Ch.20The Eastern Advance of Prosnak

# Chapter 20: Prosnack’s Eastern Advance (1)

Prosnack.

Officially known as the Prosnack Union.

My frequent nickname for them: Space Nazis.

And the name they’re known by throughout the galaxy: none other than the Annihilators of the Universe, or God’s Punishment (Scourge)—the dangerous nation of Prosnack.

When I heard that this insane nation had finally ended its rest period and was beginning a full-scale war, I was utterly shocked.

And certainly not for the trivial reason that my vacation had disappeared.

So when my vacation was forcibly terminated and I hurriedly entered the Imperial Palace, I could fully understand the bewilderment of the numerous officials I saw.

“How can this be happening?! How could they think of attacking all three major galactic powers simultaneously…!”

“Perhaps they actually have a way to win?”

“No matter how powerful Prosnack has shown itself to be in fleet battles, they’re facing Kerzin’s invincible armada!”

And this was coming from the highest-ranking officials who sat closest to Artraia, not just ordinary bureaucrats.

“How is the situation developing?”

“Ah, you’ve arrived? I was just informed that the Intelligence Department is currently processing the incoming information.”

“I see.”

The newly appointed Foreign Minister spoke calmly, showing a rather cautious attitude in seeking information.

“…Perhaps, do you have any information from the Execution Star?”

“I regret to inform you that I was on vacation until just recently.”

“Ah.”

Of course, upon realizing he was speaking to a pitiful civil servant whose first vacation in ten years had been cut short, he quickly turned his head away.

Anyway, while we were exchanging such trivial conversation, people scattered throughout the Empire gathered or attended via hologram.

“His Majesty, the Great Emperor of the Holy Sebelli Empire, enters!”

“Let us rise.”

“Yes.”

As Emperor Artraia entered, the formal imperial council meeting officially began.

“Everyone seems to be here, so let’s skip the formalities and get straight to the point.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!!”

————————-

Especially given the gravity of the matter at hand, the meeting proceeded quickly without unnecessary rhetoric.

“The border defense fleets of each nation have been annihilated by Prosnack’s lightning invasion, and currently, the affected countries are gathering their fleets to form their respective defense lines.”

With the briefing moderator’s words, the main screen in the conference room displayed a simplified route of Prosnack’s advance.

And seeing this, some members of the Military Committee began to express their confusion.

“Hmm? Why are they only penetrating the Kerzin Federation’s territory in a straight line?”

“Indeed, don’t they realize they could be surrounded by Kerzin Federation forces stationed elsewhere?”

It reminded me of the Qing forces during the Manchu invasion in my previous life—just pushing straight ahead in a direct line.

However, the answer to this was quite shocking.

“Regarding that issue, the Kerzin Federation has abandoned and retreated from all regions of the former Prosnack territory that they had controlled.”

“…”

“According to what our Intelligence Department has discovered, the Kerzin Federation has transported everything from the former Prosnack territory—defense fleets, mining operations, numerous fortresses and buildings… shipyards, interstellar bases, even the population.”

“Oh…”

“Literally everything has been moved to their original homeland, so that vast space is completely empty—a void with nothing in it.”

‘…That wasn’t in the original game.’

I had to absorb the sensational shock that the Kerzin Federation had implemented a scorched earth policy against Prosnack from the beginning.

Dismantling all buildings on planets and even extracting all mineral veins.

“That’s impossible, the population in that region must have exceeded ten billion!”

“Amazing, truly amazing.”

They even forcibly relocated all those difficult-to-manage people?

Considering the resources and influence required for such an operation, it seems like a clear expression of their determination to leave absolutely nothing for Prosnack.

And as if to convey my shock, an event message appeared:

[Event: Cosmic Scorched Earth Policy]

[The Kerzin Federation has become the first entity in this distant future to put a scorched earth policy into practice.]

[Thanks to this, in the early stages of the war, Prosnack had to waste resources again by regrouping the fleets they had already mobilized.]

Seeing the madness of implementing a scorched earth policy in a science fiction setting, I mentally facepalmed.

And as the commotion somewhat subsided, the briefing that had been interrupted resumed.

“As the war began, Prosnack’s fleet, which started with widespread border infiltration, began to gather into three major waves.”

With the moderator’s words, the briefing screen began to show each fleet one by one.

“First, Wave One is currently facing off at the Ginam Corridor, which contains the only hyperspace jump route connecting Kerzin and former Prosnack territories.”

