“The heck, you’re a human pig now and still so smug!” Autumn Mountain Yawata looked expressionlessly at Captain Yu Lian, whose head was the only part visible, and secretly sent this famous scene to the Lionheart Society 2.0 group chat, which made him feel a little happier.
It was a pity he wasn’t using expensive source-matter wave instant communication; otherwise, if he could see everyone’s reactions, he would be even happier.
Captain Yu Lian probably didn’t notice his small action and continued, “I just learned from Ke'ermo—yes, that Ke'ermo, the rebel leader who has recently risen to prominence—that this incident has the Empire’s involvement behind it, and it was personally orchestrated by Marquis Odgar, who just succeeded to his title.
If we can corner him in the ISA782 Star System and catch him red-handed with evidence, it will be much easier to make our case at the Galactic Civilization Council.”
To be honest, with the situation having developed to this point, military strikes could already be brought to an end.
The Myriad Souls Heresy was basically ready to be written into history books, and as for the Lumina Rebels, even if the Commonwealth Government did nothing afterwards, it would take at least ten years for them to gather the strength for violent resistance.
Therefore, after the military battle, it should be time for the political battle.
For example, such a large Sero Ancient City, an ancient architectural complex listed as a first-level interstellar material cultural heritage by the Galactic Civilization Council, was razed to the ground by a group of barbaric soldiers.
Although the Commonwealth side could provide countless pieces of evidence to show that it was the Heresy and the rebels who courted death, this was, after all, an archaeological tragedy that could be called a civilizational catastrophe, enough to attract a large wave of verbal attacks from the outside world.
Another example is that in this battle, the Commonwealth side ultimately conducted orbital bombardment and used almost all weapons of mass destruction except nuclear and biochemical weapons, such as spatial oscillation bombs, electromagnetic bombs, and high-thermal incendiary bombs.
It is estimated that the enemies in Sero Ancient City should have been completely wiped out.
Not a single prisoner left behind would definitely, certainly, and absolutely lead to wild speculation and give others an excuse to criticize.
In addition, would orbital bombardment of one's own territory cause a humanitarian disaster? Were there any hidden circumstances involved? All these needed to be investigated.
The Commonwealth could, of course, also Present evidence of Void Realm monsters descending, proving that their decisive action eliminated the Void Realm monsters and averted a greater disaster; however, they would certainly be criticized at the Galactic Civilization Council.
It is estimated that hostile nations would also secretly propose sanctions.
Whether or not they would actually be sanctioned was one thing, but the leaders being questioned and criticized would definitely happen.
This was no small matter.
If the important figures were wronged, they would certainly not blame the enemy, but rather resent the subordinates who created such a situation for them, for example, everyone in the Thirteenth Fleet…
“In this way, Marshal Paris, who has just taken office, will certainly bear more pressure from the higher-ups.
Lieutenant General Sylvester, who provided us with convenience, will also suffer considerable losses… The Thirteenth Fleet’s creed should be to remember and repay kindness, repaying all favors!
We absolutely cannot let our benefactors take the blame for us!” Captain Yu Lian said.
“Who are you in the Thirteenth Fleet? How is it your turn to set our creed?” Autumn Mountain Yawata lowered his head slightly, using the reflection from his glasses to hide his eye-roll.
“However, if we capture the other party in the ISA782 Star System, and at least obtain evidence that Odgar and the Empire are the masterminds behind this incident, we can gain complete initiative.”
Ultimately, the premise for victory in political battles still lies in the victory of military battles!
However, if the military battle cannot provide enough ammunition for the political battle, the first to take the blame will definitely be the military personnel.
Old General Paris was, after all, at that age, and other high-ranking military officers and the newly established Thirteenth Fleet also had some camaraderie; once there was any problem, today’s glorious victory would become everyone’s death warrant.
Elinore frowned.
She disliked discussing this issue, always believing that military personnel should not meddle in politics and should focus solely on military matters, but she also understood that military personnel who did not understand politics would not even know when they would become sacrifices.
She knew, but she really didn’t like this feeling.
“Thankfully, Yuli helps me think about these things.” A sweet feeling flashed through the Senior Sister’s heart.
“How do I feel like this was all part of your plan?” Autumn Mountain Yawata stared at the smug Captain Yu Lian, unable to resist pushing his glasses again.
Of course, as an excellent elite military officer and staff member, while complaining, he still quickly retrieved the data: “The current Marquis Odgar, Tami Assenti, succeeded to the title three years ago.
However, he is from a collateral branch of the Assenti family, inheriting the title after the main line became extinct.
Before that, he was a reserve officer who graduated from the Royal Knight Academy, also held a doctorate from Wisdom Palace University, and was a member of the Star Realm Knight Order!”
“Sounds like… a talented individual proficient in both scholarly and martial arts!” Elinore sneered.
Captain Yu Lian said, “He is indeed an elite, a model for young nobles in the Empire.
However, this elite, being from a collateral branch, had a planet’s territory stripped away by the Morningstar Royal Family through heraldry law… As a result, the population of the Odgar family’s territory is now less than 100 million.
If he cannot achieve great merits in his generation to restore the territory, his next generation will have to be demoted to count.”
“So, Captain Yu Lian, is it for this reason that you believe he won’t withdraw immediately?” Elinore asked, while her peripheral vision caught Feifei, noticing that she had already set up a camera at the edge of the bridge and started filming.
Only then did Elinore remember that Feifei seemed to have the persona of a military (intelligence) reporter, which was also her primary job.
