Toaru Hikuushi e no Seiyaku:V9Part8

Part 26 (Part 8 of Volume 9)

As they pierced through the thick clouds, the view suddenly opened up.

The blue February sky, the white stratus clouds stretching across the horizon, and the reddish-brown wastelands of the Mitterrand continent—right in the middle of this world of blue, white, and red floated an overwhelmingly foreign presence.

"There it is… that's Pleiades!"

The moment they spotted it, cheers and whistles erupted over the communication system from his comrades.

Flying at an altitude of 5,500 meters, Kiyoaki turned his wings, gazing distantly at the royal city of the sky they were about to dominate.

The horizontal distance was about 36,000 meters. Pleiades was flying at an altitude of around 2,000 meters, with a speed of about 10 knots.

According to the information Mio had provided, Pleiades was 55 kilometres long and 24 kilometres wide. It had four airfields, two military ports, and three residential areas, with almost every area except for the mountainous regions covered in anti-aircraft guns, making it resemble a hedgehog.

Upon further observation, they could see hundreds of glowing points being launched from the surface. The Odin Air Squadron's approach had been detected by radar, and the eager interceptors were assembling in mid-air, awaiting their arrival.

The first wave of the Odin Air Squadron, led by Kiyoaki, consisted of 62 fighter jets. Over Odin, another 30 jets, led by Charles and Mad Dog, were currently protecting their main force.

Their advantage, despite being outnumbered, lay in their formation combat. They had trained extensively at Odin to fight in two- or three-ship formations, particularly with trusted partners in chaotic skirmishes. Kiyoaki had always trained with Illia, and they were supposed to fight together again this time in a two-ship formation, but...

"Illia, are you ready?"

He spoke into the microphone, but there was no response.

Looking behind him, he saw Illia’s Beo-Strike following closely, but she remained silent. The canopy of her cockpit reflected the sky, hiding her expression. Kiyoaki couldn’t see what kind of face she wore as she gripped the controls.

Yet, the awkwardness between them was palpable.

Since Kiyoaki’s confession, they hadn’t exchanged a word, not even before today’s sortie. Illia was clearly avoiding him. He had expected this when he confessed, but now that the battle was about to begin, they needed to protect each other and fight together. Kiyoaki and Illia were the core of the air supremacy squadron. If they faltered, it would affect the morale of the entire team.

"I see a lot of them," a voice crackled through the speaker, breaking the tension. It was the twin pilots of the Voltec Squadron, Lulu and Lala.

They were flying Beo-Strikes as well, and hearing their familiar, cheerful voices reassured him. Leo was also flying nearby, though as usual, he remained silent, the lion's nose art on his aircraft following Kiyoaki.

"There’s a ton of them. Over 100?" "Close to 200. About three times our numbers. But there's nothing to fear. We’ve trained for this day."

Sanatra and Kandata from Valkyrie Squadron, sounding laid-back, chimed in. Though they had stayed in Akmed’s shadow, both had taken down over 200 enemy aircraft each, making them ace pilots among the world’s best squadron, Valkyrie. Having been assigned the latest Terra-Libera fighters, they had grown comfortable with their machines and were calmly watching the massive enemy force.

Additionally, Dambazolik was leading his 12-ship Kusanagi Squadron, the "Ikaruga," in the skies with them. Though he still harboured a grudge against Kiyoaki, he and his elite squad were unmatched in their ability to fight against overwhelming odds. Having fought alongside them in Misato’s air defence battle, Kiyoaki knew better than anyone how formidable the Kusanagi Squadron was.

In the distance, the Alice Actus squadron seemed to spot them, their points of light gathering into a tighter cluster, gradually growing larger as they approached. The time for combat was drawing near.

Beyond the approaching swarm of Alice Actus fighters, Kiyoaki focused once more on the magnificent sight of Pleiades.

Mio was there. Waiting for him.

Then, let’s go. We’ll wipe out this enemy and come for you.

──I will rescue you.

For all the harm I’ve done to you, at the very least, I want to give you freedom. So you can laugh again, live brightly, and be happy.

As the commander of the air supremacy squadron, Kiyoaki spoke into the microphone.

"Let’s not get too excited. Stay calm. Our strength is in our teamwork. Even if we’re outnumbered, as long as we keep covering each other, we can win."

Despite the high stakes, Kiyoaki maintained his usual tone, speaking calmly to his comrades.

"The training we’ve undergone at Odin is the best in the world. Our skills have been honed to their highest level. Let’s remain calm, trust in each other, and fight."

His quiet words were met with whistles of agreement, along with teasing comments from the twins over the speakers. Kiyoaki glanced briefly at Illia flying beside him before shifting his gaze to the silver-gray Alice Actus fighters rapidly closing in.

The Odin Squadron’s aircraft were primarily bronze, while Urano’s were silver-gray. Today’s mission was to drive out the silver-gray from the skies and replace it with bronze.

"Well then..."

He opened the throttle. Leading the formation, Kiyoaki dove forward.

"All units, shoot them down!"

His command was met with cheers from his comrades over the speaker.

At the same time, the "witch" Alice Actus fighters revved their propellers.

'Contact!'

With a deafening roar, the skies were immediately filled with the silver-gray of the enemy. Odin Squadron, spearheaded by Kiyoaki’s bronze-coloured fighters, plunged into the silver-gray swarm.

The 180 Alice Actus fighters, forming the direct defence squadron of Pleiades, and the 62 Odin air supremacy fighters collided head-on at an altitude of around 4,500 meters.

'Yahoo!' 'Yeah!' 'Let’s do this!'

Lulu and Lala’s familiar shouts mixed with the roar of propellers and engines as the skies around them became a chaotic melee.

As the fiery trails of bullets streaked through the air, Kiyoaki’s gaze sharpened, adopting the eyes of a beast.

He locked onto the first enemy he would take down amidst the flying witches.

──Here we go.

From this point on, he was no longer a human—just a single atom of metal within the fighter plane.

All human emotions fell away from Kiyoaki.

"If you stand in my way, I’ll bring you down."

Facing an Alice Actus fighter head-on, Kiyoaki slashed through it in a single strike. He saw the canopy shatter and a spray of blood bloom like a flower.

One down.

