Gra Valkan Imperial XVII Army Group
With a combined force of 120,000 troops and bolstered by the XI and XIV Army groups, which in total exceeded 300,000 personnel, they made landfall on the shores of Leifor. The former territory's shoreline brimmed with hundreds of landing craft, facilitating the disembarkation of thousands of troops, while overhead, hundreds of aircraft patrolled the skies. Below, a multitude of military vehicles rumbled forward, and scores of infantrymen advanced across the rugged terrain of Leifor.
Large artillery pieces were towed by their transport vehicles, and a multitude of tents sprang up as soldiers prepared their bases. Enormous landships unloaded their heavy cargo of ammunition and supplies, which were swiftly gathered and transported to logistics units' trucks. This logistical operation aimed to distribute these vital resources to advance units, supporting their mission to eradicate the remnants of the Annonrial armies that remained in the northern region of Leifor.
The western shores of Leifor lay in ruins, scarred by the overwhelming barrage of Gra Valkan artillery, airstrikes, and bombing operations. The landscape was marred by large smoldering fires and thick billows of smoke from the air. The occasional crackle of gunfire and distant artillery bombardments indicated that the battle was far from over, and the front lines were not too distant from the landing force.
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60 kilometers from the shores
Two massive and imposing Viracel main battle tanks from the Annonrial RAAS units reversed at a staggering speed of over 28 kilometers per hour as their 117mm cannons swung towards the advancing Gra Valkan Hound medium tanks, and they opened fire with their enormous rifled cannons. The rounds fired were Armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) projectiles, and they hit their mark. The shots effortlessly punched through the Gra Valkan tank's 80mm frontal armor with ease, over-penetrating and striking a Shafer light tank behind it, and whatever happened within the tanks was a catastrophic for their crews. The Gra Valkan Hound tanks came to a sudden stop, with flames and smoke billowing from the breaches in their armor. Before long, the fires reached their ammunition, cooking them up, resulting in a fiery explosion.
Loading their guns again, the Viracel tanks fired once more. The dense penetrator rod projectiles sped through the air at over 1,400 feet per second. However, the Gra Valkan tanks continued to advance, firing their own 37mm, 57mm, and 75mm guns. The battlefield was enveloped in thunderous roars as the Gra Valkan tank rounds flashed through the air, but due to their unstable and non-gyroscopically stabilized gun systems, their accuracy suffered. The rugged terrain didn't help either, causing many of their shots to miss their moving targets. Nevertheless, some rounds found their mark, but the Viracel tank's frontal armor, boasting over 300mm of thickness, shrugged off these hits, with many shots harmlessly ricocheting.
Before a crisscrossing fire flared up on the flanks of Viracel, the high-speed 75mm armor-piercing ballistic capped high-explosive with tracer (APCBC-HE-T) rounds of Gra Valkan Imperial Naval Infantry's C-13E Canine medium tanks roared. These tanks featured long-barreled cannons reminiscent of the IJA Type 3 Chi-Nu, complete with rudimentary gun stabilizers that had minimal effect on rugged terrain and high-speed maneuvers. They spat their shells out as they spiraled out of the barrel blazing.
"Hit the side!" roared the tank commander over the radio as five Canine medium tanks engaged the Annonrial RAAS main battle tanks in flanking maneuver. It was a showdown between marines and the airborne division, tanks against tanks on the burning steppes of Leifor.
"Identified!" the gunner bellowed.
"Fire!" the commander commanded.
"On the way," the gunner shouted as he pulled the trigger, igniting the propellant. The ensuing recoil jerked the breech loader and trembled the tank.
The commander and the gunner's sight turned into a flash of light and dust as the shockwave from the power of their 75mm cannon came to life.
"Put on some speed!" The tank commander shouted over the radio. The driver and tanks on their wings soon accelerated, attempting to maintain the flanking maneuver. They aimed to outmaneuver, encircle and cut off the escape of two Viracel main battle tanks belonging to Annonrials. These were among the few remaining functional units that hadn't been destroyed by airstrikes and naval bombardments from Gra Valkan offensive operation.
