Jehart returned to the Second Moon with the remnants of his fleet, his heart still filled with unease. After all, he had not carried out Ezelcant's orders and had lost Artemis Base, further exacerbating VEGAN's already weakened state.
"Heh, you dare to show your face here, Jehart."
As Jehart's long-time rival, Zannald had been waiting at the port for him ever since he heard of Jehart's crushing defeat. Zannald, who had always been overshadowed by Jehart, felt it was only fitting to meet and mock him at the first opportunity, as befitting his self-proclaimed status as Jehart's top rival.
However, Jehart was not one to be provoked by such petty and undignified tactics.
"Zannald, I heard the Second Moon was invaded by the Federal Army? And they managed to escape safely?"
"You!"
Jehart's simple retort ignited a fire in Zannald's heart, burning with such intensity that he almost pulled out his gun and emptied a clip into Jehart.
To have the enemy invade their home, be deceived by their ruse, and allow them to escape unscathed was Zannald's greatest humiliation.
Jehart had no interest in arguing with Zannald. While Zannald considered himself Jehart's rival, he was unaware that Jehart had never regarded him as such. Someone with such narrow-mindedness and limited vision was unworthy of being his opponent.
In Jehart's heart, his true rivals were always Yang Hui, Flit, Argreus, and even Ezelcant himself. His ultimate goal was the future of all VEGAN compatriots, not just personal gain.
"Jehart!"
Seeing that Jehart was ignoring him, Zannald rushed forward, grabbing Jehart by the collar and lifting him off the ground.
"Zannald, what do you think you're doing?"
"Let go of Lord Jehart!"
Doll Frost, along with Fram Nara and the others, immediately drew their guns and aimed them at Zannald's head, threatening him to back off.
On the other side, Zannald's subordinates also raised their weapons, pointing them at Doll Frost and the others. What should have been comrades now stood on the brink of an explosive confrontation, tension thick in the air.
"What? Are you looking for a fight?" Jehart asked coldly.
"You... Hmph!"
Zannald wanted to retort, "Yes, I am," but he still had some sense of propriety. Despite Jehart's crushing defeat, which had caused significant losses for VEGAN and even raised suspicions of insubordination, as long as Ezelcant had not issued a formal execution order, Jehart was not a traitor, and Zannald had no excuse to attack him.
Jehart returned to the ground, straightened his wrinkled collar, and glanced at Zannald before walking past him with Fram Nara and Doll Frost, heading deeper into the base.
After they left, Zannald could no longer contain his rage. The thought of Jehart looking down on him, coupled with the betrayal of the spy he had sent, drove him to fire several shots into the sky to vent his frustration.
"Ahhh!! Jehart! Fram! Just you wait! One day, I'll make sure you die a miserable death!"
...
"Lord Jehart, Zannald is becoming increasingly out of line," Doll Frost warned.
"Don't worry about him. In the end, he's just a pawn, lost in the delusion that he's the player," Jehart said calmly.
"Yes..."
"Alright, don't dwell on it too much. He still has his uses for now, and what we're about to face is Lord Ezelkanta," Jehart spoke with a grave expression.
"...Yes." X4
The four of them were tense at this moment. Due to the failure of this operation, they didn't know if Ezelcant would severely punish Jehart. Moreover... the slightly probing order had not been executed, and the conflict between Jehart's faction and Ezelcant's faction might soon come to light.
"Lord Jehart, should we make some preparations in advance?" Fram Nara asked in a low voice.
"Can you fire upon your own people, upon your homeland?" Jehart didn't answer Fram Nara directly but instead posed a question to them.
"This..."
The four fell silent. They couldn't do it. Their disagreement with Ezelcant was merely a clash of ideologies. They were VEGAN, and so was he. They were all compatriots; they couldn't turn against their own people and homeland.
"There's no need to do anything. I believe Lord Ezelkanta will understand us. Everything is for VEGAN."
"Everything for VEGAN." X4
...
Jehart arrived alone at Ezelcant's room. Ezelcant was also sitting alone in the study, waiting for his arrival. Though dressed neatly and sitting upright, his face still bore a sickly pallor.
"Jehart, you've returned."
"Yes, Lord Ezelkanta. I deeply apologize for failing to meet your expectations and losing Artemis Base. I await your punishment."
"Hmm..." As Jehart knelt on one knee to report, Ezelcant had already risen and walked over to him, holding a silver pistol that he slowly pressed against Jehart's head. "...Indeed, punishment is warranted. Why didn't you execute the 'Abyss's Maw' operation?"
