Hearing someone propose to remove their elder brother's seat?
The East Asian Representative didn't even bat an eyelid, merely focusing on playing with their fingers.
Though the East Asian Representative showed no reaction, the representatives from other countries collectively gasped in shock.
Contributing significantly more heat to the already scorching summer.
What a ruthless move—even seeking death isn't done like this, right?
If the setting weren't so inappropriate, many would have stood up to give this brave soul a thumbs-up.
Even in this era of the Allied Forces, looking back at history from the old days,
Those daring to provoke the mighty have long had grass swaying over their graves for over a century.
Or perhaps?
The gazes of several major powers' representatives turned strangely toward the Atlantic Federation Representative, who sat motionless.
Did you orchestrate this?
Their eyes unmistakably conveyed this message.
Yet, the Atlantic Federation Representative completely ignored the looks from the few representatives within the Earth Sphere who could engage in equal dialogue.
Seeing this, the Representative of the UK grew excited.
Truly their own progeny—the skill in stirring up trouble almost rivals their own.
A case of the student surpassing the master!
"Let's follow the usual procedure and vote.Just as the atmosphere grew intensely subtle, the East Asian Representative spoke up to move the agenda forward.
"Really vote?"
The Representative of Russia was taken aback, their eyes shifting as if recalling something amusing.
Then, with pure mischief in mind, this representative straightforwardly declared,
"Our side abstains from voting on this issue!"
"Huh?"
The Representative of the UK was thrilled. Russia, the one most likely to sabotage this proposal, had actually abstained?
That left only the East Asian Representative. Even if they exercised their veto power,
It would still be worthwhile to embarrass them and expose their hegemonic imperialism in front of many nations.
"I agree."
Impatiently jumping out, the UK Representative raised their hand high in agreement.
"This blockhead."
Shooting a sidelong glance at their century-old rival, who once had a sharp mind but now seemed addled,
The Representative of Belarus muttered under their breath.
Their gaze lingered on the composed East Asian Representative, then circled back to the Atlantic Federation Representative with a look full of anticipation for the drama.
"I agree."
Raising a hand symbolically, the Belarus Representative's tone carried a hint of mockery.
"Hiss!"
To be fair, every representative selected to attend meetings at the Allied Forces headquarters was carefully chosen.
If not unflappable in the face of Mount Tai collapsing, they were at least capable of smiling in dire circumstances.
Something like gasping in shock—even once was rare.
But now, disregarding diplomatic etiquette, most representatives felt their teeth ache.
What's going on? What is happening?
Is the sky about to change?
With the external threat of ZAFT Forces' Coordinators, are the major powers internally preparing to turn on each other?
His gaze continuously shifted among the representatives of the absolute rulers of the entire Blue Planet, seated high upon their thrones.
One by one, even the representative of the small nation that had proposed this motion shrank back in his seat.
"East Asian Representative, you vote first."
Rolling his white eyes slyly, the Atlantic Federation Representative had the same idea as the Representative of the UK.
I may not be able to destroy you, but I can tarnish your reputation and disgust you to death!
Vote! Cast that veto!
Our media back home has already prepared all the news releases. Once we deal with the Coordinators in the sky,
you're next!
"I agree."
Words that shook the heavens erupted, their content so explosive that representatives from various nations with weaker mental fortitude slid right off their chairs.
What did the East Asian Representative just say?
On the motion to remove his elder brother's seat, the elder brother actually said "agree"?
Did the sun rise from the west today?
Looking around nervously, some representatives were already trembling and thinking of fleeing.
If things went wrong, being caught in the crossfire could cost them their lives!
"What did you say?"
Slamming both hands on the table, the Atlantic Federation Representative's eyes widened like bronze bells.
"You're nervous, aren't you? You must be nervous."
Waggling a finger, the Atlantic Federation Representative feigned nonchalance as he joked with those beside him.
"The East Asian Representative misspoke this time. As great nations, we should be magnanimous. I'll take charge here."
"What the East Asian Federation Representative just said doesn't count. Let's have him revote, alright?"
"Alright, alright, alright."
What else could they say? Seeing the calm demeanor of the East Asian Federation Representative across the room and the sweat-drenched face of the Atlantic Federation Representative,
they nodded. Except for a few major powers, all the representatives nodded in agreement.
They agreed to let the East Asian Federation Representative vote again.
This included the representative of the nation that had originally proposed the motion.
"Atlantic Federation Representative, have you lost your mind?"
"Or is the weather too hot? Have you gotten heatstroke?"
But in the face of the unanimous agreement from the representatives present, the Representative of the UK jumped out.
"He already agreed. If you agree too, his elder brother will lose his seat."
"And you want him to vote again? Whether in the old League of Nations era or the current Allied Forces era,"
"we've never set such a precedent! Stop with this nonsense and agree already."
"Let's kick the East Asian Federation out!"
"Huh?"
Just as he was staring intently at the East Asian Representative, the Atlantic Federation Representative's face darkened so much it seemed to drip with water upon hearing the words of the Representative of the UK.
Shifting his gaze to the representatives of the Rooster and Big Hair, the Atlantic Federation Representative had every reason to believe
that the Representative of the UK was feigning ignorance, deliberately trying to make a fool of him and embarrass him!
