Chapter 145: Artillery Fire

It was still winter, and the Eastern Front had fallen quiet beneath the Rosha Empire’s severe cold. No one at the naval base expected an attack.

“What’s happening!?”

A shell struck the port town and exploded among the buildings.

“An attack from the sea!? What were the lookouts doing?”

Rosha sailors rushed to the observation tower while shells continued falling around the harbor.

“Battleships…”

A large fleet stood offshore in battle formation.

“Those are Orline flags.”

“But the Orline Empire is neutral!”

One lookout wanted to flee. The other ran for the warning bell.

Before either could act, a shell struck the tower and brought it down.

The bombardment spread through the port. Warehouses and military facilities burned, and the warships anchored in the harbor were hit before they could organize a defense.

“Everything is proceeding well.”

I watched through binoculars as the fleet destroyed the Rosha ships and naval facilities.

“We’re certainly using plenty of ammunition,” Captain Yurick said. “The Lunoa Kingdom could never afford a bombardment like this.”

“The army always receives priority at home.”

The Orline Empire had accumulated a large stockpile of naval shells, including ammunition nearing the end of its service life. The operation gave them a reason to use it.

Volley after volley fell on the harbor. The Lunoa Navy had never fought enough fleet battles to consume ammunition on this scale.

“That should be enough,” I said, lowering the binoculars. “There’s little left worth firing at.”

“Agreed. The attack was a complete success.”

“A successful surprise attack.”

The Rosha fleet in the harbor had been destroyed and the naval base disabled.

With the objective complete, the Orline fleet turned away from the burning coast and began its return voyage. The war could no longer be avoided.