Arc 23The Rescue and the Alpha Unit

The Skywing Mercenary Group rescued Wanluo civilians from the Dion Army, defeated Muswati’s forces, and used the Alpha Unit when the enemy threatened hostages. After the Wanluo Federation ended its contract, Osmane and Najedah adjusted to detention and witnessed Nali and Weiss’s wedding.

  • The United Army’s missile waves failed to break the Dion fleet, and its troops withdrew from Colony Satellite No. 53 after civilians coerced by Muswati attacked them with implanted bombs.
  • Long Fei approved forming an Alpha Unit from mercenaries able to fight without psychological burden, while Li Jiaming rejected the United Army’s commission until it accepted the group’s conditions.
  • Skywing forces raided Asteroid No. 0, rescued the hostages, and returned them to their families on Colony Satellite No. 53, where they began removing the implanted bombs.
  • The Skywing Mercenary Group attacked Muswati’s forces, and Lamiel defeated and captured Osmane after a fierce battle between the Bloodthirsty Wolf Strike Group and the Howling Wolf Knights.
  • Skywing forces and the United Army recaptured occupied satellites and rescued civilians, while the Alpha Unit attacked Dion forces carrying hostages and drove the remaining troops into retreat.
  • After the Wanluo Federation ended its contract with Skywing, Osmane arrived at detention and reunited with Najedah, who helped him learn the prison’s routines and care for Geman.
  • Kalong accused Najedah and Osmane of disloyalty, while Taoxiang arranged for Nali and Weiss to marry at the detention center with Long Fei’s approval.
  • Osmane and Najedah handed out wedding candy, and Osmane told Geman that Long Fei might shelter the newlyweds if the Dion Empire rejected them.
Chapters 552–576 Vol. 6 Read

Ch. 552Mobile Drifting Ballistic Missile

Long Fei explained why he was using Jorge despite his disloyalty, while Salamander promised to watch him and Li Xiucheng agreed to prepare more MS pilots. On the battlefield, the United Army tested its mass-produced Mobile Drifting Ballistic Missiles against a Dion fleet, but repeated waves were intercepted.

  • Long Fei told Li Xiucheng that Jorge was useful for his talent and would be watched and eliminated if he turned against them.
  • Salamander promised to keep an eye on Jorge, then advised Li Xiucheng to recruit outstanding MS pilots from other bases.
  • The United Army developed the cheaper Mobile Drifting Ballistic Missile as a counter to Dion Empire Sky Rocket Battleships.
  • The 3rd Army-level Fleet launched a first wave of over 50,000 missiles at a Dion fleet, and Dion defenses intercepted them all.
  • A second wave lost most of its missiles to Dion defenses, and the roughly 300 that broke through were shot down by warship escorts.
  • The United Army launched a third wave of over 50,000 Mobile Drifting Ballistic Missiles.

Ch. 553Marginal Effect

The United Army’s repeated Mobile Drifting Ballistic Missile waves inflicted little damage as the Dion Army withdrew from former Wanluo Federation Colony Satellite No. 53. The commander began securing the colony and awaiting supplies, unaware that an unexpected event was about to occur.

  • The United Army launched its fourth missile wave, but the Dion fleet’s Energy Shields resisted the few missiles that broke through, while the Dion Army sent more MS units from Colony Satellite No. 53.
  • The United Army commander ordered a fifth wave and preparations for two more as the Dion Army withdrew its MS units and warships, allowing former Wanluo soldiers to return to their carriers and contact their families.
  • The fifth wave was intercepted, and the sixth and seventh waves achieved similarly limited results as the Dion Army retreated from the colony.
  • The commander reported that the missiles had only marginal effect, though their drifting maneuvers prevented Dion Sky Rocket Battleships from easily attacking them.
  • The United Army began restoring order in the colony and arranging for the Wanluo Federation to take it over, while the commander ordered first-level alert and waited for logistics.
  • As the commanders helped recover the colony and pacify its population, an unexpected event occurred.

Ch. 554Unexpected

After retaking Colony Satellite No. 53, the United Army found its residents hostile and launched coordinated attacks on its troops. As soldiers fought back and tried to secure buildings, they discovered that the residents used suicide bombs and included teenagers or children.

