Stalemate on the Front Lines
Just before the suicide ships attacked the Salius Stellar Province.
Within the Holy Rimorian Empire's territory, the Aknelia Galactic Federation Fleet, advancing with unstoppable momentum, had successfully reclaimed and liberated approximately one-third of the former Damura Star Cluster Principality's territory, targeting the recovery of the region previously held by the old Damura Star Cluster Principality. The remnants of the old Damura Star Cluster Principality's fleet, known as the 3rd Fleet, were engaged in fierce resistance.
But now, their advance has been halted.
Just as General Commander Alenbal had planned, they had swiftly moved forward in a short-term campaign, but they have now been forced to a standstill by the newly deployed forces of the Holy Rimria Empire, resulting in a stalemate on the front lines.
The deployment of fresh forces by the Holy Rimria Empire proved highly effective, striking deeply not only at raw military strength but also at the morale of the Aknelia Fleet's soldiers.
The newly deployed frontline forces were the former space fleet of the old Damura Star Alliance Kingdom, forcibly integrated into the Holy Rimria Empire's military after their surrender.
While it isn't uncommon to put captured weapons to use, the Holy Rimria forces had directly deployed soldiers from the former Damura Star Alliance Kingdom as crew, pushing them straight into the front lines.
The former Damura fleet deployed in formation, blocking the path of the Akneria Fleet.
Behind them, a small contingent of Holy Rimria Fleet vessels served as an overseeing and controlling force over the former Damura fleet.
It was unheard of to directly assign full combat capabilities to defeated soldiers and put them to use, yet the Holy Rimria Fleet operated with extreme efficiency—and inhumanity—on this very principle.
When the Akneria Second Fleet first faced the former Damura Fleet, Akneria soldiers, including General Allenbal, were undoubtedly unsettled by the deployment of the defeated troops to the front lines, yet they remained calm and did not lose their morale.
When the fighting began, it became clear that the former Damura Fleet was not advancing to the front lines of their own accord, but was being forced to do so due to their passive stance.
If that was the case, then by separating them from the Sacred Rymria Fleet, which was holding back for surveillance purposes, it might be possible to rescue them.
Acting on this assessment, the Akneria Fleet successfully inserted part of its forces between the former Damura Fleet and the Sacred Rymria Fleet, thereby splitting the two forces apart.
At the very moment the assault force was approaching the former Damura Fleet to sever it from the Sacred Rymria Fleet, the assault force was caught in the former Damura Fleet's self-destruct sequence.
The Sacred Rymria forces had implanted remote-controlled explosives aboard the ships of the former Damura Fleet and were forcing surrendered crew members to man them, pushing them forward into the front lines.
The inhumane strategy of using human lives as shields and treating surrendered crew members as disposable pawns had a profound effect, forcing the advancing Akneria Fleet to temporarily retreat.
Even after this, the Holy Rimurian Army continued to throw in the abandoned remnants of the former Damura Fleet, succeeding in halting the Akneria Fleet's momentum and locking the front lines into a stalemate, though they did not fully reverse the tide of battle.
On the flagship Astriaire of the Akneria Fleet, General Commander Alenbal stood before his staff, his face grim.
"Such despicable tactics... We cannot afford to advance recklessly now."
"Even in war, there should be a line that must be protected."
"More than that, it's a clear violation of international law."
Listening to the outbursts of anger from his staff, Alenbal nodded deeply.
"I see. The strategy of the Sacred Lemurian Imperial Army is extremely effective and efficient. Against our overwhelming advantage, they managed to halt and stall our forces—without suffering any significant casualties—using only a small number of troops."
"However, the methods they employed are reprehensible acts that must not be tolerated under any circumstances."
No matter how much we or other nations criticize, saying "we won't forgive" means nothing. Results are everything, and in reality, we were forced to halt. In true warfare, laws and rules cannot stop bullets, and humanitarian concerns are meaningless.
The staff members exchanged glances in response to Arlenval's words.
Arrenval's words are both logical and absurd.
"In order to break this impasse and bring this war to an early conclusion, we have no choice but to attack and destroy the old Damura Star Alliance fleet—the so-called expendable force—without hesitation or mercy, and advance forward."
Arlenval shook his head in response to the major's proposal.
"No, even though the enemy disregards international law and humanitarian principles, we are not obliged to follow suit. We have laws and rules worth protecting."
"Still, if we proceed this way... It's a very unfavorable situation, and breaking through will be difficult."
The staff officers nodded in agreement with the operations deputy's opinion.
"It is your job to think about that. Carry out your duties and devise a plan as quickly as possible. I will bear full responsibility for every aspect of that plan."
The eccentric commander had issued an impossible demand.