“...Your subordinate believes there is indeed such a possibility.
If I were Marquis Odgar, and if I had great confidence in my flagship and subordinates, I might want to stay put and launch a counter-attack against us!
At the very least, I would definitely want to understand the situation.” Captain Yu Lian said.
“Do you know him?” Elinore asked.
“...No, but I read his ‘On Breakthroughs’ which he wrote five years ago!
In this treatise, Marquis Odgar proposed a very advanced theory: lightly-equipped, highly mobile cruiser fleets would penetrate enemy territory through narrow interstellar ‘shortcuts’—jump points—to conduct guerrilla sabotage.
Anyone who has read this article would know that its author must be an opportunist with a fiery heart, keen on taking risks, a fervent gambler!” Captain Yu Lian said earnestly.
“Did you really read it?” Elinore always felt that Captain Yu Lian was bluffing, but she had no evidence.
No matter how much of a scholar she was, no matter how complete the Defense University’s database and library were, it was impossible for her to have read a not-so-famous ordinary nobleman’s paper published a few years ago in the Empire.
“I really did (in the future)!” Captain Yu Lian blurted out, his large eyes full of sincerity, not even an eyebrow twitching.
Elinore said nothing, looking unhappily at Feifei, giving her a look, but the latter acted as if she hadn’t seen it at all.
Of course, if it weren’t for Marquis Odgar, who, ten years later, would suddenly emerge from the Far Shore Nebula with a “small fleet” composed of cruisers and Aircraft Carriers, cutting deep into the Commonwealth’s hinterland and almost single-handedly destroying the Far Shore Defense Line that the Commonwealth had managed for over 30 years, thus becoming a renowned Milky Way general, it’s estimated that no one would have read his obscure paper until his death.
At this moment, Autumn Mountain Yawata pushed his glasses and nodded, “...Indeed, judging from that Marquis’s paper, he is very likely to be such a person.
A person can perform, but his military theory must reflect his character.
I believe Captain Yu Lian’s suggestion is worth careful consideration by everyone.”
“You actually read it?!” This time, it was Captain Yu Lian who was shocked.
Everyone exchanged glances, still feeling that Captain Yu Lian’s words lacked sufficient logic and arguments, but because his tone was so self-assured, and with the steady Autumn Mountain Yawata backing him, it did have a certain degree of persuasiveness.
However, this kind of matter was not something that everyone on a single Corsica could decide, and at this moment, Commodore Markov also sent a communication request from Mist Capital 14.
By this time, the Commodore had finished handling the pirate surrender.
He had all the pirates crammed onto one ship, had the landing soldiers blow up the armaments core, removed the engines and shield batteries, and notified the Starport to send security forces to accept the prisoners and the ship, then he no longer paid attention.
Colonel Elinore Bonaparte swore to the universe spirit that she absolutely had not forgotten that Commodore Markov was the fleet’s legitimate Commander, and she quickly completed her report to the Old General.
“...I see.” Commodore Markov pondered for a moment, then looked at Captain Yu Lian, whose head was the only part visible, and couldn’t help but ask, “What kind of game is this? A human pig?”
Captain Yu Lian thought to himself, “If you hadn’t mentioned it, I wouldn’t have thought of that.”
“It’s for treatment, and I can still participate in military meetings,” Captain Yu Lian quickly said.
“However, I apologize, in this state, I really cannot salute you.”
“No need to be formal, Captain Yu Lian and I are old friends.
The battle in the Xiwei Star System last time, your bravery and Wisdom, still fill me with admiration!”
Captain Yu Lian felt like shrinking his head back into the medical pod, not because he was embarrassed by the old man’s praise, but simply because he felt that an old hand who had been in the public eye his whole life should not be taken at face value when he praised someone.
“However…”
“See? See?”
“Precisely because it is you, I must ask clearly.
To my knowledge, you are not one of those arrogant and impetuous types!” The Commodore continued to smile, saying kindly, “...According to the original plan, our Thirteenth Fleet should be here, awaiting the upcoming exercise with the Ninth Fleet (Distant Shore Defense Fleet).
Moreover, by common sense, that enemy Marquis should retreat.
Merely your speculation based on a paper is not enough for me to convince all the officers and soldiers of the fleet to pursue the so-called enemy deep into the dangerous Far Shore Nebula.”
He paused, then suddenly sobered his smile and said in a deep voice, “Furthermore, how the higher-ups consider this, and what impact it will have afterwards, are not issues you should be considering right now.
Captain Yu Lian, you have a great future ahead, and precisely because of that, you should not be considering such matters at this age!”
Captain Yu Lian knew that this was a sincere piece of advice from an elder, and even if he didn’t agree, he had to appreciate it, so he lowered his head: “Indeed, I was overthinking, Commander, you are right to admonish me!”
However, after apologizing, he added, “Then, let’s analyze it from a military perspective.
The most important spoils of war that your subordinate captured from Sero Ancient City are the star charts of the interior of the Far Shore Nebula.” Captain Yu Lian turned his head, only to realize that his entire body was currently fixed in the medical pod, and for a moment, he couldn’t even operate the information terminal.
Fortunately, Feifei thoughtfully picked up his wristwatch, which was on the table, fiddled with it, and overlaid the retrieved information with the previously projected nebula map.
The Old General raised his eyebrows, finally showing a hint of surprise.
On the holographic star map, dashed lines and even solid lines appeared mostly between the star systems that had originally stood isolated in a corner of the universe.