Episode 200 The Crusade of the Abyss – Preparation for the Battle (1)
In the end, it has come.
When the Abyss Corporation officially declared war and entered war against the Eastern Empire, all countries in the Central Continent held their breath and watched the war of demons that had begun for the first time in 400 years.
However, even though the human nations were tense for a while, nothing happened in the central continent.
The Eastern Empire has its capital city, Tsargrad, in its central continental territory, but its fleet is so small that it is unlikely to be able to deal with Ras’ fleet. Similarly, the Abyss Corporation did not choose to directly attack Tsargrad, which was protected by a powerful coastal fortress. .
In the end, even after the start of the war, no significant news was delivered for a long time, and it was too quiet to feel the war, so naturally, the attention of the Central Continent countries faded away.
…Perhaps this is why the demons intentionally did not attack the central continental territories of the Eastern Empire.
However, Revolutionary Francia was the only country in the central continent that had diplomatic relations with the Eastern Empire, and was in the process of understanding the situation of the war to some extent through Christine’s National Intelligence Service.
And so we were taking this situation seriously.
* * *
Half a year after the start of the war, Lumière, the capital of Francia.
A meeting was being held in the National Assembly to discuss the war situation of the Eastern Empire.
“So, how many drones are said to be in operation by the Abyss Corporation?”
Christine, who was asked a question by a member of the National Assembly, slightly tilted her head and answered slowly.
“It is impossible to estimate accurately. “The Eastern Empire tries to hide the war situation as much as possible, and the agents of the National Intelligence Service are excellent, but the time lag for their reports to reach you is very large.”
We were slowly becoming aware of the true nature of the Eastern Empire through national intelligence agents dispatched to the Eastern Empire through open or secret routes.
Their words were not empty words.
Their territory is larger than that of the Iberica Peninsula to the westernmost part of the Eastern Empire, and their population is so vast that it is not even comparable to that of Francia.
Thanks to this, by the time the reports from the agents Christine had infiltrated arrived, there was already a time gap of nearly two months with the local news, which was causing problems in our understanding of the current situation and delaying our response.
In addition, the attitude of the Eastern Empire, which, perhaps due to its prestige, kept making claims that differed from our understanding of the war situation, also added to the confusion.
Honestly, if it weren’t for Christine, an information warfare expert, the time it took us to properly understand the situation would have increased exponentially.
Or was he completely misjudging the situation of the war by only hearing about the Eastern Empire?
“However, based on estimates of reports so far, it is estimated that the Abyss Corporation operates a drone army of at least 500,000 people and is devastating the eastern part of the Eastern Empire. “It is based on the time the last report was received, so it is possible that the number has increased further.”
“500,000…! “Weren’t all the drones destroyed on the Iberica Peninsula?”
“It is certain that at least all of the drones that appeared on the Iberica Peninsula were destroyed. “I saw it with my own eyes, and there are countless witnesses in the revolutionary army.”
The members of the National Assembly must have also received the report, and I myself fought the drones with my Crocs brothers.
I had hoped that because of that failure, Abyss Corporation would give up drone technology itself.
Unless Gremory deceived me, the succubus also seemed to have expected that, but unfortunately it doesn’t seem to have turned out that way.
“Then where on earth did you get such a large army? “It must have been expelled from the Iberica Peninsula. Where can we get the materials to create such a terrible creature?”
President Nicola Brissot asked, unable to hide his disgust.
As a relatively gentle and moderate person, he couldn’t possibly like such a terrifying weapon just by hearing about it.
Needless to say, I have experienced it myself.
“There are two possible cases.”
Christine calmly opened her mouth with her unique deep, black eyes shining.
“first. Abyss Corporation has succeeded in replicating drones. … Unfortunately, there is no way for us to respond in this case. “This is a war against a country that can produce such weapons indefinitely, so I honestly don’t see a chance of winning.”
All of the lawmakers drooled and swallowed dry saliva.
“Then shouldn’t we reconsider our policy of being hostile toward the Abyss Corporation even now?”
“After all the boasting, the Eastern Empire will fall in an instant.”
As they started muttering stories among themselves, Christine drew attention again by hitting her palm with a loud sound with the fan in her hand.
