“What, what is going on? Did that old Crimson Mane fellow launch his attack early? And he didn’t even notify this king? Is he trying to steal my glory? That old fellow’s intentions are truly malicious!”
When Prince Crimson Mane led the royal fleet to the edge of the West Tail Constellation and saw the images transmitted from over a dozen astronomical units away, he was stunned for a few seconds before erupting in a rage. That was the very first thing he said.
He was indeed a rather majestic big cat, with a burly and robust physique, thick arms that moved with a powerful sway, and a full mane of hair like a lion’s, blood-red in color—a mark of pure royal lineage. When he flared up, his hair and beard trembled as if fresh blood was burning within them.
This fellow perfectly fit the aesthetic of the Kaitai people. Unfortunately, he lacked a brain, though the Kaitai people didn't particularly appreciate brains anyway. A much smaller Kaitai person beside him sighed silently.
He was Lieutenant General Osen Blackfin, the Chief of Operations at the Kaitai Kingdom Army’s General Headquarters—a man known as a “Wisdom” among the Kaitai military. However, Wisdom was not the most respected virtue among the warrior race of Kaitai, especially when paired with a relatively weak physique; it was easily perceived as weakness, cunning, and maliciousness. More importantly, Lieutenant General Blackfin was not a pure Kaitai but a hybrid of Kaitai and the kingdom’s second-class Terrabi people, naturally making him even less favored.
Blackfin was indeed exceptionally talented and highly valued by Prince Charlen Crimson Mane, but his current position was likely the end of his career.
Swearing to the universe spirit and the Claw Gods, Blackfin truly disliked this liege. The other party was arrogant, overbearing, and prone to rage, and most importantly, he was missing a screw in his head. It was precisely because the Kaitai people were currently engulfed in this emotional state that a leader with such characteristics had emerged. Yet, the other party had indeed treated him well, making him feel the long-lost appreciation of a true patron.
Since that was the case, he might as well fulfill his duty as an aide for now.
Blackfin stepped forward and said to the Prince, “It wasn’t Old Marshal Crimson Mane who attacked early. Otherwise, the battle should have started in Gibraltar… no, the Ironfang 3rd system. That was the tactical plan my humble self and the Marshal had devised beforehand.”
Although Prince Charlen was in the late stages of chronic rage, he could still listen to reason, at least from trusted confidants like Blackfin. He immediately calmed down.
“It’s the Commonwealth Outer Rim Fleet, they’ve preempted us, Your Highness!”
This time, Prince Charlen could no longer calm down.
“Wh-what, these shameless humans, these despicable hairless monkeys, I…”
“Your Highness, watch your words,” Blackfin reminded him expressionlessly. “If those words reach the Empire, your standing…”
This time, although the Prince didn’t want to calm down, he had to. He actually forced himself to observe the battle for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, “This isn’t good. That old fellow’s situation is wrong. We must go support him!”
Although Prince Charlen was in the late stages of chronic rage, he had, after all, received professional military education and guidance from renowned teachers, with quite good results. He could naturally discern the current battle situation.
“No, wait, Your Highness. Old Marshal Crimson Mane’s battle can hold on for a bit longer. But if we intervene now, it will become a piecemeal tactic, with limited effect.” Blackfin paused, staring intently at the Prince, his tone gradually turning chilling.
“We don’t need to bother with their messy fight. Accelerate immediately. Once we detect the gravity well signal, jump directly into the Ironfang 3rd system, then strike directly at the Terran’s Gibraltar Starport! I estimate that the main force of the enemy Outer Rim Fleet has already committed most of its strength, leaving Gibraltar virtually undefended. As long as we control the Star Gate, we can still achieve our predetermined objective.”
Prince Charlen was a bit bewildered. It was truly the first time he had seen his trusted aide look so ruthless, with every word carrying a sense of grim determination. He admitted he was a bit intimidated. This must be because the fellow usually acted so nonchalant; the sudden change in demeanor caught him off guard.
Charlen shook his Crimson Mane, regaining some composure, and asked in a deep voice, “…Old Marshal Crimson Mane, are we abandoning the United Fleet? What if they are completely annihilated?”
“Impossible. The Outer Rim Fleet doesn’t have such a large appetite. Besides, the Terrans probably don’t have that intention either, otherwise… where are their assault ships? Where are their Dreadnoughts? Your Highness, even if you rush over now, at most, you’ll only return the situation to before the war started. To suffer such losses and gain nothing is not the act of a Wisdom!”
Charlen carefully considered the other’s words and admitted they made sense. He almost agreed but shook his head and said, “Osen, have you misunderstood something? What I want is to reclaim our sacred territory and Star Gate honorably, not to steal them.”
What a “reclaim” and not “steal.” But who was it that was full of praise for our sneak attack plan earlier?
