The Pacific War: The Fear and Decisions in the Absence of the Master
The Third Reich attacked Ama no Murakumo. This was something significant both for Adolf and the world as a whole. The current Earth's weaponry couldn't even put a scratch on the barrier. Now that Ama no Murakumo had a legitimate reason to counterattack, everyone hoped they would destroy the airship. Launching the third wave of attack on their own would be far too risky at this point.
While Adolf appeared to be satisfied and delighted with the result, in reality, even his prized 80cm magic cannon had only inflicted minor damage to Ama no Murakumo. There were only three rounds left. To defeat Ama no Murakumo, once they destroyed the barrier, they needed to immediately infiltrate and take over it from the inside.
The question is, can the current SS members complete this mission? The answer is no.
After analyzing the captured golem, it was clear that no ordinary human could inflict even a single scratch on it. Furthermore, even if I were to create anti-golem weapons, Earthlings possess far too little magical power.
Who among them could possibly wield a weapon that required such immense magical power?
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"Commander!! There's movement from Ama no Murakumo!!"
Rear Admiral Sergei, commander of the Russian fleet, watched Ama no Murakumo with a hopeful heart.
I wonder if Ama no Murakumo will launch a counterattack now. If they do, we have received an order from our home country to cooperate with them.
However, the reality was not that sweet. Ama no Murakumo suddenly began to flicker. Then, as if a submarine had begun to submerge, it slowly 'sank' into the sky while raising vapor like waves.
"What the hell is going on!? Is Ama no Murakumo leaving?"
"There's still no communication from them. In the worst case scenario, they might have decided to not get involved in this war."
"You are kidding, right? How are we supposed to defeat such a monster without them? If Ama no Murakumo help us to defeat the Third Reich, Russia will recognize them as a country.... President Fudin just sent such a message!"
Sergei clenched his fist, not knowing where to direct his raised hand. Similar events were happening in the other countries' fleets, too.
We do not recognize the Third Reich.
We want to deny Adolf's very existence.
Therefore, we have no desire to hear anything about some thug claiming to represent the Third Reich.
If they come at us with force, we will counter with even greater force.
Even if it's impossible for us, it's possible for Ama no Murakumo.
If the United Nations appeals for the sake of world peace, Ama no Murakumo will surely take action.
While everyone was having such a wishful thinking, Ama no Murakumo completely vanished from the sky.
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The U.S. Department of Defense continued their analysis of the Admiral Graf Spee's barrier. Based on various images, they speculated on ways to destroy that barrier and inflict fatal damage to the airship.
If we deploy every weapons that exists on Earth, throughout history and across the globe, will we be able to destroy it?
Eventually, they reached one conclusion --- a simultaneous nuclear missile attack on the airship by nuclear-armed nations. But even with enormous sacrifices, the destruction rate was expected to be only 12%.
If this operation was carried out, calculations showed that this would vaporize everything within a diameter of 50 kilometers centered on the airship. The influx of seawater would create a tsunami, reaching a height of 45 meters, engulfing cities and their inhabitants in an instant.
Furthermore, the shock wave from the explosion would become a multi-stage shock wave, circling the entire globe multiple times. The radioactive fallout ejected into the air would rain down deadly ash all over the world. This would lead Earth down the path to destruction.
"This is.... what a mess. There will be no peace even if we use nuclear weapons. Is accepting the Third Reich the only way for humanity to have a future?"
President Howard looked up at the sky from his Oval Office in the White House.
Is God trying to destroy this world?
Has God shown us humans the path to ruin?
If that's the case, why did He make also Ama no Murakumo appear before us?
"Noah's Ark.... No, it can't be.... right?"
The world is heading towards destruction, but the chosen people and creatures will board the ark and escape annihilation.
Is Ama no Murakumo that ark?
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
*beep-beep-beep*
Misaki was sleeping inside the life support capsule. Ama no Murakumo that she thought was invincible, was unexpectedly damaged by the attack from the airship. Her confidence crumbled, and relief turned into fear, causing a state of panic. If Misaki were a soldier, or someone who had received training, she would have known ways to calm herself. But as an ordinary civilian, Misaki had no such means.
"Octa One, how is Lady Misaki's condition?"
"*beep*.... Unstable. Fear is dominating her mind. To prioritize Misaki's safety, I recommend not surfacing from the subspace."
"The bow's force field repairs have been completed and we've also patched the dented part of the outer armor. However, if the same attack hits the same spot again, I can't guarantee it will hold out."
