Him and their stars.

Chapter 1973 The superiors began to cry
The words of the high-ranking star officer Hermissa were not confirmed until about two hours later.

That was a picture taken by a reconnaissance ship that was close to the galaxy.

The ship still maintained its appearance as an Alliance Titan ship, and had already climbed out of the planet's atmosphere. Although it was avoiding the planet's defensive artillery fire, the ship's movements always gave it a sense of leisurely strolling.

To be honest, the sight of the Alliance's warships, even if they were just skinned, hovering over the Empire's inhabited planet was actually quite disheartening. Anyway, Sobek really felt that many people's blood pressure had risen.

However, when the image was zoomed in to the atmosphere and focused on the largest city on the planet's surface, the magnificent imperial palace complex in the center of the city naturally stood out. The area of ​​the palace complex was comparable to that of a small city, with magnificent towers and palaces connected by ingeniously designed carved beams and painted pillars.

It's not just the Galactic Empire. Magnificent palace-style buildings from various civilizations are scattered among the palace complex without any sense of incongruity.

A hundred-meter-long jade-green city wall looks like it is made entirely of jade. It is elegant and spectacular. It not only protects the palace complex, but also covers large tracts of lakes, forests and mountains.

To be honest, in this cosmic age, a palace wall that is 100 meters long cannot have any military value. But for the owner of the palace, the palace wall clearly divides the noble from the humble, so of course its emotional value is maximized.

That is naturally the Golden Feather Palace, the palace of King Sleen, a huge building that can serve as a standard template for a wonder that can ruin a country.

However, this magnificent wonder is on fire.

"Real-time footage taken half a minute ago by Vice Admiral Nobov's reconnaissance ship," the communications officer reported. "It is said that gunfire was heard inside the palace."

"So, the enemy has landed at the palace? Where are the palace guards? Didn't they say there were six brigades of armored grenadiers?" Sobek asked loudly.

He certainly didn't get a definite answer.

The communications officer looked confused and said carefully, "Communications within the planet have been cut off. We are no longer able to communicate with Count Daixia and all the units in Schlumberg."

Sobaek looked at the star-viewing officer, Ms. Hemisa, behind the screen with a pleading look.

"You are the commander, you must follow your heart. Only in this way can you grasp the bright destiny of the galaxy! Come on, General." Xing Jianguan encouraged expressionlessly. Then he pulled up his hood to cover his face and turned off the screen.

Sobaek was stunned and looked at Miss Serlu again.

The Viscountess felt a little jealous, but she felt sorry for the other person's pitiful appearance, so she just laughed dryly and said, "I just hope we can get there in time."

Captain Pegsay nodded as if to give his approval: "Anyway, the formation work has been completed and we have all set off. We still have to respect the work of Major General Bogenlund!"

Indeed, at this time, the Sobek fleet had also set sail and was accelerating towards the Slumburg galaxy.

If everything goes well, the Sobaik fleet, which is mainly composed of high-speed warships, should be able to reach King Sleen's territory within 12 hours if it leaves behind various auxiliary ships and marches lightly.

Therefore, under the command of Major General Bogenlen, an expert in fleet formation, all the battlecruisers, aircraft carriers, heavy cruisers, and the only dragon boat were gathered together and formed into a long-distance raid team, and began to rush towards Schlumberg.

As for whether the remaining auxiliary and escort ships would become prey to the enemy, everyone thought this was a possibility. The scary "ghost" might be able to transform, become invisible, and race, but it had not yet shown the ability to clone itself.

However, then again, if this ghost battleship can really transform into three pure ones, then there is no need for us to put in any effort to resist, we can just go to sleep and wait for death.

Of course, to be on the safe side, Sobek ordered Hatcher and Athlone, two prudent veterans, to take the fleet back to Glory for rest and recuperation. There were fortresses, fleets, artillery batteries, and docks there, and it was perhaps the safest galaxy within a thousand light years.

Anyway, after more than a month of day and night pursuit, it is indeed necessary for small and medium-sized ships to undergo a certain degree of maintenance.

Just like that, the Sobek fleet of 200 warships began to split up. If he was in the Diamond Nebula, he would definitely not be able to do such a thing.

In short, when the current situation is not yet completely clear, Sobaek did not choose the approach that seems to be the most correct or forward-looking, but chose the approach that is least wrong.

As for the statement that "Golden Feather Palace is gone", although Sister Xing Jianguan said that she was joking, no one dared to take it lightly.

Viscount Serlu sent a notification to the friendly forces around him, and at the same time, he transformed everyone's analysis and judgment into suggestions that could be shared with the friendly forces.

She also hoped to have a fleet that could get stuck in the waterway between Schlumberg and Ironclad in advance to complete the mission of intercepting the "Ghost" for her.

However, no one responded. After all, the fleets nearby all belonged to the Gate of Glory, and they were all considered to be the old subordinates of King Sleen. None of them could bear the stigma of "ignoring the safety of the bloodline of the previous king".

No matter whether it is useful or not, no matter whether you can make it in time or not, at least you have to show your attitude.

