The final battle concluded perfectly. The La Gramis Fortress was completely dismantled, and the crisis of the Second Moon was resolved. After it ended, there was no resumption of hostilities.
The VEGAN side knew they had lost the war the moment they received assistance from the Federal Army. Although most people couldn't accept this outcome, the fact that their former enemies had just helped them save their homeland made it impossible for them to raise their swords against their benefactors.
Some on the VEGAN side were unwilling to surrender, and some in the Federal Army were unwilling to cease fighting. However, under the restraint of Jehart and Argreus, no further conflict broke out.
Moreover, Jehart sought out Lady Doreen immediately after the battle and shared his thoughts.
VEGAN had already lost, and there was no chance for a counterattack. The Second Moon was now in the hands of the Federal Army. If they didn't surrender now, the Federal Army would never let them leave. If war were to break out again, VEGAN would face total destruction.
As for the remnants of the forces on Earth… if they resorted to extreme measures, there was still a slim chance. They could order the VEGAN forces on Earth to use the cities and civilians in the occupied territories as hostages to force the Federal Army to back down.
But if they did so, VEGAN would have no choice but to flee far away, and the VEGAN forces on Earth would inevitably be abandoned. Any possibility of peace talks between VEGAN and the Federal Army would be completely destroyed.
This was an outcome Jehart was unwilling to see. What would be the point of fleeing if they couldn't reach Eden?
Naturally, Lady Doreen supported Jehart's decision. Firstly, Jehart's analysis was entirely correct. Secondly, Jehart was the designated successor of Ezelcant and had gained the recognition of most people during this operation. Lady Doreen couldn't possibly oppose Jehart and risk further fracturing the already precarious VEGAN.
Thus, VEGAN surrendered.
Lady Doreen stepped forward once again, first to express her stance and firmly support Jehart, and second to handle the politicians on Jehart's behalf. Politicians and soldiers were fundamentally different, and the higher-ups in politics were all cunning foxes. This wasn't something Jehart could handle, and it was necessary to secure a better outcome for VEGAN.
However, to achieve this goal, they needed the help of a few individuals.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Doreen."
"The honor is mine, Lieutenant General Yang Hui…"
"I've already retired, so just call me by my name," Yang Hui reminded her.
"In that case, Mr. Yang Hui, thank you very much for the assistance you've provided to VEGAN."
Indeed, the person Lady Doreen and Jehart needed to seek help from was none other than Yang Hui. Although Yang Hui had retired, he still held immense prestige. When the war was declared over, even 95% of the civilians called for Yang Hui to become the new Federal Council Speaker. The same sentiment was echoed within the military, and it wasn't until Yang Hui publicly stated his intention to retire that the clamor subsided.
Although people felt regret, they understood that Yang Hui had devoted almost his entire life to the Federation, spending it in constant battle. Now that he was older, it was time for him to rest.
However, this does not mean that Yang Hui's influence has disappeared. If he truly intended to step onto the political stage, people would undoubtedly support him wholeheartedly, even to the extent of ousting the current chairman.
Therefore, to secure the best possible outcome for VEGAN, it was essential to gain Yang Hui's assistance.
After announcing the surrender, Jehart immediately arranged a meeting with Yang Hui and received his assurance: "VEGAN is a part of humanity, as it was in the past, as it is now, and as it will be in the future."
It was precisely because of this assurance that Madam Darlin was able to achieve frequent victories in her confrontations with the federal government.
Of course, Madam Darlin was also wise and did not overstep her bounds.
VEGAN would return to the federation but as a member state with autonomy. The military could be reduced, but sufficient self-defense forces must be retained. The people would also gain the same rights as Earthlings while being willing to shoulder the same responsibilities.
These conditions were undoubtedly extremely favorable for a defeated nation, but even if the federation was greedy, there was no point in demanding more.
Scientific technology? Although VEGAN was ahead of the federation, now that EXA-DB was partially in the hands of the federation, surpassing VEGAN was only a matter of time. Resources? With VEGAN's tiny territory, what resources could it possibly have? Population? Come on, Earth's population was already large enough; otherwise, how could the space colonization plan have been initiated?
After all the calculations... the federation really couldn't gain more benefits, and demanding that VEGAN's people be treated as inferior was impossible—it would be a complete regression in history.
With Yang Hui's support, these conditions were ultimately agreed upon. In any case, the century-long war had finally come to an end.
Of course, VEGAN announced its surrender, but not all VEGAN forces surrendered.
Upon learning of the homeland's surrender, at least half of the VEGAN forces on Earth refused to accept this decision and launched another attack on the federation. However, under the leadership of the Celestial Being squadron, these rebellions were quickly quelled. During the rebellion, Jehart and Madam Darlin, to express their desire for peace, even dispatched VEGAN troops to join the suppression efforts.
Now, with negotiations and suppression both concluded, Jehart and Madam Darlin returned to Earth to find Yang Hui, firstly to thank him for his assistance, and secondly...
"Mr. Yang Hui, has there been any progress in the research on Martian radiation?" Jehart asked.
