back to Earth

This is the second time Cheng Zhen heard Rhine say that he could not defeat him. Unlike the first time, the reason His Excellency United Front Commander said this time was not because he had too many unnecessary emotions.

"You can't trust the people around you, this is your biggest weakness." Rhine said.

But Cheng Zhen couldn't understand his reason. "No trust? When you said that last time, you thought that a good driver doesn't need extra emotion. But this time, you think that I don't trust my companions. I don't want to say whether you are right about me, but you Isn’t your own argument already contradictory?”

Rhine, who was counterattacked, looked at the black-haired boy silently.

"According to your thinking, your Excellency, to become a top mecha pilot, you must abandon the interference of unnecessary emotions. But now, you confirm that the reason why I can't defeat you is because I don't trust my companions enough. Trust is also a kind of Emotion, you say that, do you think I lack this side of emotion? Doesn’t this contradict your previous conclusion?”

Known as the emotionless Rhine by Leiber, he himself also rejects being disturbed by emotions on the battlefield.However, such a cold-hearted person, now persuades Cheng Zhen that he lacks trust in his companions.

This has to make people feel that there is nothing in the world that cannot be changed.

Facing the stubborn eyes of the black-haired boy, Rhine responded slowly. "Although I don't quite understand the feelings you mentioned, you who participated in this war for the belonging and pride of mankind made me understand one thing. Perhaps on the battlefield, some positive emotions also play a positive role. Effect. It can be said that you have changed my view of war with your actions."

The black-haired boy who was only planning to refute suddenly fell silent, and Rhine's sudden confession made him a little at a loss.Your Excellency, the always strong United Front Commander, unexpectedly sometimes admits that he has been influenced by outsiders.

"But you yourself have forgotten that."

Hearing what Rhine said, Cheng Zhen, who was still in a daze, subconsciously wanted to refute.However, Rhine seemed to see through his thoughts, and spoke first.

"Maybe a strong love for the race, and some other emotions, have made you make various choices until now, appearing in the Battle of Klein and becoming an excellent fighter. But the same, you lack a feeling that makes you You can never break through to a higher level.”

"Is it higher... emperor level?"

In the brief confrontation before, Cheng Zhen had already discovered the huge difference in strength between himself and Rhine.He couldn't know whether this difference in strength generally existed between emperors and ordinary people, or whether it only existed in himself.Even if he became a potential person, he still couldn't compete with Rhine.

What is it that causes such a gap?

Thinking of this, the originally chaotic mood gradually calmed down.Cheng Zhen looked at Rhine who was sitting opposite, and gradually became able to listen to his analysis rationally.

"Then what His Excellency the Chief of the United Front thinks, this result is due to my lack of trust in my companions?"

Looking at the black-haired boy who had returned to his normal self-control, Rhine nodded slightly. "You always like to take responsibility alone, and don't easily share the burden with others. This battle is also the same, leading the mech unit to break through the ambush zone. Your original plan should be to rely on this team alone to become the one who can turn the victory or defeat of the war. Turnaround. And in this critical team, you bear the vast majority of the responsibility yourself."

"Pride in your own strength makes you ignore other people."

This sentence was like a heavy punch, hitting Cheng Zhenxin hard.To put it bluntly, Rhine meant that Cheng Zhen was too confident and conceited, which caused his current failure.

"When you notice something strange, your first choice is to go back alone instead of explaining to your companions. Because of this, you have lost to me. If you had negotiated with others from the beginning, maybe it would not be so easy was brought here."

Sensing the unbelievable expression of the black-haired boy, Rhine continued. "It's the same in the entire combat plan. You put all the focus on the mecha unit and yourself, but you ignore the mobility of the support troops. Subconsciously think that as long as they appear according to the plan, it's fine. But I didn't think about it. The cooperative troops also have their own strength and deployment. Maybe you subconsciously didn't think about finding other people to help you share the burden."

Cheng Zhen originally opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly fell silent at this moment.When he learned that Rhine sent an ambush force to attack the human army again, he really thought that everything would be over, but he did not expect that the human army and other allied forces broke through the defense line of the imperial army ambush by themselves.This unexpected feeling should come from his deep distrust of the aid troops.No, or overprotective.

"You should be lucky this time, the human army still has good strength, which is enough to save you from failure. And next time, you have to try to trust your companions so that you won't make the same mistake again."

After finishing a long statement, Rhine picked up his cup and took a sip. "But even so, in this battle of Klein, you don't have much chance of winning."

Rhine looked at the black-haired boy who didn't refute what he said, knowing that he was immersed in his own thoughts, so he didn't speak anymore.

But Cheng Zhen, who lowered his head to think, was thinking about questions that he had never thought of.He reflected on whether he subconsciously ignored the help of others, as Laing said, and always took on it alone.At the same time, Reina's words before resurfaced in his mind.

Rainer said that Rhine had shown him the grace of knowing people.Indeed, from the appointment of a human being as the leader of the treatment team in the Bertutan army, it can be seen that Rhine is a leader who knows how to use people well.

