Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Expansionism

February 6, 1640

Conshal Ocean, between Mu and Central Continents

IGVN First Assault Fleet

The Grade Atlastar forcefully parted the waters ahead as it made its way toward the open ocean. The Magikareich Community’s southern ports grew smaller behind them, fading over the horizon as the last few destroyers were fully refueled and resupplied. As part of a series of agreements with the Magikareich Community, the Gra Valkas Empire was allowed to use their ports. In exchange for Gra Valkan technology, the Magikareich government was more than happy to loosen ties with Mu in favor of a bond with the Gra Valkan Empire. Having enlisted the aid of several locals, the fleet was now capable of magical communication — something important for their upcoming mission. 

Admiral Caesar looked back at the shrinking landmasses and lights, sighing as he reflected upon the never-ending warmongering of his superiors. Everything had to be about domination for them, this cycle of violence perpetuated by the government’s massive investments into military assets. A buildup of thousands of warships, planes, and vehicles couldn’t be allowed to go to waste. Adhering to this guiding principle, Emperor Gra Lux allowed these weapons — originally built to be used against the Divine Kingdom of Kain — to be unleashed upon the primitives of this new world. 

For those who resist, as is the case with several puny nations inhabiting valuable land within the Conshal Islands, there would be complete subjugation. For those who accepted Gra Valkan generosity, as is the case with the Magikareich Community, there would be coexistence and mutual prosperity. For those who remain neutral, as is the case with Mu and the Holy Mirishial Empire, there would be little time to make a decision. 

Already, the Department of War drafted a plan to surround the Mu continent by securing the Conshal Islands, along with the Hytal Islands to their north. Control of these territories would improve the logistical capabilities of Gra Valkan forces operating overseas. Planned invasions of the Mu continent could thus be orchestrated on multiple fronts. New bases built on the islands could harbor valuable supplies and deter reinforcements from the Central continent. These bases would also help in future Gra Valkan incursions into other territories, namely the Branchel continent — where an IGVN fleet went missing — and the Vestal continent, which was beginning to succumb to American influence. 

As part of their expansionist initiative, Gra Lux demanded the vassalization of Conshal nations. All were familiar with the Gra Valkas Empire’s victory over Leifor and her subjects. Most of these nations logically concluded that they couldn’t fight back, giving in to Gra Valkan terms. A few however, were defiant. This was an annoyance for the administration, but Gesta’s department saw these circumstances in a different light. Cielia’s rival, Jakob Kurtz, saw an opportunity. Kurtz petitioned for the IGVN’s most powerful battlegroup to subjugate the resisting primitives, enlisting the aid of propaganda crews. By making an example of the barbarians, he intended to scare weaker nations in the civilized regions into submission. 

Desperate, the barbarians banded together into the Conshal Alliance. Led by remnants of the Leiforian Navy, the enemy fleet consisted of mostly wooden sailing ships, similar to the ones employed by Paganda. Their numbers tallied up to almost 300 warships and a small flight of 36 wyverns. In contrast, the First Assault Fleet was made of 6 battleships, 8 carriers, 24 cruisers and 50 destroyers, along with dozens of submarines and logistical vessels. It was certainly overkill, especially considering the Grade Atlaster alone was able to decimate most of the Leiforian Navy. However, the primitives weren’t a deciding factor in this deployment. The Department of War wanted to permanently relocate these assets, assigning them a new home base closer to potential enemies. 

Although Caesar felt remorse for the needless slaughter that was about to occur, he nevertheless carried out the emperor’s will. 

“Enemy vessels spotted eighty miles out! Bearing twenty degrees, relative!” A radar operator called out behind Caesar. 

Caesar continued to stare forward, his eyes focused on the glistening waters as they reflected sunlight. Without diverting his gaze, he issued his commands. “Have the carriers deploy their squadrons. Prioritize enemy wyverns.” Caesar considered the strength of the Leiforian ships and how they were susceptible to even the Antares’ weapons. Weighing the cost effectiveness of using aircraft over shells, he continued, “Once they’ve been neutralized, the squadrons are authorized to use their guns on the ships. Destroyer Squadron 1 will organize rescue operations once all hostiles have been eliminated or have surrendered. If they want to surrender, have them raise white flags.” Caesar sat back down on his seat as he continued to watch the neverending masses of waves outside.

——

Flying below the sparse clouds and parallel to the main formations of the carrier squadrons, a plane from the Department of Propaganda distanced itself from the engagement. It documented the battle from a distance of 20 miles, slowly circling the engagement zone. 

Hundreds of planes flew in groups of three, splitting formation as they approached the enemy wyverns, which just arrived from inland bases. A majority of the fighters continued on their current trajectory, moving to intercept the wyverns. The rest of the fighters remained with the bombers, forming a defensive layer. 

Catching glimpses of metallic glints in the distance, the Conshal Alliance dispatched their wyverns to investigate. The metallic glints grew from specks to a vast swarm, yet the wyverns continued forward to intercept, undeterred. They clumped together, recognizing the numerical disparity between their own forces and the swarm of Gra Valkan aircraft. Regardless of their strategy, they were outnumbered just the same.

