CHAPTER 1044: CHAPTER 423: RECUPERATION (5-IN-1)

In the starry sky.

A fleet of damaged ships, haphazardly departing the battlefield.

The most conspicuous is the Blood Ridge Fortress, with regions occasionally erupting in explosions. Its movement is not only slow but also staggered, as if it might sink at any moment.

The Star Destroyer Dark Blood, Star Destroyer Shadow, and Star Destroyer Black Death have pockmarked armor, with parts continually ablaze with fierce flames.

As for the Legendary Level Biological Star Destroyer Wailing Spirit, its condition is no better, with some damaged areas on the ship’s surface still slowly repairing, and the monster’s embedded heads, each extremely shriveled.

The entire Imperial Army looks utterly miserable.

Inside the command center of the Oath.

Roglian sits in the command chair, gazing at the image of the fleet before him, his eyes flickering constantly.

At this moment, the door of the command center opens.

Aus enters with a face full of rage; the Imperial Soldiers present lower their heads and step aside.

Quickly, Aus stands before Roglian, suppressing his anger, he questions.

"Chief Roglian, why retreat? Clearly, your support has arrived, and we can completely fight back."

Roglian turns his head to look at Aus, speaking hoarsely.

"Aus, you need to realize one thing, what you see is only a part of the battlefield. The battle at Tidal Star Sea is not as fierce; those people from Heavenly Revelation Divine Country are not putting in much effort! We are fighting to the death with the Federation here, potentially leading to a mutual defeat, ultimately letting Heavenly Revelation reap the benefits! If the battle over there were as intense as yours here, I naturally wouldn’t order a retreat."

"But you can’t retreat; isn’t that equivalent to handing over the entire Danube Star Sea to the Federation?"

"Let them have it; after all, we’ve almost looted Danube Star Sea. The Federation Council Chairman has come out this time, and we have to give him some face! Besides, these aren’t matters you need to concern yourself with now; you should think about how to explain the defeat to the Emperor."

Roglian responds coldly.

Upon hearing Roglian’s words, Aus clenches his fists, his bones creaking.

...

Starlight City.

The Federation Council Administrative Building, Dawn Hall 2.

Gakels, Farren, and numerous senior council members sit around the council table, discussing anxiously.

"Heavens! The battle over at Danube Star Sea is too fierce. What if everything sinks there?"

"Should we send more troops over for support?"

"There are no more troops to extract."

...

Listening to their discussions, Farren becomes increasingly irritable, while Gakels is utterly weary.

If this war is lost, the consequences are unthinkable.

Just then, the door of the council chamber is pushed open, and Secretary Yun Rou hurries in.

Swish!

All eyes in the room focus on Secretary Yun Rou.

Yun Rou immediately reports to everyone.

"Latest battle report from the front line, a major victory at Danube Star Sea. The Federation Forces have defeated the Dark Star Empire’s Expedition Army, capturing the Uranus Neutral Country and Kudik Neutral Country. The Imperial Army and Neutral Kingdom Royal Family have retreated to the Siloke Star Sea, stationed at Uranus Transfer Star."

"Haha, excellent!"

Farren slams the meeting table, stands up excitedly.

"Finally won!"

"Thank heavens!"

...

Many council members exclaim with delight.

Gakels also breathes a sigh of relief, finally settled.

Amidst the overwhelming joy, Yun Rou speaks with her expression dimmed.

"However, there’s also some bad news."

The crowd is momentarily stunned, turning their heads toward Yun Rou.

"What bad news?"

"Admiral Luo Jia has fallen."

Yun Rou reports quietly.

With these words, the joyous atmosphere vanishes instantly, and everyone falls silent.

"What did you say! Luo Jia sacrificed himself?"

Upon hearing this news, Farren’s forehead veins bulge, his whole demeanor like an enraged lion, having lost another son.

"Farren, my condolences!"

Gakels sighs, saying.

"Condolences."

Many council members also speak in consolation.

The anger on Farren’s face gradually fades, replaced by deep sorrow.

...

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Inside the Starlight Fortress·Advanced Ward.

Su Ming lying comatose on the hospital bed, while Rhein sits nearby watching.

Creak~

At this moment, the ward door is pushed open.

Ankaga enters carrying two box lunches, glancing at the comatose Su Ming, he asks Rhein worriedly.

"Rhein, how is the boss doing now?"

"The doctor just examined him, said he’s fine, just needs to rest for three months once he wakes."

Rhein replies to Ankaga.

"That’s good, let’s eat first then."

After listening to Rhein, Ankaga also breathes a sigh of relief, speaking to Rhein.

Rhein looks at Su Ming lying on the hospital bed, then says to Ankaga.

"Let’s eat outside, so we don’t disturb the boss."

"Sure!"

Ankaga nods in agreement.

The two of them leave the ward shortly afterward.

At this moment, Su Ming groggily wakes, tries to sit up, lifts his hand to look at the bright bloodstains on his skin, and sighs slightly. Then he pulls out the line and gets out of bed.

Outside the ward.

Rhein and Ankaga crouch on the ground.

Ankaga opens the bag, takes out two metal lunch boxes, handing one to Rhein.

Rhein accepts it and then opens the lunchbox.

Inside the lunchbox is a large lump of yellow, sticky nutritional paste, topped with a few slices of salted meat.