"District 1?" After a brief silence, Hesta leaned forward. "Why?"
"Because after evaluation, we believe the United Government of District 1 is also capable of taking over the Quicksilver Needles combat force."
Another brief silence followed.
This time, even Kendall could not suppress her astonishment. Her hand clenched into a fist almost instantly. But she quickly realized her reaction and composed herself.
"What do you mean?" Hesta pressed on. A trace of anger had entered her voice, but what she was hearing was so absurd that her exaggerated smile overshadowed her fury. "Could it be that the Quicksilver Needles of District 14 were removed from AHgAs's jurisdiction because District 14 was capable of taking over the Quicksilver Needles force?"
"Precisely," Office No. 2 replied, as if it were only natural.
"...This seems to run contrary to our longstanding principles—at the very least, it completely contradicts the ideals I've sensed over the past several decades," Kendall said flatly. "Weren't we the ones who valued organizational independence above all else, who always placed 'fairness' and 'neutrality' first?"
"That is also true," the voice replied without a ripple. "There is no contradiction. Pursuing organizational independence and placing fairness and neutrality in positions of utmost importance at all times—every one of these efforts is ultimately meant to provide protection to the residents of the Habitable Zone."
"Very... noble," Kendall said quietly.
The old woman could almost feel her molars trembling. At the same time, she sensed Hesta's gaze—Hesta had clearly noticed the oddness in her tone.
It had been a long time since Hesta had felt such intense anger. She felt the blood throughout her body surge toward her brain, even bringing on a faint ringing in her ears. She did not know whose face lay behind the number 2 before her, nor did