Chapter 54
The Gra Valkas Great Humiliation
Holy Milishial Empire, Port Town Cartalpas, Southwestern Skies
After Gra Valkas's 200 aircraft easily shot down Mirishial's fighters, they proceeded toward the port town of Cartalpas. The first stage of their offensive involved intercepting and attacking the fleets from this world, then going on to bomb Cartalpas. This would induce fear of the Gra Valkas Empire while simultaneously showing the rest of the world how weak the Holy Mirishial Empire was, tearing down the perception that they were the strongest country in the world. This would encourage other countries to distance themselves from Milishial and come under Gra Valkas's wing instead.
There were no precise military goals for this operation; there were both targets to attack and broad objectives, but how to go about accomplishing all of it was left to the discretion of the leaders on site.
Commander Sbawl of the Gra Valkas Empire's Third Carrier Squadron observed the ships below him. "Hmph… Sailboats, huh. Laughable. Commence attack on—"
BOOM!
"W-What!?"
BOOM! BOOM!
"We-we're not even inside the range to make a dive bomb yet!"
The Sirius-class Dive Bombers are being shot down one after another by Celestina's Flak 88R, which boasting a muzzle velocity up to Mach 20 when augmented with MAC barrel. When the distance is less than twenty kilometers, only ten aircraft remain.
"Curse you! I will not forget this humiliation!"
BOOM! BOOM!
The entire Gra Valkas dive bombers are wiped out by the Seraphic Ocean single-handedly, with none of the aircraft are even in range for dive-bombing.
"Did you see that…?"
On the La Kasami's bridge, cheers went up at the sight of the Gra Valkan planes dropping like flies. But, as soon as Celestina wipe out all of the Gra Valkas bombers without even making them dive to attack, the entire crew was silent.
"How… How's that possible?" Mu's fleet commander asked the young officer next to him.
"That was their electronics-assisted firing system… But, to think that they can do it with such precision… Any word from our crew at Celestina?"
"Yes. They've been drilled hard by Celestina's Navy, so when Celestina can give us Mu, we're ready for maximum efficiency."
"Good grief…"
Other country representatives are flabbergasted when Celestina wipes out the entire dive bombers with just a single ship.
When the Flak 88R fires again, this time, it eliminates the entire Antares fighters. The first assault wing, consisting of two hundred aircraft, is wiped out single-handedly by Celestina's warship, Seraphic Ocean.
The Celestina Empire, Forty Thousand Meter Above Ocean, Prowler Arcus
"We've got incoming Grade Atlastar, and the fleet that supports it are standing by sixty kilometers from the battleship."
"Looks like they want to use the power of so-called Legendary ship, Ma'am."
"Hm?"
Looking at the behavior of the Grade Atlastar, Faira notices it.
"They're preparing a blockade."
"I've relaying the information to Grand Duchess Alicia for the update, including the second wave of the airstrike."
"Good work."
Gra Valkas Empire, Imperial Judgment Force, Grade Atlastar
The woman who had been sent to the leadership conference to convey the empire's will, the foreign affairs eastern otherworld division chief Cielia, was on the bridge observing the battle's progress with the ship's captain. But, much to Cielia's horror and Captain Luxtal itself, none of the enemy ships were sunk other than the Milishial ship that was already engaging them.
Before the might of the largest, strongest warship in the history of this world, what they see is an unusual sight. Reports from the crew indicate that the Celestina Empire struck down all the enemy aircraft in the first strike, with none of them entering the attack range.
"Hm?"
On the horizon ahead, she notices a convoy of the ship, forming a formation of the Carrier Strike Group, with Seraphic Ocean as the flagship and leading the fleet.
"If I remember correctly… that's…"
Within that fleet, there was a single remarkably conspicuous gray ship.
"That cruiser belongs to another country, Celestina, that was transferred here, same as us… Captain!" Cielia called out.
"Yes, what is it?"
"Could you attack that gray ship? I want to prove to them that their threat means nothing for us and as a diplomatic measure."
