[ Empire's Fleet ETA: 12 days ]

Avalon has completed the construction of the Linear Catapults even after Ace asked for a couple more to be installed…

It seems that the young man was planning something for having a lot of these catapults instead of cannons or other defense turrets that they construct around the Moon Base…

This only proves that Ace heavily relies on his Mech Knights in this upcoming battle… He must have some other tactics to utilize it but he didn't mention it yet.

However, he was definitely keeping in track the number of Mech Knights that can sortie and battle spaceships that can accommodate them.

[ All the Mana-Based equipment within the spaceships can now last for about 15 days depending on the intensity of the battle they'll face… ]

"That should be more than enough."

Ace replied after hearing Avalon's report. He was quite happy with this improvement. A standard 15 days should be more than enough.

Even if they had to increase their mana usage, at most, they would have sufficient Mana for emergency retreat.

After all, one of his concerns is that once the war started, they wouldn't have the leisure to replenish their supplies. So every spaceship must have plenty of supplies in order to avoid problems like shortage of power.

However, for Ace, even just three or four days is already quite a long duration for their war…

The war they are about to take can even end in an instant since this era is completely different. It means that war would also change…

Nevertheless, three days before the arrival of the Empire's fleet, they are planning to move and engage with them at a certain point where space mines and other traps are already in place…

"Do you think that there will be some good news about the 7th Gen?" Ace asked as he suddenly remembered the Mana Artifacts that Zhilina has installed to some Mech Knights…

They were quite interesting so Ace remembered the 7th Gen. It might be able to help Zhilina in case it is something that can be used by Mech Knights.

[ Don't put too much hope for it. Although Aeolia has some of the 7th Gen Mana Artifacts, they are not suitable for space combat… ]

"I see… So they are only good on the surface?"

[ Not necessarily. It depends on the Arcane Artificer who made them. But according to Wallace, none of them is usable in space battles yet. ]

"Alright… Nevermind that… I'm just thinking whether it could be additional help for us. However, as you said, I shouldn't hope for something like that… I'll just use whatever we have here…"

[ Very well. Wallace also sent a message telling that if you're nervous, you should always be on your lifeboat… ]

The lifeboat that was mentioned wasn't a literal lifeboat but a small spaceship meant to save 2 or 3 lives to return to Earth.

Although he's hoping that he wouldn't have to use it, anything can happen during the war so he has to be careful.

***

Ace entered the command center within the Moon Base.

The place was controlled by Avalon but three more people are assisting him in this room.

"Sir Wallace… You're here." They quickly stood up and greeted him.

They are the three Magicians who had passed one of Freya examinations meant for the captains of battle spaceships.

However, instead of sending them away to have them command a spaceship, Avalon decided that their talent would be more useful if they are working in the command center where they can have a clear overview of their army.

Apparently, Ace knows someone from the three even before being recruited. He's Escanor, a student at the Leonhearts Academy. They have known each other for some time since he helped the man during the contests before.

"Is everything alright?" Ace asked in routine.

"Yes, there are no changes. However…"

Escanor trailed his voice as he was hesitating whether he should continue asking…

"Go ahead. Tell me what's in your mind."

"Right… I'm just curious about this Spaceship…"

Escanor seated again on his desk and pressed a few buttons before the monitor that was filled with numbers had suddenly changed.

It is the image of the Meredith Empire's Conqueror Starship.

This starship looks like a floating city carried by a cone-shaped land and was even protected by a dome or perhaps a forcefield.

It looks quite beautiful if it was seen from afar but its combat ability might be questionable especially if it sacrifices speed in order to achieve an alluring style.

"Why are you curious about it?" Ace asked as he suddenly remembered the dream he had before. It was this starship that has managed to descend first and destroy their Red Star Town so he wouldn't forget it.

"Mhmm… I found this spaceship weird. I noticed that this is the one setting the pace of their journey and was the only spaceship that would release Mech Knights to find some traps around their path…"

"They must be conserving their forces so they're letting it handle such easy task…"

"It can be… However, there are several Conqueror Starships around but this one looks so active than the others and it feels like it's out of place… I have a bad feeling about it… Once we engage them, can we try to focus on eliminating this Starship as quickly as possible?"

Ace was silent after hearing that… He couldn't find anything weird in the starship's actions but he hired Escanor and the others for a reason, so he must try to listen to their observations.

Nevertheless, he didn't find anything wrong in targeting a spaceship to eliminate it as quickly as possible. It might even be a good move to start their momentum in this war…

It would disrupt their enemy's advance and would boost their morale. It will be a good move.

Ace looked at the floating metal ball beside him… However, he didn't ask Avalon for his opinion as it would only base its decision on what was being seen on data… and none of it look weird for him…

"You two, do you have the same opinion with him?"

He asked the two ladies who were only silent until now.

"Yes…"

"No…"

Ace heard their reply as he looked at Escanor. It was a 2 vs 1 vote, so Ace decided to listen this time…

"Very well, create a battle plan using our forces to eliminate the Starship as quickly as possible… Make sure that it won't be able to release its full potential."

"Y-yes… I will!" Escanor happily replied as he looked at the space army that he can use for his plan to be a success.