CH 93

Chapter 93

Battle for the Defense of the Mainland 1

: Super Sky Fortress 2

Gra Valkas Empire airbase, Hilkiga, Kingdom of Riem

A meeting on the operation to attack Japan is being held at the airbase. Among those present at the meeting were commander of the Imperial Army Air Corps there, Macina, commander of the Super Heavy Bombing Unit, Arley Tolliger, and commander of Task Force 44 of the Imperial Navy, Zem. At the other end were Rival and Riem’s eminent military men from their navy, army, and dragon knights.

“I will now be explaining our plan on the operation to attack the mainland of Japan.”

In the operation briefing room, a map of Japan acquired by Riem some time after their transfer and a map taken from the sky were spread out. The officials from HQ are about to begin their briefing.

“Currently, the Imperial Army Air Corps has a squadron, designated Squadron 1, here in the royal capital along with 34 bombers from the Super Heavy Bombing Unit. An airbase to the north has 123 bombers and the airbase in Aleena to the west has another Imperial Army Air Corps squadron, designated Squadron 2, and 43 bombers.”

“First off, Riem’s dragon carrier fleet will head for Japan from the north. In terms of cruising range and speed, Riem’s wyverns won’t suffice in an engagement. The point here is that they will have to get closer to Japan’s mainland to take off, prompting Japan to spot them and go after them. The wyverns have to get as close to the mainland as they can. If they can reach Japan at all, then that would be better. Ultimately, we aren’t expecting much from your force and your purpose is to cause a ruckus. At the same time, the Imperial Army Air Corps and the Super Heavy Bombing Unit will take off and head for the mainland through the shortest possible route.”

The explanation continues.

“Like us, Japan is also a transferred country. HQ has evaluated them as a modern army and has directed us to exercise caution. All in all, they have judged them to be on the same threat level as the Kain Divine Kingdom and so we will be facing this operation with maximum vigilance.”

“Bullshit! This world? It has a Kain Divine Kingdom equivalent?”

“Aren’t they on edge too much?”

“Japanese cruisers aren’t even much to begin with if we look at Cartalpas…”

The room erupted in hushes.

To the military personnel who were always at the frontlines, they find HQ’s evaluation of Japan to be on the same threat level as the Kain Divine Kingdom hard to accept. Everyone in the military knew of the capitulation of the Mu subjugation force’s Valkyries base since no one tried to hide it but most soldiers merely saw it as a blemish or stain on the Army’s dignity due to the carelessness of few people. However, the annihilation of the Home Fleet that was sent to assault the Mu city of Otaheit was kept a closely guarded secret by the Navy, leaving much of the Army and the regular Navy sailors in the dark regarding the incident. Much of the top brass in HQ reevaluated their assessment of Japan after the capitulation of Valkyries to the point where they even felt fear, but since much of the reports regarding how Japan took Valkyries contained information on weapons they couldn’t deal with, they did not wholly inform their frontline officers. Furthermore, they purposefully did not let them know of the Navy’s Advance Fleets being eradicated after making contact with Japan due to concerns that doing so will have an effect on their morale.

The officials from HQ continued.

“Commander Macina, your squadrons will fly at ultra low altitudes just above the sea to avoid radar detection by the enemy. The escort fighters will also be flying with you. Just before the squadrons reach land, they will climb to suitable altitudes and carry out a hit and run bombing attack on this city here, Arawa, in their administrative region of Fukui. As for the Super Heavy Bombing Unit led by Arley Tolliger, you will make good use of the Guti Maun’s capabilities and fly high at the stratosphere to where Japan’s fighters cannot reach and penetrate deep into their mainland to turn the metropolis, Nagoya, into ash. This operation will make use of the Guti Maun’s exceptional speed, which triumphs over any fighter, and exceptional service ceiling and power projection, which overshadows any attack aircraft or bomber.”

The briefing continues.

