Chapter 92: CH 89

The Battle of the Ōizumi Star System began with a major blunder on the part of the defenders.

The moment the interception fleet of 62,000 ships that confronted the Monarchy’s leading fleet approached the outer edge of the star system, Fortress Kerviel burst in. The Force Evaluation of the Monarchy and Ōizumi, which became a decisive frontal battle, was assessed at an overwhelming 100:40.

100 to 40 is like a fight between five people against two people, each with equal power. And if one person falls on each side, the battle becomes four on one.

The successive deployment of the forces that were destroyed individually must never be carried out.

The Royal Army, which saw it as a golden opportunity, mercilessly attacked Ōizumi’s interception fleet, which had made that absolute mistake, and thoroughly overran it.

More than 1 million Israfel covered the interception fleet like amorphous amoeba, and while melting the whole body, they invaded the inside, melting 62,000 giant bodies from the inside.

The difference in strength between the two armies was evident in the turbulent battle, and in various parts of the battlefield, the Monarchy, which was overwhelmingly superior in terms of force evaluation, had an overwhelming advantage.

[Ōizumi, I’ll kill you even if it means my death.]

[Just as you killed the Royal people, you will be burned and vaporized!]

In the fighter crafts’ intra-unit communications, murderous insults and shouts of joy were raised as enemy ships were dropped.

For the Monarchy, the Ōizumi army is a bitter enemy that killed 3 billion Royal citizens, including Sovereign Valfrete, in the Second Battle of the Diete. The majority of Israfel pilots had losses by Ōizumi, including family members, lovers, and friends.

For the pilots, the Ōizumi army is a direct target of revenge.

They were unusually full of killing intent, not morale. Therefore, on the battlefield, even reckless assaults in groups were scattered throughout the sector.

Israfel crafts raced through the dazzling light of exploding fusion rounds as a rain of arrows.

The light of anger released from the one million flying arrows was thrust at the shield of the Tenka ships all at once, saturating their defenses, shattering the shield and piercing through the inner hulls.

[General Listner, Acting Commander-in-Chief, orders all forces. Carry on fighting. The battle-linked system guides the fleet and the fighter crafts into the appropriate sector. Avoid losses to the fleet. Auxiliary fleet, begin establishing supply base in the celestial cluster.]

Colette continued to lead the rampage efficiently without killing the momentum of the raging army, like a bullfighter waving the red flag as a target.

The interception fleet, which had been hit by the onslaught of the Royal Army, countered with the power of Daemons.

More precisely, there was no countermeasure other than relying on the Daemons, but it was not a wrong choice, and the power of the Daemon showed a reasonable effect.

The Tenka ships, supported by the Daemons, were orderly intercepting the charging Israfel, protecting themselves against each other in several units, shooting down the appropriate fighter crafts, increasing the number of people on their way to the hell where they themselves would be beaten down.

On the front lines, where light arrows and spears were hurled on each other, a battle like a prediction of the future from a human perspective was being waged.

Spirits and Daemons read each other’s magic elements to anticipate and avoid each other’s attacks. Or rather, they worked in tandem with their fellow allies to block the enemy’s retreat route and steadily grind them down.

Guided by Spirits and Daemons, the soldiers of both armies survived mysteriously or were killed as a natural consequence, repeatedly bombarding and evading with indescribable, intuitive movements.

The biggest difference between the two armies was the difference in strength.

Even though the next craft entered the space where Israfel had been destroyed, the hole that had become vacant due to the destruction of the interception fleet of Ōizumi was left vacant.

No matter how much damage was dealt, the endless rain eventually shattered the formation of the interception fleet, swallowing the sector with a turbid stream of light.

[Our forces are overwhelming.]

[Keep fighting. If you have the advantage and can cut them down, cut them down thoroughly.]

Even with the casualties to the Royal Army, the energy to move forward was tremendous, and in fact, the Ōizumi army was forcibly pushed out of the sector.

However, the Royal Army was not rushing in, but was efficiently moved by Colette, the Acting Commander-in-Chief, and as a result, pushed the Ōizumi army back.

Colette’s fighting style was far more precise and ruthlessly thorough than Hart’s, who sometimes showed a sketchy side.

She throws Israfels into the middle of the interception fleet whose formation had collapsed, and while crushing friend and foe together, the fleet was overrun. At the same time, large ships were deployed from the top, bottom, left and right, and the rear of the interception fleet was scraped off by long-range artillery.

In order to respond to Hart’s desire to reduce the damage of the fleet, Colette crushed the enemy using easy-to-replenish Israfels, while also making maximum use of the firepower of the fleet to disperse the Ōizumi army with maximum efficiency.

