Chapter 324: Caught in a Dilemma (5-in-1)
by SunflowerAt the entrance of the Star Sphere.
Su Ming hurried over, but when he reached the entrance, he was slightly surprised.
He saw many students crowded at the entrance gate.
“Let me in, please make way!”
“Brother, don’t push me!”
“So many people?”
Su Ming muttered with a headache, but he still bit the bullet and squeezed in little by little.
Ten-odd minutes later.
Su Ming still couldn’t enter the Star Sphere. He only managed to squeeze to the edge of the venue entrance. He stood on tiptoe and looked inside through the passage. All the seats inside the entire Star Sphere were full.
Students stood densely packed in all the aisles.
Everyone excitedly watched the war images being relayed, discussing them with great enthusiasm.
“Well fought!”
“Haha, that’s really satisfying! The Imperial Army also has a day like this!”
“Do you think the Sky Dome City troops can completely defeat the Scarlet Fangs Legion?”
“Actually, at first, I was a bit worried. After all, the troops participating on our side were essentially a mixed force of the Fifth Azure Blue Legion, the Sixth Legion Dawn Legion, and the private armies of various major powers and nobles! But now there’s no need to worry at all. Yesterday, when both sides had equal forces, they achieved a great victory, let alone now. You know, with strong reinforcements later on, our fleet size has already reached over ten thousand ships!”
“Your analysis makes so much sense. They should have been severely beaten a long time ago.”
“That’s right, it’s really too satisfying!”
Su Ming struggled to look at the holographic projection displayed by the Star Eye through the passage. He could only see a little bit, and it was very uncomfortable to watch.
“Sigh!”
Su Ming sighed slightly and turned to leave helplessly.
Not long after, Su Ming returned to his dorm room.
The entire dorm room was empty; Rhein and the others were not there.
Su Ming took off his shoes, lay on his bed, and started browsing the Star Cluster Forum, which was also very lively.
Countless posts kept popping up like mushrooms after rain.
Su Ming clicked on a popular discussion thread and saw that it already had millions of comments.
“Sky Dome City’s great victory! The situation is already very clear. The Imperial Army is actually a paper tiger, only capable of bullying Neutral Countries, not really that powerful!”
“Exactly!”
“They’re probably crying for their daddies and mommies after being beaten!”
“Sky Dome City is so fierce, much stronger than Starlight City!”
“Exactly! Starlight City’s troops always cower like turtles. I even wonder if they can still fight. They’re so cowardly!”
Su Ming scanned the comments, his expression growing more solemn.
The public opinion was getting a bit extreme, which was not a good thing.
Su Ming closed that thread and browsed the latest intelligence posts.
Although the Star Cluster Forum had a long delay, students watching in the Star Sphere would occasionally upload images and photos.
Just then, Celes’s cute little head popped out from the edge of the phone screen, and she called out sweetly.
“Su Ming!”
“Hmm, Celes!”
“Did you miss me? We haven’t seen each other for many days.”
“So-so.”
Su Ming replied while browsing the posts.
“Sigh, can’t you be more enthusiastic? It’s rare for me to come and play with you.”
Celes lay on the phone screen, propping her chin with both hands, complaining.
Su Ming showed a faint smile and said.
“I’m checking the Neutral Countries’ battle reports.”
“What’s so good about that?”
“It’s not about whether it’s good or not, but if they lose, the consequences will be very serious.”
“Alright!”
Celes replied boredly.
“By the way, Celes! Can I ask you something?”
“Of course, ask away!”
“Do you know of any legitimate channels to purchase a pure mechanical Fourth Generation Mecha?”
“Uh, I’m afraid that’s hard to get.”
“Why?”
Su Ming looked at Celes with great curiosity.
“Pure mechanical Fourth Generation Mechas are special controlled weapons. Only a few companies can produce them, and they are all tightly controlled by the Federal Government. Moreover, the purchase requirements are very strict, and there are super many people who want to buy them, almost enough to line up from your dorm room door to the street outside!”
Celes explained to Su Ming with a smile.
“This is troublesome. By the way! Doesn’t the Light of Hope Laboratory produce NOCY · Super Neural Devices? Can you find a way to get one for me from the laboratory? Then I’ll find a skilled master and spend a lot of money to upgrade and modify the Slayer?”
