Unlimited Ambition

Yukari Yakumo apologized repeatedly in a flustered manner, showing no trace of the shrewd and calculating monster-fighting person she had just been; instead, she resembled a young girl experiencing her first love.

And so we nestled together, and I don't know how much time passed. Finally, I stopped crying.

"I'm sorry, I embarrassed you by making a fool of myself." I said, hastily wiping away the tears on my face, then timidly reached out and touched her cheek where I had just hit her: "Does it still hurt?"

Zi shook her head: "I'm fine, but you... are you alright?"

I sighed softly: "Let's just call it my stubbornness... Even though it's just a manipulated, fake position, I still have my own pride. It's ridiculous, but I still want to stick to it."

"Is that so?" Yukari Yakumo took a deep breath, then smiled even more brightly as if nothing had happened. "Well then, let's talk about how to save that blonde girl."

"……Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Chapter Twenty-Three: Haruhi Suzumiya's Crisis

"So, what method is there to turn the tide for spring?" I asked.

Seeing that I had fully recovered and once again armed my fragile heart with absolute confidence and control, Yakumo Yukari looked slightly disappointed. Then, she too regained her composure: "End all of this."

"...That's like saying nothing at all." I rolled my eyes.

“No way!” Yukari Yakumo rolled her eyes as well: “Don’t admit it isn’t true—what you mean by ending all this is probably taking control of the entire galaxy—or perhaps even a larger territory—and eliminating all opponents, dissidents, and resisters. That’s pretty much what it means.”

"...Is there anything wrong with that?"

Yukari Yakumo looked like she was about to faint: "Let's be realistic, okay? We have an easier way. To defeat Haruhi Suzumiya, all we need is a simple decapitation tactic."

"Are you going to kill Haruhi? You wicked woman?!"

"Can't you look at things with a slightly more normal perspective?"

"Am I supposed to be like in the script, 'moved by spring's love'? Absolutely not! That sounds disgusting!"

After some arguing, I finally understood what Yakumo Yukari meant. And after some consideration, and after making some slight modifications (Yakumo Yukari made her plan perfect, and I was just nitpicking and showing off my own excellence), I agreed to the plan.

After that, Yukari Yakumo gently kissed Koko's forehead and whispered, "We'll continue after you go back." Then she jumped into the gap and disappeared.

What a nuisance, that woman Kasuga.

Gu rolled his eyes, then felt a little cold. He grabbed a yukata and put it on before leaving the bathroom.

By this time, Yuki had already gotten up. She was dressed and stood quietly in front of Kotoko.

"Did you all hear that?"

"I heard everything."

What are your thoughts?

"I don't have any particular feelings... I'll just do whatever you say."

"You've really worked hard."

"You're welcome, it's my pleasure."

Following this, I swiftly convened an online meeting with the generals at the front lines. I explained the SOS Empire's troop rotation, which I had just learned from intelligence, and announced a break from the first line of defense to launch a counter-offensive. This campaign was to utterly crush the SOS Empire!

In my opinion, the SOS Empire's method wasn't very sophisticated. Because the operation was so large-scale, they didn't need highly specialized intelligence personnel to obtain sufficiently detailed information. Therefore, many of my side's high-ranking generals received prior intelligence and were already prepared for a counterattack.

Therefore, things progressed even more smoothly than I had imagined. The three main fleets surged out of the defensive perimeter and headed towards the Imperial Army's base.

Despite suffering heavy losses in the previous war, the Imperial Army still assumed it was in a superior position. Based on a comparison of troop strength, they concluded that Baldwin's rebels were better suited for defense than offense. Therefore, they did not establish a robust defense or patrol system.

In a sense, the enemy command was indeed correct. However, all of this changed completely after the Empress diverted a large portion of her main fleet to quell the rebellion in the provinces and then crammed in even more new recruits.

Although the Imperial Army's numbers remained unchanged, its quality declined significantly. Its overall strength suddenly became equal to that of the rebels.

This is not good news...

After completing all this, the Imperial generals at the front began to try to set up defenses and strengthen vigilance. However, this was not something that could be accomplished overnight. Moreover, the departure of professional troops made the process extremely slow—don't expect those country bumpkin recruits who hadn't even gotten used to their guns and whose heads were full of sorghum flowers to play any role.

The tide of battle had turned. The Imperial Army's high command was well aware of this. Although their abilities were woefully inadequate, they still valued their lives highly. Therefore, they paid great attention to deploying defenses.

However, there's a bit too little time.

Contrary to popular belief, the rebels will not launch their counterattack until the Imperial army has completed its full troop rotation. Therefore, they have about a month to prepare.

Reality is a little harsh.

Naturally, I wouldn't follow the script set by the enemy. The pathetic result of the Imperial military command's assumptions was that they were caught off guard by the sudden and frenzied attack. After a fierce battle, the battle fleet was ultimately defeated and had no choice but to retreat back to the planet and enter the base buried deep underground to await repairs.

Meanwhile, thanks to their geographical advantage, the Imperial garrison forces within the atmosphere were confident that they could hold out until reinforcements arrived.

Unfortunately, they were wrong.

Following my command, and with the frontline commanders' slight doubt, reluctance, and eagerness to try, the forty-odd planets at the Imperial Army's front line were roasted for nearly an hour by the newly developed high-powered thermal radiation weapon, turning them into a failed dish made by elementary school students—large, charred fried eggs.

The planet was barren; humans, animals, vegetation, and microorganisms alike were all killed by the intense radiation, even deep-sea creatures were not spared. The air was forcibly altered, becoming highly toxic. The lucky survivors who managed to escape one attack suffocated in despair.

