Earth, within the territory of Orb, inside a newly built cemetery.
Roz held a bouquet of fresh flowers. Still wearing his signature flight jacket and cargo pants with sunglasses perched on his nose, he walked through the rows of graves. He passed through the groups of mourners, heading toward his destination.
It was a tombstone standing at the edge of the cemetery—no decorations, no epitaph, and no body within.
This was a cenotaph for "Ryan," an empty tomb established and paid for by Roz.
It felt as though this man had left something behind, yet also as if he had left nothing at all, save for the name etched into the stone.
"I couldn't find your remains, I couldn't find your family, and I couldn't even find a photo. I don't even know your last name."
Looking at the tombstone, Roz's mood grew somber. "You bastard, it's like you never existed. You've left this grave empty with nothing but your name. I wonder if you can even hear me."
Roz placed the flowers before the cenotaph. Behind his sunglasses, his eyes remained fixed on the name, as if reminiscing about the past.
"As promised, I've installed cybernetic bodies for the surviving wetware, so they can continue to live their lives like human beings."
"Blue Cosmos and their secret backers, Logos, are finished. There won't be any more victims like us."
"In a few days, the Earth Alliance and Plant are going to start co-authoring the history of this war. Both sides are currently promoting marriages between Naturals and Coordinators, and adjustment technology is reportedly going to be strictly regulated. In the future, they're even signing a resource distribution agreement between Earth and Space..."
Roz rambled on about the changes in the world, pulling a pack of cigarettes from his pocket—the ones he had bought when he first met Lowe Guele.
"According to the customs of my old home, I should probably burn three sticks of incense for you. I don't have incense, so I'll use cigarettes instead."
He lit three cigarettes and placed them before the cenotaph.
Roz didn't take back the lighter or the remaining cigarettes; instead, he left them all by the headstone and stood up.
"It looks like the world has been changed, more or less."
"I'm sorry for being so self-centered—making a promise with you to change the world just as you were dying."
Recalling the Blue Cosmos research institute as it was being consumed by explosions—Ryan in his white lab coat, collapsed in a pool of blood—Roz instinctively clenched his fists.
"But the world is truly wonderful right now... I really wish you could see it."
"Thank you. When I was sinking, lost within Blue Cosmos, you pulled me up. You gave me the courage to fight in a Mobile Suit and the will to resist this twisted world."
Sensing something, Roz instinctively looked back.
Murrue and Badgiruel were standing under a tree not far away, dressed in black suits, waiting for him.
"I have to go. I don't know when..."
Roz sighed, seemingly wanting to say more.
"It's okay now, Roz. The promise... you've fulfilled it all."
A voice that was both strange and familiar rang out. Roz looked up instinctively.
Beside the cenotaph, a translucent shimmering figure of Ryan in his white lab coat appeared. He smiled with relief and gave Roz a nod of approval.
"My wishes have been fulfilled too, so I'm going to disappear now. You don't need to worry about me anymore; you have people who need your concern much more."
Ryan reached out, gesturing toward Murrue and Badgiruel behind Roz.
"Go on, Roz. Don't look back."
Golden particles began to rise from the shimmering figure. Ryan's silhouette gradually faded away. "Remember, that gentle heart of yours and those hands that fight to protect others—those are the strongest weapons in the world."
"...Yeah, I understand."
Watching Ryan dissolve into a sky full of light specks within his vision, Roz gritted his teeth, forcing himself to keep the tears from falling behind his sunglasses. "Make sure you're reborn into a good life. Farewell, Ryan."
Sensing that Roz was struggling with his emotions, Murrue and Badgiruel walked to his side.
"You saw him, didn't you?"
Seeing his state, Murrue was concerned for Roz's mental well-being. After all, since his return, he had explained the details of his Newtype abilities to them; they knew that he could occasionally see the spirits of the departed.
"Yeah. That bastard left without saying a word."
