Chapter 204

A shadow looms over the Northern Fleet base.

The hangar of the Argonaut docked above the base opens, and shuttles head toward the ground.

Rrrrrk—

The noise echoing from the infinite tracks.

Tanks and armored vehicles that were filling the landing zone move to the side, spewing black smoke.

The empty spot where the shuttles land.

The rear door connected to the hangar opens, revealing the piles of crates loaded inside.

“Hello there, folks. There might be some issues during transport, so would you mind stepping back a little?”

While seeking understanding from the gathered refugees, the Automata begins lining up the crates filled in the shuttle onto the runway.

Soon after, soldiers from the Northern Fleet approach and converse with the Automata before beginning to move the stacked crates into the inner part of the base.

Smiles bloom on the faces of the soldiers and refugees.

While observing the scene from one side of the runway, Clarissa approaches me.

“From the looks of it, things seem to have gone well.”

Clarissa speaks as she gazes at the wool cap and thick coat draped over my body.

“Yeah.”

“How exactly did you manage it?”

“Not much, really. All I did was give these people a chance to reveal the emotions that had been pressed down deep inside them.”

“An … opportunity, you say?”

“Yeah.”

These people in the Russian Army, specifically the Northern Fleet, weren’t hiding because they lacked the will to fight, right?

If they truly had no intention to fight, they wouldn’t have meticulously maintained and repaired their warships, which devour supplies like insatiable beasts, would they?

On top of that, as Clarissa mentioned before, while the Russian Army didn’t join the human liberation forces, interpreting that statement literally poses a slight issue.

Because the Russian Army didn’t fail to join; rather, they couldn’t join.

After the Invaders’ invasion and subsequent ravaging of their land, the Russian Federation completely collapsed, but many people survived despite the downfall of the nation and its systems.

With foreign nations busy handling their own crises and unable to offer much help, the only entity the survivors could rely on was the military.

Thus, the Russian Army prioritized the protection of its citizens, delaying their alliance with the human liberation forces.

“The people here originally intended to fight too, but they ended up this way while remaining faithful to the army’s fundamental duty of protecting their own citizens.”

“Yes, but I don’t think things could have been resolved so easily with just that.”

“Of course, I used every advantage possible—like the fact that we defeated the Megabase, and I also highlighted my own abilities.”

Saying this, I nonchalantly shrug.

“Other than that, riding around on a Bungbungi might’ve lightly stirred people’s sympathy too?”

“So that’s why you rode the Bungbungi.”

“Yeah. Though it sounds strange coming from me, it’s true; riding a Bungbungi makes me look frail.”

“Really? So offering supplies to those people also has some ulterior motive?”

“Not entirely, but the best way to get closer to people is to extend goodwill. The soldiers may have understood and accepted my words, but I can’t be sure about what the refugees think.”

“You’ve got a point.”

As materials continue to be unloaded,

I suggest to Clarissa, who’s nearby, taking a look at the significant amount of supplies I received from Jo to share with these people.

“It’s getting chilly. Shall we go inside somewhere to warm up a bit?”

“Sure.”

The two of us head into a nearby building.

Despite the fierce snowstorm, the base regains its lost vitality and maintains its bustling atmosphere.

The Northern Fleet ships floating on the frozen sea.

At a distance beyond the visible range, a periscope breaks through the ice.

A red sensor, retaining its vivid color even amidst the white snowstorm.

[Confirmed, detection of unusual movements from enemy forces. Urgent report is required.]

[Understood, proceeding with the report immediately.]

…

The vast blue sea glowing faintly.

A thick layer of sea fog moves across the rippling waves.

Unlike ordinary fog, this cluster moves with a clear direction.

A shadow flickers within the dense fog that obscures even the next step, accompanied by the gleam of the Invaders’ red sensors.

Wwiing…

The massive cannon moves slowly.

The barrel, reminiscent of a dragon’s throat, slowly tilts upward.

[Enemy fleet entering effective range.]

A report echoes inside the room set aside within the flagship, designed for the first-generation commander.

[Commence firing.]

[Commencing firing.]

Following the order from the cylindrical robot, a fiery breath erupts, launching a massive shell into the sky.

