Summoning Japan: Flights of the Fancy

Chapter 6 - The Blue Rainbow of Death

The aerial battle had entered a brief hiatus with the onset of night. Although both sides were equipped with radar, the ability to conduct effective nighttime combat, where visual confirmation was unreliable, was lacking.

On the bridge of the Mirishial Navy's 4th Magic Fleet flagship, the Scathia, a situation analysis was underway.

"The performance of the Elpacio 3', as well as the results of the base air battle, did not disappoint. However, the jumping charges... despite a 50% loss, achieving results against an aircraft carrier... as history on planet Earth shows, it imposes significant sacrifices on friendly forces," Lettal mused.

"I think it's too early to draw that conclusion. The majority of the damage to the Zigrant 2s was caused by enemy combat air patrol. If the cause was proceeding with the attack under enemy air superiority, the responsibility cannot be solely attributed to the jumping charges."

A well-organized rebuttal from the staff caused a momentary discomfort for Lettal. If the cause of friendly casualties wasn't a flaw in the weapons, then it's a flaw in his own strategic command. However, Lettal quickly dismissed that feeling. Commanders could never escape responsibility.

"Can you justify that claim?" Lettal asked not out of malice but from genuine curiosity.

"Perhaps we should deploy the jumping charges again under our air superiority to test it. Of course, that's assuming we get such an opportunity," the staff added a condition to the response. The 4th Magic Fleet's operational goal was the occupation of Irnetia Island, not testing new weapons.

Lettal regained his composure.

"It seems nighttime combat is inevitably reliant on surface ships as the main force."

"Yes, we have magical radar and chaff here. We can always take the initiative, and our aiming accuracy is also an advantage."

. . .

"To lose an aircraft carrier on the first day..."

Admiral Kealling complained on the bridge of the flagship of the fleet deployed to Irnetia, the Ogma.

The Sadalbari could not stop the flooding and was scuttled by a torpedo from the 087.

"Fortunately, we were able to rescue most of the pilots and maintenance personnel. Although we lost aircraft, the operational rate of the other two (aircraft carriers) will significantly improve," the chief of staff reassured. "We've obtained information on the enemy's new aircraft from the base air squadron pilots. Countermeasures have been considered. There should be no lag in the aerial battles from tomorrow onwards."

Kealling was somewhat skeptical of his words.

"For now, let's focus on the night battle in front of us. Do you think we can count on the surface fleet?"

"We have the lead ship of the Lepus-class light cruisers that specialize in night battles. We won't fall behind."

. . .

The night reconnaissance plane Crimson from the cruiser Lepus had been deployed ahead of the fleet. It was a small seaplane, a biplane with a metal fuselage but fabric-covered main and tail wings, resembling a Muish aircraft. Naturally, it lacked air combat capabilities and was utilized as a nighttime reconnaissance plane that only flew during the night. Despite this, for reassurance, a 7,7 mm machine gun was mounted on the nose (using it would likely lead to an inevitable fate).

Despite its unconventional design, it met the military's specifications, and due to its limited procurement, the military seemed unwilling to invest money, time, and manpower in nighttime reconnaissance planes.