“Kerzin at Ginam, Prosnack at Tot.”

Along with the moderator’s words, the corridor showed Prosnack and Kerzin fleets continuing to gather.

“Next, Wave Two is slowly advancing while engaging all fortresses and fleets in the Zeltech direction.”

“…Are those Zeltech idiots incapable of fleet warfare? They’re just throwing in forces piecemeal.”

Following the moderator’s explanation, someone muttered, and I inwardly nodded in agreement.

“Finally, Wave Three has destroyed the Proton Fortress, Ztrakfor’s border defense line, along with the first gathered fleet, and continues to push forward.”

With those final words, as the moderator stepped back, the conference room quickly filled with a bustling atmosphere.

“I wonder if Prosnack is doing this because they’re confident in their victory.”

“Even so, directly charging at the three major powers of the galaxy…”

“Perhaps they’ve simply given up.”

“That’s right, given that they’re already under massive trade sanctions from the Galactic Federation, they might be choosing to self-destruct rather than starve to death.”

Of course, most people believed this war would lead to Prosnack’s crushing defeat.

It’s not like we’re in an era with underdeveloped information and communication technology like Earth’s World War II in my previous life…

Everyone knows that the Kerzin Federation hasn’t lost vast territories but has implemented a scorched earth policy.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity bestowed by God!”

“Indeed! It’s a call to wage a holy war to reclaim the northern regions that were stolen from us!”

“No, we should seize Prosnack’s territory as well, to prevent those evil hordes from causing any more trouble!”

And such thoughts seemed to ignite the militaristic spirit that appeared to be embedded in the DNA of the Empire’s citizens.

“But no matter how evil Prosnack may be, they’re not fools, are they?”

“Wouldn’t it be better to observe the situation a bit longer first?”

Of course, as exists everywhere, the rational faction tried to cool the fierce flames by pouring cold water on them…

“How can you judge a sacred territorial issue like that!”

“Are you perhaps a traitor?”

“N-no, that’s not it, I’m simply suggesting we proceed more cautiously…”

But they were mere droplets before the zealots who wanted to build Sebelli’s Lebensraum in place of the Space Nazis, beyond just reclaiming the lost northern regions.

————————-

And in this situation, something happened that was like pouring oil on the fire…

“Your Majesty! The ambassador from the Kerzin Federation requests an audience!”

“…Let him in.”

Just as we were discussing this war, an ambassador dispatched by Kerzin had come directly to the Imperial Palace.

“Have you been well, Your Majesty Emperor Artraia?”

“The ambassador also seems to be doing quite well, even now.”

After entering and paying his respects to Artraia according to protocol, the Kerzin ambassador,

“I would have preferred to engage in lighter conversation, but I have received instructions from my government.”

With those words, after clearing his throat briefly, the Kerzin ambassador immediately got to the main point of his visit.

“Secretary General Lakshar of the Kerzin Federation wishes for the Holy Sebelli Empire to participate in this holy war.”

Then, producing diplomatic documents written in the distinctive style of the Kerzin Federation, the ambassador continued:

“As an honorable nation of the Galactic Federation, we must stand against the evil actions of Prosnack!”

“…”

“Zeltech and Ztrakfor are already with us, but if Sebelli joins, it would be like gaining a thousand armies!”

“Hmm…”

“That is all.”

When the ambassador finished speaking, the reaction in the imperial council was extremely heated.

“That’s right!!”

“Your Majesty, isn’t this the moment to wage a holy war?!”

“The reclamation of the northern region! That great purpose!”

Not only the existing neutral faction, but even some who had advocated caution began to change their opinions.

“Well, if Kerzin is with us…”

“No matter how strong Prosnack is, four against one should be sufficient, shouldn’t it?”

Even Emperor Artraia seemed to be genuinely contemplating the matter.

“Indeed… it doesn’t seem like a bad idea.”

Seeing this, a faint smile naturally appeared on the Kerzin ambassador’s face.

But as the tide was about to turn completely, someone stepped in to apply the brakes.

“No, we must not participate in this war.”

At this sudden objection, the Emperor, numerous officials, and even the Kerzin ambassador shifted their gaze toward the source of the voice…

And at the end of their gaze was the person responsible.

Me—and I had to hit pause again due to unnecessary embarrassment.

‘Ugh, this is too much pressure.’