The fleet, composed of dozens of airships, was truly vast by the standards of the Eternal Night Continent. Normally, an expeditionary division would only have two or three transport and combat dual-purpose airships, mostly obsolete models discarded from the upper continent.
However, upon closer inspection, it was evident that most of these airships were primarily for cargo and passenger transport, with only three small, fast gunboats capable of real combat. In the imperial regular fleet, these were the most basic armed vessels.
The cargo airships were clearly overloaded, dragging many thick ropes, which dangled numerous crates. Their flight speed was already slow, and now they moved at a pace akin to heavily laden desert beasts, barely faster than ground trucks carrying heavy loads.
At the center of the fleet, the flagship resembled a retro light canoe, hinting at some sophistication from the upper continent. However, in terms of materials, size, functionality, and luxury, it paled in comparison to the noblewomen’s carriages currently docked in Black River City.
On this airship, Dong Qifeng was gazing down at the land from the starboard window.
Eternal Night Continent had long nights and short days. Even though it was morning, the sunlight was still blocked by the upper continent, not yet reaching full daylight.
The weather outside seemed poor, and if one stood on the deck, they would feel the damp, cold air. Looking out, the land below the airships was dim, with only a hazy mist at the horizon, making it impossible to see anything. Only the navigation compass confirmed they were on the correct course.
A tall, slender colonel stood beside Dong Qifeng, saying, “We’ve mobilized a large force this time, and you’ve transported all our troops via airships. Such strategy is truly unpredictable! Black River City will never expect our army to appear suddenly. Moreover, their internal unrest has just subsided, and their weakness will allow you to decisively win and leave a classic battle example in the imperial military academy textbooks!”
Dong Qifeng smiled modestly, replying, “It’s nothing much, just a bit of surprise. Once we reach Black River City, if we become careless, we might suffer some losses.”
The tall, slender colonel waved his hand passionately, declaring, “General, with such a concentrated force covering a thousand miles, those mercenaries are nothing but a rabble. What can they do to resist our advance?!”
Dong Qifeng chuckled, feeling pleased, “Tell me, after this battle, won’t the headquarters of the expeditionary force have to look at us with new respect?”
The colonels, lieutenant colonels, and majors in the command cabin immediately showered him with flattery.
Only Du Yuanze hesitated, saying, “General, we must not be complacent. Dark Fire is different from ordinary mercenary groups. Their core members’ combat strength might even surpass the imperial main forces.”
Dong Qifeng immediately frowned, displeased. “Last time, it was just bad luck; we happened to encounter Dark Fire right after they expanded. Now, General Yang has provided us with updated information. They’re just better equipped and have a few experts, but their average level isn’t particularly high. What waves can they make? I’ve brought over half of my family’s elite forces here.”
Additionally, two warrior guests accompanied them, specifically to deal with Dark Fire’s experts. Ultimately, the key to this operation was a blitzkrieg combined with a decapitation strategy. In Dong Qifeng’s estimation, once the core members of the mercenary group were defeated, the rest would surely crumble, and the remaining soldiers of the 7th Division would know which side to support!
As he spoke, Dong Qifeng snorted coldly, adding, “Even against the imperial main forces, my family’s elite troops, with their equipment and levels, can easily crush them. It seems you’ve been scared by those commoners!”
Seeing Dong Qifeng’s genuine anger, Du Yuanze turned pale and quickly apologized, no longer daring to speak. He felt slightly reassured knowing that the airship carried a full division of Dong’s private army.
At this moment, a major in charge of navigation said, “General, fifty kilometers ahead, we’ll reach Black River City. Should we prepare to land?”
According to the original plan, the Dong family’s army should land fifty kilometers away, a distance beyond Black River City’s routine patrol range, allowing them to unload troops and equipment without alerting the city, then advance steadily. This was a very cautious plan.
But Dong Qifeng waved his hand, declaring, “They’re just a rabble. Swallowing my 7th Division will cost them dearly. No need to rest; we’ll land five kilometers outside the city and show those damned native scum the might of the aristocratic army!”
Flattery filled the room once more.
Only Du Yuanze felt deeply uneasy, recalling the words of the officer surnamed Duan who had stopped him at the Dark Fire gate. But the new information on Dark Fire didn’t mention any significant identity for this person. Still, Du Yuanze didn’t believe he was just boasting. However, with the enthusiastic atmosphere in the cabin and having just been reprimanded by Dong Qifeng, he dared not pour cold water on the situation.
Expeditionary Force Headquarters.
Xiao Lingzhi sat in his office, slowly perusing a thick list, a detailed record of the latest top-secret military intelligence transmission and receipt. Such meticulous post-action reviews were usually handled by his adjutant, who would report any omissions.