“Moreover, Task Force 44 will carry out an attack tonight while under radio silence. By the time the operation starts at sunrise, they will be in position 300km from Japan where they will be supported by air cover from Riem to meet any Japanese aerial attack while they attack any Japanese ship that comes out to fight. Once you get rid of any obstacles, you will get as close as you can to Arawa in Fukui and shell it. This operation will be to let Japan know that the empire can reach them anytime, anywhere. Lastly, our other forces will be carrying out their own operation in concert with this front.”

The operation in question is the Combined Fleet’s attack on Nahanath but the HQ officials didn’t touch on any of the specific details. No one inquired for more information either.

“Riem’s other dragon knights not included with the dragon carriers will carry out an attack on the Japanese merchant ships anchored in Parpaldian ports. Naturally, the Japanese consulate-general to Parpaldia is included as a target.”

Silence…

Commander Macina, who is said to be one of the more cautious men, speaks up.

“Since these are our orders, we will carry them out but this caution towards Japan… Considering the info initially released by Navy HQ, isn’t it a bit too much? It’s on the same level as using combat tanks to crush ants, don’t you think?”

Commander Zem agrees with Macina’s doubts.

“Exactly! While it’s believed that there’s some more info they got that changes their evaluation of Japan, isn’t saying that they’re on the same level as the Kain Divine Kingdom to be too much? It’s like they’re saying that there actually lies a greater Japanese continent to the east which is their true mainland and that these islands right here are just some decoys. It could only be that! I can’t think of any other way their evaluation would be turned over!”

“You’ve already been notified but to reiterate, there aren’t any perceptible changes to Japan’s size and it is their extremely accurate marksmanship capabilities that we have to be vigilant of. That on its own far surpasses ours. Also, there’s no way you don’t already know how much the Army suffered in Mu when they started to fight. It was also at that time when His Highness, the Crown Prince, was captured.”

The HQ officials then put emphasis in their statement.

“We mustn’t let the empire fall into another defeat due to arrogance and insolence!!! Of course, as to not shame His Highness’s dignity, we will execute this operation flawlessly! We will show these bastard lowlives, who refused to hand over His Highness and disrespected us, the iron will of the empire! This attack must prevail at all costs!”

The statement echoed loud and clear within the room.

“We understand. Your passion is well received. We will fulfill this responsibility and reduce the Japanese city of Arawa into ash. Any fighters they throw at us will be shot down by our escort fighters. We take pride in our skill, so much so that even if they were really Kain, we won’t lose.”

Commander Macina makes apparent his understanding of HQ’s operation.

“Yes, indeed! We too will clear the oceans of their navy!”

Commander Zem, too, looks forward to carrying out his responsibility.

“Our Super Heavy Bombing Unit will turn Nagoya into a barbecue! Those Japanese will be burnt to the crisp!”

“Barbecue?”

“Yes! By dropping incendiaries on Nagoya, any building that receives a direct hit will have its combustible innards set on fire. The fire that spreads from the outer edges of the building will spread inwards, roasting anyone inside. The massive flames generated might even turn into a tornado of fire and then ding! The barbecue is ready! However, whatever remains we will be too burnt to be edible!”

The room erupted in laughter.

The briefing on the Gra Valkas Empire’s attack on the Japanese mainland continues.

・・・

That night, Royal castle, Hilkiga, Kingdom of Riem

“Your Excellency, Rival! The absurd amount of disrespect the Gra Valkas Empire showed to our kingdom was revolting! I couldn’t stand the briefing!”

“Right?! They’re looking down on us way too much!!! Who do they think they are?! Are they really all that great?! Are they really all that strong like they say they are?!”

Young officers participating in the empire’s incursion operation into Japan could no longer tolerate their imperial contemporaries and appeal to General Rival. Many of them were even trembling from rage.

