Chapter 131

  "Rudolf, the list of generals who will lead the campaign against the alliance has been finalized." Gustav von Shuttekau, who had already been promoted to lieutenant general, walked into the office.

  "Let me take a look, huh, another blondie? It's normal for the Supreme Commander of the Space Fleet to have gone on seven or eight out of ten battles. But how can Mühlberg as an Admiral be on every single one? Are there no other Imperial officers?" Rudolf von Fafnir said discontentedly, looking at the list in his hand. As he moved up the list, he saw the names of the officers and troops under Reinhard von Mühlberg's command, "The wheels of history..." a very soft voice.

  "What did you say? Lord Fafnir."

  "Nothing." Favniel didn't bring it up again. "How's the fleet's supply and replenishment now? Shutekku Hauen."

  "Excellent! The replenishment is all done. By the way, Rudolf, you've been going to the Imperial Royal Library quite often these days? Is there something good inside?"

  "Nothing, just a little something to alleviate the boredom of fleet travel in the future." Fafnir clearly didn't want to bring up this topic, and Shutekhaur also wisely retreated.

  Rudolf von Fafnir, Viscount and Imperial Army Lieutenant General, was actually a man who had crossed over from the infinite world. What he had been doing these past few days was merely downloading large amounts of scientific and technological data from the Imperial Royal Library since the Common Era, including all liberal arts and engineering materials, production line data, materials, etc., etc. Fortunately, it was now the Galactic Era, and a device the size of a fingernail could almost permanently store the data that could fill several huge libraries.

  "It might come in handy later." That's what this man thought.

  However, his fleet is now stationed in Odin and has only more than 6,000 ships.

  In the 486th year of the Imperial Calendar, Reinhard von Müsel participated in this year's second expedition. It was also the maiden voyage of his beloved flagship Brünhild. The military exploits he achieved during this campaign would surely add another layer to the illustrious reputation that would be inherited by him as the future Count of Lohengramm...

  "Let no one have any objections."

  Reinhardt muttered to himself in his chest. Scolding the arrogant and hypocritical prisoners, who thought that getting the Earl's family door was his ultimate goal. But for Reinhardt, it was just a midway island.

  "I recall that the current commander of the Isherlenn fortress is your uncle, isn't he?" Favniel asked his friend and chief of staff.

  "Yes, he is the head of our main house. Our family has been branched out for a long time, but we still keep in touch frequently after all, there are only a few households like Schtukart's in the universe." The chief of staff replied, "However, he often scolds me as if I were the super loser of the Schtukart household."

  "You were originally a good-for-nothing who sells fake medicine! Lord Shuttek didn't do anything wrong at all! Hahaha!"

  "Aren't you the lowest of the low, Fafnir? Your family is even worse than mine! A descendant of a long line of foolish and decadent families! And especially with someone like you!" Shutekko wasn't afraid of his friend and superior getting angry - because he had known for a long time that this friend took pride in being a descendant of a long line of foolish and decadent families, an abnormal scum.

  "Alright, it seems like we're about to engage in battle soon. What do you think will happen at the Battle of Legnica this time?" Shutekau asked his friend.

  "Ah, well, it's all the same anyway. Whether it's the Alliance or the Empire, they're basically just a bunch of guys with similar IQs, and whoever has more numbers will win. But now there's this little guy who likes to play tactical games, and he might surprise those fools and create some interesting battles. However, that little guy had better pray his luck is good enough, or else the foolish performance of those blockheads might just backfire on him..."

  On December 4th, news of the outbreak of fighting arrived at Fafnir's desk via hyperspace communication.

  On December 16th, Favniel received a report that both sides had begun to disengage from contact. "The campaign is over, and it's another campaign where nothing was gained. The only significance is that, no matter what, we've consumed roughly the same amount of strength as the other side..."

  Then there was Mu'gel's performance in the battle, which left Fafnir sighing: "The little guy is really lucky, playing around again. He really thinks it's a game... ... It's good that this level of Mu'gel isn't much of a threat - as his enemy, I'd rather pray he doesn't become my comrade."

  "Yes, Admiral Mühlberg has always had it in for our fleet. If he ever becomes one of the three high officials, he'll definitely want to kick us into the Imperial Military Prison. But this way, Rudolf, is the Emperor indulging this little guy?" General Schtukart got his answer from the look in his friend's eyes that turned away.

