"What... is going on here?"
After capturing the EU base at maximum speed, the western support force did not stop for a moment to rest. They immediately gave chase in the direction the EU army had advanced. But when they finally caught up, they were frozen in place.
As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but wreckage. Flames and thick smoke blocked the warmth of the sun, leaving behind only blood and cruelty.
"Has the support force arrived?" Moving stiffly, sparks and electrical arcs constantly leaping from its frame, it was already at its limit just for the Glasgow to stand steadily.
"Who are you? Which unit are you from?" Seeing the tragic battlefield, the leading reinforcements grew wary. Currently, only the Holy Britannian Empire possessed Knightmares. The Mobile Suits of Yang Hui and Regene Regetta looked very similar to the Glasgow, so they should be allies.
However, they were not exactly the same. There were some differences compared to both the mass-produced Glasgow and Cornelia's personal Knight order Custom Machines, forcing them to be cautious.
Regarding the questioning and vigilance of his allies, Yang Hui was not angry. On the contrary, he was satisfied with their reaction. He opened the cockpit and let them see his face clearly. "I am Hui Y. Britannia, the Fourth Prince of the Empire."
"His Highness the Fourth Prince!" Everyone was shocked. Although Yang Hui was considered a mediocre prince in the Imperial Capital, as Knights, they were required to memorize the appearances of all the princes and princesses. They confirmed his identity at first glance.
"The western artillery unit has been completely wiped out by me, and the command team has been destroyed. However, the enemy's war chariot units are still assaulting my sister's defensive line. Go and support them quickly."
"Yes, Your Highness!" Seeing Yang Hui's Mobile Suit, the commander of the support force didn't even need the Maintenance Squad to inspect it; he could see with his naked eye that it no longer had any combat capability. Therefore, he left some men behind to protect Yang Hui. "Second Platoon, stay behind to protect His Highness the Fourth Prince! The rest of you, follow me to support Princess Cornelia!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
"Sigh, there are times when even I need to be protected." Yang Hui shook his head with a wry smile, but he did not refuse. His Mobile Suit truly could not be used anymore. The battle was not yet over; a single stray bullet could take his life.
"That's why the development of a new generation of Knightmares and superior Mobile Suits is urgent. Mr. Yang Hui, you wouldn't want to scrap a Mobile Suit in every battle, would you?" Regene Regetta teased.
"That's for certain." The development of Mobile Suits definitely needed to be accelerated. The experience of piloting a piece of junk like the Glasgow was indeed terrible. "But... even the best Mobile Suit here is just something to make do with."
The Knightmares of this world, even the top-tier seventh-generation Knightmares of the future, were not enough in Yang Hui's eyes. At most, they were at a C+ level.
"Your Highness, please come with us. We will now escort you to the rear." They were very curious if everything before them was Yang Hui's doing, but right now, Yang Hui's safety was the priority. Without the protection of a Knightmare, standing in the middle of a battlefield in the flesh was far too dangerous.
"No need." Yang Hui sat on the shoulder of the Mobile Suit and calculated the time. "In fifteen minutes, we'll return to headquarters."
From this distance, they could see the air strike units returning. Judging by their numbers and condition, it should have been a complete success. This meant the EU's northern forces were already crippled.
The western army had lost its artillery fire suppression and its command system. They were now a group of headless flies. Fifteen minutes was enough for Cornelia to crush them all.
"But..."
"That is an order."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Although Yang Hui's current military rank was not high, his status as a prince meant that no one dared to disobey his orders.
Fifteen minutes later, Yang Hui and Regene Regetta each jumped onto the protecting Glasgows and headed toward the headquarters. As for their own two Mobile Suits... they were discarded. They were beyond repair anyway.
Just as Yang Hui expected, within fifteen minutes, the remnants of the EU's western forces were scattered by Cornelia. Some were dead, some fled, and some were captured.
When Yang Hui stepped into the headquarters, the originally noisy room fell into a mysterious silence. The gazes fixed on Yang Hui were filled with awe, as if they were looking at a monster.
Before, they had only heard rumors and hadn't seen it with their own eyes. But this time, the radar system showed everything clearly. Two modified Glasgows had charged into the enemy's rear at an abnormal speed. The enemy icons on the radar began losing signals in large batches. In less than ten minutes, the rear artillery units and command system were completely wiped out.
"What are you standing around for? Report the situation!"
"Yes... Yes!"
A sharp shout snapped everyone back to their senses.
"The western enemy forces have been routed. Leaving behind a basic defense force, the rest of our strength has headed to the eastern defensive line..."
"Scout units report that the EU northern army lost 70% of its strength in the air strike. The remaining enemy has begun to retreat..."
"Eastern reinforcements have arrived at the enemy's rear. The enemy is completely surrounded by our forces. Princess Cornelia is personally leading the Knight order in a counter-charge against the enemy..."
"The situation is settled." Knowing the current state of affairs, Yang Hui did not need to take over command for Cornelia.