Cheng really thought, is this the gap between him and himself?

Rhine Bertutan possesses one of the most powerful strengths in the interstellar world, and at the same time, he also has a group of subordinates who are absolutely loyal to him.Although he insists on being strong on his own, he does not refuse help from those around him.Perhaps, this is the reason why Rhine is undefeated.

A strong man with the protection of his companions is more difficult to defeat than a lone wolf.

And Cheng Zhen, perhaps as the eldest son, may always be used to bearing responsibility and pressure alone.It has been too long for him to find a comrade-in-arms who can stand side by side and be trustworthy.Like Inver and Leiber, they are just allies who form an alliance with each other.Cheng Zhen didn't think about who to rely on in the past.

This time, someone told him personally.How fragile is the victory supported by only one person.

Thinking of this, Cheng Zhen raised his head and looked at the emperor-level powerhouse who always had an indifferent expression.

"Your Excellency, why are you telling me this?"

Rhine, who had finished her meal, lightly raised her light golden eyes, and said. "Beating the current you is not a challenge at all. What I want to defeat is the opponent who becomes stronger."

Hearing what he said, something flashed through Cheng Zhenxin's mind, and he couldn't help laughing out loud. "Don't you worry, one day I will become strong enough to defeat you."

Rhine's expression remained unchanged. "I look forward to that day."

His voice is calm and steady, invisibly revealing the confidence of a strong man in a high position in his own strength.

However, such a strong person can't help being lonely sometimes.Therefore, they always look forward to the appearance of an opponent who will make their eyes shine.Rhine is like this, so why not other emperors, even Victor back then must have felt this way.

As the person they expect, they not only have to accept challenges from the outside world, but also experience the test of their own mind.But it is the newcomers who can grow up under many setbacks and pressures that are even more exciting.

Looking back at those strangely colored light eyes, Cheng Zhen whispered word by word. "I will do my best to live up to this expectation."

The two looked at each other silently, as if they could see the expectation for the future in each other's eyes.What Cheng Zhen expected was to become stronger, and then challenge the strong man in front of him again, but what about Rhine?

Perhaps, he just wanted to have a worthy opponent appear again after being gradually passed on as a myth.

"Your Excellency woke me up and let me understand what I lack at the moment, but I still disagree with a certain point you said."

Hearing what Cheng Zhen said, Rhine raised her eyebrows and looked at him.

Facing Rhine's gaze, the black-haired boy spoke slowly. "As you said, the Alliance Army has little chance of winning. In my opinion, this is not necessarily the case. Since they were able to escape the ambushes of the emperor-level troops twice, they may not be able to create miracles again."

The deep black pupils shone brightly, Cheng Zhen raised the corners of his lips slightly. "As you told me, I should trust my companions more. Now, I don't think either the Human Army or the Alliance Army will give up the battle in front of me easily. As an emperor-level lord, I want to win this victory. I'm afraid it won't be that easy."

The long-lost voice full of fighting spirit and perseverance, Cheng Zhen, who had been in a state of depression since the defeat at the Rhine, did not return to his previous appearance until now.Those black eyes that are full of confidence in the future and unremittingly explore are extraordinarily bright.

This is the human knight from Clems, a strange but striking star in everyone's eyes.

Rhine looked at such an energetic black-haired boy, and slightly pursed the corners of his lips. "No matter how you and I argue, there is only one ending. Why don't we make another bet."

Under Cheng Zhen's gaze, His Excellency the Chief of the United Front slowly revealed a new bet. "As a discount for the new bet, in this battle of Klein, no matter which side wins, I will not send you to the general council."

Speaking of the General Council, Cheng Zhen frowned slightly. "So, what is the new bet your Excellency is talking about?"

Looking at the vigilant black-haired boy, Rhine felt inexplicably light in his heart.It also seemed like a lot of fun to have the person's emotions change with his every move.His Excellency United Front Chief, who was thinking in this way, revealed the content of the new bet.

"If our side wins the battle of Klein, then you must stay on the battleship Ysu."

This is the second time that Rhine made the same request to the same person.But unlike before, Cheng Zhen clearly refused that time, but now, he is not allowed to choose.Looking at the black-haired boy who frowned even tighter, Rhine said calmly.

"Two options, follow the old bet, if you lose the battle, you will be sent to the general council. The second, according to the new bet, even if you lose the battle, you will not be sent to the general council, but stay here instead. Now, you can make your own decision, Cheng Zhen."

The general council and the Rhine almost don't need to think about choosing between the two.Compared with the General Council, who doesn't know what method it will use to teach the potentials, Rhine, who reminds himself by insinuating, is more trustworthy.

The choice proposed by His Excellency the Chief of the United Front did not leave Cheng Zhen with a choice from the very beginning.

Cheng Zhen could only smile wryly, and looked at the unpredictable Rhine on the opposite side.

"Then I choose the second option."

The moment he heard the answer, Rhine raised the corners of his lips calmly, and his light golden eyes flickered a few times quickly.

"It's a word."