Roz took a deep breath, steadying his emotions. "He said his wishes were fulfilled. I guess if you go by theology, that means he's ascended to heaven or is off to be reincarnated."
"Let's go."
Roz reached out with both hands, pulling Murrue and Badgiruel close to his sides, and began walking toward the cemetery exit.
Ryan was right. He was no longer a piece of drifting duckweed; he finally had people he wanted to protect.
These hands of his—hands that wanted to protect those close to him and were capable of crafting Mobile Suits—were indeed the strongest weapons in the world.
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Earth, a certain seaside bar.
The interior decor resembled a tavern or eatery from a fantasy RPG more than a typical bar—rumored to be a reflection of the owner's personal taste. Behind the counter hung an array of "Hero Swords" and shields, clearly ornamental pieces displayed for the owner's own amusement.
Perhaps because the bar sat just across the road from the ocean, its most famous offerings, aside from beer, were its French fries.
Currently, in a booth by the floor-to-ceiling windows, a man built like a double-door refrigerator sat eating fries one by one. He was wearing a "jtun" (otaku-style) shirt featuring Bridget from the Jesta squad back from her Vtuber days. A mountain of merchandise was piled beside him. To be honest, seeing a burly man in a shirt printed with a 2D anime character drew more than a few stares from the other patrons.
"So this is the tavern you mentioned. It was certainly hard enough to find."
A female voice drifted into the big man's ear. Noticing a woman wearing the exact same style of fan-shirt as him, the man instinctively narrowed his eyes.
The woman before him was clearly a Coordinator.
A Coordinator who knew him, wore a fan-shirt, and was likely a fellow "DD" (hardcore fan) like himself? At this thought, his expression turned solemn.
"You're the top-ranked 'Nuclear-Powered DD'?" The man looked at her in disbelief. "I actually thought you were using a voice changer."
"Then I assume you're the second-ranked 'MS-Thruster-Roasted-Meat-Man,' right?" As she spoke, the woman known as the "Top Donor" flashed him a peace sign.
"Hmph... that name is proof of my strength—back when I followed five different streamers simultaneously during a 24-hour endurance stream and managed to edit 'translated clips' for all five by the next day." The man tossed a crispy fry into his mouth and chewed. "That is a title bestowed only upon the strong."
"Enough talk. Where's the goods?!" Hearing the "Clipper's" boast, the "DD" girl impatiently held out her hand.
"Here. Inspect them yourself."
The man pulled a large paper bag from beside him and handed it to her. She opened it eagerly. The first thing she saw was an art book featuring the various avatars used by the Haros during their Vtuber days, complete with signatures. Behind that were three model kits of the Jesta, with the parts pre-painted to match the various decorations and signatures seen on the Jesta armor during the Gryps Conflict.
This merchandise was a "Graduation Combat Set" sent out by the Haros after they collected the contact info of fans who participated in the battle. They were completely out of print, a fact that had caused the masses of fans who watched the battle via livestream to beat their chests in regret for not being pilots on that battlefield.
"This... this is..." Her eyes widened as she looked at the models.
No matter who they were, anyone would have complex emotions regarding these three machines that had led the charge to push GENESIS.
"These are out of print now, so treasure them." The "Clipper" picked up his glass, took a sip of beer, and leaned back contentedly.
"By the way, when the green aurora appeared at the end, you were still connected to the streamer, right? Did you see her face? What did she look like?" The "DD" girl asked curiously while flipping through the setting book. She had already been recovered by her ship at that point, so her connection to the Jesta had been cut.
"Yeah... I saw." At the mention of this, the man's tone turned somber. "She was a victim."
"...A victim?" Her hand stopped mid-turn.
The term "victim" could refer to many people, but at this point in time, for a soldier to use that word, it could only mean one thing: a survivor of the Blue Cosmos wetware project.
"Fortunately, Blue Cosmos has been destroyed. There won't be any more victims." The man sighed. "Let's call it a day. I'm heading out."
