Yang Hui's words echoed in everyone's hearts, especially resonating deeply with Athrun, Nicol, and Dearka.
They found it truly difficult to comprehend—why would someone refuse to use the world-destroying power they held, even when their nation faced imminent annihilation?
Pretentious moral superiority?
Perhaps. Yet... this attitude that should have been irritating instead inspired admiration within them.
Yang Hui's restraint in not abusing nuclear energy and weapons was undoubtedly a tremendous loss for Orb. But for the world and both warring factions, it was a blessing. The reappearance of nuclear arms would only drive the combatants toward greater madness and moral erosion.
Yet when they searched their own hearts—if it were them, if PLANT faced extermination—could they maintain Yang Hui's principled restraint?
Athrun and Nicol had no answer. But Dearka could respond with absolute certainty: No!
When your home teeters on the brink of destruction, what use are principles?
"What about you, Kira? Why do you fight?" Athrun asked with complex emotions.
"Me? I... simply couldn't stand by and watch," Kira answered Athrun while simultaneously questioning himself. "I nearly killed your comrade. You nearly killed Tolle. At that time, I didn't know him, and you didn't know Tolle either. Yet neither of us truly wanted to kill him, did we?"
"I... once wanted to kill you."
"So did I."
"..."
"How wonderful would it be if this world no longer needed war? If we could always live in such a world..." Kira's voice trailed into memories—childhood days with Athrun and Yang Hui, campus life at Heliopolis. "But... the war keeps expanding. If this continues, PLANT and Earth will have only one path left: mutual destruction. So... I must fight too."
"Kira..."
"Because I've already fired my weapon. Even if only to protect... in this regard, Yang Hui is truly remarkable. Unlike me, unlike all of us plagued by hesitation."
"Yes, Yang Hui has always been extraordinary since childhood," Athrun admitted with a bitter smile. Yang Hui was the first Natural who made him, a Coordinator, feel eternally outmatched—an unreachable standard.
"Yang Hui once said there are only two ways to end war," Cagalli suddenly interjected. With Yang Hui gone, no one could stop her now.
"What two ways?" the group pressed, though Kira's expression remained complicated.
"The first is redirecting internal conflicts toward external threats. Haven't we already confirmed the existence of extraterrestrial life? Yang Hui said that represents both hope and possibility, but also tremendous danger. Whether Coordinator or Natural, before creatures spanning hundreds of kilometers that can traverse space unaided, we'd only have one name: human."
"This!" The concept struck everyone as profoundly novel. None had ever considered such possibilities—not even Athrun, Dearka, or Nicol, who frequently studied the fossil. When viewing Evidence01, they'd only marveled at its grandeur, never pondering these implications.
It felt distant yet undeniably real—an irrefutable truth.
"Then what's the second path?" Athrun asked.
"The second path..." At this thought, Cagalli paused, her expression turning as grim as Kira's, "Human extinction."
"What!?"
"Are you sure that's what he said?"
"How could he say such a thing!?"
"Hey hey hey, this is no joking matter!"
Everyone was unsettled, unable to comprehend why Yang Hui would make such apocalyptic statements. When had he become so extreme?
"That's exactly what he said." Cagalli clenched her teeth and fists tightly. "Which is why I'll definitely prove him wrong!"
The group fell silent, equally disturbed by this revelation. They couldn't reconcile this with Yang Hui's lifelong dedication to peace - for Orb, for the world. Yet here he was, contradicting his own life's work.
Finally, Kira broke the uncomfortable silence: "Athrun, your mission is to retrieve Freedom, right? I won't hand it over. At least not until I've accomplished what I need to do."
"Kira..."
"Thank you, Athrun. All of you. I need to return to work now. It was good talking with you."
With that, Kira departed, followed by Murrue, Natarle Badgiruel, and Mu. Dearka and Nicol also left, leaving only Athrun and Cagalli behind.
"Why are you still here?" Athrun asked with a bitter smile, his thoughts in turmoil.
"I... I'm assigned to monitor you."
"Just me?"
"The others... have different handlers."
"Is that so?"
"You're happy to see Kira alive, aren't you?"
"Yes... Back then... I don't think I ever properly thanked him."
"Hmm? You did. Sort of."
"Did I?"
"You were half-conscious, so you probably don't remember."
"Heh, I suppose so."
Unconsciously, the atmosphere between Athrun and Cagalli gradually warmed.
...