Their shells soon reached the targets, but they all missed. At a range of 1,100 meters and speeds exceeding 30 kilometers per hour, hitting anything was a challenge. Their rudimentary gun stabilizer was of little help; it was only effective on paper and at slow speeds. Over 30 kilometers per hour, it couldn't keep up, as its specifications weren't up to the task of high-speed engagement. Therefore, Gra Valkans could only hope to win by outnumbering and outflanking isolated foes like this or by overwhelming them with air and artillery attacks, wiping out these formations from the planet.
However, as if deeming them more dangerous than the forces primarily from their rear, despite their numerical count of over two dozen tanks, the massive turrets of the Viracel, which for the Gra Valkans were overly massive and imposing - enough to make anyone's sleep comfortably due to their enormous size compared to the Gra Valkans' much smaller turrets - began to swivel. Then, Annonrial's 117mm guns fired as the Gra Valkan's 75mm cannons roared. Two APFSDS rounds and five APCBC-HE-T shells crossed paths, effectively showcasing the meeting of modern and old on the battlefield.
In the exchange, one of the Gra Valkan tanks was obliterated as the APFSDS round struck the ammo compartment, instantly erasing the medium tank off the planet. Simultaneously, one of their APCBC-HE-T rounds hit the Viracel's turret, resulting in the petalling of the barrel and rendering it unusable.
With only one remaining MBT on the Annonrial side, it appears that all hope is lost. The Gra Valkans increase the pressure by continuously firing on their location. The remaining Viracel RAAS unit continues to return fire. They have been pinned down, and the other MBT, incapable of properly fighting back due to the damage to its 117mm barrel, continues to return fire with its smaller and less powerful coaxial autocannons and light guns on its commander's hatch. This provides some degree of ward and deterrence to slow down the advance. Then without any prior warning, dozens of high-speed projectiles streaked from the east of their location, opposite the main Gra Valkan forces. These projectiles, either from Muish or Annonrial forces themselves, are the infamous guided rockets. They slam into the tanks and other armored vehicles, obliterating two of the four remaining Canine medium tanks and practically decimating the chasing Gra Valkan tanks at the rear of the MBTs. This destruction breaks the encirclement of Gra Valkans around the Annonrial formation.
Soon, the screeching sound of transonic-speed, low-altitude flight becomes evident as four Galleria VTOL attack aircraft of the Annonrials sweep through, providing strafing fire support as they aid their brethren in retreat on the ground.
After completing their close air support mission, they promptly withdraw from the battlefield to avoid getting caught by a massive fighter formation that could envelop the entire aerial sector. Staying would be suicide, despite their capability to exceed the speeds of all available aircraft of Gra Valkan and Muish alike. Even the new Slepnier is not an exception; it remains slower in above-sea flight and less maneuverable than the Galleria itself.
But the Annonrials understand well, especially those who have been on the front lines since the 17th fleet of Annonrials set foot on the lands of Leifor. For every one hundred soldiers they throw into battle, the Gra Valkans throw ten times that number. Each loss on their side is irreplaceable, and their reinforcements are not even remotely close. It's been weeks of delays in their arrival, and the reasons for this delay remain unknown. They are desperately needed on the collapsing Annonrial front, where tens of thousands of soldiers are trapped in foreign lands without friends or support, and time is running out.
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Beyond the horizon, the elements of the Gra Valkan Naval Infantry and the Gra Valkan Imperial Air Service formed a massive, imposing formation. This force included dozens of attack aircraft and fighters, mostly updated Antares III models equipped with the Karslein Type 90 bomblet dispenser module on their wings. They utilized the reliable airframes of heavily modified and upgraded Antares aircraft. However, the star of the day was something slightly larger than the Antares III, although typically heavier and marginally larger than its predecessor, the Antares II and the legacy Antares.
While its wings were not markedly different, the cockpit stood out. Unlike the typical Antares and its variants, this aircraft featured a pressurized bubble canopy with an elevated and unobstructed view. Such an innovation was uncommon in Gra Valkan aircraft and was typically associated with much more modern nations or civilizations decades ahead. Notably, there were no metal frames; it was a pure frameless bubble canopy.
