Open the gunports!

"Open the gunports on all ships!"

At the command of the two emperors, William and Elran, the battle to determine the fate of the Rimuria Galactic Empire and the Holy Rimuria Empire finally began.

The Galactic Empire, deployed just within international space, prepared to meet the assault, while the Holy Empire sought to break through their defenses.

With no outposts between the two sides, the conflict immediately escalated into a full-scale, all-out war from the very first moment.

The Galactic Empire, with its supreme commander leading from the front, versus the Holy Empire, where the supreme commander remains in the rear.

Though contrasting in approach, the early stages of the battle saw the numerically superior Galactic Empire forced onto the defensive.

[Flagship Steinflügel]

"William's Odin is out in the front line. Typical of William—naive thinking."

"Concentrating our attacks on the enemy flagship could lead to an early resolution."

The aide, summarizing frontline intelligence, offers a suggestion, but Elran shakes his head.

It's too early. The enemy has spread their formation across both flanks. If we launch an attack now, we'll be surrounded due to our numerical disadvantage. Relay this to Rear Admiral Savel of the Fifth Fleet: there's a thinning in the enemy's left flank. Break through there and sever their lines.

Understood.

Elran, even while holding the advantage, remained calm and did not rush toward victory, carefully assessing the battlefield conditions.

[Flagship Odin]

Opposite him, the Galactic Empire's flagship, Odin.

Though caught off guard by an unexpected disadvantage, William showed no signs of panic.

"Your Majesty, the flagship is advancing too far forward. It risks taking concentrated fire."

William heeded the warning from the Odin's captain.

"That is precisely the intention. If the enemy concentrates their attack on our flagship, it will create the perfect opportunity to surround them. Retreat slowly, our flagship and the escort forces. If the enemy advances following us, move forward with both flanks to encircle them."

William intended to use the flagship as bait to surround and destroy the enemy, but in the strategic game between William and Erlen, Erlen had anticipated William's plan and thus gained the upper hand.

"An enemy unit is charging through the gap between the left wing and the 11th Fleet. If we continue like this, we'll be split apart."

William nodded upon hearing the report.

"Indeed, my brother's eyes cannot be deceived. Redirect the 8th Fleet, which was holding the rear, to reinforce the 11th Fleet. Replace the 8th Fleet with the fleets of Marquis Ringlund and Baron Isaac, but have both fleets hold position slightly behind their original location."

"Understood."

"...Now is not the time to rush for victory."

William was waiting for the right opportunity.

Though the Black Rose Fleet had been dispatched as a diversionary force to attack Elran from behind, William knew that striking Elran from the rear wasn't guaranteed to succeed.

Moreover, though he still harbored some doubt about Belroza, William had long since set aside any fears of betrayal regarding him.

Given Belroza's nature—enjoying chaos and thriving on it—there was no reason to believe he would want William to fail, let alone betray him.

Moreover, if one starts worrying about betrayal from allies, then the same anxiety would apply to the other fleets now caught in this large-scale, pointless sibling feud, making endless worry inevitable.

In that sense, both William and Erlen must keep an eye not only on their immediate enemies but also on their own backs.

"If the Black Rose Fleet can circle around behind the enemy..."

Even if Berlosa fails to defeat Erlen, if the Black Rose Fleet manages to get behind the enemy and cause even a little chaos, that could create an opening for victory.

William was waiting for that chance.

【Nightmare】

When the two imperial forces opened hostilities, Nightmare was observing the battlefield from a slightly distant region of space.

Moving with minimal power to avoid radar detection, receiving only information and maximizing the stealth capabilities of Nightmare, this was a highly concealed operation.

Additionally, Nightmare had docked with an asteroid, fully integrating itself and concealing its form.

"Combat has been underway for one hour. Currently, the Holy Rimulia Empire holds the advantage."

Sinnosuke nodded in response to Marks's report.

The opening phase unfolded exactly as Sinnosuke had anticipated.

"Got it. Our turn will come a little later."

"It seems so. However, ever since a moment ago, both sides' communications have been repeatedly emphasizing the word 'justice.'"

"Something like 'Justice is on our side!'?"

"Approximately correct."

"They probably have to say things like that to keep their allies motivated."

"So, the Galactic Empire has its own justice, and the Holy Empire has its own justice, is that it?"

Shin nosuke shrugs in response to Marks' words.

"There's no such thing as justice in an army. Once they start singing the praises of 'justice' as a convenient excuse, that army is finished."

"That's an interesting argument."

Think about it. An army is just a military force created to protect a nation's sovereignty and independence. I'll admit there's justice in that. I was a soldier myself, so I don't see military power as inherently evil. But there's no need to constantly shout about 'justice' and force it upon others. Once you start doing that, you're just using the word 'justice' to serve your own purposes—then where's the real justice to be found?

"I see. That's quite intriguing. What, then, is the justice that Master himself envisions?"

Markus asks with a hint of amusement, posing the question to Shinnosuke.

"I don't know. I went from being a soldier to a free merchant, and now I'm back in military service, but I never think of myself as justice, nor have I ever considered it. Even if I said I was justice, depending on one's position, that could easily become evil. It's pointless to think about it all the time—ridiculous."

"Wouldn't such thoughts be unpopular within an organization like the military?"

"Of course. In fact, I nearly failed my third-year exam at the officer school after writing an essay similar to this one."

"Typical of a master, isn't it?"

Shin nosuke chuckled.

"Well, I see myself first and foremost as a sailor, not a soldier or a free merchant. I take pride in that, though I don't boast about it to others."