The Empire begins with the Fourth Scourge.

Chapter 2752 Imperial Battle Hero
2752, Imperial Battle Hero

When 30 Imperial-class Star Destroyers suddenly stormed into the Bilbrin planetary defense zone, even the Dawn Kingdom's fleet was thrown into disarray.

All that could be seen was the Titan warship, the Divine Messenger, deploying its warp beacon near the spaceport to assist its damaged warships in returning to the rear dock for repairs as quickly as possible.

On the other side, next to the stargate, at least several hundred warships were lined up, waiting to jump. There was no other way; the number of warships needing repair was too large, and many required replacement parts. If they were all transported from the rear, it would exacerbate the already strained transport capacity of Bilbrin.

These are all warships damaged in the battle on Planet Palancy just now—unlike the Imperial fleet, which suffered heavy losses, many of the Dawn Kingdom's warships were damaged but not destroyed.

In that battle, only 14 capital ships, 12 heavy cruisers, about 20 light cruisers, and over 100 frigates were actually destroyed. Then, in order to annihilate the Imperial fleet's frigate formation, they used up all their drones.

However, the number of warships severely damaged in the battle was ten times that of those destroyed.

After all, they were facing an attack head-on from as many as 400 capital ships in a dense formation. If you include the warships that followed from Battle Group A, the number of capital ships exceeded 500. With such a powerful force, just by calculating the energy levels of both sides, you can imagine the pressure the Dawn Kingdom's fleet was under.

Even so, the casualty ratio between the two sides in this battle reached an astonishing 1:10, with the Galactic Empire's First Star System Army A Battle Group almost completely wiped out.

Of course, the main reason for such a high casualty ratio was that Oswald-Tesik ordered a full-scale attack, and the Dawn Kingdom's fleet quickly fled. Otherwise, if those damaged warships had continued to fight, they would have quickly become real losses.

Therefore, when these 30 imperial warships charged in, the Dawn Kingdom's fleet was not in a combat-ready state at all.

Even in Ander-Viking's view, the Galactic Empire had neither the reason nor the capability to attack Bilblin at this moment.

This is a fortress planet. Although it was severely damaged in the previous battles, it has regained much of its defensive capabilities through continuous reconstruction. In addition, with the forward base previously deployed by Major General Luo Huacheng on the other side of the star system, it has gradually developed into a powerful interstellar complex due to the completion of the stargate.

With two Titan warships here, and the Galactic Empire having just suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Palancy, how could they possibly be so confused as to launch a full-scale attack on Bilborin?

However, the Dawn Kingdom's fleet reacted immediately. Due to their excellent performance, Major General Luo Huacheng, who had been promoted to Governor of the planet Bilblin, personally led a squadron to intercept them.

……

The Star Destroyer Punk was among the Galactic Empire's combat formation.

The B-16 turret commander, Dennis Henk, was screaming and crying hysterically inside the damaged turret, but no one could answer him. The cold hatch had long been welded shut, completely blocking out his voice.

He was pinned down by the control panel, unable to move except for a slight movement of his upper body. Moreover, any slight movement would cause excruciating pain in his injured left leg.

Before him, the wreckage of the TIE-Avenger fighter jet swayed violently with the warship's maneuvers. The only thing holding the wreckage in place was the sealing gel. This sealing gel wasn't very strong to begin with, and if it broke off during combat, the wreckage would be directly exposed to the vacuum of space, with a predictable fate.

Unable to bear the pressure of this death countdown, Dennis Henk put on the fire control tactical goggles with trembling hands.

When the damaged eyepiece transmitted a blurry and noisy image into his pupils, he saw a terrifying sight—the Punk, a Prophecy-class battleship, in front of him!

On the side of the battleship, three cylindrical devices rose up—the flagship-level X-ray array! At this moment, barely perceptible beams of light flickered, tearing through the Punk's deflector shields with destructive energy.

The scorching rays exploded into fine energy ripples on the shield's surface, and finally, after one last flash, the deflector shield shattered completely!

