Flagship Arsacus, Altian Empire Fleet
The swarm of fighters that had rampaged through the skies above the Altian Empire's fleet had shot up all the weapons they could carry, and were returning to the flagship Akagi. The Altian soldiers looked on with despair and frustration at this leisurely sight.
"The enemy's air force is returning to front."
One of the soldiers informed Tema, the overall commander, of the situation. About 200 warships had been sunk, and nearly 450 dragons had been destroyed. Even so, there were still more than 1.500 ships left in the fleet, but the morale of the soldiers was already waning.
"......"
Tema, the commander of the fleet, was troubled by the damage his fleet was suffering. As he explored all possibilities, he realized the exact reason why the Altian Empire's forces had been repeatedly defeated by the Japanese. It was the difference in performance of the weapons themselves due to the mighty power of the enemy ships. The enemy might still have some hidden power. However, although they have lost a lot of their dragons, they still have almost 80% of their total strength, including troops and warships. It's true that each of the enemy's ships is huge, but at a rough estimate, there are about thirty of them, so even if there's a huge difference in the performance of their weapons, they might be able to push back with sheer number.
"Lord Tema!"
The voice of Aphra, the captain of the flagship Arsacus, echoed in his troubled head.
"Give the order to attack! Now is a good time, when the enemy is quiet! We have lost a lot of dragons, but if we can get close to the enemy ships and engage them in hand-to-hand combat, we stand a good chance of winning!"
"But we can't continue fighting when we don't know the full extent of the enemy's power..."
Tema was unable to decide whether to proceed or not. But if they can't see the full extent of the enemy's power, they can't continue to fight.
"Enemy ships opened fire!"
The flash from the end of the gun barrels, and after a slight time lag, a very accurate gunfire struck the Altian fleet. Immediately afterwards, the sound of gunfire, left behind by shells exceeding the speed of sound, rang out irregularly. Following the ship-to-ship missile attack, fighter attack, and anti-submarine attack, a new attack was launched.
"About 100 ships in the fleet are sunk!"
The damage report was relayed to the commander. From the deck of the flagship Arsacus, which was sailing behind, they could see pieces of wood and parts that looked like the wreckage of warships flying in front of the fleet.
"No way, we're still fifteen leagues from the enemy! There's no way their artillery can reach us...!"
Tema couldn't accept the reality of what was happening in front of him. However, in front of his eyes, the warships of the powerful Altian Empire were being blown away like wood chips.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The sound of the Japan-US Joint Fleet's artillery barrage continued to reverberate as the fleet of what should have been 1.700 ships was reduced in number at an alarming rate. The impact of the gunfire scattered the hulls of the ships, and the crews were blown away and flying in the air. The enemy's long range, accurate and continuous bombardment does not allow any counterattack by the Altian forces, and from a far distance out of range, they unilaterally annihilate the Altian fleet.
"Lord Tema!"
Just as Tema was looking at the sea in a daze, one of his subordinates came running up to him, gasping for breath.
"Please return to your cabin. We've received a message from the commander of the dragon riders! He's going to charge the enemy fleet with all his men!"
"WHAT!?"
The first 651 dragon riders were reduced to 90 by ship's missile and jet fighter attacks. The survivors were about to launch a suicide attack against the enemy fleet. Receiving the news from his men, Tema hurried back to the cabin.
Flagship Arsacus Cabin
When he returned to his cabin, Tema picked up the faith shell that he had received from the dragon rider commander and listened to the voice from behind the shell.
"We'll draw the enemy ship's attention and buy you some time. In the meantime, close in!"
The dragon rider commander, Colonel Rectus Sheath, was pulling the reins of the dragon and advising his commander to advance through the shell.
"You're going to become a bait! I'm not sacrificing more lives! Retreat!"
When Tema learned of Rectus' arbitrary advance, he ordered the dragon riders to retreat. He already knew he couldn't beat the Japanese, and he didn't want to make any more unnecessary sacrifices.
"However, if we are defeated here, even if we return to the Empire alive, there will be severe punishment waiting for us! We must strike back at all costs!"
"Gh...!"
