Chapter 116: The Battle of the Marne Sea

Strait between Ireland and Scotland

"Fire! Fire! Aim for the enemy carrier, give them everything you've got!"

North of the Isle of Man, the map of the United Kingdom had been significantly condensed to accelerate the pace of combat. The Isle of Man was now reduced to the size of an ordinary island—less than one percent of its actual scale—yet this tiny patch of land had become the most intense focal point of the firefight between the Irish and Scottish fleets.

The one shouting these orders was Rear Admiral Heckwell. It was a rare occasion where the core of the English navy—General Little Nelson—was not present. Heckwell found himself facing the English forces currently stationed in Ireland, commanded by Prince Charlie. The tactics he employed were a form of pincer movement—essentially a flanking maneuver intended to annihilate the enemy and prevent their escape. However, such a tactic carries inherent risks: if the encircling force is not sufficiently strong, the opponent can easily execute a breakthrough at a single point to escape the perimeter. Worse, the encircling force itself could be swallowed up in a counter-maneuver. This is why, under normal circumstances, a pincer movement requires a force far superior in numbers to the one being besieged; otherwise, it is nothing more than a disorganized rabble.

"Prince Kwell, the target has launched torpedo bombers. Requesting anti-aircraft cover!"

Since Prince Kwell was not formally part of the military department, he did not monopolize all military affairs, preferring instead to delegate to capable subordinates. While both princes had indeed studied naval command, in reality, only Prince Trexi and Prince Kwell had taken their studies seriously.

Originally, Prince Trexi, as the Crown Prince, was required to master the discipline. After Trexi’s disappearance ten years ago, Kwell was thrust into the role of second in line to the throne. This forced entry into the upper echelons of the United Kingdom allowed Kwell to understand the history and political trajectory of the Mistra family, maturing him significantly. The United Kingdom was far from peaceful; the Europa Empire remained a constant threat. As a successor to the throne, he felt compelled to share the burden of the state. Now that the backbone of the United Kingdom—the Crown Prince and rightful heir, Trexi—had returned, Kwell’s heart was torn. Should he voluntarily relinquish his hard-won power for the sake of the kingdom, or maintain his grip and complete the mission of national revival himself?

In truth, Kwell deeply wished for his brother Trexi to win this battle decisively. It would not only fulfill his desire for the kingdom's restoration but also resolve his internal conflict. Yet, could the Prime Minister truly remain indifferent? After all, the very person who stood in his camp and harbored massive ambitions was the one who most wanted Kwell to hold power.

"Jamaica-class cruisers, engage full anti-aircraft mode!" Prince Kwell commanded. Focused solely on the national interest, Kwell was determined to defeat the other two factions. If his brother Trexi could defeat him, he would have no complaints, but if Trexi lacked the capability to do so, then he would show no mercy.

Kwell had his primary aircraft carriers and battleships securely shielded by several destroyers and light cruisers. While this might seem insufficient to handle a mid-sized main fleet, the situation was more complex than it appeared. The reason no ships dared approach was the minefield he had laid. Aside from the direct paths ahead and behind his formation, the surrounding waters were saturated with naval mines. These paths were sufficient for his own fleet to turn and retreat, but for any enemy ship attempting an approach, it would be a path to certain death.

"The enemy carrier’s position is exposed. Rear Admiral Heckwell, have the HMS Repulse provide fire support! Don't let them perform any unnecessary maneuvers—aim to shatter that carrier's deck." Prince Kwell roared, his own flagship—the Rodney, second of the Nelson-class battleships—aiming its guns at the coordinates. It was true; they had been fighting for quite some time, and the enemy battleships had yet to appear. Kwell could only conclude that Charlie had focused his offensive strength against Prince Trexi.

Suddenly, a massive explosion rocked Rear Admiral Heckwell’s fleet; a destroyer’s armor had been obliterated by a high-caliber shell.

"Prince Kwell, we’ve detected high-caliber muzzle flashes from the enemy’s right flank. It looks like monitors! Requesting bomber support!" Heckwell had clearly identified the opponent's tactics. Monitors were bizarre warships that emerged during the American Civil War, later gaining fame in the First World War. They were once known for their powerful land-support capabilities but fell into obscurity during the era of carrier-based warfare in World War II. Yet, in this age of electromagnetic cannons, battleships and battlecruisers had returned as favorites due to their immense individual power and massive guns.

In fact, the first to build these vessels after the Terminator War was the Galen Empire, renowned for having the world's greatest naval power.