Puooom! Kwaang! Kuung—

As the flagship fires, the Invader fleet responds with a volley of shots.

A barrage of large-caliber shells streaks across the sky, hurtling toward the hovering golden fleet.

Kuung! Kwaang!

A fierce attack so powerful that the shockwave penetrates even the barriers inside.

“Ughh!?”

“Barrier output reduced to 50%!”

“What? You mean half the barrier is gone from this attack!? Are you sure about that?!”

“That, that’s correct, Captain! It’s absolutely accurate!”

The communications soldier nods frantically as if gone mad in response to the alien captain’s urgent call.

Realizing the dire situation they’re in, the captain swings their arm violently and gives orders.

“Damn it, we’re withdrawing! Turn this ship around!!”

“Turn the whole fleet, turn around! We’re evacuating this area!”

The Imperial fleet of light cruisers immediately spins around in an attempt to retreat.

But as if foreseeing their every move, another rain of shells falls from above the fleet’s vanguard, and a crimson flower blooms.

Kwaang! Kuung!!

“Ughh!”

“Aaah!?”

The violently rocking hull.

A torpedo aimed at the exposed midsection of a destroyer, whose barrier had been stripped away by concentrated fire.

Puooong!

“Kradia received a direct hit on the concentrated defense zone! Report of significant decrease in ship’s power output!”

“Damn it, how is the attack so accurate…! Shut down the lower barrier and maximize the output on the upper and side barriers! We have to get out of here!”

“U, understood!”

The Ustansha Imperial Fleet of light cruisers trying to escape through the strait and the Invader fleet relentlessly pursuing and continuing the bombardment.

[Effective hits confirmed.]

[Continue the pursuit and annihilate the enemy. Even if it’s just a fraction, it’s better to handle what we can in advance.]

[Understood, switching to pursuit-annihilation operation.]

The Imperial Fleet’s cruiser squadron is gradually reduced in numbers by the relentless pursuit and continual bombardment, until it is finally annihilated.

[Operation complete, confirmed destruction of all enemy forces.]

The report of victory comes in.

Even though it is an event deserving of reaction, the cylindrical-faced robot merely surveys the screens surrounding them without a notable response.

After confirming that everything is settled, the cylindrical-faced robot slowly leans back in the chair.

[Not worth mentioning. Launching active offensives is good, but if your forces are dispersed, and the coordinated efforts are lacking, it holds no meaning.]

The cylindrical-faced robot surveys the Ustansha Imperial Fleet cruiser sinking beneath the sea surface with a matter-of-fact tone and evaluates the enemy.

At that moment, the alert sounds inside the flagship.

[Notice, Ravelia of AbyssMother requests permission to transmit information to Bonaparte.]

[Permission granted.]

Information floods into the cylindrical-faced robot, Bonaparte.

The movements of the remnants of humanity struggling day by day are not ordinary, as well as the video transmitted alongside.

Examining this content, Bonaparte slowly rises from their seat.

[Interesting. Are they plotting something again?]

It might appear insignificant at first glance,

But in the moment Bonaparte saw the distinct form of the ship in the video, they realized a certain fact.

– That bug is there.

An instinctual intuition, yet Bonaparte had absolute confidence in their own instinct.

[Transmit the information to Arm Island and confirm the available fleet.]

[Understood, requesting confirmation.]

A brief silence flows, then the response returns.

[C28, C29, D13 reconnaissance fleet, A15, B7, B14 battleship group, A11 aviation fleet under operational control.]

[Dispatch all fleets urgently to the designated sea area. We will also move immediately to that location.]

[Understood, turning the fleet. Proceeding at full speed toward the target strait.]

….

People standing in line.

An automaton moves among them, raising its voice toward the people.

“Please form a line. There’s enough food for everyone, so there’s no need to rush.”

People waiting with an expression half anticipation, half anxiety, stand in front of the hastily set-up table.

“Here you go, enjoy.”

The automaton takes out items packed in pouches from the box and hands them over with a gentle smile.

Sparse fresh ingredients hard to come by in the snowy fields, processed foods, canned goods, and desserts bundled together as food supplies.

