MTLNOVEL Chapter 186: Jiao Yang and White Snow
When Tilan was negotiating with various Songstresses in the Southern Star Region and constantly contacting figures from local Star Domain forces, the war in the Central Star Domain was also continuously evolving.
Although it is an internal war, this conflict is not as desperate as the one four hundred years ago, it more involves struggles among the Federal Upper Echelons, and it has little relation to ordinary people. Both sides are fighting for control of star ports, but there isn't actual control over the ground.
The advantage is the avoidance of many confrontations and the consumption of manpower, allowing the United Fleet of the Western Star Region to advance unimpeded. The downside is that once the deep fleet is defeated, they have almost no way to return as these minimally controlled Star Domains can be easily recaptured by the Federation's Patrol Fleets.
"Our time is very limited!"
On the Titan Flagship of the United Fleet, Marshal Odo, leading the entire army, loudly speaks to the nearly ten thousand officers and soldiers before him, his fist clenched, with a powerful and sonorous action accompanying that loud voice striking the spirit of everyone present.
"An incomplete victory is a failure, the Western Star Region has only this chance, defeat the Sixth Main Fleet, advance to the Twin Trees Star Domain, force the Federation to acknowledge defeat, dissolve the Central Council, completely reselect council members, fundamentally change the Federation's structure!"
"This is the only way out, abandon any illusions of compromise. The enemy must be made to suffer greatly so that they will restrain their unwarranted greed and arrogance."
"You are the pride of the Western Star Region, the fire of reform for the Federation, the loyal followers of Princess Blanchi. Now, tell me! Are you willing to fight to the death for this great mission!"
"Blood and Glory!"
The responding voices resound like waves within the Titan Flagship, reverberating throughout the Star Sea.
After a long time, the vessels carrying officers and soldiers returned to their respective Starships, and the Western Star Region's fleet, having completed their reorganization, set sail from the star port once more.
They have received the news that the Federation's Sixth Main Fleet has gathered and is presently deploying in the Anlin Star Domain ahead.
The flagship hall, which can accommodate nearly ten thousand people, is lit off at this moment, quiet and empty, the only lights emerging from the enormous glass towering hundreds of meters high on both sides. Standing by these giant palace-like floor-to-ceiling windows, outside are starships departing from the star port, their blue exhaust trails like stars rising and disappearing into the distance.
Although the decisive battle has not truly begun, everyone present understands that many of those departing will never return in their lifetime.
As a soldier, dying in the Star Sea is indeed romantic, especially in this increasingly decaying nation, where sacrificing for ideals holds a martyr-like spiritual satisfaction.
Despite walking many wrong paths and wasting life and time, if dying on this path ultimately seems worthwhile.
This sentiment is incomprehensible to those accustomed to a life of wine and song, but to those from the Western Star Region, who've ridden out hardships and envies, and have spent most of their lives in a perpetual struggle, it is a source of immense pride and fulfillment.
Yes, they will likely never attain victory, and will mostly die tragically amidst the flames of war, but those who've bullied us all along won't have an easy time either; mutual destruction is far better than perpetual defeat.
Rather to die themselves, they choose to spread their wrath.
The rebellion in the Western Star Region is not the malice of a single official nor the charisma of Blanchi herself, but rather the systemic conflict and resentment accumulated over hundreds of years by the Federation.
The seeds have long been sown, and they are simply igniting now.
...
Under the serene giant glass curtain wall, a solitary figure sits, contrasting against the towering transparent wall, her chair like a spec of dust from the ocean bed. As the camera pulls away, it might even be directly overlooked and unseen.
The Star Sea is so vast, yet humanity is so insignificant.
Time flows quietly amidst the silence; in space, you can't hear the outside sounds, only see the endless fleet sailing into the distance, each carrying thousands of families' futures, yet all heading towards the terminal battlefield.
Curling beneath the high throne's backrest, Blanchi hugs her knees, her eyes unwavering as she watches the endless passage of starships, her gaze fixed like an image, only the glow left by the tail trails across the glass surface.
Countless time passed, perhaps it's already late at night, a woman dressed in court uniform slowly approaches from one side of the wall, stopping by Blanchi's side and bends halfway to inquire.
"Your Highness, it's time to rest."
"Mmm..." That long-fixed gaze finally slowly closes, leaning on the side's armrest to lie down afterward.
Seeing this, the lady kindly and carefully lifts Blanchi up and then returns step by step.
Ten days later, the United Fleet of the Western Star Region engages the Sixth Fleet, the initial battle ensues, with the Sixth Fleet's superiority in equipment and weaponry leading to the rout of the Western Star Region's advance elements. However, yet without pursuing further, it retreated back to the entrenched Anlin Star Domain.
"The other side wishes us to fight the decisive battle in Anlin Star Domain." Within the Comprehensive Command Hall of the Western Star Region fleet, several Marshals gather for discussion.
"Logically speaking, the weaker side should be seeking decisive victory, while the stronger side holds the initiative, choosing the battlefield and timing at will."
"Judging by fleet and equipment, without doubt, the Sixth Fleet holds the advantage, the longer it drags, the greater benefit for them," A general voices suspicion, considering it might be a trap.