Su Ming suddenly thought of a compromise.
“I think you might have some misunderstanding about the Light of Hope Laboratory?”
Celes replied with a smile.
“How so?”
“Actually, Light of Hope Laboratory is just a general term. The one you went to before was a new department supported by the Federal Government, mainly focused on biological research. The pure mechanical aspect is actually handled by the old department of Light of Hope Laboratory. They are the most powerful in that area, so it’s impossible to get it.”
Celes explained helplessly.
“Then it’s still a dead end.”
Upon hearing this, Su Ming also frowned deeply.
“Oh, well, if you can’t buy it through legitimate channels, you can consider the black market!”
“Is it sold on the black market?”
“Very rarely, but there’s a chance to get one, though the price is quite expensive.”
“How expensive?”
“Roughly one device is equivalent to a brand new mecha.”
Celes replied with a beaming smile.
“PASS!”
Su Ming rejected Celes’s suggestion without hesitation; the price was too outrageous.
Just then, a text message suddenly popped up.
Seeing that it was from Lin Chuyu, Su Ming reached out and opened the message.
“Su Ming, do you have time tonight? If you do, I’d like to invite you to my dorm for dinner.”
“Oh my, a girl is asking you out!”
Celes said with a giggle.
“Prying into other people’s privacy is very impolite.”
Su Ming replied to Celes while typing a message back to Lin Chuyu, accepting her invitation.
“Relax!”
Celes replied with a smile.
In the evening.
Su Ming arrived at Lin Chuyu’s dorm door as agreed and reached out to knock on the door.
Knock knock!
“Coming!”
A familiar voice immediately sounded from inside the room.
Soon, the dorm door was opened, and Su Ming’s expression froze slightly.
He saw Lin Chuyu wearing a light blue sweater, a floral apron tied around her waist, and her white hair tied up.
“You are…?”
“I’m cooking!”
Lin Chuyu was very happy to see Su Ming arrive and said.
“You can cook?”
“No, but I can learn! I’ve already finished cooking, come on in!”
“Okay!”
Su Ming walked into the room and changed into a pair of slippers.
At this moment, he saw several hot dishes placed on the coffee table in the living room.
There was sweet and sour pork, braised pork, small green vegetables…
“So lavish, isn’t An Ruoxue here?”
“No, Ruoxue went to train.”
Lin Chuyu untied her apron, walked over with two bottles of red wine from the cabinet.
“Oh, why did you suddenly think of inviting me to dinner today?”
Su Ming asked, sitting on the sofa.
“Didn’t I owe you a meal? I just thought I’d invite you now that I have the chance.”
“Are you going somewhere?”
Su Ming asked, slightly surprised, upon hearing this.
Lin Chuyu opened the red wine and poured two glasses, handing one to Su Ming, and explained with a smile.
“It’s like this, I’ve decided to join the Seventh Twilight Legion and serve under General Ames in the Guangying Star Sea Neutral Zone.”
Su Ming remained silent for a few seconds upon hearing this, then said.
“Have you thought it through?”
“Yes!”
Lin Chuyu nodded gently.
“Alright, I wish you a safe journey and a bright future!”
Su Ming raised the wine in his hand.
“You too.”
Lin Chuyu replied with a smile.
The two clinked glasses and took a sip of red wine.
Just then, there was a sudden movement at the house door, followed by the door opening.
Su Ming and Lin Chuyu turned their heads and saw An Ruoxue walk in.
“Ruoxue, why are you back? Weren’t you training?”
“I changed my mind and decided not to train. You two are too much, secretly having a meal here and even drinking!”
An Ruoxue looked at the lavish table of dishes and the two bottles of red wine, and couldn’t help but tease.
“No way, I’ll get you chopsticks and a bowl, let’s eat together.”
Lin Chuyu got up and walked to the kitchen, getting a set of bowl and chopsticks for An Ruoxue.
“Then I won’t be polite. These dishes look good, did you make them, Su Ming?”
An Ruoxue held her chopsticks and asked Su Ming.
“No, Chu Yu made them.”
Su Ming picked up his chopsticks, took a slice of meat, put it in his mouth, and chewed vigorously.
“Chu Yu made them? How do they taste?”
An Ruoxue looked at Su Ming with some doubt and asked.