The food bundles filled with meals that are easy to eat, easy to cook, and packed with essential calories display Mr. Jo’s thoughtful consideration.

“T-thank you!”

A middle-aged uncle bows his head deeply, cradling the bundle in his arms, and returns to his family.

“Hurry up, form your line!”

The soldiers of the Northern Fleet also assisting in maintaining order wear gentle smiles on their faces.

“…It’s making my heart swell with emotion.”

Milli’s words while looking tenderly at the people receiving the food supply bundles.

I nod in agreement.

“Indeed.”

Just as a pleasant silence flowed between us, suddenly, the collar of my coat wavers down slightly.

Looking down, I meet the eyes of a grubby-looking girl clutching at my coat’s collar.

“Hm? What’s wrong?”

“…Did sister give this to me?”

She holds up an empty chocolate pie wrapper while saying so.

“Yeah, that’s right.”

At my answer, the girl beams.

“It was really delicious! Thank you.”

The girl bows deeply, placing her hands on her stomach.

That gesture makes me smile naturally.

“Want more?”

“A-ah, no. Others should eat too.”

After hesitating briefly, her resisting the temptation in a commendable manner makes my hand move toward her head naturally.

Then the girl jumps back in alarm.

“A-ah, no!”

“Why? Don’t you like having your hair stroked?”

“A-ah, no. I thought sister’s hands might get dirty…”

Looking at herself and making excuses makes me feel sympathy for the girl.

“It’s fine, it won’t get dirty.”

I bring my hand to the child’s head and stroke her hair even more earnestly.

“…Hehe.”

The girl finally smiles.

“In that case, this is a small gift because sister indulged in her own way.”

I place a small envelope containing candies and caramels I had kept in my pocket onto the girl’s hands.

“What’s this?”

“It’s sweet and delicious.”

“!!”

The girl’s eyes grow wide.

“N-now, if only I eat this…”

“Natasha! What are you doing!?”

A woman yelling the girl’s name runs toward us.

“I’m sorry, this child still doesn’t know much… Did she say something strange or do anything impolite? If so, I apologize.”

“No, you have a kind and cute daughter.”

After answering like this and stroking the girl’s head once more, I notice children on the other side looking at me with curious eyes.

Oh, if this continues, Natasha might not get enough to eat.

I take everything out of my pocket and place it in Natasha’s hands.

“Here.”

“Eh, sister?”

“If you want to share with your friends, you’ll need more, right? If you want more, you can always come find me.”

Upon hearing my words, Natasha looks back.

The girl making eye contact with her friends turns to me and beams with a big smile,

“…Yes! Thank you very much!”

“Oh my, thank you. Truly thank you.”

The mother and daughter bow their heads repeatedly and walk away.

The pleasant commotion passes, and as I look around again, I slowly notice the snowstorm dying down.

With the weather improving, those standing in line smile happily, creating a joyful atmosphere.

But it doesn’t last long, as suddenly a thick sea fog blows in from the ocean.

“Hmm?”

The sea fog swallows up the base in an instant, cutting off our view.

Tsk, what an inconvenient fog.

Just as I think that, Milli, looking around, cautiously asks me.

“Sister, what is this?”

“A sea fog, also known as ‘haemoo’ in Korean. It’s a natural phenomenon common near the coast.”

“Is that so.”

“It mostly happens during warm weather… Hmm?”

Wait a second, was it warm enough around here for such dense sea fog to form?

That thought crosses my mind just as the Invaders’ naval tactics I momentarily forgot about resurface.

Creating artificial sea fog to conceal the fleet and attack the enemy from within the fog—such is the ghost fleet tactic used by the Invaders.

“Milli!”

“Yes, sister.”

“Evacuate the people immediately and inform the Argonaut to prepare for battle!!”

“Is it… the enemy?”

“The Invaders! The Invader fleet is coming!!”

The sea fog moving with a direction.

Through the thick fog, the red sensors symbolizing the Invaders gleam.

[Confirmed, nearby target area reached.]

The barrels slowly raise upward.

Following the flagship’s actions, the artillery of every ship moves upward into the sky.

[Commence firing.]