If you have a fleet of 1.700 ships and an army of 380.000 troops, and you return home defeated, Tema, as a commander, and other executives will be punished. At best, they would be expelled from the military service and stripped of their titles, but most likely they will be sentenced to death.
"I don't know how much time we can buy, but if we are the shield of the fleet, it will take some of their edge off us! Please, hurry!"
"...!"
After Rectus' one-sided advice, the communication was cut off. After that, the dragon riders flying overhead gained even more speed and was rapidly approaching the Japan-US Joint Fleet.
. . .
Flagship Akagi CDC, Japan-US Joint Fleet
The approach of the surviving dragon riders was clearly visible on the air search radar of each ship. Petty Officer First Class Tsuda, the chief operator, reported that their all-out attack had been caught by the radar.
"The enemy dragons are approaching us!"
The radar showed a flock of signals that were neither birds nor planes. Fleet commander Rear Admiral Hasegawa gave the following order to deal with them.
"Instead of the SM-2 Standard missile, let's use the relatively inexpensive ESSM. Contact the Americans. Missile destroyers and cruisers, prepare for anti-air combat! All other ships, continue bombardment, and those that have run out of quick-reaction rounds, load the next round as appropriate and continue bombardment!"
Hasegawa appointed an Aegis ship of the USFJ as the response team for the dragons. Immediately afterwards, his order was relayed to the Americans.
USS Shiloh CIC
The United States of America is the developer of the Aegis system, the absolute shield of defense in anti-air warfare, and boasts the world's highest military budget. The navy of this country, which is undoubtedly the strongest in the world, consists of six fleets, and is literally deployed in the seas of the world. Among them, the Seventh Fleet has Yokosuka, Japan as its home port.
For this reason, there were many US Navy ships stationed in Japan, the most notable being the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan and the landing command ship USS Blue Ridge. Fortunately or unfortunately, these two ships, along with several others, had been dispatched to China, so they were not involved in Japan's transference to another world, but even so, a number of US Navy ships had come with Japan to the other world. This Ticonderoga-class missile cruiser, USS Shiloh, was one of them.
Inside its CIC, a large number of US Navy soldiers were moving in a flurry. The radar operators watching the SPY radar, the "eye of the Aegis," spotted a swarm of objects rapidly approaching.
"SPY radar detected target. Enemy air units approaching."
The SPY operator, noticing the approach of the dragon riders, reported the situation to the CIC. In addition to the Shiloh, seven other ships belonging to the Seventh Fleet, the USS John S. McCain, USS McCampbell, USS Fitzgerald, USS Mustin, USS Benfold, USS Stethem, and USS Lenah S. Higbee, were also confirmed the approaching dragons. These seven ships, unlike the Shiloh, were of the Arleigh Burke-class missile destroyers.
"Attention, flagship, prepare for anti-air combat!"
"Preparing for anti-air combat!"
After being informed of the fleet commander's order by the communications operator, Captain Anthony Rodriguez recited it to the ship.
"12 o'clock ahead, approximately 90 in number, straight ahead at speed!"
"Prepare to launch the VLS!"
In response to the VLS commander's order, the Shiloh's missile cells opened their lids one after another. The Vertical Launch System on each ship were also ready to fire. And the warheads of many ship-to-air missiles were exposed to the light of day. They were waiting for the right moment to fire.
"ESSM, fire!"
The ESSMs were fired in rapid succession by the missile crew under the direction of the gunnery chief. After that, the other seven ships launched their ESSMs one after another. The rain of over 90 SAMs from the United States' shield of absolute air defense, guided by the ship's missile fire control system (GMFCS), headed straight for the Altian dragon riders.
. . .
Flagship Arsacus
The soldiers of the Altian fleet had sensed a change. The bombardment from some of the enemy ships had stopped. Some of the ships were still firing, but the continuous barrage was definitely slowing down. If they can survive the bombardment for a few more rounds, they can use the power of the Wind Master to the fullest and get closer to the range of their cannons. Tema found a little bit of hope.
'We can go...! In order not to waste their determination!'
