The central square was already filled with a large crowd, bustling with excitement. People eagerly awaited the Prime Minister's rousing speech to bolster their courage.
But those in the know understood that, apart from the invited journalists, everyone here was a staunch supporter of the Orphea family. While it seemed like a united and fervent gathering, it was merely a facade.
"What is courage? It is the belief to overcome adversity! What is courage? It is having the eyes to see the true nature of fear! What is courage? It is the steps to conquer the unknown and stride toward the future..."
"As always, it's so inspiring," Madame Hou praised in the lounge. No matter how many times she heard it, her husband's speeches never failed to captivate her.
"Indeed," Argreus, who accompanied the Prime Minister's wife, replied with a smile. "His speeches are always so perfect."
"Just speeches," Argreus added silently in his mind, glancing at the time. It was almost time; he no longer needed to keep up the act.
At that moment, armed military police burst through the door.
"What... what is the meaning of this?" The Prime Minister's wife was startled by the sudden intrusion but quickly composed herself, her refined demeanor shining through. "Do you know who I am?"
However, the military police ignored her, disarming and restraining the bodyguards in the room. Flit walked past the doorway.
When the Prime Minister's wife saw Flit, she was struck speechless, a wave of dread washing over her.
Sure enough, Flit glanced at her and left without a word. Argreus, who had been by her side all along, drew his pistol and aimed it at her.
"Please remain calm. As the wife of Prime Minister Orphea, you should understand what this situation signifies."
With the Prime Minister's wife under control in the lounge, the speech on the stage had concluded. Floy Orphea, basking in the applause and cheers of the crowd, was suddenly surrounded by military police who stormed the stage. The square fell silent once more. Journalists, already in cahoots with Flit and Argreus, raised their microphones and cameras, not wanting to miss a single moment.
"What is the meaning of this? What's going on? Huh? Ku..." Prime Minister Floy Orphea demanded, but his expression changed completely when he saw Flit approaching slowly. "Flit Asuno."
"That was an impressive speech. To defeat VEGAN, as you said, requires everyone to unite and work together. But... that doesn't include you!"
"What are you talking about?"
"Why, you ask? Because you are the enemy! No, you're not even an enemy—you're a traitor, a traitor to Earth!"
"Ku... These aren't the words of a sane man, Flit Asuno. Do you know who you're speaking to?" Prime Minister Floy Orphea blustered, praying that the other man had no concrete evidence to prove his betrayal.
"I know exactly who I'm speaking to—Prime Minister of the Earth Federation, Floy Orphea. You, who hold such a high position, have betrayed us by colluding with VEGAN. You've sold out the Federation... no, you've sold out Earth!"
"Woo~ woo~ woo~"
At that moment, the air raid sirens blared. VEGAN's MS units were on the move, heading straight for the central square.
"What's happening?"
"Still don't get it? Why would VEGAN's MS appear at this moment?" Flit demanded sharply.
"What?"
"Your deeds have been exposed, and you're no longer of any use."
"...Silence... silence..." Floy Orphea broke out in a cold sweat, unable to believe that Ezelcant would so easily abandon him, his collaborator, without any evidence... Wait! Evidence!
Floy Orphea grasped at this lifeline and quickly regained his composure.
"You call me a traitor? You say VEGAN is here to silence me? Flit Asuno, where's the evidence!? Isn't it you who brought VEGAN here to further your own ambitions?"
"Haha." Flit responded to Floy Orphea's counterattack with a cold laugh, projecting all the evidence he had gathered onto the large screen and simultaneously sending copies to major news outlets.
"You want evidence? Here it is!" Flit declared sternly. "The Orphea family, which has produced generations of prime ministers and key political figures, harbors a secret that directly led to the rise of VEGAN—the failure of the Mars Migration Project. Dr. Streit Von Del, who planned and oversaw the cover-up of this project, has blood ties to the Orphea family. Your family has always hidden this fact. For you, who has struggled in the center of political power to secure the Prime Minister's seat, this truth is a poison that could destroy your political career.
VEGAN used this to blackmail you. If you didn't want the truth to come out, you had to assist VEGAN. These pieces of evidence record every single instance of your secret communications with VEGAN. So, how about it? Shall I play them one by one for you?"