“They’re alright.”
Su Ming added another slice of meat to his mouth.
Seeing Su Ming eat with such relish, and the dishes looking quite good, An Ruoxue picked up a slice of meat to eat.
But as soon as she chewed a few bites, she immediately pulled out a few tissues, spat it onto the paper, and complained with a long face.
“So tough and so salty! How can you eat this? Are you deliberately tricking me?”
“I think it’s alright, at least it’s edible. As for the saltiness, isn’t that a normal problem for a beginner?”
Su Ming replied with a smile.
“Sorry, my cooking skills are still a bit lacking.”
Lin Chuyu said somewhat awkwardly.
“It’s fine, let’s just make do and eat!”
An Ruoxue quickly waved her hand and replied.
Over an hour later.
Su Ming and the other two drank wine, watched the projected television, and chatted about the future.
“Time seems to pass so quickly. In a blink of an eye, we’re all second-year students, and we’ll soon go our separate ways.”
An Ruoxue said with a touch of melancholy.
“Graduation is still a long way off. We’ll definitely see each other again sooner or later.”
Su Ming was quite open-minded.
“Hmm, I think Su Ming is right. If it’s meant to be, we’ll definitely meet again. I look forward to that day.”
Lin Chuyu replied with a smile.
“Well said, let’s have a toast together!”
An Ruoxue raised her glass and suggested.
“Cheers!”
The three clinked their glasses and drank the red wine in one gulp.
Just then, a news flash interrupted.
“Breaking News: In the Donao Star Sea’s Scarlet Country star region, conflicts between the Imperial Army and the Neutral Countries’ joint forces have intensified, and the war situation has further escalated…”
Su Ming frowned upon seeing this news flash and said.
“The situation seems to have escalated.”
“I’ll check the Star Cluster Forum.”
An Ruoxue said with a solemn expression.
“Okay!”
Su Ming also took out his phone and logged into the Star Cluster Forum.
As soon as he logged in, he saw numerous trending posts.
“Shocking News: Scarlet Fangs Legion vanguard general, Greilan, has fallen!”
“Extra! Extra! Scarlet Fangs Legion’ Level 5 Battleship, blood shadow, has fallen!”
“Sky Dome City’s forces are continuously advancing, and the Imperial Army’s casualties are heavy!”
“Latest News: In the Donao Star Sea, all the capital giants, nobles, and other forces entrenched in the major Neutral Countries by the Federation have moved. The joint army has received powerful reinforcements, and the number of warships has reached over 15,000!”
Su Ming watched these explosive posts, his eyelids twitching uncontrollably.
He clicked on these posts, each with tens of millions of comments.
“Beautiful! Keep up the good work, defeat them!”
“Haha, City Lord Faraon is mighty! We should be led by such a great man!”
“After being suppressed for so long, we can finally get it all back with interest!”
“Imperial Army, go ahead and be arrogant! Show us how arrogant you are!”
Su Ming’s eyes flickered as he read these comments.
At this moment, Lin Chuyu looked at the posts and said, greatly surprised.
“It’s incredible, the Imperial Army is actually collapsing.”
“It’s truly amazing. If they continue to fight like this, the Imperial Army will soon be unable to hold on.”
An Ruoxue said with great emotion.
Su Ming listened to their words, remaining silent, and quietly picked up his wine glass to drink.
“Su Ming, why aren’t you speaking? This is incredibly good news!”
An Ruoxue asked, puzzled, when she saw Su Ming wasn’t speaking.
“I don’t think this is good news at all; it’s too aggressive.”
Su Ming said indifferently.
An Ruoxue and Lin Chuyu exchanged glances, then spoke.
“Su Ming, aren’t you overthinking it?”
“I hope so.”
Su Ming didn’t say anything more.
Donao Star Sea, outside the Scarlet Country.
The Level 5 Battleship, Hurricane, completed its main cannon charge and fired a brilliant blue beam, striking directly at the Level 5 Mothership, Blood Mist!
Boom!
The Level 5 Mothership, Blood Mist, was directly hit, and its energy shield instantly shattered.
Just then, the Level 5 Battleship, Gale, suddenly de-cloaked and appeared without warning in the starry sky below and to the right of the Level 5 Mothership, Blood Mist, firing a dazzling red beam!