In order to find a chance to win, they had to contact the enemy ships and engage them in hand-to-hand combat. The Imperial fleet, which had been so numerous, had already been reduced to almost half. Furthermore, the sacrifices they would have to make in order to survive the enemy's bombardment and make contact with the enemy ships would be great. It was only natural, since the strategy was to push back the overwhelming difference in quality with sheer number. However, there is a small hope of victory. Tema had decided to take a shot at it, and was determined to win.
"All ships, after the dragon riders!"
In response to Tema's order, the remaining 800 Altian ships began their march. At that time, a sailor on watch discovered something unusual.
"There's smoke coming from several enemy ships!"
The soldiers were astonished when they heard the sentry's report. A large amount of smoke was rising one after another from the decks of the ships that had stopped firing.
"What is that, explosions!?"
The sight of so much smoke rising from the enemy ship looked to Tema and the other Altian soldiers as if there had been an accident on the enemy ships. An accidental explosion on an enemy ship at the same time, what better luck could be there? But Tema's mind was shattered in an instant.
Upon closer inspection, the smoke from several enemy ships flew through the air like a snake, and flames could be seen at the tips of the smoke. The smoke had not been generated by the explosion of the ships, but had been sprayed from huge flying spears.
"Shit! There's no way they can avoid that!"
"AAAAAAAAAH...!"
"H-help...!"
In addition, they were homing towards each and every dragon. The screams of the dragon riders reached the fleet, which is about five kilometers away. The dragon riders were shot down one by one by the fire-breathing spears fired from the enemy ships. The dragon riders that had told them to bide their time was wiped out within minutes.
"Dragon riders... wiped out!"
"W-what the hell is this!?"
Tema was shocked at the scene that occurred before his eyes. It was the same kind of fire-breathing, high-speed spear that the enemy air force had just fired from their wings. The dragon riders that had been attacked fell to the sea in a flurry of debris.
"It can't be touched by attacks from the sea, from underwater... or even from the sky! It's not a ship, it's a fortress that goes over the sea! No... they are the specters of God!"
Huge gray ships approaching over the sea, with accurate gunfire and superior anti-air capabilities that could shoot down dragon riders in the blink of an eye, seemed to be a force equal to a god or a demon to the Altian Empire's fleet.
"The ships that had been stopped firing resumed their bombardment!"
"...!!"
The captains and crews of each ship, including Tema, were stunned by the realization that the hope they had harbored was nothing more than an illusion. The Aegis, which had finished its anti-air operation, rejoined the bombardment, and the rain of accurate shells increased its momentum once again, sinking the fleet.
"...Retreat!"
"!!"
With the loss of the dragon cavalry and more than two-thirds of the fleet, Tema finally decided to retreat. The soldiers around him were surprised by his words.
"Lord Tema! This is not your fault-"
"I take full responsibility for the defeat. I can't sacrifice more lives and ships for nothing. If it takes only my head, so much the better."
He opened his mouth to soothe his subordinates who were pressing him. In the meantime, the Japan-US Joint Fleet continued to sink the Altian fleet in a wave of continuous bombardment.
"Order all ships to retreat! ...Hurry up!"
The commander's order to retreat was quickly conveyed to all the remaining ships. After that, the Altian Empire's Japanese Invasion Fleet turned their heads and started to retreat. At this time, the remaining strength of the Altians was reduced to one fifth of what it had been before the battle began.
. . .
Akagi CDC
The movements of the Altian fleet are being monitored by surface radar. Operators have confirmed that the Altian Empire's fleet is moving away from the battle area.
"There's a change in movement behind the enemy fleet! They are starting to retreat!"
The Japanese needed to reduce the number of the enemy as much as possible here. Therefore, Hasegawa gave the order to pursue the enemy that had turned away.
"All ships pursue and launch helicopters! Get behind the enemy fleet and pin them down! Continue bombardment!"
His order is sent out to all ships. Then, from the helicopter destroyers Izumo and Kaga, and the amphibious assault ships Shimabara, Oga, and Kojima, the JGSDF's AH-64Ds, AH-1Ss, and AH-1Zs flew in with Hellfire missiles. The US-Japan Joint Fleet, led by the flagship Akagi, was now in the final stages of its attack.