“But that’s the worst possible assumption, and even if such technology existed, there’s no way we wouldn’t use any resources. In any case, it is an objective fact that the Abyss Corporation is currently prioritizing war against the country that we estimate has the most drone ‘materials’, and at the same time is trying to avoid attracting the attention of the Central Continent.”
Christine added after a slight pause.
“Secondly, our assumed source is the New World.”
Beyond the western ocean is a continent said to have been discovered by the Abyss Corporation.
While the Central Continent was raging at war with each other, they discovered the New Continent, and for the first time, new local specialties and information from the natives flowed in.
At some point, I thought it was all nonsense or that there was less to be saved than expected because it suddenly stopped working… but
it seems they have monopolized it and developed it as an outpost.
“If we say that they are supplementing their drones with natives living in the New World and ‘droneizing’ the residents in the occupied territories of the Eastern Empire, then it is possible to explain why they are operating such a large number of troops.”
“Hmm, maybe I should call that hopeful.”
“I definitely think that would make more sense.”
While the lawmakers were talking loudly, President Maurice Talleyrand opened his mouth.
“The Eastern Empire has already requested reinforcements three times. “It’s proof that they are that desperate.”
“Tsk! Then what should I do! “According to the Intelligence Bureau’s investigation, despite the fact that they are suffering crushing defeats in the east, aren’t they demanding participation in the war, saying they can win?”
“It’s enough for them to say with their own words, ‘We are not in a situation where we are winning alone.’ The problem is…”
Talleyrand smiled bitterly and turned his gaze towards me.
“If we join the war, will it be possible to win against those demonic forces?”
“It’s impossible in a ground war.”
I spoke clearly, and the council members’ complexions became even darker.
“In reality, there is no means to move the revolutionary army, and the way to supply it is even more distant. “Since our military system is different from that of the Eastern Empire, we will have to provide supplies, but as soon as we enter the war, the sea route will be blocked by Ra’s company’s fleet.”
The Germania Empire will not block the land route if the enemy is the Abyss Corporation, but when it comes to supply, the farther the distance is, the more the amount needed increases exponentially.
The supply soldiers also need to eat, and livestock such as horses are needed to carry supplies, and the longer the distance to travel, the more the amount of food to feed them increases explosively.
But crossing the continent with that? It can’t be possible.
No matter how great a general or an ambitious warmonger he is, there is nothing he can do about a starving and exhausted army.
“Even if it is possible to enter the Eastern Empire, it is more difficult to move troops to their Far Eastern territory, which is currently being ravaged. That’s probably the reason why the Eastern Empire is losing one battle after another.”
The capital of the Eastern Empire is in the eastern part of the central continent, but by their standards, it is completely biased towards the extreme west.
It makes no sense for such a huge country to have balanced development, and since all of its major infrastructure is located in the west, it would be helpless on the battlefield far from the capital.
The population and size of the army of the Eastern Empire are enormous, but the ability to properly project that enormous power to the Far East is another matter.
If they can’t project their own power properly, what difference will sending in revolutionary troops make?
“It’s not like the Eastern Empire doesn’t know that, and then it’s polite…”
Count Anjou, who was fiddling with his beard, slowly furrowed his eyebrows and opened his mouth.
“I guess you’re asking me to cooperate with the invasion of the Abyss Corporation’s mainland?”
“you’re right. At least considering the current situation, it will be difficult to reverse the current situation even if the revolutionary army is dispatched to the Eastern Empire.”
Now everyone’s eyes were on Christine.
Abyss Corporation’s invasion of the mainland.
In order to achieve this, of course, you have to break through Las Corporation’s fleet.
The Eastern Empire proposed a combined fleet operation for that purpose.
Christine opened her mouth with a calm expression.
“First of all, there is a significant difference from what the Eastern Empire proposed before the start of the war.”
And a serious problem arose in that operation.
“Judging from the attitude of the Eastern Empire and the facts learned by the Intelligence Bureau, it appears that the Blue Dragon Fleet that the Eastern Empire had promised to send to Franzian territory was virtually annihilated.”
“What…”
“Wasn’t that the most powerful fleet in the Eastern Empire?”
“As expected, it was a ridiculous idea to engage in a confrontation with Ras Corporation’s fleet!”
Before the lawmakers got noisy again, Christine made a thudding sound with her fan to attract attention.
