Mob No. 139: “No luck……”
Thanks to Karalema-san and Rosweise-san, who charged ahead after taking the enemy’s provocation,
the battle shifted—moreover, in our favor.
[“All ships, advance while firing! We’re breaking through!”]
Following Vice Admiral Vescolés’ orders, the combat crafts pulled back to avoid obstructing the fleet’s barrage as the warships pressed forward, guns blazing.
Thanks to that, we managed to whittle down a portion of the enemy fleet.
Whether that was the reason or not, parts of the enemy fleet began retreating.
It might have been the catalyst—soon, other fleets followed suit.
Then, Vice Admiral Vescolés issued another command:
[“Good. They’re crumbling. Combat craft units, hold your positions! After our fleet’s concentrated volley, pursue the retreating enemy ships—but no reckless chasing! They might be baiting us!”]
Following the orders, we held our ground. Our fleet unleashed a coordinated salvo at the enemy—
just as the Vice Admiral predicted, the enemy fleet began a full-scale retreat.
☆☆☆
[Side: Jack-Tridal]
Looks like the Nekirelma Star Kingdom is losing this battle.
The cowards in the fleet, scared stiff by the enemy’s concentrated fire, seem intent on using us combat craft units as decoys while they flee.
And apparently, every fleet pulled the same tactic.
Running isn’t inherently wrong—but it doesn’t seem like any of them even considered setting up a counter-pursuit trap.
In this situation, with the higher-ups fleeing, anyone would understand that retreating is the smartest move—even if it means disobeying orders.
Then again, if that useless Captain were still alive, she’d probably have stayed safe in the rear, forced us to cover her retreat, and then taken all the credit for herself.
That’s how that deadweight Captain climbed the ranks—by stealing our achievements.
[“Sir! Let’s ignore those stupid orders and retreat!”]
Blonde short-haired Cassandra Lilisha cheerfully suggested retreat.
True, if we want to survive, that’s the best option.
But—
“You all fall back. I’m gonna make sure those bastards remember me.”
I had no intention of retreating myself.
There was a reason for that.
[“What?! What are you saying?!”]
“Like hell that deadweight Captain’s parents would let us off easy. If we go back, we’ll be branded traitors.”
The only reason that incompetent got promoted—and why she could steal all our merits without consequence—was because she was the daughter of House Atovere, the Marquis family.
[“Figures. Like parent, like child. They’ll slap us with some bullshit charges.”]
Karlton Lennartz, the scar-faced man, sighed dismissively, mocking the Marquis.
[“Wish the Nekirelma Star Kingdom had nobles like the Empire’s Empress.”]
Geils Schneider, the man with a pompadour and slicked-back hair, shrugged bitterly.
“We did. But people like that got pushed out of the political core—just like Cassandra’s old man.”
Cassandra Lilisha’s father, Count Grover Siles Lilisha, was a capable official, skilled in governance and managing his territory—beloved by the people.
But under fabricated charges of corruption and treason orchestrated by Marquis Kaiese Dowin—who wanted his wealthy lands—he was forced to confess to corruption (in exchange for the treason charge being dropped) under the threat of his family’s lives. His title and lands were seized.
What happened to that territory under Marquis Dowin’s control isn’t hard to guess.
“That’s why I at least wanna score a big enough win to say, ‘We avenged the Captain.’”
Not that it’d ever satisfy that deadweight’s parents.
Even if the “winged Helmet” who took her down was someone way out of our league.
[“Then I’m sticking with you, Sir. I ain’t sitting through a court-martial where they pin everything on us.”]
[“Same. Talking to idiot nobles is torture.”]
[“I’ll follow you anywhere, Captain!”]
I’d hoped they’d retreat, escape, and survive—but turns out my beloved subordinates were all idiots.
★★★
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The enemy fleet’s retreat was good, but naturally, their combat crafts moved to harass our pursuit.
Halfway through, though, half of them broke off and fled, distancing themselves from their own fleet.
For a moment, I didn’t get what was happening—until Vice Admiral Vescolés clarified:
[“Leave them. They’ve probably had enough of their superiors. Nobles still run rampant over there, so desertions are no surprise.”]
the words made sense—their nation’s rotten politics had created this situation.
But the remaining half came at us with everything they had.
Whether out of loyalty, vengeance for comrades, or something else, the simplest explanation was desperation.
Even with Rosweise-san here, a single slip-up could get us shot down instantly.
As I fought to survive that brutal battlefield, a squadron of white craft with one gold-painted wing closed in, tearing through allies one after another.
Then, they suddenly scattered—each darting toward a super-heavy combat craft.
Only those of us in the rear—Levin-kun, Molise, Dilopaz-san, and me—could react in time.
We barely managed to intercept the white-and-gold craft before they reached the super-heavies.
But the results weren’t great.
Because those craft bore the owl insignia—the same ones that gave us hell before.
Luckily, my rear position gave me an advantage.
But the moment both sides could use “fake-out shots,” that advantage vanished.
The Platinum Owl weaved unpredictably, trying to shake me off.
I clung on desperately, firing warning beams—but none landed.
Then, in the next instant, a stray beam (probably not aimed at me) cut between us.
It broke our stalemate—now I was the one being chased.
The Owl fired back with well-timed warning shots, forcing me to evade at the last second.
Frankly, the tension of knowing a single mistake could turn me into space dust was unbearable.
I really need another fluke like before…
☆☆☆
[Side: Jack-Tridal]
Don’t know who you are, but thanks.
This turned things in our favor.
But getting careless now would be idiotic.
Stay calm. Make the kill count.
Yet despite that, I couldn’t suppress my exhilaration.
A single misstep meant death—and we were both hunting for it.
My hands trembled on the controls; cold sweat wouldn’t stop.
The brown beige craft in front of me was my equal in skill.
And that fact thrilled me beyond words.
Seconds stretched into what felt like hours—
Then, my chance came.
I spotted a split-second opening and squeezed the trigger.
But the next instant, the beige craft pivoted vertically, dodging the beam—and vanished from sight.
A jolt rocked my ship. The ejection system activated.
In that moment, I knew—I’d lost.
The Imperial forces let me go, not firing on my escape pod.
As I drifted toward the retreating Star Kingdom forces, I noticed an unusual number of friendly wreckage.
A bad feeling settled in.
And it was right.
“No luck……”
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