At this moment the whole of the Demon Race may be called a pot of porridge boiled to confusion.
The plan of attack upon the Angel Race, which had gone forward step by orderly step, is now bankrupt outright!
Every preparation and every expense laid out before has gone for nothing; and not this alone — they must guard besides against the Angel Race's counter-stroke.
The Angel Race · high council of the Angel Kings
"How stand the several legion fleets in their preparation?" The Holy Angel King looked at the holographic projections of the other two Angel Kings opposite.
The War Angel King said, full of confidence, "Set your mind at rest; all is arranged.
"The million angel interstellar warships we drew off in haste here have already begun to strike back along the whole line.
"And should matters go well hereafter, the legion fleets that garrison my several lines of defense need only be rested a little while, and they may take part in the plan of counter-attack.
"That will make up three hundred thousand more interstellar warships at the least."
From the War Angel King's manner one could hear that he was in truth exceedingly stirred up, and burning for it.
For until now the fighting had been such as to stifle a man.
Held down and beaten by the Demon Race's interstellar fleets, and even losing interstellar fortress after fortress and line after line.
And had those supplies of Owl Dragon-line warships not come up of late, the case upon the front-line field could not be imagined at all!
And with the aid upon the field besides of the angel Tilia's Holy Dragon Angel Legion, whose showing is at present so excellent!
By these things alone was it kept off that the War Angel King's territory should fall early.
And the War Angel Star Region has not been visited by the fires of war either.
Whereas now, but for the breaking out of that other war, there would likely be Demon Race warships within the War Angel Star Region already.
Nor would they have this chance of counter-attack that they have now.
"To my thinking, we must strike back.
"But we ought not to be so hasty over it; after that long stretch of fighting before this, our own losses are by no means small."
Saying which, the Holy Angel King cast an eye at the War Angel King.
Among the three of them it is the War Angel King whose battle losses are highest.
The number of interstellar warships under his direct hand at present is likely not half what it was at his fullest.
And of those, no few are of the sort that have been through hard fighting and must go back to the yards for repair.
Those that truly keep an entire capacity to fight are few indeed.
Though of the three Angel Kings it is the Holy Angel King who stands closest to the Owl Dragon's lord.
Yet she must think first of her own Angel Race.
She is willing to fall in with the Owl Dragon Legion's operations, but it must be in a case where her own are made safe.
To support them with a million interstellar warships is already the limit of what you can move at present.
And the more so for the War Angel King, who had not many interstellar warships in his hand to begin with.
To hear the Holy Angel King's words was like having a basin of cold water thrown over one.
But at this the Judgment Angel King beside them opened her mouth. "I hold, on the contrary, that this is a chance not to be come by twice.
"By the intelligence we have got, the Demon King has now drawn near half the demon legions away from the front-line field.
"And though we do not know what in the end the Owl Dragon's lord has done to anger the Demon King so.
"Yet upon our field at present the Demon Race warships have withdrawn along the whole line, back within the map of the districts they held before this round of the campaign.
"Which is enough to show that their confidence is wanting.
"And that they fear besides that we may open an attack while their whole front is empty of interstellar warships.
"So that I hold we must take this chance in hand.
"And deal the enemy a heavy wound.
"Else, supposing the Owl Dragon's lord to make some error in his plan of battle, then the Demon Race fleets, turning back, will make trouble for us again.
"And that the War Angel Star Region should be threatened will be a matter of time only.
"Better to take the chance ourselves than to shrink and hang back."
The two Angel Kings looked at the Judgment Angel King, who is ever sparing of words, and who had at a stroke said so much.
And said it with so much reason in it besides.
Which was as good as touching the very tip of the War Angel King's heart.
He said at once, "Just so! A chance in war is gone in the blink of an eye.
"By the case upon our field at present, we must not only recover those lands we lost before.
"We must strike back into theirs, and deal the enemy the greatest hurt we can.
"And so, however the fighting upon the Owl Dragon's lord's side may end, we shall at the least have won ourselves more time."
Hearing both Angel Kings speak so.
The Holy Angel King knew besides that she could not stop the present case; and to speak truth, this determination has reason in it indeed.
Only that it is somewhat rash.
Very well, then.
A chance in war is gone in the blink of an eye!
And should anything truly befall, they need only be careful and wary.
Having settled it within herself, the Holy Angel King said gravely, "I can support you in this notion of strengthening the counter-attack.
"But I must put forward several requirements!"
Neither Angel King broke in; by the look of it they would accept whatever requirements the Holy Angel King might put forward.
Pausing a moment, the Holy Angel King went on. "The first point: at every place of strategic weight a necessary garrison legion fleet must be left behind.
"We have lost too much territory; those places of strategic weight that remain are of the utmost consequence to us, and may not be lost.
"Above all the industrial bases here in the War Angel Star Region.
"The second point!
"We may, upon the ground of the million interstellar warships we have now, send some further warships besides.
"But we must be careful and wary.
"We are to send out a great quantity of interstellar scout ships, and watch the movements of every demon legion fleet closely.
"And should those demon legions now withdrawing from the field go and come back again.
"We must halt the plan of counter-attack at once.
"And even, where it is needful, give up those interstellar territories of ours that might be recovered!"
The Holy Angel King is exceedingly wary; she will not allow any further mischance to befall an Angel Race that totters as it is.
"Upon the side of intelligence there is no need for concern; I shall set the arrangements out here and watch it closely.
"Should anything arise, you shall be told of it at the first moment."
The War Angel King said in agreement likewise, "And should those cases you speak of truly arise.
"I shall not cling to the fight, but shall draw out of the field at the first moment."
Hearing both Angel Kings agree to her opinion.
The Holy Angel King might be said in the main to have consented to the enlarging of the plan of counter-attack.
Thereafter, upon the three Angel Kings' discussion.
It was settled that besides the million angel interstellar warships already moved.
Within the three days following, five hundred thousand more angel interstellar warships would be sent.
And should the case prove hopeful and allow of it.
That number would in the end rise within a week to two million interstellar warships in all!
"So let it be settled; I shall take charge of this plan of counter-attack myself.
"Wait you for my good news!" the War Angel King said, full of confidence.
At last the chance for their revenge is come.