Chapter 261 – Greatness
Stephanie Luo had indeed intended to have a straightforward conversation—but she hadn't expected it to be this blunt.
It was one thing for Eli to know that the Luo Commerce Guild had invested in AEUG—that much she could anticipate—but for him to come right out and ask about the breakdown of funding? That was just plain rude.
She had assumed, seeing his East Asian features, that he'd be more reserved.
Thinking this to herself, Stephanie simply sat down on the nearby sofa, not even bothering to call for the tea she'd had prepared.
As the true person in charge of the Luo Commerce Guild, she certainly had her own pride.
"Coming in and immediately making demands—isn't that a bit impolite?"
Stephanie voiced her displeasure.
"I don't have the luxury to observe etiquette right now. Unless, of course, you're fine with wasting time over such things and letting Titans do something extreme in Hong Kong. I wouldn't object."
"…That's a serious accusation. You really think the Titans would take military action in Hong Kong?"
"What are you talking about? They're an organization capable of slaughtering an entire colony. As the head of a commerce guild, are you still clinging to delusions?"
Eli remained standing, arms crossed, making no move to sit as he replied.
As he spoke, the one who had brought Eli into the room—Shiro Amada—neither defended his financial backer nor sided with Eli. Instead, he strolled leisurely to the other side of the room and casually linked arms with a woman nearby.
There was no need to ask. That woman was clearly Amada's wife, Aina.
The two of them exchanged a smile, looking completely unconcerned with how the conversation on this side was going.
That fact only served to irritate Stephanie further.
Now the situation was entirely out of her control, wasn't it?
"Well then… I suppose you've already guessed. Even our Luo Commerce Guild can't fund an organization like that on our own. Behind AEUG is the Lunar Commerce Group, led by the Yashima Group."
Stephanie, with a hint of dark amusement, directly revealed this information to the man before her—who, at least on paper, was also a shareholder of the Yashima Group.
"Is that so? I see."
Eli's response showed a momentary stiffness—just as Stephanie had expected.
"So in return, would you mind telling me why you wanted to know this?"
"I don't mind. I want to determine who's friend and who's foe."
"Friend or foe?"
That answer once again made Stephanie realize things were slipping beyond her control.
"Judging based on just this seems rather reckless, don't you think?"
Stephanie said this not to excuse the Yashima Group, but for the sake of the Luo Commerce Guild itself.
The Luo Guild, based on Earth, was no match in scale for the Yashima Group or Anaheim. In a situation like this, they could only afford to bet on one side.
That's why she was afraid Eli was a straightforward soldier who saw the world in black and white.
If he decided the Luo Guild was an enemy simply because of their support for AEUG…
That would be detrimental to the Guild's interests.
"Don't worry. I won't jump to conclusions now. I understand how commerce guilds operate. I'm just hoping that, when the time comes, I can count on solid support."
Knowing who our enemies are and who our allies are—this is the primary question of any revolution.
All of this was part of Eli's hard-earned practical experience.
After all, AEUG's speech had, in effect, thrown its support behind him.
At this juncture, Eli had no intention of making a move against the Yashima Group, another stakeholder in the current world order.
But afterward…
What Eli needed to do was already beyond the reach of any mobile suit pilot.
That's why, for now, he would suppress his desire to board an MS.
Is this a test?
Unlike Eli's passing comment, Stephanie immediately grasped the deeper meaning behind his words.
Was he trying to persuade the Luo Guild to shift its resources to Undertaker before heading into space?
It wasn't impossible. As long as the target was an anti-Federation organization, the Luo Guild wasn't stingy with its support.
However, if she had to choose between Undertaker and AEUG, Stephanie would never side with Undertaker.
After all, this Eli had openly declared his intention to free humanity from Earth.
And the Luo Guild's very foundation was rooted on Earth.
"I sincerely hope, when the time comes, that you'll get an answer you'll be satisfied with."
Stephanie rubbed her fingers lightly together, settling her thoughts once more.
"In any case, does the White Chaser need any resupply? As someone who also stands against the current rule of the Earth Federation, I can approve that much on my own authority."
Eli didn't hesitate. He handed her the supply list he'd already prepared in advance.
"In addition, I'd like you to arrange for a group of my personnel to be sent into space. Given the circumstances, I expect Titans will soon initiate a blockade of Earth."
"Understood. The supplies will be delivered shortly. Please also provide me with the personnel list—I'll make the necessary arrangements as quickly as possible."
"Thank you. In that case, I won't stay any longer. Once we've handled things here, we'll be leaving."
Eli had already explained the reason, so Stephanie also saw this as a fitting end to their first negotiation.
"How will we stay in contact going forward?"
"Since Eli and Shiro Amada already have a connection, I won't let it go to waste. Let him stay with the White Chaser."
Stephanie glanced toward Amada, who was still lovingly beside his wife on the other side of the room.
"No objections here."
Amada responded with an easygoing attitude to his patron's order.
Unlike AEUG, which enjoyed considerable independence due to its Helium-3 resources, Karaba and the Luo Guild had a nearly subordinate relationship.
"In that case, I want to go too."
Standing beside Amada, Aina—now with her long hair grown out—smiled in the graceful, modest way of a Yamato Nadeshiko.
"Eh? What about the child?"
Amada's relaxed composure instantly crumbled.
"I believe Mr. Eli will be willing to take them in, won't he?"
"No problem. I remember back then, you wanted to stay away from the battlefield, didn't you?"
Eli didn't deny his willingness to look after Amada's daughters.
"Because I want my children to grow up in a better world."
"That's really something… you parents."
Eli murmured with admiration.