Hand-to-hand combat, and then a deadly clash

Nightmare barely dodges Black Rose charging straight in with full broadside fire.

"Engaging a capital ship head-on is suicide! Let's shift to maneuver-based combat!"

"Understood!"

Shinonsuke avoids Black Rose's charge and instantly reverses Nightmare, taking position behind the enemy.

However, in that moment, Black Rose used her speed to escape beyond Nightmare's range, then turned in a smooth arc without slowing down, charging straight at Nightmare once more.

"Damn it! So you're not going to let me bring this into close combat. I can't let you have your way like this."

"Master, fighting a high-speed battleship one-on-one is clearly at a disadvantage. We're outmatched in both speed and firepower."

That's precisely why we're relying on maneuverability—close in within 80 degrees above, below, left, and right of the enemy's bow, staying outside the main gun's firing range!

"Even so, losing the third engine puts us at a severe disadvantage."

"I know. To fully exploit this ship's maneuverability, we need all four engines operating at peak performance."

"...Master, this is too dangerous!"

"I know it's dangerous—just like I know what I'm doing!"

Shin nosuke flipped the starter switch for the third engine, which had been shut down.

The damaged third engine revived, regaining its thrust.

"Third engine is in a state where it could explode at any moment. Plus, the power transmission system is damaged. It's not synchronized with the other engines."

"Within expected parameters. Marks, I'm entrusting you with adjusting the output of all four engines!"

"...Understood. Leave it to me."

Nightmare, regaining its mobility despite the limitations.

Shin nosuke pushed the throttle lever of the Black Rose all the way forward.

"Can't hold out much longer. It's a short-term showdown!"

[Black Rose]

"Still prefer dogfights, I see. Just like last time, when we ended up locked in a ship-to-ship duel. But honestly, though you've extended the invitation, I'm not interested in dancing with you!"

Belroza locked onto Nightmare directly ahead, fingers resting on the main cannon's trigger.

It was the main cannon of a fast battleship—direct impact from point-blank range would leave destroyers or cruisers utterly defenseless.

Within effective range, it could pierce through energy shields and shatter them in a single blow.

"So, which way will you dodge?"

Belroza licked his lips, eyes fixed on Nightmare through the targeting scope.

[Nightmare]

"Enemy ship's main gun range. Warning, continuing forward is dangerous."

"I understand!"

No need for Marks' warning.

Shin nosuke had been waiting for the right moment.

"Warning! Signs of enemy ship firing!"

A flash streaked across the monitor from the Black Rose.

"Now!"

Shin nosuke sank the Nightmare deep.

"Master! It's a decoy!"

"Shit—"

The Black Rose's main cannon fired directly at Shin Nosuke's Nightmare, exploiting his split-second misjudgment.

[BLACK ROSE]

"I can see it clearly."

With her forehead eye open, Belrosa locked onto the Nightmare and fired not her main cannon, but the secondary rapid-fire laser cannons.

Though beyond the range of the rapid-fire cannons, this was Belrosa's trap.

Synnosuke had timed it perfectly, falling into Belrosa's trap and instinctively reacting to her feint attack.

"Guess I was right—those who react quickly are the easiest to catch."

Anticipating Synnosuke's attempt to circle behind her, Belrosa fired her main cannon directly at Nightmare.

【Nightmare】

"Missile incoming!"

"Can you dodge it?!"

Synnosuke accelerated while skidding past Nightmare.

Immediately afterward, a violent shock ran through the ship, and the bridge lights flickered out.

"Did it hit? Damage report!"

"Understood... Near miss on the port side. We avoided a direct hit, but the hull was torn open. Internal power systems and other components have been damaged. However, we'll restore them shortly."

As Mark's report indicated, the bridge lights flickered back on.

Several monitors and instruments remain silent, but navigation is unaffected.

"Did we avoid a fatal blow?"

"More like this ship was already fatally damaged to begin with?"

"No problem!"

As Shinosuke accelerates Nightmare, the distance to Black Rose closes rapidly.

Black Rose's second main gun shot won't make it in time.

Shinosuke successfully dove beneath Black Rose and raised the nose of Nightmare.

His target was Black Rose's main engine, but there was no time to aim precisely.

"Close enough!"

Shinosuke pulled the main cannon's trigger.

Typically, a spaceship's energy shield is thickest at the front, while the sides and underside have relatively thinner shielding.

Even though there was a difference in shield output, the same principle applied even to battleships—depending on the weak points, a destroyer's main cannon could pierce through the shield and inflict damage on the hull, especially at close range.

The Night Mare's main cannon pierced through Black Rose's energy shield and also penetrated the ship's underside armor.

"Got it?"

Shinosuke let out a dry chuckle.

Violation of unofficial military regulation Article 1, Section 1, Subsection 4! As per the established flag, enemy vessel damage is minimal. Not done.