Boom!
The hull of the Level 5 Mothership, Blood Mist, was instantly struck!
A massive explosion swept through, and a hole was immediately torn in the hull.
At this moment, the rows of launch ports on the Gale’s hull opened, and a torrent of whistling missiles poured out.
Whoosh!
Missiles struck the Blood Mist one after another, and brilliant fireworks continuously erupted.
On the other side, the Level 5 Battleship, Typhoon, opened countless launch ports, ejecting dense swarms of suicidal XY-01 defensive drones.
These defensive drones spread out like a swarm of bees, breaking through the Imperial Army’s mechas, and suicidally attacking the Skeleton Legion’s Level 5 Battleship, Akanque!
Bang bang!
The hull of the Akanque immediately burst into raging flames, and then it urgently mobilized its interception cannons, continuously firing fiercely at the incoming defensive drones.
Defensive drones were blown up one after another!
However, countless stragglers still slipped through, crashing into the Akanque and exploding.
At the center of the battlefield, the Hummingbird, Scarlet Glow, and Thunder Whale, three motherships, led numerous other vessels, frantically unleashing attacks on the Blood Prism Fortress.
Overwhelming beams and missiles rained down on the Blood Prism Fortress.
Rumble!
The Blood Prism Fortress was completely suppressed, with damaged holes everywhere on its massive fortress body, and some surface areas burning with raging fires.
Inside the Blood Prism Fortress command room.
Commander Os sat steadily in the command chair like Mount Tai, gazing coldly at the virtual screen.
The virtual screen displayed the communication image of Legion Commander Artud of the Skeleton Legion.
He was seen roaring furiously at Aus.
“Aus! I can’t hold on here. The Typhoon has been chasing me and firing; I’m about to be sunk.”
At this moment, Artud’s image was constantly shaking, the lights above his head flickered on and off, and red alarms flashed frantically.
However, Aus completely ignored Artud’s request, merely looking at him with cold eyes.
Just then, the Level 5 Mothership, Blood Mist, connected its communication, and a burly man with a scarred face and three diamond teeth anxiously reported to Aus.
“Legion Commander, the Blood Mist’s damage exceeds 40%! It can’t hold on much longer!”
“Fight while retreating, hold on for me.”
Aus coldly issued the order.
“Yes!”
The Blood Mist’s commander gritted his teeth and responded.
“You’re insane! The Blood Mist will sink!”
Legion Commander Artud cursed at Aus.
“Shut up!”
Aus’s ferocious gaze fixed on Legion Commander Artud.
Artud shivered instantly.
Just then, the Hurricane, leading numerous fleets, launched another fierce attack on the Level 5 Mothership, Blood Mist.
Countless missiles and beams struck the Blood Mist.
One Imperial Army Level 4 Battleship after another desperately rushed forward to block in front of the Blood Mist, using their hulls to withstand the attacks!
However, one black missile, moving at extreme speed, passed through the obstructing vessels and instantly hit the Blood Mist!
Boom!
A dazzling sun rose.
Hiss~
The Blood Mist’s communication was immediately cut off.
The Blood Prism Fortress Operator reported in horror.
“Commander Os! The Blood Mist has been sunk!”
Aus’s expression remained unchanged upon hearing his subordinate’s report, as if it wasn’t his own ship that sank, or his own people who died, but rather a pile of insignificant trash.
At this moment, Disis of the Royal Knights showed an angry expression, directly smashing the wine glass in his hand to the ground.
Crack!
The exquisite crystal goblet instantly shattered into pieces, and crimson wine splattered everywhere.
Disis stood up and said angrily.
“Aus, what do you mean? You still won’t let us act now, constantly sending troops to their deaths. What exactly are your intentions?”
Mauel, Kafflorin, and Laulina also looked at Aus with unfriendly gazes.
“I am doing this for the Emperor!”
Aus replied coldly.
At this moment, a prompt popped up on the Blood Prism Fortress’s operation screen.
“Warning: Blood Prism Fortress locked by Scarlet Glow’s main cannon!”
“Warning: Target initiating attack!”
In an instant, a red beam tore through the starry sky, striking the fortress body.
A massive explosion swept through, and the entire command room vibrated violently.
Disis said even more angrily.
