Toaru Hikuushi e no Seiyaku:Part5

The Air Hunt Officer Academy Part 1 - (Part 5 of Volume 1)

In August of the 1347th year of the Imperial Calendar, in the capital of the Akitsu Federation, Misato—

At the Misato naval port, VIPs from the political and business world, along with high-ranking officers of the Akitsu Federation’s military and hundreds of other officers, were gathered to see off their esteemed guests, who had traveled all the way from beyond the Great Waterfall.

The dark green ships of the Akitsu military stood guard, while unfamiliar blue- gray ships were anchored in two neat columns in Misato Bay. Overhead, Akitsu military propeller fighters roared back and forth, adding to the somber yet

festive atmosphere of the farewell event, which would soon conclude with the departure of the St Vault military airship fleet.

The St Vault fleet dispatched for this mission consisted of two heavy cruisers, four destroyers, one escort carrier, and three transport ships.

Because the two nations were separated by the Great Waterfall, all of the ships were equipped with lifting devices for airship transport.

The reason this goodwill mission was so large in scale was to demonstrate St Vault’s naval presence in the South Sea, a show of force. While their outward journey had faced no interference, the return trip promised to be a more precarious journey.

"I’m sorry, Fio. I can’t take you with me to St Vault. The student dorm at my new school doesn’t allow pets."

Seventeen-year-old Mio Syira apologized to Fio, who was perched on her finger, before giving a quick wave.

Losing her footing, Fio took off, circling overhead with a mournful cry.

"Take care of yourself. I’ll come back to visit during winter break. Look after my parents for me."

As Mio bid her farewell, the smart bird let out a little chirp and disappeared into the blue sky.

Looking up at the sky filled with patrolling fighter planes, Mio stretched out her arms and suddenly muttered to herself.

"I’ve been thinking for a while now... Aren’t we just bait?" She cast a gloomy glance toward the sky where Fio had disappeared. "They say it’s a goodwill or cultural exchange, but the real goal is to intentionally send us through dangerous waters, provoke Urano into attacking, and give St Vault a reason to join the war. Then afterward, they’ll say something like, 'Even innocent young students were among the casualties,' or something like that."

Beside her, seventeen-year-old Kiyoaki Sakagami, wearing the same military uniform, looked up at the clear sky with calm eyes.

"As cadets, there’s nothing we can do about the top brass’s intentions. If we make it to St Vault safely, we’ll be allowed to transfer to the Air Hunt Officer Academy. We should consider this an opportunity."

He stated this firmly.

The uniforms they wore weren’t from their current school, Kanan Officer Academy, but from the Air Hunt Officer Academy across the Great Waterfall. After a two- night, three-day voyage across the North-South Archipelago, if they arrived safely at the St Vault Empire’s capital, Ser Faust, they would transfer as third-year students to one of the most prestigious officer academies, known for producing countless famous generals and strategists, and walk through the grand, historic campus in these uniforms.

"Yeah, I know. We’ve got allies, so we should be fine. But I’m still worried. I just hope the people going with us aren’t too weird."

Mio glanced around anxiously. A short distance away from the ceremony, under a tent at the dock, several dozen officers and non-commissioned officers from the St Vault naval and air forces were chatting as they awaited departure.

They were all airship pilots. In the archipelago, which consists of more than four thousand islands, flying boats (seaplanes) were considered all-purpose machines, highly valued for their ability to operate without airfields. They handled everything from transport and reconnaissance to bombing and torpedoing, making them a core force. Kiyoaki and Mio, representing Kanan Officer Academy, were about to embark on a journey through the archipelago in such a flying boat.

They would be joined by a fourth-year student from Misato Officer Academy, known for their top academic performance, and four cadets from the Air Hunt Officer Academy. Since they had never met these people before, Mio was feeling uneasy. The seven of them would need to work together to ensure a smooth flight. But Kiyoaki felt reassured knowing that Mio would be with him. It had been three years since the air raid on Messus Island, where he had lost his entire family.

Since then, he and Mio had passed the entrance exam for Kanan Officer Academy and had been working hard as cadets.

Now, both of them were seventeen-year-old third-year students in the aviation department. They had excelled in practical training, where they flew aircraft, and achieved outstanding results in both academic and practical courses. As a result, they were chosen to represent the Akitsu Federation as cadets, being transferred to the Air Hunt Officer Academy. Together, they had worked toward this goal, and today’s achievement was the culmination of their efforts. Without Mio, Kiyoaki wouldn’t be where he was today.

"I wonder what that fourth-year Akitsu cadet is like. I hope they’re not too intimidating. It’s impressive that they not only have the best grades but are also a fifth-degree swordsman... That’s really something."

Mio nervously looked around, trying to spot their fellow passenger. According to rumors, the fourth-year cadet from Misato Officer Academy was the captain of the kendo club, had never lost their top academic and practical ranking in the entire school during their four years, and was highly regarded by military superiors as a promising candidate for future command.

"Um... maybe it’s that person..."

Amidst the chatting airship pilots, a figure in an Air Hunt Officer Academy uniform began walking toward them. The four stripes on their shoulder indicated they were a fourth-year student.

It was a woman.

That, in itself, wasn’t surprising. Both officer academies had many female students, and many of them outperformed their male counterparts.

However, as the woman approached, Kiyoaki felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end.

A chill ran through his entire body.

