Chapter Summaries

Xiao Ran pieced together that AmbriO was manipulating the world’s wars and recognized how his unusually flexible identity could make him a hidden boss. He then inferred the Princess’s role in Jill’s plans and the special conditions that awakened her machine, leaving Jill stunned by how much he knew.

• Xiao Ran considered the War of Freedom and concluded that AmbriO was behind the conflicts and that his own Federation identity gave him freedom to side with several factions.
• Xiao Ran wondered how events would have unfolded if he had opposed the Yamato and realized he might have become a hidden boss in the scenario.
• Xiao Ran concluded that Jill was surprised not by what he knew, but because he should not have known the scenario’s secrets.
• Xiao Ran told Jill that the Princess outside the door was likely her chosen candidate and that the Princess’s royal blood and song could awaken her machine.
• Jill stared at Xiao Ran in disbelief after he revealed his deductions.

Jill left Xiao Ran unsettled by how much he reminded her of AmbriO. Xiao Ran asked Ange to record the song she had sung in battle, and after singing it, Ange left with renewed resolve while Xiao Ran kept the recording for Sheryl.

• Jill left Xiao Ran and Ange, then struggled with her fear because Xiao Ran reminded her of AmbriO.
• Xiao Ran asked Ange to record the song she had sung on the battlefield so someone else could learn it.
• Ange recalled that her mother had taught her the song and agreed to sing it for Xiao Ran's recorder.
• Xiao Ran waited outside and listened as Ange sang, sensing that the song strengthened the singer's own resolve.
• Ange returned the communication device to Xiao Ran and left, while Xiao Ran planned to give the recording to Sheryl.

Xiao Ran and the Nadeshiko Unit stayed in Yajenar while preparing for Setsuna to communicate with two imprisoned DRAGONs. When Setsuna activated his unit, everyone in the warehouse entered a Mental World, where the exchange was about to begin.

• Xiao Ran let Tusk leave after Tusk saw Ange's VILLKISS, while Ange began adapting to life in Yajenar.
• The Ptolemaios and Renard prepared a warehouse on Yajenar's upper platform so Setsuna could safely communicate with the imprisoned DRAGONs.
• Setsuna took the lead in the confidential operation, with Tieria guarding him and the others gathering inside the warehouse.
• Xiao Ran arrived, confirmed that everything was ready, and gave the signal to begin.
• Setsuna activated his unit and spread GN Particles through the warehouse, drawing everyone into a white Mental World.

Setsuna’s mental communication brought two DRAGON girls into the Mental Space, where Xiao Ran learned they were humans seeking their Dragon God Aura and opposing AmbriO. Xiao Ran offered to help and sought to force a direct exchange between the girls and Jill.

• Tieria and Miss Huang celebrated the first successful mental communication, while Xiao Ran warned that Setsuna could not sustain a larger exchange for long.
• Two DRAGON girls appeared in the Mental Space, and Setsuna nearly lost control before Xiao Ran calmed him and stabilized the space.
• Xiao Ran reassured the frightened girls and asked them why they kept appearing in the world.
• The older girl said the DRAGONs were originally human and wanted to find and save their Dragon God Aura, while also killing AmbriO.
• Xiao Ran said AmbriO was their enemy too and offered to help find Aura, then took control of the Mental Space to force Jill and the two girls into a direct exchange.

Xiao Ran closed the Mental Space after the two Dragon girls and Jill fainted, then explained their condition and ordered the incident kept confidential. The next morning, representatives from the three worlds gathered aboard the Nadeshiko as Miss Huang began a briefing about their worlds.

• Xiao Ran severed the Mental Links and shut down the Mental Space, leaving Jill and the two transformed Dragon girls unconscious.
• Miss Huang, Ruri Hoshino, and Tessa carried the unconscious women, and Xiao Ran explained that they would recover after resting.
• Xiao Ran ordered the incident kept confidential outside the Nadeshiko Unit and assigned the Dragon girls to the Nadeshiko after they woke.
• Xiao Ran and the others arranged rooms and guards for the Dragon girls, with Sousuke Sagara and Cruz standing watch.
• The next morning, personnel from the Nadeshiko, Ptolemaios, Yamato, and Danner's Son gathered in the Nadeshiko briefing room.
• Miss Huang began explaining the circumstances of the three worlds.

Miss Huang, Jill, Tessa, and Wilt briefed the gathered forces on their worlds, their threats, and the links between them. Xiao Ran argued that the three worlds had been brought together for a reason and called for them to face their dangers step by step.

