"Chairman Uzumi, we have witnessed your ideals and convictions. Thank you for enlightening us." Murrue stood up, bowing alongside Natarle Badgiruel and Mu to Uzumi.
These words carried profound meaning for them. Though their hearts remained shrouded in the fog of uncertainty, Uzumi's philosophy shone like a beacon, illuminating one possible path at their crossroads.
...
After the meeting concluded, the trio returned to the Archangel. Several other warships and a small contingent of soldiers had accompanied the Archangel to Orb. Since none held higher rank than Murrue, she had served as their representative during negotiations. Now that she'd returned, they eagerly awaited news.
"Captain Ramius, what happened? What did Orb say?"
"Will they expel us?"
"Did they make unreasonable demands? Are they forcing us to join Orb?"
"None of that."
"None?"
"Correct. Chairman Uzumi has no intention of expelling us, nor is he compelling us to join Orb."
Murrue then relayed every word of Uzumi's conversation to the others. Some found it hard to believe—Orb was treating them far better than expected. Beyond restricting their movement for now, there were no limitations. They remained free to stay or leave. Others burned with shame, realizing they'd misjudged Orb's intentions with petty suspicions.
Yet complex, conflicted expressions soon followed.
Truthfully, since arriving in Orb, they'd experienced unprecedented peace—no war, no orders, no political machinations between officials, no betrayals among superiors.
But... they still wore Earth Forces uniforms. Some had worn them for years. Even after being abandoned, tearing them off wouldn't come easily.
"Everyone, we all have time to consider our choices. But as you know, the Atlantic Federation has publicly declared we fought to the last man—that we've been wiped out. In their eyes, we're already dead. I trust you understand what this means... so please consider carefully." Murrue offered this reminder. She'd already made her decision, but it was personal. All she could do was advise... and hope.
"Captain Ramius... have you chosen to remain in Orb?" one captain asked.
"...Yes. But I won't immediately join the Orb Military. I wish to stay in Orb, to seek my future with my own eyes... to witness Orb's ideals firsthand."
"...I understand."
The group respected Murrue's approach—respected everyone aboard the Archangel. Without the Archangel, they'd have been reduced to ashes in Alaska or lost beneath the waves.
"Everyone... I await your final decisions."
After exchanging salutes, they dispersed. Murrue, Mu, and Natarle returned to the Archangel's bridge.
"You're truly decided?" Natarle asked Murrue.
"Yes. After all... he's here, isn't he?" A gentle smile touched Murrue's weary face. Since arriving in Orb and drawing closer to Yang Hui, she'd felt considerably lighter.
"...I'll also stay, and I'll be joining the Orb Military," Natarle Badgiruel stated her final decision directly.
"Eh?" Murrue and Mu were surprised. In their eyes, Natarle was the least likely one to stay. Born into a military family, her iron-blooded demeanor had softened somewhat under Yang Hui's influence, but it hadn't disappeared entirely. Moreover, if Natarle joined the Orb Military, it would mean she'd be fighting against her own family.
"I've already disobeyed military transfer orders. According to military law, that's either life imprisonment or execution. I don't want to die," Natarle said, her face flushing red.
"Ah, haha." Murrue and Mu laughed. They could tell this was just an excuse—in truth, Natarle, like Murrue or perhaps even more so, simply wanted to stay by Yang Hui's side.
"Major Flaga, what about you?" Murrue then asked Mu.
"Me?" Mu pointed at himself and smiled self-deprecatingly. "I don't want to die either, so of course I'm staying."
Hearing this, Murrue and Natarle understood. Like Natarle, Mu had defied transfer orders. Returning to the Atlantic Federation would mean certain death.
"So all three of us are staying?" Murrue joked.
"Yes."
"We'll have to keep looking out for each other then, Captain, Executive Officer."
"Mm, please take care of us, Natarle, Major Flaga."
"How unfair. She gets called by her first name, while I'm stuck with my surname and rank—a rank that doesn't even count anymore."
"Hahaha." Watching Mu's antics, Murrue and Natarle covered their mouths to stifle their laughter.
"By the way, what about the others...? What do you plan to do?" Mu asked with concern. Though he had faith in their Archangel comrades, the decision ultimately lay with them.
"In a few days. Let everyone rest properly first, then we'll ask for their thoughts. Whether they stay or go is their own choice."