"Hey there. You must be the representatives from Kanan Officer Academy." The woman greeted them coolly as she walked up to Kiyoaki and Mio. Tall and slender, with bangs neatly layered, her long black hair tied back in a ponytail, she had the demeanor of an ancient female warrior. A military sword hung from her waist, despite her cadet status. Her presence exuded a calm authority, but there was also a hint of warmth in her voice.

"I’m Kagura Murasaki, a fourth-year student at Misato Officer Academy. I’ll be serving as the vice-captain on our flight. Although I may be inexperienced, I’ll do my best. I hope we can work well together."

Her tone was that of a young officer, but there was a gentle quality to her words. It would be impossible not to like her, with her dignified speech and clean, refreshing presence. Startled, Mio quickly returned the greeting.

"I’m Mio Syira, a third-year student at Kanan Officer Academy. I’ll be handling reconnaissance. I’ll do my best not to be a burden."

Standing tall, Mio introduced herself, and Kagura smiled cheerfully.

"I’ve heard great things about you, Mio. Your nationality is St Vault, right?"

"Yes. I grew up on Messus Island in the Akitsu Federation, but my foster parents are St Vault citizens."

"So, you have two homelands. You’re the perfect person to strengthen the bond between our two nations. And... you must be Kiyoaki Sakagami, correct?"

Kagura turned to Kiyoaki, but he just stared at her, his eyes wide, unable to move. Sweat trickled down his temples, and his pale lips trembled.

"...What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost." "...Uh...... Ah. ?" Kiyoaki’s legs began to shake. He seemed to be trying to respond, but no words came out. He simply stood there, trembling, staring intently at Kagura.

"...Is there something wrong with my appearance?"

Kagura asked, puzzled, turning to Mio. Mio hastily shook her head and pinched Kiyoaki's side.

"What are you doing? She’s the vice-captain! Say something!" "Uh... Uh-huh... Uh, um. " Still lost in a daze, Kiyoaki barely managed to snap back to reality and assumed a stiff, upright posture.

"Uh, my apologies! I’m Kiyoaki Sakagami, a third-year student at Kanan Officer Academy, and I’ll be handling the piloting. !"

He introduced himself, but the latter part of his sentence trailed off. His breathing was erratic, and he struggled to suppress the emotions welling up inside him. Kagura continued to watch him with a puzzled expression.

"...Is he always like this?"

Mio, being questioned, offered her guess.

"Well... someone who resembled Senpai Kagura used to be close to him. That’s probably why... he’s frozen like that."

"Someone who resembles me?"

Mio finally kicked Kiyoaki’s rear with her knee. "Ouch!" Kiyoaki jumped, grimacing in pain, and Mio lifted her chin, annoyed. "Explain it yourself. Staring at a woman’s face like that is rude." "Ah, uh... yeah. ...Yeah, I know..." Kiyoaki wiped his eyes with his arm. Then, finally facing Kagura, he bowed deeply, his face turning bright red as he began to explain.

"I’m sorry, Senpai Kagura! This is a personal matter, but... someone in my family who passed away looked exactly like you... For a moment, I thought she might still be alive, and I got confused! Please forgive my rudeness!"

"...I see. This family member was?"

"...My sister. She was shot and killed three years ago during the Urano invasion of Odessa..."

"I understand... but I don’t really know what to say. I’m at a loss for words."

Kiyoaki raised his head and met Kagura’s gaze. Just that was enough to overwhelm his reason with nostalgic emotions, and despite knowing she was someone else, tears welled up in his eyes.

"Do we really look that much alike?"

Kagura asked, looking even more puzzled as she watched Kiyoaki’s face crumple once again.

"Yes, from what I can see, you’re identical. Kiyoaki, don’t you have a picture of Yumiko? Show it to her."

"Oh, uh, yeah..."

Kiyoaki took out a notebook from his pocket and handed Kagura an old photo of him, his parents, and his sister.

Looking at Yumiko, who was standing beside Kiyoaki in the photo, Kagura’s eyes widened in surprise.

"This is... certainly. Yes, now I understand your reaction."

Glancing between Kiyoaki and the sepia-toned picture of Yumiko, Kagura confirmed the striking resemblance in their smiles.

"Thank you. You can put it away now... Did I bring up some painful memories?"

Returning the photo, Kagura showed her concern with a gentle touch. Kiyoaki quickly shook his head, wiping away his tears with his arm and lifting his head.

"N-no...! I’m actually... very happy! I thought I would never see her again, so... I’m really...!"

Though he tried to express his feelings, the words didn’t come out smoothly. But Kagura, sensing the familiar emotions, smiled warmly.

"Honestly, I’m honored. I’ve always wanted a younger brother. So, during this journey, feel free to think of me as your sister. If it helps you feel more at ease, that’s a small price to pay."

Kagura’s words touched Kiyoaki deeply, and he fought back the urge to cry once again.

"Th-thank you! I will do my best to serve you, Senpai Kagura!"

Kiyoaki realized he had been won over by Kagura’s kindness in just a few minutes, and he was fine with that. Meanwhile, Mio, looking irritated, folded her arms and wore a scowl.

"You’re embarrassing me. Just act normal. And you can call me Kagura. It’ll be tiring for both of us to keep things so formal the entire trip."

Kagura blushed slightly, accepting Kiyoaki’s words with a bit of embarrassment before lifting her gaze to compose herself and speaking more firmly.

