After her enlightenment in the hangar, Cagalli decided to strike while the iron was hot and went to find Lacus to continue their conversation.
Watching Cagalli's receding back in the hangar, Lu Tianming then turned his gaze in another direction and said with a smile:
"After watching for so long... shouldn't you come out and say something?"
He had sensed someone monitoring him nearby ever since he started chatting with Cagalli. However, since he was deeply engaged in conversation with Cagalli at the time and detected no hostility from that direction, he hadn't paid it much mind.
Now that Cagalli had left, he could finally address the other's presence openly.
As Lu Tianming's voice faded, a burly man in a black tank top emerged from the side of the hangar—this was Cagalli's bodyguard, Ledonir Kisaka.
"Your insights on war are truly incisive... I never expected Miss Cagalli's political awakening would begin through conversations with you."
Despite having monitored him for some time, Kisaka's eyes held no wariness toward Lu Tianming, but were instead filled with respect.
Though this young man wasn't old, his commentary on war struck at the essence with every word. This profound understanding, mismatched with his age, was the source of Kisaka's respect for Lu Tianming.
And the fact that such talent was willing to patiently teach Cagalli, not despising her childish political views, but guiding her step by step to understand war... was an unexpected delight for him.
"It's nothing, I just answer questions when they come up. Although Cagalli can be a bit single-minded at times, that's actually an advantage."
"As long as she establishes the right ideals and values... and stays on the right path, there's still great hope for her future."
Lu Tianming answered with a smile. In the original work, Cagalli ended up the way she did... Lu Tianming always felt it might be because she was never really "contaminated" by knowledge.
Thinking back carefully, during the beginning of the original story, Cagalli was either rebellious or on her way to rebellion. When she finally finished rebelling and returned home, her father blew up just days later.
After that, she was forced into becoming prime minister, only to be sidelined... It seemed the rebellious girl never really got a chance to grow up.
Kisaka nodded in strong agreement, then slightly raised his head, a flicker of seriousness in his eyes:
"Mr. Lu, saying this... do you have some conjecture about Miss Cagalli's identity?"
He detected some deeper meaning in Lu Tianming's earlier words, and Kisaka suspected—that Lu Tianming had already guessed Cagalli's true identity.
Cagalli's tendencies during their conversation had been too obvious, mentioning ORB in almost every third sentence. He believed that with Lu Tianming's abilities, he couldn't have failed to notice.
Even if he hadn't pinpointed ORB specifically, he should have guessed that Cagalli held an extraordinary status.
"Whether I guess right or not, what does it matter... It's not like it's the first time I've met important figures."
Lu Tianming laughed jokingly. If we're really talking about important figures... the one Cagalli went to find carries no small weight either.
Kisaka nodded in agreement. Although Cagalli didn't know Lacus' true identity, he was well aware—having personally witnessed the supposedly deceased Lacus Clyne appearing here, he had been utterly shocked.
Thinking back carefully, he should have realized from the moment he managed to recruit Lacus Clyne that this young man before him was no ordinary individual.
After exchanging a few brief words, Kisaka didn't probe further. Bidding farewell to Lu Tianming, he hurried after Cagalli—as a bodyguard, he couldn't stay away from his charge for too long.
With Kisaka gone, Lu Tianming found himself with little to do and returned to the Strike Suit's cockpit to continue his research. Earlier, he had seized the opportunity to learn some equipment-crafting techniques from Kira and, using their connection as a basis, had created some small gadgets. He planned to test their effectiveness with Xia Chuan.
Just as Lu Tianming opened the Strike Suit's cockpit hatch and settled in, a teasing voice came from nearby:
"What's up? Tired from all the appraisal work, taking a halftime break?"
Hearing this, Lu Tianming knew the guy had likely been eavesdropping for a while. He chuckled and retorted:
"Halftime break? Where's the second half? You setting up a game for me?"
"I'm not organizing anything for you. That stuff's too messy—I wouldn't dare arrange it."
Xia Chuan clicked his tongue with slight disdain, then changed the subject, asking Lu Tianming with sudden curiosity:
"Are you carrying some mechanical trinket? Show me, let's see!"
Lu Tianming was surprised... He had just finished making the small device recently and hadn't even powered it on yet. How had Xia Chuan detected its presence?
Could this guy actually be some kind of security inspection NT? Using heightened perception to sense nearby hazardous items?
But since it was discovered, he saw no point in hiding it. Immediately, like Doraemon pulling from his fourth-dimensional pocket, he reached into his pocket and produced a pair of black-rimmed plain glasses. Grinning like a child showing off a toy, he announced:
"Ta-da! My newly handmade 'Smart Link Glasses'!"
"? What's the use? Can they turn you into Ultraman Seven?"
While Xia Chuan expressed curiosity, Lu Tianming could also see—the cockpit's light panels flickering left and right, as if a human-shaped Xia Chuan were examining the glasses with a flashlight, studying the details.
"If I could transform into Ultraman, why would I need you? I'd just go transform directly... and show off big time to you."
Lu Tianming felt deeply exasperated by Xia Chuan's whimsical assumption... This wasn't some tokusatsu drama—where would Ultraman come from?
He sighed softly and began explaining the glasses' functions to Xia Chuan in detail:
"I created this based on the mysterious connection between us, collecting data as the foundation."
"It acts like a relay and amplification station for signals, while also serving as an information-sharing hub."
"For example, if I activate the glasses' data synchronization feature while moving around, you could share my visual perspective through the built-in micro-camera. With added microphones, we could even synchronize audio."
"And this thing can also strengthen our connection. I did some simple testing and estimation myself, and it seems even if we enter enemy territory, this should still maintain our information link and communication."
"Holy shit, that incredible? So your old man can finally go out and see the world?!"
Hearing this, Xia Chuan was overjoyed—he had been practically sprouting mold from boredom in the hangar lately. Seeing that Lu Tianming was about to go on a business trip, he initially thought he'd be forced to idle around again.
But now it seemed... maybe he'd have a chance to go out and explore this time too?
Xia Chuan kept exclaiming "holy shit," his delight clearly overflowing, but then he heard Lu Tianming clear his throat lightly and add:
"...What I said earlier was the theoretical long-distance effect based on short-range tests. The actual situation remains to be verified."
"If we really want to ensure long-distance linked communication, there's probably one thing we can't do without."
"What thing? Is it something I can provide?"
Xia Chuan was momentarily stunned but spoke up immediately.
At this point, Lu Tianming's tone gradually grew heavier. After thinking with a slightly serious expression for a moment, he slowly said:
"I need... a part of your spirit."