South American Union, Brazil.
At this moment, He Kui was seated in the familiar cockpit of a Raider Striker, with Ailina sitting beside him in the co-pilot seat.
"Ailina, they currently have the intention to surrender," He Kui broke the silence in the cockpit.
"But they haven't surrendered yet," Ailina replied, putting down the mask in her hand. Compared to before, she had matured and become more composed, and the hatred in her eyes had gradually faded over time.
"Indeed, they haven't surrendered yet, but the domestic backlash is severe. They won't last much longer," He Kui said.
In the memories of that SD, the Atlantic Federation was overwhelmed by public opinion after the Bio-CPU training base was exposed. Now, it wasn't just the Bio-CPU; Mattias had exposed everything. Even the nuclear bombs buried in Canada had been unearthed by ZAFT, which was solid evidence.
The Atlantic Federation hadn't surrendered yet solely because of internal chaos. Matiss had fled, and most of Blue Cosmos had gone into hiding when they saw the situation turning against them. Those who couldn't hide were apprehended by non-Blue Cosmos officers within the Atlantic Federation.
It was clear to anyone with eyes that they couldn't win, and the chaos was expected. This was also the perfect opportunity for the South American Union to reclaim its lost territories.
"Is He Kui really going to join us?" Ailina asked hesitantly.
"Of course," He Kui replied.
"Mm, and also—"
"The war is over. Come up, I'll be waiting for you in PLANT," He Kui said with a smile before Ailina could finish.
"Is that okay?" Ailina asked.
Ailina had been through a lot—from the tragic deaths of countless friends, to the turbulent desire for revenge, and now to this calmness. Some things had quietly changed. Every night, as she looked at the sky, her heart grew more numb day by day. If it weren't for He Kui's companionship, she might have already become a soldier who only knew how to kill.
"But I've killed many people, not just soldiers," Ailina said.
Ailina had killed many. In the beginning, even if the enemy surrendered, she would kill them without hesitation. She had even killed countless base support personnel. It was enough to put her on trial in a war court over a dozen times.
"It's fine," He Kui said with a smile.
"I've killed many too."
He Kui didn't know how many support personnel he had killed either. Once you step onto the battlefield, you have to be prepared to die. Showing mercy would only lead to endless trouble. As for surrendering soldiers, He Kui had never left a single one alive.
"Pfft," Ailina couldn't help but laugh at He Kui's not-so-comforting comfort.
"He Kui..."
After laughing, the girl tightly embraced He Kui.
"Alright, let's go out. I hope this is your last war," He Kui said gently, stroking Ailina's head.
Although it was just a cold body, it still brought incomparable warmth to Ailina's heart.
As soon as the two finished speaking, the voice of the South American president came through the communicator.
"The Atlantic Federation's time is up. It's time to take back what belongs to us and let the people of South America truly become the masters of their own land!"
"Warriors, follow me!"
The high-spirited voice didn't sound like that of an old man waiting to die on his sickbed. Encouraged by the president's words, the soldiers roared in unison.
Even Ailina was no exception.
The battle was simple for them, like breaking dry branches and crushing rotten wood. Facing the Atlantic Federation, which crumbled at the first touch, South America easily regained control of Panama.
Of course, they also captured the former Defense Minister who had surrendered.
"I surrender! You can't kill me! I know where they've stored all the information here!"
At this moment, the Defense Minister, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of South America, was looking at them in terror, covered in mud.
His body was filthy, his once expensive suit torn to shreds, a pitiful sight.
"I did it for South America! You can't kill me!"
Facing death and the deep, wolf-like eyes of the soldiers who seemed ready to tear him apart, the Prime Minister grew even more panicked.
"For South America? Do you know how many of our compatriots died because of you?"
One soldier couldn't hold back and spat at the Prime Minister.
"My three sons died because of you!"
Another rushed forward, wanting to hit him.
No one used a gun, not out of civility, but because they feared he would die too easily.
"The suit you're wearing now could feed an ordinary South American for a year. Is this how you served South America?"
He Kui spoke softly, and the soldiers grew even more enraged.
Perhaps he had initially acted for South America, but people change easily.
Especially someone who felt constrained everywhere, using material desires to numb himself was not unusual.
But he didn't seek solutions or continue to strive; he simply became a comfortable tyrant.
For that alone, he didn't deserve forgiveness.
Compared to him, Creuset was better.
At least he was thoroughly evil and didn't use his country to justify his desires.
As everyone rushed forward to beat him, the President was slowly wheeled over in a wheelchair.
"Mr. President,"
The Prime Minister reached out, seemingly begging for help, but his hand was quickly stomped on.
Screams filled the air.
"Don't kill him. Keep him alive and heal him."
The President calmly watched the scene before turning to He Kui.
"Will Aegis think I didn't do well?"
"Mr. President, you've done more than enough."
"Is that so..."
The President wanted to say more but was interrupted by a series of violent coughs.
His throat was hoarse before he finally calmed down.
"Mr. President, you shouldn't have come in your condition."
"I had to see for myself."
The President smiled, as if indifferent to his impending death.
"PLANT's medical pod technology has made a breakthrough recently. You could try it."
"No, it's enough."
As he spoke, a hint of sorrow appeared in the President's eyes.
"My task is complete. I am a man who should die. I hope the world will be as peaceful as you say."
"Peace won't last forever."
He Kui shook his head.
If the world could truly eradicate war, there wouldn't be so many problems.
In a way, Creuset was indeed right.
But why did he want to eradicate war? Getting entangled in such unanswerable questions and exhausting himself over them really wasn't his style.
It was like someone telling him that the sun would one day explode.
Why should he worry about something so far in the future? All he needed to do was live his life well and protect the people he cared about. That was enough.
Future problems would naturally be dealt with by future people.
"That's true."
Without saying anything more, the president simply smiled.
"Perhaps this is my retribution. I'll send Ailina to the military academy in December City on PLANT under the
guise of studying abroad. As for the remaining money, I'll give it to you in one lump sum."
"Thank you."
He had said what needed to be said. If the president felt that dying like this was fine, he didn't plan to say anything more.