Shadows of the Deep Space
Chapter 328 - 308

Chapter 328: 308

Su Ming clicked and glanced at the photo, only to see a picture that had been uploaded, depicting Imperial Soldiers massacring women and children.

Numerous related posts followed.

Su Ming was slightly startled and looked up at the students present.

He saw many classmates, one after another, taking out their phones or lifting their wristbands, taking photos of the displayed images and uploading them to the Star Cluster Forum.

At this moment, the people on the Star Cluster Forum were thoroughly enraged.

"Beasts!"

"Disgusting, they lack any humanity."

...

Inside the office of the Starlight City Lord’s Mansion.

Gakels was sitting at his desk, his head bowed as he reviewed documents.

The door was then pushed open, and Yun Rou walked in with a somewhat anxious expression, reporting to him.

"Something has happened, Lord Gakels."

"What happened?"

Gakels lifted his head to look at Yun Rou and hoarsely inquired.

"The Neutral Country’s United Army has been defeated by the Imperial Army, and the Dark Star Empire’s thirteenth Skull Legion has already entered Anfas Kingdom’s Royal City, starting to burn, kill, and loot."

Yun Rou hastily reported the latest intelligence to Gakels.

"The United Army was defeated by the Imperial Army in less than a day?"

Upon hearing Yun Rou’s words, Gakels’ aged face grew so grim that it seemed water could drip from it.

He knew the United Army was no match for the Dark Star Empire, but according to the original estimate, the fighting should have lasted at least half a month.

Yet, in less than a day, the United Army had been defeated.

"Lord Gakels, the strength of the United Army was truly deficient, nothing more than a mob. In fact, the number of United Army soldiers that the Empire destroyed is limited, only about one-tenth of the entire force. But morale collapsed, and everyone was only concerned with fleeing, leading to their quick defeat!"

Yun Rou explained to Gakels.

"I understand."

"What should we do next? The defeat of the Neutral Country has already caused quite a stir within the Federation."

"Let me think, this is not so simple."

Gakels said tiredly.

"Yes, then I will take my leave first."

Yun Rou respectfully bowed and slowly retreated.

Gakels sat alone in his chair, staring at the Star Map hanging on the wall of the office, his eyes flickering incessantly.

...

Within the opulent palace hall of Actons Kingdom.

The crown-wearing, white-haired, gaunt-faced King Uther with sunken cheeks, clad in a red robe. He leaned weakly against the back of the throne, looking at the many worried nobles below.

"Ahh, the situation is getting worse and worse."

"I wonder how the battle between the United Army and the Imperial Army is going."

...

One noble after another discussed anxiously.

Just then, an officer hurriedly entered to report.

"Prince Yakes has returned!"

"Thank goodness, Prince Yakes has finally come back."

The nobles’ eyes suddenly lit up.

Upon hearing of his son’s return, King Uther immediately sat up straight and said.

"Quick, let him in!"

"Yes!"

The officer hurried out.

It wasn’t long before Prince Yakes, looking tense, entered with heavy steps.

"Prince Yakes, how was your diplomatic mission to the Federation?"

The many anxious nobles urgently asked Yakes.

"Alas!"

Yakes sighed with great unwillingness!

The nobles, hearing Yakes’s sigh and seeing his expression, felt their hearts sink to the bottom.

"Yakes, what happened?"

King Uther asked with deep concern.

"Father, I visited every official within the Federation who has dealings with us. However, they either refused to meet or made excuses that they dare not act without orders from the upper echelons of the Federation! One after another, they betrayed their promises! Think back to when they received benefits, they all vowed that we could count on them if we ever needed help, but now they’re like shrinking turtles."

Yakes expressed his frustration to Uther.

"What should we do now?"

The nobles present were utterly terrified by this news; it was like a nightmare.

Upon hearing Yakes’s words, King Uther suddenly looked much older, still holding onto a sliver of hope, he asked.

"Yakes, is there really no hope left?"

"No, the Federation has made up its mind not to intervene this time."