• Miss Huang explained the war between PLANT and the Federation, identified AmbriO as the hidden mastermind, and said the group would prioritize gathering intelligence and seeking cooperation with DRAGON.
• Jill described Yajenar, the Founding United Nations, and the War of Freedom, revealing that several races had emerged to oppose AmbriO.
• Tessa described her world and Amalgam, accusing Renard of its crimes before Richard and Kalinin ushered her off the stage.
• Wilt explained that Yamato's world shared history with Tessa's world, but its sea had evaporated and humanity faced imminent extinction.
• Xiao Ran told the gathering that the three worlds were connected and said they needed to confront their threats one step at a time.

Renard and Xiao Ran outlined the threats facing the three worlds and prioritized finding the Yamato and contacting DRAGON. Xiao Ran took the Nadeshiko Unit under his jurisdiction as the forces split into squads and prepared for their next missions.

• Renard urged the assembled forces to work together against the threats facing their worlds, and Soji Okita and Wilt led the room in applause.
• Xiao Ran made locating and rescuing the Yamato the top priority, then named contacting DRAGON the second priority.
• Xiao Ran said the Nadeshiko Unit would come under his jurisdiction, and Ruri Hoshino announced that the forces would operate in separate squads.
• Ruri Hoshino assigned the Ptolemaios to remain for DRAGON negotiations, kept Danner's Son at Yajenar, and scheduled the Nadeshiko's departure for Japan.
• Xiao Ran explained to Ruri Hoshino and Miss Huang that taking command would provide support for the Nadeshiko and test how the Federation would respond.

Xiao Ran outlined plans to consolidate the Protagonist Fleet and purge hostile forces in the Federation, then left Yajenar aboard the Nadeshiko as it headed for Japan. Before parting ways, he revealed that the Calculation Component was not on Mars, shocking Ruri Hoshino and the bridge crew.

• Xiao Ran told Miss Huang that he would use the Nadeshiko’s takeover to intervene in the Federation and remove restless elements and AmbriO’s supporters.
• Xiao Ran planned to gather the Protagonist Fleet, divide its forces between Yajenar and Japan, and return to Orb to coordinate operations.
• Ruri Hoshino explained that she had contacted Commander Mitama and NERGAL to gather the Nadeshiko’s former combat personnel in Nouvel Tokyo City.
• Xiao Ran left Yajenar aboard the Nadeshiko and asked Ruri Hoshino what she knew about the Calculation Component.
• Xiao Ran told Ruri Hoshino that his intelligence personnel had found the Calculation Component was not on Mars, and she said she had never heard of this.

Ruri Hoshino and Xiao Ran learned that the Calculation Component had vanished during the previous war with the Mars Successors, after Utamono Kōichirō’s retrieval team lost contact. Xiao Ran then took over the Nadeshiko’s administration and Command Authority, bringing the ship under his independent Special Operations Unit.

• Ruri Hoshino ordered the Nadeshiko out of D Area so the crew could contact Utamono Kōichirō.
• Utamono Kōichirō explained that the Calculation Component had disappeared after his team tried to remove it from Mars, and that its absence had not affected Boson systems.
• Ruri Hoshino agreed to keep watch for information about the missing Calculation Component.
• Xiao Ran asked to take command of the Nadeshiko and its missions concerning the Mars Successors, and Utamono Kōichirō immediately approved.
• Utamono Kōichirō placed the Nadeshiko under Xiao Ran’s independent Special Operations Unit, and Ruri Hoshino reported to him as its captain.

After returning to Orb, Xiao Ran coordinated with his allies and assigned them to investigate Federation corruption, support the situation at Yajenar, and pursue other threats. The chapter left his forces spread across several missions, with El-Elf investigating the Yamato and its crew aboard the Amaterasu Orbital Colony.

• Ruri Hoshino told Utamono Kōichirō about the events in D Area and Xiao Ran’s plans, and Utamono agreed to pass on his intended takeover of the Nadeshiko and the Mars Successors while withholding judgment on his motives.
• Xiao Ran returned to Orb and asked Mwu to contact Graham, Cruze, El-Elf, Billy, and Moses.
• Graham reported that Kati Manikin was investigating suspicious activity in the Federation, and Xiao Ran asked him to recruit her as an ally and investigate links to AmbriO or the Founding United Nations.
• Cruze reported that he was heading to Yajenar with Shinn Asuka and Lunamaria Hawke, and Xiao Ran told him to stay and lead dialogue with DRAGON.
• Moses and Billy reported progress tracing the forces behind four villains in Nouvel Tokyo City, while El-Elf reported finding the Yamato at Amaterasu Orbital Colony and continued checking its crew’s safety.

Xiao Ran learned from Mina Lund that the War of Freedom was a vast operation aimed at killing AmbriO, with Orb serving as its bridgehead and supply base. He planned to unite the strength of three worlds, purge the Federation’s influence, and eliminate AmbriO, while Mina stayed in Orb to protect it and recruit allies.

