Chapter 1608: Chapter 1608

The newly approached interstellar fortresses had not even engaged when the asteroid belt suddenly changed. Unexpectedly, waves of attacks were unleashed from within the asteroid belt — something no one had anticipated.

Hidden within the asteroid belt, there were interstellar fortresses cleverly disguised as ordinary planets.

The sudden assault caught the Alliance completely off guard. A Tier 7 offensive, even with full defensive measures, was not easily manageable. In an instant, five Alliance fortresses were heavily damaged on the spot, requiring extensive repairs before they could be operational again. However, the five fortresses were not entirely destroyed.

The remaining fortresses quickly reacted, redirecting their turrets towards the aggressors who had initiated the surprise attack.

After a series of mutual assaults, the ten hidden enemy fortresses were ultimately obliterated, along with much of the asteroid belt being dispersed. On the Alliance’s side, aside from the five heavily damaged fortresses, only two ended up being completely destroyed.

Two losses exchanged for ten, with five fortresses damaged but repairable — by all accounts, the ambush was a failure.

In reality, there was little choice in the matter. The Alliance’s interstellar fortresses were of higher tiers, much like how Du You, although a Tier 7 Professional, could effortlessly dispatch weaker Tier 7 adversaries.

Evaluations were one thing; actual combat capabilities were another.

"Seven exchanged for ten, even under ambush conditions—how amusing." Du You chuckled. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⟡𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕥⟡𝕟𝕖𝕥

However, there was no trace of humor in his eyes, as he keenly observed the unfolding situation.

The Empire was now reduced to only ten interstellar fortresses. They fought as they retreated, merely stalling for time. This battle was not one that could be resolved quickly. Under such war conditions, the opposing side’s fortresses steadily advanced.

At this rate, penetrating into the core region would take at least a month. This wasn’t merely a march, but a careful, methodical push forward.

But in the midst of combat, the tides began to shift—not in the battlefield itself, but outside of it. Seeing the relentless destruction visited upon planets, the discontent among civilians grew increasingly intense.

In many places, civilians began staging protests and demonstrations, though to little actual effect.

Still, in besieged locations, it became difficult for officials to carry out their work. This was genuine, omnidirectional obstruction — not only were protesters amassed on the ground, but they also piloted aerial vehicles to create blockades in the skies, and some even employed advanced technology to infiltrate underground facilities.

Effectively, these blockades formed an impenetrable sphere, making entry or exit a Herculean task.

In an effort to preserve appearances, the Alliance refrained from taking action against these individuals, opting instead to turn a blind eye.

Of course, these ordinary protesters posed no real threat. The ones who did were those who had long since been lying in wait.

From the very start of the war, agents planted by the nascent Empire had begun their operations. They targeted critical Alliance locations for sabotage and demolition, while key figures were subjected to assassination attempts.

The top brass might have been untouchable, but their families and lower-tier personnel were well within reach. Such actions triggered pockets of chaos and widespread panic.

As these operations unfolded, opportunists joined the fray.

Major organizations and factions began to take part in the turmoil. Even Professional operatives started cropping up as time went on.

Anyone checking the Professional Association’s bulletin boards would see a surge in missions aimed at hunting down Alliance officials. These tasks were tailor-made to target the Alliance, leaving its regional officers increasingly paranoid.

Orders from higher up were met with growing resistance, with subordinates paying lip service while ignoring directives. The Alliance’s grip on its own domain in the starry sky steadily weakened.

The escalating disorder eventually culminated in widespread riots. When these uprisings spilled into some core Alliance planets—including the critically important Blackwater Star—the situation became truly dire.

Amid ongoing combat, a message suddenly reached the Command Center.

"Bad news, Commander! Many locations in the Alliance’s core region are experiencing revolts, and Blackwater Star is among them."

The commander’s wrist trembled at the mention of Blackwater Star, his hometown. If rebellion erupted there, he couldn’t help but worry about the fate of his family. His deployment had attracted plenty of attention, and in the chaos, there was bound to be someone who targeted his loved ones. But he couldn’t return home now.

"Alliance leadership has assured that your family will remain safe. They urge you to stay focused on the battle,"

another officer entered the room to relay further reassurances. The commander breathed a sigh of relief, though bitterness flickered in his eyes; he understood the reality of the situation.

The Alliance wasn’t protecting his family — it was holding them hostage. Any misconduct on his part could put them in mortal danger.

"Understood. I’ll press on with the fight,"

he replied, resigning himself to the circumstances.

Despite being a commander and the supreme authority within his unit, true control of the military rested with the Alliance’s upper class — some of whom were clueless fools prioritizing their own interests.

Yet no matter his bitterness, his mental state inevitably influenced the battle ahead. Though the fight carried on, the Alliance’s attacks lost their earlier intensity, becoming noticeably sluggish. Those on the battlefield felt the Alliance’s offense weakening, but welcomed the opportunity to catch their breath.

Not missing the shift, the King of the Empire grinned. "It’s going as I anticipated. It’s finally starting. Whether we can truly break away from the Alliance depends on what happens next."

Forced to this juncture, the Empire’s organization was one of the most powerful among those yearning to sever ties. They had been pushed to their limits; otherwise, who would willingly take on the role of the vanguard? Now, they had no choice but to proceed.

But this decision carried no possibility of retreat. Success promised unparalleled growth and dominance, prestige, and influence; yet failure spelled catastrophic risk. The King lacked absolute confidence in victory — this was an act of desperation, not ambition.

Finally, a ray of hope emerged, allowing the King to ease his ever-tense nerves.

"Go, contact our allies. Inform them that the time is nearing. Tell them to prepare for independence." Though he despised many of them, the King had no choice but to depend on their support.

By himself, he could never withstand the second wave of pressure. He needed others to step forward and share the burden.