Debuff Master

Chapter 723

Chapter 723

“Is the difference in our numbers really that big...?” Siegfried muttered as his expression darkened after hearing Oscar’s report.

“I am not certain if we could pierce the outer armor plates of the Zavala Kingdom’s airships even with our new cannons... It could take more than a dozen direct hits just to bring one airship down,” Oscar added.

“That’s... troubling,” Siegfried grumbled. Then, he asked, “So, they won’t be afraid of our anti-air cannons either, would they?”

“No, I am afraid they would not be, sire.”

“If they can bomb us from above our heads while withstanding all of our anti-air weapons, then...”

“There would be no way to stop them, and our troops will suffer massive casualties.”

Siegfried fell silent. Losing air superiority in a war was one of the worst things that could happen, and in this case, the greatest threat was clear. The Zavala Kingdom’s airships utterly outclassed the Proatine Kingdom’s technology.

“This is a serious problem,” Siegfried said, sounding serious.

The war between kingdoms on the continent usually came down to who had more airships armed with better cannons. Bombing from the sky provided an overwhelming advantage, and this was more than enough to swing the tides of the battle.

However, smaller kingdoms could not afford airships, so they focused on deploying large numbers of anti-air cannons instead. This was a cost-effective way to level the playing field against more affluent kingdoms capable of amassing a large fleet.

If the Zavala Kingdom’s airships were durable enough to shrug off anti-air cannons, then it was a completely different story.

There was nothing the allied forces could do against the bombardment from up above, and a significant chunk, or perhaps the entire allied forces could be wiped out before the invasion could even start.

“In this war...” Oscar said before hesitating. Then, she carefully chose her words and continued, “...We must neutralize the Zavala Kingdom’s airships first if we are to have any chance of winning—no, surviving.”

“I see...” Siegfried said under his breath while he nodded in response.

“If we are unable to do that... then surrendering might actually be the wisest course of action,” Oscar added.

“I understand what you mean, Oscar,” Siegfried acknowledged. Then, he turned to Cheon Woo-Jin and said, “You heard what Dame Oscar said. We need to neutralize the Zavala Kingdom’s airships.”

“It is possible. I’ll personally lead our cavalry into battle,” Lohengrin said confidently.

“Father-in-law?”

“We’ll board their airships and tear them apart from the inside. There’s no way they can match the maneuverability of our Pegasus in the sky.”

“We will send the Firebirds for support,” Cheon Woo-Jin chimed in.

The Guardians possessed advanced unmanned combat planes known as Firebirds. These were piloted by skilled mages of at least the fifth circle or higher, and the nimble aircraft could dart through the sky and unleash havoc upon enemy forces.

In fact, they had already proven their worth in the previous battle against Count Arial, so they could definitely be trusted.

Quandt stepped forward and said, “I will convert the Huracan into a warship, Your Majesty.”

“Oh? Really?” Siegfried asked, his eyes widened from surprise.

“The Huracan was designed by a dragon, so it is more than capable of being repurposed into a formidable warship.”

“Is that even possible?”

“It is. In fact, I will get to work immediately. The modifications will not be too complicated.”

“Thank you. That will help us greatly,” Siegfried said, looking visibly relieved.

“And I have also prepared new fighter planes...”

“What?”

“Well, I analyzed the Huracan and built a few fighter plane prototypes based on it. They are exceptionally agile and specialized for aerial combat, so they should be able to hold their own against the stuff those Zavala bastards are using.”

“Wow!”

Quandt had been far from idle during his time in the Proatine Kingdom. Despite going through something traumatic, he worked hard rebuilding the Bavarian Workshop as well as developing and upgrading the Proatine Kingdom’s military weapons.

“But... the problem is that these new fighter planes are incredibly difficult to pilot. They’re practically useless without skilled pilots. I made eleven of them, but we don’t have a single skilled pilot in the kingdom who could fly one of these...”

This was not surprising at all, as the Proatine Kingdom was a small kingdom that had airships but had yet to build its own lightship fleet. Thus, they had no pilots trained for such aircraft nor did they have the institutions to train them.

