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Chapter 160 - The Reasons for Marley's Defeat
Paradis Island, Nuclear Industrial Zone.
This was a sealed research laboratory. Gale set down the blueprints he was holding and picked up the newspaper.
The newspaper had been brought by a caravan from Paradis Island and delivered immediately after arriving on the island.
He carefully studied the contents of the newspaper: "Marley surrendered to the Mid-East Allied Forces on May 2, signing the Treaty of Reparations of Marseille and declaring its defeat."
This was the newspaper's headline; there was no need to read the content carefully, as it repeated only one thing: Marley had been defeated.
Although the article tried to avoid mentioning the reasons for Marley's defeat, Gale could already guess them.
Two years had passed since Marley began using "Titan weapons" without restrictions in 851. They had captured a large number of Eldians within Marley's territory who had failed to escape during the attack, and in 852, they had indeed achieved some results, leading to victories on the battlefield.
But the Eldians were not inexhaustible, and the Mid-East Allied Forces were not easy prey.
The anti-Titan cannon was the first counterattack launched by the Mid-East Allied Forces.
According to Hange's intelligence, this weapon first appeared on the battlefield between the Mid-East Alliance and Marley in February of this year. Furthermore, the Mid-East Alliance had also deployed armored vehicles.
Ordinary Pure Titans were easy prey against these armored vehicles equipped with anti-Titan cannons.
A single anti-Titan cannon shell could shatter a Titan's brain. Although Marley used airships to drop Titan weapons onto the Alliance from the sky, they were unable to push back the Alliance's front lines.
Beginning in March, the Alliance's front lines were completely replaced by armored vehicles.
The slow speed of the airships prevented them from reaching the enemy's rear right under their noses. Combined with the depletion of the Eldians within Marley's borders, their defeat was only a matter of time.
Gale solemnly put down the newspaper. Two years had passed, and the construction of the nuclear bomb had reached its final stage.
He was no longer building new centrifuges; instead, he and the other researchers were working on the final construction of the bomb's internal structure.
Only a small fraction of these researchers came from Paradis Island; most were top scientists and talents from the Eastern Ocean, recruited through Isfar's border ports.
Because of the war between Marley and the Mid-East Coalition, all Marleyan troops stationed in Isfar had been withdrawn.
Paradis Island secretly helped the people of Isfar overthrow all the local warlords and establish a new regime.
New Isfar became the first country to establish diplomatic relations with Paradis Island, and it now wielded considerable influence throughout the Eastern Ocean, earning the support of many people.
The island of Isfar became a vassal state of Paradis Island, and through the people of Isfar, they recruited a group of talented individuals to assist the Eldians, also through the border ports.
Now, the population of Paradis Island had finally surpassed one million and had entered a period of rapid development.
However, Marley surrendered at this very moment, just when they were on the verge of producing the nuclear bomb.
A few days later, at the end of May, Hange arrived at the Nuclear Industrial Zone, where Gale met with her in the conference room.
"The war between Marley and the Mid-East Coalition is over." Hange took a sip of hot tea. "This was unexpected."
"What exactly happened?" he asked, hoping to find something that didn't add up.
"We've been deceived..." Hange said softly. "Paradis Island planned to export Iceburst Stones to slow the advance of the Mid-East Coalition."
"Erwin predicted that the Marleyans would soon become exhausted on the battlefield. To prolong the stalemate, we reduced the export of Iceburst Stones. However, the Mid-East Coalition's newly developed armored vehicles use lower-grade fuel and have achieved significant breakthroughs in internal combustion engines."
"Even with our fuel restrictions, they've managed to advance rapidly on the front."
"They probably realized that relying on imports for key resources wasn't a long-term solution, so they've been preparing a major move."
"As for the Marleyans, they've announced that next month, in June, they will hold a press conference with the Mid-East Coalition before the world. According to our intelligence, it seems to be related to the incident in Marley's capital."
"Although the Marleyans have been suffering setbacks on the battlefield, I have a feeling something is wrong. I can't shake this sense of unease."
"You're right." Gale stroked his chin thoughtfully. "The speed at which they surrendered and announced the press conference was excessive. Even if they wanted to shift the conflict to Paradis Island, now isn't the right time."
What if Marley hadn't actually been at war all this time, and it had only been a smokescreen to prepare their alliance?
Gale could anticipate that possibility. He wasn't overly concerned because of the advances they had made in military weaponry, but it was still something they needed to monitor closely.
"How much longer until that weapon is ready?" Hange looked Gale straight in the eyes.
"Two months." Gale raised two fingers. "At best, we can manufacture the first one in two months. If we don't conduct a test explosion, we can produce the first nuclear bomb in early August. But the materials for the second and third bombs won't be fully refined until October."
"That means it'll take another four months." Hange sighed in frustration. "I understand. We'll try to delay things for another four months."
"I'll find a way to sneak into that press conference and contact you then." Hange had just finished speaking and was about to leave when someone suddenly knocked on the conference room door.
"Come in, but if it's dangerous, don't do it." Gale didn't want Hange to expose herself too much.
The door opened, and a soldier saluted.
"It's a telegram. We just received news from outside the island. One of our Iceburst Stone transport ships has been captured by the Mid-East Allied Forces!"
"Our Iceburst Stone transport ships are being attacked?" Hange frowned. "What happened? Our last trade with the Mid-East Allied Forces ended fifteen days ago!"
"They were soldiers from the Allied Forces. They seized our merchant ship in Avignon under the accusation of 'endangering national security.' Everyone on board has been arrested and imprisoned."
"This is a report from our informant in Avignon!"
"Oh, I see. Their target is the Iceburst Stones. There's no doubt about it." Hange suddenly understood. "No wonder... no wonder."
"After all, two years have passed. Marley has probably been investigating how we reached Marley."
"That ship was also a 'merchant vessel' that had sailed from the port."
"No matter how perfect the disguise is, if it's fake, it will always leave clues behind. The fact that it took them two years to discover it is already considered a sign of Marleyan incompetence."
Gale reflected for a moment before looking up.
"Captain Hange, at this point, investigating how the information was leaked is pointless."
"I'm afraid that... after that press conference, the Allied Forces will declare war on us. We must prepare for a counterattack."
"Suspend all of our overseas trade operations. I'd like you to return to the capital immediately, hold a private meeting with Commander Erwin and Commander Pixis, and place Paradis Island on maximum alert!"