Chapter 113 ~ A Princess’ Wish
<span style="font-weight:400">Multiple stacks of papers, files, and documents rested atop a wide, mahogany desk within the office of the current ruling Subviceroy of Area Eleven.
<span style="font-weight:400">Sitting behind the table was a beautiful young woman with light pink hair, the color of cherry blossoms which signified spring and new beginnings. At least, within the nation now called Area Eleven after her homnd stole itsnd, resource, culture, and name by force.
<span style="font-weight:400">She was dressed immactely in her royal, official attire. Her posture, an epitome of elegance that befitted her station and royal birth. Even as she waspleting her official duties, writing and stamping the various documents, letters, and reports that seemingly never ended, her demeanor that she had honed since the moment she could walk and talk, never crumbled.
<span style="font-weight:400">However, in reality, it was far from the truth.
<span style="font-weight:400">The third royal princess of the Britannian Empire, Euphemia Li Britannia, had been working from the moment she woke up ‘till the moment she fell asleep for a few weeks now. All for the sake of realizing her wish to stop the conflict that had been raging within thend she was currently on.
<span style="font-weight:400">She knew it was her empire and her… family that had enacted war upon thend. However… She never wanted any of this to happen.
<span style="font-weight:400">The only thing war could achieve was bringing suffering onto themon people, and began the spiraling cycle of death, hatred, and revenge. A never ending cycle of suffering.
<span style="font-weight:400">However… As a mere third princess of an empire, she had no power over such a thing. She wasn’t even a general that could somewhat affect the direction of the war. Even her current position as the sun viceroy of Area Eleven was only given to him because her brother, Clovis, passed away and she was the only one with royal blood avable.
<span style="font-weight:400">She had no power to stop the war. And the fact ate at her heart when she knew that blood was spilled and lives taken every passing moment in thend she was standing on.
<span style="font-weight:400">But perhaps… all hope was not lost. Perhaps, with her limited power and influence she borrowed from her elder sister, Cornelia, she might be able to alleviate the suffering of the Japanese people… At least some of it.
<span style="font-weight:400">To give them… No, to return theirnd and rights to govern themselves, however limited it may be, and return their name, culture, and identity.
<span style="font-weight:400">To create a semnce of peace, where at least themon people wouldn’t need to suffer on the battlefield and die as mere numbers.
<span style="font-weight:400">And to aplish this… she needed the people, the Japanese people, to believe her promise. She needed them to be willing to give her a chance and prove her sincerity and her wish to truly end the war and their sufferings.
<span style="font-weight:400">However… as the princess of the empire that had brought upon the war onto theirnd in the first ce, it would be extremely difficult for her to aplish this.
<span style="font-weight:400">Who would trust her to begin with? Perhaps, they might think of this as a ploy to make them submit to the empire’s rule by controlling their “self ruling government” from the shadows. Or perhaps, to gather all Japanese en masse so they wouldn’t need to try and find them to kill all of them.
<span style="font-weight:400">It was… a near impossible challenge to aplish. For once trust was lost, it would be extremely difficult to regain it.
<span style="font-weight:400">That is why… she had made a decision that many of her advisors and subordinates have tried to dissuade her from.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Your highness, I beg your forgiveness for having disturbed you during your duties.”
<span style="font-weight:400">A voiceing from the inte in her room resounded. It was the voice of the officer in charge of guarding the office she was within.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I don’t mind it. What is wrong?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“The guest you have summoned has been brought to the pce.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Her eyes widened ever so slightly before her lips curled into a relieved smile.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Bring him to my office.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes, your higness.”
<span style="font-weight:400">A few momentster, a voiceing from behind her door resounded, announcing the arrival of her guest.
<span style="font-weight:400">She opened the door from the button near her desk, and saw the figure of the young man she had been waiting for.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Your highness, we have brought Private Suzaku Kururugi, as per your order.”
<span style="font-weight:400">The two soldiers, including Suzaku, stood at attention and saluted the royal princess of the Britannian Empire.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Thank you. The two of you may leave now.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“... Will that be fine, your highness?”
<span style="font-weight:400">The soldiers looked hesitant. While it was the order from the princess herself, they did not want to leave the “eleven” alone with the princess. Even if he was an honorary Britannia, leaving a “number” with a member of the royal family would be extremely dangerous, as there was no telling what they would do.
<span style="font-weight:400">However, Euphemia simply gave them a reassuring smile and waved her hand.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It is fine. Just go. I wish to speak with him alone.”
<span style="font-weight:400">““Yes, your highness!””