Yakes replied with certainty, he had done all he could to plead with the Federation, but they wouldn’t even allow him access to the Third Planet.

Upon hearing Yakes’s words, Uther felt a sudden blockage in his chest, his breathing grew rapid.

Just then, an Order Officer tumbled in, scrambling to his feet.

"Your Majesty, it’s terrible!"

"What happened?"

King Uther asked in alarm.

"The United Army has been routed, and the Cangye has been sunk!"

The Order Officer reported in terror.

"What did you, what did you say? Ah!"

Uther suddenly felt a wrenching pain in his heart, clutching his chest with a look of extreme agony, he tumbled headfirst from the throne.

"Father!"

Yakes, witnessing the scene, felt as if struck by a bolt from the blue, and immediately rushed to Uther’s aid.

"King!"

Various nobles and ministers also gathered around.

"Ya, Yakes..."

Uther looked at his son, unable to complete his words; finally, his body slumped, and his aged hand drooped.

"Father!"

Yakes, staring at his father who had died in his arms, let out a hysterical roar that echoed throughout the entire palace.

...

Inside the Starlight Sphere.

The images of slaughter had been playing for a little over an hour when suddenly, the footage abruptly cut off.

The students present fell into silence, no one urging it on any further.

The atmosphere at the scene was very heavy.

Although it was the Royal City of the Anfas Empire that was being looted and massacred, it still had a huge impact on everyone present.

Vice Principal Fleck then stood up from the front row, raised his hand to activate his collar’s loudspeaker device, and addressed the many students.

"All right, this war between the Neutral Country and the Imperial Army has come to an end. You have seen the result, the Imperial Army has won a great victory. They routed the United Army in less than a day! I hope you can learn something from this war so you can grow faster! Only when you grow, can you protect the Federation in the future and prevent it from ending up like those Neutral Countries! This world is very realistic and cruel. To protect the good things, you need a strong fist, and you are that fist!"

"Yes, Vice Principal Fleck."

The many students responded.

"Alright, I won’t say much more. I know you’re all not in good spirits, so you should go back and rest early."

Vice Principal Fleck waved his hand, dismissing everyone.

The many students and teachers, hearing this, stood up and began to walk out.

Mia also stood up, stretched lazily, and said to Su Ming and the others.

"Let’s go."

"Okay."

Su Ming and the others got up and followed Mia out.

"Teacher, now that the United Army has been defeated, are the Neutral Countries completely finished?"

Zhang Yi asked Mia hesitantly after some thought.

"Pretty much, even if they still have troops, do you think they have the confidence to resist?"

Mia replied with a sigh.

"I suppose."

Zhang Yi thought about it; it indeed seemed bad.

"Teacher, the defeat of the Neutral Countries seems to have caused quite a stir. Now on the Star Cluster Forum, besides condemning the atrocities of the Imperial Army, many people are also worried that after the Imperial Army annihilates the Neutral Countries, they will come and attack us. Do you think that’s possible?"

Rhein asked with concern.

"Of course, it’s possible."

Mia replied without hesitation.

"Then why doesn’t the Federation strike first, dispatch troops to fight the Imperial Army abroad? It’s always better than starting a war at home, right?"

Zhang Yi and others asked, puzzled.

"Of course I know it’s better to fight abroad, but the problem is, we can’t beat them! That’s why defensive war is necessary. You all know too well the advantages of fighting on our own turf! Wasn’t the Imperial Army dragged down by home-ground combat when they beat our expeditionary forces?"

"Ugh, this feels so frustrating."

"Frustrating? There are still more frustrating things to come. This is just the beginning! Remember my words, whatever you do, think through the consequences and whether you can afford the price. If you can’t bear it, you’ve got to know when to back down!" freeweɓnovel.cøm

Mia gave advice to her students.

She clearly felt that the situation was becoming more volatile, and her students may indeed have to face the worst of times.

Of course, the worst of times is also the best of times, because the tide of events makes heroes!

"Understood."

Su Ming replied humbly.

"Okay, I won’t go on about this. Go back and rest early. I’m off!"

Mia waved her hand and then turned and left.