The words "secret weapon" reached Lacus's ears.
Lacus's already serious expression grew even graver, her eyes revealing deep concern and sorrow.
After a moment of silence, Lacus spoke up.
"Is it the kind of strategic-class weapon you mentioned?"
Felix looked at Lacus and nodded seriously.
"Correct!"
Hearing these two words, images involuntarily formed in Lacus's mind. They played like slides in her thoughts, and she gasped sharply.
Looking at Felix, Lacus declared with unwavering determination.
"We cannot allow such a weapon to be launched!"
Hearing Lacus's thoughts, Felix remained silent, his expression calm. Seeing his lack of response, Lacus questioned him.
"Felix, do you not support my idea?"
The question reached Felix's ears, his brow conveying tranquility, yet his calm eyes held a hint of disagreement.
Understanding Felix's gaze, Lacus clenched her fists tightly on the armrests, frowning with slight displeasure.
"Felix, do you know the consequences such a weapon would cause?"
The accusation reached his ears, and Felix nodded with a somewhat detached expression.
"Of course I know!"
His reply stunned Lacus. Recovering, her voice rose slightly.
"Then why don't you agree with my idea?"
Listening to Lacus's heightened questioning, Felix's expression remained unchanged, his voice still calm.
"Because the Earth Alliance needs to witness it!"
Hearing his response, Lacus understood implicitly. Clenching her fists, she sank deep into thought.
Watching Lacus ponder, Felix leaned back slightly against his chair, quietly waiting for her to finish her contemplation.
On the Bridge of the Eternal
Aisha, seeing Lacus lost in thought, spoke up first to remind her.
"Lacus, you cannot have both the fish and the bear's paw!"
Hearing the ancient saying, Lacus knew she had to make a choice.
For Lacus at this moment, the word "choice" was easy to write but exceptionally difficult to act upon. Making a choice between human lives was, in her view, the most shameful act.
"Lacus, sometimes lives must be chosen."
Seeing Lacus's prolonged reluctance to decide, Andrew spoke up to remind her. Looking at Andrew, Lacus pressed her lips together, thought for a long while, and finally spoke.
"I understand what to do."
Uttering this brief sentence, Lacus seemed to exhaust all her strength, her spirit deflating instantly.
Expressions of sorrow and grief spread across Lacus's face.
Without waiting for anyone else to speak, she stood and walked out of the Bridge.
Felix watched Lacus's departing figure but did not call out to her or offer comfort.
The empty screen switched, and Andrew's face appeared on it.
"Aren't you going to comfort her?"
Seeing Felix's lack of movement, Andrew calmly reminded him. Looking at Andrew, Felix replied with a composed expression.
"Lacus understood the reasoning perfectly well; she simply couldn't accept making choices that determined people's lives."
At this point, Felix continued looking at Andrew, pausing briefly before speaking again.
"Comfort won't help in such moments. What she needs is her own private space to come to terms with this choice alone."
Hearing this response, Andrew nodded in agreement, then raised an eyebrow and continued.
"Aren't you worried Miss Clyne might change her mind at the last moment?"
Felix responded with a confident smile, full of assurance.
"Lacus isn't that kind of person. Once she understands, she won't go back on her word."
Then Felix shifted the topic.
"By the way, did Lacus mention anything to you about intervening in the war?"
"Exactly!" Andrew replied with a light nod.
Upon hearing this, Felix said nothing more, simply nodding at Andrew.
After checking the time, Felix bid Andrew goodbye.
Once the communication ended, Felix leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples, trying to relieve the pressure and fatigue he felt inside.
Meanwhile,
At Lorentz Military Base
"Mmph! Mmph! Mmph!"
Muffled sounds came from a room where someone was gagged.
The head of the Providence Gundam maintenance team was tied up tightly, with a piece of cloth stuffed in his mouth.
His eyes were wide open as he stared at Creuset, filled with disbelief.
Creuset looked at him, who kept making muffled noises, and gave him a faint smile. He stepped forward, placed a finger to his own lips, and spoke.
His gentle voice was like the whisper of a demon.
"Stop making noise."
As he spoke, the maintenance team leader felt a cold sensation against his temple.
The touch and chill made it clear what it was.
The muffled sounds stopped, but his eyes remained fixed intently on Creuset.
Seeing that he had quieted down, Creuset withdrew the pistol from his temple. He gently patted the man's cheek, and his soft voice sounded again.
"You're going to have a good dream soon, one where all your wishes come true."
With that, Creuset picked up the identification card from the table and slipped it into his pocket.
Before leaving, Creuset patted the maintenance team leader's cheek once more.
"Sleep well!"
After uttering these four words, Creuset turned and walked out of the room.
Once outside, Creuset headed toward the warehouse where the Providence Gundam was stored, the identification card in his pocket.
At the warehouse entrance
Two soldiers saw Creuset returning and saluted him, greeting in unison.
"Captain Creuset, hello!"
In response to their greeting, Creuset returned the salute.
His gaze fell on the warehouse door for a moment before he turned to them and asked.
"May I go in and take a look at the Providence Gundam?"
Hearing his request, the two soldiers exchanged glances, thought for a moment, and then nodded to Creuset.
"Of course!"
They replied in unison, and one of them proceeded to open the warehouse door.
The other soldier, standing by, respectfully said to Creuset.
"Captain Creuset, just let us know if you need anything!"
Creuset nodded to them but also shook his head slightly.
"I'm just taking a brief look, nothing more. I won't trouble either of you when the time comes."
Speaking gently, Creuset expressed his gratitude to the two.
"Thank you for your kindness!"
"Commander Creuset, you're too polite."
Responding to Creuset, the two gestured for him to proceed.
Seeing their gesture, Creuset nodded to them and walked into the warehouse.
As he entered, the warehouse lights illuminated, revealing the form of the Providence Gundam before Creuset's eyes.
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