Chapter 146

Flash!

The blinding light of a nuclear explosion covered the battlefield.

Each time a nuclear missile was fired, the cruisers and battleships of the First Interstellar Fleet unleashed a barrage of fire.

The nuclear missiles, repeatedly intercepted, detonated in huge bursts of light.

With each interception, Captain Ligerda’s confidence in victory grew stronger.

“Nuclear weapons… their power is remarkable, but they are inefficient, causing unnecessary contamination. And furthermore…”

Another flash illuminated the scene.

The light-blocking filter on the bridge absorbed the intense light, and a smile appeared on Ligerda’s face.

“As long as they don’t hit, they don’t pose any threat at all.”

Immediately after intercepting the nuclear missiles, the battleships and cruisers turned their fire toward the enemy fleet.

“Things are proceeding smoothly.”

Ligerda nodded in agreement with Tumhan’s statement.

“When they suddenly launched their surprise attack, I thought there was some cunning plan, but it seems it was for naught.”

“They don’t even know the difference between the Third Interstellar Fleet and our First Interstellar Fleet.”

Ligerda nodded again at the informational gap and the resulting advantage.

“The enemies are continuing to retreat.”

“That’s correct.”

“Hmm.”

Ligerda paused briefly to gather her thoughts.

Her gaze turned toward Freya’s leading fleet.

Among the battleships and cruisers of the Third Interstellar Fleet were hastily modified cargo ships with turrets mounted, looking rather shabby.

A smile tinged with mockery involuntarily spread across her face.

“In any case, their main force is just the fleet in front, and they are so desperate they have resorted to converting cargo ships. If this is the case—”

Ligerda pointed at Freya’s fleet.

“I think we’ve sufficiently assessed their numbers. Pursue the retreating enemies and deploy the main battleships!”

“Yes, we will immediately begin the pursuit!”

The command came down from the orbital command center.

Upon confirming the order, the engines of the battleships and cruisers erupted with blue flames.

“Alright, we’re chasing them down! Increase speed and don’t stop the bombardment!”

The main battleships of the First Interstellar Fleet surged forward.

Following the slowly retreating fleet led by Freya, the golden fleet advanced through space.

“Commander, the enemy is in pursuit!”

At the communication soldier’s exclamation, Freya smiled cruelly.

“They’ve finally taken the bait. What’s the barrier status of our allied ships?”

“They have been depleted somewhat, but the levels haven’t dropped to a dangerous point.”

“Hmm…”

Freya tapped the controls on her captain’s chair as the soldier spoke.

After brief contemplation, she spoke.

“Nevertheless, it’s time to change tactics. Send the refitted cargo ships forward as shields.”

“Yes! We’re switching formations! Barriers to the front!!”

The unarmed cargo ships halted their reverse thrust and remained in place.

Other ships continued their retreat while naturally positioning the cargo ships at the front.

“Fully extend barriers to maximum output and re-ignite front thrusters, then withdraw.”

From the cargo ship bridges, automata moved busily, reporting back, and the First Interstellar Fleet noticed the change in Freya’s fleet.

“Captain, the enemy fleet has altered their formation.”

“Cargo ships to the front…?”

The battleship captain frowned.

But his deliberation was brief.

“It seems like they’re plotting something, but the power disparity is clear. Concentrate fire on the protruding cargo ships!”

“Yes! Fire!”

The fire of the battleships and cruisers erupted again.

With a thunderous sound, beam cannons were fired, and the conventional weapons discharged like rain.

The fierce bombardment battered the cargo ships.

Dark smoke formed from exploding shells, completely enveloping the cargo ships.

As the sooty smoke slowly dissipated,

“Hmm?”

But the cargo ships hit by the bombardment held their positions, retreating as if unaffected.

A dense barrier surrounded the front of the cargo ships.

“The enemy ship remains undamaged, it appears to be equipped with high-powered barriers.”

“Tch, just time-wasting shields.”

The battleship captain frowned at the enemies’ antics despite the match already being decided.

“It doesn’t matter! Keep pounding them until their shields are stripped away! Forward!”

The retreating fleet led by Freya and the continuously pursuing main force of the First Interstellar Fleet.

