Bell and Lisa climbed aboard one of the helicopters, accompanied by the RAA officers who were there to support them. Lisa had been serious when she warned that these people were not to be taken lightly. They were armed with MG-338s as their lightest weapons, while others carried an array of firepower, from miniaturized grenade machine guns to modified, lightweight versions of KORD heavy machine guns, chambered in .50 cal.
"Alright, this is our target. Engage as necessary!" Sylva briefed his team before the combat began, displaying a picture on her phone sent by Warhound 1. "We'll have backup from an F-15E carrying bombs and other support, so keep your pace swift and steady. Clear?"
"Copy that. This is going to be an exciting mission," one of the ROO personnel loaded a grenade into his machine gun. He handled the MK-47 with ease, almost as if he possessed some form of superhuman strength. Bell carried his H&K 416, while Lisa held onto an MG-338.
The POOs adjusted their GPNVG-18 goggles, flipping them up and down while inserting fresh batteries. Some of them only wore the mounts, opting for baseball caps instead of full helmets. It was evident that this elite unit had a diverse group of personalities. Meanwhile, Bell monitored the evolving situation on a military tablet.
The mysterious adversary continued to crawl on the ground, unseen. Another F-15E had been dispatched as a bomb carrier, loaded with 8 CBU-103 and 4 CBU-105 cluster bombs. The estimated time of arrival using the Blackhawk from the base to reach the woman's location was two hours. In contrast, the F-15E was blazing through the skies on full afterburner and would be there in just 15 minutes to provide additional support for Larry and Warhound 2.
On the screen, the woman was captured drinking a potion, swiftly regaining her composure. She then proceeded to reabsorb the nearest dragon's body to replenish her aether energy. Rather than evaporating into aether, the dragon's remains vanished abruptly.
"Fascinating," Lisa remarked.
"It doesn't seem like a wise idea, does it? Absorbing aether from a corpse," Bell added.
"No, especially for humans. Aether energy undergoes significant changes when it enters a corpse, especially when absorbing it from a deceased dragon like that. There's no guarantee her body won't become overloaded, as there might be magical energy that wasn't originally hers," Lisa explained, offering her medical perspective.
After absorbing the corpse, the unknown woman created a large magical circle on the ground, summoning a vast horde of undead beings, including liches, wyverns, and husks. Suddenly, she had a substantial army under her control. Bell was captivated by the sheer number of undead, feeling as though he was witnessing the formation of a massive army.
"This is Warhound 3, on station and ready for tasking," the F-15E announced its arrival.
"Bell, what are the chances of that woman surviving a cluster bomb?" Lisa inquired.
"She survived a freefall from 3,000 meters; I don't think a few fragments would kill her. Warhound 3, you're clear to use CBU-103 on the unknown. Ensure the cluster bombs spread as wide as possible."
"Copy that, sir."
As Warhound 3 soared above the undead, the Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) prepared to release the CBU-103 cluster bombs. This weapon was renowned for its Wide Area Munition (WAM) capability, designed to saturate a large target area with a barrage of smaller bomblets. Each CBU-103 held 202 BLU-97/B Combined Effects Bomblets, capable of impacting a substantial radius with anti-armor, anti-personnel, and incendiary effects.
Bell kept his eyes fixed on the army's position through the military tablet. If the weapon's specifications were accurate, the bomblets should cover an area larger than a football field, ensuring the complete decimation of the entire army in a single strike.
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As Warhound 3 approached the drop zone, the pilot released two CBU-103s over the target area. The bombs descended and then burst open in mid-air, showering the undead army with a storm of bomblets. Explosions erupted in rapid succession, creating a chaotic spectacle of destruction.
On the screen, it resembled multiple grenades simultaneously detonating amidst the undead, producing a mesmerizing display of large fireworks. The 402 bomblets obliterated the army as if it were nothing more than an obstacle on the path to a greater prize.
