第３０２堀：予想外 (Part3)
"Several individuals from the enemy ranks are taking to the skies! They’re heading straight for the Mobius squadron formation!"
"All units, prepare to intercept! Leave the ground reconnaissance to Omega and the others!"
We confirmed that what appeared to be human figures had taken flight from our side as well. They were flying in a straight line. Unless my eyes were deceiving me, I’d say they were women. Well, Steve and his team would figure out the details soon enough. As for us, I suppose we should deal with the enemies below...
"Omega to all units. There’s no guarantee there aren't more enemies capable of flight. It’s possible the ones who headed toward Mobius might double back. Stay alert, gather intelligence, and if possible, annihilate the enemy."
"Roger!"
We then passed over the fortress. The soldiers inside were simply staring up at us in stunned silence; not a single one of them fired an arrow or launched an attack. Unfortunately, I couldn't spot anyone who looked like a king at a glance. Well, I could search for him at my leisure later.
*Rat-tat-tat-tat...*
"Enemy fire confirmed, heading our way!"
First, I had to deal with the immediate threat. They must have realized they were in a bad spot, as they were firing at us while attempting to retreat, but...
*Ching!*
With a sharp sound, the bullets deflected off our barriers.
...Phew. It seems the bullets from the enemy infantry can't penetrate our magical barriers or the Wyvern armor.
"All units, report damage!"
"Garuda squadron, no hits. No issues!"
"Griffis squadron, Griffis-3 was hit, but no damage sustained. No issues with mission execution!"
"Good. All units, prioritize the cannons. Secondary target: enemy infantry with firearms. Let's move!"
"Roger!"
However, the moment we began our assault, a barrage of various magics flew at us from the infantry. But they weren't as fast as bullets, so we dodged them with ease.
So, this is the power of magic swords? I’d completely forgotten about them thanks to the guns, but there’s quite a wide variety. From fire to water, even ice. Well, that level of power isn't enough to stop a Wyvern. We dove straight into the middle of the retreating forces, using that as a diversion to smash the cannons themselves and annihilate the surrounding enemies.
Of course, not every unit dove into the fray. I, along with the recon, communications, supply, and anti-air watch units, remained in the sky to keep a close eye on the enemy. The enemy was already in a state of panic, scattering as they fled. For now, the ground situation seemed under control...
"Enemy flight confirmed!"
"Confirmed on our end, too. I knew some were still holding back."
The one flying toward us was a blonde woman. She was likely a beauty, but since we were enemies, no soft feelings stirred within me. She was holding a staff. Not a gun, not a magic sword—a genuine staff, adorned with excessive decorations.
"What shall we do?"
"Capture her. She’s clearly a commander-class enemy. We’ll take her alive if possible."
"Roger."
I wanted whatever information she had. The fact that Steve and the others were still engaged in aerial combat meant they were likely doing the same. No reports of shoot-downs had come in, so they probably wanted to capture their targets in near-pristine condition, too.
However, the blonde woman who had flown right up to us simply stared at us without attacking.
"...I have never seen an Orc who commands Wyverns."
She muttered that to herself. Well, I suppose she hadn't. In the wild, an Orc like me would just be prey.
"You’ve realized the difference in our combat power, haven't you? You have no chance of winning. Surrender. We won't treat you poorly."
"...You speak."
...Sorry about that. Sorry for being able to talk!
"I understand the difference in power."
"Then—"
"But I cannot surrender."
Yeah, I figured as much. If she were the type to surrender the moment things looked grim after coming this far, she wouldn't have picked a fight in the first place.
She raised her staff, and...
*Zzzzzzzzt...!!*
She began unleashing a storm of lightning from her staff, directed not at us, but at her own army on the ground.
"Huh!?"
I didn't understand what was happening! The other Wyverns were confused, too. The Wyverns on the ground were being struck by the lightning, but it wasn't enough to do any real damage to them. The Hifi army, however, was a different story. They were literally being electrocuted, turning into charred husks as they collapsed one after another.