As Ligerda watched this scene,

“Hmm?! Admiral!”

The radar operator’s shout heralded a change in the situation.

“What is it?”

Tumhan replied on Ligerda’s behalf.

“There are multiple objects ascending toward us from the planet!”

“Hmm? From the planet?”

Tumhan cocked his head in confusion and issued an order.

“Hurry up and confirm the approaching objects.”

“A, yes!”

The soldier quickly worked the equipment.

The radar screen appeared on the bridge and external sensors identified the approaching figures.

“That’s…”

“…a destroyer, and also an unknown white ship.”

“Hmm.”

Ligerda glanced casually at the approaching vessels, with no apparent tension visible on her face.

“What do you think, Tumhan?”

“Perhaps it’s the enemy’s feint or hammer strike. It does seem somewhat delayed.”

“Hammer…”

The hammer and anvil.

The foundation of strategy and arguably the ultimate concept in all tactical strategy.

“So, you believed you could win with this.”

The hammer and anvil, when properly employed, unleash formidable power.

The same goes for a fleet battle.

But to Ligerda, every enemy action seemed utterly trivial.

“A soft anvil and a hammer that can’t even keep time—just like children’s play.”

Her cold judgment.

Ligerda spoke slowly.

“That’s why you even modified cargo ships. You’re still amateurs when it comes to fleet tactics.”

There wouldn’t be such a divided setup between the hammer and anvil otherwise.

Tumhan nodded in agreement with Ligerda.

“Well, it’s only to be expected. Their technological level is primitive and can’t even touch the feet of our empire.”

“Hmm.”

Ligerda’s hand extended again.

“Escort ships and destroyers on standby, intercept the approaching enemy task force! No need to hold back!!”

“Yes! Escort ships and destroyers, intercept the incoming enemy fleet!”

Ligerda smiled.

With victory already assured, only pleasant thoughts floated in her mind.

“This will give Gelnang something to say. I wonder how his expression will change when he learns we annihilated the enemy fleet.”

Just as Ligerda entertained this thought, the enemy fleet reached the satellite orbit.

“Charge!!”

Boom!

Crackling electricity sounds.

The destroyers and escort ships of the First Interstellar Fleet immediately began firing upon the received command.

Rain of destruction rained down upon Edu’s fleet, and their forms were enveloped by dark smoke and disappeared.

The black clouds that formed in the vacuum of space.

As the moment the barrels aimed flawlessly, reflecting light,

“Armor summon! Scythe! Balmon! Almace!”

Edu’s voice rang out from the bridge of Jason’s ship.

– Enhanced armor Balmon and Almace have not been unlocked. Would you like to use skill points to unlock them?

“Unlock it!”

– Unlock of enhanced armor Balmon and Almace complete. MP will be consumed to summon.

A blue, orb-like sphere appeared from the black clouds, hovering in front of the ship as if to protect Jason.

Almost immediately, the shape extended in all directions, transforming into colossal humanoid figures, as the blue mass regained their true forms.

Thud.

An iron fist clenched.

The azure eyes emitted a clear light, and the armored body resembled the knightly protection of steel giants.

Exhaust ports on the sides emitted heated air from the engines.

The heavily armored Scythe stood at the center, while on the right stood Almace, a high-mobility mecha equipped with large wings and a backpack, and on the opposite side was Balmon, equipped with a colossal greatsword as tall as himself.

The three steel knights emerged in space.

Meanwhile, the smoke gradually began to dissipate.

“Huh…?!”

Lieutenant Ligerda’s eyes widened at the sight of the weapons appearing in front of the enemy fleet.

“Tumhan, those are…”

“…weapons of the enemy, yes. But they don’t have enough power to change the battle’s tide, I’m sure of that.”

Tumhan maintained a self-assured stance.

But what he failed to realize was that their confidence was exactly something intended by a small girl.

Edu’s small hand extended forward towards the front.

“Then it’s time to wake up, Scythe! Balmon! Almace! Raze them!!”

The three knights looked up at the First Interstellar Fleet.

The energy of their rear propulsion systems gathered, and with a thunderous roar, the three knights dashed toward the enemy fleet.

“Enemy weapons are approaching!”

“Pathetic! Commence anti-air barrage and open fire! Turn them into scrap!”

