Chapter 401.2: The Light...

They had used up all possible means. Even if their methods might not be effective, as long as they were able to buy an extra second... The operation would have an additional chance of success.

A command came over their communication channel.

"Command post received... Ready to move into combat positions."

"Understood!"

As he replied, Falling Feather already taxied the plane to the runway. Slowly pushing the throttle to the max, the roar of the engine came from behind.

Although he couldn’t see it, he could imagine the fiery arch blasting the water on the runway away.

Pushing past the runway, the plane flew into the cloud-filled skies.

As he saw the earth rapidly receding beneath him, Falling Feather pressed his back against his seat. He flexed his finger that held the center stick. His pupils ignited with battle intent.

Let’s go!

Time for this granddaddy to show off my skills!

Beside the runway, Unprofessional Retort sat in his Dragonfly transport plane and clicked his tongue enviously as he watched the fiery arch tearing through the rain.

"Damn, I wish I was flying that!"

How could their slow planes be as good as a jet?!

Because he hadn’t turned off his mic, a teasing voice soon came through the communication channel. "Haha, that thing is a prototype, there’s only one for now. You have to wait a little."

"Fine."

Glancing at the cabin behind him and watching the paratroopers boarding, he eventually pulled the lever beside him to close the door.

As the signal light started to blink, he grabbed the intercom hanging beside his head. As he started the engine, he spoke into it. “Lofty Cloud 1 has already taken off. It’s our turn.”

...

At the same time, in the west district of Lucky Valley Municipality.

Detecting enemy ground targets approaching, Richie led three 1,000-strong marines and 2,000 members of the reserve army to the target area. They were guided by the observation cabin in the Heart of Steel.

Originally, the elite Pangolin 100-men squad made up of the Wasteland Mercenaries were also supposed to join, but due to heavy casualties, they were ‘fortunately’ left behind.

Cowley called Pangolin into the tent and said, "We have received orders from above. We will leave Falling Leaf Camp the day after tomorrow to return to the desert."

Although he had already heard the news, Battlefield Cheerleader still pretended to hear it for the first time, feigning shock for a moment before making a reluctant and troubled expression. "Are you leaving?"

It was really a tough spot to be in. Not being able to go to the frontline meant that he had missed the chance to stir shit.

Although such a variable was expected, running around for so long without getting the chance to score some kills always felt like wasted effort.

"By the end of August at the latest, we will return." Looking at the fierce officer before him, Cowley continued, "General McClennan has always seen your loyalty. Your bravery and loyalty are witnessed by all. From today, you are the commander of the Falling Leaf Camp Mercenary Forces. The official appointment letter will be delivered here tomorrow.”

Tomorrow, huh...

Just one day late.

Battlefield Cheerleader sighed to himself, thinking that the appointment letter would probably be out of reach. However, he still revealed a respectful expression, bowing his head and feigning gratitude. "Thank you for the promotion, sir."

Watching the obsequiously loyal figure before him, Cowley nodded in satisfaction. "Do well."

"The Army never skimps on rewards for the loyal. I hope when we return next time, I can see a well-trained army.”

"Don’t disappoint me."

The old regular was pondering how to express his loyalty when suddenly a thunderous explosion came from afar.

At first, Cowley thought it was thunder, but he quickly realized it was the sound of an explosion.

It wasn’t just one at that.

Coming back to his senses, Cowley's expression changed. Leaping to his feet, he grabbed the walkie talkie on the table and roared, "Enemy attack! Prepare for battle!"

...

Almost the same second the artillery struck, the Heart of Steel sounded a level two alarm. From the observation deck to the guns, everything started to move.

Although the round of fire did not cause any damage to the Heart of Steel, the resulting smoke caused significant disruption to the observation cabin who had been monitoring the situation on the ground.

Just 10 minutes ago, they had just observed enemy unit movements in the southeastern direction.

However, just as they were about to search carefully, a dense barrage suddenly exploded 500 meters east of the airship.

The bursting thick smoke obscured the view of the observation cabin, but fortunately, they had noted the general direction of the incoming artillery.

"... Have these natives gone mad? They dare fire at us?!" While loading a shell, the loader wondered out loud in astonishment.

They should understand that such artillery is utterly useless against the Heart of Steel.

Rather than being alarmed, they were left completely baffled.

The assistant gunner, standing by the side, locked onto the cloud of smoke and frowned. "It’s a smoke bomb!"

"... Ridiculous tricks." The officer behind the gun chuckled coldly before glancing at the notes the messenger handed to him. Grabbing the nearby intercom, he ordered loudly, "Three guns in the forward position, prepare to fire! Bearing 112 degrees, elevation angle 27 degrees... Five rounds on rapid fire..."

"... Fire!"

12 thunderous blasts instantly rang at his command. 12 tracer paths tore through the smoke before howling at the New Alliance’s artillery position.

Explosions lit up the hilltops, followed quickly by another round of, covering the target area like rain!

A swath of flickering flames lit up the mountains more than 20 kilometers away, thick smoke billowing up from the rain curtain, instantly filling the enemy artillery position with a sea of smoke.

Inside the observation deck, the watcher who had been squatting beside the sighting system yelled in excitement, "Confirmed hit!"

Those in the observation deck beamed with joy, but before they could clap to celebrate, a report from the signallers manning the radar caused their expressions to change instantly.

600 fighters approaching at two times the speed of sound from the north!

Without a moment’s hesitation, the observer adjusted the optical sight to lock on to the bearing of those 600 fighters.

No matter how hard he tried to zoom or how he strained his eyes, he failed to see through the curtain of rain to spot the shadow of those 600 fighters.

"Can you see them?"

"Fuck! I can’t see a thing!"

Normally, in clear weather, their maximum visual distance could reach 9 to 20 kilometers. However, in rainy weather, this distance could be halved or less.

Having said that, even if those 600 fighters could fly fast and their vision was severely impacted, it shouldn’t be to the point where they couldn’t even see the enemy’s tail, right?

The watcher standing by the sighting system started to doubt life itself.

Was there a problem with the radar?

Or was it his eyes...

...

Inside the bridge.

Hearing his subordinate’s report, General McClennan revealed a look of disbelief.

"600 fighters...?! How is that possible?!"

He wasn’t the only one. Almost every officer on the bridge wore the same incredulous expression.

After a moment’s thought, the staff officer spoke solemnly, "Could it be a trick?”

600 planes...

And all at twice the speed of sound.

The number was too exaggerated no matter how they looked at it!

Staring at the flashing signal on the radar, General McClennan’s expression started to fluctuate, but his mind raced quickly.

He also thinks it might be a ruse, but what was the point of doing it?

Even if they successfully diverted the Heart of Steel’s firepower, they wouldn’t be able to breach the directional shield’s absolute defense.

In the half-month that passed, those wastelanders tried everything...

Whether it’s anti-air guns, cannons, or rockets... All such attacks have been proven pointless against my Heart of Steel.

The officer standing at the radar yelled loudly, "They’re maneuvering to our southwest, the signal source is intensifying... They’re about to approach!”

Without hesitation, General McClennan gave the order. "Whether it’s a decoy or not, prepare anti-aircraft firepower, shoot those flies down!"

𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"Yes!"

The guns had already locked onto the trajectory of those 600 planes, and with the firing command given, streaks of orange flames blast from the barrels, racing towards the targets on the radar.

To their surprise, those 600 planes continued to fly in formation, neither dispersing nor performing evasive maneuvers. They charged straight into the barrage of gunfire.