Chapter 294: The Mentor
Malchio calmly answered Lacus's question. "That's because Kira, as the strongest MS pilot in the Earth Alliance, defeated and killed many of our comrades using the Strike Gundam.
As one of ZAFT's finest warriors, Athrun had no choice but to make a sacrifice for his homeland and his people.
He had to give up his friendship with Kira, and the two became mortal enemies, fighting each other to the death on the battlefield.
This world suffers from a terrible lack of communication. People can't talk to one another, can't understand, can't forgive—and that's how these tragedies happen.
If everyone were willing to set aside their prejudices, communicate, understand, and forgive, then we could build a more peaceful, better world."
When he finished, Malchio even pulled a sorrowful, helpless expression.
Lacus tried to comfort him. "Mentor Malchio, please don't be sad. I'll help you. I'll do everything I can to fulfill that wish."
"Thank you, Lacus." At last, Malchio moved to the true point and shifted the topic. "From some of my connections, I learned that this injured young man, Kira—
He was personally created by Orb's Chief Representative Uzumi, the strongest Coordinator.
If we can guide him down the right path and have him work toward a harmonious, peaceful world, he'll become an invaluable force."
"What? He's the strongest Coordinator?" This news shocked Lacus and Lisa, too. In a sense, Kira could even be considered a prince of Orb.
"Yes. He is the strongest Coordinator. He carries PLANT's hope and future—and the seed that could bring peace to Earth and this world."
Lacus stared at Kira in astonishment and repeated blindly, "He carries PLANT's hope and future… and the seed of peace for Earth and this world…"
Lisa also held back her shock. "That can't be true—there's really something like a strongest Coordinator?"
"Indeed. Kira is the seed of hope. But he needs someone to nurture him, help him, guide him, so that he can take root and grow properly.
Otherwise, such a precious seed capable of bringing peace and hope to this world would be wasted.
Lacus, can I entrust you with the difficult task of guiding him to become this world's savior?"
It didn't take long before Lacus, almost as if hypnotized by Malchio's coaxing, answered obediently, "Don't worry, Mentor. I'll take good care of him. I'll definitely guide him to become the savior of this world."
Malchio nodded with satisfaction. "Then I'll leave the hope of this world to you, Lacus."
Watching all of this from afar, Tolle felt an urge to snap Malchio's neck right then. He couldn't just help a person—he had to stir up so much trouble. He really was someone who thrived on chaos.
If he hadn't misled her like that, Lacus wouldn't have secretly given the Freedom Gundam to Kira. And maybe her father and family wouldn't have been killed by Patrick.
Just think about it—what could a man who couldn't even see possibly understand? A frog at the bottom of a well—that described him perfectly.
All he ever came up with were terrible ideas. No matter how strong someone was, their strength still had limits.
And yes—Kira was the protagonist, and he did participate in saving the world. But that was only with the help of a large group of allies.
If he had relied on himself alone, he might've been killed the moment he piloted the Freedom Gundam during the Orb defensive battle by the Earth Alliance's three Extendeds.
Meanwhile, the Archangel had safely arrived within the Earth Alliance's Alaska base defense perimeter.
A large number of Alliance fighters flew out to escort the Archangel.
Murrue finally relaxed and happily issued the rest order. "We're finally safe. Everything's alright now.
Stand down from combat mode. Half the crew will rest in shifts.
Repeat, stand dow—"
Beside her, Natarle let out a huge sigh of relief the moment combat readiness was lifted.
Then a transmission came from the hangar. Murdoch reported, "Captain Ramius, please come to the hangar and stop Lieutenant Flaga.
He's insisting that we keep repairing the Skygrasper, and he still wants to go search for those two kids. He won't listen to us at all."
Hearing that Mu still wanted to search for Tolle and Kira, Murrue immediately rushed toward the hangar in a panic to stop him.
When she arrived, she said breathlessly, "Lieutenant Flaga, I forbid you to launch! You need rest! And let the maintenance crew rest as well."
Mu continued working on the Skygrasper as he replied, "Orb… still hasn't sent any information, has it?"
Murrue, discouraged, tried to reason with him. "Yes… but that's not something we can resolve so quickly—"
Mu cut her off. "The Archangel is safe now, right? So I can go back out to search for them."
"No, I won't allow it. It's too dangerous."
Hearing her refusal again, Mu slammed his tools down and shouted angrily, "But have you ever thought about this? What if Kira and Tolle did escape? Then right now they're the ones who need help the most!"
Murrue lowered her head, answering painfully, "I know. If the situation allowed it, I'd want the Archangel to go search for the two of them right away.
But… we just can't."
Mu saw her sorrow, and his anger faded. "Captain Ramius, I—"
"I can't allow you to go alone. That's far too dangerous." Murrue looked as though she might cry as she shook her head. "And if you never came back… then I…"
She didn't have the courage to finish the sentence. She could only change the subject. "Right now we can only trust Orb… and trust that Kira and Tolle will be alright. So please… stay."
Hearing her words, Mu could only give up and leave everything to fate.