An Empty End to the War

"Warning! Direct hit incoming!"

At the same moment as Marks' warning, a violent shock ran through the bridge.

"Damage report!"

"Direct hit on Engine Three. Engine Three, power cut. No detonation."

Shin nosuke immediately corrected the aiming line, thrown off by the impact, and pulled the trigger on the main cannon.

"Hit it!"

The Nightmare's main cannon fired five consecutive shots.

Although two of the shots missed due to the ship's lateral slide during firing, the remaining three struck—one directly near Steinflügel's bridge, and two at the connection point between the engine and power source.

Still, the main gun of a destroyer class vessel lacked the power to sink a flagship-class battleship with a single hit.

It might have been possible had all five shots hit directly, but that perfect opportunity had already been lost.

"Couldn't finish it off!"

"Sturmfried, it's... no, more like moderately damaged."

Though significant damage was inflicted on Sturmfried, it wasn't enough to sink her.

In such a situation, the option to abandon the mission and escape, clinging to a slim chance of survival, becomes inevitable.

To survive, escape is the only choice.

Due to the high-speed maneuvering during the attack, the distance from Steinflügel had grown too great, meaning we'd need to close in on Steinflügel again for another assault—difficult enough as it is, with the high-speed battleship Black Rose now pursuing us from behind.

At this point, both escape and completing the mission can be considered hopeless.

"Looks like we're facing an ultimate choice, Marks."

Shin nosuke's expression was a wide, carefree smile, as if everything had been let go.

"Got it! Calculating the optimal route for a second assault and subsequent escape. Mission success rate: 18.5 percent. Survival probability: 4.2 percent."

"Perfect! I'm not thrilled that survival chance is below one percent, but we can't afford to be picky."

He still had the leisure to crack a joke.

Just as Marks was about to steer Nightmare along the route he'd calculated, an anomaly erupted across the battlefield.

Steinflügel has broadcast a ceasefire order across all regions of space.

"What?!"

Connect to the speaker

...Cease all combat actions! Repeat: order from Steinflügel, the Holy Rimorian Imperial Fleet immediately halt engines and cease all combat operations.

An order to cease combat from Steinflügel to his fleet.

I am Elran Al Rimria. I acknowledge my folly and the defeat brought by this war. Further combat and sacrifice are meaningless. Order my troops to cease fighting and surrender to His Imperial Majesty William Al Rimria, Emperor of the Rimrian Galactic Empire... I beg His Imperial Majesty William, the Emperor of the Rimrian Galactic Empire. The responsibility for this war lies entirely with my own reckless actions. My troops merely followed military orders. I implore you to show mercy and clemency toward those who surrender. I repeat, the responsibility for this war...

Surrender offer from Emperor Elran of the Holy Rimorian Empire to Emperor William of the Rimorian Galactic Empire—no, Elran no longer claims the title of emperor.

"This is..."

"A declaration of surrender. In accordance with this, the Holy Rimorian Empire fleet has ceased all engines."

The sacred Rimorian Empire's warships have already halted all combat operations, turning their sides toward the opposing Rimorian Galactic Empire fleet and tilting downward to expose their undersides, adopting an unguarded posture.

This is the stance of unconditional surrender, in accordance with international military treaties.

Amidst this, as communications from Steinflügel continue to reach Elran, escape shuttles are beginning to launch one after another from Steinflügel.

The crew appears to be evacuating.

Even after the evacuation shuttles have finished launching, communications from Steinflügel to Elran continue.

"...All responsibility lies solely with me, Elran Al Rimuria. I apologize to every citizen of the Rimuria Galactic Empire and the Damura Star Cluster Principality, and I will take full accountability for my actions... William, I'm truly sorry. Please forget about that foolish older brother. And though I shouldn't ask, I'm entrusting the future to you..."

In an instant, the bridge area of the Steinflügel exploded, triggering chain reactions of explosions throughout the ship. The Steinflügel sank with a thunderous roar.

"...Is it over?"

"It appears so."

Shin nosuke stood stunned, dazed by the sudden silence following the end of the battle.

The war had ended, the Steinflügel had sunk, and with that, the mission imposed upon Shin nosuke and his comrades came to a close.

Regardless of whether the operation succeeded or not, everything had come to an end.

"Master, there's no reason for us to stay here. Since there's no sign of any attack, let's pull out right away."

"...Yes, you're right."

Shin nosuke turned the controls of Nightmare, preparing to disengage from the orbital zone.

None of the Imperial fleet's ships showed any intention of pursuing them.

Except for one vessel...