From Xiao Ran's words, Athrun learned of Cagalli's helpless choice. His hand trembled, but in the end, he chose to remain silent. Perhaps he could understand Cagalli's decision, but he could not control the anguish and pain in his heart. When he learned that Cagalli had ultimately been taken away by Kira, he also breathed a sigh of relief.
As for Xiao Ran having been "kidnapped" by the Alliance during those two missing years, Athrun frowned deeply after learning of it. Connecting it to Xiao Ran's order to arrest the Ceran Family and its accomplices, and thinking of how increasingly arrogant the Ceran Family had become over the past two years, he seemed to understand something.
Finally, Xiao Ran told him that Orb would soon go to war with the Alliance. A Combined Fleet flying the banner of the Global Security Alliance was heading toward Orb. Athrun also understood why the Orb Fleet he had seen gathering along the way, and why the National Defense Headquarters had been so busy.
Athrun had feelings for Orb. It was not only because Cagalli was Orb's Prime Minister, but because during the two years after he had left PLANT, Orb had been his only home as well. Now, this homeland into which the woman he loved had poured so much effort was about to be ravaged by war once again. After learning all this, Athrun could not help clenching his fists.
"I want to stay." After struggling for a long time, Athrun finally raised his head to look at Xiao Ran. "I want to stay and help. Orb absolutely cannot become what it was before, or Cagalli will definitely be heartbroken. And Orb cannot accept another defeat like the last one. If we lose again this time, then everything will be over."
"No."