Toaru Hikuushi e no Seiyaku:V6Part9

Part 23 (Part 9 of Volume 6)

His collar was grabbed, and spit splattered on his face.

Kiyoaki had no strength left. He could only turn his face away from Ryu.

Ryu didn’t bother hiding his rage.

"Because of you, our comrades are dead."

"……………………"

"Because of you, hundreds of thousands of civilians had their homes burned and their families killed."

Ryu’s fist dug into Kiyoaki’s left cheek. Kiyoaki staggered but didn’t fall. His gaze remained fixed downward, avoiding Ryu’s eyes.

Ryu’s fury was visible, with a thick vein bulging at his temple.

"You care more about that woman than the comrades of the Kusanagi Air Corps or the citizens of Misato, don’t you?"

His clenched left fist struck Kiyoaki’s chin. Kiyoaki silently endured Ryu’s blows.

"Get off the Ikaruga. You riding it is like putting pearls before swine. Let Captain Maolong or Kagura take your place. I don’t want to see any more comrades die because of you."

Ryu’s fist slammed into Kiyoaki’s gut, finally forcing him to his knees, his forehead pressed against the ground.

The night lights of Misato’s First Airfield illuminated the two men. A dozen or so members of the Kusanagi Air Corps had noticed Ryu and Kiyoaki after they disembarked from the Ikaruga, but none stepped in to stop them.

Ryu was voicing what everyone else felt. Among the silent, cold-eyed spectators was Dambazolik, watching the scene unfold.

"Just die, you coward."

Ryu kicked Kiyoaki’s face. Blood sprayed from Kiyoaki’s mouth as he collapsed onto the ground, unmoving. Ryu looked down at him with contempt before finally turning toward the officers’ quarters.

Most of the lower-ranking soldiers passed by Kiyoaki, lying on the ground like a rag, without saying a word. But Captain Maolong stopped and looked down at him.

"...I wish I could take your place, but it takes time to get used to the Ikaruga. Right now, only you and Ryu can handle it."

Kiyoaki lay with his cheek pressed to the ground, listening silently to Maolong's words.

"...Only you can protect the skies over Misato... Set aside your personal feelings. Become a machine. Do it for the people living in this city."

Kiyoaki opened one eye slightly and looked up at Maolong with his face still on the ground.

"Tomorrow, I’ll give you the day off. Kagura said she wants to go out with you. Talk to her. She shot down one of her former comrades."

With that, Maolong turned and left.

Even after everyone was gone, Kiyoaki remained lying there alone.

He lay on his back, his swollen, bloodied face gazing up at the starry sky.

If I could just die here, how much easier that would be.

That thought came from the deepest part of his heart.

"Kiyoaki."

At that moment, his right hand, which had been thrown onto the ground, touched a cold, soft hand.

Kagura had knelt beside Kiyoaki, looking into his face.

"Let’s meet tomorrow morning at 8, in front of the officers' quarters."

Her cold but comforting hand pressed against Kiyoaki’s forehead.

Kagura smiled slightly.

"You look terrible. That pretty face of yours is ruined."

She wiped the blood from Kiyoaki’s mouth with a handkerchief dampened with water.

"I’ll leave you the handkerchief. Be sure to come tomorrow. See you then."

After placing the handkerchief in Kiyoaki’s hand, Kagura stood up and walked away.

Kiyoaki just kept staring at the stars.

Illia’s smile flashed across the starry sky.

That tender smile was replaced by Rensuke’s face.

Rensuke, the wingman who admired him, the little puppy who always followed him, had died in Kiyoaki’s place after he refused to fight.

With a dead expression, Kiyoaki continued to stare at the stars. The colours of blue, yellow, orange, and purple flowed across the river of the night sky. The countless stars cast their silent, gentle light upon him.

Kiyoaki remained still, letting the stardust fall upon him. The blue moon deepened the silence, and in this soundless world, Kiyoaki’s heart had completely frozen over.

In the morning light, Kagura sat on a familiar 125cc military motorcycle, waiting for Kiyoaki.

