On January 2, the Black Stone Kingdom declared war on the Free State Conglomerate. Almost all the surrounding powers expressed their support for the Black Stone Kingdom through their embassies there on the same day, and offered to send troops to help.
On January 10, the Civilization Progress Alliance was the first to complete its mobilization. An elite fleet consisting of one Star Destroyer, twelve battleships, and thirty-three cruisers set off for the Black Stone Kingdom.
On January 15, the Purple Thorn Kingdom completed its mobilization. Ten battleships and forty-three cruisers gathered in the star sector designated by the Black Stone Kingdom.
On January 16, the Faluleong Kingdom switched to a wartime footing. Twelve battleships and forty cruisers set out for battle.
On January 20, the Seaton Duchy completed its mobilization. A formation of six battleships and thirty cruisers set sail.
In the face of the Free State Conglomerate's aggression, the whole star sector was swept by turmoil. Everyone seemed united in their resolve!
"The Black Stone Kingdom has far more prestige in this star sector than I expected.
That's not the sort of influence you'd expect from a newly established nation."
Zhao Wan, an "outsider," was quite shocked—and puzzled—by the situation.
These nations hadn't acted at the Black Stone Kingdom's request. They had all taken the initiative themselves.
This showed that they not only regarded the Black Stone Kingdom as the true ruler of this star sector, but were also confident it could withstand the Free State Conglomerate's invasion!
The Unicorn Mercenary Group's five Star Destroyers, combined with the three Star Destroyers the Free State Conglomerate publicly acknowledged possessing, gave it a formidable force of at least eight Star Destroyers and more than two hundred battleships.
Several times the Black Stone Kingdom's publicly known military strength!
And in