Blackfin stifled the urge to roll his eyes and patiently persuaded, “Your Highness, whether it’s reclaiming or stealing, the war has already begun. The only goal is victory!”
“You are only half Kaitai, and you still don’t seem to understand the true heart of a brave warrior! Osen, the reason I stand here is not because I have a Crimson Mane, nor because I am a Prince, but because they believe I am the greatest warrior, capable of leading them to reclaim their territory, capable of leading them to gain honor honorably. That’s why they are willing to follow me!”
You are mistaken, Your Highness! The reason they follow you is only because you “might” lead them to gain benefits! I thought this should be an easy question to understand.
“That old Crimson Mane fellow… the Old Marshal is fighting valiantly, and all the soldiers are awaiting our arrival, expecting us to be their saviors. I have no right to disappoint my warriors! What’s more, you just said that a part of the enemy fleet should be uncommitted. Who can guarantee that if we rush over, we won’t fall right into their encirclement? But now, the truly clear battlefield is right there!”
“…Your Highness.” Blackfin wanted to persuade him further, but his liege interrupted, “I have made up my mind. We will immediately rush to reinforce them. With our addition, with these four Dreadnoughts, the Terran’s small boats are no match! I can honorably crush their Outer Rim Fleet’s main force and then honorably arrive at the Star Gate! This is the proper starting point for my heroic path.”
Lieutenant General Blackfin felt an unprecedented weariness, wanting very much to walk away, find a sunny spot to chew some catnip, and then sleep soundly, but he still patiently said, “…Alright, if that is your decision. Let’s depart from here. Here, the West Tail system’s Asteroid Belt. We can use them for cover, quickly bypass to the rear of the enemy fleet, and launch an attack!”
As an excellent staff officer, he quickly formulated a nearly perfect march route and presented it to his liege.
The Prince was very pleased, even a little excited. He could already imagine their terror when his fleet plunged into the enemy’s rear, and he could naturally imagine the emotions and cheers of his own soldiers at that time. He took a deep breath and roared, “Order the entire army to begin the march along this route! This is the first shot to overthrow human tyranny!”
“Down with human tyranny! The world belongs to Kaitai!”
“Down with human tyranny! The world belongs to Kaitai!” The officers on the bridge cheered loudly in response, falling into a state of frenzy with their Commander.
“If you want to overthrow human tyranny and seize the world, aren’t you supposed to fight the Tiro people of the Empire? When did it become the Terrans of the Commonwealth?” Blackfin muttered coldly beside him.
The Prince was startled and quickly whispered, “Don’t, don’t talk nonsense! If those words reach the Empire’s ears, your standing… Anyway, I won’t be able to protect you.”
“…”
Lieutenant General Blackfin was very depressed, but Prince Charlen was excitedly engrossed in his own thoughts, completely hyped up even without chewing catnip. Of course, despite being hyped, he acted calmly enough, repeatedly urging all ship captains to maintain vigilance, keep formation, and ensure the smooth operation of shields and point-defense weapons.
It wasn’t that he guessed there would be a sneak attack, but rather that the fleet had already entered the Asteroid Belt. With a dozen behemoths weighing millions of tons flying at high speed through the Asteroid Belt, there was always a risk of collisions.
Perhaps because of this, when someone reported “high energy readings ahead,” Prince Charlen didn’t panic.
“A petty trick! Of course, the enemy might have guessed our arrival and sent some detachments here to set an ambush. Heh, this is the usual practice of despicable humans! Heh, all petty tricks. I’d like to see what the ignorant Terrans use to block my Dreadnoughts.”
Before he finished speaking, the “high energy readings” ahead were already visible to the naked eye. They were over a thousand missiles, swarming like a beehive.
“Point-defense cannons, prepare…”
But the missiles exploded directly without hitting their targets. Shrapnel grazed the shields, causing tiny energy reactions, yet it was like a slingshot hitting a mountain.
Charlen Crimson Mane parted his lips, about to scoff, but Blackfin instinctively felt something was wrong and shouted, “Your Highness, the enemy is tricking us!”
Before he finished speaking, from the explosions of those missiles, a wave suddenly surged forth, undetectable by the naked eye but definitely palpable. These waves seemed to form pulsating amplitudes, rippling through space, instantly enveloping all Kaitai warships within their vibration range.
“Whoosh!” After the shock, all screens began to display teeth-gritting static. Radar, communication, and monitoring devices were left with nothing but an impenetrable silence.
Then, for a full ten minutes, the ears and eyes of the Kaitai Royal Guard Fleet were kicked back to before the Age of Sail.
Today, I’m happily a one-chapter-a-day beast again! Length is actually just a relative concept.
So, now it’s long, super long, long, explosive long. Aren’t you truly excited?