Not long after their rest, the main force from the rear arrived. Before leaving, Yang Hui took a glance at the defensive line arranged by the Third Army Corps. He shook his head, sighing inwardly that the Third Army commander, a member of the Pureblood Faction, perfectly embodied Britannian arrogance.
"Is this the defensive line you set up?"
"Yes, Your Highness. Is there a problem?" the Third Army commander asked.
"Heh, you should ask what isn't a problem," Yang Hui sneered, his eyes full of disdain. "I wouldn't be surprised if Imperial Sister executed you on the spot."
"This... this... Your Highness... what do you mean?" The commander, breaking out in a cold sweat, asked for clarification.
"What do I mean? Heh." Yang Hui shook his head. He pointed at the ground beneath his feet and then at the defensive line. "Imperial Sister will definitely set up the new frontline command center at the transit station. But have you considered what position she would be in if the EU launched a counterattack and retook Lubudi Base because of your arrogance and negligence?"
"This!" Of course, the commander knew. No news had come from other parts of the EU's defensive line yet, so Lubudi was the only breakthrough point, but it was also the only way out. It was like drawing a vertical line upward from the center of a horizontal line, and then the middle of that vertical line was erased, leaving only a point above the horizontal line with no way to escape.
"But... but... those cowardly fools of the EU should... probably shouldn't..."
"Should?" Yang Hui glanced at the commander, his gaze brewing with murderous intent. "So, you are staking the safety of the heart and brain of the entire African battlefield on your own arrogance and luck?"
"No... No! Your Highness Yang Hui, I didn't think that!"
"Redeploy the defensive line. Advance the overall line by five kilometers. Set up observation posts five kilometers ahead of the line at the 2 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock, and 10 o'clock positions. Order the nearest friendly units on both sides to stretch their lines and connect with this base's defenses. And..."
Midway through, Yang Hui paused and gave the commander a cold look before continuing: "The war isn't over yet, and your subordinates are actually this lazy? You've completely disgraced the name of the Imperial military! Maintain combat readiness at all times. Don't let the enemy show up in front of you while you're still caught with your pants down!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The commander fled in a daze to resolutely implement Yang Hui's orders. He could feel Yang Hui's killing intent; if he were to feign compliance while secretly disobeying, he would absolutely be killed.
Despite being an army corps commander from a high noble background, if Cornelia's retreat were truly blocked and the African battlefield collapsed due to his negligence, even a hundred lives wouldn't be enough to pay for it.
Yang Hui didn't leave immediately either; he watched as the Third Army Corps gradually perfected the defensive line.
"Your Highness Yang Hui, a call from Her Highness Cornelia."
"Mhm." Taking the phone, Yang Hui spoke with Cornelia: "Imperial Sister, I am currently perfecting the defenses at Lubudi. It's expected to be finished in ten minutes. I will arrive to rendezvous with you in thirty minutes. The support troops and command team have already departed and will arrive in ten minutes."
"...I understand."
Cornelia didn't ask, but she had guessed a few things. Since they were still in a state of engagement, now was not the time to deal with such matters. Once the situation stabilized, she would deal with those who had neglected their duties.
Twenty minutes—neither more nor less—later, the defensive line was hastily but completely redeployed. The commander hurried over to report to Yang Hui.
Only after confirming that this Pureblood commander had done everything he had ordered did Yang Hui get into the vehicle and head to the transit station with Regene Regetta to meet Cornelia.
Seeing Yang Hui and Regene Regetta leave, the commander finally breathed a sigh of relief. His hot sweat turned cold, soaking his collar. In those short ten minutes, he felt as if he were teetering on a balance beam between life and death. It was only with Yang Hui's departure that he finally tipped completely toward the side of life.
Another ten minutes passed, and Yang Hui arrived at the new temporary command headquarters.
"Exactly thirty minutes. Very punctual," Cornelia remarked upon seeing Yang Hui's arrival.
"Has the EU's counterattack started?" Upon arriving at the temporary headquarters, Yang Hui saw Cornelia beginning to arrange a tight defensive line, looking very urgent.
"Yes, these were taken by satellite. The EU has begun massing troops to the north, and there are unusual movements from the EU forces to the east and west as well."
Taking a look at the photos, Yang Hui tossed them onto the table. "Have the troops in the other sectors stand by. As soon as the EU forces on the east and west flanks move, launch an all-out offensive to take their bases. Then, abandon those bases immediately and pursue the retreating EU forces."
"Why? The EU forces on the east and west shouldn't be moved lightly, or the EU's African defensive line will completely collapse," Cornelia asked. She could no longer view Yang Hui as just a younger brother or a subordinate. His god-like piloting skills, powerful combat ability, and sharp insight made Cornelia feel as if she were facing an experienced, ever-victorious general.
"Because of you, Imperial Sister."
"Me?"
