"So, you're saying we've acquired a time bomb?" Creuset asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Creuset!" Yang Hui shot him a glare.
Hearing this, Aguer's heart couldn't help but clench. The reason she was willing to come to Prometheus Fortress was because Flit and Jehart had told her that the stability of the Crown Skull Pirate Group was only temporary, as was world peace. They told her that when needed, Prometheus Fortress could provide the powerful force required to stop all conflict and bring true peace to their world. So, she came.
But now, she began to doubt whether this place could truly help her world. It wasn't that she doubted the capabilities of Prometheus Fortress, nor did she suspect Flit and Jehart of deceiving her; rather, it was the state of her world combined with her own status and ability.
Maximon's expression was also unpleasant. Being belittled made him feel as though the other party didn't think much of them.
"My apologies, Miss Aguer, Mr. Maximon," Yang Hui, as the commander of Prometheus Fortress, took the initiative to apologize. "We don't mean to look down on you. It's just that Flit and Jehart should have explained the meaning of Prometheus Fortress's existence, the missions and responsibilities we shoulder, and what connecting worlds means to us and to the Fortress."
"Um... it's alright, Mr. Yang Hui. I also understand the situation of our world. It's just... I just hope everyone can help us. Please." Aguer stood up flustered and bowed to everyone present.
"Your Highness, there is no need for this." Maximon helped Aguer stand straight, his gaze toward Yang Hui and the others carrying a hint of coldness. "If they do not welcome us, we shall simply leave."
"There is indeed no need for this, neither for Miss Aguer nor Mr. Maximon," Yang Hui explained. "Since you two have come here, you are our companions. We will naturally spare no effort to help your world. However, as you both know, completely changing the situation of your world will take a long time and requires a meticulous plan."
"That... that is true." Aguer thought about it and nodded in agreement with Yang Hui's explanation. Maximon's expression also softened. After all, as the supreme leader of several worlds, Yang Hui explaining things personally was giving them face, and what he said was correct.
"Creuset, I'm leaving it to you. Draft a plan," Yang Hui said directly to Creuset.
"Me?" Creuset pointed at himself.
"You caused the mess, you solve it!"
"Heh, a black-hearted entrepreneur indeed." Creuset shook his head with a bitter smile but didn't refuse. "But Yang Hui, when are you going to find me a partner? I can't handle all this work alone."
Yang Hui understood that when Creuset said he couldn't handle the work, he wasn't talking about drafting a peace plan for the Super Limit Hunter Kaineng World, but rather the work on the dark side. Creuset could train field operatives and middle management, but if he was the only one at the high level, he simply couldn't be everywhere at once.
"Char?" Yang Hui looked at Char. Although their methods differed, these two were actually very similar. Both were suited for handling matters in the shadows and were adept at politics.
"I can fill in temporarily," Char nodded. He had a general idea of Creuset's work and could certainly handle it. However, after spending more time with Yang Hui, he had changed significantly and no longer enjoyed staying in the shadows indefinitely.
"Right, you can also ask Durandal for help. Aren't you two a pair of master schemers?" Yang Hui suggested.
"Ahem!" Creuset coughed violently, glaring at Yang Hui with eyes that screamed, Watch your mouth!
But Creuset didn't object. Gilbert Durandal was indeed very suited for political intrigue and was exceptionally skilled at it. Furthermore, their rapport was high... Wait! It seemed Char's voice sounded a lot like Durandal's!
At that thought, Creuset looked at Char with great interest.
"Is something wrong?" Char asked Creuset, puzzled.
"It's nothing. After the meeting, I'll introduce you to Gilbert."
"...Alright." Char knew Creuset wouldn't be so simple, but he didn't overthink it. He would know the answer soon enough.
The meeting continued. Next, Yang Hui recounted everything that had happened in the Gundam UC World, which Mephis recorded, organized, and archived.
After listening to Yang Hui's description, Naze Turbine, Amida Arca, and Orga Itsuka's eyes widened. Aguer was dumbfounded, and even the calm and collected Maximon looked at Yang Hui with shock.
Compared to everything that happened in the Gundam UC World, the space wars, armed coups, and independence movements their worlds had experienced were practically child's play!
Especially when they heard about a Colony Satellite Bomb being dropped on Earth and the planet nearly being bombarded by an Asteroid Space Fortress, they almost fell out of their chairs.
"What's so surprising about that?" Flit pointed expressionlessly at Creuset. "This guy even planned to fire a high-powered Gamma Ray Burst at the Earth."
