Mob #109: “[…I understand… May fortune be with you!]”
Blue Hornet is heading straight toward me.
Looks like he really holds a grudge.
I try firing a beam as a warning shot, but naturally it’s evaded.
And after we pass each other, it becomes a genuine tail-chasing dogfight.
Using various maneuvers—sharp turns, loops, barrel rolls, vertical movements, speed variations—we both try to get behind each other, but it’s getting us nowhere.
On top of that, I’m barely managing to avoid his attacks by the skin of my teeth, while he’s easily dodging mine with room to spare.
At this rate, I’m definitely going to be shot down.
As expected, the protagonist is different.
When I quickly check on my allies, several have been shot down LOST by the Hornet Squadron, and Arthur-kun’s ship was heading back to the aircraft carrier trailing smoke.
There was also a moment when Dan-san provided cover as Tiursad-san was being chased by the Hornet Squadron, but that was probably part of her strategy too.
Of course, the enemy isn’t unharmed either. In fact, they’ve taken more damage.
Even while being chased by unmanned aircraft, Rossweisse-san had shot down quite a few.
The pirates who initially attacked are probably almost completely wiped out, and only about ten unmanned aircraft remain.
Understanding that they’re at a disadvantage, they’ve begun retreating while gradually increasing distance.
I’d like Blue Hornet to withdraw along with them, but… there’s no sign of that happening.
In that case, maybe I should try a head-on attack followed by a feint.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
☆ ☆ ☆
[Side: Tias-Circleus]
What fortune!
To get a rematch opportunity this soon!
I haven’t forgotten the humiliation of that defeat in the Nagan sector for even a moment!
Of course, there’s no doubt I lost because I was inexperienced, careless, and lacked sufficient training.
After returning to Planet Broslant, my father Count Figas-Circleus’s territory and my birthplace, by father’s orders I was assigned to escort duty when transporting various ores from Planet Colcos, and participated in an operation to eliminate terrorists on Planet Teura in Count Ikorai’s territory. Other than that, it was nothing but training days.
Actually, my reunion with that guy came relatively quickly.
When I participated in the terrorist elimination operation on Planet Teura in Count Ikorai’s territory, I happened to spot that bastard’s craft and the pilot himself.
It took some time to identify the person, but there was no way I could forget that craft’s color and characteristics.
Right now the craft’s silhouette is somewhat different from back then, but I immediately recognized it was that bastard from the coloring and movement habits.
The pilot’s appearance was quite stocky with not a trace of fighting spirit visible, but having experienced his abilities firsthand, I wouldn’t underestimate him.
Besides, it matches father’s words: “[As one approaches the pinnacle of combat, their aura becomes polarized. They either look tremendously strong, or they don’t look strong at all.]”
Normally I shouldn’t have made contact, but wanting to see what kind of person he was, and thinking I might be able to recruit him as father’s subordinate if possible, I sat nearby the morning after our victory in the operation and acted like a troubled young man to make myself approachable.
However, that bastard didn’t speak to me and hurriedly ran away.
And strangely, right after he disappeared, I was surrounded by unrelated women.
Even after that battle ended, I returned to Planet Broslant and continued my training days.
And now, at the request of people who claim to be father’s collaborators, I’m supporting pirate activities under the pretense of punishing a company that’s been buying local specialties at unfairly low prices.
Of course, first the collaborators disguised themselves as pirates and attacked the group.
If that operation had succeeded, there would have been no problem, but they called for help.
They reported that the escort had many strong fighters and quite a number had been taken out.
If that was the case, they should have called for help much earlier, but they apparently had some stubborn pride.
When I rushed to provide assistance, I immediately spotted him among the escorts.
Father says not to bring personal grudges to the battlefield, and to think of the enemy as your teacher.
Taking that into account, I still want to beat that guy!
I’ll shoot down that Khaki Dust bastard this time for sure!
Perhaps sensing my feelings, my subordinates cleared a path to him for me.
While thanking them, I challenged Khaki Dust to battle.
Fighting him again, I came to understand anew that he’s truly skilled and has much I should learn from.
The timing and speed of his turns and loops. His trajectory is precise with not a moment’s opening.
Though I can spot him quickly, he sometimes disappears from view for just an instant.
Furthermore, he evades my attacks with minimal movement while positioning his own attacks as if reading my movements.
At this rate, I won’t lose but I can’t win either.
The collaborators ignored the retreat order and continued attacking until they were nearly wiped out. My allies in the Hornet Squadron have also been significantly reduced in numbers.
“You all withdraw and tell father: The operation failed. Swift response needed!”
So I ordered my subordinates to retreat from the battlefield.
“[What do you intend to do, Tias-sama!?]”
“I’m going to settle things with this guy! I have to!”
“[…I understand… May fortune be with you!]”
My subordinate hesitated for just a moment but obediently complied.
From here on, this is my selfishness, and there’s no need to involve them.
Once I had my subordinates withdraw, the escort group also began pulling back, and the target caravan slowly moved away.
Those still capable of fighting apparently have no intention of interfering.
Now it’s a one-on-one duel with him!
Then he suddenly increased speed to create distance, turned around, and came straight at me head-on.
What a bold move to attempt a quick-draw in head-on formation.
As the distance between us closes, tension builds.
While preparing to evade, I lock his craft in my targeting sight.
As the distance shrinks, tension rises and my palms sweat.
Then, just before we’d enter effective range in a few seconds, his craft turned upside down and disappeared from view.
At that moment, I had a bad feeling and reflexively pulled my craft into a sharp climb.
I won’t be caught by the same trick twice!
And sure enough, there was no proton torpedo on the course I would have taken if I’d continued straight… it wasn’t there.
The next moment, violent vibrations ran through my craft and my head went blank.
I had once again been distracted by the proton torpedo and missed the bastard himself.
As I reached for the ejection system, tears came from frustration.
Because I understood I had lost to him again.
Somewhere in my heart, I had looked down on him, on Khaki Dust.
Hearing his appearance, atmosphere, and the voices around him, thinking “[I was just careless before. There’s no way I’d lose to someone like that. I’ll definitely win next time!]”
That’s why I lost.
I hadn’t truly understood father’s advice either.
The craft continued shaking, and finally sparks flew in the cockpit as well.
Father… I’m sorry for being such an unfilial son…
★ ★ ★
TLNOTE:
This novel series is already licensed in English. Please purchase the official version when available! Because of it, this English translation will be removed from this website in the near future
Also check out my friend Localizermeerkat for more LN translations!
BUY THE SOURCE MATERIAL TO SUPPORT THE AUTHOR !!!
Kindly click on the green button above and contribute to filling the green bar if you’re interested in having another LN from the request page translated. Also, every donation is being used to purchase the source material and to fund more English translations.
Please consider joining my Ko-Fi membership. By becoming a member, you’ll also gain access to 2-10 additional chapters of all of the novels from this site translated into English. Last but not least your support will also assist me in upholding the translation quality and speed. For more information, please follow the link.
Donation for faster release is always welcome
Additionally, I am now accepting translation requests.
