Inside the secret chamber of the Yang Family residence, Yang Hui, Sumeragi, Wang Liu Mei, Setsuna, Lyle, and Tieria had gathered. Though this was currently a time of peace, their respective duties kept them overwhelmingly busy, making such full reunions rare. Yet today marked the conclusion of their first phase mission, requiring everyone's presence—even Setsuna, Lyle, and Tieria, who were still deployed on external missions, had been forcibly recalled.
This mission differed from those in the previous two worlds. Rather than automatically completing at a set time, Yang Hui needed to actively submit it. There was no time limit—he could delay submission until after all events in the Gundam SEED world concluded. This was a new mission model introduced with the fortress upgrade.
Initially, Yang Hui had considered prolonging the first phase indefinitely, intending to fully investigate all shadowy figures behind [Blue Cosmos] and [LOGOS] before submitting everything together for greater rewards.
But now, the masterminds were beginning to surface. Based on current analysis, though the investigation wasn't entirely complete, roughly 80% had been accomplished.
Moreover, infiltration efforts into the Scandinavian Kingdom had stalled, while unrest within the Atlantic Federation was gradually subsiding—only for them to start stirring again. After discussions with Sumeragi and Wang Liu Mei, Yang Hui decided to submit the first phase mission immediately and proceed to the second. There was no need to sacrifice the second phase's objectives for the remaining 20% reward.
[Gundam SEED World Phase One Mission Complete.
The Second Battle of Jachin Due has concluded.
Three Ships Alliance membership altered—recalculating personnel distribution... Calculation successful. All key members survived; 12% of regular members lost—reward reduced.
Successfully prevented Genesis from striking Earth.
Investigating the truth behind [Blue Cosmos]... Calculation successful. Completion rate: 87%—reward increased.
Comprehensive calculation in progress... Complete.
Rewards: 1 Construction Opportunity, 2 Building Enhancement Opportunities, 1 Skill Extraction Opportunity, 1 Skill Enhancement Opportunity, Small Resource Package.
World Deviation will be calculated after Gundam SEED world's conclusion...]
The results aligned with expectations—some reductions, some increases, balancing out without significant loss.
However, the mission summary revealed crucial information: their investigative direction was correct.
[Blue Cosmos] was being manipulated by [LOGOS], and behind [LOGOS] lay the true mastermind. Currently, the Scandinavian Kingdom was the prime suspect—though this remained conjecture without concrete evidence.
With the investigation now 87% complete, their suspicions were confirmed. The missing 13% likely pertained to the Scandinavian Kingdom's deepest secrets.
[Phase Two Mission Issued:
Eliminate the Atlantic Federation, [Blue Cosmos], [LOGOS], and the [Librarian Works] organization.
Identify and eradicate the world's distortion points.
Prevent the invasion of external enemies.]
PS: If the interception fails, it will be determined that the Commander currently lacks the capability to resist external threats. This world will be abandoned, all rewards will be revoked, and the Commander along with their team members will be forcibly returned to Prometheus Fortress.]
As soon as the mission appeared, everyone was stunned, and then their expressions turned grave.
This mission was drastically different from the usual task distribution rules. It was the first time Yang Hui had seen a mission requiring the elimination of a specific target, and also the first time encountering a penalty for mission failure that involved canceling rewards and forced return.
"Mephis, what does 'abandoning this world' mean?"
[Literal meaning, Commander. This world contains an existence that should not be here. While it has been assessed as currently inactive and within your capability to eliminate, there are unstable factors that may expose this world's dimensional coordinates, attracting external forces. Current assessment indicates you lack the capability to resist such forces.
Therefore, should this world's coordinates be exposed, I will execute Article 3 of the Commander Protection Protocol: forced return of you and your team to the fortress, severing all connections between this world and Prometheus Fortress.]
"What exactly is this 'existence that shouldn't be here'? And who are these external enemies!?" Yang Hui demanded from Mephis. He suspected they might be the enemies mentioned in Prometheus Fortress's database. Frankly, most of them were indeed beyond their current capabilities to face. Yang Hui needed to know exactly what they were dealing with to assess the balance of power.
[Commander has Insufficient Permissions.]
"And what about Murrue and the others if we abandon this world?"
[All memories related to the Commander will be erased. They will be abandoned.]
"Can't we confirm slots in advance? Take them with us if the mission fails?"
[Impossible.]
Receiving the worst possible answer, Yang Hui's expression darkened considerably. His tightly clenched fists dripped blood where his nails had pierced his skin.