His cold, detached mind registered the roar of approaching enemy aircraft.

──Two, coming from the upper right.

Before his eyes could even register, Kiyoaki’s instincts had already sensed them. Without looking up, he shifted his trajectory. The enemy jets, which had come from above, unleashed a barrage of 30mm rounds into empty space, continuing their descent toward the red earth below.

Moving with the agility of a predator, Kiyoaki pursued them. This time, he had the advantage of flying an Ikaruga, a much more advanced fighter compared to the outdated Kazvaan he had previously flown, and it performed just as well as the Alice Actus. With no major differences in aircraft performance, the battle came down to the skill of the pilots. Locked onto the Alice Actus in his sights, it couldn’t outrun him.

The Alice Actus, wings shattered, crashed into the red soil of Mitterrand, exploding into debris. Confirming his kill, Kiyoaki pulled up and scanned the skies. Illia was nowhere to be seen, likely caught up in the melee, chasing down an enemy. Surveying the battlefield, he listened to the chaotic chatter of his comrades over the comms while sizing up his next target.

'I can do this! We can fight!' 'Don’t charge in alone! Stay connected to your comrades—it’s your lifeline!' 'Never fly solo, always stay with your wingman!!'

Voices of encouragement echoed over the speakers. The Voltec Squadron, Valkyrie, Kusanagi, and Isler squadrons—all elite units, their pride on the line, were fighting together in close formations. Each one had honed their skills to the utmost through countless air battles, and now, every pilot was an expert in formation combat. As Kiyoaki surveyed the battlefield, he saw Odin Squadron's tight two- and three-ship formations systematically taking down Alice Actus fighters.

Flying right beside Kiyoaki, Leo, Lulu, and Lala formed a tight three-ship formation, descending together like the point of a spear. Every enemy aircraft they encountered exploded in a burst of debris. The trio had become much more agile, fast, and powerful compared to when they fought over Misato. Meanwhile, Dambazolik, piloting his Ikaruga, cut through the enemy ranks like a swordsman wielding a blade, slicing his way through the silver-gray swarm. Watching his former enemies now flying side by side with him against Urano filled Kiyoaki with a sense of pride. But he couldn’t allow himself to get distracted. He was their leader now.

──We’ll overwhelm them.

Having repeatedly engaged in mock battles with Seagull, Mad Dog, and Kal-el, Kiyoaki felt confident that his combat skills had reached an even higher level. When it came to dogfighting, he didn’t feel like he could lose to anyone. Kiyoaki transformed into an iron hawk, spreading his pitch-black wings.

Three, four, five…

The shattered remains of Alice Actus fighters danced around him like snowflakes. Every movement, seemingly random, was calculated to strike the enemy’s blind spots with a lethal blow. The fallen enemy probably didn’t even realize what had happened to them as they blossomed into flowers of blood in the sky.

──We can do this. We can win. Even against two or three times their numbers, we won’t lose.

With each fiery explosion, the silver-gray colour faded from the sky, replaced by bronze. Once they filled the skies over Pleiades with bronze, the war would be over. The world would be saved.

──Just a little more. We’re so close.

Hope bloomed in Kiyoaki’s heart.

──We’re strong. Odin Squadron is the strongest in the world. We can dominate any sky.

This confidence welled up within him. In an air battle, even when outnumbered, the side that truly believed in victory would win. A retreating enemy would suffer even more losses, while the side that pressed its advantage would continue to expand its success.

Kiyoaki and Illia, along with Kal-el, Sanatra, Kandata, Leo, Lulu, and Lala—these aces, each with over 200 kills, were united as one, fighting together. Victory belonged to the Odin Squadron.

──We’ll win. We’ll take control of Pleiades.

──I’ll rescue Mio…!

Just as hope reached its peak, Kiyoaki sensed something strange.

──Something’s not right.

His instincts were screaming.

──What is this?

He scanned the area. All he could see were his comrades, relentlessly pursuing the Alice Actus fighters.

However, for a pilot like Kiyoaki, who had flown through countless battlefields, there were times when the "sky in his mind" would overlay the actual sky. When danger loomed, when the tide of battle shifted, when a powerful enemy entered the airspace, Kiyoaki would often see things that ordinary pilots couldn’t.

And now—

In Kiyoaki’s eyes, a dark, rose-coloured curtain was spreading over the airspace, threatening to cover everything. The bronze colour that Odin Squadron had painted the sky with was being overwritten by that black rose hue. The flowers of hope they had been cultivating were being smothered by this blood-red veil, wilting and fading rapidly...

'Be careful. There’s something strange at high altitude.'

Leo’s voice broke the illusion. He, too, had sensed something off.

Kiyoaki squinted upward. Just as Leo had said, there was a dark, blood-red presence emerging from high above. Ever since the battle began, it had been lurking there, watching over the entire airspace, licking its lips in anticipation—an ominous creature of the skies, the likes of which Kiyoaki had never encountered before.

Kiyoaki’s instincts screamed, sounding a loud alarm.

"A new king of the skies is descending."

The black rose-coloured sky at high altitude seemed to whisper this ominous warning.

Kiyoaki looked up, his Adam's apple exposed, as three glimmers of light flickered near the zenith.

A chill ran down his spine.

"No one can take those things down."

"Get out of there, Leon!!"

He shouted before he even fully saw what was happening.

About 700 meters away, Leon, an experienced pilot from the Voltec Squadron, turned toward Kiyoaki with a puzzled expression.

In the blink of an eye—

The three glowing points at high altitude manifested into real aircraft, appearing directly above Leon.

"!?“

In a flash—

Leon was hit by something that looked like lightning, and in an instant, he was reduced to nothing more than scattered particles in the sky.

There was no time for him to scream.

It looked like a beam of light. Bathed in the radiant energy from the heavens, Leon and his beloved aircraft vanished from this world, leaving only twinkling dust particles floating where they had been.

Even their comrades couldn’t understand what had happened.

But then, more lightning-like strikes erupted, this time from the ground, surging toward the sky.

Kiyoaki barely managed to discern that these weren't actual beams or lightning, but a barrage of 20mm machine gun fire from six barrels in perfect synchronization.

And then, the comrades engulfed in that torrent of fire simply disappeared, dissolving into the sky as if they'd never been.