Below its fuselage, there was an eye-catching feature, a large tubular apparatus. It wasn't a fuel tank or torpedoes but an incredibly large, short-barreled cannon. For its size, this innovation was considered novel by everyone who saw it. Gra Valkans had previously relied on larger guns like their 35mm and 47mm wing-mounted modular autocannon pods for anti-tank and material targeting. Doubling the diameter of the cannon appeared to be a significant improvement in terms of power and lethality. What set this craft apart was its remarkable speed, both in terms of diving speed and the altitude it could reach. Not even the pressurized variant or the turbocharger-equipped Antares III could match its ceiling. The only aircraft that could outperform it in altitude was the Guti Maun super heavy bomber, but that craft was designed for bombing missions, not the high-speed agility of fighters like the Slepnier or the Antares III.
"Archon to Forsche II, Formation 25 is proceeding at an altitude of 3.3, bearing 092. Sectors A61 to A63 are clear of any hostiles."
Gra Valkan combat air patrol typically consist of not so low numbers, ranging from two to four dozen aircraft at the minimum. They don't operate individually on the battlefield, except in the rear of the line of actual control of either side. Deploying a single unit in a combat scenario is not considered a viable strategy as they are 90% be killed before they could relay the information of potential hostile presence.
Currently, they are flying over the skies of Leifor, which has been extensively ravaged by airstrikes and bombing formations. Forest fires are raging uncontrollably, one of many such fires throughout the front. There is no intervention to extinguish these fires unless it obstructs the strategic objectives of either belligerent.
"Forsche II to Formation 25, proceed to sector A31. We have received intelligence about a potentially isolated Annonrial armored column consisting of 2 to 3 armored units and up to two dozen infantry. Our forward scouts have reported that they lack any artillery support. Therefore, you are reassigned to engage and eliminate this target, over."
"Affirmative, Forsche II. Formation 25 will engage and eliminate the target in sector A31, over."
As the person put down the radio, he glanced below, where the ground billowed with smoke, scarred fields, and abandoned, ruined settlements. His eyes grew weary from gazing at the ground, a scene of hellfire, devastation, mayhem, anarchy, death, and suffering.
The captain of this formation, typically should held by a major, had to be filled by captain-level pilots due to war situation. Most of the majors had been killed or recalled to their homeland to train and teach new recruits in return to increase their chances of survivality, as there were hundreds of formations like this established. This was true both in Leifor and on the mainland, which was under attack by sporadic remnants of the 17th fleet. Their aim was to force the Gra Valkans to redistribute their troops and exert pressure on the populace, hoping to induce submission or cause anarchy. While their efforts had partially succeeded, they had barely made a dent in the industrial might and tenacity of Cabal and Gra Valkan Imperial Military.
He's only 23 years old, was shoved into service at military conscription at the age of 19 during the first Gra Valkan-Muish border war. But he was unable to participate. Before the actual conflict in the second border war, it was an eye-opener for him. He was originally optimistic about them winning wars against the barbarians of this world. However, the Muish guerilla warfare and large formations that matched their homeland, their armies, their air force, and their artillery that ravaged the battlegrounds of northern Leifor taught him something else - not optimism, but the grim reality of war.
In his first combat, while on patrol, they got ambushed by a Muish artillery battalion. An entire battalion of artillery firepower poured down on his patrol platoon. Out of 40 men, he was one of only 3 survivors. What he saw was a catastrophe, his fellow soldiers being engulfed by fire, mangled to death. It was a horrifying sight for him, something he couldn't even find words to describe. All he could say was that it was hell. Two of the other survivors were crippled forever, having lost limbs. The captain himself lost one leg, which forced him to use a prosthetic before eventually retiring. But he was recruited once more by a friend, to fly aircraft and retrain as a transport pilot. Eventually, he was retrained to fly fighter aircraft due to the chronic need for pilots in the war against the Mu and Annonrials.
"Archon to Formation 25, we're moving to A31. Stay alert, don't miss a thing," he said over the radio, his gaze fixed on the horizon.
The horizon of the world that had borne such heavy burdens for him and his people, now lay in anarchy. Riddled with wars without winners, only losers, if you asked him. Then, the formation swiftly moved to their designated target. While in transit, he caught sight of the Slepneir, the latest combat aircraft of Gra Valkan. These aircraft were a rarity, only accessible to the elite of the elites, and two of them had been attached to their formation as an experimental unit on the forward frontline.