"It seems the St Vault cadets have arrived. From here on, we’ll use St Vault as our common language. No Akitsu will be allowed. Needless to say, we are here representing the Akitsu Federation, so let’s be respectful, but also stand our ground and show no weakness."

"Yes, ma'am."

Kiyoaki also turned his attention to the four cadets approaching them. Two males and two females. These cadets were selected from the prestigious Air Hunt Officer Academy, renowned even beyond their borders. Their skills and pride were likely just as high.

The lead male, with long blonde hair, noticed Kiyoaki and Mio’s uniforms and stopped.

"Are you the cadets from the Akitsu Federation?" His words were cold, devoid of any particular emotion. Kagura responded. "Yes, we are. You must be from the Air Hunt Officer Academy. I’m Kagura Murasaki, a fourth-year cadet from Misato Officer Academy, and I’ll be serving as the vice-captain for this mission. I look forward to working with you."

Kagura introduced herself first, and Kiyoaki and Mio followed suit, giving their names and ranks in St Vault.

"Balthazar Grim, fourth-year at the Air Hunt Officer Academy. I’ll be the captain for this mission. Let’s work together."

Balthazar, tall and lean with striking blonde hair, had eyes the color of icy blue glaciers. His words and gaze exuded an elite coldness, signaling his authority as the captain of the vessel, responsible for everyone’s fate during the journey.

—This guy is dangerous.

Kiyoaki’s instincts whispered to him. He didn’t know why, but something about Balthazar’s presence, a precarious balance of refinement and underlying intensity, set off alarm bells in his mind.

"I’m Reiner Beck, third-year, in charge of reconnaissance. Let’s make the most of this and have some fun, shall we?"

Next to him, a silver-haired youth, grinning mischievously, saluted with a casual gesture, placing his fingers to his temple. Though it was a proper salute, there was something flippant about it. To top it off, as he lowered his hand, he winked at Mio. St Vault men were known to charm women effortlessly, and Reiner seemed like a typical example. Despite Mio’s annoyance, Reiner’s smirk alternated between her and Kiyoaki, clearly eager to get closer to them.

"Cecil Hauer, second-year! I’ll be in charge of communications! Even though I’m

the youngest, I’m going to give it my all and won’t rely on anyone! Please call me Cecil!"

Following that, a small female cadet, standing on her toes as if trying to make herself taller, introduced herself enthusiastically. With her short hair and bright, innocent honey-colored eyes, she still looked quite young, but being selected for this mission as a second-year meant she likely had some exceptional abilities. Kiyoaki reminded himself not to judge by appearances, but when Cecil’s eyes met his, she gave him a playful, childlike smile, which made him smile in return.

And then, the last female cadet made the most striking impression on Kiyoaki. She hadn’t said a word during the other introductions, simply standing still, but for some reason, Kiyoaki’s attention remained fixed on her.

Unlike Balthazar’s icy, unapproachable aura, there was something about her that naturally drew people in, yet she firmly rejected any attention.

A mechanical doll, encased in a glacier.

That was Kiyoaki’s first impression of her—an untouchable figure, locked away behind a thick block of ice, forever expressionless.

"Illia Kreischmidt, third-year, in charge of piloting. Nice to meet you."

Her short greeting made it clear that she rejected any unnecessary interaction outside of duty. Her gaze focused beyond Kiyoaki and the others, fixed on the sea, and from then on, she remained silent and still, as if she had switched off after completing her introduction.

—Kreischmidt... could she be...?

The Kreischmidt surname sparked a brief suspicion, but Kiyoaki quickly dismissed the thought. Such a coincidence couldn’t possibly happen.

"We’ve already been assigned our positions in the airship. Our mission is to demonstrate to Urano that the strong alliance between our nations will continue into the future, as we operate this airship together through the archipelago. To ensure a successful journey, you will all follow my orders. Maintaining order aboard the ship is the top priority. Any objections?"

Balthazar’s words were met with affirmations from the six other cadets.

After that, the flight commander lined up the rest of the airship crew and gave them a briefing on the expedition. The cadets then boarded a small boat from the pier to head toward the airship.

The boat’s engine roared as it cut through the waves, carrying the seven cadets toward their destination. The summer sea shimmered with a hazy mirage.

Soon, their companion for the journey emerged from the misty horizon.

—The Eriadore Airship!

Standing before one of the St Vault Empire’s most prized airships, Kiyoaki felt a warrior’s shiver run through his legs.

With a slender fuselage measuring 25 meters in length, its upper wing structure spanned 40 meters, with four large propellers attached to its long wings, gleaming in the sunlight. It boasted a maximum payload of about two tons and a range of 6,500 kilometers. Armed with 15mm machine guns at the nose, tail, and dorsal turret, along with side-mounted machine gun positions, it was regarded as one of the most advanced airships of its time.

The entire vessel was painted in the signature blue-gray of the St Vault military, a camouflage that blended seamlessly with the summer sky. As the boat docked with the airship’s boarding hatch, Kiyoaki gazed up at his partner with admiration.

The lower half of the Eriadore Airship’s belly sat partially submerged in the sea, balanced by floats descending from each wing.

The cadets transferred from the boat into the airship and immediately took their assigned positions.

