Yang Hui and Clovis were truly startled by Odysseus. The decision for Clovis to head to Ten was the final conclusion reached only during their private conversation that afternoon; it was impossible for Odysseus to know about it. Although his proposal happened to coincide with theirs, his purpose... was intriguing.
"Imperial Father has already informed the Cabinet about your matter, Yang Hui. The Cabinet members have quite a few complaints, but Imperial Father's imperial decree cannot be disobeyed. You just need to pay attention to any small movements made in private." Odysseus looked at Yang Hui first, informing him of the Cabinet's attitude toward him.
"The position of Governor of Ten was originally intended for Cornelia, since it was territory she conquered. However, Cornelia refused decisively and requested that Imperial Father transfer her elsewhere to continue the campaign. Imperial Father agreed, so the position of Governor of Ten is currently vacant, and the Cabinet members are arguing incessantly over it."
Hearing this, the corners of Yang Hui's mouth twitched. How could they not argue? The Imperial Capital was the home base, the place closest to the heart of the Empire, but overseas territories were one's power base. Even if one lost power at the core, they could return to their power base to preserve themselves and their family, perhaps even waiting for a chance at a comeback.
"Everyone's recommendation was different, and no consensus could be reached. Therefore, I recommended you, Clovis. As a Prince of the Empire, it is time for you to fulfill your princely duties."
"Why me? Even if Sister Cornelia declined, isn't Sister Guinevere more suitable?" Clovis asked Odysseus in return.
"Because of your relationship with Yang Hui." Saying this, Odysseus shot a smiling glance at Yang Hui. "Everyone is well aware of Guinevere's abilities. She would be the most dazzling flower at a capital banquet, but she is not capable of managing a territory."
"Then Brother, you think too highly of me. I don't know how to manage a territory either. I only like painting, and I don't even have much talent for it," Clovis said with a shrug, his posture somewhat resembling Yang Hui's.
"But your relationship with Yang Hui is very good, isn't it?"
Upon hearing this, Clovis's expression tightened, his gaze fixed on Odysseus. The implications of this sentence were deep. Most importantly, Odysseus knew that Yang Hui had secretly built up a force that was not weak, and that Yang Hui would let this force help Clovis. With the help of this force, Clovis would not encounter any problems or dangers in the administration of Ten.
"Go, Clovis. Since you enjoy the treatment of the Imperial Family, you must naturally shoulder the responsibilities of the Imperial Family."
"...Fine." Clovis's expression was conflicted. After a long silence, he exhaled a breath of turbid air and dejectedly agreed to Odysseus's request.
"Mhm. And as for you, Yang Hui... forget it, you never need reminding." Looking at Yang Hui, who sat nearby without saying a word, Odysseus started to say something but swallowed it back. He felt it was unnecessary; Yang Hui wouldn't listen anyway.
Just as a pot of black tea was finished, Odysseus left. Both Clovis and Yang Hui remained silent, the atmosphere quite heavy.
"Yang Hui, Brother Odysseus isn't simple." Clovis slumped onto the sofa with a bitter smile. "He told me upright and honest that he wants to use me to draw out the power in your hands, and I had no way to refuse."
"Could someone destined to be the Crown Prince really be that mediocre?" Yang Hui shook his head with a smile. "If he were truly that mediocre, would Guinevere stand so firmly by his side? And Schneizel would have ousted him long ago."
"Yeah, without some hidden cards, it's hard even to survive in the palace," Clovis sighed.
"Alright, since he's willing to push the boat with the current, just accept it with peace of mind."
"Of course. Once the decision is made, I naturally won't shrink back. Don't I have you backing me up?"
"That's right. So just be a useless person in peace."
"Yang Hui! Only one of us is walking out of this room today!"
...
On the other side, Odysseus returned to the palace by car. Clovis and Yang Hui could never have imagined that Guinevere, who had been at odds with them that afternoon, was sitting in the same car as Odysseus. It seemed she had been there since the beginning; while Odysseus was meeting with Clovis and Yang Hui, she had been waiting inside the car.
Furthermore, they could never have imagined that after listening to Odysseus's account of what happened, Guinevere was not angry, but instead wore a gentle smile.
"We don't have to worry about him now, do we?"
"Yes, Brother."
"It's been so many years, you've worked hard too."
"It wasn't hard, Brother. To see them grow up safely and become capable of standing on their own—it was all worth it."
"...Do you think Yang Hui... saw through it?"
"He definitely saw through it. Nothing can be hidden from his eyes, Brother."
"Hahaha, then we've troubled him, having to play along with our act all this time."
"Yes, but... it's precisely because of his existence that we can be like this now, isn't it?"
"True." As he spoke, both Odysseus and Guinevere subconsciously glanced at the driver's seat and the escort vehicles in front and behind.