• Xiao Ran coordinated with his allies as they pursued missions involving Yajenar, Nouvel Tokyo City, Kati Manikin, the Yamato, and DRAGON.
• Xiao Ran asked Mina Lund about the War of Freedom, and she explained its membership, purpose, history, and Orb’s role in supporting it.
• Xiao Ran told Mina that he would bring together military strength from three worlds, purge the Federation, and isolate AmbriO before attacking him.
• Mina agreed to remain in Orb, guard it, and contact potential allies, while Xiao Ran asked her to keep Cagalli uninformed.

Xiao Ran strengthened Orb and prepared the Burning Legion for its next mission as his allies coordinated plans around Yajenar and Nouvel Tokyo City. With the Yamato due to finish repairs in ten days, Xiao Ran departed Orb for Nouvel Tokyo City to join the effort to rescue it.

• Xiao Ran sent technicians and supplies to Yajenar to study PM technology, and gave Orb reserve units and half of the Burning Legion's drones.
• The Burning Legion replenished supplies and selected roughly two hundred Orb military personnel to join its crew.
• El-Elf told Xiao Ran that the Mars Successors had taken control of the damaged Yamato and expected to finish repairs in about ten days, prompting plans for a coordinated rescue at Amaterasu.
• Danaan and Ptolemaios established contact with the DRAGONs at Yajenar, while Cruze stayed behind to continue communication.
• Ruri Hoshino deduced that the chaos in Nouvel Tokyo City was a Mars Successors diversion and asked to take the Nadeshiko into space; Xiao Ran approved, and Danaan headed to NERGAL's dockyard for modifications.
• On the eighth day, Xiao Ran and the Burning Legion departed Orb for Nouvel Tokyo City.

Xiao Ran reunited his forces aboard the Burning Legion and agreed to lead an attack on Amaterasu to confront the Mars Successors and rescue the Yamato. The operation was planned for roughly two days later, with the forces tasked with defeating the enemy while protecting the spaceport colony.

• The Burning Legion arrived off Nouvel Tokyo City, drawing crowds of curious citizens along the coast.
• The Ptolemaios and Nadeshiko joined the Burning Legion, and Ruri Hoshino and Miss Huang brought a large group aboard.
• Xiao Ran arranged a tour for the visitors while a smaller group gathered in the conference room.
• Miss Huang and Ruri Hoshino briefed Xiao Ran on recent events in Nouvel Tokyo City and Yajenar.
• Xiao Ran agreed to take the initiative in space and attack Amaterasu after the Yamato's repairs were expected to finish in about two days.
• Xiao Ran outlined the operation's goals: defeat the Mars Successors, protect Amaterasu, and rescue the Yamato.

Ruri Hoshino and Miss Huang laid out a plan to rescue the Yamato from Amaterasu by drawing away the Mars Successors’ forces and sending an infiltration team into the station. Xiao Ran approved the plan, assigned support forces, and prepared to upgrade the team’s machines after the Yamato returned.

• Ruri Hoshino explained that she and Miss Huang had planned a surprise attack on Amaterasu using intelligence from Pilot Wang Qiao and information about the Yamato.
• Xiao Ran told Graham to capture or gather more intelligence from Pilot Wang Qiao if they encountered him again.
• Ruri Hoshino described a plan for the Ptolemaios to draw away enemy forces while the Nadeshiko jumped to Amaterasu and sent in the Landing Force to secure the station and rescue the Yamato.
• Xiao Ran assigned Graham, Renard, Naluo, and Basak to support the infiltration led by Sousuke Sagara, Melissa Mao, and Cruz.
• Miss Huang said the operation would begin after Danner's Son was refitted within thirty hours and the Yajenar First Squadron’s machines were made space-capable within thirty-six hours.
• Xiao Ran ordered that combatants be kept safe and said Athrun and Kira would receive new machines before he upgraded the rest of the force after the Yamato returned.

Xiao Ran arranged advanced reserve mecha for Kira and Athrun, but they declined to switch before the coming battle because they lacked time to learn the machines. After the Nadeshiko and Ptolemaios left for space with mecha for Danner's Son, the Burning Legion stayed behind to distract the Mars Successors while Xiao Ran prepared the Yamato rescue operation.

• Xiao Ran showed Kira and Athrun reserve mecha that greatly outperformed their current units, but they chose not to switch before battle.
• The Nadeshiko Unit spent time aboard the Burning Legion, and the Yajenal First Squadron received mecha modified for space combat.
• Danner's Son completed its modifications but needed NERGAL Heavy Industries' equipment to launch into space.
• The Nadeshiko and Ptolemaios departed Nouvel Tokyo City with mecha for Danner's Son, while the Burning Legion stayed behind to distract the Mars Successors.
• The Nadeshiko informed Xiao Ran that the three ships had reached space, and Xiao Ran contacted El-Elf to prepare the Yamato rescue operation.

