An armory in every household?
Just imagining that scene in her mind made Cagalli shudder.
Could such a place even be called a country?
It would essentially be a massive military camp!
"Absolutely not!" Cagalli immediately exploded in anger. "Orb could never be that kind of country!"
"Then what is it?" Wang Hu gestured to Li Chengzhi who had just entered, indicating this conversation would soon be over.
He then spoke to Cagalli with earnest sincerity.
"Possessing the world's fifth largest Military Industrial Group, Orb's true nature is simply a country disguised as an arms corporation."
"This small island nation in the ocean, with its limited population and territory, has managed to develop to its current state entirely thanks to this turbulent world."
"It's precisely because of global instability that Orb has profited immensely from war, which supports the entire nation's prosperity."
"Your so-called neutrality, your claims of not invading other countries, not attacking others, not intervening in foreign conflicts—"
"—are merely whitewashing your hypocrisy. By pretending to be neutral and harmless, you try to make us overlook Orb's true nature behind the scenes."
"But nobody is foolish enough to fall for that. Orb's approach doesn't make us overlook anything; instead, it makes the world's two most powerful factions view you as a variable."
"Impossible... It can't be like this."
Staggering back two steps, Cagalli was both shocked by the truth about Orb that Wang Hu revealed and worried that Orb would face hostility from both the Alliance and ZAFT.
However little she understood politics, the girl knew one thing: the wolf caught between two fighting tigers.
Typically, the wolf dies long before the tigers determine their victor.
"Then what is it?" Wang Hu walked over to Li Chengzhi who had just entered and turned back to say.
"After you return, given your position, it shouldn't be difficult to investigate Dawn Company's weapons production capacity with some effort, right?"
"Surely that quantity of weapons isn't being consumed like rice by every Orb household?"
"Oh, and check Dawn Company's export records—see where the funding for the Mass Driver actually comes from."
"Plus, look at how many of Orb's citizens rely on Dawn Company for their livelihoods. Then you'll understand Orb's true nature for yourself."
Without waiting for Cagalli's rebuttal—though the girl currently lacked the strength to argue—Wang Hu took a final look at Cagalli who stood frozen like stone, then lifted the curtain and left with Li Chengzhi.
"Captain Wang Hu." Ashman, who had been waiting outside, immediately approached upon seeing them.
Not spotting Cagalli behind Wang Hu, he asked with genuine concern, "Is Cagalli alright?"
"I believe she'll be fine. Everyone must learn to grow up eventually." Wang Hu replied to Ashman, then turned to Li Chengzhi. "What is it? What brings you here in such a hurry?"
"We need you and Kira to pilot the Gundams to the preset positions—it'll be faster that way."
"Also, regarding the Archangel's subsequent arrangements, you need to discuss them with Murrue and the others."
"What about you?" Wang Hu lifted his eyelids. Aside from piloting the Gundam to lay mines—which genuinely required his presence—
After all, the Mobile Suit was originally engineering machinery.
But why did matters concerning the Archangel also need his involvement?
"I have more important matters to attend to." Li Chengzhi gave this reply but showed no intention to explain further.
"Understood." With so many people present, Wang Hu knew now wasn't the time to press for details.
After exchanging greetings with several people, he turned to find Kira as Li Chengzhi had requested and prepared to negotiate with Murrue and the others.
"Captain Li Chengzhi?" Watching Wang Hu depart, Ashman turned his gaze to Li Chengzhi, who remained standing in place.
Didn't you say you had more important matters to handle?
Ashman's eyes were full of confusion, having originally intended to check on Cagalli inside the tent.
"Sigh." Taking a deep breath of the desert's scorching air, Li Chengzhi pressed his throbbing temples.
Then, waving dismissively at Ashman, he walked toward the East Asian Army's transport convoy without another word.
"What's with these two?"
Utterly baffled by their behavior, Ashman stood dazed for a moment.
Shaking off his concerns about Wang Hu and Li Chengzhi, he lifted the tent flap, hoping to communicate with Cagalli once more—
Even if it meant persuading the girl to delay her departure just a little longer.
But upon entering the tent, seeing the girl's back turned to him and teardrops continuously falling onto the sand at her feet,
A stunned Ashman quietly retreated. After glancing around, he stamped his foot in frustration and muttered under his breath,
"What kind of mess is this? What a tragedy!"
The good mood brought by the East Asian Army's supplies and instructors didn't last long.
In an instant, Ashman's cheerful disposition vanished without a trace, carried away by the wind.
Meanwhile, having left Ashman and arrived at the East Asian Army convoy, Li Chengzhi stared at the command vehicle before him.
"What must come will always come."
Sighing again, Li Chengzhi straightened his uniform and opened the vehicle door.
