Chapter 123 ~ The Order
<i><span style="font-weight:400">The Order</i>
<span style="font-weight:400">Under the clear blue sky, the final preparations made to the stadium which would be the site for the opening ceremony of the Special Administrative Zone of Japan were underway.
<span style="font-weight:400">The Special Administrative Zone, or SAZ, would be located at the feet of Mount Fuji and its surrounding area. And in this space, “Elevens” would have their name reverted back into “Citizens of Japan” and be restored a number of rights and privileges back.
<span style="font-weight:400">It was… a way to stop more blood from spilling and war from ravaging the country of the rising sun. An idea proposed by the third princess of Britannia, Euphemia, out of her genuine desire to bring peace onto thend.
<span style="font-weight:400">But of course, the nation who sought to conquer the world had other ns to use their own princess’s genuine good will for their own benefits.
<span style="font-weight:400">Which was why the SAZ needed a deterrent against the Britannians to prevent them from doing as they wished towards the people of Japan.
<span style="font-weight:400">Invisible, cloaked by Yuuji’s invisibility spell, Yuuji, Lelouch, Tatsuya, and Satoru looked down upon the stadium from the skies, lifted by Yuuji’s flight spell.
<span style="font-weight:400">Karen and C.C were also with them, holding onto Yuuji tightly as they slowly got over their shock of such a fantastical situation and getting used to being so high in the sky.
<span style="font-weight:400">They all watched as around, or perhaps more than, 200.000 Japanese were registering for the program.
<span style="font-weight:400">And with Yuuji’s keen vision, he could also confirm that members of the ck Knights were also included in this number.
<span style="font-weight:400">Amongst the crowd of Japanese people, they could also see news stations broadcasting the preparation for the massive event that was about to take ce the next day.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hm? Ah, Nishikienrai-san. Yes… Yes yes… I see. I understand…”
<span style="font-weight:400">Satoru suddenly spoke under his breath, turning the others’ attention towards him. He nodded and spoke to no one in particr, as if talking to someone on the phone, just without actually receiving a call from a phone.
<span style="font-weight:400">After a few moments, Satoru finally turned towards Yuuji and the others.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I just got a <<Message>> from Nishikienrai-san. He seemed to see Bartley and Darlton conversing, discussing their n to lure us, the ck Knights, out using the Japanese people. Then, while he was sneaking around, he also confirmed the presence of the Purist faction. He saw some of them bullying several honorary Britannian soldiers in a hallway far from the business of the preparation.”
<span style="font-weight:400">While they scouted from the skies, Satoru had Nishikienrai and several other Phantoms of his who were skilled with stealth to infiltrate the venue and gather information.
<span style="font-weight:400">Although these phantoms were not as powerful as their real counterparts, they were extremely close to them in terms of power due to how strongly Satoru remembered his past guild mates. And given this world’s level of magic, even with a simple 2nd tier invisibility spell, no one would be able to see their appearance.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I see… Can you have him scout for Britannia’s military presence here? I would like to know their numbers, which divisions are present, and their estimated strength.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“There’s definitely Cornelia’s soldiers, which are led by Darlton, and those from the purist faction. As for the others, I’ll have him scout more and report to youter on.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Thank you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Satoru nodded and began messaging Nishikienrai and his other phantoms to gather information about Britannia’s military presence in the zone.
<span style="font-weight:400">“How despicable… How could they use the Japanese people who choose to trust them as bait to lure us out…?!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Karen clenched her hand into a fist as she scowled at the Suthends and Britannian soldiers “maintaining order” around the crowd of Japanese registering for the program.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It takes time… Change needs time, Karen. And we cannot force change unto them. It would simply be another seed for conflict.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji held her hand softly, and Karen looked towards him, slowly rxing her fist.
<span style="font-weight:400">“While that change takes ce, we will protect Japan. And our first step would being to support this special zone, and show them that we will be protecting it from Britannian influence.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji and Lelouch wille to the special zone as Mordred and Zero,. They would be going to where the Britannians have gathered their soldiers and military, to show them that the ck Knights do not fear them, that they would be in support of the special zone, and that they will be protecting it from their attempts to control it, even if it meant using force.
<span style="font-weight:400">Knowing the n, a look of worry appeared on her face. But before she could say anything, Yuuji kissed the top of her head and assured her.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I will be fine. There’s no need for you to worry. I, myself, feel safe. After all, you’ll be out there waiting for me and protecting me, won’t you?”