“However, it is clear that Lass’ fleet also suffered significant damage in that engagement.”
“This is a naval battle that took place on the other side of the continent. How can you be sure, Count of Aquitaine?”
Christine smiled softly at the question that immediately came to her mind.
“Because the Hyunmoo Fleet, which is in charge of their Far East, won the first battle and absorbed the remaining ships of the Blue Dragon Fleet, so it still maintains control of the sea.”
“Hyeonmu Fleet? hmm. “It was the Far East Defense Fleet, right?”
The fleet that the Eastern Empire was most proud of was the Blue Dragon Fleet, which defended its southern coastline, but there was also the Hyeonmu Fleet, which defended the Far East.
In fact, the much-vaunted Blue Dragon Fleet was destroyed, but only the Hyeonmu Fleet survived.
“Does it make sense that the Eastern Empire is protecting its control over the seas, but the Abyss Corporation is attacking with over 500,000 troops?”
“We haven’t figured out the principle yet. After winning the fleet battle against the Blue Dragon Fleet and successfully landing for the first time, the Abyss Corporation has never made any move to supply supplies through the sea. “After consulting with the Magic Tower, I found out that they are kind of…”
Christine slightly tilted her head and added.
“…I am assuming that it is being distributed through something like a magic circle for instantaneous movement between continents.”
“Huh, instantaneous transportation of supplies to operate 500,000 troops? “And beyond the continent?”
When President Nicola Brissot let out a laugh, Christine shrugged her shoulders and responded.
“Given the characteristics of the drones reported by the Marquis de Lafayette, they do not require a lot of supplies for supply, so it would be possible. However, it is true that despite the obvious obstruction of the sea, troops are continuously being replenished and the offensive is continuing.”
The lawmakers began talking among themselves.
“I can’t believe it. “Do you have that kind of technology?”
“Considering what Abyss Corporation has shown so far…”
After a moment of commotion, President Talleyrand asked.
“The important thing is this. So, do you have any chance of winning, Admiral of the Franzian Navy?”
“The Hyunmu Fleet is led by Admiral Lee and is said to have won the first naval battle against the fleet of the Abyss Corporation. Of course, this may have been possible because Ras Company’s main force was concentrated towards the Blue Dragon Fleet, but seeing that it is still maintaining control of the sea even after the major defeat of the Blue Dragon Fleet, its capabilities and ability to maintain the fleet can be seen as verified.”
Christine was silent for a moment and then opened her mouth.
“Anyway, the Eastern Empire knows that protecting the eastern seas has already lost its meaning, so all the fleets that survived as planned. In other words, they plan to send Admiral Lee and the entire main force of the Hyunmu Fleet to Franzia.”
And if that happens, the entire remaining navy of the Eastern Empire and Francia’s fleet will face off against Rassa’s fleet, which has suffered considerable damage.
And it’s not just us.
Christine turned her gaze towards me and I stood up.
“Once the Abyss Corporation devours the Eastern Empire, then no one will be able to stop them.”
“Big…”
There are already 500,000 drones.
How much would it be if the entire Eastern Empire was consumed? 1 million? No, it must be at least 10 million.
An army of tens of millions that moves without pain or fear and does not get tired. What kind of country can prevent that?
They must stop here.
“It’s not just Francia and the Eastern Empire. “After unifying the Iberica Peninsula, the Iberian Brotherhood declared the Abyss Corporation as their main enemy and has been steadily training its navy through a technology exchange agreement with the French Navy.”
“Well, you mean we can send them to war too?”
“yes. As the brother of their king Crox, I am confident that they will help us. “It’s not just them, right, President Talleyrand?”
Talleyrand, who caught my gaze, smiled and replied.
“yes. Over the past six months, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been laying the groundwork to attract other countries as much as possible. We will have to work a little harder to achieve full results, but we have time while the Eastern Empire’s fleet reaches the central continent, so if we do well, we will be able to enlist the cooperation of the continent’s countries against the demons for the first time in 400 years.”
As Talleyrand turned his gaze, all the eyes of the National Assembly members turned to Christine.
Christine quietly closed her eyes while their gazes were focused, and then opened her mouth, revealing her pitch-black eyes.
“There is a chance. This may be our first and last chance to win against those demons.”