"Everyone aboard the Archangel is excellent combat personnel. We shouldn't let them leave... I'd like to say that, but I don't have the right anymore."
"Haha, true enough. We're all defectors now, after all..."
...
It wasn't just the Earth Forces personnel accepted by Orb who had mixed feelings—the same applied to several of Orb's noble families.
These nobles had immediately agreed to the Atlantic Federation's demand to hand over Yang Hui, assuming the weak-willed Uzumi would comply for Orb's sake. To their shock, Uzimi had uncharacteristically refused outright this time.
Not just Uzumi—Yang Hongyu and the other three heads of the Five Great Families had opposed it too. Even Old Sahaku, who'd always been at odds with Uzumi, stood against surrendering Yang Hui.
This terrified them, as they'd instantly offended Orb's five most powerful nobles in one fell swoop.
Of course, if that were all, they'd only need to worry about facing repercussions—something they could resolve by sacrificing some family interests. But now they were already planning to gather their belongings and flee, because this decision had also made them enemies of Yang Hui.
Uzumi and the others weren't terrifying—they just held more power. In terms of family influence, these nobles weren't among the Five Great Families, but the gap wasn't vast. Moreover, Uzumi and his peers were rule-abiding individuals who followed the aristocracy's unspoken codes.
Yang Hui was different. Their choice had given him ample reason to treat them as enemies—and Yang Hui was like a rabid dog when it came to enemies. He would bite down and never let go.
That very evening, the heads of the Sailan, Matt, Takasaki, and Hilton families—those who had chosen to hand Yang Hui over to the Atlantic Federation—were "invited" to Yang Hui's personal residence for tea.
Led by the Sailan family, eight individuals sat trembling on their respective sofas. The fragrant black tea and exquisite pastries placed beside them remained untouched, not a single word dared to be spoken. Behind each of them stood two burly men in black suits and sunglasses, hands clasped behind their backs, flanking them on either side.
Tap, tap, tap…
The silence was broken by approaching footsteps. The door to the room swung open, and the youthful figure they feared strode in unhurriedly.
"Y-Yang Hui… We…"
The head of the Takasaki family, unable to bear the pressure any longer, broke into a cold sweat and tried to stand up to plead for mercy. But the moment he rose, the black-suited men behind him forced him back onto the sofa.
Yang Hui smiled faintly, nodding at the Takasaki patriarch before sweeping his gaze across the room. He took his seat, leisurely sipping his tea and nibbling on the pastries.
"Hmm, the taste is quite good. I was worried you esteemed elders might not find the tea and desserts to your liking."
"Yang Hui, I… we…"
"But then again, it's understandable…" Another voice quivered, but Yang Hui ignored it, continuing as if speaking to himself.
"...You esteemed elders are all heads of your respective families. Though your clans may not rank among the top five, you're not far off. Accustomed to lives of luxury, it's only natural that my humble offerings don't suit your refined tastes. The Yang Family may be one of the Five Great Houses, but for Orb's sake, we've exhausted our resources. I must ask for your understanding."
"Of course… of course…"
"The Yang Family's noble sacrifice is unmatched. We can't be stingy either—I'll contribute 40%, no, 50% of my family's assets to Orb's national treasury!"
"I'll contribute too! 60% from me!"
"And I—"
...
Watching them scramble to pledge their support, Yang Hui nodded with a satisfied smile.
"Thank you for your generosity, esteemed elders. Orb is in crisis, and we require vast manpower, resources, and funds. With your aid, I'm certain we'll overcome this trial."
"Yes, yes, of course."
"All… all for Orb's sake…"
"N-Naturally…"
"Then, if you'll excuse us, we have matters at home to attend to—"
Thinking Yang Hui would let them go after their financial concessions, they hurriedly tried to stand—only to be shoved back down by the black-suited enforcers.
"Don't rush off, elders. There's one more matter where I'd appreciate your assistance."
"P-Please, speak…"
"For Orb, we'll agree to anything…"
"If it's you asking, Xiao Hui, I won't refuse."
...
At this, they all exhaled in relief. Their greatest fear had been that Yang Hui would make no demands—conditions meant negotiation, and negotiation meant they wouldn't be outright eliminated.
But when Yang Hui finally voiced his request, they could no longer remain seated.
