133: Chapter 133 Looking for

The warships of the Olympia Empire are known for their unparalleled defense. Their "Divine Blessing Alloy" armor and multiple energy shield systems make these steel giants the most sturdy mobile fortresses on the battlefield.

However, sturdy defense is often accompanied by a relative lack of firepower—the Olympia people are better at protracted warfare and close-quarters attrition. In terms of long-range firepower projection and area clearing capabilities, they are indeed inferior to the Blazing Dragon Federation, and also not as good as the Holy Alliance, which can multiply energy attacks through probability theory.

Therefore, based on the long-standing friendly relations between the two nations, a classic tactical combination has formed: Olympia warships hold the front line, using their bodies to form an impassable Great Wall of steel; while the Holy Alliance fleet hides behind this wall, adjusting those precise light-bending ship turrets to the optimal firing state, waiting for the moment to reap.

For the first three hours of the battle, this combination indeed achieved remarkable results.

"Glow Cruiser cluster, target locked—the Zerg density zone 1 light-minute ahead of the Olympia battle line, full power volley!"

As the order was given, the main guns of the Glow Cruisers lit up simultaneously. These muzzles were not aimed directly at the Zerg, but fired pure Holy Light energy beams at precise angles towards predetermined spatial coordinates.

The energy beams did not dissipate immediately after leaving the muzzles but repeatedly refracted, superimposed, and resonated between thirty-six "energy resonance nodes" preset in front of the fleet. With each refraction, the intensity of the beam increased by an order of magnitude; with each superposition, the range of the attack expanded; with each resonance, the special attack effect against Zerg biological tissues strengthened.

When the final attack shot out from the last resonance node, it was no longer a simple energy beam, but a "Holy Light Purification Field" with a coverage area reaching 0.2 light-minutes.

Wherever the field reached, Zerg units rapidly decomposed, vaporized, and annihilated, like bacteria exposed to strong ultraviolet light. They were not destroyed, but "purified" from the most basic level of life structure into harmless light energy and heat energy.

In one volley, an absolute safe zone with a radius of 1.8 million kilometers was cleared in front of the Olympia battle line; at least two billion Zerg units of various types were obliterated in this single strike.

"Radiance Battleship cluster, execute 'Heavenly Punishment Protocol', target—the biological shield generation nodes of the leviathan mothership 'Reaper-7'."

The array of Radiance Battleships began to deform, adjusting their relative positions with astonishing synchronization. Each warship became a component of a massive energy matrix, and the sole purpose of this matrix was to converge scattered attacks into a single beam of light capable of piercing a planet.

The attack pierced through dozens of light-minutes of the battlefield and struck the biological shield of "Reaper-7", which was capable of withstanding hours of bombardment from conventional fleets.

The Leviathan's shield fluctuated violently and then dissipated into nothingness under the force applied at thirty-seven key nodes. Piercing through the battlefield consumed too much power from the Radiance ships, failing to penetrate the enemy shield.

"Battle result statistics: This round of attack consumed a total of 37.4 terajoules of standard energy units, destroyed an estimated 230 million Zerg units, and reduced the target Leviathan's biological shield energy by 70%; it has retreated to the rear." The tactical analysis officer's voice rang out in the command center of the flagship "Holy Judgment", "The energy borrowing efficiency reached 427% of the peak state, exceeding design expectations by 12%."

Bishop Albert stood before the holographic star map in the center of the bridge, a look of satisfaction on his face. He gently stroked the holy emblem in his hand and said to the adjutant beside him, "Did you see that? This is the art of war of the Holy Alliance—not relying on brute force, but using the most exquisite methods to deliver the most lethal blow at the most critical moment."

The adjutant nodded respectfully, "It is indeed breathtaking, Bishop. However, monitoring systems indicate that the seventh, ninth, and thirteenth energy borrowing networks are showing signs of overload, and it is recommended to enter a cooling maintenance period."

"Approved." Albert nodded, "Have the first to third sub-fleets rotate to the front line, and the fourth to sixth sub-fleets retreat for rest. Tell the commanders of each ship not to pursue momentary kill counts; we want sustained and stable output. This war... is still long."

...

However, the course of war often does not shift according to the meticulous designs of any party.

In the fourth hour of the war, the right wing of the battlefield—the defense zone responsible by the Angel Race, Demon Race, and several other God-tier civilizations—began to show unsettling signs.

The joint defense line of the Angel Race and Demon Race had already retreated by a full 0.05 astronomical units, about 0.4 light-minutes.

This was a genuine forced retreat. It was to gain room for tactical adjustments by creating a buffer space.

"Holy Light Barrier seventh sector overloaded and collapsed! Repeat, seventh sector collapsed! A Corruptor cluster is breaking through the gap!"

"Shadow shielding field interfered with by psionic shock, stealth fleet exposed, currently suffering concentrated fire!"

Bad news flew toward the joint command like snowflakes.

The Angel Race and Demon Race are indeed powerful cosmic races second only to humans, but the gap implied by "second only to" was fully exposed in such a large-scale total war.

First is the issue of quantity. The total population of the Angel Race and Demon Race is only on the scale of a hundred trillion, which is not even one-hundred-millionth of humanity's, making them appear stretched thin.

The population base limits the number of troops, limits the industrial scale, and limits the speed of scientific research iteration.

Although relying on the ancient alliance with humans, the Angel Race and Demon Race were able to share some technological development achievements, and even many clansmen lived in human society in human form to learn advanced technology, this was ultimately "borrowing" rather than "owning". In peacetime, this gap was not obvious, but once in a state of war, the shortcomings of lacking a complete industrial system and strategic depth would be exposed.

The "Holy Light Fleet" of the Angel Race is indeed magnificent and powerful; every warship is as exquisite as a work of art, and the ship-borne Holy Light weapons have a natural special attack bonus against the Zerg. But the problem is that the production cycle of these warships is too long, the cost is too high, and maintenance is too complex. If combat damage occurs, the Angel Race does not have sufficient repair and maintenance capabilities.

The "Shadow Fleet" of the Demon Race is good at raids, deception, and spatial manipulation, and often achieves stunning results in small and medium-scale conflicts. But now they are facing a frontal crushing large-scale army battle, and shadow techniques have little effect in front of the endless sea of Zerg.

"Bishop, the High Archangel of the Angel Race has sent a communication request." The communications officer reported.

Albert nodded and connected.

The six-winged projection of the High Archangel appeared in the command center. This ancient existence, known for his bravery, had undisguised anxiety on his face at this moment:

"Bishop Albert, the right-wing battle line can hold for at most two more hours. We need support, immediately, right now."