Chapter 57: Successful Rescue

Gundam Exia, accompanied by Gundam Cherudim, arrived at a completely abandoned town, the endpoint for Solan Ibrahim and the starting point for Setsuna F Seiei.

Setsuna was not mistaken; as soon as they reached this area of space, they were met with fierce resistance. The remaining forces of the PMC formed a defensive line to block the assault of Gundam Exia and Gundam Cherudim.

"Setsuna, I'll handle this. You go find him."

"Understood."

Gundam Exia separated from Gundam Cherudim and headed straight toward the center of the enemy formation, the deep blue [Ahead]. The surrounding enemy forces attempted to obstruct them, but Gundam Cherudim systematically eliminated them, clearing a path for Gundam Exia.

"Alright, I've held back long enough. Now it's time to teach you a lesson." Lyle's cold voice echoed from within Gundam Cherudim. Previously, in order to protect the transport ship, he and Neil had been feeling quite constrained.

With elegant and flowing steps, it seemed as if the enemy's bullets were actively avoiding Gundam Cherudim. With a rapid-fire of dual guns, he hit every target, leaving a field of wreckage in no time.

Unlike Neil, Lyle would not hesitate to kill the enemy even when the situation was not dire. Thus, the PMC forces faced complete annihilation, with both man and machine destroyed.

Meanwhile, in the sky, the battle between Setsuna and Sachez was about to reach a conclusion.

"I can't believe it! The little brat from Krugis is actually piloting a Gundam!"

"Krugis has already fallen. Isn't your fight over yet?"

"Of course I know that!" [Ahead] kicked Gundam Exia away while shooting to push back, shouting, "That kind of thing doesn't matter at all!"

Dodging the beam from [Ahead] with a special maneuver, Setsuna accelerated and charged in, crossing swords with [Ahead].

"Then why are you still here? Where is your god?"

Sachez, unfazed by Setsuna's question, simply craved war. He would do whatever was entertaining. The reason he had trained these young soldiers to fight for him was partly for promotion and partly because he found it amusing. As for god… ha, only children believe in such nonsense.

Slightly sidestepping, [Ahead] evaded Gundam Exia's assault.

"Why should I tell you?"

Unexpectedly, this taunt further enraged Setsuna. Gundam Exia turned and swung a sword, severing [Ahead]'s Linear Rifle, which exploded, shrouding the area in smoke.

[Ahead] charged out of the smoke, attempting to capture Gundam Exia, but grasped at air as Gundam Exia had already retreated a step back amidst the haze.

With Sachez so close, Setsuna raised his dual swords high and struck down like lightning.

"Since you have no god, I'll send you to meet him!"

"Uh-oh!" Sachez, seeing the blade descend, instinctively pulled the control stick and pressed the foot pedal. The thrusters behind him erupted in flames, propelling [Ahead] to crash into Gundam Exia, but the GN Sword still claimed one of [Ahead]'s arms.

Watching [Ahead] retreat into the sky, Gundam Exia did not pursue. He had confirmed that Sachez had no god in his heart; the proclamations made to him and others back then were nothing but laughable lies.

Seeing that Gundam Exia did not pursue, Gundam Cherudim also held back. He and Neil had entrusted the opportunity to confront Sachez to Setsuna, but it was only this one chance. Since Setsuna had given up, they would not provide another opportunity for Setsuna and Sachez.

"Let's go, Setsuna. Hurry and get that old man."

"...Understood."

...

On the other side, Sachez's subordinates drove a vehicle across the desert with Masoud Rachmadi, heading toward the pre-prepared second base.

Sachez was one of the best in the entire foreign mercenary group, cunning and treacherous, always leaving a backup plan to ensure his own safety. His subordinates naturally benefited from this, traversing various battlefields, committing misdeeds yet remaining unscathed.

But unfortunately, this time they finally faced overdue judgment.

"Wow! Gundam is truly terrifying; such a large-scale force was wiped out."

"Indeed, I heard that during Moralia, others hid early under the Captain's orders, yet still died. If we hadn't happened to be out on a mission, we'd probably be dead too."

"Can't compete with our Captain, heh heh, that old man is still in our hands."

"Exactly! The Captain is the strongest!"

"High…"

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"It's Gundam!"

"What…"

Looking toward the moonlight, Gundam Dynames was already waiting on their path. Beams sliced through the night sky, and except for the vehicle carrying Masoud Rachmadi, all others were targeted by Gundam Dynames, exploding into fragments.

As the vehicle was forced to stop, agents hidden nearby, led by Hong Long, swiftly eliminated all armed personnel threatening Masoud Rachmadi, rescuing him.

"You… are [Celestial Being], right?"

"Yes."

"Will you still intervene militarily in Azadistan?" Masoud Rachmadi asked anxiously. Although he was the leader of the conservatives, he was still wholeheartedly dedicated to his country.

"As long as Azadistan does not descend into chaos again, we will not continue military intervention."

"I see…"

At that moment, Gundam Exia and Gundam Cherudim also arrived on the scene. Gundam Exia knelt on one knee, and Setsuna emerged from the cockpit.

"Please come aboard." Setsuna extended his hand to Masoud Rachmadi.

"What?" Masoud Rachmadi frowned deeply, not understanding the meaning of this gesture. After just being rescued from a den of wolves, was he now to enter a tiger's lair?

But Setsuna removed his helmet, allowing Masoud Rachmadi to see his face clearly.

"You are!"

"I come from Krugis, and I am now part of Azadistan."

"...What is your purpose?" Masoud Rachmadi asked in a low voice. Ordinary armed personnel were one thing, but [Celestial Being] was different. If they intended to kidnap him for some conspiracy, he would rather die here.

"To take you back and end the civil strife." Setsuna replied.

"What…" Masoud Rachmadi found it hard to believe, but soon calmed down, staring at Setsuna, "Can I trust you?"

"You can."

"…" After a struggle, Masoud Rachmadi nodded and boarded Gundam Exia, "Alright, I trust you."

Gundam Exia carried Masoud Rachmadi, escorted by Gundam Dynames and Gundam Cherudim, as they began their return to the hiding place of the transport ship.

"Hey, you're back?"

"Myer! You're awake?"