Interstellar Age

Years passed as the galaxy continued to burn under the onslaught of the Naraku. Or at least large swaths of the Galaxy. The bugs had completely and totally given up on the idea of assaulting the Germanic sector of space. And instead continued to press against the other four major powers.

Gains against the Alfheim Dominion and the Svartalfheim Federation were limited. Or at least relatively so when compared to ground taken against the Asuran Cabal, and the Ennead Theocracy.

Eventually, the time came where Erich could no longer pretend like his Navy was still undergoing repairs. And because of this, he sent a small number of ships to aid his allies in their efforts to stem the tide.

He was able to convince the other galactic leaders that it was extremely necessary for him to keep “half” of his naval forces in reserve in case the Naraku showed up back at his borders. And was instead forced to split the other half among the four allies.

Though Lunaria and Daelia both attempted to use their special relationship with Erich as a means to get extra forces. Erich pretended to be a man of principle, and would not favor two of his major allies simply because he was married to their leaders.

In addition to this, Erich split his forces further, by stating he had contractual obligations with many of the lesser civilizations in the milky way. Which was naturally the result of the preparations he made to seize their resources prior to the outbreak of the war.

This was done in exchange for cancelling some of the debt which they owed the Germanic Star Empire. Since this was the case, he split off another portion of the half of the fleet he sent to aid his allies in order to protect these debtors. Or at least long enough for their population to escape from doomed worlds.

Since this was the case, The Germanic Star-Empire was technically following the obligations set for in treaties it held with the other Major Galactic Powers, while still working towards its own aims of ensuring its rivals for galactic hegemony burned in the background.

Currently Erich was sitting in his office on Earth, Ayumi had entered the room to express some of her current concerns. She, after all, was growing increasingly anxious as the years passed, and the galaxy continued to suffer more under the devouring swarm.

Sure she understood Erich’s goals. But she genuinely felt sitting back and protecting the core of the Empire was a waste of her talents. In fact, she had come up with a brazen idea to make the Naraku rethink their attacks on Germanic space altogether. As recent intelligence showed, a new Armada was being bred in Andromeda and Triangulum with this purpose in mind.

Because of this, her voice was stern, perhaps for the first time since she married Erich in this timeline.

“Erich, I know what you’re going to say. But just hear me out. While I am certain losing ships and men in battle against the Naraku when they finally show up for their second attempt to break through your frontlines would help with your diplomatic efforts to stall for time.

Tia has also made me aware that it consumes a considerable amount of resources. Even then, it would be difficult to convince the other powers that you managed to hold them off with just the forces you have told them you kept in reserve.

It is because of this that I feel obligated to help. Please, just grant me a temporary leave. I can go to Andromeda and wreak havoc on the Naraku within it. I can destroy a few hive worlds, especially those which are forming the Naraku Armada. And then I can do the same in Triangulum.

This will not only prevent them from launching another offensive on our frontier, but will also deter them from doing so again! I’m growing sick and tired of just waiting for my time to shine! Won’t you please let me do this just once?”

Erich had to think about it for several seconds… I mean Ayumi made a good point. Her talents were being wasted here. But she was also his trump card. One he did not yet want to reveal to the enemy. And it was because of this that he made her promise to follow certain conditions if she really undertook such a journey.

“Alright… I’ll agree under certain conditions. One, you take an experimental spacecraft with you. With your current powers, I know traversing between galaxies is like a brisk walk in the park. But I do not wish to reveal your abilities yet.

So long as you promise me to take a starship and make your attack look like it came from our ships, rather than from you personally. And in doing so, leaving no trace of your involvement. I will allow this counter attack to take place. So what do you think? Can you make this happen? If not, I’m sorry to say, but I’m going to have to keep you and your abilities a secret for a few more years.”

Ayumi pondered about it for a few seconds. Thinking through how she could make it look like an attack from an experimental Germanic military vessel. In the end, she confirmed after several repeated scenarios playing out inside her mind. That she could do just this.

And because of this, she vowed to follow Erich’s conditions.

“Yeah, I think I can do that. No, I know I can! I promise you, there won’t be the slightest trace remaining of the Naraku after I have dealt a deathly blow to them. There will be no way for them to know what hit them!

But since you want to be so cautious, I’m sure I can conceal my attack within a starship, even if nobody will live to tell the tale!”

Upon hearing this promise come from Ayumi, Erich chose to trust her judgement. And patted her on the head with his compliments following immediately after.

“Alright, well then, I will trust this matter to you. Go give those bugs hell, my love!”