  On December 30, Reinhard von Mühlberg formally inherited the title of Baron Rothenklempen under countless noble glares and gritted teeth, while his military rank also jumped to First General.

  In the 487th year of the Imperial Calendar, February, Reinhard von Lohengramm was formally appointed to command the campaign against the Alliance's "Rebels", with the battlefield scheduled for the Astarte star system. The fleet that set out consisted of over 23,000 vessels. The Imperial Space Fleet Command also seemed to have deliberately assigned Rudolf von Favril, a man known as the "shame of the Imperial military" and his 6,300 vessels to Reinhard's command due to their dislike for this "golden brat".

  "Uggghhh... This time I'll really become a subordinate of the Golden Hair!!! Ahhh, it's so infuriating! He'll definitely use all sorts of excuses to mess with us!!!" Fafnir yelled on the bridge of his flagship "Duisburg", which was not participating in this battle due to production delays.

  "What a terrible feeling! Herr Fahnrich!" said Gustav von Schuette, the old friend who was just as notorious for his "unparalleled breach of military discipline" and had been thick with Fahnrich for over a decade. He nodded vigorously while shuffling cards in his hand. Another old friend, the inveterate gambler Dick von Karl, commander of the marine corps, also nodded in agreement.

  Just as the three of them were sighing, the intelligence officer on the bridge communicated: "Sir, the latest enemy situation report has arrived."

  Fawkes looked up at the 3D screen in the air. On the projected screen that occupied the left half of the command platform, four arrow symbols appeared, pointing directly to the center of the screen from top, bottom, left and right. The lower arrow was red, while the others were green.

  "The red arrow is our fleet, the green arrow is the enemy. Our front line is facing the enemy's 4th fleet, which has a force of about 12,000 ships according to estimates. The distance is 2.2 light-seconds, and based on current direction and speed calculations, contact will be made in approximately 6 hours. On our left flank is the enemy's 2nd fleet with an estimated force of 15,000 ships, at a distance of 2.4 light-seconds. On our right flank is the enemy's 6th fleet with an estimated force of 13,000 ships, at a distance of 2.05 light-seconds."

  "We can only retreat now! The enemy has 40,000 ships, roughly one times our number." Said General Shutekhou, the chief of staff.

  "No, Gustav. Our enemies are a bunch of pigs! Their tactics were taught by their mothers or grandmothers, and their campaign and strategy were taught by apes!" General Rudolf von Fafnir asserted.

  Due to the inquiring gaze of his friend, Fafnir stood up and clicked on the red arrow with his hand, then drew a circle clockwise along the 4th, 6th, and 2nd alliances. "We are the inner line, this is the enemy, on the outer line."

  "Indeed! Each one is defeated separately! No wonder Rudolf said they were a bunch of pigs! But why did he say their tactics were taught by their mothers instead of apes? The same with strategy, why was it apes and not mothers?" Gustav von Shuttekau asked, Karl nodding in agreement beside him.

  "Oh, it's so simple. If the apes were teaching them tactics, they should at least know how to charge forward in a group. And if their mothers were teaching them strategy and logistics, they would have learned math and how to calculate which vegetables are the most cost-effective to buy. What is the purpose of this campaign for the Allied Forces? There are only two - either drive our army out and keep the star domain, or annihilate our army and keep the star domain. No matter which goal they want to achieve, the most reasonable and least error-prone way would be to combine three fleets and push forward together to engage in a regular war of attrition with our army. Even if they use two fleets to fight against us head-on after contact, using one fleet to outflank our side would be infinitely smarter than this current encirclement tactic! Calling them pigs is an insult to pigs! At least pigs know how to gather together and charge forward." Fafnir was launching a long tirade.

  "Your Excellency! General von Merkatz, Major-General Vogel, Brigadier Fahrenheidt and Brigadier Erlen are waiting for your response on the visiscreen." The communications officer's words cut off Favni's further remarks about the intelligence of the Alliance officers.

  Fahvern ordered the opening of visual communication. The huge 3D screen automatically split into four parts, each showing a general's face.

