Humanoid Fighters launched from the Huanglong.
Their design was fundamentally different from ours. They lacked the rugged, samurai-like silhouette that characterized our units, favoring a much sharper, more streamlined aesthetic instead.
"Those are the Type 24 Mueis," Shi-yun explained. "Unlike the Empire's machines, the Taikyoku Nation's fighters are a speed-specialized type. Their name, 'Muei,' means 'Shadowless'—they move so fast that even their own shadows cannot keep up."
"What about their armor?" I asked.
Our Empire's Standard Machines had silhouettes similar to the Muei. However, because we focused on close-quarters combat, the Massacre Night and its derivatives looked more like Armored Warriors.
"I believe they are lightly armored compared to the Empire’s units," she replied.
Ah, the "it's fine as long as you don't get hit" philosophy. We weren't all that different in that regard, though. Given their high-speed mobility, they likely had at least the durability of a Standard Machine.
On the other hand, the people of Latarnia didn't seem to understand the romance of humanoid fighters. Theirs was the typical Latarnia style: conventional aircraft loaded to the gills with missiles. Ordinarily, those would be the faster option.
The Mueis closed the distance with the Latarnian forces.
"The Latarnia fighters are commencing their attack," Kevin reported.
True to his word, the Latarnians opened fire, unleashing a massive barrage of missiles. It was a solid, rational tactic. There were no obvious reasons for them to lose, yet I couldn't shake a bad feeling.
The missiles detonated. These were anti-fighter rounds—fast, with a massive blast radius.
And yet, the impossible happened.
"The Taikyoku units... they're dodging the missiles!"
The Taikyoku Nation's humanoid fighters were weaving through the explosions. Nothing hit them. They were actually dodging the damn missiles!
"The Latarnia fighters have been intercepted!"
Without losing momentum, the Taikyoku fighters retaliated with pulse rifles. Or at least, I thought they were pulse rifles—I wasn't entirely sure. Even from unstable positions while moving at high speeds, they were picking off the Latarnian aircraft one after another.
"You idiots! Pull back and regroup!" I shouted.
I had turned into a total backseat general, like some middle-aged guy shouting at a soccer match on TV. But seriously, a commander has to know when to withdraw. If there's zero chance of winning, you get out of there.
"You've always been good at making those calls, Leo," Claire said with a sigh. "Even if you do insist on staying behind until the last second and nearly getting yourself killed."
"My bad... I guess I do nearly die a lot..."
They needed to stabilize their lines. Now was the time to retreat to the rear and rethink their loadout. If conventional weapons weren't hitting, they should switch to equipment like the Net Launchers used for pirate suppression. If it were me, I might even bring high-intensity star shells just to blind their sensors. Or perhaps use a Bolt Thrower, given their focus on speed. Even retreating while scattering a minefield would be better than this.
"Latarnia ships are launching missiles!"
"You fools! I told you they won't hit!"
If they were using the missiles to create a screen for their escape, it might work, but they were just firing standard missiles.
"Are the Latarnia ships retreating?" I asked.
"No!"
"Are they morons!?"
I was screaming now. It's impossible! Their fighters can't even touch the enemy! Just run away!
"A Latarnia Destroyer has been sunk!"
"Damn it! They were too slow to make the call!"
"Latarnia is finally beginning to retreat!"
"You idiots!!"
It was the worst possible timing. They were going to be picked off from behind. Wait—was this a trap? Were they trying to lure the enemy in and surround them? It had to be!
"Are there reinforcements in the rear?"
"No!"
"None at all!?"
I couldn't help it. Everything was going as poorly as it possibly could. This was a disaster.
Claire looked at me with a solemn expression. "Listen, Leo. I haven't said this before, but... you really are an excellent commander. You predict the enemy's moves and read several steps ahead. Most people can't do that."
"Huh?"
"Average commanders can't optimize their tactics by looking that far ahead. A normal commander is considered elite just for being able to follow the manual..."
"Really?"
I looked at the others. They all looked dead serious. Was I the weird one?
Melissa sighed. "Captain... it's probably already checkmate."
Another Latarnia Destroyer was blown apart.
No, no, no! At this point, they should be dumping mines and un-detonated missiles everywhere just to create an obstacle course while they run! It's not about winning or losing anymore; it's about making it so much of a pain to chase them that the enemy gives up!
But it was too late. The ships were being picked off one by one.
"Do you see now?" Edge muttered. "That's what we would have looked like in a world without the Lord Groom..."
On that day, Latarnia suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Taikyoku Nation.
After the battle, we held a Reflection Meeting. These were vital for improvement. We started by discussing equipment.
Kevin went first. "Maybe an EMP drone strike? If we fry their software, they can't fly."
"I'd prefer getting in close," Edge added. "What about you, Captain?"
"If the rules are 'anything goes' and 'zero casualties on our side,'" I said, "I'd use Net Launchers to pin them down. While they're stuck, I'd fire Kevin's Spider-type Drone Launch Missiles to board the enemy ships and assassinate the commanders. Once the enemy is neutralized, I'd scuttle their ships to keep the drone tech a secret."
Everyone went quiet, wearing strange expressions. Even Shi-yun was staring at me blankly. She leaned over to whisper to Claire.
"U-Um, is Lord Leo always... like that?"
"Yeah," Claire replied. "If you don't give him specific constraints, he tends to be... thorough."
"Shi-yun, the Captain is a hero of the Zork War for a reason," Melissa chimed in. "He practically wiped out the Proone without even launching a full-scale campaign."
"I thought those were just rumors..."
"He's the only one who thinks that," Claire sighed. "Though even he seemed surprised by how the Proone situation ended."
"A-As expected of Lord Leo," Shi-yun whispered, her eyes wide.
"Be careful, Shi-yun," Edge added. "The Lord Groom is just built that way. He doesn't have a malicious bone in his body, but he is absolutely merciless to his enemies."
"Hey, what are you guys whispering about over there?" I asked.
"Nothing at all!" Melissa said, her voice jumping an octave.
Edie clapped a hand on my shoulder and gave me a thumbs-up. "I'm glad I'm on your side, Leo. It's much harder to die that way."
"Edie... did I say something weird?"
"Just stay exactly as you are, Leo."
"Uh, sure."
I guess I'll just keep being me."