Chapter 60: Because Not Everything Goes According to Plan, We Must Give It Our All
  Even the ability to warp independently expands the range of tactics.
  And even for Shougo and the others, they didn’t have the luxury of fighting Percy in a bothersome way. He felt bad for him, but the situation didn’t allow it.
  At this point, Shougo and the others only recognized that there was once a young man named Percy.
  Because they had more important battles to worry about.
  
  “There’s no damage from the collision with the enemy ship, is there?”
  “There was a temporary decrease in barrier output, but it has already recovered. I’ll make some fine adjustments, just in case.”
  “Do it. Don’t neglect 360-degree surveillance.”
  
  If Percy was there, then Phoenix-sensei must be nearby, but the stealth was a nuisance. It was a waste to use the Trismegistus’ functions to detect this at the moment.
  Leaving it alone was also dangerous, considering that Phoenix-sensei might have prepared his next p*wn, but Shougo also had opponents he needed to prioritize.
  Right now, that would be Colonel Anferu, who commands the enemy forces. If they defeat this man, at least this battle will become easier. Considering the upcoming battle with Fauden and Goetia, the less exhaustion, the better.
  
  “Anferu’s unit is engaged in battle with the upper fleet…… but they seem to be being pushed back, perhaps because they’ve concentrated their main combat forces there.”
  
  It seemed Anferu prioritized a breakthrough upwards at any cost and concentrated his forces, trying to break through Coulson’s fleet.
  At the same time, his movements also seemed rushed.
  
  “This means he’s going to fire the Big Cannon.”
  
  It might also be meant to avoid a collision with the fortress, but that would still take time. The same could be said for the preparation of Babel’s second shot, but judging by the movements of Anferu’s fleet, the second shot wouldn’t be that difficult.
  “What’s the status of the cannon’s movement!?”
  “There’s a slight energy reaction, but I don’t know what it’s doing. But it’s activated!”
  
  Clart’s report.
  Kes adds to that.
  
  “Even if they’re going to fire, there should be a sign. If energy isn’t concentrated in the barrel, there’s still time.”
  『 Captain Jowain, I have a proposal. 』
  
  It was a communication from Captain Janet, who was holding back the enemy forces.
  
  『 It’s pointless to join up with the other fleet as it is. The enemy fleet acting as a wall is thick, and even if we try to break through the center, the damage will increase. I think we should deliberately target the Big Cannon here. 』
  “……!? You mean, capture it?”
  『 That’s also attractive, but the enemy will defend it like their lives depend on it. Rather, it’s important to make them think we’re going to do that. Besides, you still have that t*ump card, the Planet Killer, left, don’t you? 』
  
  That’s right. In the end, they’d come this far without having a chance to use the last shot.
  In that case, now might indeed be the time to use it.
  
  『 I agree with Captain Janet. 』
  
  Lopes also followed up.
  
  『 Anferu’s pride is the only thing he has. He’d hate to have his own toy broken. That thing seems to be his pride itself. You’d understand, wouldn’t you, having seen that man up close? 』
  
  Her words made him feel as if his knowledge as Jowain was nodding in agreement.
  
  “Indeed. It would do more damage to Anferu than clumsily attacking. Besides, we have to do something about the threat of the Big Cannon either way.”
  
  Shougo nodded and clapped his hands together.
  
  “The target is the Big Cannon. Planet Killer, the last shot. Let’s use it in a big way.”
  
  The Mirandora fleet’s movements became conspicuously flashy.
  The random beam fire also served as a distraction, but the light was visible even from the fleet commanded by Anferu.
  Moreover, combined with the sight of the Mirandora deploying its barrier to the maximum, spreading it like an umbrella, it looked like a provocation, and if they knew where the fleet protected by the Mirandora was heading, they’d be shocked.
  It was a matter of just a few seconds. But on the battlefield, those few seconds could be fatal.
  During that time, two battleships of Anferu’s fleet were sunk by concentrated fire.
  
  『 Captain! Thoth has started to get excited! He might be coming! 』
  
  Yuuki’s report required Shougo to move quickly.
  
  “All ships, maximum speed! Mirandora, deploy the barrier to the maximum. Planet Killer, be ready to fire at any time!”
  
  Goetia is coming.
  Then, they have to switch to a strategy for that.
  However, if it hasn’t shown itself yet, it’s a game of cat and mouse.
  It was a matter of timing.
  And also……
  
  ‘There’s no way the enemy can’t do what we did.’
  
  He didn’t let his guard down.
  Therefore, he had to assume that everything he was about to do wouldn’t go well.
  
  ‘Worst case, I have to be prepared to be hit by the Big Cannon…… That’s why we’re going to ram the fortress into it…… but will we make it in time?’
  
  The acceleration of the fortress base should have been going smoothly.
  If it continued like this, at least it was certain that it would take out the enemy fleet.
  Unless something unexpected happened.
  
  “……If the enemy has the same capabilities as the Trismegistus, it’s pointless to predict.”
  
  ***
  
  “The enemy is heading for Babel! We’re retreating!”
  “B-But then we’ll be targeted by the enemy forces!”
  
  Anferu grabbed the subordinate who defied him by the collar.
  
