Chapter 1033: 561, Alfonso's Ark Fleet_2

Chapter 1033: Chapter 561, Alfonso’s Ark Fleet_2

“As long as he loses, he will lose everything.”

“And each time he made the right choice. Objectively speaking, as the weaker side, adopting the strategy of a ‘fleet in being’ was correct. As long as his fleet existed, we had to find ways to deploy military forces to guard against it, thereby weakening our control over the entire Proudclaw Cosmos and slowing down our offensive pace. He achieved that, and the trouble it brought us far exceeded the extent of losing if he fought a decisive battle and lost.”

“He also successfully divided our fleet, making us deploy three war cruisers in the rear for defense. Furthermore, targeting the Flying Wing, Furious Owl, and Korolya was a smart choice. Tactically, he indeed successfully completed an ambush, almost defeating our precious war cruisers.”

“To achieve this level, I already have some appreciation for him. He lost also due to the information disparity, the Blood Shark Battle Group… very peculiar, even I am somewhat surprised by their elusive capabilities. Without prior intel on the Blood Shark, he certainly couldn’t make the right decisions.”

At this point, Gu Hang added: “I think he’s a bit more formidable than his predecessor, the former leader of the Furyflame, Erso, and a bit more difficult to deal with.”

Yelisia laughed: “But in the end, he still lost. Are you praising your opponent to highlight your own superiority?”

“Not at all, I’m just objectively evaluating him.” Gu Hang said, “Of course, he could have done better.”

“For example? If you were in his place, what would you do?” Yelisia asked curiously.

“If possible, I would continue with the strategic retreat, not only abandoning Proudclaw but also Thistle Muster Star Field. The Alliance’s strength is rapidly expanding, controlling one star domain was already the limit. If they dare to pursue into Thistle Muster Star Field, the chance of tearing the Alliance apart afterward becomes even greater.”

“But there could be political factors preventing him from doing so?” Yelisia pointed out, “Military actions can never be isolated from politics, just like us initiating an offensive at this time isn’t necessarily the best choice.”

“Exactly, every commander wants to purely focus on how to defeat their enemy, but that’s often not realistic.”

“If retreating and defending isn’t possible? What would you do?”

“Final battle.” Gu Hang stated.

Yelisia said in surprise: “Don’t you believe that adhering to a strategic retreat is the best option? The victory rate of the final battle is not even 30%.”

After some thought, Gu Hang said: “As the weaker side, to turn the tide, to create a miracle, one must take a difficult path and then find something in that difficulty, to turn the impossible into possible.”

Yelisia gazed at Gu Hang’s face.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s nothing, it just seems… when someone else says that, it sounds boastful, but when you say it, somehow it makes a bit of sense.”

“Haha!”

…

A Terra standard month passed quickly.

Alfonso’s Ark Fleet arrived at the Proudclaw Cosmos.

This was news that shocked all around.

The entire Proudclaw Cosmos was filled with apprehension.

Worlds that had already joined the Alliance feared that Alfonso’s Ark Fleet’s arrival would bring reckoning; those that hadn’t joined were elated.

This marked the official entry of the Alfonso Sect into the war, and the news quickly spread to Holy Terra.

The immense internal conflict involving multiple Cosmos Domains and over twenty thousand Interstellar Warriors at the Imperial’s Eastern Frontier was drawing significant attention from the elders on Holy Terra.

Most people understood that the Alfonso Sect was certainly an enemy, and there should be no illusions about them.

But since they hadn’t officially entered the war, everyone seemed to be able to be the ostrich burying its head in the sand.

And now, this illusion was thoroughly shattered, and undue panic began to spread.

Especially when further reports came in, revealing the specific strength of Alfonso’s Ark Fleet, leaving people astonished.

Two Retribution-class Battleships, one Zhege-class Carrier, nine Dragon-Snake Class Battleship Cruisers… this was already a very powerful configuration, surpassing the combined naval forces in a conventional Empire Cosmos Domain.

Moreover, these are all considered conventional ships.

In this Ark Fleet, there are two ships that make one quiver just by hearing their names.

Firstly, there’s the Mechanical Ark itself. According to information from the front lines, it’s not an ordinary Mechanical Ark. Although the combat capability of the Mechanical Sect Ark is strong, its primary role is as a mobile base during space voyages, integrating many production, industrial, research, and other functions, akin to a mobile Founding World of the Sect of Mechanics.

However, this Ark can be referred to as a ‘War Ark’, specially designed for wartime specialization. Its combat power is certainly above that of a normal battleship.

The Alfonso Sect is quite wealthy, and the configuration of this War Ark they built is likely to be terrifyingly high.

The other is also a battleship.

An Emperor-class Battleship.

This is the most powerful battleship model in the Human Empire.

If the Retribution-class is ordinary…

For such a fleet configuration, even on the North Line or West Line, it would be a significant factor capable of changing the situation.

Moreover, the strength controlled by the Alliance on the Southern Line is actually weaker than on the North Line and West Line.

Now, public opinion has turned instantly.

Previously, there were voices in Holy Terra questioning why the Alliance wasn’t advancing quickly, why they weren’t destroying the Furyflame Fleet sooner, and why they hadn’t pushed the frontlines deeper into the Iron Armor Battle Group’s territory to threaten them more extensively.

Now, new voices have emerged, questioning why the Alliance was so reckless, why they provoked the Alfonso Sect into action, why they didn’t just defend and ensure the South wouldn’t collapse.

Now with reckless warfare provoking Alfonso… well now, if the Alliance’s main forces are destroyed, not only would they have to give back the Proudclaw Cosmos, but Alfonso’s Ark Fleet might take this power and pierce all the way south through the Eastern Cosmos Domain.