With Reid's retreat, the battlefield of the Mollaria Republic returned to its original state, leaving only the severely battered Mollaria Republic soldiers and the Innovators.
Thus, Lockon asked over the comms,
"What do we do now?"
Hana reacted quickly and replied directly,
"Skip all plans before Phase Five and proceed directly to Phase Six (the so-called Phase Six involves charging straight into the military headquarters to force the Mollaria Republic governnt to surrender). The Mollaria Republic is already severely weakened; we must end this quickly."
After Hana proposed the plan, none of the four Gundam pilots objected. In the previous battle, the Mollaria Republic's various Gouf units had suffered heavy losses (mostly destroyed by the Hell King and Behemoth equipped with the Lambda Driver), leaving less than thirty percent remaining. Moreover, they had lost their will to fight and were only remaining vigilant because the Innovators hadn't withdrawn yet.
Therefore, Hana planned to execute a sudden reversal, having the four Innovator Gundams feign retreat while actually moving into the ravine leading directly to the military headquarters. If they could successfully strike at the heart of the enemy, Veda's mission would be accomplished.
Seeing the Innovators' Gundam pilots return to their normal mission procedures, Wang Liu i sighed in relief and remarked,
"Phew, there have been too many surprises. Spatiotemporal entanglent... organizations hidden in history... fascinating, truly fascinating.
Hong Long, that Tem Ray ntioned they're called the Onmyoji, right? That's the Onmyoji from the pre-Qin era, during the Hundred Schools of Thought period."
The Hong Long Wang Liu i referred to was her elder brother. Lacking talent in household managent and strategy, he now served as her personal bodyguard and butler, while also being a mber of the Innovators.
However, Hong Long's lack of strategic acun didn't an he was unintelligent—he was an expert in Chinese martial arts, information investigation, and computer hacking.
Thus, in response to his sister's seemingly inquisitive but actually teasing remark, Hong Long directly replied,
"Records of the Onmyoji primarily appear in ancient historical texts like 'Records of the Grand Historian' and 'Book of Han.' Compared to the Brotherhood of Assassins, Witch Cult, Ouroboros, and Clock Tower, it's an organization with clear historical docuntation.
The earliest recorded representative of the Onmyoji was Zou Yan from the Warring States period, but there are no records of him participating in any so-called secret organizations. His main contributions were proposing the Five Elents, the Theory of the Five Virtues, and the Great Nine Provinces Theory. From my perspective, given the productivity and communication capabilities of that era, it would have been impossible for an organization capable of connecting civilizations across the world to exist."
As soon as Hong Long finished speaking, before Wang Liu i could respond, a male voice suddenly ca from above,
"From an ordinary person's perspective, you're absolutely correct."
The voice startled everyone present, and the five Innovator mbers all looked up toward the source.
The newcor was, naturally, Reid, still wearing his pilot suit.
Reid could predict that Hana would inform Wang Liu i about his contact after this incident.
However, whether Wang Liu i would relay his warning to Alejandro Corner and Ribbons Almark was sothing Reid couldn't estimate.
Because Wang Liu i's thought process was quite peculiar, and Reid found it difficult to grasp.
Therefore, Reid had to co here to demonstrate his capabilities, ensuring Wang Liu i wouldn't dare harbor too many sches and would relay his warning to Alejandro Corner and Ribbons Almark. This was to prevent them from orchestrating covert maneuvers behind the scenes, which could hinder his future movents in the AD Universe.
Thus, Reid returned to the Granshaow, confird that Veda had failed to locate the Granshaow via the network, and flew toward the villa he had previously scouted.
To ensure communication, the villa arranged by Wang Liu i was located near the Mollaria Republic. So, Reid and the others arrived while they were still discussing whether to proceed with Veda's follow-up plans.
What followed was straightforward: Hoshino Ruri infiltrated the villa's security system, directly resulting in Reid and his team incapacitating the security personnel outside without anyone inside being aware.
By the ti Reid entered this temporary command room of Celestial Being, the entire building, aside from Reid's people, had only five individuals still conscious downstairs.
At that mont, noticing everyone's gaze fixed on him, Reid casually jumped down from the second floor, then opened his helt visor to reveal his face.
Subsequently, Ange and the Xia sisters also jumped down together, though they did not open their helts, making it discernible only from their pilot suits that they were female.
Noin, along with Salia and Hilda, stood guard inside and outside the room, while the Black Tri-Stars piloted their Mobile Suits to provide external protection.
Such an act of jumping from the second floor clearly couldn't sway Wang Liu i's judgnt. She was still able to smile and say,
"Sir, this is a private residence. Trespassing is illegal, you know. Did my retainers outside not stop you?"