Immediately afterwards, countless explosions and flames spread in front of Dennis Henk. The main armor belt of the Punk was torn apart, and flames poured into the corridor like a tidal wave. Henk could only scream desperately, but his weak voice was quickly swallowed up by the explosions.

At this moment, aboard the flagship of the Imperial fleet, countless piercing alarms and blood-red indicator lights flashed before Imperial Marshal Oswald Tessick, reflecting on his cold, stern face. The bridge trembled violently, sparks erupted from the control consoles, and the navigation system was paralyzed.

Another massive Revelation-class battleship swept past the porthole, relentlessly attacking the Empire-class Star Destroyer, with no force able to stop it!
The Prophecy-class battleships, which roamed the battlefield, had long been a topic the Imperial Army was reluctant to discuss. This was simply because these warships were far too powerful; to this day, the Imperial Army had not found any countermeasures. Moreover, they were a mass-produced type of warship, and their numbers in the Dawn Kingdom's fleet were increasing rapidly.

To be on the safe side, Major General Luo Huacheng brought three Prophet-class battleships, ten Hells Angel-class battlecruisers, and 30 heavy cruisers, precisely to prevent these Imperial warships from having any chance to resist.

Defeat and death were already the inevitable outcome.

A bitter smile crept across Tesik's face. Perhaps this was what His Majesty the Emperor wanted...

He opened his arms, ready to face his impending fate.

Boom!! The side of the warship's bridge was suddenly attacked and exploded. Tesick's body was blown away by the powerful shockwave like a piece of paper. He rolled in the scorching blast wave, and all he could see was countless flames spreading in his field of vision.

Just as he was resigned to his death, a gloomy and hoarse voice suddenly rang out beside him, "Come with me, I'll take you away from here."

Oswald-Tesick looked up blankly and saw a person in a black robe standing beside him. A grim smile appeared on the pale face under the hood. "Your Majesty, I am very satisfied with your loyalty."

Without saying another word, he grabbed Oswald Tesick, lifted him up, and ran quickly toward the hangar platform.

……

When Oswald Tesik opened his eyes again, he found himself immersed in Bhakta liquid, his body almost completely numb and devoid of feeling.

Outside the Bakta tank, three medical robots were constantly monitoring vital signs, while a complex operating table was being prepared. Then, Oswald-Tesick's consciousness gradually faded.

When he opened his eyes again, he was in a cabin filled with electronic instruments, and he was still unable to move.

What exactly happened? Oswald Tesick wondered.

However, just as his question popped into his mind, a large number of web pages and messages suddenly appeared in his vision.

[A cheer is offered to Marshal Oswald Tessik, a war hero of the Empire!]

The First Star System Army severely damaged the main Separatist fleet and recaptured Palancy.

Leading from the front! The Imperial Marshal fell on the front lines! What caused our hero to pay such a price?!

Almost every message was filled with the joy of victory, and almost overnight, the First Star System Army and he himself went from being marginal figures disliked by His Majesty the Emperor to combat heroes of the Empire.

Why? Am I dreaming?

Oswald-Tesick wanted to check on the situation of the First Star System Army, but as soon as he had the idea, he immediately connected to the military's encrypted combat system, and frontline battle reports and various military information poured in.

Fleet deployment maps, enemy and friendly situation data, and resource allocation data flooded into his consciousness like a torrent, and Oswald Tessik finally understood what had happened.

His suicide fleet of 30 Star Destroyers suffered a devastating blow on Bilboir. The fleet quickly collapsed, with 23 Star Destroyers, including his flagship, destroyed. The remaining 7 Star Destroyers were lucky, or rather, fast enough, to return to Palancy.

He himself, as the flagship commander, was rescued by a mysterious figure just moments before the explosion. Though his body was mangled beyond recognition, his brain remained intact. The Empire transformed him into a semi-mechanical being, with his nervous system directly connected to the military network for easier command and control.