After a few moments, they finally reached their destination and visually confirmed three box-like objects moving on the ground as per report.
"Beta unit, deploy in attack formation and take them down," Captain ordered over the comms, addressing beta unit, or all the dive bombers in the formation.
However, a voice broke through the radio static, "Captain Galran, we've got this. It's our time to shine. The Slepneir is here for testing the M41 75mm cannons for their anti-tank role. Please have your aircraft set aside as we deal with this quickly."
The speaker's tone was somewhat arrogant, as many of them hailed from high-ranking military families and aristocratic backgrounds with connections to the military, granting them access to the newest aircraft. They considered themselves the elite of the elites, both in terms of their units and their training, taking their status quite literally.
"Negative, your mission is focused on endurance and equipment testing, not direct combat involvement," the captain promptly replied over the comms.
"The Slepneirs are equipped with ground attack pods, and we've executed similar missions several times. Engaging a few sitting ducks won't be a significant concern for us. You are about to witness the dawn of a new era, and your outdated aircraft will soon be phased out. To expedite that process, it's imperative that you adhere to my authority," the Slepneir pilot asserted. Despite the captain's higher rank on paper, the pilot was asserting his influence.
"Slepneirs are to be protected at all costs. That's the order given to me, and that's why you're presently being escorted by these 'outdated' aircraft. Over." The captain held his ground, not concerned about the other person's reaction or potential tantrums.
He paused for a moment, and the dive bombers in his formation remained motionless, awaiting the resolution of the situation before proceeding with their mission. A brief silence lingered over the radio. Before he could react or utter a word, the pair of Slepneirs suddenly accelerated, hurtling forward at nearly 800 kilometers per hour, a speed that outpaced the supercharged, boosted Antares III by a hundred kilometers.
"Slepneir Units 9 and 15! Cease those dangerous maneuvers immediately!" he urgently demanded over the radio. However, there was no response as the aircraft began to dive. Their flaps opened, resembling those of dive bombers as they gradually slowed in the air. The protective tampions covering the barrels, designed to reduce aerodynamic drag and safeguard the ammunition, were fired off by small igniters.
They slowly descended in pairs, maintaining a mere 200-meter gap between them as they dove at speeds of 400 kilometers per hour. The cockpit trembled under the g-forces pressing against them during the dive, but they gradually stabilized as their speed reduced. They aimed their rudimentary analog lead-computing sights, which calculated the approximate landing zone for their 75mm shells based on factors like speed, altitude, range, and wind.
"Stupid," uttered the pilot of the leading Slepneir. "He doesn't understand that the Slepneir is the future and it needs recognition for that. Fools who don't comprehend how innovation and progress work." He expressed his frustration over the radio to his partner.
"He was ordered to escort us, so it's not entirely his fault," the other pilot chimed in.
"We don't need any shackles. We need to prove this aircraft's potential, not be some decorative machine," he continued. The jet piston engine, let alone pure jet aircraft, was still in its infancy in Gra Valkans. Despite the need and odds, the Slepneir, which meant 'future' in the ancient eastern Valks or the modern common Valks as 'warrior,' represented the next-generation aircraft of the Gra Valkan Imperial Air Service. Despite its impressive and superior capabilities compared to the Antares III, it was rarely deployed in actual battlefield.
1.4 kilometers above what they assumed were vulnerable targets, they noticed two additional, more inviting objectives — stationary Viracel main battle tanks, and couldn't contain their joy.
"Is that what I'm thinking?" the lead aircraft asked over the comms.
"Likely," the other replied.
"Easy targets," he said as he adjusted the reticle on his computing sights.
Grins spread across their faces as they prepared to eliminate these 'easier' targets, much like they had done in countless training scenarios and in bombing Annonrial survivors with minimal resistance.
However, they failed to identify the true nature of the armored vehicles on the ground, leading them into a suicidal dive directly toward their adversaries. Below them, two Viracel main battle tanks, heavily modified with larger chassis turrets, posed a serious threat to low-altitude targets. These tanks were especially formidable against diving stationary targets. Their four 27mm guns, thanks to their modified turrets, began tracking the approaching aircraft. Essentially, they were the equivalent of another world's ZSU-23-4 Shilka, a foe that even modern nations would do their best to avoid facing in its element.
