Black Rose Fleet

After their first battle, Shinosuke and Marks piloting the Nightmare participated in two additional operations in quick succession, achieving reliable results each time.

However, the Holy Rimlarian Imperial Army was no fool.

After the second operation, they became aware of the existence of a new stealth electronic warfare vessel, and during the third operation, they were caught off guard by an ambush from enemy forces while disengaging.

Moreover, by that time, Shinosuke and the others had already anticipated the enemy's ambush, successfully destroying five of the twelve enemy vessels before disengaging.

"Man, they're probably onto us by now. Maybe by the next operation..."

Markus had finally understood the somewhat vague words Shinosuke had spoken after the second operation, which is why he had prepared for every possible scenario, allowing him to respond immediately to the enemy's surprise attack.

Nevertheless, because he failed to eliminate the reconnaissance unit, the enemy was able to return with information about Nightmare.

Proceeding to the revised operational plan in the event that the enemy has detected our flagship's presence. This constitutes an early operational shift, so Plan B will be implemented.

Being separated from the friendly fleet and conducting stealth operations as a single vessel, direct command via communications is no longer possible. Therefore, we have no choice but to proceed according to the previously prepared operational plan.

It takes courage to change our strategy when we can't be sure our allies are following the plan... If our allies don't switch to Plan B, we'll be reduced to dust in the next battle.

There's nothing we can do but trust our allied fleet.

That's true, but the risk of encountering unforeseen circumstances is always present.

The operation is based on trusting our allies, but even so, it's wise to remain cautious—better safe than sorry.

"Better prepare a contingency just in case our allies don't change the plan."

"Contingency plans for eighteen scenarios have already been completed. We aim to expand to forty by the next operation."

Marks responds instantly to Shinosuke's thoughts.

"Still as sharp as ever..."

"Of course. I don't have any weaknesses to begin with..."

Shinosuke chuckled, shrugging his shoulders at Marks, who was boasting proudly.

At the final stage of the battle to reclaim the Holy Lymria Empire's Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth, Nightmare had been secretly active. Meanwhile, another empire—the Lymria Galaxy Empire—was on the brink of national crisis.

Emperor William of the Lymria Galaxy Empire silently carried out his duties in his office, but his heart was far from calm.

The invasion of the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth, conducted for the expansion of the empire's power, had proceeded smoothly and concluded with results exceeding expectations.

Although the assault encountered delays contrary to the original schedule, and despite having dispatched additional reinforcements at the request of his brother, Elran, who was commanding the operation, William never let his guard down.

Elran, who had originally been next in line to the throne above him, had been undermined through court politics, forced to renounce his claim, and brought to submission.

Given that his elder brother was leading the front lines, it was impossible not to remain vigilant.

That was why William had sent him into battle with no more force than strictly necessary.

Even if he couldn't conquer the entire duchy, seizing even a part of it would have been sufficient.

Even if the invasion attempt had completely failed, it would have been natural to hold someone accountable for the defeat, but there was no intention to punish Elran excessively.

In that case, merely weakening the influence of his older brother—whose loyalty still held considerable power—would have been sufficient. Instead, he should have solidified his own position as emperor while the nation's attention remained focused on the invasion campaign.

However, contrary to initial expectations, the Imperial forces led by Erlen advanced deep into the heart of the duchy, achieving repeated victories and nearly securing control over the entire region.

Strengthening their forces at that point was entirely natural, and William could not refuse it.

Even so, wary of Erlen, William followed the advice of his most trusted sister, Ezelia, and dispatched Ezelia's White Rose Fleet to the front lines.

While reinforcements were being deployed to the front lines, Belrosa—William's other sister, who had been missing for a long time—returned and resumed her position as commander of the Black Rose Fleet. She then擅自 (on her own initiative) went to the front lines as well, causing the expeditionary force to swell to nearly half the total strength of the Imperial military, at which point the invasion of the Damura Star Cluster Republic ended in complete victory.

However, shortly thereafter, Elran declared the establishment of the Holy Rimuria Empire, took the throne as its first emperor while keeping the expeditionary fleet under his command, and declared war on the Rimuria Galactic Empire.

Although they managed to repel the Holy Rimuria Imperial Forces despite suffering heavy losses in the first battle, they lacked the strength to launch a counteroffensive. With the start of operations to reclaim the former Damlar Star Cluster Kingdom territory from the Akneria Galactic Federation, the war between the empires reached a stalemate. However, William's empire, already short on forces needed to govern its vast territory, was left with no means to respond.

It was solely due to Emperor William's strength that, with the assistance of the private fleet of imperial nobles, he managed to stabilize domestic order despite the dire circumstances.

Then, one day, an incident occurred.

While William was buried under a mountain of paperwork in his office at the imperial court on the capital colony, his desk terminal rang.

"Your Majesty, I apologize for interrupting you during such a busy time. I must urgently report a critical emergency."

What is it? Don't hesitate—speak freely.

The one who contacted us was the secretary officer in charge of military affairs.

A young but highly capable man, transferred from the deputy staff of the fleet commander.

I was just heading out to the naval base on William's errand, but if he judged it an emergency and contacted me, then it must indeed be urgent.

"Wait! Approximately 200 warships have just emerged from hyperspace in the territory of the Sacred Rimurian Empire and are heading this way... It's the Black Rose Fleet!"

"What?! The Black Rose... is it Sister Belroza?!"

William's face turned pale.