The flames of war in South America instantly captured global attention, naturally including Lacus, who claimed to be temporarily residing but was actually observing the New Miserly Kingdom.
Lacus even sought out Reid, who was rarely working in his office as the Military Committee Chairman, and asked:
"Mr. Reid, what do you think about the independence war in South America?"
Reid was baffled by this question, thinking: What do I think? I'm watching from the sidelines. The New Miserly Kingdom hasn't been involved in this at all—we're just pure spectators.
Uncertain of Lacus's intentions, Reid cautiously countered:
"You shouldn't be asking me this question, Lacus. Terminal has more comprehensive information than I do. Given the tangled interests behind the current South American war, no one can convince anyone without a fight. You should be very clear about that."
Lacus didn't deny her knowledge of the behind-the-scenes situation in the South American war, as playing dumb would only make Reid think she was a fool. So, she went straight to the point:
"I do know the inside story, but PLANT and the Earth Alliance just went through a major war. It's only been half a month since it ended. Both sides are exhausted and can't fight anymore, so why, why are they starting this proxy war? I really don't understand. Can't the two nations just sit down and talk things out?"
At this moment, Reid genuinely sensed the helplessness and confusion emanating from Lacus. The girl seemed truly unable to comprehend why, when both sides were too drained to fight, they would still insist on depleting their strength through a proxy war.
So, Reid became a bit more serious, as Lacus didn't seem to be here to deceive him this time but rather to seek advice sincerely.
However, he couldn't provide the answer she wanted and could only say:
"Lacus, the premise for both sides to sit down and talk is that their power is equal. The nearly annihilated South American Union still isn't on equal footing with the weakened Atlantic Federation.
Moreover, the restoration of the South American Union is equivalent to forcing the Atlantic Federation to regurgitate meat it has already swallowed and digested for some time—a severe infringement on its existing interests.
Therefore, unless it truly has no other choice, the Atlantic Federation will never allow South America to regain independence. And 'having no other choice' means making the Atlantic Federation believe that the cost of taking South America outweighs the gains.
The most effective way to achieve that is, naturally, war.
As for the logic behind PLANT's actions in fueling the conflict from behind the scenes, you should be very clear about that."
Upon hearing this, Lacus became somewhat agitated, leaning on Reid's desk as she said:
"What about the ordinary people? They're human beings! If the authorities disregard them for their own interests, then who will protect their rights?"
Lacus's words left Reid somewhat speechless. Whether South America belongs to the Atlantic Federation or the South American Union is restored, what does that have to do with countries outside South America?
If other nations could start wars over the suffering of ordinary people in foreign lands, the world would descend into chaos.
But he couldn't say that out loud. In the end, Reid could only reply helplessly:
"Prosperity brings suffering to the people; decline brings suffering to the people."
Lacus clearly didn't agree with Reid's statement and retorted:
"That's not right, Reid. You clearly have the means. The living standards in the New Miserly Kingdom are very high. During this time, I've personally witnessed how every person in Star Palace City fulfills their duties faithfully, and not a single one shows any shadow of worry about war looming over them.
This is the country of my dreams, Reid. You clearly have the ability to achieve this, so why are you turning a blind eye to the suffering elsewhere?"
Reid nearly laughed and cried upon hearing Lacus's words. The people of Star Palace City have no shadows? That's because the natives simply don't possess such emotions. Even if you pointed a gun at their heads right now, you wouldn't see any negative emotions like fear.
Although these natives look exactly like humans, even Reid had to admit they resemble machines more than humans. Humanity's future absolutely cannot be like this.
So Reid spoke very sternly:
"Lacus, you seem to have forgotten one thing - the establishment of Star Palace City was predicated on me completely destroying the Oceania Union and demonstrating military might.
You want me to address suffering elsewhere? Are you suggesting I launch wars to conquer the entire Earth sphere and then rescue them from their suffering?
And what were you thinking, placing hope in me alone? Aren't you afraid I might become corrupted by power? Ending up as a tyrant who enslaves the entire globe?"
Upon hearing this, Lacus realized her earlier words had been rash. Her face flushed red, and her confidence instantly deflated as she said:
"I'm sorry, I got a bit carried away just now. But I genuinely want to know - is there really no way to help these ordinary people?"