"There are many other vessels behind that ship. If we were to try to get in range before dealing with them, we would be putting ourselves at risk. Therefore, we should proceed with the closest ships first. Is that all right?"
"Ahh, that's fine. Once there is no risk to us, I would like you to aim for Celestina's gray ship and sink it if possible. Even if they did transfer here just like us, our standings are like heaven and Earth, and we must consider them to be like all the otherworld barbarians. For the sake of our future rule, though, we should deal with both the Holy Milishial Empire's ships and the Celestina Empire's ships now, if we can."
"Understood. However, before the Grade Atlastar can get in range, the second stage of our carrier-based aerial offensive will reach them first. If they happen to sink them before we can, I can only ask for your understanding."
"I see. If that is what happens, then you may disregard my request."
The super-dreadnought Grade Atlastar had set its sights on the Celestina's Halcyon-class Light Missile Cruiser, Seraphic Ocean.
Gra Valkas Empire Aircraft Attack Fleet, Second Wing
The second stage attack wing consisted of 60 aircraft: 14 fighters, 22 dive bombers, and 24 torpedo bombers. They had launched with a clear target and objective to fulfill: the target was the area around the strait to the south of the Holy Milishial Empire's port town Cartalpas. The otherworld fleet was currently sailing south. The main objective was to inflict as much damage as possible on Mirishial's ships.
Their formation quickly approached the target area. But, before the aircraft can break their formation. The Rigel-class Torpedo Bomber is the first to be shot down by Celestina's Flak 88R.
"W-what the?!"
"Who's shooting at us?!"
"No!"
The shot obliterates the wing, prompting all aircraft to lose control and fall to the ocean. They fall behind the Grade Atlastar, and once again, Celestina will not let Gra Valkas touch Celestina.
While the fleet continues heading to the strait located south of Cartalpas, there have been reports that the Celestinian warship destroys the entire Gra Valkas aircraft single-handedly.
On the bridge of the Armis, flagship of the Holy Mirishial Empire's local southern forces, Fleet Commander Pattes looked anguished as he spoke to the ship's captain beside him.
"Captain Nium, what do you make of the state of battle?"
"Hard to say, but… So far, the Celestina Empire has received a report from the Eimor Wind Dragon Riders, affirming that none of their aircraft has reached them. Our biggest problem is the Grade Atlastar itself. Should they blockade the strait, we have no way to escape."
"Hmm…"
Alicia opens transmission to the Holy Milishial's fleet.
"This is the Temporary Allied Force Commander, Fleet Admiral Alicia Permeal. Celestina will take it from here, and all of you should return and recuperate. We can handle things from here."
"Can you handle that ship?"
"Yes. We will send them packing."
Pattes and Nium think hard as they wonder what Celestina is up to. Escaping is not an option while looking at the formation itself; the Celestina Empire is leading the fleet to repel the Gra Valkas Empire's fleet.
"What do you think?"
"I've heard they threaten the Gra Valkas Empire, yes? Let's leave the stage to them."
"Alright."
As per Alicia's instruction, the Holy Milishial local fleet start withdrawing.
The Celestina Empire, Halcyon-class Light Missile Cruiser, Seraphic Ocean
"Golden Lion, Destructo. I want you to come with me to smash the other warship. The rest of you, slow down the speed and have them observe the duel."
"Yes, Ma'am."
The battle formation went to a change with Seraphic Ocean, triggers the Repulsor Engine, increasing the speed up to 60 kilometers per hour to leave the fleet, followed by Destructo and Golden Lion. The engine is not at full power yet, but it's sufficient to give the Grade Atlastar a shock.
"Prepare HEAPS round."
"Yes, Ma'am."
To answer the threat, Celestina is preparing to duel the Grade Atlastar.
The Gra Valkas Empire, Battleship Grade Atlastar
The massive battleship pushed aside the seawater, cleaving through the ocean as it sailed. Its 46 cm triple turret guns, of which it had three installed on the ship for a total of nine guns, fired without pause. Their firepower was previously unprecedented in this world. The colossal ship's superstructure, in the middle section of the deck, looked like a castle. The high-angle gun turrets all pointing up to the sky evoked the image of a hedgehog. Whether in their old world or in this world, this was the strongest ship.
