The history of the Galactic Empire is quite troublesome to introduce. In short, we only need to know that their founding Emperor had eight children, all of whom were talented and made great contributions to the establishment of the Empire and its early interstellar expansion, and they were all harmonious and loving siblings. It was simply a beautiful story in the history of cosmic civilization.
The Emperor enfeoffed his eight children to the border regions of the Empire to continue expanding its territory, and at the same time granted them the title of Great Elector King, placing them above all other princes and grand dukes. The so-called Great Elector King did not mean that they voted for others, but rather the opposite. Each generation's Emperor would be born from among the eight Elector Kings of that era.
As for how they were chosen… that's still very complicated, so we won't go into detail here.
Of course, since the fiefdoms of the Eight Great Elector Kings were often located on the Empire's borders, and they commanded powerful armies year-round, they were also known as “Frontier Kings.”
Time flew by, and the Galactic Empire's territory expanded. The Elector Kings' fiefdoms were no longer limited to the frontiers, and their industries could not possibly be derived solely from their land grants. Yet, they remained the vanguards in upholding the Galactic Empire's authority. Their armies, their exalted status, their very existence represented the glorious traditions of the Empire's nobility and people, symbolizing the courage and honor of the Empire and even human civilization!
Presently, the youngest representative of this “Imperial Glorious Tradition and Human Courage and Honor” showed a friendly smile to Warrant Officer Yu Lian and nodded, “I have heard everything you and Countess Lamu Te said. You are right, we truly should not be so arbitrary. On her behalf, I apologize to you and your comrades!”
She bowed slightly, apologizing to Warrant Officer Yu Lian and Colonel Chaimen and Major Nani, who were still lying on the ground. Her bow was almost imperceptible, but it was indeed a bow.
Count Jiafeier was restless for a moment and could only bow to Warrant Officer Yu Lian, saying, “I am very sorry! It was my fault.”
Warrant Officer Yu Lian guessed that the girl must be gritting her teeth right now, but it was a pity he couldn't see clearly through her helmet.
A flurry of whispered conversations broke out among the Earthlings, with surprise, emotion, and even admiration making up the majority of their reactions.
“Did you get that on camera?” Warrant Officer Yu Lian quietly asked Lieutenant Colonel McMillan.
The latter paused slightly, then showed an expression of looking at a barbarian without love. Of course, since he was also wearing a helmet, Warrant Officer Yu Lian still couldn't see it.
“Well, the recording function hasn't stopped since just now…”
“Oh, good. Consider it evidence. It might be useful when we argue later.”
By this point, Lieutenant Colonel McMillan's eyes already held a hint of sympathy.
“Wounded knight, I will send my imperial physicians to visit you. Please accept our apologies,” Brunhild added.
“A-a princess of Dawn Angel spoke to me. This old man's life is complete!” Major Nani stammered, his tone suggesting he was planning never to wash his ears again for the rest of his life. Of course, his “minor” injuries probably didn't hurt anymore.
Warrant Officer Yu Lian just wanted to roll his eyes. He believed that more than half of his companions behind him would have loved to kneel and fawn over Suliuka King, but he didn't expect the first to surrender to be you, a dignified spiritual energy user!
“Too many tragedies have already occurred today. We only hope that you all can restrain your anger and allow things to be resolved calmly. In that case, I will temporarily take over this ship to investigate everything, may I, Captain?” Suliuka King added.
What else could the Captain say? He was now the only senior officer Present who could make decisions on behalf of the Kaitai people.
“Oh, by the way, Mr. Knight from Earth.” As Warrant Officer Yu Lian was about to leave with his companions, Brunhild suddenly spoke again.
Warrant Officer Yu Lian squinted his eyes further, smiling gleefully: “What is it, Your Highness?”
“May I know your name?”
“Warrant Officer Yu Lian.” Warrant Officer Yu Lian really wanted to add “the future nightmare of the Empire,” but he decided it was too embarrassing and refrained, simply announcing his name with a smile.
“Oh, I've remembered it. Warrant Officer, from today onwards, your martial renown will spread across half of this Galaxy, even if they do not yet know you.”
That sounds familiar! My reputation seems to have already spread among the upper echelons of the other half of the Galaxy.
Warrant Officer Yu Lian paused, gave a perfunctory bow, and left expressionlessly.
