Chapter 49: The Secret Unveiled!

At Karma's call, not a single senior at the Zeon Military Academy was absent; all volunteered to participate in the surprise attack. Moreover, some juniors, having caught wind of the plan, also petitioned to join.

“Everyone!”

Karma’s voice choked with emotion as he looked at the spirited underclassmen. In the end, he could only say,

“Please, lend me your strength!”

“Long live Zeon!”

Once the time for the operation was set, the entire Zeon Military Academy began preparations in an orderly fashion. Thanks to the academy’s highly autonomous management system, daily activities in the cadet areas involved almost no officers, being entirely overseen by senior cadets themselves.

This ensured that Karma and his group’s actions went completely unnoticed by any officers. The lowerclassmen were still studying diligently in the classrooms; they would not be allowed out until nightfall, at which time a group of juniors would ensure they were sent to lights-out.

Thanks to the self-governance model established by Principal Dozru, Karma and the others were effectively ready.

Live ammunition had already been distributed individually, along with first aid supplies. Medics carried sufficient plasma and tourniquets, though surgical instruments were not considered due to the distance between the academy and the Federation military base.

Rations followed the same logic. According to Char’s plan, the assault would last only one to two hours, so carrying food was unnecessary. However, everyone brought enough water and salt tablets.

Additionally, body bags and farewell letters were prepared.

“We need to consider what to do about Principal Dozru!” Char spoke up as everyone silently wrote their letters.

“Should we rush in and tie him up?” a cadet cautiously suggested.

“Impossible. Principal Dozru is like a gorilla. Even if twenty of us went in, we couldn’t subdue him.”

“Then use weapons to force him to surrender?”

“No way. Absolutely no firearms against Brother Dozru. I’d rather cancel the mission!” Karma shook his head emphatically. He held great respect for the gorilla-like senior, so any option that might harm him was off the table.

“I’ll do it,” said Seramia, the only female squad leader who had previously participated in a feint attack with Char during exercises, hailing from Side 4.

“I’ll find a way to hold the principal back.”

“But how can you hold him alone?”

“I’ll load blanks in my pistol, so no one will get hurt! What do you think, Karma?”

“Blanks? That’s fine, but be careful!” Karma warned, looking at Seramia, who was much smaller than him.

“Brother Dozru’s fighting skills are formidable!”

“No problem. Don’t worry, everyone.”

“Then I’ll get ready!”

Seeing Karma’s lingering concern and desire to give more advice, Char turned and left. To bolster Karma’s morale, he planned to lead the charge.

Just as Char stepped out, someone stopped him.

“Char!”

“What is it, Lino?”

The voice belonged to Lino Fernandes, Char’s former roommate from the Lum Republic, and the first to mention the so-called Moon God Ball to him.

“There is no such thing as the Moon God Ball finals!” Lino said slowly, descending the stairs as he spoke.

“I was merely playing detective. A young man from the Texas Colony, Edward Mars, died in a spaceship accident. He looked exactly like you, Char Aznable, except for one thing — blue eyes!”

As Lino approached, turmoil surged within Char. Instinctively, he turned slightly, shielding his left hand while silently calculating how to kill this man quickly. After all, his secret must not be revealed.

His eyes fixed unblinkingly on Lino, his wide blue gaze piercing through even his sunglasses.

Yet, just as Char’s left hand reached for the dagger at his side, Lino suddenly shifted tone, his voice trembling with fervent joy.

“So, you have finally returned, Casval Deikun. So you have come to avenge the Zabi family?”

“What are you talking about?” Char’s motion froze. He sensed no hostility, but did not reveal his identity.

“I understand. At times like this, one cannot reveal themselves. Don’t worry, I stand with you. Here, please accept this!”

Lino pulled a brand-new pair of goggles from his pocket.

“What’s this?”

“These are modified from the Moon God Ball’s headgear. I think these will suit the battlefield better than your sunglasses!”

“Thank you, Lino.” Without hesitation, Char took the goggles and put them on.

“You’re welcome. Everything, for Deikun!” Lino whispered with overwhelming joy.

Then he happily left the corridor to rejoin his team, while Char lingered, pondering for a moment before stepping forward.

But after only two steps, a sudden chill ran down his back.

“Damn it!”

The goggles Lino gave him reminded Char of something—the Red Dragon team’s Makarius had also mentioned the Moon God Ball. Since Lino claimed it was a fabrication, that meant someone else knew his secret as well!

Char’s breathing quickened sharply, the cold prickling sensation making him shiver involuntarily.

He briskly headed to his dormitory, ready to revise the plan with Karma. The original assault only targeted broad objectives like the tank depot and artillery barracks, with no plans to eliminate specific personnel.

“Karma!”

“What is it, Char?”

“The Federation cadets — I think we should prioritize eliminating them.”

“Why?”

“Because these people are the Federation’s talent reserves. Killing them would strike at the foundation of the Federation’s military.”

Char couldn’t simply say he intended to kill the man who knew his secret.

“Take Makarius, for example. Can you imagine the heavy losses we’d suffer if he led an armored unit on the battlefield?”

“But—”

The captain of Karma’s personal guard raised his datapad, showing footage taken by reporters. At the center was a tank adorned with a red dragon.

“But he’s not guarding the base; he’s in Zim City!”

For the first time, Karma’s expression twisted upon hearing Char’s words.