Looking at Hestia's expression, Skadi wasn't surprised.
When he analyzed the battle briefing, he was just as shocked as she was. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have believed it.
Because of the existence of General Roselle, she had special authority. She looked through the black box data of all the wrecked fleets and carefully analyzed the strategies used by each fleet when encountering the Skeleton Princess. Although it was incomplete, she learned a lot.
Skadi continued, "I borrowed my father's authority to review every black box data from the wrecked fleet. Although incomplete, it made me realize how terrifying and powerful the Mukurohime is. Hestia, have you checked the black box data?"
Hestia nodded. "I saw it too. The Skeleton Princess's fighting power is terrifying. When the sisters encountered her, they used conventional tactics. At least in my opinion, there wasn't much of a problem with their handling of the situation."
After hearing Hestia's words, Skadi nodded. She returned to her seat, picked up her coffee, and flipped through a document. "I've reviewed the black box data records five or six times. There's nothing wrong with the tactics used by the sisters. From experience, there's no problem."
"Success is due to experience, but failure is also due to experience. Over-reliance on past experience has led to a loss of bold imagination about the enemy and a lack of accurate assessment of both sides' strength. However, this is not the sisters' fault. After all, they faced an enemy they had never encountered before, with unfathomable strength, so mistakes were inevitable."
"But, look, Commander, this was also his first encounter with Mukurohime, yet your accurate assessment of the enemy's situation, both sides, and your precise control of the situation were far superior. Most importantly, although the tactics you used were ancient, they were highly effective."
"Before taking up his post at sea, the commander must have reviewed the black box data, just like the rest of us. So, he couldn't have been unaware of the power and formidable nature of Mukurohime. However, the commander possesses an adventurous spirit unlike most. His fighting style differs from that of the sisters, who tend to be more conservative, their fear of the enemy having robbed them of the courage to fight."
"Hestia, you should know full well that losing courage on the battlefield not only robs one of judgment, but can also lead to a stress reaction during combat, resulting in numerous mistakes. But the commander, far from losing his judgment due to fear, is actually daring to fight, to fight, and to take risks! He also dares to imagine the enemy's strength and to assess and judge both our own and theirs."
"These things alone are enough for us dancers to learn for many years. Hestia, let me ask you, if your positions were reversed and you and your commander had the same fighting power, would you dare to fight?"
This last part struck a chord with Hestia. She gently rested her chin on her hand, pondering as she walked to the sofa and slowly sat down. After a long pause, she sighed, "Yes... We're currently observing from a God's perspective, a spectator's perspective after the fact. We can only think the commander's tactics were simple and unremarkable."
"But after comparing them, if the positions were reversed, I'm afraid no one could be as calm as the commander. If it were me, in that situation, the first thing I would probably think of would be to retreat as quickly as possible, then call for help from headquarters, and use my numerical superiority to suppress the Mukurohime. Only such a tactic would give me peace of mind."
Skadi did not think there was anything shameful about this answer. On the contrary, this was the most rational and reasonable decision that a normal dancer captain would make. After all, people only have one life. Who would easily risk their own life and the lives of their subordinates?
Skadi took a sip of coffee and sighed, "Hestia, let alone you, even if it were me, I would do the same thing as you."
Hestia was stunned. This was the first time that her thoughts were in sync with Skadi's. After hearing Skadi's words, her mood suddenly became like the sky after the clouds parted, like the clear night sky, and even the moonlight became moving.
Hestia covered her mouth and smiled softly. "It's rare that you and I can agree. Tell me, is it because the commander is here that our relationship has improved?"
Skadi rolled her eyes at her: "Who knows..."
The two smiled at each other, and the gloomy atmosphere in the office was swept away because of the topic about Wu Jie.
Skadi paused and continued, "That's why I said our commander is no ordinary man. He's bold in his strategy and dares to put opponents of unequal power on an equal footing. This is what we should learn from."
Hestia heard this and quickly said, "Don't do that. Commander, you have the guts to take that risk, but I wouldn't. I'd rather be honest and conservative. Even if I can't win, at least I can survive."
When Skadi heard her words, she chuckled: "This is really like your style..."
At this point in the conversation, neither of them spoke.
Skadi thought for a moment, then looked out the window at the setting sun. She said, "Hestia, promise me that you will survive when this war is over. I don't care about my parents' past. I know everything you've done for me. I know that everything I have now is due to you. So, whether you're angry or mad at me, I've never blamed you, because my appearance took away the part that should have belonged to you..."
Skadi's sudden words shocked Hestia.
"Hestia, after the war, I would like to invite you to my house. Let's go to Yellowstone Park to watch the sunrise together, go to Bryce Canyon in winter to see the snow scenery together, and go to the Golden Gate Bridge to witness the history of our mankind..." When she said this, tears welled up in Skadi's eyes.
Hestia's mood at the moment was complicated and indescribable. This was the first time that Skadi had opened her heart to her. It turned out that she knew everything she had done and cared about her so much.
Hestia was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes. Skadi's resignation made Hestia feel guilty. She wiped the tears away and said with a choked voice, "Don't say such unlucky things, Skadi. This is not like you."
She stood up and walked to Skadi. She suddenly remembered Picasso's "The Embrace". She opened her arms, showing an angelic smile. Her pretty face with tears was touching, as if all the contradictions were resolved at this moment.
Skadi stared at Hestia blankly. At this moment, the setting sun was reflecting a dazzling ray of light from the clouds at the end of the ocean. Hestia was like a goddess of incomparable beauty in mythology, full of love and tolerance.
"Hestia..."
The two of them hugged each other tightly, their faces filled with gentle smiles...
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