Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

"Really?" Yade gently pressed his finger to his cheek, preventing the other from reading his expression.

"What if I said that I actually think more radically and crazily than you?"

"You harbor too many childish fantasies about struggle, and I believe that once a struggle begins, one must abandon any gentle illusions, as they will only make you hesitant and rob you of deterrence."

"In the past two years in the Central Third Fleet, I've seen a reality far more than what is disclosed to the outside world. Do you think that just by blowing up the issue, the Central Council will be forced to admit it grudgingly?"

"Too naive and innocent! With the fleets and combat power that the Federal Congress possesses, even dispatching one of the six fleets to sweep through the entire Northwestern Star Domain is an easy task."

"What cannot be gained on the battlefield cannot be gained at the negotiation table either. Once an announcement is issued by them, someone will rush to betray you in exchange for opportunities for promotion and allegiance."

"In such circumstances, your so-called protest and threat can only become a joke, and the Federation will never set this precedent." Yade shook his head.

"I know, Moxun, you are representing some organization to win me over, aren't you? After all, there aren't many young people from the Northwest Star Domain who have joined the Central Fleet like me."

"Coincidentally, I share the same thoughts with you. Precisely because of my time in the military, I've met more like-minded young people with the same aspirations, but ultimately, we are soldiers, not skilled in commerce and politics."

After listening to Yade, Moxun was stunned, then reassessed Yade.

"Did you see through my intentions from the start? And then you had the same thoughts? How could this sound so coincidental, to the point of being—"

"A bit false, right? But as you said, it's not us who made the choice; the times chose us."

"The sparks are sprouting everywhere, perhaps they haven't met before, but they will collide eventually."

"Should I trust you?" Moxun extended his hand.

"I think you must trust me." Yade also extended his hand, and then they shook hands firmly, like childhood friends reuniting after many years.

Taking a deep breath, clearing his surprised mind, Moxun leaned against the wall, looking at his childhood friend and close companion, suddenly laughing.

"Yeah, if even we can't trust each other, this world would indeed be too sad."

"This time, we're going big too."

"How big?"

"Big enough to set the entire Federation ablaze."

"Can you do it?"

"I certainly can't alone, but just like us shaking hands here today, many people will silently support us."

...

"Yade."

"What?"

"Vesper has already appeared."

"The key that everyone hopes for and expects, the 'key' that opens all constraints, emerged a year ago."

"Because of her birth, many dormant and repressed thoughts have slowly begun to sprout."

"Our shared goal now is to seize this 'key' and then, with 'her' help, open the door to the future."

"However, around the key you mentioned, there is this country's most stringent force guarding it, like a giant dragon guarding a princess. For weaklings like us to approach, it's no simple feat."

"Yes, that's correct, but we must obtain this crucial 'key', regardless of the cost."

"Indeed, regardless of the cost."

Yade sighed, and the two of them gazed at the tables and images flashing across the screen until finally, a girl with chestnut-golden hair appeared in the projection.