It was only then that Athrun jumped out of the wardrobe.
"Athrun..."
Lacus looked at him.
Athrun sighed as well.
"You really are Lacus, aren't you?"
"Oh?" Lacus tilted her head. "In any case, I got it wrong. I heard about South America too. In any case—Chairman Durandal's madness is even more intense than I expected."
"Well—"
"In any case, this."
Lacus took out a key.
Modern MS units generally used physical keys now. At the very least, Inori Yuzuriha could no longer forcibly requisition them.
"The Savior's key. Use it to escape." Lacus had come this time specifically to deliver the key.
"You really can get your hands on anything." Athrun sighed.
"Just a little trick."
Lacus held up a finger.
"...Right! Let's leave together. If Chairman Durandal's goal really is to rule the world, then whether it's the real Lacus or the fake Lacus, both must die after the war."
"Right."
[Why?]
[The fake one would be exposed, while the real one could seize power. Isn't that obvious?]
[Yeah, so Lacus's best option is to become a spiritual symbol. Arranging a great sacrifice would be best.]
[Uncle-in-law, my uncle-in-law, what are you doing?]
[He's completely stopped pretending.]
Although Gibraltar had not sounded any alarms, undercurrents had already begun to surge beneath the surface.
"What's going on?"
Asuka, who had just been released from confinement, looked around in confusion.
"Rey? What happened?"
Asuka looked at Rey beside him.
"Athrun betrayed the Allied Forces for his own benefit," Rey said. "We're going to capture him now!"
"Huh? Athrun? Betrayal? What's going on?" Asuka felt like his brain could not keep up.
"I won't let anyone interfere with Gil's plan!"
Rey made up his mind.
"Is that so?" On the other side, Durandal, standing before two new Gundams, darkened his expression.