Super Mothership
Three months ago, the Wolf Civilization’s “Bronze” mecha squadrons launched a surprise assault on the wormhole, but were repelled after losing more than half their forces.
Not long after, the Gemini Civilization initiated their first large-scale counterattack—yet after suffering devastating losses, they were forced to retreat back to the wormhole’s perimeter.
From then on, about every fifteen days, the Wolf Civilization would launch another coordinated assault. Their offensives grew stronger each time, completely disregarding casualties. The Gemini forces suffered increasing losses, and their defensive line was constantly on the verge of collapse.
At the same time, the wormhole continued its strange expansion. Its passage area had already covered more than 100,000 square kilometers, and the lengthening front placed mounting pressure on Gemini’s defenses.
Then, about a month ago, the “Dreadnought War Star” finally arrived at the front after a long voyage. With overwhelming military superiority, it dealt a crushing blow to the Wolf Civilization’s latest attack fleet. After that defeat, the Wolves ceased all offensives, and the two civilizations entered a standoff—with no further battles breaking out…
Nie Yun listened to the officer on the podium giving a report on the current war situation. As footage of fierce crossfire between the two sides played on the screen, his mind was quickly analyzing the overall combat capabilities of the two civilizations.
The scale of their clashes—between two veteran interstellar powers—was not one of countless warships blotting out the stars, but it was still immense. The Gemini Civilization had already gathered over 1,500 warships and roughly 8 million troops.
The total strength of the Wolf Civilization remained unknown, but it was at least equal—if not greater.
In comparison, Gemini’s organization and coordination were tighter, and they held the advantage in large-scale weaponry such as warships. The Wolf Civilization, however, possessed battle-hardened soldiers with a fearlessness of death, and their elite “Bronze” mecha units exerted tremendous battlefield pressure.
What caught Nie Yun’s attention most, though, was the mysterious technology that allowed the wormhole to expand. Such a strategic-level weapon was practically the ultimate tool for conquest!
“That concludes the latest battle report…”
After saluting the audience, the reporting officer stepped down.
The previously quiet conference room immediately filled with low murmurs. Many officers whispered among themselves, exchanging opinions about the war.
“The current situation… isn’t looking good,” said Isabel, frowning beside Nie Yun.
“Lady Isabel worries too much. In my view, the Wolf Civilization is nothing to fear!” came a confident voice from the side.
Nie Yun turned his head.
It was a strikingly handsome avian officer. Judging by the insignia on his uniform, he, like Isabel, held the rank of Legion Commander.
Nie Yun glanced around. Isabel and the officers near him were clearly part of the same circle—so who was this overfriendly stranger?
Still, the man’s confident expression suggested he might know some insider information.
“Based on current loss ratios, we still hold an overwhelming advantage,” the officer continued. “Their elite troops are troublesome, yes, but the rest are nothing but rabble. Overall, their combat power is inferior to ours.
Whenever our War Star appears, they immediately fall back—they clearly fear our strength.
I’ve also heard that General Gilad at the front is planning a major counteroffensive. The balance has already shifted in our favor! Once we invade their star system, they’ll learn that the Gemini Civilization is not to be trifled with!”
The officer wore a self-assured smile, clearly thinking himself charming.
A counteroffensive plan?
So this chatterbox actually had some useful intel—even Catherine’s intelligence reports hadn’t mentioned that.
Perhaps Nie Yun’s officer rank simply wasn’t high enough yet to access that level of information…
“Hm.” Isabel merely nodded slightly in response—purely out of politeness.
The handsome officer’s smile stiffened. Clearly, the “peacock prince” was disappointed by Isabel’s cold indifference.
Still, the daughter of the Assad family… If he could win her over and form a family alliance, it would save him twenty years of effort…
Just as he prepared to keep talking—to show off his “strategic insight”—Isabel turned away from him and looked toward Nie Yun.
“Althas, what do you think?”
A clear “help me out” signal. Nie Yun understood instantly.