  "Ah, Colonel von Meltzer. Good day." Fafnir and Shuttkamp said in unison, bowing their heads. General Willibald Jürgen von Meltzer was a veteran military officer in his fifties, with achievements and reputation as one of the few capable senior generals in the Imperial Army. Due to physical reasons, he had served as an instructor and principal at the Imperial Military Academy for several years, teaching tactics to Fafnir and Shuttkamp, and also disciplining these two unruly students multiple times by confining them.

  "Ah, okay. Let's go see Commander R?yk?rm together then." After a brief exchange, Favniel agreed to General Melkart's request. When the communication closed, Favniel turned to Schuttkamp and said: "I say, does Blonde have some special ability to lower the IQ of those around her? Why can't the instructor see through the war machine? It shouldn't be..."

  "Oh! The enemy has a total of 40,000 ships! It's twice as many as our military!" Reinhardt said calmly.

  "They seem to be planning to surround our army from three directions."

  "Our army's old generals are probably turning green with rage..."

  A wicked smile flashed across Reinhardt's pale face. He knew that his side had been surrounded by the enemy on three sides, but there was no sign of tension in his expression.

  "They are indeed pale with fright! The five admirals request your presence at an emergency meeting!"

  "Oh? Didn't they say they didn't want to see me again?"

  "Didn't you attend?"

  "No! I'm going! ...to point out the way for those guys!"

  Five people appeared before Reinhardt: General Merkatz, Lieutenant General Farenheit, Lieutenant General Fogh, Major General Farrenheit and Major General Eirak. These were the "old generals" that Reinhardt had just mentioned. This title seemed a bit excessive, as the oldest General Merkatz was not yet sixty years old, while the youngest Farenheit was only twenty-eight years old. But for Reinhardt and Gilfieth, they were indeed too young.

  "Your Excellency, thank you very much for allowing us to express our humble opinions!"

  A representative of the old guard, General Meircaz said. He had joined the military before Reinhardt was born and had a wealth of knowledge and experience in both actual combat and military administration. Apart from his average height, sturdy build and sleepy eyes, he looked like an unremarkable middle-aged man, but his achievements and reputation far surpassed those of Reinhardt.

  "I know what you're going to say."

  Reinhardt responded formally to Melchthal's greeting, and took the initiative to say: "Our army is in a disadvantageous position, you all are just here to remind me of this point, aren't you?"

  "Yes! Your Excellency!"

  At this time, Fogge took a half step forward and replied.

  "The enemy army is twice as large as ours and will attack from three directions. This also means that once in combat, the enemy will have the upper hand."

  Reinhardt's icy blue eyes flashed with a hint of clarity as he gazed coldly at the general.

  "Are you implying that our army is bound to be defeated?"

  "I didn't say that! Your Excellency! The fact is that our army is in a disadvantageous position now, just look at the screen and you'll understand..."

  Seven pairs of eyes focused on the projection on the command desk.

  Giraffeis pointed out the situation of the two armies to Reinhardt, and a diagram appeared on the screen. Several soldiers outside the soundproof field looked curiously at their superiors, and General Sturdimu glared at them, and they hastily shifted their gaze. After clearing his throat twice, General Fog spoke again.

  "This time, the formation is the same as before. The Imperial Space Fleet, which gazed at the Milky Way galaxy, set out to quell the rebel forces of the so-called Free Planets Alliance, but ended up suffering a crushing defeat!"

  "Is it 'Dagon's Annihilation War'?"

  "Yes! Indeed, it was a defeat that makes one clench their fists in regret!"

  The general let out a heavy sigh and continued, "The justice of war is entirely dependent on the dominance of humanity's rightful ruler - the Galactic Emperor - and his loyal subjects - us military officers. However, the cunning rebels have resorted to underhanded tactics, causing my brave and loyal million-strong elite army to be annihilated in a single blow. In order to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, I propose that we should not rush into battle this time, but instead, make a glorious retreat to preserve our honor!"

  "What a foolhardy chatterbox! Reinhart thought to himself, but what he actually said was: "You are indeed eloquent! However, I disagree with your views, for I have no intention of retreating!"

  "What's the reason? I'd like to hear more about it!"

  A "You can't teach a child!" scowl was written all over Fuger's face, but Reinhardt replied nonchalantly, "Because we have an overwhelming advantage over the enemy!"

  "It's not just an internal line of battle, taking advantage of the time difference and distance to defeat them one by one. I knew it from the start." The voice of General Fafnir rose up, "The commanders of the Allied Forces are probably born pigs, setting up this formation. Can't help but say, Lord Rozenkranz, your luck is really super good."