At the edge of his hearing, Kiyoaki caught a sound he had never heard before—a high-pitched resonance, like the roar of a demon, compressing the air with an immense energy that seemed to tear the sky apart.

A clearly otherworldly aircraft tore through the centre of the Odin Squadron, rising higher and higher into the sky.

Kiyoaki's eyes followed it.

There were no propellers at the front or back of the aircraft.

Instead, it had cigar-shaped objects attached to both wings.

His hair stood on end, and the name of this sky-demon poured out of his throat like a curse.

"Jet!!"

"Damn, what the hell is that thing? It’s so fast!!"

"That's the Ortega! It’s not just fast—the weapons are insane!!"

The squadron members began shouting over the radio as they realized the identity of the sky-demon.

Kiyoaki clenched his teeth, his eyes locked on the Ortega’s movements. It reflected the February sunlight, leaving behind a trail of pure white vapor as it ascended mockingly, driven purely by its engine power.

"What should I do? Should I pursue it?"

"But there are still Alice Actus fighters...!!"

Around him, Alice Actus fighters were still swarming. Despite the ones they'd shot down, their numbers were growing. Off-duty pilots had rushed to the airfields, and with their aircraft now warmed up, reinforcements were joining the battle. No matter how many they shot down, more Alice Actus fighters were pouring into the fight.

As Kiyoaki debated what to do, the Ortega’s climb came to an end.

At an altitude of around 8,500 meters, the white vapor trail it had left behind split into three, like the petals of a flower, and all three began a sharp descent. Each one moved independently. Kiyoaki shouted into the microphone.

"Don't break formation! If we hit them two-on-one, we can manage!!"

He glared at the incoming Ortega jets. The once-distant points of light had transformed into fully formed jets that now hovered directly overhead. On their noses were six 20mm Vulcan cannons, arranged in a ring and ready to unleash destruction.

"Don't face them head-on!!"

The moment he shouted, a torrent of flames erupted from the Ortega's nose.

It was like a dragon from myth, spewing fire from its mouth. The searing heat tore through the air, and the Terra Libera fighter caught in the fiery vortex disintegrated into the sky.

"Remy!!"

Screams from the Valkyrie pilots echoed over the speakers. One of their finest, Remy, had been devoured by the Ortega in an instant.

"Damn it! Shoot that thing down! Avenge Remy!!"

The enraged squadron members tried to pursue the Ortega, but it was already disappearing into the distance, far too fast for anyone to catch up.

"More incoming!!"

Another panicked cry echoed. This time, from the upper left, another flaming torrent swept over the Odin Squadron. Before they could even scream, two more comrades dissolved into the sky.

"Damn it, Beltran's gone!!" "Simmons too!! They’re too fast, we can't catch them!!"

The radio communications were in chaos. Their momentum, which had been so strong moments ago, had shifted dramatically with the Ortega’s arrival.

This is bad.

Kiyoaki surveyed the airspace. They needed to find a way to take down the Ortegas. It was the ace’s duty to identify and neutralize the biggest threat.

"I’ll be the one to take it down…!!"

Resolving himself, he spotted the third Ortega jet in his peripheral vision as it dove down and opened the throttle.

Without losing any speed from its dive, the Ortega plunged into the middle of their formation, spraying Vulcan fire. Within seconds, two more of their fighters were obliterated. The Ortega pulled up just before hitting the ground and soared back into the sky. Kiyoaki followed in a dive, trying to catch up to the Ortega’s tail, but it quickly shrank in his sights until it disappeared entirely.

Clenching his teeth, Kiyoaki pulled back on the control stick. As he did, more wreckage from his comrades rained down from above. The first Ortega jet had regained altitude and was diving again, continuing its assault. His comrades couldn’t chase or escape—they were simply being picked off, one after another.

"We can't even engage in dogfights…!!"

Despair began to take root in Kiyoaki's mind. The Ortega’s jets operated in a relentless cycle—diving, shooting down their targets, skimming the ground, and then using their engines to soar back to high altitudes for another attack. The propeller planes couldn’t keep up, and once the Ortega locked onto a target, there was no escape from its Vulcan fire.

"This is absurd!!"

Kiyoaki had faced desperate situations before and had always overcome them with skill and teamwork. But this… this was different. It was like a school of fish being hunted by a shark. They had no chance to fight back, not even the opportunity to counterattack.

The overwhelming presence of the Ortegas emboldened the Alice Actus fighters. They quickly regrouped and launched a more aggressive assault on Odin Squadron. Outnumbered three-to-one, they were now constantly under the threat of the Ortega’s deadly spears from above.

Every time an Ortega descended, another comrade was devoured. The radio was filled with screams, the sound of names being called out, and the anguished cries of those who had lost their wingmen.

"This is really bad."

Kiyoaki was growing desperate. As the air supremacy squadron leader, he had to make a decision. It was clear they couldn’t continue this battle. Just as he was about to order a retreat, the radio crackled to life.

"Sakagami, it’s Leo. I’ll cover the rear. We need to fall back and regroup. We’re not equipped to handle jets right now."

Leo had spoken up before Kiyoaki could, taking the initiative. Immediately, the twin sisters’ voices followed over the radio.

"We’ll distract them. Just pull back for now." "Yeah, we’ll just call this a recon mission. The real attack comes next time, okay?"

Kiyoaki silently thanked Leo, Lulu, and Lala. He had intended to stay behind and cover the retreat himself, but if the squadron leader did that, they wouldn’t be able to learn from this battle and apply the lessons to their next attack. Leo had likely volunteered, understanding this.

"…Thank you. I’ll pull the team back."

Kiyoaki kept his response short, trusting that his gratitude had been conveyed. Leo, Lulu, and Lala formed a tight formation and began a wide turn to cover the retreat. Kiyoaki called out to the rest of the squadron.

"Let’s regroup! Fall back to Odin!"

"We need to come up with a real plan against these jets, or we’re just going to keep increasing our casualties." Hearing the responses of his allies, Kiyoaki and his team turned their wings.

