"Does Lacus have anything to ask?"
Fred quickly composed himself upon hearing this and followed up with the question.
"Yes, but it's a rather personal matter. Brother Fred, you don't have to answer if you don't want to."
It should have seemed incongruous for such a young girl to speak so seriously about personal matters, but Lacus had a particularly unique aura about her. When she spoke earnestly, no one would take it as a joke.
"What is it?"
Fred had already shaken off his earlier embarrassment, and the urge to hurry home to study the engine blueprints surged within him again.
If not for the overwhelming excitement brought by these blueprints, he wouldn't have dared to pat Lacus's head earlier.
But since she had just given him the designs, Fred patiently asked.
"Brother Fred, what do you think I should do to achieve the peace you mentioned?"
Hearing this, Lacus poured out the question that had been troubling her for a long time.
"Uh..."
Fred was momentarily stunned by the sudden seriousness of the question.
Was it appropriate for someone of Lacus's stature to discuss peace with him?
He just wanted to deal with the antagonists and retire!
The future belonged to Lacus and her generation.
Besides, wasn't Lacus's teacher that mentor?
Wouldn't it be better to ask an expert directly about such matters?
Could it be because of something he said...?
Fred wondered if his earlier remark about striving for world peace might have influenced Lacus.
The young man felt conflicted.
He wasn't sure whether this was a good or bad development.
This very uncertainty made him increasingly hesitant about how to respond.
However, he didn't remain silent for long and soon continued.
"The world will never know permanent peace. Restoring balance to the situation and allowing Coordinators and Naturals to gradually reconcile through hardship might be the safest approach."
Lacus wasn't pleased with Fred's answer—or rather, she felt somewhat disappointed.
Although his words echoed her mentor's perspective in a different way.
They sounded wise and earned her admiration.
But it wasn't the answer she sought.
"However..."
Fred continued, sensing Lacus's disappointment.
"Perhaps for someone like Lacus, becoming a source of strength in people's hearts could help stabilize the future situation."
Fred spoke from his knowledge of future events.
"How can I become that source of strength for people?"
Hearing this different perspective, Lacus widened her eyes slightly and asked earnestly.
"Become an idol and save PLANT!"
Fred said with a laugh, though his tone was completely serious.
After all, Lacus would indeed become an idol in the future.
Her reputation would grow so immense that the people of PLANT would ignore the Zala Faction's orders to apprehend her.
This alone demonstrated the extent of Lacus's influence.
Therefore, whether for Lacus's sake or Fred's, her continuing down this path was undoubtedly the right choice.
"An idol...?"
Lacus was momentarily taken aback by the unfamiliar term.
Then she nodded slowly, a mix of confusion and dawning understanding in her expression.
She could grasp the general meaning, but...
"Can I... really become an idol?"
Lacus lowered her head to glance at her small hands, then lifted her gaze again with a dazed expression.
Her? Become an idol?
She had truly never considered it before.
But upon careful reflection, Fred's words did hold some logic.
Becoming an idol could not only empower others but also enhance her own reputation, thereby increasing domestic stability.
"Absolutely possible."
Fred nodded as he spoke, then half-knelt to meet the young girl's bright eyes directly.
"But Lacus is still young. Take your time to consider it, alright?"
Fred's tone was gentle as he spoke.
These words were genuinely sincere.
After all, a girl this young couldn't possibly become an idol or anything of the sort.
"Hmm... I'll think about it..."
Lacus replied, her face unusually tinged with a childlike innocence.
No matter how mature she seemed for her age, she was still just an eight or nine-year-old girl.
The path Fred described was novel to her, yet also highly feasible.
Though just a brief statement, it subtly addressed the doubts currently lingering in her heart.
Subconsciously, she sensed that what Fred proposed might indeed be the optimal solution.
This momentary innocence didn't linger long on her delicate face.
After her thoughts settled, Lacus soon revealed a pure, adorable smile again.
"Then I have one last question for you, Brother Fred."
"What is it?"
"Why are you really looking for that person?"
Seeing Lacus's expression, Fred parted his lips slightly, about to repeat what he had told Siegel earlier, but he quickly stopped himself.
Lacus had been present during the previous conversation, and since she was asking again now, it was likely because she hadn't accepted his earlier answer.
Why did Lacus suspect he was lying?
Fred couldn't tell whether it was a girl's intuition or a Coordinator's ability to read minds.
But... since things had reached this point, he had no reason to hide the truth.
"If left unchecked, he will destroy the world, so he must die."
Talking about human rights with the ultimate villain? He might as well bash his own head against a wall.
"...What?"
Hearing Fred's words, Lacus—who had expected a more practical or noble answer—was momentarily at a loss for words.
Even her naturally charming smile faded.
She wondered if he was just saying things casually, yet her intuition told her Fred seemed to be speaking the truth.
He genuinely wanted the other person dead and sincerely believed that the clone was capable of destroying the world.
Lacus was only an eight or nine-year-old girl; freezing up after hearing such a statement was only natural.
However, her stunned state didn't last long, and she soon regained her composure.
"Is there any evidence? Proof that this person truly deserves to die?"
"Find him, and I can show you the proof."
Fred spoke with complete honesty, his eyes fixed directly on the young girl before him.
"This is also for the sake of a peaceful world."
The more he learned about PLANT recently, the clearer his thoughts became.
He realized that, here, trying to take down Creuset single-handedly was practically impossible.
Never mind how difficult Creuset would be to eliminate—even if he succeeded, clearing his own name afterward would be a major issue.
After all, he wasn't a professional assassin or agent, and he had no influence here whatsoever.
Moreover, if the assassination failed and Creuset managed to escape from PLANT, it would be like releasing a tiger back into the mountains—inviting endless future troubles.
Since that was the case, and Lacus had asked about it now, he might as well make things clear.
If the girl truly possessed some of the abilities of a Coordinator, this would also serve as proof of his own credibility.
At the very least, based on her portrayal in the series, Fred didn't believe she would use Creuset as a tool of war.