Ch.602Storm Battle. (3)

However, the battle that finally began between the two was affected by the natural environment.

“Launch missiles!”

“They’re launched, but they keep flying in strange directions due to the ion current flow.”

“Then use shells, or beam attacks!”

“Even at a certain distance, most shots are still missing their targets.”

*Swoosh swoosh swoosh*

Even under normal circumstances, most artillery would miss without proper artillery control ships.

Add to that the insane ion currents and neutron storms twisting the trajectories of beams, shells, and missiles.

Even the ships attacking the enemy were being subtly moved…

“Commander, we’re currently attacking the enemy fleet.”

“…Almost nothing is hitting.”

“Currently 99% of our firepower is missing, though fortunately the same applies to the enemy.”

“This is quite peculiar.”

Both sides were firing spectacularly at each other, but only a tiny fraction was actually hitting.

From an observer’s standpoint, it was a rather strange feeling to witness.

Of course, this mindless 99%—or more precisely 99.5%—miss rate was only during the initial phase.

“Activate teleport!”

“Hit on enemy fleet! No confirmation of sinking yet!”

“Something must have blown up.”

Using my sure-kill technique, the teleport strategic missile, twice to destroy even their main ships.

I decided to continue my resistance against Rio Grande’s fleet, which was much larger than mine.

And since the enemy was also aware of the accuracy problem, they kept approaching by either avoiding the surging ion currents or, in the case of larger ships, simply plowing through them.

And not long after, as the distance between both sides sufficiently narrowed…

The hit rate noticeably increased from 0.5% to 5%, 25%, or even higher.

The problem was that this significant increase wasn’t exactly good news for me.

*BOOM! BOOM!*

*Rumble… CRASH!*

“Alcasar cruisers #2 and #3 destroyed!”

“Enemy fleet firepower increasing!”

“Ugh, have the Dreadnoughts move to the front to tank, and the Overseers should target the cruisers first!”

“Understood, Commander.”

“Their firepower seems stronger than expected.”

“According to our internal analysis, the current power difference between us and the enemy fleet is approximately 1:2.”

“Oh my.”

That’s right.

For reasons unknown to us, checking the power comparison revealed that Rio Grande had concentrated all his forces in the middle section, excluding only the small ships sent to the upper section.

‘This is getting tough.’

If we continued to exchange fire while approaching, there was a high possibility that we would be one-sidedly pummeled.

I decided to halt the fleet’s advance and retreat to increase the distance.

But right after making that decision.

*Beep beep beep!*

“Oh, Commander, I have something urgent to report.”

“I don’t know what it is, but I have a very uneasy feeling. What is it?”

“A new neutron storm is forming behind us, and it will be fully formed within an hour at most.”

“…Do people usually deliver such news so calmly?”

As if adding insult to injury, this forced us into a desperate situation with no retreat.

I felt my irritation surging.

But just as that irritation was about to peak…

“Wait, the Alcasar main force is still on its way, right?”

“The ion currents prevent accurate detection, but they’re currently on standby slightly behind and below our position.”

“…This might be something we can use to our advantage.”

“What are you planning to do?”

I recalled the Alcasar main force that I had pushed to the “lower” section at the start of the battle.

After checking the position of the newly forming neutron storm on the screen.

I decided to squeeze my brain for a new approach, thinking I might be able to turn the tables on them.

———-

Meanwhile, at the same time.

Rio Grande, advancing with the SSS-ranked Bismarck-class Super Dreadnought at the forefront, was smiling, confident that victory was firmly in his grasp.

“Commander, Icarus’s fleet continues to retreat.”

“We’ve won. I was worried for nothing.”

If the Unlimited Mercenary Corps or the Leviathan Squadron were present, would they be pushed back like this?

Moreover, despite having more than 10 Dreadnought-class or higher ships if the mercenary corps were combined, they continued to retreat.

“What was the power difference again?”

“2:1, with us being the 2.”

“2:1, you say?”

“It’s not certain, just based on the detected numbers.”

“Tsk, the ion currents are preventing proper visibility.”

“Still, judging by the explosion sounds detected so far, Commander Icarus’s losses appear to be massive.”

Even accounting for limited visibility and radar restrictions, reports indicated that Icarus had suffered significant damage.

Rio Grande began a full-scale advance, placing the incredibly sturdy Bismarck-class Dreadnoughts at the vanguard.

Of course, Icarus didn’t go down without a fight.

“High energy reaction detected ahead!”

“It’s Ouroboros’s concentrated bombardment! Fleet, evade!”

*BOOOOOM!*

Recently becoming more common and successfully obtained by quite a few users, making it somewhat less special.

Nevertheless, the incredibly powerful 140% overcharged concentrated bombardment from Ouroboros pierced through the fleet.

*Woooong… KABOOM!*

“Teleport… strategic missile!”

“Evade! No, AAAHHH!!”

The Laflesia-class assault carrier was deployed, and while it had also become less special over time.

Nevertheless, the strategic missile teleport strategy, commonly known as the “Bamboo Spear” strategy, which was considered Icarus’s trademark among users, was executed.

Rio Grande felt his eyebrows twitch involuntarily at Icarus’s desperate resistance, which was causing considerable damage to his approaching fleet.

Of course, Icarus’s resistance only managed to irritate him to that extent.

“Report on the damage from the concentrated bombardment.”

“Perhaps the ion currents threw off the aim? The trajectory was slightly off, resulting in only two cruisers being moderately damaged.”

What was probably intended as a finishing move, the 140% overcharged bombardment, had its aim thrown off by the ion currents that had been plaguing both Icarus and himself.

It flew away pathetically without sinking a single ship.

The “Bamboo Spear” tactic, being a sure-kill technique, did manage to sink one Dreadnought…

“Commander, that was the third teleport attack.”

“He must be firing wildly in panic!”

Hearing that the accursed Bamboo Spear tactic had finally reached its limit.

Rio Grande became convinced that Icarus no longer had any strategic means to stop them.

And along with that, as mentioned earlier, with both the Unlimited Mercenary Corps and the Leviathan Squadron confirmed absent.

*Beep beep beep beep beep!*

“Large neutron storm formation confirmed behind the enemy fleet.”

“The enemy fleet’s retreat path is completely blocked.”

“Hehehe.”

Whether it was luck or the world itself preventing Icarus from retreating to buy time and wear them down.

“Commander, calculating the enemy fleet’s losses… I suspect at least two mercenary corps have been completely annihilated.”

“Hehehe, that’s it!”

“The upper region is evenly matched, but we’ve definitely won in the middle.”

With information from all fronts suggesting his victory was imminent.

Rio Grande became absolutely certain of his win.

“All fleet charge! Completely crush Icarus’s fleet while we have the chance!”

“Understood, Commander!”

“All fleet charge! Charge!”

“Form a wedge formation with the Bismarck-class at the front! We’re engaging the enemy fleet!”

Discarding the defensive posture maintained until now to prepare for any possible “surprise attacks.”

He decided to concentrate all forces at the front for a final clash to finish off Icarus.

But just 1 minute and 20 seconds after changing the fleet formation and beginning the advance in earnest.

“Multiple high-energy reactions detected from below!!”

“Bombardment! Bombardment! Bombardment!”

“Huh, what?”

Rio Grande’s majestically advancing fleet was suddenly exposed to a massive beam bombardment shooting up from below, breaking through the ion current clouds.