However, it was clear that Creuset had already fallen into the trap.
This was Creuset's first time here, and with a time limit, it was impossible for him to thoroughly check the surroundings for traps.
At most, he could only detect inconsistencies that stood out from the environment.
He never expected someone to have laid an ambush for him days in advance.
Moreover, Fred already knew who his intelligence broker was, making it even easier to feed him false information.
Even Durandal, the only uncertain factor, was preoccupied with his girlfriend's affairs.
All these factors combined made Fred's plan surprisingly smooth.
Not to mention, Creuset only considered that someone had spread the news to seize the documents amidst the chaos.
He never imagined that after spreading the message beforehand, Fred had already prepared in advance, setting numerous traps here days ago that had long since blended into the environment.
After all, in Creuset's view, his side had only made a small move.
It was impossible for anyone to have noticed.
Under these circumstances, Fred, armed with knowledge of the plot, calculated against an unsuspecting opponent.
Even though Creuset was a major antagonist, he couldn't detect any signs in advance.
After all, Creuset hadn't taken any actions that would expose himself.
Naturally, he assumed that even if someone came, it wouldn't be targeting him.
Even if someone arrived early and obtained the documents, they would leave immediately afterward, never expecting someone to ambush him.
Many of these secrets were currently known only to Fred, the transmigrator.
Fred was in the shadows, had access to so many resources from the Clyne Faction, and had prepared for so long. If he still couldn't outmaneuver Creuset, Fred might as well find a block of tofu to crash into.
This was also one of the reasons Fred chose to act so far in advance.
As time passed, he grew stronger, but his advantage from knowing the plot would diminish due to the butterfly effect.
As Creuset abruptly rose to retreat, Fred, fully prepared, pressed the button in front of him.
Creuset, who had just started running, was immediately ensnared by capture nets launched from all directions.
It was only then that the alarms Creuset had placed around began to sound one after another, but it was clearly too late.
If it were the future Creuset, he might not have fallen for such a scheme, but at this moment, he was still relatively inexperienced.
Looking at himself now bound layer by layer, Creuset quickly pieced together the general sequence of events.
Yet, a deep sense of confusion still lingered in his heart.
From the words just spoken, the mysterious figure hidden in the shadows knew of his existence and had tailored this trap specifically for him.
It made no sense at all.
For Creuset, who had gambled his way through everything, it felt like someone was cheating with their cards laid bare on the table.
"Who are you?" Creuset asked, suppressing his anger, his voice low.
"We are of The Clan. We witnessed the entire experimental process of Xiang Yamato, or rather, we facilitated its completion," Fred's mechanical voice replied, deep and resonant.
His words were a mix of truth and falsehood, making them difficult to discern.
"So we know about you, we know about Kira Yamato, and we also know what you intend to do."
"What!?"
"What!?"
As Creuset couldn't help but let out an exaggerated "Nani," on the other side, Siegel, watching the delayed broadcast in April City, also stood up in shock.
"Father?"
Lacus, who was already tense, was slightly startled by Siegel's sudden outburst.
"What is The Clan?"
She had just heard it for the first time. At first, she thought Fred had made it up on the spot to deceive Creuset, but judging by her father's reaction, it seemed to be a real organization?
"The Clan... is said to be the manipulator of human society, with its roots in the Atlantic Federation. It has been secretly influencing humanity's development."
Siegel slowly explained.
This wasn't exactly new information; Lacus simply hadn't heard of it because she was too young.
However, it was only a theory from conspiracy circles, but Siegel was different.
Given his high position, he had vaguely sensed the existence of The Clan, which was why he was even more surprised now.
Was this claim something Fred casually made up, or was it true?
If Fred were an ordinary person, Siegel would lean toward the former, but given Fred's current performance, he couldn't help but become wary.
"A legendary organization...?"
Upon hearing this, Lacus also curiously turned her gaze to Fred on the screen.
Meanwhile, in the live broadcast, the conversation between the two continued.
"The Clan... Hmph, do you think I'd believe that?"
Creuset, having regained his composure, said coldly.
Of course, Creuset was only saying this to buy time.
He also wanted to figure out the intentions of this so-called "Clan."
As long as the other party didn't intend to kill him, he could afford to lower himself a little.
After all, his goal of destroying the world was not yet complete.
On the other end, Fred didn't fall for Creuset's ploy. Instead, he continued in a monotone voice.
"Believe it or not, it's up to you."
With those words, Fred's plan officially entered its second phase.
To make the other party realize they were doomed, drive them to utter madness, and expose their true nature.
This was also the most difficult step.
To make the Clynes watching the broadcast believe that killing Creuset would benefit the world, he had to draw out all of Creuset's dark side.
"And unfortunately, your life has come to an end."
"But this is for the sake of the world. My apologies."
Fred's voice calmly pronounced the death sentence.
With the mechanical voice masking his tone, Creuset couldn't discern any emotion from Fred's words.
He also didn't know that the power over his life and death wasn't actually in Fred's hands.
Fred was merely bluffing, and the synthesized mechanical voice was a carefully designed ploy to conceal any emotions he might inadvertently reveal and to increase the pressure.
Similarly, Fred's words were tailored to Creuset's mindset.
As Creuset had said, everyone only knows what they know.
In Creuset's view, ruthlessness, selfishness, and cutting off all loose ends were inherent human traits. Combined with Fred's words, he couldn't help but believe it to some extent.
Understanding Fred's meaning, Creuset's eyebrows furrowed tightly beneath his mask.
But what made him even more desperate was that Fred had remotely closed the exit door, turning the place into a small, sealed room. Moreover, the physical restraints were far more powerful than Creuset had imagined.
A single net would have been enough to restrain an elephant, yet Fred had used six of them on him.
--Enjoying the story? Want more chapters? Check out my Patreon and support me for 40+ advance chapters.
Just search for "TLGod" on Patreon!"
Thanks!