Xyrin Empire

Chapter 260: Chapter 260: Exchange of Fire Chapter 260: Chapter 260: Exchange of Fire Energy beams and various solid warheads pierced through the sky with astonishing high temperatures, weaving into a blindingly bright light grid. The entire sky was slashed to shreds by the intersecting web of firepower, like a white canvas wantonly torn by a mischievous child with a blade. Occasionally, small fighter jets and light assault ships hit by artillery would fall from the sky trailing dense smoke, drawing twisted black trajectories before exploding into splendid fireworks. The mother ship level spaceships became the death gods of the battlefield; their powerful main cannons could easily split smaller ships into pieces with a mere graze. The exchange of fire between large warships was so earth-shatteringly intense that massive beams, meters or even tens of meters in diameter, possessed the force to cut through space itself. The energy barriers on the outer layers of the mother ships rippled with colorful undulations from the bombardment of cannons, but the thick shield systems allowed these terrifying engines of destruction to withstand the main cannon strikes from all sides. Despite their enormous size which made complex evasive actions difficult under such bombardment, both sides’ mother ships poured out their firepower relentlessly, each trying to vaporize the opposing ships suspended in the distant sky. On the other hand, the swift and ever-evading assault ships were a constant headache for large warships. To bring down an annoying assault ship, mother ships often had to employ extensive strike coverage, which was a significant waste. Small fighter planes maneuvered agilely through the dense net of fire, blowing up enemy interceptors into fireballs of various sizes or launching their most potent attacks at the vulnerable points of large mother ships they passed. Unlike the monotonous barrages from large mother ships, the combat methods of small fighter jets and assault ships showcased high-end, close-range gunfighting and nearly artistic extreme maneuvering. Even the most exaggerated Hollywood blockbusters couldn’t recreate such astonishing aerial battle scenes.

Both sides were well-versed in Xyrin Technology. Tactics that were very effective against illiterate demons or Dead Souls were utterly useless here. What advantages each model of warship had, where their armor was weakest, the firing patterns of a mother ship’s anti-aircraft guns, and even each automatic turret’s maximum lock-on angular velocity—these were all well-understood by both warring parties. In a technical stalemate where neither side held an overwhelming advantage, the battle quickly degenerated into a deadlock.

Our previous speculation was correct; the enemy had indeed not put all their bets on a single Eternal Level. After deploying the Gravity Trap Bombs, enemy ships hidden in nearby Space Rifts were exposed one by one. We had almost entered into a massive encirclement, and it seems that in the enemy’s original plan, these ships’ task was to surround the remaining Imperial Fleet after the Sky Fortress was destroyed by “Galaxy.” However, Qianqian’s Time Freeze threw off the enemy’s plan, and we narrowly avoided the closing trap, exposing our opponent’s ambush prematurely.

“The Third Fleet’s flagship has been caught in the Gravity Net! They are right behind us! Deploy the Force Field Decomposition Device…”

“The ‘Grez’ formation’s Energy Shield strength is decreasing, activate the Phantom System, draw their fire!”

“Target six has been destroyed… The enemy’s Escort Ships are charging in, they’re going for a suicide explosion! Sink it… Nicely done!”

Battle reports whizzed through the Spiritual Connection network of the commanders at all levels, and the instantaneous exchange of information kept this seemingly chaotic battle under control for both sides. But overall, we still had a slight edge.

The enemy initially had the upper hand with the “Galaxy” surprise attack and the fleet’s ambush. If they had succeeded, the outcome would undoubtedly have been decisive, but unfortunately, they failed…

“We must resolve the battle quickly,” Sandora’s eyes flashed with a cold light, “as long as the Eternal Level still has the ability to launch ‘Galaxy,’ the outcome of the battle is not yet certain. How is Sicaro’s defense force?”

“The defense force is ready again. Should we deploy them immediately?”

“Let them take their positions. Once the defense force is activated, all mother ships ignore all additional targets. Focus all firepower on the enemy’s Fortress Ship!”

“Isn’t that too rash?” Although I’m not exactly proficient in this kind of battle command… Okay, I admit, not at all. But I could at least tell that Sandora’s decision was extremely hasty.

