Euphemia stared, uncomprehendingly, at the paper. "H-how is this possible?"
"Overcrowding, disease, poverty, crime…" Lelouch sighed. "Tokyo's just not big enough for all the Japanese who want to live in the SAZ. This is the only place they can get jobs that pay a living wage – or would if there was any work." He frowned. "Suzaku's been going out… he hasn't told you any of this?"
In hindsight he wasn't surprised – Suzaku was probably having trouble admitting to himself that things were as bad as they were. As much as Lelouch loved his partners, they could use a significant dose of reality sometimes. "Euphie, it worked. We made a safe haven. But it's too small to contain everyone who wants to shelter in it. Have you talked to Cornelia yet?"
Euphemia nodded. "She refused to set up another SAZ in Kyoto or Osaka." They were military strongholds, given that China was right there. "She might consider Sapporo…"
"Not enough." Lelouch sighed. "Euphie, the mortality rate for Japanese in Tokyo is ten-fold what it was for the Elevens which is double what it was before the invasion. We're killing them."
"I didn't…"
"I know." Lelouch kissed her hair gently. "But if Cornelia doesn't allow more cities to convert, and soon, we'll have a plague situation on our hands. And it will spread to the Britannians, I can guarantee that."
Euphemia looked haunted. "I can ask her again…"
"Please." Lelouch smiled at her. "Show her the numbers, rely on her desire to keep the few Britannians still in Tokyo safe."
Cornelia refused.
The first outbreak killed more civilians than all Knightmare attacks combined. The looting that followed killed hundreds more. Shipping in and out of Tokyo became risky as pirates stole convoys of food and medical supplies. When the royals moved to Kyoto, Zero came with them; leaving behind Tokyo as a ruined city.