Chapter 156: Wyvern Breath
“A high-energy reaction detected in the Wyvern’s head.”
It seemed that the Wyvern was not entirely at ease. It likely resorted to using its long-range, high-power attack method in a moment of desperation.
A flash of light erupted from the Wyvern’s maw, traveling at an observed speed of 97% of light, with a margin of error of ±2%. The brilliant beam pierced through the space just 15 meters below the Titan.
“Confirmed some form of radiation phenomenon. Titan, damage from high heat has occurred on the underside. Some sensors and weaponry are now inoperable.”
We narrowly avoided a direct hit. However, the phenomenon that appeared to be radiant heat caused damage to the Titan.
“Ma’am, it’s likely an attack using charged particles accelerated to sub-light speed! In other words, it’s the Dragon Breath! Incredible, far more impressive than I imagined!”
“Charged particles!?”
Asahi’s report made Ma’am (Eve) shout in surprise. She had been shouting quite a bit.
However, this reaction was understandable. While she unabashedly called charged particle cannons a romance, there had been a history of abandoning their practical application on the ground. The rapid deceleration from collisions with atmospheric molecules and the difficulty of providing immense power on the surface were significant hurdles. Moreover, spending the same resources to mass-produce coil cannons or railguns was far more practical, offering higher power with lower power requirements.
“Does that mean it has a range of over 10 kilometers…? And it can deal damage without a direct hit…?”
“Yes, Ma’am. Assuming the material can accelerate to sub-light speeds, it is likely charged particles. However, we are dealing with a dragon, a creature of Fantasy. It would be dangerous to apply our common sense too easily.”
Having dabbled in the design of charged particle cannons within the atmosphere, I understood well the absurdity of their potential practicality. There were many hurdles to overcome, and the costs to surpass them were steep. Thus, the conclusion was that existing weaponry was more than sufficient.
“The Local Strategy AI has initiated combat maneuvers. We will enter the effective range of the railgun within 30 seconds. A saturation attack using armor-piercing shells has been selected. The escort fighter group is preparing for attack. A time-differential strike using missiles has also been chosen.”
“Can we do it?”
“Yes, Ma’am. According to calculations, it is possible to saturate the Defense Membrane. However, due to unpredictable acceleration changes, the current situation remains uncertain. The Local Strategy AI has also classified this as an uncertain factor (Yellow).”
The Wyvern was predicted to be larger than the Rain Kroin, and its weight was likely considerable given its size. Assuming the “Magic Stone” discovered within it was the source of this magical phenomenon, the size of the stone would directly correlate with the strength of the magic.
From investigations of other monsters, it was also observed that weight and the size of the Magic Stone were somewhat proportional. Asahi was analyzing the blood flow, but due to the limited samples, it remained a hypothesis.
Nevertheless, if we assumed this trend, the Wyvern’s Magic Stone would be larger than that of the Rain Kroin, suggesting that its Defense Membrane would also be superior.
“We have no choice but to try.”
“Yes, Ma’am. If deemed effective, we can also call for support attacks from the Gigantia in retreat. In 30 minutes, the fighter group launched from the outskirts of Flatara City will join us. Given that we can saturate the Defense Membrane with physical attacks, we have a fair chance of victory with our current resources.”
Ringo asserted this confidently. In fact, the Titan-class alone had a substantial stockpile of ammunition. The number of missiles that could be launched was also considerable. Additionally, the firepower from the deployed Multi-legged Tanks would be well within range at an altitude of around 10 kilometers.
I wanted to believe that we wouldn’t be overwhelmed in a one-sided defeat.
“Titan, Oceanus has begun its descending maneuver.”
The altitude difference with the Wyvern was now less than 1,000 meters, but by descending, we converted potential energy into speed while adjusting our course to present the side with more artillery toward the Wyvern.
“That breath… I suppose it’s fine. It seems it can’t fire in rapid succession.”
“Yes, Ma’am. It appears so. If it looks like it will fire again, there was an option for the fighters to ram it to divert its aim.”
The fighters were closely tailing the flying Wyvern. If they detected any signs of the breath being unleashed, they intended to collide with it to alter its trajectory.