“You lot have no experience in diplomacy so I don’t expect you to understand. The World Union Fleet spearheaded by the Holy Mirishial Empire, with all its might, could crush the entirety of Parpaldia’s military force in an instant were they still in their heyday. The Gra Valkas Empire single-handedly crushed that same fleet. If it weren’t for these reports then I also wouldn’t be able to stand their rude behavior. However, the kingdom has no power that can match up to theirs. There’s really only two choices: Japan or them. After careful analysis, I judged that the Gra Valkas Empire would emerge overwhelmingly victorious and become global hegemon. For our kingdom’s prosperity, I had to rethink it time and time again. Tolerate them… for now.”

“B-but!!!”

“Yes, Japan is powerful. Toppling Parpaldia unto its rear… One can say they’re a force to be reckoned with. Even with their outstanding accuracy, the empire trumps over them in sheer firepower, defensive capabilities, and numbers. I cannot let the kingdom wait and watch as Japan gets pulverized while we’re on their side. Understand that at least. By the way, if you lot were tasked to build an 800m unpaved runway, how long would it take you to get it done?”

“A runway? If we don’t pave it like how the empire did, it would be done in a month given 3000 men.”

“Correct. A skilled worker of Riem can get a 800m runway done in a month. We owe it to our relatively advanced engineering which cannot be copied by our neighbors.”

“What of it, though?”

“The empire, using 13 so-called heavy machinery, got it done in 3 days.”

“Just 3 days?!”

“In just 3 days. The empire coerced every other country into letting them rent an empty lot in which they slowly built up a runway. Many of them remained neutral to both the Gra Valkas Empire and the Holy Mirishial Empire and yet they still forcibly rented their land and built runways on them. By simply leasing land to the empire as neutral countries, they turned their eyes away from the presence of a runway. As a result, the Gra Valkas Empire possesses a lot of runways and supply bases which remain unknown to other countries. This outstanding national power and logistics network supports their power projection. If they feel like it, they could deploy their immense airpower to any frontline through these runways.”

The young officers shuddered at the empire’s true power.

“Your Excellency… We are truly sorry for saying impertinent things while not knowing Your Excellency’s heartful determination for the kingdom!”

The young officers were moved to tears by Rival’s ardor for the kingdom.

“It’s fine… This time tomorrow morning, the kingdom will be basking in the glory of victory! Still, the important responsibility of fighting against Japan and the Parpaldia Empire has been burdened unto you…”

Rival felt sorry for leaving them to be sacrificed.

“We don’t mind! We are the kingdom’s pride! We will show Japan and the Parpaldia Empire!”

The night carried on as each expressed their feelings.

・・・

Late night, Ministry of Defense, Tokyo, Japan

“The Gra Valkas Empire is now on the move.”

At a certain room in the Ministry of Defense, two officials on stand-by were talking to each other. Tensions were high.

“Still… I’m pretty surprised by them. The bombers that are headed for Japan, according to our satellites, are the legendary super heavy bomber, the Fugaku, is it not? On top of that, they have 200 of them! Regardless of whether or not they’re regular bombers, any country that produces that much of them is bound to experience setbacks. Yet here they are seemingly fine.”

Tech development costs money. The young official was astonished by the empire’s capacity for tech development and the funding behind it.

“Seems like you know nothing else outside defense! That’s only if they’re at peace. We must take into account that they’re a transferred nation and that they are basically in control of their previous world. Considering the scale of their mainland, it’s sufficient to say that they are much more powerful than the United States was during the Second World War. During the war, the United States produced over 3,600 B-29s with 2,000 of them primarily in the Marianas. When they raided Nagoya, they were able to deploy as many as 310 bombers in a single run. Sure, the enemy bomber this time is a tad bigger than the B-29 but there shouldn’t be any dramatic difference in production costs. Sending 200 for this attack isn’t anything special when considering their national power. They aren’t a minor country so they’re not going to experience that much of a setback with sending 200 bombers.”

“Still, in terms of tech standard and size, the Fugaku is different from the B-29. Surely it would take much more money to produce a single unit.”

