Speaking the most ruthless words in a calm tone, Hyman Jamitov knew he could not escape. He had studied Yang Hui and investigated him, discovering that the relationship between Yang Hui and people like Revil and Gopp was far from a simple superior-subordinate dynamic; it was more akin to a partnership.
Coupled with Yang Hui's style of doing things, the fact that he dared to say such things to him meant he truly dared to take action, with absolutely no regard for Jamitov's status or trump cards.
Now, the only choice was to enter the secret base, which felt like the open mouth of an Abyssal Maw, to meet with Yang Hui.
After getting out of the car, Hyman Jamitov arrived inside the secret base under the guard of Gai Murakumo and South Burning, meeting Yang Hui in the Central Hall.
Only a few people stood behind Yang Hui. In the middle of the empty hall sat two sofas and a coffee table, prepared with black tea, coffee, and various desserts.
"Are you surprised?" Yang Hui raised his black tea slightly toward Hyman Jamitov.
"...If it's you, there's nothing to be surprised about." Hyman Jamitov maintained an elegant and steady demeanor as he sat down opposite Yang Hui.
"It seems you still have a trump card?" Yang Hui asked Hyman Jamitov with a half-smile.
"The person most important to you is in my hands. So, Yang Hui... let's discuss terms."
"Lacus?"
"Yes. So, Yang Hui, if you don't want Miss Lacus Clyne to come to harm, you'd better agree to my following demands."
"Hahahaha..." Yang Hui laughed. He laughed very happily. If Hyman Jamitov's trump card had been Murrue or Natarle Badgiruel, he might have been somewhat worried. But if it was Lacus... he was only worried about how miserable the people Hyman Jamitov sent would end up.
"What are you laughing at?" Hyman Jamitov asked with a darkened face.
"I just find it funny... hahaha... You actually tried to capture Lacus? Do you think you have too many men and want to clear some of them out early?" Yang Hui laughed.
"What do you mean?" Hyman Jamitov frowned, not understanding Yang Hui's implication. "I know you've arranged a large amount of protection around her, both openly and in the shadows. But I advise you not to underestimate my power, Yang Hui."
"No, no, no, you've misunderstood one thing, Jamitov."
"What?"
"Those people you investigated were never arranged by me."
"What did you say?"
"Do you know what I call Lacus in private?" Yang Hui asked playfully.
"..."
Seeing that Hyman Jamitov didn't respond but was looking for an answer, Yang Hui didn't keep him in suspense. "I call her Demon Lux. 'Demon' as in 'monstrously gifted,' understand?"
"!" Hyman Jamitov's expression changed. He quickly took out a special communicator and dialed a number. It was picked up after three rings.
"Is this Mr. Jamitov?"
"You! Lacus Clyne!"
Hyman Jamitov's face turned pale. This was a one-way communicator designed to contact only one specific number. The owner of that number was the head of a suicide squad Jamitov had spent years cultivating. It was impossible for anyone else to answer. If someone else did, there was only one possibility: that person was gone.
"Yes, Mr. Jamitov. Could I please speak to Yang Hui?" Lacus said to Hyman Jamitov in her usual gentle tone.
Hyman Jamitov remained silent for a moment before handing the communicator to Yang Hui, who still wore a playful smile. He wanted to hear what these two would say—would they tell him how his suicide agents were eliminated?
"It's me, Lacus. Are you alright?" Yang Hui took the communicator and put it on speaker, guessing what this little vixen was up to and deciding to play along.
"I'm very well. It's just that some members of the audience weren't very rational, so I invited them to go cool off a bit."
"As expected of you."
"Hehe~ Since you call me Demon Lux, shouldn't I work a little harder?"
"I'm sorry, my mistake." Yang Hui's survival instinct flared, and he quickly apologized.
What a joke! She was already this monstrous, and she wanted to work harder? That would be terrifying. Yang Hui didn't want a "super demon" to ruin his future happiness by playing with him too much.
"Hahaha~ Just kidding. When are you coming back to Earth? It's been a while; I miss you." Lacus laughed mischievously.
"Soon. Once the lunar issue is resolved, I can return to Earth. I won't need to worry about the rest of the matters."
"Mhm, mhm. I really envy Sister Natarle."
"Then, my dear Miss Lacus, would you do me the honor of agreeing to a date?"
"The pleasure is all mine, dear Mr. Yang Hui."
"Then I'll handle things here as quickly as possible and return early."
"Alright~"
...
In New York, Earth, just as the negotiations concluded, the eastern region of North America was taken over by the Zeon Republic. Since it was still Zeon, the people in eastern North America didn't feel much of a difference. Furthermore, the Zeon Republic was more disciplined than the Principality of Zeon; aside from basic patrols, they didn't interfere with the lives of ordinary citizens at all.