"WHAT!!!" The newcomers, including Char, Revil, Gopp, and Tianem, all looked at Creuset with horror, instinctively backing away slightly.
"Sigh, my reputation precedes me." Creuset smiled slightly, looking even more dangerous.
"You actually did it!" Several voices cried out at once.
"But wasn't I stopped by Yang Hui?" Creuset chuckled smugly, believing that if not for a monster like Yang Hui, his plan would have definitely succeeded.
"Even if I didn't stop you, you wouldn't have succeeded," Yang Hui rolled his eyes. They were old acquaintances; how could he not see through his humblebragging?
"Kira and Athrun?"
"Mhm! Durandal also fell at their hands."
"Fine, damn protagonists."
After a bit of small talk, the topic returned to the meeting. Their respective mission reports were finished, and Mephis had recorded, organized, and archived everything. Next were the arrangements for Aguer, Maximon, Naze Turbine, Revil, and the others.
Revil, Gopp, and Char were qualified to enter the core layer. Maximon also met the standards, but as for the others...
Although Tianem held a high status and possessed great ability, the Gundam UC World already had Revil, Gopp, and Char. His presence was redundant, and having too many people from one world was indeed inappropriate.
The three from the Iron-Blooded Orphans World—Naze Turbine and the others—were clearly not qualified. After all, they were only heads of mercenary organizations; they lacked the status and ability to join the core layer. However, the awkward part was that they were currently the only ones who could represent the Iron-Blooded Orphans World.
Then there was Aguer. Her status and identity were sufficient, but her ability was average. It was clear that in the Crown Skull Pirate Group, she was likely a symbolic figure or a mascot. If she stayed... to put it bluntly, she wouldn't be able to contribute to the discussions Yang Hui and the others held, nor could she offer useful advice. She could only be a listener.
"We'll take our leave first." At that moment, Naze Turbine and the other two stood up voluntarily, requesting to depart. "If it's about navigating society, we might have some experience, but on a grand strategic level, I know my limits."
"...Thank you." Yang Hui appreciated the gesture. By stepping down voluntarily, they protected everyone's dignity and stabilized their fragile relationship.
"But Commander Yang Hui, may I make a request?" Naze Turbine asked.
"Please."
"There's so much talent here. I feel like my own skills might not be of much help to you all, so I want to... ask for guidance from the seniors here. We can't keep falling behind forever," Naze Turbine requested.
"I feel the same way, Lord Yang Hui," Orga Itsuka bowed and requested.
At first, he had led Tekkadan to prosperity, but the more he interacted with Sumeragi and the others, the more his horizons expanded. He felt more and more that his abilities were insufficient and far below the mark. Even if not for Prometheus Fortress, for the sake of his comrades in Tekkadan, he had to improve himself.
"Of course, Mr. Turbine, Orga. Everyone in the Fortress is a companion. I encourage healthy competition and mutual improvement."
"Thank you very much." After the three bowed sincerely in thanks, they left the meeting room.
"I... I also..." Seeing the three leave, Aguer also felt she didn't belong here and wanted to get up to say goodbye, but Maximon pressed down on her shoulder.
"Your Highness, no one can replace your position," Maximon said sincerely.
"But I..."
"Your Highness!"
"I... fine, I understand."
Aguer knew her abilities were lacking, but she also understood Maximon's point. Her presence represented the Crown Skull Pirate Group and their world. Only she could sit in this seat; no matter how capable Maximon was, he could not take it. This was also Maximon's loyalty.
"Miss Aguer, I have a suggestion for you." Given the current situation, Aguer was definitely entering the core layer. To ease her awkward situation, Yang Hui shared his thoughts.
"Please, Mr. Yang Hui." Aguer looked forward to what suggestion Yang Hui might offer.
"In private, you can chat more with Sumeragi, Liumei, Yurin, and Lacus. Then, discover what you are good at and find your own path forward."
Yang Hui's women covered almost every aspect: large-scale strategic command, fleet tactics, ship captains, intelligence analysis, business, logistics management, singing, politics, MS piloting... Aguer didn't need to be as outstanding as they were; she just needed to chat normally, see what suited her, and then slowly learn and grow until she could stand on her own.
Otherwise, as the core decision-making layer of Prometheus Fortress gained more members, if Aguer stagnated, her situation would become increasingly awkward. It might even affect the status of the Super Limit Hunter Kaineng World and the Crown Skull Pirate Group within Prometheus Fortress.