  • The United Army inspected Colony Satellite No. 53 and found ruined, quiet cities, weapons factories, and civilians who stayed inside their homes.
  • An elderly man blew himself up beside a United Army convoy, and armed residents emerged from shops to attack the troops.
  • Headquarters ordered soldiers to treat attacking civilians as militants while sparing those who surrendered and those who did not attack.
  • United Army squads regrouped and returned fire against ambushing residents, killing several, including elderly people and women.
  • A dead resident's body exploded inside a house, prompting the squad leader to warn headquarters about bombs hidden in corpses.
  • After another ambush, the squad retreated into a house for defense and saw that some of the residents approaching included teenagers or children.

Ch. 555Forced to Retreat

Coerced residents with bombs implanted in their bodies attacked United Army soldiers on the Colony Satellite, while the soldiers struggled to fight back because children and other civilians were among them. After learning the residents were being blackmailed by the Dion Army, the United Army commander ordered a withdrawal, and Muswati watched the retreat with satisfaction.

  • Local residents attacked a United Army house, and a bomb inside a resident who was shot dead blasted open the entrance, allowing the attackers to overwhelm the remaining soldiers.
  • Some residents received messages that their families were safe and their bombs would not be activated, so they discarded their weapons and went home.
  • The United Army commander learned that the Dion Army had taken residents’ relatives hostage and implanted bombs in those left behind, then ordered precision strikes against adult attackers.
  • Bombs implanted in restrained children detonated during treatment, killing the medics and leaving the commander unsure how to proceed.
  • The commander ordered United Army units to withdraw as residents continued attacking, and war correspondents filmed the soldiers’ forced retreat.
  • Muswati watched the livestream and was satisfied that her scheme of coercing civilians with hostages and implanted bombs had worked.

Ch. 556Establishing the Alpha Unit

After the United Army lost control of the reclaimed Colony Satellites, Long Fei and the Skywing Mercenary Group discussed how to respond if civilians were forced to attack them. Long Fei proposed establishing an Alpha Unit, and the chapter ended with him and Taoxiang going to check on their daughters.

  • The United Army retreated from the reclaimed Colony Satellites, while the Wanluo Federation blamed the Dion Empire for threatening civilians' relatives.
  • Li Jiaming warned Long Fei that Skywing Mercenaries might hesitate to kill attacking children and could suffer lasting psychological trauma.
  • Long Fei presented a hypnosis-based device to test whether recruits could fight children without being haunted by their conscience, and proposed establishing an Alpha Unit at every base.
  • Most generals supported the proposal, and Li Jiaming ordered the devices built so Skywing Mercenaries could be tested and selected for the unit.
  • Taoxiang told Long Fei that protecting their mercenaries and their families justified the decision, and Long Fei recognized how much she had changed.
  • Long Fei and Taoxiang went to check on their two daughters, whom Aunt Li cared for with Butler Wu's help.

Ch. 557A Period of Adjustment Is Needed

Skywing Mercenary Group tested its members’ willingness to kill children in a simulated combat scenario and began forming the Alpha Unit, whose deployment still required more time. Taoxiang watched her daughters play and learned more about Long Fei’s childhood interest in military designs.

  • Skywing Mercenary Group tested its personnel in a virtual scenario, where most hesitated to shoot children and teenagers, while only a few retaliated without remorse.
  • The testing computers identified those who carried guilt or self-reproach, and personnel with no psychological burden were selected for the Alpha Unit.
  • Sky Wing Mercenaries discussed the transfer of three thousand members into the Alpha Unit and the United Army’s dilemma over the reclaimed Colony Satellites.
  • The mercenaries said the Alpha Unit needed at least three hundred people per combat unit and more time to adjust before deployment.
  • Taoxiang asked Aunt Li about Long Fei’s childhood, and Aunt Li recalled his military drawings, models, and late-night design work.

Ch. 558United Army High Command Comes to Commission a Job

Duras Vegas led a United Army delegation to the Skywing Mercenary Group’s main base to commission help against coerced Wanluo Federation civilians and the Dion 2nd Expeditionary Army. Li Jiaming rejected the combat commission, citing the group’s losses and the costs of replacing its elite troops.

