If we examine the First World War in the Cosmic Era from a god's perspective,
Cagalli had numerous flaws—such as her impulsive nature and tendency to act without considering consequences.
Her characterization primarily emphasized a lack of foresight.
Yet, surprisingly, the tomboyish Cagalli was deeply beloved by the citizens of Orb.
After all, a young girl who genuinely mingled with the common people, navigating markets and streets without ill intentions,
naturally garnered affection.
Similarly, Cagalli's love for Orb and its people surpassed all other emotions.
This was the underlying reason for her dramatic 180-degree personality shift during the Second World War.
She became indecisive, manipulated by the Seiran family, and ultimately abandoned the ideals
that her adoptive father Uzumi was willing to die defending—the so-called principles of the Orb Union—
by allying with the Allied Forces' Atlantic Federation.
Thus, when faced with the Atlantic Federation's threat of war, Cagalli vehemently opposed her father Uzumi's response.
What did "Orb's principles will not waver" even mean?
Wasn't that just an outright refusal without any negotiation?
Moreover, it's crucial to understand that the current situation in the Cosmic Era world differs from the original timeline.
In the original timeline, the Allied Forces within the Earth Sphere were merely confined to the surface, temporarily unable to return to space.
Now, however, the threat looms overhead like a suspended blade. When the Coordinators revealed they had regained the Light of Peace,
it struck fear into every adversary, leaving them in constant dread.
At any moment, one might look up to see the towering, blinding mushroom cloud rising,
reducing everyone to ashes.
Yet, during this period, Cagalli's stubbornness was unyielding—like nine oxen unable to pull her back.
Her father was even more resolute.
To uphold Orb's ideals, or perhaps to seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—
yes, for Uzumi, the current situation presented an opportunity.
Exploiting others' desperation and driving a hard bargain was exactly what this entailed.
Just imagine: if Orb stood firm in its stance during such a critical juncture,
neither yielding to the Allied Forces' pressure nor truly seeking help from the Coordinators,
what level of international prestige would that bring?
If successful, it would undoubtedly garner unprecedented acclaim far beyond the original timeline,
solidifying Orb's status as a major power!
It could propel Orb to leap forward, becoming the true spiritual leader of all small nations,
and potentially securing a seat at the world's negotiating table.
This temptation was immense for Uzumi, known as the Orb Lion—too great to resist.
For this, he was willing to stake everything!
"Father, you will regret this!"
Based on the above reasons, no matter how fervently Cagalli pleaded in the office,
even offering to buy time under her own name,
Uzumi remained unyielding, adamant about making such a public declaration.
Ultimately, heartbroken, Cagalli uttered these words and stormed out.
"Representative Asuha."
After witnessing this family drama—albeit on a national scale—
Unato, the head of the Seiran family, hypocritically stepped forward to offer some consolation.
But Uzumi had no intention of playing along with his act, especially after Cagalli's outburst.
Uzumi himself was somewhat displeased and directly dismissed the Seiran family with a symbolic tea-serving gesture.
"Representative Unato, what should we do?"
After the group stepped out, someone surveyed the surrounding personnel composition and asked.
"What should we do?"
The questioned Unato glanced back at the office representing Orb's highest authority.
Inside were the Five Great Clans of Orb – a bunch of outsiders who had become the uncrowned kings of this small island nation!
"Let's go find our Representative Cagalli."
Since Uzumi's side was impenetrable, they would try to win over the next generation.
Back then, Uzumi's ancestors had relied on the Atlantic Federation's support to successfully seize control of this land.
Now Unato arrogantly believed he too had the Atlantic Federation's backing, especially after witnessing today's scene.
He began to think he might be able to manipulate Cagalli.
After all, flowers don't bloom forever, and people don't stay fortunate indefinitely.
Uzumi's actions had directly offended the Atlantic Federation, not to mention the external pressure from the East Asian Federation.
"Heh heh heh."
Unato's mind already wandered to visions of the future – imagining the miserable state those currently in the office would be in after being disciplined by both the East Asian and Atlantic Federations.
His heart stirred with restless excitement.
"Not yet, not yet, mustn't rush."
"The more critical the moment, the more calm and composed one must appear, showing the demeanor of someone destined for great things."
Leading the way to find Cagalli, Unato muttered quietly to himself.
"Where is Representative Cagalli?"
Though Cagalli was only acting as temporary representative, Unato spoke as if she had already become Orb's true representative.
"Reporting, Representative Seiran. After Miss Cagalli came out, she immediately requested transport to the East Asian Army headquarters."
The guard at the entrance answered respectfully.
"East Asian Army?"
This response darkened Unato's expression. As the saying goes, "the official far away isn't as important as the official on the spot."
While the Atlantic Federation behind him had delivered pressure statements and secretly expressed support this time, they hadn't actually sent any troops.
Given the current situation, if any military action were taken, it would be by the East Asian Army. And if the East Asian Army took action...
Orb would likely fall under East Asian control for some time after the conflict.
Wait! Unato jolted with sudden realization. Based on what he knew about Orb's origins...