Of course, the enemy wasn’t going to let them go so easily. The fleeing forces were quickly pursued, and all Kiyoaki and his team could do was dodge the incoming fire while heading back to Odin’s airspace, where they could receive support from anti-aircraft guns and friendly cover from the Seagull, Mad Dog, and other allied aircraft.

Leo, Lulu, and Lala formed the rear-guard, drawing the enemy's attention while covering the retreat.

"Please… don’t die, Captain Leo…!!"

Kiyoaki glanced back, sending his silent prayers to the three-ship formation covering their escape, risking their lives.

"We’re really showing off now, huh?" "The Captain’s gone and done it again."

Hearing the familiar banter of the twins, Leo clenched his teeth. He gave an order over the mic.

"You two, get out of here. I didn’t call for backup."

Leo had planned to take the rear-guard role alone, but the twins had decided to follow him on their own.

"Wow, you really say something like that at a time like this?" "Right? This is the part where you’re supposed to cry and thank us!"

"Listen, this isn’t a glamorous job. We’re just drawing the enemy’s attention and getting chased. You two hate this kind of work, don’t you?"

"Yeah, but, you know…" "The Captain showing off by himself is annoying!" "Exactly! We want to bank some goodwill, too!" "And this is when the Captain finally falls for us, dumps his wife..." "And Cynthia too!"

They even brought up his beloved daughter, Cynthia, making a vein pop out on Leo’s forehead.

"Now’s not the time for jokes!! Here they come! Get out of here, now!!"

"Nope!" "We’re staying forever!!" "Come on, cry!" "Cry and fall in love with us!"

It was impossible to tell how much was serious and how much was a joke. But the fact that they were here, risking their lives by his side, spoke volumes about their true feelings.

"Idiotic twins. You’re both idiots."

"The best idiots ever."

"Don’t hold a grudge if you die."

"Got it!" "That’s kind of what we’re hoping for!"

Their usual banter came through, and Leo grimaced before looking behind him.

The Alice Actus fighters were giving chase, circling the fleeing allies and waiting for an opening to strike. Leo’s role was to stand out—to fly provocatively, to enrage the enemy into thinking, "I’ll take down that cocky bastard." He gripped the control stick tighter, glaring at the enemy formation.

"Alright, let’s do this."

"Roger that." "Got it."

With a response as laid-back as ever, Leo pushed the control stick hard and dove straight into the pursuing enemy formation.

The witches were caught off guard. Leo’s Beo Strike’s four 20mm cannons fired in unison, turning one of the enemy planes into a fireball that decorated the azure sky. Seeing that the twins were covering his flanks, Leo dove deeper into the enemy formation, turning sharply without regard for possible collisions.

His barrage of fire caught two more witches. Their severed wings spiralled down to the ground, while the pilots parachuted out from the shattered fuselages. Leo, Lulu, and Lala maintained their tight three-ship formation, using quick, agile manoeuvres to wreak havoc on the enemy.

They were fewer in number, so they didn’t need to worry about friendly collisions. And since their lives were already forfeit, they weren’t afraid of ramming into the enemy. Leo fully understood the power of soldiers who had resigned themselves to death. Now, all that remained was to carve his pride as an ace of the Saint Vault Empire’s Air Force into the sky.

The more they fought, the more the enemy focused on them, eager to shoot them down. The enemy quickly ignored Kiyoaki and the others, redirecting their attacks toward Leo. By the time Leo noticed, the Alice Actus fighters had completely surrounded the three of them.

"Doesn’t look like we’ll be making it back."

"Yeah, not likely." "We’re doomed."

The twins kept up their banter, even though they understood how dire the situation was. But in their own way, they were content. Even if it was in this form, they were glad to be of use to Kiyoaki and Illia. Leo understood their feelings.

Alice’s scythes descended upon Leo one after another. But Leo, with the agility of an acrobat, carefully dodged each one, continuing to provoke the enemy. He glanced at the retreating allies in the distance. If he could just fulfill his duty, he wanted to at least give the twins a chance to escape.

His biggest concern was the Ortegas, but there was no sign of them. Maybe they were chasing the retreating allies? If so, his rear-guard efforts were in vain.

"Captain! Below!!"

The sudden shout made him stomp on the foot pedal.

In an instant, a thick stream of flame shot up toward the sky. Following that, an ear-piercing roar reminiscent of a witch’s scream tore through the air.

"They're here."

Leo spotted an Ortega’s ascent in the corner of his right eye. Their climbing power was extraordinary—there was no way to catch up. But he already knew that. His job was to keep dodging.

"Up-right!!"

This time, it was Lulu’s voice. A second burst of searing flame erupted from the indicated direction. He slammed the foot pedal again, narrowly avoiding the second Ortega that tore through the air like a bolt of lightning, diving toward the ground.

"They're on another level."

Leo watched the Ortega’s retreating figure with a mix of awe and frustration. He knew it was impossible to chase them down, but being toyed with like this was infuriating. If only he could find a way to turn the tables...

"They keep pulling the same moves, don’t they?" "Yeah, fight us properly, you cowards!"

As the twins griped, they deftly dodged the attacks from the Alice Actus fighters. The real issue was the Ortegas—they could appear from anywhere, and at any moment, while the Alice Actus fighters kept up the pressure.

"They don’t need to engage in dogfights."

Leo responded to the twins’ complaints, and a glimmer of an idea lit up in his mind.

"Even so, they keep taking the bait…"

"Captain! Watch out!!"

Leo quickly yanked the control stick down.

The Ortega, sneaking up from below, unleashed another torrent of flame and ascended back into the sky. The edge of the fire clipped Leo’s rudder, causing his plane to wobble. Even a glancing blow from their Vulcan cannons significantly hampered his aircraft's manoeuvrability. Thanks to their powerful engines, they could maintain such heavy firepower while still dominating aerial manoeuvres.

Leo’s plane was surrounded by enemies. The Ortega wouldn’t give up. He realized his adventure was nearing its end.

"Irene. Cynthia. I’m sorry. I can’t come back…"

Apologizing to his wife and young daughter back home, Leo gave his final order to the twins.

"That’s enough. I’ll distract them. You two, get out of here."

"No way!" "Not happening."

"Go back and tell Kiyoaki what I figured out. The Ortegas are just full of arrogance. Ever since they took down Akmed, they’ve been cocky. They want to take out famous pilots to make a name for themselves. It’s a child flying that thing."

