Just before the destruction of the Tokyo, through the detection system mounted on the ship, Xiao Yu could still clearly see those small starships beside it.
It was as if some terrifying demon god was about to be born in this region. All those small starships were desperately trying to flee for their lives. But it was already too late. The intense torrent of energy unleashed by the Tokyo’s self-detonation, combined with its near-light-speed velocity, caught up with them like an unstoppable, surging tide, swallowing them in an instant. The annihilated ships left hardly any visible trace, at most a tiny splash that vanished the next moment.
Under normal navigation, except for some special equipment, starships could not get anywhere near light speed; reaching seventy or eighty percent of light speed was already unimaginably difficult. So when faced with an explosive torrent moving at nearly light speed, there was no way for them to escape.
The destruction of the Tokyo claimed the lives aboard at least a thousand Molian Civilization starships. Assuming each ship was crewed by fifty people, that meant more than fifty thousand lives were lost.
In such an enormous battlefield, life was reduced to nothing more than a number. Behind those numbers, all the bloodshed and cruelty were lightly glossed over.
The Tokyo’s Province-Class starship formation was completely annihilated. However, before these several hundred ships were destroyed, their desperate counterattack took with them nearly ten thousand Molian Civilization starships. Among them was one Molian Civilization Province-Class starship and at least five City-Class starships.
“Worth it.” Xiao Yu thought viciously, instantly recalling the distributed computing power deployed here and focusing his attention on the other ships.
At this moment, the situation of the Japan Nation-Class starship formation was dire. The overly scattered positions of the ships made it impossible for Xiao Yu to organize any effective offensive or defensive formations. Although his fleet was not outnumbered by the enemy, the disadvantage in territory meant his ships were picked off piecemeal by the well-prepared and tightly formed Molian fleet.
Scenes like this were unfolding across the vast expanse of several hundred billion kilometers. The relentless pursuit of the Molian Civilization ships forced Xiao Yu’s fleet into constant flight, struggling on the brink of life and death, unable to regroup effectively. And the result of being unable to regroup could only be total annihilation.
Xiao Yu’s fleet numbered around five hundred thousand starships. The number of Molian Civilization ships was unknown, but based on Xiao Yu’s estimate, they were unlikely to exceed five hundred thousand. In other words, the total numbers were roughly equal. However, in terms of large-ship performance, Xiao Yu’s side held a clear advantage with their Four-Dimensional Shields. Simply put, Xiao Yu’s overall strength surpassed that of the Molian Civilization by at least ten percent.Yet, under the opponent’s carefully devised strategic plan, this ten-percent-plus advantage was completely neutralized. Worse still, Xiao Yu’s side had fallen into a disadvantage. If they could not turn the tide, the entire fleet would be wiped out.
“What should I do? What should I do?” Xiao Yu pondered anxiously. The members of the Military Committee were also in tense discussion.
“This is a severe strategic blunder, one that should never have happened. It has thrown us into a grave disadvantage. This incident exposes a very serious problem, just what it truly means for us to lack real combat experience.”
“Yes. In our military system, the trend of empty talk and armchair strategy is rampant. When it comes to theory, everyone speaks eloquently, but when real problems arise, no one can come up with a workable plan. Master, I am willing to accept punishment. Once this incident is over, please demote me. I feel that my ability is still insufficient to serve as a member of the Military Committee.” one member said with deep remorse.
“I bear an inescapable responsibility for this incident as well.” Luka Two said, also with a heavy expression. “As Chairman of the Military Committee, not only did I fail to detect the crisis beforehand, but I also lacked adequate strategies to respond once it arose. I request to resign from my position as Chairman of the Military Committee and have a more suitable person take over.”
“Talking about this now is useless. Once the situation has arisen, what we should do is face it bravely, not run away.” Xiao Yu shook his head seriously and said, “If you resign now, you may feel at ease, but will it help the overall situation? This is shirking responsibility! Anyone who dares to bring up resignation again will be severely punished without leniency!”
The conference room fell silent.
