Chapter 83: Unknowingly Played

"Ha ha, what else do you want to say at this point?" Neil asked coldly.

"Setsuna F Seiei, originally named Solan Ibrahim, is one of the members of the KPSA, the anti-government guerrilla group of the Republic of Kurgis! It was the KPSA that killed your families!"

"What…"

As expected, once these words were spoken, the sniping from Gundam Dynames ceased, and even Gundam Cherudim turned around, releasing its control over Unit 3.

Taking advantage of this, Unit 3 broke free from Gundam Cherudim's grasp and returned to the side of Unit 1, while the heavily damaged Unit 2 also forced Gundam Exia back. The three units regrouped and, without any hesitation, directly retreated, leaving Gundam Exia, Gundam Dynames, and Gundam Cherudim staring at each other.

"Phew~ Luckily that worked." Johann breathed a sigh of relief. Initially, he had been forced into a corner and had to resort to desperate measures, but he didn't expect it would actually give them a chance to retreat. "It seems Myer also had unexpected developments; it's best if they turn on each other, that would be a relief."

After confirming that the three Throne Gundams had left, Gundam Exia, Gundam Dynames, and Gundam Cherudim also regrouped and departed in different directions, without any conflicts among them, contrary to Johann's expectations of infighting.

"Setsuna, how did I perform?" Neil asked. All of his and Lyle's previous actions had been an act; they had long known Setsuna's true identity. Not just Setsuna, all five Gundam Meisters were aware of each other's true identities, and the barriers between them had long been eliminated.

After all, Setsuna was merely one of the youths manipulated by Sachez, and the ones who killed their families were not Setsuna. Therefore, they wouldn't mindlessly place their hatred on Setsuna; the only enemy they needed to eliminate was Sachez.

"Um…" Setsuna numbly nodded.

"Tch, so boring. By the way, that was the last target, right?" Lyle asked.

"Yeah, according to Myer's instructions, we left them with their last stronghold. Our mission is complete, and we vented some frustration; I hope we won't get scolded for it." Neil said. This encounter was also a spur-of-the-moment decision; originally, Sumeragi's plan was to avoid the Trinity team and prevent any conflict.

"How terrifying~ I really don't understand why Myer wanted us to let them go. What's the difference between these people and real terrorists? Why not just take them out?" Lyle shivered and complained.

"Myer and Sumeragi said they would explain it to us when we return." Setsuna replied.

"Finally willing to tell us? I'm really looking forward to what secret they've been hiding from us for so long."

"Then let's hurry back; I'm curious too."

With that, the three units accelerated towards their designated location.

...

No one knew about the battle between the Celestial Being forces and the Trinity team, but the recent actions of the Trinity team had fully played the role of a catalyst, igniting hatred across the globe and concentrating it on them and Celestial Being.

Although Yang Hui publicly declared in front of civilians that the Trinity team was not part of Celestial Being, these civilians, as Yang Hui expected, spread this news. However, this did not completely separate the Trinity team from Celestial Being.

In the eyes of many, they were all Gundams, so they must be in it together, especially the families of the victims, whose hatred for Gundams had reached its peak. Whether old Gundams or new Gundams, they all deserved to die.

Moreover, the attacks by the Trinity team had caused significant losses to the three major nations. No single nation could contend with Gundams alone; only by uniting was there hope, but the costs were too high. The last joint military exercise had already severely strained the economies and military strengths of the countries. If they continued to drag this out, they would be finished before Gundam made its next move.

"Nine Gundams… it seems we really are at our wits' end."

"If we keep resisting and depleting our military, our economy will collapse, and we can't disarm according to their demands…"

"We must deepen cooperation with the other two nations…"

The leaders of the three major nations received news simultaneously.

"What? Someone from Celestial Being?"

"Yes, they are seeking contact with us through the internet."

"Is this true?"

"There's organizational information attached to the letter; it's likely he's not lying."

"I see… Internal division? Or is there a traitor? In any case, this gives us a chance."

...

Meanwhile, Kinue Crossroad in the Neon District had also uncovered intelligence on several targets.

"The Sakai Family and Massot Family can be confirmed as traitors, and the Estelle Foundation, based on the intelligence collected so far, has an 80% chance of seeking personal gain." Kinue Crossroad reported to Wang Liu Mei.

"I understand. Your mission ends here; go home and rest well, spend some time with your brother."

"Don't you need me to continue the investigation? Just give me a little more time, and I'll definitely uncover the true nature of the Estelle Foundation." Kinue Crossroad pleaded with Wang Liu Mei to allow her to continue her investigation.

Kinue Crossroad's current identity was still that of a special correspondent for JNN, but with Wang Liu Mei backing her, along with the entire intelligence system of Celestial Being, she had uncovered things she never dared to imagine. Kinue Crossroad inherited her father's belief in pursuing the truth.

Whether the Estelle Foundation had betrayed them, she had yet to find the final truth and was unwilling to give up.

"No need; whether they are traitors is no longer important." Wang Liu Mei said.

The first phase was about to come to an end. By then, the Celestial Being forces would be publicly annihilated, disappearing from the eyes of the world. The 90% of the conglomerates that supported Celestial Being would be abandoned, unaware that the Celestial Being forces were merely lying in wait for the start of the second phase of their plan.

The reason for having Kinue Crossroad investigate internal traitors was twofold: first, to assign her a trivial task that would ensure her safety while satisfying her curiosity; second, to secure greater benefits for Wang Liu Mei. After all, these traitors were not worth mourning; it would be better to make some contributions before they died, seizing the assets of these families would only make Wang Liu Mei's business empire even larger.

This was also a trump card. Apart from Wang Liu Mei, none of the families and conglomerates supporting Celestial Being could be absolutely trusted by Yang Hui. Thus, this trump card was prepared by Yang Hui to deal with the situation where Celestial Being would lack funding and material support.

"...So, is the first phase about to end?" Kinue Crossroad asked.

"Exactly."

"I just joined Celestial Being not long ago, and I already feel like I'm going to be unemployed." Kinue Crossroad said self-deprecatingly.

"You misunderstand, Miss Crossroad. After the first phase ends, that's when you'll really get busy." Wang Liu Mei corrected her.

"What do you mean?"

"Celestial Being isn't disappearing; it's hiding. When the world faces turmoil again, that will be the time for the angels to return."

"...I understand. During this time, I'll be monitoring the world, right?"

"Exactly."

"Alright, then I need to hurry and rest; otherwise, I'll be exhausted."

"But your expression doesn't say that."

"Really?" Kinue Crossroad smiled expectantly. She wasn't someone who enjoyed idleness; she loved days filled with work, especially such important and meaningful work.

(End of Chapter)