Rau Le Creuset's Explanation

"That is your excuse as well, Shinn Asuka."

Rau Le Creuset paid no heed to Shinn's sharp, almost fiery glare. His mask coldly reflected the light from outside the window, while the corner of his mouth beneath it still held that constant, irritating smile.

Ignoring the boy's nearly boiling rage, Rau Le Creuset continued to steer the conversation with his distinctive, gentle yet persuasive tone.

"Although Orb has long upheld a policy of neutrality, it once had a history of secretly developing new mobile weapons together with the Earth Alliance."

"That—"

Shinn wanted to refute him, but the words caught in his throat. Because he knew what Rau Le Creuset said was true.

He vaguely remembered that, long ago, around the time Representative Uzumi Nara Athha resigned, the news had been flooded with reports about the matter.

He also remembered sitting before the television in the living room with his family. His father had grumbled then that Representative Athha was a man of principle, but Orb's situation was simply too difficult.

Yet afterward, Orb seemed to return to normal and was not immediately drawn into the vortex of war.

For Shinn, who had merely been an ordinary student at the time, such complex, national-level politics had soon faded from his memory amid his peaceful school life.

However, for PLANT, which was engaged in all-out war with the Earth Alliance, things were clearly different.

That disgraceful history of cooperation was a stain that could not be erased.

The fact that Orb had helped the Earth Forces develop weapons was like a thorn driven deep into PLANT's heart.

No one could guarantee that this nation claiming neutrality would not once again side with the Earth Forces at some critical moment in the future.

Or suddenly turn against the Earth Alliance and ally