The Magic Kingdom Izul’s fleet dealt with the kamikaze attacks of high-altitude fliers, the Alexy.
They were defended by shields.
And shot down with Light Magic.
They diverted the magic power for flight to offense and defense.
They were too late to realize they had fallen right into Alexy’s grand plan.
“How many enemy machines have we shot down?”
“Yes, we have defeated 5,600 machines.”
“How long are they going to keep charging? Don’t they know it’s futile?”
The volunteers for suicide continued to scatter across the sky without breaching or even cracking the shields.
“Even if we buy time…”
“Captain, a message from engineering.”
“Understood. Captain here, what is it?”
“Yes, there are many suicidal volunteers among the enemy machines. What’s the problem?”
Runaway heat.
The flowing magic power continued to heat the pipes, which would eventually rupture from the heat. The magic power would then fill the ship’s interior. Magic power is the name given to a certain amount of the element called mana, which exists everywhere in this world. Mana has no effect on the human body, but prolonged exposure to or immersion in magic power can cause magic sickness.
“There’s nothing we can do.”
<...We will do our best.>
“I’m sorry. Shake off the enemy planes. If this continues, other ships will face the same situation.”
“Yes. Full rudder, supply magic power to propulsion. We will rapidly disengage from this battle line.”
“All ships, follow me!”
< < < Understood > > >
The Second Fleet attempted to move up to protect the flagship.
However, a part of the Alexy’s kamikaze force stuck to the weakened lower section of the shield, causing cracks.
“Support the Second Fleet.”
“Understood. Commence support fire.”
The First and Third Fleets, guarding the flanks, also increased their altitude.
“Are we just going to let the Second Fleet have all the glory?”
Thus, they attempted to lure the kamikaze force into dispersing their attacks.
The fleet’s shields were gradually lowered by sheer force, and the engine rooms cried out that they could no longer stop the runaway heat.
“Crew! Brace for impact— GAAAAAAAH!”
A fire alarm sounded in the ship, signaling extensive damage.
Next, the bulkheads began to descend to completely seal off that section.
Magic power supply stopped.
The fleet was slowly falling towards the ground.
< < < < < Transitioning to Phase 2 > > > > >
The Brains controlling the Alexy, seeing that the fleet was unable to navigate, ceased their kamikaze attacks.
Some ascended, while the rest maintained a distance, running parallel to the fleet’s sides and underside. They stayed at a distance where evasive maneuvers and defenses were just barely possible, waiting for the fleet to belly-land one by one.
“Change course! Break through the enemy encirclement—!”
“To all ships! Break through the enemy encirclement and land safely each and every one of you.”
“Second Fleet, obey the order. If we let you be destroyed like this, it will cause major problems for future operations. Second Fleet, this is an order. Change course immediately.”
<…Second Fleet, understood, *sob*. Good luck.>
“Yeah.”
On the ground, specialized attack Alexy units were waiting for the fleet to enter their firing range.
On a plain suitable for belly-landing, the Alexy Legion (Series).
“Destroy them—!”
< < < Understood > > >
They concentrated shield energy on their undersides and swept the sky, sides, and above with refracted Light Magic lasers.
The escort machines promptly raised large shields, protecting the core attack units.
Half of the core attack units fired towards the lasers.
The remaining units waited at charge, until the fleet approached closer.
Several ships of the Third Fleet exploded and caught fire from the inside due to severe runaway heat.
They overtook the flagship and dove towards the Alexy Legion (Series) in attack completion state.
“Third Fleet—!”
*Don* *Don*
A hollow, gut-punching cannon sound.
And immediately, the sound of impact on the Third Fleet’s shields.
*DOOOM!!* *DOOOM!!* *DOOOM!!* *DOOOM!!*
The descent of the falling Third Fleet slowed.
The second and third volleys concentrated fire on the lower and front sections of the Third Fleet. The first volley, having finished firing, joined the defense with their escort units, transmitting firing data to friendly aircraft still airborne.
The Third Fleet was crushed by the ground forces and exploded.
The Third Fleet’s shields were pierced, and they, along with the ground enemy machines (enemy formations), exploded.
“Everyone! Prepare yourselves!”
They were no longer outside the enemy’s firing range.
All energy was diverted to the shields. If they couldn’t defend, they would die.
*Vroooom!* *Vroooom!*
“Captain!? Enemy machines are attacking from above! They’re charging again!”
Damn it.
“Distribute shield energy to the upper and lower sections! First and Second Fleets! If we endure, we will achieve victory!”
The captain focused on defense.
He ordered the remaining fleet to also prioritize defense.
The Brains had anticipated such actions.
Ruthlessly, they attacked from above and below.
The ground forces were crushed by the fleet and wreckage, *boom*.
“Waaaaaaahhhhhh!”
“Hiiinnnyaaaaaaahhhhhh!”
The ship shook violently up and down.
The crew desperately held onto their safety restraints, trying not to bite their tongues… but the shock of the crash and the filling magic power made them hazy.
Then, explosions occurred within the ship. A catastrophe in which 90% died.
You might be wondering why they didn’t escape in lifeboats.
They wanted to, but they couldn’t.
Attacks from above and below.
All energy was directed to the shields, so the escape device could not be activated. Even if it could be activated, they would be easy targets.
<…D-damage… r-report…>
<…………>
The Brains, who had used tens of thousands of the Alexy Legion (Series) as disposable assets, had achieved victory.
The only losses were the labor force for manufacturing the machines.
The materials could be recovered later and reused.
New Alexy machines, flying from the Royal Capital, began to switch their mission to investigating the damage inflicted by the Magic Kingdom Izul’s fleet.
The surviving ground Alexy, crushed by the fleet and caught in explosions, were annihilated. Survivors were processed amidst the flames.
They moved through small explosions, killing the men and taking the women prisoner.
“Hiiik, s-stop—”
*CRUNCH.*
Survivors in areas of the ship thought to be sturdily built, or those who had other crew members act as cushions, were found by biosensors one after another and mercilessly killed or taken prisoner.
< < Understood > >
They walked part of the way towards the Royal Capital in the east.
New flight-specialized machines sent from the Royal Capital took over the recovery of the machines and transportation of the prisoners.
The captured women, stripped naked to check for hidden weapons and gagged to prevent suicide, had their limbs spread and fixed to the walls of containers. They harbored various emotions of fear and humiliation of defeat.
