Chapter 947


    Scouts reported that the Numerological Compact had started consolidating their forces intorger units. That was unsurprising, as Devon alone could take out several of their standard ships without risk. Even if they disyed Ascension-ss power, that was insufficient to go against an Enrichment cultivator without greater numbers.


    Their scouts werent able to linger in the enemy system long, since there were formations that could detect them- for the moment, at least. Even so, they determined the enemy had pulled back towards their upieds, with only a small number leaving their systems- presumably to try to track down the forward base they had set up. The Alliance had done what they could to avoid making it <em>too</em> obvious, but they werent that worried about being revealed.


    Especially not with people like Anton joining the fight. He wasnt necessarily the best for capturing the ships, but if they needed to simply destroy them he could do so. Though personally, Anton hoped that it wouldnt be necessary. He was taking his time to bind the local star as a recement, but there were other defenders as well. And if it was necessary, destroying the enemy ships was <em>much</em> easier. So far, they had been fighting with their hands tied.


    When they were ready to begin further assaults, Devon took arger group to Turilia, the first system he had encountered. That seemed to be where the highest concentration of enemy forces was, and while it might seem to make sense to attack weaker locations first, that might just cause them to concentrate even more. If they could strike at their core and cause damage, they could keep the Numerological Compact uneasy.


    With the formations on their ships so advanced, it had to be assumed that theirary formations were exceptional as well. This assault would be a test of that on one of their upieds. Hopefully they could gather more useful information about how everything functioned.


    The target was chosen for its position, with it not being too close to reinforcements but still a big enough target they could cause serious damage. Nobody wanted to draw out the war and let the situation continue as it was, leaving vast numbers of people simply used as power sources. They just needed a moment to stabilize themselves, and now they were ready to act again.


    Respecting the strength of their enemies, the fleet had a number of Ascension-ss battleships and numerous powerful individuals. While the battleships werent all matched with an Assimtion captain, they were still able to stand up to the local ships. If they were able to make full use of their crews energy they would easily outmatch them, but developing a version of their enemys energy consolidation methods that was eptable would take time. There was a certain efficiency in their callous disregard for lives, but that didnt mean that same efficiency couldnt be achieved through other means.


    Though it was likely pointless, Devon made certain to give them an opportunity to negotiate. There was likely nomon ground to be found, but it was worth pursuing <em>something</em>. Though for a group that attacked immediately upon seeing a single ship enter their territory, it was unlikely even without the other things they had seen.


    Are the Valors systems ready? Devon asked Maryamu.


    Affirmative, she said.


    Devon turned to Aerona. She wasnt present for the sake ofbat, even though she was in Life Transformation. Instead, she was ready in case they had an opportunity to speak to people. Those they werent nning to fight, specifically. How should I word it?


    Be firm but reasonable, Aerona said. But be ready to respond to aggression.


    He already knew that, but hearing her speak helped him focus.


    They couldnt exactly hide their fleet, and the sent around fifteen ships towards them as they approached. Devon extended his energy over the ships, hoping that at least his voice could be transmitted. Now how to be honest without giving too much away? Stand down. Were not here to fight unless you make it necessary. That was at least <em>technically</em> honest. Devon believed it, just not that there was a chance they <em>wouldnt</em>.


    He felt an aura extend from one of therger ships- there were several of them- and it responded in kind. Devon let the sound transmit to the rest of their fleet.


    Very well, came the voice of an aged woman. Speak your mind.


    Even as the enemy fleet shifted into a stable vector that kept their rtive distance, Devon furrowed his brow. He nced over at Maryamu, who held up a finger, then nodded. Im only catching a few words, she said. ... enemy vessels negotiations dy until you arrive. At least it seemed their dissection of enemy transmission formations had been partially sessful. Too bad the interception hadnt been more clear.


    It is possible everything that has happened between us is a big misunderstanding, Devon said. That couldnt be fully true, but he doubted the enemy would call him out on it even if they picked that up. We were simply exploring and your ships attacked us as we entered this system for the first time.


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    He had then returned, destroyed one of their ships, captured another, and confirmed they were horrific vers. But hearing their response could be interesting.


    I wouldnt call bringing suchrge fleets to attack us a <em>misunderstanding</em>, the old woman countered. But it does appear that we attacked first. I apologize on behalf of our people.


    You think these arerge fleets? Devon replied. It was half bluster, but they <em>were</em> being conservative by bringing only their best ships because of the enemys quality.


    They certainly are, given the level of your cultivators. It is quite impressive, she said. Especially yourself, how did you reach such a great level of power?


    Devon didnt transmit what he said next. Whats your read? he turned to Aerona.


