CHAPTER 1552: CHAPTER 47: THE DYED SONGSTRESS

With the great war imminent, the atmosphere in the various star domains of the Western Star Region became tense. After the Federal Center issued a notice, the Western Star Region entered a state of war preparation, and many areas entered a militarized management state, especially key industrial areas.

Compared to the primitive military-industrial system eighteen years ago, the Western Star Region is now capable of independently researching and producing mechs, fighter jets, and various small warships. As for large warships, especially battleships, these core combat ships are still technologically immature and can only be produced according to the existing blueprints for the ’Brass Dragon’ class battleships. Although these seventh-generation warships were excellent in the past, they have gradually fallen behind in the current situation.

"When will the experts from the Southern Star Region arrive?" Arosa asked the maid beside her in the small hall of the Sun Palace.

"Your Highness, they have already set off and should be here the day after tomorrow." The maid, dressed in a white uniform with golden embroidery, replied, and she probably had the strength of the Radiant Feather Sequence 7, a capable assistant left by Blanchi for Arosa.

Hearing this, Arosa sighed in relief and then looked at the bright sky outside the window. Seeing her in this state, the maid showed a loving expression.

"Your Highness has been tense and busy recently. How about taking a walk in the courtyard to relax?"

"Alright." Arosa thought for a moment, lifted her skirt, and stood up, her steps a bit light.

Despite being surrounded by many halos and titles, Arosa is ultimately only 18 years old. In the Federation, many at this age are still students, with an innocence and purity that haven’t faded away.

Walking on the grass in the courtyard, Arosa occasionally bent down to touch the tender grass leaves and flower stems, her gaze jumping onto some small insects from time to time.

Seeing her curious look, the maid suddenly realized that since Arosa entered the Sun Palace to receive teachings from the Songstress, she had not been in contact with the natural environment for a long time.

The mission has made this child shoulder burdens too early, she sighed in her heart.

Then she stepped forward, introducing these insects’ names and habits to Arosa, satisfying the curiosity in the young girl’s eyes.

...

Time jumped forward, and two days later, the Southern expert team arrived at the Western Star Region and officially met with Arosa and other Western Star Region high-level officials.

"The reason for inviting you here this time is to request your assistance in designing the new battleship and setting up the production line." Compared to the weak foundation of the Western Star Region, the Southern Star Region has many years of experience in producing large battleships. Many star domains there were also logistic production bases during the civil war four hundred years ago, with a rich historical experience accumulation.

"Since we’ve come, we must give our all to assist." The visiting representative nodded solemnly.

In the following days, members of the expert team were dispersed and taken to various different star domain industrial bases to inspect and record the local production conditions.

Ten days later, the inspected members gathered together to summarize the situation in each area and began designing future project plans for the Western Star Region.

"Time is tight. If we adopt the new battleship design, with the current industrial system and foundation of the Western Star Region, it is impossible to complete it in a short time."

"The only feasible plan now is to upgrade some components on the ’Brass Dragon’ class battleships to enhance combat power without excessively raising production conditions."

"Regarding firepower, we have advanced experience in the axis main cannon sector and excitation crystal materials, and can provide assistance."

"Considering that the main ’Red Angel’ class battleships of the current Fifth Fleet use the Red Lotus Weapon System, we must specifically add high-temperature-resistant armor. In this aspect, the ’Blazing Phoenix Wings’ technology from the Eastern Star Region can provide help."

After a nearly race-against-time improvement design, a relatively mature design proposal was submitted, named the ’Pyroxene Dragon’ class battleship, considering the characteristics of high-temperature resistance and firepower enhancement.

A month later, the prototype of the first ’Pyroxene Dragon’ battleship was completed under concerted efforts from all sides.

...

On the gray-yellow earth, the gates steaming with heat slowly opened. These square gates, when viewed from above, resembled tiny dots arranged in two dotted lines on the gray surface. Then, the concealed dome panels between the two dotted lines gradually retracted to the sides, gradually revealing the giant object lying underground.

The hull, about ten kilometers long, resembled a prehistoric giant beast slowly awakening. The fixed mechanical arms on it retracted one by one, like chains unshackling the giant beast. Then, surging air currents spilled out from underground, raising billowing smoke that obscured the sky.

Minutes later, this battleship slowly ascended into the sky, and it was only then that observatory personnel from afar carefully scrutinized and observed its shape.

As an analogy to help understanding, the outline of this battleship is like numerous cuboids pieced together, lacking much aesthetic appeal, with various lines abruptly turning, resembling an unpolished gemstone ore.

"The outer armor presents a semi-transparent filamentary crystal appearance, similar to high-purity Ancient Copper Pyroxene. In the middle of the hull is an axis main cannon resembling a hexagonal long pillar. The main body of the battleship has a total of twelve secondary cannons on both sides, four large and eight small, which can be used to deal with nearby cruisers and destroyers. Additionally, it is equipped with 368 near defense cannons for handling approaching fighter jets and mechs."

"Apart from the firepower on the surface, the battleship can also carry sixty mechs or high-speed fighter jets inside to handle various warfare demands."

"Its excellent armor and firepower can ensure a strong confrontation with ’Red Angel’ class battleships in combat, achieving a 3:2 exchange ratio."