"You all know that Orb has recently acquired two new territories—the Mass Driver and Papua New Guinea. These places require capable management. The brothers, sisters, and other talented individuals from your families are all elites. Such a golden opportunity shouldn't be wasted. Why not showcase your talents and contribute to Orb's future?"
"Yang Hui! You—"
"Impossible! Absolutely not!"
"Don't push this too far!"
...
Material wealth is fleeting. As long as they lived, they could always earn it back. Their fortunes were vast enough that even if only 10% remained, they could live comfortably for the rest of their lives.
But... Yang Hui was demanding their heirs!
This was unacceptable. He was digging at their very roots!
Though they were nobles, and Orb's laws permitted polygamy—each of them had at least three or four wives—strangely, every family had only one or two heirs at most, never more.
By noble custom, only the most outstanding heir was groomed for succession. The rest were left to their own devices, with little emotional connection to the family.
And Yang Hui wanted precisely their chosen successors—not the irrelevant ones. If he took their heirs, their families would have no future!
It wasn't that they couldn't produce more heirs or train another. But Yang Hui's stance was clear: he would uproot them entirely. For every new heir they groomed, he would take them away.
"Is that so?" Yang Hui wasn't angry. He simply found these men foolish, blind to their current predicament.
Click—
The synchronized sound of rifles being cocked echoed through the room. The nobles' flushed faces instantly paled as they turned to see the dark muzzles of guns pointed directly at them.
"Yang Hui... what... what are you doing!?"
"We are... we are the heads of noble houses!"
"You... you wouldn't dare kill us!"
"That's right! Uzumi... Uzumi would never allow such tyranny!"
...
"Oh? I wouldn't dare?" Yang Hui chuckled, set down his teacup, and stood. He walked over to Unato Eale Sailan, head of the Sailan Family, took a pistol from one of the black-suited men, and pressed it against his forehead.
"Guess—do I dare?"
Yang Hui's smile remained warm, but to them, it was colder than the deepest abyss.
"Y-Yang Hui... I—"
Bang!
"Ahhh—!!!"
"Hahahaha..."
Of course, Yang Hui hadn't fired. He'd merely mimicked the sound with his mouth. Yet Unato Eale Sailan crumpled to the ground, clutching his head. The other nobles collapsed in terror, some even wetting themselves, the acrid stench filling the air.
"Uncles, don't be afraid. Of course, I wouldn't dare kill you. I'm a law-abiding model citizen, after all." Yang Hui tossed the pistol back to the black-suited man, swept a disdainful gaze over the room, and returned to his seat.
"Yang... Yang Hui..."
"But I wonder, dear uncles, under Orb's laws, what crimes would these warrant?" With a gesture, the black-suited men retrieved terminals from their pockets and handed them to the nobles before them.
Their hands trembled as they took the terminals. When they opened them, their already pale faces turned even whiter, drained of all color, their eyes now bloodshot with fear.
"Yang Hui! You can't do this!"
"It's over... everything's over..."
"I still have money! I can give you more! I'll hand over all my family's assets!"
...
Some erupted in furious despair, others resigned themselves to fate, while a few groveled pitifully—each displaying their own brand of ugliness.
"My condition is simple. Agree, and these secrets remain secrets. Refuse, and the judicial officials are waiting next door."
"We agree! We agree!"
The words came instantly. None dared refuse. Each terminal contained meticulously recorded evidence of them abusing power for personal gain, breaking laws they were meant to uphold, and covering up their crimes—not a single transgression omitted. If exposed, the lightest sentence would be life imprisonment.
Descendants mattered, but their own lives mattered more! Without hesitation, they chose self-preservation over their families' futures.
"Excellent. I'll gratefully accept my uncles' generosity. Tomorrow, someone will visit your homes to escort your sons and daughters to their new posts. I trust none of you will attempt any 'switching babies' tricks?"
"N-no, we won't."
"Good. I believe you."
With the outcome settled, Yang Hui stood
Lto leave. Someone would see them home shortly.
"Yang Hui!" A defeated Unato Eale Sailan glared at him with bloodshot eyes. "Aren't you afraid of public outrage for doing this!?"
Yang Hui paused at the doorway, tilting his head with a chilling smile. "Public outrage over those Orb no longer needs? Don't make me laugh."
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