He relayed his thoughts in one breath, and the twins fell silent. The Ortegas were likely fixated on Leo because they had spotted the lion painted on his aircraft’s nose. The name Leo Rosenmuller, the ace of the Saint Vault Empire, had reached Uranos. If the Ortega’s goal was fame, then that was a vulnerability.

"When the White Wolf and the Black Rabbit appear, the Ortegas will definitely come after them. That’s when you can pull them into a dogfight. You’re the only ones who can take them down. Tell Kiyoaki and Illia that."

The Alice Actus fighters, sensing Leo’s injuries, closed in and opened fire. Leo, struggling with his damaged rudder, entrusted his final message to Lulu and Lala.

"Go. Please. This is my last order…!!"

Looking skyward, Leo saw the three glimmering points of light above him. The impatient Ortega squadron was making their descent. There was no avoiding it.

"Lulu! Lala! You two are the best subordinates I’ve ever had!! You carry out every order perfectly—you’re my best! Now get out of here and don’t look back!!"

"………………"

"Go!! Go back so you can win this fight! You have to win!!"

As he shouted with all his heart, the twins’ tearful voices finally reached him.

"Captain, we love you." "We’ll always love you, you idiot."

Hearing their acceptance, Leo felt a sense of relief. At the same time, his surroundings turned searing hot. He didn’t feel the heat or the pain. In his final moments, as he was enveloped by the sky, Leo saw the smiling faces of his wife and daughter.

As Leo and his aircraft shattered into pieces, the three Ortega jets roared triumphantly through the sky, their engines howling.

The excited Scorpions yelled victoriously over their radios.

"Woohoo! Took down Leo!!" "Damn, we’re too strong!!" "We’re literally the best, aren’t we? Took down Akmed and Leo—what else is there?" "I mean, these guys are basically trash, though."

Having taken down the famous Leo after Akmed, the Scorpions flew proudly through the sky, revelling in their victory.

The twins couldn’t hear the Scorpions’ gloating, but seeing them out of the corner of their eyes, they forced their trembling souls to calm down. They stifled their vengeful urges, literally biting their lips until they bled as they fled.

Dodging the bullets of the pursuing Alice Actus fighters, they ran for their lives at full speed.

Leo’s message was etched into their hearts. Even if one of them fell, the other would carry the message with their life.

"We’ll definitely tell him. We’ll make sure Kiyoaki knows what Captain said."

Encouraging themselves with these words, Lulu and Lala flew on. With tears streaming down their faces, they flew as fast as they could. Because Leo’s words were precious. Because the message entrusted to them by their beloved captain was more important than anything else. They just kept flying, holding on tightly to that message.

The Ortega jets’ sights locked onto the fleeing twins. The Scorpions raised their deadly tails.

"Wait, aren’t those the twins?" "Yeah, I’ve seen them in the papers. Together, they’ve got more kills than Leo, or something like that." "Should we take ‘em down? Should we eat ‘em?" "Of course! We’re gonna take down all the famous ones!"

The jets’ engines roared as they unleashed flames.

Tearing through the wind and leaving sound in their wake, the Ortega squadron quickly overtook the other fighters and locked onto the twins.

"Lulu-chan, Lala-chan, here we come!" "You better run, or we’ll eat you up!"

One of the Scorpions had Lulu’s tail in their sights. No matter how desperately she tried to flee, it didn’t matter. The Scorpions grinned as they closed in, ready to fire.

But just as they pulled the trigger, Lulu deftly slid her aircraft sideways, dodging the bullets completely.

"Huh?" "Wow, you suck."

Thrown off balance by their missed shot, the Scorpion overshot Lulu and flew out in front of her. Now vulnerable, the Scorpion had no choice but to hit the throttle and pull away. Once they lost their position, they had to climb back up to regain altitude and line up a shot from behind again, which was tedious.

"Maybe you should ease off the throttle?"

The next Scorpion slowed down slightly, clinging tightly to Lulu's tail. When using a jet engine against a propeller plane, it was easier to aim if they held back a bit. With Lulu in their sights, they slowly closed the gap, getting into a range where a hit was certain. The target was desperately trying to escape, but the difference in engine power was too great to shake them off.

"Die already!!"

Squeezing the trigger, the Vulcan cannon spewed scorching flames. In the crosshairs, Lulu was helpless as the fiery barrage struck, reducing her to nothing. What was once a fully-formed aircraft disintegrated into ash, fluttering through the air.

"Way too easy!!"

The Scorpion who shot down Lulu celebrated with a fist pump, adding yet another story to brag about to the girls at the airmen’s bar. Breaking through the wreckage that had been Lulu’s remains, they wore a grin of satisfaction.

"These guys aren’t even trying, are they?" "Aren’t they? Maybe they’re just that weak." "Seriously? What a bore."

The other Scorpions weren’t far behind, closing in on the fleeing Lala.

"Come on, run for real!" "It’s no fun if we pass you, push that throttle!"

Shouting their taunts, the Scorpions toyed with Lala as she frantically wove her plane left and right. It was like they were enjoying a rabbit hunt, deliberately slowing their speed to prolong the chase. They could shoot her down at any moment, but doing so too quickly would be dull. The last prey could wait a little longer—they wanted to savour the superiority of their Ortega jets before turning her into ground meat.

"Damn it, they sent in jets...!" "What insane machines... Propeller planes can't compete..."

The members of the First Air Superiority Squadron, who had managed to make it back to Odin Airfield, gathered in front of the command post, looking up at the sky with curses on their lips. They anxiously watched the heavens, praying for the safe return of Leo, Lulu, and Lala, who had stayed behind to cover their retreat.

In the skies above, friendly air cover units were defending the airspace over Odin. Their task was to ensure that the planes, most vulnerable during landing, were protected. Vigilantly scanning the surrounding airspace, they watched for any sign of the enemy. Thanks to Leo and the others' efforts, the pursuing enemy planes had yet to appear.

"They're here! A Beo-Strike!" Voltec Air Squadron's senior pilot, MacGuire, pointed towards the horizon. When everyone looked in the direction he indicated, they saw a familiar aircraft, wobbling as it made its way towards Odin.