Tud! Tud! Tud! rururururu!
The firing was initially slow, shot by shot, before one of the tanks switched to full auto, unleashing over 900 rounds per minute. The other tank joined in, and they unleashed a hail of over 1,800 bullets per minute. Tracers streaked through the air, forming straight lines targeting the incoming aircraft.
As the pilots of the Slepneirs opened their eyes wide, they frantically evaded the hail of gunfire.
"Evasive maneuvers!" one of them shouted as a hail of fire ascended from the earth. Their aircrafts began to creak under the excessive stress, with their loaded payload being a primary contributing factor.
Fortunately, the rounds were not proximity-fused, as the alternative would have peppered them with a cloud of supersonic shrapnel. Despite the apparent advantages of the Slepneir's specifications and the inclusion of several modern innovations unheard of to their people and engineers just a few years ago, it wasn't as impressive as they had hoped.
"Open fire! Open fire!,"
In a state of panic, they unleashed their payload. At a distance of 1.1 kilometers, the 75mm short-barrel cannons roared to life. However, on their reticle, it was clear that their targeting was significantly off the mark. They only managed to fire once before leveling their flight path. Surprise had taken its toll, as they hadn't been informed or mentally prepared for such a precise retaliatory strike. They immediately attempted to escape the scene and gain altitude.
Unfortunately, the SPAAG of Annonrial didn't allow them to escape so easily. It relentlessly pounded the air with a crisscross and canvas of anti-aircraft fire, painting the skies with high-speed trailing lights.
And then, one of the rounds found its mark. It punctured a hole in one of the aircraft's wings, and the entire wing area began to disintegrate rapidly. The aircraft spiraled out of control, plummeting toward the earth. The pilot, there's no bloom of parachute as to why? The pilot remained with the doomed aircraft as it exploded in the air, sealing its fate.
The event was so fast that the surviving pilot didn't even understand what had just happened. His partner was unable to utter a last word, nor did he know what happened to him until the moment he looked below due to the rush of adrenaline. It was then that he saw his partner plummeting down to earth.
"What the hell!?" he shouted as he activated the supercharger to accelerate. The propeller and the jet engine synchronized to gain speed in an attempt to escape this predicament.
Sweat trickled down his face as he danced through the sky, narrowly dodging anti-aircraft fire. Then, he noticed a cluster of dots in his field of view, and the memory struck him, "What are you waiting for!? Help me!" he shouted desperately to the formation of Galran. But before he could hear another word, Galran's formation spread out which bewildered him for a second by this spectacle until...
Boom!
His aircraft violently shook as it spiraled out of the sky, slamming him against the bubble canopy. Blood began to drip onto his head. "Damn it!" he shouted as he peered towards the rear of his aircraft, only to find it utterly pulverized by something. Several flashes of light appeared on the horizon. Moments later, smoke trailed and fireballs erupted in the sky, with aircraft spiraling out of control and plummeting to the ground, much like his partner. Multiple missiles struck Galran's formation as they evaded the Annonrial attack, including attacks from beyond visual range.
He had heard about the ridiculousness of guided rockets. He believed they existed but thought that their faster speeds meant they could be outrun. Their experiments had suggested that air-launched rockets could be outpaced by Slepneirs in a linear fashion. They also lacked the fuel to last long and should not be persistent once they overshot their targets. Their designers and military strategists had some elaborate hypotheses and countermeasures for dealing with missiles, either by flying low or having them overshoot, as there was no way they could retrack their aircraft. But now, he was witnessing the impossible. It was as if their aircraft were being swatted out of the sky like flies. Their enemies hadn't even come into sight, and yet they had managed to slaughter this many aircraft in a short amount of time.
Now, he finally understood why two squadrons of aircraft in combat air patrol were the minimum requirement in all protocols for this war. Within less than a minute, a dozen aircraft could potentially be wiped out without even the chance to report their status to headquarters.
