第９２４堀：航空戦 (Part1)
**Chapter 924: Aerial Warfare**
**Side: John**
*Vwoooom...*
I couldn’t tell if it was the roar of the burners or the friction of the air against the hull, but a thunderous sound echoed through the cockpit. All around us, the world was wrapped in a vast, white sea of clouds. Nothing else was visible.
It was a strange world. To think that such a landscape existed far above the clouds—a realm consisting only of the moon, the starry sky, and the mist.
However, such wondrous experiences were coming to an end.
*“This is CIC, calling Bishop. All units, report your aircraft condition.”*
“This is Omega Squadron. Units 1 through 8, all green.”
I responded to the CIC over the radio immediately.
*“If you detect even the slightest malfunction in your fighters, return immediately. Do not, under any circumstances, push your luck. We are monitoring your aircraft conditions from here as well, so it’s useless to try and hide anything.”*
That’s right—we were currently piloting fighter jets. The reason for this was...
*“Now, let me reiterate the overall operation. The objective is to eliminate the 85,000-strong terrorist group currently closing in on Aurelia Port.”*
We were there to repel the forces of the Zurable Empire that were encroaching on the port. That said, this wasn't a suicide mission to wipe out an entire army of 85,000 with only eight planes.
*“Our objective as Omega Squadron is to eliminate the enemy’s aerial combat capabilities, anti-aircraft weaponry, and any personnel equipped with anti-air attack means.”*
In other words, we were to take out not only the flying targets but also any threat posed to our aerial dominance. As this briefing implied, the enemy actually possessed air power. How did we know?
*“Thanks to Yuki-sama’s dungeon-based wide-area surveillance, the enemy’s composition is already known. As explained before the operation, the enemy possesses aerial forces centered around wyverns. The danger level is far beyond any enemy we’ve faced before. Omega Squadron, ensure these are shot down or neutralized.”*
Yes, it was all thanks to Yuki-sama’s dungeon-creation ability. It was far more useful than simply churning out hordes of monsters.
*“You cannot use the IFF function for electronic identification of friend or foe, so please conduct the operation using the map on your call screens. And please, try not to do anything foolish like crashing because you were staring at the map too much.”*
“Understood. Also, Bishop, haven’t you been more worried about the planes than us this whole time?”
*“Naturally. Do you have any idea how much one of those costs? If you crash, even if you’re dead, I’ll have you turned into an undead just so you can write the investigation report and the apology letter.”*
“Alright, everyone, we’re coming back alive. I don’t want to be buried in paperwork even after I’m dead.”
*“““Roger!”””*
A spirited response came from every unit, spurred on by a threat far more terrifying than being sent to hell. No one wants to be stuck doing endless paperwork in the afterlife.
*“We are approaching the operation zone. The follow-up forces will move to capture the enemy VIPs shortly. The safety of the follow-up units depends on Omega Squadron’s performance. Execute the operation swiftly.”*
“Isn’t the difficulty level rising by the second!?”
It wasn't as if I was hearing this for the first time, but being bombarded with new instructions made me feel like we were being rushed.
*“You all knew this from the start. Besides, time is limited. Omega Squadron, begin the operation as soon as you reach the zone. Ten minutes until the follow-up units arrive.”*
“Ah, geez! Bishop, you’re going to pay for this!”
*“Please refrain from idle chatter during the operation. I have confirmed five wyverns on patrol on the call map. Prioritize their elimination.”*
“Roger! All units, split into anti-air and ground-attack teams as planned. Let’s go!”
*“““Roger!”””*
Simultaneously, we began a rapid descent, punching through the clouds to emerge directly above the enemy army.
*“Even if they say 80,000, it doesn’t look like that many, Captain.”*
“That’s because they aren’t spread out over a wide area. They’re in formation for a mass battle, so they’re packed into a space about the size of a large stadium. Besides, we’re up in the sky. The perspective will change once we get closer.”
From high above, even an army of 80,000 looked like nothing more than a single clump of dots.
*“I’m glad the clouds cleared up. It would’ve been impossible to see anything in the dark.”*
“Don’t get comfortable; we don’t know when it’ll turn dark again. When that happens, trust your instruments. Don’t rely on your own senses, or you’ll crash.”
*“““Roger!”””*
Flying at high speed, we quickly closed the distance to the army...
“Omega 1, engaging. Target locked. FOX 2, FOX 2.”
*“Omega 2, engaging. FOX 2, FOX 2.”*
We fired infrared-guided missiles at the approaching wyverns. Although the enemy wyverns seemed to notice the sound of our jets...
*BOOM! BOOM!*
“Missile impact confirmed. Enemy aircraft down.”
*“This is Bishop. I’ve confirmed the disappearance of two enemy markers. There are three enemy units left in the sky...”*
*“This is Omega Sub-squadron, we’ve downed the remaining three.”*
It seemed the sub-squadron, which had descended in a different direction, had taken care of the rest.
*“All enemy aircraft confirmed destroyed. Air superiority secured. Moving to phase two. Maintain current status and whittle down the enemy’s anti-air capabilities. Displaying ground targets on your markers.”*
Bishop announced the second objective. Targets appeared on the call map.
*“Prioritize the TAG where the wyverns are stationed.”*
“Roger. Everyone, we have four minutes left—whittle them down as much as you can. I don’t want to hear any complaints from the follow-up team.”
*“““Roger!”””*
“Watch out for enemy anti-air fire. The enemy’s flying mage corps... they’re coming up.”
That was troublesome. I’d heard the enemy was employing a unit that used flight magic as part of their air power, but it turned out to be true. The only saving grace was that their numbers weren't that high.
*“All units, the flying mage corps has ascended. They are small targets, so please use guided magic projectiles.”*
“Don’t engage them head-on. Use the fighter’s speed to shake them off. Our priority is the wyverns. Omega 5 and 6, you two, provide air cover. Don’t do anything pathetic like stalling to match the enemy’s speed or crashing into someone.”
*“““Roger!”””*
*Thump... Thump...*
Explosions echoed. I couldn't tell if it was my subordinates' attacks or the enemy's, but the priority was the wyvern staging area.
“Air-to-ground missiles, fire!”
*“Impact confirmed. Direct hit.”*
I was too afraid to ask how much each of those cost. Regardless, there were still plenty of targets, so we couldn't afford to ease up.
“Initiating reload from the item box. Reload successful. Firing again.”
*“Launch confirmed. Impact confirmed—another direct hit!”*
We repeated the ground attacks in that fashion...
*“All attack targets have vanished. Enemy wyvern squadron completely annihilated. As expected of Maverick, that accuracy is terrifying.”*
“Bishop, the battle isn’t over yet. What about the flying mage corps that came up?”
*“Omega 5 and 6 are intercepting. Approximately 300 downed. 1,200 remaining.”*
Tch, there were more left than I thought.
“Is there a malfunction with the anti-personnel guided magic projectiles?”
*“No, they are functioning perfectly, but it seems the enemy scattered after we made a few passes.”*