<span style="font-weight:400">A blush appeared on her face, but Karen still nodded resolutely.
<span style="font-weight:400">She, Tohdoh, and the rest of the ck Knights would be standing by around the perimeter of the stadium, ready in case anything goes wrong during the ceremony, may it be towards Lelouch and Yuuji, or towards the Japanese people.
<span style="font-weight:400">Some of Satoru’s phantoms would also be standing by around and within the stadium.
<span style="font-weight:400">Peroroncino’s phantom would be on the lookout along with Karen and the rest of the ck knights. While Momonga, Nishikienrai, and the ones with stealthing abilities would be inside, doubling as a scout for information and protecting Lelouch, Yuuji, and the perimeter within the stadium.
<span style="font-weight:400">In addition to their own abilities, no danger could befall upon the two, even if all military personnel present suddenly attacked them. But Karen couldn’t help but worry…
<span style="font-weight:400">This was the first time in her life she had ever fallen in love with someone else. And Yuuji managed to made her fall in love with him so utterly andpletely… She wouldn’t know what she’d do if anything befell him.
<span style="font-weight:400">“...”
<span style="font-weight:400">C.C simrly held his hand tighter and expressed her worry wordlessly. Although he wasn’t her first love, he was herst.
<span style="font-weight:400">He was the man who reminded her how to love. And how to be happy once more.
<span style="font-weight:400">Losing him would be equivalent to losing her final remaining reason to keep living her immortal life. And if such a thing happened… She would be living in a hell even worse than the one she had been living in before meeting him.
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji noticed her worry and held onto her hand tighter. He kissed the top of her head, and brought the two into his embrace.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I will be fine… Just wait for me. I will definitely return to your side. And I want you to promise me to do the same. Be careful.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Uhn…”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I will.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Lelouch nced at the three and watched them with a small smile curled up on his lips. Then, he turned towards Tatsuya and Satoru.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Tatsuya, how is our preparation for tomorrow?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Everything is ready for tomorrow. The new features on Excalibur, Guren, and the burais have been tested and are ready for operation. And… the Amaterasu would be ready as well if we ever need it.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Lelouch nodded before addressing Satoru.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Satoru-san, has there been any progress with the situation in Kyoto regarding this special zone?”
<span style="font-weight:400">When theyst checked, there was still internal debate within the Kyoto House regarding their stand towards the SAZ. Some agreed with Kirihara’s decision, while some were opposed to it. Those who were opposed to it even suspected that Kirihara agreed because he would be gaining control of the Sakuradite Mines, which was promised to him by the Britannians. They’ve also used him of insulting the resistances’ effort to fight for Japan’s freedom from Britannian control.
<span style="font-weight:400">Kirihara of course denied all allegations, but of course, those who were opposed didn’t seem to believe him.
<span style="font-weight:400">Satoru shook her head and let out a soft sigh.
<span style="font-weight:400">“No… They still haven’t reached an agreement. But, Kirihara Taizo had expressed his willingness to attend the opening ceremony, despite some members of the Kyoto House still opposed to his decision. And… Sumeragi Kaguya had also expressed her interest in knowing the ck Knights intention and n. She might contact us as soon as after tomorrow’s event.”
<span style="font-weight:400">At the mention of her name, Lelouch recalled the young head mistress of the Kyoto House. She was a beautiful young girl with long, straight, jet-ck hair and the elegance and intelligence that belied her age.
<span style="font-weight:400">In the anime, she had great admiration for Zero and had openly expressed her desire for his hand in marriage on multiple asions, even going so far as to consider C.C, Karen, and herself as his harem.
<span style="font-weight:400">Unfortunately, he held no such feelings towards her, and he already has someone he’d n on marrying in the future.
<i><span style="font-weight:400">But perhaps…</i>
<span style="font-weight:400">Lelouch sneaked a nce towards Yuuji, who was embracing the two girls in his arms, and saw how happy they seemed to be with him.
<span style="font-weight:400">If there’s someone who’d be able to make every girl happy… it’d be him.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hm? What’s wrong?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...Nothing. I just had a thought.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“...?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuuji tilted his head confusedly. But before he could ask further, Lelouch had returned his gaze back into the stadium for a moment, looking at the crowd of Japanese people registering for the program, and turned back towards his friends.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Let’s return now. We’ll go over the n for tomorrow once more with the others as well. Then, we’ll rest and get ready.”