Reid didn't intend to hold it against Lacus. Instead, it suddenly occurred to him that he might use this opportunity to give Lacus something to do, so he said:
"It's alright. After all, your desire for peace comes from a good place - it's just that current reality doesn't permit it.
However, Lacus, I'll say this again: never place humanity's Destiny in the hands of one person or one group. Humanity's future can only be chosen by humanity itself - whether it progresses or destroys itself. The power of individuals or organizations can at most open up possibilities for the future, but how to proceed is something humanity will choose for itself.
So, Lacus, why don't you go back to the battlefield areas? Go down to the grassroots level, see more, understand more, instead of sitting at home reading subordinates' reports from your high perch. After you've done all that, then consider how to bring about peace."
Lacus seemed somewhat tempted by this idea but said hesitantly:
"But I'm a Coordinator. It's difficult for Coordinators to operate on Earth, isn't it? And I'm quite famous too."
Hearing this, Reid smiled. He stood up, walked over to Lacus, circled around her, then made a phone call asking his current administrative secretary Elsa to come over.
When Elsa arrived, Reid pointed at Lacus and said:
"Miss Elsa, please take Miss Lacus downstairs for some disguise work. Make her look like a country girl, but not too conspicuous - just enough that people won't recognize her."
Elsa nodded. This was her chance to dress up the real princess idol! She showed a mischievous smile and led Lacus away.
Just half an hour later, when the disguised Lacus returned to Reid's office, Reid could barely recognize her.
All her accessories were removed, her hair tied into a practical ponytail with no strands left near her cheeks. She wore a baseball cap and a pair of large prescription glasses that suppressed her striking appearance. Dressed in a common gray-white coat and paired with jeans and sneakers, her entire outfit was likely worth less than her original hair ornament.
Overall, Lacus' current attire, combined with her naturally average figure, made her appear like an ordinary high school student with decent potential—her exceptionally high attractiveness thoroughly subdued by the cap and glasses. Walking down the street, she'd hardly draw a second glance.
Reid nodded in approval, hung a temporary visitor's pass on Lacus, and let her wander outside on her own. He instructed her to claim she was a journalist from South America seeking an audience with him.
Everyone in the building knew Lacus. If anyone recognized her, they would undoubtedly report it to him.
But if no reports came through, it would mean her disguise had successfully concealed her identity. After all, a mere journalist from South America requesting to see him would never make it past the initial screening.
Such requests were first filtered by the secretarial team. Since Elsa had been the one to style Lacus this way, the application would naturally be intercepted at her level.
Reid waited in his office for an hour. As expected, no one reported anything, confirming that Lacus' disguise was a success.
In truth, Lacus was thoroughly enjoying herself. As PLANT's national idol, she had experience sneaking out incognito for shopping to avoid causing disruptions in stores.
However, the clothes in the Clyne household were anything but cheap. Siegel would never let his beloved daughter Lacus want for anything, no matter how tough times got.
Thus, even when disguised with a mask, wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses covering her face, Lacus still stood out as someone of wealth and status.
As for her later disguises to evade pursuit, they mostly involved wearing a hooded coat and being escorted by security personnel.
Nothing like now, where Lacus found the act of performing right under people's noses strangely exhilarating.
The only regret was that her disguise was eventually seen through.
It was Miriallia, whom Une had summoned for a matter, who exposed Lacus.
After the war, the Archangel was temporarily sealed and stored in the underground port of the rebuilding Carpentaria Base, undergoing upgrades and modifications under Murrue's supervision.
Reid kept his promise by granting all the Archangel's crew members citizenship in the New Miserly Kingdom and allowing them to retire on the spot, with retirement benefits calculated as if they had been promoted two ranks higher.
However, none of the original Atlantic Federation military personnel on board chose to retire. They all knew the New Miserly Kingdom was short on officers, and staying on guaranteed promotion to at least lieutenant rank—far better treatment than retiring as a senior sergeant after a two-rank bump.
So, all the former Atlantic Federation crew of the Archangel transitioned directly into the New Miserly Kingdom military.