  • Duras Vegas and Count Klahu III visited the Skywing Mercenary Group’s advanced main base with generals from other nations.
  • Li Jiaming, Li Xiucheng, and Pan Zhenhua received the delegation and showed them the base’s MS and Mobile Armor.
  • At negotiations, Li Jiaming accused the United Army of wanting the mercenary group to use Operation Alpha against coerced Wanluo Federation civilians and take the blame.
  • A Wanluo Federation general asked whether the Skywing Mercenary Group could use technology to detect or disable bombs inside civilians, and Li Jiaming said it was still experimental.
  • Duras Vegas asked the group to accept a commission against the Dion 2nd Expeditionary Army, but Li Jiaming refused, citing its losses in the fight against the Dion 3rd Expeditionary Force.
  • Lieutenant General Aixisi explained that the group had to fund and replace its own personnel, including elite troops lost in battle.

Ch. 559Playing Dirty

Duras Vegas and the United Army failed to persuade Sky Wing Mercenaries to accept a commission, while admitting the mercenary group’s battlefield advantage came from studying Dion tactics. On November 9, 124, United Army fleets began following Sky Wing ships and bases under the pretext of patrols, including the fleet carrying Long Fei to the Earth Sphere.

  • Duras Vegas and his delegation repeatedly offered terms, but Li Jiaming refused their commission because Sky Wing Mercenaries needed time to recover from losses.
  • Aboard their airship, Duras Vegas told Count Klahu that the United Army feared Sky Wing Mercenaries and explained how its red-blue simulated combat helped it develop tactics against the Dion Army.
  • Duras Vegas’s aide reported that senior United Army officials wanted an online meeting about getting Sky Wing Mercenaries to accept the commission.
  • On November 9, 124, Sky Wing bases reported that United Army warships were following their fleets and watching their branch bases while claiming to be on patrol.
  • Li Jiaming protested the United Army’s conduct, but it maintained that the ships were patrolling, and some Sky Wing fleets used the Mirage System to evade them.
  • Li Jiaming learned that the United Army was also following Long Fei’s fleet as Long Fei traveled with his wife and children to the Earth Sphere for two banquets.

Ch. 560Xu Jingyun and Saintess Aina's Grand Weddings

Long Fei and his family attended Xu Jingyun’s wedding to Situ Jun, then traveled to the Oya Cross Nation for Saintess Aina’s wedding to John. Xu Jingyun’s ceremony left her acting happy despite her feelings for Long Fei, while Aina married her childhood sweetheart joyfully.

  • Xu Jingyun married Situ Jun in the Hanxia Empire after choosing him from the men her father introduced, and Long Fei noticed Situ Jun’s hostility toward him.
  • Xu Jingyun greeted her university classmates at the banquet, and Long Guo and Long Fu offered their godmother their blessings.
  • Long Fei was surprised to see Saintess Aina and John among the guests, while Taoxiang and Xu Chaoge recognized Xu Jingyun’s happiness was an act.
  • On November 20, Yuffie piloted Taurus as John and Aina rode to their wedding, where Pope David presided over their ceremony.
  • Aina embraced Pope David in tears after exchanging rings and kissing John, and Long Fei contrasted her joyful smile with Xu Jingyun’s forced one.

Ch. 561Delay as Much as Possible

Long Fei and his officers prepared for a possible operation to rescue civilians coerced by the Dion Army, while delaying the United Army and discussing Alpha Unit’s role. At the second round of negotiations, the Wanluo Federation objected to Alpha Unit’s deployment, and Aixisi described the conditions under which it would attack.

  • Long Fei’s officers reported that the Dion Army had captured civilians’ relatives and planted remotely controlled bombs, while the Wanluo Federation’s rescue efforts had failed.
  • Aixisi proposed delaying the United Army, locating more captives, and rehearsing rescue operations before deploying Alpha Unit as a last resort against Shameless General Muswati’s tactics.
  • Fikes reported that the Dion Empire had attacked the Anglo-Saxon Democratic Republic, and Long Fei anticipated that Duras Vegas would seek Skywing Mercenary Group’s help.
  • On December 1, Duras Vegas and his group returned to negotiate, and Li Jiaming presented conditions that postponed operations until the following month.
  • The Wanluo Federation representative rejected the condition allowing Alpha Unit to conduct Operation Alpha, and Aixisi said it would attack if coerced civilians appeared on screen after rescue was no longer possible.

