Ch.74War Lord (6)

# Chapter 74: Lord of War (6)

When the defense line collapsed and the fleet was annihilated, Zeltech chose only one option.

“We’ll produce fleets for you, so can we stop fighting now?”

It was a peculiarly strange approach that vaguely resembled a surrender declaration while not actually surrendering at all.

If Arto had seen this in real-time…

‘That’s not… something that happens in the game…’

He would have worn a very complicated expression.

Unfortunately, since Arto wasn’t present, there was no such idle chatter as both sides quickly reached an agreement.

Regardless of how it happened, the fact remained that the Warlord now had a stable rear area.

Leaving behind a small fleet for surveillance and security(?), the Warlord immediately led his forces to continue the offensive toward the next target.

And that next target was, naturally, the Mekt-Fuks who had just been trying to break through the defense line that the Warlord had deployed.

“It’s time for revenge!”

“Remember that mobile warfare is not your exclusive domain!”

Although they had suffered significant losses in the war, the Mekt-Fuks fleet was nothing short of berserkers.

Consequently, the Warlord didn’t respond with an inadequate fleet but personally led his flagship and elite guard fleet to engage them before retreating.

Naturally, when the source of the war appeared, the crazed Mekt-Fuks fleet abandoned all concern for their rear security and entered into an endless pursuit of the Warlord’s fleet…

——————————-

A week had passed since I heard this story.

“You bastard, are you going to be a spy or not?!”

“I won’t! I swear I won’t!!”

As usual, while I was giving a lecture about water to the spies who were gradually beginning their activities.

“Minister, there’s a new report from the eastern front. Would you like to see it?”

“Wait… ah, yes, let them handle those guys on their own.”

When Riel brought a new report, I gave additional orders to the agents handling the spies.

-Beep.

After ending the communication, I leaned back against the sofa and looked at Riel.

“Well, it is about time for reports to come in… but why bring it to me?”

“Because you find it entertaining, of course?”

“…”

“Here you go.”

Unable to deny that statement, I nodded and took the report from Riel while speaking.

“The last thing we heard was that the Warlord was being pursued by the Mekt-Fuks fleet, right?”

“Yes, if my memory circuits aren’t malfunctioning.”

At Riel’s words, I made my own predictions as I began reading the report.

“Then this report probably contains similar information, like the Warlord being captured or escaping…”

But as I started reading, it became clear that the situation was worse than I had imagined.

[Mekt-Fuks fleet annihilated.]

[Warlord intact.]

[Confirmed that the Warlord is regrouping his fleet and heading south toward the southern battlefield.]

“Wait, why did Mekt-Fuks suddenly collapse?”

They were clearly pushing us back enough to pursue the flagship, so why this sudden annihilation?

Could it be that the Warlord’s flagship was some kind of super-modified vessel like our Ash, capable of defeating an entire fleet by itself?

Perhaps my thoughts showed on my face, because Riel suggested I touch the terminal to check the detailed contents.

And the truth that emerged was truly something that an ordinary person like me could never have predicted.

“…So from the beginning, the Warlord was using himself, his flagship, and his guard fleet as bait?”

“Yes, when the Mekt-Fuks fleet’s formation and supply lines were stretched thin due to their reckless pursuit, the Warlord’s fleets simultaneously pounced on them, resulting in their annihilation.”

“Hmm.”

As I continued reading the report, it stated that except for a few ships that escaped via emergency warp, the Mekt-Fuks fleet was completely destroyed.

The Warlord had regrouped his scattered fleets and was now heading south toward our forces engaged in battle.

After reading all this, I suddenly recalled a person from my previous life who was considered both a great man and a brilliant general.

Napoleon. The thought gave me chills.

“Wow, this is something.”

Is this how Europeans felt when they had to fight Napoleon in real-time?

How could someone repeatedly turn around situations where they were overwhelmingly outnumbered by concentrating forces locally to achieve victory after victory until reaching parity?

