Barza Bay - 9:07 AM
The cold of the Antarctic, the deadly winds, seeped through every layer of armor, turning the soldiers' breaths into thin white mist. The dense icy fog covered Barza Bay, but it wasn't enough to obscure the flashes of light from the firing cannons. The deafening explosions of thousands of shells from the fleet shattered the deadly silence of this frozen land.
BOOM!
The synchronized firing of cannons roared like thunder, tearing through the icy stillness of the bay. Energy shells flew through the air, leaving brilliant streaks through the thick fog. Each impact echoed with resounding booms, shaking the ice below.
Dozens of human battleships formed a solid formation, their steel hulls gleaming silver under the dim light. Each Eclipse cannon on the battleships swiveled with precise rhythm, their barrels emitting intense heat that dispelled the cold. On the deck, officers shouted orders, their voices rising above the mechanical clatter and cannon fire.
A young soldier, his face flushed from the cold, pressed his hands against the thin layer of ice on the metal railing. He felt the vibrations of the cannons firing through his hands. His eyes were fixed ahead, where waves of artillery were turning the Alsma base into a sea of flames. The scent of gunpowder, burning metal, and hot steam mingled in the air, creating a stifling atmosphere that starkly contrasted with the external cold.
On the flagship's deck, small laughs began to rise. Soldiers stood close, exchanging brief but enthusiastic remarks. One patted his comrade's shoulder, both smiling confidently as they looked through the protective shield, now an impregnable barrier between them and the enemy.
"Target destroyed up to 87%, report from the auxiliary ship," a communications officer reported firmly, pride shining in his eyes as he looked at the control screen.
Apex-class battleships were not just symbols of strength but also humanity's hope against the technologically superior Alsma forces. The energy cannons, based on Proton Accelerator principles, fired plasma shells with destructive power enough to melt any ice in their path. From the sea to the horizon, icebergs shattered like dominoes, clearing the way for the battleships to their target.
The sounds on the deck reflected the tension gradually giving way to excitement. The Chrono Shield—a massive invisible wall—was activated, enveloping Barza Bay in a pale blue light, like a giant shield protecting the entire fleet. This time shield, a military marvel, not only nullified all counterattacks but also stood as a declaration that humanity was leading this war.
"Hahaha, they'll never break through the Chrono Shield," a young soldier laughed, adjusting his helmet, his previous anxiety quickly fading.
The atmosphere on the deck grew more relaxed, joyous laughter echoing around. Some leaned against the railing, gazing at the distant horizon where the flames still raged, feeling the cold sea breeze as a reminder of life. A few warriors clasped hands, their eyes shining with the belief that victory was within reach.
The cold wind still swept across the deck, carrying the salty scent of the sea and the howling echoes. Steady footsteps clanged on the metal floor, as a young officer approached the senior officers, his voice strong but tinged with tension.
"Sirs, No.2 Emilia Wardenholf and No.5 Rias Wardenholf, phase one of the operation has been successful. Zone A and Zone B have been completely neutralized."
The young officer paused, his eyes on the giant tactical screen on the deck, where signals from other ships flickered continuously. He pressed his earpiece, confirming a new report before continuing:
"The I, II, and III Legions under No.1 Lumiere Wardenholf are advancing from the Southwest, heading towards Antarctica Point. They have encircled Zone C to support Campbell Amerisa. Meanwhile, the IV, V, and VI Legions under No.6 Hayato Asakusa have penetrated deep into enemy territory with minimal resistance. Their advance is very smooth."
He adjusted his collar, taking a deep breath, his voice lowering:
"The VII, VIII, and IX Legions under Campbell Amerisa are breaching the fortified shield at Zone C. Alsma's resistance is weak, relying heavily on automated defense systems. However, our forces will soon bring them down."
The atmosphere seemed to grow heavier, but the young officer maintained a calm tone, continuing his report:
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
"The combined forces of the X, XI, XII, XIII, and XIV Legions under No.3 Eni O'kari Netackara and No.4 Vankenholf Volektu have deployed high-impact weapons, destroying the enemy's final defense lines. Currently, the entire front is under our control."
On the deck, Emilia Wardenholf didn't take her eyes off the tactical screen, then quietly looked toward the horizon, where the artillery still raged fiercely. She gently squeezed her gloves, feeling the cold seeping through the fabric.
"This war is nearing its end, isn't it?" Rias, standing beside her, broke the silence. Her voice was filled with excitement, as she stretched her arms, her movements casual but slightly careless. She suddenly threw her arm around Emilia's shoulders, pulling her close as if they were siblings.
