Chapter 81: Enemy Command Headquarters

“Damage Report”

A dogfight soaked in blood.

After the chaos of a tangled, all-consuming melee in the skies, the ones left standing—left flying—were the forces of the Kingdom of Lunoa.

“Report. Eight magic aerial soldiers lost. Nine aircraft destroyed.”

“…It sounds bad when you put it like that, but… relatively minor, wouldn’t you say?”

This time, I had led a single platoon of magic aerial troops—thirty in total.

We had also brought the same number of aircraft.

With just those sixty men, two platoons combined, we had inflicted heavy damage on multiple enemy artillery positions, shot down more than twenty aircraft, and sent nearly a hundred enemy magic aerial soldiers crashing to the ground.

By any measure, it was a tremendous victory.

“Yes. It is entirely thanks to your strength, Brigadier General Willard. In aerial combat—especially in a dogfight—I never imagined you would dominate to that extent.”

“Dogfights are all about speed… If the enemy had started firing wildly, willing to shoot down even their own comrades, it might have been dangerous. But in a straightforward fight, I won’t lose.”

The difference in speed between us was simply overwhelming.

“Well then… shall we begin the final task?”

“…Are we truly going through with that plan?”

“Of course. There’s no need to bring these aircraft back as they are.”

Nine aircraft lost.

That number only counted those that had already crashed. In truth, every remaining plane had sustained damage to some degree—many were barely holding together, flying on borrowed time.

This would be the final reckoning.

“All units, follow me.”

I turned and led them toward a location I had identified during prior reconnaissance.

We flew a considerable distance, drawing close to the mining city, deep into the rear of the Friez Kingdom’s territory—until, at last, we came to a halt.

“…There.”

Our destination.

The Friez Kingdom’s central command headquarters.

“I’ve observed it for days—watching the flow of personnel and supplies. I’m certain that’s their main command. Let’s destroy it.”

The final act.

Our last objective was an assault on the enemy’s headquarters.

“Proceed according to plan.”

I raised my hand quietly.

They already knew what to do—the outline of the operation had been explained. All that remained was execution.

“…Go.”

With that single, curt command, I lowered my hand.

In the next instant, the aircraft that had been gliding forward shifted their orientation straight downward and accelerated at full speed in a steep dive.

Behind them, the magic aerial soldiers followed.

“Retrieve them.”

Closer to the ground—closer—closer still—

Just before the moment of impact, the pilots scrambled out of their aircraft, leaping into open air.

“Nice catch!”

The magic aerial soldiers trailing behind swooped in, each one catching a pilot midair.

Perfect.

Exactly as planned. I clenched my fist in satisfaction, silently praising their flawless execution.

Our method of attack on the enemy headquarters—

A suicide strike using the aircraft.

The magic aerial soldiers served in place of parachutes, ensuring every pilot returned safely to the skies.

“Fireworks time!”

As the rescued pilots were pulled back upward, the abandoned aircraft continued their descent, slamming into the ground at full speed.

A thunderous roar erupted.

Each plane had been loaded with a large amount of explosives beforehand.

Upon impact, everything detonated at once. The fuel ignited as well, sending towering pillars of flame into the air.

The enemy headquarters was thrown into instant chaos.

Soldiers who had narrowly escaped the explosions ran about in confusion, unable to grasp the situation. The command center burned fiercely, its structure collapsing into an inferno.

The enemy could not even locate their attacker.

In such a moment, it was only natural that they turned instinctively to magic for salvation.

“…Farewell.”

The instant they deactivated their anti-magic barrier to cast water magic and extinguish the flames—

I acted.

Channeling my power, I caused the earth itself to erupt. Countless massive spikes burst upward from the ground, transforming the entire headquarters into a grotesque forest of stone blades.

The survivors were swallowed whole.

The buildings crumpled and twisted, reduced to shattered wreckage.

“Brigadier General Willard!? Please deploy an anti-magic barrier immediately! There may be a counterattack!”

As I unleashed my magic, the magic aerial soldiers—who had just finished lifting the pilots back to altitude—called out in alarm, their voices tight with tension.

“There won’t be one. There are no survivors.”

Not a single trace of magical presence remained.

“R-Really?”

“Really. Besides, I’ve already deployed an anti-magic barrier. Even if there were a counterattack, we’d be fine.”

“…Brigadier General Willard. Please, refrain from reckless actions. General Newsbeck has given strict orders that we are to prevent your recklessness and ensure you return alive.”

“Haha… General Newsbeck is a bit overprotective, isn’t she? Alright then—everyone, let’s head back.”

The air superiority once held by the Friez Kingdom had been taken.

Their field artillery had been destroyed.

Their command center was gone—

Now, it was time to strike back.