When Kiyoaki appeared, dragging his feet, Kagura, still sitting on the seat, waved at him.

"Commander Ogiya lent this to me. Let’s ride into the city together. I want to see the damage."

Upon hearing the destination, Kiyoaki stopped in his tracks.

"Are you afraid?"

"……………………"

"I’m not blaming you. You couldn’t have stopped last night’s bombing alone. In fact, you shot down three Teodoras by yourself—you should be proud of that. Ryu may have said what he did, but he was preoccupied with the Beo-Strike and didn’t take down a single bomber. It’s unfair to pin the entire damage to Misato on you. Come on. I want us to reassess what we need to do together."

Kagura got off the bike and approached Kiyoaki, taking his hands in hers and looking at him sincerely.

"For my own sake too. I’m still uncertain as well."

From the warmth of her hands, Kiyoaki could feel Kagura’s feelings. He could tell from her expression that pulling the trigger on the Voltec Air Squadron hadn’t been easy for her.

Kagura had done something Kiyoaki couldn’t bring himself to do. She had confronted the Voltec Air Squadron's chivalry with her own warrior’s code. No doubt, Captain Leo would be proud of her.

There was something Kiyoaki could learn from Kagura.

He lowered his gaze and nodded. Without a word, he sat on the back seat and entrusted the bike to her.

"We’ll have to walk part of the way."

With a deliberately cheerful tone, Kagura started the bike’s soft engine and began the ride toward the bombed city. The clear, crisp air of the bright morning seemed to wipe away the memory of the bombing, and from beyond the gentle hills, the brass-coloured December sun cast its light.

As they neared Misato, the peaceful scenery of the plains gradually disappeared, giving way to a different scene. A large number of refugees, carrying heavy loads, walked toward Kagura and Kiyoaki from the opposite direction. Most of them had soot-covered faces, were exhausted, and dragged their feet as they fled the city.

Despite Kagura and Kiyoaki being in their Kusanagi Air Corps uniforms, the people showed little reaction. In the past, they might have waved or offered words of encouragement, and children might have cheered, but now they merely glanced at the two moving against the flow and quickly turned their gaze back to the road ahead.

They entered the heart of Misato, where the shopping district was centred around a department store. This area, being largely concrete, had suffered less damage, though some buildings showed signs of direct bomb hits, with their roofs collapsed and steel beams protruding from the remains of shops. A few groups of people were sifting through the rubble, calling out the names of those who had gone missing.

As they continued, the number of collapsed buildings increased, and the sky ahead was hazy with smoke from the fires. The victims were flowing out of the area toward the suburbs.

"Up ahead is the residential area that took the brunt of the bombing. …Can you manage?"

"…Yes," Kiyoaki answered weakly, and Kagura turned the handlebars toward the lower town.

As they left the shopping district, the road narrowed, and concrete buildings gave way to more wooden structures. They passed a large hospital, where so many injured people overflowed into the street that the building could not contain them all.

People with burns, lacerations from the blast, and crushed limbs from falling debris filled the streets. From children to the elderly, their groans and cries of pain echoed, a constant background noise. The medics, though clearly short on supplies, were tending to the wounded with great care, applying what little ointment they had to the burns.

The further they went, the more Kiyoaki’s heart ached. Kagura remained silent, gripping the handlebars as they moved forward. The rubble began to pile up, and soon it became impossible to continue on the bike.

"We’ll stop here. Let’s walk."

They parked the bike in an inconspicuous alley, and Kagura and Kiyoaki continued on foot, moving against the flow of the fleeing people. The faces of the passersby were covered in soot, with only their eyes visible, and they wore the clothes they had on when they fled. Occasionally, a man would glare at Kiyoaki, realizing he was part of the Kusanagi Air Corps, his eyes filled with resentment. The emotions those men harboured were clear without needing to ask.

As they walked, the view ahead opened up.

