It had been a year since the Nora Laim Defense War ended with the complete destruction of Tawns Fortress, marking the Earth Federation's victory. Now, it was once again the time for the annual Courage Memorial Day.
"I say, Flit, why didn't we take action earlier? Weren't you already prepared?" Yang Hui complained to Flit, sitting in his office.
"Waiting for Courage Memorial Day to arrive makes the execution of the plan more meaningful, don't you think?" Flit replied with a smile.
Hearing this, Yang Hui, Graham, Yurin, and even Asemu all looked at Flit with strange expressions, silently wondering when he had become so cunning.
"Alright, I guess I'm not cut out for jokes," Flit sighed, feeling his reputation had taken a hit. He handed a piece of intelligence to Yang Hui. "This is the real reason I chose today to act."
Yang Hui and the others passed the document around. While Asemu appeared tense, Yang Hui and the others remained calm, as if they had anticipated this all along.
"Assassination!? Father, I'll make the necessary preparations right away," Asemu said earnestly. He was aware of Yang Hui and Flit's plan to purge the Federation from within, and he knew that if VEGAN's assassination succeeded, the entire plan would be ruined.
"Go ahead, Asemu. This is your first battle since your promotion—don't fail," Yang Hui encouraged with a smile.
A year ago, after landing on Earth, Asemu and the Gundam AGE-2 had been transferred to the Celestial Being squadron. Not only Asemu, but also Obright Lorain from the former Woolf Squad had joined. Obright Lorain, in particular, was the strongest natural-born soldier after Woolf's death in the original timeline. His achievements even surpassed those of Asemu, the second-generation protagonist. He had single-handedly taken down one of Jehart's top generals and then perished in a mutual kill with Jehart's right-hand woman, Fram Nara.
At the time, he wasn't piloting the Federal Army's most advanced Clanche but the older model Genoace II. Despite the inferior performance of his machine and lacking X-Rounder abilities, he had managed to take out two exceptional X-Rounder pilots in a one-for-two exchange. Compared to such a feat, what could Asemu boast about? His entanglement with Jehart for decades? Or the fact that he managed to defeat Desil in a burst of power?
Of course, the Celestial Being squadron wasn't just limited to these two newcomers. As the war entered another period of relative peace, the Celestial Being squadron, known as the "star factory," had to maximize its role. This had been agreed upon with Flit beforehand, and numerous X-Rounder users had been transferred from secret research facilities. However, none of them were particularly notable.
Asemu, however, had worked hard to stand out among the X-Rounder users and eventually became a squad leader.
"Don't worry, Uncle Yang Hui. I haven't been idle this past year," Asemu replied confidently before leaving the office.
Meanwhile, Yang Hui and the others stayed behind, watching the news on TV: "Forty-one years since Angel's Fall, the Courage Memorial Day commemorative ceremony is scheduled to take place in the capital, Brescia. Under tight security, Earth Federation Prime Minister Floy Olfia has arrived at the venue. The crowd on the streets is unusually excited as they await the ceremony… beep—"
Yang Hui couldn't bear to watch any longer and turned off the TV.
"These journalists nowadays… they really have no sense of professionalism. 'Unusually excited'? More like a bunch of reporters trying to dig up dirt," Yang Hui complained.
"I never thought journalists had any professionalism to begin with," Graham sneered.
"So, in your plan, we're just spectators?" Yang Hui asked Flit.
"Not exactly. If you show up, the most important assassin won't appear. If the plan goes awry, that's when you'll step in," Flit explained.
The reason Flit had chosen this particular day was because he had received intelligence that VEGAN would target their long-time collaborator, Prime Minister Floy Olfia, on Courage Memorial Day, aiming to bury their secrets forever.
This was the most crucial piece of evidence Flit needed—to expose Floy Olfia's true nature to the world in a live broadcast, using VEGAN's assassins to prove his collusion with them, leaving him no room for denial.
If even this couldn't convince the people, then the final trump card would have to be played.
How would the people react if they learned that the Federation's higher-ups had repeatedly betrayed the heroes they idolized?
"Alright, you're in charge."
...
Asemu boarded the Gundam AGE-2 and began deploying his squad. The Celestial Being squadron was different from other units. Only those capable of handling such an important mission independently would be assigned to it. Therefore, for this guard duty, the squad was dispersed to maximize their effectiveness.