“There’s said to be a 70 year disparity, Earth-wise, between us and the empire. What if, say, they’re actually more advanced than we imagined? An error by 10 years would dramatically reduce or inflate their estimated national power. With this change in tech, a similarly dramatic change is expected out of their national power. The United States’s B-52 Stratofortress is overwhelmingly better than the Fugaku but only 700 or so were built. Such numbers don’t really mean a lot to a giant country like America. Going by just numbers isn’t a good comparison but when a global pandemic happened in the past, the Japanese government issued a revised budget of 100 trillion yen. Had it been a conflict instead and 5% of that 100 trillion yen were to go into defense spending, particularly on fighters, 500 F-15s could be bought. It would probably never get to that point since defense spending is usually low but if a country feels like it, the price tag isn’t that far-fetched.”

The young official is silent in understanding.

“The problem isn’t the fact that they sent 200 Fugaku-like bombers but rather how the Gra Valkas Empire managed to develop such an advanced level of aircraft despite the tech standard of their other aircraft.”

“Could it just be that all they’re sending to the frontlines are older designs?”

“That is also a possibility but so far our satellites haven’t been able to verify any other standard-defying aircraft at their disposal. How they were able to get to an advanced design despite their isolation is worrying.”

While they were talking, the phone on the desk rang.

“Looks like the empire has begun its operations.”

“Chit chat is over. Time to move to the operation room.”

・・・

Several officials gathered at the Mainland Defense Command room. Here, the situation was being gathered in real time by the decision-making body.

“The navy of the Kingdom of Riem looks to be coming from the north. 50 ships from the Gra Valkas Empire have also left port and is heading straight for Japan.”

“How much time left until they leave Riem’s territorial waters?”

“About an hour. For them, we will be entrusting 15 F-2s to commence our defense operation.”

Capable of carrying 4 anti-ship guided missiles, the small F-2 fighter boasts a cruising range of 450 nautical miles. There is even a chance that the fight will end in just this first strike.

“At the moment the Gra Valkas Empire fleet headed for Japan leaves Riem’s territorial waters, the F-2 fighters will carry out a saturation attack of anti-ship guided missiles and wipe them out. The 2nd and 3rd Escort Flotillas will be deployed to the Sea of Japan for any additional threats from sea or air.”

“The GSDF deployment on the side facing the Sea of Japan is complete.”

“Riem’s navy sure is an annoyance…”

“Since we have verified the presence of dragon carriers, the Coast Guard will have a hard time dealing with them. Using missiles on them is just too much of a waste.”

“Looks like we’ll be able to manage from their position. Have the BP3-Cs sink the dragon carriers while the missile boats from the Maizuru and Ominato District Forces will handle the rest. Only when they get past them will the Escort Flotillas move in.”

“Affirmative! Lastly, the Coast Guard will be deployed in force close to the towns and cities.”

“Are the enemy planes still grounded?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t let a single one of them out of sight. Once an enemy plane is sighted, bring it down over the ocean and not a single inch into Japanese territory. We must never let them see the mainland. Once they’re all taken care of, strike the bases from where they come from at once!”

“Affirmative!”

Japan’s Ministry of Defense has committed itself to exhausting every bit of its power to defend the country.

・・・

That night, Sea of Japan

In the midst of the jet black night, 15 F-2 fighters of the Japan Air Self Defense Force are flying low at speeds unprecedented to this world. Each fighter carried 4 air-to-ship guided missiles (ASM-2) under its wings. Far, far behind the attack unit flew an E-767 airborne warning and control aircraft, said to cover a radius of more than 800km.

In contrast far, far in front of them sailed the 50 ships of the Gra Valkas Imperial Navy’s Task Force 44. They have just stepped out of the Kingdom of Riem’s territorial waters.

“Commence attack!!! Commence attack!!!”

Anti-ship guided missiles separate from their respective F-2 fighters. The missiles’ turbojet engines roar to life. 60 Type 93 air-to-ship guided missiles (ASM-2), each boasting a range of more than 170km, fly off into the sky carrying the destruction of the enemy fleet.

Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!