Captain Luxtal glared intensely out to sea from the bridge. "Hoh, we can sink them in one shot, I see," he commented to his XO.
"Yes, sir. Indeed, our main guns… the forty-six-centimeter guns are quite powerful. Even at this distance, around a dozen kilometers out, it's quite easy to land a hit."
It was said that firepower was three times a gun's caliber. While they chatted, smoke poured out of another enemy ship from a successful hit, and a fierce blaze surged up before the ship broke in half, the pieces pulled down beneath the waves.
"Earlier, when an enemy shell hit us, I admit that I felt a cold sweat come on. However, it ended up being no more than a glancing blow that left a bit of a dent."
"This truly is an unsinkable ship."
Accompanied by a thunderous roar, the radar-aimed 46 cm triple turret gun fired a huge shell. In consideration of its maximum range of 40 km, the scattered enemies about 10 km away felt positively close.
"Enemy Milishial cruiser has been hit!"
Clouds of black smoke were billowing out of the said ship, and its speed fell dramatically.
"That one's done for… Hm?"
"Are they withdrawing?"
A ways away from where the Milishial ships were, he noticed a gray ship that simply didn't look like it was heavily armed. That was Celestina's ship, the one that the woman from foreign affairs, the division chief Cielia, requested that they sink "for diplomatic purposes and to teach them a lesson." Based on the ship's heading, they were trying to assault the ship. The other two ships are standing by behind, waiting for the opportunity to pass. But the view of the three ships astonishes Luxtal, as their speed can outrun the Grade Atlastar.
"That's interesting… Now then, as instructed by the foreign affairs eastern otherworld division chief, mark that gray cruiser as a priority target."
In front of them, the gray ship picked up speed and pushed forward. The other two gray ships are slowing down, realizing their intent.
"As Miss Cielia said before, that's Celestina's ship. It's a vessel that belongs to a country that was also transported here. Just as the reports say, their cannons really are quite tiny," the executive officer muttered to himself while staring at the target through his binoculars. "But, to think that they destroy all of our aircraft by themselves, there's nothing to fear when they don't have high caliber guns to face us."
"All right! Have the rear main and secondary guns and fire at them as soon as they're within seven kilometers! Until then, don't let Milishial boats escape!" ordered Captain Luxtal.
"Yes, sir!"
The Celestina Empire, Halcyon-class Light Missile Cruiser, Seraphic Ocean
"Both of you move away. We will score them a humiliation."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Both Golden Lion and Destructo are backing off, giving Seraphic Ocean space to engage the Grade Atlastar.
"The battlefield is yours, Fleet Admiral."
"Thank you for holding it for us."
Passing the Milishial's local cruiser's flagship, Armis, the Seraphic Ocean moves in to challenge the Grade Atlastar.
"The turret is aiming right at us!"
"Prepare evasive action. Start the countdown for fifteen seconds as soon as they fire their shells for a counter shot. I have augmented the round with explosive amplification and protection to blow the turret off, but not for magazine detonation."
"Roger!"
The black smoke puffs from the rear gun of the Grade Atlastar, aiming straight at Seraphic Ocean. Utilizing the side booster installed, Seraphic Ocean dodges all of the shells.
"Enemy is reloading, magazine insertion in three seconds… two… one… FIRE!"
BOOM!
The shot from the 88R itself will start the legend of Celestina's marksmanship of the sea, and the legendary ship Grade Atlastar will have their title and pride damaged for the first time.
Super dreadnought Grade Atlastar
"Enemy ship is firing on us!"
The ship firing was relatively small caliber, but what comes to next becomes their nightmare.
KA-BOOM! CREAAAKKK! SPLASH!
"W-What!?"
"What's going on!?"
The ship's bow rocks upwards with violence, with some crews not on their seats, tripped to the starboard and astern. Captain Luxtal receives a report from the rear turret.
"O-Our main gun at the rear has been destroyed! It flew off and fell to the ocean!"