Immediately, the Atlantic Federation Representative shot a death glare at the Representative of the UK.
"What?"
The bewildered Representative of the UK swallowed hard. Under the Atlantic Federation Representative's fierce glare,
he tugged at his collar, unable to understand why, despite speaking in support of the Atlantic Federation Representative,
he was being given such a look.
What did I do wrong?
"Representative of the UK, you're so mischievous."
One moment he seemed ready to devour someone, the next the Atlantic Federation Representative took out a handkerchief and wiped his face. When he put it away, his expression had completely changed.
The Atlantic Federation Representative's demeanor shifted from the wintry chill to the radiance of spring, even his delicate hand gestures becoming more pronounced.
He gestured twice toward the Cow's representative, then turned to continue addressing the East Asian Federation Representative.
"The Cow's representative is being too mischievous. Pay him no mind, let's proceed."
"Please, East Asian Federation Representative, restate your position. This time, do not playfully misspeak."
"Tch!"
An uncontrollable shudder ran through the East Asian Federation Representative, his entire being radiating disgust toward the Atlantic Federation Representative.
You, an eagle painted in black and white with nothing but ill intentions—since when have you become so reasonable and adaptable?
"Shall we vote?"
While the East Asian Federation Representative was still stewing in disdain, the Atlantic Federation Representative, typically the epitome of impatience, urged gently this time.
"I much preferred your former unyielding arrogance."
Pursing his lips, the East Asian Federation Representative straightened up and tapped the microphone before him.
"I agree with the previous proposal."
"Let me reiterate: I agree with the previous proposal."
"What?"
As if struck by a bolt from the blue, the Atlantic Federation Representative stood frozen in shock.
"Pfft."
Witnessing the comical sight of the Atlantic Federation Representative rooted to the spot, the representatives of Big Hair and Rooster burst into laughter on the spot.
"Agree, agree quickly!"
Thinking less deeply than usual, the Cow's representative was unusually off his game today, hopping about and urging the Atlantic Federation Representative to cast the decisive vote.
"You!"
Now, the Atlantic Federation Representative's eyes truly seemed to spit fire.
What era is this? Does the Cow's representative truly not know who holds the reins here?
Feigning ignorance and putting on an act for my benefit, are you?
Rage surged into his head, and the Atlantic Federation Representative opened his mouth, ready to unleash a torrent of curses at the Cow's representative.
But his eyes inadvertently caught the faint, almost imperceptible smile on the East Asian Federation Representative's face.
It felt like a bucket of ice-cold water had been poured from the crown of his head down to the base of his spine, and the Atlantic Federation Representative's heart sank into a frozen lake.
Could it be!
He whipped his head around to glance at the seats of the Eurasian Federation representatives, and his vision darkened.
The faces of those seated representatives seemed to twist into malevolent, grinning clown masks.
They were all staring at him with cold, predatory gazes.
"I oppose! I oppose the proposal to revoke the East Asian Federation's senior seat!"
Staggering backward a few steps, the dizzy Atlantic Federation Representative collided with a table.
Bracing himself against the table, he managed to keep from collapsing onto the cold floor.
Then, bowing his head, he cast the crucial dissenting vote.
"Huh?"
Unable to accept this reality, the Cow's representative was about to say more when the Big Hair's representative beside him had seen enough.
Grabbing the still-fidgeting Cow's representative, the Big Hair's representative whispered into his ear,
"Are you truly this foolish or just pretending?"
"As long as the East Asian Federation Representative remains seated, there is still room for negotiation."
"The moment he stands up, you'll learn what true amiability means!"
"Huh?"
The representative from Cow, slow on the uptake, finally caught on, feeling a chill shoot straight from his tailbone to the crown of his head.
So that's how it is? So that's how it is!
The Cow representative cried out in exaggerated grievance.
"I had no idea! Seriously, are you all playing this big now?"
"I truly, honestly didn't know!"
"Hmph."
The Representative of Belarus sneered twice, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle and adding fuel to the fire.
"Do you think we believe that? Do you think the Atlantic Federation Representative believes it?"
"When it comes to playing dirty, you're the best!"
Thumbs up raised, fueled by years of accumulated resentment, the Belarus representative didn't hesitate to kick someone who was down.
"No, I—!"
Speechless, the Cow representative quickly turned to the Atlantic Federation Representative.
He wanted to convince the other of his loyalty, that his heart would always stand with the Atlantic Federation.
But what met the Cow representative was the Atlantic Federation Representative's loathing and murderous glare.
Just then, a flurry of hurried footsteps echoed outside the conference room.
All the assistants left outside by the various representatives rushed in, each holding a tablet.
"Representative, representative! The East Asian Federation has fully exposed their South Heavenly Gate Project."
"They're serious this time!"
Swish, swish, swish—at these words, all the representatives fixed their eyes on the tablets in their assistants' hands.
So the Atlantic Federation was responsible for the boasting, and the East Asian Federation was responsible for making it happen.
What seamless coordination.
And you still claim you're not in cahoots!
Of course, that was just a joke.
The representatives stared intently and gravely at the fleet of Battleships on the screens.
"Gulp."
The sound of swallowing and Adam's apples bobbing echoed one after another.
(End of chapter)