“This is what you call an answer sufficient to satisfy me, hm?” In the supreme conference room of the Molian Civilization’s capital star system, the holographic projection of the Molian Civilization’s Supreme Leader slowly addressed the Minister of Military Affairs seated below, who spoke with an icy expression. The Supreme Leader’s hologram was expressionless, yet his tone carried a hint of amusement.
“We lost more than three hundred thousand ships, and even the flagship-class vessel Blue Star was taken out by this so-called Divine Ark Civilization. Star System Number 2 has also fallen. We have already lost our first line of defense against the Divine Ark Civilization. Is this the explanation you are giving us? How is the Supreme Leader supposed to face our people?” the Minister of Civil Affairs said coldly from the side.
“Why did the military intelligence office fail to obtain in advance the information that the enemy’s ships possessed Level 6 civilization creations, space weapons? Is the army full of useless slackers? With the enemy’s intelligence unclear, you rashly dispatched a fleet to set up an ambush and ended up handing over three star systems to the enemy. How exactly are you doing your job?” The Minister of Commerce asked without mercy.
The Minister of Military Affairs kept a face like still water and said nothing. After a long time, he opened his mouth. “In this matter, I bear an inescapable responsibility. After the war ends, I will apply to resign to take responsibility. But for now, this position still needs to be held by me. In our civilization, no one is more suitable than I am to serve as Minister of Military Affairs.”
“Things have already progressed to this point. What we should discuss now is how to respond, not look for someone to take the blame. Here, I make an application to the Supreme Leader on the following points. First, the Divine Ark Civilization’s strength exceeds our imagination. In the near term, our civilization’s development focus should shift from civil affairs to military affairs. We must vigorously develop military industry and technology. Only by uniting as one can we hope to defeat this enemy. Second, expand our armaments. Whether soldiers or ships, production must be accelerated, even if it triggers a social crisis. You must know that this Divine Ark Civilization can now be basically confirmed as the Predator Civilization that plundered our Azure Market. There is no possibility of peace between us. If we fail, our entire civilization will become slaves. Third, if things are truly untenable, I believe we should report this matter to the envoy of the Guardian Civilization and request its support.”
The Supreme Leader’s expression suddenly grew heavy.
“If there is even a sliver of hope, try not to make further contact with the envoy of the Guardian Civilization, even though it is currently on our planet. If we ask the Guardian Civilization for aid, it is certain they will come to help us, but we will have to pay with our civilization’s dignity and development potential, once again attaching ourselves to the Guardian Alliance. Our Molian Civilization finally used the opportunity of the Galactic War to break away from the Guardian Alliance and gain a chance for independent development. To walk the old road again would be irresponsible to our entire civilization. Besides that, there is another point. I am very interested in the Divine Ark Civilization’s space weapons. From the specific intelligence, this Divine Ark Civilization is without a doubt still within the scope of a Level 5 Civilization, yet they can use space weapons. This indicates that if we obtain the relevant technology, we too can possess such capabilities. If it is truly possible to acquire space weapons, then sacrificing several billion, or even more than ten billion people, is not something that cannot be accepted.”
“Yes. Space weapons are the most important.” another minister said. “With space weapons, while we still cannot contend with a Level 6 Civilization, within the scope of Level 5 Civilizations we can stand at the top. Appealing to the envoy of the Guardian Civilization is the last step, something to be done only when things are impossible and we face the critical moment of our civilization’s life and death. In any case, for the sake of reconstituting the Guardian Alliance and maintaining a veneer of righteousness, the Guardian Civilization will not exterminate us over such a matter. In the war with the Sweeper Civilization, they suffered considerable losses and are unlikely to make any big moves in the near term.”
“So be it. The position of Minister of Military Affairs will still be held by you.” the Supreme Leader said. “I will be waiting for your performance. If you truly obtain the relevant technology for space weapons, it would not be impossible for me to hand over the position of Supreme Leader to you. On the other hand, if you continue to fail, I can still have you court-martialed. Conduct yourself well.”
After saying this, the Supreme Leader’s hologram disappeared. The remaining ministers exchanged glances, ignored the Minister of Military Affairs whose face was like still water, and left one after another.“Space weapons, space weapons… are they only equipped on Nation-Class ships?” the Minister of Military Affairs muttered to himself. “And that strange shield technology that releases extremely intense energy when it explodes. Very interesting, very interesting indeed. Divine Ark Civilization, just you wait.”
