After leaving the Chairman's office and exchanging brief pleasantries with the secretary outside, Felix headed out.
Just as he was about to leave Aprilius City, a voice called out.
"Captain Griffith!"
The voice made Felix turn to look.
A black sedan was parked by the roadside not far from him, and a man leaning against the car began walking toward him.
"Can I help you?"
Felix asked with slight confusion as the man approached.
The man stopped and offered a slight bow of respect before stating his purpose.
"Miss Clyne sent me to pick you up."
"Inviting me for a meal?"Recalling the incident at the spaceport, Felix tentatively inquired." The man smiled and nodded in response.
"Yes! Miss Clyne wishes to express her gratitude by inviting you to dine at the Clyne Residence."
"No—"
Felix began to refuse but stopped mid-sentence when he noticed the man's subtle hand gesture. Observing the signal, Felix didn't continue his refusal. Instead, he smiled faintly and nodded.
"Thank you for your trouble."
"You're too polite, Captain Griffith."
The man shook his head with a smile.
He gestured sideways, inviting Felix toward the car.
Felix smiled slightly and walked toward the vehicle.
Entering the Clyne Residence, Felix noticed the situation in the first-floor dining area. He withdrew his gaze and looked at Lacus before him, offering a polite smile of gratitude.
"Thank you for your hospitality."
"Felix, you're being too formal."
Lacus walked up to Felix, replying with a gentle smile and warm tone.
She extended her hand in an inviting gesture. Seeing this, Felix reciprocated with his own gesture, smiling as he spoke.
"Shall we go together? Lacus."
"Mm."
Lacus nodded slightly in response.
The two then proceeded to the dining area one after the other. Seated at the table, Felix scanned his surroundings before his eyes settled on the dishes, though he made no move to pick up his chopsticks. His gaze turned to Lacus, his smile carrying a hint of playfulness as he got straight to the point.
"If there's something you want to say, you can speak directly."
Hearing this, Lacus looked up at Felix. He met her gaze calmly, noting her face still carried its usual gentle and warm smile.
Under his watchful eyes, Felix saw Lacus's red lips part slightly before she spoke.
"Felix, do you think there's any meaning in continuing this war?"
"Meaning? You should ask PLANT's higher-ups about that, not me."
Felix responded with a faint smile and playful eyes.
Lacus maintained her smile as she countered.
"Don't you know?"
"Oh? Should I know?"
Felix felt slightly surprised and replied with a meaningful tone. Upon hearing this, Lacus's words took an unusual turn.
"Felix, can we have an honest conversation?"
"An honest conversation?"
Felix repeated with a playful smile, his tone tinged with curiosity. Lacus, looking serious, nodded at him.
"Yes, an honest conversation!"
"What do you want to talk about?"
Seeing her expression, Felix dropped his playful attitude and grew more earnest as he looked at Lacus and asked.
Lacus took a deep breath and said to Felix,
"I want to end the war."
"Are you hungry?"
Felix pointed to the dishes on the table and said with a smile. Lacus was taken aback for a moment, then, realizing his meaning, shot him a slightly annoyed glare before speaking seriously.
"I'm not joking."
"In that case, do you have a plan?"
Felix set aside his teasing and asked with a sincere smile.
Seeing this, Lacus explained to Felix,
"My plan is to unite all forces that can be united, gather everyone's strength together, and use that power to end the war."
Listening to Lacus's idea, Felix nodded slightly. He looked at her and asked,
"That's a good idea. How is it going so far?"
"I've already found some like-minded people, but our strength is still very limited."
After saying this, Lacus turned to Felix, her smile genuine as she continued,
"But I believe that with your involvement, Felix, our power to end the war will grow significantly."
Hearing this, Felix looked up at Lacus, thought for a moment, and then asked with a more serious expression,
"Lacus, if ending the war requires you to make a sacrifice, are you willing to do so?"
"Make a sacrifice?"
Lacus repeated the words, her gaze resolute as she said,
"If it can end the war, I wouldn't mind giving up my insignificant life."
"You don't need to sacrifice your life."
Felix shook his head, correcting Lacus's assumption.
Hearing that her life wasn't at stake, Lacus grew curious about what kind of sacrifice would be required. Seeing her thoughtful expression, Felix smiled and explained,
"This sacrifice has nothing to do with your life, but it is related to your personal integrity."
"Integrity?"
Lacus's expression shifted slightly. Noticing the change, Felix chuckled and said,
"Not physical integrity!"
Hearing this, Lacus was momentarily stunned, then smiled awkwardly at Felix. Seeing her embarrassment, Felix knew she had misunderstood and gotten upset.
"Always jumping to conclusions! What use is that kind of integrity anyway?"
"Reputation means little to me. If sacrificing it can help stop the war, I'm willing to let it go."
Having composed herself, Lacus looked at Felix and spoke earnestly.
Taking her words to heart, Felix smiled at her.
"I'll remember what you've said. Don't blame me when the time comes."
"I won't."
Lacus shook her head and replied with a gentle smile.
Turning to Felix, she extended a hand toward him.
"Felix, may we cooperate happily!"
"May we cooperate happily, Lacus!"
Looking at her outstretched hand, Felix reached out and shook it, smiling at her as he replied.
A moment later, after releasing her hand, Felix picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of the delicious dish, and put it in his mouth.
"It's delicious!"
"Thank you for the compliment."
Hearing this, Lacus expressed her gratitude to Felix.
Listening to Lacus's words of thanks, Felix looked up at her and tentatively asked, "Did you make this?"
"Yes!"
With a gentle smile and a slight nod, her eyes carrying a hint of pride, she replied.
Seeing Lacus's proud expression, Felix chuckled and continued eating the dishes as he asked, "Shall we discuss some matters in more detail?"
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