Meanwhile, Yang Hui, Sumeragi, and Wang Liu Mei arrived at Uzumi's residence to find all five clan leaders assembled, awaiting their arrival.
"You've come. We've been attempting to initiate negotiations with the Atlantic Federation," Uzumi stated bluntly, not considering this as undermining Yang Hui's efforts. Who wouldn't prefer peace over war if possible?
Yang Hui nodded calmly. He understood their perspective, but they clearly underestimated their adversary: "No response whatsoever, correct?"
"...Correct. We've also reached out to Orb's allies - the East Asian Republic, Equatorial Union, Scandinavian Kingdom - hoping for their assistance, but..."
"Similarly no response, nor will there ever be." Yang Hui shook his head. After rejecting the Atlantic Federation's demands, there was no room for negotiation. The Federation, accustomed to dominance, operated on a simple principle: compliance or annihilation.
Moreover, there was no possibility of negotiation between the Atlantic Federation and Yang Hui—at least not now. Unless the Atlantic Federation could purge Blue Cosmos, even if they didn't come after Orb, Yang Hui would go after them. His plans had no room for Blue Cosmos' existence.
"Yes, damn the Atlantic Federation!" Uzumi cursed before steeling his gaze. "Yang Hui, prepare yourselves then."
"...Understood." Yang Hui had wanted to persuade Uzumi and the others further, but sensing their resolve, he reluctantly nodded in agreement.
"I've already contacted Ame No Minashira. Mina is prepared," Old Sahaku informed Yang Hui.
"...Sumeragi."
"Enemy forces are expected to attack again at dawn tomorrow, with their main forces arriving as well. We must hold the first wave to secure our chance to retreat," Sumeragi stated directly.
"What about the other units? The Kusanagi can't take everyone," Old Sahaku pressed. The number of troops remaining in Orb was substantial—especially the three MS units. Though today's battle had incurred losses, the numbers were still significant. While surrendering tanks, aircraft, and fleets to the Atlantic Federation might be acceptable, the M1 Astrays absolutely could not be left behind. They had to be evacuated from Orb—or at the very least, destroyed.
"Arrangements have been made. The 1st and 2nd MS Units, along with the 2nd and 3rd Squads of the Special Unit, will soon head to End Island (fictional, the opposite end of Orb's mainland). The 2nd Main Fleet has been dispatched to rendezvous there and will escort them directly to Papua New Guinea."
"But without MS support on the frontlines tomorrow, can we hold?" Uzumi worried. In today's battle, Sumeragi had withdrawn 80% of the MS forces from the defensive line. With the enemy's main forces arriving, how could they possibly repel the assault?
"I'll sortie," Yang Hui declared solemnly.
Hearing this, Uzumi and the others asked no further questions. Despite their differences with Yang Hui, one undeniable fact remained—his words carried conviction. Even if his deployment only added a single ace MS to the battlefield, they couldn't help but believe he had the capability to repel tomorrow's attack.
"Then we leave it to you."
"Rest assured."
The three—Yang Hui, Sumeragi, and Old Sahaku—departed with unwavering resolve. Watching their retreating figures, Uzumi and the others offered no words of persuasion. Their determination was equally firm.
They all knew that prolonging the conversation might erode their courage. They were aware that if they asked, Yang Hui could find a way to ensure their safe escape—but they wouldn't.
The Atlantic Federation would never let them go. Yang Hui leaving Orb was one thing—he had the means to protect himself. But if Uzumi and the others survived, the Atlantic Federation would hunt them to the ends of the earth, even endangering the survivors in Papua New Guinea and those stationed at the Mass Driver.
Moreover, Orb needed them to bear the responsibility for this.
"This should be the last time we meet, right?" Uzumi sighed.
"Haha, Old Yang, aren't you going to talk more with your son?" Old Sahaku was similarly filled with emotion. Among the five present, apart from the Attha and Yang families who had always been close, there had been covert struggles between them all. A group of people who had fought their whole lives were now about to face calamity together—such was the strange twist of fate.
"No need. I've always been at ease with little Hui since he was a child. He knows what to do."
"My Mina is the same. I have no worries about the Sahaku family."
"But that other son of yours is quite restless."
"It doesn't matter. He was just the spare anyway."
"You're still as cold-blooded as ever."
"Would you prefer me to be soft-hearted like you? Letting my son walk all over me?"
"I'm happy with it."
"Get lost!"
"Hahaha..."
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