"Is that so? I actually feel the same way." With no one else around except Durandal, Creuset decided to temporarily revert to his original way of speaking—though still in a hoarse electronic voice—just to mess with him a little. He was certain Durandal would at least suspect, even if he couldn't confirm it.
Sure enough, the moment those words were spoken, Durandal's expression changed drastically, nearly dropping his glass in shock.
"You—"
"Ahem. Your expression."
"...My apologies, Lord Vidar. If the opportunity arises, I would like to speak with you privately."
"Perhaps."
Creuset resumed his artificial tone. His goal had been achieved—he had gotten his small revenge on Durandal while also preparing him mentally so their later private conversation wouldn't seem too abrupt.
Having gotten the answer he wanted, Durandal didn't linger by Creuset's side. He knew Creuset well enough—if the man had chosen to conceal his identity, staying close would only increase the risk of exposure.
Other questions—like why Creuset was still alive, why he hadn't returned to him but instead chose to assist Yang Hui, or why he never sought medication to suppress his condition—would likely be answered in their private meeting.
After Durandal left, Yang Hui finally managed to extricate himself from the crowd and approached Creuset. Though Yang Hui had been occupied with others, part of his attention had remained on Durandal. He had guessed Durandal would test Creuset's identity, but he hadn't expected Creuset to reveal himself out of sheer mischief.
Still, Durandal's reaction had been priceless—a small but satisfying payback.
"He knows?"
"Not confirmed."
"Did you set a time?"
"No."
Yang Hui nodded, then raised his glass and made his way toward Durandal. He waited until the chairman had finished speaking with other guests before stepping forward to clink glasses.
"It seems Lord Yang Hui has finally freed himself?"
"The guests were indeed a bit too enthusiastic. I hope this wasn't arranged by the Chairman."
"Of course not. Given Lord Yang Hui's remarkable achievements at such a young age, it's only natural you'd attract attention."
"I'll shamelessly accept your praise, Chairman."
"Hahaha, truly, Lord Yang Hui is one of a kind."
"Aren't you the same, Chairman? If we were just like everyone else, would we have achieved what we have now?"
"Certainly not."
"Hahaha."
"After the banquet concludes, I'd like to speak with Lord Yang Hui privately. Would that be possible?"
"Is it really me the Chairman wishes to speak with?"
"It's the same."
"Understood."
When two top leaders spoke privately, no one dared approach. Those in high positions knew one thing well—some matters they should be aware of, but others were better left unknown.
About an hour later, as the guests gradually dispersed, Yang Hui and his three companions left the banquet hall. Once in the car, Athrun immediately noticed the route wasn't the one back to their residence. His hand slipped into his coat, gripping the handle of his gun, and he whispered to Yang Hui, "This isn't the right way."
"Mm. Stop the car."
Yang Hui and Creuset speculated that this was arranged by Durandal, who couldn't wait to meet with them. But it was better to be safe than sorry. If it wasn't Durandal's arrangement but an assassination attempt against them, being unprepared would be both laughable and dangerous.
Following Yang Hui's instructions, the driver steadily pulled the car over to the roadside and asked, "Is there something wrong, Lord Yang Hui?"
"The route is incorrect."
"This was arranged by the Chairman."
"...Athrun."
At these words, Athrun drew his gun and pressed it against the driver's forehead, ready to fire at the slightest suspicious movement.
"Canard, check the vehicle."
"Tch, what a hassle." Though he grumbled, Canard Pars obediently pulled out a device from his pocket and began scanning the car for explosives or other threats.
"Clear."
Hearing this, Creuset nodded and took out a PAD, hacking into the car's computer to conduct a full inspection. After confirming everything was in order, he took control of the vehicle.
"Where did Durandal tell you to take us?" Yang Hui asked the driver.
"To the central district, the Chairman's Residence. Turn right at the third intersection on Route Two and enter through the back gate." The driver, now raising both hands, rapidly recited the destination and route.
"Can you verify his information?" Yang Hui asked Creuset.
"Here, and it checks out."
Yang Hui took the PAD from Creuset and saw that the driver had been Durandal's personal chauffeur for the past six months. His identity was verified, and all recent movements and communication records were clean. The route the driver mentioned did indeed lead to the back entrance of Durandal's residence.
"Alright, you might have to endure a little inconvenience."
"Wha—"
Thud—
A bad feeling surged in the driver's chest, but before he could react, a sharp pain struck the back of his neck, and he blacked out.
Retracting his hand, Athrun and Canard Pars caught the unconscious driver and tossed him into the trunk. Athrun took the driver's seat, while Canard Pars sat in the passenger seat, ready to draw his weapon at a moment's notice.
"Get in and detonate it?"
"We should at least give him some trust. Otherwise, searching the car in front of so many reporters would embarrass him." Yang Hui chuckled, acting nonchalant.
"You wouldn't bet your life on someone who isn't an ally."
"Fine, it's all just for show. If Durandal personally arranged the car and driver, and something went wrong, he wouldn't have survived this long. Am I right, Chairman?"
As he spoke, Yang Hui's tone turned mocking. Only then did the other two notice the surveillance camera with a built-in listening device in his hand.
"This is—"
"A pointless test." With that, Yang Hui crushed the camera in his grip.
"So what now—"
"Go back. Sleep."
"Not going?"
"Just because he calls, I have to go? His face isn't that big."
"...Tch."
Creuset had figured everything out. The car and driver were indeed arranged by Durandal to take them to his home for a secret meeting, but the process involved some slight manipulation. Durandal had also used this opportunity to test Yang Hui's vigilance and trust. If Yang Hui had gone to his home without any reaction, Durandal could have concluded that Yang Hui trusted him and had no wariness toward him due to his presence.
In that case, Durandal would have been able to better control the initiative in the subsequent conversation.
If Yang Hui hadn't trusted him, Durandal would have understood his attitude in advance and adjusted his approach accordingly.
This little game was a complete loss for Durandal, because Yang Hui refused to follow his script and instead chose to flip the table—after all, the one with the demand was Durandal, not him. Therefore, it should be Durandal coming to see him, not the other way around.
"Wait, you knew there was no threat from the start? Then everything we just did was pointless?" Canard Pars suddenly realized and asked Yang Hui.
"All part of the act—had to make it convincing."
"I... you... bastard!"
(End of Chapter)