Mio was stationed at the nose gun turret, with Reiner at the dorsal turret. As reconnaissance officers, they were responsible for navigation, calculating the aircraft’s heading, speed, wind direction, and velocity to determine its current position. This required knowledge of astronavigation, topographical navigation, and radio navigation, making it a critical and challenging task.

Behind the cockpit, equipped with communication devices, was the radio operator’s seat, assigned to Cecil. Her role was to manage communication with the base and other aircraft in the formation, as well as to use onboard radar to detect enemy aircraft and islands in the archipelago.

Behind the pilot’s seats, Balthazar and Kagura occupied the captain’s and vice- captain’s seats, respectively. Both of them had comprehensive knowledge of navigation, communications, and piloting, and were responsible for issuing commands, drafting navigation charts, and occasionally taking control of the airship themselves.

Finally, in the cockpit, the main pilot’s seat and co-pilot’s seat were situated side by side.

Based on their performance at their respective officer academies and the recommendations of their instructors, it was decided that Kiyoaki would be the main pilot for the takeoff, with Illia as the co-pilot. Both were top cadets in piloting at their schools and were regarded as future ace pilots. While Kiyoaki would be in charge during takeoff, he and Illia would alternate piloting duties as they navigated the airship toward the St Vault Empire’s capital, Selfaust.

The cockpit of an airship was quite different from that of a single-seat fighter plane.

Both the main and co-pilot seats were equipped with almost identical instrument panels, a steering wheel for controlling the ailerons (which tilt the aircraft), and foot pedals for operating the rudder (which controls left and right movement). The throttle for the four engines hung from the ceiling between the two seats, much like a train’s hanging strap, allowing either pilot to control it. The control stick, used only for vertical maneuvers in airships, extended across both seats, so either pilot could operate it.

The steering wheels in front of each seat were similar to those found in cars— when one was turned to the right, the other would automatically follow. Likewise, when one person pressed the left foot pedal, the other pedal would move in sync. The controls for both seats were interconnected, allowing either side to pilot the airship. This arrangement allowed the pilots to divide responsibilities during combat, with one pilot managing speed and the other handling direction. In the event that one pilot became incapacitated, the other could continue flying.

Balthazar would be responsible for determining how the two pilots would share these tasks.

"Kiyoaki will handle the takeoff. Illia, monitor the front and check for any equipment malfunctions."

"Yes, sir."

Kiyoaki sat in the main pilot's seat, checked the instrument panel, and tested the three rudders: the direction rudder, the elevator, and the aileron. The hydraulic assist system installed was of far higher quality than those used by the Akitsu Federation, making the controls very light. It was said that 20% of the St Vault Air Navy pilots were women, and this system was likely a big reason why. In air combat, where the control stick becomes heavy, men had the advantage in physical strength, but with this system, any disadvantage for women disappeared. In fact, some argued that women, with their greater endurance to prolonged stress, might even be better suited for piloting. Illia, sitting beside him, was probably very skilled as well.

—I don’t want to be underestimated.

That thought crossed his mind. While Illia gave off no clear emotions, it surely wasn’t enjoyable for her to have the main pilot seat taken by a cadet from another country.

"The fleet is moving. The airship squadron will take off after them and fly directly above the fleet. Formation takeoffs are the pride of an airship squadron—don’t mess it up."

"Yes, sir."

Responding to the captain Balthazar's command, Kiyoaki directed his gaze through the wide windscreen.

The St Vault fleet anchored in Misato Bay began to kick up huge splashes of water. Though they couldn’t hear it from here, the band was surely playing a lively march to see off the dignitaries.

Soon, with a sound like a roaring atmosphere, two heavy cruisers, four destroyers, and an escort carrier started to ascend into the air, their propulsion systems emitting a hum. The water streaming from their hulls glittered like crystals being scattered in farewell.

Reaching an altitude of 500 meters, the massive vessels leveled off and began flying steadily toward their homeland. From the harbor, celebratory cannons fired off white bursts into the afternoon sky. Kiyoaki watched, mesmerized by the sight of the fleet disappearing into the summer sky. It was the first time he had ever witnessed an airship fleet's takeoff.

"We’re going too."

Balthazar’s voice from behind snapped him back to reality.

Around them, a total of nine Eriadore airships, including theirs, were preparing for takeoff. A formation takeoff with this many large airships was a moment of pride for the pilots. The crowd in the harbor, just as eager as they had been for the fleet, cheered for the airship squadron.

"All stations ready," "Forward machine guns ready," "Upper machine gun, okay!" "Communications, good to go!"

One by one, the crew in their assigned positions reported in. Kiyoaki nodded and gave the command.

"Engines on!"

With a sound like a bull kicking the ground, the inertia system engaged. Kiyoaki listened to the rhythm.

"Conduct!"

The four propellers mounted on the upper wing, directly connected to the engines, began to spin rapidly. The tachometer only provided rough readings, so synchronizing the rotations of all four engines perfectly was nearly impossible— a task for the gods, as it were. However, minimizing this error was where the pilot's skill came in. Instead of relying on sight, Kiyoaki used his hearing to listen to the propeller noise, adjusting the four propeller pitch levers hanging from the ceiling so that all the propellers spun at the same speed.

—Not bad.

Satisfied with his efforts, he glanced at Illia out of the corner of his eye. But, as usual, she showed no reaction, her focus locked on the front.

The water takeoff began, heading into the wind.

The nine aircraft, perfectly in sync, each kept a distance of about 500 meters between them as they took off in formation.