  “You! Are you saying it’s better to be burned by that cannon from behind!?”
  “That’s not what I meant, but……”
  
  As Anferu’s strong arm began to strangle his neck, the officer’s face turned red, and he opened his mouth, gasping for air.
  
  “Then retreat! Each ship, use barriers and smoke, become shields!”
  
  That order disrupted the movements of the fleet that was supposed to be attacking, but if they defied him, Anferu might fire on his own allies. No, rather, they had already committed worse atrocities, so he might not even care about killing his allies now.
  Such a negative influence unified the fleet’s movements.
  With a slight disruption, two ships that broke formation were sunk by concentrated enemy fire. Using that explosion as cover, Anferu’s fleet transitioned to a defensive formation and retreated.
  In fact, the troublesome thing about taking such a formation was that the barriers became stronger, making it difficult for attacks to get through.
  New Balance had an abundance of ships equipped with barrier units, and not only their offensive power but also their defensive power was high. The ability to easily prepare them was their strength.
  
  However, a retreat is a retreat. No matter how thick the defense, the fact that they were being attacked didn’t change. If they showed such movement, the rebel fleet hiding in the shadow of the fortress would also go on the offensive.
  As Calamus’s fleet appeared to support Coulson’s fleet, their momentum increased. If that happened, it was only a matter of time before they broke through, no matter how many barriers they had.
  But Anferu didn’t care about such things.
  While retreating, he was giving orders.
  
  “Hurry up the preparations for Babel’s firing! I don’t care if the barrel self-destructs in the worst case. Fire it before the enemy takes it. If the enemy is attacking, it’s convenient!”
  
  That order seemed courageous, but if he were to reveal his inner thoughts, his fear of losing Babel was strong. If the damage was repairable, that would be fine, but if it was taken or completely destroyed, he would lose one of his means to achieve his ambitions.
  He wanted to avoid losing his weapon against Fauden at all costs, and he didn’t want his castle to disappear either.
  He had to return to Babel and regain control no matter what.
  Besides, the troops he had assigned to defend Babel were still unscathed. He hadn’t lost the chance to win.
  
  “If the forces from Mars join us, we can pincer them next time. Make them endure. Defend it to the death. If we don’t win this battle, there’s no future!”
  
  That encouragement reaffirmed the soldiers’ sense of guilt, but it was effective. They had become suicide soldiers at that point. Using fear as a weapon, they stayed where they were and fought hard.
  Anferu didn’t care about their determination after giving such orders.
  
  “If anything happens to Babel, it will hinder our future activities……”
  
  His anxiety was spot on.
  
  “Colonel! We’ve confirmed the launch of a Planet Killer warhead from an enemy ship!”
  “What!?”
  
  A reality he didn’t want to see was displayed on the monitor.
  He recalled that it was the shot he had given to the man who was once his subordinate.
  The dull glow of the Planet Killer launched from the Mirandora. The warhead hadn’t detonated yet, but even if they could intercept it, the damage would be significant.
  
  “S-Stop it!”
  
  He couldn’t help but shout.
  His allied fleet was also scattering in fear of it. If it continued like this, the warhead would head straight for Babel.
  And then…… the Planet Killer disappeared.
  Anferu and the others were momentarily speechless at that phenomenon.
  But immediately afterward, they remembered seeing the same phenomenon at the beginning of the war.
  
  “That’s……”
  
  A black silhouette floating as if to protect Babel.
  It was Goetia. The machine that should have landed on Earth was holding up its staff.
  At the same time, Anferu realized that they were being enveloped in some kind of light particles and that the warp system was activating on its own.
  
  “Goetia! Support……”
  
  Before he could finish his sentence, Anferu and the others warped.
  The next moment, Anferu, with a slight dizziness, realized that he wasn’t on a battleship.
  He was in Babel’s control room. Currently, because it was being operated unmanned, there was no personnel, and control was being handled by the control ship, but for some reason, he was there.
  
  “Is this Goetia’s power?”
  
  Why was he there?
  He had questions, but he immediately changed his thinking.
  This was rather an opportunity.
  Moreover, as if to welcome its master, Babel’s control room started up, lights came on, and it observed the surrounding situation, displaying it on the monitors.
  
  “Oh, my fleet is deployed!”
  
  His own fleet, which had been retreating until a moment ago, was now deployed as if to protect Babel. Was that also due to Goetia’s power?
  Anferu was convinced that it must be.
  Because the enemy fleet was visible right in front of him. It was in Babel’s firing line.
  Anferu sat in the firing seat and checked Babel’s status. It seemed that the energy charge wasn’t complete, and the condition was the worst.
  If he fired the second shot, Babel would undoubtedly be damaged, but if it could defeat the enemy with that, he could use the time for repairs.
  He recognized that the result would be okay.
  
  “All that’s left is to wait for the charge.”
  
  Anferu licked his lips as he put his finger on the trigger.
  The situation wasn’t certain. If they broke through, it would be him who was in danger.
  Then, for now, he would wait for the charge.
  
  “But…… where is Fauden? Could he be riding that thing called Goetia? Or……”
  
  But it didn’t matter where he was.
  Because he couldn’t waste this opportunity now.
  
  “If I defeat the rebels and eliminate Fauden, I will become the ruler. That strange machine is a concern, but if it moves as an ally, I can use it. If it’s unnecessary, I can just rewrite the program. Yes, it’s just a machine after all.”