Counterfeit Hero

”Admiral Bernadotte, please allow me to express gratitude on behalf of all of Chuckna to you and your subordinates.” The excited Admiral Rabinowski squeezed in front of Bernadotte and grabbed his hand. His bushy-bearded lips trembled slightly with overwhelming emotion: ”.....This is a miracle!”

Rabinowski’s words drew agreement in unison from the surrounding generals.

Whether it was Houseni from Silliac, McKinley from Feiyang, Yuris from Ryan, or Hurst from Puditok... the generals’ gazes at Bernadotte were exceptionally different at this moment.

The importance of capturing Hanfrey is beyond doubt. After Mikami Yuto successfully launched a surprise attack on the Canglang Star, to say the Bandit Army Fleet saved the entire Resk battle would not be an exaggeration!

The Nineteen Group Fleet still stands, and the Longbow Star System is still intact! What once was the greatest concern, the Hanfrey Fleet, turned from a devastating flood capable of sweeping everything away after joining with Mikami Yuto, into a stagnant pool. Such a victory can only be described as miraculous.

It must be understood that modern warfare is about the economy, military strength, and logistical support. No country can commit all their troops into combat or readiness. Mobilizing and assembling a unit requires manpower and vast material resources far exceeding the unit’s size. And all of this takes time!

If the Longbow Star System fell, it would only take two or three days for the combat-ready Hanfrey Fleet and the always-ready Desic 5th Fleet to march north to Resk to fight! In such a short time, the Fei Alliance’s reserve forces could not complete the complex pre-battle preparations, let alone enter Resk to fight!

”Admiral Rabinowski, don’t forget, we are allies.” Bernadotte waved his hand. His face was calm and humble, but his eyes shone with excitement.

After learning about Fatty’s whereabouts, he had imagined ten thousand possible scenarios, yet he never thought Fatty would capture Hanfrey with a ragtag fleet. So much so that when he heard the news, his mind went blank!

Even though Bernadotte understood that the shortsighted fellow probably hadn’t considered the Resk Star System or the big picture, everything was merely due to the necessity to support the Hidden Blade Fleet. Yet, this favor and achievement were genuinely earned for the Leray Federation by Fatty!

Bernadotte’s days at the command were not easy.

Leray has fragmented. Even though Hamilton’s death showcased an indomitable Leray Federation to Fei Alliance’s people, and although Flavio won some say and material aid for Leray in the Alliance Council, years of war had drained Leray Federation to its limits, causing it to be consciously or subconsciously overlooked among the Allied forces.

This is quite normal. Politically, Leray may still be respected as a member nation of the Fei Alliance due to four years of war of national defense. But militarily, having lost its capital and seventy percent of its forces, Leray has nothing significant enough for generals and their militaries, who respect power, to pay attention to.

In the Atlantis Star System, the remaining military forces from the Federal states loyal to the Leray Exile Government cannot even protect themselves and must heed the Southeast Allied Army led by Fiscella. Meanwhile, in the Alliance Base at Chuckna, Leray only has a few sub-fleets and armored groups. Of all the troops gathered under the United Command, the Leray army is almost negligible.

Therefore, as the war’s evolution highlights the significance of the Southeast Battle Zone, the Leray Federation has already fallen to being considered an inconsequential bystander by others.

Even though the Southeast War Situation is evolving, and Bernadotte is in the command center, he, having no authority, is merely a placeholder at meetings, an admiral-ranked staff at the electronic simulation stage!

Nobody sought his opinion; even pieces of intelligence within his access level were intentionally or unintentionally ignored by the Staff Department. Apart from routine joint meetings, he wasn’t notified of many important strategic meetings.

Politics requires power to speak, and especially so in war. This, Bernadotte understands better than anyone.

Facing this almost humiliating helplessness within, as Leray’s highest military official and currently Leray Military Department’s Chief Admiral, Bernadotte can only remain silent.

He must stay here, and he must endure all this. Because Hamilton, Mihailovich, Flavio, and everyone devoting their lives to this country are watching him. Together, they chose this path for Leray. If Leray Federation wants to stand again, it must adhere to its survival philosophy, play by the rules, and ensure it is not excluded!

Even if each minute at the command center is torment, he must endure. Leray has endured for four years; for another four years or even forty years, Bernadotte doesn’t care.

He has seen the warmth and coldness of human interactions clearer than anyone at his age.

Originally, upon learning that Fatty was setting out to the Longbow Star System, his greatest hope was that Fatty could successfully meet with Russell and start anew at Mars, holding the last vitality of Leray, waiting for an opportunity. Unexpectedly, the generals who control the entire course of the battle are now looking at him, a seemingly insignificant supporting role, with shock and jealousy.