The Cabinet's Choice (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Admiral Yashiro Rokuro, Navy Minister of the Island Nation, arrived at the Prime Minister's residence by car. By the time he entered, the other Cabinet Ministers had already arrived. Even several retired Elder Statesmen had all rushed over. It was clear just how seriously everyone regarded the battle between the Combined Fleet and the German Expeditionary Fleet.

After all, this was practically a battle that would decide the fate of the Island Nation. If they won, they would be able to thoroughly claim the rich lands of Southeast Asia for themselves. If they lost, the consequences would be too dreadful to contemplate.

Although these ministers and Elder Statesmen knew that, given the Combined Fleet's strength, defeating the German Expeditionary Fleet would undoubtedly be extremely difficult, they still harbored a sliver of hope. They hoped that the Combined Fleet could perform beyond its limits, defeat the German Expeditionary Fleet, and win the naval battle.

"My apologies for keeping everyone waiting!" Admiral Yashiro Rokuro bowed his head in apology.

"Yashiro, it is all right. How is the naval battle between the Combined Fleet and the Germans going?" Prime Minister Okuma Shigenobu asked.

"Prime Minister, the naval battle has already ended," Admiral Yashiro Rokuro answered expressionlessly.

"Did we defeat the Germans?" Army Minister Oka Ichinosuke immediately asked anxiously.

A mocking smile flickered across Admiral Yashiro Rokuro's face. "The Combined Fleet was nearly wiped out in this battle. Aside from more than a dozen destroyers that escaped back, every other warship was sunk by the Germans. That included the four most powerful Kongo-class Battlecruisers."

"What?" Every high-ranking official of the Island Nation in the conference room stared dumbfounded. They had never expected the Combined Fleet to suffer such a crushing defeat, losing nearly all its warships. This was unquestionably a disastrous defeat! A complete