Seizing Air Superiority! #1
And so, the Baron and the allied angel forces began their advance. The number of soldiers remained the same as before, but it was said that four quite powerful angels had been attached to their ranks.
They would skillfully conduct aerial reconnaissance and guide the soldiers safely... This was truly dangerous. I had experienced many battles until now, but this was undoubtedly the most perilous one yet.
"Pixies."
"Yes...!"
"Yes!"
The gathered pixies answered with faces full of military discipline. In the meantime, the pixies had also been training hard and accumulating combat experience.
Elite Air Force!
The pixies were all my elite unit!
"This time, it’s going to be very dangerous! Because the angels can fly just like you! So, until we annihilate the angels, do not split up—you are to fly in formation together!"
The top priority was to take down the angels and seize air superiority. It’s truly amazing when you think about it. To think I’d have to worry about air superiority in a place like this.
As surprising as it was, it would also be the most difficult and problematic task.
Even if I could increase my ground forces, I couldn't just recruit more pixies unless I found another village.
In other words, the pixies were both my fighter pilots and my fighter jets. We had to take down the enemy fighters without suffering any losses on our side. We had the numerical advantage, and we had to use it.
"According to Carti’s intelligence, the angels aren't sticking together in a group of four; they’re moving separately to conduct reconnaissance and scouting. We’ll take one out with a surprise attack first. And if we can catch another before they realize something is wrong, taking out the remaining two will be easy."
Once two of their comrades were shredded, they would be significantly demoralized, and that would put us at an advantage. No matter what, we had to take those angels down.
"Don't worry! You’ve all been training for this! I know you can take down those angels! You all know that, right!"
"Yes! We know!"
"We’re going to take down all those angel bastards!"
"Long live the Demon King’s army of Kuls!"
—Waaaaaaah!
The pixies let out a thunderous shout!
"Show them your true combat prowess! If you defeat the angels this time, that power will be proven!"
"Kyaaaaaa!"
"Waaaaaaaah!"
"We are warriors!"
—Bounce!
The pixies cheered, their breasts bouncing as they shouted in triumph.
"Heh heh, they really are battle maniacs."
I couldn't afford to lose a single one. I didn't want my precious pixies to get hurt.
"Well, just trust me, we’ve been training hard. Shoot down all the angels? And? Seize? Air superiority!"
"You’ve all memorized the aerial evasion and encirclement tactics, right?"
"Of course! We’re super smart!"
"Then let’s do a quick check."
I immediately took the pixies out to the parade ground.
"Alright, Serineu. You’re currently in an ambush state, and an angel has appeared in the sky. What do you do now?"
"All units, execute formation flight!"
—Whoosh!
At Serineu’s command, the pixies took flight in an orderly and swift manner. At the same time, they locked onto their target and accelerated rapidly.
—Vroooom!
Maintaining their spacing, the pixies chased the imaginary angel in the sky.
That wasn't all!
—Pew pew!
—Pew pew!
—Pew pew!
The flying pixies formed a wall of fire and opened fire! They fired rapid-fire Wind Cutters imbued with mana, which were like poison to angels!
It was a formation shooting technique performed by multiple pixies chasing a single angel. Once they were caught in a surprise attack, they would have no choice but to flee, and dealing with a fleeing enemy was easier than anything else.
—Vroom!
The pixies continued their flight in the air. They executed evasion maneuvers as practiced, or while one side performed evasive maneuvers, the other side would advance to attack.
Having finished the surprise attack training, the pixies landed again.
"Well done! Very well done!"
—Clap clap clap clap!
I clapped enthusiastically and hugged each of the pixies as they landed!
"You did so well! At this rate, you’ll definitely be able to catch the angels!"
"Kyaaa...! Y-you’re choking me, Demon King!"
If they couldn't catch the angels after all this, then seizing air superiority would be completely impossible. I could say that with certainty.
If that happened... I would have to retreat with tears in my eyes.
Because if we lost air superiority, we couldn't win the battle. If the pixies couldn't handle them, we had no other way to shoot them down. We had the Dark Elf archers, but they had said it was difficult to hit the flying pixies, let alone angels.
But this wasn't the end.
We could just retreat deep into the jungle and start over from there. I could grow my strength there to become a Demon King once again. As if I’d give up. I’m going to live in luxury with my family. I will definitely rule this world.
"Anyway, be careful. You’re perfect, but the enemy might be stronger. If it looks like it’s not working, run away before you get hurt."
"We won't run away! We’re going to win!"
"That’s right!"
"We’re going to shoot down all those angel bastards!"
Their overflowing confidence was truly cute.
Of course, I had to prepare for the worst-case scenario.
True to her word about sending the Evil Eye more frequently, Carti visited once more and gave me specific details on the enemy's current status. Specifically, the direction of their advance.
"That’s good to hear."