The wooden buildings that had lined both sides of the street the previous night were now mostly burnt down, with charred beams reaching toward the sky, still smouldering in places. Women wearing protective headscarves and work clothes were drawing water from fire reservoirs with buckets, pouring it onto the remaining embers in a futile effort to extinguish the last flames.

Corpses lined the sides of the road. Without even a mat to cover them, their bodies were exposed to the morning sun, charred black. Many of them had suffered burns from being caught in the firestorm. A child sat in front of their unresponsive mother, unable to cry, staring blankly.

"…"

Kiyoaki recalled his family being killed on Messus Island. He remembered standing before the bodies of his parents and sister, unsure of what to do, wishing only to die alongside them.

"Is this… bone?"

Kagura muttered in a pained voice. On one side of the road, there was a mound of ash-white debris. At first glance, it seemed to be rubble, but upon closer inspection, it appeared to be a pile of bones. Some skulls were small, likely belonging to young children.

Someone had likely gathered them as a gesture of respect. Kagura and Kiyoaki clasped their hands in prayer, then continued their painful walk.

The devastation caused by the incendiary bombs was beyond imagination. The tens of thousands of incendiary bombs dropped by the Teodora had split into 72 phosphorus-filled canisters at a certain altitude, igniting upon contact with the air. These fiery needles pierced the ground, setting everything—whether buildings or people—ablaze. For houses made of wood and paper, like those in the Akitsu Federation, it was the most destructive type of bomb imaginable.

A burnt arm, reaching toward the sky from the rubble. The carbonized remains of a mother, still carrying her child on her back. Charred corpses lying in circles, likely suffocated by toxic smoke. Their clothing had burned away, and their bodies were so blackened that they were indistinguishable from pieces of charcoal. Some limbs were caught on power lines, flung there by the blast.

In a nearby schoolyard, people with severe burns lay on the ground, moaning in pain. Small children, their bodies swollen like red balloons, whimpered in agony as their mothers, motionless, held their hands.

Kiyoaki’s heart could only groan in response to the horror.

More people had died from the fires caused by the bombing than from the bombing itself. Trapped by walls of flame, unable to escape, young and old alike had been burned alive, reduced to bone. Why was this level of devastation necessary against unarmed civilians?

Kiyoaki, who had studied military tactics at St Vault, knew the answer to his own question.

──Because it’s war…

The St Vault military had employed this ruthless strategy of bombing with the goal of breaking the will of the Akitsu people, to crush their morale and deliver a psychological blow to their leadership. From a strategic standpoint, it made sense. But from a humanitarian perspective, it was nothing short of demonic. Kiyoaki couldn’t bear to think that the kind, good-natured people of the Voltec Air Squadron had been complicit in this massacre.

But this was the inescapable reality.

St Vault was the enemy. If they didn’t fight back, St Vault would unleash even more slaughter. What kind of soldier of the Akitsu Federation could stand by and allow such a massacre to continue?

The overwhelming tragedy of the victims kicked Kiyoaki’s worn-out heart into action.

He wanted to do something, anything, but all he could do was burn the sight of these victims into his memory, vowing never to forget. Staring at the aftermath of the air raid was the only thing he could do right now.

At that moment, a strong stench wafted over on the wind.

He was used to the smell of death, but this was particularly intense.

A bridge stood ahead, crossing a river that ran through the residential area. After exchanging uneasy glances, Kagura and Kiyoaki nodded and made their way toward the bridge.

The scene below the bridge was horrific.

"………………!!"

"…This is terrible…"

The river, about 50 meters wide, was filled with thousands of bloated, charred bodies floating on the surface. Scattered pieces of burning debris punctuated the river, surrounded by the red-black remains. Elderly, women, children—no distinction was made as they floated downstream, burned beyond recognition. Likely, they had fled the fires and reached the river, only to be caught by the flames and toxic smoke. Even Kiyoaki and Kagura, accustomed to death, found it hard to look at the hellish scene passing through the centre of the disaster zone.

"How could this… how could anyone do this…?"

