"Do you two mean to abandon the strategically important Star Islands?" As soon as Chick finished speaking, Bernhardt, the supreme commander of the 12th Division opposite him, said coldly.
Among the many officers present, Bernhardt was the most senior. He was an old man with graying temples and wrinkles on his face as if slashed by a knife and axe. Although he was over sixty years old, he still stood up straight, like a sharp knife.
Upon hearing this, Sebastian touched his nose, his face slightly lowered, and spoke before Chik could:
"It's just that we have to consider the risks when making this assumption."
“After all, we don’t have many battleships available for naval battles in our fleet right now; most of them are transport ships.” As he spoke, Sebastian turned his gaze to Chik.
Having received the meaning conveyed by that gaze, Chick leaned forward, placing his hands on the table as he spoke:
"As you all know, since the defeat in the first battle in the South China Sea, the fleet that Commander Edelman led on the expedition is the strongest combat force that our navy can currently muster."
"It now seems that Commander Edelman and the fleet have probably met with misfortune."
"Currently, we have more transport ships at hand, all of which are manufactured according to the Emperor's requirements. The shipyard is now focusing on building large transport ships."
"If the Star Islands haven't fallen, then sending our army to provide support is of course an urgent matter. But if they have already fallen, then we'll have to force our way onto the islands and fight amidst the firepower of the Yan Kingdom. Of course, it's also possible that we'll encounter the Yan Kingdom's fleet halfway through our deployment. In either case, you can imagine..."
He paused for a moment, then looked up and glanced around before saying:
“We will suffer heavy casualties, and the soldiers will die in vain before they even have a chance to play a role.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Lieutenant General Gabriel, commander of the 32nd Division, shut his mouth. The anger rising in his heart had turned his face red and his hands were clenched into fists. However, he also knew that Cheek's hypothesis was not without reason.
However, the garrison on the Star Islands must be struggling to hold on at this moment, and it would be unreasonable to just abandon them.
The others also realized the problem, and everyone frowned with serious expressions.
Chick sighed softly, then continued:
"When the Yan Kingdom's fleet came to attack the Star Islands and began landing, we were already in a very passive position."
"If our fleet now consists mostly of battleships, then we..."
He stopped mid-sentence, for he keenly sensed several displeased gazes directed at him. These were from several army officers, former close associates of the Emperor.
The shipyard's decision to primarily build large transport ships was an order personally given by the Emperor. Saying this now was obviously questioning the Emperor, so Chick shut his mouth and didn't say anything more.
"Immediately organize reinforcements and strive to depart tonight!"
Suddenly, a loud voice rang out, and everyone looked at the speaker.
Bernhardt gave the order; his face was serious, and his eyes held an unquestionable gaze as he slowly scanned everyone's faces.
He continued:
"Of course we have to consider the risks, that's absolutely right."
"But the Star Islands are our strategic location, and there is an army on the islands that is determined to fight to the death. To give up the Star Islands so easily would be irresponsible to the Emperor and the country!"
He looked at Chik and then said in a deep voice:
"As for your point about sacrificing in vain, how can sacrifice be avoided in a war?"
"Was our army already invincible at the beginning of the Emperor's reign? How many battles have we fought where we won with fewer troops and against stronger opponents? Isn't it the sacrifice of countless people that brought us to the empire we have today?"
"Because of the fear of sacrificing our lives and causing the fall of the Star Islands, should we give way again after the Yan people enter the Brando Strait? When they land, should we retreat dozens of kilometers away again?"
Bernhardt's every word was like a knife piercing Chick's face. His expression grew increasingly grim, and just as he was about to retort, Bernhardt waved his hand and said:
"Alright, Chick, I know your concerns, and I'm not criticizing you."
"These days are a time of national celebration. I don't want the news of the Star Islands being conquered by the Yan Kingdom to reach Salvia. That would only plunge our people into despair."
"The new journey of the empire cannot begin in a state of dejection."
"Our nation should be full of fighting spirit and positive attitude; that's what we Goths are all about!"
If the atmosphere in the meeting room was negative and gloomy before, after Bernhardt's words, most people shook off their dejection and became more positive.
"We must provide support! The Yan Kingdom caught us off guard, and we should catch them off guard too!"
"They are engaged in fierce fighting, and the Yan Kingdom's homeland cannot provide assistance, but we can continuously provide aid! This is our advantage!"
Urgent voices rang out, which excited Matthias, who had come to ask for help.
Sebastian scratched his neck in frustration. He was the vice commander of the Black Powder Fleet. If Commander Gustav were present, he wouldn't be in this predicament. But Gustav had gone to Salibia to celebrate the grand event, and he wouldn't be back for at least twenty days.
Now that things have come to this, he has no choice but to turn his attention to Chick again.
Seeing the fighting spirit displayed by everyone present, Chick knew that further words were useless. In the end, reason prevailed over emotion, and he could only nod helplessly.
“Alright, General Bernhardt.”
"My fleet is already waiting in the port. You can decide which troops will go into battle. We will set sail immediately after they board the ships."
Finally, he muttered to himself, "Hopefully it's not too late..." Of course, only he could hear this murmur.
After Bernhardt's order was given, the response was swift. That very night, troops began boarding the warships one after another. Both fleets in the strait were put to use, and the fleet returning from the Star Islands also joined in.
An unprecedentedly large fleet of ships, fully loaded with army troops, departed from the port in the middle of the night, heading towards the Star Islands.
Correspondingly, the Yan Kingdom fleet, after completing the capture of the Starry Islands on December 26, rested for a day and set sail on December 28.
Sailing day and night at full speed, they will enter the Brando Strait at dawn on December 29th.
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