Upon entering, he addressed a dignified middle-aged man inside with reverence:
"Father, I never expected we would meet under such circumstances."
"Might I ask the purpose of your visit?"
"Heh heh heh." The authoritative man chuckled lightly and waved his hand.
"No need to be so tense. Right now, standing before you is just a father worried about his son."
"So couldn't I simply be here to see my son fighting on the front lines?"
"..."
Staring at the man before him—his own father—
Li Chengzhi could swear to heaven that if his father had truly come just to see him,
He'd eat this command vehicle raw the moment he stepped outside!
Letting out another sigh, the deferential Li Chengzhi slowly began to speak.
Sunrise and sunset—the passage of time proceeds regardless of human will.
Soon the dawn of the second day arrived. According to the planned schedule,
This was the day the Archangel would set sail again, having taken advantage of the rare peaceful interlude to conduct thorough repairs.
Standing on the Archangel's bridge, Murrue cast a subtle glance at Li Chengzhi beside her.
Yesterday, Wang Hu had approached her mentioning that he and Li Chengzhi would soon be leaving. Murrue's feelings about this were exceptionally complicated.
The long journey had made not just her, but everyone aboard, grow accustomed to their presence.
They were leaving so abruptly, to be honest, I actually felt a bit empty inside, as if something was missing.
"Captain Murrue, it's time."
Seeing that Murrue hadn't given the order to advance for a while, Li Chengzhi reminded her from the side.
"Oh, oh, right." Her pretty face flushed, Murrue came to her senses and nodded repeatedly.
"Archangel, launch!"
Facing such a formidable enemy, she had actually been spacing out. This mistake made Murrue feel quite embarrassed.
"Captain, please rest assured. Following the route Wang Hu and I have planned, the Archangel should be able to reach the Allied Forces' headquarters in Alaska smoothly."
With his hands behind his back and standing straight, Li Chengzhi suddenly spoke up.
"The evacuees on the ship will also be leaving with us this time. I believe that with your and Lieutenant Natarle Badgiruel's abilities, the journey ahead will be smooth sailing without them holding you back."
"It will surely be smooth sailing. We'll see you again in Alaska."
"Oh, oh, right."
Never expecting that someone beside her would comfort her, Murrue blushed again, feeling awkward.
"Captain Li Chengzhi." At this moment, Natarle Badgiruel, who had been silent all along, spoke up.
"Are you returning to undergo reorganization?"
"Huh?" Everyone on the bridge, including Murrue, pricked up their ears at once. They were clearly very curious about this question.
"Perhaps."
He gave such an ambiguous answer. After all, even if they were returning for reorganization, it wasn't something to be discussed here. Li Chengzhi said solemnly, "They're here!"
"They're here!" The seasoned crew of the Archangel, tempered in actual combat, immediately grew serious.
"So fast!" Not long after emerging from their hiding place, the Desert Tiger Balthfeld arrived with two battleships.
This scene made the hearts of everyone on the Archangel's bridge sink.
"Proceed as planned." Li Chengzhi said calmly, signaling everyone not to panic as this was all within expectations.
"Captain, the Archangel has come out on its own!"
On the Desert Tiger's ground giant tank, the Petrie, Martin shouted excitedly.
It could only be described as a coincidence. Yesterday, along with the arrival of two members from the Cruze team in space, came information about the Archangel's hiding place.
Today, when the captain said they were going to attack the Archangel, the enemy appeared right before their eyes!
Could it be that heaven itself was preparing for Balthfeld's team to achieve another monumental feat today?
"Oh?" Balthfeld stared at the screen showing the Archangel racing toward the coastline.
He remained silent for a moment. As someone who had devised a plan to annihilate the Eurasian Federation's heavy ground forces in one fell swoop, he wasn't as optimistic as his adjutant.
Unnoticeably, he glanced at Athrun and the masked man Nicol standing behind him, who seemed more like overseers than reinforcements.
"What do you two think?"Balthfeld asked tentatively."
"Everything is up to Captain Balthfeld."
Quickly pulling back Athrun who was about to voice his opinion, Nicol stepped forward and gave an impeccable reply.
"With the renowned Desert Tiger's capabilities, we believe you can surely accomplish what Captain Creuset left unfinished here today."
"Hmm." Balthfeld stroked his chin, his eyes lingering on the mask covering Nicol's face.
He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt this youth named Nicol vaguely resembled Creuset in some way.
"All units, move out! Send the GOUFs in first to probe their defenses. Martin, prepare my Lag - I'll be joining the sortie shortly!"
"Yes, Captain!" Martin responded loudly, feeling particularly motivated now that the captain would be joining the battle!
Watching the Archangel's panicked retreat on the screen, Martin focused with complete intensity!
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