That Time When I Was Suddenly Reincarnated in a Fleet Battle

Chapter 44 - No Pursuit

This series of battles would later be known as the Second Battle of Midway.

Immediately after the conclusion of the nighttime surface battle, which was the first battle of this series, I used short-range teleportation and healing magic to attend to the wounded.

In this battle, the Second Fleet sank all the ships of the American surface strike force, consisting of four battleships, six light cruisers, and sixteen destroyers, while our own fleet achieved the remarkable feat of having zero sunken ships. However, unlike the one-sided victories of the 1st Battleship Division, 7th Cruiser Division, and the torpedo squadron, which almost unilaterally destroyed the enemy, the Kongō-class battleships of the 3rd Battleship Division, the Atago of the 4th Cruiser Division, and the Myōkō of the 5th Cruiser Division were hit by six-inch shells from American light cruisers and suffered not a few casualties.

Among the casualties, I focused on those with particularly life-threatening injuries. In the previous battle, I had used a few flash bombs and four fireballs, but since I hadn't used any high-cost magic, I had plenty of magical power remaining.

While attending to the healing of the wounded, I realized that I had become accustomed to war. During the First Battle of Midway, I had averted my eyes from the miserable condition of the severely wounded, enduring nausea while applying healing magic. However, recently, even witnessing such scenes didn't evoke much emotion in me. It might be that something essential as a human had worn away, rather than having gained resilience. After completing the initial treatment of the casualties, I returned to the Yamato when the battle between the carrier fleets had also come to a conclusion.

"Thank you for your efforts in treating the soldiers. As the person in charge of the Second Fleet, I would like to express my gratitude to you, Jun-san. Also, I have good news. The Third Fleet, which engaged the enemy carrier task force, has sunk four American aircraft carriers."

"We defeated the enemy surface strike force, struck Midway base, and sunk all aircraft carriers. Now, the only thing left is the remaining ships of the enemy mobile fleet. How is the situation on that front?"

After receiving a direct report on the battle results from Vice Admiral Nagumo, I inquired about the current situation from him.

According to the report from the Third Fleet, they hit nearly all the enemy ships with bombs. If a lightly armored cruiser or almost equivalent destroyer takes a hit from a 250-kilogram bomb, the damage would be severe. However, speaking frankly about whether we have the luxury of pursuing them, I think that's quite difficult. The Second Fleet has exhausted all torpedoes in the previous night battle and the bombardment of Midway base, and furthermore, we are dangerously low on shells. The cruisers and destroyers of the Third Fleet still have enough shells and torpedoes, but it's delicate whether pursuing with those would be a calculated move."

According to my memory, the American mobile fleet had 12 cruisers and 24 destroyers escorting their aircraft carriers. On the other hand, the Third Fleet had two heavy cruisers, two light cruisers, and 20 destroyers. Considering that many enemy ships had been hit, sending the surface ships of the Third Fleet could possibly expand the achievements. However, the difference in cruiser firepower was too great, and we also had to keep half of the destroyers for escorting the aircraft carriers, so the numerical advantage was more than double when considering the fleet disparity.

"Unfortunately, we should probably give up pursuing the remaining enemy fleet with the surface strike ships of the Third Fleet. The disparity in our strengths is a bit too significant. Also, considering that the dive bombers and torpedo bombers of the Third Fleet that attacked the enemy mobile fleet are likely to be greatly reduced, we've already achieved the goal of annihilating the enemy carriers. Now, we should prepare ourselves and be ready for the final enemy."

The Vice Admiral nodded in agreement with my words.

"Submarines, then. Certainly, during the Second Battle of the Coral Sea, the Kaga was targeted but you saved us from that dangerous situation, Jun-san. Also, unlike the previous time, we are currently fighting at Midway, which can be called the home ground of the United States. The danger here is much greater than the Coral Sea."

"You're right. If we were to pursue the remaining enemy fleet and it turned out to be a kill zone for enemy submarines, it wouldn't be a laughing matter. The Second Fleet should quickly join forces with the Third Fleet and be thoroughly prepared for enemy submarines."

Perhaps the memories of the Second Battle of the Coral Sea, where I had sweated nervously, were still vivid. Vice Admiral Nagumo nodded deeply and conveyed the future plan to his staff officers.

Seeing his figure, I informed him that I would return to my room on the Yamato. Even though I possessed the cheat of the goddess, I was thoroughly fatigued from the continuous use of magical power. Just before collapsing onto the bed, I activated wide-area sensing magic directed towards the sea surface.

"Yeah, there don't seem to be any submarine reactions around here."

As soon as I confirmed this, a powerful drowsiness attacked me.