Chapter 354: Blazing Flames of the Battlefield[R-18] (72)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 354: Blazing Flames of the Battlefield[R-18] (72)
Before the central screen, with all the curtains drawn, a map summarizing the complex state of the war flickered faintly.
“I…”
Adele spoke quietly.
“…believe we must stop the war between the Federation and Arsenos.”
A subtle gasp rippled through the quiet room.
“Yeah. You’re not wrong about that.”
Brol leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.
“But how are a handful of us supposed to stop a war of that scale?”
“We’re not the only ones who think that way.”
Adele looked up, her eyes filled with clear conviction.
“There are more people who want to end the war than you think. And I’ve thought of a way.”
Brol’s eyes narrowed.
“So… what’s the plan, exactly?”
Adele pointed to a section of the screen.
“Using the channel Captain Torno provided, I’ve contacted others who want to change the course of this war. A group like us, unaffiliated with any side. If we work with them…”
She took a breath and continued.
“…we can create a third force, one that neither the Federation nor Arsenos can touch.”
Brol watched her for a moment, then let out a short, wry laugh.
“Sounds plausible… but will it really be as easy as it sounds?”
“I’m already prepared for that.”
“Well, if that's how determined you are, miss, I'll trust and follow you.”
Just then, Sheryl, who had been watching quietly, spoke up.
“So our path is set.”
“Yes. Our first objective is… to destroy the strategic weapon developed by the Federation forces, ZERO-LUX.”
Adele pointed to a satellite photo that appeared on the screen. The ruins of the Mars colony, scorched beneath a red atmosphere.
“According to the information we received… the Federation, specifically a line directly under the Supreme Chairman, fired ZERO-LUX and directly attacked the Mars colony. Afterwards, they framed Arsenos for it.”
Brol’s eyes narrowed.
“…Damn it. So they blew up their own colony with their own hands.”
“Those who would do such a thing… I can never forgive them. And this moment, when the Federation and Arsenos are clashing so fiercely, is our chance to move.”
“The ZERO-LUX weapon. Its location?”
As I asked, she turned to me while operating the screen.
“It's currently hidden in a stealth state at an orbital satellite base, so we haven't been able to pinpoint its exact location. However, we have secured a rough position.”
An area marked with a red circle appeared on the screen.
“But the problem is… it's not just a simple satellite base. Many units from the Federation's elite force, Zeros Code, are guarding it.”
At that, Sheryl quietly raised a hand, her gaze cool as she addressed Adele.
“Miss Adele. Let me be frank. Right now, our forces, aside from Lieutenant Jin, don't even have a proper mobile weapon. Realistically, it's impossible.”
Adele nodded and changed the screen. An image of a hangar interior appeared.
The old Requiem, repainted white. Next to it, four Valkyries were lined up.
“Four Valkyries. They arrived at dawn today.”
The screen changed again, closing up on one of the units.
“And this… is the old Requiem, the unit Seo-yun used to pilot. Sheryl, Lillian reported to me that the adjustments for you are complete.”
“That’s better than nothing, I suppose.”
Adele looked around and said.
“Honestly, it will be difficult to break through that orbital base head-on with just our forces. But… it's something someone has to do.”
Brol scratched his head, then let out a short laugh and spoke.
“Well, the miss isn't wrong. If we let that thing be… it'll be ordinary people who pay the price.”
I turned my head slightly and asked.
“So, when is the mission set to begin?”
Adele switched the screen again.
“D-5.”
Everyone fell silent at the faster-than-expected schedule.
*
The mission to destroy ZERO-LUX ended more easily than expected. The forces guarding it were not as numerous as we thought.
While I drew their attention from the front, creating a diversion and applying pressure, Sheryl's infiltration team executed a perfect surprise attack from the rear and destroyed ZERO-LUX.
After that, we attacked or interfered with the Federation forces a few more times.
“Darling, what are you thinking about?”
Pink hair leaned on my shoulder. It was Adele, without a doubt.
I slowly ran my fingers through her hair.
“Thinking about the ZERO-LUX we blew up a while ago.”
“You, dwelling on something like that, darling… The sun will rise in the west tomorrow.”
Lately, Adele had started calling me ‘darling’ instead of ‘oppa’.
I moved my hand down, over her chest. I pressed the tip of her nipple, hard through the fabric, with my fingertip.
When I gave it a slight twist, Adele's back flinched.
“Eek… What are you doing?”
“It's punishment for daring to disrespect your darling.”
I didn't take my hand away. I pinched her nipple, let go, then pressed and rolled it again.
“So. Who were we meeting today?”
“One of the representatives from the neutral nations.”
“Ah, right. You mentioned that before.”
“Really… I tell you things and you forget so quickly.”
Seeing that Adele was about to quietly nag me, I changed the subject.
“And what happened with the information we spread?”