<span style="font-weight:400">The two soldiers saluted, turned around, and walked out of the room, leaving behind Suzaku alone with the third princess of the Britannian empire.
<span style="font-weight:400">Silence fell within the room as the two exchanged gazes for a few moments. Then, Euphie stood up, walked around her desk, and greeted him with a soft, warm smile, just like the ones she had given him during their little outing.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It has been a while since west met face to face. How have you been, Suzaku?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Suzaku flinched and straightened his posture, even more so than he already had, and answered her stiffly.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I have been well. I thank you for the concern you have given to one such as myself, your highness.”
<span style="font-weight:400">A sad smile shed across her face before she waved her hand in a dismissive gesture.
<span style="font-weight:400">“There’s no need for you to be this formal, Suzaku. There’s only the two of us in this room. You can just speak rxedly.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Suzaku hesitated. But seeing euphemia’s warm, assuring smile and her insistence, he finally relented.
<span style="font-weight:400">“... I understand.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Good. Fufu~ Seeing you again makes me remember about the day we went exploring the city during my little escapade. It… ended as well as I would’ve expected, but I still enjoyed that day. I’ve seen and experienced so much more new and enjoyable things in those short few hours than I’ve had years prior to it.
<span style="font-weight:400">And… it also opened my eyes to the things that needed to be stopped.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Suzaku could see the happiness and excitement brimming in her eyes and voice as she talked about the day he first met the third princess of the Holy Britannian Empire he''s serving him without knowing her true identity.
<span style="font-weight:400">It was an extremely enjoyable day for him as well. But then, her voice turned mncholic as she spoke of how the day ended.
<span style="font-weight:400">Going to the Shinjuku Ghetto and seeing the aftermath of thend Britannia had destroyed in the name of conquest first hand reminded them of the harsh reality they’re currently living in.
<span style="font-weight:400">It was shoved directly into their face.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Seeing such a thing first hand pained my heart more than I ever could have imagined… In truth, I was barely able to hold myposure back then.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”
<span style="font-weight:400">Suzaku agreed in his silence as his eyes lowered down to the ground and his hands clenched into fists by his side.
<span style="font-weight:400">“That is why… I wish to change it.”
<span style="font-weight:400">His eyes widened and he looked up to see the figure of the kind and gentle princess standing with a strong conviction behind her eyes.
<span style="font-weight:400">A sight so beautiful that it stunned him to the very core.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Kururugi Suzaku. The bravery and prowess you had shown had made you the subject of admiration and respect of many Japanese people. And you have also proven your loyalty to the Britannian Empire for having fought and been a significant factor in multiple decisive battles. On the other hand, I am just a powerless princess with no strength nor influence. Moreover… None of the Japanese people have any reason to believe in the sincerity and the words of a princess who came from the nation that put them in such a state. That is why…”
<span style="font-weight:400">She looked at Suzaku, her eyes filled with determination and sincerity, as much as she could muster, and lowered her head.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Please lend me your strength. Be my knight, and let me show my sincerity to the Japanese people, so that I can return the name,nd, and identity my nation had stolen from you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">--------------------------------X--------------------------------
<span style="font-weight:400">“Has she gone to sleep?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes. Though, I don’t know how long until she realizes I’m gone, so I don’t have much time… How is it?”
<span style="font-weight:400">The four members of the Multiverse Group Chat, including Yuuji who had just arrived, sat around the couches within Tatsuya’s room in the mansion. They’ve gathered in secret in the middle of the night to not alert C.C of their presence.
<span style="font-weight:400">C.C had already met Tatsuya and Satoru when Lelouch and Yuuji introduced them not too long ago. She knew that they were Ainz and Silver, respectively, and knew that they both possessed Geass.
<span style="font-weight:400">But, the reason why they’ve gathered in secret was still a secret to her, because it has something to do with the Group Chat. And Yuuji was in charge of making sure C.C was asleep before slipping away from her embrace and joining them afterwards.
<span style="font-weight:400">Thus, still dressed in just a light t-shirt and short pants, Yuuji sat down beside Tatsuya and turned towards Lelouch.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ah… I got my answer. It’s… quite surprising, but not at the same time…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Lelouch let out a sigh and leaned back, surrendering his entire weight on the soft cushion of the sofa.
<span style="font-weight:400">The reason why they’ve gathered here… was to use Lelouch’s [Mind of the World], an ability from his [Archivist of Universal Knowledge] SSR, to find out the reason behind Suzaku’s unexpected summon by the military.
<span style="font-weight:400">And true to its description, it gave him the truth.