"WHAT!?"
They haven't realized that they've been played right into the hands of Celestina from the beginning. Enraged, Luxtal orders all cannons to fire on the Seraphic Ocean.
"All batteries, concentrate fire on Celestina ships! KILL THAT FUCKING SHIP!"
While the distance has yet to reach six kilometers, the main guns at the front slowly turn to Celestina's warship. As soon as the main gun and the entire guns at the starboard side lock on the target, Luxtal gave the order.
"FIRE-!"
With a resounding boom, shells as tall as a person shot out into the blue.
The Halcyon-class Light Missile Cruiser, Seraphic Ocean
"Evasive maneuvers again!"
Seraphic Ocean narrowly evades all of the Grade Atlastar's main gun and secondary. Some of the secondary guns make contact with the ship, but it only affects the energy shield as it flickers.
"Energy shield is at fifty-two percent!"
"The Grade Atlastar enters the reloading sequence! Estimating gunpowder will be deployed in three… two… one… FIRE!"
BOOM!
Exploiting the automatic reload for advantage and when the barrels are down for reloading, the shell released from Flak 88 is heading straight into the Grade Atlastar's barrel, entering it. The HEAPS projectile hits the Grade Atlastar's shell as it disperses into pieces, igniting the extreme fire when the ship was just about to load gunpowder. The flame ignites the gunpowder explosion, triggering a Flash Fire inside the turret. Alicia augments the shell with a protective barrier to prevent magazine detonation and amplifies the damage enough to send the turret flying. The Flash Fire effect is similar to the Jack-in-the-box effect, where the tank's turret is sent flying once the enemy's shell triggers the magazine detonation inside the tank.
The main gun turret releases a burst of fire from the rotating wheel, and because the pressure builds up inside, it jettisoned the 46cm gun out from the ship and splashes to the ocean, killing all crew inside the turret. The ship rocks violently, as the bow is almost taking in water. As for now, the Grade Atlastar has lost its fangs with just three shots from Celestina.
"Now, destroy all of the secondary and AA guns. Leave them incapacitated. Destructo, Golden Lion, you two are clear to go. Execute some of their warships to set an example. Do not use MAC or Plasma Cannon."
"With pleasure."
World Allies Warship
Fleet Commander Brendas and Captain Minilar are speechless. The Celestina Empire has just annihilated the legend of the Grade Atlastar by destroying the main gun.
"It can't be…"
"The Gra Valkas Empire's warship that was claimed as a legend by the Second Civilization…"
"How is it possible…?"
They were grateful that none of their ships was lost, but on the other side, they feel powerless after witnessing Celestina's firepower that can blow the Grade Atlastar's main gun with just one hit.
"Send all fleets to the Celestina Empire. If possible, I would like to send a proposal to have it upgraded."
"But the brass will get angry about this."
"I don't care about a court-martial. What I care about is if we can have a fighting chance against the Gra Valkas Empire."
"W-we will send inquiry to Major Myrus first… He's studying at Celestina right now."
"Please relay it."
The Holy Milishial Fleet Commander Pattes and Captain of the Armis, Nium, were left speechless. The Celestina Empire's power eclipses them as they just witness the new Superpower has broken the legendary warship, super dreadnought Grade Atlastar.
"That's impossible…"
"How did they…?"
They witness all of the guns on the Gra Valkan's prided warship are destroyed one after another. The Celestina Empire displays their might, which becomes a legend at the Third Civilization.
"We got more ship coming from the horizon! It seems that the other fleet is coming to assist the Grade Atlastar!"
"We can't fight this many of them… Take cover behind Celestina's warship!"
"Yes, sir."
The surviving Holy Milishial's local fleet, which only five of eight ships survives, silently watches as three Celestinian warships are moving in to intercept the fleet.
Halcyon-class Light Missile Cruiser, Seraphic Ocean
BOOM! BOOM!
The Grade Atlastar's secondary, tertiary, and anti-aircraft guns are destroyed with just a single shot from the Flak 88R one after another. Each HEAPS shot kills the crew inside it, and the turrets are either on fire or jettisoned from extreme pressure inside the turret.
