The soldiers on the front lines hoped that the enemy would withdraw immediately to end the battle, but at the same time, they also secretly hoped that the enemy would attack directly instead of hiding in the distance and bombarding them pointlessly. If the enemy dared to attack directly, they could avenge their fallen comrades.

This conflicted feeling wasn't just felt by the soldiers on the front lines; many officers in the command center also shared the same thoughts.

Since Matthias brought back news of the attack on the Star Islands, these officers who were stationed in various places immediately rushed to the port of Bruno to fill the gap in the troops that sailed out of Bruno. They hadn't had a good night's sleep these days, and tonight, the sudden attack by the enemy only increased their mental pressure.

The Black Powder Fleet was completely sunk by the enemy right before their eyes. Such a tragic scene deeply saddened the troops on the ground. If a fierce battle were to take place next, leaving them no time to grieve, it might allow them to vent the anger and pressure that had been building up in their hearts.

However, the expected scenario of "enemy attack, our desperate defense of the port, and fierce fighting" did not occur.

They simply huddled inside their shells like turtles and were bombarded by the enemy for several hours.

Even now, it remains the same.

Inside the command center, Dingle rubbed his tired eyes, then turned to look at Bernhardt, who was sitting in a chair with his hands supporting his forehead.

Dingle shook his head and said:

"The shelling shows no signs of stopping. It doesn't feel like a full-scale attack, yet they're not withdrawing. What's their intention? Intimidation?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Major General Tachino, the commander of the 52nd Division beside him, coughed lightly and said:

"If they don't withdraw, it means they still intend to attack; it's just that the time hasn't come yet."

Dingle nodded slightly and then said, "If they want to attack while we're off guard, they should do so an hour before dawn."

As he spoke, he took out his pocket watch, glanced at it, and continued, "That is, in four hours."

"Maybe."

"Who knows what they're thinking."

"The entire army is on high alert tonight. There's no time to let our guard down. Let alone dawn, as long as the Yan people haven't withdrawn, we'll be on high alert every single day. It doesn't matter how long they drag it out before they attack." The group chatted casually.

Seeing that Bernhardt remained silent and his face was not visible, Dingle stepped forward and whispered beside him, "Sir, the situation isn't particularly urgent right now. The Yan people shouldn't launch a full-scale attack anytime soon, you..."

Before he could finish speaking, Bernhardt suddenly raised his head, his cloudy eyes now bloodshot. He rubbed his forehead vigorously, then looked at the crowd and said:

"Stay alert, everyone. Don't let your guard down just because the Yan people haven't taken any further action."

"They kept shelling, but didn't launch an attack on the dock. They wanted to wear us down and lull us into a false sense of security."

Upon hearing this, everyone straightened up, their expressions turning serious once again.

Dingle swallowed back what he hadn't finished saying.

Bernhardt slowly rose, opened the window a crack, and the rush of cold air cleared his somewhat muddled mind. He stood by the window and continued:

"The Yan people have entered the strait and followed our fleet to the port of Brulo. They are only a few kilometers away from us, which is enough to show that the port of Brulo is a strategic target that they are determined to seize."

"We must not let our guard down!"

"Yes, sir!" The men's expressions hardened, and they answered in unison.

Bernhardt nodded slightly, then walked towards the door, saying, "Never underestimate the enemy's determination."

"They have come from afar to attack us, and their ambitions are now clear. This war will not end so easily."

As soon as he finished speaking, he pushed open the tightly closed door and stepped into the circular corridor outside.

The open corridor was much colder than the warm indoors. A thin layer of snow had accumulated on the ground where it had drifted in earlier. Bernhardt took a deep breath, but the cold air that rushed into his throat made him cough. He covered his mouth and suppressed the cough.

His gaze passed over the corridor railing and looked out to the sea. The Yan Kingdom warships were hidden in the dark ocean. They had turned off their lights long ago and were simply aiming their cannons at the coast, bombarding it relentlessly.

"If I hadn't experienced it firsthand, it would be hard to imagine that they could destroy our navy with just a few hundred warships, leaving us completely unable to retaliate."

As Dingle followed Bernhardt outside, gazing at the sea, he said this, then handed the steaming teacup in his hand to Bernhardt.

Bernhardt did not respond, but silently accepted the cup and held it in his hands.

Dingle glanced into the room, then reached out and closed the door. He then lowered his voice and said:

"Sir, I think we should terminate the plan to treat Yan Kingdom as an overseas colony."

Bernhardt shook his head wearily, then silently turned and looked toward the coastal defense line. The ground was brightly lit, and a large number of soldiers were stationed in the fortifications. Behind these buildings were several defensive lines, each with troops that had been urgently transferred to the front.

As the Yan Kingdom attacked the port of Brulo, troops from all over the country who could come gathered there, and now there are hundreds of thousands of troops surrounding the entire port of Brulo.

The port's defenses were already formidable, and with so many troops guarding it, Bernhardt, despite acknowledging the enemy's high threat level, was more confident that the defenders could keep the enemy at sea.

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