The extruded interception fleet dropped back as it was pushed out to join its allies in the rear.

Ōizumi had a force equivalent to 174,000 ships, and if all the forces joined together, it will be superior to the Monarchy’s 155,380 ships worth of force. The Ōizumi army was estimated to join up in nine hours.

The purpose of the Royal Army is to destroy the head planet in the Ōizumi Star System, not to annihilate the enemy forces.

The Royal Army had cut down the prominent interception fleet accordingly, but Colette decided to avoid a series of battles with the fresh newcomers.

[Cut off the pursuit with five hours remaining and retreat to the outer edge of the star system. Once the Israfels retreat, switch to autopilot and let the pilots rest.]

With five hours, the interception fleet can be annihilated. And with four hours’ distance from the newcomers, they could retreat to avoid an engagement.

Unable to maintain numerical superiority, Ōizumi’s defenders could not carelessly chase the Royal Army. If time can be bought in the standoff, that is time earned for Hart to return.

Not a single Royal Army officer or soldier defied Colette’s policy for victory. The aristocratic army, of course, followed suit, and the Royal Army began to move towards the early annihilation of the interception fleet and a quick retreat.

On the edge of the screen projected on the Israfel cockpit during the battle, a countdown to the withdrawal time is displayed.

Artillery fire from both sides flew across the battle sector, a large number of missiles were rampant, and the wreckage of the destroyed ship raged.

Hunters in fighter crafts ran through the sector and attacked the target Tenka ship in groups, creating numerous victors and losers.

As Israfel destroys the enemy, the density of the interception fleet decreases, and the light in the embattled sector becomes smaller.

Seeing that the fierce fighting had subsided and both armies had begun to pull back on their own, Colette turned to her Chief of Staff.

“Chief of Staff, report the loss of both sides.”

In the case where Yuna would have detached herself from the situation and looked at it from a bird’s eye view, Collette calmly confirmed the damage to their side without being disturbed.

It’s not that Colette’s personality is cold, but her origin as the shadow clan of the Royal Family and her experience of living under the guise of Yuna’s close friend has given her a high tolerance for shock.

When it comes to human matters, Colette can accept most things as they are.

If it was the casualties of the Royal Army that occurred in the war, even if it was the annihilation of allies, she could easily dismiss them and consider what happened in terms of profit and loss.

As it turned out, the Chief of Staff’s report was very good for Colette.

“Ma’am. Israfel destroyed, 188,325 crafts, about 17% of the total crafts. The enemy’s interception fleet, 50,220 ships, about 81%, have lost their magical reactions.”

Along with the report, the Chief of Staff projected the star system forces onto the screen of the Command Center. The Monarchy’s and Ōizumi’s forces within the Ōizumi star system were 100:95.

Already, the Monarchy’s army had a slight advantage over Ōizumi’s army.

Moreover, Colette led the leading fleet and Israfel, which had been launched from Fortress Kerviel, after which seven regular fleets and fifteen Aristocratic fleets from the Solar System would arrive. Together, the Force Evaluation would be 100:83.

“We have enough of the upper hand to be tempted to attack on our own before the Commander-in-Chief returns, but let’s wait so we’ll be even more dominant. First, have the Israfel pilots rest.”

“Understood.”

Most of the disengaged Israfel switched to autopilot.

At the outer edge of the star system, where the fighter crafts with resting pilots were heading, Philine’s fleet, separated from Fortress Kerviel, was continuing to deploy in the Israfel’s mooring space.

Philine’s fleet consisted of 9,500 ships.

The breakdown was 500 destroyers, 1,000 escort ships, 2,000 reconnaissance ships, 2,000 transport ships, and 4,000 craft ships, a fleet more suited for field work rather than battle.

Destroyers and reconnaissance ships were sent out to search for and eliminate enemy ships around the star system, while transports and craft ships were used to resupply and repair Israfel.

Philine’s fleet and Israfel both belonged to Fortress Kerviel, so it was easy to coordinate with them. Although the stationed fleet at the fortress was not organized with this much thought, the fleet functioned perfectly with the Israfel supply line.

The Royal Army, which was waiting for the second wave, and the Ōizumi Army, which was unable to move due to its inferiority, kept a reasonable distance from each other and entered into a standoff.

As the Royal Army took up position on the outer edge of the star system, the Tenka people living in the Ōizumi Star System fell into chaos, and a large number of civilian ships moved in ten different directions.

Seeing their inferiority on the battlefield, the ships fled in the opposite direction of the Monarchy’s deployment sector.

