549: Chapter 345: Going Their Separate Ways (Five in One) 549: Chapter 345: Going Their Separate Ways (Five in One) In the office of the Starlight City Lord’s Mansion.
Gakels was exhaustively processing tax reduction applications reported from various places.
Although the Federation intended to reduce taxes for everyone, it wasn’t a sweeping cut; approvals were based on the economic conditions of each place.
Areas with better economies couldn’t expect significant reductions.
While this could lead to some dissatisfaction, it at least ensured that this year’s tax revenues wouldn’t plummet too drastically.
Just then, the slightly ajar door was pushed open, and Yun Rou hurried in.
Gakels, hearing the noise, stopped the approval process and looked up at Yun Rou.
“What’s happened?”
“My lord, there’s news from the Thirteenth Legion!”
“Speak quickly!”
Gakels immediately put down his pen and asked eagerly.
“Someone posted the latest news from the Imperial Army on the Star Cluster Forum.
The Federation’s 13th Legion has breached the Dark Star Empire’s defensive line and entered the interior of the Dark Star Empire.
There’s chaos over there now!”
“When did this happen?
Is the message reliable?”
“It was just uploaded.
We’re still verifying its reliability.
But by the looks of it, it’s likely true.”
Yun Rou explained methodically.
Gakels promptly opened the Star Cluster Forum and was immediately greeted by numerous trending posts about the 13th Legion, with exploding view counts and comment numbers.
Though the news had just come in, it instantly caused a sensation.
Gakels clicked on a post and saw a striking photo.
The photo captured the moment the curvature interference device at Kadler Fortress was destroyed.
The comments within the post were also explosively potent.
“An ailing man sits up in shock, realizing the great powers are but himself!”
“So shocking, the 13th Legion actually penetrated the Imperial Army’s territory; the whole world feels unreal.”
“Awesome!
So satisfying, haha!”
“If those Imperial Army lackeys dare bluster again, I’ll definitely blast them to death.
What audacity when their lair has been breached by us!”
“The tables have turned; the trapped troops in Sky Dome City really have hope now!”
Gakels read these comments, took a deep breath, and his expression grew incredibly complex.
“Lord Gakels, isn’t it good news that the 13th Legion has invaded the Dark Star Empire?
Why do you seem so worried?”
Yun Rou, observing Gakels’ complex expression, inquired softly.
“It’s good news, but this move is too risky, so risky that no one expected it!
The Dark Star Empire has been slapped hard and will absolutely not take this lying down.
Once they give up surrounding the trapped Sky Dome Army, they’ll desperately corner the 13th Legion.
At that point, the 13th Legion will be in danger!”
“What do we do now?”
“Let me think.”
Gakels rubbed his temples, replying with a headache.
—————————————
On the Dark Star Empire·Star Destroyer·Curse.
In a dim room.
Commander Hodiska sat in a chair, looking very grim.
Tedra, the Deputy Corps Commander, and Noveis, also a Deputy Corps Commander, stood in front of Commander Hodiska.
“Commander Hodiska, what should we do next?”
Tedra asked anxiously, his legs still trembling as he recalled the Emperor’s words.
He felt completely at a loss, as the Emperor’s reaction was too abnormal.
Meanwhile, Noveis stood silently, his eyes flickering.
Hodiska gave Tedra a cold glance, then spoke to both of them.
“There’s no need for further words about the situation.
Although the Emperor hasn’t punished us, he has been angered.
Suppressing the 13th Legion is our last chance.
If we mess up again, it won’t be as simple as being granted an honorable death.”
“Commander Hodiska, hasn’t Lord Roglian mobilized the forces of 36 Star Lords to assist us in the search and suppression?
There shouldn’t be any problems, right?”
Tedra expressed with a glimmer of hope.
“Idiot, you’re still hoping for those ragtag forces?
You won’t even know how you died by then.”
Hodiska berated Tedra outright.
“Then what do you suggest, Commander Hodiska?”
Tedra swallowed hard and asked.
“Listen to me.
My forces are all guarding the front line; I can’t move them at all!
Now you two must figure out how to mobilize the defense forces of the Fifth Black Crow Corps and the Eleventh Nightmare Legion stationed on our home territory to form a new fleet group with the Star Destroyer·Curse.
Only then, in collaboration with those ragtag forces from the Star Lords, can we decisively surround them!”
Hodiska didn’t waste any more words and laid his cards on the table.
“Commander Hodiska, the forces left behind are for home defense; they’re not easily mobilized!”
Upon hearing Hodiska’s words, Tedra’s face turned ashen.
Each legion’s forces left on the home front were meant to guard their own assets.
Moreover, these reserve forces were the seeds of the legions.
If a legion suffered losses and needed to expand and recover, they would be called upon.
Under normal circumstances, without the order of a legion commander, they couldn’t be moved at all.
“It’s unrealistic; they can’t be moved.”
Noveis retorted grimly.
“This is your last chance.
I don’t care how; you figure out a way to persuade your respective legion commanders to deploy the troops, or we all go down together in the end!”
Hodiska replied menacingly.
Tedra, after hearing Hodiska’s words, gritted his teeth and responded.
“I’ll try.”
After Tedra took a stance, Noveis fell silent for several seconds and then replied.
“I understand.”