If Sicaro’s forces are energy exhausted and we still haven’t sunk that heavily armored Fortress Ship, won’t we be surrounded by a large number of assault ships and medium to smaller warships, putting us in an absolutely passive situation?

“They won’t fight to the death,” Sandora revealed a cold smile, as if mocking the enemy’s stupidity and overestimation of themselves, “The World Loop is nearly complete. They won’t allow significant losses to occur at this stage. An Eternal Level isn’t something they can abandon like those Assembled Demons. They will protect their Fortress Ship. And if the enemy is generous enough to give up their Air Fortress, we won’t be in any danger. Don’t underestimate the commanders under you. Sicaro could even take on ‘Galaxy’ with his body; he won’t be overwhelmed by a bunch of small fries for long.”

Is that Uncle Hei Chao really that strong?

Okay, I’ll admit, when I saw the enemy withstanding “Galaxy” with his body, I was a bit shocked for a moment… Yeah, until the moment he fell down to recover the disc, probably just over ten seconds…

Just then, Lin Xue’s voice suddenly rang out beside me: “Strange, where did Pandora go?”

Pandora?

Suddenly alert, I realized that since the beginning, Pandora hadn’t made any Spiritual Connection with me, nor had I seen her on the battlefield, which was very unusual. I really couldn’t imagine that passionate little loli missing such a perfect opportunity to battle to her heart’s content. At a time like this, shouldn’t she be fully armed, eyes cold, her body adorned with lethal weapons, screaming slogans while holding a gun and shooting cannons in all directions, setting off fireworks?

That’s exactly what a certain Loli would love to do at a time like this.

“Pandora, where are you?”

I initiated a special spiritual connection, a secure channel that only Pandora and I could use. Under any circumstances, this connection would never be disrupted.

“Below, there are enemies.”

Pandora’s response was simple and her voice sounded incredibly calm, which relieved me greatly.

“Do you need support?”

“No need; it will be taken care of quickly.”

Pandora answered briefly again, then unilaterally cut off the connection, no matter how I inquired, she did not answer.

Pandora’s reaction struck me as odd. She rarely cut off communication with me so abruptly. Even if she occasionally acted up, she always kept the lines open between us. A slight unease crept into my heart.

I turned around and shouted, “Can you lock onto Pandora’s position?”

Then I saw on the holographic projection in the command center, which was monitoring the ground situation, an explosion zone covered in billowing dust. Within it, the dense flashes and crisscrossing beams looked like an entire division of mechanical corps was locked in fierce combat.

That Pandora, always creating such immense disturbances… there was absolutely no need to lock onto her position…

“I’ll go take a look.” After much thought, I still felt uneasy, so I left these words and was about to leave when my sister suddenly stopped me.

“I’ll come with you,” my sister said with a mild but undeniable calm smile, “after all, I won’t be of much help in a melee with those corps.”

I had intended for my sister to stay safely in the fortress, but considering her so-called destiny-cheating “Anti-Doom Shield” and curse ability were most suitable for such an occasion, I nodded in agreement.

…Alright, as everyone guessed, I was just defeated by my sister’s relentless “smile” tactic…

As the Supreme Commander, leaving the fortress at such a time to find my own sister was obviously not a very smart move. Still, Sandora just nodded slightly: “Be careful, Chen Qian’s ability ensures your safety, but still, make it a quick trip. Pandora is a strong fighter, honestly, I don’t think there’s a need for you to go…”

“I feel like I should still check on her; that kid really doesn’t give me peace of mind.”

No sooner had I spoken than Lin Xue, who was sitting at her station appearing to rest with her eyes closed, opened her mouth: “That’s true, after all, you aren’t of much use here anyway…”

…You say that again! Try saying that one more time! If you say that again, I’ll… I’ll… just have to admit it…

555, what a tremendous sorrow, faced with Lin Xue’s sharp attack, I actually couldn’t find any facts to rebut…

As my sister and I left the command center, Lin Xue, who seemed to be resting at her position, sighed softly: “Sigh… that damned hardcore loli fan… it’s about to get even more hectic…”