Reid looked at this cunning young girl, sensing the inexplicable curiosity in her heart, and replied,
"If the outside world would acknowledge the residence of Celestial Being as private property, I wouldn't mind debating it with you in court.
As for the people outside, I thought they were working too hard, so I let them take a nap. Though their sleeping posture isn't great—they'll likely wake up with stiff necks and sore muscles. It'd be best to let them rest for a couple of days."
Upon hearing this, Wang Liu i understood that the security personnel outside were all alive. Since the other party hadn't resorted to lethal force against them, she needn't worry about her own safety.
Thus, Wang Liu i smiled even more brightly and said again,
"Is that so? Then, sir, won't you introduce yourself first? I can't keep calling you 'sir' all the ti."
Hearing this, Reid deliberately glanced at Hana and said in a teasing tone,
"How impolite of . I had already communicated with Miss Hana earlier, asking her to relay a ssage to Miss Wang Liu i. It seems Miss Hana did not deliver my words."
At Reid's remark, the other four mbers of Celestial Being looked at Hana in astonishnt, their expressions incredulous. Hong Long, who had been partially shielding Wang Liu i from Reid, even took a few steps toward Hana, clearly no longer trusting her.
Hana was rendered speechless under the gaze of her companions, montarily unsure how to explain herself.
Fortunately, Reid ca to her rescue at that mont, stepping slowly toward Hong Long and saying,
"But it doesn't matter. It seems Miss Hana didn't believe what I said, which is why she didn't inform Miss Wang Liu i. After all, we only t for the first ti yesterday, so I'll speak for myself from now on."
"Miss Wang Liu i, my na is Reid Isaac. My current superior just concluded a global broadcast, which I assu you've watched in its entirety."
Even if Reid hadn't stated it, Hong Long already knew this man before them belonged to that mysterious organization, and was likely a minor leader.
As Reid approached, Hong Long tensed up and warned:
"Stop right there! Don't co any closer."
Normally, Hong Long would have drawn his weapon by now, but he knew countless guns were likely trained on their position. Drawing his weapon would not only guarantee his death but might also implicate his younger sister, Wang Liu i.
It must be said that Hong Long was a good elder brother. In the original storyline, Wang Liu i sowhat looked down on and disrespected him, yet he diligently fulfilled his duty of protecting his sister, even dying while shielding her from gunfire.
Unfortunately, Reid also had protection. Seeing Hong Long's aggressive intent, Xia Yufang instantly lunged forward, aiming a whip kick at his head.
However, since Reid had previously instructed to avoid killing if possible, Xia Yufang rely intended to knock Hong Long unconscious like the others, recognizing him as just a high-level bodyguard with no decision-making authority.
Though Hong Long reacted in ti and dodged by ducking, Xia Yufang was too fast—before he could counterattack, she used her spinning montum to launch a second kick.
Hong Long could no longer evade this ti, because dodging would leave Wang Liu i behind him exposed to the kick. Given his sister's physique, a direct hit could easily prove fatal.
Thus, Hong Long had no choice but to cross his arms and firmly block the kick, deliberately refusing to retreat to dissipate the force.
Reid admired Hong Long's determination. Without retreating to absorb the impact, Yufang's kick would have surely fractured his arms, yet he still managed to block and throw a punch to force her back.
But Hong Long was clearly struggling. However much he endured, the pain and injuries remained real—the fine sweat on his face was evidence.
Simultaneously, Reid and Wang Liu i both commanded:
"Yufang, stand down." "Hong Long, step back."
Xia Yufang obeyed Reid's order without hesitation, slowly retreating behind him.
Hong Long, however, continued staring intently at Reid, ignoring Wang Liu i's command to withdraw.
Wang Liu i wasn't angry, understanding Hong Long only sought to protect her. Still, she feigned sternness:
"Hong Long, I said step back! If Mr. Reid ant us harm, we'd already be lying on the ground."
With Wang Liu i insisting, Hong Long had no choice but to retreat, allowing Reid to approach her.
Since Wang Liu i was only seventeen at this ti—and a late bloor (referring not to figure but height; by the second season she'd only be half a head shorter than Hong Long, whereas now she only reached his shoulder)—Reid looked at her as if seeing a child.
Wang Liu i discerned sothing from Reid's gaze and imdiately placed her hands on her hips, declaring:
"Mr. Reid, you seem to be thinking sothing quite rude. Did you co here just to mock ?"
Naturally, Reid didn't voice his thoughts, rely shaking his head:
"I was just thinking you're too scheming for such a young girl. Hedging your bets too much can easily backfire. The transformation Aeolia Schenberg spoke of will only plunge human history into another cycle. I advise you not to cling too stubbornly to it."
Reid wasn't speaking recklessly - having read the script, he knew Wang Liu i had long been suffocated by her family responsibilities. She wanted to rely on so-called reforms to change her family's model and liberate her own life.