"So soon?! I went through hell at the court-martial just to get down to Earth, and you're just going to ditch me?!" The "DD" girl wasn't having it. "I don't care! You can't do this! You have to take me around Earth today!"
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" The man waved her off. "I found a few new streamers. I have to get back and support them!"
The two left some bills on the table and chased each other out the door, arguing all the way.
"You jerk! I'll put a curse on you! I'll curse you to enter the 'grave of marriage' so you can never support another streamer again!"
"Hmph! Your chain is negated! I'm a staunch bachelor! I've dedicated my life to clipping videos and supporting streamers!"
"Damn it, is that so?! Then I'll apply for a mandatory marriage match with the higher-ups! I bet you, an Earth Alliance soldier, won't be able to refuse the new policies!"
"Gwah! You woman, how truly wicked!"
The two figures faded into the distance along the seaside street, bickering as they went. Seagulls soared on the sea breeze, occasionally landing on the pier to scavenge a few stray fries.
In a way, the state of these two was a small glimpse into what the future might hold for everyone.
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"I'm sorry, Big Brother Roz, but we plan to stay behind."
At the port on Orb's mainland, Marvin stood on the pier with a group of unique young men and women, looking toward Roz.
Supplies were being ferried piece by piece to the Nahel Argama. Although Cagalli didn't know where the "departure" Roz spoke of would lead, she had prepared ample provisions for the ship regardless.
With such a massive influx of resources, the industrial zone, research center, and the hydroponic and aquacultural hubs within the Nahel Argama began formal operations. These two areas were where Roz had spent the most effort during the initial design of the ship; it had taken him nearly a day of contemplation to ensure these zones remained unaffected regardless of the combat maneuvers the warship might perform.
"In my current state, I probably can't continue fighting alongside Big Brother Roz."
Marvin looked at his slightly stiff hands. No matter how he adjusted the response of his neural interfaces, this condition persisted.
"I've already handed over all the work-related data to my successor. The maintenance crew will be able to maintain their past efficiency."
After all, this was an issue rooted in his brain. Roz's expertise, which leaned toward mechanical technology, was powerless against Marvin's condition.
"So, please let me stay."
"But don't worry, Big Brother Roz. I will continue the fight here."
Saying this, Marvin clenched his hands and looked up at Roz.
"This is a world Big Brother Roz worked so hard to change. We don't want to see it revert to the way it was before."
"And we will never allow more of our kind to be created."
"...Whether you stay or go is a decision for your own will to make."
Looking at Marvin, Roz spoke calmly. "I support your choice unconditionally."
"...Yes, Big Brother Roz."
Looking at Roz—who clearly felt the sting of parting yet still chose to support his decision—Marvin bit his lip and gave Roz a somewhat non-standard military salute.
He had spoken with Big Haro and knew that Roz was leaving, and that there might be more battles ahead. He desperately wanted to keep fighting by Roz's side.
But he couldn't be that selfish. He couldn't accept a version of himself that would hold Roz back. So, he chose to stay and protect this world alongside Orb and Terminal.
Following Marvin's lead, the others who had only recently received their physical bodies also saluted Roz.
Roz stood straight, raised his right hand, and returned the salute to the young men and women before him. As Roz lowered his hand, everyone followed suit in unison.
"Will... will you all ever come back?"
Cagalli's expression was complex as she looked at Roz and the two women, Murrue and Badgiruel, standing beside him.
Roz truly felt like a character in a stage play performing a deus ex machina; appearing suddenly, resolving all the massive problems of the moment, leaving room for others to navigate the aftermath, and then making his exit.
"I don't know..."
Roz didn't have much confidence in his answer to Cagalli's question. "But I think we will."
"That's good then."
Hearing Roz's words, Cagalli nodded and smiled at him. "Just remember us and come back once in a while."
