The Banfield family's flagship, the Vaal, was a super-dreadnought class warship, over three kilometers long.

Possessing performance befitting a fleet flagship, it was chosen for that role in this battle as well.

On the bridge of the massive warship, built with the prestige of the Third Weapons Factory on the line, sat Cleo Noah Albalate, appointed as the supreme commander, in a luxurious seat.

The seat was a marvel, capable of transforming into a capsule and acting as an escape pod to protect Cleo's life in emergencies.

Cleo, with red hair and a slender build, lacked a commanding presence.

However, surrounded by excellent knights dispatched from the Banfield family and military staff officers, anyone could tell at a glance that he was an important figure.

Cleo had brought only one knight with him: Lishia Noah Albalate.

Though royalty, she had become a knight to protect her younger brother, Cleo.

However, her skills as a knight were not particularly high.

Even in this situation, she couldn't grasp the battlefield's state and merely stood there nervously.

Even now, she anxiously sought an explanation.

"Can't we get an explanation from the acting supreme commander? It's disrespectful to leave Cleo unattended and take command."

She complained about Cleo's treatment, but he himself didn't seem to mind.

"It's better for them to concentrate on their work than to fuss over a figurehead like me. Besides, even if we heard the explanation, we wouldn't understand, would we, Sister?"

"But you have a position! Even rumors of you being treated lightly will become ammunition for the opposing factions."

While Lishia's reaction seemed excessive, Cleo's indifferent attitude was also problematic.

However, in this particular situation, it was best not to interfere.

Christiana, who had been assigned to assist Klaus, overheard their exchange from the front.

With her adjutants at her side, she listened to the siblings' conversation and shrugged.

Seeing Christiana's reaction, one of her adjutants, Claudia Beltran, sighed softly.

"Princess Lishia wants to leave her mark on this battle, but if she interferes clumsily, we won't be able to fight as we intend. Shall we have her step down?"

Although Lishia was a knight and a princess, the adjutants, including Claudia, reacted coldly.

This was because they didn't want the war's outcome to be affected by clumsy interference.

However, Christiana chuckled.

"That level of interference is nothing to worry about. Let's give Princess Lishia a taste of war since she has the opportunity. The real challenge is for us."

Christiana's gaze was directed towards Klaus, the de facto supreme commander.

Klaus sat behind them, in a position where Christiana and the others had to look up at him.

Despite his expressionless face, his calm demeanor showed no sign of anxiety in the face of this large-scale battle.

Claudia directed a bitter gaze towards Klaus.

He was a knight personally selected by Liam and was currently one of the most influential knights in the Banfield family.

Christiana turned her gaze forward, averting her eyes from Klaus.

"This battle is complicated, intertwined with factional disputes within the court."

While it was a war against the United Kingdom of Oxis, the Empire was also grappling with the issue of succession.

This battle was also entangled with elements of factional strife, making it difficult to say the Empire was united.

Christiana and the others were facing a very difficult fight.

"...I'll need your help too."

As Christiana said this, cylindrical beams of light emerged from the floor, enveloping her.

Various information flowed within the pillars of light, which Christiana instantly processed, making decisions and issuing instructions.

To the ordinary eye, she appeared to be bathed in pillars of light, as if receiving a blessing and shining brightly.

However, she was actually processing a vast amount of information.

Her adjutants stood around her, similarly processing information—though less than Christiana.

Claudia and the others' job was solely to assist Christiana.

(Her processing speed is still extraordinary. Far superior to any AI.)

For Claudia and the others, assisting her was all they could manage.

Among those who had become superhuman as knights, exceptionally rare individuals were sometimes born.

Christiana was one such individual.

She compiled and accurately processed information from a fleet of millions of ships—a feat that seemed achievable only by AI was being performed by enhanced knights.

She smiled within the pillars of light.

"--Now, shall we begin?"

◇

Meanwhile, the Melea had joined the raiding fleet.

Emma was in a remote meeting with the other Mobile Knight squadron leaders.

"Are we the only knights in this fleet? That's far too few."

As it was a hastily assembled fleet, the commander chosen to lead the Mobile Knight force was a Lieutenant Colonel, the highest-ranking officer present.

However, the Lieutenant Colonel was a regular pilot, not a knight.

'I understand, but we're lucky to even have an A-rank knight in a cobbled-together fleet like this. I appealed to the higher-ups, but they refused, saying you were here.'

The Lieutenant Colonel chuckled wryly, seemingly doubtful of Emma's value.

'If we at least had a company of knights with their Mobile Knights, I'd feel more at ease. They dismissed me, saying it was a luxury to have a decorated knight.'

Emma had been decorated for her achievements during her deployment to the Unified Government.

She had single-handedly shot down over twenty Mobile Knights piloted by knights in a single sortie.

They told him to be content since they had a knight capable of doing the work of an entire company alone.

"I'm flattered."

'I have high expectations of you.'

After the greetings and the disconnection, Emma sighed softly.

"I heard there was a knight shortage, but I didn't think it was this bad."

Whether she was expected to perform well or not… Emma wanted to bury her head in her hands at her assignment.

"If I at least had a company… no, even a platoon of knights, it would be a great help."

