Ch.412[Episode 412] The Other World – Area 12

Carrot and Stick Tactics.

A strategy where one speaks of peace on the surface while preparing for war behind the scenes.

It’s a fundamental tactic that lulls opponents into complacency to inflict greater damage.

However, Sir Dominic was unfamiliar with such tactics because his main enemies had always been demons.

Negotiations never worked with demons.

Rather than wasting words, gifting them an axe to the crown was more effective.

If Sir Dominic had been a knight of noble birth, he might have known something about strategy and tactics, but Sir Dominic was a knight who had risen from serfdom.

He was completely ignorant about tactics.

“What exactly is this carrot and stick tactic?”

Sir Dominic finally couldn’t contain his curiosity and asked Captain Elang about it.

[“It’s simple once you understand it.”]

Captain Elang confidently explained the carrot and stick tactic.

[“You burn everything in front, and kill everyone behind. Burn at the stake, and kill everyone. That’s why it’s called ‘fire and war.'”]

“…?”

Sir Dominic wasn’t sure if that was correct, but since Captain Elang was nominally a commander, he decided to accept that the captain knew more about tactics than he did.

“Then what does ‘both sides’ mean?”

[“That refers to attacking from both directions. As I said, burn everything in front, and kill everyone behind.”]

“I see.”

Sir Dominic nodded at Captain Elang’s explanation.

His explanation sounded plausible.

“But what does this have to do with our charge?”

[“Well, we need to burn everything in front, don’t we?”]

Captain Elang spoke as if it were obvious.

Sir Dominic felt something odd about Captain Elang’s sudden confidence.

“You seem unusually confident now. One wouldn’t think you believed we were at a disadvantage just moments ago.”

[“Do I?”]

Captain Elang nodded at Sir Dominic’s words.

[“Perhaps it’s because I see hope now.”]

Captain Elang paused briefly before continuing.

[“Without Sir Dominic, we would have lost pathetically again, but now we have Sir Dominic. And not just any Sir Dominic, but a 5-tier Sir Dominic!”]

Captain Elang shouted excitedly.

[“That’s why the commanders are opening their wallets now. Thinking this might be their only chance, they’re desperately buying all sorts of things.”]

“Buying things?”

[“Commanders like us can purchase items within the scenario. We usually don’t because of the fees, but it’s worth it at times like this.”]

Captain Elang told him to look toward the warp gate.

When Sir Dominic looked, he saw small transport ships coming and going.

There were hundreds of them, and Sir Dominic noticed that their number was similar to the number of remaining battleships.

“Every commander has started buying items?”

[“Yes. Most are items that provide temporary buffs, but they’re useful.”]

Most of the items purchased by the commanders were consumables.

From items that could temporarily overload engines or momentarily increase booster output, to gunpowder weapons in case beam weapons couldn’t be used—each commander was buying according to their preferences.

No one needed to take the lead.

The commanders who had purchased battleships were all competitive people.

More precisely, they were people who liked to stand at the forefront.

That’s why this battle for Region 12 was extremely important to them.

This battle would determine whether they maintained their lead beyond Region 12 or were overtaken by latecomers.

The commanders desperately purchased items.

This was no time to save money.

Money could be earned again, but opportunities like this didn’t come often.

What they needed was opportunity, not money.

…

Opposition Forces Headquarters.

“What are the enemy movements?”

The Opposition Forces Commander-in-Chief asked the Opposition Admiral who had just disembarked.

“They seem to be prioritizing supplies first. From their position, this is an expedition, so supply issues must be their top priority.”

“Indeed.”

The Commander-in-Chief nodded at the Admiral’s words.

As the Admiral said, the report the Commander-in-Chief was looking at contained intelligence that the commanders had begun resupplying.

“But something is strange.”

“What do you mean?”

“The amount of supplies is unusually large.”

The Commander-in-Chief looked at the number of enemy transport ships discovered through intelligence.

More precisely, he was looking at the number of times transport ships had gone through the warp gate.

An unusually high number was recorded there.

“Why would they need so many supplies for battle?”

The Commander-in-Chief took his eyes off the paper and looked at the hologram display.

It showed a simplified view of the current space battlefield, and the Commander-in-Chief touched the most noticeable one with his finger.

