Several days prior to Kazuya and his party's arrival in the capital.

 

Once, a behemoth aircraft, which had transformed the entirety of Japan into a scorched wasteland by dropping various bombs amounting to 140,000 to 170,000 tons, sailed leisurely through the skies of another world.

 

This aircraft was none other than the Super Fortress – the B-29 strategic bomber, known as the "Super Aerial Fortress."

 

"My, the Chief Commander has quite the task on his hands, hasn't he?"

 

"What do you mean, Lieutenant Rumei?"

 

In the B-29's interior, at an altitude of 4000 meters, the powerful roar of the four 2200-horsepower engines attached to each wing resounded. Lieutenant Curtis Rumei, in passing commentary, muttered to himself, and one of his subordinates, who was resting alongside, responded politely.

 

"Well, it seems the Chief Commander has gained the favour of the Princess of the Canary Kingdom whom they encountered on the way, according to the SS bodyguards who discreetly informed us during the routine communication. Oh, and yes, although the official purpose of this operation is to elevate the Chief Commander's rank and reinforce our military strength, it seems it's actually to aid that princess."

 

"Really? But why didn't the Chief Commander just tell us the truth? We'd execute any order from the Chief Commander, no matter what it is."

 

"Well, the Chief Commander must have their reasons."

 

"Do you think so?"

 

"Oh, and there's another interesting story. It seems that because the Princess of the Canary Kingdom, whom I mentioned earlier, constantly sticks by the Chief Commander's side, there are occasional skirmishes between Colonel Chitose and the princess."

 

"Oh, that sounds troublesome."

 

"Indeed."

 

"Colonel Chitose's opponent."

 

The Lieutenant and his comrades exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

 

"Heh heh heh, Colonel Chitose is a fervent devotee of the Chief Commander, ranking among the highest in our midst. If the Chief Commander doesn't handle Colonel Chitose properly, that princess might just end up stabbed, wouldn't she?"

 

"True, let's hope the Chief Commander manages to control Colonel Chitose well enough to prevent the princess from being stabbed."

 

"Yes, indeed."

 

With that, as Lieutenant Rumei continued to converse with a smile, the voice of the aircraft captain echoed through the cabin from the speakers.

 

"We have 15 minutes remaining until we reach the target area. All personnel, take your designated positions."

 

Upon hearing this, Lieutenant Rumei bid farewell to his subordinates.

 

He then moved through the interior of the aircraft, which had been modified and packed with communication equipment, electronic devices, and additional fuel tanks instead of bombs, and took up his position. He then picked up the radio and began issuing orders to the various flying formations.

 

For this aerial bombing operation, a total of 55 aircraft were deployed, including 35 B-29s and 20 P-51 escort planes.

 

All aircraft, including the escort planes, were armed. As an exception, five of the B-29s had undergone modifications to their bomb bays, with one being converted into an airborne control aircraft, equipped with communication equipment, electronic devices, and additional fuel tanks, while the remaining four were equipped with twin 40mm Bofors guns and a 91mm howitzer, forcibly installed in a ground support configuration, with no bombs attached.

 

Additionally, the B-29s were divided into three formations, each carrying various types of bombs according to their mission. These included the Type 97 No. 6 land bombs (60kg bombs), Type 98 No. 25 land bombs (250kg bombs), Type 80 land bombs (800kg bombs), E46 cluster incendiary bombs, Tallboys, and so on.

 

Furthermore, the escort planes, P-51s, were armed with either rocket projectiles or Mark III bombs.

 

The target of this operation was two locations where monsters were abnormally proliferating: a mountainous area 800 kilometers from the forward base and a forest 290 kilometers away. Aerial bombing would be used for the first target, while attacks using improved V2 rockets, with enhanced accuracy and destructive power, would be carried out for the second target.

 

The aerial bombing operation proceeded as follows: first, accompanied by the escort P-51s, a B-29 loaded with the maximum payload of E46 cluster incendiary bombs up to 9100 kilograms would spread the bombs around the perimeter of the first target mountain, setting the forest ablaze to lure the monsters towards the mountain.

Next, aircraft laden with a plethora of small to medium-sized bombs perform a carpet bombing against the monsters gathered in the mountains, depriving them of any escape routes.

Finally, as there's a possibility of monsters lurking underground in caves and other subterranean areas within the mountains, large-scale bombs, the so-called "Tallboys," are deployed to scorch the underground depths.

Furthermore, a four-stage strategy is in place, wherein any missed monsters are addressed by the ground support variant of the B-29.

Moreover, reconnaissance conducted beforehand by Type 2 flying boats confirmed interception by flying-type monsters. Hence, plans are underway to address this with the No.3 bombs carried by the P-51s and aerial burst-type rocket projectiles.

"From the airborne control, each aircraft has reached the designated airspace. All squadrons are to commence operations according to the mission directives."

Upon Major Lemay's command, the first squadron of B-29s descends to an altitude of 1500 meters, opening their bomb bays.

Within the opened bomb bays, the E46 cluster incendiary bombs stand neatly aligned, eagerly awaiting release.

However, just before the bombing commences, a communication is relayed to all aircraft from the escort P-51s.

"Here, this is the first aircraft of the 2nd escort flight squadron. Enemy spotted at low altitude. Commencing interception."

Immediately after the warning communication, the escort P-51s initiate a rapid descent one after another.

Converting the energy from the swift descent into speed, the P-51s rapidly accelerate, closing in on the swarm of monsters rising from the ground, including dragons, with each passing moment.

