Summoning Japan: Flights of the Fancy

Chapter 16 - Hell with a Chance of Silver Lining

Sea off the coast of Irnetia Island

The Axe was slightly aft to starboard from the Scathia, firing anti-air guns at the Rigels approaching the flagship. The anti-aircraft weapons on the Axe consisted of only two twin-mounted Ixion 20 mm anti-air guns, which were not very effective compared to anti-submarine combat. However, there was no reason not to shoot in the face of the enemy. Several allied ships, in addition to the Scathia, participated in the shooting, and a total of four Rigels were shot down. The surviving ones dropped their torpedoes and attempted to withdraw from the battlefield.

The allied ships persistently continued firing at the fleeing Rigels, but Roen stared intently at the sonar screen, confirming the number and course of the dropped torpedoes. There were no torpedoes coming towards the Axe, but 7 to 8 torpedoes were heading toward Scathia. Although the flagship had already begun evasive maneuvers, it seemed impossible to avoid 2 or 3 of them. Roen, after confirming this, gave the order.

"Starboard 15 degrees, full speed. Set depth charges on the first and third turrets. Detonation depth is 5 meters."

They haven't found the missing submarine. What the hell is the Captain trying to fight? The XO's head was full of questions, but there was no time for arguing (the XO knew from experience that questioning Roen in such situations would most likely lead to an argument). So, he followed the orders. Compared to the ship's design, the high-powered engines installed on the Axe allowed her to accelerate quickly.

"Bring the helm back."

Following Roen's order, the Axe stopped turning and moved straight ahead. As the XO peered at the sonar screen, he understood what Roen wanted.

"Are you planning to intercept the torpedoes?"

"There's no need to destroy them. Gra Valkas' torpedoes are unguided. Just push them sideways with water pressure to change their course."

"It's still cutting it close. Using depth charges too close might damage the Scathia."

"We couldn't do that if we were on the port side, because it would break the ice blocking the hole."

Indeed, the torpedoes were approaching the Scathia from the starboard side. Even if depth charges were used to change the course of the torpedoes, the impact would be absorbed by the Scathia on the starboard side. But the Scathia should be allocating most of its magical engine output to cooling the port armor and evasive maneuvers. Otherwise, it wouldn't move at such a low speed while trying to escape. The XO was concerned to that extent but chose not to point it out to Roen. It was evident that it was far better than having 2 or 3 torpedoes hit directly.

"I'll let the Scathia know about this," the XO said instead and contacted the flagship.

. . .

There was a light commotion at first on the Scathia upon receiving the transmission, but nothing much changed after that. The captain considered deploying magical reinforcement on the starboard side but judged it too risky to stop evasive maneuvers for that purpose. Lettal, viewing the sonar screen relayed from the Axe, realized that the Axe was more dangerous than the Scathia. The Axe, which was slightly aft to starboard from the Scathia, was approaching in a manner that seemed to be chasing Scathia, which was attempting to escape at right angles to the torpedoes' course. In other words, the Axe would intersect with the course of the torpedoes that the Scathia had evaded.

Lettal imagined the worst-case scenario, and a chill ran down his spine. The flagship and the only anti-submarine destroyer were about to sink. Moreover, there would be at least one surviving enemy submarine. He wondered if he should stop the Axe, but decided not to and entrusted Captain Roen's judgment.