The Magic Brains wanted to focus on Misaki's safety. However, Hildegard and the other Valkyries had a different idea.
"Octa One, please alculate the firepower needed to destroy that airship, at a level that minimizes collateral damage to the surroundings."
"*beep*.... I do not understand. I do not believe Misaki would wish for that."
"*beep*.... Understood. Calculating predicted firepower from all onboard weapons."
"*beep*.... Truss One, what's gotten into you as well?"
Only Misaki mattered to Octa One, which was why Ama no Murakumo fled the battlefield to prioritize her safety. However, for Hildegard and the other Valkyries, what mattered to Misaki also mattered to them.
If the war ends like this, Earth will no longer be the world that Lady Misaki desires. Lady Misaki always spoke with a happy expression about how she just wanted to live leisurely. But as things stand, her wish cannot be fulfilled.
Adolf is in the way of fulfilling Lady Misaki's wish. If we eliminate him, Lady Misaki will smile again. If we destroy him, the world will be at peace again. The trivial negotiations with dignitaries from various countries. Her outrageous inventions. We will return to our normal daily lives.
"*beep*.... Analysis complete. A simultaneous bombardment from above the enemy airship with the magic pulse cannons can destroy the barrier and even penetrate the airship itself. But in this case, the enemy fleet directly below the airship will also be hit by the attack.”
"Collateral damage should be avoided. Lady Misaki wants to save as many humans as possible, after all."
"*beep*.... Understood. In that case, we should start by neutralizing the enemy fleet first."
"Is it possible to use Combat Servant to gain control of the enemy ships, withdraw them from the area, surface Ama no Murakumo at the designated coordinates, immediately fire a salvo with pulse cannons, and then submerge again?"
Helmviecke proposed a hit-and-run strategy. It would be possible to destroy the enemy airship safely with this. However, they would not know whether Adolf survived the attack or not. Hildegard wanted to confirm the elimination of Adolf with here eyes, so there will be no room for such concerns.
"*beep*.... At least thirty minutes are required for safety checks before re-diving after surfacing. If we dive immediately, I cannot guarantee our hull will come out unscathed."
"Is it possible to shorten it? We can't give the enemy time to counterattack."
"*beep*.... If we are willing to accept some damage, then five minutes."
"*beep*.... As a Magic Brain entrusted with Ama no Murakumo, I can't accept such reckless operation."
"In the event of Lady Misaki's absence, all decisions will be determined through a majority vote from the council members, namely Octa One, Truss One, and Hildegard. Please understand that."
"*beep*.... Understood."
This was a measure to prevent them from getting out of control during Misaki's absence. Even Octa One couldn't go against it.
"The issue is selecting the Combat Servants to board the enemy ships. Fortunately, all the Valkyries have been refitted with enhanced frames, so theoretically, even if we couldn't defeat Adolf, we should be able to escape from him."
"Besides us, twelve Combat Servants have completed their refits. The enemy fleet consists of six ships, so we should deploy two Combat Servants to each ship and take over them swiftly."
"Hildegard will be on standby at Ama no Murakumo to protect Lady Misaki during the operation."
"Hildegard, we leave Lady Misaki to you."
The Valkyries on the bridge patted Hildegard's shoulder and left. Those remaining were Gerhilde, the pilot, Ortrinde, the navigator, and Hildegard, who was left in charge. The remaining members began moving, ready to sortie at any moment.
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Clad in black combat uniform, the Combat Servants began preparing for sortie. The Magia Ritters with high-mobility would transport them to the enemy ships by dropping them from the sky before immediately returning to Ama no Murakumo.
Ama no Murakumo would surface in the three-dimensional space for only five minutes, and within that time, the Combat Servants must be transported swiftly, and the preparations to dive again must be finished.
The operation itself was not actually that complicated, but the level of enemy resistance was uncertain. If the main guns of the enemy were to fire at Magia Ritters during that time, not only would the operation fail, but the valuable Magia Ritters could also be captured by the enemy.
That must not happen.
The operation must be executed quickly and smoothly.
We already have various combat data installed, and although we lack practical experience, we will make this operation a success no matter what.
"*beep*.... Five minutes until the operation begins. Ama no Murakumo is ready to surface."
"Copy that. Our three-dimensional radar confirmed no obstacles. We will begin rapid surfacing immediately after moving to the designated virtual coordinates."
"*beep*.... The force field output will be focused on the side facing the enemy location. Please strictly adhere to the schedule."
"Copy that. Then, begin the operation!"
On Hildegard’s cue, Ama no Murakumo was rapidly surfacing.