Inside the Archangel, in Mwu's room, a space that had never been particularly large was now packed with people. Sheryl sat among them with perfect composure, an easy smile on her face as though she had done nothing worth mentioning. Yet that smile carried a faint confidence, along with the slightest hint of pride.
Mwu looked at Sheryl, then at Lacus, who was also smiling but in a manner entirely different from Sheryl's. Lacus's smile was gentle and elegant, equally noble, but hers was the kind of nobility born from such warmth that no one could bear to profane it. It made people feel at ease, drawing them instinctively closer and making them want to protect her.
Sheryl's smile was just as elegant and noble, but it carried a certain forcefulness—a nobility that no one dared profane. Standing before Sheryl made people feel inexplicably inferior, leaving them somewhat uncomfortable.
Though the two had many similarities, their smiles alone revealed their differences. Lacus was more like an elegant princess with unwavering convictions, while Sheryl was like a proud queen overflowing with confidence. In terms of personality, Sheryl seemed somewhat more like Cagalli, though she was far more mature than Cagalli.
But what truly astonished Mwu, and what had gathered everyone here, was the song Sheryl had displayed earlier—the power in her voice that could make people stronger. Mwu, who already knew some of the circumstances, was not the only one who could clearly sense that power in Sheryl's singing. Lacus, who was equally sensitive to song, could feel it as well.
Perhaps everyone except the carefree and simple Luo had sensed something. Even Cagalli had noticed a few things.
Besides Lacus, those in the room were Xiao Ran, Cagalli, Kira, Athrun, Andrew, and Aisha.
Nearly ten people had crammed into Mwu's