Suspicions

"WHAT!!" screamed Cornelia, even now Aries Villa was a sore wound for her.

"You suspect Clovis of being involved in the assassination, he was barely a teen."

"No no, it's about the Anya Alstriem situation we discussed. I looked into it and was able to figure out two more things. A name and a sign."

"What is it then?"

"The name I got was Geass and the sign was that of a bird. However, that was it till now. See Clovis not experimenting on people but he was experimenting on a person."

"He found out who did it?"

"No, not the same. He found a woman who could not be killed. He was experimenting on her to see if he could find out if he could replicate it."

"Let's say I believe that, how is that related to Aries Villa in any way?"

"See she had a scar on her body, a scar that looked exactly like the geass sigil. Now he might not know about the sigil or anything. However, with the project being destroyed, he probably suspects the immortal is now on the run. And with us in the Area as well stealing power, he has grown afraid."

"You think he shared the information to the emperor for the power?"

"No, the emperor does not do such deals. He probably knows of this immortal, I looked into her description. Someone very similar as part of the court for a long time. Hidden from the important people but there are many photos of here there. However, all of them stop after the Aries Villa incident."

"You think she was part of the assassination, no you would have told me sooner."

"Correct, I suspect whatever Lady Marriane was up to, this woman was a part of it. After her death, she saw it fit to leave. I suspect she went to Area 11 because Lady Marriane's children were sent here. Maybe to convert them to her cause or just because of guilt."

"You think she found them?"

"Maybe, maybe not, though I think not as she was caught alone soon after the conquest."

"But why would father give Clovis the power? He know Clovis is no military genius."

"Simple, he does not care. Over the years the Emperor has slowly been growing more detached from the workings of the empire. Especially since Lady Marianne's death. I have my suspicions but I think he gave the power to Clovis as he is the most likely to capture the woman again. And with the Emperor's hesitancy in acting on Lady Marianne's murder, I think he would very much like to get rid of someone who could have been her copatriot."

"Whatever the case, we can't do anything now. The orders are from the Emperor and at least for now, we will have to back off from the terrorists."

"I agree princess, however, we can still continue with the corruption operations, I have gathered enough information on Kyoto, enough that we would have to even skip the Area 11 bureaucracy."

"Good we will get those eleven out of their positions."

"About that princess, I don't think that would be the best method. While we will be able to gain a lot more control over the mining, the Sumeragi family would basically go scot-free as they made sure to keep at least one family clear. And with the family head being a minor we can't actually do as much."

"Are you suggesting we compromise with those terrorists?"

"Obviously not, no, we convince them why helping the terrorists would be bad for them."

"Why do we need to do that? We can just take their positions and fill them with loyal Britanians. We will deal a huge blow to terrorism in the area, without anyone sponsoring them the groups would have to drastically cut down."

"Yes, but see the problem with the Area is the number of dissidents. Now while that is aided by the flagrant sponsorship by Kyoto, if we not only cut that but redirect it towards other projects created by the Britannian government for PR we would see a substantial increase in efficiency of the worker."

"What are you talking about Leylin."

"See, right now over 70% of the elevens are unemployed, even with that we have a substantial economy thanks to Sakuradite. Before the invasion Area 11 was doing okay for itself, while most of its GDP was through Sakuradite, it did have a great auto and electronics market. Most of the auto and electronics factories were left untouched as the economy moved even closer to Tokyo. Now if a company would start buying the run-down factories and building them back up, do you see the jobs it would create. If we are able to get even 50% of the unemployed elevens to work, by my estimations the GDP would go up by at least 10%."

"I suspect that company would happen to be Oroborus Tech. Smelled opportunity here did you Leylin. While that would be great it has one problem, you would need the permission of the Viceroy for most of the things you want to do."

"True, but do you really think Clovis will be viceroy much longer. I suspect the Emperor gave him a time limit for his work. If he is unable to do whatever he promised the emperor by then I doubt he would stick around."

"And as the highest person here I would become the temporary viceroy till another is appointed. Very well, I owe Oroborus for Abadon so if that happens I will approve it."