"To catch the bandits, one must first catch the king. You are the heart of Africa. If they take you out, the Empire's offensive against the EU will crumble on its own."
"...Hahaha! A very bold operation!" Cornelia turned Yang Hui's suggestion over in her mind, and the full picture of the operation was quickly sketched out. "Using me as bait to attract the EU's attention, luring the defenders from other sectors to attack me, weakening the defensive strength of their lines so our forces can easily crush them. Not only that, but having our forces abandon the bases to pursue the EU defenders attacking me, creating a pincer attack and a counter-encirclement to wipe out a large number of the EU's effective strength... Am I right?"
"As expected of Imperial Sister." Yang Hui gave Cornelia a thumbs-up. That was indeed what he was thinking.
"However, there is one problem. How do we withstand the offensive of the EU's grand army?" Cornelia asked.
The core of the entire operation was Cornelia. If she failed to hold back the EU army's assault, everything would burst like a bubble, and they might even lose the entire African theater.
"Strike first to gain the upper hand." Yang Hui pointed toward the airfield outside the window.
"An airstrike?"
"The main pressure comes from the north, but the area to the north consists of vast plains with nowhere to hide. The only threats are these three anti-air positions. Send elite units to pull them out, and the sky will become our military's backyard."
"Correct. The nearest airfield to this area is in Kabongo; the EU's air force won't have time to intercept us," Cornelia nodded, analyzing the feasibility of an air strike.
"Once the enemy to the north is dealt with, we can concentrate our strength to block the enemies from the east and west. Imperial Sister, I wish you a grand victory in advance."
"Heh, you rascal." Cornelia laughed and shook her head. "This isn't my credit alone. I won't forget you."
"No, no, no. I'm not just talking about this one battle," Yang Hui said, shaking his head.
"Oh? What else?"
"The defensive line collapses, the defenders suffer heavy losses, and more than half of the urgently mobilized reserve army is wiped out... In the war for Africa... will there be any more difficulties?"
"This! Hahaha..." Cornelia laughed, very happily. Just as Yang Hui said, once this operation succeeded, it would only be a matter of time before the Empire completely took Africa.
The African theater had always been a tough nut to crack, but she hadn't expected that shortly after Yang Hui's arrival, he would give her such a great gift. Cornelia quickly calmed down and stared at Yang Hui: "What do you want?"
Cornelia disliked intrigue, but that didn't mean she wasn't capable of it. She didn't believe Yang Hui came to the African theater to give her a great gift simply out of a brother's desire to help his sister.
"Rest assured, Imperial Sister." The corners of Yang Hui's mouth curled into a meaningful smile. "I have no interest in the chair under the old man's buttocks. Among your subordinates, the only ones I find impressive are Gilbert and Dalton, but you certainly won't give them to me. So... owe me a request, provided it doesn't violate your principles."
"...Fine."
Cornelia was indeed reluctant to give up Gilbert and Dalton; these two were her left and right hands. If she lost them, her power would be greatly weakened. Furthermore, the two of them would certainly not betray her, and she believed Yang Hui wouldn't want two disloyal subordinates.
As for this request... to be honest, Cornelia really didn't want to agree. Anything else is easy to repay, but a favor is the hardest. Who knew what request Yang Hui would make when the time came? Even if it didn't violate her principles, it might not be easy to fulfill.
But she had no choice. The bait Yang Hui threw her was too enticing. Taking the territory of Africa and winning this battle was an immense honor, one that would raise Cornelia's prestige and authority to a new level.
At the same time, it would announce the Empire's strength to the whole world—that even the EU, which was as famous as the Empire, could not withstand them!
"Since you proposed this operation, you'll have to put in some effort too, right?" Cornelia smiled at Yang Hui with interest.
Yang Hui rolled his eyes and said irritably, "I'll handle the anti-air position to the northwest."
"Straightforward! Then I'll leave it to you."
"Don't worry, it's just a single anti-air position."
"Take Gilbert with you."
"Hmm?" Yang Hui was stunned for a moment and looked at Cornelia with some confusion. "You're willing to part with him?"
"Hahaha, of course not! However... if you have the ability to dig him away, that's your skill!" Cornelia radiated unparalleled confidence, trusting her Knight one hundred percent.
"...Forget it. A gentleman does not take what another loves." Yang Hui waved his hand, refusing Cornelia. He knew exactly what she was up to; Cornelia intended for Yang Hui to lead Gilbert and properly train her still-green, loyal Knight.
"Fine then." Being rejected was also within expectations. Cornelia felt only a slight disappointment before turning the page.
"But since the operation won't start for a few days, you can have him come find me," Yang Hui said to Cornelia without looking back.
Hearing this, Cornelia smiled with satisfaction. "Such a duplicitous guy."
"Thanks for the compliment." Waving his hand, Yang Hui walked out of Cornelia's office.
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