Kagura leaned on the railing of the bridge, her hands clasped in prayer as tears welled in her eyes.

"…How could they…?"

Kiyoaki could only mutter the same. It was too cruel, the work of demons.

If soldiers killed soldiers, it was understandable.

But these were civilians, people with no choice in the matter, who had been born into this city, worked to provide for their families, and simply lived their lives. They had no intention of killing the enemy, yet they had met such a terrible fate.

His stomach churned with rage. He couldn’t find the words.

Kiyoaki stared at the pitiful river and joined Kagura in clasping his hands in prayer.

──If I had fought…

──Maybe these people wouldn’t’t have died…

His anger soon turned into deep, bitter self-reproach.

Rensuke had said that his family lived in Misato. Perhaps his selfless sacrifice was not just for Kiyoaki’s sake, but for his family’s. Knowing that Kiyoaki was the only one capable of taking down the heavy bombers, Rensuke may have sacrificed himself so that Kiyoaki could destroy as many bombers as possible.

As Kiyoaki was lost in these thoughts, a boy, about 14 or 15 years old, suddenly stood beside him, saluting.

Wearing a burnt and tattered school uniform with gaiters, his face covered in soot, the boy greeted them nervously.

"Excuse me. From your uniforms, I assume you’re with the Kusanagi Air Corps!"

Kiyoaki nodded in acknowledgment of the boy’s serious expression. The boy, still saluting, straightened up and spoke with all his strength, his eyes brimming with tears.

"I have a request! Please avenge my sister!!"

Squeezing out the words with a strained voice, the boy begged with teary eyes. Kagura and Kiyoaki exchanged glances before Kagura spoke.

"Tell us what happened."

"Yes!! Last night, my sister and I were fleeing the fire, walking along the embankment of this river…"

The boy spoke haltingly, wiping away his tears as he recounted the events of the previous night.

He and his sister had been separated from their family, and as he pulled his 12-year-old sister along the embankment, they were pursued by an enemy fighter. Desperately running for their lives, they were chased by the fighter, which seemed to be toying with them, enjoying the hunt. When his sister could no longer run, a 20mm machine gun round struck her in the back, tearing her small body apart. The fighter then circled her remains once before flying off, leaving the boy to pick up the pieces of his sister’s body and burn them.

Now, with tears and snot running down his face, the boy pleaded with Kiyoaki and Kagura.

"Please shoot down those enemy fighters! Avenge my sister! Kill those demons!!"

The boy’s words were filled with overflowing rage, helplessness, and sorrow. Gathering the remains of his beloved sister must have been an experience beyond words.

Kagura knelt down, took the boy’s saluting right hand, and met his eyes.

"…I understand. I will shoot them down. I will avenge your sister."

The boy’s tears turned into uncontrollable sobbing.

"Thank you! Th-thank you so much…!!"

Kagura turned toward Kiyoaki.

After a moment’s hesitation, Kiyoaki spoke to the boy.

"...My family was also killed by machine-gun fire from enemy planes. I understand, at least a little, how you feel."

He then took the boy’s left hand, knelt down, and met his gaze. The boy standing before him reminded Kiyoaki of his own fourteen-year-old self, weeping on Messus Island, lost in grief.

"...I’ll shoot down the enemy fighters. I won’t let the Voltec Air Squadron continue to have their way in the skies over Misato. For your sister’s sake, I’ll bring them down."

The boy responded only with uncontrollable sobs. After offering words of encouragement and giving the boy some money, Kiyoaki and Kagura parted ways with him and walked along the embankment.

Kagura spoke.

"The non-commissioned pilots of the Voltec Air Squadron are decent people, but they’re rough and adventurous. Some of them likely got swept up in the thrill of the air raids and couldn’t restrain themselves."

Kiyoaki nodded in agreement. During his time in the Voltec Air Squadron, he had occasionally heard such boasts. Many of the lower-ranking soldiers couldn’t even read. Their role was to kill the enemy without hesitation, so there was no expectation of education, ethics, or morality. In fact, those qualities would prevent them from killing. Sadly, that meant there were people who would commit such acts.