"If you ever run into something you can't beat, come back here," Athrun said seriously to Roz. "Here—Orb, Terminal, everyone—we are all your shield."
"...Take good care of them."
Mu stepped forward and patted Roz on the shoulder. "We're comrades who have faced death together, so I'm honestly a bit worried. I suspect they'll end up being the reins that keep you from running wild everywhere."
"I'm sorry... I can't think of what to say."
Kira scratched his head, looking a bit troubled. "Then, I wish Roz good fortune in war."
"No matter what you encounter in the future, please do not give up that gentle heart of yours, Roz."
Lacus smiled and nodded to him. "As you surely know, within that gentle heart lies the power to change the world."
Words of blessing and farewell flowed into Roz's ears one after another.
Roz silently memorized these words—the power that would continue to support him in his battles, following in the footsteps of Ryan.
Finally, it was the turn of the awkward-looking Shinn.
"…I want to go with you, Mr. Roz."
After a long silence, Shinn finally spoke.
"…I—I still owe you a lot of money. You never collected it, so I want to work for you to pay off the debt."
Anyone could see that this was a clumsy, even stiff excuse.
"No, Shinn, you don't owe me anything."
Roz shook his head.
"But, those debts from back then…"
Hearing Roz's words, Shinn tried to argue further.
"That was only to give you a goal to keep living and take care of your sister. Didn't you notice I never gave you an IOU, or that I even returned your payments?"
Roz revealed his true intentions behind telling Shinn he was "in debt" back then.
"Then what about Cyberpsychosis?"
Shinn said stubbornly, bringing up the condition Roz had introduced that everyone now knew about.
"If Mayu, or Stellar, suddenly suffers from Cyberpsychosis…"
"Shinn, Cyberpsychosis can be solved with the strongest type of immunosuppressant."
Roz looked at Shinn's anxious expression and nodded.
"For Cyberpsychosis, the highest-grade suppressant is love."
"Shinn, you possess love. That is a suppressant that no quality or formula can ever match."
Shinn fell silent, and Roz let out a small sigh of relief.
Truthfully, Roz didn't want Shinn following him. According to Big Haro, the enemies in the battles to come would certainly be no pushovers; Shinn was merely acting on a one-sided desire to "repay a kindness."
After a few more words of small talk with his comrades, Roz took Murrue and Badgiruel back onto the Nahel Argama to begin departure preparations.
The crowds gradually dispersed, returning to their respective posts.
"Shinn... do you still want to go?"
Lacus looked at the young man and lowered her head slightly. She had seen Shinn's file; she knew about his life that had been on the verge of shattering, only to be glued back together by Roz.
"Yeah... as expected, I really want to go."
Shinn looked down, stroking his sister's hair.
"I feel like if I don't go, there will be a thorn in my heart, constantly questioning me."
"Why was I taken care of like this? Am I really worth it?... There are too many questions."
"I see..."
Hearing Shinn's words, Lacus thought for a moment and then noticed Mayu's "I have a plan" expression.
She nodded toward Shinn. "Then, I grant Shinn Asuka and related personnel the freedom to choose whether to leave or remain within Terminal."
"I will help you. Besides, Roz is a very headstrong fellow. If he fights alone, he will eventually grow weary."
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After the Nahel Argama finished loading its final supplies, it set sail.
The only mystery was why several massive shipping containers, ostensibly filled with "mobile suit ammunition," had been placed so prominently in the Hangar.
Carrying the blessings of everyone they left behind, the Nahel Argama gradually drifted into the distance. The warship soon arrived near a long-decommissioned "shipyard," the site where Big Haro planned to initiate the jump.
"So, how much longer is this going to take..."
Roz scratched his head, standing on the bridge and looking at the Blue Haro.
"Patience! The style of your neck of the woods is always like this. Except for a tiny handful of lone wolves, most people head out on missions with a whole ship—or even several ships—full of crew. It takes time to process identity certifications for all these people, okay?"