This brought up a close-up of the “Glory of Feralant.”

“With such a powerful battleship, I can’t understand why they need such excessive supplies…”

After saying this, the Commander-in-Chief rhythmically tapped his fingers on the table, deep in thought.

“What do you think?”

The Commander-in-Chief asked the Admiral beside him for advice on the current situation.

But what proper answer could the Admiral have?

Who could possibly know that these were external beings buying cash items within the scenario to clear this region?

The Admiral considered making a guess but decided to answer honestly.

“I don’t know.”

“I thought as much.”

“But one thing is certain.”

The Admiral pointed at the “Glory of Feralant” on the hologram display.

“We must prioritize destroying that ship. It’s the enemy’s center and spiritual pillar.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because the other ships have gathered around it.”

The Admiral said this while looking at the Commander-in-Chief.

“I believe that battleship must be the enemy flagship.”

“Indeed. So the enemy Commander-in-Chief is at the front lines.”

The Commander-in-Chief nodded at the Admiral’s words.

In fact, this was a misjudgment by the Opposition Commander-in-Chief.

Sir Dominic’s side’s Commander-in-Chief was still at their headquarters, and the one on the battlefield was merely a civilian.

However, the Opposition Forces, having no way of knowing this, thought the enemy’s Commander-in-Chief was personally on the battlefield.

“Since ancient times, the surest way to win a battle is to capture the enemy leader… This might make our job easier.”

The Commander-in-Chief said this and fell into thought.

“I think we should intercept with an interplanetary ballistic missile.”

“An interplanetary ballistic missile?”

“Yes.”

The Admiral proposed using the Opposition Forces’ ultimate weapon.

“As you know, an interplanetary ballistic missile is powerful enough to blow away half a planet if it hits properly. So even a flagship would have little chance of withstanding it.”

“…Any other options?”

“There are, but from my brief experience, I believe all our battleships would need to fire simultaneously to barely destroy it.”

The Opposition Admiral had served as a space navy officer protecting this planet for a long time.

Having seen many battleships, he recognized at a glance how powerful Sir Dominic’s “Glory of Feralant” was.

“…Indeed, one interplanetary ballistic missile would be more cost-effective.”

“That’s right.”

After considering this briefly, the Commander-in-Chief accepted the Admiral’s suggestion.

“Very well. I authorize the use of an interplanetary ballistic missile.”

The Commander-in-Chief then removed his necklace and handed it to the Admiral.

Or rather, it was a remote control.

A remote control that could launch an interplanetary ballistic missile immediately after special operation and pressing a button.

Normally, procedures would need to be followed, but since communication with the homeland had been cut off for some reason, this action was permitted.

Of course, as you all know, the reason communication with the homeland had been cut off was due to dimensional distortion.

“…I will ensure success.”

The Admiral received the necklace from the Commander-in-Chief and saluted.

He then left the Commander-in-Chief’s room and returned to his flagship.

Believing that an interplanetary ballistic missile would certainly destroy the Glory of Feralant.

…

The last transport ship from the warp gate arrived.

[“Ah, finally mine has arrived.”]

“What did you order?”

[“A sci-fi-style beam sword. In case we need to engage in hand-to-hand combat.”]

Captain Elang muttered that beam swords are cool.

Sir Dominic nodded at Captain Elang’s words and looked back at the battlefield.

In the dark space, Sir Dominic saw a faintly glowing round planet in the distance.

Sir Dominic was momentarily mesmerized by the planet’s existence, which looked as if it had been composited onto a black background.

“I would never have known such things existed had I remained in Feralant.”

Sir Dominic said this as he took in the mysterious scenery.

Indeed, had it not been for Gachaland, Sir Dominic would never have had the opportunity to see such wondrous sights.

[“Sir Dominic! We’re about to depart! Since we’re going full force from the start, you can move forward right away!”]

Sir Dominic snapped back to reality at Captain Elang’s communication.

“I will.”

Sir Dominic nodded at Captain Elang’s words.

[In 10 seconds, all ships in Zone A please prepare for departure.]

Orders were issued from the allied command headquarters.

10 seconds later, about 150 battleships began advancing toward the planet.

And at the forefront was Sir Dominic’s Glory of Feralant.