Captain Leo had forbidden the shooting of civilians, and kind-hearted people like Lulu and Lala would never do such a thing. However, some members of the Voltec Air Squadron, caught up in the frenzy of battle, lost control and fired on anything that moved.

And such behaviour would likely continue.

In the face of this, what should they do now?

"I’m going to keep the promise I made to that boy," Kagura said, as if steeling herself. Her expression tightened, and she stared at the cruel sight of the river, where so many innocent lives had floated away.

They walked through the disaster zone until early afternoon before returning to the bike for the trip back.

Seated on the rear seat, Kiyoaki spoke to Kagura, who was holding the handlebars.

"...I’ve been acting like a child."

Kagura said nothing, continuing to drive down the road.

"...I really... feel ashamed of myself."

Kiyoaki looked up at the sky.

It was a deep, vivid blue.

He knew now what he had to do.

The answer had already begun to take root within him.

Imperial Calendar Year 1349, December 10, Karanakuta Fortress, First Airfield

4:00 PM.

The next move by the St Vault Navy Air Force, following their successful surprise bombing of Misato, was to eliminate the air power of the forward fortress, Suzaku, which served as Misato’s front defence.

The Voltec Air Squadron, gathering all their strength, was preparing to launch a dusk attack on Suzaku. After inflicting catastrophic damage on the Kusanagi Air Corps that protected the fortress, the plan was to have the Teodora heavy bombers reduce Suzaku to ashes.

“Honestly, air battles need sunlight, right?”

“Totally. It’s boring at night. You can’t see anything.”

As they strolled along the flight line where 90 fighters were warming up, Lulu and Lala exchanged carefree words and then turned to Illia.

“Do you think Kiyoaki will show up?”

Illia nodded stiffly.

“…Yes, I think he will.”

The twins giggled and teased her.

“Lucky you! There’s no way he’ll shoot you, Illia.”

“Kiyoaki? He’s too soft! He’d never shoot you.”

Illia hesitated before turning to the twins.

“…I believe he will shoot this time. That’s the kind of person Sakagami is.”

“Really? I don’t think so,” Lala responded.

“He’s had his nation’s capital burned to the ground… There’s no way he could stay calm after that. To prevent such devastation from happening again, he’ll set aside personal friendship. And…”

Illia stopped herself again. Lulu eyed her curiously.

“And?”

Illia’s gaze sharpened, her resolve clear as she answered.

“We made a promise. He promised to fight me with all his strength. I believe he’ll keep that promise.”

Lulu and Lala smiled at her response.

“You really believe in Kiyoaki, don’t you?”

“Hope you get to fight him.”

“…Yes. We need to settle this. Both of us have been entrusted with aircraft that will determine the outcome of this battle.”

The overwhelming power of the Ikaruga and the Beo-Strike would likely dictate the course of the aerial conflict. If either of them held back, it would result in heavy losses for their side. Illia’s expression grew more serious.

“Not just Sakagami. We also need to be wary of the White Tiger. They’re a dangerous opponent. If you’re targeted, don’t engage head-on, retreat immediately.”

“Ugh, I don’t want to run away.”

“Isn’t the Tiger the one that kept following you around last time? Won’t it just chase you again today?”

“I hope that’s all it does... but their skills are impressive. I couldn’t shoot them down either. Please, be careful.”

As they spoke, they reached the line of fighters. The twins waved and headed toward their Beo-Eagles. Illia looked up at her beloved plane, with its emblem of the white wolf, exchanged words with the maintenance crew, signed the necessary documents, and climbed into the cockpit.

After checking the instruments and adjusting the radio frequency, Leo’s voice came through.

“We’ve been waiting for a daytime strike. We’ll engage the Kusanagi Air Corps head-on. Remember, our strength lies in formation combat. Take down the enemy with teamwork.”

“Aye, aye.”

“Got it.”

“Let’s go!”

The usual banter between Leo and the squad, reminiscent of a group of bandits, had become a familiar sound.