"It's being chased! It's the Ortegas, they're coming this way!"

Behind the Beo-Strike were three distinctive twin-engine jets, toying with it. The dozen or so planes from the air cover squadron over Odin flipped their wings and headed out to support.

"Damn them, those Ortega jets think they can just waltz in here...!"

MacGuire muttered in frustration. While the Alice Actus planes avoided the effective range of Odin’s defences, the Ortegas, seemingly unafraid, had leisurely followed the retreating Beo-Strike, tormenting the last remaining plane.

"Just one plane... Is it Leo? Please, let everyone be okay..." The Voltec squadron members exchanged worried glances. The anti-aircraft guns on Odin's surface opened fire on the Ortegas. Their proximity fuses detected the incoming jets, and the shells burst in the air, creating a deadly wall of shrapnel. The sky above Odin filled with the thick smoke of gunpowder, obscuring the blue sky. But the Ortegas tauntingly flew straight through the barrage, passing over the airfield with a defiant roar of its engines, before disappearing into the distant azure.

The Beo-Strike entered its landing approach, barely staying in the air with all the damage it had taken. It was riddled with bullet holes, on the verge of crashing, but somehow managed to touch down, though it veered wildly off the runway and crashed head-first into a section of the windbreak, finally coming to a halt.

Kiyoaki, along with the other squad members and medics, rushed towards the crashed Beo-Strike, hoping for the best. Only one plane had returned—was Leo, or the twins, still alive?

The Beo-Strike was in terrible condition, full of holes, blackened with soot, and showing signs of countless impacts. The medics hurried to the plane, pulling a bloodied pilot from the cockpit. It was a small figure. Her head was bleeding, and with a pained groan, Lala Scott noticed Kiyoaki and weakly reached out her hand.

Kiyoaki grabbed her hand tightly and called to her. "Lala! Hang on, Lala!"

The medics quickly wrapped her head in bandages and began removing fragments of the plane embedded in her body. Her flight suit was soaked in blood, a testament to the hellish effort it had taken to make it back.

"Kiyo... aki..." Despite her condition, Lala fought to speak.

"From the captain... a message. The Ortegas... they're driven by glory. When they see the Black Rabbit and White Wolf... they'll definitely come after you... that's when you can... engage them in close combat..."

Lala coughed up blood. The fragments in her body may have pierced her organs. Kiyoaki squeezed her hand tighter and called out to her. "Lala! Don't push yourself, rest...!"

But Lala, with great effort, opened her eyes, and despite her soot-stained face, there was still a light of determination in them.

"The one piloting it... just a kid. When they shot down Lulu, they throttled down..."

Kiyoaki etched each of Lala’s words into his mind. This was the hard-earned lesson Leo and Lulu had paid for with their lives—the key to taking down Ortegas.

"Understood! Ortegas are driven by glory, and they slow down during their attacks. That’s our chance for close combat! I’ll make sure everyone knows!" As he firmly replied, Lala smiled faintly.

Kiyoaki felt tears welling up. He could tell from the grip of Lala’s hand that Leo and Lulu would not be coming back. He swore to make the most of their sacrifice.

"I’ll tell everyone! Next time, we will win! For Captain Leo, for Lulu, for you, Lala—we will win!"

Hearing Kiyoaki’s response, Lala nodded twice, tears streaming down her face. The pain she must have been feeling, having lost her beloved Leo and her other half, Lulu, was beyond Kiyoaki’s comprehension. Yet despite her desire for revenge, she had returned, battered and bloodied, to deliver the crucial information. There was no way they could let her sacrifice be in vain. Kiyoaki vowed to honour it, no matter what.

The medics, carrying blood transfusion bags, rushed over, lifted Lala onto a stretcher, and hurried her to the emergency ward. Kiyoaki watched her go, then turned his burning gaze back to the sky.

The memory of the Ortegas, tauntingly flying around as it tormented Lala, still lingered in the blue expanse. They had completely underestimated them, and the thought made his blood boil.

Kiyoaki spun on his heel and headed back to the command post. From the third floor of the command centre, Odin’s Fortress Commander, Balthazar, emerged, calling out to him. "Give a speech."

"..."

"You were the one who said we could win this fight. We can’t turn back now. You need to promise everyone victory. Do it."

Normally, Kiyoaki might have hesitated at such an order, but not now.

"I’ll do it. Gather every pilot here within one minute."

Balthazar grinned, and using the loudspeakers at the first airfield, called all 200 Odin fighter pilots to the front of the command post. Since they were already on standby, it didn’t take a minute for them to gather.

Kiyoaki stood at the briefing platform, ready to deliver the plan for the next battle for air superiority.

"The enemy’s cover unit includes three Ortega jets. If we fight them head-on, we stand no chance. There is only one countermeasure: force them into low-speed combat. If an Ortega targets you, break formation. Focus solely on dodging their attacks. Don’t try to follow them or escape. Just evade by shifting your trajectory—that’s all you need to do."

His tone was serious, and the crowd responded with equally serious expressions.

"The enemy jets are driven by a thirst for glory and will target planes with nose art. Also, they have a habit of throttling down when locking onto a target. That’s our best chance. Stay above the jets, and when they slow down, dive on them for an attack. It’s not going to be easy, but I know you all can do it. Every one of you is an ace from the archipelago. With our unity, we can beat any enemy. Never lose faith in that."

He passed on the vital information that Lala had risked her life to deliver. Everyone listened intently, and Kiyoaki knew that with the plan in place, these pilots had the skill to execute it.

"Now, let’s head into the second air superiority battle. This time, there will be no retreat. We won’t leave the skies above Pleiades until the fight is decided. Are you ready?"

The pilots answered with a resolute expression. They understood—this next battle was the real one. The final clash that would decide the fate of the world.

"All air superiority units, take off! Assemble at 5,500 meters above Odin immediately! Anyone who’s late, catch up later! Move out!"

At his command, the energized pilots rushed towards their beloved planes, standing ready in formation. From the hangars, more backup planes were rolled out, and the mechanics began warming up the engines. No one had given up. They all believed they could seize control of the skies. And at the centre of that belief stood Kiyoaki.

Just as he was about to head to his plane, Dambazolik stepped in front of him.