Ch. 562Take It All or Find Someone Else

The Skywing Mercenary Group held firm during negotiations with the United Army and the Wanluo Federation, securing agreement to its conditions for joining the war. The approval sparked political turmoil in Wanluo as Purvi tried to turn public opinion against the president.

  • Aixisi defended the condition that the United Army take responsibility for the mercenaries’ actions, while the Wanluo Federation representative objected to handing over asteroid and Colony Satellite schematics.
  • The Skywing Mercenary Group agreed to share intelligence about detained civilians, provided the Wanluo Federation accepted responsibility for any leak, and said the Alpha Unit would be a last resort.
  • Duras Vegas said his side needed to discuss the terms, and Li Jiaming and the commanders saw the delegation off after the negotiations ended without changes to the mercenary group’s conditions.
  • On December 8, Cosmic Year 124, the Wanluo Federation approved the conditions after an emergency presidential order.
  • Purvi urged civilians to protest and seek a recall referendum, while government-aligned media defended the president and recalled Purvi’s military failures.
  • Purvi blamed generals for his past decisions, but commanders released records disputing his claims as government and opposition supporters clashed.

Ch. 563Make Preparations

The Skywing Mercenary Group prepared a hostage rescue operation in the Wanluo Federation while Muswati tried to understand its reconnaissance tactics and arranged to evacuate more civilians. By December 18, Skywing units had covertly positioned themselves around the asteroid where Wanluo civilians were held, ready to act.

  • The Skywing Mercenary Group obtained blueprints of modified asteroids and began simulating rescue operations as Muswati learned that its Alpha Unit might launch Operation Alpha.
  • Muswati’s forces discovered Skywing scouts probing their positions, while pursuing Dion Army units were ambushed; she prepared to withdraw her troops and move more Wanluo civilians to the Mars Sphere.
  • Fadis agreed to Muswati’s proposal to use civilians’ relatives to force people into military service as Dion forces faced growing manpower shortages.
  • On December 11, Skywing’s rescue unit practiced extracting hostages from a simulated asteroid as quickly and quietly as possible.
  • On December 18, Hummingbird units covertly watched Asteroid No. 0, where civilians from Colony Satellite No. 53 were held, using concealed MS units and Stealth Devices to gather intelligence.
  • A Hummingbird squad captain received a subordinate’s report, ordered the squad to stay ready, and said they could move at any time.

Ch. 564Hummingbird Special Forces

The Hummingbird Special Forces launched a carefully prepared assault on Asteroid No. 0, using electronic warfare and compromised unmanned Ms to disable its defenses and isolate its command room. Their ground forces seized ports and key facilities, and squads advanced toward the command room as the commander struggled to understand the attack.

  • After five days of reconnaissance, Major Ma Jian ordered the operation to begin, and Hummingbird units hacked and infected patrol Ms across the asteroids.
  • A compromised Koukai attacked a patrolling Crimson Saint Machine, and an ink-black Jesta destroyed it and concealed the wreck.
  • Major Ma Jian ordered the Hummingbird forces to block Asteroid No. 0's communications and seize it within twenty minutes, as compromised unmanned Ms turned on the defenders.
  • Hummingbird Ms and Combat Airships attacked Asteroid No. 0, while Sky Wing Mercenaries landed and seized several ports despite the commander's efforts to mobilize the guards.
  • A Hummingbird squad detained Dion Army soldiers who claimed to be from the Wanluo Federation, shut down power equipment, and the Sky Wing Mercenaries destroyed the internal Manufacturing Plant.
  • As Sky Wing Mercenaries suppressed locations across Asteroid No. 0, several squads advanced toward the command room.

Ch. 565An Unexpected Scene

Major Ma Jian’s Sky Wing Mercenaries seized Meteorite No. 0’s command room, found the detonator for the hostages’ implanted bombs, and evacuated the captives and prisoners. During the evacuation, Wanluo Federation hostages attacked compatriots who had collaborated with the Dion Army, while the mission’s larger purpose was to cover the Hummingbird Special Forces’ withdrawal from Colony Satellite No. 61.