“The Ikaruga is dangerous. The Beo-Eagle can’t take it on. If it targets you, run. Only the Beo-Strike can deal with it.”

“What? No way.”

“Why?”

“That sucks.”

“I don’t care what you think. We can’t afford unnecessary losses. We’ll engage in combat until sunset, then return to base under the cover of darkness. Follow the Teodoras on the way back, and they’ll guide you home.”

Even though there were grumblings over the radio, Leo ignored them, emphasizing that no one should engage the Ikaruga in a direct dogfight.

Illia understood what Leo meant. The Ikaruga was an elite aircraft, piloted by an elite airman. Any careless approach by a Beo-Eagle would result in it being sliced down with precision.

“If it’s just Murasame, feel free to engage. Show no mercy and take them all down. This air battle will be the turning point in the war!”

Leo’s bandit-like underlings cheered and whistled as he led the charge, launching his Beo-Strike. Though Leo had initially disliked the aircraft, he had grown accustomed to it and no longer voiced complaints.

The sight of 90 fighters taking off in thirty three-plane formations, organized into three squadrons, was impressive. Following them were fifty-five Teodora heavy bombers. It was clear that today would see a historic aerial battle over Suzaku.

Just as Leo had said, if they won today’s battle and neutralized Suzaku, Misato would be left defenceless. What awaited them was a decisive battle that could seal the outcome of the Second Multi-Island Sea War.

──We have to win. To end this war as quickly as possible.

With that determination, Illia ascended into the sky. As the Voltec Air Squadron, her second family, assembled their formations in the air, she took her place at the front.

Gazing at the blue sky beyond the windscreen, she steeled herself for the coming battle against Kiyoaki and Kagura.

──I must protect this family.

──From now on, I can’t afford to have human emotions.

──I am just a part of the machine that flies in the sky...

Letting that resolve sink deep into her consciousness, Illia flew toward Suzaku, leading the charge alongside Leo in their two-plane formation, with the squadron following closely behind.

By now, Illia had fully become the ace of this grand formation.

Same day, 5:00 PM, Aerial Fortress Suzaku—

As soon as the anti-air radar detected the large enemy formation that had taken off from the Karanakuta Fortress, sirens blared across Suzaku. Every airman in the standby area rushed toward the row of Murasame fighters, ready to intercept. Reports also came in from patrol boats disguised as fishing vessels, transmitting the details of the enemy formation through the loudspeakers.

"Enemy fighter formation, three squadrons, over eighty aircraft! Followed by approximately fifty Teodora heavy bombers! Advancing from the south-southwest! Target unknown, likely Suzaku!"

Hearing the announcement, the Kusanagi Air Corps members exchanged words while sprinting to their planes.

"That’s a massive formation. Finally, a proper daytime battle!"

"This is the kind of air battle they write about in textbooks. Damn, my hands are itching for it!"

"The enemy fighters outnumber us three to one. If each of us takes down three, we win!"

"Let’s show them what we’re made of!"

Despite the cloudy and dusk-lit sky, the visibility was far better than the previous night battle, boosting the morale of the airmen. In the clear daylight, the elite pilots, drawn from both land and sea forces, were eager to prove the results of their intense training. Each rushed to their assigned aircraft with unwavering determination.

Kiyoaki and Ryu also climbed into their Ikaruga fighters, preparing for battle.

Secured by his seatbelt, Kiyoaki scanned the instruments, confirming everything was functioning properly. Keeping a close eye on the temperature gauges, he switched on the radio and took deep, steady breaths.

"We’ll intercept them at six thousand meters. The cloud cover is thick, so visibility will be limited. Use the clouds to our advantage and fight smart," Commander Maolong's voice echoed over the radio. Among the responses, Kiyoaki heard Kagura’s voice.

One by one, the Murasame fighters left the flight line, their propellers roaring as they ascended into the frigid winter sky. The ground crew waved them off with hats and hands raised high, though everyone knew in their hearts that not all the fighters would return from this battle. The enemy numbers were simply overwhelming—total annihilation was a real possibility. Yet, the warriors flew toward the inevitable clash in the sky.