Kiyoaki held the vibrating control stick down firmly. Spray from the water skimmed along the windshield. The Eriadore airships ahead of them also kicked up silver plumes of spray as they charged forward into the wind.

The wind roared louder. The sharp sound of it slicing through the air seeped into the cockpit through cracks in the windscreen. Kiyoaki held the nose down with the control stick, watching carefully to time their takeoff with the airships in front of them.

Then, the lead airship lifted its belly off the water. The two adjacent ships lifted their noses in unison.

With a spray like a waterfall trailing behind them, the giants rose together into the sky. The roar of the four engines powering these massive vessels made the sea below tremble.

At the moment when the top of the giant airship caught the summer sunlight— "Takeoff!" Kiyoaki gave the order and pulled back on the control stick. In an instant, the sea disappeared beneath them. The sound of water faded away as it rushed past under their feet.

The four engines roared powerfully, tearing away the chains of gravity.

The vast summer sky filled Kiyoaki’s view. Before him stretched nothing but endless blue.

—Ah.

Even though he had experienced this dozens of times, every time Kiyoaki left the ground and headed for the sky, he felt an indescribable sense of freedom. He thought he needed nothing more. Just experiencing this moment made everything else seem trivial and meaningless.

Spreading free wings in the pure blue sky and flying forever—that alone was enough to make life fulfilling. He needed nothing more than this. Nothing else mattered.

But reality was never so kind as to let him bask in such a sweet dream for long. Just after leveling off at 2,000 meters—

"Message from the lead ship! 'Impressive for a student, but don’t get ahead of yourselves, slow down!' That’s the message!"

Cecil relayed the message through the speaking tube, the words coming from the squadron leader. Looking at the instrument panel, Kiyoaki realized they were about 30 kilometers over the speed limit. Their formation of nine airships was flying slightly ahead, with their airship at the rightmost position in the third row. He quickly slowed down to match the speed and realign the three ships in formation.

—I messed up.

Feeling embarrassed, Kiyoaki glanced at Illia out of the corner of his left eye again. Still no reaction. But somehow, he felt like her inner voice was quietly calling him incompetent.

Shaking it off, he gripped the control stick more firmly. The Eriadore airship’s fuselage was two stories tall, with the cockpit situated on the upper level. The front windows offered a wide 180-degree view, providing excellent visibility. Mio, stationed at the nose gun, was downstairs and out of sight from the cockpit, and Reiner, in the upper gun position, was behind a partition wall, so communication with them would require using the speaking tube or sending a messenger.

Outside the windscreen, they could see the fleet of airships flying below them. The fleet was currently cruising in two vertical columns at an altitude of about 1,500 meters. The sunlight gleamed off their brand-new hulls, marking their positions. The airship squadron adjusted their speed to match the fleet, cruising at 240 kilometers per hour.

"Kiyoaki, are you not going to switch to autopilot?"

Kagura called from behind him. Kiyoaki leaned forward, half-turning his face toward her while keeping his eyes on the sky.

"I want to fly it myself for now. I’m still getting a feel for it." "It’s a long journey. Rest while you can." "Yes, ma'am."

Though he could have switched to autopilot, he chose to continue flying manually. He wanted to get a better sense of how the Eriadore handled, feeling the wind through the control stick, adjusting the three rudders, and fine-tuning the throttle to understand the airship’s quirks. Kagura unbuckled her harness and stood up.

"Captain, I’ll go check the equipment." "Permission granted." Balthazar nodded as he compared the provided weather map to the flight chart. Kagura left the cockpit and moved toward the rear of the aircraft. Her role was to assist the captain in ensuring smooth operations, communicating with the crew stationed at the tail and side gun positions, the radar operator, and the radio operator.

Meanwhile, Cecil, seated behind the captain, was working with the radio equipment, listening intently for signals. Her job was not only to receive transmissions from their allies but also to eavesdrop on enemy communications and intercept any signals, possibly even relaying false information.

"Our side is blasting out signals like crazy. Is that okay?"

Cecil said, holding one side of her headset to her ear and speaking to Balthazar. He moved over to sit beside her and listened to the noisy transmissions.

"They want the enemy to notice. It’s intentional."

"Wait, they’re doing it on purpose!? Why would they do that!?"

"They want to give Urano an excuse to engage with us. By sending out these signals, we’re deliberately letting the enemy know our fleet’s location, hoping to lure them in and maybe even get them to fire on us. That’s the true objective of this mission."

Balthazar said matter-of-factly, like reading from a manual, as he confirmed the location of the allied fleet on the radar screen.

Normally, fleet movements would be conducted under strict radio silence. Sending out unnecessary signals would only allow the enemy to pinpoint their location and swarm in for an attack. In modern warfare, any broadcast would inevitably lead to detection.

"But that... that’ll start a war! I don’t want that, it’s terrifying!" Cecil’s voice trembled with fear, but Balthazar remained calm and composed. "Whether or not it leads to air combat depends on Urano. Even if our fleet gets attacked, it doesn’t mean an all-out war will break out immediately. Our job is to respond to whatever situation arises. If you have time to be afraid, focus on your duties."

"Y-Yes, sir..."

Cecil slumped, looking dejected. Balthazar then approached Kiyoaki, leaning his elbow on the top of the pilot seat and gazing at the sky ahead.