And to do this not on a small scale, but while commanding fleets of hundreds or thousands of ships.

‘In the game, he couldn’t even use such brilliant strategies and tactics.’

I found myself thinking that I’d like to incorporate this Warlord into the Empire, just like Ash or Alina.

But soon I had to chase away such thoughts, reminding myself that it was impossible.

‘In the game, the Warlord dies no matter what, so I should give up.’

Even if he doesn’t die in fleet battles and successfully conquers the entire galaxy…

He might die from contracting a disease from a concubine.

Or die from overeating.

Or be assassinated.

His fate was to die forcibly through some event.

As a result, the empire he created would collapse, and all the vassal states under him would gain independence.

‘…That would probably be the same here. Even if I brought him into the Empire by some means, he would still die shortly after.’

So I decided to erase this matter from my mind and focus on dealing with the immediate situation.

At this rate, our southern allied fleet would be shattered by that insane Warlord.

“But Minister, what can we actually do for them?”

“We can’t do anything, Riel. Go get some popcorn.”

Of course, there wasn’t much we could do right now.

I ordered our overseas spy network to sabotage the Warlord’s forces without endangering our agents.

Then I decided to just watch the situation unfold while enjoying the caramel popcorn Riel brought.

—————————-

About three days later.

“Minister, they say the Warlord’s fleet has been defeated.”

“…Is that so.”

Perhaps even the Warlord couldn’t win against the southern alliance without replenishing his fleet after fighting two consecutive battles.

I picked up the report on the great battle fought between the Warlord’s main force—including his flagship and guard fleets—and Roirakan’s fleet, and began reading its contents.

Of course, I skipped most of the content that was beyond my understanding—the technical details.

Scrolling down, I found quite detailed information about the battle’s outcome.

“Let’s see… when defeat was imminent, the Warlord used his flagship as a shield while the rest of his fleet retreated?”

Seeing such a manly report, I truly wondered if there was any way we could incorporate the Warlord into our Empire.

“There’s more.”

“Hmm.”

As Riel said, there was still much more to read, so I put aside my talent-collecting tendencies toward the Warlord and continued reading the results.

“…This is good. The fleet that was wearing down our forces in the south was annihilated while covering the retreat of the Warlord’s fleet.”

“Oh yes, and they successfully captured some ships including the flagship of that fleet.”

“Oh, really?”

After confirming that part of the report, I nodded when I saw an inquiry about the treatment of the captured ships and their crew.

“Were these captured by our fleet?”

“Yes, the purge unit you deployed at some point rammed their assault ships into the guard fleet’s flagship, saying they wanted to satisfy your desire to collect talent.”

“…”

When I made a face that said ‘I don’t remember doing that,’ Riel quickly responded.

“You haven’t read that part yet. Sorry for the spoiler.”

Riel immediately bowed her head in apology.

“Why do you always apologize so formally only at times like this?”

“Dunno~”

Seeing her playful response, I shook my head and decided to add a brief comment to the matter.

‘Both the personnel and ships should be sent back to our country, as there is a possibility they might cause trouble in the rear by cooperating with the Warlord again.’

“Heh, Minister, are you planning to incorporate that admiral into the Empire too?”

“There’s no need to state the obvious.”

“Yes.”

After reading through the rest of the report, I put it down and sighed deeply.

“Why are you sighing?”

“…Because the entire report shows too much confidence that we’ve won now.”

At my response, Riel tilted her head in confusion.

“Haven’t we won? That Warlord guy fled, and his elite fleet was completely destroyed.”

I shook my head at Riel’s words.

“No, this war definitely won’t end with just this battle.”

I carried this opinion all the way to the imperial council meeting regarding the situation, but…

“Minister Arto seems too timid.”

“He’s just someone whose strength has been completely drained. Is there really a need to worry so much?”

“Indeed, rather than the Warlord, we should be concerned about our interests in the eastern region.”

Seeing the council members showing the same reaction as Riel had, I couldn’t help but worry that a major disaster might be looming.