High above, amid the clouds.
A latest-model stealth fighter bearing the Dragon Kingdom's military insignia hovered silently.
Inside the cockpit.
An Ace Pilot with a stern face and eyes as sharp as an eagle's was performing his final equipment checks.
His call sign was [Hawkeye].
He was the finest ace in the Dragon Kingdom's Air Force!
He had carried out countless top-secret missions with almost no chance of survival.
But none had ever weighed on him as heavily as today's.
His target was not an enemy.
It was a former hero.
Through his headset came the cold, emotionless countdown from ground control.
"[Hawkeye], target confirmed."
"Intercontinental missile [East Wind 41], code name [Godslayer], has locked onto the target area."
"Launch sequence authorized."
"Ten."
"Nine."
"Eight."
Listening to that countdown, each number a summons to death.
[Hawkeye] began breathing a little faster.
He glanced at the city below, already designated a death zone.
Then he looked at the green button on his dashboard that signaled "launch authorized."
His hand trembled slightly.
He knew that once he pressed that button.
A hero would fall forever.
A legend would come to an end.
"Three."
"Two."
"One."
"Fire!"
The cold command came!
[Hawkeye]'s pupils abruptly contracted!
In the end, he was only a soldier whose duty was to obey orders!
He closed his eyes and slammed down on the green button!
"Whirrr-!"
The fighter's belly slowly opened.
An entirely black intercontinental missile, dozens of meters long and exuding death and destruction, detached from the aircraft!
Orange-red flames blasted from its tail, bright enough to light the entire night sky!
Trailing a long plume of fire!
Like the scythe of death, it screamed toward the area below enclosed by the [Firmament] system!
"It's coming!"
Longdu, Bureau 7's command center.
When they saw the