Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Prophet's Approval
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“Indeed, the Prophet acknowledges my actions.”
Tla’Kalan, the battle priest who had led the extermination of the Sirtishi who had turned into machines, revealed his satisfaction.
Though he had acted without hesitation in accordance with the will of the gods, the growing turmoil around him seemed to suggest his actions had been wrong.
But the Prophet who had returned had declared war directly on the Empire, affirming his deeds.
What greater honor could there be?
He renewed his faith, vowing to serve Oztlan with utmost zeal.
1 Oztlan-class Sacred Warship flagship ‘Karak’tlan’
9 Prophet-class Battlecruisers
30 Techawitl-class Defense Destroyers
96 Tlacotl-class Patrol Combatants
A total of 136 warships aligned in orbit around the space station in the Botadidi Star System on the Holy Nation-Empire border.
As the vanguard of the Holy Nation, Tla’Kalan planned to be the first to cross into Empire territory for a show of force reconnaissance.
“All fleet, engage thrusters.”
In Tla’Kalan’s assessment as a battle priest, the Empire’s forces were insignificant compared to the Holy Nation’s.
Even if it was just a show of force, if the Empire’s defenses proved weak, he would plunge straight into their core and sever their supply lines.
According to the star map obtained by spies infiltrated into the Empire, seizing the Gladius Star System—located at the Empire’s center—would seal off all their trade capabilities.
It was the sole link and passage connecting the Empire’s various sectors. They had to march toward it.
To do that, they first needed to conquer the border guards.
The Empire forces guarding the Botadidi border were undoubtedly led by Count Maximilian.
It had to be that machine who had crossed the Holy Nation border, fired warning shots, and provoked them.
He would crush them for certain.
“All forces! Enter the hyperlane!”
Starting with the flagship Karak’tlan, the fleet rode the currents of spacetime.
Passing through an unknown separate dimension that rent space itself, the ships arrived one after another in the Maximilian Star System.
And Count Maximilian welcomed them with fanfare.
“All ships, commence bombardment! We shall not yield a single star system of Empire territory!”
The orbital stellar base’s anti-air guns unleashed a barrage of shells and lasers in unison.
The immense distance from the central stellar base to the hyperlane exit on the orbit’s periphery far exceeded the guns’ effective range, allowing the Holy Nation ships to leisurely evade the incoming shells.
However, some ships that had just emerged from hyperspace lacked time to deploy barriers or maneuver, and railgun slugs pierced them straight through, instantly killing the crew along the path.
But such successes were mere surprises from the opening volley; once the Holy Nation’s defense destroyers reformed their lines, deployed shields, and began intercepting shells, no further damage occurred.
“As expected, they were prepared.”
Even soulless scraps claiming to be a nation had fortified their border defenses thoroughly.
Railguns accelerating projectiles with electromagnetism and lasers compressing stellar energy.
Common weapons across the galaxy, easily identifiable.
Enemy weapon composition, degree of stellar fortification, and confirmation that no enemy fleet lay in ambush near the hyperlane.
With the necessary intel gathered, a standard reconnaissance fleet would retreat here.
To seize this system, they needed to approach the stellar base’s orbital space station and either capture or destroy it.
Breaking through layers of shields and intercept systems required closing in, and the enemy wouldn’t sit idle, so casualties were inevitable.
Thus, the rational choice was to withdraw first, prepare tailored forces based on this intel, and strike again.
Tla’Kalan knew this full well.
But it didn’t align with the true purpose of a “show of force.”
If they were going to conduct such a timid probe, they wouldn’t have entered the hyperlane at all. They’d have sent only a token force.
“All fleet, charge! Seize the enemy stellar base!”
Common sense differed from correct judgment.
I am right.
With such conviction, Battle Priest Tla’Kalan ordered the assault without hesitation.
The Holy Nation ships spewed plasma, accelerating forward.
“Starting off hot, aren’t they?”
Count Maximilian muttered as he sipped ultra-low-temperature coolant frosted with rime.
“As expected, Starbuck’s coolant has the best flavor.”
Sunlight takes about eight minutes to reach Earth.
So how long for a subluminal ship to reach effective range near a star system?
More than enough time to savor a glass of coolant.
As a marchlord granted autonomy, the Count commanded ample forces for combat.
His stellar base was fortified to match his station.
To defend vast galactic space against invaders, concentrated investment in single star systems was essential.
Fortifying the entire galaxy was absurd.
The domains of marchlords like Maximilian Castle featured anti-gravity control wave emitters.
These machines, exportable only by imperial decree, flooded the system with waves that blocked enemy hyperlane exits.
Thus, foes entering while active couldn’t escape until they demolished the fully fortified stellar base.
He had waited to turn scout ships sneaking like thieves into scrap without honor.
He didn’t know the Holy Nation commander.
But charging headlong without even attempting retreat upon sighting a fortified stellar base, sans prior recon...
Brave, but arrogant.
Clink—.
Draining his coolant cleanly, the Count summoned his secretary.
“You called, my lord Count?”
“Activate the fusion reactors. I’ll handle them personally.”
“As you command.”
In the frigid hangar of Count Maximilian’s ship, devoid of lifeforms, ‘I’—Verilak, who had come to negotiate with Maximilian—waited.
Ready to depart the moment attacks were confirmed elsewhere.
Boarding upon arrival, the space station began shaking violently then stopping repeatedly.
Undoubtedly bombardment from the station’s batteries.
The Holy Nation’s first strike targeted this system.
Lucky—no long journey needed.
Once Count Maximilian fell back against the vanguard, he could join with Empire forces.
Such were his thoughts as he sat in the ship, waiting.
But on second thought, if Maximilian lost, the system would be Holy Nation territory—could he join then?
What if the Count was already dead?
The Holy Nation wouldn’t accept mercenaries fleeing to other systems claiming mercenary work.
Nor would the Empire before defeat.
Should he bail now?
Clank, clank, clank.
“Merchant Lord Verilak. Still lingering, are you?”
“Count.”
With the characteristic mechanical joint whirs and metallic clashes, Count Maximilian appeared in the hangar.
Bowing deeply in greeting, the Count nodded as if it were natural.
“I told you your domain will soon be a battlefield—surely I said to leave.”
“I couldn’t tear myself away out of worry for you, my lord. I was just about to depart.”
“Grateful words. But too late, merchant lord. Anti-gravity waves are spreading system-wide. Hyperlane transit is now impossible.”
“What do you mean?”
“Explanations later. It’s dangerous—remain on the station.”
Roooar—.
The illusion of such a roar came as the Count’s fleet spewed plasma fiercely, launching from the hangar for battle.
Hyperlane blocked? Even the machine Empire had such tech.
Valuable intel.
Mercenary harassment across Empire space would be tough now.
Time to find other ways to weaken them?
The hangar vibrations intensified—Holy Nation fire hitting the station.
Safer to descend to the planet with Maximilian Castle than wait here.
Resolved to lead his mercenary fleet planetside, he turned to board.
Against his wish to embark, a Holy Nation laser finally breached the station wall and shredded Verilak’s body.
Ah, shit.