Chapter 127 ~ Behind the Masks

"It is an honor to finally meet you… Your Highness."

Suzaku and Darlton immediately rushed to stand before the Princess, putting themselves between her and Zero in a protective fashion. 

But Euphemia spread her arms and held them back, before placing them in front of her stomach once more and addressed Zero.

"Likewise. I've heard much of your… activities. You've made quite the name for yourself."

"And I am sure the General was quite enthusiastic to apprehend us at sight due to our history. But… It seems I have you to thank for being here. And with escorts, no less."

Both Darlton and Suzaku narrowed their eyes dangerously at Zero, ready to pull their gun from their chest holster hidden beneath their blazer. 

Seeing their reaction, Zero simply smiled, though his expressions were unseen from outside perspective, and shook his head.

"I jest. Thank you for letting us in."

Euphemia shook her head in response.

"The general was simply worried for my safety. And after he assessed that you would not simply come to endanger anyone here, Britannians and Japanese alike, he told his men to stand down and lead you to me. Isn't that right, general?"

Euphemia turned towards Darlton as he and Zero stared at each other in silence. 

"I see. Then, I extend my gratitude to the general as well."

"..."

Darlton kept his silence and did not respond to Zero's words or his nod. His eyes were still filled with vigilance, suspicion, anger, and frustration.

Needless to say, Zero noticed those emotions, but he did not mind it and simply turned his gaze back to the princess.

"I have come here to discuss the Special Administrative Zone of Japan you have established. Specifically, the stance in which the Black Knights shall take in regards to its establishment and the role it shall take henceforth."

Zero purposefully worded himself to be ambiguous in how the Black Knights would react to the establishment of this special zone and what their actions would be following it. 

Many Japanese still held suspicion, for good reason, towards the Britannian's intention with the special zone. 

Although the third princess's words and intentions seemed genuine, none of them knew what exactly the Holy Britannian Empire intended to do. Perhaps, some had already begun their preparations to take control of the Special Zone itself and steal the Japanese's right to rule themselves once more. 

Thus, Zero worded himself this way to turn the Black Knights into an arbiter who would judge the Britannian's intention towards the Special Zone and protect the Japanese. 

If the Britannians had any intentions to harm the Japanese with the special zone, then the Black Knights will be there to protect them. And if the Britannians didn't have any intentions to harm them with this Special Zone, then the Black Knights will be there to keep it as such. 

Zero had just announced the Black Knight's intention of protecting the Japanese and threatening the Britannians by saying a few ambiguous words about his intention for meeting the princess. 

Suzaku still kept his vigilance and suspicions towards Zero, and did not notice yet the meaning behind Zero's words. To him, his words simply confirmed that there was still a chance that the Black Knights could turn and harm his princess.

On the other hand, Darlton stopped and widened his eyes in surprise. 

He, who was assured of Zero's intention for coming to this ceremony to be that of harming the princess and Britannia, came to a realization that he was mistaken.

Zero did not come here to harm the princess. 

It was obvious to him that princess Euphemia genuinely wanted to end the conflict between Britannia and Area 11, give the elevens the right to call themselves Japanese once more, and let them live in this zone free of Britannian influence. 

And Zero must've known this as well… 

The reason why he said those words… they were meant to be a threat. A threat not to the princess, but to the Britannians who wished to usurp control from the Japanese in this special zone. 

'If you dare turn this special zone into a puppet state for Britannia and harm the Japanese in any way, the Black Knights will not simply stand idle.'

Darlton clenched his fists… He disliked the idea of being threatened by these "rebel" scum.

But… he had to admit that the Black Knights were not the mindless rebel group which was slightly more troublesome than others.They were not here to destroy Britannia, but to protect the elevens.

To this point… he could not do anything but stand down and let the princess handle it.

"Very well. There are still a few more events left for the ceremony, but there is still some time before it is my turn once again to appear on stage. So, shall we head inside to a more private setting to discuss?"

"Of course. Lead the way."

With the princess in the lead and Suzaku by her side, Zero and Mordred followed them in with the general behind them, watching their every move like a hawk. He was ready to subdue them at the slightest suspicious behavior. 

They passed the extremely thorough security check and continued on their way inside, deeper and deeper into the stadium.

Soldiers, officers, and workers within the inner parts all looked in shock upon seeing the well known figure of the Black Knight's leader, Zero. Their eyes were locked onto him. 

One soldier instinctively moved into a stance and gripped the firearm he wielded tightly, before being stopped by his comrade.

While the knightmare pilots all looked at the figure in the devil's mask. Rumors of the monstrous pilot who single handedly defeated the famous Princess Cornelia's soldiers, generals, knight, and herself had spread far and wide, and had instilled fear upon many. 

The rumors were quickly hushed by the higher ups of the army to prevent morale from dropping and protect their prestige. But they could not stop the rumors that had spread like wildfire. 

