Captain – Chapter 718 – The Battle for National Destiny and the Purple-Gold Badge

This question, which could very well reshape the Empire’s future, was asked so casually by the young emperor, while the young man sitting across from him answered even more decisively.

“Very well.”

With just one word, he accepted this heavy responsibility that would be difficult for even a general to bear.

Just like many years ago, when he had received that admiral’s medal from Old Marshal Auston’s hands.

Though the young emperor had anticipated this response, after hearing Caine speak it aloud, his smile couldn’t help but become more amiable.

He felt that at this moment, they were very much like his father the emperor and Uncle Naren, who had once sat facing each other in private discussion, deciding countless major affairs of Auran.

However, despite reaching their anticipated agreement unexpectedly easily and naturally taking charge of the expedition, after a moment of silence, Caine couldn’t help but ask the young man before him.

“However, Your Majesty, though I can guess some of your thoughts, I still feel that in this matter, committing nearly all military strength is far too risky and completely unnecessary.”

“Whether for that war or to intimidate the other two parties and provide backup for subsequent negotiations, four fleets are not needed.”

“Two fleets under my command would suffice.”

After Caine’s rational yet somewhat confident words fell, he said no more and quietly awaited a response.

His expression remained naturally calm, showing no abnormality, because these words contained no bias or difficulty—they were merely stating a fact from the Empire’s standpoint.

Because compared to this young emperor or the important figures behind him, he understood more clearly that this so-called world war was actually still just a conflict between those two near-divine beings.

It was the destined battle between Captain Edward and the most perfect descendant he had created and guided.

Rеαⅾ οո КatRеαԁіnɡCаfe

Whether himself or the present world’s fleets, all they needed to do was deliver Roy and that black blade to the shores of the unnamed island as “undamaged” as possible—more like a raid than a positional battle.

Moreover, according to Captain Gerard’s judgment, the ghostly blue wandering in the old world now numbered at most three or four hundred ships.

With the Federation and Islands joining the battle, leading two fleets would be enough for him to control the situation.

To suppress both the old world and present seas.

If that battle was won, and the captain and her father didn’t intervene, Caine had this confidence.

Upon hearing this, the young emperor fell quiet for a while, as if weighing his words.

After a moment, he rarely showed a bitter smile and explained helplessly: “The facts are not as you think.”

“It’s not that I, or certain people in the political arena or military, are too radical to make such arrangements.”

“But rather, we’ve reached a point where we have no choice but to do this.”

Listening, Caine couldn’t help but recall the political affairs Merri had mentioned to him before entering port, as well as the undercurrents he could clearly “smell” beneath the surface that the other hadn’t delved into deeply.

These undercurrents might trace back at earliest to that war between the Empire and Islands decades ago, and in recent years, to the retirement of old men and the seemingly excessive new winds.

Each of these major events would more or less leave traces and cracks on Auran’s substance covered by glory, accumulating until one day they would completely erupt.

These signs were not fantasies—they could be glimpsed from Robert’s ambitions years ago.

Rеаԁ оn ΚαtRеαdiոɡCafе

It was just that at the time, those undercurrents were suppressed jointly by the royal family, military, intelligence services, and Black Raven Society.

And that governor who bore Alexander family blood had ultimately died under Roy’s unreasonable slaughter, but who knew how many people like him still lurked in the shadows.

To what extent had those cracks already spread and penetrated?

“Yes, bold and sweeping reforms can indeed cleanse away that decaying smell and let vigorous new shoots flourish throughout the Empire, but this equally brings problems.”

“That is, the painful spots and old scars that predecessors were unwilling to touch, or even pretended not to see, will also be exposed to sunlight, and may even be torn open again by those changes, bleeding anew.”

“This is the current situation we face.”

Looking at the thoughtful young man, the young emperor sat up straighter, putting away his bitterness and gentleness, speaking in an extremely serious tone, as if instantly returning from an amiable youth to the heights of the clouds.

“You weren’t here these years, so it’s normal that you don’t know. The pressure Uncle Naren and I bear is actually very great. Even that newly appointed governor is a product of compromise.”

“But that was the bottom line—we cannot make any more concessions.”

After listening, Caine understood somewhat and asked: “That is to say, while this expedition appears to be a decision by the entire Empire, it’s actually you and my father attempting to break the deadlock?”

“In other words, it’s a gamble with the other side, betting on the outcome of this war and how much benefit can be gained when dividing the cake, which is why all military strength must be committed?”

Four of Auran’s five fleets departing, leaving only one to guard home—this could certainly be called committing all military strength.

Even the war decades ago had never reached this scale, showing the determination of the young emperor and Naren.

“Correct, because even disregarding internal concerns, the Empire… can no longer afford to lose.”

Rеаⅾ οո ΚαtRеаⅾіngCаfe

The young emperor nodded slightly and said in a heavy voice.

To this, Caine remained silent to show agreement.

Over decades, Auran had successively fought with the Islands and Federation, suffering continuous losses large and small. The annihilation of the previous First Fleet years ago had made the Empire’s situation even worse.

The golden age created by the powerful old men—the old emperor, Marshal Auston, Naren who had served as the Empire’s lion, and Dark Governor Federo—was no more.

Not until the past decade had those failures and pains been alleviated through peace and recovery.

Therefore, as the young emperor said, they had no retreat. Auran could no longer bear massive failure like that of decades ago. From a certain perspective, this battle…

Was a battle for national destiny, naturally requiring everything to be committed.

Whether people, wealth, ships, or military stars who, though having left long ago, still cared about national affairs.

“I understand, Your Majesty.”

Seeing Caine agree with his viewpoint and determination, the young emperor’s face showed a smile again. However, after thinking, he still said seriously: “But there’s something I must explain to you.”

“You should have learned about my background from Captain Roy, knowing my relationship with… the founder of the Black Raven Society. Naturally, I also have considerable connections with the organization.”

“Even my decision this time cannot be separated from the organization’s intelligence and the founder’s opinions, but I hope you can understand, because this matter is simply too significant.”

After listening, Caine was silent for a long time, surprised by the other’s frankness.

Read οո ΚatReaԁiոgСαfе

But on the other hand, he also understood His Majesty’s meaning. Though Curtis had made promises when ascending the throne to cleanly break with the Black Raven Society and willingly accept its checks and balances.

But when truly facing such national affairs, all available strength had to be used. That princess who had left the country probably thought the same way, and might have even specially returned to the imperial capital for this.

This was not incomprehensible, because if he were in His Majesty’s position, he would make the same choice.

Moreover, as he had thought when coming, the true perpetrators of those grudges had ultimately perished in that stormy night years ago, perished in the same fire—it could be considered past.

Therefore, Caine finally nodded, though his emotions were quite subdued.

Seeing this, the young emperor breathed a sigh of relief and smiled: “However, besides leading the army in this expedition, if negotiations are possible, your pressure will be equally great, because according to intelligence the founder told me, the Federation’s representative this time is that young master of the Shelley family.”

“You know, though the Federation isn’t skilled at warfare, they’re always very shrewd in such calculations.”

“As for the Islands’ side, in my opinion, that new Great Captain should make the trip.”

“So then…”

Speaking, Curtis reached into his robes, searched for a moment, took something out and placed it on the table, pushing it toward the young man while saying with some pride: “You naturally must have corresponding status.”

As his words fell, the young emperor withdrew his hand, and only then did Caine see the true appearance of that exquisite object.

It was a purple-gold badge.

The Marshal’s badge of the Empire.