Chapter 175

Jason ascends to high altitude.

The distance between the advancing army of Cryptids covering the ground and us rapidly increases.

An unrelenting ascent.

Only once we’ve reached an altitude where the enemies can no longer see us does Jason adjust the speed, and Balder’s figure appears on the command bridge screen.

“Director, have you arrived?”

Our fleet, consisting of cruisers and aircraft carriers that moved to a high altitude ahead of time to wait for us.

“Yes, is there anything unusual with other ships or troops?”

“Yes, thanks to the director’s care, everyone is safe.”

“Good, then let’s return.”

“Understood!”

Balder salutes, and the fleet’s prow slowly turns toward the forward base.

“Uh, sister. Is it alright to just retreat after provoking the enemy like this?”

“Sita?”

Turning my head at the sudden call, I look at Sita.

“Yeah, it’s fine.”

“Yes, sister. I was just wondering if it’s okay to retreat after provoking the enemy to this extent.”

The voice and expression filled with concern.

From that reaction, I understand what Sita is worried about and, while sitting in the captain’s chair, I reach out to pat Sita’s head.

“Eh, sister?”

“It’s alright, Sita. These monsters won’t chase us right away or attack other places.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yeah, we didn’t show Jason’s form to them for no reason.”

White Queen, the one who took Seol’s rightful position.

We don’t know whether that opponent is a Cryptid, but it’s certain that at the very least, it thinks like a modern gamer rather than an ordinary Cryptid.

So what would happen if we show the opponent something about Jason that only exists in the settings collection?

They would probably be incredibly surprised, wouldn’t they?

“Did you intentionally leak information?”

“Yes.”

And even if the enemy doesn’t get surprised, there’s still merit for us in showing them Jason.

Which is, it allows us to gauge the level of the enemy’s information.

Jason is a ship that never appeared in AOE, the one mentioned in the settings collection is all there is about it.

Therefore, among AOE players, those who know about Jason and the Argo-class battleship are relatively few.

If they recognize it, it means their information level is outdated.

On the contrary, if they fail to recognize it, it’s safe to assume their information level is that of a regular AOE player.

Additionally, if they fail to recognize Jason, it might conceal who attacked them.

“And there’s one more important thing, Sita. Do you remember why I said we wanted to attack the enemy’s air force?”

“To limit the enemy’s options and because they are exposed to the outside, right?”

“Yes, you remember well. Actually, the main purpose of this attack is to restrict the Cryptids’ reconnaissance capacity.”

“Reconnaissance capacity… Ah.”

Finally understanding my intention, Sita lets out a murmur as if realizing something.

“They can use ground troops for reconnaissance, but that’s easy to respond to, and there’s nothing better than observing from the air for obtaining a lot of information quickly and accurately.”

It’s not by chance that strategic simulation games use a top-down view.

That format is the most suitable for command and situation awareness.

Besides, unlike in games, it’s impossible to send one or two troops into enemy territory in reality and gather much information.

Such realistic constraints will lead to a lack of information for the enemy, and this lack will become a significant shackle that binds their army.

On top of that, the enemy has been overly cautious, even to the point of holding out patiently.

It’s unrealistic to think they’ll suddenly change tactics and mobilize all their forces.

“And we also took down a lot of the enemy commanders, didn’t we?”

“By commanders, do you mean Core Enemy?”

“Yeah.”

The enemy, who lost most of their air force and high-ranking commanders like Brains.

Unlike low-tier creatures that are expendable, losing both of these means they’ll likely prioritize reorganization.

“So, everything was a calculated move.”

“Indeed, Edu! Incredible!”

Edward nods and Jenny claps her hands in celebration while praising me.

“Does that answer all your questions?”

“Yes, sister. You’re amazing.”

In the warmth conveyed through Sita’s voice, as I scratch my cheek, Nisia catches my eye.

“Hehehe, Mom likes!”

The grown-up Seol coquettishly clinging to Nisia.

“Seo, Seoli. Be a little gentle…”

“Gentle?”

Nisia’s cheeks redden slightly as she makes a troubled expression due to the excessive physical contact, but Seol tilts her head, then breaks into a wide smile.

“Yeah! Gentle!”

Though not as intense as before, Seol moves slowly, rubbing her body against Nisia.

“No, that’s not what I meant-”

Nisia sighs softly, failing to come up with a way to explain properly.

She tenderly strokes the now grown-up Seol.

As I watch quietly, the thought of the red-haired girl we rescued from the nest resurfaces.

“Right, how is the girl we rescued from the nest?”

