279: Independence War 4

In the Capital of the Empire, inside Prime Minister Osborne's office, the atmosphere was so heavy it was almost suffocating.

Outside, thunder roared and rain poured down, as if foreshadowing the Empire's impending fate.

Osborne stood before a massive military map, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table. His face gradually paled as the communications officer presented one front-line battle report after another.

All the officers in the command room held their breath.

They watched as the Prime Minister's fingers began to tremble slightly, and a battle report slipped from his grasp, hitting the floor with a 'thud'.

The ruler of the Empire, known for his iron blood will, actually staggered back two steps, his legs giving out as he slumped into the command chair.

"Impossible..." For the first time, Osborne's voice wavered. He clutched his forehead, his knuckles white from the force. "It's only been a few hours since the war started..."

"Armored forces have suffered over half casualties, Steit's fate is unknown..." Osborne murmured, his fingers trembling slightly. "The infantry army was ambushed, Kleister is severely wounded, requesting urgent support..."

"How is this possible!"

The communications officer lowered his head, his voice trembling: "Prime Minister, according to intelligence from the front, the Crossbellians used weapons we have never seen before. Those mechs, like Divine Knights, and the armor they wear, their firepower far exceeds our imagination..."

Osborne snatched the battle report and quickly scanned its contents.

When he saw phrases like "can easily destroy armored tanks," "all enemy personnel's physical capabilities rival top-tier Jaegers," and "indiscriminate bombardment can temporarily resist attacks," fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

These words reminded him of that nightmarish meeting. At the top of Lanka Tower, at the trade conference, how that white mech easily defeated the well-equipped private forces of the Empire's old nobility.

"I guessed wrong..." Osborne's voice became hoarse. "It's not just a few mechs, but advanced weapons capable of arming an entire army..."

"How long has this company been preparing for today!?"

He suddenly remembered his meeting with Topaz.

The director of the Interstellar Peace Corporation sat elegantly opposite him, delivering a 'notification' with an 'indifferent' attitude.

"Mr. Prime Minister, what the Company wants is a complete Crossbell."

"As for the Republic, the Company will handle it. What the Empire needs to do is cooperate."

At the time, he thought this was just diplomatic rhetoric, but now, it was clearly the most direct warning.

"Lechter's report..." Osborne suddenly remembered something, hurried to the safe, and retrieved the top-secret document. He quickly flipped through it, his face growing increasingly grim.

"Director Aventurine... suspected of possessing special abilities... Scholars from the Company's technological empire headquarters cannot explain... avoid direct conflict..." Osborne's fingers clutched the document tightly, his knuckles white. "I should have thought of it sooner..."

He had speculated that the mysterious Interstellar Peace Corporation would provide Crossbell with many advanced weapons, and that the Empire's attack would likely not go smoothly.

Furthermore, he had personally witnessed and experienced the combat power of the Company's mysterious mech weapons, knowing that such weapons would change the landscape of warfare.

But he never expected that, according to the front-line battle reports, the Company's aid to Crossbell was not just a few mechs, but never-before-seen weapons and equipment sufficient to arm the entire Garrison.

At this moment, Osborne finally understood that the Company was definitely a more powerful and terrifying existence than the Society.

The Company had declared its 'ownership' of Crossbell, so the Empire's military retaliation for Crossbell's independent actions would inevitably be met with the Company's counterattack.

However, for the sake of the Empire's interests and his own political ambitions, he had no choice but to launch this war.

Although he now felt regret, it was already too late.

The Empire's armored forces were encircled, and the infantry army suffered heavy losses. Even more terrifying, according to front-line intelligence, Crossbell's army intended to advance towards the border, seemingly preparing to counterattack the Empire's homeland.

"Prime Minister!" Another communications officer rushed into the office. "Lieutenant General Kleister sent his last communication: 'We have suffered a devastating blow, requesting...' The signal cut off there."

Osborne slumped into his chair, covering his face with his hands. The officers in the office held their breath, not daring to make a sound.

After a long while, he finally looked up, his eyes flashing with determination.

"Give the order," his voice suddenly became cold and firm, "activate 'Twilight'."