"How many flight hours do you have?"

"170 hours at the officer academy, and about 300 on my family’s farm. I’ve been flying biplanes to spray pesticides since I was twelve."

Kiyoaki answered confidently. At 17 years old, few students had logged as many flight hours as he had. He had also excelled in piloting at the Nan Rivers Officer Academy.

"And your combat experience?" "None, sir." As expected for a student. However, without hesitation, Balthazar turned to Illia.

"If we get into a dogfight, Illia will handle the three rudders. Kiyoaki, you’ll focus solely on the throttle."

"Understood."

Illia responded without even glancing at Kiyoaki. Kiyoaki was surprised and looked up at Balthazar’s face. With the layout of the airship’s cockpit, it was possible to control the ailerons, rudder, and elevator from the co-pilot’s seat. This meant that during combat, Kiyoaki would be left managing only the throttle. If he tried to take over the controls from the main pilot’s seat, it would essentially become a physical contest between him and Illia for control. The control stick, foot pedals, and rudder would respond to whoever applied more

force. But fighting over control like that wouldn’t lead to victory against an enemy.

"Permission to ask, Captain, why the change in control?"

"You’re supposed to follow my orders in the air. I already told you that." "I understand, but I’d like to know the reason for the switch." "Do you question the basis of every order you receive?"

Balthazar coldly retorted. Kiyoaki bit back his words and turned his eyes forward.

"...Understood. I’ll relinquish control of the rudders in combat."

"Take your lunch when the time is right. We're expected to arrive at Tsurugi Island around dusk. Save your focus for then."

After saying this, Balthazar descended the stairs from the cockpit, likely to check Mio's drift calculations.

Now, only Kiyoaki, Illia, and Cecil were left in the cockpit. "Hehe. Free time! Yay!" Cecil, grinning broadly, popped her innocent face between the two in the pilot seats.

"Sakagami-san, you're a skilled pilot! The turn coordinator ball has stayed centered the whole time. Isn't it hard to take off in such a big airship?"

She seemed quite talkative. While she stuck her face forward, blocking the view of the sky, Kiyoaki, who had been tense the entire day, smiled back and played along.

"I've practiced many times. The Eriadore is a good ship, much easier to fly than I expected."

"Right? I'm so glad to hear that! Illia loves this ship too, you know. Right, Illia?"

Cecil casually addressed Illia. As usual, Illia didn’t move. "Cecil, don't stick your face in front of the pilot." Her voice was as stiff as if it had been pre-recorded on a tape. However, Cecil seemed accustomed to this, keeping her cheerful smile as she faced Kiyoaki.

"Illia is the ace of the Air Hunt School! She’s never lost in mock battles, not even to fourth-year students! After graduation, she's definitely going to become the top ace of the St Vault military!"

"Really? That's impressive! No wonder the captain trusts her." "Cecil, don't exaggerate. I've lost once. I was defeated by Reiner." "That was just because a stray shot hit due to the wind! Reiner isn't that great at mock battles."

As the two of them talked, Kiyoaki began to get excited. At the Kanan Officer Academy, mock battles were held, but mostly against instructors, rarely against fellow students. There were cases where inexperienced students attempting dangerous maneuvers during air combat drills had resulted in fatalities. This

might be why Balthazar gave those earlier instructions, as Illia likely had more experience with mock battles.

"So, at Air Hunt, you have mock battles between students? Do you use paint rounds?"

"Of course! The one covered in bright red paint loses." "That sounds fun. I'm a little jealous." "You can join in once you're transferred! Are you looking forward to it? Feeling confident?"

"Well, I don't know. But I don't want to lose." "Even to Illia?" Cecil quickly asked with no hesitation. Kiyoaki glanced sideways at Illia. "Nobody grips the control stick intending to lose, right?" "Exactly! Illia, see? He doesn't want to lose either."

Cecil acted like a messenger, relaying Kiyoaki’s words back to Illia, even though they were close enough for her to hear. But right now, the real distance seemed to be a matter of their hearts.

Illia remained staring straight ahead, never once looking in Kiyoaki's direction since taking her seat in the co-pilot’s position.

Occasionally, Kiyoaki glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. Her profile was doll-like, and though she had a stoic appearance, beneath her pale, porcelain skin, the liveliness of a seventeen-year-old girl simmered beneath the surface. She seemed to be suppressing that vibrancy under an iron mask, which had perfected her unique doll-like beauty.

—She’s beautiful.

The natural thought drifted through Kiyoaki’s mind when suddenly, the "doll" spoke.

"I recognize the name Sakagami."

The air in the cockpit instantly froze. "Do you recognize the name Kreischmidt?" Without shifting her gaze from the front, Illia coldly and calmly posed her question.

It was something Kiyoaki had been thinking about ever since he first heard Illia's surname. Just as she said, the name was familiar.

"Are you talking about Captain Karsten Kreischmidt?" "That’s my father." As expected.

Kiyoaki realized there was a complicated and burdensome connection between himself and Illia.

—This could be trouble.

It was a fleeting thought, but there was no point in avoiding it. It was best to face it head-on, so Kiyoaki, adopting a resigned attitude, revealed the name of his own father.

"Your father dueled my father, Masaharu Sakagami. …This coincidence is almost too much."

"I see."

Illia responded tersely and then fell silent. Cecil looked confused, glancing between the two, before finally understanding what was being discussed.

