Retreat

After confirming that Tsukikage had disengaged, Shinnosuke ordered Yatagarasu to fall back from the formation.

"Yatagarasu, escort vessel, to Crusader. Supply transfer to Titan has been completed. The sister ship Tsukikage has already disengaged. This vessel will immediately disengage as well."

"Crusader acknowledges. Thank you to Yatagarasu and Tsukikage for successfully completing this dangerous mission. I pray your journey home is peaceful."

"Acknowledged. If you have more work in the future, please don't hesitate to contact us. We accept direct requests, so feel free to reach out. That's all!"

Shin nosuke subtly promoting business as he disengages.

There's no need to linger further.

Yatagarasu withdrew from the battlefield, following Tsukikage, and simultaneously ceased transmitting jamming waves.

"Markus, what's your assessment of Yatagarasu's electronic warfare capabilities?"

Data from actual combat scenarios is invaluable for electronic warfare.

The technicians at Psychoji Industry would be thrilled to receive this data.

"That's right. Since this is an experimental vessel, its electronic warfare capabilities are limited. We've tested it with a narrowed effective range, but even if we increase its output, it still wouldn't be capable of influencing the overall battlefield in fleet combat. It can disrupt communications and radar on military vessels, but it likely won't be able to damage internal systems, as seen with the previous combat craft. As a military electronic warfare weapon, its capabilities are quite mediocre—neither a strategic weapon nor a battlefield-level one, but more suited for localized operations. However, for escort vessels like ours, operated by independent traders, it proves highly effective, and we expect to continue finding it valuable in the future."

Even if it's not sufficient as a military vessel, it's more than adequate as an escort ship—so Shinosuke is satisfied.

It all comes down to how it's operated; that will be our challenge going forward.

After leaving the battlefield, Yatagarasu reunited with Tsukikage and hurried back toward the Salius Stellar Province.

Just as Shinosuke and the others completed their mission, a meeting was underway at the Second Fleet Headquarters of the Salius Stellar Province's central colony, attended by high-ranking officers including Admiral Allenbal of the Salius Space Forces.

"It is our judgment that further intervention in the war between the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth and the Rimlia Galaxy Empire would be unwise. We must reduce our deployed forces—or better yet, withdraw immediately."

General Langlitt, Commander of the Second Fleet Supply Division, spoke before the stern-faced officers.

"However, support for the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth is the decision of the Aknelia Federation Government and is being carried out under the command of the Fleet General Headquarters. Moreover, it is other fleets that have been dispatched. Although we are responsible for defending our home territory, it is not our place to interfere with the actions of the remaining forces."

Other officers nodded in agreement with the Second Fleet's chief of staff.

Incidentally, Admiral Allenbar, commander of the Second Fleet, remained expressionless and silent, observing the course of the meeting.

He would make the final decision as fleet commander after hearing everyone's opinions.

"Indeed, our Second Fleet has been excluded from this deployment mission, but we are responsible for supplying the front lines. As the one in charge of these supplies, I must conclude that continuing further supply is no longer feasible. Naturally, military expenditures, including supplies, are funded by the taxes paid by our citizens. We cannot continue to use these resources—purchased with our people's blood money—for the benefit of foreign allies. Above all, repeated supply requests from the front lines have already led to a shortage of supplies within the Second Fleet."

"But we can't let supplies run out for our allies fighting on the front lines."

Langlitt shook his head in response to the chief of staff's words.

"Indeed, we cannot afford to cut off supply lines to our allies on the front lines. However, our Second Fleet must maintain an immediate-response readiness as the core of the space navy, which means we cannot release any more supplies. Moreover, even if the situation were favorable, it is not the case now—Darmar Star Cluster Republic is on the brink of defeat, our deployed fleets are at a disadvantage, and have already been pushed back significantly. Under these circumstances, allocating further military funds would not gain public support."

Langlitt's opinion is entirely reasonable.

Other senior officers understand this as well.

Given that the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth is on the brink of defeat, recalling the deployed forces before incurring further casualties is certainly one viable option.

However, it is the fleet commanders on the front lines who should recommend such a move, and it is the government and the Supreme Command of the Space Force who must make the final decision.

Ultimately, the outcome of the meeting that day was resolved through a recommendation submitted by General Allenbal, based on his judgment: the reduction of the dispatched force under the command of the Second Fleet Commander, preparations for a full withdrawal should the situation deteriorate further, and arrangements for supporting the expected influx of refugees.

After the meeting ended, the only ones remaining in the conference room were General Allenbal and his aide, Major Sasaki.

"General Allenbal's behavior is becoming increasingly obvious. It's annoying that he shows no weaknesses....How is the internal investigation into the general progressing?"

"We haven't gathered concrete evidence yet. The problem is that Colonel Langlitt himself is aware of our investigation, as well as that of Intelligence. Even when we catch him in misconduct at the supply department, the incidents are only at the level of individual personnel responsibility, and the number is only slightly higher than in other departments."

In any large organization, some scandals are inevitable to a certain extent, and it's difficult to completely avoid them. If those scandals are under control, they become even more problematic.

"Yes. Moreover, by the time we obtain the information, the supply department has already publicly released the results of their internal investigation and dealt with the matter. Furthermore, the brigadier himself has openly stated that he bears personal supervisory responsibility, making it difficult to criticize him excessively under current circumstances."

General Aranbale let out a deep sigh upon hearing Major Sasaki's report.

"So you're saying our investigation is known, yet it's not serving as a deterrent? Very well. We'll continue our investigation with that in mind. We'll assume they're aware of us. It's fine if we move a bit more openly—such actions may serve as further deterrence."

"Understood."