Counterfeit Hero

Chapter 1239: Chapter 32: Falcon Camp (2)

Although Fiscella was obstinate and self-opinionated, he was, after all, a renowned general on the rankings, with keen and far-sighted military insight. Sensing the unusual momentum of the Western Alliance’s offensive, he quickly seized the opportunity, commanded the fleet to strike at the Central Leray Star Domain, and inflicted heavy losses on the Western Alliance forces, forcing them to retreat, leaving the Brody Space Fleet of the isolated Leray puppet regime struggling to support itself.

From then on, both sides were like a sandwich caught in between, confronting each other. Although small-scale skirmishes were ongoing, neither dared to recklessly seek a decisive battle. For the Western Alliance holding the Leray Central Channel, the most important thing now was not to occupy the Newton Star System, which was like a chicken rib, but to maintain control of the Leray Central Channel. For Russell and Fiscella, the lack of trust and inability to cooperate seamlessly meant they could only sustain the current deadlock.

Everyone knew that what could truly have a domino effect on the entire battle situation was not here, but in another star system of the Southeast Battle Zone— the Chucknaresk Star System!

That was where the decisive battle would begin.

On October 12, 2063, both the Jiepeng Empire and the Suss Empire issued emergency mobilization orders, further escalating the war effort.

The vast national apparatus mobilized every resource available for war.

The public was called to donate their properties, with the special war tax raised to an inconceivable level. Military administration was implemented across regions, and the conscription age was expanded to between sixteen and forty years. All young men who met the eleven conscription conditions were required to report to their local recruitment offices within a specified period. Those who refused conscription, went into hiding, injured themselves, or engaged in deceit would be severely punished.

Every day, on city streets, all that could be seen were military vehicles, Mechas, and soldiers. Factories produced nothing but military supplies. In shipyards, the only constructions underway were fleets of warships. Even in the tense air, you could already smell the scent of brutal skirmishes on the front lines. For Imperial Citizens, the rationed supply points lining up in every community and the casualty lists posted everywhere were the entirety of their lives.

The war’s might had begun to manifest. Even though the war fire had not yet reached home soil, the strain of supporting a massive army in long-distance combat was already suffocating.

Two years of war had slowly exhausted the strength of these two nations.

The Western Alliance Countries, economically never as strong as the Fei Alliance, had long been caught in relentless militarism. Now society was in turmoil, with prices skyrocketing. The unemployment rate soared to as high as forty percent, and the crime rate was climbing steadily. Not only ordinary citizens but even some low-ranking nobles had to tighten their belts and endure.

The marginalized ethnic groups at the bottom of society hadn’t rebelled yet, but the undercurrent of turbulence was increasingly nerve-wracking.

This was a powder keg uncontrolled by anyone. Regardless of their willingness to participate in this war, the Empire couldn’t escape fate. In this war, they could only pour in every effort, throwing in their national destiny for a chance to win.

By this time, the people’s fervor for war had started to cool down. Centuries of ambition and pride had been worn down by this brutal war. Those who had fervently supported war previously could now only hide at home, watching the soldiers marching outside with gloomy eyes, praying for a massive victory to come.

If there was no victory...... then this powder keg would blow everyone to pieces! They forgot their previous beliefs, and amidst hardships, began to feel worried and scared. Churches and shrines everywhere thrived unprecedentedly. Various collective prayer gatherings were packed with people. The low whispers of prayers reverberated over every city.

The Empire’s last active assembly units had already set off for the Resk Star System. Besides the necessary forces to guard the homeland, the troops participating in the Resk Battle accounted for over seventy percent of the two nations’ total military power.

This was a rather dangerous critical point.

If the Resk Battle was lost, the two empires would lose their offensive capability. That would also signify defeat— unable to gain sufficient benefits from the war. Even if they barely held their homeland, it would only be struggling for survival!

But, there was no turning back. Everyone could only grit their teeth and endure, keep enduring. By today, this endurance had been reduced to only awaiting the final showdown. The national strength was pushed to the extreme. The arrow was on the bowstring; it had to be shot. The military power accumulated over hundreds of years had, by this time, only this recourse to fight to the last.

The Resk Battle — it’s either you die, or I perish.

As the two empires prepared for war with all their might, the Fei Alliance Joint Army also seized every moment for pre-war preparations.

Secret orders were being issued, one by one. Numerous troops gathered in swarms. Since the attack on Canglang Star, all these had already been set in motion.

This was a massive battle with countless aspects to prepare.

There was no more news from Canglang Star, and the public held no hope for Li Cunxin’s survival. And the forceful assault by Mikami Yuto on Leifeng Star kept everyone’s nerves tense every second. No one knew how long the alliance on Leifeng Star could hold out.

Preparations could only be accelerated continuously, night and day.

Troop reinforcements for Resk were scheduled for October 18.

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9:35 AM, October 14.

The winter sun shone brightly, the sunlight was bright, yet the Jiepeng forward base in front of highland 415 was already in shambles.

The hastily constructed barracks had collapsed halfway, with twisted steel beams and metal composite panels that looked like piles of scrap metal from a steel mill. Two out of five energy supply towers were destroyed. The ammunition depot had also been reduced to ruins.