A full ten days had passed.
Valno tried every possible method, yet he still failed to catch the human fleet's tail. No matter what he did, the enemy seemed able to see through all his tactical intentions.
Their refusal to fight or leave infuriated him.
It was not until one day, after receiving a consolidated report from all reconnaissance ships, that Arno finally began to understand what the humans were trying to do.
"General, according to reports from the reconnaissance ships we deployed, the Blue Radiance Republic and the other four civilizations have all begun large-scale civilian evacuations. Based on our estimates, the Blue Radiance Republic has already relocated nearly twenty percent of its total population."
At Arno's side, his adjutant reported the information sent back by the reconnaissance ships over the past several days.
As he listened, Arno frowned, suddenly recalling something.
"Were those civilizations previously reported as members of the United Fleet, whose main fleets returned largely intact afterward?"
"Y-Yes!"
The adjutant froze for a moment, then quickly reviewed the intelligence. Only then did he realize that he had overlooked such a crucial detail. Even his voice trembled as he nodded.
After all, Arno's brutality toward subordinates who made mistakes was notorious throughout the Moy Union.
However, Arno clearly had no mind to punish his adjutant at that moment. He merely muttered to himself.
"So that's it... No wonder the human fleet's actions have been so strange these past few days!"
"They were merely buying time, while I let them play me for ten whole days like a fool!"
"Damn it, why didn't I realize it sooner?"
"Orders! Abandon the pursuit of the human fleet. Recall all scattered fleets, and once assembled, proceed immediately to the Blue Radiance Republic and carry out extermination!"
Having figured it out, Arno