He opened the cockpit and bailed out, taking in the miserable state of the war and the seemingly unfair and impossibly advanced capabilities of their foes. As he descended and looked towards Galran's formation, he saw a few parachutes opening, much like his own. Fortunately, the Annonrials chose to withdraw rather than hunt them down. The next day, they were rescued to safety. This experience prompted the Gra Valkans to make adjustments to the Slepneir based on its performance. They were learning how to operate jets at a snail's pace, driven by the desperate position they found themselves in during this war.
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Eastern Mu, Canossa Archipelago
December 24, 1641
Several dozen Annonrial ships were burning off coast of Canossa Archipelago, located to the east of Mu. This region comprises a group of semi-independent countries, similar to Scotland in the United Kingdom, with a strong self-identity. Due to their small population and shared history with the old Muish migrants who coexisted with the aboriginals two millennia ago, the Canossa Eastern Kingdoms chose to remain a part of Mu.
Furthermore, 200 kilometers to the east lies the disputed Borham Isles. Mu and Milishial have been in a rivalry over these islands for the last 300 years. Despite a rapprochement three decades ago, there is an ongoing dispute over the land ownership. Complicating matters, 90% of the population in this region are pure humans without Mana, making them generally unsupportive of aligning with Milishial due to the presence of magical supremacists and elven extremists in that country. As a result, they hold unfavorable views of Milishial.
Additionally, if they were to declare independence, their military protection, economic benefits, and prestige would immediately collapse. The Canossa Eastern Kingdoms are heavily dependent on Mu, with 70% of their infrastructure being funded, owned, and operated by Mu. Their territory, despite its size comparable to Indonesia, has a population of just over five million. This is enough to maintain some degree of military, but not sufficient to protect themselves entirely from pirate infestation plaguing eastern Mu and southern Millicent or any potential hostile countries.
But, taking all factors into consideration, and considering the unique characteristics of this territory in New World, it boasts some of the most advanced infrastructure that New Worlders could hope to understand, acquire, or develop. With a few settlements that are as developed as ASEAN, Mu, Gra Valkan, Milishial, and Annonrials, there are very few that could be considered modern if they were to declare independence. There are a little over a dozen modern airports, several deep harbors capable of accommodating gigantic ships from ASEAN, Milishial, and Mu, as well as typical cargo vessels, steamships, and even giant battleships, carriers, and cruisers from Mu and Milishial.
It serves as a regional hub for Mu, and its strategic location is one they cannot afford to lose. Consequently, they have rapidly modified and militarized the airports and constructed additional airstrips throughout the region. They have deployed their aircraft en masse, with up to 80 Supermarin monoplanes and 340 Marin biplanes stationed here, along with 200 bombers and attack aircraft. They are accompanied by 30,000 soldiers, hundreds of cannons, and dozens of cruisers and destroyers. The region has been heavily militarized, to the extent that it could potentially hold its ground against countries of lower world rankings, excluding transferred countries like ASEAN and the Gra Valkas Empire, as well as territories left by the Ravernal Empire and the prime reason among all, Annonrial Empire.
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"That makes 16 for the day, on top of that it's Christmas eve," said the operator of the SE-AShM-1, formerly called VCM-01, as it entered full-scale production almost a year ago.
"We're getting another 2 batteries airlifted this week from the first civilian area to here, that appears to be our Christmas gift. We could use another of our reserved batteries to form another battalion, giving us three battalion, which should be enough to cover all the important regions of Canossa. If Annonrial tries to invade any land that appears undefended, they'll either face heavy harassment from our Rangers or the Muish forces moving in to confront them," added another person.
"But that's the thing. Annonrial might actually avoid areas with strong defenses and focus on less protected regions and build some damn infrastructure that could be a pain in the ass to deal," replied the first person.
"True, we could request an additional 2 or 3 battalions from headquarters. That would be the most preferable solution to ensure the defense of the entire region," the second person suggested.
"However, it's unlikely that we'll get that many without sacrificing our own defenses by relocating our already limited shore defense systems to Mu. Currently, there are only 8 or 9 battalions in total, and almost 5 of them are deployed here in Mu. More than half of our battalions are concentrated here."
