Chapter 128 ~ To End This War

Euphemia was shocked to find out that the infamous "monstrous" pilot of the Black Knight's she had heard so much about turned out to be Suzaku's classmate. 

And he wasn't just an ordinary classmate as well. From what Suzaku had told her about his life within the academy, Alexander was one of the first people who accepted him as a friend within the Britannian-filled school. And since then, they've been good friends who'd spend their time together in the academy often, may it be during breaks or during their time in the student council.

To find out that he was… the "enemy" he had been fighting, must have been shocking to him. 

She couldn't help but pity her dear knight for finding out that both of his closest friends were actually the "enemies" he had been fighting against all this time…

And seeing his expression of pure shock, as if his world had been turned upside down, she couldn't help but feel the urge to hug him and be his support. 

Her valiant and brave knight. The one who had been standing tall before her, protecting and supporting her… Perhaps now, she could be the one to do it for him. 

Euphemia started reaching out to hold Suzaku's hand to support him. But unfortunately, Mordred, or rather, Alexander spoke up.

"Well then… As much as I'd like to explain the reason why we do this, we don't have much time. Lelouch, should we start explaining the reason why we're here."

"Mm. We can have a lengthy talk about this later on. For now…"

"Ah, yes… Please."

"...I understand."

Euphemia and Suzaku snapped out of their thoughts and shock regarding the revelation, and focused their attention towards Lelouch and Alexander. Or at least, as much as they could. 

No matter how much Suzaku tried to refocus himself… he was still visibly shaken from everything. He'd need… quite a bit of time to process everything. 

Lelouch and Alexander then explained their reason for coming here, despite knowing the dangers of being in the midst of the Britannian army. 

Lelouch explained why he made a spectacle before all the Japanese present. And then, he began explaining his and Alex's true wish for this land. 

"It is my genuine wish to protect the semblance of peace and rights this Special Zone would grant to the Japanese. And make this the first step for Japan to free itself from Britannian rule and instead become that of an equal partner. 

I wanted to show the Britannians that the price they had to pay to "subdue" Japan was not worth it, and that it'd be easier if they were to be in a mutually beneficial relationship."

Euphemia and Suzaku's eyes widened in shock at Lelouch's words. 

"The scars of war, trauma, and hatred built up from all these years of fighting would take not years but perhaps decades… but I believe… I want to believe that time will eventually heal. And one day… Peace could be a more realistic dream than it is now."

"I-Is this really possible…? Lelouch…?"

Euphemia looked at him with hopeful eyes. This genius half brother of hers had always been smarter than her. And for him to say such a thing must mean that he could see a way to achieve it!

Suzaku also began looking at Lelouch with hope in his eyes. 

But in response to their visible hopeful enthusiasm, Lelouch smiled wryly and nodded.

"It might sound idealistic and naive, and… for now, it may as well be. But It is possible. Britannia now had seen the drawbacks from trying to forcefully subdue the JLF. And with the Black Knights presence and growth, they couldn't act rashly considering they've also sustained losses. 

So, if they could see how much more beneficial it is to work with the Japanese instead of subduing them… It's only logical for them to at least try this rather than act rashly and provoke another war."

"I see…"

Euphemia fell into silence as she thought of Lelouch's words. 

Although she was not as privy to Britannia's current military power in Area 11 as her sister or brother, she knew that they've indeed suffered great losses from their battle in Narita against the Black Knights and several subsequent battles against them as well afterwards. 

This was one of the reasons she believed why Cornelia decided to support her idea to establish this special zone. 

Even though her brother was also here along with his advanced skyship called Avalon, Schneizel didn't seem that keen in engaging in a war with the Black Knights as well. 

"But you mentioned before that… Britannia might try to gain control of the special zone. Are you here so that you can prevent that?"

Lelouch nodded.

"The Black Knights will become a deterrent for them from trying to take control of the special zone forcefully. And if they tried to use politics and economy to do it… then we're ready for it as well."

"Eh? What do you…"

Lelouch sat back and glanced at Yuuji, before returning his gaze at Euphie.