"Formation steady!"

With the formation firmly intact in mid-air, the P-51s of the 2nd escort flight squadron close the distance with the monsters.

At that moment, as the P-51s maneuver through the monsters, two No.3 bombs mounted on the hardpoints beneath the aircraft are released.

"Let's dive below like this!"

"Understood!"

Subsequently, while showering the monsters with a barrage of bullets from the six M2 heavy machine guns mounted on both wings, they slip through the gaps among the monsters.

As the monsters attempt to pursue the passing P-51s or change direction, the delayed fuses of the No.3 bombs activate and detonate.

Numerous submunitions, known as bomblets, are ejected from within the No.3 bombs upon detonation.

While burning, the bomblets disperse over a wide area, striking many monsters and igniting an incendiary effect. Those monsters whose wings or feathers are singed find themselves unable to fly and plummet to the ground, thrashing helplessly.

Though there were fortunate individuals among them with unscathed wings or feathers, they too succumbed to combat incapacity due to numerous burns scattered across their bodies, forcing them to land.

"More enemies incoming!"

Although the preemptive strikes by the P-51s resulted in the casualties of many monsters, they continued to ascend from the ground into the sky in a steady stream.

Therefore, at low altitude, the P-51s engaged in dogfights with the monsters, one after another, to protect the bombing trajectory of the B-29s.

Thanks to this effort, the B-29s calmly entered the bombing course without facing any attacks from the monsters, gradually releasing the E46 cluster incendiary bombs toward the ground.

The E46 cluster incendiary bombs, dropped from the B-29s, disperse at around 700 meters altitude, unleashing 38 M69 incendiary bombs, each with a diameter of 8 centimeters, length of 50 centimeters, and weight of 2.4 kilograms.

To enhance penetration, ribbons were attached to the M69 incendiary bombs to maintain a vertical posture, but during the separation from the E46 cluster incendiary bombs in the sky, these ribbons caught fire due to the explosives used, giving the appearance of a rain of fire from above.

Released from their restraints, the M69 incendiary bombs rain down simultaneously on the airborne and ground-based monsters, dispersing the chemicals contained within, igniting the surroundings, and setting ablaze both the bodies of the monsters and the forest.

Within the burning forest, swarms of monsters, attempting to flee the flames, rush towards the mountains in the distance.

However, to prevent the fleeing monsters from escaping, the B-29s adjust their bombing trajectory, circling around the mountains and continuing the bombardment.

In the skies, unfortunate encounters with M69 incendiary bombs hitting the body and monsters impaled with chemicals ablaze plummeted to the ground. Ignoring the inferno unfolding below as initially anticipated, the B-29s of the first squadron completed the dispersal of tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of E46 cluster incendiary bombs, encircling the target mountain.

Just as they attempted to evacuate from above the target, a soldier in the upper gun turret shouted, "Enemy in the sky!! Closing in!!"

Unbeknownst to them, a bloodied dragon, seemingly subjected to gunfire from P-51s above the first squadron, had appeared. By the time the soldier in the upper gun turret noticed its presence, the dragon was already descending rapidly.

In a panic, machine gun fire was unleashed from each aircraft, but it was too late. Though some bullets hit the dragon, it continued its descent and executed a collision with the right wing of the aircraft flying at the edge of the formation.

"Third aircraft on the right wing of the first squadron hit!! Going down!!" A voice announcing someone's plight echoed through the aircraft via the microphone.

The targeted aircraft, its right wing broken at the root from the dragon's impact, quickly became uncontrollable, spiraling while descending to the ground. The radio transmitted the desperate cries of the B-29's crew as the aircraft crashed, caught fire, and eventually exploded, silencing their voices.

"Tch!! Maintain strict all-around vigilance!!" Lieutenant Colonel Rumei issued orders to prevent further casualties, but no further enemy attacks causing damage occurred during the rest of the operation.

"…Did anyone see someone escape from the aircraft?"

"…No. Given the way it was spinning and crashing, there was no time to escape centrifugal force. Besides… the ground is teeming with monsters. Even if you could parachute out, survival seems impossible."

"…Indeed."

Subsequently, following squadrons reached the target area as planned, bombing and scattering the gathering horde of monsters seeking refuge in the mountains during the operation.

On the ground, bombs continuously exploded, reducing both monsters and those seeking shelter underground to smithereens. Monsters that evaded the bombardment were either caught by the ground support aircraft circling overhead, facing the concentrated firepower of 40mm twin machine guns and 91mm howitzers, or fell victim to the strafing of the remaining P-51s with ammunition after concluding aerial combat.

"Mission accomplished."

With the operation concluded and no more bombs or shells on board, the bombing squadron returned to base. Below, the mountain that had been carpet-bombed with hundreds of thousands of projectiles was now a charred wasteland, devoid of a single blade of grass.

Just a few hours ago, the mountain was lush with greenery, teeming with countless monsters. Now, the aftermath of our bombing revealed black smoke billowing from every corner, turning it into a mountain exposing the remains of a multitude of monsters.

"This is the airborne control reporting to headquarters. Aerial bombing operation successful. Significant results achieved. However, numerous misses confirmed. Second attack required. Initiating return from this point. One aircraft confirmed shot down in this operation. Over."

Gazing at the devastation below, Lieutenant Colonel Rumei contacted headquarters before the remaining 54 aircraft formed up and returned to the forward base.