"Conrad, head to the west entrance of the National Plaza. Nadia, take the southern avenue of the main plaza. Dix and the security forces are already in position at the north. I'll be stationed in the eastern hills for surveillance. Any questions?"
"Captain, has the assassination attempt been confirmed?" Nadia asked.
"Yes, both the squadron leader and the commander have confirmed it. That's why we've been assigned to assist with security."
"Sigh, I didn't expect even our Celestial Being squadron to be pulled into guard duty…"
"That just shows how unsafe Earth has become. Don't forget, we've been hunting down VEGAN operatives on Earth all year."
"True."
"It's time. Everyone, take your positions. From now on, radio silence unless it's an emergency."
"Understood." X2
On his way to the designated location, Asemu reflected on the past year.
Joining the Celestial Being squadron had been Asemu's dream. He wanted to surpass Jehart, gain the recognition of his elders, and achieve the best growth possible. The Celestial Being squadron was the fastest and most effective path to that goal.
Looking back, he wasn't sure how he had endured the grueling and tedious training over the past year. After the Nora Laim Defense War, among the first batch of trainees in the Celestial Being squadron, only he and Obright Lorain weren't X-Rounder users. To keep up and make Yang Hui, Graham, and their former Captain Woolf proud, they had put in several times more effort than the others.
And then… Romary's retirement.
...
At the Earth airport, Romary had chosen to retire and return home, with Asemu seeing her off.
"Once I get to Tordia, Unoa will come to pick me up," Romary said.
"You've been in touch with her?" Asemu asked, surprised. He couldn't remember the last time he had contacted his family.
"She's thrilled. She said you've joined the celebrity unit of our uncles and aunts and even became a squad leader. My brother has finally made it."
"That girl…" Asemu scratched his head in frustration. "There's nothing to be happy about when your little sister says you've 'made it.'"
"Ha ha ha," Romary laughed. "But she's amazing too. She's been traveling all over the world as a medical volunteer."
"Yeah, she said she'd even go to the far side of the moon if needed," Asemu said, both exasperated and proud of his sister's restless nature as she pursued her dreams and goals.
"We can't compare."
"Huh?"
"Unoa is much more mature than I am," Romary said, lowering her head and tightening her grip on her bag. "I… I was too naive back then. Even after enlisting, I couldn't shake off my student mentality. I idolized you and Jehart, always chasing your shadows, imposing my own ideas on you…"
Finally, Romary mustered the courage to apologize to Asemu. "I'm sorry… I've been wanting to apologize…"
"Romary," Asemu interrupted before she could finish. "You don't need to apologize. Just stay the same Romary you've always been."
"Asemu…" Hearing his gentle words and seeing his warm, mature smile, Romary felt a surge of emotion—joy? Attraction? Whatever it was, she responded firmly, "Okay!"
The atmosphere grew warmer as they gazed at each other, both wanting to close the distance between them but waiting for the other to make the first move. Before they could act, however, the airport announcement interrupted the tender yet awkward moment.
"I… I have to go."
"Yeah… yeah."
Romary turned to leave, perhaps out of shyness, but Asemu called out to her.
"Romary… it took me a long time, but I've found it—the true meaning of my fight…"
Romary turned back, already anticipating what he would say. Though embarrassed, she listened intently.
"I've always wanted to fight for the most important people in my life, to protect them. But… before, I didn't realize that this was just an idea Uncle Yang Hui and Father instilled in me. Now… I've realized that I truly am fighting for this ideal. It's just… among the most important people in my life, there's Father and Mother, my uncles and aunts, Unoa, and… and you. I will continue to protect you."
"…" Romary's face flushed, and her eyes welled up with tears—not of sadness or pain, but of happiness.
"Okay!"
...
"After today, both Earth and the Federation will change. I won't be lost anymore. Though Uncle mentioned I'd have a long vacation, should I go back… No, no, I can't jinx it." Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Asemu focused entirely on the current mission.
Meanwhile, the anticipated assassins had also made their preparations. The routine speech began, as impassioned as ever, but… that was all it was.
"Hmph, keep ranting," Medel Sant muttered in his cockpit. "You're already useless. Everything is in accordance with Lord Ezelkanta's will."
(End of Chapter)