    Im not buying it, Aerona said. Theres no sincerity there.


    I thought so. Just wanted confirmation. Maryamu?


    Theyre coordinating assault patterns, she said. I can give you a full readout, if youd like.


    Devon could maintain several simultaneous thought processes, especially where it just involved simple tasks like reading or speaking- simplepared to controlling natural energy chains that stretched around a, that was. He nodded, and Maryamu disyed a readout that he took some key information from.


    You want to know how I reached this level of power? Devon replied. I overthrew the bonds of very and never let anything shackle me again. Not even something like your approaching Magnitude IV Dreadnought.


    Devon didnt actually know the details on what one of those was, but based on their information from the captured captains, the first ships were Magnitude II, and the others were Magnitude III. He wasnt certain why they hadnt encountered anything like a Magnitude I- they should still be strong enough to overpower most fighters if the pattern held at all. Which was also why he did not want to go up against a Magnitude IV Dreadnought without specific preparations.


    If you would like to continue negotiations you can follow us to the edge of your system. Otherwise, you can surrender and you will be treated well.


    They obviously understood that their ploy was over as soon as he had mentioned the Dreadnought, and Devon didnt have to give any additional orders for his fleet to act, with the enemy reacting momentster.


    Fire was exchanged between sides, but Devon had been prepared to deflect opening attacks. Either these captains were more experienced or there had been <em>some</em> transmission of his prior battle activities, but he was only able to partially redirect the main ship''s beam into one of the otherrger vessels- enough to strain their energy but not much else.


    Momentster he hadunched himself out of the ship towards the vessel carrying the old woman. He could do many things at a great distance, but precisely restraining a cultivators energy required a clear line of effect, which was easiest if he was inside the ship. He circled above so that any attack aimed at him would have no chance of hitting their own fleet, then tried to find a good path to themand deck of the ship. No two vessels seemed to have exactly the sameyout, and Devon wanted a way to have to break through fewer sections of the ship.


    He was quite startled when he broke inside the firstyer and it immediately exploded. He kept a strong shell around himself, but it still wasnt a negligible impact. Devon regretted the lives of those in that section, but he continued inward. When the captain immediately detonated the section around him again, Devon was prepared to deflect the energy outward.


    He rushed forward, moving along the outside of another section rather than breaking through it. The third explosion did very little but make Devon angry. He saw something he hadnt previously, which was the ship adjusting itsyout actively. So she was trying to hide further within, was she? Unfortunately for her, the sections werent thick enough to truly slow him down, and Devons chainsshed out, grabbing onto the ship and holding the mobile sections in ce.


    The captain shot attacks from the various weapons aboard, heedless of how much of her own ship she was destroying and the lives that were lost. Devon forced himself into the middle of the ship a few momentster, but instead of wrapping his chains around the woman, he shot one directly forward towards her midsection, stabbing into her dantian and immediately disrupting her energy. He wasnt quite fast enough topletely stop her, a dozen more sections of the ship detonating in sequence, but the ships clearly werent meant to stand up to an individual who was more durable than the vessels themselves.


    Devon came away holding the woman and arge number of severed sections of the ship. Tearing away themand center was a viable alternative, but it only really worked because the flow of energy was disrupted by the detonations she caused herself.


    Devon pulled the woman closer. I see you understand what I care about. Which just makes what you did extra stupid. Maybe she wanted him to tear her apart? So he did but just her dantian, destroying her core of energy without killing her. Devon tossed the segments of the ship onto a trajectory that would bring them out of the line of fire for the battle, sealed the physical wounds on the womans stomach- if a bit sloppily- then shoved her into the CSS Valor with a single chain while he focused the majority of his energy on the next closest ship.


    Even though it had been less than a minute of battle, it was a ughter. And while that included deaths on the side of the Lower Realms Alliance, it was mainly from the Numerological Compacts willingness to detonate their own vessels with them inside. Were they simply fanatics, or were they promised some sort of reincarnation? If it was thetter, Devon was going to make sure they didnt get the chance.


    The battle was short and brutal, with those ships that did not immediately retreat towards the rapidly self-detonating. Unfortunately, the fact another fleet with a powerful ship was en route meant they didnt have a chance to approach the. Instead, they grabbed what they could. Disconnected segments were difficult to bring along, and many had to be left behind but those inside would either return to the exact same position or perish, and they might be better off dead than captured.


    It still left a sour taste in Devons mouth, but their enemy had adapted in an unexpected way. It was still strange they hadnt encountered smaller ships, but perhaps they were only deployed directly around a. They werent far, but there could be some restrictions.


    Theyd aplished about half of their goal, but even though they could call it a victory by the numbers, Devon didnt like it at all.