The two sides clashed in an anticlimactic battle. With superior accuracy, weapons, range, and numbers, the Gra Valkan fighters easily pulverized the wyverns in one fell swoop. The ease and efficiency with which the strike occurred was no different than swatting a fly. No survivors remained as the defiant flight of wyverns was reduced to a cloud of red; a hail of carcasses and mists of blood slowly drifting down toward the sea. Carnivorous sea monsters quickly swarmed the remains, taking their fill as the ravenous aircraft overhead set their sights on the defenseless ships below. 

7.7mm and 20mm guns shredded the iron plating of the leading Leiforian vessels, dooming them to a watery grave. In a futile attempt at resistance, they fired whatever cannons and muskets they could point to the skies, with the Conshal primitives similarly following suit using arrows and ballistae. Most of the projectiles landed unceremoniously in the ocean. The rare few that managed to strike their targets dealt no damage, their velocity — and thus stopping power — becoming negligible by the time they reached the planes’ altitude. Lucky musketballs managed to dent the chassises of low-flying dive bombers, doing nothing to stop or deter the onslaught of Gra Valkan firepower. 

——

Conshal Alliance Combined Navy

Nearby explosions rocked his vessel, sending several bridge officers crashing into the surrounding equipment and walls. Admiral Ma’shi Va looked around in defeat as he held onto a table, his heart crying out to him. Before the battle started, his fleet received a manacomm from the Gra Valkan fleet, detailing terms of surrender. Naturally, he refused, reiterating the Conshal Alliance’s firm, unmoving stance. 

“We shall fight until the last man!” He had boldly proclaimed earlier. 

Now that the battle currently raged around him, he remembered the rumors about the Gra Valkans — rumors that the Leiforians downplayed. Tales of advanced aircraft on par with the weapons of the Holy Mirishial Empire were no longer tales, but sinister, unforgiving truth. He banged the table as warm tears flowed down his cheeks, nestling in his beard. “Gods, why?” He complained softly. Pangs of guilt and regret tormented him, causing his head to ache. 

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“Admiral!” The ship’s captain called out to him, recovering from the explosion. “Are you alright?” He noticed the tears flowing down the admiral’s depressed face and his slouch of defeat. “Admiral? Your orders?”

Admiral Va acknowledged the captain’s words, descending further into madness. The Leiforians sought vengeance, and appealed to the Conshal Alliance’s ignorance to bolster their own forces. He realized that he and his men were no more than cannon fodder, meant to be sacrificed so the few Leiforian vessels could land a blow. The tragic situation caused him to smile a bit; despite the Leiforians’ best efforts, even they couldn’t land a single blow. They were mercilessly cut down, as they had been last year. 

As the last Leiforian ship succumbed to the Gra Valkan light bullets, Admiral Va felt a sense of relief. It creaked and groaned, wood snapping as the vessel was torn asunder by the violent waves that crashed into it. The structural integrity of the ship diminished with each strafe, until it completely ceased to exist. Va watched as Leiforian sailors struggled to grasp debris, the lucky few managing to stay afloat on a large piece of the bow while the others were dragged underneath the waves by hungry beasts. 

Struck by catharsis, he realized that he was free. Recalling the terms of surrender, he remembered that he and his men would be guaranteed safety should he raise a white flag. He debated this decision, weighing his duty as an admiral for the Conshal Alliance and his duty as an admiral of his men. With the loss of all Leiforian vessels, the Gra Valkans began to target his fleet’s ships. 

Every second he delayed could result in the deaths of a hundred more men. “I’m sorry,” he said softly, apologizing to his countrymen back home for failing to defend them. “Captain, raise a white flag,” he said with a shaky voice, still looking down at the table while tears stained his clothes. He closed his eyes and sighed, feeling like a weight was lifted off his chest. “I’m sorry,” he said once more. 

The order to surrender was announced. One by one, the wooden ships raised their white flags. By the time their surrender was identified by the Gra Valkans, ten more ships had fallen. The battlefield suddenly grew peaceful; the deafening thunder of gunfire ceased and only the sounds of propellers hitting the air remained. 

——

IGVN First Assault Fleet

“All squadrons are returning, sir. The enemy has officially declared their surrender,” an officer reported. 

“Thank you, Lieutenant,” Caesar calmly said, staring at the pillars of smoke in the distance. “Have the fleet continue forward. Destroyer Squadron 1 will conduct cleanup and rescue operations. Send a message to the Conshal Alliance; inform them of their fleet’s surrender and remind them of the terms of defeat.”

“Of course, Great Admiral,” the officer bowed before taking his leave. 

After a brief period of silence, a man behind him spoke up. His voice was laced with excitement. “So, Great Admiral, shall we be sieging their cities, as we had with Leifor?”

Caesar sighed. He didn’t want to cause further suffering and destruction. The orders from the Department of War, however, were as clear as could be. At least one city had to be punished. At least one city had to be made an example of, so that the Department of Propaganda had more material to work with. Was the bombardment of Leiforia not enough? Apparently, it wasn’t, as evidenced by the defiance demonstrated by the Conshal Alliance. Caesar just wished that the primitives would finally learn their place after this. “Yes, we shall,” he solemnly replied. “Captain Luxtal, you may coordinate fire with other battleships and operate with your discretion. Just… try not to expend too much ammunition.” Without turning back, Caesar could already sense the man was smiling.

With a perverse grin, Luxtal responded. “Gladly, sir.”

——

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