“For the Emperor? I think you have ulterior motives! If you like getting beaten, keep getting beaten. I’m not interested in wasting time here with you. I’m going down there to wipe out these ants!”
“Without my order, no one is allowed to act, or don’t blame me for being impolite!”
Aus warned fiercely when he saw Disis about to enter the fray.
“Do you think we’re afraid of you?”
Disis and the other three were not at all afraid of Aus.
But at this moment, Deputy Legion Commander Kessas and Deputy Legion Commander Avabido both drew their swords from their waists, looking coldly at Disis and the other three.
The surrounding soldiers one by one pulled out their beam guns.
Instantly, the atmosphere became highly volatile, and with just a spark, the conflict would be completely ignited.
Fortunately, at this moment, Laulina, dressed in a black robe with festering skin, spoke in a hoarse voice.
“Disis, sit down. Let Commander Os fight however he wants! If he messes up, we’ll kill him afterward.”
“Hmph!”
Disis snorted coldly after hearing Laulina’s words and sat down.
Deputy Legion Commander Kessas and Deputy Legion Commander Avabido, seeing Disis sit down, sheathed their swords.
The surrounding soldiers also put away their weapons.
Aus, meanwhile, sat indifferently in the command chair, observing the various battlefields displayed on the screen.
Time passed by second by second.
The Imperial Army’s fleet was defeated, and casualty numbers continuously soared. In contrast, the Federal Legion’s side saw more and more reinforcements arriving, and their morale grew even higher.
And just as the Federal Legion’s morale reached its peak, large areas of space fluctuations suddenly appeared above, below, and to their left and right in the starry sky.
Ten Level 5 Battleships, Colossus, each 100 kilometers long, with a statue of an Emperor holding a sword at the bow, a massive Hongji main cannon extending from the base of the sword, and a thick, wide hull covered in layers of heavy gray armor with numerous launch ports on its surface, emerged.
Behind these ten Colossus ships followed various models of Level 4 Battleships, as well as a massive fleet.
Aus looked at the appearance of these ships and said grimly.
“Notify all troops, tell them reinforcements have arrived, counterattack fully, and crush the Federal forces!”
“Yes!”
The subordinates present shouted excitedly.
As the notification was issued, countless fervent voices echoed through the Imperial Army’s communication channel.
“Brothers! Reinforcements have arrived, it’s time to counterattack!”
“Charge!”
“Kill these Federal dogs, for the Emperor!”
In an instant, the retreating Imperial Army began a furious counterattack, and the reinforcing Colossus ships fiercely launched intense attacks on the Federal forces.
The Federal side was also stunned and immediately split their forces to intercept!
At this time, in the starry sea between the Freita Kingdom, the Woguo Kingdom, the Taszji Kingdom, and Black Flame Star.
Suddenly, space began to fluctuate over a large area.
One ship after another, bearing the Scarlet Fangs Legion flag, materialized out of thin air.
These ships quickly dispersed, beginning to release various types of star mines, as well as Curvature Interference Devices and detection devices, sealing off the entire starry sky.
Of course, this scene also unfolded in various navigation channels outside the Three Great Neutral Countries.
The next morning.
Su Ming was sleeping soundly in bed.
Last night, he and Lin Chuyu drank until past two in the morning before returning to the dormitory to rest.
Suddenly, the door was pushed open, and Rhine walked in, urgently shouting.
“Squad leader, don’t sleep anymore, something big has happened!”
Su Ming immediately opened his eyes, sat up, and asked.
“What happened?”
“The Federation suffered a great defeat!”
“What did you say? The Federation suffered a great defeat? Wasn’t everything fine last night? How could they suddenly suffer a great defeat?”
“Oh, everything was fine last night, and they were about to win. Who knew that at the critical moment, the Imperial Army’s reinforcements arrived, and ten Level 5 Battleships joined the battle, instantly heavily damaging the Federal forces!”
Rhine said with great regret.
“So, what’s the situation with the Federal forces now?”
“The two Level 5 Battleships, Hurricane and Typhoon, were destroyed, the Level 5 Mothership, Scarlet Glow, sank, thousands of other ships were damaged, and the death toll exceeded three million! The troops have now retreated to the Three Taszji Kingdoms for rest and rescue, and the rescue scenes transmitted back are simply unbearable! The medical systems of the Three Taszji Kingdoms are on the verge of collapse.”
