Jin returned to Horai Island and had a meeting with the old man.

> with a less powerful weapon. ......>>

"Yes, but I want to do it as spectacularly as possible so that it attracts the eye."

<> with >, you will not see any secondary effects such as flashes or explosions.

The onlookers do not know what they are doing.

<

Yes, that's what I was thinking.

Flashbangs. On modern Earth, flashbangs are used for dazzling and signaling. I have never seen a real one, but I have an image of it, so it should be OK.

"It emits light when it hits the target, right?"

<

"Oh, I see. I'll do that.

When the outer shell is broken by a barrier or by hitting the opponent's armor, it emits a flash of light.

<

"Try not to generate heat.

Light should be limited to visible light, and infrared and ultraviolet rays should be avoided as much as possible.

"We should also make a timer."

Jin thought that this might be a good idea for signaling.

Once the idea was conceived, it was as good as complete. Jin mobilizes his craftsmen (smiths) and produces a sufficient number of .

* * * * * * * * * * * *

"Well, let's get started."

On January 7, a mock battle between 50 <> and 50 <> was about to begin in orbit around the satellite of the planet Hale.

"How do you decide who wins?　And what are the rules?"

"That's ......."

Jin answers Erza's question.

< deployed a solid physical barrier and flew at a speed of 10 kilometers per second.

< attacks the with flashbangs.

If a ship hits <> with 50 flares, that is, if each ship hits one flare, <> wins.

On the other hand, <> will be shot down if it is hit by even one flashbang, including through the barrier.

In terms of mobility, <> is far superior to <>.

However, is superior in firepower. And they can take up to 50 direct hits.

Whether it is Jin or the old man, victory or defeat is unknowable," he concluded.

"Well, I understand now. Thank you."

When Erza was satisfied, the old man gave the signal for the start of the simulation.

The <> sprints through space, moving left and right, making evasive maneuvers.

In contrast, the <> forms an encircling formation and tries to push the <> into a tight corner.

The first flashbangs from <> hit <>'s physical barrier (solid barrier), causing a flower of light to bloom in the blackness of space.

"Beautiful ......"

Erza gives an honest impression.

Like fireworks blooming in the night sky, a dazzling light flashed in space.

Thank goodness it is not a real battle and not a destructive one.

And the number of flashes increases with each passing hour. The <> is hunting down <>.

"Well, I'm far from experienced enough to know what to do in such a situation," he says.

Jin himself has no experience in space combat, and is a complete amateur when it comes to battle methods and tactics.

The same is true of No. 700672, and when I asked him about it before, he replied, "I don't know.

"Well, I don't intend to start a space war.

Jin watched the video while muttering something like that.

The <> is flying in an irregular zigzag orbit that would be impossible for a human pilot.

But the <> was even more maneuverable and was able to cope with its irregular flight.

"Ah, one <> has dropped out!"

Erza shouted. Yes, a flashbang hit the barrier of <>.

And another one. One more.

"The <> is good, too."

Due to its structure, the <> cannot fire in succession.

It requires an interval of a few seconds.

Taking advantage of this gap, <> hit the target with a flashbang.

"If that's the case, then <> must be ...... ah, I knew it."

After five planes had dropped out, Skylark 11, leading <>, changed his instructions.

Forty-five aircraft shifted the timing of their launches little by little.

This left the <> unable to lift the solid physical barrier and thus unable to counterattack, leaving them on the defensive.

"I see."

But has changed its strategy.

Instead of the solid physical barrier it had been using, it deployed a defensive shield.

Since < is a flat barrier, its flanks are unprotected. However, the <> moves its <> in time with the <>'s bombardment.

Since the shields are massless, their movement is instantaneous.

Moreover, the shield can be stretched not only on one side. It can be deployed in 6 directions, up, down, left, right, front, and back. In other words, it can be enclosed within a cube.

However, the shape of the surface is not a square but a circle, so there is a gap between the two. From there, can target as much as he wants.

"Oh, another one."

The <> is now down to 21.

Aiming at the gaps between the fast-moving <> is a difficult task. The <> side, on the other hand, synchronizes the movement of its <> with the firing of its <>.

"<>, advantage?"

"Yes."

Jin and Erza are absorbed in following the course of this mock battle. Their original goal had slipped their minds.

But the old man was not so sure.

There was movement in the sphere they were monitoring.

* * * *

"The flow of free magical element (ether) has changed."

The long-awaited report comes in.

Ten Raptor squadrons, different from those engaged in the simulation battle, were standing by in a space far from the battlefield.

The old man looks satisfied.

From the spherical , three small spherical flying objects, also probably reconnaissance planes, flew out.

<

In other words, we hope you will see this as <>.

The <> has decided that the reclusive Hailites would certainly not like to fight.

On the other hand, they would be hungry for entertainment and would have an eye for the unusual.

"...... Well, uh, so far so good."

Jin, who had been completely engrossed in the space battle, hurriedly returned to his original goal.

"Yes, that's right. Let's be more careful."