Counterfeit Hero

”Passing through Bermuda without meeting the top general of Jiepeng would be an unforgivable regret for me,” Hanfrey said with a slight bow, smiling as he walked beside Mikami Yuto.

”You’re joking, Lord Hanfrey,” Mikami Yuto nodded, still with that pale face resembling a taciturn student.

The guards opened the car door, escorting Mikami Yuto and Hanfrey into the second flying car. The leading car and guard mecha quickly started up, and the entire convoy followed like a long snake, rapidly exiting the base.

”I’ve heard of Leray’s Rodbia many times, and seeing it today, it’s indeed beautiful,” Hanfrey remarked, gazing at the scenery outside the flying car.

”Is that so?” Mikami Yuto glanced out the window indifferently, then retracted his gaze and said straightforwardly, ”To me, planets only fall into two categories: those with resources and those without. I’m afraid if you saw the outskirts, you wouldn’t call it beautiful.”

”I’ve heard the Battle of Bermuda was bitterly fought, devastating the entire planet,” Hanfrey chuckled. ”Is that the reason?”

After a long silence, just as Hanfrey thought Mikami Yuto wouldn’t answer, the top general of Jiepeng who commanded the entire Leray campaign slowly replied, ”It was indeed bitter.”

The scenery outside suddenly lost its color. The brutality of war seemed to engulf the entire vehicle.

The convoy silently weaved through a jungle of cities, turning onto a bridge spanning a river.

”Going to Saleria, is it General Sobel’s intention, or your own decision, Lord Hanfrey?” Mikami Yuto asked in the silence.

”General Sobel sent us to strengthen the military presence in the Southeast Star Domain, but didn’t provide specific guidance on the situation there,” Hanfrey replied, looking at Mikami Yuto. ”I’m the commander of the fleet, and it was my decision.”

Mikami Yuto raised an eyebrow.

Hanfrey sighed and continued, ”Lord Mikami, forgive my rashness. I understand that deciding to launch an offensive in the Longbow Star System at this time is offensive to our Jiepeng allies, but given the Alliance forces’ strength in the Southeast, a counterattack is unlikely in the short term. The forces guarding Leray cannot be moved, and mobilizing troops from within Jiepeng takes time. If we don’t strike while the enemy is unsteady, I’m afraid.......”

Mikami Yuto’s expression grew colder. He fully understood Hanfrey’s reasoning. However, these weren’t the reasons for Hanfrey to attack the Longbow Star System!

The Longbow Star System was lost by Jiepeng.

Jiepeng lost not just a star system but the honor of its army.

Honor can only be reclaimed by the Jiepeng people. Hanfrey capturing the Longbow Star System would be a disgrace, not honor! The Duke of Binart surely understands this!

”Of course... these are merely objective factors,” Hanfrey admitted honestly. ”I believe General Mikami has many ways to reclaim the Longbow Star System. I simply don’t want the timing issue to hinder our next strategic deployment against the Chuckna Republic. Personally, I must admit, I’m eager to compete with Douglas. It’s a rare opportunity; he’s my peer in both age and rank. But for you, General, such an opponent might be too lightweight......”

The silence inside the vehicle resumed.

Mikami Yuto thought for a moment, then asked, ”How do you plan to handle the Desic people?”

Hanfrey smiled. He understood that Mikami Yuto’s question signified tacit approval of the Binart Fleet’s actions. However, with his pride, he could tolerate himself but not the low combat effectiveness of the Desic people in the operations against the Longbow Star System.

”The Desic Fleet’s task is to attack the Newton Star System,” Hanfrey said lightly. ”If two Binart Royal Elephant-class Fleets can’t take the Longbow Star System, I might as well find a piece of tofu to bash my head against!”

*********************************************************************************************************

In the Longbow Star System, a bright nebula extended like a colorful and supple vine, reaching deep into the cosmos.

The bandit army fleet flew swiftly along the mottled brightness and darkness of the nebula.

”Report to the commander, the fleet’s current coordinates are 74271.119012.333041.6, two million kilometers from the target area,” came the navigator’s report in the busy command room.

”Reduce fleet speed to Level 4, reconnaissance ships take the lead, and proceed stealthily,” Fang Xiang ordered, eyes fixed on the radar screen.

”Understood!” With the fleet coordinator relaying the order through the coordination system, dozens of warships’ deceleration thrusters lit up simultaneously on their bellies and sides, while the long blue comet-like glow of their main thrusters at the stern rapidly dimmed. The fleet slowed collectively, maintaining a flawless formation like a school of fish swimming in the deep sea.

From issuing to executing the order, the movements and speed of every warship were astonishingly synchronized.

Margaret sat by a window seat, watching three reconnaissance ships accelerate through the formation and vanish into the vast starlit space. Then, the fleet collectively altered their course, arcing into the thick nebula gas.

The nebula’s dust and gas obscured the view. Margaret withdrew her gaze, a faint bitter smile playing on her lips.

Rabble........She recalled the evaluation from the Feiyang Army and the Alliance Command Center about this star domain and the pirate mercenaries before arriving at the Mars Free Channel.