At the warship captain’s command, another volley was fired.

Recognizing the incoming attacks, Almace accelerated through the enemy’s fusillade, while Balmon evaded enemy fire using the propulsion systems all over his body.

Scythe, with his robust armor, steadfastly advanced while withstanding the enemy barrage.

The three knights continued closing in.

“Huh…? Captain! They’re still advancing!”

The soldiers’ voices betrayed their confusion.

“Keep firing!”

The warship captain shouted, and the fleet fired once again.

Countless barrages lit up the void, but the three knights broke through with the same tactics.

“What are they doing! Intercept! Intercept them!!”

In a panicked shout.

Before the next round of firing could begin, all weapons of Scythe were activated, aiming towards the First Interstellar Fleet.

Simultaneously launched missiles and high-speed cannons firing streams of fire surged out—an overwhelming barrage that seemed impossible to come from such small weapons—toward the First Interstellar Fleet’s escort and destroyer ships.

BOOM, BOOM!!!

“Grhh…!?”

The shock resonated even through the barriers.

A black smoke cloud obstructed the ship’s view.

“Damn it! Push the warship forward!”

“But sir, we were ordered to wait here—”

” weren’t they coming?? Fire at them faster!”

“Yes, Yes!”

The escort ship began to slowly accelerate.

As it broke through the smoke enveloping the bridge and advanced forward, a light flashed from ahead.

Whoosh!

The sound approached, followed by Balmon.

Flames shot from the propulsion systems on his body and the engine on his enormous greatsword, and the iron knight became a streak of light cutting across the battlefield.

“Damn it! Evasive maneuver—”

BOOM!!

Before the captain’s words were done, the greatsword slashed through barriers and pierced straight through the bridge.

Though less like slicing through and more akin to crushing and tearing, the bridge was entirely disabled from that single strike.

The escort ship was subdued in one blow.

Almace streaked past Balmon and swiftly dived deep into the enemy ranks.

“Anti-aircraft guns!!! Bring that thing down!!!”

Unrelentlessly firing anti-aircraft guns.

But Almace disappeared before their aim could lock, his erratic movements completely outmaneuvering the enemy fire aim.

From left to right.

From top to bottom.

With quick acceleration and abrupt braking executed seamlessly, Almace completely toyed with the First Interstellar Fleet.

Suddenly, like a dancer’s graceful movement, Almace landed abruptly in front of the destroyer’s bridge.

Thud.

A shotgun aimed at the bridge.

A flash of light ensued, and the destroyer’s bridge exploded.

Almace coolly threw in a circular object, then ascended swiftly.

Another explosion occurred, and the destroyer lost its combat capabilities.

The First Interstellar Fleet was being completely ravaged.

“What is… what the heck is this?!”

Ligerda looked perplexed at the unexpectedly powerful performance of the enemy weapon.

Her gaze turned to the side.

“Tumhan, shouldn’t we send out shipboard fighters?!”

“I will check with the carrier immediately!”

With the rapidly changing situation, Tumhan rushed toward the communication equipment, abandoning any formalities.

A short silence followed, and Tumhan shook his head at Ligerda.

“Damn…!”

Ligerda frowned.

No matter how the accuracy had declined, the enemy should have been nothing more than small-scale weapons and a destroyer fleet.

Ligerda felt his pride wounded as he watched the fleet being toyed with by such force.

“Turn both flank fleets around to the rear and focus on intercepting the enemy!”

“Understood, Admiral! Changing formation! Rear fleets, move toward the rear flank! Strike the enemy!”

Wheeeoooh— Wheeeoooh—

The space echoes with alarm sounds.

“Turn the bow around! Support the rear fleet!”

The escort and destroyer ships guarding both flanks of the fleet quickly turned toward the rear, and the sides of the First Interstellar Fleet were left exposed.

“Edoo!”

In response to the call filled with several meanings, Edu nodded.

“Marionettes! This is it! Charge at full speed!”

The marionettes responded immediately to the orders.

Below the satellite orbit, three destroyers were waiting in a cloud.

Unlike any other destroyers, they had several rocket-like devices attached to the propulsion sides.

