Thus, the battlefield outside Nova Resource Satellite seemed to have regressed to an era before the Spring and Autumn period.
Whether it was the East Asian Army from Nova's side or the attacking ZAFT forces outside, both sides were mobilizing their troops in full swing, preparing to wage a gentleman's war in this sector of space.
A romantic duel to determine sovereignty over this cosmic region.
At least, that's how the Coordinator general saw it.
Aboard the Kangji-class Drake Frigate, Wang Hu had spent several hours familiarizing himself with the Qilin's capabilities.
Now riding the warship back into battle, there was no question - having been entrusted with such an excellent experimental mobile suit, command naturally wouldn't let him stay in the rear lines fighting a war of attrition.
In fact, one might pessimistically speculate that precisely because Wang Hu was here, this vessel had been assigned to the first wave of sorties after only brief repairs following its previous engagement.
Yet despite this, not a single complaint could be heard among the crew or in the hangar.
"Nervous?" After sharing some lighthearted banter with subordinates before battle, Captain Yang Wei approached Wang Hu.
Putting down the canned nutritional supplement in his hand, Wang Hu replied with slight guilt, "I'm fine, Captain. It's just the others—"
"Stop right there. We're soldiers. Home lies behind us." Cutting off Wang Hu's impending apology, Captain Yang Wei gestured toward their boisterous comrades. "Everyone's looking forward to seeing you accomplish great deeds piloting the Qilin in battle. Nobody harbors the thoughts you're imagining."
Seeing this, Wang Hu turned his gaze toward these colleagues he'd only recently met. After a moment's thought, he grinned and tossed aside his nutritional supplement. Compared to his comrades, he'd been the one being overly sentimental.
"No, Captain, what I meant was—doesn't anyone have complaints about how awful these supplements taste? Even dogs wouldn't eat what the logistics department lords send us!"
"Hahaha!" Captain Yang Wei laughed heartily, pleased by Wang Hu's crude gesture. His criticism of the logistics department earned particular approval, this small act instantly bridging the distance between them.
Seeing Wang Hu's action and hearing his complaint from afar, their rowdy teammates caught the spirit, tossing their own supplements aside while loudly griping about the rear-echelon bureaucrats.
"That's more like it!" Captain Yang Wei gleefully clapped Wang Hu on the back. "After the war, I'll start a company specializing in tastier nutritional supplements. If you've nowhere to go then, hero, you can be our taste tester."
"Ugh, don't say such ominous things!" Wang Hu hurriedly interrupted, refusing to let his captain jinx them.
"Hahaha!" Another round of hearty laughter followed as Yang Wei pointed at Wang Hu in amusement.
When the laughter subsided, his expression turned serious. "Don't overthink it. The Qilin is an excellent weapon."
"Though the adaptation time given to you was too short, it's normal that you can't perform well immediately."
"Don't take Chengzhi's earlier boasting seriously. We veterans aren't dead yet."
"This battle won't end so easily. Focus on surviving—only by living can there be hope."
"Captain."
Looking at this middle-aged man who had initially looked down on him when he first joined as a replacement soldier.
Yet after misunderstandings and prejudices were cleared, he had wholeheartedly fulfilled his duties as a captain.
Wang Hu couldn't help but feel moved.
Regardless of being a reincarnator, gratitude was a fundamental quality of being human.
Being a reincarnator didn't mean he was superior, nor did it mean those around him were mere NPCs.
This... was a real world after all, where every person had their own joys and sorrows.
"Maybe after the war ends, Captain, you'll have better options?"
After some thought, Wang Hu tentatively spoke.
"Of course, I'm not saying starting a company is bad, but someone like you, Captain, should go somewhere more meaningful!"
"Oh?" Captain Yang Wei looked at Wang Hu in surprise, sensing that the other seemed to be offering him post-war employment.
But according to his personal file, his social connections were quite limited.
"That Li Chengzhi isn't reliable."
After a brief association, Captain Yang Wei misunderstood Wang Hu's meaning.
He simply assumed that the young master, who had relied on his parents to get a Qilin, had privately said something to Wang Hu.
"That's not it." Seeing Captain Yang Wei had misinterpreted him, Wang Hu was about to explain.
He wanted to clarify that his suggestion had nothing to do with Li Chengzhi and that he even wanted to invite Li Chengzhi along.
But then, a piercing alarm blared through the ship's hangar, followed by the pleasant voice of the communications officer.
It was a warning to all crew members that the ship was entering a combat zone and everyone should prepare for deployment.
"Wang Hu." Captain Yang Wei glanced at the speaker, then gave him a friendly pat on the back.
"Let's talk about post-war plans after this battle ends."
"Remember, everything has one prerequisite—surviving."
Seeing Captain Yang Wei about to leave, Wang Hu knew there wasn't enough time to explain before deployment.
So, chasing after the captain's retreating figure, he called out.
"Captain, I'm not lying—it'll suit you perfectly. Just tell me, will you agree or not?"
"Oh?" Captain Yang Wei, heading toward his fighter, turned to look at Wang Hu.
After a moment's thought, likely to reassure Wang Hu before battle, he replied.
"Fine, after the war ends, I'll go with you."
The typical Eastern-style polite response slipped out. After saying it, Captain Yang Wei's expression turned serious as he hurried toward his fighter.
"What place?"
Just as a mechanical voice echoed in Wang Hu's mind,
a steady male voice spoke up behind him—Li Chengzhi had appeared like a ghost.
"You're quite obedient in front of the Captain. Not like the you I remember."
He even threw in a mocking remark.
"Eavesdropping isn't a good habit," Wang Hu retorted, glancing sideways at him.
"How about it? Want to come? I promise it's a great place."
Faced with Wang Hu's invitation, Li Chengzhi remained silent.
As the urgent call to sortie grew more insistent over the loudspeakers, Li Chengzhi turned and headed toward his fighter.
"Talk to me again when you've earned that nickname."
Wang Hu chuckled, unfazed by the other's attitude.
"I'll show you what a Qilin Child can do."
With that, he donned his helmet and swiftly climbed into the cockpit of his Qilin.
Following procedure, he piloted the newly acquired fighter, guiding it slowly toward the Magnetic Catapult Runway.
"TS-MA4F Exus Experimental, Wang Hu, launching!"
Mimicking the customary battle cry, he once again felt the powerful thrust of the magnetic catapult pressing him into his seat.
The lights of the warship's runway vanished before his eyes—first darkness, then sudden brightness.
A cosmic tapestry woven from beams and missiles unfolded before him!
Amid the fiery blossoms of explosions, the battlefield—where countless wills and lives clashed—opened its arms to him.
As if always ready to welcome him into its embrace.
"Let's go, Qilin!"
Pushing the throttle to maximum, he surged forward with his squadron.
Wang Hu plunged headlong into the endless vortex.
(End of Chapter)