Could it be...
Had he underestimated that Cagalli?
Had she thought further ahead than him? Was she now seeking East Asian support?
"No, impossible."
Unato, sporting a combover hidden under his trademark sunglasses, shook his head rapidly. A cold glint shone in his eyes beneath the dark lenses.
If not for the sunglasses masking his gaze, those around him might have been terrified.
Just as Unato's thoughts raced wildly, the guard added two more sentences.
"According to Miss Cagalli, there's a Super Ace codenamed Qilin in the East Asian Army who is her close friend."
"She heard he now commands an independent unit, so she wanted to leverage their relationship to see if she could help Orb."
"Good, good, good."
"What a clever Lion of Orb – so this was your plan all along."
At this moment, Unato felt immensely grateful that he had come out looking for Cagalli.
Otherwise, by the time we realize it belatedly, Orb's future will still be firmly in your hands, Uzumi!
"Let's go, we're also going to find the East Asian Army."
Hurriedly bringing his trusted followers along, Unato got into the vehicle and sped toward Orb's offshore waters.
His demeanor was as if fire were burning under his seat!
"Representative Seiran, why are we going to the East Asia Fleet?"
"We don't seem to have any connection with the East Asian Alliance, do we?"
Seeing their leader in such a frantic state, someone in the vehicle asked in confusion.
"Why?" Unato's tone was icy.
Since everyone in the vehicle was his own people, Unato saw no need to hide the truth.
"We've all been played by Uzumi!"
He roared loudly inside the vehicle.
"Played?"
Hearing this, everyone exchanged puzzled glances, unsure what he meant.
Wasn't Uzumi stubbornly offending both the Atlantic Federation and the East Asian Federation, seemingly on the verge of collapse?
How could he have played them?
"Uzumi rejected the Allied Forces' ultimatum, but he never directly responded to the Coordinator assistance notice."
"Why?"
Unato's anger was visibly boiling over in the vehicle. Without letting others interject, he answered his own question.
"His plan is to borrow power from the mighty—he wants to use the Coordinator assistance notice to make the Allied Forces hesitate."
"Right now, what the Allied Forces want is the Mass Driver, to protect space access for their member nations."
"So there's a chance the Allied Forces might back down in the face of risks!"
"And even if Uzumi's clever scheme fails, didn't you hear?"
"Cagalli has gone to seek out acquaintances within the East Asian Army!"
"Acquaintances? But they're just unit commanders. The East Asian Army has its own regulations."
"Military commanders can't interfere in external affairs."
Even after this explanation, someone still didn't understand and asked.
"Fools!"
With a curse and a slap, Unato finally understood.
Why his predecessors had lost to the outsiders from the Five Great Clans.
No backing, no support.
It would be against all reason if they hadn't lost.
"What kind of era are we living in now?"
"Those with strong armies rule!"
After slapping the fool who asked the earlier question, Unato, still unsatisfied, continued his verbal assault.
"Besides, is the East Asian Qilin just an ordinary military commander? That's the East Asian Army's favorite, someone who has the emperor's ear!"
"Use your pig brains! On the surface, Uzumi is steadfast in upholding Orb's ideals."
"To the point of offending the aggressively advancing Allied Forces, emphasizing that he won't yield to force."
"Regardless of what happens later, doesn't that reputation sound good?"
"Today in the office, Cagalli publicly argued with Uzumi to protect Orb."
"What kind of impression will that create when it spreads? That the Asuha family cares only about the people's welfare, everything else be damned."
"Isn't that another great reputation? So the Asuha family gets to claim all the benefits from both sides!"
"Ah!"
Only then did the others in the vehicle begin to grasp the underlying reasoning.
So Uzumi had long stopped putting all his eggs in one basket.
No matter what happens, he had already secured his retreat!
"But...but?"
Someone else timidly raised their hand to ask.
"That Cagalli actually has the capability to perform so flawlessly?"
"You!" Nearly driven to laughter by the fools around him, Unato wearily sank back into his seat.
"After all, Cagalli bears the Asuha name. What's strange about a decade of silence followed by one stunning achievement?"
"Moreover, Cagalli is a woman—the sole daughter of the Asuha family. If the East Asian Alliance wants to legally absorb Orb..."
"No, they will inevitably do so!"
"How?" There's always someone eager to chime in, and here comes another foolhardy soul.
Seeing the newcomer, Unato's temples throbbed. What kind of company was he keeping?
Exhausted beyond measure, Unato had no choice but to continue explaining.
"The East Asian Alliance values justification for their actions and cares about their international reputation."
"Given the current situation, they might even arrange a marriage between that so-called Qilin and Cagalli."
"Ah!"
The others could no longer remain seated upon hearing this. If such a union were to occur...
Wouldn't Orb likely become entirely part of the East Asian Alliance?
Though the phoenix's tail is splendid, being the head of a chicken has its own appeal.
No matter how small Orb may be, it is independent, and people like us can still harbor some ambitions.
But if it becomes part of the East Asian Alliance, in that nation, we'd be nothing!
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