"Sir, all units are in position. The Yan people seem to be planning to attack the port, but we will repel them here." Dingle approached Bernhardt, trying to shift the old man's focus to the impending battle.
He knew that Burnhead must be feeling extremely guilty at that moment.
Based on the currently confirmed information, the Black Powder Fleet hastily returned to port with only about three hundred warships, and behind them was the Yan Kingdom fleet. It is easy to guess where the other warships went.
'Because of my misjudgment, so many people died in battle...'
Just as Dingle had guessed, Bernhardt was so consumed by intense self-reproach that he couldn't shake off the words that had been echoing in his mind ever since the major came in to deliver the message.
When the fleet set sail from the port of Bruno, Bernhardt personally saw them off. At that time, there were more than 900 warships, carrying nearly 160,000 troops, including three divisions.
Now only 30% of the warships have returned, and they are all battleships. So how many people have died at sea because of this wrong decision?
He recalled his conversation with Commander Chick of the Ironwall Fleet on the night of their departure, and now every word Chick uttered felt like a bullet aimed at Bernhardt.
Self-blame, guilt, and an intense sense of remorse overwhelmed Bernhardt, making it impossible for him to remain calm. He teetered on the brink of collapse, almost completely broken.
“Sir.” Dingle, who had walked to Bernhardt’s side, reached out and helped him up.
In a daze, Bernhardt heard Dingle say:
"Sir, we must focus on the battle at hand."
"The battle is not over yet."
"This is our most important port, and behind us lies our homeland. We have never been attacked by the enemy here. Whether it is those who have already sacrificed their lives or those of us standing here now, we are all prepared to sacrifice ourselves."
"But before we sacrifice ourselves, we must defend our country and never let the enemy take a single step."
Bernhardt gradually snapped out of his daze, his back hunched, his head drooping, and tears welling up in his eyes.
Then, he took a deep breath and said, trembling, from his tightly pressed lips:
"Alright, let's win this battle."
"For those...who have died."
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