  • Sky Wing Mercenaries used a captured Wanluo Federation man’s information to find and eliminate Dion soldiers hidden in a passage, then stormed Meteorite No. 0’s command room and captured its wounded commander.
  • Major Ma Jian learned the command room had been taken in nineteen minutes and fifty-eight seconds, ordered the hostages rescued, and had his troops find the detonator for the civilians’ implanted bombs.
  • As Sky Wing Mercenaries released the hostages, Wanluo Federation civilians attacked compatriots who had collaborated with the Dion Army, including people accused of abusing their own families for the enemy’s benefit.
  • A commander stopped the beatings and ordered everyone aboard the airship; Sky Wing Mercenaries also loaded the restrained prisoners and rebuked a prisoner who objected to being placed with Wanluo Federation captives.
  • Major Ma Jian reviewed reports after the Sky Wing Mercenary Group attacked Colony Satellite No. 61 to cover the Hummingbird Special Forces’ withdrawal, and allowed prisoner conflicts to continue unless they became serious or caused deaths.

Ch. 566Moving and Embarrassing Scenes Both Unfolded

Muswati realized the Skywing Mercenary Group had deceived her and ordered her forces to guard the occupied zones. At Colony Satellite No. 53, Sky Wing Mercenaries reunited residents with rescued family members and removed implanted bombs, while Wanluo Federation soldiers and politicians faced public scorn.

  • Muswati learned that occupied Colony Satellites were under attack and that the Skywing Mercenary Group had rescued Wanluo Federation citizens, then ordered her forces to defend the occupied zones without pursuing escaping enemies.
  • Sky Wing Mercenaries broadcast messages from rescued residents and brought them back to Colony Satellite No. 53, prompting local civilians to head to the port and reunite with their families.
  • Sky Wing Mercenaries demonstrated that they controlled the bomb detonators and began surgically removing the explosives implanted in residents' bodies.
  • Wanluo Federation soldiers entered the port to confiscate weapons as reunited residents thanked the Sky Wing Mercenaries and ignored the soldiers.
  • Wanluo Federation politicians arrived to offer staged condolences, but civilians cursed them and threw stones until soldiers moved them to safety.

Ch. 567When Things Crossed My Bottom Line, I Didn't Dare Do Them

The Skywing Mercenary Group rescued citizens from Dion-occupied Colony Satellites while the Wanluo Federation government faced public anger and reports of betrayal. Long Fei learned that the Dion forces might be turning hostages into Augmented Humans, and discussed using the Alaya-Vijnana System to help paralyzed people instead; he approved offering the surgery to volunteers who joined the group for five years.

  • Wanluo citizens cursed their politicians, mourned relatives killed in the fighting, and watched the Sky Wing Mercenaries hand order duties to the army before departing.
  • Wanluo citizens learned that the Skywing Mercenary Group had rescued hostages and removed their implanted bombs, while protests erupted over citizens who had defected to the Dion Empire.
  • Black Rabbit reported to Long Fei that his unit had assassinated one of Muswati’s aides, kidnapped another, and identified the Howling Wolf Knights as her force.
  • Li Jiaming told Long Fei that the Dion 2nd Expeditionary Army was moving hostages to the Mars Sphere for brainwashing and possible use as cannon fodder or experimental Augmented Humans.
  • Long Fei explained that he had rejected Augmented Human experiments as inhumane, and Li Jiaming proposed offering Alaya-Vijnana System surgery to paralyzed volunteers who agreed to serve the Skywing Mercenary Group for five years.
  • Long Fei approved Li Jiaming’s proposal.

Ch. 568Howling Wolf Knights

Muswati prepared to use Colony Satellites 79, 82, and 84 as weapons while the Skywing Mercenary Group warned the United Army and focused on the Dion 2nd Expeditionary Army. At Colony Satellite No. 87, Osmane and the Howling Wolf Knights were placed on alert when an enemy attack began.

  • Muswati ordered preparations to withdraw and approved using three captured rocket boosters to ram reclaimed Colony Satellites, while cautioning her forces about the Skywing Mercenary Group.
  • Skywing Mercenary Group infiltrators discovered the plan for Colony Satellites 79, 82, and 84, and the group informed the United Army and threatened to launch Operation Alpha if the hostages were not rescued.
  • Osmane surveyed the spacecraft carrying Wanluo residents from Colony Satellite No. 87 and discussed the threat posed by Long Fei with his subordinates.
  • An enemy attack alarm sounded, and Osmane hurried toward his Holy War Wolf as the Howling Wolf Knights prepared for battle and missiles converged on their targets.

