I Became the Tyrant of a Defense Game [EN]: Chapter 569

“You’re telling me to prepare for immediate launch?”

Kellybay asked me, his face bewildered, at the Crossroad’s airship dock.

“Are you serious? Gold and Silver aren’t even broken in yet. They’re brand new airships that have only done a few test flights!”

Gold and Silver were the names of Jeronimo’s two escort ships. They were new ships that hadn’t even had their launching ceremony yet.

‘…Since they’re flying airships, should it be called an air-launching ceremony instead of a launching ceremony?’

Anyway, these two ships, hastily built by combining the dwarves’ technology and the Lake Kingdom’s construction magic, weren’t even properly equipped with weapons yet.

That’s why I came here, to urgently request that they load weapons first.

“The worst flying monster in history is coming, Kellybay.”

I said urgently.

“We have twelve airship support ships arriving, so Crossroad needs to deploy all of its airships.”

“But!”

“Either way, there weren’t any accidents during the test flights, right? Or are you saying that the ships made by the dwarves might suddenly reveal some unprecedented flaw?”

“There’s no way that would happen, you rascal! Our ships are perfect!”

Kellybay shook his head firmly, letting out a shout.

“But it’s the duty of a shipwright to pursue safety above all else.”

“Kellybay…”

“Airships are completely different from ordinary ships. Ships float because the waves support them.

The buoyancy borrowed from the sea fights against the gravity trying to sink the ship, allowing it to float.”

Kellybay thumped the hull next to him with his hand, passionately explaining.

“But what about airships? They can only fly by opposing gravity through the lift artificially created by mechanical devices.”

“…”

“And these mechanical devices, though it’s ridiculous for me, a mechanic, to say this, are so flimsy and fragile compared to the buoyancy of the sea or the gravity of the land. That’s why we need to be even more thorough.”

Kellybay stubbornly shook his head.

“I can’t let these ships leave here until the tests are completely finished. No way! I won’t allow it!”

“Kellybay…”

I calmly persuaded Kellybay.

“If those ships don’t launch right now, we might not even be able to conduct those tests.”

“…”

“This front line has always been in crisis, but this time, Crossroad might actually fall. What good is it if the ships are safe to fly after everyone is dead?”

The safety issue of the escort ships, which may or may not occur, and the threat of the monster that is right in front of us.

It goes without saying which is more critical.

Kellybay pursed his lips. I continued to pour out my words.

“They don’t have to do any dangerous flying. It’s enough if they just stay behind and maintain the fleet’s formation. You can consider that as a flight test, right? We need every ship we can get right now.”

“…”

“Kellybay. I don’t want to make this battle the last battle of this world. Please help with the launch.”

Kellybay sighed deeply, rubbed his face a few times with his hands, and finally reluctantly agreed.

“Alright. But I’ll be on Gold myself. And on Silver…”

“I’ll take it, Father.”

Turning around, the dwarf wearing a crown—King Kellyson—approached with his subordinates. Kellybay’s voice was flustered as he saw his son.

“Kellyson…”

“I was the one responsible for building these two ships in the first place. Besides, you don’t need to make such a fuss; our technology is perfect. It’ll be safe, so don’t worry.”

Unlike his bald father, Kellyson smiled at me, his blonde hair swaying.

“We’ll load the weapons, Your Highness. Just give us 30 minutes. It’s just a matter of attaching the modules, so it’ll be quick.”

“Thank you, Kellyson.”

The dwarves rushed towards the airships. I apologized to Kellybay.

“I’m sorry for making such an unreasonable request, Kellybay.”

“No, it’s alright. It’s not the time to be leisurely when a monster is coming…”

Kellybay stared blankly at his son. Kellyson was carrying a turret module and attaching it to the airship.

“…I’ll go and tinker with a few more things myself.”

With those words, Kellybay ran towards Kellyson.

I watched the father and son working together silently to prepare the airships, then turned around.

The faces of all the workers in the dock were filled with anxiety.

The atmosphere of war was now engulfing even this Crossroad headquarters.

***

All sixteen airships were fully fueled and the repairs were completed.

While the crew boarded the ships, the captains gathered in one place.

“Before we launch, I think we need to unify the command system.”

Macmillan, the commander of the Imperial Air Fleet, said, puffing on his pipe.

“We’ve never trained together, and we’ve only just come together. We need an even clearer command system.”

Then, Kellybay, who had been standing with a sullen expression, suddenly stepped forward.

“I’m the commander of the air fleet, me!”

I wondered why he was suddenly acting like that, but there was a reason.

“I can’t let Jeronimo go under Alcatraz, my pride won’t allow it!”

“Kellybay.”

Macmillan smiled. His split chin stood out, and a greasy smile formed, but his voice was serious.

“Our Emperor of the Everblack Empire left a message. To respect the World Guardian Front and willingly follow it.”

“…Huh?”

“I’ve heard that you, Kellybay, have deep knowledge of airship construction and can also fly them yourself.”

Kellybay blinked, surprised that Macmillan was being so compliant. Macmillan responded gently, without losing his politeness.

“You must also have a lot of experience in fleet command. If you wish, I will gladly follow your command.”

“…”

“This is the World Guardian Front, and you, Kellybay, are the chief of the airships here.”

Everyone looked at Kellybay.

Kellybay didn’t know what to do,

“Tch, I didn’t expect this kind of reaction…”

He grumbled, stroked his beard, and then raised both hands.

“…I’ve never done anything like commanding an entire fleet. I’m just a blacksmith and a pilot.”

Kellybay winked at Macmillan.