“That bad?”
“That’s not even the worst of it.”
“Then what’s the worst?”
“The worst part is that the Dark Star Empire has blockaded the navigation channels between the Three Taszji Kingdoms and Black Flame Star.”
“The navigation channels are blockaded, so aren’t the Federal legions like turtles in a jar?”
Su Ming’s heart sank to the bottom upon hearing this.
“Yes, but fortunately, the Imperial Army also suffered heavy losses and didn’t forcefully attack the Three Kingdoms, so the Federal forces are temporarily safe.”
Rhine explained to Su Ming.
“It’s not that simple.”
Su Ming replied with a deep frown, confirming that the worst outcome had indeed occurred.
“Squad leader, you don’t mean that the other side deliberately isn’t attacking the Three Kingdoms to eliminate the defeated Federal forces, do you?”
Rhine asked, slightly startled.
“It’s not easy to trap them, would you be willing to eat them?”
“No way? Then what do we do?”
“I don’t know, this kind of big picture isn’t something we can influence. Let’s go to the Star Cluster Forum first to see how things develop.”
Su Ming said with a serious expression.
“Okay!”
Rhine replied worriedly.
Su Ming picked up his phone and logged into the Star Cluster Forum.
The entire Star Cluster Forum was about to explode, with countless posts appearing.
Su Ming clicked on a popular post titled ‘Human Purgatory’.
A video was uploaded within this post.
Su Ming clicked on the video, and the Interstellar Airport of the Taszji Kingdom came into view.
On the massive Interstellar Airport, damaged ships were docked one after another.
Many of these ships were still burning, with thick black smoke rising.
Medical vehicles sped across the Interstellar Airport, and countless wounded soldiers were carried down.
Everywhere, there were desperate cries from soldiers.
“Doctor!”
“Please, quickly, a doctor, my brother can’t hold on!”
The entire scene was chaotic, filled with despair and death.
Su Ming glanced at the comments below the post; the number had already reached tens of millions.
“Wuwu, so tragic!”
“Who can save them.”
“Even through the screen, I feel like I’m suffocating.”
“Damn Imperial Army!”
Su Ming closed the post and continued browsing other posts.
Soon, Su Ming found a post about the navigation channel blockade, and he clicked on it.
“According to reliable sources, the navigation channels leading to the Neutral Countries have been blockaded by the Imperial Army. The situation is now extremely critical, and Black Flame Star has already raised a Level 1 alert. The Tenth Legion, Eleventh Legion, and Twelfth Legion stationed at Black Flame Star have also entered a state of readiness.”
“Damn it! I just don’t understand, how could the navigation channels be blockaded by the Imperial Army? What are those idiots above doing?”
“I’m really fed up! Why aren’t they finding a way to send troops to break through the navigation channel? If they’re late, the Sky Dome City’s forces will be in danger.”
Su Ming looked at the comments on the post, his expression growing more solemn.
Just then, a new comment suddenly rose to the top.
“I’m really fed up! Sky Dome City was about to win, but then the enemy’s reinforcements arrived. And our Starlight City and Rainy City just stood by and watched, not helping at all! If you ask me, the biggest reason for this defeat is them. Because they acted like it was none of their business, Sky Dome City lost and suffered such heavy casualties!”
“Makes sense!”
Instantly, this top comment received a huge amount of support.
Su Ming frowned, dismissed the post, and started browsing other posts.
As he scrolled, other posts also began to show similar comments.
Seeing this, Su Ming immediately felt that something was amiss. He closed the current post and opened others.
Sure enough, just as he expected, the same comments appeared.
These comments instantly ignited the people of Sky Dome City, who rushed online to post criticisms of Starlight City and Rainy City.
“Starlight City and Rainy City are cowards!”
“Others are fighting at their doorstep, yet they don’t dare to send troops. Sky Dome City sent troops, but they just watched without sending reinforcements.”
“This battle was lost so unfairly!”
“It could have been won, but it was lost!”
“It’s truly frustrating.”
“Forget it, don’t talk about it, it’s useless! They don’t even dare to go out and rescue people now; how can you expect those two cities to participate in the war?”
Su Ming watched the escalating public opinion, his eyes growing colder.