Recognizing that these individuals had fought their way through ZAFT's Earth forces alongside the Archangel, Reid promptly promoted them all by one rank and enrolled them as officer reserves in Noin's military academy.
Of course, Sai and Miriallia, who were originally just students, opted to retire on the spot.
Sai directly entered the New Miserly Kingdom's civil service system and was currently gaining experience in grassroots positions.
Just like in the original work, Miriallia aspired to become a war correspondent, hoping to show the world the horrors of war and awaken people's desire for peace in all nations.
This time, Une sought out Miriallia precisely because she wanted her to film the ongoing conflict in South America. The goal was to use public opinion to pressure the Atlantic Federation into withdrawing from the region and weaken the power of this planet's most troublesome nation.
Of course, Une wouldn't let Miriallia go alone and specifically arranged a bodyguard for her.
As soon as Miriallia stepped out of the government building, she encountered a girl claiming to be a journalist from South America who wanted to see Reid.
Miriallia thought this was a guide sent from heaven and naturally approached her. However, after suspiciously studying Lacus for a few seconds, she exposed her identity.
The reason was simple - Lacus's signature fragrance hadn't changed, and Miriallia, having interacted with her frequently before, recognized it immediately.
After being exposed, Lacus brought Miriallia back to Reid's office.
Reid looked at Lacus, who kept sniffing herself in frustration but couldn't detect any scent, and Miriallia, who wore an expression that clearly said "what kind of game are you two playing," and could only sigh helplessly. He awkwardly changed the subject:
"Miriallia, speaking of which, who did Une assign as your bodyguard for the South America trip? Let me see if they're reliable."
Reid was purely making conversation since people arranged by Une were rarely unreliable.
However, when Miriallia showed Reid the bodyguard's profile, he was somewhat surprised because it was Jane Houston.
After all, this was the same Jane Houston that Reid had personally captured during the Orb battle, though he had simply thrown her in prison afterward and forgotten about her over time.
So had she been turned by Une? Or had she surrendered voluntarily after couldn't take it anymore?
Regardless, Reid didn't quite trust this Jane Houston. But coincidentally, Lacus also wanted to see the battlefield for herself, and she wasn't someone easily fooled. So he said:
"Miriallia, take Lacus with you on this South America trip. Don't worry about her physical endurance - although she's a young lady who neglects exercise, she's still a Coordinator with excellent physical capabilities."
After speaking, Reid realized he hadn't actually asked for Lacus's opinion and quickly added:
"Lacus, is it alright if your battlefield experience tour starts with this South American war of independence?"
Lacus didn't mind Reid making decisions for her and nodded in agreement:
"No problem, I'll do my best. You're right, Reid - reading reports at home can't help me understand the lives of ordinary people in real war zones. I need to see it for myself."
Lacus agreed readily, but Miriallia was panicking. Taking Lacus to the South American battlefield? How would she explain it if anything happened to her!
So Miriallia quickly objected:
"No, Mr. Reid! It's too dangerous for just me and one bodyguard to take Miss Lacus to the battlefield!"
Reid naturally hadn't planned to send just Lacus, Miriallia, and Jane Houston to South America. Even if Jane Houston was reliable, she couldn't protect two liabilities alone.
So Reid showed a mischievous smile and said:
"Of course I won't let just the two of you go like this. Coincidentally, I know two highly capable but unambitious individuals. I'll have them join the team to protect you during this South America trip."
The two highly capable but unambitious people Reid referred to were naturally Athrun and Kira.
Currently, Athrun was serving as a bodyguard for Cagalli, who faced absolutely no danger - a complete waste of his abilities.
As for Kira, although he had been shaken awake by Canard Pars, he had returned to his slacker mode from before piloting the Strike. It was as if the Kira who actively sought peaceful solutions after the Alaska campaign had never existed.
After being released, Canard Pars took one look at Kira in this state and lost all interest in him, turning away immediately. His current whereabouts were unknown.
Therefore, Reid planned to get these two brothers moving properly. He couldn't let one truly become a wooden post of a bodyguard and the other turn into a beach bum.
(End of Chapter)