Emilia frowned slightly but didn't push her away. Instead, she raised her hand, gently ruffling Rias's hair like an older sister teasing a younger sibling. "Resting already? Maybe it's a bit early to think about that."
"You really don't know how to enjoy the moment of victory, Emilia!" Rias laughed, her eyes gleaming with her usual confidence.
"That's good," Emilia chuckled softly, her gaze softening as she looked at her cousin. "At least you know how to set the mood. But don't forget, the Wardenholf family still has much to do after this war."
Rias stepped back, her smile still present but her eyes showing a hint of wistfulness. "Family... Yes. What could be better than a day spent with family?"
The atmosphere seemed light, but the distant sounds—explosions, clashing metal, and roaring engines—reminded everyone that this was only a temporary peace. A few other officers on the deck began to disperse, exchanging quiet words, but all were acutely aware of the tension still hanging over the battlefield.
Emilia turned back to the tactical screen, where their forces were pushing deeper into enemy territory. "Rias, do you think we're being too complacent?" Her voice dropped, almost a whisper.
Rias hesitated, her smile fading. She turned to look at the bay, where the artillery still blazed among the drifting ice. The cold wind blew fiercely, making their coats flap, pulling them back to reality.
"We're ten times stronger, Emilia. What's there to fear?" Rias replied, but her voice lacked its previous certainty.
"That's what worries me," Emilia whispered, her cold eyes gazing into the distance, where the gray sky hinted at something unusual.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The harsh sounds of explosions tore through the air. Dozens of massive fire columns erupted from the human base, the bright red flames mingling with the blinding yellow of the explosions, painting the frigid sky in a scene of apocalypse. The waves surged violently, crashing into the icebergs, shattering them like glass under immense pressure.
Emilia and Rias stood frozen on the deck. The heat from the distant explosions was enough to melt the ice on the metal railing, with tiny sparks visible even to the naked eye. Emilia clenched her jaw, her eyes filled with confusion and fury. Rias stood beside her, her hand trembling, not from the cold but from the horror consuming her.
"What the hell is happening?" Emilia gasped, her voice choking.
But no one had time to answer. Another colossal explosion sounded, as if the sky itself had been torn apart.
BOOM!
The Chrono Battleship—the pride of the entire human fleet, the ultimate protective center—exploded right before their eyes. The scene was unbelievable: the massive ship was ripped in half in an instant, its meters-thick armor flying apart like toy pieces. Flames surged, consuming everything before the remains sank to the ocean floor.
In that moment, the Chrono Shield—the symbol of invincibility—dimmed and then vanished. The cold sky of Barza Bay now lay exposed, like an open wound without cover.
The soldiers on the battleships stood like statues, the weight of despair pressing down on them. Some spun in confusion, others clenched their fists, struggling not to be overwhelmed by fear. Emilia felt her own breath: rapid, cold, and heavy.
"We've lost the Chrono ship..." Rias whispered, her voice carried away by the wind howling across the deck.
The suffocating atmosphere was shattered by sharp alarms:
[Alert: Hazardous energy source detected.]
[Alert: NanoBot ownership successfully overridden – New owner: *******]
[NanoBot Shield – Activated.]
On the deck, a strange blue light flashed, signaling the activation of the NanoBot shield. Emilia looked up at the sky, where billions of Nano Bots, smaller than dust particles, were gradually forming a massive shield, like a barrier separating them from the next attack.
But that safety lasted only a few brief seconds.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Shots from the Proton Accelerator slammed into the shield. At first, the shield seemed to absorb all the damage, light flaring into hazy waves. But then the microscopic bond of the Nano Bots—seemingly perfect—became their critical weakness.
Zap...
A strange sound echoed. The shield began to disintegrate, and moments later, the entire sky exploded in a blinding white light. A chain reaction spread at a terrifying speed, incinerating everything in sight.
Emilia collapsed onto the deck, her body thrown back by the shockwave. The sound of metal shattering, the deafening explosions, and the groaning steel bending under destructive pressure created an endless nightmare.
The fleet that once was humanity's pride was now just wreckage. The gigantic warships were torn apart, their fragments swept away by the waves like tiny leaves. A few smaller ships gradually sank into the ocean, leaving behind black smoke pillars rising into the gloomy sky, marking where they once stood.
Rias struggled to her feet, her eyes teary but filled with rage. She screamed, "We can't... we can't end like this!" But her voice was drowned out by the wind and continuous explosions.
Emilia stood unsteadily, gripping the metal rail tightly. She looked around, her eyes desperately seeking any survivors. Suddenly, her gaze met Rias's, their eyes locking, their fear, pain, and determination merging as one.