Chapter 1828 - 574: Test Results from Both Sides (6k)

Chapter 1828: Chapter 574: Test Results from Both Sides (6k)

"Hmm, how about it? Isn’t single-soldier equipment more cost-effective? Sure, the power of ship cannons is vast, but they lack aesthetic appeal.

Our mass-produced single-soldier equipment scores higher!"

"That’s only because we’re being modest. If we went for a full bombardment, there’d be nothing left for you.

Besides, the battle isn’t over yet. When the Insect Swarm retreats, that’s when Radiance’s weapons will shine again!"

"..."

With anti-swarm weapons around, this so-called competition was never really in doubt.

Once the fleet entered the battlefield, it has always maintained an absolute advantage.

After realizing this, the three seemed to let go of their reservations, escalating from verbal provocations at the start of the competition to a full-blown argument.

At least their physical actions were restrained, and they remembered to silence the sound from the projection, leaving only Bai Yi, who was on the same communication channel, to hear their bickering.

In front of the three, a huge virtual screen projected the situation on the battlefield.

Initially, the fleet collided head-on with the Insect Swarm, dispersing their formation with a round of bombardment. Now it was the closing phase of the melee process.

Of course, this so-called melee wasn’t the traditional hand-to-hand combat, but rather a shift from space’s beyond visual range ship cannon duels to extremely close Transcendent battles.

This included the so-called "boarding" tactics, and even just Transcendent battles belonged to this phase.

Having repelled the Insect Swarm that faced off against them in open space, the focus shifted to those attacking planets.

Led by Transcendent squads carrying single-soldier weapons, piloting specially-designed small fighters, they commenced close-range landing operations, forcing their way onto warships, space stations, and planets attacked by the swarm, engaging the Insect Swarm there.

In a normal conflict, for planets with little value, the military would naturally refrain from deploying troops.

Simple bombardment from space is the usual method employed by the Three Great Civilizations.

But now, weapon testing is one of the purposes, so actual bombardment won’t take place.

And now, the melee test is almost over.

"I need to remind the three of you that at the current pace, surface clearance might not be completed in a short time, but nearby space stations have already driven off the Insect Swarm.

The remaining swarm is showing signs of retreat.

According to plan, we’re entering the final phase."

"Tsk, those Insect Swarm are too gutless, running away so quickly..."

The Emperor complained, the Gemini Empire’s anti-swarm weapons are mostly for single targets, able to exhibit their full potential only during melee. As the melee phase is about to end, opportunities for the Empire are slipping away.

Just one more round of Radiance’s ship cannon-level anti-swarm weapons will leave the Empire completely behind in actual combat scores.

It’s merely a slight dissatisfaction, not even as intense as their earlier arguments.

"Ha, the Insect Swarm also feels pain. Seeing the battle going poorly, how could they stay as sparring partners?

Hmm, in the end, it’s all about the space battlefield!"

The President crossed his arms and raised his head.

"Tch, all you’re doing is pure magic power release, and brute strength makes miracles happen.

The extent of magic power wasted could kill a squad of Insect Swarm if given to us."

Retorted by the President, the Emperor flashed a moment of anger, sneered, and quickly regained calm.

"Overlooking your technology, this time we’ll let you take the lead."

The Emperor waved dismissively, at the core, this competition disguised as an exercise was meant to test weapons’ performance.

While it looked like the Three Great Civilizations were divided into three camps,

the fact was that once these weapons were created, secrecy was gone, and the more powerful Radiant Civilization’s ship cannons represented fiercer future anti-swarm weapons.

The only dissatisfaction was the loss of face after defeat.

Not just him, but the other two were also well aware of this.

Fan Mao’s researched weapons certainly weren’t exaggerated...

The gaze of the three met across space, seeing the similar thoughts in each other’s eyes.

These days, especially the last two days, reports from their research personnel gradually diminished, leading to some suspicion and concern.

Even though the conclusions from their think tanks were due to the simplest projects being developed, with remaining ones being the difficult ones – resulting in slow progress.

Plus, these researchers were gradually losing enthusiasm for reporting, having conducted long-term studies.

That’s why the number of reports reduced.

Similar transitions were seen in their official research institutions, resulting in the senior staff rarely submitting reports.

But knowing this didn’t ease the concern about the temporary joint research institute.

Luckily, looking at the weapon test results now, none of the equipment had issues, their worries were unfounded.

"Haha, those Church believers still wish to use the Insect Swarm to disrupt Space!

This time, displaying these weapons before the swarm, they’d definitely get the message!

With these weapons, even if the swarm returns, they can’t threaten us!"

"Those believers wouldn’t give up easily."

The President shook his head, "Since they’ve brought the swarm over and have been operating for so long, it’s implausible a batch of weapons would make them wholly abandon their efforts."