<span style="font-weight:400">“He’s summoned by Euphemia… to be her personal knight.”
<span style="font-weight:400">If the room was silent before, it was a vacuum now. Lelouch’s words felt like a tremendous weight that had just suddenly befallen them.
<span style="font-weight:400">Suzaku bing Euphemia’s personal knight… This was exactly what happened in the anime. Which means…
<span style="font-weight:400">“Lelouch… Does that mean…?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes… I used my remaining two questions for the day to confirm my guess… And I was right.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Lelouch let out a tired sigh and continued.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I used my second question to ask why Euphemia made Suzaku her knight. And it answered “to show her sincerity to the Japanese People.” And myst question… I asked why she needed to show her sincerity to them. The answer was…”
<span style="font-weight:400">“To establish the Special Administrative Zone of Japan…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Lelouch nodded at Yuuji’s answer as Tatsuya and Satoru widened their eyes. shes of memories from the Code Geass anime they’ve watched, and the tragedy that gave Euphemia the nickname “Bloodstained Euphie” appeared in their mind.
<span style="font-weight:400">“B-But <i><span style="font-weight:400">that</i><span style="font-weight:400"> tragedy won’t happen, right? After all, now that we know about it, Lelouch won’t identally give her that order anymore!”
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s right… But this might work in our favor.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Tatsuya brought out his phone, pressed a few buttons, andid it on the table for everyone to see.
<span style="font-weight:400">On his screen were the missions they’ve been given by the Group Chat. Five out of the six missions have beenpleted. And thest mission they needed toplete was to “Liberate Japan from the Current Oppressive Britannian Government.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji and Lelouch nodded in unison, understanding the meaning behind Tatsuya’s words.
<span style="font-weight:400">Their mission entailed them to liberate Japan from Britannia’s “current Oppressive Government”. Meaning, the sess of the Special Administrative Zone of Japan would technically be “liberating the Japanese from the current oppressive Britannian government.
<span style="font-weight:400">But of course, they weren’t naive enough to think the Group Chat would consider it that way.
<span style="font-weight:400">After all, while Euphemia might intended the zone to be a ce where the Japanese could rule themselves as they see fit, in reality, the Britannian Government would still be “ruling” them from the shadows.
<span style="font-weight:400">If the Japanese epted bing a part of this Special Administrative Zone, then that would be equivalent to surrendering and letting them be ruled under Britannianw disguised as Japanesew.
<span style="font-weight:400">The only reason why many Japanese chose to simply ept bing a part of the Special Administrative Zone in the anime was because they’ve lost hope with the fall of thest General of the Japan Liberation Front.
<span style="font-weight:400">But now… Although weakened, the Japan Liberation Front still existed and were still amassing their strength for a counterattack.
<span style="font-weight:400">If Euphemia failed to show her sincerity to the Japanese people and ensureplete autonomy of the Japanese Government within the zone, then… there was a possibility that it would spark another war.
<span style="font-weight:400">Although she won’t be the one pulling the trigger, Euphemia might still retain her nickname as “Bloodstained Euphie” for the war she had incited by establishing the Special Administrative Zone of Japan.
<span style="font-weight:400">But… there is a way.
<span style="font-weight:400">The ck Knights simply need to be the one to ensure that Euphemia’s promises to the Japanese people be a reality. To be the one to make sure the Britannian kept their promises, even if it had to be by force.
<span style="font-weight:400">“We’ll need to start our preparations… Fast.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji nodded to Lelouch’s words.
<span style="font-weight:400">“If the special administrative zone seeds, then Japan would gain the much needed time for them to heal, amass their military and political strength, and expand their influence. Perhaps… they might even be able to be allies with Britannia in the future…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji knew full well how optimistic he was by saying those words. But… Such a thing might not be impossible.
<span style="font-weight:400">Thanks to their actions, Britannia’s seemingly unstoppable military advance and conquest had been halted, and the Japan Liberation Front, which should’ve disappeared along with the death of General Katase, still existed.
<span style="font-weight:400">These two factors alone would force the Britannians to think twice before they decided to double down on their reach andmit even more resources to this conquest.
<span style="font-weight:400">Even then, if things dide to that point, Lelouch, Yuuji, Tatsuya, and Satoru still had many “otherworldly” methods they could use to halt their advance.
<span style="font-weight:400">Thus, the Special Administrative Zone of Japan might be the best way to liberate Japan from its current oppressive Britannian rule with the least amount of blood shed.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well then… Let’s hope this goes well…”