Meanwhile, in the equally calm and uneventful May City, Heinline stared at Director Shiva before him, his expression one of utter astonishment.
"Freed wants me to continue as his deputy?"
"Yes, I never expected he would make such a request."
"It shows he isn't someone without insight."
Shiva nodded.
Although she still held reservations about Fred, she had to admit that Fred was indeed a genius.
Not only had he flawlessly completed the development of the Laurasia-class, but he had also fully recognized Heinline's talents.
Both his abilities and his judgment of people were top-notch.
"Director Shiva... what about my assignment?"
If he had heard that Fred wanted to keep him before getting to know Fred, he would have dismissed it with disdain. But after these past few months, he had gained a completely new understanding of Fred.
One could even say Fred had become someone he admired.
Hearing that Fred wanted him to stay, he felt happy, even proud.
After all, Fred himself was a genius.
When such a genius asked him to stay, it carried a different weight than if an ordinary person had done so.
"What do you think?"
Seeing the look on his face, Shiva felt there was no need to ask further.
At the same time, she felt a bit frustrated.
Had it been a mistake to send her most capable subordinate to Fred's side to monitor him?
Judging by Heinline's demeanor, it was clear he had grown quite attached to Fred.
Of course, Fred's recent achievements were indeed remarkable, and the process had been entirely clean, earning her trust.
If it was all for the sake of PLANT, although she was frustrated, she wouldn't stop Heinline from making his own choice.
Moreover, Heinline's presence could continue to serve as a means of monitoring Fred.
Even though Heinline clearly respected Fred, that respect wasn't enough to drive him to betray his country.
"I... want to continue researching with Director Freed!"
Heinline said earnestly, then bowed deeply toward Shiva.
"I'm sorry!"
"Hmm, it's fine."
Heinline was a good young man.
Seeing him apologize so sincerely, clearly feeling he had let her down, Shiva nodded in satisfaction.
"But since he wants you to stay by his side, you should also know about his identity."
In terms of rank, Heinline hadn't reached the level required to know such information.
But in terms of the right to know, as one of the long-term monitors, Heinline was entitled to this knowledge.
"What identity?"
Heinline asked, puzzled.
"First, this is PLANT's highest-level secret. If you reveal it, I won't be able to protect you."
"Do you understand?"
Instead of answering directly, Shiva spoke to Heinline in a stern tone.
Her tense expression underscored the seriousness of the matter.
Heinline, standing before Shiva, swallowed hard, startled by her sudden words.
If Shiva wasn't joking, then Fred's identity was far more terrifying than anything he had speculated—such as being the illegitimate child of a high-ranking official.
It was something he had never imagined: his superior was a walking top-secret.
However, considering Freed's own extraordinary strength, he found it less surprising.
"I understand."
Upon hearing this, Heinline nodded seriously once more in confirmation.
At the same time, he couldn't help but let his thoughts wander.
Could Fred's true identity be the legendary Ultimate Coordinator from Mendel? Or perhaps some kind of superhuman developed through other unusual genetic research?
If that were the case, then Freed's performance wouldn't be strange at all—he would simply be the pinnacle of cutting-edge technology.
Just as Heinline's thoughts had quietly drifted away, Shiva continued from the other side.
"His real name is Fred, Fred Allster."
As she spoke, Shiva's tone grew increasingly solemn.
"Fred...?"
Heinline was taken aback, not having heard the answer he expected.
Fred? Who is that? Is he famous?
Is this top-secret information?
Did Director Shiva make a mistake?
"..."
Looking at Heinline's utterly confused expression, Shiva was speechless, having not expected him to be unaware.
Originally thinking she would witness Heinline's shock, Shiva could only continue explaining.
"The hero who protected the Moon, do you know him?"
"Moon... hero... Fred..."
After connecting the key terms, Heinline finally recalled the major event from a couple of years ago.
It was understandable—too many significant events had occurred over the past two years. If the hero had continued to appear, people's memories of him would have remained fresh.
But after his sudden disappearance, he was quickly overshadowed by the constant stream of news.
Moreover, Heinline himself was deeply immersed in his research.
Naturally, the hero was even easier for him to forget, and matters related to Freed had long been pushed to the back of his mind.
"But... Fred, I remember he was a Natural, right?"
Finally catching on, Heinline murmured as he continued.
"And also the Atlantic Star."
In response to Heinline's bewildered words, Shiva didn't answer, merely watching him silently.
After a long silence, Heinline slowly began to piece things together.
"That Freed... no, Fred, is a Natural?"
The expression on Heinline's face was indescribably strange.
This was only natural—he had assumed Freed was some kind of scientific anomaly, only to be told he was the most basic type of Natural.
It was like expecting someone to be the Chosen One, only for the twist to reveal they were just a villager.
Probably no one could accept such a reversal immediately.
And while he called him a villager, Heinline had never seen a villager this formidable.
Shiva still didn't answer, merely nodding slightly in acknowledgment.
Facing Shiva's demeanor, Heinline stood frozen for a while longer before slowly continuing.
"The Atlantic Star is also our Research Star?"
The title "Research Star" hadn't spread widely, of course—it was only used privately by those researchers in the know.
Even so, it still struck Heinline as utterly absurd.
Is this even human?
Can a Natural truly become the Chosen One?
"Yes."
Seeing that Heinline had digested this information, Shiva finally continued.
"So we cannot reveal his identity, nor the role he played."
"...Then why?"
Why was he still working so hard to help them with the research?
Without recognition, with neither his homeland nor his own people on this side—why put in such effort?
This question troubled not only Heinline but Shiva as well. Even though Heinline didn't voice it aloud, Shiva understood exactly what he meant.