“Well…” he said. “Although I’ve only just awakened from stasis and don’t fully grasp the front-line situation yet… what I do see is that the wormhole over there is still expanding without pause…”
The explanation was only halfway complete, but everyone present were veteran officers—so Nie Yun’s meaning wasn’t hard to grasp.
If he were the enemy, there’s no way he’d keep “opening the gates wide” when things weren’t under control.
Otherwise—what else could it be but inviting the wolves into the house?
Seeing the satisfied smile on Isabel’s face, the “peacock” officer’s expression gradually turned dark.
Since when did a low-ranking officer have the right to interrupt his speech?
And worse—he was better looking than him!
Wait a second… what did Isabel just call him?
“Althas? Oh… so it’s you.” The peacock-faced officer looked at Nie Yun first in surprise, then broke into a knowing smirk tinged with mockery.
He had arrived at the base a few days before Isabel and the others and had done his homework—he knew quite a bit of gossip floating around the base.
“Hm? You know me?” Nie Yun’s brow twitched slightly.
The universe was huge—surely he wasn’t this unlucky to run into an acquaintance already?
Judging by this guy’s demeanor, he was probably another scion of a noble family. Maybe he’d even been one of Althas’s old drinking buddies…
“Know you? Of course I do.” The mocking curve of the man’s lips deepened.
So he really knew him?
Oh no—if he asks whether I prefer sweet or salty food, I’m done for…
A glint of silver flickered in Nie Yun’s sleeve. A tiny mechanical spider dropped soundlessly along an invisible thread, scuttling swiftly toward the peacock officer…
“‘The Military Politician Althas,’ the man praised even by General Gilad himself—how could I not know of him? I’d say there’s hardly anyone in this room who hasn’t heard the name! Heh heh…” The peacock officer’s tone was full of mock respect, his sarcasm plain as day.
Whiz! The little spider was instantly reeled back into Nie Yun’s sleeve.
Completely unaware that he had just brushed past death, the peacock continued his verbal assault with renewed enthusiasm, especially after seeing the puzzled expressions on Nie Yun’s and Isabel’s faces.
“War is the art of deception!” he declared pompously. “Truth and illusion are tools of strategy—if you can see through the enemy’s tricks at a glance, that enemy must be an utter fool.
And since you noticed it, do you really think General Gilad hasn’t? Yet he still chose to counterattack. Do you know why?
Do you think your judgment is sharper than a general’s?”
He gave a smug little chuckle. “So, young man, you’d better watch and learn. Political talk won’t win you wars—heh heh…”
When he finished, the peacock even shot a self-satisfied glance at Isabel, his expression clearly saying: See that? The guy next to you is all talk—just a smooth-tongued fake.
Nie Yun gave him a look filled with the kind of pity one reserves for the mentally disabled.
What he said sounded logical, but launching a counterattack while on the defensive didn’t necessarily mean confidence.
It could also mean probing the enemy’s strength, boosting morale, or even sending a message: We’re not afraid of you.
There were plenty of reasons.
But something else caught Nie Yun’s attention more—
“Military Politician”?
That title was not a compliment in the armed forces.
On a battlefield of iron and blood, the last thing you wanted was a comrade who schemed constantly and used words to grab credit while others bled.
You die; I take the glory.
Who could stand that?
Title effect: Military Reputation -100!
Nie Yun frowned slightly. It seemed to imply some connection with General Gilad, the supreme commander at the front—but as far as he knew, he hadn’t offended anyone like that.
Was this the side effect of his alignment choice and the bad reputation with the Sea Clan?
He sighed and looked up—right into Isabel’s half-smiling gaze.
So this was what she meant by “innate low-key temperament,” huh?
Catching the teasing glint in her eyes, Nie Yun bared his teeth in a grin.
You people just don’t get it… being low-key doesn’t mean I’m easy to bully.
“Military Politician,” huh? The title was pretty fitting, actually.
After all—
A general who doesn’t understand politics can never be a good spy.
TL Note- Art of War...
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