Verbal reports naturally couldn't compare to seeing things in person. After listening to everyone's reports, Yang Hui naturally wanted to see the situation for himself.
However, to his surprise, when he arrived at the Simulation Training Room, he found it completely empty.
"Where is everyone?" Yang Hui asked in surprise.
"There are so many people; could this place even fit them all?" Creuset asked back.
"But where did they go?"
"The Military Zone and the Port," Flit said.
"The Military Zone and the Port?"
"Yes, the Military Zone and the Port also have Battlefield Simulation Systems. They are large-scale and very suitable for Legion-level battle simulation environments," Flit explained.
"...Then why didn't anyone remind me when I said I was coming here?" Yang Hui stared at them with dead-fish eyes.
"We wanted to see your bewildered expression," Char teased, even showing off a photo on his PAD.
"...Mephis."
[Commander.]
"Use my highest authority to hack all their PADs and delete those photos."
[Understood.]
"Wait! Mephis can be used like that?" Everyone was dumbfounded. As the head housekeeper of Prometheus Fortress, everyone valued Mephis, but they didn't expect her to be used for this.
[...It is possible.] Mephis answered them, though a trace of helplessness and frustration could be heard in her tone.
Immediately after, Yang Hui went to the Military Zone with everyone. A battle between Legions was currently underway, and the MS units belonging to each fleet were undergoing machine synchronization training.
"Looks like... it's not bad." The two sides facing off were the MS units of Revil's fleet and Char's fleet. Aside from a few members who had been picked out, the Twelfth Independent Technical Division had returned to General Revil's command, while the entire Phantom Corps had joined Char's fleet.
Interestingly, the two sides engaged in the Space Fleet battle at the Port were Flit's fleet and Jehart's fleet.
"Are you planning to settle both old and new scores together?" Yang Hui raised an eyebrow, looking at Revil, Char, Asemu, and Jehart with a strange expression.
"Ahem." The four of them coughed awkwardly. This really wasn't what they had intended; it was decided by drawing lots. Who knew the result would pit old rivals against each other?
"Old and new scores?" Aguer, not understanding, tilted her head. She was still a mascot of sorts and hadn't found her own direction yet, but she had followed Yang Hui's suggestion and made contact with Sumeragi and the others, and they were already good friends.
"In their original worlds, the Earth Federation and Zeon, and the Federation and VEGAN, were mortal enemies," Creuset teased.
"Ah!?" Aguer was startled, but then thought of something and looked at Yang Hui. "Does that mean... Mr. Yang Hui is very amazing?"
"Eh?" Several people voiced their surprise simultaneously.
"Is it not thanks to Mr. Yang Hui's efforts that former mortal enemies are now companions?"
"Uh... haha." Everyone laughed and shook their heads, silently acknowledging Aguer's statement. Everything before them was indeed Yang Hui's contribution; those who were once mortal enemies could never have fought side-by-side otherwise.
"Hmph, even so, some accounts still need to be settled properly!" Revil said.
"Yes, I think so too, General Revil." Char cooperated with Revil's statement, partly to liven up the atmosphere and partly as a tactic.
"Well, Jehart, I think there are some things I need to settle with you as well."
"My thoughts exactly, Commander Flit."
"What? Do you want to enter the fray yourselves?" Yang Hui asked mischievously from the side, clearly enjoying the chaos.
Revil and Char, Flit and Jehart—the two pairs stared at each other, then turned and walked toward their respective fleets. As Yang Hui suggested, they intended to join the battle personally.
"Is... is it okay?" Seeing the heavy smell of gunpowder from all four sides, Aguer couldn't help but worry.
"Of course it's okay." Yang Hui crossed his arms, watching the show with a face full of smiles.
"But..."
"Don't worry, Aguer." Sumeragi patted Aguer's back to soothe her tension and worry. "This is training, and it's a large-scale simulation on a group army scale. As the commanders of their fleets, they must participate. It's impossible for them to just be spectators forever, right?"
"But... the way they look... doesn't seem like simulation training," Aguer continued to worry.
"There is indeed some resentment, but it's more about competition," Wang Liu Mei added.
"Competition?"
"Yes, competition." Yang Hui stepped forward and said, "I wonder if you've heard a certain saying?"
"What saying?"
"Wishing your brother well, but fearing he'll drive a Land Rover."
"Ah? What... does that mean?" It was a very straightforward sentence, and Aguer understood the words, but she didn't understand how it applied to the current situation.
"Everyone in the Promis Legion is a companion. The higher up you go, the closer the relationships are. But because of this, no one wants to see the people around them fall behind, yet at the same time, no one wants to see those around them surpass them. The people who come here are all ambitious; they all have their own goals and their own pride. They all want to prove they are the best and have always been the best," Yang Hui said.