"You! These... these are all fake! You forged them!"
"Then what about these account records?" Flit pulled up a series of bank account statements. "You were indeed cautious. None of these accounts are in your name or your family's. But every account holder can be traced back to you and the Orphea family. They've all confessed. You colluded with VEGAN, selling information in exchange for substantial funds, which allowed you to build your current status and network. And the most valuable piece of information..."
Flit, struggling to contain his anger and hatred, pulled up several communication records and broadcasted them globally.
...
"Is the information from the Celestial Beings accurate?"
"Yes, absolutely. The Federation's Commander-in-Chief is on our side. Here's the mission data. If you set up an ambush in advance, you can eliminate them."
"Haha, they're your star heroes. Aren't you afraid of causing chaos within the Federation?"
"As long as I'm here, the Federation won't fall into chaos. That man is too dangerous; he must be eliminated. If he grows stronger, my position will be at risk. Do you think he would cooperate with you?"
"Alright, I understand."
...
"You idiots! I gave you everything, and you still couldn't take them out!"
"Watch your tone. Why didn't you warn me about how formidable their combat abilities are?"
"Haha, I'm not part of the military. How would I know their exact capabilities? Besides, you mobilized so many fleets to hunt them down and still failed. That's your incompetence!"
"Shut up! I need their next mission details."
"Fine. We share the same interests."
...
One by one, dozens of instances of Floy Orphea selling out the Celestial Beings to VEGAN were revealed. The most shocking was the final one—the battle near the Second Moon. While the previous records were of secret missions, which didn't leave a strong impression on the civilians, this battle was witnessed firsthand by everyone. They saw how valiantly the Three Archangels fought, how the Celestial Beings were plunged into a dire crisis, and how they narrowly escaped death.
They had always believed it was just a trap set by VEGAN, but now they realized it was a despicable betrayal.
"You! You! How did you find all this..." If he could have refuted the earlier evidence, these recordings were irrefutable, leaving him no room for excuses.
Moreover, with the exposure of his betrayal of the Celestial Beings, he would no longer have a place on Earth. No one would let him go.
"Do you have anything else to say in your defense?" Flit asked coldly.
Yurin had not formed a bond with him, Grudick had not been assassinated, Woolf had not died on the battlefield, and Flit's hatred for VEGAN was limited to the loss of his mother. Under Yang Hui's guidance, that hatred had gradually faded. His hatred for VEGAN was not deeply ingrained.
But he understood clearly that the future of the Federation and VEGAN must be connected. This war had to be won at all costs. And traitors... were the most despicable and hated of all.
Especially when the one who had betrayed them the most was the brother he respected the most.
"I... I..."
"Don't worry, we won't let VEGAN kill you. You're a symbol of the Federation's corruption, and after colluding with VEGAN for so long, you know too much information that we need. Take him away!"
"Wait! It's because of my mediation that Earth has been spared from destruction! It's because I didn't just collude with VEGAN..."
"Silence! Is your so-called mediation selling out Federation soldiers? Selling out Federation heroes? Finally, with Earth as a bargaining chip, groveling to be Ezelcant's dog?" Flit demanded sharply.
"I... I didn't... I haven't..."
"This war will end one day, with the Federation's victory. Whether through negotiation or the complete annihilation of VEGAN, I don't know. But I do know this—you have no right to join us in striving for that goal!"
"Flit Asuno..."
"Take him away! And evacuate the civilians."
"Yes!" XN
...
Behind the venue's security perimeter, three VEGAN MS units shed their disguises and charged toward the Federation's frontline.
"Choosing the most heavily guarded frontline? Have VEGAN lost their minds?"
Dix, a member of the Celestial Beings and an X-Rounder, was naturally proud. Seeing VEGAN's attack, including their new models, he showed no signs of nervousness.
But those assigned to this protective mission were all capable individuals. Yang Hui's teachings had left a deep impression on them, and they never forgot his words.
"Stay calm on the battlefield, and never underestimate your opponent. Despise them strategically, but respect them tactically!"
So while Dix appeared casual, not takin
g the enemy seriously, he never regarded them as weaklings to be trampled over.
"Sorry, Asemu, but this time the credit's mine. Once I become a squad leader, I'll challenge you... Damn it!"
(End of Chapter)