"We must complete this mission!" Sumeragi said solemnly. The others nodded with equal determination and seriousness. After spending so many years in this world and investing countless efforts to complete the first phase of the [White Dove Plan]—laying a solid foundation for securing and stabilizing this world—they couldn't let all their hard work go to waste.
Moreover, they had formed countless bonds in this world, fighting side by side, sharing life and death. Even Tieria, usually the most emotionally detached among them, couldn't bring himself to abandon all these connections and flee alone for safety.
"When is Creuset returning?" Yang Hui asked Wang Liu Mei.
"He's expected to arrive at Izanagi Port the afternoon of the day after tomorrow."
It had been two months since Creuset led his team to support the South American Union. Initially, he personally joined frontline battles, helping the Union reclaim significant territory while securing five small mines, three medium mines, and two large mines for Orb.
This amounted to only about one-fifth of South America's total mineral resources, but it was more than enough for Orb's current needs. Moreover, the war between the South American Union and the Atlantic Federation had entered a stalemate, with neither side likely to make major moves in the near future. Thus, Creuset saw no need to remain stationed in South America indefinitely. After delegating responsibilities, he prepared to return home with souvenirs.
The remaining tasks were all handled by the Sixth Fleet and the newly formed Ninth MS Squadron. After two months of battlefield experience, they were no longer rookies. While they might not be capable of completely driving the Atlantic Federation out of the South American Union, they had no problem helping them stabilize their current territory.
Creuset's return was essential. Supporting the South American Union was just the icing on the cake—not strictly necessary—while Creuset's primary duties lay in intelligence and shadow operations.
Now, with the emergence of the second phase of their mission, even if Creuset hadn't planned to return, Yang Hui would have summoned him back to fully investigate the Kingdom of Scandinavia. They had to uncover what the kingdom was hiding. Otherwise, recklessly mobilizing their forces wouldn't just jeopardize the mission—it would lead everyone to their deaths.
"Sumeragi! How much more can we expand our forces before hitting the limit?"
"Another 18%. Any more would be unsustainable."
"Expand to the limit."
"Understood."
"Setsuna, Lyle, Tieria—you three come with me to Dawn Company. Your Mobile Suits need some modifications."
"Understood." x2
After another moment of thought, Yang Hui addressed the group again. "I'm heading to space. Liumei, contact DSSD for me—they have the technology I need. Also, PLANT. There's something important I need to discuss with them."
"You're going personally!?"
"Yes. This is something I must handle myself."
Yang Hui knew his identity was sensitive, with too many eyes on him. Every move he made could stir restless hearts. But there was no other way—he had to go to PLANT in person for these negotiations.
Originally, based on the pattern of previous mission assignments, Yang Hui had assumed the second phase would be tied to the original events involving the Minerva and the Archangel. Even if he knew some of what was coming, he hadn't intervened in advance.
But now, things were different. Yang Hui could no longer afford to let events unfold unchecked. He had to eliminate all variables in their infancy to ensure he had enough energy left to complete the final mission.
"...Understood. I'll call DSSD and PLANT. When are you leaving?"
"Once Creuset returns."
"You're taking him with you?"
"Yes. There's something I need his help with."
"Alright, I understand."
"By the way, did Lacus say when she'd be back?"
"She'll arrive in Orb four days after you leave—just missing you." Wang Liu Mei felt a pang of regret for Lacus. After finally helping Siegel Clyne sort out PLANT's affairs and setting the nation on the right track, she was ready to reunite with her loved one—only for Yang Hui to leave for PLANT the moment she returned.
"I see. Once she's back, delegate some of your responsibilities to her. Until Creuset and I return from space, you'll take over his duties."
"But her identity..."
Very few people knew about Yang Hui's relationship with Lacus, and even fewer were aware she would leave PLANT for Orb. After her departure, she would be considered retired or in seclusion—a narrative PLANT's military and civilians could accept, since her involvement with the Three Ships Alliance had been for peace, not treason.
Once she made a public appearance and handled state affairs for Orb, it would truly be an act of treason, inevitably causing a huge uproar.
"Just make decisions behind the scenes—no need to step into the spotlight."
"Alright, I know how to handle it."
"When Lacus arrives, have her go see Tiger."
"So you're... planning to become a shady corporate boss now?" The five of them couldn't help but laugh bitterly. Andrew Waltfeld and Aisha Clyne had been living in seclusion in Orb, and it had been agreed from the start that they would live ordinary, peaceful lives. If war broke out, they would step forward, but if there was no war, they were not to be disturbed.
Now, Yang Hui was planning to break that agreement. If Yang Hui and the others went to invite them, Andrew Waltfeld and his wife would most likely refuse. But if it was Lacus, she could definitely persuade them.
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