Chapter 104: The Federal Prime Minister's Grand Exit

Chapter 104: The Federal Prime Minister's Grand Exit

Eli had thought he would be promoted.

After all, capturing one of the enemy's highest leaders—no matter how one looked at it—surely warranted more than just a single medal.

Not to mention, Eli was also an ACE pilot who had single-handedly taken down a Big Zam.

As applause filled the hall, Eli clapped along with everyone else, cheering for the Prime Minister's speech.

Soon, it was time for Eli to step onto the stage and receive his medal.

Several others had already been recognized before him, but Eli's award was clearly different.

Because this medal had never existed before.

"This is an honor specially established by the Federation to commend your contributions, Lieutenant Eli. Keep up the good work."

The Federal Prime Minister displayed a warm demeanor, giving Eli a pat on the shoulder.

Eli stood at attention and saluted.

After a flash of cameras, he returned to his seat.

Arthur had already told him everything.

Given his merits, General Revil had even considered promoting him two ranks to Major.

But for some reason, the newly reassembled Federal Assembly, now resuming its duties, rejected General Revil's request.

During the war, General Revil had been able to command almost all Federal institutions under wartime regulations.

Now that the Federal Assembly had finally reorganized and regained some stability, they were wary of General Revil's influence.

Their first move was to interfere in his affairs through the Federal Security Council, which operated under the Assembly.

Eli, unfortunately, had become a target simply for standing out too much.

Under the Assembly's intervention, his achievements did not earn him the expected rewards but were instead compensated with a "specially established award," touted as "the Federation's highest honor."

At first, the Assembly had only intended to test the waters and rein in General Revil.

But Eli's capture of Dozle had presented them with a real opportunity to suppress him.

That opportunity was to end the war before General Revil could, ensuring that the credit for peace fell upon the Assembly's civilian leadership.

For the Federal Assembly, which now held neither money nor power, such a prospect was immensely tempting.

That was why the Federal Prime Minister had traveled all the way to the front lines of the war.

Because he had already contacted the highest authority of the Principality of Zeon—Degwin Zabi.

"What?! Degwin Zabi!"

"This is breaking news!"

When the Prime Minister spread his arms and revealed the identity of the person negotiating with the Federation, the entire room erupted.

Until now, reporters had assumed that the negotiations would be conducted with Zeon's Parliamentary Prime Minister.

No one had expected that it would actually be Zeon's true supreme leader—Degwin Zabi himself.

Even more astonishing was that, to demonstrate his sincerity, Degwin Zabi planned to arrive alone, aboard a single vessel.

"To show the Federation's magnanimity and our sincere desire for peace, I have decided to do the same—meeting Grand Duke Degwin outside the Solomon fortress with only a single battleship."

With these words, the Federal Prime Minister stirred the passion of all the non-military personnel in attendance.

Seated in the third row, Eli glanced toward General Revil, who was in the front row.

Revil was clapping, wearing an unreadable smile.

As if the spoils of victory being snatched away had nothing to do with him.

How wonderful...

It was a relief that General Revil didn't seem to care. Otherwise, if he had decided to accompany the Prime Minister to the negotiations, Eli would have been much more concerned.

The Prime Minister moved swiftly. By the very next day, all arrangements for the peace talks were complete. He boarded a Magellan-class battleship departing from the former Solomon, now Konpei Island port.

Or rather, Grand Duke Degwin had moved swiftly.

It was now December 30, Universal Century 0079—only five days after the Battle of Solomon.

To reassure Degwin Zabi, the Federal Prime Minister even had the Magellan-class battleship leave Konpei Island's air defense perimeter.

"Are the other fleets in position?"

General Revil asked Tianem, who stood behind him.

"They are. The decoy fleet is also in position."

"I see… Good. Let's at least put on a show for our Prime Minister. I doubt Gihren would use his own father as bait."

Revil habitually reached for his pipe but hesitated. In the end, he merely played with it in his hands without bringing it to his mouth.

Tianem, standing beside him, opened his mouth as if to speak but ultimately said nothing.

A few streaks of light flashed across space.

They were decoy ships—hulks of wreckage retrofitted with rocket boosters and forcibly launched outward.

If one looked closely, some of them had even collided mid-flight.

But from Zeon's homeland, Side 3, they would only appear as distant ship silhouettes.

Such a deceptive tactic could only work under the cover of Minovsky particles.

Afterward, the real forces spread out in three formations, moving toward Zeon's homeland alongside the decoy fleet.

Meanwhile, White Base continued to follow orders from Commander Wakkein, advancing toward the A Baoa Qu fortress.

To attack Zeon's homeland, they first had to break through A Baoa Qu and Granada on the Moon.

"Eli-san, are you nervous about something?"

Inside the pilots' lounge, Amuro noticed that Eli was repeatedly shaking his leg, looking anxious about something.

"It's nothing, Amuro."

Eli replied while watching a live feed of space on a wired television.

"The Gwazine-class has entered visual range!"

Federal military communications were transmitting live updates via text, reporting on the Prime Minister's situation.

Though it was an inappropriate thought, Eli sincerely hoped that Gihren would fire a Solar Ray at his father.

If the decoy fleet failed to work and Gihren chose not to fire this time, then that shot might instead be unleashed during the A Baoa Qu battle—right onto the Federation forces.

"Hmm, Eli-san, is something—"

Before Amuro could finish his sentence, he suddenly shot to his feet, his face filled with shock as he looked toward Zeon's direction.

"—coming!"

A second later, Eli, who had reacted slower than Amuro, also stood up and completed his sentence.

On the television screen, a blinding white light pierced through the darkness of space, shattering the monotony and tension of the advancing fleets.

It tore through the void, engulfing both the converging Gwazine-class and Magellan-class battleships—along with a significant portion of the decoy fleet!

Clatter.

A pipe fell onto the metal floor of the warship, defying expectations.

General Revil stared at the dazzling light in disbelief.

"Gihren… should I say he's a remarkable man?"

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