High-level meetings between the three factions were inaccessible to Kira and his group.
However, one thing was certain—compared to the original timeline, their treatment had significantly improved.
There were no heavily armed guards, nor any reception that made them feel like prisoners being escorted onto the battleship.
In fact, Kira and the others were even allowed to move freely throughout the Artemis Fortress. Thanks to the fortress's ample space, they were pleasantly surprised to discover a specially designated shopping street, set aside for military personnel to relax during their off-duty hours.
Watching the uniformless soldiers bustling through the marketplace, Kira and the others almost felt as if they had returned to the peaceful days of Heliopolis.
This was perfect. Setting aside Flay and Miriallia, whose shopping desires had been ignited, even the male members like Kira found themselves lingering and wandering in and out of various stores.
After enduring the not-so-brief battles, everyone cherished this peaceful and tranquil life from the bottom of their hearts.
While Kira and his companions began to enjoy this rare moment of serenity, the atmosphere in a heavily guarded conference room elsewhere in the fortress was far from relaxed.
"In principle, I agree with Representative Wang Hu's proposal. Moreover, I am deeply honored that this consultation has yielded such satisfactory results."
With a smile on his face, ignoring Natarle Badgiruel's grim expression beside him, Fortress Commander Sharu stood up, beaming with satisfaction. He extended his hand, intending to shake Wang Hu's to seal the agreement they had just reached.
"Not at all. General Sharu is also a man of great integrity. Having someone like you in the Allied Forces is truly their fortune."
Not one to rebuff a friendly gesture, Wang Hu also rose to his feet.
"Enough, you two bandits!"
As the biggest victim in this meeting, Natarle Badgiruel could no longer tolerate the shameless duo exchanging flattery right in front of her.
Just moments ago, Wang Hu had traded the Archangel and all current combat data of the Strike Gundam—along with the battleship itself—in exchange for the Artemis Fortress and the full support of the Eurasian Federation.
Wasn't this just being generous with someone else's property?
What had the Atlantic Federation gained from start to finish?
The ship and the Strike Gundam were funded by the Atlantic Federation—though East Asia and Eurasia had also contributed.
Technologically, the Atlantic Federation had shouldered the bulk of the work, though East Asia and Eurasia had their shares as well.
But that didn't mean you could brazenly walk away with the final results!
Did the Atlantic Federation run a charity? Were we working for free for you two?
"Do you have any objections?"
After exchanging glances and receiving a subtle nod from Wang Hu, Major General Sharu signaled that he would handle this.
"You can't do this!"
Natarle, who had been suppressing her anger since before the negotiations began, finally seized the opportunity to speak up.
She straightened her uniform, adjusted her military cap more precisely, the Allied Forces' Military Emblem gleaming atop it.
Facing the smiling representatives of the two factions before her, Natarle Badgiruel was not fighting alone at this moment.
Behind Lieutenant Natarle Badgiruel stood countless historical sages.
Warriors who had roared against the world's injustices at conferences, brave souls who wielded words as swords for their impoverished nations.
She argued with reason, her diction precise, shifting between wit and solemnity.
All for the sake of justice—justice, and justice alone!
Natarle poured out her grievances like quicksilver, her earnest words moving even the deaf to tears, her impeccable body language convincing even the blind.
"With that, I ask you all to consider—for the unity of the Allied Forces, for the enduring friendship among the three great nations."
Having delivered her final statement, Natarle's eyes burned with intensity as she fixed her gaze on those before her.
Especially Wang Hu and that Sharu. Surely, after hearing her arguments, these two would have some shred of decency left?
Did they truly think the Atlantic Federation behind her was made of dough—something they could knead at will?
"Bravo! Well said, Lieutenant Badgiruel!" To her surprise, Wang Hu loudly cheered and clapped vigorously.
Hmph, does this man actually have a conscience?
Natarle believed that before her blade-sharp words, even the Qilin of the Nova would have to yield to justice!
"Bravo!" Then Major General Sharu also began applauding. In an instant, the two central figures in the conference room were clapping.
The other attendees quickly followed suit. Murrue, in particular, felt Natarle had single-handedly shifted the entire meeting.
Proud to be associated with her, Murrue cast an admiring glance Natarle's way.
"Representative Wang Hu, I believe we should proceed according to the prior agreement," Major General Sharu said with restrained dignity, withdrawing his applause and waiting for the room to quiet before turning to Wang Hu.
"Agreed. I have no objections. May our cooperation be fruitful."
Wang Hu nodded slightly, offering a polite smile, signaling everything would proceed as previously arranged.
"You—you all—!"
A surge of fury shot from Natarle's core to her head. Her body swayed slightly—she never imagined that after saying so much, nothing had changed in the end!
Why? Why was this the outcome?
Her vision blurred. With a thud, she braced her hands against the table to keep from collapsing.
After all her righteous arguments and impassioned pleas, nothing had changed. Natarle's eyes locked onto the two men still smiling before her.
In her eyes, Wang Hu and Sharu were no longer human—they were demons!
Heartless, bloodless demons!
"Anything to add, Lieutenant Badgiruel? Thank you for your brilliant speech earlier. We'll take it into due consideration," Li Chengzhi asked coolly, then swiftly continued without pause.
"If there's nothing else, I believe you may retire. Rest assured, a fair and just conference would never make disappointing decisions."
"Fair and just?" Natarle repeated numbly, swaying as Murrue helped her straighten.
"Disappointing decisions? You mean decisions that wouldn't disappoint you, don't you?"
Her heart turned to ashes, her spirit broken like a cuckoo crying blood. Natarle couldn't bear to stay another second in this filthy den of a meeting room.
She rejected both Murrue and Mu, walking alone with unsteady steps toward the exit.
Once outside the nauseating venue, all strength seemed to drain from this resilient woman.
Sliding slowly down the wall, much like the subject of that famous historical photograph, Natarle Badgiruel leaned despondently against the base of the wall.
In her hand was a tightly clenched badge.
"Captain Wang Hu!"
Even the most patient temper has its limits. Murrue, who had always cooperated with Wang Hu, could no longer hold back.
She raised her voice sharply at Wang Hu, who had been chatting amiably with Major General Sharu.
"You can't do this! Look at how much you've hurt Natarle!"
"Is there a problem?" Wang Hu turned to face Murrue, his eyes dark and unfathomable, his hands resting loosely on the table.
"This is exactly what you all did in the past. Back then, we were the ones like Natarle, left standing outside the door."
"This is the treatment a powerful nation deserves."
"You—! I—!"
Her chest heaved violently, the buttons of her uniform straining. Murrue wanted to curse but couldn't find the words; she wanted to cry but was restrained by her position.
"Captain Murrue, let's go." At the critical moment, Mu stepped forward, giving Wang Hu a long, meaningful look.
He turned away, supporting Murrue as they followed Natarle's footsteps toward the exit.
(End of Chapter)