Chapter 146

  Baron von Oberstein knelt on one knee in the office of Marquis Reinhardt of Royston, his head bowed and silent.

  "Are you saying I should be shot for treason for intervening to prevent a nuclear attack?" Reinhardt glared at the Chief of Staff below him.

  "This is utterly intolerable! Has your mind completely lost its senses? If so, wouldn't it be obvious that I have no control over my subordinates?! Are you going to let them take the fall for this?! You must calm down now! Order! Relieve General Oberstein of his Chief of Staff duties and have him return home for reflection!" The golden-haired lion growled in a low voice.

  Gillfieth is on his way to meet up with Reinhardt's main force in Bald Eagle Castle, when he sees an image that makes him furious from the bottom of his heart - Duke Brownback's nuclear attack on the planet Westatt. However, soon after, another image freezes his heart - Count Fafnir's cold ridicule and sarcasm towards the previous image.

  Gilfieth is a fairly sharp young man, and he almost didn't need to think much more before coming to a conclusion, a conclusion that was as if he had fallen into an ice cave. He locked himself in the command room and stayed there for a whole day without leaving. When the two deputy commanders came to see him, Gilfieth walked out of the room with a painful yet resolute expression on his face. "I'm going to go see Lord Reinhardt directly!"

  If it's said that everyone has a sacred promise in their heart, then for Siegfried Gillfi?s, it was eleven years ago when a beautiful blonde girl with a vague smile told him one sentence: "Sieg, be good friends with my brother!"

  At that time, the 15-year-old Annie Roger made such a request, and the red-haired boy was so proud! This healthy boy, who had hardly ever slept at night, but on this day, he lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep, because his heart was preoccupied with one thing - vowing to be the eternal loyal knight by the side of the siblings - just for that beautiful blonde girl.

  "Jie feng ai si! Xin ku le!"

  Translation: "Thanks for your hard work!"

  When they met again, Reinhard burst out laughing and said. Although Gillfiyas couldn't be said to have returned completely victorious, he had successfully held up the disturbance of the border nobles, killed Lieutenant General Hume, "destroyed" one-third of the military strength of the United Nobles Army, and most importantly - did not allow anyone to disturb Reinhard's battle against Duke Browning.

  "Tired? Come on! Sit down first! Do you want a drink or coffee? It would be great if there were apple pies made by my sister! However, being on the front line means we can't ask for too much. We can only enjoy ourselves properly after returning...!" Gilfeather thanked him warmly while eagerly wanting to confirm one thing - whether it was true or not didn't matter, she just wanted to hear Reinhardt's explanation with her own ears...

  "What's wrong?"

  "It's about the massacre of two million residents in Wistar."

  "What's going on with this thing?"

  A faintly gloomy expression flashed across Reinhardt's beautiful face, and Gilfeather saw it, feeling a chill in her heart.

  "Some people say that although Mr. Reinhardt knew the content of this plan, he ignored it for political reasons and did nothing to save it."

  "......" "Is this true?"

  That's right!

  Although he felt very unhappy in his heart, Reinhardt still acknowledged it. From the past to now, he has never told a lie to Annie Roger and Jill Faye.

  Giraffe's expression was quite serious, even stern, and it seemed that he wasn't just asking casually. He let out a long sigh.

  "I have always believed that what Reinhard-sama sought in his pursuit of hegemony was the justice that the current Galactic Empire - the Goldenbaum Dynasty does not possess!"

  Reinhardt said nothing, feeling guilty and perhaps this equal relationship was not good in itself.

  Back to the days of his youth. Reinhardt had indeed hoped to maintain this relationship, but at this moment, Reinhardt wished that the two could become superior and inferior, and with just one order, he could send his subordinates away. The reason why Reinhardt felt this way was because he deeply regretted the massacre of the residents of Weststatt in his heart.

  "The downfall of the aristocratic class is an inevitable result of historical evolution. Settling accounts for the past 500 years will inevitably lead to a bloody tragedy, but we absolutely cannot let innocent civilians become sacrifices. The new system must take the liberated people as its main body, only then can the country's foundation be solid. Sacrificing these people would be no different from digging our own graves!"

  I understand what you mean!

  Reinhardt downed the contents of his cup in one gulp, glaring at his red-haired friend with extreme displeasure, trying to stop him from continuing. But Gilfeather still had more to say.

  "Lord Reinhardt!"

