Inside the mansion, Durandal sat alone in his study, deep in thought. The moment the hidden cameras were discovered, he knew Yang Hui and Creuset wouldn't be coming tonight. After witnessing that performance, he fell into complete silence, a surge of anger rising within him. Not only had his plans been completely seen through, but he'd also been thoroughly played with—anyone would be furious under such circumstances.
"Haa..." Durandal took a deep breath to steady his composure. "I should take the initiative to visit them. Can't let them wait in vain all night."
...
"Aren't we waiting for him?" Creuset asked as he saw Yang Hui heading straight for his room, stretching and yawning along the way—clear signs he was about to sleep.
"Why wait? Isn't a good night's sleep better?"
"..."
Creuset facepalmed—no, mask-palmed—then dragged Yang Hui back to the living room.
"What are you doing?"
"He's coming."
"So I can't sleep just because he's coming?"
"Wait."
"You can wait. Why should I? He's not my old friend..."
As Yang Hui stood up to leave again, Creuset yanked him back onto the sofa.
"Seriously, why should I join your reunion? Do you know how long it's been since I had proper sleep? Finally got the chance and—"
Knock knock.
"Come in."
"Yang Hui, Chairman Durandal is here to see you," Athrun reported as he entered.
"..." Yang Hui narrowed his eyes and turned to Creuset, his gaze filled with reproach, resentment, anger, even hatred—his perfect sleep plans had been ruined. "Show him in."
"Yes."
Soon, Durandal arrived in the living room, escorted by Athrun. Yang Hui gave Athrun a meaningful glance, and the latter promptly left, joining Canard Pars to guard the door and prevent any disturbances.
"Chairman, don't you think it's a bit late for visits? Some of us actually want to sleep," Yang Hui grumbled, slouching on the sofa with zero formality, his tone dripping with displeasure.
"My apologies, Yang Hui. There's something I must confirm tonight." Durandal's gaze remained fixed on Creuset the entire time. Though confident in his deduction, speculation was still speculation—this answer mattered too much to him.
Creuset looked at Yang Hui, who nodded in permission. He then removed his mask, revealing his true face to Durandal.
"Long time no see, Gilbert."
"Rau! It really is you! You're alive!" The confirmation shattered Durandal's usual calm, his excitement unrestrained.
"Thanks to Yang Hui's mercy." Creuset chuckled. Truthfully, he had expected death after provoking Yang Hui—being spared was unexpected.
"Yang Hui... thank you."
"No need for gratitude, Durandal. He's earned his worth."
"...So you work for Orb now?" Durandal asked Creuset.
"I work for Yang Hui."
"I see. That explains it."
Creuset's response would lead Durandal to believe at most that Creuset was aiding Yang Hui as an individual, not the nation of Orb. But Creuset's true meaning was to assist Yang Hui's team, because Orb would not be Yang Hui's final destination—his, their destiny was not confined to just one world.
This could be considered a small hint from Creuset to his old friend, though whether the other party received it or not, he neither knew nor cared. After all, given Yang Hui's temperament, as long as Durandal didn't sabotage their cooperation, he would eventually learn these secrets—it was only a matter of time.
"Your illness..."
"It's already cured."
"How is that possible!?" Durandal was stunned. He was the world's foremost geneticist, bar none. Even he had been unable to find a solution for Creuset's Mitochondrial Shortage, only managing to develop medication to suppress the pain. He refused to believe anyone else could have succeeded. "Could it be... Lord Yang Hui, are you also an accomplished genetic researcher?"
"Guess?" Yang Hui replied with a faint smirk, a playful retort meant to tease Durandal—and also to retaliate for being denied a good night's sleep.
"Please, no jokes, Lord Yang Hui. You know how important this is to me!" Durandal was a proud man, convinced that no one surpassed him in genetic research—not even Ulen Hibiki, the father of the Ultimate Coordinator, could compare if he were reborn.
And now, the problem he had been unable to solve had been resolved by someone who had never been known for any achievements or breakthroughs in genetic research. The blow to his pride and self-esteem was immeasurable.
"Is this an attempt at intelligence gathering, Chairman Durandal?" As Yang Hui's address became formal, the atmosphere among the three grew tense.
"...My apologies, that was abrupt of me." Durandal realized he had let his emotions get the better of him and quickly composed himself. Though he was deeply curious about this matter, Yang Hui's skills and accomplishments were personal—even state secrets, given his position. It wasn't something he could demand answers for.
"So, do you still intend to proceed with your plan?" Creuset shifted the topic, asking Durandal. He knew parts of Durandal's scheme—not the full picture, but given his understanding of the man, knowing the goal was enough to roughly deduce the process.
"Hah." Durandal scoffed, shaking his head in resignation. "With you assisting Lord Yang Hui, my plan is already doomed to fail."
In any contest between two sides, the two most crucial factors were strength and intelligence. In terms of strength, the Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty and the Orb Military each had their advantages—ZAFT outnumbered Orb, but Orb's forces were of superior quality, balancing the scales.
But in intelligence, Durandal had suffered a complete defeat. Creuset knew him too well; there was no hiding his intentions from those eyes. Meanwhile, his own side knew nothing about Yang Hui—his ultimate goal, his hidden cards...
If he proceeded with his plan, he would inevitably become Yang Hui's enemy. And Durandal could see no way to overcome the duo of Yang Hui and Creuset—a combination that had him thoroughly outmatched.
"Since it failed, let's not proceed with it. It won't succeed anyway," Yang Hui said.
"But I don't want to give up just like that, Lord Yang Hui. I hate losing."
"But you've already lost. That's a fact, isn't it?" Yang Hui shrugged. Even without Creuset's assistance, he knew what Durandal's ultimate goal was.
To be honest, Creuset and Durandal truly lived up to the saying "birds of a feather flock together."
Both were madmen—one instigated war to drag the whole world down with him because he couldn't bear living, while the other, in a fit of rage for love, sought to shackle the entire world just to be with the one he cherished.
"Well, who knows? Maybe I can still struggle a bit?"
"Then how about I add a condition?" Yang Hui wore a profound smile. "Agree, and we become partners. Refuse, and we'll settle it in the future with force."
"Oh? Interesting. I'm all ears."
"How about giving you the chance to have a child with her?"
"What!?"
Durandal's reaction was exactly as Yang Hui and Creuset had anticipated. This was a condition he absolutely couldn't refuse.
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