Thus, using extremely barbaric and ruthless methods, the rebel army achieved a brilliant victory in an unbelievably short time, turning nearly one-tenth of the enemy troops on the front lines into corpses. This left onlookers stunned and also deeply chilled.

This is one of the alien technologies provided by Yuki. Even among alien technologies, it's only a conceptual weapon. Because it's considered too inhumane, it's been shelved. It hasn't undergone any testing. In fact, this should be the first time this weapon has been used.

The results were surprisingly good.

I hadn't seemed to feel much before, and seeing the planet turn gray in the holographic image didn't evoke any particular feeling. It was as if the billions of dead soldiers were just statistics to me.

It feels a little unreal.

Perhaps I was already broken long ago...

Hmm, when did it start?

An endless bloodbath in hell?

Leading the Jerusalem Crusade to attack Europe?

Or even earlier, could we use nuclear bombs to turn the entire city of Berlin to ashes?

It doesn't matter anymore. That kind of thing.

And so, my army continued its triumphant advance, leaving nothing but devastation in its wake. After several more attacks by high-powered radiation weapons, the enemy commander finally learned his lesson. While vehemently denouncing my crimes against humanity like a mad dog, he hastily surrendered after his defeat in the space battle.

Of course, those who spoke ill of me had their tongues cut out the moment they surrendered, followed by their heads in a barbaric medieval manner. They were executed in this way. Also, according to medieval penal law, this involved the confiscation of property and the extermination of the entire family. The relatives of those generals were dragged out one by one and publicly shot. Their bodies were left to rot in the scorching sun, and no one dared to claim them even as they decayed and became infested with maggots.

After that, no one dared to criticize my actions as tantamount to slaughter. Because they knew I was serious. They couldn't joke with me.

Half a month has passed. I have utterly defeated the Imperial Expeditionary Army. One-third fled, one-third surrendered, and one-third perished.

Speaking of which, the Empire hasn't suffered casualties of this magnitude in a long time. The compensation payments will probably cost a fortune. According to my previous intelligence, the Empire's finances are already somewhat strained. Warfare will only increase costs. Add to that the stock market crash after the defeat, the need to rebuild the army, and the compensation payments... Oh dear...

Springtime's situation is getting a little precarious.

Thus ended the month-long campaign to subjugate Baldwin's territory, which concluded with a complete rout of the Imperial army. The SOS Empire's situation worsened. Meanwhile, rebel forces across the land were greatly emboldened. Coupled with the significant redeployment of local garrison troops, the rebellion escalated, spreading like cancer cells...

The empire seems to be in trouble.

Chapter Twenty-Four: Negotiation

As the empire crumbled and lay in ruins, Empress Kasuga's mood worsened. Beating, cursing, and executing people became commonplace. She even sexually assaulted Mikuru while drunk one night (What?!).

At this point, Chunri truly regretted it—but more than regret, she felt resentment.

My resentment.

"...Why haven't you come back yet? Do you really want to force me to my death?" After a violent storm, watching the lightning and thunder outside the window, Haruhi muttered to herself while smoking. Beside her, Mikuru clutched the sheet, covering her naked body, and gazed at Empress Haruhi with a slightly infatuated expression.

"I should do something," Haruhi said, then jumped out of bed and got dressed.

“Shikuru!”

"Yes!"

"Summon all the ministers to the Southern Study for a meeting!"

"Yes!"

The atmosphere at this meeting was even more gloomy than the last one, like a sky overcast with dark clouds, threatening to pour down. Extremely pessimistic, very, very pessimistic.

"Have all the guys who did the artificial rainmaking gone? Make the sky outside brighter for me!"

At Her Majesty the Queen's command, two maids immediately rushed out. Minutes later, the clouds dispersed, the rain ceased, and the sun shone brightly, almost blindingly.

"My lords! The empire is now in a perilous time, and it is precisely the time when you all need to work together in harmony. If any of you can devise a good strategy to repel the enemy, I will certainly reward you handsomely!" Empress Kasuga waved her hand and made such a generous statement.

However, the ministers standing on both sides below all kept their eyes down, looking like statues, frozen in fear. Even Koizumi Ichiki, who had been the most vocal in his clamor just a few days ago, remained completely silent.

It's not that they're truly hopelessly stupid. Ideas are like breasts—you can always squeeze some out. They're just afraid of saying the wrong thing and being dragged out and executed by their already mentally unstable empress.

After all, this was already the norm. As the battle reports from the front lines became increasingly outrageous, the Queen's temper grew more and more ruthless, almost on par with Bloody Mary.

"Speak up! Are you all mute?!" Seeing that the ministers remained silent, Her Majesty the Empress was furious and shouted.

"My lord is guilty!"

"Useless! All you do is apologize and plead guilty all day long! Are you people just freeloaders?!"

"My lord is guilty!"

"Retreat!"

After finishing her sentence, Haruhi flung her hand away, puffing out her cheeks. Mikuru quickly stepped forward, cleared her throat, and, slightly embarrassed, repeated, "Court adjourned!"

In retrospect, this is probably the only perk that comes with being with this female tyrant.

Many people think this way.

Just then, a panicked voice came from outside: "Urgent report! The fourth defensive line has been breached, and Commander-in-Chief Marshal Zhukov has committed suicide!"

The sudden battle report caused the temperature in the room to drop below freezing instantly. Outside, the sun was shining brightly, and the slightly scorching sunlight made one shiver involuntarily.

That's terrifying... Marshal Zhukov was undoubtedly a top-tier commander. Yet, unexpectedly, with equal forces, he couldn't even last three days. Are all the dukes of the Baldwin family monsters?

...Shouldn't you be looking for a backup plan?

At this point, many "smart people" had already come to this conclusion.

And there are quite a few of them.

The countdown has begun.

There are fifteen days left until Haruhi Suzumiya completely collapses.