"But... I don't have ambition," Aguer said blankly. Her purpose for being here didn't involve grand aspirations or ambition; she only hoped her world could remain peaceful and that everyone in the Crown Skull Pirate Group could continue to enjoy a peaceful life.
Hearing this, everyone shook their heads and laughed, feeling that Aguer really was a mascot—cluelessly cute.
"There's another way to say ambition, Miss Aguer," Creuset said. "It's called a 'wish'."
"Ah?" Aguer was shocked. The "ambition" she had heard of before was always self-centered, a selfish goal to be achieved—like supreme power, endless wealth, and so on. She had never thought that the beautiful word "wish" could be equated with ambition.
The others didn't explain further. It was best to let Aguer think about such things herself. Though she seemed slow, it didn't mean she was actually stupid, and as an adult, she should have the ability to think for herself.
So, they turned their attention back to the confrontation between the two forces in the Military Zone and the Port.
"Char has indeed sorties."
"Asemu and Jehart as well. Compared to Revil, they're really quite irresponsible."
"Haha, it's just that Revil can't pilot an MS. Otherwise, he'd definitely charge out faster than anyone."
"Hiss! That 'under-the-table' move by Revil is ruthless; Char's fleet is done for."
"Asemu and Jehart, those two rivals, are at it again. I really don't know what Jehart is thinking; why does he get hot-headed so easily?"
"Eh? Is that... Eugene from Tekkadan? He's a fast learner."
"Not just him; those kids from Tekkadan are all learning fast. Look at those MS Squads; they can already complete simple squad tactics."
"Is that Maximon? He's got some moves."
"Mm, indeed not bad. It feels like another Flit is about to be born."
...
In the time that followed, the various fleets conducted their training in an orderly fashion. The production departments worked day and night to manufacture warships, mass-produced MS, and upgrade the Custom Machines of the elites. Research in the technical departments never stopped.
The factories in the Gundam AGE World, Gundam SEED World, and the Gundam UC (One Year War) World were also in full operation. Brand-new MS and warships were produced one after another and sent to Prometheus Fortress.
Looking at the rows of warships neatly lined up in the Port and the brand-new MS in the Hangars, Yang Hui suddenly felt a surge of pride. This was his army. From when he first arrived at Prometheus Fortress with only a solitary Central Hall to now, with its land area expanded countless times; from a mere seven people to tens of thousands; from having not a single machine or warship to now possessing over a hundred powerful space warships of various types and thousands of MS.
All of this made Yang Hui feel that all his efforts and sacrifices were worth it.
Furthermore, he knew that this was only the most basic space fleet.
In the future, Prometheus Fortress would become stronger and stronger, its numbers would grow, its people would become more powerful, its MS would become more numerous and advanced, and its fleet would grow even more massive.
"Is everyone ready?" Yang Hui returned to the Central Hall and asked Sumeragi, Wang Liu Mei, Creuset, Flit, Revil, Char, and the others waiting for him.
"Of course. Everyone is in position."
"Start quickly. I want to see your world."
"Yes, it's my first time going to a Mission World; I'm a bit excited."
"Haha, let's accompany you all back home."
"Since everyone is ready... Mephis..."
[Commander.]
"Open the Mission World."
[Understood.]
The brilliant light in the Central Hall dimmed, and a giant icon appeared in the air—the icon of the Gundam OO World.
[Detected that this mission is a Rank Advancement Assessment Mission. The Mission World defaults to the Gundam OO World. The mission mode defaults to Legion War Mode. Participants are the Promis Legion... Calculation complete.
Because this is the first Rank Advancement Assessment Mission and the first Legion War Mode, the Commander has two choices:
One: Descend into the world from scratch, or inherit novice mission progress...]
"Inherit novice mission progress."
[...Confirmed.
Two: The Commander can specify the Legion's drop-off point.]
"Space Lagrange Point 3, a safe zone 500 kilometers away from Celestial Palace City."
[Confirmed... Teleportation is about to begin. Wishing the Commander and everyone a successful mission.]
"Thanks, Mephis."
This wasn't the first time; everyone had sensed it. Mephis was definitely not just a simple AI; she certainly had a more important identity. Thus, they weren't too surprised and treated Mephis like a companion.
[...Teleportation beginning.]
In the next second, amidst the blessings and worries of Emily, Yunoa, Flay, and the other fortress staff, Yang Hui and the others disappeared from the Central Hall.
The phantom of Mephis watched the place where everyone had vanished and didn't disappear immediately. Emily and the others only saw Mephis's lips move slightly, but they didn't hear any words. Then she vanished, and the lights in the Central Hall returned to normal.
--Enjoying the story? Want more chapters? Check out my Patreon and support me for 40+ advance chapters.
Just search for "TLGod" on Patreon!"
Thanks!