Subsequently, the Imperial Military issued a clear order for the First Star System Army to immediately take over the entire defense system of Palancy and reorganize the remaining fleet. The Reaper-class super star destroyer was ordered to return to Scipio for defense, while repairs were carried out on the damaged ship in the rear.

The Guardian Star Destroyer remained stationed on Palancy, with the main force of the First Star System Army serving as the garrison, continuing to build it into a new line of defense.

Up to this point, everything was progressing normally, but things started to get a little strange.

First, Emperor Palpatine issued a direct order appointing another Imperial Marshal, Rufán Digorinus, as Governor-General of the First Imperial Army, but he was to be directly responsible to His Majesty the Emperor. His administrative orders had to be reported to the Emperor's advisory council before they could be implemented.

This meant that Palpatine directly took over the administrative power of the First Army, turning it into a territory directly under the emperor's control.

Oswald Tessik retained his position as the military commander of the First Star System Army, but he could only command the fleet. In other words, all his food, clothing, and logistical supplies depended on the First Legion.

This is similar to Darth Vader, another close confidant of Palpatine, who commanded a large fleet but had no territory or domain.

Then, the Empire officially announced that "Project Goalkeeper" had been successfully completed, not only severely damaging the main fleet of the separatists, but also recapturing the planet Palancy and rebuilding the defensive gateway of the core circle.

Oswald Tessik's name was loudly proclaimed as a symbol of victory, and the Imperial media portrayed him as an immortal war hero who personally led the fleet in an attack, only to be attacked by the Separatist fleet with no regard for military honor, and nearly died for his country.

To save Tessik, only 7 of the First Star Force's 30 Star Destroyers returned, but they managed to preserve the Marshal's body. Now, the Empire will spare no effort, using the most advanced technology, to prolong the life of this war hero.

Oswald-Tesick finally understood: this was a test His Majesty the Emperor had given him. No, it should be said, a lesson to teach him a lesson, a warning to others!
Make him completely suppress any ambition in his heart and truly become His Majesty the Emperor's loyal servant!
And this overwhelming shower of flowers and praise was the reward he bestowed upon his servants.

"Hehehehehe...hahahahahahahaha...hahahahahahahaha!!!" Oswald-Tesick laughed loudly, his voice now carrying an electronic tone and metallic clanging sounds, completely different from his original voice.

"Hahahahahaha...!" Laughter echoed continuously in the gloomy cabin.

……

While everyone in the Empire's heart was celebrating, Dunn Wessex, on Palin Minor, the core planet of the Empire's northern border, was gripped by deep fear.

He had been observing the movements of the Dawn Kingdom's fleet, and unlike ordinary officials who could only obtain fragmented information, his authority allowed him to have a comprehensive view of the entire situation.

Clearly, upon learning that the First Star System Army was about to take action, the Dawn Kingdom's response was to recall all its fleets in the North, including those that had previously been deployed in all directions and penetrated deep into the core area, in preparation for a decisive battle.

It would have been better if it had been a true final battle, but the final battle only got started. The Dawn Kingdom fleet gave Oswald-Tesik a hard slap in the face, then turned around and fled back to the planet Bilblin for defense.

This move sent chills down Dunn Wessex's spine!
The Dawn Kingdom's retreat to the planet Bilblin clearly indicates that they are no longer interested in the core area conquest operation!
So, if they're no longer interested in the core area, what can this powerful main fleet still do?

Obviously, it's the most important core planet in the North, Palin-Minor!

The thought of becoming the next target filled Dunn Wessex with terror. He was arguably one of the people who had fought the Dawn Kingdom's fleet the most, and the powerful warships, the bizarre technology, and the cunning tactics of those ships filled him with dread at every encounter.

Above the planet Palin-Minor, the former fortress satellite Iron Moon still burns, now long since becoming the Burning Moon! Countless times he has woken from nightmares, his mind filled with the horrific scenes of war. Palin-Minor has also become this burning inferno, and he wailes pitifully within it.