"We've been laying down the groundwork even before you announced the establishment of this special zone, Euphie. A way to fight Britannia aside from using guns and bullets… And now, we'll use it to protect the Japanese instead."

The time and effort Yuuji had spent on gaining money to obtain influence within Britannia's economy had finally bore fruit. At this point, although he could not completely maim Britannia's military, he could greatly disrupt their entire economy by plunging the stocks of major companies, holdings, and hedge funds down to hell. 

And once he's done building his AI, he'll be able to gain an even stronger grasp on the world's economy to help Lelouch stop his father when he returns from his original world. 

On the other hand, Lelouch had also been laying down the foundation for a new Japanese government with the help of Kirihara, Tohdoh, and general Katase, which would begin within this special zone. 

"So you've been planning for so long… To end this war… and bring peace back to this land."

"Lelouch…"

Lelouch let out a wry smile and looked Euphie and Suzaku in the eyes.

"Even though I still wish to stop whatever the emperor of Britannia planned on doing… My desire to create a world where Nunnally… and those I care for could be happy and live happily precedes it. I've decided that this time… I will live my life to the fullest, unbound by the shadows of my past."

Their eyes widened as they listened to his words. But soon after, a smile of happiness and relief appeared on their faces.

"I see… I'm very happy for you, Lelouch."

Her eyes watered as Euphemia let out a hand towards Lelouch and grasped his hand tightly when he took it.

"Lelouch… I'm glad."

Suzaku similarly teared up when he listened to his dear friend's words… He, who had met him at his worst and been with him ever since, knew how much Lelouch had suffered since his childhood. 

So for him to look as if the weight has been lifted from his shoulders… There were no words to describe how happy he was for him. 

The tense air within the meeting room slowly disappeared as the four began to converse more amicably.

But just then, Yuuji sensed multiple presence approaching the room they were in. 

He glanced silently at the door, and placed a hand on Lelouch's shoulder.

"...We have guests coming."

Lelouch glanced up and saw Yuuji covering his face with the mobile suit's devilish mask. And in that moment, he received a <<Message >> from Nishikienrai's Phantom about the approaching group.

"...It seems our time for privacy is unfortunately up."

He let out an unfortunate sigh and put on his mask back, shocking and confusing Euphemia and Suzaku. 

But before they could ask, a knock came from the door. 

"Your highness, Prince Schneizel and Princess Cornelia have come to join your meeting."

Euphemia's eyes widened in shock to the General's words. This… This shouldn't have happened! She heard that her brother and sister would be busy today. She didn't expect them to be here!

"Le- Zero…!"

She looked towards Lelouch in a slight panic, worried that he might misunderstand her. But he simply nodded his head in understanding, and conveyed his willingness to meet with those two. 

Euphemia nodded and responded.

"Very well. Please come in."

The mechanical door slid open, revealing the figures of the handsome, charismatic, blonde-haired second prince of the Holy Britannian Empire, and the fuschia-haired second princess and Chief General of the Imperial Army. 

Following behind the golden haired prince was Kanon Maldini, a rose gold-haired, right-hand man of Schneizel with feminine features. While General Darlton followed the second princess in the room. 

And the moment they entered, the air immediately turned tense and heavy as Cornelia, Darlton, and Kanon tightened their gazes at both Zero and Mordred. 

Immediately after they saw them… they were shocked when they felt the immense presence exuding from the two "terrorists". 

This… This kind of presence wasn't something that some regular terrorist could have…! This kind of pressure… They've only experienced it when they were in the presence of the Emperor.

"Dear brother, dear sister! I-I did not expect you to be here…"

Euphemia immediately stood up from her seat and curtsied to greet her elder siblings, while Suzaku saluted them all.

"I'm sorry for not telling you, Euphie. We were truly busy, but after hearing that Zero and Mordred had come here to talk to you… Well, I simply couldn't miss this chance to exchange a few words with them."

Schneizel answered his dear little sister with a soft, gentle smile, and with the same expression, he turned and addressed Zero and Mordred. 

"The Second Prince and Second Princess of the Holy Britannian Empire… I have to say, I am delightfully surprised by your presence."

"I would say the same to your appearance here, Zero. I hope my little sister was accommodating to you on this fair day."

