Cagalli Joins 'Celestial Being'?

After announcing the latest whereabouts of the Archangel to Flay—who didn't actually seem to care all that much—Luther dropped another bombshell, not waiting for her to process the "information" hidden in his words.

"Oh, that reminds me. Kira Yamato actually has quite a deep connection to both of you."

"Not only is he an admirer of yours, Miss Flay, but he was also the one who sent you into the shelter back on Heliopolis, Cagalli."

"And what's truly shocking is that while you and Kira were adopted by the Yamato couple and Uzumi respectively under the arrangements of Representative Uzumi, you are both, in fact, descendants of Dr. Ulen Hibiki."

"That's right, Miss Cagalli. You aren't alone; you have a brother."

Although Luther's appropriation of one of Representative Uzumi's "final testaments" was, in many ways, quite "inappropriate," Cagalli—who was already reeling from the shock that "Naturals can operate mobile suit operating systems"—was sent jumping out of her seat by this even more explosive news, unlike Flay, who was still slowly digesting the information without much personal investment.

"You bastard, what the hell are you babbling about!"

Facing Cagalli, who was so incredulous she resorted to swearing, Luther remained calm and unhurried.

"Now, now, calm down, Cagalli. When I found out I wasn't an illegitimate child of the Sahalin family, but rather of the Deikun family, I didn't have such a big reaction."

"If my memory serves me correctly, Ulen Hibiki's wife and Mrs. Yamato were sisters, which is why Kira and you were entrusted to the Yamato couple."

"As for the relationship between the Yamato couple and your adoptive father, Uzumi, I'm afraid I'm not privy to that."

Faced with the "detailed" information provided by Luther, and combining it with the subtle clues she had already known, Cagalli was forced to contemplate the veracity of his claims in silence.

Conversely, Flay, who didn't have deep feelings for Sai—let alone for Kira, who was merely one of her admirers—keenly noticed a piece of "gossip" that interested her far more.

"Wait, hold on. Lord Luther was once an illegitimate child of the Sahalin family, and just now Miss Aina introduced herself as Aina Sahalin, so you two are siblings?"

To this, Luther naturally had to offer a firm "rebuttal."

"Only cousins. And our mothers were from the same clan and shared the same surname, so the blood relation isn't close. It's perfectly fine."

As he said this, Luther gave Aina a light, possessive kiss, and Aina's shy refusal felt more like an invitation.

Faced with Luther's "boldness," Flay was naturally both curious and shy, while simultaneously thinking of the person she had argued with earlier.

"Then, what about the one with the pink hair?"

"Are you talking about sister Haman Karn? She is also one of brother Luther's lovers."

Aina quickly responded, seizing the opportunity to stop Luther from being overly intimate in front of "strangers," though this answer was already within Flay's expectations.

"Then... that means all the women who appeared in the 'Celestial Being Formation Declaration' are...?"

After receiving a nod from Luther, Flay was left with a belly full of gossip and nowhere to vent it, her mind beginning to wander. Although Flay was a complete novice in politics and military affairs, she wasn't a fool. Once she connected the information, the reason for her preferential treatment on the Gwameir seemed obvious.

Just as Flay began to struggle with whether she "should agree to Luther or firmly choose Sai," Cagalli had already "charged" through the chaos caused by Luther's successive bombshells and began trying to seize the initiative.

"Thank you for the intel, Lord Luther. Now, why exactly did you bring me and Flay here?"

Facing Cagalli's somewhat gritted-teeth, fierce tone, Luther found teasing the "little lion" increasingly amusing.

"Miss Cagalli, how can you say that? Didn't you personally contact my subordinates, hoping to unlock more content for the simulator?"

"This system was originally designed to screen potential mobile weapon pilots among civilians, so after making contact, you were supposed to face an invitation to 'volunteer for the military'."

"How about it, Miss Cagalli? Do you volunteer to join 'Celestial Being'?"

Faced with Luther's "matter-of-fact" response to her "fierce offensive," Cagalli was clearly stunned for a moment; but soon, she chose a "grit your teeth and dive in" counter-strategy.

"Fine! Even if I don't believe in things like Coordinators, since your slogan is to end war and lead humanity into deep space, then as long as you can truly practice that slogan, what's wrong with joining 'Celestial Being'!"

Seeing that his mischief had backfired, it was now Luther's turn to be speechless, and Aina naturally stepped in to smooth things over and give both sides a way out.

"Sister Cagalli, don't be angry, and don't be in such a rush. Brother Luther just likes to joke around."

"Actually, it was only when you asked the staff that brother Luther realized you were also on the Gwameir."

"If he hadn't known, that would be one thing, but since he knew you were on the ship, he had to meet you at least once, right?"

Aina's explanation was very clear, and even Flay understood it; recalling how she had been "threatened" by Luther when she boarded, she nodded repeatedly when Aina said "Luther likes to joke."

With Aina's charismatic and persuasive mediation, Cagalli retreated from her "self-protective" stress response; however, after calming down and thinking for a moment, she still insisted on her previous statement.

"Thank you, Aina."

"But I was serious about what I said earlier. If Lord Luther isn't joking about the philosophy of 'Celestial Being,' I, Cagalli Yula Athha, am willing to volunteer to join 'Celestial Being'."

"Miss Cagalli!"

Although Flay let out an exclamation, she couldn't find anything wrong with it.

Luther exchanged a glance with Aina, and after confirming that Cagalli seemed to be serious, he solemnly confirmed with her.

"Do you not intend to return to Orb? There are Orb rescue forces outside; should I notify them to pick you up and take you back to Orb?"

"And continue watching my father hide things from me and drag Orb into the war?!"

Feeling that this was likely not the right time to explain the "deep-laid plans" of the "old lion" and the power struggles of the "pride" to the "little lion," Luther, who had inadvertently taken on a "hot potato," decided to let her "cool off" first.

"In any case, the reason I brought you two here was just to meet and chat. Flay, go back to shopping; if you need anything, just ask the members of 'Celestial Being'."

Aina, please take Cagalli to the hangar; let her try out the actual machine and check on how Ginias is doing while you're at it.

I am heading back to the bridge to join Tessa and prepare for our departure to Artemis Fortress.

Flay wanted to say something, but in the end, she remained silent, picked up her 'spoils of war,' and followed the female officer away.

Cagalli showed a hint of resistance to Aina holding her hand, but ultimately, she obediently followed Aina after they both offered a salute.

Left alone in the reception room, Luther let out a sigh before heading to the bridge to seek comfort from Tessa.