Fortunately, it seemed the breath was not capable of rapid-fire.
The Wyvern appeared to notice the pursuing fighters, but it merely swayed its body in annoyance, doing nothing more. It likely did not perceive them as a threat.
“Titan, Oceanus has commenced the attack.”
The artillery mounted on the Titan-class, resembling a porcupine, unleashed a barrage of shells. The rear armament consisted of two coil cannons, twelve short-barreled multi-barrel railguns, one Maser Cannon, and four laser cannons.
The multi-barrel railgun, as its name suggested, was a turret that bundled eight railguns together. Although its maximum initial velocity was limited to around 3,000 m/s due to its short barrel, it could continuously fire shells from all eight barrels.
The shells, staggered slightly in timing, surged toward the Wyvern. The distance between us was approximately 5 kilometers. The shells would impact in less than two seconds.
The Wyvern twisted its body.
The first shells were partially evaded. It seemed to possess something akin to radar, or perhaps it simply had excellent eyesight. As half of the shells struck, the Defense Membrane rippled with light.
More shells followed in rapid succession, but the Wyvern’s extraordinary acceleration allowed it to evade most of them.
The Tactical AI controlling each turret adjusted its aim based on the Wyvern’s movement data.
The Wyvern’s acceleration fluctuated erratically, causing the shells to hit and miss in a chaotic pattern.
“It appears the Defense Membrane converts the impact of the hits into acceleration. If it exceeds the predicted acceleration, it can evade the shells, but once that effect wears off, it gets hit again. However, it seems that being hit grants it acceleration.”
“Ugh, how annoying…”
The direction of the acceleration also seemed quite erratic. It wasn’t simply in the direction of travel. As a result, while the Local Strategy AI continued its analysis, it struggled to make accurate predictions.
“It seems they are preparing to launch a missile attack from behind. If they pursue from the rear, they can adjust their trajectory even with slight changes.”
The Wyvern was currently circling toward the Titan. Both the Titan and Oceanus were flying in separate paths, presenting their backs to the Wyvern.
The turning radius was between 2 to 3 kilometers. Both were at nearly the same altitude, with a slight upward trajectory.
They had no intention of engaging in a dogfight, but from an outsider’s perspective, it resembled one. Both were far too massive in length and width.
“Titan, Oceanus has launched missiles.”
From the vertical launch systems mounted on their backs, twenty missiles were fired, with an additional four from the underside. A total of 48 missiles were unleashed, accelerating with their rocket motors as they converged.
The Wyvern seemed to notice this as well, but the bombardment had not ceased. Diverting its attention would only make it easier to evade.
Then, anti-air missiles surged in from behind.
Eight missiles struck simultaneously from above, below, and the sides. Their terminal velocity exceeded Mach 5. The shock from the explosives, combined with the destructive power from their speed, was not to be underestimated. Typically, delayed fuses would be used for large targets, but given the circumstances, all were set to contact fuses. Proximity fuses were not adopted as they would disperse the explosive power.
Explosion.
With slightly staggered timings, all 48 missiles struck in a continuous barrage.
“—Gyaaaah!!”
That sound echoed throughout the surrounding airspace. It was likely the Wyvern’s scream.
The relentless bombardment and the direct hits from the missiles seemed to have finally overwhelmed the Defense Membrane. Something glittering began to scatter in the air.
It was the Wyvern’s scales.
“Damage confirmed. Continuing the attack.”
However, it was a most unfortunate timing.
The Titan launched missiles from its vertical launch system.
In that instant, a flash of light surged from the Wyvern’s maw.
At such close range, the anti-air railguns quickly locked on and unleashed a torrent of shells. The breath released toward the Titan collided with the anti-air shells, causing an explosion upon impact.
The revived Defense Membrane converted the impact into acceleration.
The Wyvern, while losing its balance, swept the Titan with its brilliant breath.
Accelerated air plasma, moving at sub-light speeds, struck the missiles that had just been launched. The fragile exterior of the missiles was penetrated, instantly heating their insides.
The explosives and fuel, heated by the intense external temperature, detonated.