Chapter 49: Thus Falls the Black Star

Chapter 49: Thus Falls the Black Star

"Such an interesting human. It seems you weren't surprised by the hydrogen bomb launch, were you?"

For the past day, Eli had spent most of his time inside the cockpit. His meals were handed over by the maintenance team.

After all, Zeon's counteroffensive was something that couldn't be taken lightly.

Due to being alone most of the time, he often found himself visited by the "Grim Reaper."

"M'quve is that kind of person—or rather, that's just how Zeon is."

Eli responded coldly to the Grim Reaper's question.

The Grim Reaper lady gently caressed Eli's face, making him shudder. She smiled mischievously.

"So, are you going to stop it?"

"..." Eli remained silent for a moment, turning his head away to avoid looking at the Grim Reaper floating beside him.

"I can't do it."

"Can't do what?"

Suddenly, the cold presence disappeared. Eli saw it was Sayla standing at the open cockpit door.

Just moments ago, after receiving an urgent message from General Revil, Bright and Amuro had immediately returned to the hangar.

Eli took the energy supplement Sayla handed him and leaned back in his chair, sipping from it.

"You heard it too. To stop the hydrogen bomb, we need to precisely separate the warhead. Is that really something humans can do?"

Earlier, M'quve had threatened to launch a hydrogen bomb if the Federation forces continued their advance.

But General Revil, being the man he always was, waved it off and decided to press forward.

To counter this, Revil assigned the monumental task of destroying the hydrogen bomb to White Base, the ship that had repeatedly achieved miracles.

"If humans can't do it, then becoming a Newtype will make it possible, won't it?"

Sayla stared into Eli's eyes, searching for a glimmer of possibility.

Eli quickly avoided her gaze. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something like, "I'm not a Newtype."

But the increasingly distinct voices in his head made it impossible for Eli to deceive himself anymore.

He possessed the potential of a Newtype—significant potential, even.

After all, he was the man chosen by the Unicorn Gundam! (Literally.)

Joking aside, Eli genuinely didn't believe he had the ability to accomplish this.

The voices in his head faded once he left the cockpit, and even the Grim Reaper lady's figure disappeared from the corners of his vision.

It was only at this moment that Eli realized just how powerful the 30% system enhancement was in actual combat.

Compared to him, Amuro, who had just awakened his Newtype abilities, was already showing exceptional strength, surpassing Eli even while piloting his machine.

However, the Grim Reaper lady seemed uninterested in Amuro, so he hadn't noticed the spectral figure hovering near Eli.

According to the Grim Reaper, "A simple, unwavering sense of righteousness lacks the complexity and struggle of a conflicted soul, which makes it boring."

Does that mean my heart is full of inner conflict…?

"Sayla, you'll pilot the G-Fighter and support Amuro in dealing with the hydrogen bomb from the air. I'll break through the enemy forces on the ground."

Hearing Eli's plan, Sayla frowned slightly.

"You're doing it again, shouldering all the difficulties yourself…"

"No, I'm not. Ryu and Hayato will assist me, won't they? The key point of this battle is to neutralize the hydrogen bomb, and only Amuro can achieve that."

Eli leaned forward slightly, his gaze bypassing Sayla's skirt to focus on Amuro, who was also replenishing his energy nearby.

Noticing Eli's look, Amuro waved at him.

"Eli, do you trust Amuro that much?"

Sayla observed the interaction between the two before asking Eli.

"If this world needs a Newtype—a savior—then Amuro is the best candidate."

Eli extended his hand, signaling for Sayla to help him up.

"Why did they design the ground Gundam's hatch to open upward? It's so inconvenient."

After a small complaint, Eli stood on the Gundam's armor.

"A young Amuro already possesses the determination and ability to bear the lives of others. When he truly matures, he'll definitely be able to save the Earth."

"Isn't that a bit exaggerated? Saving the Earth and all…"

"Who knows? Maybe he'll push away a falling asteroid or something."

"Hahaha, I didn't realize you had a talent for jokes."

Hearing Eli's hyperbolic analogy, Sayla burst into laughter, breaking her usual composure.

Eli chuckled a few times before helping Sayla onto the gangway so she could leave safely.

"Sayla, I don't want to see Zeon win. That would be an unimaginable outcome."

Sayla froze mid-step, turning back to look at Eli.

The playful mood from his earlier joke instantly vanished, replaced by tension.

Does he know?

Sayla stared into Eli's eyes for a long time but couldn't discern anything.

Nodding slightly, she turned away and placed a hand over her heart.

She was a Deikun, the daughter of Zeon Deikun…

But the Zeon led by the Zabi family was nothing like the Zeon her father had envisioned.

"Eli!"

Sayla suddenly turned back and called out to Eli, who was returning to the cockpit.

"I want to destroy Zeon too!"

Whether driven by the duty of avenging her family as Deikun's heir or her role as Sayla Mass, a member of White Base, she made this declaration.

It no longer mattered if Eli knew her true identity.

---

"Well, well, the Black Tri-Stars actually dare to show up!"

On the ground, Eli confronted Gaia in the Dom.

The two "aces" engaged in battle in an open field, while the surrounding area saw the Gundam Cannon and Guntank in action.

Eli also noticed some GMs blocking enemy reinforcements on the outskirts of the battlefield.

War was never a game of personal heroics.

Hearing Eli address him as one of the Black Tri-Stars, Gaia's fury ignited. He drew his heat saber with a roar.

"So what? The fury of avenging my comrades burns within me!"

Just as Gaia claimed, his Dom's heat saber lashed out with ferocity, forcing Eli onto the defensive.

"Oh, so you do know the meaning of vengeance."

Mentioning this, Eli couldn't help but sneer.

"In that case, stand still and take this—the wrath of 30 million Ephesium Island compatriots demanding justice!"

Dodging Gaia's slowed heat saber, stunned by the mention of Ephesium Island, Eli unhesitatingly drew his beam saber and pierced through him!