Time of Separation

As the Holy Rimurian Empire Fleet, led by William, shifted from fighting the Ankeria and Damura fleets near the capital planet to launching a full-scale assault on the Rimurian Galaxy Empire—abandoning even their own territory—this fleet was pursued by a strike force from Ankeria.

The pursuers were the Ankeria Ninth Fleet.

Although the Ninth Fleet was overwhelmingly outnumbered, the Sacred Rimurian Fleet did not respond with a counterattack, opting instead to flee, resulting in little actual combat.

The Ninth Fleet had not received orders for total annihilation; its objective was merely to drive the Damura Star Alliance out of its territory. As such, it refrained from aggressive pursuit, limiting its actions to mere harassment, and instead focused intensely on surveillance. Indeed, despite possessing numerous space carriers, the Ninth Fleet has kept all its aircraft grounded, waiting aboard their mother ships.

"Are they still following us?"

"Yes, they're following us at a consistent distance."

On the bridge of the flagship Steinflügel, Elran felt a growing sense of urgency.

If we continue leading the Acnelia Fleet toward the Rimlia Galactic Empire like this, there's a worst-case possibility that we could be caught in a pincer attack from both sides.

"There's no choice... we must turn around and fight back..."

『There's no need for that!』

The transmission cutting off Elran's words came from Azelia aboard the White Rose Fleet's flagship, White Rose, which protected Steinfrygel.

"International space will be reached shortly. Once we enter international space, the Aknelia Fleet, which proclaims the liberation of the Damra Constellation Kingdom, will lose the justification for their actions. We must swiftly exit into international space at our current speed and prepare for our battle with William!"

Having heeded Ezelia's advice, Elran abandoned his counterattack and continued fleeing, eventually successfully exiting into international space.

With the emperor having escaped abroad, the Holy Rimurian Empire thus closed its too-short history.

【Rimurian Galactic Empire Flagship Odin】

Emperor William of the Rimurian Galactic Empire sat aboard the Imperial Fleet's flagship, Odin, gathering his fleet at the international space border near the Damura Star Cluster Commonwealth.

Shortly, the fleet led by Elran would appear, setting the stage for a fierce clash between the two emperors of the Rimurian Empire, each vying for control of the empire's supremacy.

William had deployed the Rimurian Galactic Empire Navy's 1st Fleet (the Imperial Guard Fleet), along with the 7th, 8th, and 11th Fleets.

Additionally, five loyal noble-led private fleets joined the battle, including the fleet of the Marquess of Ringlund.

With a total force exceeding three thousand ships, William's fleet surpassed the opposing forces in numbers, yet the situation remained far from optimistic.

While the four regular fleets were relatively strong, the noble private fleets consisted mostly of outdated ships and equipment, with low training levels and poor coordination with other fleets—mere numbers added for show.

In contrast, Elran's fleet, though retreating, was composed of homegrown vessels pulled from the Rimlia Galactic Empire, and Elran's own combat capabilities were far from negligible.

There's a risk that our forces could collapse instantly if caught off guard by coordinated attacks from other fleets.

"Advance the First Fleet. Position Odin at the forefront."

General Früed, commander of the First Fleet, objected to William's order on the bridge.

"Your Majesty, it's too dangerous to lead from the front. We should deploy the Seventh and Eleventh Fleets in the vanguard, position the Eighth Fleet in reserve, and keep the First Fleet in the rear."

Field Marshal Frued's words were appropriate, but William had his own thoughts.

"This is a battle that will decide the rise and fall of a decaying empire. How can the Emperor not stand at the forefront of this conflict? I must seize victory with my own hands, and only then will I need to ask the empire's subjects for their trust."

Frued bowed his head in respect to William's resolve.

Hahaha! You've really grown, William. You're a proper emperor now.

Bellingroza laughs, teasing William.

Leaning on the armrest of the emperor's throne, she smiles seductively.