The jet-black devil who tore through the battlefield like a God of War, defeated the strongest army in Japan, and crushed Britannia's most advanced knightmare frame model, Lancelot. From their perspective, they're seeing the devil himself walking through the pristine white halls right before them. 

Soon, they arrived before a private meeting room, and Euphemia stopped to turn towards Zero. 

But instead of him, she looked past the masked man and looked at the General standing behind him. 

"General, would you be so kind as to not let anyone in this room until I say otherwise?"

Darlton's eyes widened in shock.

"But your highness! I can't simply leave you together with Zero!"

"I have my knight, Suzaku, with me. I believe in his skills and ability to protect me. Moreover…"

Her lips curled into a small smile and looked towards Zero. 

"If Zero does harm me in any way, then he will become the enemy of the Japanese, who sought the peace I am about to give them. Isn't that right, Zero?"

"..."

Zero glanced back towards the General. 

"I have no intention of harming the princess. Just as I did not capture nor harm your princess on the many chances I had. You may rest assured."

"You…"

Darlton clenched his fists tight as his body began to tremble in anger. 

His words… Darlton knew very well what he referred to. And they were all true. 

Princess Cornelia had been cornered multiple times by Zero, but every single time, she was let go by him. Though her knightmare was extremely damaged, she was unharmed. 

Zero had never harmed her directly nor captured her. 

"General Darlton. This is an order."

"...Very well. But please bring this, your highness… This is the only way I can abide by your order."

Darlton handed Euphemia a fully loaded handgun, and with no other choices, she took it with a sigh. 

"I understand. Thank you for your concern, General. Well then, shall we enter?"

"After you."

Euphemia entered through the door Suzaku opened for him, before Zero then Mordred, and finally, Suzaku followed after her into the room and closed the door behind him, leaving the general outside. 

He then activated his communication device and issued a command to his subordinates. 

"...Team Charlie and Delta, form a perimeter around the North A-1 Special Private Meeting Room on the first floor. If anything suspicious happens… breach the door and protect the princess at all cost and eliminate all hostiles."

--------------------------------X--------------------------------

A long, white table sat at the center of the massive meeting room with several high quality, leather, office chairs aligned along both its length. 

Zero sat in the middle of the table with Mordred standing diagonally behind him, while Euphemia and Suzaku mirrored them on the opposite side of the table. 

She let out a smile as she placed her hands on the table.

"I'm glad you came… Zero."

Suzaku's eyes widened in shock at the words that came out from his princess's mouth, and turned to her.

But before he could express his shock in words, he heard a chuckle coming from Zero.

"I've promised you, after all. On that day… during the school festival."

"!!!"

Suzaku's body visibly flinched from the shock as he snapped his head towards Zero and looked at him with eyes wide as saucers.

And this time, Euphemia similarly looked at him in shock. 

"I-Is it really fine for you to say that…?!"

"It is fine. We've secured this room thoroughly. Nothing we say nor do in this room will leak outside. Except, of course, the two of you revealed it."

Zero waved his hands dismissively at Euphemia's concern, though he did understand why Euphemia was so worried. 

The room they're currently in was filled with high-end security cameras that watched and recorded all the visual and audio happenings within this room.

However, the moment they sat down, Yuuji had already cast a spell that altered what the cameras "saw". 

At the same time, the phantom of "Momonga", who had entered with greater invisibility cast upon himself, would use thaumaturgy to obfuscate their conversation from the cameras. 

To those who'd see the footage, such as Darlton, they would only see Euphemia and Zero on their seats while Suzaku and Mordred stood by their side, and not be able to hear their hushed conversation. 

Euphemia let out a sigh of relief before pouting at him. 

"Hah… I guess you've had all this planned out too, huh…? As expected…"

"M-My princess… What is going on…"

Suzaku looked at his princess and Zero back and forth in confusion, unable to follow what they're talking about…

Why do they sound… So close? Why does his princess act so casually before Zero and Mordred…?

"Suzaku, there's no need to worry… They're-"

"Let me tell him, Euphie. Or perhaps… It'll just be faster to show him."

Zero reached for his mask and a clicking sound resounded before the back of his helm receded inside. 

Then, he took it off, revealing the face that Suzaku least expected.

"No way…"

Although the lower half of his face was covered by a black mask, Suzaku wouldn't mistake him for anyone else. 

And Zero only cemented it when he pulled down the mask to reveal his full countenance.

"Lelouch… You…"

"It's nice to see you, Suzaku."

Suzaku took a step back before steadying himself as he looked at Lelouch's countenance in shock. 

And before he could recover, Mordred spoke and turned his attention towards him.

"Well then, since we're no longer keeping secrets, perhaps I should also reveal myself."

Suzaku turned towards him, and his shock doubled when the devil's mask split opened, and revealed the unmistakable, handsome visage of his close friend and classmate.

"Alexander…"

"Hello, Suzaku. I'm sorry to have kept this from you…"