The situation was somewhat unfavorable; someone was deliberately shifting the blame for the defeat towards Starlight City and Rainy City.
Although those currently speaking out were all from Sky Dome City, Su Ming felt that the person guiding this matter might not be from Sky Dome City.
This was very much like the work of an Imperial Army spy, who was fanning the flames, trying to ignite the situation.
Just then, Su Ming’s phone suddenly vibrated, displaying a message.
“Dear Mr. Su Ming, the Federal Military Department officially informs you that your review has been approved, and your rank of Major is officially effective. Welcome to the Federal Military Department.”
Su Ming looked at the message and sighed slightly.
“Alas!”
—
Starlight City · Government Administrative Building · Dawn Hall.
The entire hall was laid out in a T-shape, with the main council platform at the very front, where Gakels stood with a solemn expression.
Below the main platform, rows of seats were arranged.
Faraon, with a livid face, and Alicia, along with others, sat in the first row, while other council members in light blue striped robes sat in the seats behind.
At this moment, Dawn Hall was very noisy, with everyone constantly discussing the defeat.
“Oh dear, what do we do now?”
“How should I know? I’m almost dying of anxiety. My troops suffered heavy losses, and the remaining forces are now trapped in Taszji and can’t return!”
“Damn the Imperial Army, they actually cut off our escape route by blocking the navigation channel!”
“Silence!”
Gakels roared in a deep voice.
The many council members quickly closed their mouths, and the noisy Dawn Hall immediately fell silent.
Gakels swept his cloudy gaze across all the council members present and said with a serious expression.
“The reason I’m calling all of you here today for this general meeting, I believe you all know very well!”
Many council members present tensed their expressions upon hearing Gakels’ words.
“I won’t waste words. The mixed forces have now retreated to the three Taszji countries. However, the navigation channel to the Neutral Countries has been cut off by the Imperial Army. That force is now like a turtle in a jar. Who among you can tell me what the Federation should do?”
Gakels asked with a grim face.
The vast council hall was silent; no one spoke to answer.
“What? No one’s speaking up? I said it back then, don’t confront the Imperial Army head-on, but you wouldn’t listen. Now, look what happened?”
Gakels said with a hint of anger in his voice.
If Faraon and the others had listened to him back then.
If they hadn’t sent troops out on their own, or if they hadn’t been so aggressive in a direct fight, the situation wouldn’t have deteriorated to this point.
Faraon slammed his hand on the armrest and stood up. He was already seething with anger over the defeat; how could he possibly tolerate being lectured?
“Alright, no more hindsight! I lost this war, but the Imperial Army isn’t that strong either; they just relied on having more reinforcements. I am now applying to the council to recall the Immortal Legion. I want to completely annihilate them!”
Faraon said angrily.
Gakels, hearing Faraon’s words, immediately flew into a rage and directly cursed.
“Are you insane! If you recall the Immortal Legion, what about the Mist Star Sea?”
“Didn’t Mia lead a force out?”
“That’s to go to the Abyss of Fallen!”
“You tell her to change course and go to the Mist Star Sea to take over the garrison! It won’t take long; give me three months, and I can wipe them all out!”
Faraon said fiercely.
“No, absolutely not! No one is allowed to move the troops in the Three Great Forbidden Zones. Our geographical location is already very awkward, and the bases in the Three Great Forbidden Zones are all in the central area. We have to face both the Imperial Army and the Apocalypse Divine Kingdom simultaneously, requiring more than double the troops. If you recall even one unit, they will dare to raid our bases. Then, a thousand years of effort will be ruined in an instant. You wouldn’t be so foolish as to not know even this, would you?”
Gakels reprimanded him with fury.
“Alright, if you won’t let me recall the Immortal Legion, then you recall the Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth Legions garrisoned at Black Flame Star to provide support!”
“Are you blinded by hatred?! Those three Legions are inherently skilled in defensive warfare and need to rely on the Black Flame Star Defense Line to unleash their strongest combat capabilities; they are not good at offense at all. You want them to go support? Are you planning to send them to their deaths? And if something happens to these three Legions, who will defend Black Flame Star? Then the Imperial Army can just march right in!”
“Then recall the Eighth and Ninth Legions garrisoned at Nether Moon Star!”
Faraon said, still unwilling to give up.