"They can't resist it further."
"Ma'am. We've confirmed all teeth are out from the beast."
"Excellent work. Now they just need to run with all of their might."
"Missiles armed and ready, Ma'am! The Destroyers missiles are also ready to fire!"
"Excellent. Refrain from using our ace weapons."
"Yes, Ma'am! Target locked! Firing!"
When the Seraphic Ocean launch their missiles, followed by Destructo and Golden Lion, it sends a desperate moment to the Gra Valkas Empire's fleet. A total of twenty missiles are flying to the fleet that is coming to reinforce the Grade Atlastar.
The Gra Valkas Empire, Imperial Judgment Force
Fleet Commander Artemis is watching their crown jewel was humiliated by a single ship from the Celestina Empire. Because of this, he was incited by anger and order the fleet to reinforce it.
"Bring that fucking ship into oblivion!"
"We've got an incoming attack!"
"What!?"
Artemis and the lookout crew spots twenty missiles are heading towards their fleet.
"Shoot that thing down!"
But before even the anti-air crew reacts, it slams into two Battleships, including Geas, six cruisers, and five destroyers. The other five missiles are heading to the Aircraft Carrier. The explosion on the battleship was spectacular. Everyone who witnesses the battle can see two mushrooms emerge from two Gra Valkas battleships due to the magazine detonation made by Destructo's missiles. The destroyers and cruisers hit by the missiles are also immediately succumbed to the sea. All ships surrounding Geas and other battleships that survives the explosion are stunned after the glass on the bridge was shattered, and the crew was thrown around by the shockwave from magazine detonation.
"U… Ugghh… Damage report!"
The crew was slowly standing up after thrown away because of the magazine detonation earlier.
"Two carriers have been hit! The ship becomes incapacitated! We lost thirteen ships overall!"
"Goddamn it!"
Inside the bridge of the Grade Atlastar, Captain Luxtal looks in disbelief after the pride of the Gra Valkas Empire becomes shattered by incapacitation.
"All starboard guns have been destroyed!"
"All port guns have been destroyed!"
"We're defenseless!"
"Sir! Reports from all turrets section! All turrets have been destroyed, and we're incapacitated!"
"Report from the Fleet Commander Artemis! We've lost fifteen ships! Both fleets are now in the state of panic!"
Looking at Seraphic Ocean, who sails away, while the other two ships are also sailing away from them, clenching his fist hard, Luxtal issues the general order.
"Retreat…!"
"Sir?"
"I SAID RETREAT! All ships! Retreat!"
Grade Atlastar slowly steers away from the battlefield, while the rest of the fleet are also retreating to protect the Grade Atlastar.
"I will not forget this humiliation, Celestina!"
Completely humiliated, as Celestina's threat, the Gra Valkas Empire is running between its tails. For the first time in the Gra Valkas Empire's history, which has never suffered heavy casualties and defeat at the Naval War, suffers heavy losses, defeat, and humiliation in front of the Celestina Empire.
As a result of this battle, the Holy Milishial Empire's reputation drop like a stone, the Celestina Empire's reputation, and influence soar to the sky. The Gra Valkas Empire recalls all of its forces home with complete humiliation. The Gra Valkas Empire lost fifteen ships, and Grade Atlastar suffers catastrophic damage, as the pride of the Gra Valkas Empire's guns is entirely obliterated with just Celestina's Flak 88R MACA.
On 23rd April 1526 Central Calendar / Celestina Empire's Calendar 227, The Celestina Empire damages the legendary status of the Grade Atlastar, and the legend of Celestina's marksmanship was born. The New World War starts with the defeat of the Gra Valkas Empire against Celestina's 1st Expeditionary Fleet. The victory also strengthens the legendary strength of the Seraphic Ocean, Destructo, and Golden Lion, the three warships that become legends during the Celestina-Papaldian War.
