President Kemore of the Azure Alliance hailed from a small nation. This had seemingly become a tradition, viewed by Azure as an important reflection of the Alliance's balance of power principle.
With the Azure Alliance maintaining silence throughout the recent period, Howard said his arrival was on behalf of the President in a personal capacity.
"Mankind currently stands on the brink of history's greatest crisis and catastrophe—extinction may well be upon us. If Major Qing does not object, President Kemore says he still believes Azure remains the most dependable bulwark mankind has in confronting this catastrophe.
"The Council is currently drawing up plans to reveal the truth to all of humanity, while simultaneously striving to give them faith."
Having finished his opening remarks, Howard waited a moment. Receiving no response from Han Qingyu, he had no choice but to continue on his own.
"Under these circumstances, a massive internal conflict within Azure would have far too great an impact. Furthermore, assuming the truth of the matter is indeed as you and certain people outside suspect—that Mr. Alphonse, the first-generation Starlight, truly committed such horrific deeds... the faith in Azure held by our soldiers, as well as the ordinary citizens who will soon be told the truth, would very likely collapse entirely."
"So you want to cover it up?" He Tangtang demanded.
Howard glanced at He Tangtang. Rather than answering directly, he said, "Right now, the most paramount concern is that Azure must give mankind faith and unite all of humanity..."
This was tantamount to tacitly admitting two things: first, that both the President and he agreed Alphonse had truly done those things; and second, that they wanted to cover up the truth.
The murderous aura that instantly permeated the surroundings soaked Howard's back in cold sweat. He hastily added, "I'm not finished... President Kemore's proposal goes beyond that. He merely hopes this can be handled in a different manner."
Han Qingyu: "For example?"
Han Qingyu had spoken for the first time, which thrilled Howard.
"The Starlight Azure Medal! It is something you rightfully deserve anyway, Major Qing. In addition, an exceptional conferral of the rank of Alliance General!" Howard looked at Han Qingyu, his eyes earnest.
Han Qingyu said nothing, though his expression looked as if he were contemplating it.
"That's not all! There is Alphonse as well—he will not be let off," Howard rushed on. "The Alliance will deal with Alphonse. His past actions—going to the City of Iniquity to plot your murders—will be made public, and he will be convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to life imprisonment... The private soldiers of the Third Fixed Exploration Site will be disbanded, and the site itself will be converted into a facility where he is kept under guard until his death."
The meaning was clear: Alphonse would not be convicted of the truth, but of attempted murder.
From the perspective of the Alliance and the President, they had likely put forward immense effort to offer these conditions.
Yet to Han Qingyu and the others, such a punishment was virtually no different from letting Alphonse retire in comfort.
Howard sensed the atmosphere shifting...
"Following this, Major Qing can also invoke the special privilege of the Star of Azure to submit an application to station your army at either the Second or Fourth Exploration Site.
"President Kemore will do everything in his power to fulfill all the promises above before stepping down from office."
He was making his final effort.
"Oh..." Han Qingyu gave a drawn-out acknowledgment. He looked up, his eyes solemn as he asked, "Then, Howard..."
"Please, go ahead!" Howard answered eagerly.
"I want to know: can I take the Star of Azure first, and then use that privilege to apply to kill Alphonse?" Han Qingyu asked.
"..." Howard's face went completely blank for a moment. *Major Qing's grasp of logic really is... exceptionally sharp.*
Han Qingyu pointed toward the distant silhouette of the building complex and added, "And while I'm at it, overturn this place and turn it inside out. My army can just be stationed here, too."
"..." Bitterness flickered in Howard's eyes. "That... does not seem possible. The prerequisite for invoking that privilege is that the request falls within rules and reason."
"Oh." This response was very curt.
After answering, Han Qingyu said nothing more, turning around to face his army.
*If that's the case, then that Star of Azure privilege isn't really good for much, is it?* Han Qingyu thought to himself. Just a moment ago, he had been planning to apply for: tens of thousands of metal blocks, plus having Alphonse killed, plus moving into and tearing open the Third Fixed Exploration Site, plus several source energy airships, plus...
"Then it's meaningless," he muttered under his breath.
Hearing those words, Yin Caixin let out a sigh of relief. Patting her chest, she whispered to Rusty Sister, "Thank goodness. That scared me to death just now—I almost thought Qingzi was considering agreeing to it."
"How could he?" Wen Jifei interjected. "Qingzi would never accept. Even in the desperate straits we were in three years ago, he wouldn't have accepted it—let alone now, after surviving everything these past three years."
The others beside him nodded. Unlike Caixin, none of them had worried—not for a single second.
In truth, Yin Caixin didn't know Han Qingyu well enough. The actual time they had spent together was short, and she hadn't lived through those past three years by their side.
But Wen Jifei, Rusty Sister, Wu Xu, He Tangtang... they had walked every step of it together.
Over these three years, they had been hunted and forced on the run. To increase his combat power during that time, Han Qingyu had spent over a year deliberately seeking out special attribute injuries over and over again, returning home critically wounded time and time again.
During those nights when he endured the agonizing torment of bone remodeling, curled up in bed whimpering, crying, and calling for his mother, every single one of them had gone to his doorway each and every time, standing in silent vigil like soldiers taking turns on sentry duty.
It was just that, aside from Rusty Sister who had been caught red-handed, none of the rest of them had ever spoken a word of it.
After coming through all that, how could Han Qingyu ever compromise?!
Having lived through all that together, how could any of them ever be shaken by anything?!
...
The ranks of Stream Vanguard began to move.
Standing in place, Howard watched them. Clenching his teeth abruptly, he looked up.
"Please reconsider, Major Qing! For the unity of Azure, the faith of our soldiers, and the future of humanity!" he shouted toward that retreating back. "President Kemore says he knows you require justice and truth, Major Qing, but the interests of all mankind are the greatest justice of all!"
Major Qing's steps halted.
His courage entirely spent, Howard felt his heart clench tight.
Then Han Qingyu turned his head and cast him a glance.
The ten-thousand-strong battle formation turned their heads to look at him...
In that instant, Howard nearly collapsed to the ground.
"I suddenly realize you seem to have misunderstood a great many things all along." Han Qingyu did not appear particularly angry.
"Mis... misunderstood? What... did we?" Trembling all over, Howard asked tentatively.
"I came here simply to kill Alphonse. I've thought about this for three years, and across countless moments of reflection during those three years, it was never about mankind, nor was it ever about justice. It is simply that I am going to chop him to death."
This time, faced with Major Qing's logic and principles, Howard could not utter a single sound.
"All right. If you insist on talking about mankind and justice, let me just say this: I have never believed justice comes in large or small."
Having said his piece, Han Qingyu turned back around.
Ten thousand warriors of Stream Vanguard turned with him.
Chapter 566