Big Haro spoke with an air of weary resignation. Her consciousness was currently linked to the Courtyard, processing the identification papers for everyone aboard Roz's ship at breakneck speeds.
Perhaps this was the trade-off. Roz usually didn't require much direct intervention, but once he actually needed her, it turned into a massive ordeal.
However, after getting to slack off for so long—and considering she got to use Roz as a fragrant, soft body pillow—Big Haro felt like it was all worth it!
What? How could a burly man like Roz be a body pillow?
Shut up! As long as they're softer than Big Haro's outer armor, they qualify as her body pillow!
Just as Big Haro was fantasizing about returning to the Courtyard to show off her excellent "Newtype Big Haro" to her old colleagues, a notification arrived.
The Courtyard had rejected the Nahel Argama's jump clearance.
The reason: Unregistered personnel detected.
In an instant, Big Haro let out a high-pitched, piercing mechanical shriek.
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"Are you sure we'll be okay hiding in here, Mayu?"
"Don't worry, big brother. Don't underestimate my hide-and-seek experience; sneaking onto Big Brother Roz's ship is no problem at all."
"I suspect my brain must have short-circuited. How did I end up coming along with you guys..."
"Shinn... hug..."
Four figures were squeezed inside a container labeled as a "Supply Loading Box," with life-support devices providing them with enough air.
However, these four didn't stay hidden for long.
With the sound of metal grinding, the container door was pulled open, and their entire situation was laid bare to the figure standing outside.
"Ro... Big Brother Roz," Mayu said, her voice dripping with sickly-sweet charm, hoping to charm her way out of trouble.
As for Shinn, he was being held like a koala by Stellar, while a frantic-looking Lunamaria stood pinned behind them.
"You guys..."
Looking at the scene before him—and the Destiny Gundam tucked away inside this "supply box"—Roz's expression grew complex. "It's one thing for you to be reckless, but why bring Mayu along?"
"Forget it, we're heading back to Orb once more..."
"Please, let me follow you and keep fighting!"
Shinn's voice echoed through the hangar. "I... I also want to use these hands to protect something."
"Not just the people close to me, but others as well..." Shinn stood up, ignoring the weight of Stellar's full-body cybernetics clinging to him. "I don't want to see any more people end up like me."
"And what about your sister?" Roz looked at Shinn, his tone turning serious. "She can't fight. Can you guarantee her safety?"
"Yes. I will protect her."
Shinn's tone was as firm as iron. Looking at the young man, Roz fell silent.
"Roz, let Shinn stay on the ship."
At that moment, Murrue's voice rang in Roz's earpiece. "If you refuse, Shinn is a stubborn child; he'll try a second time, a third time... until he succeeds."
Calling him stubborn was an understatement; he was more like a "iron-headed" kid—once he locked onto a goal, he'd keep charging until he smashed through the wall.
"If you're the only one fighting, you'll eventually grow weary, won't you?"
Badgiruel spoke up as well. "I approve of Shinn Asuka joining the ship. Two to one, Roz."
"Sigh... I understand."
Roz let out a long sigh and looked at the awkward quartet before him. "Follow me. I'll arrange your quarters."
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After Big Haro supplemented the data, the Courtyard finally approved the Nahel Argama's jump.
"All hands, attention! Jump drive engaging, watch your footing!"
At the thought of hoisting Roz high like a scene from The Lion King to show him off to her colleagues, Big Haro gleefully blasted her voice over the ship-wide intercom. "Destination: Courtyard! Jump sequence, start!"
The jump drive installed within Big Haro's chassis unleashed its energy, and a kaleidoscope-like tunnel entrance manifested at the bow of the warship.
The Nahel Argama's thrusters erupted with violent flames, propelling the vessel into the tunnel ahead.
As the warship fully entered the passage, the entrance collapsed behind it, and silence once again returned to this sector of space.
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