Xiao Yu softened his tone slightly and said, “During wartime, rewards and punishments must be enforced strictly. Therefore, for this incident, I hereby announce the following penalties. Luka Two, as Chairman of the Military Committee, failed to perfectly fulfill your duties. You are removed from the position of Chairman of the Military Committee, but given that there is currently no suitable replacement, you will still temporarily act as Chairman of the Military Committee, performing the duties in an acting capacity. Whether this becomes permanent will be decided later. All other members are relieved of their current positions, but will still temporarily perform their duties. As for me…”
Xiao Yu paused for a moment before continuing, “As the Supreme Leader, I also bear inescapable responsibility for this incident. However, due to my special form of existence, no punishment methods are applicable to me. Therefore, I will record this mistake for now, and after the war ends, I will conduct a deep self-examination.”
“Alright, I believe that through this incident, everyone will have grown in some way. Now, let us fulfill our duties. I need to know how we can minimize our losses this time.”
One committee member said bitterly, “The Russia Nation-Class starship formation and the United States Nation-Class starship formation will each take at least three months to reach the battlefield. Even the garrison in Star System Number 4, which is the closest to the battlefield, will take nearly a month to arrive. It’s too late.”
“Yes, distant water cannot quench present thirst. In the current situation, there is only one solution, stall the enemy with all our might, minimize our losses as much as possible, and wait for reinforcements to arrive.”
The conference room fell silent once more.
This situation was indeed extremely difficult. Xiao Yu’s military forces were powerful, but the distance was too great for them to provide timely support. On the battlefield, the Japan Nation-Class starship formation was not actually weaker than the enemy’s, and was even stronger, but due to falling into a trap, the gap in strength had been neutralized, putting his side at a disadvantage instead.
After thinking for a while, Xiao Yu said slowly, “Then… there’s only one way. Only this way might help us reduce our losses.”
“I will pilot the Japan Nation-Class starship to actively seek out the enemy’s flagship-class Nation-Class starship for a decisive battle… and in that battle, completely wipe out their command system. Even if their homefront command system can take over after the frontline one is gone, the delay in intelligence and the blow to their morale would be enormous. This plan might work.”
Luka Two thought for a moment before speaking, “This is indeed the only option. But the risk is great. In the battlefield, the Japan Nation-Class starship is not only fulfilling the role of a flagship-class vessel, it also serves as the core of the battlefield. The other Province-Class and City-Class starships must gather around the Japan Nation-Class starship to form a perfect whole so that their full combat strength can be brought to bear. In other words, if our plan fails and we fail to destroy the enemy’s flagship-class starship while they destroy the Japan, we will fall into an even greater disadvantage and suffer far heavier losses.”
“I have confidence in our technology, in our Four-Dimensional Space Shields, and in our space weapons.” Xiao Yu said. “At present, there are three Province-Class starships, fifteen City-Class starships, and over a thousand other vessels gathered around the Japan. This is the most powerful force we can deploy on the battlefield right now. Even if the Japan is destroyed, I will drag the enemy’s flagship-class starship down to hell with me. After all, our command system has no distinction between frontline and homefront. Even if the Japan is destroyed, it will save at least three hundred thousand of our ships. That is a very worthwhile trade.”
“Then our current strategy should change. The other ships on the battlefield should shift from trying to gather around the Japan to focusing on stalling the enemy’s forces, creating a favorable environment for the Japan’s surprise attack…”
“Yes, I am already doing that.” Xiao Yu nodded slightly and said, “Leave this matter to me. That’s all for now. Your task remains the same, be ready at all times to follow my orders and prepare to strike at the Molian Civilization’s capital star system. During this period, I want everyone to conduct deep self-reflection on your shortcomings. In one month, each of you will submit a written self-criticism to me.”
“Yes, sir.”
The members of the Military Committee left the conference room aboard the Heaven’s Kingdom, and Xiao Yu slowly closed his eyes, sinking into thought.
“I’m curious, just who devised this strategy… Yes, I’m very interested in having a match with you, to see whether you are more formidable or I am…”
“The potential of a civilization truly is limitless. For someone like you, I am very interested… extremely interested…”
In the far reaches of the void beyond Star System Number 4, the massive Japan Nation-Class starship had already begun its operation. The scattered ships became Xiao Yu’s eyes, working to locate any trace of the Molian Civilization’s flagship-class Nation-Class starship.
The clash between Nation-Class starships, representing the pinnacle of Level 5 Civilization technology, was about to begin.