Boom! Boom! Boom!

The space mines were activated and exploded upon making a contact with the spaceships in front…

However, they did not even scratch the Conveyor Spaceship in front of the fleet…

Shreguc sighed as he saw the incoming fleet of the Meredith Empire…

If he has a choice, he would take his clansmen and run away from this place. Although he knows that Ace has prepared for so long for this particular day, he just couldn't see any chance for them to win…

'They have an access to our A.I.'s database, they should be fully aware of the Empire's true power. Why are they still not finding ways to evacuate or negotiate instead of trying to fight with their small number?'

The old Arian couldn't understand Ace's line of thought. He felt that this is a helpless situation. So what if they managed to destroy a couple or two spaceships? The Empire wouldn't be shaken by that… Once a single Genetically Enhanced Human managed to board one of their spaceships, he's sure that those Magicians would barely be able to damage them…

That's right, although the machines and spaceships of the Empire are scary, their real problem lies with the enhanced humans that have already exceeded the normal range of their physical qualities, intellectual capacity, and moral characteristics by a huge parameter.

Most of the citizens of the Empire have to live in a place called Space Settlement, an artificial habitat built by humans to live in space, and although many problems may arise in such an environment, their genetic enhancement would later solve all of them.

However, human pursues perfection… Throughout the many years of experimentations, scientists have developed successful genetic modifications through various molecular engineering techniques...

This resulted in the advancement of the Empire and becoming a major power in the universe.

"Leader, Wallace has given the signal. We have to begin the operation."

Shreguc's assistant reminded him.

The latter took a deep breath before speaking in their internal comms.

"We will be fighting against the strongest force ever known in the Universe… They are considered a small fleet if we will talk about the whole Empire… This is also the reason why we have a chance of winning…"

Although he doubts that they'll succeed, he needed to increase the morale of his people as a leader…

"Not even the Galactic Federation dares to cross the path of the imperial army, however, we have the magicians with us… Do not be afraid! We will live to see the future!"

Shreguc shouted.

"We will live to see the future!" The people within the bridge repeated his words…

He then commanded…

"Make them fear our name! Charge forward!"

The gigantic Omen IV may not be as large as the Imperial Flagship but it is still larger than the other spaceships.

Whoom~

The Arian's Battleship moved forward to meet the Empire's forces…

Of course, Ace is not sending them to suicide as he still has some plans along with their movement…

[ The remaining Conqueror Starship is sending out hundreds of unknown small spacecraft. ]

Ace heard Avalon and quickly confirmed its details. The small spacecraft appears to be the same size as the Mana-Based Observer Wards he placed around this region.

"Monitor each of them… We have to let the Omen complete its task without obstructions." Ace commanded as he tried to guess what kind of task these small spacecraft has.

[ Affirmative. ] The floating metal ball replied.

The Excellence and Providence also approached slowly as they stayed behind the Omen IV… They seemed to be waiting for something as none of their Turrets or Cannons are being readied. Instead, their Mana Barrier was fully activated, and their Mech Pilots are waiting inside their Knights.

Thud…

After a few moments, the Empire's Fleet and the Omen stopped advancing…

[ Heat Detected… ]

[ Activation of Mega-Particle Beam Cannon has been confirmed... ]

Ace just listened to it and waited. He knows that the Omen would do something about it… His job now is to grab an opportunity to deal a significant blow to the Empire's forces.

Shreguc noticed that the Empire is not willing to contact them as well as he gave his signal to his men to initiate their assault…

Their opponent is perhaps thinking that the Omen IV is the flagship of their forces…

Anyway, their opponent doesn't have Mana Wave and Burst that would make them disoriented like how they were first defeated. Right now, they should at least be able to release their weapons before being trampled by the Empire…

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Series of cannons and turrets activated as their long-range weapons including their CIWS are activated…

"Fire!"

The old Arian ordered after seeing the light coming from the Empire's fleet… They have also initiated their attack.

Whoosh!

The Mega-Particle Beam Cannon of the Flagship was also fired… It destroyed half the projectiles they've sent as they exploded along the way…

Boom! Boom!

As the beam headed to Omen, a shield activated in front of the spaceship and changed the course of the beam!

This is not part of the Omen's ability but it is due to the help of the magicians temporarily staying within the ship…

Shreguc saw that they successfully defended against that huge beam of light as he thanked the magicians controlling them.

He then gave an announcement to his men and continued with the operation.

"We can only use the barrier once… Any more beams with that scale must be evaded. We have to execute the plan!"

"Yes, Sir!"

The Magicians who controlled the barrier would also leave the Omen IV to join the fight later on… Once they left the ship, it would be the first time that the Omen IV would be boarded by only their race ever since they were captured by Ace.

After all, ever since they were sent to this Lagrange Point, they were always surrounded by the Automatons, Mech Knights, and Magicians.

Shreguc also felt liberated but they are still in a dangerous position.

Boom! Boom!

He then saw that all their projectiles and beams were defended successfully by the enemy. They have Forcefield and perhaps Aether Barrier activated. However, the explosions cause some concerns with the visibility on each side…

This is within Shreguc's consideration. He smiled at the result but he knows that this is not enough…

Then, the 10 Invader Starship of the fleet started moving… As expected, they are not going to release their Mech Frames easily…

[ The two Mech Knights Division are in position. ] Their A.I. informed them quickly.

"Good… Release all of our remaining missiles… Don't stop firing the cannons and start the accumulation of Non-Relic Destroyer's energy!

The leader ordered as they are using the projectiles not to destroy the fleet to buy them some time to get into a good position…

Then, once they are all ready, they will use their specialized weapon called Relic Destroyer that is meant to destroy the Cube of Paradox once they've found it…

However, since it is no longer meant to destroy the Sacred Relic due to being captured by Ace, they changed its name to Non-Relic Destroyer…

This is the trump card of the Omen IV…

***

Ace watches everything carefully afraid to miss any important detail…

It seems that the small spacecraft that the Empire has sent out were meant to hunt any ambushers around and also meant to act as an ECCM…

Ace expected this but he didn't think that they have tons of this mini-spacecraft to act the part. It is also releasing some kind of energy that Avalon is still analyzing up until now.

Nevertheless, the Omen is really acting like a Flagship of their fleet as it has successfully drawn the attention of the Empire…

'We have to be careful… They have tons of Aether for sure… We can't outlast them with our limited Mana… We have to deal with significant damage…

Whom~ Whom~

He noticed the Invader Spaceships advancing and felt curious about it. He heard from Avalon that these Invaders would normally act in close-range battles or at atmospheric battles…

After all, its propulsion technology called Duality Drive is most suited in such an environment.

"Avalon, make sure we are detecting any activation of their long-range weapons."

Reiji ordered. Omen is waiting for the Non-Relic Destroyer to reach the critical point…

But before getting to that point, it would surely not escape the Empire's detection. After detection, they would have 15 seconds to respond before Omen could fire it.

Of course, it is the same for Ace's forces, that is why they could cast a barrier for that Mega-Particle Beam Cannon. It is very difficult to hide powerful cannons after all.

"Something doesn't feel right… They shouldn't be this passive after our ambush before…"

Ace suddenly had a bad feeling.

However, it didn't take that long for him to realize the enemy's plan…

He saw the supposedly destroyed Blach Sovereign Spaceship moving extremely fast!

It was somehow boosted by the Invader Spaceship and is heading towards the Omen IV!

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Multiple sounds of alarms were heard within the bridge as Avalon detected multiple heat signals from the Black Sovereign that is closing in!