This seemed like an oversight on their end, but even the likes of the Macallan Kingdom and the Constantine Holy Empire, both far larger and more powerful than the Proatine Kingdom, relied more on anti-air defenses than building their air force, as it was the more feasible way of defending oneself against enemies.

“That is indeed a problem... We have the planes but no pilots...” Siegfried muttered with a sigh, sounding defeated once again.

It was then.

“Your Majesty! There is a special delivery from the Delivery Guild!”

The chamber doors swung open as the royal attendant made the announcement.

“Hmm? Let them in,” Siegfried said.

Then, a pilot in a courier uniform stepped in.

“Huh? Mr. Cork?” Siegfried muttered, recognizing the pilot.

The former air force pilot of the Marchioni Empire, Cork, bowed respectfully and greeted, “I hope you have been faring well, Your Majesty. I have a special delivery for you—”

“Wait a moment,” Siegfried interrupted him. Then, he narrowed his eyes and said, “Excuse me, Mr. Cork?”

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“Would you mind talking with me for a moment?” Siegfried said. Then, he looked at the people gathered in the room and excused himself, “Let’s pause the meeting for a while.”

Without waiting for an answer, Siegfried grabbed Cork by the wrist and pulled him into a side room.

***

“W-What is the matter, Your Majesty?” Cork asked, looking flustered after Siegfried led–no, dragged him into a private chamber.

“Tell me, Mr. Cork,” Siegfried said as soon as they were alone, disregarding the question.

“Y-Yes, Your Majesty?”

“Are you satisfied with your current salary?”

“Eh? Ah, yes. The pay is good, and the guild benefits are really–”

“I’ll give you five times your current salary,” Siegfried cut him off, his eyes gleaming with determination as if not to lose this negotiation.

“P-Pardon?!” Cork exclaimed, his eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.

“Would you consider re-enlisting?”

“Re-enlist?!”

“I’ll pay you five times what you’re earning now if you return to serve as a pilot in our air force.”

“...!”

“You were a major, weren’t you? I’ll promote you to Brigadier General—no, let’s make it two stars. I’ll promote you to Major General.”

“Eh...?”

“Our kingdom is in a critical situation right now, and we have no pilots at all for aerial combat.”

“B-But I have already retired and have a labor contract with the Delivery Guild—”

“Even for five times the salary and two stars?”

“Erm...”

“And if we win this war, I’ll give you a bonus you can’t resist. Ten times your annual salary, lump sum.”

“...!”

“I’ll even award you a mansion in Preussen if you want one.”

Siegfried used his Show Me The Money skill on Cork, and it was super effective! He knew very well that loyalty couldn't always be bought with money, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

Cork was an elite pilot for the Marchioni Empire, which meant that he was unmatched when it came to piloting a fighter plane. He had outmaneuvered his enemies multiple times with just a small scout plane or a hippogriff, and Siegfried needed someone like him the most right now.

Someone with the skills to outmaneuver the mighty Zavala Kingdom’s fleet.

“Are you s-serious...?” Cork asked.

“Absolutely. I’ll offer you the best treatment possible,” Siegfried replied, nodding earnestly.

“Hmm...”

“I’d even welcome any of your fellow couriers interested to join. We could use more talented pilots like you.”

“It is indeed an attractive offer, but going to war is just—”

Before Cork could refuse the proposal, Siegfried knelt on the floor and exclaimed, “I beg you!”

“Y-Your Majesty! Please do not do this to me! You must not kneel to me!” Cork cried out in shock.

“My kingdom is in danger right now. I can kneel a hundred times over if I have to!”

“Y-Your Majesty...!”

“The Proatine Kingdom needs you, Mr. Cork. Please, I implore you to help us!”

Cork was silent for a long time, looking clearly torn.

‘A king and a hero that saved the world from the invasion of the demons... is kneeling before a mere commoner—a courier like me...?’ Cork could not help but be amazed by Siegfried’s sincerity.

Cork was moved by Siegfried's character.