“No! If you recall them, what about the Tidal Star Sea Neutral Zone?”
Alicia strongly objected; if they were recalled, her side would be finished.
“Isn’t that side fine? The Apocalypse Divine Kingdom hasn’t attacked yet.”
“They haven’t attacked now, but after you recall them, do you think they won’t attack?”
“What exactly are you all afraid of?”
Faraon retorted angrily.
“Enough, stop arguing!”
Gakels reprimanded with fury.
“Do you think I like to argue? This isn’t allowed, that isn’t allowed. Then you give me a feasible idea! Now our troops are surrounded by the enemy in the Neutral Countries, are we just going to watch?”
Faraon replied without any fear.
“Isn’t this discussing a solution?”
“Discussing a solution? The current solution requires troop support, so just tell me, where else are there troops?!”
“You—”
Gakels was speechless for a moment. The Federation did have quite a few troops, but each unit had its own mission and responsibility, making them impossible to mobilize.
“Gakels, I’ve had enough of this cowardly life. Since you can’t solve the problem, then please ask the Council President to come out and solve it!”
Faraon directly laid his cards on the table to Gakels.
“That’s right, please ask the Council President to come and preside!”
Many council members present echoed him.
Gakels’ face suddenly changed. He hadn’t expected the matter to involve the Council President. This was big trouble now!
The Council President was still in hibernation; there was no way he could wake him. If anything went wrong, it would truly be over.
Thinking of this, Gakels directly refused.
“No!”
“You say no, and it’s no? Today, we must see the Council President. It’s been so many years; he should come out!”
Faraon retorted furiously.
“That’s right, Lord Gakels!”
“Let the Council President come out and take charge of the overall situation.”
Many council members shouted.
Gakels’ heart sank to the bottom, his face so gloomy it could drip water. It was clear the situation was somewhat out of control.
He took a deep breath and shouted at everyone.
“Quiet!”
The noisy council hall gradually quieted down.
However, everyone present still showed extremely dissatisfied expressions, coldly looking at Deputy Council President Gakels.
Gakels looked at their expressions and knew that he couldn’t just brush them off today. If he couldn’t give everyone a satisfactory explanation, things might really fall into chaos.
Thinking of this, Gakels gritted his teeth and said.
“The meeting is temporarily adjourned. I will go and consult the Council President, and we will reconvene once there is a result!”
“Good! We’ll wait for you!”
Faraon and the others, seeing that Gakels finally relented and was willing to consult the Council President, didn’t push too hard.
Their main goal wasn’t to trouble Gakels, but to get the Council President to come out and take charge of the overall situation.
“Meeting adjourned!”
Gakels waved his hand, ending the meeting.
Federal Government Administrative Building · B108
A special elevator quickly descended.
Thump~
With a slight tremor, the elevator reached the bottom, and the closed doors opened.
A cold, long metal corridor came into view.
Along the entire corridor, every fifty meters, there was a silver metal gate.
In front of each gate stood two soldiers wearing black third-generation exoskeleton armor.
Gakels walked out of the elevator with his hands behind his back.
The guarding soldiers bowed to Gakels, and one by one, the gates slowly rose.
Gakels walked unimpeded inside.
Finally, Gakels passed through the corridor and arrived in front of a closed black metal door.
Just as he was about to touch the door, the ground beside him suddenly cracked open, and a platform slowly rose.
The Purple-haired girl wearing a silver metal mask stood on the platform.
Gakels was startled and quickly stepped forward to ask.
“Council President, has he woken up?”
“No.”
The girl sighed and shook her head.
“How can this be? It’s clearly past the day he should have woken up, why hasn’t he?”
“Unclear!”
“This is truly troublesome.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Alas! The situation is out of control. Faraon, that hothead, lost the battle, and his troops are surrounded by the Imperial Army. Now everyone wants to see the Council President to have him preside over the overall situation, and I can’t suppress them anymore!”
Gakels said, extremely anxious.
The girl listened, remained silent for a few seconds, then said to Gakels.
“You go back first. I will give you an explanation in three days.”
Gakels, hearing the girl’s words, wanted to say something. But the words caught in his throat, and he eventually said.
“Alright, then I’ll leave everything to you. I’m going!”
“Take care!”
The girl replied softly.
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