Chapter 74: Live in the Moment

"The last question you must answer for us: what do you intend to do with these machines?" Sumeragi asked.

"Of course, to eradicate war," John replied without hesitation.

The negotiations had come to an end, and John made it clear that the Trinity team would not join the Celestial Being forces, but would act according to VEDA's instructions, with both sides not interfering with each other. If cooperation was needed, it would also be based on VEDA's directives.

However, as John and Michael prepared to leave, they waited a long time for Nena to return, but no one answered the communications.

"What's going on? What did you do to Nena?" Michael said, agitated. This person was indeed a troublesome brat, even suffering from the incurable disease of being a "sister complex."

"Most likely, she went somewhere she shouldn't have," Yang Hui sneered.

"What did you say?"

Michael's concern for Nena momentarily overcame his fear of Yang Hui, and he was ready to draw his weapon, but Yang Hui shot him a cold glare that made him back down.

"I'm very sorry. If Nena has done something wrong again, I apologize on her behalf, but please don't harm her," John pleaded.

Yang Hui glanced at John: "Follow me."

As they proceeded down the long corridor, Yang Hui led everyone to the entrance of the VEDA terminal suite, where they saw Nena pitifully raising her hands. Upon seeing John and Michael arrive, she immediately cried for help.

"John, Michael, save me!"

"Nena!" The two were startled but dared not approach, as four concealed Gatling guns were aimed at her. Forget about saving her; rushing in recklessly would turn them into a sieve.

Yang Hui took out a PAD and casually tapped a few times, causing the Gatling guns to retract back into the walls.

"I say, little girl, this ship is so big, with so many places to play, why do you always like to risk your life?" Yang Hui "advised" with a feigned earnestness.

"Umm~ Darling, you're so stingy!"

"Don't! I'm not your darling, don't call me that, don't create misunderstandings."

"Tch, stingy, I will definitely steal you away."

"Ahem, well… if there's nothing else, we'll be leaving now."

Having found Nena, John quickly took his siblings and fled from Ptolemaios. He had completely come to see this ship as a den of demons. He had initially thought to assert his status by taking advantage of the Celestial Being forces' predicament, but unexpectedly, he had been taught a lesson he wouldn't forget, and he definitely wouldn't come back.

After the Trinity siblings left, Sumeragi asked Yang Hui with a strange expression, "Did you guess it all along?"

"I'm not a deity; I just set up defensive firepower at the important entrances and exits of the ship, like here, and at the hangar entrance, and the bridge door…"

As they listened, everyone covered their faces.

How deranged could one be? We accepted that the first few were important entrances, but what about the dining hall, the entertainment room, the gym, and even the door to your and Sumeragi's room? What kind of nonsense is that? Are those important entrances?

When everyone had dispersed, leaving only Sumeragi and Yang Hui, Sumeragi asked Yang Hui, "What do you think their purpose really is?"

Hearing this, Yang Hui smirked and shook his head: "A detonator."

"A detonator?"

"Yes, because of their presence, Earth is now a giant powder keg, ready to explode at any moment. They are that detonator, and with three troublesome kids, without any adults to guide them, they will definitely do something outrageous. All the conflicts will concentrate on them and us, and they are also catalysts that will completely ignite the conflicts…"

"Snap~"

As he spoke, Yang Hui brought his hands together.

"…and Earth will unite, the second phase will end, and we will enter the third phase."

"Celestial Being will be annihilated, and the world will be unified," Sumeragi said, biting her lip.

"Exactly, eradicate war, haha, an interesting false proposition. There are only two ways to eliminate war among humans: one is to shift internal hatred outward. With an external enemy, the internal factions will naturally unite."

"The third phase, the upcoming dialogue."

"Right, once humanity truly steps into the universe, there will be enough external enemies to unite us. Those who incite wars will have endless battles, and those who pursue interests will have an unending pie to divide."

"And the second way?" Sumeragi asked again.

"Extinction of humanity."

"Huh?"

"No warships or MS, no armored vehicles or aircraft. Without armored vehicles and aircraft, there are no guns and cannons. Without guns and cannons, there are swords. If there are no swords, there are still wooden sticks, and at the very least, there are fists. This is the instinct for survival," Yang Hui lamented.

Sumeragi fell silent, unable to deny the correctness of Yang Hui's words. Humanity was indeed such a twisted species, with conflict ingrained in their DNA.

"Is mutual understanding impossible? Not even for Innovators?" Sumeragi pressed.

"Innovators, with the aid of GN Particles, can establish a direct primal connection between people through Brain Quantum Waves. This is indeed one way, but you overlook a prerequisite."

"What prerequisite?"

"Willingness to communicate."

Sumeragi fell silent again. Yes, even if communication were possible, so what? Some people only want to see or hear what they are willing to accept; they will not accept anything else, regardless of right or wrong.

"Forget it, these are not things we need to consider. Let's focus on the present. We will soon enter the third phase, and we can check if there are any omissions in the plan. I promised you all survival."

"Mm."

Sumeragi nodded in agreement. The complexity of humanity was a philosophical issue they should not concern themselves with. Even the third phase plan was still far off; focusing on the present was the most important thing.

At that moment, VEDA sent a piece of intelligence to Yang Hui and Myer. Upon opening it, both of their pupils constricted.

"This is!"

...

At the base of the Overflag forces, Professor Eifman was analyzing the characteristics of GN Particles in his office. He discovered that the properties of GN Particles were not merely what had been presented so far. In Aeolia Schenberg's plan, the upcoming dialogue required GN Particles and GN Drives as essential elements. If it were only the current properties, it could at most provide more powerful military force.

Professor Eifman did not believe that such an enhancement alone would qualify humanity and Earth to face the extraterrestrial civilizations that could frequently exist in the universe.

"What is it, then? Dialogue… demonstrating military power is also necessary, after all, the weak have no right to converse with the strong. But I don't think Aeolia Schenberg's plan would be so superficial. The necessary elements for dialogue… language, culture, origin, purpose… all these are factors that influence dialogue. Could it be communication? That doesn't seem right either. GN Particles have properties that hinder the propagation of electronic signals, which actually obstructs communication. Is there something I don't know?"

At that moment, an encrypted communication interrupted Professor Eifman's thoughts.

"Hmm? Is it Myer?" Professor Eifman opened the communication with some confusion. Logically, Yang Hui wouldn't contact him; after all, he was an overseer. If he needed UNION's intelligence, he might as well go directly to Graham.

But just one glance, and he could no longer remain calm.

"Katagiri!"

"Professor, what's wrong?" Billy Katagiri rushed in, looking flustered.

"We need to relocate immediately."

"Is it an enemy attack?" Katagiri's expression turned grim.

"Exactly, we've been targeted."

(End of Chapter)