First Meeting with Patrick Zala

Chapter 28: First Meeting with Patrick Zala (Working on something, so updates are a bit slow)

As one of the twelve council members of the PLANTs and the head of their Defense Committee, Patrick Zala's birthday banquet was well-attended, no matter how low-key he tried to keep it.

People he had only ever seen on television mingled and chatted throughout the event.

"I guess this counts as me rubbing shoulders with high society now."

Noer, having borrowed a set of clothes, stood in the banquet hall, staring blankly at the dignitaries before him.

In his previous life, he had been a nobody until the day he died. In this life, less than half a year had passed, and he was already attending such a high-class banquet.

"High society?"

Diakka, who had also borrowed a black suit, walked over. Hearing Noer's words, he couldn't help but laugh, "You're actually interested in this stuff?"

Caught red-handed, Noer only managed a moment of awkwardness before changing his expression to one of seriousness. "Diakka, it seems you still don't understand me. Riches and power are like floating clouds to me. How could I, Noer Cassia, be a useless fool blinded by money and influence?"

Diakka was quite provoked by Noer's words and silently turned away. Having spent the last few days together, he had a decent grasp of Noer's personality.

This guy seemed to have no concept of shame.

"Well said. I knew I wasn't wrong about you."

Diakka knew Noer's personality, but that didn't mean everyone else did. And so, a naive soul, deceived by Noer, appeared.

"Please excuse me, I... Huh!?"

Noer straightened his clothes and turned with a smile towards the direction of the voice. However, when he saw who it was, he froze.

Patrick Zala approached, led by Athrun.

"Noer Cassia, belonging to the MS Training Class, greets Chairman Patrick Zala and Captain Cruze!"

Noer coughed and quickly saluted with a serious expression.

Diakka glanced around before quickly mimicking Noer, raising his wine glass to salute. "Diakka Elsman, also belonging to the MS Training Class, greets Chairman Patrick Zala and Captain Cruze!"

"There's no need to be so formal. Please relax and enjoy this rare occasion."

Patrick Zala said, patting Noer's shoulder before turning and walking towards the stairs with Cruze behind him.

Perhaps it was because of Junius 7, a shared understanding between unfortunate souls, but he had a good impression of Noer.

Athrun Zala, following Patrick Zala, nodded at the two of them before turning and silently leaving with Patrick Zala.

"I thought you wouldn't come," Cruze said with a smile.

"When I first heard you were coming, I really didn't want to."

Noer was genuinely a bit scared of Cruze.

There's no such thing as hatred without reason, but there's also no such thing as love without reason.

Cruze was so good to him, it was hard not to suspect the worst.

Cruze's expression faltered slightly. He couldn't understand Noer's attitude.

"Cruze?"

Patrick Zala, walking ahead, noticed Cruze still standing there and turned to look back.

Hearing this, Cruze snapped back to attention. Recalling the intelligence he had received recently, he couldn't help but smile. "I don't know why you're so hostile towards me, but I believe you'll change your mind about me in the future."

With that, he turned and followed Patrick Zala.

"The future..."

Noer watched Cruze's retreating back and shook his head helplessly.

Cruze was indeed very good to him, but he was too good.

If Noer didn't know Cruze's plans and objectives, he might have truly become a fanboy of Cruze's, just like Athrun and the others.

It couldn't be helped; Cruze's aura was too bright, and his personal charm was immense.

In the entire SEED world, there weren't more than a handful of people whose personal charm could rival Cruze's.

Even Kira and Athrun had to step aside. This wasn't about personal strength, but purely about personal charisma.

Cruze could make you feel an inexplicable sense of closeness.

Whether in his speech or his actions, he exuded a perfectly calibrated elegance.

Just look at the girls below, dizzy with admiration for Cruze.

Combined with the halo of Cruze's Nebula Medal, he was truly irresistible to both men and women.

It's a shame he was someone constantly plotting the destruction of all humanity. Noer expressed his respect, but no thanks.

A moment later, just as Noer was wondering where to find something to eat.

The brightly lit grand hall suddenly dimmed.

Beautiful music began to play, gradually calming the once-noisy banquet.

(Waiting for you in this silent night)

(Recalling the smile I'd forgotten then)

(Only a few days had passed since then)

(Just thinking about it makes me feel gentle)

A beautiful and serene singing voice drifted over, drawing everyone's attention.

Under the lights, a young girl in a white long dress slowly emerged, her light and soft pink hair radiating a gentle glow.

Her skin was snow-white and flawless, her features beautiful and pure, and her blue-purple eyes seemed to reflect the starry sky.

She was demure and elegant, with a noble aura. Her long dress billowed like waves, making her look magnificent and dreamlike wherever she stood.

She was—the PLANT's diva, Lacus Clyne.

A woman who combined beauty and wisdom, later affectionately known as—Rao.

It was the first time Noer realized that a person could be this beautiful. Her near-perfect appearance paired with her beautiful singing voice was enough to captivate anyone with normal aesthetic standards.

However, beautiful things are always fleeting.

Five minutes later—

Sound of applause—

Thank you—

Accompanied by thunderous applause, Lacus placed a hand on her chest and bowed slowly to the crowd. Her smile was dreamlike and magnificent.

"As expected, there are no wrong nicknames, only mistaken names."

Noer looked at the innocent and lively Lacus with a faint smile.

Rao wasn't just referring to Lacus's political talent, but more so to her appearance.

"What's wrong?"

Diakka, who had also snapped back to attention, looked at Noer's strange expression with some confusion.

"It's nothing, just a moment of reflection."

Noer shook his head without explaining. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, who would believe that this innocent and romantic girl would be the mastermind behind the end of the war in the future?

"Let's go, let's find something to eat. I'm hungry."

Noer said, turning towards the food area.

Lacus Clyne, Noer couldn't guarantee her intelligence, but her political talent and sensitivity were definitely within the top three in the SEED world.

As for why not first, everyone's opinion differed, making it impossible to make a definitive judgment.

After all, in the SEED world, there wasn't a single normal person among those with a name. Whether it was her father, Siegel Clyne, or Uzmi Ula Asaha, who controlled the Orb Union, or the second-generation PLANT Chairman who appeared later.

They were all beings with extremely strong political capabilities, and that didn't even include the people in the Atlantic Federation.

But no matter what, Lacus ranking in the top three was absolutely certain.