Yet, Xiao Lingzhi found it interesting, smiling as he closed the folder.
The gathering of direct and collateral daughters from fifteen upper and middle-class aristocratic families, along with the son of the Earl of Boxiang, in Black River City was classified as top-secret military intelligence. Only vice-commander-level generals in the Expeditionary Force headquarters knew the exact details, while others followed orders without knowing the specifics and were not allowed to inquire.
To prevent leaks and ambushes by dark races, the escort and itinerary were arranged solely by the Imperial Third Army, even the local Expeditionary Force commanders who received instructions to cooperate were unaware of the identities of the important figures passing through their territories.
Finally, the noblewomen safely arrived in Black River City, bringing another problem.
The sudden influx of thousands of people in such a small place couldn’t be completely concealed, and the increased daily supplies were difficult to procure. Therefore, the Expeditionary Force headquarters issued a top-secret order to the entire Three Rivers County, requiring surrounding cities to prioritize supplying various daily necessities to Black River City and prohibiting any inquiries or dissemination of information.
Regardless of the Expeditionary Force’s views on the empire’s nobles, they did not want any trouble involving these noblewomen in their territory. The deaths of these women would not affect the aristocratic families’ power but would lead to serious investigations and inquiries.
The Expeditionary Force headquarters did not forget the newly appointed Commander Dong Qifeng, as the 7th Division, still under his command, was stationed in the Three Rivers County. Thus, his name was on the top-secret military intelligence distribution list, though the delivery location was the 7th Division headquarters in the northern district of Black River City.
The door was knocked, and Xiao Lingzhi’s adjutant entered, collecting the processed documents from the corner of the desk. The list would also be archived in the vast records room.
Xiao Lingzhi turned his high-backed chair to face the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the unchanged scenery of the Expeditionary Force headquarters over the past decade. This was Eternal Night, and every outsider would eventually realize and adapt to its rules. The recently appointed General Yang Shuo would be no exception.
The massive and cumbersome Dong family airship fleet continued to move forward, and in the distance, the silhouette of a city slowly appeared.
Black River City, however, had sounded the city-wide alert an hour ago.
This was the message from General Zhang Zixing of the Imperial Third Army to Qian Ye, and the 7th Division’s own defense system had only reported the approach of a large, unidentified fleet ten minutes ago.
On the Eternal Night Continent, most human cities’ outer defenses consisted of ground watchtowers, independent outposts, and village guard teams. Airships, being expensive, were generally used for reconnaissance and communication. Even after Wei Baining took over Black River City, he made no changes, as the region’s value could only support such a budget.
Depending on the terrain, Black River City’s warning range averaged thirty-five kilometers in all directions, roughly an hour’s march for ground troops. Clearly, such defenses were not designed for aerial attacks, as the fleet escorting the noblewomen from the Imperial Third Army flew at heights and speeds that ignored ground defenses.
On the Eternal Night Continent, neither humans nor dark races had military targets worth the expense of an air attack.
However, this defensive situation was unsatisfactory to the Third Army. After entering Black River City, Zhang Zixing first required “joint defense.” Currently, within a thirty-kilometer radius around Black River City, two small armed airships continuously patrolled, and a warship hovered constantly above the city.
Qian Ye had no objections, happy to let the Third Army spend the money.
The Dong family’s airship fleet was massive, and the cargo airships flew too low, quickly spotted by the Third Army’s patrol boats.
Dong Qifeng, looking at the hovering warship above Black River City, his face grew increasingly grim. He turned to Du Yuanze, asking, “What’s going on? You never mentioned that Dark Fire’s armed airship was a light frigate!”
Indeed, the distant airship’s size and appearance suggested it was a frigate. Even a light frigate, a regular warship, outclassed the three small gunboats Dong Qifeng brought. Even outnumbered, the outcome was uncertain.
Du Yuanze was sweating, desperately trying to recall the model of the airship he had seen in panic, “Subordinate also hasn’t seen this warship before, but in a place like Eternal Night, any warship would likely be outdated and discarded by the imperial military.”
Dong Qifeng’s expression improved somewhat, but his eyesight was better than the officers present, and the more he looked at the frigate, the more he felt something was off. The shape resembled the “Lark” class, the newest model, with the first batch manufactured less than ten years ago. How could it be retired so soon?
However, it was too late to turn back. At this distance, even if Black River City withdrew its outer sentries, the city watchtowers could still spot their fleet. Staring at the frigate, Dong Qifeng abandoned his idea of intimidating the enemy with his airship fleet.
He immediately ordered, “The gunboats will advance to protect the fleet. The transport airships will land immediately, and the entire force must assemble within half an hour. Go and invite the two elders over.”
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