"Captain Sakagami. I request permission for three planes from the Kusanagi Squadron to be equipped with bombs."

Kiyoaki stopped and glared at Dambazolik. "I understand how you feel, but if you try that now, it’ll just be a suicide mission."

"We are not cowards. We are already prepared to die. And we are not so foolish as to stand by and watch ourselves lose. We are asking for these bombs to win. If you grant permission, I promise to hit the Isolos airfield's runway with all three 500-kilogram bombs."

Entering enemy-dominated airspace with such heavy ordnance would make the planes immediate targets. The bomb-laden planes and their escorts would be at extreme risk of annihilation. However, if successful, it would prevent the enemy from launching and landing new aircraft, potentially turning the tide of battle in their favour. Kiyoaki understood the potential, but he couldn't bring himself to approve it.

"The Kusanagi Squadron is an excellent unit. I want you to stick to the original plan and continue with air superiority missions."

"This bomb request is for air superiority. We do not fear death. We are ready to sacrifice our lives for victory—that is our pride. I ask again, please grant us permission."

"..."

"I do not have your monstrous combat skills. But I have pride, and I have the determination to face death without fear. I may not have been born with exceptional talent, but I believe that with strong and unwavering resolve, one can match even a genius. I have believed this all my life. We will succeed. We will disable the enemy airfield for a day. I ask that you trust me."

There was a familiar look in Dambazolik’s expression. It reminded Kiyoaki of the days when they had fought side by side, protecting the skies of Misato. Back then, Dambazolik had been like a puppy, always following Kiyoaki. Now, that same determination lingered in his eyes, but mixed with a deep frustration.

Dambazolik had once expressed admiration for Kiyoaki’s prowess in battle, how he shot down enemies with such precision. Though Dambazolik was never the most skilled pilot, his desire to serve his comrades and protect his homeland had always been his driving force. That strength of will was why Dambazolik struggled so much with forgiving Kiyoaki.

"Damba, I respect you. I truly do. You’re a great pilot. You have many qualities that I lack. After this war ends, people like you should be leading our nation. That’s why I can’t let you go on a suicide mission."

"You’re always like this, Captain. You never trust me. You take all the heavy burdens on yourself and never trust your subordinates. I told you, I will do it. I want to help. I can change the course of this battle."

Dambazolik’s face contorted as if he were about to cry. His pride and his conviction had pushed him to the brink of tears.

"Please, trust me this once. I will succeed. I will return alive. So, I beg you—grant us permission. We might not fight like you, but we can bring victory in our own way."

The impassioned plea touched Kiyoaki deep within. It made him want to cry himself. He knew that, without permission, Dambazolik and his men might still attempt the mission on their own.

"You said you’d return alive. Promise me that. Complete the mission and come back. If you do, I’ll allow it."

Dambazolik snapped to attention and saluted. As squadron leader, Kiyoaki gave his consent for the mechanics to load 500-kilogram bombs onto the Ikaruga planes. The ground crew quickly hoisted the massive bombs under the bellies of the three bombers.

"Kusanagi Squadron’s remaining nine planes, protect those carrying bombs. We’re counting on you. If this succeeds, the battle will shift dramatically in our favour."

"Yes, sir! We will make sure of it!"

Kiyoaki nodded at Dambazolik again, feeling a sharp pain in his chest. He prayed silently for his safe return, saluted him back, and looked out towards the distant battleground.

The royal city of Pleiades was faintly visible, a mere shadow on the horizon. It was about 80,000 meters away—too far for artillery, but perfect for an air battle. The enemy was surely preparing for a decisive fight as well. This would not be a surprise attack, but a head-on duel between Odin and Pleiades.

Kiyoaki stepped onto the runway and began making his way towards his plane.

Pilots, mechanics, and ground crew bustled around the airfield. The scent of oil lingered in the air, carried by the wind. The familiar hum of engines filled the atmosphere as Beo-Strikes, Ikarugas, and Terra Libera fighters roared to life, ready for battle.

A strong headwind blew across the runway.

As Kiyoaki made his way through the crowd, preparing himself for the mission ahead, he realized that this might be the last time he walked the earth. Just as the thought crossed his mind, a man appeared in front of him.

"The cover unit... is dull work," said the man with a smile. It was Charles, the Seagull.

"Let me join the air superiority team. If you let me act solo, I promise I’ll be of use."

Though his words were calm, Kiyoaki could sense the intense emotion behind them. Seeing the Ortegas toying with Lala must have ignited something deep within him. The rage bubbling inside Charles seemed so strong, it almost distorted the air around him.

Kiyoaki smiled back.

"Of course. I’d be glad to have you, Seagull."

Then, from the crowd, another figure stepped forward.

"I’ll go too..."

Takeo Yoshioka, the Mad Dog, faced Kiyoaki with quiet determination in his eyes.

"Everyone’s been good to me... I want to avenge them."

His words were awkward, but heartfelt. Like Charles, Takeo couldn’t suppress the anger burning within him. After spending the last two months fighting alongside these comrades, the pain of losing them was etched deeply into his face.

"Alright. Let’s go together, Takeo."

When Kiyoaki agreed, Takeo nodded firmly, tightening his gloves. He was young, but his remarkable talent made him one of the finest pilots in the Odin Air Squadron.

And finally—

Another figure, who had left his fiancée, Claire Cruz, behind in Pleiades, stood before Kiyoaki.

"This is where the journey ends," said Kal-el Albus. The usual gentleness in his demeanour had given way to a fierce determination. While he often carried himself like a prince, Kiyoaki had seen Kal-el’s wild nature in the skies during countless training dogfights.

The noble hawk gazed towards the distant Pleiades and whispered, "It’s taken a long time to get here. We can’t afford to lose now."

Kiyoaki returned his smile, mirroring Kal-el’s ferocious resolve. He wasn’t about to lose in sheer willpower.

"We won’t lose. Not with this team. There’s no way."

Kiyoaki bumped fists with Kal-el and extended his hand to Charles and Takeo as well.

Charles clasped it firmly. "You’ll be the one to take down the Ortegas. No one else can."

Takeo joined in as well. "We’ll all do it together."

Kiyoaki looked at his companions—Charles, Takeo, and Kal-el—and nodded with conviction.