Fires erupted from all thrusters as the three ships took off toward the vacant side of the First Interstellar Fleet.

“Hey? Admiral! The enemy from the flank!!!”

“Huh?!”

Imagery on the monitor.

Within the images, the three destroyers were rapidly ascending toward them.

An overwhelmingly faster speed compared to standard destroyers.

“Take them out!!”

Tumhan reacted before Ligerda.

“All ships can’t be turned around in time to intercept!”

“If we use the orbital command post’s cannons! Fire!!”

“Understood! Release the lower deck turrets, fire!!”

BOOOOM!

Cannon balls fired toward the ascending destroyers.

Due to poor aiming, the shells passed by the destroyers and fell toward the planet.

“Damn it! What are you doing! Aim properly!”

“Launch the carrier fighters! Immediately!!”

Tumhan pushed the soldiers forward and issued another command.

However, before proper countermeasures could be enacted, the marionette-controlled destroyers had advanced within range.

For some reason, they did not attack but continued increasing their speed.

“Could they be… planning a ramming tactic?!”

Ligerda’s eyes widened as she imagined the worst and urgently called out across the bridge.

“Damn it…! Raise the barrier to maximum output and prepare for impact!!”

Ligerda fastened her seatbelt and crouched slightly in her chair.

The three destroyers reached the satellite orbit.

Whoosh whoosh!

The loud engine sounds seemed to thunder directly in Ligerda’s ears.

She tightly closed her eyes.

The silence felt unbearably long.

However, contrary to Ligerda’s expectations, the anticipated strong shock did not come.

Whoosh whoosh…

The engine sounds gradually faded.

“…Huh?”

When Ligerda looked up at the monitor, all she could see were the passing silhouettes of the destroyers crossing the First Interstellar Fleet.

Incomprehensible actions.

“Exactly what—”

At that moment, something black appeared in the corner of Ligerda’s vision.

“Enlargen that portion of the screen!”

“What exactly should we enlarge?”

“The black figure over there.”

“Ah, yes!”

As the images went through several stages of enlargement, what appeared was, exactly as Ligerda had described, a large, black rectangular box.

Three in total, when summed.

As the box became more and more clearly visible through the enlargement, Ligerda’s eyes grew proportionally wider.

The ominous red numbers attached to the front of the box.

They were counting down.

3, 2, 1.

“Can’t be…! Ev—!”

Her words were cut short the moment a flash erupted from the boxes.

Simultaneously, flashes erupted from other boxes, and the orbital station and the First Interstellar Fleet were engulfed in light.

BOOOOM!!!

An explosion so massive it shook the space itself.

“What?!”

As they witnessed the tremendous explosion, the main fleet of the First Interstellar Fleet, chasing Freya’s fleet, stopped its advance and looked back, but Freya took that moment to issue another command,

“Alright! Looks like Edu succeeded. Contact Fang!”

“Yes!”

The communication soldier immediately made contact elsewhere.

Just after that, a flash erupted far behind Freya’s fleet, piercing through space.

A precise strike that penetrated directly through the hidden bridge and main power unit inside the orbital command center.

A huge hole burst open in the warship’s side, causing an explosion that marked the start of its collapse.

BOOM, BOOM!

“Captain! The orbital command station!”

“This can’t be…!!”

The captains of the battleships and cruisers bolted up from their seats in shock, and as they watched the orbital command station continuing to explode, their fighting spirit evaporated.

[Warning, severe damage to the hull. Warning, severe damage to the ship. All crew members, please evacuate immediately.]

Alarm broadcasts echoed throughout the orbital command station.

“Ugh…,”

Ligerda slowly attempted to rise as the noise receded, but stopped when she noticed her lower body.

“Ho ho…”

She laughed wryly.

A mouthful of blood surged up from her throat.

“Choke, choke…!”

From the destroyed bridge, through the flickering monitor, the faint shape of the enemy fleet could be seen.

She couldn’t comprehend her loss in a fight she never thought she could lose, but there was no time left for Ligerda to solve that mystery.

And even so, there was one thing she was sure about as she shakily raised her trembling hand toward the screen.

“The harbinger of doom—”

With those words, Ligerda lost consciousness, and the command staff of the First Interstellar Fleet was annihilated.