  The young man with red hair, his face filled with pain, his voice laced with a hint of anger and intense pleading! "If these people were from the noble families, it would be understandable to use every means necessary in an equal struggle for power without feeling ashamed. However, using innocent people as sacrifices, with bloodstained hands, no matter how beautiful the words you use to cover it up, you can't wash away this stain, Lord Reinhardt! Why must someone like you, for temporary gain, place yourself in a position of unrighteousness?

  The blond young man suddenly turned pale. Faced with the justice of reason, he had to admit that he had failed! Thus, at the same time as being ashamed, this realization became a chaotic thought, and then produced a strong backlash.

  He glared fiercely at his red-haired friend, his eyes like those of a child resisting with all his might.

  "That's enough of your preaching!"

  Reinhard burst out in a rage, and for an instant he was aware of the shamefulness of his behavior; he wanted to get rid of this feeling, but instead it only made him more uncontrollably furious.

  "First of all, Gilfeather! Did I ever ask for your opinion on this matter?"

  “……”

  "I'm asking you! Have I ever sought your opinion?"

  "No, you didn't ask me."

  "That's it! From now on, when I ask you something, just give your opinion and that's the end of it. This matter is already over, don't bring it up again!"

  "However, Lord Reinhardt! The nobles have done what they shouldn't have done, and you, Lord Reinhardt, haven't done what you should have done. Which of the two is more guilty?"

  "Jie er fei ai si!" translates to "Giraffe!"

  "Yes!"

  "What exactly are you to me? What right do you have to speak to me like that?"

  The wine glass was heavily placed on the table, his iron face, fierce gaze, filled with Reinhard's anger! It also deeply hurt the red-haired friend, Gilfieth's eyes dimmed, but to make the other party suddenly realize, he also had to let the other party understand his anger. Since Reinhard asked this way, Gilfieth also had to insist, he replied in a low voice: "I am your loyal subordinate! Marquis Rosenkranz!"

  This question and answer made both of them realize that the invisible but precious friendship between them had quietly cracked. "Since you know this, it's enough!"

  Reinhardt said with a forced smile.

  "I've got your room ready for you. You just rest well until further notice!"

  Silently bowing his head, Gilfeather left Reinhardt's room, the face that turned around was filled with endless sorrow and disappointment.

  In the city of Bald Eagle, Duke Braunbach was in the deepest trouble. Whether it was the morale of the people or the soldiers, or even the internal views of the nobles who were most important to them, all had fallen to an all-time low. The only thing worth mentioning was that the Westerplatte massacre had successfully dragged the moral standards of the blond-haired young master down to their level... But what's the point of this? Although the morale of the blond-haired young master's subordinates and soldiers had also plummeted, at least the commander could still execute orders, and under obvious military superiority, for the sake of future glory and wealth, there were still people who could exert their combat effectiveness.

  The situation is actually more optimistic than they thought, and apart from some people, such as Mida Meiya and other high-ranking officers, who have openly expressed their dissatisfaction with Marquis Roysenkratz, the division of Reinhardt's subordinates is imminent - it's just that there is no other way to go, so they can still obey orders.

  For the same reason, since Reinhard only has one path to take, there are also commanders such as Bitnerfeld and Roentahl who have high morale - finally no need to consider other unnecessary things... "Your Excellency Marshal, there is only one way! The highest authority!" This was the words of the black gun cavalry captain.

  The imperial masses showed their deepest indifference to both sides of the civil war.

  At last the hot-blooded fools could no longer be restrained from preparing to take their own lives, and the person who prompted Brown Bock to make a reckless attack was none other than Baron Filger, the leader of the radical young nobles. However, the aristocratic coalition did not go all out. Because although Melkaz was silent, among the generals there was one with a considerable weight - General Falenheit flatly refused to lead his troops into battle.

  "We should take advantage of the fort's superior conditions, turn the war into a long-term war of attrition, and wait for changes in the situation while expecting Marshal Favniel's reinforcements! What is the point of rushing out now? It will only accelerate the arrival of defeat!" He said resolutely, with a hint of anger and disdain in his water-colored eyes. Moreover, Farunheit also poured out all his previous dissatisfaction.

  "From the beginning, the relationship between Your Excellency and I has been one of camaraderie and alliance, not master and servant. Although our positions may differ, as vassals of the Galactic Empire, our goal is to counter the tyranny of Marquis Reinhard von Lohengramm and protect the Goldenbaum dynasty! We should unite with this purpose in mind. As a military expert, I advise you that launching an attack now will only lead to the worst possible outcome. Duke Braunschweig, please reconsider!"

