Retaliation

"Ah, man, we're in trouble now. Sinking a civilian ship in international space airspace—it's a major issue. I wonder how they're going to handle this mess."

Belrosa chatting cheerfully on the Black Rose Bridge.

There was no sense of urgency in his tone.

"If things have come to this, we have no choice but to sink the other two ships and bury them in darkness... No, that won't work either. Their records would remain, and even if we erased the records, it would only seem suspicious. Besides, I don't think Lord Belrosa intends to hide this fact?"

Belrosa nodded in agreement to Zackburn's words.

Well, it's not our fault, so there's no reason to hide it and jeopardize my position. But still, launching such a grand nation as the Sacred Rimuria Empire only to immediately face this fiasco—my brother Elran's future looks bleak. Oh well, our fleet will just stay on standby for now... though, let's send out a distress signal just in case, and ask whether that civilian vessel needs help. They probably won't respond, but we're the disciplined Black Rose Fleet, so we should at least show the proper attitude, shouldn't we?

Understood.

It was as if she were enjoying a performance at the theater.

On the front lines, where Bellrosa had settled into a position of detached observation, Yatagarasu and Fubuki were being relentlessly attacked.

"Attack isn't letting up. The shuttle is in danger if we continue like this."

Receiving Seira's report, Shinnosuke made his decision.

"Unavoidable—we must counterattack. Milina, transfer weapon control to Marks."

"Understood!"

"Markus, take control of Hayabusa's weapon systems via data link. Counterattack the group ahead of us!"

"Understood. What's the attack order?"

"No need to hold back after what they've done. Take them down with maximum firepower in one strike!"

"Understood."

"From Yatagarasu to Hayabusa: we're forced to retaliate. We'll be controlling Hayabusa's weapons via data link—concentrate on securing Andy's shuttle."

『Hayabusa, understood!』

Marks controlled the weapons of both Yatagarasu and Hayabusa via the data link system.

"Data link confirmed. Locking onto 15 targets deploying at bearing one... confirmed. Missile launcher, fire 32 anti-ship missiles simultaneously... Follow up with main guns and rapid-fire cannons, open fire."

Thirty-two anti-ship missiles were simultaneously launched from the missile launchers of Yatagarasu and Fubuki toward the 15 destroyers, followed by a fierce barrage from main guns and rapid-fire cannons.

Though excessive for a civilian escort vessel’s self-defense retaliation, there was no time to spare.

Above all, a decisive blow had to be delivered in one strike.

One after another, the ships of the Sacred Lemurian Empire's destroyer fleet were engulfed in flames from a saturation attack of anti-ship missiles and artillery fire.

Perhaps underestimating them as civilian vessels, the enemy was caught off guard by the unexpected fierce counterattack, and 15 ships were instantly obliterated. In that time, Fubuki completed the shuttle retrieval.

"From Fubuki to Yatagarasu—shuttle retrieval complete!"

"Understood. Sera, left side, what's the movement of the group at bearing nine?"

"There is no movement from the fleet at bearing nine."

"Good. The fleet on the port side doesn't seem inclined to interfere. Then, while keeping an eye on the port-side fleet, we'll disengage and exit this sector. Miliana, I'm counting on you!"

"Understood!"

Yatagarasu and Fubuki begin their departure from the area.

Bellarosa watches the two ships leave.

"Disgraceful, isn't it? Those bumbling fools, violating international law and then utterly wiped out by just two civilian vessels. The honor of the Holy Rymria Empire is completely shattered. And we've barely even begun our battle with William—what a nuisance this has become."

Bellarosa said this with a certain amusement in his voice, while Zackburn glanced sideways at him, clearly amused as well.

"Seems to me you're enjoying this, Bellarosa-sama?"

"It's absolutely thrilling. Just watching Elran-sama and William argue is entertaining enough, but this could easily turn into something even more chaotic. Well, this incident alone won't shift the situation much, but soon there'll be much bigger upheavals. I'm genuinely looking forward to it."

"Then, when that moment comes, which side will Bellarosa-sama be fighting under...?"

"Don't say such reckless things. We are the Black Rose Fleet, loyal to the glorious Holy Rimria Empire."

Zackbarn replies with a weary expression, watching Bellarosa smile as if plotting something.

"Indeed, we are the Holy Rimria Empire... for now. Just 'for now,' that is."

"Well, that's true. Let's stay sensitive to changing circumstances and adapt flexibly....Now, the one responsible for this incident has turned into cosmic dust, but hiding it isn't a good idea, is it, Zackburn?"

"As Your Excellency Bellarosa commands."

Zackburn responded to Bellarosa's words by ordering his subordinate to leak information about the reckless actions of the Holy Rimuria Empire's 3rd Fleet, 6th Destroyer Squadron, and their subsequent collapse to various nations.

Bellarosa smiled, relishing the prospect of further chaos across the galaxy.