Ships that hurriedly rushed to the head planet to secure acquaintances and assets.

Ships that bravely or recklessly joined forces with the Ōizumi Defense Force.

However, even with civilian ships entering the battle, it was not enough to overturn the inferiority.

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While the two armies kept their distance and stared each other down for several days, civilian ships continued to carry missiles and mines to the front line, increasing Tenka’s offensive power.

With the cooperation of civilian ships, Tenka continued to fire long-range missiles erratically from outside artillery range in order to reduce and exhaust the Monarchy forces.

In response, the Monarchy intercepted with 1,000 escort ships of the fleet led by Philine, and if they could not keep up, the other fleets cooperated as they awaited the arrival of the Solar System invasion force.

The difference in strength between the Royal Army and the Ōizumi Defense Force remained almost unchanged as time passed, and eventually the arrival of reinforcements from the Solar System Invasion Army widened the Force Evaluation to 100:83.

Compared to 100:95, 100:83 is almost a definite win-loss.

As a result of the wider gap in strength, the Ōizumi army avoided engagement and withdrew towards the head planet, and began to support the escape of civilians and civilian vessels.

Wén shuǐ has a population of 12.5 billion, with a good number of National Mage families living there. Colette was unsure about waiting to see what would happen if she were forced to overlook the departure of these people, but refrained from acting, remembering that the purpose of the Monarchy was the birth of the Spirit King.

Twenty-three days after Colette’s arrival in the Ōizumi system, a reconnaissance ship of the Philine fleet caught a new enemy.

[From the direction of Honyō, enemy fleet of 60,000 ships, estimated to arrive in the Ōizumi Star System in about three days. In addition, from the direction of Ten-to, enemy fleet of 40,000 ships will arrive in the Ōizumi Star System in about 10 days.]

Against the Royal Army, which they could not be defeated on their own, Ōizumi called for reinforcements from the surrounding Tenka Star Systems.

Colette was not panicked by the predictable situation and issued instructions.

“Chief of Staff, give me the Force Evaluation after the enemy reinforcements.”

According to the figures issued by the Chief of Staff, the Force Evaluation of both armies, which was 100:83, would be 100:123 with reinforcements from Honyō and 100:150 after the reinforcements from Ten-to.

By calculating only the enemy’s movements, they should resume the battle while they have the upper hand or withdraw.

However, Fortress Kerviel, which was filled with the second wave of Israfel, was also approaching Ōizumi. What’s more, the fortress is moving as a single ship, and if Hart pushes himself, he can adjust the arrival time.

“Chief of Staff, what will the assessment be once Fortress Kerviel arrives?”

“The second wave of Israfel is not worth 150,000 ships, but a provisional assessment equivalent to 90,000 ships, and if you add that up, we get…”

The Force Evaluation projected on the screen was 100:76 after the arrival of the second wave and the Honyō army, and 100:93 after the arrival of the Ten-to army.

Colette looked at the numbers and looked for ways to make the most of the situation.

“Once the reinforcements from Honyō arrive and it becomes 100:123, the enemy will attack. If Fortress Kerviel arrives at a time when the enemy is in melee range, will we be able to fight 100:76? Unlike our first move, we won’t be able to defeat them individually this time.”

Colette was convinced that a 100:76 battle would be a real possibility.

This is because, even if the Ōizumi army that had joined the Honyō army will not attack, if the Monarchy side that had joined with Fortress Kerviel attacked, it would be a 100:76 battle.

In addition, it was impossible for the enemy not to engage with a Force Evaluation of 100:123, considering common sense. Because the enemy is aware that Fortress Kerviel is absent, and would obviously want to defeat them before it returns.

Convinced that the battle would be won, Colette pondered further developments.

The defense fleet of Honyō, a rear star system that has provided reinforcements of 60,000 ships, has been reduced to less than 114,000 ships. If Fortress Kerviel invades with ace pilot Israfel in the Ōizumi Star System, wouldn’t it be possible to defeat Honyō as well?

In this way, the two star systems will be destroyed and two Spirit Kings would be born.

With one more Spirit King, one more star system could be protected. It was worth carrying out the operation, even at some risk.

“We ought to do it, if possible.”

Seeing a development that could give the Monarchy an overwhelming advantage, Colette immediately communicated with Hart, who was re-advancing to Ōizumi, and suggested the arrival time and the next target.

Five days later, as the Ōizumi and Honyō armies merged and were closing in on the Royal Army led by Colette, Fortress Kerviel which reappeared at the outer edge of the star system arrived and started a second battle.

However, Hart himself did not head for the sector where the two armies were approaching.

