Gundam: Changing the World Even with a Mass-Produced Unit

Chapter 64: Revil's Decision

There was indeed something budding between the two.

Both of them had vaguely realized it, and the others aboard the ship could see it too.

But this was the first time the two had crossed a boundary with such intimacy.

"Ah, sorry."

Irei withdrew his hand, pretending as if nothing had happened.

He had intended to cover Sayla's mouth, but why did it end up with just a finger pressed against her lips?

Irei blinked and suppressed his emotions with the patience he had honed ambushing Zaku squads in the jungle.

"Some things aren't meant to be said, especially here."

What exactly was Irei referring to? Sayla wondered to herself.

She had just been about to confess everything about her connection with Char.

For a brief moment, she had felt the urge to blurt it all out.

But was it to warn Irei to be cautious in the future, or to ask him to show mercy?

Complicated emotions swirled within her.

Her brother, Casval, was supposed to be the most important person in her life.

Yet asking Irei to show mercy would undoubtedly be irresponsible—it would expose him to even greater dangers on the battlefield.

Irei was right: revealing everything now wouldn't lead to a better outcome for either of them.

But Irei must have guessed something, otherwise, why would he have stopped her just then?

And how did Irei see her?

As these questions lingered, Sayla unconsciously gripped the hem of her dress tightly.

Looking around, she noticed that many people were sneaking glances in their direction.

"Ugh…"

Thinking back to Irei's gesture, she couldn't help but wonder—did everyone think she had just confessed and been rejected?

"Heartbroken! Heartbroken!"

While most people were discreetly observing, a loud and obnoxious voice suddenly rang out, drawing everyone's attention.

"Eh, no, I'm not—"

Fraw, who was holding the monotonously repeating "heartbroken" Haro, frantically slapped the robot in an attempt to shut it up.

"Haro!!"

Before Fraw could make any progress, a sudden gust of wind rushed past her, forcing her to hastily toss Haro away.

Sayla, her face already beet red, raised her leg high and, with the precision of a world-class striker, delivered a powerful kick to Haro.

"Waaaaahhhhh!"

Even as it was sent flying into the distance, Haro's tone remained monotonous as it let out a wailing cry.

"Haro!"

Amuro watched the airborne robot with a pained expression, as though he wanted to say something.

But seeing Sayla standing there, hands clenched into fists as she pressed down on her skirt, the former mechanic-turned-pilot ultimately chose to stay silent.

"Nice shot!"

Irei's voice, tinged with amusement, rang in Amuro's ear.

"Irei, aren't you going after Sayla?"

Amuro asked as he looked at Irei, then glanced at Sayla, who had already stormed out of the hangar in shame and fury.

"Amuro, being able to freely express one's emotions is a privilege of children."

Still smiling, Irei ruffled Amuro's hair, unaffected by the sweat that drenched it from the recent battle. He seemed to savor the softness of Amuro's youthful hair.

In the years to come, when he would push Axis, Amuro's hair would no longer be this soft.

"Well, I probably have a mountain of reports to write, so I'll get going."

Even though it was a temporary deployment of the Mudrock, it was its first battle. The development team wanted Irei to write a detailed report to assist with further adjustments.

As Irei walked away, Amuro reached up to touch a curl of his hair that had grown unruly from lack of care.

Irei had spoken those words with a smile just now.

Though the words seemed to be a lesson for Amuro, the clever young pilot quickly understood Irei's true meaning.

As someone embroiled in war, Irei didn't have the privilege of irresponsibly voicing such thoughts.

"…He's only three years older than me…"

At that moment, Amuro finally realized that the distinction between an adult and a child had nothing to do with age.

---

"Gopp, even though the council doesn't want to admit it, newtypes do exist in this world."

In a hidden corner of Jaburo, General Revil, who had somehow already arrived there, spoke to Gopp.

Even in a secret chamber, Revil still had his pipe clenched between his teeth.

Though unlit, he felt more like a wise thinker whenever he held it.

"Revil, you know you can't let others hear you say such things, right?"

Gopp's response made Revil chuckle inwardly.

This old friend of his was reliable in the most critical moments but far too cautious and unwilling to offend anyone.

"Don't worry, that's why I brought you here."

Revil once again restrained his urge to light his pipe, avoiding looking at his increasingly overweight friend.

"It seems the council is considering dealing with them after the war… being overly cautious, as usual."

Of course, "dealing with them" didn't mean erasing their existence but rather dispersing them, though some research would inevitably occur.

"So, from your perspective… you want to protect them?"

Gopp, standing rather than sitting like Revil, didn't hesitate to pick up the Operation Star One strategy laid out by the general.

"Or perhaps, protect the Federation's future? I've met that kid; he's worth entrusting."

Gopp didn't even bother asking who he meant.

"He's still just a second lieutenant. What about Tianem?"

"Haha, he's part of the future too, but unfortunately, he's old. Still, he can hold the fort for a while."

Revil referred to General Tianem as old, but from his own graying beard and hair, it was evident he might have been talking about himself.

"Revil, do you love the Federation that much?"

"Come on, do you think I'd love Zeon instead?"

Revil laughed heartily, not even caring as his pipe fell to the ground.

"But the Federation council… those parasites, how can they possibly govern the Federation properly?"

Revil made no effort to hide his disdain for the Federation council.

These people had wanted to surrender as soon as the Battle of Loum ended.

After Revil and Gopp managed to turn the tide, they became fearful of the power Revil had gained under wartime authority. Now, they were even discussing reducing the Federation military budget.

"Gopp, I want you to become a Federation councilor."