  Merkatz looked at Favniel with a mixture of annoyance and helplessness, having long been familiar with the student's fondness for cruel pranks, only to find himself becoming the target of one as well.

  Vogel and Eirakhr were staring at the third youngest officer in the room with a look of complete surprise, while Farlenheit was watching with an air of amusement, his pale blue eyes sparkling with mirth. Many people said he came from a lower noble family and became a soldier just to make ends meet. He excelled at quick attacks and had strong mobility, but when it came to defensive battles, he lacked endurance and tenacity.

  Reinhardt's face was like that of a child who had just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar, and he momentarily forgot what he wanted to say. After clearing his throat twice, he finally managed to speak: "The advantages I mentioned are as follows: Firstly, compared to the enemy's scattered forces from three directions, our army is concentrated in one place. In terms of overall strength, the enemy has 40,000 ships, while we have 20,000. Although the enemy has an advantage, when concentrating firepower on one branch of the enemy army, our 20,000 ships are more than any one branch of the enemy's three branches. At this time, it is our army that gains the upper hand! Secondly, first of all, according to the enemy's current route of advance, if we can defeat the enemy's Fourth Fleet in front of us before they merge, and then shift our target to either the Second or Sixth Fleet on the left and right, when moving from one battlefield to another, our army in the center has a shorter distance to travel. No matter which branch of the two enemy fleets we want to attack, the other branch will inevitably be unable to come to its aid in time, making it very difficult for them. In addition, if the enemy changes their plan and wants to go to another battlefield before the war starts, they will have to take a detour, wasting more effort and giving our army an opportunity to gain the upper hand. In this way, time and distance become our army's sharp tools! That is to say, our army has the advantage of concentrated forces and flexible maneuverability. Is this not the condition for victory?"

  A burst of applause erupted, and that was the voice of General Fafnir: "Well done, Lord Rozenkranz's tactics are indeed brilliant! Everyone, let's do it this way. With good luck, we can at least severely damage two enemy fleets. Even with bad luck, we can still give their fourth fleet a crushing blow. Everyone, the Medal of Honor is waiting for us! Hahaha!"

  The senior lieutenant general's words cast a strange atmosphere over the conference room, and General Ryoichiro Yamada's expression changed several times before he finally said: "I look forward to your fierce battle! Well, now let's talk about specific tactics..."

  A sudden shout burst forth, echoing throughout the entire bridge! An unidentified object has been discovered! The reconnaissance boat sent out an urgent report!

  "The Imperial Army did not appear in the cosmic region we predicted, but instead rapidly advanced towards our army and is about to make contact with the Fourth Fleet!"

  "What? This is too unreasonable!"

  Pate couldn't help but sit up straight in his seat and say in an incredulous tone.

  A dark-haired Asian brigadier general picked up a document on his desk, a paper-based record. It has been four thousand years since the ancient Chinese invented paper, and humans have been using it to write ever since, without inventing any other alternatives, nor can they find any better ones.

  This was the document Yang had proposed, and which General Patten had just rejected. He pored over it thoughtfully, page by page, the words leaping out at him from the neatly printed sheets.

  "The enemy will not perceive the crisis of being surrounded, but rather think it is a good opportunity to disperse and destroy our army separately. At this time, the first target of the enemy's attack may be the Fourth Fleet in front. The Fourth Fleet was originally weak in strength, and the enemy can easily win before the other two fleets arrive to support. Next, the enemy's attack target will be locked on the Second or Sixth Fleet, depending on the enemy's choice. The method of dealing with the enemy is as follows: after the Fourth Fleet has a shallow battle and slowly retreats, it will attract the enemy to pursue and attack; then use the Second and Sixth Fleets to launch a full-scale attack on the pursuing enemy. Repeat this trick, let the enemy be exhausted from running around, and finally surround and annihilate them in one fell swoop. The success rate of this tactic is extremely high, but attention must be paid to the concentration of forces, close communication and coordination, as well as flexible response to advances and retreats..."

  Yang put down the report in his hand, raised his head and gazed up at the wide-angle detector above him like a glass wall. Billions of stars were staring back at him coldly.

  The young brigadier general dispelled the idea of whistling and began to get busy at his own console.