Appearing in the exact opposite direction of the outer edge of the star system, Fortress Kerviel ignored the expected engagement sector of both armies and headed straight for the head planet Wén shuǐ at maximum acceleration.

“How naively honest. There is no need for a head-on battle. Our goal is to destroy the inhabited planet of Tenka and create a Spirit King. While Colette’s fleet attracts the enemy to the outer edge of the star system, we will destroy Wén shuǐ and leave the system.”

Fortress Kerviel, which had been loaded with enough objects for entry in the sector where Philine’s fleet had been released, rushed forward by shortening the time to gather celestial bodies from the surrounding.

In response, the Ōizumi forces showed their agitation by disrupting the ship’s line.

Even if the enemy army is cut down, if their homeland is destroyed, the home country of Ōizumi will fall.

The Tenka fleet, which was heading for the outer edge of the star system, eventually slowed down, changed course to the center of the star system, and began to accelerate again.

However, the initial action was delayed, and there was no way they could match the advance speed of Fortress Kerviel when accelerated by Mira.

The preceding Fortress Kerviel began to slow down as it approached Wén shuǐ so that Berenice, Hart’s contracted spirit, could absorb the full extent of Wén shuǐ’s miasma.

“After the destruction of Wén shuǐ, we will join the leading fleet. Depending on the relative speed, the crossing with the oncoming enemy may be instantaneous. After the rendezvous, the fortress will accommodate the first wave as best it can, the second wave in any available space, and put the remainder on the leading fleet. If any cannot be accommodated, destroy them and evacuate.”

Hart announced his plans ahead and ordered the whole army to begin preparations.

If they join as they are, the ratio of Israfel in Fortress Kerviel will be 80% from the first wave and 20% from the second wave.

The Israfel’s strength rating dropped from the equivalent of 150,000 ships to 140,000, but they had the upper hand over the estimated 114,000 Honyō defense force, so there was no reason to hesitate in invading Honyō.

“We caught the Ōizumi head planet, Wén shuǐ.”

“Plunge the celestial bodies in. We have prepared a large number in case they fail. No need for hesitation towards Ōizumi, they killed 3 billion people in the Second Battle of Diete. I don’t care if this planet will be uninhabitable for a long time. In fact, make it uninhabitable forever.”

Under Hart’s orders, the fortress personnel projected one celestial body after another from the fortress, destroying the planet that had been inhabited by 12.5 billion people until a month ago and turning it into a scorching planet.

And from the planet, countless spheres of light reminiscent of the soul rose and were absorbed by Berenice, who manifested beside Hart.

The sphere of light continued to spring up for about three hours, becoming a glowing sliver of light that illuminated Berenice, and then faded and disappeared.

The main forces of Ōizumi and Honyō have yet to reach Wén shuǐ even at this time.

The Battle of the Ōizumi Star System had a completely different outcome from what Hart had imagined at the time of the invasion.

Initially, Hart intended to join Colette with the second wave, overwhelm the enemy with total strength, break through the defense fleet, and capture Wén shuǐ in a common sense manner.

That was the first move, and the Ōizumi side, unwilling to put out the interception force, would be attacked by Fortress Kerviel and destroyed one by one, and the decisive battle would be unsuccessful.

Finally, once the Ōizumi and Honyō armies joined forces to overcome their inferiority and headed for the large fleet led by Colette and an army of one million crafts, Fortress Kerviel, using them as bait, would swoop in from the opposite direction and destroy the head planet in the blink of an eye.

Hart wondered if the Ōizumi army, which had been at their mercy and defeated without being able to put up a fight, might be in a state of stupor.

The Royal people, who held a deep grudge against Ōizumi for half destroying the Capital planet Diros, would be delighted by the most brilliant victory ever seen in history and shout out a cheer.

It can also be expected to have a tremendous publicity effect, enough to dispel the anxiety of the Daemons.

However, the remarkable achievement that would go down in the annals of military history was the product of a chain of coincidences that occurred as a result of the Ōizumi Army making a mistake in its initial move.

Afterword

This is an appeal for those who have not purchased the first volume of the book version!

In the first volume of the book version, Hart’s school life is also written.

Invited to the salon by the ladies.

He will be challenged to compete in academic performance.

Called under the cherry blossom tree behind the school building and confessed to.

First contact with the Marquis Lady Philine in Middle School,

Yuna and Colette from that time also appear.

In addition, there is also a dedicated illustration drawn by Mr. Hirame Shibaishi!

…… Everyone who bought it, I’m not lying, am I? (Laughs)

The second volume also has a nice + α in it.

Please purchase Volume 1 & Volume 2!

Thank you m (_ _) m

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