Bai Zhongqi received a communication from Emerald Sea Star upon leaving the Star Alliance Military Academy.
Xiao Yu, who had been appointed as the Governor of the Emerald Sea's Administrative Star, reported that the Shangduohan Kingdom's "Black Flag Fleet" was preparing to attack Infia City. The impending military conflict between the Iridium Star people and the natives of Emerald Sea Star was imminent.
It was no surprise to Bai Zhongqi that Shangduohan was launching the attack from the sea. Among the powerful nations of the Northern Continent, the Shangduohan Kingdom possessed the strongest navy. Located on the southern coast of the Northern Continent's peninsula, with a jagged coastline and numerous good harbors, Shangduohan had early on assembled a fleet for trading with other nations.
Relying on wealth, they built a vast naval fleet known as the "Black Flag Fleet" to the people of the Northern Continent.
The fleet was massive, with over 120 sailing warships weighing more than 200 tons each, and the largest sail battleship tipping the scales at 2000 tons, manned by tens of thousands serving the Black Flag Fleet. It had become the pillar for Shangduohan to dominate the Central Sea of the continent and to control most of the maritime trade of Emerald Sea Star.
At this moment on the flagship of the Black Flag Fleet, the Queen Belbongia sail battleship, Marshal Felix frowned deeply, hesitating as he watched the waves churned by the warships.
In front of him, the handsome young fleet ensign Jiye asked with concern, "Marshal, why do you look so troubled?"
Felix patted the ensign's hand comfortingly, causing his face to flush like cherry blossoms. The son of a small noble family from the Shangduohan royal capital was a famously beautiful youth, much favored by Felix. Not only was Jiye attractive, but he was also a brilliant and knowledgeable youth, which made Felix even more pleased to have him by his side.
"My Jiye, the loss of contact with Infia this time is too peculiar. Infia City is the most heavily defended and impenetrable stronghold on the entire Southern Continent. Whether attacked from the sea or by land, a mere thousand guards could rely on the city's cannons to withstand an army of tens of thousands.
Not to mention, there are two mage lords within the city, among them Lord Ousaisi, an exceptional mage comparable to an army of ten thousand.
If it were a nation from the Northern Continent meddling with Infia, our spies planted in other countries should have sent us information, and their naval fleets are all under our close surveillance, showing no signs of activity. And if it were those barbarians from the Southern Continent, it's even less likely. They can't even form a loose alliance, let alone have the capability to attack Infia.
I have already sent two fleets to scout Infia, but not a single ship has returned. This gives me a very bad premonition, which is why I specially dispatched a message hawk to the royal capital this time, obtaining the Black Flag Fleet's authorization to personally investigate the situation in Infia."
Jiye expressed his concerns, "Marshal, do you think we will encounter the enemy in Infia?"
Felix's expression turned grave, "We must prepare for the worst."
Jiye looked at him with admiration, "Marshal, with your godlike command over the troops and your dominance over the oceans, the prestige of the Black Flag Fleet is unrivaled. Even the most formidable enemy is sure to be defeated by you, Marshal."
Felix nodded without saying another word. Although the situation in Infia was highly unusual, he shared Jiye's confidence in the might of Shangduohan's Black Flag Fleet. Not only had he brought hundreds of warships, but he was also accompanied by more than ten mages, among them Wind Element Mages versed in the Wind Riding Technique, capable of high-altitude reconnaissance over Infia.
In Infia City, the urban landscape had already greatly diverged from its original colonial port as constructed by Shangduohan. Xiao Yu did not demolish the Hexagram Star Walls, intending to keep the Shangduohan residents within the city well managed. Instead, he demolished certain buildings and erected new Iridium-style structures to serve as the offices for the Administrative Star government.
The former Shangduohan barracks were also dismantled and transformed into a military base for the Iridium Star.
After passing through the Desert Archipelago, the Black Flag Fleet reached the outer sea of the Southern Continent and was immediately detected by the Giant Que Number Interstellar Escort Ship, acting as a satellite in the sky.
Xiao Yu had anticipated similar situations but had not expected the people of Shangduohan to send an entire Black Flag Fleet at once—a force of tens of thousands of naval soldiers.
"It seems that Iridium Star City, as a colonial city, is more important to the Shangduohan Kingdom than one would imagine," Xiao Yu pondered.
The green grasslands were abundant in gold, and the gold produced here accounted for more than half of Shangduohan's national treasury intake. With the income from this gold, the Black Flag Fleet was able to be established.
The arrival of the Black Flag Fleet didn't trouble Xiao Yu in the least, nor was it something he particularly cared about. However, it was, after all, a military activity, so he reported to the Chancellor in Ruyi City as a matter of course and requested directives. In reality, the Governors on Administrative Star would normally engage first and report afterward when faced with similar situations.
Bai Zhongqi had no interest in overstepping his role and sent only a few words back to Xiao Yu: "Handle it yourself."
In terms of scale, the forces at Xiao Yu's disposal clearly could not match the tens of thousands of the Black Flag Fleet, but the gap in technology could not be bridged by numbers alone.
Xiao Yu had about two battalions of mobile infantry at his disposal, totaling a few hundred soldiers. As for vehicles, he was somewhat disadvantaged. At the moment, he could only mobilize four planetary landing craft for combat. Bai Zhongqi, thinking he would soon return with reinforcements, had not left him an air squadron.
However, even just four armed landing crafts could become the nightmare of the Black Flag Fleet.
"The only concern is those Star Warriors who are considered mages," said Marine Corps Major Ji You.
Xiao Yu had a deep involvement with the Marine Corps. The three main officers were his companions from youth, closely related and with aligned interests. Besides Ji You, there were also the nobles Lai Zhicun and Shi Dingjing.
Although the Ji, Lai, and Shi families did not reach the level of Knight of Destiny families, they were among the most prestigious nobles on Iridium Star and had enormous influence on some planets.
Shi Dingjing, naturally outspoken, said with indifference, "They are merely at the level of Star Warrior apprentices. The one we captured, Ousaisi, is one of the top Star Warriors on this planet. This level can't pose a threat to our weapons. The railguns on the armed landing craft can obliterate these fellows with a few shots."
Xiao Yu said, "His Majesty hopes to capture these Star Warriors alive. They could all be useful to the Empire in the future."
The other three fell into a slight silence, and then Ji You suddenly asked, "Boss, have you truly submitted to the Chancellor?"
Xiao Yu revealed a smile and replied, "With the Supreme Command hanging over our heads, I'd advise you not to think too much. Now is a good time for the Empire's resurgence and the expansion of the Star Region. Don't you want to rebuild your family's legacy in this universe too?"
Lai Zhicun laughed and said, "Indeed, Emerald Sea Star has great potential. Now that we have settled on Emerald Sea Star with the boss, we already have an advantage. Although at this moment the power of the Empire has surpassed that of the nobility, the stronger the Empire becomes, the stronger we will be."