"How can we count on others for something we can't do?" Sobaike comforted everyone. "Besides, maybe the Golden Feather Palace can really hold on?"

"Yes, after all, they are six brigades of armored grenadiers!" Miss Serlu also forced a smile.

"Yes, even if there are six brigades of pigs, they can't catch them all in 12 hours." Captain Pegsay also said. This anti-establishment element will still stand with everyone when doing serious work.

"I can." Miss Hermissa, the star-viewing officer, said, "We can't catch them all, so killing them all should be fine."

After realizing that everyone was looking at her again, she added expressionlessly, "Just kidding."

Sobek said, "In fact, it won't take 12 hours. Vice Admiral Nobov will be able to sense it in just 4 hours. He has a dreadnought and three battlecruisers. Even if he can't deal with the Ghost, he can try to hold out until the rest of the reinforcements arrive."

"But what if we can't do it? Intelligence shows that there was no fighting in the city, and the explosions and gunshots did happen directly in the Golden Feather Palace. Can the guards of the Golden Feather Palace hold out for four hours alone?"

The one who was persuaded was the worried Shameen, whose expression was extremely sincere and he didn't seem to be argumentative at all.

However, Sobaek was still speechless on the spot.

Even if they can't hold out, it will be the unfortunate Sleen royal family that will be wiped out, and our fleet that has done its best to rush to support them has fulfilled its duty.

Everyone knew this, but with Sobaek's shamelessness, he couldn't say it openly.

It turns out that I haven’t practiced enough!
Shameen then sighed again: "Well, at least I can collect as much data as possible about the ghosts at my own expense. As an imperial soldier, I get what I want, right? Yes, it's a good way to end it."

This outstanding young knight is really becoming more and more mature, but the inexplicable attribute of being melancholy about the passing of time is still quite a headache.

Then again, this guy shouldn't have any self-destructive tendencies, right?

Sobek's worries were eventually covered up in the hasty and tense march. He was actually a little worried. He asked himself, if he could really get there in time and stop that person, would he really have the courage to face him?
Can the ten battlecruisers and one dragon boat under his command really fight against that terrifying ghost?
Of course, the dreadnought of Vice Admiral Nobov would be the first to be confronted. He was indeed a veteran of the Gate of Glory Fleet, an old subordinate of the previous King Slenn, and he was truly loyal and unyielding!

I wish him good luck in military affairs.

However, three and a half hours later, just after the Sobek fleet had completed a jump, he received information from his colleagues, who came from Lieutenant General Nobov.

The veteran, who was over seventy years old, was of medium build, with gray but neatly trimmed hair and beard, a strong facial contour, and a pair of bright dark brown eyes. In every way, he fitted the image of a typical old Tirillo soldier.

Even at this time, he saluted Sobek meticulously, and then smiled bitterly: "We are already late. This is the latest real-time picture taken by the reconnaissance boat."

What caught Sobek's sight was the burning Golden Feather Palace. To be honest, such a national wonder... no, a magnificent and beautiful landmark building struggling and twisting in the blazing flames is really a strong impact.

Some people feel sad, others feel happy. But Sobek felt both. He shuddered and quickly shook off his wild thoughts: "Schlumberg fell?"

"No, it's just that the Golden Feather Palace fell. Earl Dai Xia died in the battle." said the veteran.

"Really? What a pity." Sobek showed a hint of grief and mourning. After all, he was not familiar with the lady, and this was the limit he could do.

Moreover, compared to himself, Lieutenant General Nobov didn't even show symbolic sadness.

Is this the relationship between the former king's lover and his old subordinates? This love-hate relationship should also be a wonderful story, right?

Of course, as one piece of land completely disappears, this story will eventually return to dust.

"So, the troops that landed are from Earth?"

General Nobov's face was still heavy and distressed. "It's impossible to be sure. The video images we received, whether from the palace or the city, did not capture the complete appearance of the enemy. We did see some bouncing balloons."

"balloon?"

"The picture is too blurry. Perhaps it's some new type of signal interference, or advanced psychic interference?" The old general also looked confused.

Sobek had no way of answering this question, so he had to tactically continue watching the video.

This is a panoramic shot of the city taken from the planet's orbit, and you can see explosions, flames, and smoke rising to the sky. Of course, compared to the blazing flames of the Golden Feather Palace, all of the above are just extras.

However, this is enough to prove that a fierce battle is indeed taking place in this huge urban area.

"The slaves have rebelled. Various mobs in the city have also taken the opportunity to rob houses." said Lieutenant General Nobov.

"Yu Lian distributed weapons to slaves?" Sobek was even more shocked. However, this was too unscientific! He certainly knew how hard it was to organize a group of rabble.

General Nobov looked at his young colleague with a little surprise. He didn't expect that the other party would dare to call the dragon whose name cannot be mentioned.

He is worthy of being called the "Wolf of the Dawn" and the "Flower of Famous Generals". He is indeed a young man to be feared.