Hearing the story, fortunately, it seemed the enemies would come from the direction we had prepared for. Well, usable paths were limited to begin with. They had no choice but to pick one of the paths we had been watching.
"Yeah, Kuls-oppa. You’ve prepared well, so there’s nothing to worry about. And as expected, the four angels are moving in different directions to scout. In the current situation, even if you run into them, there’s a high chance you’ll only encounter one."
"That’s good news, too."
The four angels were definitely divided. That meant we could certainly take out one with the pixies' surprise attack.
"Alright, Carti. We’ll advance in that direction immediately. But what about the next contact?"
"It’ll probably be a bit difficult. The angels are all inside and scouting. It’s hard to avoid their eyes."
"Yeah, well, that doesn't matter. I have all the information I need now. Come back when you have some free time later."
After finishing my conversation with Carti, I immediately began preparations to move. We were already out of the dungeon, as we had to fight anyway.
We only needed to move a little further.
"Alright, everyone! The enemies are expected to use Path 3! Let’s head that way!"
"Keruk! Understood!"
"Shaa. Demon King. Are we going now?"
"Yes. The battle will take place within two days."
The plan was to ambush them in that area, take out the angel that came to scout first, and then use the hole in their air superiority to scout from our side.
"March out!"
And so, we marched swiftly.
As soon as we arrived at the designated location, we set up camp. Since we had to wait here until the enemies arrived, I had to make sure the waiting area was well-prepared. We also had to properly camouflage it.
After finishing those preparations, I deployed sentries and anti-air lookouts, and gave the soldiers some rest.
We had to conserve as much stamina as possible before the fight.
"Serineu. The angel will be here soon. So eat something, lie down, and rest with the others. We’ll have to move as soon as I give the signal."
"Okay. Leave it to me."
Serineu nodded and replied.
"Are you okay? Are you nervous?"
"Honestly, I am a little nervous. It’s my first time fighting someone called an 'angel,' right? But I trust you. We’ve been working hard, haven't we?"
"Heh heh, that’s true."
I reached out and stroked Serineu’s hair. The feel of her antennae against my hand was truly adorable.
"I’ll say it again, if it’s dangerous, retreat immediately. If the angel is stronger than expected, there’s no need to fight. Running away is the answer."
"You really worry too much. I told you we can win."
"Even so."
"I got it! If it’s dangerous, I’ll run away! Hmph!"
Serineu crossed her arms and turned her head away.
It seemed she thought I didn't trust her.
"Hey, hey. Serineu. I only say that because you pixies are so important. You’re my elite air force, elite air force. It’ll be a problem if you get hurt."
"Well, I know that much."
"Good."
—Smooch.
I kissed Serineu on the forehead. She turned her head to the side, blushing, perhaps feeling shy.
"U-um! I’m going to go rest! You have to tell me as soon as the enemies arrive!"
"Yeah. Be ready to sortie even while you’re resting."
Serineu immediately returned to where the pixies were. The pixies' resting place could be called a camouflaged runway.
If an angel appeared, they would take flight immediately.
"Hmm."
Right now, the other soldiers were also lying down and resting. Of course, the sentries were keeping watch in shifts, and the anti-air lookouts were also up in the trees, camouflaged and keeping watch on the sky in shifts.
"Imp! Is everything okay up there!"
"Kreuk! Everything is fine!"
The imp up in the tree reported that there was nothing unusual.
"Just need to catch the angel. Just the angel."
That alone would mean victory.
"Shaa. Demon King. Demon King, you should lie down and rest too. Sharan will give you a lap pillow."
"Shall I?"
"Should Sharan also let you suck on her tits?"
"Let’s do that!"
"Wait. Demon King. Won't you suck on mine?"
Perhaps because I had shown a moment of hesitation, Sharan and Lumika approached and comforted me.
Then, let’s wait while drinking some milk.
It was while we were camped out and waiting.
"Kreuk?! D-Demon King! Angel! An angel has appeared!"
The imp’s voice pierced my ears like a lightning bolt!
"Everyone! Wake up quickly and quietly! Imp! What’s the situation!"
"One! I see one angel! It’s flying slowly! This way!"
"Yes...! It’s finally here!"
—Whoosh!
I ran straight to the pixies!
"Serineu! It’s appeared! The enemy is a single angel!"
"Y-yes! I understand!"
"Get up and prepare for flight! When I give the signal, take off all at once! Just intercept them while flying in formation like we trained! Got it!"
"We know everything! Everyone! Combat readiness! Let’s show the angels our true power!"
"Yes!"
"Good!"
The pixies immediately began putting on their protective gear.
—Whoosh!
"Sharan! Ghillie suit!"
"Shaa!"
I also put on my ghillie suit, climbed a tree, and looked at the sky.
"Good...!"
Only one angel was detected! No other angels were visible in that vast sky! Good! Let’s intercept it once it enters a little further!
"Come!"
I’ll smash you to pieces!
The angels' ambitions will be thwarted right here!