The Danner's Son and Ptolemaios reached Amaterasu Orbital Colony and faced hundreds of Mars Successors units, far outnumbering their deployed combat team. Xiao Ran refused to send the Burning Legion into the battle, insisting the team needed to gain experience, but said reinforcements contacted by Orb would soon arrive.

• The Nadeshiko reported that it had repelled a Mars Successors Boson tactical jump, then split off to attack another important orbital colony while Danner's Son and Ptolemaios headed for Amaterasu.
• Danner's Son and Ptolemaios arrived at Amaterasu and found roughly two to three hundred Mars Successors units guarding the colony.
• The two ships deployed their combat units, while the four AS aboard the Nadeshiko were held back for the planned infiltration of Amaterasu.
• Miss Huang warned that the enemy's deployment might make Amaterasu a bridgehead for an assault into space, and Tessa insisted that the mission had to continue.
• Xiao Ran said the Burning Legion would not assist unless necessary, telling Tessa's team to face the battle themselves and grow stronger.
• Xiao Ran added that reinforcements arranged through Orb would soon arrive.

The Mars Successors launched their attack on the Ptolemaios and Danaan forces, beginning a battle that left them no chance to retreat. As the Danaan took shelter behind the Ptolemaios, Tessa coordinated the allied machines to draw enemy attention and open a route toward Amaterasu.

• The Mars Successors dispersed their formation and fired a barrage of rounds, beams, and missiles at the allied forces.
• Kira, Lockon, and Tieria used Strike Freedom Gundam, Gundam Virtue, and Arios Gundam to intercept the incoming attacks and strike back.
• Following Miss Huang's instructions, Tessa ordered the Danaan to shift behind the accelerating Ptolemaios.
• Athrun, Setsuna, Zechs, and the other pilots charged the enemy formation, with Hallelujah and Soma's Harute Gundam leading the attack.
• Tessa assigned long-range support, flank harassment, and breakthrough roles, and ordered the remaining machines to fight in pairs while avoiding damage and staying clear of Amaterasu.

Danner's Son and the Ptolemaios held off the vastly larger Mars Successors force through superior pilots, coordination, and Tessa's command, while Xiao Ran and Mwu assessed the risks. The battle's balance shifted when the Tail of the Serpent arrived with Gai Murakumo's Blue Astray and Mina's Gold Astray.

• Danner's Son and the Ptolemaios forces fought off waves of Mars Successors units while Tessa coordinated their attacks.
• Xiao Ran watched the battle and discussed with Mwu the enemy's shields, their possible assault on the warships, and how long their defenses could hold.
• A small warship attacked the Mars Successors' formation with positron cannons, destroying more than fifteen units and disrupting their attempted encirclement.
• Mwu identified the arriving reinforcements as the Tail of the Serpent, Gai Murakumo's Blue Astray, and Mina's Gold Astray.

Tail of the Serpent arrived to reinforce the battle, using its modified transport ship to strike Mars Successors units before making repeated hit-and-run escapes. As the enemy turned its attention toward the remaining forces, Xiao Ran ordered the Burning Legion to prepare to launch and jump.

• Xiao Ran recognized the Blue Astray, Gold Astray, and modified transport ship as reinforcements from Tail of the Serpent.
• Miss Huang thanked Tail of the Serpent for its support, but the bearded mercenary leader refused to join the coming battle.
• Tail of the Serpent's transport ship attacked Mars Successors units, fled while scattering bombs that destroyed its pursuers, then returned ten minutes later to strike and escape again.
• Xiao Ran and Mwu judged that the Burning Legion needed to act before the Mars Successors surrounded their forces.
• Mwu ordered the Burning Legion to lift off, charge its Space Jump device, and prepare to jump on her command.

The Mars Successors’ battle around Amaterasu remained stalled until Akihito Tenkawa’s Black Lily disrupted the plan by charging toward the colony alone. The Nadeshiko arrived above Amaterasu’s core and struck the reinforcements, while Xiao Ran ordered El-Elf to begin the operation and Saki to sortie.

• Gido and the other ace pilots held back while the Ptolemaios and Danner's Son fought to rescue the Yamato and draw out Amaterasu’s defenders.
• Akihito Tenkawa’s Black Lily attacked from behind the Mars Successors’ line, drawing enemy units away but disrupting Miss Huang and Tessa’s plan.
• Miss Huang ordered the allied forces to stop holding back and break through toward Amaterasu, with Kira, Athrun, Zechs, Setsuna, Ryoma, and Banjo leading the assault.
• Sixty or seventy Gekishin reinforcements appeared and surrounded Black Lily near Amaterasu.
• The Nadeshiko emerged above Amaterasu’s core and fired its main cannon at the reinforcements.
• Xiao Ran ordered a jump, told Mwu to notify El-Elf to begin the operation, and ordered Saki to sortie.