Chapter 1504: Speaking to you nicely doesn't mean I have a good temper

The last few light points of the Tiezhua also extinguished on the star map.

The Ultramarines fleet ceased fire output, and the silence of the bombardment returned to the main Bridge of the War.

Octavius stood behind the command console, confirmed that all firing signals in the engagement zone had been extinguished, and said to the Communications Officer.

"Scan the battlefield and confirm there are no remaining combat-capable ships."

"There are no combat-capable units left within the engagement range; all firing signals have been extinguished. Battlefield debris is scattered over a range of approximately 60,000 kilometers and is continuing to spread."

Octavius nodded, released his hands from the console, and straightened up.

Just as he was about to speak on the next matter, the signal indicator light on the other side of the communications console lit up; the incoming signal was a communication code from the Keluoke Central Army sequence, with the source coming from behind the engagement zone—a follow-up reinforcement fleet of the Central Army.

They had arrived at the periphery of the battlefield after the Ultramarines fleet opened fire, witnessed the final stage of the clearing process, and were now attempting to contact this side via an encrypted channel.

The Communications Officer looked up at Octavius.

"Commander, the follow-up fleet of the Keluoke Central Army has sent a communication request, marked with the Highest Priority."

"Put it through."

The Communications Officer pressed the connect button, a portion of the main display screen switched to a communication window, and the face of a Keluoke appeared on the screen.

"Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance fleet! What are you doing?! Our people are still in the engagement zone! They haven't withdrawn yet! Why did you strike our people as well!"

Octavius stared at the face filled with rage in the communication window, his expression unchanged.

"You are referring to those remnants of the Central Army that failed to withdraw from the combat zone. Yes, our clearing range just now did indeed include your people."

Upon hearing this answer, the Central Army Commander's fury instantly rose.

Well, not even an excuse, just admitting it so blatantly? This was simply too arrogant!

"Then you admit it! You attacked the Keluoke Central Army! We are allies! His Majesty Kesi allowed you to enter the territory, and this is how you repay us?"

Octavius spoke slowly.

"The remnants of the Keluoke Central Army were indeed caught in the crossfire during this clearing operation, but they were already entangled with that mercenary fleet in the center of the engagement zone; waiting for them to separate would have been a waste of time."

The Central Army Commander opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but Octavius did not give him a gap to interject and continued.

"Using their sacrifice to exchange for the complete clearing of the entire engagement zone—this exchange ratio is cost-effective."

The Central Army Commander's lips trembled as he said.

"Cost-effective?! You say cost-effective?! That is the lives of how many Keluoke soldiers! They were my subordinates!"

Octavius's tone had not the slightest ripple.

"Your subordinates were already in a stalemate after being surrounded; if they were allowed to survive, it would only cause the chaos in the engagement zone to persist longer. The latter, however, could end this matter cleanly and efficiently; I chose the more efficient method."

Octavius changed the subject here.

"Additionally, watch the tone you use when speaking. My father taught me that one should try to remain calm when speaking to Aliens, because they are still useful at this stage.

But that does not mean I am a person with a good temper. If you continue to speak to me in this tone, I have reason to suspect that you are attempting to initiate an attack against me. At that time, you and this reinforcement fleet behind you will also be regarded as hostile targets on the battlefield."

The Central Army Commander's face froze in the communication window.

All four of his eyes were fixed and motionless, his mouth half-open, and the words he had prepared to say were all stuck in his throat, unable to be spewed out.

Upon confirming the look in Octavius's eyes, this commander was certain.

He really would do it! Really!

A few seconds later, the image in the communication window flickered, the Central Army Commander's image disappeared, and the communication was cut off.

The communication window on the main display of the War returned to showing the star map.

Octavius withdrew his gaze, offering no comment on the communication that had just taken place.

He turned and walked toward the encrypted communication console on the side of the Bridge, where there was an encrypted terminal dedicated to maintaining contact with the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance delegation.

He sat down in front of the terminal, reached out to press the start button, and entered Lu Zhenda's exclusive communication code.

The terminal screen lit up, and Lu Zhenda's face appeared.

Octavius bowed in salute and spoke.

"Lord Lu, the Fourth Fleet has arrived at the target location as planned. The threat units within the engagement zone have been cleared, and the shipping lanes are clear. A follow-up reinforcement fleet of the Keluoke Central Army is entering the periphery of the engagement zone, and there is no further conflict."

Lu Zhenda looked at Octavius on the screen and said.

"Did something go wrong in the middle?"

Octavius said.

"Previously, an unidentified mercenary fleet intercepted the Central Army vanguard fleet at the edge of the Southern Border, and both sides had been fighting for one standard hour.

The battle was at a stalemate; after we intervened and issued a ceasefire order, the mercenary fleet chose to attack us.

According to the rules of engagement, we cleared all firing targets on the battlefield, including the remnants of the besieged Central Army vanguard fleet."

When Lu Zhenda heard the last sentence, his eyes narrowed slightly.

"The Central Army remnants were also within the clearing range? Were there any survivors left?"

"There were none during the engagement; after the clearing operation ended, there were no combat-capable units left in the engagement zone. The follow-up Central Army reinforcement fleet had sent a communication to question us, which has already been handled."

Lu Zhenda nodded and said.

"Someone on Kesi's side will find him to explain. Send a copy of the on-site coordinates and combat records to me so I can explain the situation to the liaison officer on Kesi's side.

As for the Central Army reinforcement fleet, you do not need to respond to any further communications."

Octavius nodded.

"Understood, the combat records have been compiled and will be sent to your terminal immediately."

Lu Zhenda added.

"Arriving several days earlier than expected—this time difference caught Kesi's side off guard and also prevented the rebel nobles from making an adequate response.

You arrived early, so things are developing in a direction favorable to us. Continue to maintain this speed; I will notify you of the specific deployment for the follow-up Task via an encrypted channel."

Octavius said.

"Received, the Fourth Fleet will remain on standby in the current airspace, awaiting further instructions."

The Bridge fell silent once again.

Octavius stood up from the encrypted communications console and walked back to the position of the main command deck.

The Adjutant stepped forward, holding a Data Pad in his hand, which contained a summarized report of the recent combat records.

Octavius took it, scanned it briefly, and then returned the Data Pad to the Adjutant.

"Include all battle damage records and engagement processes in the expedition log."

"Understood."