"Yes. We’ll do this together."

Then, he turned his gaze towards the distant Pleiades.

In the clear blue sky, the shadows of the witches, Alice, flickered in the distance. There were said to be about a thousand of them. And among them, the Demon King Ortega waited, commanding his thousand witches with a cruel grin.

Kiyoaki steeled himself, letting the fire of his resolve burn fiercely in his soul.

"I will take control of that sky."

"Together with all of you."

"The final battle awaits," Kiyoaki thought as he took a step forward.

Flames flickered at their feet, and the four men—Charles, Kal-el, Takeo, and Kiyoaki—naturally fell into step together as they walked down the runway.

In each of their hearts, the journey to this moment replayed. Every man had followed his own unwavering path, overcoming countless air battles, until they had finally reached the decisive battleground—the skies upon which the fate of the world now rested.

With heads held high, they marched toward the sky where the Demon King and his thousand witches awaited.

They carried only one conviction with them: to dominate those skies together with their comrades in this final battle.

The enemy's forces were ten times larger, and they possessed three jets that, by all rights, were impossible to shoot down with propeller planes. Though they had faced many hopeless situations before, this one was on a different scale. What awaited them was the darkness of the Fortress of Pleiades, where two thousand years of Urano’s hatred had stewed and festered.

But—they would tear through that darkness of despair.

They would flood the sky of the Fortress with light.

We can do this.

At this moment, they would stake everything on these skies.

Charles headed toward Aires V. Kal-el toward Maestra. Takeo toward Shin-den Kai.

Kiyoaki watched them go, seeing each of his comrades board their aircraft out of the corner of his eye before he approached his own plane, the Ikaruga, its nose art emblazoned with a black rabbit.

Illia Kreischmidt stood leaning against the ladder to the cockpit, her arms crossed, waiting for Kiyoaki beneath the emblem of the black rabbit.

As Kiyoaki came to a stop before her, she slowly opened her eyes.

"I heard Captain Leo's message… Let's team up," she said, her sharp green eyes gleaming with determination.

"If an Ortega’s going to target us, we can draw him into a dogfight."

Kiyoaki nodded at her words.

"I was going to ask you myself… Thank you, Illia. I’m glad. I couldn’t imagine a better partner for this battle."

At his words of gratitude, Illia turned away, her arms still crossed.

"I’m not doing this for you. It’s for Captain Leo and Lulu… Honestly, I’d rather not see your face."

"Yeah… I know. I’m the worst. I’ve only ever caused you trouble. I’ve been wanting to apologize for so long."

As Kiyoaki spoke, Illia's gaze grew even more hostile.

"You really don’t get it, do you? Proposing right before a battle, apologizing for everything right before the final fight… Do you not know how bad a battlefield omen that is?"

Facing her accusation, Kiyoaki could only scratch the back of his head awkwardly. It was true—everything he had done since confessing to Illia had gone against the superstitions soldiers held on the battlefield.

Illia pushed herself off the ladder, took two steps forward, and stood directly in front of Kiyoaki.

Her expression turned serious as she spoke.

"When this battle is over, we’ll get married."

Kiyoaki was completely caught off guard, freezing on the spot. He didn’t know how to react, his face stiffening in surprise.

"What’s with that look? I’m just granting your wish."

"Ah… yeah, I mean…"

Illia flashed a teasing smile, her mouth curling up at the corner.

"This is payback. It’s the worst battlefield omen. Soldiers who promise to marry before a fight never return alive."

"…"

"It’s terrible, isn’t it? Making a promise like that right before a battle. How does it feel? Now you know what it’s like. You started this by saying whatever you wanted without thinking, so it’s your fault."

With a mischievous glint in her eye, Illia stepped back, placing her hands behind her back and leaning forward slightly to look up at Kiyoaki. Then, spinning on her heel, she turned away from him.

A gentle breeze passed between them, carrying with it a familiar and comforting scent that lingered on the battlefield.

Illia, still with her back to Kiyoaki, looked up at the sky for a moment before speaking seriously.

"If you’re really a man, then change that omen. Crush it completely and make it a promise to return alive instead. Conquer Pleiades and return, and then marry me as if it were the most natural thing in the world."

She glanced over her shoulder, offering Kiyoaki a soft smile.

"You can do it, right? After all, you’re the man I fell in love with."

Framed against the brilliant blue sky, Illia's innocent smile seemed to glow. The wind gently lifted her light pink hair, giving her a soft and radiant appearance.

Kiyoaki marvelled at the transformation. He couldn't pinpoint when it happened, but at some point, the cold, emotionless Illia had become someone who could smile so warmly. The machine-like rigidity that had once defined her face was gone, replaced by a faint blush that added a charming touch of embarrassment to her expression.

"Well then, I’ll see you later. We’ve made a promise, so make sure you keep it."

Kiyoaki was unable to move, fully aware of how deeply her words had struck him. Illia, with her face flushed, turned back toward her Beo-Strike and ran off. Kiyoaki stood there for a moment, replaying her words and smile in his mind, a sweet scent filling the air as he finally snapped out of it and slapped his cheeks with both hands.

There was no time to lose himself in this moment.

Illia had said all that—there was no way he could lose now. If he didn’t survive, he wouldn’t even be a man. Failing to return would make him unworthy of life.

As Illia had said, this wasn’t an omen of death. It was a promise to return alive. It was a vow for both of them to survive and shape the future together.

Kiyoaki felt his soul roar to life, new strength welling up from the depths of his being.

There was no way he could lose.

The jet Ortega? What of it?

One thousand Alice Actus planes? Did they think that could stop him now?

"Try and stop me, Urano."

With steely resolve in his eyes, Kiyoaki gazed toward the distant Pleiades, where the Ortega and his thousand witches circled.

"I’ll take them all down."

An invisible flame surged from Kiyoaki, spreading out and engulfing the sky. As he climbed into the cockpit of his Ikaruga and revved the tail propeller to life, his beloved aircraft let out a mighty roar before ascending into the heavens.

"This is it, the final battle."

Ahead of him, the throne of the heavens awaited.

It was the one and only throne in this sky, reserved for whoever could rightfully claim the title of "King of the Sky."