She knew she was being greedy, but she couldn't help but voice her thoughts.

After all, it wasn't just her life on the line, but her subordinates' as well.

Even just a platoon of Mobile Knights piloted by knights would increase their tactical options.

"In a hastily assembled fleet of three hundred ships, the only knights are me and Lieutenant Rick… But that's practically just me, isn't it? It's too much of a burden for just me."

After voicing her complaints in the empty communication room, Emma took a deep breath and left.

At the same time, Allison emerged from another communication room.

As a supervisor dispatched from headquarters, she had likely been speaking with her direct superiors.

Noticing Emma, she gave a provocative smile.

"That expression… it seems the meeting didn't go well."

Though her attitude was as if she'd seen through everything, she was right, so Emma simply nodded without arguing.

"There are only me and Lieutenant Rick as knights in this fleet. Even considering it's a temporary formation, it's too few. The Lieutenant Colonel leading the Mobile Knight force was also concerned, but it seems there's no hope for reinforcements."

Even after hearing the unsettling news about the knight shortage, Allison wasn't surprised.

Instead, she shrugged and scoffed at Emma.

"You're a decorated knight, yet you're a poor negotiator."

"...The Lieutenant Colonel is the one in charge of the Mobile Knight force. I'm not in a position to negotiate with the higher-ups."

Emma ended the conversation and started walking, but Allison deliberately walked beside her, seemingly unwilling to let the matter drop.

"That's why you're inadequate. You have opportunities but don't reach for them. Do you think you'll get what you want by passively waiting?"

"What are you trying to say?"

When Emma stopped, Allison stopped as well.

She spoke to Emma with a displeased look.

"If I were in your position, I would have left this half-baked unit and become a Major in the regular fleet by now."

"Half-baked? Are you insulting us?"

Emma glared at her, but Allison didn't back down.

"Despite seemingly high morale for a former dumping ground, you're still a non-mainstream force. A lack of ambition—you don't even understand your own position."

"I'm doing what I can!"

As Emma tried to retort, Allison brought the conversation back on track.

"I've already made a request. We'll be getting three platoons… three Mobile Knight platoons."

"Eh?"

"Of course, all the pilots are knights."

"B-but the Lieutenant Colonel said the request was denied."

"That just means the Lieutenant Colonel was incompetent. I'm different. I pulled three Mobile Knight platoons into the raiding fleet. And yet, what are you doing?"

"I-I…"

Allison put a hand on her hip and furrowed her brow.

"This is a battlefield. Those who prioritize righteousness without taking any initiative will become space debris. From my perspective, you haven't made any effort. If you were so inclined, you could have pulled in at least a company of Mobile Knights."

Allison turned her back and walked away after saying her piece.

Emma couldn't believe Allison's words.

"I-I don't have that kind of authority!"

Allison didn't reply and continued walking away.

◇

On the Melea's bridge, Tim was speaking with the temporary fleet commander.

"Positioning our ship at the front? This is a technical test ship."

He complained about the ship's placement, but the other party wouldn't listen.

'The Melea has been recently refitted and boasts higher performance than most current mainstream ships. Plus, you have an A-rank knight, don't you?'

Realizing they were being placed at the front because of Emma, he cursed inwardly.

(Because of that girl again, we're being put in a dangerous spot. She's a real jinx.)

The fleet commander gave a cold look to the disgruntled Tim.

'You seem dissatisfied. If you refuse the order, there will be consequences—'

"I apologize for the interruption. I'm aware of the situation. Commander, the Melea will carry out its orders. There's no problem."

Allison, who had returned to the bridge, spoke to the commander in Tim's stead.

She seemed to have grasped their conversation on her way back.

The commander eyed Allison suspiciously, but after his adjutant whispered information about her, he seemed to understand.

Despite interrupting the conversation, he treated Allison more favorably than Tim.

'So you're the supervisor. Fleet Headquarters has made a thoughtful arrangement. I hear a Mobile Knight platoon with knights is heading our way thanks to you?'

Allison, unlike her attitude towards Emma and the others, wore a charming smile.

"It would be an honor to be of assistance to the commander. I leave the deployment of the three platoons to your discretion."

The commander's stern expression softened slightly.

'Thanks to you, there seems to be some hope. I'm grateful.'

After the commander saluted and closed the communication line, Allison's expression turned stern again.

She turned and glared at Tim.

"That wasn't the proper attitude to take with the fleet commander."

Though glared at by his great-granddaughter, Tim wanted to protect the Melea at all costs.

"We can't be burdened just because we have one knight. Those who readily accept everything are destined to become space debris."

He adopted an attitude of "a little girl like you wouldn't understand."

Perhaps sensing this, Allison's expression hardened further.

"...It's quite comical to see a man who abandoned his great-grandmother and grandfather desperately trying to protect his ship."

Tim couldn't say anything in response to those words.

Allison seemed to harbor resentment towards him.

"Just as our family was worthless to you, this ship is nothing more than a temporary post for me. ...From now on, follow my instructions without question."

With that, Allison crossed her arms and fell silent.

Allison's words pierced Tim's heart like thorns, causing him pain.

(This is more troublesome than the war itself.)