Halcyon-class Light Missile Cruiser, Seraphic Ocean
Rydorka was left speechless after witnessing the battle. The Celestina Empire augments the ammunition with magic power from Fleet Admiral Alicia. Much to his horror further, he can confirm the battle strength of the Main Council. Nobody would lay a hand on the Main Council after witnessing its strength, let alone Alicia augment the entire HEAPS rounds all by herself and shows no sign of exhaustion.
"I have to report this immediately…!"
Alicia looks at the holo-table before approaching Rydorka.
"Tell the Emperor not to make any movements. If you choose to attack without us, you will be certain to lose."
"But we have to expunge them from Leifor and Second Civilization as soon as possible!"
"Don't rush it. I would recommend sending Holy Milishial's personnel to attend the War Games at the Celestina Empire. That way, your troops will be more prepared when we enter the battle."
"I… Understand…"
"If your Emperor decides to rush things up, it won't end well."
"Y…yes…"
Loss at words, Rydorka was left with mixed feelings when the ship returns to the port of Cartalpas. The citizen who witnesses the battle at the town square lauded Celestina as heroes of the conflict. The Prisoners of War rescued from this conflict reached three hundred, and the entire surviving Holy Milishial crew, where Grade Atlastar sank their ship, was rescued.
The Grade Atlastar
Cielia caught a prophecy about the horror that will come to the Gra Valkas Empire in the future. Celestina's threat turns the pride of the Gra Valkas into complete humiliation.
"What's with this vision…"
Should the Gra Valkas Empire comply with Celestina's demand, it can save millions of lives. But she only carries the will of Emperor Gralux, as she needs to consult with the Imperial Office directly for this. The bridge officer calls for her, and she went to the bridge.
Luxtal, sitting in shame at his Captain's seat, looks at Cielia.
"We lost over six thousand men… Because of Celestina."
"What?! How?"
"Take a look by yourself."
Looking outside from the bridge, it was a horrific sight. The crew struggles to put out the fire, and the main guns are nowhere to be seen. LaCroix's threat of sacrificing the pride of Gra Valkas Empire's warship during the conference becomes a real thing. The first defeat and the first humiliation becomes true. She can feel the ship shakes violently twice when engaging in combat, but she never expects that the Grade Atlastar was beaten to a pulp.
"Damage assessment has been completed, Captain. We lost all of our guns, and the ship is no longer combat effective unless we bring it back to the capital for repairs. Overall, we lost two battleships, six cruisers, five destroyers, two aircraft carriers, and two hundred sixty aircraft. For our crew alone, we lost up to nine hundred crew."
A radar operator catches transmission from Celestina.
"Sir. We got a message from Celestina."
"What? Put it through."
When they broadcast it, they hear a sound of a female.
"We will let you go this time. I will be here to see you off. If you wish to negotiate, please visit Ambassador Jacob or LaCroix at Mu."
When the transmission ends, a radar operator catches a fast-moving object.
"We got enemy aircraft approaching from our six! It's inbound on us!"
"What!?"
The aircraft arrives so fast that no one was able to get into battle station stance. A Radar-class Prowler, Arcus, is hovering in front of the Grade Atlastar. Captain Luxtal looks out from the window, and he can see an elf woman, Commander Faira Desirae, is looking at him from the Arcus bridge. Then, he heard a transmission.
"Celestina will always be watching you, like how you beat up Leifor and Irnatea. I hope today can serve as a good lesson to mind your attitude before declaring war on us."
Before the anti-air crew can even finish their preparations to fire the anti-air guns from other warships, Arcus turns around and fly off fast to the sky.
"So they're the culprits…"
"Sir?"
"They're the ones that keep watching us at all times ever since we destroy Paganda."
Luxtal becomes frustrated when he discovers that it was Celestina who did it.
The Gra Valkas Empire, Three weeks later
"What is this…?"
Emperor Gralux, hearing the words that the Grade Atlastar is moving to the drydock for a massive repair, looks at the ship called the Gra Valkas Empire's pride, loses all of their guns. Gralux himself visits the drydock after hearing the defeat at the Cartalpas. In front of him, Captain of the Grade Atlastar, Luxtal, and the diplomat assigned to the Eleventh Country Conference, Cielia, kneels.