A few minutes later, Imperial Marine Corps soldiers from Dawn Angel boarded the ship and began their investigation… though it was unclear what exactly they were investigating.
The Imperial Army did not stop Warrant Officer Yu Lian and his companions from leaving. So, they rendezvoused with Lieutenant Colonel Price, who was holding his ground in the middle of the battleship, and then swaggered away, watched by the furious, yet dejected and helpless, Kaitai people.
Over 1500 assault ship members successfully boarded Steel Crown Prince, but only half remained when they left. And of the more than 2500 assault ship members who participated in this boarding operation, fewer than a thousand remained when they returned and were counted.
Just as Warrant Officer Yu Lian had told Captain Winter, mobile infantry always bore the heaviest casualties and performed the most brutal missions. They were the bottom line and the source of courage and honor for the military and even the entire society.
From a purely realistic perspective, their struggle was also very meaningful. Leaving aside General Paris's main battlefield, on this side alone, after the assault ship members successfully boarded, almost every battlecruisers and Dreadnought of the enemy fleet was affected. They were like ferocious beasts with roundworms in their bellies, suffering and mad, yet only capable of impotent rage. Their already not-so-strict anti-aircraft fire became even more disorganized, which in turn made Earth's smaller warships and fighters even more exuberant.
Post-battle statistics showed that out of 48 assault ship that sortied, 12 were sunk, 2 out of 8 destroyers were lost, and a staggering 21 fighters did not return. However, they heavily damaged three battlecruisers, moderately damaged one Dreadnought, and the number of Kaitai sailors killed in action should also be over ten thousand.
Later, these exuberant small ships even directly captured the enemy fleet's supply ships, seizing millions of tons of various materials. These things should not have to be returned.
If we also count the main battlefield personally overseen by General Paris, after this engagement, the Commonwealth Outer Rim Fleet, at the extremely low cost of no capital ships damaged, sank nine enemy battlecruisers, five Armory Ship, and four armored Aircraft Carrier, with countless other cruisers, Guardian Ship, and smaller vessels.
Over 300,000 Kaitai Kingdom soldiers were killed in action, while the Commonwealth lost less than ten thousand, which included Warrant Officer Yu Lian's brave and fearless assault ship members.
This was the Blue Star Commonwealth's biggest foreign “war” victory in 30 years, and also the largest-scale conflict in the entire Galactic society in the past 10 years.
However, in the original “history,” this conflict should have occurred over a year later, in July of 831 Galaxy Common Era.
At that time, the Kaitai people's influence in New Yumen had become too entrenched, with their autonomous territories and even garrisons, and they had even begun preparing to build their own Starport defense base in the Andromeda Galaxy.
At that time, the Outer Rim Fleet was preparing for battle outside the Star Gate, and had even added two new Dreadnought.
Thus, the Kaitai people, who had already gained an advantage, struck first, launching a surprise attack under the command of Prince Crimson Mane.
They had actually been preparing for a long time, concentrating more than twice the Outer Rim Fleet's forces in the Xiwei Star System, and Vice Admiral Blackfin had personally formulated a comprehensive tactical plan.
Facing a surprise attack from an enemy with twice their forces, with their Commander severely wounded and the battle situation extremely unfavorable, the Outer Rim Fleet still held its ground and inflicted more casualties on the enemy than they suffered themselves. But even so, Gibraltar β Starport still fell.
We can probably guess the later outcome. What cannot be won on the battlefield, how can it be gained at the negotiating table?
However, now, with Warrant Officer Yu Lian's intervention, the outcome was completely reversed. He himself could not say how great the butterfly effect triggered by this would be.
“I only know that I did everything I could,” Warrant Officer Yu Lian said.
“As soldiers, we can only do everything we can, and that is enough,” Yang Xiyi replied. “No, as a student, you have actually done very well, extremely well.”
“I just hope that everything we did today won't be in vain.” Warrant Officer Yu Lian had barely spoken when he shivered and couldn't help but laugh.
Yang Xiyi also laughed, tears streaming down his face. After a long while, he asked, “What are you laughing at?”
“I'm laughing that I, a rough and violent man, could say something so literary.”
“Hmm, you certainly should laugh.”
“Teacher Yang, then what are you laughing at?”
“I'm laughing at how naive you are, actually believing that everything we did today won't be in vain! Tell me, shouldn't I laugh?”
“Indeed… I should laugh!”