Thus, even Fleet Admiral Sylvester, the commander in name, put on the air of someone accepting orders. Of course, neither side cared about such things anymore.
Yu Lian's orders were quickly relayed to every warship. The entire Earth fleet that had sortied began tightening its formation, as though it had been prepared for this all along. By this point in the battle, even this fleet—packed with recruits who had served for less than a year—had been tempered into an elite force that could advance or withdraw at will.
Reckless slaughter and death could turn mortals into beasts, but a glorious struggle would always turn them into warriors. If the months-long defense of Seide had any positive significance in the grand sweep of history, perhaps that was it.
But if one calculated carefully, only two hours had passed since the war began.
Yet in this cruel world, two hours were more than enough time for several reversals and upheavals.
For the Commonwealth, the great battle had already weathered every stage—from the storm clouds gathering to sudden upheaval, from sweeping victory to calm after the storm—and was gradually drawing to a close. But the Empire certainly couldn't agree.
The mere fact that the Valiant, a Titan-class ship steeped in royal prestige, had been forced out of the battle after the storm passed was enough to drive many Imperial soldiers mad. And when the Pilgrim fell into enemy hands, the humiliation became almost unbearable. It was enough to unleash the remaining bloodlust and destructive urges of ordinary soldiers.
Naturally, the first to launch a frenzied attack were the warships that had been escorting the Pilgrim.
The Aegis-class ships had been nearly wiped out by the Commonwealth battlecruiser squadron's attack moments earlier, but a few remained, mounting a desperate counterattack.
Everyone knew, however, that