As the fireworks display of destruction concluded, the unknown woman was thrown from the ground, blood and remnants of the undead and husks splattered across the area. The corpses of wyverns lay strewn about, contributing to the overwhelming demonstration of the Federation's firepower. The woman suddenly rose to her feet and gazed upward.
"Overlord, Warhound 1 WSO, is that thing supposed to be able to see us?" she inquired.
"Warhound 1, I'm not entirely certain. Gain altitude and perform evasive maneuvers," Bell recommended.
"Copy that, Overlord."
The fighter aircraft ascended to 15,000 meters to avoid detection from the 8,000-meter cloud cover. The targeting pod switched to infrared vision from night vision. Even after the cluster bombing, only one heat signature remained standing—the woman. She might have been employing some form of magical shield to survive, although such a shield might shatter under the sheer kinetic energy unleashed.
"She's weakening, sir. I can see it from here," one of the POOs remarked.
"I certainly hope so, or this mission could become a one-way trip," Bell added.
"Well, sir, information is crucial. The individual is named Aya Hoshino, a summoned person from a country called Japan. Poor kid, probably heavily indoctrinated to harbor resentment against us ever since she was summoned to this world," the POO added. "But don't worry, sir. We have ample intel on the woman."
"It's not difficult to paint us as the villains, is it?" Bell remarked, acutely aware of the atrocities the Empire had committed against humans. Their literature might span centuries, recounting the countless horrors inflicted upon them by his kind, from enslavement to gruesome sacrifices to power magical devices through various means.
Add to that the Empire's closed-border policy with the Southern Continent, and it was no surprise that fear had driven humans to seek the eradication of the demonic race, ensuring that history would not repeat itself.
Sylva chimed in, "No, not at all. According to their writings, we are portrayed as legendary malevolent beings, bringing destruction wherever we tread. If I were in their shoes, I'd probably harbor hostility toward us too."
As Bell contemplated the harsh realities and misunderstandings between their races, events on the ground continued to unfold. Warhound 1, now flying at a higher altitude, maintained a watchful eye on the area, ensuring that Aya, the summoned individual from Japan, remained within their sight. The aftermath of the CBU-103 strike had left a profound impact on the landscape, yet Aya's resilience was both disconcerting and intriguing.
"We must approach this situation with caution. Remember, she's a victim of circumstance," Bell urged.
"Victim or not, she's still our adversary," Lisa retorted nonchalantly.
As they approached the edge of the embarking zone, the team prepared for a potential ground engagement. The term "embarking zone" was coined by the POO, primarily because of their ability to fly. They always positioned their helicopters a considerable distance from their targets since helicopters made for large and vulnerable targets. Bell worked closely with Warhound 1 to ensure continuous aerial surveillance of Aya.
"Bell, I've heard about your experience as a dragon rider. You know how to fly, right?" Sylva inquired.
"Don't worry, I know how to. It would be a death sentence for a dragon rider not to," Bell affirmed, readying his railgun and H&K 416 to neutralize the target. "Lisa, how about you?"
"I can make my way to the target on foot, no problem," Lisa replied.
"I can carry you to the combat area," Bell offered.
"Me? Are you sure? You might underestimate how heavy a synthetic is," Lisa cautioned.
"I can use a strengthening spell, don't worry," Bell assured her.
"Alright, then," Lisa agreed.
The POOs disembarked from the helicopters, grabbing their heavy weapons and taking flight. Bell strapped all of his weapons to his back, then lifted Lisa with his hands before following the POOs in flight, utilizing the same gravity-based spell.
The flying spell at its core was a form of gravitational magic that propelled them forward and upward. Bell and the POOs descended toward the ground, flying at an incredibly low altitude, almost skimming the surface. Their bodies were positioned vertically, resembling invisible wing-suit flyers.
"Five minutes to the A.O.," came the call.
Bell could already feel the strain on his body. Lisa had been right; synthetics were heavier than regular demons. Nevertheless, Bell pressed on until they reached the charred ground left by the cluster bomb. The team landed safely, ready to commence the operation.
"Remember, everyone, we need the woman, preferably alive," Bell reminded the team as they prepared to engage.