  Fahrenheit's speech was fiery! Duke Brownback's face turned green with rage! If he had heard someone dare to speak such blasphemy in his presence before, he would not have let it go unpunished! When he got angry, he often grabbed the wine bottle or cup on the table and smashed it at his attendants. The tragedy that occurred on Planet Westatt was an extension of this behavior.

  But it was only recently that he felt the growing disaffection of his men, which had already made him lose confidence in winning a complete victory. The duke suppressed his anger and let out a heavy sigh, as if to conceal his own cowardice, and simply dropped a sentence "We don't need cowards!" Finally, ignoring Falrenheit's opposition, he ordered the attack.

  As Melchior and his adjutant Schnaidt were leaving the room to join the large detachment of Duke Braunshweig, Werlhofte came running after them from behind, shouting: "Commander Melchior, wait a minute!"

  Merkaz stopped in his tracks.

  "Commander Melkaz, you know as well as I do that the Duke's actions are suicidal. Why didn't you stop him from this folly and instead chose to follow him to his death? And what about Marshal Favriel's forces on the outskirts? All we need to do is wait!"

  Merkatz shook his head calmly and said, "The overall situation has been decided, and it's pointless to stop it now. General Fahrunheit, you're still young and have a boundless future ahead of you. It would be a pity to die here. After our defeat this time, if you get the chance, why not go look for our old friend Marshal Favniel or surrender to Duke Rosencrantz? Serve the New Galactic Empire with your abilities, and he will surely forgive you."

  "Commander... but you yourself..." "I've grown old, and I'm tired of war. The Gordbam dynasty has fallen, and this old soldier has lost his purpose for existence. As a military man, now all I hope is to have a decisive battle on the battlefield... Well! General, let's part ways here, we may not meet again, take care!" Melkaz said as he turned around and left* Farlenheit stood still, saying nothing more, only respectfully saluting Melkaz's back.

  The noble coalition fleet launched an offensive, after a round of intense bombardment, lined up in a column, and turned to charge, showing their determination to go all out.

  Faced with this situation, Reinhart lined up the gunboats equipped with large-caliber beam cannons in three rows and fired continuously, enveloping the enemy fleet in a hail of gunfire.

  The combat will of the aristocratic coalition was not low. Every time they suffered damage, they retreated to reorganize their fleet and then launched wave after wave of attacks. Although they were repeatedly defeated and completely at a disadvantage, their high morale was admirable.

  "Bald Eagle City, 6 light seconds behind, has detected a Warp signature! It's a large fleet! Estimated number is over 42,000!" The message was rapidly transmitted through the communication channels of both warring parties.

  "Fawhnell! Lohndorstedt! Stouffen! They're coming!" This was the simultaneous judgment of both commanders.

  "Jill-fee-ace! Quick! High-speed warship sortie! Must crush the noble union fleet before that rogue fleet arrives!"

  "Make a bit more effort! Count Fafnir has arrived! The dragon is rushing to the battlefield! Make an effort to defend!" Even young nobles with hot blood on their heads have some normal tactical minds.

  Girffythe's charge was pushed to the brink of collapse, but the aristocratic coalition army held its ground. The young nobles even used a desperate and suicidal fighting style to block Girffythe's high-speed charge. Fortunately, the outer circle of Reinhardt's army still had a normal artillery formation, with Midas Mayer, Rosenthal, Pitonfield, and Meklinger firing round after round of cannon fire, constantly weakening the aristocratic army. At this moment, Mira and Kamp, Rutz's fleet began to deploy in front of Favniel's fleet, preparing to block the Marshal's attack.

  "What a death wish! How can this blond kid command like that? We still have the noble army in between, why rush out to fight us?" Fafnir said so, but on his handsome yet ferocious face, his upper lip twisted slightly, revealing a canine tooth on one side, forming a ferocious smile.

  "Open fire! Order those noble troops to attack the prominent enemy! Then we'll push forward! This blond likes to divide his forces! Well, let's divide them then!"

  The battle situation became even more chaotic, with the noble army outnumbering Reinhardt's forces. Although their command and morale were in disarray, as long as a small group of men followed orders to fire at the three fleets preparing to defend themselves - no, even if no one fired, Mira and her crew would have to slow down and focus on the nearby noble army.

  Fafnir ordered the fleet to form a wall-shaped firing array, and beams that divided space into tens of millions of small spaces traversed hundreds of millions of kilometers to pour into Reinhardt's army formation - while completely ignoring the aristocratic union army on the firing trajectory.

  Round after round of volleys, the noble army vanished like dew under the sun, and so did Reinhardt's army...

  "Rudel's fleet is defeated! Admiral Rudel is injured! Mura's fleet has suffered heavy losses! Kamp's fleet is forced to retreat!" The bad news spread rapidly throughout the Reinhardt fleet.

