"No. During the year-long ceasefire, Marley never withdrew its border troops, but now it has. Marley must be in some kind of trouble. Give the order, General. We can't let this opportunity slip away. If we capture Marley's positions, I'm sure Parliament won't blame us for starting the war," Adjutant Wright urged.
Herbert still hesitated. After all, the Mid-East had signed the treaty of its own accord, only to tear it up itself. What would that do to its international credibility?
Rumble!!!
Herbert, Wright, and the messenger immediately turned toward the distant commotion.
"General! The fortress position is under attack! The fortifications have been breached!" the messenger screamed himself hoarse.
"Damn it!! What's going on?! Marley actually launched a surprise attack on us!!" Wright's eyes were bloodshot. He had never expected Marley to be even bolder than they were.
"Move, move, move!! Launch a full-scale attack! Take our positions back! Send in the 33rd, 45th, and 66th Divisions! Aim the Anti-Titan Cannons at their positions and blast them!!" Herbert roared.
The Mid-East Allied Forces were terrified, believing Marley had launched an all-out surprise attack, and committed their entire army without another word. Fortunately, they had already been preparing an offensive, so the moment their fortress was blown up, the Mid-East Allied Forces launched a fierce counterattack.
Gabi and Falco had returned to Marley's positions by then. Falco collapsed limply on the ground, gasping for breath.
"Hahahaha! I, Gabi, blew up Sparta Fortress! That was all thanks to me, Gabi Braun! I blew up Sparta Fortress all by myself! Did you see that?!" Gabi crowed, ecstatic.
Yet Gabi heard no praise. Instead, she saw the terrified looks in the eyes of Udo, Sofia, and the Marleyan and Eldian soldiers around them.
"So many... so many... the Mid-East is attacking!" Sofia said,