“She’s been moved to the medical bay. There didn’t seem to be any serious injuries, but she appeared a little tired, so I’ve placed her in the recovery device. Was it wrong of me?”

Sita cautiously inquires.

Unnecessary worry, so I reach out and pat her head again.

“No, well done. I trust your judgment, so don’t worry unnecessarily.”

I asked just to confirm, and since we used the equipment originally meant for humans on Seol and had no problems, it should be fine this time too.

“…Yes, sister.”

Sita’s cheeks redden slightly.

“Then, Sita. Can I leave the bridge to you for a bit?”

“To check on that child?”

“Yeah.”

With an expression more determined than usual, Sita nods.

“Alright, leave it to me.”

I smile at her once and call out to Nisia and Seol who are clinging together.

“Nisia! Seoli!”

“Edu?”

“Small Mom!”

Responding to their names, Seol lets go of Nisia and quickly approaches me.

The innocent expression on her adult face lights up as she spreads her arms wide and pulls me into a tight hug.

“Ugh.”

The soft rebound I feel against my face.

“Small Mom really likes it! Now Seol can properly take care of Small Mom too!”

With consistent affection, though buried in her chest, I slightly pull my face back and speak.

“Small Mom also likes Seol. How about Small Mom, Big Mom, and Seol going for a little walk?”

“Walk! Yeah!!”

Seol nods with a radiant smile.

As I’m about to signal Nisia, Seol suddenly takes off running with me still in her arms.

Wait? This isn’t the kind of walk I planned.

“Walk! Big Mom! Hurry up!!”

“Hold on, Seol!”

Nisia gets up from her seat.

In the quickly retreating bridge, I can see Mili stepping in to cover for Nisia.

Seol runs quickly down the Jason’s corridor.

Though her body isn’t fully accustomed, she seems dangerous as she occasionally wobbles, but there’s a brighter smile on her face.

“Small Mom! Now Seol is super fast! Seol can carry Mom too!”

Her voice boastfully excited.

It brings a smile to my face, a naivety that can only be described with the word adult.

“Yeah, impressive.”

“Seol is impressive!”

Seol shouts with glee.

I originally intended to check on the child first, but seeing Seol this happy, I change my mind and decide to keep her company.

Since there’s nothing urgent.

“Wait! Seol, wait!”

Nisia chasing after Seol down the corridor.

Full of vitality, time flows.

…..

Above the ashen sky of the city, a golden disc looms, covering everything.

Within the mother ship, the flagship of the 4th Interstellar Fleet, a heavy atmosphere hung in the air.

“Hmph.”

“Hoooo….”

Sighs and groans could be heard from every corner.

The atmosphere within the 4th Interstellar Fleet, after their surprise attack was thwarted in advance and they lost more ships as a result, could only be described as a house of mourning.

“Become proper! Are you even soldiers of the glorious Empire?”

“Aren’t you the same one not even feeding us! Stop with all this ‘honor’ nonsense!”

A junior officer and a soldier shouting at each other despite the mother ship captain passing by.

With military discipline all but absent, the captain’s brow furrowed, but he well understood the situation had reached a point where little more could be done.

Such insubordination had become the norm, and the number of troops deserting from the front lines only kept increasing, painting a dire situation.

“Rude!”

“Yes! I am rude!”

The captain tried not to pay attention to the continuing quarrels as he quietly hurried to his post.

After braving countless such situations, he finally arrived at the bridge, which was bleak.

The 4th Interstellar Fleet was using resources so tightly due to the lack of supplies that even the dim mood reflected it heavily.

Even with such tight constraints, there was no guarantee if they could hold on until the end, and it weighed heavily on the captain’s heart.

“Captain.”

“Welcome, sir.”

“Hmm…”

The captain of the mother ship nods briefly towards the saluting soldiers and takes his seat.

“Phew…”

As the captain was about to start the duties he was filling in for Gerang, who had been locked up in the cabin, an urgent shout from the communication soldier echoed.

“Uh? Ha, Captain!!”

“Why the commotion?”

Thinking perhaps another fistfight or desertion had occurred, the captain replied with a lackluster tone.

However, the face of the communication soldier, looking towards him, showed hope that hadn’t been seen in a long while.

“Communication! We received communication!”

“Communication?”

“Yes!! The main force, the main Imperial fleet has finally entered the planetary orbit!!!”

“!!!”

The captain’s eyes widen in shock.

The dull glint in his eyes returns, and the captain, recalling his duty, his mouth opens.

“Bring the admiral! Hurry!”

“Yes! Captain!!”