  At this time, the aristocratic coalition army had already fallen into a rout, and the brave aristocrats had died in battle. The rest of them were timid and began to flee.

  Fawneil's fleet bypassed Bald Eagle Castle, but some warships headed straight for the fortress.

  Dick von Karl, a rear admiral, was playing cards on the supply ship "Atlantic City" which had been converted by Karl into a giant gambling and brothel ship. Even Favreuil would occasionally sneak onto the ship to gamble and visit prostitutes, not to mention other high-ranking officers.

  "Rabbit bastards! I've got a good hand here! Wait till I get back and blow you all up!" Karl slammed the cards in his hand onto the table, "Continue when I get back!"

  He rode on a strong assault landing ship directly towards the Bald Eagle Castle, while the huge "Loki" also turned its head to force the fortress.

  Anson Burbage, demoted to Fort Defense Commander due to the Duke's nuclear attack, gazed at the approaching Fauvner fleet and suddenly came to his senses! "Fire!"

  "Who fired? Colonel Sahib?"

  "Attack Fafnir's fleet! They're after the fortress! Damn it! Hurry!"

  However, due to the hesitation of his subordinates, the best shooting moment had passed, and the main cannon of the fort was now facing Reinhardt's army on high alert, unable to turn around in time to aim at Favniel. Therefore, only a large number of secondary cannons fired indiscriminately at Favniel's army - so the results were meager.

  But Fortune finally smiled on Anson's subordinate, Commodore Home Popham, when a single broadside from his ship struck and sank a French troopship.

  "Report! Colonel Carl's landing ship has been hit!"

  "What the...?! What's wrong with Karl?!"

  "Regrettably, Marshal! Survivors on the landing ship report that General Karl has fallen in battle..."

  "……" Fafnir's face twisted, and at almost the same time, his subordinate who was reporting took a step back as if being pushed by an invisible flame. "Get me my powered suit!"

  Loki's shot opened up a channel and Favoniel boarded the landing craft to Bald Eagle City.

  The wails of the dead enveloped the entire fortress, and before the soldiers wearing skull masks, the garrison soldiers who dared to resist were killed. The one walking in front was actually a monster...

  Half an hour later, Anson Bah's skull was crushed by a foot clad in armor.

  At this point on the battlefield, the nobles' army was defeated and fleeing in disarray. The Reinhardt army pressed its advantage, skillfully using the nobles to block the firing range of the Fafnir fleet and the Bald Eagle's main cannon.

  As the main cannon of the Bald Eagle's Castle fired its massive beam into the void, numerous noble warships and approaching Reinhardt warships were reduced to cosmic dust.

  "Indiscriminate attack! Who cares who it is!" Fafnir's cold voice echoed in the control room.

  Reinhardt's army retreated and Fafnir did not fire again at the defeated noble army.

  "There's still something to be done! Dio! Hurry up and get to work! Shuttkerhans! Order Rondstadt and Stoffen to disarm the remaining nobles immediately! Gustav, after you've finished giving orders, come with me. We have a little gift for the duke..."

  Dio Storm commanded dozens of massive transport ships to approach the outer shell of Bald Eagle City, ordering several times as many workships to begin unloading the contents of the transport ships and get to work. "Hurry! Hurry! It must be done within 12 hours! Otherwise, everyone will be shot!"

  Reinhardt's forces withdrew from the system where Baldur's Gate was located to regroup, and their losses were not significant. The Rutz fleet and the Kampf fleet were originally under-strength supplementary fleets, and the Myura fleet was also not a full-strength fleet. The total loss of the three fleets combined was only around 10,000 ships, and the main fleet that fought against the Imperial Noble Forces also suffered minimal losses. The Gilfiethes fleet lost about 1,000 high-speed warships, but they destroyed more than 20,000 enemy ships, and also took in over 20,000 surrendered noble forces' ships. Less than 40,000 of the noble forces retreated back to Baldur's Gate, but many of the high-ranking nobles escaped.

  Two days later, Reinhard's reorganized army once again approached the Bald Eagle Castle fortress.

  "Where's the fortress?!"

  The fortress of the Bald Eagle has vanished... However, several warships of the noble army are left standing alone on the battlefield - including the flagship Berlin of Duke Brownback.

  "This... This is the head of Duke Brunswick! And... ...about ten thousand heads were piled up on the Berlin, those are the heads of Duke Brunswick and his closest noble clansmen with their bodyguards..."

  "Dragon... Dragon!"