Ch. 569Wolf VS. Wolf

The Skywing Mercenary Group fought the Dion Army as the Howling Wolf Knights clashed with the Bloodthirsty Wolf Strike Group. Both sides suffered heavy losses, and Osmane and Lamiel recognized that their forces fought with similar wolf-like tactics.

  • The Dion Army sent Wanluo Federation people to pilot Scorpions and other units as Minov Particles disrupted its unmanned forces, while the Skywing Mercenary Group attacked across the battlefield.
  • The Howling Wolf Knights used coordinated attacks to destroy Mk IVs and engage Mass Production Type F91s, but the F91s also destroyed Wolf Hunters and called in reinforcements.
  • The fighting spread across several fronts, with both forces setting traps, surrounding opponents, and suffering substantial losses.
  • Osmane learned that more than sixty Howling Wolf Knights units had been shot down and over one hundred damaged, and he remarked that the enemy were wolves like his own forces.
  • Lamiel learned that more than thirty Bloodthirsty Wolf Strike Group units had been shot down and over sixty damaged, with ten repaired units returning to battle.

Ch. 570F91 vs. Holy War Wolf

Lamiel and the Bloodthirsty Wolf Strike Group fought the Howling Wolf Knights on Colony Satellite No. 87 as the Skywing Mercenary Group’s forces gradually gained the advantage. Lamiel took on Osmane in F91, and their duel intensified as both pilots activated their enhancements.

  • Lamiel reviewed the casualty report and decided that the Bloodthirsty Wolf Strike Group needed more elite pilots and a larger force.
  • The Howling Wolf Knights’ Wolf Hunters were suppressed by the Skywing Mercenary Group’s elite units, and Lamiel’s F91 replaced Warrior Gundam against Holy War Wolf.
  • Lamiel and Osmane exchanged attacks while the Bloodthirsty Wolf Strike Group and the Howling Wolf Knights began a full-scale battle.
  • F91’s VSBR damaged Holy War Wolf’s forces, while Osmane’s pulse Electromagnetic Cannons crippled a Mass Production Type F91.
  • Lamiel assessed Osmane’s close-combat skill as the duel continued, then activated F91’s Bio-Computer with her Newtype abilities after Osmane engaged Efficiency Boost Mode.

Ch. 571Caught Another Knight Order Commander

Lamiel’s F91 overwhelmed Osmane’s Holy War Wolf and pursued it through the battlefield despite the Howling Wolf Knights’ attempts to help their commander escape. The chase ended with Holy War Wolf disabled and Osmane captured.

  • Lamiel used F91’s afterimages and beam sabers to defeat Osmane and destroy his left arm-mounted cannon, but Osmane damaged one of her VSBRs with his final shot.
  • Osmane retreated toward his mothership as the Howling Wolf Knights tried to protect him, while Lamiel and her allies fought through the Wolf Hunters.
  • Lamiel used F91’s Psycommu System and other sensors to track Osmane, repeatedly attacking Holy War Wolf as it fled.
  • F91 disabled Holy War Wolf’s right leg, severed its right arm, cut off its other leg, and destroyed its rear thrusters.
  • Lamiel captured Osmane after disabling his machine.

Ch. 572Defection

After Osmane’s capture, the Sky Wing Mercenaries rescued hostages and took control of Colony Satellite No. 87, while the Dion Army’s coerced fighters turned against them. The Dion Army retreated after suffering heavy losses, and Lamiel considered using the victory and another captured commander to request more resources.

  • Footage of Osmane’s defeat and capture damaged the Dion Army’s morale, and Muswati worried about explaining the loss of three Royal Knights to the emperor.
  • The Sky Wing Mercenaries entered spacecraft on Colony Satellite No. 87, defeated Dion Army defenders, and rescued hostages using electric guns to neutralize hostage-takers.
  • Amanda livestreamed the fighting as drones broadcast that hostages had been rescued, prompting Wanluo Federation citizens to surrender or fight back against the Dion Army.
  • Wanluo Federation pilots in Scorpion Tigers, Winged Birds, and Koukai turned against the Dion Army after seeing footage of their rescued families, forcing the Dion Army to retreat.
  • Lamiel learned that the Bloodthirsty Wolf Strike Group had lost nearly five hundred Mass Production Type F91s and considered asking the boss for more funding and Newtype pilots after capturing another Knight Order commander.