"W-wait! Sakagami-san, you're Masaharu Sakagami's son!? That's amazing! I mean, he fought Captain Karsten in a duel and… tricked… Oh. Oh no…"

Cecil, initially excited, suddenly trailed off, realizing the gravity of the situation. She had noticed the weight of the connection between the two who now sat next to each other in the cockpit.

After a moment of silence, Illia let out a sigh that sounded more like an exasperated breath.

"…I wonder what the headmaster of Air Hunt was thinking, seating us next to each other like this."

For the first time that day, Illia’s voice conveyed emotion—frustration and anger clearly threaded through her stiff tone.

About twenty years ago—

In the "Multi-Island War" between the St Vault Empire and the Akitsu Federation across the archipelago, two legendary aces emerged on both sides, each with over one hundred confirmed kills.

Captain Karsten Kreischmidt and Flight Sergeant Masaharu Sakagami.

They were known as the "Kings of the Sky," each respected in their respective nations.

But there can only be one king.

Both men had wished to settle the matter of supremacy in a one-on-one duel.

Their wish was granted during the largest aerial battle of the Island War, the "Tsurugi Strait Aerial Battle," involving over 250 planes and airships on both sides.

Their duel was said to have been awe-inspiring.

Even the surrounding forces on both sides, locked in their own skirmishes, had gradually ceased firing, captivated by the technical back-and-forth between the two aces. One pilot, who witnessed the duel, later recalled, "It was less of a dogfight and more of a dance." At that time, the biplanes being flown were far slower than monoplane aircraft, but they excelled in maneuverability. The intricate aerial maneuvers the two performed as they jockeyed for position were indeed reminiscent of a dance.

However, the climax of this "dance" was anything but beautiful.

"What did Sergeant Sakagami tell you about their duel? I want to know."

Illia's words pierced through Kiyoaki like a sharp blade. She still refused to look at him, but Kiyoaki, in all sincerity, addressed her profile.

"…He didn’t talk about it much. But believe me, my father respected Captain Karsten."

That much was true. Even without hearing it from his father, Kiyoaki had heard the stories from fellow pilots who had visited his father’s home. To Masaharu, Karsten wasn’t just an enemy to be shot down, but a respected rival. Though they never exchanged words, Masaharu felt a deep connection and respect for the enemy ace who shared his devotion to the sky.

However, Illia responded with a cold, mocking laugh.

"And his gift to this respected pilot was a cowardly ambush?" Of course, it came to this. It was expected. Kiyoaki prepared to counter her claim.

"It wasn’t an ambush. My father intended to settle it with a fair duel until the very end."

"But your father's comrades intervened. At that point, it ceased to be a one-on- one duel. It became an ambush."

"That's… but…"

"My father lost his right arm. He can no longer fly. He staked his pride and honor on that duel, only to be betrayed by Masaharu's treachery. How can you claim respect with a straight face?"

Kiyoaki clenched his teeth, swallowing his words as he stared at Illia’s profile. She still refused to meet his gaze.

"Uh, um, you two… You’re supposed to be partners, so you shouldn’t be fighting…"

Cecil interjected nervously, trying to mediate. Kiyoaki hesitated, unsure if he should continue speaking.

Illia had every right to be angry. But the version of events she had been told didn’t match the one Kiyoaki had heard.

From everything Kiyoaki knew, his father Masaharu was not the type of man capable of pulling off a deceptive ambush. If anything, Masaharu’s awkwardness as a person made him the embodiment of sincerity. This was the same man who had left his own family behind to act as a decoy for another child. There was no way he was capable of something dishonorable like that. If anyone knew this, it was his son.

"It wasn’t an ambush. My father won fairly and squarely against Captain Karsten."

The words escaped Kiyoaki’s mouth, propelled by conviction, before his rational mind could stop them.

"So you’re a shameless liar, just like your father."

"That’s not true. It’s true that there was an intervention. But the duel had already been decided by then. The one who intervened Pilot Haruhiko Ougidani told me the story. Though it may not be what you want to hear, do you still want to know?"

"I don't mind."

"Right before the duel ended, Captain Karsten was closing in on my father, chasing him down. As the altitude dropped and Karsten closed the gap to firing

range, my father suddenly pitched his plane vertically. Normally, this maneuver would result in a stall and crash. At that moment, Ougidani sensed danger and rushed into the battle zone. Up until this point, are you following?"

"Yes. Masaharu stalled out, leaving the battle zone, and my father was shot down by Ougidani."

"That’s not true. Ougidani didn’t fire a shot. My father is the one who shot down Captain Karsten. My father pulled a 'Snake Shot,' a maneuver where you stall your plane and let the pursuing enemy overshoot, positioning yourself behind them for a clean shot. That’s how he took down Captain Karsten."

"……………………"

"Ougidani’s intervention didn’t affect the outcome of the duel. Captain Karsten failed to counter the 'Snake Shot' and was defeated by my father. That’s the version I heard from Ougidani."

Illia sat in silence, glaring ahead at the open sky.

Thin clouds passed by, crashing and dissipating against the windscreen. Through breaks in the clouds, the formidable fleet of friendly ships sailed beneath them. The formation of the airship squadron was flawless as they made steady progress. Yet, the atmosphere in the cockpit had become tenser and heavier.

After a long, oppressive silence, Illia finally spoke.