"I would like to hear details at my office, right now!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
At his office inside Imperial Palace, Emperor Gralux, sitting on his chair with an angry face, looks at them. Caesar, Mirkenses, Siegs, and Sand Pastal also answers his call.
"Tell me what exactly happened."
At first, it was told from Cielia's perspective for delivering the Emperor's message during the Eleventh Country Leadership conference three weeks ago. The Celestina Empire threatens her by having the Grade Atlastar humiliated should she withdrew from the conference. The second is being told from Mirkenses' perspective, where the Imperial Judgment Force manages to destroy the Zeroth Fleet. The Emperor was quite pleased to hear that the Holy Milishial Empire's Navy was weaker than he thought.
Then, it comes from both Cielia and Luxtal's perspectives, where they saw the horrors for the first time. No aircraft reach Cartalpas, as a single cruiser from Celestina took out the entire two hundred and sixty aircraft. When the cruiser was in striking distances, the shell goes into the 46cm barrel, igniting the jack-in-the-box effect, a term that was commonly used from the tank's perspective, or known as Flash Fire in the Navy's perspective, and sending the turrets flying. Celestina did not perform it to just one main gun, but the entire main gun suffers the same fate.
The fleet commanded by Artemis stationed sixty kilometers away is moving in for support, but after losing half of the fleet without even getting into the firing range, and the Grade Atlastar becomes incapacitated from being mowed down by Seraphic Ocean, Captain Luxtal orders a retreat. Cielia also explains that she receives a prophecy that should they mess with the Celestina Empire, the Celestina Empire will destroy the Gra Valkas Empire. They will not be as merciful as they did to the Papaldia Empire.
After hearing this report, Gralux becomes extremely angry and frustrated, and they can see wrinkles around his forehead. "To think they dare to call me a Punk Emperor?! This is unforgivable! Siegs! Pastal! How's the preparation of our ground forces at Mu?"
"Y-yes, Your Majesty! We have currently deployed two Army Group at Leifor!"
"Double the men and give six times the supplies! If they threaten us again in the next negotiation, then increase it again to ten Army Group! Threaten them, so they won't mess with us!"
"Y-Yes, sir!"
"If they still threaten us like that, we will threaten them to destroy Mu…! I recall that Celestina is on friendly terms with Mu… So crushing them will be an example of what it likes to mess with the Gra Valkas Empire! Caesar! Strengthen the fleet on Leifor! Bring the Holy Milishial Empire to their knees before we can set our eyes on Celestina!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Holy Milishial Empire, Runepolis, Imperial Palace
"That's…"
Emperor Milishial VIII is speechless once he heard the report from Rydorka. The Celestina Empire repels the Gra Valkas Empire's Judgment Force single-handedly and stains the legend of the Grade Atlastar. All of the fleet that witnesses the might of the Celestina Empire also delivers the same statement.
"To put it bluntly, the Main Council wants us to observe their movement and not to repel them from Leifor in a rush. I believe they're aware that the Gra Valkas Empire will return with more preparations after this defeat."
The defense secretary, Agra, was also speechless. If Celestina didn't send their warship, then Cartalpas is certain to be destroyed. The damage during the Battle of Folk Strait weeks ago was kept to a minimum, with at least three cruisers of the local fleet sunk.
The Emperor is holding back his rage. Celestina has a point for it, but surely he needs to prepare for everything.
"Very well… I will agree with Celestina's decision. Prepare all fleets and make sure all of them are prepared for battle should the Gra Valkas Empire makes their move."
The Holy Milishial Empire decides to follow Celestina's decree, while their pride was stained by such humiliation. They were supposed to be the strongest, yet Celestina proved their superiority with just a single battle. Deep inside Emperor Milishial's mind, he wants to earn back their reputation as soon as possible.
Second Civilization, Superpower Mu, High Command, a week after the conference
The military command was reluctant to send the Main Fleet to the Celestina Empire. The reason is they don't want their state-of-the-art fleet to be exposed by the Celestina Empire.