. . .
Flagship Arsacus
As the Altian Empire's fleet turned its bow in a southeasterly direction to return to the way it had come, a swarm of new flying objects was approaching.
"There are new flying objects following us from behind!"
The lookout standing on top of the mainmast spotted them. They were different from the earlier ones, flapping their wings... and flying alongside the side of the defeated warship. The Altian fleet, which was overwhelmingly outmatched in terms of speed, had no choice but to accept the pincer attack by the escort ships and helicopters.
Even though they had already lost their will to fight, the Japanese did not relent in their attack. The soldiers were atrophied by the new tactics that the enemy had come up with, bombarding them from behind and pinching them with air weapons. Soon, the helicopters began to attack the warships with a signal from the flagship Akagi. Gunfire from behind and missiles from in front, it was only a matter of time before the Altian fleet was annihilated.
'We can't even escape now...!'
Tema bit his lip as his helplessness, stupidity, and frustration swirled in his mind. All around him, the warships of the Altian Empire, the world's greatest power, were being sunk one after another with ease.
'At any rate...!'
Just as he made up his mind, one of the soldiers on the deck suddenly started screaming.
"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMOREEEEEEEEEEE!"
The soldier screamed and jumped over the edge of the deck into the sea. Some of the soldiers became delirious in the face of their helpless situation. The same thing was happening to the remaining ships.
"Surrender! Signal your surrender immediately!"
"!!"
At the commander's words, everyone's eyes widened.
"If we become prisoners of the barbarians, we will not survive! We must flee this place and escape!"
Aphra, the captain of the Arsacus, advises against surrender. He knew what would happen to him if he was captured by the barbarians outside the civilized world of the continent. "Stabbing a ship's anchor into the belly and used as shark fishing bait," "Used as firewood at a fire festival and their body is burned" ...After the Battle off Rovania, Altian soldiers back home were rumored to have heard such rumors about the fate of their colleagues who had been captured by the "barbaric people of the Far East." Of course, these rumors were all untrue and showed how much they looked down on the people of the Far East.
"How!? We can't escape now! There is no other means of survival left but to surrender!"
"...!"
Tema's shout and the fact that he was confronted with the situation solidified the soldiers' will.
"...Surrender! Quick!"
"Yes, sir!"
Under the command of Colonel Aphra, the soldiers of the flagship Arsacus hurried to their posts.
. . .
Flagship Akagi Bridge
The AH-1Z pilot, who had been monitoring the fleet since the missiles had been fired, had discovered something unusual. He reported to the flagship over the radio.
"Something's wrong with the enemy fleet! The sails of the warships have been removed by the soldiers!"
"...What!?"
When Hasegawa heard the report from the AH-1Z, he turned to Willems, a mage from the Ilamania Kingdom who was on board as a tactical advisor.
"Willems-dono, could this be..."
"Yes. In this world, the act of removing sails indicates surrender in a naval battle."
In this world, the way to show surrender in a naval battle is to cut off the sails of a ship, making the ship unseaworthy, apparently to show the enemy that they have lost the will to fight. After receiving confirmation from Willems, Hasegawa sent out a message to all ships and helicopters.
"Attention all ships and helicopters participating in the attack! The enemy has surrendered. We have won!"
"...!!"
The long battle had finally come to an end. The SDF and American soldiers who heard the message sighed in relief, releasing the fatigue they had accumulated.
"Cease attack immediately. Hurry to rescue and bring in survivors."
The flagship Akagi gave the order to end the battle, and the ships and helicopters shifted to the rescue mission. After that, each ship took several hours to complete the capture of the prisoners.
On this day, the Battle of Iloa Sea, the largest battle of the Japanese-Altian War, came to an end. The Altian Empire's Japanese Invasion Fleet, which consisted of 1.731 warships, 384.500 soldiers, and 651 dragon riders, nearly 90% of the Empire's total war potential, was reduced to 20 warships and 4.000 survivors. As a result, the Battle of Iloa Sea ended with an overwhelming victory for Japan.