Kiyoaki’s thoughts lingered on Rensuke. The sharp pang of regret from losing him surged back, fuelling Kiyoaki’s resolve. He never wanted to feel that helplessness again.

—For everyone in this country, I will fight.

Planting that firm decision deep within his core, Kiyoaki gazed up at the twilight sky.

He would leave all hesitation behind on the ground.

No more identity, no more past, no more emotions. He would discard them all at the flight line.

Once he took to the air, he would become a single piece of steel, one that would strike down the advancing "enemy."

"Sakagami, ready for take-off," Kiyoaki announced, and the rear twin-rotating propellers of the Ikaruga began to spin. The four blades, rotating leftward, briefly appeared to reverse direction before blurring into a disc shape.

—What I’m about to face is no different from me—just soulless steel.

—This is a job where steel must eliminate steel from the sky.

Kiyoaki taxied to the runway and opened the throttle.

The Ikaruga accelerated, its wings gathering lift as Kiyoaki’s mind steeled itself for what would be the toughest air battle of his life.

With a hawk’s sharp gaze, he looked toward the December sky.

The sky, vast and filled with cruel blue hues, awaited Kiyoaki’s flight and the fateful clash that was to come.

He knew he would soon have to kill those he once cared for.

—The enemy isn’t Illia.

He pulled the control stick back.

—The enemy is the steel wolf that kills my allies and civilians.

The wheels left the ground, and the sky ahead filled with blue and clouds.

The Ikaruga soared past the slower Murasame fighters, demonstrating its superior climbing ability as it ascended to the designated altitude. Commander Maolong had chosen six thousand meters because anything higher would thin the air, making it difficult for the Murasame fighters to climb. Being higher up at the start of an air battle offered a clear advantage, and Kiyoaki intended to begin from an even higher altitude.

Commander Maolong had anticipated Kiyoaki’s thoughts early on.

"Ikaruga, you can climb as high as you want. Sakagami, Ryu, you have free rein," Maolong said with a light-hearted tone. Kiyoaki responded with gratitude.

"Thank you."

"Don’t let us down, Sakagami, Ryu. You’re our aces. Protect the citizens," Maolong's voice came through again, this time more serious.

Both Kiyoaki and Ryu responded in unison. Though Maolong didn’t possess Leo’s charisma, Kiyoaki had grown to respect him over time. Maolong had understood Kiyoaki’s reasons for pulling out of the battle during the air raid on Misato and had entrusted him with the Ikaruga again. For that, Kiyoaki was determined to give everything he had in today’s battle.

With his oxygen mask on, Kiyoaki levelled off at six thousand meters, accelerated to gain speed, and then angled his nose upward.

He had come to understand through experience that the Ikaruga’s turbo-prop engine performed even better at high altitudes. He wanted to bring the battle to an altitude where other piston-engine aircraft would struggle, maximizing the advantage his aircraft provided.

At seven thousand five hundred meters, Kiyoaki levelled off and turned on his flight suit’s heater. The sharp sound of the high-altitude winds filled his ears.

—But even at this height, the Beo-Strike can match me…

As he mentally prepared for the inevitable clash, Ryu’s aircraft flew alongside him at the same altitude. Glancing at Ryu’s cockpit, Kiyoaki saw the fierce determination in his eyes.

If you run away again, I’ll kill you.

Ryu’s gaze seemed to say it all.

Kiyoaki returned only a silent nod.

—I won’t run anymore. I’ll fight alongside you.

Ryu flipped his wings and distanced himself about a thousand meters from Kiyoaki, beginning his patrol.

According to Kagura, Ryu had a pregnant wife in Misato. Unable to evacuate due to her condition, she had narrowly survived the previous air raid, but the experience had taken a toll on her. Ryu’s anger toward Kiyoaki likely stemmed from the fear he had for his wife’s safety.