"You're saying that you want to send the entire Main Fleet to the Celestina Empire for the upgrade?"
Admiral Brendas, the Fleet Commander of Mu's Main Fleet, nodding, and Myrus also support his decision to send Mu's Main Fleet to Celestina.
"And Myrus, I believe you also have something to report, isn't it? I can't approve this unless you can convince me through your report."
"Y-yes!"
Myrus hands the current project they were working on, a Jet Fighter Gloster Meteor and an M4 Sherman Tank fitted with E8, known as "Easy-Eight" for better handling. For the Navy, there will be an update about Mu-class Battleship.
"Yes, sir. Currently, we're in preparation for the flight test of the Gloster Meteor, and we will take the M4 Sherman into a War Games once we finish running the trial."
"Hooo? Who will challenge it?"
"The M4 Sherman from Earth, sir! The Main Council wishes us to compare our creation and earth creation! For the Gloster Meteor, Celestina will give us a GAU-8 Avenger to combat Antares Aircraft.
"Don't disappoint us, then. I'm glad to know that Celestina helps us building tanks. Make sure it went well as the military higher-ups want to establish the factory for mass-production. How's the report on our new Battleship?"
"The Battleship and the crew are currently under training by the Celestina Navy. If we can send the Main Fleet to the Celestina Empire, they can help us upgrade it and send it back within a year and a half, along with our crew that was trained for the new arsenals. They already have technology that allows us to fast-forward up to 100 years in the future, should we send the Main Fleet to upgrade."
"Hmm… Somehow I was reluctant for this… But, if it gives us a fighting chance against the Gra Valkas Empire, then I will allow it. I will also send more crew, in case we can prepare them for the growth program in the future, should we decide to upgrade our warship at Celestina."
The Mu military command approves the decision to send the Main Fleet dispatched to the Eleventh Country Leadership Conference a week ago to the Celestina Empire.
The Celestina Empire, Nomad Palace
"Everything went without a hitch."
Cecilia sips her drink once she returns to the palace. Everyone seems happy about the current event itself. The Celestina Empire manages to secure the spot as the strongest nation in the world. Alicia only chuckles as she can hear the screams from Emperor Gralux when they eavesdrop on their talk.
"I think the Holy Milishial Empire will take rash action for this."
"They don't want to let their title as the strongest stolen, do they?"
"Pride is what they want. We should keep our diplomatic crew at Runepolis minimum, probably less than twenty-five."
"We already request them to establish a railway station for Galaxy Railways. They say that they didn't want us to establish a route there."
"So much for so-called pride. I guess when Gra Valkas Empire aims for Runepolis, we will not going to assist them, and if the Emperor escape from Runepolis, we can use it as a bargaining chip. Whether they will throw away their pride and beg for us to help them, or they will remain in their pride."
"True."
The Celestina Empire will bid time as much as they could. Their goal is to ensure Mu is ready for the M4 Sherman Tank's mass production, and Celestina will give them the 76mm turret and 17 Pounder. For the Gloster Meteor, Mu is unable to make the jet components for it since the factory is not ready, but Celestina already gave them the P-51 Mustang blueprints for fighters and P-47 Thunderbolt for a bomber as an alternative.
Myrus left the development of the Mu's own version of P-51 Mustang and P-47 Thunderbolt to the Military Development Department, naming the Mustang as Lightning and Thunderbolt as Thunder.
On the other hand, the Celestina Empire prepares to dispatch Battle Group Valkyrie and Battle Group Rookie, including the infamous "Rookie Division," the 1st Shock Trooper Division to Mu. The entire adjutant's Army will assemble there to hold off the Gra Valkas Empire's assault, including the 1st Recon Command Fleet under Commander Faira Desirae's command. Cecilia plans to dispatch Captain Marcus Black, along with her Army, the 1st Ballista Ranger Army, and Feena will dispatch the 5th and 17th Mechanized Regiment under Izumi and Yuuna's command once the SAA Ballista is ready for deployment.
Author's note: Spare the Grade Atlastar and let them run in defeat and humiliation~