"So your father supposedly used the 'Snake Shot.' I find it hard to believe that a technique like that could be successfully performed in actual combat."

"My father could. Though I’ve never witnessed it myself, his fellow pilots have testified to it. He had mastered controlling the plane, even in a stall."

"There have been St Vault pilots who attempted the 'Snake Shot.' However, every attempt has ended in failure—either the plane broke apart mid-maneuver, the pilot blacked out from the sudden deceleration, or the plane spiraled into a deadly spin… No one has ever succeeded. It’s regarded as more fiction than fact. And yet you claim your father accomplished it in battle?"

"Yes."

"How childish of you to spout such nonsense without shame. The 'Snake Shot' is a fantasy. Your side probably fabricated that story to cover up the dishonorable tactics they used. Our records clearly state that Captain Karsten was shot down by Ougidani’s plane from the side."

"…I have no way to refute that. From my perspective, though, your side's records sound like the fantasy."

"…I used to think Akitsu Federation soldiers valued honor and dignity like samurai. But I’m disappointed. To resort to cheap tricks and fabrications, disguising it as a victory—how shallow."

"Are you calling my father a liar?" "You insulted my father first." "That's enough." Suddenly, a sharp voice interrupted from behind. Murasaki Kagura had silently appeared at the back of the cockpit. Engrossed in their argument, neither Illia nor Kiyoaki had noticed her presence.

"I’ve overheard the situation. If the Air Hunt headmaster knew about the

connection between you two and still placed you side by side in the cockpit, then there must be some deeper intention behind it. Let's reach our destination and ask him directly."

"…………"

"Until then, let’s put this quarrel on hold. You may both have things you can't compromise on, but at least during this journey, you need to leave the past behind. Not only for yourselves but also for the other five pairs on this airship. Am I clear?"

"…Yes."

"…I understand." Kagura smiled softly. "It’s difficult, but I believe you can do it, Kiyoaki-kun, Illia-san." "Yes." Both Kiyoaki and Illia responded in unison. The unresolved tension still simmered in their chests, but Kagura was right. To fly this massive airship safely, they had to set aside their personal feelings and focus on the mission.

Kiyoaki sent a glance toward Illia. It seemed that the "doll" had once again retreated behind her thick wall of ice. The brief glimpse of emotion she had shown earlier was now gone. But one thing was clear—she now hated him. He gripped the controls, pushing aside his frustrations at being seated next to a rival under such contrived circumstances, and concentrated on the sky ahead.

As the Crown Princess of the Sylvanian royal family gazed out at the endless blue sky through the expansive glass windows of the Eriadore airship, she felt pure joy.

Defying her adoptive parents’ opposition, she had concealed his royal status and enrolled in the officer academy, earning outstanding grades and securing a spot on this journey. She felt a sense of pride knowing that she was here not by virtue of his birthright, but by her own abilities.

If her adoptive mother knew, she would surely scold her. But at this moment, she wanted to forget all the tiresome obligations and just keep flying, leaving everything behind.

However, to enjoy her life at the academy, it was crucial that her identity remained a secret. No matter how close someone was to her, even among her trusted friends, revealing her royal lineage would destroy any chance of living a normal life. Naturally, people seeking to restore the monarchy would try to approach her. But that was the last thing she wanted. All she wished for now was to fully enjoy his time at the academy with someone important to her.

That’s right.

It was because that special person had joined the academy that she had made the same decision. To be paired with them on this airship journey was the greatest happiness he could have asked for.

She prayed that this two-night, three-day journey would never end.

As she carried out her duties aboard the ship, the Crown Princess hoped silently for time to stretch on forever.

Exhausting. Tedious. Why do I have to be involved in something like this?

As "Hachidori," a special operative for Uranos, looked out at the sky beyond the aircraft’s organic glass, these complaints ran on a constant loop in their mind.

The tasks themselves were simple, things that could be done without much effort. Compared to the training Hachidori had undergone up to this point, the officer academy's curriculum was child’s play. Hachidori could complete these assignments with their eyes closed.

But being a covert agent meant that letting anyone catch on was not an option. That’s why it was necessary to hold back deliberately. Yet, holding back too much would make Hachidori look like a subpar student, and it would be impossible to climb up the ranks of the military after graduation.

Therefore, they had to appear reasonably competent. Striking that balance was incredibly tricky. They couldn't afford to stand out, nor could they afford to fade into obscurity. This balancing act was what made the whole ordeal feel like an unbearable chore.

Even though the six people paired with Hachidori were supposedly exceptional for students, to Hachidori, they were like acorns—none of them stood out. Their sluggishness and inaccuracy during tasks made Hachidori want to kick them in frustration. But Hachidori held back that urge, performing the ship's duties at a level that wouldn’t draw attention while matching the group's pace.

Patience, they reminded themselves.

Even now, Hachidori’s mother was probably sitting alone in that dilapidated house.

The sooner Hachidori completed this mission, the sooner they could secure wealth and status and get their mother the treatment she desperately needed.

For that goal, any hardship was worth enduring. Compared to the life-or-death training they had been through, the current situation was nothing. Hachidori focused solely on completing the mission assigned by Uranos Intelligence, keeping their true intentions hidden from their traveling companions and maintaining a surface-level friendship.

Watching the carefree students around them only made Hachidori feel a deeper sense of emptiness. But they continued to sternly discipline themselves, keeping their mind on the mission.