As I asked, the light in her eyes instantly cooled. Just for a moment, her gaze turned sharp.
“…We've told the entire Federation the truth about Mars. But public opinion is strong that it's fabricated. The civilians don't believe it. They're already fired up with anger towards Arsenos, so it's not easy for them to accept the truth.”
“So it's going as expected.”
“If anything, the sentiment of branding us as traitors who sided with Arsenos has only gotten worse.”
“And Arsenos?”
“They've spoken with us a few times, but they only think of using us and don't trust us. They're just less hostile than the Federation.”
“So the only ones we can count on are the neutral nations…”
“Even if they're neutral, they won't be easy. Their own interests and safety come first, after all.”
Adele trailed off, her gaze shifting to the screen on the desk.
“Among the neutral nations we've contacted, there are two that are on the same page as us. We're scheduled to meet them next week. The one we're meeting this time… is in the most ambiguous position, but they have a strong influence on several other neutral nations, so we need to talk to them.”
I gave a slight nod. The word ‘neutral’ was never truly neutral. They weren't avoiding the war; they were closer to waiting to see who would win.
“Which one is it?”
“It's the Eastern European bloc. Politically, they claim perfect neutrality, but in reality, they're tied to the Federation's economic flow. However, a minority faction within their council is trying to engage with Arsenos, and some councilors are highly suspicious of the Mars incident.”
Adele switched the screen, bringing up a map. Dozens of gray dots were split between left and right. The political stances and financial flows of each nation gathered under the banner of neutrality were visually represented.
“From the Eastern European bloc's perspective, supporting us means turning their back on the Federation. That's why we must secure the representative we're meeting today to our side.”
“The probability of winning them over?”
“Fifty-fifty. That's why this secret meeting is so important.”
Adele closed the terminal. The monitor went dark, and her face was faintly reflected on the glass.
“In this situation, it's crucial to win over the neutral nations quickly.”
I replied curtly.
“Not easy.”
Just then, a familiar voice was heard along with a knock at the door.
-Knock, knock.
“Miss, it's Su-hyeon.”
“Yes, come in.”
The door opened and Su-hyeon came in. Dressed neatly in a suit for the first time in a while, she spoke.
“You can depart immediately.”
“Alright. Darling, let's get going.”
Adele stood up from her seat. She slowly approached me and straightened my collar.
This meeting wasn't an official conference. It was a place where names and affiliations would not be revealed. We both had to move without any security detail.
Adele and I moved in light disguises, hiding our identities.
*
“It's been a while, Adele Licencia.”
It was a rather cramped space to be called a meeting hall, with soundproofed gray metal walls on all sides and small sofas facing each other. However, the people gathered in this space were far from ordinary.
As soon as she crossed the threshold, Adele gave a short bow.
“It has been a while, Councilor Ferdinand.”
He raised a hand slightly while remaining seated. An aged face, thin lips, and eyes that didn't smile.
“I didn't expect we'd meet again like this.”
“Neither did I.”
Ferdinand gave a short laugh.
“That friend next to you… must be the figure from the recent rumors.”
“Yes. He's the pilot who's been the talk of the town lately.”
Adele countered with a relaxed smile. He steepled his fingers and leaned forward slightly.
“Well then, since we're both busy, let's get straight to the point. Adele Licencia, are you truly uninvolved in the Mars affair?”
The question was direct. This method of laying his cards on the table without hiding his intentions meant he wasn't just probing, but placing significance on this meeting itself.
Adele took a slow breath and spoke bluntly.
“Yes. I would like to state that we were framed.”
“Hmm.”
Ferdinand briefly averted his gaze before returning it.
“To be honest, I also felt it didn't make sense at the time. No matter how crazy Arsenos is, I didn't think they had the capability to wipe out the entire Mars colony.”
He tapped the table twice with his fingertips.
“In that case, it's certain that the Federation staged it…”
Ferdinand trailed off and slowly raised his head.
“…What in the world is the Federation thinking?”
Adele didn't answer right away. Instead, she quietly reached out and slid a terminal across the table.
“Would you please look at this and judge for yourself?”
Ferdinand picked up the terminal and turned on the screen. The blue light that appeared in the dark meeting room illuminated his face.
As his eyes scanned the contents, his brow furrowed deeper and the corners of his mouth tightened. After reading to the end, he was speechless for a while.
“……If this is true.”
He muttered in a low voice. He set the terminal down on the desk and looked up.
“This isn't just about vested interests. This is beyond a simple calculation of which side will cost us less.”
Adele nodded silently.
“That's right. That is why I wish to make a proposal, Councilor.”
He closed his eyes for a moment. He hesitated, taking a slow, deep breath as if weighing something. Then finally, he spoke briefly.
“……That proposal, let's hear it.”
As he finished speaking, Adele turned her head towards me. I quietly picked up a black bag, placed it on the table, and pushed it towards Ferdinand.