Chapter 232: Kudelia
The next day, Tolle arranged for his staff to contact Maruba and officially invested in the private security company CGS, becoming its second-largest shareholder.
He also requested that Maruba improve the living conditions and supply allocations for Orga's Third Squad.
Masahiro was then appointed as a representative of the Spark Interstellar Trade Security Group, in charge of liaising between Mars and the orbital base—handling vegetable procurement and communications with CGS.
Meanwhile, Tolle continued his efforts to recruit and consolidate space pirates, laying the groundwork for his future goal of overthrowing the Gjallarhorn military.
Time passed quickly. By the fourth month since his arrival in this world, Kudelia had begun actively advancing Mars's independence movement. She knew the events of the original storyline were fast approaching.
Tolle instructed Nami to keep a close eye on Kudelia's movements. The moment she was assigned to CGS for protection—to be escorted to Earth—he wanted to be notified immediately.
After waiting this long, he couldn't afford to miss the opening act of the story.
Tolle also recalled two members of Gjallarhorn—Crank Zent and Ein Dalton. Both were, at heart, decent men. Crank, for example, had hesitated to fight when he realized Mikazuki was still a child, and that moment of mercy had cost him his life in the first episode.
It always bothered Tolle. Crank, Clark… the names even sounded similar—he couldn't help wanting to save them somehow, to make up for that regret.
Maybe he could even recruit them to manage the Gjallarhorn forces under his control—just like Treize. Give them the title "Kings of Earth" and let them oversee things.
And the best part? It would infuriate McGillis, that two-faced schemer. All the things McGillis plotted so hard to obtain—Tolle could hand over casually to two ordinary soldiers, just to make him spit blood from frustration.
As Kudelia's independence movement grew more influential, opportunistic factions began to elevate her as its symbolic leader, hailing her as the "Revolutionary Maiden."
Tolle arrived on Mars to see one of her live speeches in person.
As expected of a noble-born young lady, she carried herself with elegance and composure. Even her speech delivery was flawlessly polished—well-rehearsed and emotionally charged.
After the speech ended, Kudelia rushed down from the stage and hurried toward Tolle, who was about to leave.
She grabbed his sleeve anxiously. "Please wait—are you Mr. Tolle Koenig, the chairman of the Spark Interstellar Trade Security Group?"
Tolle blinked in surprise. So I'm that famous now? Even the Revolutionary Maiden knows me?
Realizing she was still holding on, Kudelia quickly released his sleeve, flustered.
Tolle smiled and gave a courteous bow. "Yes, that's me. I didn't expect Lady Kudelia Aina Bernstein to recognize me—it's truly an honor."
Kudelia's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Chairman Tolle, I've heard so much about your accomplishments. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I know you started combating space pirates when you were around my age—working for peace in the cosmos.
And you never yielded to tyranny—even when attacked by Gjallarhorn, you stood firm and triumphed. That's… incredible. I really admire you. You're my idol."
Halfway through, Kudelia realized she was getting carried away. Her cheeks flushed pink. "I—I'm sorry, Chairman Tolle. I got a little too excited."
Looking at this earnest young idealist, Tolle couldn't help but find her rather endearing. Naïve and pure… yet tragically being used by people she trusts. In the end, even her own father betrays her.
Poor girl, he thought. I'll help her as much as I can.
With a warm smile, Tolle said, "Kudelia—may I call you that?"
Her eyes lit up. "Of course! Please, call me whatever you like, Chairman Tolle."
"No need for 'Chairman.' Just call me Tolle. We're about the same age—no need to be so formal."
"O-okay… Tolle," she replied shyly, her voice soft. "Then… you can call me Aina. That's what my mother always called me."
Tolle smiled. "Aina, I just listened to your speech—it was very impressive—"
Before he could finish, Kudelia, assuming he was praising her, blushed and said excitedly, "Thank you, Tolle! I'll keep working hard. I'll keep fighting for Mars's independence and self-governance!"
Tolle could only wipe away a bit of cold sweat. She's really deep in her 'Revolutionary Maiden' phase now.
He tried to steer her thinking gently. "Hard work is important, of course. But don't forget the people around you. Mars's independence can't be achieved by one person alone.
You can't be the only one on the front lines. Don't forget those who advise and support you behind the scenes. Bring them into the spotlight too—let them share in the credit. That way, their contributions won't be forgotten by history."
But Kudelia completely misunderstood. She thought Tolle was urging her to unite with her fellow activists—to fight side by side. "You're right, Tolle. I understand. I won't fight alone anymore—I'll work with everyone who shares the same dream."
Tolle, on the other hand, misunderstood her interpretation—believing she planned to drag the people manipulating her into the open, exposing them.
He smiled approvingly. "Good. That's the spirit—keep it up."
Kudelia blushed, looking down shyly. "Tolle… are you free this afternoon? Maybe we could have coffee together? I'd love to discuss Mars's independence movement with you."
Looking at this bashful, sincere young woman, Tolle's heart skipped a beat. "Aina, I'd be honored to share an afternoon with such a beautiful and inspiring lady."
The two of them went to a nearby café, chatting for hours about everything under the sun. They even had dinner together afterward.
When Tolle returned to the hotel that night, Lynn Minmay greeted him with a suspicious look. "Brother Monty, did you go flirt with another girl again? You smell like perfume."
Tolle immediately panicked. "Minmay, no, really—I didn't! I swear!"
She narrowed her eyes, studying him intently. "Oh yeah? Then where did that scent come from?"
Tolle, defeated, told her everything—his chance meeting with the Revolutionary Maiden Kudelia, their conversation, and the dinner.
Lynn Minmay muttered quietly, "Sigh… looks like there's going to be another girl sharing my brother soon."