CH 109

The Long Awaited Ambush

The next morning. Kisei and Saki left the village before sunrise. Since they are being pursued by the Noredian army, it wouldn’t be good if they stay there too long.

The two strikers were now flying over the snow-covered mountain top. The reason they are flying so high right now is that the only way they can bypass the Noredian net and get back to their main force is to cross this mountain range.

“They said that they were having a food shortage but they still spared us their preserved food huh……..”

Kisei said that while holding his control stick with a slightly awkward expression. Immediately before they left, the villagers gave them canned and other kinds of preserved food for their travel. Since the major cities on this planet were destroyed and the logistics have come to a halt, preserved foods like these should be extremely hard to find. They couldn’t thank the villagers enough to give them such things for free.

“Well, they are very fond of you after all. If I was by myself, they wouldn’t have given me the same treatment.”

Answered Saki who looked clearly sleep-deprived but still has a strangely satisfied expression on her face.

“……you think so?”

“Of course. I’m sure they wanted to do something since they saw a man fighting for them. Still, since they don’t have any weapons they are probably thinking that the least they can do is to cooperate with us right?”

“Hmmm……is that the case? Well, I guess so……”

If he tries thinking about this situation while flipping his gender around, it’s not like he can not understand their feelings. However, since it is about himself, he still feels somewhat uncomfortable about it. Naturally, he is still very grateful for their kindness though……

“Well, when this war is over, I think we should find a way to repay them. Let’s buy some souvenirs and visit them again later.”

“Just the two of us?”

“Well, since they took care of both of us, it’s a matter of course right.”

“Sounds great to me!”

Saki slapped her knee while replying with a smile.

“Traveling alone with just the two of us doesn’t sound that bad. I’m kinda looking forward to it now.”

“Well, I’m sure that someone will try to tag along though……”

Hearing Kisei, Saki frowned and stuck out her tongue. After all, if it’s a tag-along, Schleer is the prime candidate.

“That’s not funny you know.”

“You don’t have to hate the idea so much you know……”

“Well, see, I know that she’s not a bad person or anything. But……”

“But?”

With her cheeks dyed red, Saki glanced at the [Caliburn-Revive] which was flying next to her. Without the use of its main thruster, the pure white striker which is now being propelled with only the thermonuclear engine of the jet armor seems to be squinting at her in doubt. Unable to find the right reply, Saki lightly stomped the floor of her cockpit.

“It’s nothing!”

“A, Alright?”

It’s awkward to have such an atmosphere between them but he knows that if he poorly says something here, it will get even more awkward for them. Since Kisei is already quite experienced with something like this, he backed away without pursuing the topic.

While being puzzled at why things get awkward between even though they are very compatible with each other on the battlefield, Kisei let out a small sigh.

“Anyway, that won’t be happening until we win this war. At least we have to hurry up and kick them out of the country first.”

“That’s true. Seriously, how troublesome.”

With the threat of the Noredian army still present, they can’t even travel freely between star systems. Moreover, the two are aces of the Calencian army. They will not be in a position that can move as they please until the war ends. While wishing for some leisure time for herself, Saki has a bitter expression on her face.

“We don’t even know what’s going on with the main force after all. I hope they are doing fine though.”

“Well, they should be fine. We’ve already shaken their chain of command after all. They shouldn’t be able to chase after our main force after that.”

“Haha, that’s true. It must have been pretty embarrassing to let us get away even after going through such a disgrace. Their general should still be writhing in agony, don’t you think?”

Recalling Diaroze’s disgrace, Saki gave a muffled laugh.

“I wonder about that.”

With that brief reply, Kisei suddenly stops his striker. He then plugged the cable from the extra-large particle magazine which only has a few ammunition left into his blaster rifle.

“Well, let’s go ask her ourselves.”

With a grin, Kisei looks up to the sky. When Saki followed his line of sight, she saw 5 strikers heading toward them in the cloudless blue sky. She can only make out the outlines of the machines but it is clear that they are not your ordinary [Jettta].

It was Diaroze’s [Zentis] that they fought the other day along with 3 of the 4 Heavenlys and Valentina’s [Ortho Kratzer].

“Geh, it’s just like how you predicted yesterday!”

“As I thought, they were waiting for us. They brought all their Zenith with them too!”

Hearing Kisei joyfully saying that, Saki felt cold sweat run down her back. The battle is 2 against 5. Moreover, the spec of the enemy machines far outclassed theirs. No matter how strong Kisei is, can they really win against them when most of their supplies have already been exhausted?

“Ugh, if they already know where we are then we don’t have to refrain from using the radio anymore. I’m sending an SOS!”

The Noredian would find their whereabouts immediately if they use long-distance radio so they have been resorting to only laser communication that can’t be intercepted but in a situation like this, they don’t really have to worry about being detected anymore. Fortunately, they are flying at a high altitude at the moment. If they are lucky, their SOS signal should be able to reach the Calencian main force even with the Noredian communication jamming.

“I’m going to leave that to you……alright, this is getting interesting!”

5 Noredian Zeniths landed on a rocky slope field with snow. Leading them, the [Zentis] pointed the muzzle of its full-auto shotgun at the [Caliburn-Revive].

“We finally meet again, Hokuto Kisei. You were so hard to find that I thought you ditched your striker and ran off somewhere you know?”

“No way.”

Diaroze opened with a provocation but Kisei only answered her with a smile.

“I’ve been looking forward to this too you know.”

“……fool. This will be the last time I have to deal with you!”

As though her words were their signal, the 5 Zeniths immediately accelerated toward Kisei and Saki.