Mob No. 106: […… Okay. …. Good luck!!!]
The Blue Wasp comes straight at me.
He’s clearly holding a grudge.
I try a warning beam shot but he avoids it easily as expected.
After that it turned into a tail chase.
Using every trick – tight turns, flips, spirals, moving up and down, speed changes – to try and get behind each other but we’re evenly matched.
While I’m barely evading his attacks at my limit, he’s casually dodging mine with ease.
At this rate I’ll definitely be shot down.
The protagonist really is different, huh?
I glance around and some allies were already shot down, and Arthur’s ship was heading back smoking to the carrier.
Of course the enemy isn’t unhurt either. Their side actually took more damage.
Even while chased by drones, Miss Roseweiss had shot down several.
The pirates who attacked first were probably wiped out, with only about 10 drones left.
Realizing they’re at a disadvantage, they’ve started withdrawing slowly.
I want the Blue Wasp to withdraw with them but…doesn’t seem likely.
I’ll try faking a head-on then ambushing him.
Protagonist Side: Tias Circlus
Lucky!
I can’t believe I get a rematch opportunity so soon!
I haven’t forgotten the humiliation from that time for a moment!
Of course, there’s no mistake I was inexperienced, careless, and lacked discipline so I lost.
Since returning to my home planet Blosrant, my father Count Phegas Circlus’s territory, under father’s orders I was tasked with escorting transport of minerals, and participated in an operation, but otherwise, it’s been nothing but training days.
In fact, I ran into him surprisingly early.
I happened to spot that person’s ship and the man himself during an operation.
Identifying him took some time, but I’d never forget that ship’s color and features.
In person he looked different, with no fighting spirit visible, but having experienced his skills firsthand, I won’t underestimate him.
It also aligns with father’s words about the atmosphere of high-level combat.
I probably shouldn’t have contacted him, but wanting to understand his character, and considering recruiting him if possible, the morning after achieving victory in the operation, I happened to sit near him and tried to engage him in a friendly manner.
But without talking to me, he hastily slipped away.
And for some reason right after he left I was surrounded by unrelated people.
Even after that, it was training days.
And now, asked by some of father’s collaborators for support under the pretext of punishing a corporation, here I am.
Of course the collaborators disguised themselves at first.
If the operation succeeded, there’d be no issue, but they called for help saying they’d taken major losses because the escorts were too strong.
They should’ve called for help sooner instead of sticking to their foolish pride.
Arriving as reinforcements, I immediately spotted him among the escorts.
Father says not to bring personal grudges onto the battlefield, and to consider opponents as teachers.
Understanding that, I want to beat him!
I’ll shoot that guy down this time for sure!
My subordinates seem to have sensed my feelings, as they cleared a path to him.
I thanked them and challenged him to a duel.
Fighting him again, I understood anew that he’s highly skilled with much for me to learn.
The timing and precision of his maneuvers – his trajectory has not the slightest opening.
I can find him quickly but he’ll vanish for an instant.
And while evading my attacks with minimal movement, he attacks precisely where I’ll be as if predicting my moves.
At this rate I won’t lose but can’t win either.
The collaborators who ignored orders to retreat were nearly wiped out. The squadron has also taken losses.
“You guys withdraw and report to father. The operation failed. Take swift action!”
So I ordered my subordinates to retreat from the battlefield.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
[Lord Tias, what are your intentions!?]
“I’m settling things with this guy! I have to!”
[…Understood…. Good fortune in battle!]
My subordinate hesitated briefly but obediently complied.
From here on it’s my selfishness, nothing they need indulge.
With my subordinates withdrawn, the escorts also began withdrawing, and the target convoy slowly pulled away as well.
The remaining fighters don’t seem intent on engaging either.
Now it’s one-on-one with him!
Suddenly he accelerated to gain distance, turned around, and came straight at me head-on.
A gutsy move, committing to an early shot in a head-on.
As the distance closed with him the tension rose.
I got ready to evade while drawing a bead on his ship.
As the distance shrank the tension built, and I tensed up.
And just moments before entering effective range, when his ship looked like it flipped upside down it vanished from view.
Sensing danger I reflexively made my ship climb hard.
I won’t fall for the same trick twice!
And sure enough, a torpedo wasn’t there on the course I would’ve flown into.
But in the next instant, intense vibrations rocked my ship and everything went white.
Distracted by the torpedo, I’d lost sight of him again.
Reaching to activate the escape system, frustration welled up.
I understood I had lost to him again.
Some part of me looked down on him, on John Uozos.
Hearing about his appearance and bearing, others’ opinions, I thought [Last time I was just careless. No way I’d lose to a guy like that. Next time I’ll definitely win!]
That’s why I lost.
I didn’t truly understand father’s advice.
More vibrations continuously rocked my ship, and sparks even reached the cockpit.
Father… Please forgive my failures….
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