Should I stop her? How? With the Boss's signature magic-sealing technique? It wasn't impossible to use, but if I did, the target would plummet from the sky to the ground. If I wasn't careful, we might get caught in the suppression field and fall ourselves. ...I need to ask for an improved version of the magic-sealing technique for aerial combat; I can't use it right now.
"All units, stop her!"
"Roger!"
Judging by the situation, she was likely silencing them. She had no intention of letting us take prisoners. It was rare to see someone go so far as to slaughter their own allies, though!
While I was thinking this, the Wyverns I’d ordered swarmed her.
*BOOM!*
A thunderous roar echoed as one Wyvern was blown back toward us, spinning in the air before regaining its balance.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes. But I nearly lost consciousness for a second. That is some incredible lightning magic."
Man, she could use magic capable of piercing Wyvern defenses?
"...Even I can't do it, it seems. Well, no matter. It went according to plan."
She muttered that. The Wyverns had backed off due to the intensity of that last strike, which was why I could hear her. *According to plan?* What did she mean?
"...Orc over there, I will remember you. I designate you as our greatest threat."
"Much obliged. So, did you think you could escape?"
Well, I could ask her questions after I caught her.
"!?"
Her expression was filled with shock. That was to be expected. The arm holding her staff had just fallen off, along with the staff itself. And I was the one who had done it. She probably never imagined that an Orc could master high-speed flight magic and swing a sword with enough precision to sever her arm.
We were well past the point of capturing her unharmed. There was a possibility that the enemy's strength was nearly on par with ours.
"...The situation is extremely unfavorable. Mission success rate in the event of a retreat is approximately 40%... Understood. I am abandoning this position."
What was she muttering about to herself...?
"Radio interference detected."
That phrase clicked in my mind. *Crap, is she communicating with someone!?* I realized the situation and tried to grab her, but in the next instant, a magic circle unfolded, and she vanished.
"Looked like a teleportation circle."
"Yes. That’s how it appeared to us as well."
"Did you record it?"
"We did."
It was too late to regret letting her escape. First, I had to report the situation and the intelligence.
"Hey, Omega. How’s it going on your end? We’ve mostly finished up here. We managed to make a capture, too."
I wondered if anyone had escaped via teleportation on Steve’s side. So, that blonde woman really was the commander.
"Ah, Mobius. There is a very high probability that the enemy is intercepting our radio communications. Stop using the radio."
"Seriously? Roger. All units, switch to magic-based communication."
"Roger!"
Still, what a mess. This must be traumatic for young Lady Amanda... The place was literally littered with corpses.
"Mobius to Command Center. Enemy army confirmed annihilated. Combat has ended. I repeat, combat has ended."
"This is Command Center. Sky Eye will arrive in an hour and a half. Until then, please record the scene and recover supplies."
"What if the August army shows up?"
"If you have finished recording the scene and recovering the necessary supplies, you may yield the rest to the August army. We do not wish to be hostile."
"Roger. We don't have any way to prove we're allies in our current state, anyway... Ah, Miss Amanda, please get here soon."
Well, I still have plenty of work to do. I prioritized recording the scene and recovering supplies, including the arm and staff I’d severed from the female commander.
"Hm?"
At first, I didn't notice the discrepancy—the odd feeling. What was it? This arm, this staff... something was wrong. It was cut cleanly, and the cross-section looked smooth, proving the skill of my swordsmanship. No, guns are easier, though. If I said that, the Boss would get mad at me for being a fantasy creature.
"...The cross-section looks clean? That’s impossible."
Right. Since I’d severed an arm, the cross-section shouldn't look clean. It should be soaked in blood; you shouldn't be able to see the cross-section that clearly.
...This is going to be a real headache.
Well, unexpected things happened in more ways than one. Even though we couldn't take the fortress with firearms, there were individuals capable of attacking the Wyvern squadron. Now, I wonder what their true objective is?