The Second Moon had not yet returned to the Martian orbit, but the diseases caused by Martian radiation had become a hereditary issue. If this problem was not resolved, even without war, VEGAN would face extinction. Although Yang Corporation had been helping VEGAN produce more inhibitory drugs, suppression was not a cure. Therefore, developing a treatment for the disease had become their most pressing concern.
"There has been progress. By combining the AGE System with EXA-DB technology, we have found a preliminary direction. The next step is extensive experimentation to verify the results, and this will require your assistance," Yang Hui said to them.
"Please speak, Mr. Yang Hui. As long as it's within our capabilities, we will spare no effort," said Mrs. Yurin and Jehart, visibly excited. With the research now on the right track, completion was within reach, and soon the people of VEGAN would no longer have to endure the torment of illness.
"I hope you can gather a group of volunteers for the trials, of course, preferably on a voluntary basis. The ultimate goal of the experiment is to cure and save lives," Yang Hui stated.
"I see. I will return to the Second Moon immediately to issue a call for volunteers and ensure they are sent here as quickly as possible."
"Thank you."
"It is we who should thank you, Mr. Yang Hui. You are a great man."
Mrs. Yurin left, and Yang Hui stood by the window, gazing at the scenery. Recalling Mrs. Yurin's praise, he shook his head with a bitter smile.
"Great? Hah, I'm just afraid of having nightmares."
"Indeed, Mr. Yang Hui hasn't changed a bit."
Jehart stayed behind, not returning to the Second Moon with Mrs. Yurin.
"If you're staying to keep an eye on me, there's no need," Yang Hui teased.
"How could that be? If we can't trust you, then there's no one on Earth we can trust," Jehart laughed. "Although the negotiations are over, my work on Earth isn't finished yet. Mrs. Yurin is more than capable of handling things on the Second Moon, and besides, there's still much I need to learn from you."
"Learn from me? What? Planning to switch careers and become a scientist?"
"No..."
"Then what are you planning to learn from me? I don't deal with those old foxes."
"Uh..."
Jehart's mouth twitched, rendered speechless by Yang Hui's retort. In his experience, Yang Hui had indeed never dabbled in politics, but somehow...
Although Yang Hui had never touched politics and had always avoided it, it seemed that every time a major event occurred, Yang Hui's shadow was there, or rather... things always moved in the direction Yang Hui desired.
"Is this the so-called 'He who does not contend, no one in the world can contend with him'? Impressive!" Jehart suddenly recalled a quote from an ancient text he had recently read. At the time, he didn't fully grasp its meaning, but now, seeing it in action, he felt he had truly learned something!
Now it was Yang Hui's turn to be frustrated. Why was Jehart starting to idolize him? He just didn't want to cause trouble for himself, and with the mission nearing its end, he would eventually have to leave. If he were at the top, what would happen once he left? What excuse would he use to depart?
So it was better not to get involved at all, saving himself a lot of trouble.
"Alright, go attend to your own matters. I need to head to the lab and get the results out as soon as possible."
"Of course, Mr. Yang Hui..." Just as they were about to part ways, Jehart suddenly remembered something and called out to Yang Hui. "Wait a moment, Mr. Yang Hui."
"What is it?"
"In a week, it will be Kio's coming-of-age ceremony. Will you be able to attend?" Jehart asked.
"..." Yang Hui, who cared deeply for his family, was uncharacteristically slow to respond.
To be honest, he disliked Kio, especially after his naivety nearly cost Yurin her life. However, he didn't hold a grudge; he simply preferred to keep his distance and maintain a cold demeanor.
Over the past few years, Yang Hui and Kio had met only a handful of times, and their encounters were always far from pleasant.
Asemu and the others had been making efforts to ease the tension between the two, but progress had been minimal.
"Did Asemu say that?" Yang Hui asked calmly.
"No, it was Ms. Yurin."
"Yurin?" Yang Hui was momentarily taken aback and turned to look at Jehart.
"Yes, Ms. Yurin," Jehart nodded sincerely, his earnest gaze assuring Yang Hui that he wasn't lying.
"...Alright, I understand."
"Then I'll take my leave now."
After Jehart left, Yang Hui didn't head straight to the lab. Instead, he returned to the window, gazing out at the scenery.
"So this is what you meant, Yurin? I really... heh."
Shaking his head with a self-deprecating smile, Yang Hui finally grasped Yurin's intentions.
Meanwhile, after getting into the car, Jehart sent a text to Asemu: "He agreed."
Then he leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest, marveling at how Asemu and the others had finally shown some wisdom by involving Yurin as the mediator.
"Mr. Jehart, where are we heading now?" Fram Nara, seated beside him, asked.
"Hmm... let's go to the Asuno Family."
"Understood."
"Dole, Orfa, Dit, you can take a break after this. Come pick me up the day after tomorrow. You've been working hard."
"No, Mr. Jehart, our duty is to protect you," Dole Frost, who was driving, replied. Orfa Dist and Dit Lancer, also serving as bodyguards, nodded in agreement.
"The war is over, I..."
"That's not acceptable, Mr. Jehart."
"You all... sigh, never mind. Let's head to the Asuno Family together."
"Yes, Mr. Jehart," the three replied, their faces relaxed with smiles.
--Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/TLGod
Thanks!