Since Wang Hu and Sharu had reached an agreement within Artemis Fortress, the remaining time became their leisure period.
The atmosphere was exceedingly amicable, with both host and guests thoroughly enjoying themselves. After bidding temporary farewell to Sharu, who hurried off to report the situation to the Eurasian Federation's military headquarters—and to persuade their parliamentary dignitaries—Wang Hu stretched leisurely and, accompanied by Li Chengzhi, prepared to savor the rare respite between battles.
"What are you scheming?"
Not long after leaving the conference room, just a few turns down the corridor, Mu leaned against the metal wall with his arms crossed, as if he had known Wang Hu would pass by. He fixed his gaze on Wang Hu as soon as he appeared.
"Ah, Lieutenant Mu." Wang Hu showed no surprise at Mu's presence. "I'm not sure what you mean. By the way, where are Murrue and Natarle Badgiruel? Not with you?"
"Wang Hu." Mu's expression darkened with disappointment as he shook his head at Wang Hu's feigned ignorance.
Choosing not to press too hard, Mu shifted the topic. "Congratulations. The East Asian Army is the only force to achieve victory against ZAFT's landing operations. Compared to the Eurasian Federation and the Atlantic Federation, the Earth Sphere now practically views East Asia as its sole hope."
"Oh?" Wang Hu chuckled. So, the original timeline where the spaceport fell had been altered? Even though he hadn't been at the spaceport himself, the ripple effect of his actions had already begun reshaping the course of events.
"You don't seem the least bit surprised." Mu scrutinized Wang Hu's expression, searching for any tell.
Seeing that Wang Hu appeared entirely unfazed by the latest battle reports—freshly relayed within Artemis Fortress—as if he had expected this outcome all along, Mu sighed inwardly. The East Asian Army...
No wonder Wang Hu dared to openly collude with the Eurasian Federation to seize the Atlantic Federation's assets. Given their own faction's dismal performance since the war began, it was no surprise others no longer took them seriously.
The once-glorious days of military dominance and global prestige had now dissolved into mere illusions.
As Mu reflected on his faction's precipitous decline in status and influence—juxtaposed against Wang Hu, who represented the ascendant East Asian Army—he felt an inexplicable weariness and disorientation. Power and authority depended on a strong nation, yet his own side now lacked precisely that. No matter how much effort he poured into rhetoric, it paled in the face of sheer force.
Wait—Mu's mind jolted with realization. The Eurasian Federation had performed even worse than the Atlantic Federation against ZAFT Forces. Knowing Wang Hu, a man who embodied the mindset of a conqueror, why would he ally with the third-strongest to suppress the second?
True, the Atlantic Federation had grievances with East Asia, but hadn't the Eurasian Federation inflicted even greater harm historically? At least, that's what his childhood history lessons had taught him.
Of course!
What had initially been a vague suspicion, a gut feeling that Wang Hu harbored ulterior motives, now crystallized into certainty upon closer examination.
Mu's expression shifted dramatically, his face as animated as an opera performer!
Had this guy been scared silly by his own combat record?
Wang Hu stared at the unwelcome guest blocking his path. They had only exchanged a few words, and he hadn't even said much yet.
Yet Mu's face was already changing colors like boiling sewage—what was going on?
"I have no ill intentions toward the Eurasian Federation. On the contrary, under the current circumstances, allying with them would bring nothing but benefits to East Asia."
Not wanting to waste time arguing with Mu here, Wang Hu decided to play his role to the fullest. After all, this was the Eurasian Federation's turf.
Who knew if some hidden surveillance system was lurking in some obscure corner?
So, facing Mu, who still stood in his way, Wang Hu continued calmly.
"Compared to the Atlantic Federation, which rose suddenly like an upstart, the Eurasian Federation shares a long history and glorious past with East Asia."
"Don't you think these two are the ones with more common ground?"
"As for the Atlantic Federation, which ignites wars and stirs up trouble everywhere—in our eyes, they're nothing more than a spoiled brat."
"A child who hasn't grown up, flaunting brute strength and causing chaos just to grab attention."
Without waiting for Mu's response, Wang Hu walked past him, leading Li Chengzhi away while Mu remained frozen in place.
"History and glory?" Mu muttered blankly as he watched the two depart, abandoning any thought of chasing after them.
Not because he actually believed Wang Hu's words or agreed with them.
But because of his understanding of Wang Hu and an inexplicable gut feeling.
"These tactical and strategic types—their hearts are truly filthy!" Mu whispered under his breath, ensuring only he could hear.
He hadn't forgotten what those two's real profession was. Fighter pilots?
No. Wang Hu and Li Chengzhi were East Asian Army's carefully groomed future high-ranking commanders!
Would men like them cling to history and honor?
Don't make him laugh!
"History and honor? Hahaha, precisely—history and honor!"
Just as Wang Hu had anticipated, everything that happened in the corridor outside the meeting room was seen without fail by Sharu, the master of this fortress.
Of course, Sharu wasn't insane enough to install surveillance everywhere—after all, walls have ears.
Even if he had considered it, given Gaul's infamous tradition of strikes, actually doing so would have backfired.
No matter how deep his connections, the higher-ups would have thrown him under the bus as a scapegoat.
But installing a few in key areas? No one could reasonably object to that.
Thus, though Sharu's suspicions about Wang Hu's motives couldn't be entirely dismissed, they had diminished significantly after the exchange with Mu.
"Hmph." Watching Mu—the representative of the Atlantic Federation—on the monitor, Sharu snorted disdainfully.
"Descendants of Old World criminals on the new continent, you merely stole global hegemony like thieves while we were napping."
"Do you really think we would bow to you because of that? Under the gaze of Rome's glory and Caesar's legacy?"
"We are the birthplace of modern society—the undisputed leaders of human progress!"
After venting his nostalgic grievances in muttered ramblings, Sharu finally made up his mind.
Sharu waved at the adjutant standing behind him.
"Send the contents of this consultation along with my assessment to the Eurasian Federation Committee immediately."
"Of course, before submitting it to the Committee, don't forget to brief our allied councilors and families first."
"This time, my proposal must pass in the Committee in one go."
"We can't let those traitors who've abandoned history and honor, those dogs licking the boots of the Atlantic Federation, ruin my plans!"
"Yes, General." His adjutant responded with firm resolve.
Just as the adjutant was about to carry out General Sharu's orders, Sharu added,
"Also, contact the East Asian Army using large-scale equipment. Inform them of the situation here and request reinforcements as soon as possible."
"Uh—" The adjutant hesitated before cautiously asking,
"Only notify the East Asian Army? According to protocol, shouldn't we also inform our own Eurasian Federation forces?"
"Aren't we the Eurasian Federation forces?" Sharu shot his adjutant a sidelong glance, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Savages are only fit to be our pawns. Why dirty our own hands before we've squeezed the last drop of blood from them?"
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