to me, are more than just a comrade, you’re…"

After scratching his head, Kiyoaki continued, driven by the heat of the moment.

"After we win this battle, marry me, Illia!!"

Illia had completely frozen. The suddenness of the confession may have fried her brain. Realizing he might have failed completely, Kiyoaki, now full of regret, bowed his head.

"I’m not asking for an answer right now!! You can give it after the battle!! Just… please think about it, Illia!!"

Illia, pale-faced, could only stare at Kiyoaki.

Kiyoaki lifted his bowed head, looked Illia straight in the eye, and tried to finish what he had to say.

"I want to be with you forev—"

A sharp sound, followed by pain, cut off his sentence.

Kiyoaki's face was knocked to the right, and his left cheek began to swell, red and puffy.

"What the hell is wrong with you…?!"

Illia's voice, low and restrained, trembled with both anger and tears.

"What the hell…?!"

With shoulders raised in fury, Illia dropped the hand that had slapped Kiyoaki’s cheek, and her voice trembled.

"What are you doing, suddenly saying something like that?! What’s gotten into you?!"

Even in her angry voice, there was a hint of sadness.

"Mio is waiting for you, you know!?"

Illia didn’t even look at Kiyoaki, dropping her gaze to somewhere around Kiyoaki’s stomach, closing her eyes tightly, and raising her voice.

"Mio entrusted her wish to Fio, hoping you would come for her!!"

I know that.

"Fio risked her life flying because she wanted you to save Mio!!"

I know that too.

"And yet!! Why are you saying something like this now!?"

"Because I don't want to be a coward!!"

Blood trickled from Kiyoaki’s lips as he shouted back. He understood how reckless he was being. He knew it was foolish, cruel, irrational, and completely unreasonable.

But his feelings for Illia were just that foolish, cruel, and illogical. If he could control them, he would, but his love for her defied all reason.

"I don’t want her to think I saw Mio’s current state, then compared the two of you, and made my decision!!"

Comparing Mio and Illia like that would make him the lowest kind of person.

That’s why, before even seeing Mio, he had to be honest with the one he truly cared for, the one he wanted to be with forever, the one he couldn’t see as anything less than an incredible woman. He had to express his honest feelings now.

That was the conclusion he had reached after thinking it through countless times.

Even he thought it was foolish to be considering something like this at a time like this.

But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t shut out these primitive, clumsy, ugly, and desperate feelings from within himself. The more he tried, the more Illia’s smiling face became etched into his mind, projected on the ceiling of the barracks at night. His pierced heart cried out her name through the night, hurting whenever she was friendly with someone else, and desperately, childishly pleading for her to be with him forever.

That’s why, before meeting Mio, he had to say this. If not, he would become a coward. It would be wrong as a human being to meet Mio while harbouring these feelings inside. So...

"I declare, right here and now, that I love only you!!"

It was a mortifyingly embarrassing line, one that he could never say again, but he didn’t care. He just wanted to be sincere — to Mio, to Illia, and to his own feelings. Even if it was selfish, even if it hurt others, he just wanted to be honest. He wanted to stay with Illia forever, even after death, even long after the star made by God was swallowed by the sun and exploded, and civilization and humanity were wiped from existence.

Illia sniffled. She hurriedly wiped her eyes and nose with her sleeve.

Then, glaring at Kiyoaki, he shouted.

"Shut up, you idiot!! Saying something like that at a time like this, you’re the worst kind of person!!"

Illia’s voice, thick with tears, cursed at him, then she suddenly turned her back on Kiyoaki and ran into the night.

"I don’t want to see your face again! Don’t come near me, don’t get close, never appear in front of me again!!"

"Illia!!"

There was no answer to Kiyoaki's shout. All he could do was watch helplessly as Illia disappeared into the darkness.

"What the hell is wrong with him!? What is that idiot thinking!?"

Running alone through the night, Illia shouted curses into the sky.

Her heart was racing, unusually fast, but it was only because she was running at full speed. It was all because that idiot had said something so stupid out of the blue, shocking her and making her blood pump faster.

"What is he thinking!? Does he understand what time it is!? The fate of the world rests on our shoulders!!"

While running, she yelled at the sky.

"And yet, what the hell was that!? Is this really the time to be saying such things!? Why did he have to say that now, of all times, you idiot!!"

Even as she cursed and ran at full speed, the tears pouring down Illia's cheeks wouldn't stop.

No one was watching. It didn't matter.

Crying profusely, Illia ran beneath the stars.

She knew why she was crying. She understood, which made her want to die all the more.

"He's the worst!! He's crazy!! He's irresponsible, self-centred, and completely lacks any sense of duty as an officer!!"

Her curses wouldn't stop. She was berating both Kiyoaki and herself.

"Die, you idiot!!"

The tears wouldn't stop.

"At a time when the future of the world for the next thousand years is at stake, who cares about personal matters!!"

What the hell is wrong with me? Since when did I become such a terrible person?

"Die, you idiot, smash your head against the instrument panel and just die!!"

It's too much. It's too cruel. I can't face Mio after this.

"I'm going to become the King of the Sky!!"

And yet here I am…

Crying because I’m happy.

"Emotions have no value!!"

I’m crying because I’m happy that Kiyoaki feels that way about me. My heart is overwhelmed.

"I'm going to become the King of the Sky!! I’ve been working towards that since I was a child!!"

That’s my destiny. I’ll crush these petty, insignificant emotions with the strength of my dream. With the strength of the wish my father entrusted to me. I’ll fight and fight, shoot down countless enemies… and I must be called the "King of the Sky" by everyone.

──What kind of dream is that?

──Is that really what I want?

──You already know your true feelings.

"Shut up, be quiet!!"

──You've already found no value in the dream your father pushed on you.

"Be quiet!! Shut up!! Shut up!!"

──Do you want to kill countless enemies and be praised as the "King of the Sky"?

──Do you want to be glorified in textbooks as a great ace, along with your father?

──Do you want to boast about the number of enemies you've killed?

──Do you want to grow old like your father, clinging to past glories and turning away from the present?

"Stop it!!"

Illia screamed at the stars. But her heart would not stop whispering cruelly.

──You’ve already found something more valuable.

"Stop it!! Please stop!!"

Crying, Illia covered her ears and kept running. She ran past the barracks she was supposed to return to and into the windbreak of Odin. The island-wide announcement declared that engine ignition would begin in five minutes. Illia dropped to her knees on the damp forest floor, covering her ears and curling up.

──I want to fly in the sky with Kiyoaki, where there are no enemies.

Her heart whispered.

──I don't need to be the King of the Sky. What meaning does such a title even have?

──I just want to dance in a peaceful sky, with Kiyoaki by my side.

"Please stop… no more… please…"

Alone, Illia embraced her weakness and sobbed.

The voice of a female announcer declared that the jet engines had ignited. Soon, Illia heard an unfamiliar roar in the distance. Several high-pitched thunders overlapped, and then the wind slowly began to pick up.

Odin had started to move. The journey to Pleiades, a journey with no return, had begun. If she didn’t get back soon, she would be blown away.

"I'm… the ace pilot…"

Still curled up, Illia whispered to herself.

The strengthening wind swept her words of resolve into the night.