The Battle of Star System Number 4 had ended. After cleaning up the battlefield, the ships of the Nation-Class fleet of the Japan began their return voyage. When they came here, the fleet had as many as five hundred thousand ships. On the way back, only a little more than three hundred thousand remained, and even the Nation-Class flagship was gone.
“No matter what, this battle ultimately counts as my victory. My losses are straightforward. It is enough to state how many ships were lost. The Molian Civilization is different. Three hundred thousand ships, even if calculated at two hundred intelligent beings per ship, at minimum means the deaths of sixty million elite soldiers. Leaving aside the immense social resources required to cultivate so many soldiers, the death compensation alone is enough to cause great chaos in their social system. As for me, when ships are lost, I can just build more. Simple and clean.”
Xiao Yu profoundly grasped a truth, namely how unwise it is to fight a war of attrition against an existence that possesses the advantages of a mechanical civilization. With massive manufacturing capacity plus ample resources, as long as there is no overwhelming technological pressure formed against him, Xiao Yu would fear no existence in this universe. It is simple. Even if it is ten thousand ships for one of yours, I can slowly wear you down to death.
“This campaign has ended in our victory. Now, I require everyone to discuss the next step in our advance.” Aboard Heaven’s Kingdom, in the conference room, Xiao Yu once again presided over a meeting.
During this period, the members of the Military Committee each conducted deep self-criticism, analyzing their previous shortcomings through actual combat and using battlefield experience to raise their level of warfare. Each had gained something. This victory also gave them tremendous encouragement and brought them out of the shadow.
“Before we analyze the war plan, I believe we should pay attention to one issue.” Luka Two spoke first, giving his view. “For us, the Molian Civilization is an object we can conquer and invade. However, under the current situation we must face a threat, namely the problem of intervention by other powerful civilizations. For example, the Guardian Civilization. We must know that the Molian Civilization was once a member of the Guardian Alliance. Although the incident of the semi Four-Dimensional Taihao’s great war against the Sweepers allowed the Molian Civilization to break away from the Guardian Alliance, there is no guarantee that, when things become impossible, the Molian Civilization will not once again pay the price of attaching itself to the Guardian Civilization in exchange for the Guardian Civilization’s intervention. And it is obvious that at present, we do not possess the strength to face the Guardian Civilization.”
“I do not consider this a threat.” Xiao Yu said. “We all know very clearly that to join the Guardian Alliance, while one can receive the protection of the Guardian Civilization, one must also pay the price of sacrificing one’s civilization’s development potential. The Molian Civilization finally broke free of the Guardian Civilization’s control. How could it easily rejoin? Of course, when faced with the price of a civilization’s extinction, the Molian Civilization might take this step. But do not forget, our objective is to obtain a complete Level 5 civilization technology tree, not to exterminate the Molian Civilization. War must serve political objectives. If our objective can be achieved, then abandoning the invasion and sparing the Molian Civilization is also something we can accept.”
“Oh? In that case, after applying sufficient pressure to the Molian Civilization, we can first propose peace talks and sign a treaty of capitulation with the Molian Civilization?” another committee member said.
“Yes.” Xiao Yu nodded. “Whether it is peace or war, the decision-making power is in our hands. I only want the complete Level 5 civilization technology tree. As for whether the Molian Civilization perishes or not, what does that have to do with us?”
“Yes… Then our war strategy should be adjusted. We should shift from previously striving to kill the enemy and weaken its strength to striving to pressure the enemy, display our strength, and suppress them with high pressure. I do not believe that, when facing the urgent juncture of a civilization’s life and death, the Molian Civilization’s ridiculous so-called will to rather die than yield will still be effective.”
“Exactly. Therefore, next I intend to fight a hard battle and win the war in an open and aboveboard manner by our strength. In this campaign I will use no stratagems and no tricks, relying only on strength. I could even reveal our attack target to the Molian Civilization in advance before launching the campaign. I am very confident that no matter how many warships they gather, they will not be our match.”
“Very good, very good. Then there is a most suitable location waiting for us to attack.” A member of the Military Committee stood up and pointed at a star on the virtual starmap. “Star System Number 5. The position of Star System Number 5 means the Molian Civilization cannot abandon it. Let us wage a head-on battle of strength here.”