The officers in the office exchanged glances, and a senior general couldn't help but speak: "Prime Minister, 'Twilight' is still in the experimental stage, and the Divine Knight's control system is not yet fully stable. If it is put into actual combat now..."

"We don't have time!" Osborne stood up abruptly, slamming his fist on the table. "The Crossbellians won't give us a chance to breathe. If they break through the border, the Empire's dignity will be completely lost!"

He walked to the window, looking at the distant spire of the Imperial Palace: "The Company thinks that with advanced weapons they can change the course of the war, but they underestimate the Empire's resolve, and they also underestimate the power of the Divine Treasure."

"But Prime Minister," another staff officer cautiously reminded, "using the Divine Knight may lead to unpredictable consequences. The power of the Divine Treasure is not something we can fully control..."

"Then let me bear the consequences!" Osborne turned around, his eyes flashing with a mad glint. "Immediately awaken the Divine Knight, I will personally command this counterattack."

The officers dared not say more and quickly issued the orders.

Osborne watched their retreating figures, muttering softly: "Let's see whose technology is superior, your Company's or the Empire's Divine Treasure."

In a secret base deep underground, a massive mech was being activated.

Its appearance was ancient and mysterious, its surface covered with old runes, and its eyes glowed with an eerie red light.

This was the Empire's ultimate weapon, the Divine Knight, a war machine imbued with the power of the Divine Treasure of Steel.

Osborne stood at the control panel, placing his hand on the sensor. With a surge of energy, his consciousness connected with the Divine Knight. A powerful force surged into his body, bringing with it unbearable pain.

"Is this... the power of the Divine Treasure...?" Osborne gritted his teeth, sweat dripping from his forehead. "Indeed, it is the Empire's curse."

He forcibly suppressed the turmoil within him and began to control the Divine Knight. The massive mech slowly rose, breaking through the base's ceiling, and flew towards the border.

On the plains outside Tangram Gate, smoke billowed.

The wreckage of the Republic's Second Armored Division lay scattered across the scorched earth, burning tanks spewing thick black smoke, darkening the sky.

"Commander! Our front line has completely collapsed!" The communications soldier stumbled over, his helmet askew on his head. "The Seventh Regiment has lost contact, and the Eighth Regiment has suffered over half casualties!"

Major General Marcus Weber, the Division Commander, stood in the makeshift command post, his face terribly grim. He looked through his binoculars at the black mechs skillfully moving across the battlefield in the distance, his fists unconsciously clenching.

"These damned Crossbellians..." His voice was deep and angry. "When did they get such weapons?"

The Chief of Staff hurried over, holding a newly intercepted intelligence report: "Commander, according to intelligence analysis, these mechs and individual equipment all come from that Interstellar Peace Corporation. And..." He hesitated, "The situation on the Empire's side seems to be even worse than ours."

Major General Weber sneered: "It must be that idiot Steit, ambushed again for being too aggressive." He turned to the map. "Order all units to contract their defensive lines and concentrate fire to cover the area 500 meters ahead!"

"But Commander," the Chief of Staff frowned, "this will cause friendly fire casualties to our own wounded..."

"Execute the order!" Major General Weber roared sharply. "Those mechs are too fast, conventional tactics are useless! Only indiscriminate saturation bombardment can temporarily stop them!"

As the order was given, the Republic's artillery positions began to roar deafeningly. Shells rained down on the front line, exploding into a sea of fire, indiscriminately hitting friend and foe.

In Crossbell's command center, President Dieter watched the real-time footage, his brow furrowed: "The Republic has started indiscriminate shelling."

Commander Sonia calmly analyzed the battlefield situation: "They are smarter than the Imperial forces; they didn't rush in. Although their losses are significant, their main force is still intact."

"Should we pursue?" a staff officer asked.

Sonia shook her head: "No need. Our current objective is to hold the border, not to annihilate them. Order the front-line units to retreat to a safe distance and await further instructions."

Meanwhile, on the Republic's front line, Major General Weber watched the retreating Crossbellian army and let out a long sigh of relief.

"They're retreating..." the Chief of Staff said with a sense of relief.

Major General Weber, however, showed no signs of relaxation: "This is only temporary. Give the order to immediately construct defensive fortifications."

"Also," he paused, "send a message to the presidential palace, requesting reinforcements and a new operational plan."