“I have made up my mind. I accept Your Majesty’s offer,” Cork said with a wry smile, but he had clearly made up his mind.

“Are you sure?!” Siegfried exclaimed, his face lighting up.

“I must admit, it has been a while since I have served in the military, but I have always regretted not seeing any real combat as a pilot of the Marchioni Empire aside from some small skirmishes.”

“Oh?”

“The empire was so strong that there was never a real need for me to be deployed for war.”

It seemed that peace was indeed the result of a powerful military, as Cork’s untapped skills remained unused during the tenure of his service.

“I believe the time for me to put my skills to use has finally come,” Cork said with a smile.

“Cork...” Siegfried muttered. He could feel gratitude swelling up in his chest.

“And I know a few talented pilots. I will try to persuade them to join as well. That should help Your Majesty and the Proatine Kingdom more.”

“Thank you!” Siegfried exclaimed, grabbing both of Cork’s hands.

The Proatine Kingdom was one step closer to fully preparing for the looming invasion of the Zavala Kingdom after recruiting Cork and his team of seasoned veteran pilots.

***

Three days later, The Zavala Forces advanced towards the border of the Proatine Kingdom, with their aerial armada known as the Iron Fleet leading the charge.

The Iron Fleet consisted of eight massive warships. The sheer size of the ironclad warships dwarfed those of other great powers on the continent, and their dull silver sheen glinting ominously in the sky was truly a sight to behold.

Just as their name suggested, they seemed like giant hulks of steel floating effortlessly above the ground.

The Iron Fleet soared ahead, scouting and protecting the ground troops as they traversed the rugged mountainous terrain of the Proatine Kingdom just in case they ran into any ambushes.

“We will reach the borders of the Proatine Kingdom in about an hour, sir!”

“Very good. Have the fleet adjust its course and prepare the cannons.”

The Iron Fleet was commandeered by Admiral Ferdinand (????), and he nodded at the report from his crew and gave further instructions.

“Yes, sir!”

At his single command, the eight gigantic warships of the Iron Fleet swiveled their gun turrets and cannons, aligning them toward the direction of the Proatine Kingdom’s border.

Their strategy was simple. The Iron Fleet would bombard the fortresses of the Proatine Kingdom using their cannons, and this would be followed by a ground assault to mop up whatever ragtag bunch managed to survive the bombardment.

And after that?

It would be all over.

The war would swing in the Zavala Kingdom’s favor in the blink of an eye. To make matters worse for the Proatine Kingdom, the Bayerische Kingdom was currently amassing at the southern front, gearing up for a massive offensive.

In other words, the outcome of this war was already decided. The moment the Iron Fleet unleashed its bombardment would be the signal for the Proatine Kingdom’s downfall.

The battle would be over before it even had the chance to begin properly.

“Sir! Our radars have picked up an unidentified aircraft! Over a hundred aircraft are fast approaching our fleet!” the radar operator exclaimed.

“Hmm? Are they fighter planes?” Admiral Ferdinand raised a brow, looking surprised for a moment. The fighter planes on the continent were different from those on Earth. These were older propeller-powered planes and were nothing like the modern ones on Earth.

Despite that, the fact that the Proatine Kingdom—a small and weak kingdom—had combat-capable aircraft was truly surprising.

“It seems like a large group of small fighter planes, sir!”

“Shoot them down. Every last one of them.”

“Yes, sir!”

The gun turrets and cannons on the Iron Fleet swung around, aiming at the oncoming group of aircraft. They locked onto their targets and spat fire.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Hundreds of cannon fire pervaded the sky, creating a thick cloud of gunpowder smoke that blotted out the sky. The dark smoke cloud, coupled with the thundering roar of the cannons, made it look like dark storm clouds had gathered overhead.

“Check the radar. How many did we bring down?” Admiral Ferdinand asked immediately after the first salvo.

“S-Sir! They are closing in fast!” the radar operator yelled, his voice panicked.

“What?!”

“They dodged our entire fleet’s first—!”

It was then.

BOOM!

A powerful attack struck the flagship of the Iron Fleet—the very ship where Admiral Ferdinand was located.