Ch. 573They Thought It Was a Bluff, but It Was Real

The Skywing Mercenary Group used its newly formed Alpha Unit to break the Dion 2nd Expeditionary Army’s hostage threats, attacking the troops and spacecraft trying to escape Wanluo Federation territory. The Dion forces fled toward the Mars Sphere, while Muswati regretted staying too long and losing more of her army’s people and resources.

  • The Skywing Mercenary Group and United Army recaptured occupied colony satellites, rescued many civilians, and destroyed satellites 79, 82, and 84 after confirming they held no hostages.
  • As the Dion 2nd Expeditionary Army fled toward the Mars Sphere with civilians and supplies, it threatened to detonate bombs aboard spacecraft to deter interception.
  • The Skywing Mercenary Group deployed the Alpha Unit, which attacked the Dion forces and bomb-laden spacecraft despite the hostages, then rejected protests from the Wanluo Federation authorities.
  • The Alpha Unit’s attacks and battle cry became public spectacles, while the United Army struggled to stop Dion troops from escaping through its positions under threat to civilians.
  • The final Dion forces abandoned their spacecraft and cargo ships and fled after hearing the Alpha Unit’s cry, while the United Army scattered and the Alpha Unit pursued the retreating troops.
  • Muswati regretted not withdrawing earlier, realizing that her greed and overconfidence had cost her more than a timely retreat would have.

Ch. 574Brewing Coffee for a Fellow Captive

After the Wanluo Federation terminated its contract with the Skywing Mercenary Group, Osmane arrived at a prisoner-of-war detention center and reunited with Najedah. They discussed the war, prison life, and their lack of escape options, then shared coffee and milk tea as old comrades.

  • The Wanluo Federation ended its contract with the Skywing Mercenary Group after the group drove out the Dion 2nd Expeditionary Army and reclaimed the Federation's territory.
  • Osmane was sent to a detention center in the Meteoroid Zone and discovered that Najedah was imprisoned in the neighboring cell.
  • Osmane and Najedah discussed Tobias's death, the First Prince's fate, and rumors that Night Shadow had betrayed him.
  • Najedah explained the prison's work, points, food system, and punishments for escape attempts, and Osmane concluded that escape was impossible.
  • Najedah gave Osmane a meat bun and brewed coffee for him, and the two old comrades shared a warm drink together.

Ch. 575Exchange and Reprimand

Osmane and Najedah tried to teach Geman, a Newtype prisoner who looked down on ordinary humans, to behave responsibly in the detention center. After Osmane paid cigarettes to secure Geman’s release from the punishment room, Najedah scolded him while tending his injuries.

  • Osmane stopped a staff member from beating Geman and packed up the goods Geman had knocked from another prisoner, then urged him not to look down on ordinary humans.
  • Osmane learned that prisoners were treated better in this detention center than under the Dion Army, and he spent his points on supplies and improved meals.
  • Najedah warned Osmane that constantly rescuing Geman would keep him from learning, while her subordinates teased her about her close bond with Osmane.
  • Osmane exchanged cigarettes for Geman’s release from the punishment room and carried the badly bruised prisoner to the lounge.
  • Najedah gave Geman ointment and reprimanded him for abusing his father’s past sacrifice, while Osmane recognized that she scolded him out of concern.

Ch. 576Loyalty to His Majesty Did Not Mean Agreeing with His Newtype Ideology

Osmane and Najedah questioned the Dion Empire’s Newtype ideology while supporting Nali and Weiss’s marriage in the detention center. After the wedding, Osmane told Geman that Long Fei might take the couple in if their country rejected them.

  • Kalong accused Najedah and Osmane of disloyalty after they defended their disagreement with the Emperor’s Newtype ideology.
  • Taoxiang arranged for the detention center to support Nali and Weiss’s wedding, and Long Fei approved her plans.
  • Nali and Weiss married before their fellow prisoners and detention center staff, who gave them gifts and three days of wedding leave.
  • Osmane and Najedah handed out wedding candy, and Osmane told Geman that Long Fei might shelter the couple if the Dion Empire rejected them.
Arc 23 of 42