CH3

Well... I did have a strange feeling that the first stage would be something like this." I stated as my eyes scanned the plain white that seemed to expand in every direction infinitely.

Aside from that, there was only me, a wooden chair and a table accompanying me. Though of course, that would be ignoring the interface that had a singular tab with a blinking light in front of me.

[Hello.] The being greeted. I paused for a few more seconds, observing and waiting for something to happen but nothing else came, leaving me to reply.

"Go on, out with what you want already." I replied with a very obvious condescending tone. Well, I must admit that I'm not exactly in a position to act like this but I also am not in the mood to act cordial to these slavers.

I wanted to test out what the limits of my freedom were, and considering the fact that nothing happened, I'd assume that this contractor is either easy-going, or they are generally unable to punish performers unless they fail their missions.

Of course, I'd have to try the same test again in the future but, for now, my focus was better elsewhere. Particularly, my gaze was stuck upon the multitude of names, phrases, and colors that now filled the interface in front of me.

It was then followed by a rather short profile for an identity that was, according to this profile, 25 years old. A rather young age when I considered its relationship to the list of talents and achievements that were included in profile, but it struck me odd that the details regarding his past only started from the age of 12.

Then again, the absence of that information must be related to one of the many missions listed under the green category which was titled "Remembrance of a stolen past".

To call the life story of the identity I was to assume extraordinary was selling it short. I believe it'd be safe to assume that becoming a part of the queen's royal guard requires an unordinary amount of skill in what this world apparently called "Knightmare Pilot Training", but joining it at the age of 12 definitely isn't normal.

Then again, I knew little of this world so maybe the children of this world are simply a cut above the rest? I continued reading through the rest of the profile and took notice of a few select names.

"Lelouch, Nunnally, Charles, V.V. and... C.C." I whispered while thinking to myself. Most of the missions were straight-forward, though two things stood out for me the most.

One was the massive gap between two ranges of time allotted for completion between two red tasks. I'd initially assumed that this meant I was expected to simply wait but one of the missions in the green tasks category immediately followed the completion of one of the red task.

The second was one of the clauses of the contract. Apparently, the contractor had given me the option to simply skip the time period between the two red tasks, automatically failing the optional tasks listed under the green category but I'd be given a "vacation time" of 30 days.

During said period, I was allowed to work a separate contract but I'd be barred from re-entering the world of the specialized contract until the 30 days was finished.

All in all, the things the contract asked of me didn't seem too complicated. I didn't exactly have any past contracts to compare this too but it at least deigned to ask of me anything that seemed outlandish.

Some of the red tasks seemed more abstract than straight-forward but I'd address them when the time comes. Moreover, there didn't seem to be any special clauses like memory seals included during the contract so I didn't have to worry about any of that.

I had no way to know of how much time had passed but the flow of information while I read through the character profile and the tasks required of me was steady.

At the end, I had a general timelime of the events and tasks I'd have to finish so I closed my eyes and breathed steadily, hearing the subtle sounds that came from the interface as its contents shifted before I turned to look once more.

[Is the performer ready?]

I read the words to myself over and over, finally hearing the sound coming from my fingers that had been unconsciously tapping the wooden table.

"Ready." I spoke, feeling my vision turn dark again as a wave of nausea that hadn't been there just seconds ago suddenly overtook me, dragging me to the depths of unconsciousness.

<Character Profile: Robin Gryf (Daemon)>

Strength: B+ (S+)

Perception: B+ (A)

Endurance: B- (S)

Charisma: D (A-)

Intelligence: B (B)

Agility: A (A+)

Luck: C (B-)

MP: N/A (S+)

Robin Gryf is a former knightmare pilot associated with the "Black Dogs" squad unit under the 1st platoon and company of the 139th Knightmare Frame Batallion. Though he never formally attended military training, he led multiple successful counter-terrorism operations in areas 3 and 6 after being sponsored for his position by Empress Marianne herself prior to becoming a Sergeant under her royal guard.

Becoming such, he became a common face to both Lelouch and Nunnally as their guard prior to the assassination of the Empress, during which the prince blamed the Emperor and the royal guard for failing to protect the boy's mother. Raising his complaints to the Emperor resulted in the subsequent disownment and exile of the two siblings to Area 11, formerly Japan at the time of their arrival.

For reasons unknown to the two children, Robin Gryf followed in their steps, acting as a simple servant and silent bodyguard to the two before receiving Lelouch's forgiveness upon Nunnally's rescue from the burning home of the Kururugis.

Seeking shelter with the weakened Ashford family, he spent the next few years being assisted by Sayoko Shinozaki in caring for the VI Britannia siblings. Though forgiven for the death of his mother, Lelouch still somewhat distrusts the former soldier and keeps him at arm's length while Nunnally has fully embraced him as a sort of uncle figure despite his young age.

Personality:

Silent and decisive, Robin is expected to uphold military ideals even while caring for Nunnally though he commonly shows a tinge of vulnerability to the child out of pity, for what reason is for the performer to find out.

Somewhat weary with Lelouch's gambling habits, Robin must maintain his image in front of the two siblings while going through most of the day acting the role of a common butler which includes cleaning, organizing, and maintaining the needs of the children.

Contractual Objectives:

...Confidential...

...Confidential...

...Confidential...

...Confid-....

{Protect he-}

...

"Why now?"

"Why not now?"

"He has only woken up"

"It is best to strike while the iron is hot. Is that not true or are all the words of wisdom you take pride in the mere thoughtless ramblings of a senile being?"

"Careful, Ksn89la, you are but a sapling to me.

"Edz&7@flms had my approval, what's done is done."

"He will, no, he cannot fail us this time, this is our last chance."

"Then join us Rghb#es and watch instead of sulking in the void, I'll even consider siding with your wish to go with that world after this so you can enjoy that ship you so enjoy."

"They look good together, admit it."

"I couldn't care less, but if we want him to succeed, he must get that code first."

"Was wiping his memories necessary? That might change the future outcomes and how he does things."

"Kjsn89mela and I agreed that this was necessary, his personage affects how the code manifests, no?

"That, and we can both forcefully and subtly guide him to do what we want him to."

"Well... yes, but still. Forcing him might cause a similar ending with what we got in the abomination we created during the ¢Π° iteration."

"We must make him grow an attachment, a bond that will keep his "self" grounded."

"Then we'll just ha-"

"Enough with the chatter, the both of you. Watch quietly or simply begin drafting the planned future. It's about time the show resumed, right, V¢~jmr?"