This time, he wasn't here for socializing.
Nothing was more important than Creuset, so he needed to hurry back and review his plans a few more times.
"Alright."
Upon hearing Fred's words, the nearest few people did not object.
Although they weren't sure if this person was as capable as rumored, Fred's composed and unyielding demeanor in front of them had quietly dispelled their slight underestimation of researchers as weak and defenseless.
As for Fred, who had left only his back to them, his mind was already deep in thought.
The intelligence he had leaked indicated the attack would take place in two days. It would take one day to get there, and according to the information, Creuset had already set out.
The first part of the plan had gone smoothly, and the latter part could not afford the slightest mistake.
His goal was singular: to kill Creuset within these three days. Only by eliminating him could the events of the first part of the future storyline be set free.
Only then could he prove that he truly had the power to change this world.
Only then would his journey across vast distances to PLANT with his companions be justified.
Only by killing him could the first phase of his plan proceed.
Only then could he continue to forge a brilliant future.
Watching Fred's back disappear behind the automatically locking metal door, the three finally withdrew their gazes.
"He's not quite what we imagined," chuckled Herbert von Reinhard, the one with a toothpick in his mouth among the trio.
They had expected a stern researcher, but now it seemed otherwise.
"Regardless of what he's like, our mission remains the same," nodded Hilda Haken, the golden-haired woman leading them.
Her tone carried a warning and seriousness toward her subordinates.
This woman, whom Fred had imagined wearing an eyepatch, now had both eyes bright as candle flames, with no eyepatch in sight.
"But do you think that Replica is really worth such a large-scale operation?" interjected Wolf, the Captain.
"And that person behind Freed—shouldn't he be one of Patrick's people? Is it really alright to bring him up like this?"
In response, Haken merely smiled faintly.
"Mr. Clyne must have his reasons for doing so."
They were all part of his private forces, completely loyal to Clyne and aligned with his ideals.
If Clyne said there was no problem, then there was no problem.
Still, she couldn't help but wonder if Fred truly possessed the power that their superiors had claimed.
With this thought, Haken felt a growing curiosity.
At the very least, from their first meeting, the young man had overturned their impressions of researchers.
"That's true..." Wolf chuckled awkwardly on the other end and said no more.
What the higher-ups said, he would simply follow.
Besides, this mission might involve real danger.
Who knew if the true Blue Cosmos would seize the opportunity to cause trouble?
Amid the Captain's concerns, Fred soon returned to the room assigned to him, bringing Alec along.
The room's decor wasn't overly luxurious, but the living space was much better than a communal bunk.
It had all the necessary functions, and Fred wasn't there to enjoy himself anyway. After just a glance, he went straight to the large steel desk integrated into the floor.
"Those people just now are all Aces with reputations within our ranks," Alec said softly, looking at Fred. "Their skills are all above mine."
"Yes, it seems so," Fred replied with a faint smile.
Alec chuckled in response. "You trust me so much..."
Those people were the hidden strength of the Clyne Faction, yet he had seen them all. Although Fred hadn't said much earlier, he had clearly shown his trust. It left Alec feeling somewhat conflicted.
"You're doing this for PLANT, they're doing it for PLANT, and I'm doing it for the world. It's all the same."
"The same, huh..."
If possible, he didn't want either side to go to war. If using the balance method Fred mentioned could reduce the risk of conflict, he was willing to accept it.
"But," Alec paused, his gaze lingering on Fred's mask before he sighed. "Fred, you won't personally take any risks, will you?"
He had thought a lot along the way—not only about how those Aces were actually Clyne's people but also about why Fred insisted on going in person. If it was just a plan, it could have been carried out remotely. Yet Fred was willing to take such a risk. It didn't seem like his style at all.
"If everything goes according to plan, I won't," Fred shook his head. "I won't even leave this ship."
If all went smoothly, when Creuset met his end, Fred would only be remotely controlling things from inside the ship. As for whether he would regret not facing the boss directly or feel guilty about being underhanded, Fred's answer was a firm no. After all this time, he had long come to see this world as reality. Death here meant real death.
He liked to look cool, sure, but risking his life just for that wasn't cool—it was stupid. So, Fred had no intention of going down there. Besides, with his mediocre skills, he wouldn't be much help anyway. It was better to stay here and command. That was what he should do.
As for Bella, if he couldn't see her now, so be it. There were nearly ten years until the events of the movie, and there would be plenty of opportunities to deal with her in the future. Creuset was the primary target.
"That's good," Alec said, genuinely relieved to hear that Fred wouldn't even leave the ship. He had been worried that the Clyne Faction and Fred would take unnecessary risks together. Seeing that Fred was still cautious eased his concerns.
Just as Alec finished speaking, the entire ship shuddered slightly. Fred, who was intimately familiar with the vessel, knew exactly what this meant—they were officially setting off. And the plan he had been laying out for so long was about to enter its most critical phase.
With that thought, Fred turned his gaze back to the young man before him. "Alright, get some rest," Fred said with a smile. "It's going to be a very long three days."
Although he didn't know what would happen in these three days, Fred had only one goal: to take down Creuset, and then the sky would be his limit.
"Alright."
Seeing Fred's still confident demeanor, Alec didn't press further.
No matter what, he had already made his decision—all that remained was to trust.