Shadows of the Deep Space Chapter 1608 - 524: The Great Migration

Sakari gazed at the VI Generation Mecha·Zero Degree Envoy as it soared outward, his face displaying a grave seriousness.

Right then, Hayes activated the public comms channel, delivering his words with deep emotion.

"I never imagined I'd get the opportunity to clash with the Captain of the Dark Star Empire's Royal Knight Order·Sakari in my entire life; it's genuinely an immense honor!"

"Haha, let's go, Admiral Hayes. Though your fame among the Federation's Seven Generals ranks the lowest, and you've earned the nickname 'soft eater' by climbing up via those ladies in the Rain Capital, that's still a talent of its own."

Sakari responded with a chuckle.

"Is that praise or ridicule? I truly respect you; among the Federation's Generals, only Admiral Kabunofa stands equal to your prowess."

Hayes praised Sakari in return.

"Hayes, no need for such flattery; I'm not naive enough to look down on you."

Sakari held his guard firm, recognizing Hayes as a formidable foe with immense power. The crucial point was that the VI Generation Mecha·Zero Degree Envoy under Hayes's control surpassed his own Blade of Death in capability.

The Zero Degree Envoy matches the level of the Emperor's mecha, as both stem from early unified Federation designs.

"That's not my intention. What I suggest is, why not end this conflict? All this back-and-forth is such a hassle!"

Hayes answered with a grin.

"Delaying tactics like this won't fool me. Strike!"

Sakari's eyes blazed with ferocity as he lifted his hand and gestured sharply.

The main guns of the Legendary Level Star Destroyer·Void and other vessels glowed brightly, while a line of firing ports slid open.

In sync, Black Tide Fortress, together with its array of primary cannons, illuminated and unveiled every launch bay; then, a multitude of umbrella-like space weapons activated as well!

Brzz!

Void struck first, unleashing a gray ray pulsing with distorting energy that warped the space it traversed intensely.

Just then, Black Tide Fortress's primary cannon released a dark beam brimming with ruinous force, and the synchronized umbrella-shaped space weapons fired their rays too.

Assaults from opposing forces met head-on, warping and detonating in a fierce blast right away.

Swish, swish!

Myriad missiles blasted from each side, detonating on collision amid the stars and lighting up the vast expanse.

"For the Emperor, charge!"

Dark Star Empire troops zealously maneuvered their mechas into a passionate assault.

The Fourth Legion utilized defensive armaments to savagely repel the encroaching mech forces.

In that instant, Sakari commanded the Blade of Death to surge with explosive might.

The Blade of Death's exterior flared to life, gray corrosive vapors unfurling and swelling, splitting apart into three divisions that morphed into gray torrents lunging straight at Hayes.

"Ugh!"

Hayes let out a soft exhale; his eyes turned razor-sharp as he piloted Zero Degree Envoy to burst forth with energy, releasing white frosts to expand outward.

The moment the three gray torrents contacted the white chill in the air.

Hayes's gaze intensified as he guided Zero Degree Envoy toward the leftward torrent.

The pair smashed together with brutal force.

Mighty shock waves rippled across the void.

As the tremor subsided, Zero Degree Envoy was spotted shoving Blade of Death back.

A strange coating of ice encased Blade of Death, yet it quickly dissolved under the gnawing gray energy.

Now, Hayes wielded the Ice Crystal Blade from his hand, delivering a harsh downward slice at Sakari.

Sakari responded with quick reflexes, maneuvering Blade of Death in a sharp dodge to barely escape the blow and swiftly pulling away.

Spotting this, Hayes directed Zero Degree Envoy to part its jaws, building up an ice-blue energy ray and launching it toward Sakari.

"Hmph!"

Sakari snorted in disdain.

The zero-degree ray hit Blade of Death without delay, turning it into a swirling gray fog that the beam pierced through, then striking several distant mechas.

Boom, boom, boom!

A chain of blazing detonations followed.

Hayes spun around promptly, scanning for any sign of Sakari.

Right then, Sakari piloted Blade of Death like a grim harvester, materializing abruptly over Hayes's position and slashing down savagely.

Crack!

Hayes lifted the Ice Crystal Blade in his left hand to parry the strike, while thrusting the one in his right toward Sakari.

"Hayes, you're really spineless, squandering such a fine mecha like that."

Sakari pulled back to avoid the counter, staring at Hayes with a stern look as he spoke.

This Hayes proved exceptionally challenging; even with deliberate vulnerabilities exposed, he attacked with unwavering caution, never diving in rashly.

"Oh my, did you overlook my specialty? I'm a freeloader through and through, so I'm naturally resilient and wary!"

Hayes stayed utterly composed, showing no sign of disturbance.

Sakari's features twitched faintly at those words, before he launched a swift counterstrike.

"Gray Decay Mode, activate!"

The twisted engravings across Blade of Death's body ignited, pouring out dread gray energy as a gray decay ring formed above, exuding a deathly, icy aura.

Witnessing Sakari's full commitment, Hayes dropped all restraint and issued the mental command.

"Ice Energy Mode, activate!"

In a flash, the icy patterns on Zero Degree Envoy's frame blazed, unleashing fearsome ice-blue energy; an ice-blue ring materialized overhead, chilling the nearby space and projecting escalating might.

At that point, Sakari piloted Blade of Death, shifting into a horrifying gray torrent to charge at Hayes.

Hayes maneuvered his mecha to gape its maw, amassing a devastating zero-degree ray to shoot in response.

Sakari's eyes narrowed keenly, executing precise fine controls right away; Blade of Death swerved just enough to skirt the ray, racing along its path to cleave at Hayes.