“You seem to be an expert in fleet command. If you can handle seven ships, you can handle sixteen. Sir Macmillan, please take command.”

“If the others agree, I will humbly take command.”

Everyone silently agreed.

In this modern era where airships are disappearing, Everblack was the only place that operated a fleet of seven airships. It would be most efficient for Macmillan to take command.

I muttered quietly to Macmillan, who was handling the situation smoothly and naturally taking the lead.

“He’s quite flexible for an Imperial soldier.”

“Haha. After seeing something like that, I have to create flexibility even if I didn’t have it before.”

Macmillan glared at the southern sky, his lips trembling, then looked back at me. And he gave a clean salute.

“…From this moment on, the allied air fleet, including Alcatraz, is under the jurisdiction of the World Guardian Front, and that will last until the monster’s invasion is completely over.”

Macmillan, the commander of the World Guardian Front’s air fleet, winked at me.

“Please give the order, Your Highness.”

“The same order as before, Sir Macmillan. Delay its advance. Buy time and gather information about them. And…”

I had already briefed Macmillan on the enemy and told him all the rules of engagement. Macmillan had also understood.

Still, I emphasized the next words.

“Above all, value your lives. If the situation becomes unfavorable, retreat without hesitation.”

“Understood.”

Macmillan, who bowed deeply, turned around and shouted.

“Alright, let’s launch!”

The captains boarded their ships, and soon, with a roar, the airships soared into the sky one by one.

The airships, each emitting different colored magical lights, defied gravity and flew into the sky, then formed a formation and shot towards the southern sky.

“…”

Looking in that direction, I turned back.

While the air fleet buys time, I need to find it.

A strategy to defeat the enemy.

***

The World Guardian Front’s air fleet formed a single line and headed south.

In the center were the seven airships of the Everblack Empire.

On the left wing were five airships from allied nations. On the right wing were four airships belonging to Crossroad.

Since there was no time for joint training, the sixteen ships briefly coordinated while flying south.

Forming formations, designating the direction of firepower…

Even though it was the first time coordinating, everyone was able to move together easily.

Not to mention the seven ships of Everblack, the crew of the other ships were also elites chosen from each country.

In the way of those who fight in the sky, they were aces.

Their sense of handling airships was more than enough. Basic joint movements were not difficult either.

After flying south for a few hours, the figure of a huge monster approaching from afar began to enter the fleet’s view.

Boooooo….

A magnificent cry tore through the clouds and shook the sky.

The faces of the captains and crew members on each airship turned pale. Kellybay, who was personally driving the escort ship Gold, also felt cold sweat running down his spine.

Is it even possible for such a thing to exist in this world?

In the center of the red sunset sky. With a halo above its head and wings in the shape of infinity behind its back… the giant fly was calmly heading north.

Hundreds of legs were calmly gathered, unlike before. It was as still as if it were meditating.

There was even an unknown reverence felt in the monster’s neat appearance.

While everyone was frozen, a communication came through. It was from Alcatraz.

「Ladies and gentlemen. Good evening. This is Fleet Commander Macmillan.」

Macmillan’s voice was as relaxed as usual, but it was faintly trembling.

「I have never fought a monster before. To be more honest, I have never even fought a human properly.」

Everyone listened to his voice at the unexpected story.

「I’m just a mediocre officer who joined the airship maintenance team because I dreamed of flying, and was the maintenance manager for Everblack airships.」

“…”

「I’m just a fool who happened to be given this important position by a twist of fate… but I have some knowledge of fleet tactics, enough to be recognized by the Emperor. And above all, I know this.」

Kellybay’s hand, holding the control handle, tightened at Macmillan’s next words.

「We are soldiers. And soldiers exist to protect the people.」

The monster and the fleet quickly closed the distance.

At the same time, the legs of the Fly King, which had been still like a stone statue, slowly began to move.

「If that monster crosses Crossroad and heads north, countless innocent people around the world will die. Even an amateur like me knows that much.」

Macmillan spoke with conviction.

「Let’s stop it here. Fleet, align!」

Chik-!

Chiiiik-!

The airships slowed down and stopped in their positions. At the same time, the airships, which had turned 90 degrees in the air, faced the Fly King on their starboard side.

「Prepare cannons!」

Clang, clack!

Armor opened simultaneously on the sides of the sixteen airships, hatches were flipped open, and gun ports were deployed.

It was a spectacular sight in itself. The captains felt a thrill run down their spines.

No matter how great the enemy was, they felt confident that they would never lose.

「Feather One, Feather Two! Firing preparations complete!」

「Kite One, Kite Two! Firing preparations complete!」

「Arian Bear, awaiting orders!」

「Jeronimo, ready anytime!」

Soon, all the ships reported that they had completed firing preparations.

「Alcatraz, firing preparations complete.」

Macmillan, who spoke last, opened his mouth again through the communication.

「A little while ago, when you told me the tactics to fight that monster… Ash, Your Highness, said something to me.」

The Fly King’s bizarrely long and thick legs unfolded and slowly reached forward.

Watching that, Macmillan said calmly.

「That this battle will go down in history.」

The largest air fleet in modern history.

And, also, the largest flying monster in history.

「Since we’re going to go down in history, let’s write a legend.」

Immediately after, Macmillan shouted in a more serious voice than ever.

「Battleships, commence firing-!」

Bang! Thud thud thud…!

Sixteen airships simultaneously began firing.

And towards those airships,

Whoosh-!

Innumerable numbers of flies poured out from the Fly King’s body, darkening the sky as they poured down.