"She is. And we had a pleasant conversation."

Until you come.

Lelouch did not say those words out loud, but they were implied and they were noticed by all of them. 

"I'm glad."

Unlike his younger sister, Cornelia, the General, nor his right hand man who clearly showed their hostility towards the two, Schneizel kept his perfect, amicable and polite smile as he sat in the seat right before Zero, where Euphie previously sat at. 

Euphie then took the chair to his left as Cornelia took the seat to his right. While Kanon, Darlton, and Suzaku took their place behind their respective liege. 

After settling to their seats, Schneizel turned towards Zero with a curious look as he narrowed his eyes on him. His smile still ever-present on his handsome face.

"Well then. I suppose a greeting is in order? It is a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Zero."

"Likewise, your highness. I suppose it is courtesy to exchange pleasantries in your circle, but considering the time we have, I suppose you would be fine without it?"

"Hahaha, of course. There is no need for formalities here. It would be rude of me to demand such a thing from you, given I was the one who barged into your meeting with my dear little sister."

Zero nodded.

"Well, speak your mind, your highness."

Shcneizel nodded as his eyes narrowed.

"Very well. Then… May I know what you were talking about with Euphemia?"

He shrugged his shoulders and shook his head slightly.

"I truly hate being discourteous, but I must know. For the safety of my little sister. You understand."

"Of course. But you may rest assured, second prince Schneizel. As well as you, second princess Cornelia. I bore no ill-intent towards the third princess who sought peace instead of war."

Both Schneizel and Cornelia, as well as Darlton and Kanon, narrowed their eyes, as if trying to see past through any sort of lies and deceit in his words. 

And in their silence, Lelouch continued. 

"I came here to hear Princess Euphemia's intention for the Special Administrative Zone of Japan. To find out her plans, her intentions, and her stance towards the people of Japan. So that we, the Black Knights, could know where we stand in regards to the Special Zone."

Schneizel kept his calm and stoic front that he decorated with a slight smile despite understanding the implications Zero had planted behind those words. 

He came to "hear" Euphemia's plans, intentions, and stance, and her answer would determine the future actions of the Black Knights. 

Meaning… if he didn't agree with Euphie's plans… Then there will be war against the Black Knights.

"I see… So?"

Zero narrowed his eyes at Schneizel. 

In the past, no matter how much he tried, he could never guess what his thoughts were. But strangely… Now, he could clearly tell what he was thinking. 

Was it perhaps the effects of his [Archivist of Universal Knowledge]?

His expression relaxed as a small smile appeared on his lips. 

"I express my support for Princess Euphemia's establishment of the Special Administrative Zone of Japan."

If the room was silent before. It was a vacuum now, as his words shook Schneizel, Cornelia, Darlton, and Kanon to their very core. 

Then, a few moments later, a small laugh from Schneizel broke the silence. 

"I see. I'm glad you think that way, Zero. I, myself, supported Euphemia in her pursuit of peace and her vision for this special zone as well."

Schneizel leaned forward and placed his hands before him, resting it on the table.

"I've never been fond of war myself. Peace created through treaties and alliances would be a much better way to spend everyone's time and resources."

"I agree. Though, unfortunately, there would also be some who would try and take everything for themselves at the expense of others. In such cases, against those who could not be communicated with… force is, sometimes, a necessity."

"Unfortunately… Such is the world we live in."

Schneizel fell into a thought for a moment. Then, he leaned back to his chais, adopting a more relaxed posture, and gestured towards Zero.

"Zero, time may not be on our side now and I do not know when we would have another chance to meet like this in such privacy. But, I wish to know more about you. So, may I invite you for a friendly game of chess?"

Zero, or rather, Lelouch's eyes widened in shock for a moment at his half brother's proposition. 

However, he kept himself calm and weighed the options… 

He knew very well that Schneizel wanted to profile his, or rather, Zero's way of thinking and personality through this game of chess.

And to prevent it, he could simply refuse. However, refusing would also make it seem like he feared him, which would be a tremendous disadvantage against such a cunning individual. 

So… There's truly only one choice

"Very well. Then, shall we have a short game with five minutes each?"