But this gave Wang Liu i the feeling of being seen through. However, so matters couldn't be known by outsiders, so she revealed a threatening expression and said:
"Mr. Reid, what do you an by this?"
Reid indicated that today he had co precisely to show off. Based on so information provided by Ruri and his own perception, he directly addressed Christina and Feldt in front of the console:
"Miss Christina Sierra has secretly opened communications with the Gundam pilots since I appeared. So while she appears calm on the surface, she's exceptionally nervous inside.
And this Miss Feldt Grace has been secretly sending distress signals externally. However, she's very skilled at controlling her emotions, remaining completely calm inside. It's just that her thods aren't as sophisticated as Miss Christina Sierra's - all her distress signals have been intercepted."
After speaking, Reid turned to Hana and said with a smile:
"As for Miss Hana, she's currently cursing wildly in her heart for putting her in this situation. The resentnt is almost visible to the naked eye."
Finally, Reid turned his gaze back to Wang Liu i and said:
"As for you, Miss Wang Liu i, your curiosity is off the charts right now. I'm not the Innate Innovator that Aeolia Schenberg ntioned. The Innovators he spoke of have abilities similar to mine, but they're actually not the sa thing. After all, he only had partial understanding of this aspect."
After Reid's round of revelations, unless Wang Liu i was foolish, she could guess that the man before her had mind-reading-like abilities. But to get a definite answer, she still asked:
"Mr. Reid, can you read minds?"
Reid still shook his head at this, directly skipping the topic:
"You guess whether I can or not. Alright, let's get to business. I know you're acquainted with Alejandro Corner and Ribbons Almark.
Tell them not to think about using the Otherworld Entanglent incident for anything. Additionally, if information about and my team mbers' appearances gets leaked, regardless of who does it, I will expose all supporters of the Innovators.
Your so-called observers, quasi-Innovators, Gundam pilots, Celestial Being bases - all information, including personal identities, will be made public by .
Moreover, as the captain of the execution team, I will find ways to eliminate anyone who obstructs our resolution of the otherworldly entities. Those who aren't afraid to die can try."
Just as Reid finished speaking, Gaia suddenly said in the squad comms (the helt had communication functions):
"Boss, the Archangel is approaching, but it's just that single unit."
Hearing this, Reid directly said:
"Intercept it, but watch out for Kyrios' sniping. The Innovators' Gundam pilots aren't stupid - they should know that a single unit charging at us has no chance of winning."
Reid didn't bother hiding this from the people present.
However, Reid also knew it was ti to withdraw. The system judged that this phase of the incident would end when all four Celestial Being Gundams had withdrawn from the Mollaria Republic.
Regardless of whether the Innovators ultimately suppressed the Mollaria Republic military, as long as all four Gundams withdrew beyond the national border, the mission should be completed.
So, the fastest Gundam, Dynas, has already appeared. Assuming all four Gundams are coming to support this location, the other three should also be close to crossing the border.
After finishing his conversation with Gaia, Reid turned to Wang Liu i and the others and continued.
"As I said before, as long as you don't actually interfere with us, we won't involve ourselves in your activities in the surface world. So, fighting against your Innovators' Gundams is completely aningless. I've said all I wanted to say. Let's end it here for today."
After speaking, Reid turned around and prepared to leave.
At that mont, Hana, wanting to probe Reid further, spoke up.
"Mr. Reid, you said you don't like the codena ET. So what would you prefer us to call you?"
Reid deliberately acted as if he disagreed with the persona he had previously portrayed as Tem Ray and replied directly.
"To be honest, I'm not really satisfied with the nas Dr. Tem Ray suggested. I originally wanted to call my organization the Ti-Space Administration Bureau, but those old-tirs insisted that we don't actually manage anything, so they rejected that na.
So, I ca up with a new one. How about the codena: SDP? It stands for the initials of Secure, Destroy, Protect.
After all, my current responsibilities are to control the frequency of Otherworld Entanglent, destroy all otherworldly beings, and protect the existing world."
Just as Reid finished speaking, all four Gundams had completely left the Mollaria Republic.
From the perspectives of Hana, Wang Liu i, Hong Long, Christina, and Feldt—since they couldn't see the red code—Reid and the others suddenly vanished.
The five of them were completely stunned, until Alleluia's voice ca through the comms.
"Report, the enemies above the villa have suddenly disappeared. Miss Hana, what's the situation on your end?"
At that mont, the five of them snapped out of their daze. Wang Liu i's expression twisted unusually, as if she had slightly lost her composure, and she said.
"This is troubleso. They really do have spatial teleportation technology. Although I don't know what the limitations are, I'm really curious. I want to strip this man bare and see what secrets he's hiding."
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