Tsukikage

Avoiding the battlefield, Shinnosuke and the others slipped through the international space region on the Pollux side and turned around, attempting a spatial jump.

In this region, the jump point allows them to instantly leap across the entire Rimlaria Galactic Empire territory.

"Coordinate calculation complete. Jump destination coordinates locked."

Understood. First, our ship will jump, followed by Tsukikage, then Fubuki. Leaving it to you, Millina.

Shin nosuke issued the jump command upon receiving Seira's report.

Millina slammed the throttle lever forward.

"Jump entry speed reached. Jump point approaching. Countdown starting: five, four, three, two, one—now!"

The Yatagarasu jumped into hyperspace first.

The time spent traveling through hyperspace via spatial jump is just a few seconds.

The Yatagarasu immediately returned to normal space.

"...Jump complete. Returning to normal space... Multiple contacts detected on radar! Identifying fleet. Rimuria—no, the Sacred Rimsia Empire's fleet. Approximately fifty ships at nine o'clock, fifteen ships at one o'clock. The group at one o'clock has gone on combat alert!"

Tension surged across the Yatagarasu's bridge.

"Maximize navigation identification signals!"

"Understood... No good! Signs of attack from the group at one o'clock! They've opened fire!"

An attack on a civilian vessel without warning in international airspace where freedom of navigation is recognized.

A clear violation of international law, but now is not the time to debate such matters.

"Maximize shield output! Disengage weapon control, but hold your fire for now, Milena. Focus entirely on defense and evasion!"

"Understood, sir!"

"Tsukikage is warping out! Next, Fubuki!"

"Jumping off—wah!?"

Why does it turn into a battle all of a sudden!?

From Yatagarasu to Tsukikage and Fubuki! We are currently under attack from the Sacred Lemurian Empire fleet! All ships focus on defense and evasion—do not counterattack. Diverting at bearing 11!

The three immediately formed a formation to break away.

On the bridge of the flagship Black Rose of the Black Rose Fleet, fleet commander Bellosa watched the unfolding events with calm vigilance.

We were on alert, following Lady Elsia's prediction that enemies might jump into this region from the Pollux sector, but the ones that arrived were just three civilian ships. Funny thing is, space is vast yet strangely narrow—maybe there's some odd connection with that man after all.

Berroza muttered in annoyance upon seeing Fubuki's figure.

"The 6th Destroyer Squadron of the 3rd Fleet has begun its attack."

Berroza grimaced at the report from his副官, Zackbarn.

"What are they doing? That's not in accordance with international law."

"Does our fleet not need to provide support?"

Don't be foolish! We don't need to support a reckless, law-breaking operation that achieves nothing but wasted effort. First of all, we're talking about chasing down just three civilian ships with fifteen vessels—how absurd is that? There's no reason for us to get involved. Just inform the destroyer squadron that their actions violate international law. We can't afford to get dragged into this mess later on."

"Understood."

Bellosa decided to remain neutral, assessing the situation.

A judgment made as a fleet commander.

"It seems they've changed ships again... but facing that guy, we might end up getting beaten back. Wait—this is getting dangerous, isn't it? We won't be able to control this anymore."

Bellosa's third eye on her forehead opened.

Seyla, operating radar control, shouted out.

"Direct hit on Tsukikage! It's going to hit!"

"Confirmed! Evasion... ugh!"

The second unit in formation, Tsukikage, was hit directly by the barrage.

"Andy, are you alright?"

『This is Tsukikage—bridge is undamaged, Andy, I'm fine, and Madelia-san too.』

There was no time to sigh in relief at Ellen's report.

"Tsukikage, main engine has taken critical damage! If we continue like this, it'll explode!"

Seyla, scanning Tsukikage's damage through Yatagarasu's sensors, screamed in horror.

"Andy, abandon the ship and evacuate!"

"No, I'll try to make it work..."

"Andy, it's impossible! The engine pressure has exceeded its limit!"

Andy and Elen's voices overlapped.

"Andy! Tsukikage is beyond saving! I'm giving you an order—evacuate now!"

"…Understood."

"Hurry!"

"Understood! Shinosuke, I'm entrusting Elen and Maderia to you!"

"Andy, what are you talking about?"

Andy's voice, resolute and final.

"Andy, stop being reckless!"

"I'm the captain of Tsukikage. I'll face the consequences of failing to protect my ship!"

Andy is determined to share Tsukikage's fate.

But Shinosuke refuses to accept Andy's resolve.

With no time to spare, he resorts to an unforgiving, forceful measure.

"Madria, I'm giving you an order! Drag Andy into the shuttle by force if you have to! If he resists, knock him out—no mercy!"

Understood, my master.

Madria's flat response.

"Wha—wait, Madria, what's with that wrench!? Don't come at me so deadpan! That's going too far... W-wait, I get it...!"

And Andy's voice cut off.

"My master, we will evacuate together as ordered. Please accept our presence."

"Understood..."

"Wait a moment, Shinosuke. There might be injured people, so the shuttle will be handled by Fubuki."

"Please. Yatagarasu will support Fubuki's containment operation."

Immediately after the evacuation shuttle departed from Tsukikage, as if confirming that Andy and the others had safely escaped, Tsukikage's main engine detonated in a small explosion, triggering chain reactions throughout the hull. Eventually, Tsukikage sank with a thunderous crash.