Though William wasn't seated on the throne, lounging on the armrest of the sacred throne was an act of supreme disrespect—but neither William nor, above all, Belroza seemed to care at all.

Don't tease me, Elder Sister Belrosa.

I'm not making fun of you. I'm genuinely impressed....Anyway, William, you said you'd ask your subjects for their trust after this battle. What exactly do you mean by that?

William turned to look at Belroza, meeting Belroza's gaze firmly.

"That's exactly what I mean. I have no intention of fleeing from the responsibilities of the imperial throne. However, if my subjects judge me unworthy of being emperor, then it is a fact that I must bear the consequences."

"Then what would you do if you were told you lack the qualities of an emperor? Would you abdicate and hand the throne to someone else? I doubt there's anyone among the current heirs to the throne who could restore order to this chaotic empire."

William quietly smiles.

"At that point, we might as well dismantle the empire entirely. Most citizens wouldn't feel much difference if the country shifted from imperial rule to a republic. Politics are like that, after all....Yes, if the nation were to become a republic, perhaps I should run for president—or whatever the position may be. I suppose I'd be called shameless for it."

The smile vanished from Belroza’s face as she heard William speaking with laughter.

"Are you truly ready for that kind of resolve?"

"Yes. I have no intention of running away from my own responsibilities."

"Is that so..."

Belroza stood up.

"Then this is where we part. From here on, I’ll be doing things my own way."

William didn’t flinch at Belroza’s sudden words.

Just as Belroza had declared himself an abnormal one, that was precisely the kind of person he was.

"I can't possibly stop you, so please, do as you please, sister."

Belroza tilted his head in response to William's resigned nod.

"William, aren't you misunderstanding something? When I said we're parting ways, it doesn't mean I'm betraying you. As your sister, I'm going to work for you one last time. I'll lead the Black Rose Fleet around the back of Elran and strike him from behind."

That's far too dangerous!

That's exactly why it's fun! Something this exciting doesn't happen often. I'm not about to miss this chance. Of course, if you win, there won't be anything interesting left in this country. After that, I'll truly enjoy myself. Yeah, becoming a space pirate again sounds fun too. So, William, this is where we part ways."

"Sister..."

William tries to stop Belrosa from walking away, but cannot find the words.

No, no matter what words he might speak, it's impossible to stop Belrosa.

Given what lies ahead, Belrosa must not remain by William's side.

Belrosa understands this better than anyone.

Moreover, Belrosa has no interest in a peaceful empire, and there is no place for her there.

"William, it's goodbye. Become an even greater emperor... more than ever..."

"Yes!"

With William's reply echoing behind her, Belrosa walked away without looking back, leaving the bridge.

[NIGHTMARE]

Nestled in the international space between the Damra Constellation Republic and the Sacred Rimlia Empire lies the Nightmare Zone.

"Very soon, the Sacred Rimlia Empire's fleet will pass through this sector and make contact with the Rimlia Galactic Empire's fleet."

Shin nosuke nods in response to Marks' report.

"Everything's on schedule. Then, we'll follow orders and proceed as planned..."

"However, this command clearly deviates from our current military objective."

The Nightmare Zone is located in international space.

Military actions here stray from the goal of opening the Damura Star Alliance Commonwealth.

"Well, we're technically listed as part of the Second Fleet, but basically we're a non-existent ghost unit. We end up handling jobs like this one."

"Outsourcing dangerous, dirty work. What you'd call a black ops organization, basically."

Shin nosuke shrugged in response to Marks' words.

"It's not necessarily like that. If anything were to happen to us, the compensation would be fully honored. From that perspective, we're quite white, aren't we?...Though, to be honest, we're just convenient disposable assets—easily replaced, not worth missing at all."

"Still, it's definitely black."

"Really? I guess so..."

"Well, to be fair, the contract does clearly state the compensation, so there's no need to worry, really."

"And besides, Milena in charge of legal wouldn't let that slide, would she?"

Laughing lightly as they exchanged banter before the final confrontation, the two of them shared a smile.