As ASEAN mass-produces their missiles, they've equipped hardly nine battalions, with two of them currently deployed in Canossa. This deployment is considered more pressing due to ASEAN's limited ability to project power abroad. Furthermore, ASEAN lacks any formal military alliance with Mu, aside from the anti-piracy treaty, which allows ASEAN to send coast guard ships to Mu. In return, Mu is permitted to send ships to ASEAN ports, although this is limited to Lauria. As a result, creative solutions are being explored to address this predicament, often exploiting legal loopholes.
The treaty explicitly restricts fighter aircraft, attack aircraft, and bombers, while surface combatants are prohibited from being stationed within Mu's borders. However, the treaty does not explicitly mention missiles, which are not classified as artillery according to Mu's conventional definitions. Similarly, multirole combat aircraft are not categorically considered pure fighters, attack aircraft, or bombers.
Despite these apparent violations of the treaty, Mu and ASEAN seem to turn a blind eye to the situation, perhaps to maintain the appearance of Muish neutrality and adherence to the anti-piracy treaty's limitations. Nevertheless and ironically, to the point where it's blatant, with frigates which considered as surface combatants escorting transport and merchant ships carrying SE-AShM-1 and other weapons and supplies to Mu, as if the treaty didn't exist to begin with, with allied countries casually sending troops to each other. Just imagine, it's like USA sending troops and supplies to Switzerland in times of war.
"Are the Annonrials really this oblivious?" The operator asked, slouching in his seat. "We've obliterated three of their fleets in the past two months, not to mention the reports of our ships escorting supplies to Mu sinking several Annonrial fleets along the way. And somehow, they still keep coming into our massive kill zone without a clue? We've sunk 41 of their ships already."
He and the others mused. Over the past month since they deployed in this area, they've been actively attacking any identified Annonrial ships. Once identified, they unleash mass missile strikes to ensure their destruction. They've launched up to 112 missiles alone to guarantee the complete destruction of their targets, with an average of 2.7 missiles required to sink a single Annonrial ship. This has depleted their stock from 200 missiles down to 78, which is a concerning sign. However, reinforcements and resupply missions are coming in steadily, ensuring they can hold the line until resupply missions arrive to relieve their logistics and maintain a high level of combat readiness, continuing to weaken the Annonrial forces in this war.
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Unbeknownst to them, at an altitude of 61,000 feet above the skies, a large black aircraft was flying at subsonic speed. It was an Annonrial high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, the newest version known as the Eizan, which translates to "bear" in Annonrial dialect.
The Eizan was equipped with advanced electromagnetic optics that allowed it to scan the surrounding area. It focused on assessing the array of weapons, infrastructure, radio emissions, and the geography of Canossa. This region had not been a priority for Annonrial, especially after the capture of Centway Island, and was considered unnecessary for their immediate plans. However, Canossa did possess a large and abundant deposit of raw Mithridates ore, also known as mithrill ores. These ores were highly disruptive to magic devices and acted as a suppressor for any form of Mana on it's proximity. The level of Mana in this area was comparable to that on Earth, making it very challenging for anyone attempting to use magic, if not impossible.
The presence of Mithridates mines and deposits made the region hostile to Annonrial's magitech. This indirectly contributed to the SEADF anti-ship batteries and units being able to conceal their destructive activities against the first and second Flotilla. For the third Flotilla, while able to conceal the aftermath, but with many Flotilla going dark and unresponsive for comms, it resulted to the spread a rumor suggesting that a Milishial fleet was roaming the area, hunting down Annonrial ships as part of a counteroffensive. However, their luck ran out when the fourth Flotilla was encountered and wiped out while the Eizan scanning the surrounding, and thus, Annonrial recon aircraft began its surveillance of area, putting Canossa under its watchful eye.
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Um, early update for November but the last chapter for November along with my pair chaps for WVR are slated to be released at 3rd week of November as there's many real life work lately.
Non-canon NHS fic meanwhile will be delayed as to prioritize the completion of gate scenario by chapter 7 or 8, but already finished two chaps for muvluv and suspending ace combat due to I'm not sure what timeline to chose, either light house or belkan war, idk what to consider.
Reincarnated as AI half finished but gone burnt out on it, can't finish in time.
That would be all, and Happy Halloween and All Saint's Day everyone!