<span style="font-weight:400">““Yes.””
<span style="font-weight:400">--------------------------------X--------------------------------
<span style="font-weight:400">After all final preparations Yuuji and Karen needed to do for the Opening Ceremony of the Special Administrative Zone of Japan had beenpleted, they returned to Yuuji’s home along with C.C.
<span style="font-weight:400">The girls went and took a bath together, while Yuuji quickly took a shower and began preparing dinner.
<span style="font-weight:400">“...They’re taking quite a while.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji mumbled as he began setting the tes on the dining table. Normally, they would’ve alreadye to the dining room by now.
<span style="font-weight:400">Though perhaps they were taking their time in the bath to rx and soothe their nerves for the events that might take ce tomorrow.
<span style="font-weight:400">He waited patiently in the dining room, using his magic to maintain the vibration of the food molecules to keep it at its perfect temperature.
<span style="font-weight:400">Then after a few minutes, he heard two sets of footsteps approaching
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh, you’re finally here… !!!”
<span style="font-weight:400">His eyes widened in shock when she saw the two of them dressed in loosely tied bathrobes. Their hair was still slightly damped, and their cheeks were flushed.
<span style="font-weight:400">They approached him slowly. C.C kept her stoic expression on her blushing face, while Karen fidgetted nervously, averting her face and eyes away, as she covered her chest and crotch with the bathrobe.
<span style="font-weight:400">And before he could say anything, C.C arrived before him, ced both of her hands on his cheeks, and pressed her lips against his.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Mmnnchuu. Schhrluupp… Chu… Mnnchu…”
<span style="font-weight:400">She didn’t hesitate to use her tongue and prod his mouth, teasing his tongue, sucking his lips, and slurping his liquid, using everything Yuuji taught her.
<span style="font-weight:400">And before he could understand why she would suddenly kiss him, Yuuji kissed her back in response, putting in as much of his own love and affection for her into the kiss. It was an automatic response that happened unconsciously for him, stemming from his desire to prove and shower his love for them.
<span style="font-weight:400">A few momentster, their lips finally separated, creating a thin, shimmering string of their mixed saliva that still connected their lips.
<span style="font-weight:400">He looked at C.C’s face, and saw a look of absolute love, satisfaction, and happiness in her eyes.
<span style="font-weight:400">And before he could say anything once again, she walked away and sat on the opposite side of the table.
<span style="font-weight:400">Then after C.C, Karen also approached him with her face beet red, and her hands clenched into a tight fist as her whole body trembled nervously.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Karen…”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Shut up… I-I’ve made my decision too…”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Eh- Mmph!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Karen grabbed his face with both of her hands, slightly more forceful than C.C, and pressed her lips against him.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Mmnnchuuu! Aaauummchu! Schluurrpp… *Gulp* Aaah… Mchuu!”
<span style="font-weight:400">She frantically tried to use her tongue and her lips, trying her best to make it pleasurable for him and show how much she loves him.
<span style="font-weight:400">Her head was spinning. At this point, she didn’t know what she was doing either. All she knew was how much she wanted to show her love for him, how dear he was to her, and how much she wanted him.
<span style="font-weight:400">But then, a pair of hands suddenly held her face, snapping her out of her daze. Her eyes opened wide as she froze, looking at Yuuji in shock.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Karen… Calm down.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“A-Ahh… I-I’m sorry… I-I… Mmh?!”
<span style="font-weight:400">He kissed her softly, a chaste kiss that made her heart skip a beat, and smiled.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’ve received your feelings, Karen. Thank you. And I love you just as much.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Her mouth fell agape as he tried to form words that were stuck in her throat.
<span style="font-weight:400">Happiness, joy, love, all those feelings just exploded within her and her embarrassment rose to maximum.
<span style="font-weight:400">Without a word, she quickly ran and sat down beside C.C, covering her redly blushing face with one hand, before she began eating quickly to hide her embarrassment.
<span style="font-weight:400">Yuuji looked at the two in both surprise and confusion as they both began to eat their dinner.
<span style="font-weight:400">He turned towards C.C, who wasparable acting calmer than Karen, though her face was simrly blushing red.
<span style="font-weight:400">“C.C… Just what happened…?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Hm? Ah… We’re just deciding the order.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“The order…?”
<span style="font-weight:400">C.C nodded and looked at him right in the eyes.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes. The order of who you’re going to make love with first tonight.”