"For myself, for my subordinates, and for all of VEGAN," Jehart lifted his head, allowing the cold touch to shift to his forehead. He showed no fear, his tone as calm as a still lake.
"I'll give you a chance to explain," Ezelcant said, intrigued by Jehart's response, though he didn't move the gun, his voice still icy.
"Personally, I don't want to bear the stigma of a butcher. There are many ways to achieve victory, but this is not one of them. For my subordinates, the situation on the battlefield changed drastically. The Federal Army's schemes succeeded, throwing the entire battlefield into chaos. If we had insisted on launching the 'Abyss's Maw' operation, less than one-tenth of our compatriots would have returned safely to the Second Moon. Finally, for VEGAN, once the 'Abyss's Maw' operation was executed, the hatred between the Federation and VEGAN would instantly escalate to its peak, leaving no possibility for reconciliation in the future. This is an outcome VEGAN absolutely cannot accept, so..."
"Why is there a need to negotiate with them? Do you think VEGAN will lose?" Ezelcant interrupted.
"No, VEGAN still has hope for victory."
"Then why leave room for reconciliation with the Federation? Fueling the hatred between both sides and stirring the warriors' bloodlust—that's what VEGAN needs!"
"Even if it means using the lives of our own people?"
"Exactly! Even if it means using the lives of our own people! Jehart, take a good look at VEGAN now. Although the entire population is outraged, how many of them just shout slogans and then continue to hide at home, waiting for others to fight for a better future? And how many, filled with passion, step onto the battlefield only to lose their lives without achieving anything?"
"Lord Ezelkanta! You..."
"And the Earthlings, corrupt, foolish, and shameless, they only know how to take without giving anything in return. Why do they deserve it? Just because they were born on Earth? Just because they weren't chosen back then? Why should such a beautiful Eden be occupied by such people?
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The Eden of my dreams, free from war, disease, chaos, and strife, where only the selected elite have the right to reside—it will be the most perfect paradise in the universe!"
"Lord Ezelkanta..."
"So what's wrong with those mediocre people offering their only value for the sake of this perfect paradise? Their sacrifice is for a better future! They should feel honored!"
"No, Lord Ezelkanta! You're wrong!"
As Ezelcant was going mad, Jehart quickly snatched the gun from his hand and roared at him.
"What did you say!?"
"Lord Ezelkanta, VEGAN is also part of humanity. We and the Earthlings are the same race, we are all living humans, not gods sitting high above."
"You! Are you betraying me, Jehart!?"
"No, Lord Ezelkanta, I have never betrayed you, because my loyalty has never been to any one person, but to VEGAN, to all our people. It is for the bright future of our people that I have fought until now, and I will continue to do so," Jehart declared resolutely.
"Jehart..."
Ezelcant realized that he no longer recognized Jehart. The child he had watched grow up had now surpassed him, his mere presence forcing him to step back.
"Lord Ezelkanta, the Earthlings cannot be completely eradicated, at least not by VEGAN. With technology levels now equalized, VEGAN, with its population and resource shortages, is at a complete disadvantage. Our only chance is to engage in a decisive battle with the Federation now, win this war, and negotiate with the Federation from a position of victory to secure the best future for VEGAN," Jehart laid out his thoughts in one breath, hoping for Ezelcant's understanding.
"VEGAN does not need to negotiate with the Federation. We possess a small portion of EXA-DB. As long as we obtain all of it, then..."
"It's already impossible, Lord Ezelkanta. Intelligence from our spies confirms that the Federation... no, Mr. Yang Hui has already obtained EXA-DB and destroyed it..."
"Impossible! That's absolutely impossible! EXA-DB has guardians. Even they couldn't..."
"This is already a confirmed fact! Lord Ezelkanta! Please, wake up!"
Under Jehart's stern rebuke, the increasingly frenzied Ezelcant gradually cooled down, suddenly looking as if he had aged ten years, utterly dejected.
"How could this be... how could this be... why..."
"Lord Ezelkanta..."
"Jehart... you'll help me, won't you? You'll support me, right? Just like before..." Ezelcant grabbed Jehart's arms, pleading desperately. This was his last pillar, the one that had upheld his beliefs for so many years.
"I'm sorry, Lord Ezelkanta, I cannot agree with your ideals. For the sake of VEGAN, for all our brethren, I must pursue the [Eden Project] in my own way." Jehart shook his head, answering with regret.
"You... cough!"
Jehart's response was like a heavy hammer, shattering the last pillar of support in Ezelcant's heart.
(End of Chapter)