The old general said, "His precise bombardment destroyed the base of the 4th Brigade of the Royal Guard stationed on the outskirts of the city, and then opened the door to the underground weapons depot. They even hacked into the city's bulletin system and broadcast the news to the entire city. Until now, the advertisement pop-ups above Jinyu City are still full of the address of the weapons depot door."

“So it wasn’t just the slaves who were rioting.”

The old general nodded. "Slaves, criminals, gangsters, and unruly people from the lower classes. Even foreign merchants. It's all possible! Now that the terminals and databases of the entire planet have been destroyed, they can do anything."

Damn it! They actually used this trick! Sobek gnashed his teeth. But he also admitted that this was indeed a very useful trick.

It can be seen from the palace complex that can be called a national wonder that the Sleen royal family must have a bad reputation in their kingdom.

Indeed, after King Slen moved the royal palace from his native land to the Tailai star region, it brought prosperity and development to the planet, but this did not mean that the people would love them.

People are not born to follow their king.

Moreover, who can say that prosperity and development are the credit of the king? Isn't it the result of the people's efforts?
They have no reason to be grateful to you, but they have a hundred reasons to hate the king who lives behind a hundred-meter-high wall.

Wait? Why do I subconsciously think this?

Sobek almost felt cold all over and burst into tears. He felt that he had been completely polluted and could not recover. He wished he could get a fresh, unpolluted brain. He had no choice but to say with a bitter face: "Then, His Royal Highness King Philian of Sleen..."

"Her Highness Philian is not in Schlenburg. She left Jinyun Palace last week with only a ship and a platoon of guards, saying she was going to travel. I just learned about it from the guards officers." said Lieutenant General Nobov.

Count Dai Xia did not tell everyone about this.

The relationship between the former king's mistress and palace prime minister and the new king is very intriguing.

However, Ms. Gong Xiang had died in the battle after all, so all of the above was unimportant.

As for the whereabouts of the little queen, even the palace guards didn't know. The surviving garrison brigade officer told Lieutenant General Nobov that after the young new king ascended the throne, he rarely went out, and even his close ministers had rarely seen him, let alone ordinary officers like them.

Considering that the young Queen Philian was a gifted psychic who had been training as a star-seeing officer since she was a child, it was not surprising that she was a mystic.

"If she was going out to relax, it would be best if she had left Tailai." Sobaike comforted her, "At least, she did escape this disaster."

I guess so……"

"I hope so. The Sleen royal family can no longer bear the blow of losing a new king." The old general said. He was not a retainer of the Sleen royal family, but because of the relationship with the previous king, he still had some feelings for the royal family.

"Then, the rest of the people hiding in the Golden Feather Palace..."

"We are still confirming the losses. We only know that most of the retainers and palace guards have died in the battle, including the late king's eldest son, Marquis Gelton." Lieutenant General Xiang's face was filled with obvious grief, but also with a hint of relief:
"However, I have finally contacted the women and children hiding in the lowest level of the underground palace. The remaining descendants of the late king are also there. The door of their shelter is quite sturdy and seems to have not been discovered yet."

Even if he was discovered, it wouldn't be a big problem. He was definitely not a person who killed innocent people. The reason why the marquis died in the battle was that he resisted with weapons, right? At least in terms of courage, he was a qualified member of the royal family.

Sobek thought about this in his heart, but he also forced a relieved expression on his face and asked, "Then, what about the ghost ship?"

The vice admiral said with a bitter face, "They have left. They left the Schlumberg system ten minutes ago. The deep space probes in the surrounding system have completely captured its traces. But we all know that it is nearby! Now, everyone and every fleet present here may be his target."

Sobaek really didn't expect that such an old general with thick eyebrows and big eyes, who seemed to have the tough guy temperament engraved in his bones, actually had the ability to tell ghost stories.

Anyway, I am shivering all over in this hot weather.

He suddenly wanted to go back to the Gate of Glory. After all, it was where he had fought and lived before, so he could use the word "return".

Lieutenant General Nobov added, "However, I do think that if the ghost ship has another target, it should be one of the three: Iron Shackles, Green Ocean, and Gate of Glory. Both the Gate of Glory and Green Ocean are guarded by fortresses, but Iron Shackles is the most empty. However, there are really no valuable strategic targets there except for prisoners of war. I do hope that the dragon who cannot even be named is worthy of your majesty's attention and is indeed a warrior with abundant martial virtues. He is willing to risk his life to rescue his comrades!"

Sobaek looked at the other person suspiciously.

The old general explained, "There are tens of thousands of Earth prisoners of war on the Iron Shackles Star. Although we don't know how many people the Ghost can hold, it will still take some time to organize them to board the ship. We may be able to take this opportunity to have the fleet build a siege network near the Iron Shackles Star System and prepare for the opportunity to annihilate him."

Sobek thought this made sense. As for whether it would succeed, he could only do it first and see.

He was about to say something else when he saw Lieutenant General Nobov on the screen looking outside the picture, probably disturbed by some off-field information.

"What? Her Highness Feilian is at Iron Shackles? Why is she there? Is that a place where you can relax?"

(End of this chapter)