Eight days later.

The outer space of Ceres.

Monsters of various species, covered in disgusting pustules, with blood-red eyes and grotesquely deformed bodies, were lurking in the starry sky like locusts.

The vast surface of Ceres flickered with countless vortices and terrifying flashes of thunder.

At the outskirts of space, groups of Star Destroyers and level 5 Battleships, along with Mechas, were launching a frenzied attack.

You could see that the patterns painted on these ships and Mechas varied, representing different countries.

Missiles and beams carpeted the sky, heading towards the monster hordes.

Boom~

Brilliant suns and fireworks constantly erupted.

The dense swarms of monsters turned to ash.

In the next second, monsters surged forward like a tide, firing terrifying beams in retaliation.

Soon, a rain of light bombarded those attack ships and Mechas.

From afar, you could see the dense ships’ energy barriers continually rippling; some of the weaker level 5 ships’ barriers shattered instantly, with their ships suffering severe damage, exploding continuously.

As for the Mechas, they were forced into fierce combat as monsters pounced on them, engaging in desperate melee.

The public communication channel echoed with screams and angry shouts.

"Hold off these damned monsters."

"Don’t let them block the fleet."

...

In the chaotic battlefield, the Alliance fleet, spearheaded by the Star Destroyer Phantom Flower, supported by eight conventional Star Destroyers, formed a triangular wedge formation, forcefully penetrating the tide of monsters.

Inside the Phantom Flower Command Room.

Tia’s brows were furrowed tightly, her eyes fixed on the battlefield ahead.

The entire Star Destroyer Phantom Flower vibrated incessantly.

Jiang Hanqiu crisply reported the current situation.

"Ship number 37, level 5 Sharp Teeth, suffered over thirty-five percent damage."

"Mobility unit 172 has sacrificed nearly half."

"Five Dragon Heads Lin Family’s unit 8 collided with V-type Lord Level Monster Ghost Face Aphid Infection Body."

"Coordinates 28221, 18923, 1111 show V-type Fortress Level Alien Infection Body."

...

Looking closely at the central control console, the holographic battle images on screen displayed densely packed avatars and ship codes, with someone turning red or black every second.

"How far have we advanced now? How far are we from Ceres? What’s the charging status of the main cannon?"

Tia forced herself to remain calm and asked.

Jiang Hanqiu gritted his teeth and reported: "Main cannon charge at thirty percent; we are currently seven million kilometers from Ceres. Penetration progress at thirty-two percent. Tia, at this rate, we simply cannot break through..."

Before he could finish speaking.

Boom~

A terrifying beam sliced through the starry sky, viciously hitting Phantom Flower’s energy barrier.

Light scattered everywhere.

The entire Phantom Flower vibrated violently.

A simultaneous virtual warning box popped up.

"Warning: Energy Shield strength down to sixty percent."

...

At this moment, the Star Destroyer Dragon Roar, purchased jointly by Five Dragon Heads and protecting the right side of Phantom Flower, sent a communication request.

Upon accepting the communication request, Xiao Qijin’s somewhat blurry image appeared.

He said to Tia.

"Tia, we can’t hold on right side anymore. The enemy’s firepower is too strong; the Star Destroyer’s energy barrier is about to shatter, and the escort troops are suffering heavy casualties."

"Even so, we must persist; are we just going to give up like this?"

Tia said, her expression extremely grim.

"But..."

Xiao Qijin was sweating profusely.

At this moment, Jiang Hanqiu received a message, lifted his head, and said: "Tia, Augustus has issued the latest order: all troops are to temporarily retreat and abandon this attack plan!"

"Damn it, retreat!"

Tia slammed her hand on the armrest but ultimately made a rational command.

"Yes!"

Those present reluctantly responded.

...

In the starry sky, the Alliance fleet began to retreat backward, successfully withdrawing an hour later.

At this point, the Jump Fortress sent a joint communication for a virtual meeting to all ships.

The linked NCOs and ship commanders from various countries lowered their heads in defeat.

This was their third attempt to attack, with disastrous results.

Even though the Alliance’s support troops were not all present, with more on the way, the most advanced ships and elite combatants were already there.

Tia looked unusually grim and stayed silent.

Augustus was at a loss for words; they had been here for over twenty hours, yet no progress had been made, with heavy casualties instead.

Moreover, their chosen breakthrough point was the weakest area, and so far, no VI-type monster had been found, unlike other regions.

At this moment, a communication image linked in.

A stubbled man, looking somewhat haggard, wearing a GT department uniform, saluted everyone.

"Latest news: The fleet from the First Birthplace, covered by Royal Order personnel, has advanced."

Everyone was stunned upon hearing this news.

Rikarn, the Yanas Kingdom’s general commander, exclaimed.

"So quickly."

...

"Did anyone follow them in?"

Augustus asked in a deep voice.

"Quite a few other ships tried to follow them in, but most of them were destroyed. Only a few fleets successfully made it in, but they probably aren’t faring well either."

"Understood, thank you for your hard work."

Augustus responded in a deep voice.

Tia then spoke up, "The fleet from the First Birthplace has pushed in, and the situation is growing worse, especially as the overall attacking force is now greatly reduced."

"I know."

Augustus was increasingly troubled.

For a moment, everyone was silent.

"The situation is very clear now; with our current strength, we simply can’t break through."

Tia asserted.

Gare, the Yamak Free Country’s support commander, said grimly, "Are we supposed to just give up then?"

"No, that’s not what I mean; my point is that it’s time to set aside differences and discuss joint operations with the Imperial Army and support forces from the Second Birthplace."

Tia offered her perspective.

Upon hearing Tia’s suggestion, Gare jumped up, his expression sour, saying.

"Absolutely not; we can never cooperate with those Barbarians."

"Collaboration with the Second Birthplace forces is fine, but with the Imperial Army, I find it unreliable."

Other Alliance Country commanders present voiced their objections, as they were deeply resistant.

At this moment, Augustus pondered and said, "I think Tia’s proposal makes good sense. Now is not the time for pride. Bear in mind that our people are trapped on Ceres, and every minute wasted increases their danger."