As for those in high positions... they were just a bunch of opportunists. When the Principality of Zeon first arrived, they abandoned the Federation to save their lives. When the Principality was about to be defeated, they sided with the Federation. Now that the Zeon Republic had arrived, they were fawning over them instead. As long as their personal interests were guaranteed, they didn't care who their master was.
To maintain stability and promote the hard-won peace, Lacus traveled from Australia to North America to begin a concert tour.
The people Hyman Jamitov arranged naturally wanted to find an opportunity to capture Lacus. Jamitov's research on Yang Hui showed that he was a very sentimental person. By capturing Lacus, his lover, he would have leverage to threaten Yang Hui, and Yang Hui was not the type to make a cold-blooded decision to sacrifice those close to him.
Unfortunately, from beginning to end, they only viewed Lacus as a mere songstress, completely unaware of her hidden side.
Yang Hui could confidently say that if Lacus got serious about scheming against someone, he wouldn't even be sure he could dodge it; he would likely fall for it too.
Thus, Lacus had quickly discovered the suicide agents. She specifically arranged a charity concert in a remote rural area, inviting residents from several surrounding towns. And then...
Because it was a remote area, even with several towns combined, there weren't that many people. She simply found an excuse to relocate them all and replaced them with her own people posing as local residents and audience members.
Next, it was just a matter of identifying the suicide agents hidden in the shadows, giving them the chance to join the concert, and then rounding them all up without any threat.
"Miss Lacus, it has been cleaned up." The moment Lacus hung up the phone, her subordinate reported to her in a low voice.
"Good work. Rearrange the venue; the next batch of audience members will be arriving soon," Lacus instructed.
"Yes, ma'am."
After the subordinate left, Lacus sat alone in the waiting room, cupping her face in her hands and smiling adorably. "Heehee, where should I have Yang Hui take me once he's back? Sayla has asked me so many times; should I bring her along? Maybe not, having a third wheel on a date is so awkward."
She didn't need to prepare. Lacus's concerts never required makeup or special costume changes, let alone stage rehearsals. She could sing as soon as she stood on stage; it was always a perfect performance.
So, at this moment, Lacus was like an innocent young girl, fantasizing about her upcoming date and the sweetness of being with her lover.
She completely forgot about the danger that had almost occurred, not caring at all how many people might have died.
...
The call ended, and Yang Hui tossed the communicator back to Hyman Jamitov. Jamitov's face was now sour. He had originally wanted to hear how Lacus had dealt with his agents, but instead, he was forced to listen to a display of affection without gaining a single shred of valuable information!
"Alright, old man, do you have any other trump cards?" Yang Hui asked Hyman Jamitov leisurely. "By the way, let me remind you: don't count on the Moon or Earth. Revil is on the Moon, and Gopp and Creuset are on Earth. You won't be able to stir up any waves."
"Yang Hui... don't forget, over all these years of executing my plan, how many people have I scattered across the world? I have people in every industry, in every aspect of life. Can you clear them all out?" Hyman Jamitov played his final card—the stability of the Federation. "If anything happens to me, they will receive the command to turn Earth, the Federation, and even space upside down. Can you afford that price?"
"...Tell me your terms," Yang Hui said after a short silence.
"I want the Moon and everything here."
"Heh." Hearing Jamitov's demand, Yang Hui chuckled and shook his head. "Aren't you overestimating yourself a bit much?"
"The trump cards in my hand are worth that price."
"Mhm... they are indeed worth it, but... have you contacted your associates on Earth and in space?"
"What do you mean?"
"Call and ask them, then you'll know." After saying that, Yang Hui stood up and led his people toward the exit of the base.
"What are you doing?" Jamitov was confused by Yang Hui's actions and fearful of what might happen next.
"Don't you want this base? I'm giving it to you." Yang Hui turned his head and said to Jamitov with a smile.
"You... what are you trying to do?" Jamitov was no naive child; he didn't believe for a second that Yang Hui would simply hand over his secret base and all its technology, much less agree to his demands.
"Nothing, really. It's just yours now. Oh, by the way."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Hui raised his hand. In the next second, gunshots rang out.
Bang! Bang!
"Agh!!—"
Two bullets pierced through Hyman Jamitov's legs, shattering his knees.
"You said it yourself: everything here is yours. I agree, including the self-destruct system." The curve of Yang Hui's mouth widened. His elegant smile turned eerie, then cruel, and finally terrifyingly savage.
"You! You can't do this! Aren't you afraid I'll throw Earth and space into total chaos!?" Jamitov roared from the ground, in both pain and fury.
"That's why I told you to call and ask them." With his back to Jamitov, Yang Hui raised a hand and waved as he walked out with his subordinates.
"Yang Hui! Yang Hui!!—"
With a heavy thud, the base's massive doors fell and locked tight, cutting off Jamitov's vision, his path to survival, and the decades of meticulously crafted plans.