The Land of the Rising Sun Transfers to Another World

Chapter 151: Commencement of the Landing

I really appreciate all the typo reports.

I have some bad memories, but I've been back in Hameln for a long time, since a month ago. However, please understand that I am a reader only in Hameln.

- ワイアード

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Ruzel finally managed to visually confirm the F-35J squadron. Activating the afterburners, he rapidly closed the distance. His objective was clear: dogfighting. He was painfully aware that in mid- to long-range combat, even with the cutting-edge Crusader, he stood no chance.

"Alright then! Let's see what you've got!"

Fear was utterly absent from his mind. Instead, he was filled with elation—thrilled at the chance to face off against an unknown enemy fighter unit in what could be his last aerial battle. Naturally, he intended to carry out his assigned mission to perfection.

Since the enemy fighters were flying 300 meters above him, Ruzel surged straight up, aiming to strike from below. However, as expected, the enemy had already detected his Crusader from 30 kilometers away. Two of their closest aircraft began turning in different directions, while the remaining fighters quickly executed a synchronized U-turn, heading back the way they came.

The two fighters that had moved earlier showed no sign of retreating; instead, they began descending in a turn to confront him. It seemed the enemy believed two aircraft were enough to handle him. Ruzel felt a twinge of irritation at their confidence but was more eager to test just how well-founded that confidence was.

"Bring it on!"

With that shout, he prepared to fire the air-to-air magic missile mounted on his wings. But before he could, one of the two enemy fighters launched its missile first.

"What the—!? Are you serious...!?"

Just moments ago, the enemy fighter had exposed its upper body during its turning maneuver, yet it had already managed to pivot its nose toward him. Ruzel was stunned by the enemy's agility. Reacting quickly, he deployed the magical globes, successfully intercepting the incoming missile.

The enemy began to approach—only to abruptly reverse course, rapidly retreating to create more distance. It seemed they had no intention of engaging in close-quarters combat. This was, after all, the hallmark of aerial warfare: close-range combat for a fighter jet was akin to using a handgun in ground combat when the main rifle was no longer viable. There was no reason for the enemy to take unnecessary risks.

Naturally, this left Ruzel flustered.

"Hey, wait! Don't run away!"

Desperate to gather more data on the enemy fighters, Ruzel pushed his aircraft to its limits, speeding after them like a man chasing a lover who had turned her back on him. He strained to lock onto the enemy fighters and attack, but they showed no sign of reciprocating. On his radar, the lock-on signal flickered in and out. Occasionally, the two enemy fighters would abruptly veer left or right in an attempt to shake him off, but Ruzel's Crusader refused to give up the chase.

'Damn... They're probing me too. I don't know if they've figured out that the radar is almost useless, but they've probably realized that my missiles aren't functioning properly.'

Whenever he managed to briefly lock onto an enemy, Ruzel would fire a magic missile without hesitation. Yet, the target always eluded him, and the missile veered off in the wrong direction. Realizing this, Ruzel decided to switch tactics and attempt an attack with his guns instead.