—Everyone fights for someone important.

—I can’t be the only one who runs away…

Over and over, Kiyoaki etched this resolve deep into his soul. He reminded himself to pull the trigger without hesitation, even if he recognized a familiar face in the enemy’s cockpit. He would fire the 37mm cannon when the time came.

Suddenly, the eastern sky glittered with distant points of light. The flickering dots grew in number.

"They’re here. There are so many of them," one of his comrades remarked over the radio, the tension palpable.

"The Voltec Air Squadron is skilled in formation combat. Even if you have an enemy in your sights, always watch your back," Kagura’s calm voice advised, her resolve evident. She, too, was determined to see this battle through as a member of the Kusanagi Air Corps.

Kiyoaki glanced behind him toward the western sky. There were about forty-five minutes until the sun would set. They had less than an hour to fight in visual combat.

The outcome of the Second Multi-Island Sea War would likely be decided in this brief window.

Scanning the combat zone, Kiyoaki found a route through the cloud layers, a hidden path to approach the enemy undetected. He was flying a thousand meters higher than the rest, giving him a clear view of the terrain below.

"Sakagami, I’ll strike first. Anyone who can follow, do so."

Kiyoaki began moving stealthily through the cloud cover at an altitude of seven thousand five hundred meters. His radio buzzed with voices, but no one followed him after what had happened in the previous battle.

Except for one.

From six thousand meters, one aircraft was following Kiyoaki’s course.

"I’ll cover you, Lieutenant."

It was Dambazolik, loyally following behind in his inferior Murasame.

"Alright. Stay alert to the clouds. Keep them between us and the enemy."

After giving his instructions, Kiyoaki maneuverer through the drifting clouds, occasionally peeking through gaps to observe the movements of the Voltec Air Squadron below.

The closer they got, the clearer the enemy formation became. At an altitude of five thousand five hundred meters, over ninety enemy fighters advanced in three squadrons of thirty planes each. It was an awe-inspiring sight. Despite the massive size of the formation, there wasn’t a single break in their lines. This was the "Kings of the Sky," more disciplined and honed than during Kiyoaki’s time with them, their confidence born of countless victories in battle.

As Kiyoaki closed in, hidden in the clouds, he repeated the mantra he had been telling himself all along.

—I am steel. The enemy is steel.

—What happens next is nothing more than two clumps of steel eliminating each other.

His hands were slick with sweat as they gripped the control stick.

No matter how much he tried to suppress it, the sight of the advancing Voltec Air Squadron conjured memories of the faces of those he once laughed with on the beach. He shook his head to clear those images away and instead focused on the memories of Rensuke, the young boy whose sister had been killed, and the citizens of Misato who had burned in the oily sea, their charred remains drifting down the river.

—I am no longer human. I’m a part of this machine.

With determination, Kiyoaki widened his eyes. The Voltec Air Squadron, unaware of his presence, continued their steady advance.

Carefully weaving through the clouds, Kiyoaki finally positioned himself directly above the ninety-plane formation. He could see the two Beo-Strike fighters leading the charge—Leo and Illia.

Dambazolik was still close behind, hidden in the cloud cover.

—Let’s go.

Kiyoaki steeled his heart.

He had become a single piece of the Ikaruga’s steel.

A solid block of steel pushed the control stick forward. The Ikaruga’s nose dipped downward.

Sixty degrees of descent. The howl of high-altitude winds briefly whistled against the windscreen.

His entire view was now filled with clouds, the distant ocean, and the upper surfaces of the Voltec Air Squadron’ planes.

The Ikaruga broke through 800 kilometres per hour, plummeting toward the enemy.

Kiyoaki braced against the G-forces. The enemy planes rapidly grew larger. The enormous formation, divided into three squadrons, filled his vision, each squadron itself broken down into smaller groups of three.

—I’ll tear right through the centre.

Aiming for the heart of the Voltec formation, Kiyoaki simultaneously pulled the triggers for both the 37mm cannon and the 20mm machine guns.