An hour later, Cornelia led the army back in victory. This "Operation Iskandar" was a complete success, successfully crippling the EU's main forces in Africa.
"Congratulations, sister." As soon as Cornelia returned, Yang Hui congratulated her.
"Mm, it's only just beginning." Cornelia nodded, though she didn't rest. As she said, Operation Iskandar was just the start. Next, she would begin her path of conquest.
"Then I'll go rest."
"Alright."
Cornelia did not object to Yang Hui resting. His contribution was already sufficient. Not long after arriving on the African battlefield, he had broken the stalemate and secured the opportunity for the Empire to fully occupy Africa.
If Yang Hui had taken the initiative to request further participation in the war, Cornelia would have agreed. After all, Yang Hui's skills could significantly speed up the occupation of Africa.
But if Yang Hui chose not to participate, she wouldn't object either. Furthermore, Yang Hui's current military merits were already astonishing. Any more would be a bit excessive. If he, who was already shining brightly, became even more dazzling, he might sting many people's eyes. They both understood the principle that "too much is as bad as not enough."
...
Over the course of a month, the Holy Britannian Empire's army was unstoppable, sending the EU forces scurrying. The defensive lines established with great effort were easily broken through by the Imperial army. In just one month, the EU lost two-thirds of its Occupied Zone and was forced to bow its head to the Empire.
"Peace talks?"
"Yes. The total collapse on the African battlefield not only caused the EU to lose its African Occupied Zone but even led to turmoil in their homeland. Grand Duke Augustus Henry Highland led his four major Knight orders in a fierce offensive, seizing a significant amount of territory. The EU high command has panicked."
"Grand Duke Highland certainly lives up to his reputation."
The EU seeking peace was expected, but Yang Hui hadn't anticipated they would bow to the Empire so quickly. Simply losing Africa wouldn't have impacted the EU enough to make them surrender; their homeland's power could still contend with the Empire.
But since Grand Duke Augustus Henry Highland, the Grand Duke of the Europe region, had taken action, it was a different story. He had become a Grand Duke years ago through military merit, and his current territories were all conquered by his own hands.
The four major Knight orders under him were elites. With the African defeat and the internal turmoil within the EU, Grand Duke Augustus Henry Highland seized this fleeting opportunity.
"Yes, none of the Empire's Grand Dukes should be underestimated. But this is for the best. This war has lasted long enough; it's time for it to end," Cornelia said.
"Then I must congratulate you, sister. This place will likely become your territory, won't it?"
"Forget it. I have no interest in territories."
Obtaining one's own territory was, for anyone in the Empire, the ultimate power and honor. With your own territory, you truly possessed your own strength. Even if you were mediocre for the rest of your life, you could still be a king in your own land.
But Cornelia didn't care at all about being a landed lord. Her ambitions were not something that could be satisfied by a single territory.
"But you can only accept it." Yang Hui shrugged. "Africa was conquered by you; it can only be ruled by you. No one else can handle it."
"...Tch!"
"And sister, if you want to compete with Brother Schneizel, you need to have your own strength. Just an army isn't enough," Yang Hui said to Cornelia. "The Imperial Capital belongs to the old man. Even if Brother Schneizel has carved out a sizable 'territory,' that's just what he thinks. The other occupied lands already have masters. The families rooted in those lands for over a hundred years are not easy to deal with. Only this new land offers an opportunity."
"..."
"You want to keep fighting, but right now the Empire has no ongoing wars, and you have nowhere to go. Isn't it a good time to stay behind and learn how to govern the people? You can't just fight forever, can you?"
"Tch, governing people is something that can be left to subordinates. Worst case..."
"I refuse." Seeing Cornelia looking at him with interest, Yang Hui didn't even need to think to know what she was planning. He refused directly before she could speak.
"Is that so? That's not up to you."
"Don't forget, sister, I'm returning to the country soon."
"...Tch, you little fox!"
"Right back at you."
After a sudden silence of about a minute, Cornelia spoke again: "When you return this time, be careful. Someone is already watching you."
"Don't worry. In the Imperial Capital, no one can do anything to me yet."
"...Don't forget Consort Marianne."
"Of course I won't forget." At the mention of Marianne, the playful smile on Yang Hui's face vanished without a trace. There were some people he didn't dare move against, but that didn't mean he wouldn't strike back if they came looking for trouble.
If those people dared to come, Yang Hui would let them know the meaning of agony.
"Good, as long as you know. The imperial order will arrive in a couple of days, and then you'll have to leave. If you have anything unfinished, get it done quickly."
"Gilbert..."
"Don't even think about it!"
"Fine, then there's nothing else."
Yang Hui shrugged and stood up to leave. But just as he reached the door, Cornelia called out to him: "Yang Hui, what exactly is your goal?"
"..." Silent for two seconds, Yang Hui tilted his head, revealing a profile and a half-wicked smile. "Why don't you guess?"