...
A few days later, the imperial decree arrived. Yang Hui officially held the prerogative in his hands, possessing the authority to form his own unit.
"Good grief, it seems the Fourth Prince's ambition isn't small." Lloyd, who had only reported for duty yesterday, lamented, though the movements of his hands did not slow down.
"Why is that, Mr. Lloyd?" Cecile, acting as his assistant, asked in confusion.
"His Highness the Fourth Prince has asked for the rosters of all the Empire's troops, including the secret special forces and the Knight orders under the various Dukes. Only the members of the Imperial Family's own Knight orders were excluded by him."
"Eh? Is the Fourth Prince planning to poach people from across the entire military? But... will those people actually come?"
"Who knows? Perhaps His Highness has his own ideas..."
"Hehe, that kind of nonsense will only fool Cecile, Lloyd." At this moment, Rachelia arrived suddenly, causing Lloyd to wear a bitter smile.
Rachelia hadn't come alone; her sister Shanti was by her side. She was small and cute, but her face wore an expression more mature than an adult's.
"Miss Rachelia, Shanti, why are you here?" Cecile asked in surprise. Lloyd and Rachelia were currently in charge of different projects and had separate research labs. Given the relationship between the two, it was rare for them to even meet, let alone visit voluntarily.
"My side of the work is finished. Lloyd, you've lost again." As Rachelia spoke, she tossed a storage device to Lloyd.
Lloyd caught it immediately, his bitter smile deepening. "You're still as persistent as ever, Rachelia."
"Nonsense! If he hadn't provided me with a platform to defeat you, I would have left long ago."
"Hehe, but... I've finished on my end as well, Rachelia. This round should be considered a draw." Lloyd teased, a roguish smile on his face.
"Tch, fox."
"But it really is surprising. Our Prince's Knightmare designs are actually so formidable; I feel like I'm completely useless."
"..." On this point alone, Rachelia could not refute Lloyd.
Initially, both Rachelia and Lloyd thought Yang Hui intended for them to each design a next-generation Knightmare, and then see whose developed Mobile Suit was more powerful to decide the winner between them.
As it turned out, Yang Hui didn't need them to design individual machines. Instead, he gave them a set of design blueprints and had them manage different projects, deciding the winner based on the final quality and speed of completion.
When they saw those design blueprints, both Rachelia and Lloyd were stunned. Many of the designs could simply be called era-defining works, things even they hadn't thought of.
"But... if these Mobile Suits are completed, those old fossils in the research institute will definitely not be able to sit still, right?" Lloyd happily toyed with the storage device in his hand, laughing jokingly.
"Isn't that obvious? Those old geezers think they're invincible; they're definitely going to get a harsh slap in the face this time." Speaking of this, Rachelia also had a look of amusement on her face, as she had been suppressed and discriminated against by them before.
"Whew~ The basic tasks are finished. As for what's next, Rachelia."
"Tch, do you really think I'm that unreasonable?"
Thirteen new design drawings appeared on the screen. Each Knightmare was filled with a sharp, aggressive feel. Lloyd and Rachelia stood side by side; they both knew that this time, they had to cooperate to complete the masterpiece Yang Hui had entrusted to them.
"By the way, Miss Rachelia." At this time, Cecile finally remembered what Rachelia had said to her when she first walked in. "Why did you say Mr. Lloyd was lying to me?"
"..."
Rachelia stared at Lloyd with dead eyes, asking him with her gaze: This is the assistant you chose?
Lloyd covered his face in frustration, suddenly wondering if his choice had been a mistake.
"Sister Cecile." Shanti pulled on Cecile's sleeve expressionlessly.
"Shanti?"
"His Highness won't openly select people from other units. In particular, the existing special forces and the Dukes' Knight orders are just a smokescreen, because His Highness won't give others the chance to plant spies in his unit."
"Eh?"
"Given His Highness's style, he should have chosen his members long ago. All of this is just to mislead others, so His Highness can take the people he truly wants in the confusion."
"..." Cecile was speechless. She pointed at herself with her mouth slightly open, then looked at Lloyd with tears in her eyes. "Mr. Lloyd..."
"Ah, haha." Lloyd scratched his hair. "I just thought Cecile was too cute and wanted to tease you..."
"Mr. Lloyd!"
"Sorry, it won't happen again!" Stared down by a huffing Cecile, Lloyd pressed his hands together in apology. He knew his assistant; Cecile was a very gentle person who looked after others and was very cute, but... if she truly got angry, he would lose a layer of skin even if he didn't die.
"Pfft~ Hahahaha! So you have days like this too, Lloyd." To Rachelia, the greatest joy in life was seeing Lloyd suffer a setback.