"Speech"
'Thought'
"Geass"
"Telecommunication"
- Writing –
Female members of Ashford Academy student council were passing the time at the clubhouse after school hours. It was not that they intentionally summoned female members only. It happened to be Lelouch and Rivalz were nowhere to be seen.
"Where are Lelouch and Rivalz?" Nina asked, leaving her eyes from a science journal she was reading.
"Hmm...Where could Lelouch be? Perhaps he is meeting with his secret lover? Dating with a certain redhead, maybe?"
Nunnally made a wry smile at Milly's mischievous words. Nunnally's keen sense caught Shirley stiffening her body a little.
Ever since Lelouch and Nunnally enrolled in the academy, the student council president tried to find out Lelouch's love interest or love affair, if it exists. She doubled her effort when Kallen came back to the academy. Lelouch was very gentle towards her, even more than his already kind attitude towards the others. Well, knowing Lelouch's girlfriend, Nunnally thought Lelouch and Kallen were just friendly peers. However, many girls who were having their eyes on Lelouch felt differently. Nunnally had no intention to tell Milly the identity of Lelouch's girlfriend, though. She promised to keep C.C. a secret, and even though she loved Milly dearly, her brother always came first.
"Brother and Rivalz went to gambling."
However, her brother was not meeting with C.C. now, so no harm done, right?
"Again? Seriously, Rivalz is becoming a bad influence on Lulu." Milly pouted.
"Yeah!" Shirley agreed. "Who knows what will happen to them. I heard the place they visit was a dangerous place, nothing like normal casinos."
Nunnally did nothing but only made cute smile to them. She knew her brother always loved any matches involving wits. There was a high chance that it was him who brought there Rivalz.
Furthermore, apart from her great love for Lelouch, Nunnally knew her brother was one of the most dangerous individuals in the world. His opponent was the one who should be careful. She didn't worry about her brother a bit.
There was no way Lelouch could get into trouble.
Lelouch and Rivalz triumphantly left the place. They skinned every shilling out of their opponents.
Lelouch was satisfied. He felt most joy when overthrowing more powerful opponent than himself. However, ever since he returned, there were simply not enough enemies worthy of his attention. At least, when he was gambling on their turf on their terms and beat them, he could feel a token of accomplishment.
They headed towards the location where Rivalz parked his vehicle. When they reached there, however, something unexpected happened.
A man armed with a knife came out of nowhere and attacked them.
Two boys leaped in surprise, but the assailant was subdued by royal guards in the blink of an eye. It was wise of Lelouch to let several of his guards follow him in plain clothes when he was visiting the place with poor public security.
Lelouch quickly recovered his composure. It was hardly an assassination. It was more like a mugging, and a poor one at that.
The assailant was a Japanese man with dirty clothes. Lelouch was able to detect something more about the man from his behavior.
Trembling body and dilated pupils. They were clear symptoms of refrain addiction.
Refrain. The highly addictive drug induces its user to hallucinate pleasant memories. While Britannian government officially prohibited its uses, it was an open secret that they used them as a truth serum. There was also a conspiracy theory that the local governments of some Areas neglect, or even secretly promote usage of the drug to 'tame' local Numbers. Area 11 was not an exception. From past experiences, Lelouch knew corrupt officials of the Area were secretly involved with drug dealers.
"Your Highness! Are you injured?" One of the guards asked.
"You saw it. I am perfectly fine."
Rivalz was surprised but looked okay overall. "Whoa. I have never seen an assassin."
"I don't think that's the case. It seems he wanted money for Refrain. He must have seen us winning, and went ahead of us to ambush."
There might be other possibilities, but unless the man was a master actor who can deceive Lelouch's keen, discerning eyes, he was a just miserable criminal who desperately need money for his next shot.
Rivalz gave a shrug. "Well, I have never seen a person who attacks others for drugs, too." He began to drag out his motorbike.
"Me neither." Lelouch recalled his memories. "Wait. I take that back. In fact, I have."
"Really? What happened?"
"I was just wandering the abandoned district of the city, and then I encountered an Eleven group led by a Britannian noble beating up another Eleven who can't pay for Refrain they were selling."
"I guess you interfered on the weak's behalf."
"You know me too well. Yes, that's right. I just cannot quit flaunting my pride, you know."
"So, what did you do?"
"I made the noble do push-ups."
"Ha. Good one, Lelouch. I almost fell for it." He thought Lelouch was making up a tale to relieve his tension.
Lelouch simply shrugged. "Anyway, I think it will be better if we split up. Sorry that I can't accompany you, but you see..." He pointed at the subdued man.
"Will you be all right?"
"I will be fine." He assured his friend. "See you."
Rivalz nodded back. "See you. And be safe." He cannot hide his concern.
Lelouch looked at Rivalz until he and his motorbike were out of the sight.
"Now...what should I do with you." Lelouch said with a cold, emotionless tone.
Recognizing he messed up the wrong boy, the man was shivering, unable to do anything.
Lelouch lost his interest. He turned his back, leaving the man's fate into his guards.
"P,Please, I need the money. I can't live without it. I...I will do anything!"
Any sensible man would have feared what punishment might befall him, not worrying about the money for the drug. The man was clearly broken. However, even broken man can be an asset. A certain idea passed through Lelouch's mind.
"Anything, you say?" His eyes turned into crimson red like the burning fires of hell, as he turned his head towards the man's direction.
Viceroy and his company arrived at the Consulate of Chinese Federation in Area 11. The Consulate was located at the outskirts of Tokyo, beyond the settlement and the ghetto.
Lelouch eyed a group of people who were carrying cameras and other equipment. One particular producer, a tall man with blonde ponytail caught his eye. Without losing his posture, he silently whispered to his brother while walking.
"So, you called in media after all."
Clovis made a fabulous smile towards the Consul and other diplomats who came to greet them. He too replied silently.
"Why not? Lelouch, you should stop avoiding the media. They are one of the keystones of our rule."
Lelouch grumbled. He never had trouble with the public attention. Some might say he enjoyed it. It was just that today's event made things complicated. There will be a huge scandal. Soon, they will have to censor every footage of today's event. Well, at a pinch, he can always rely on his Geass.
Consul was a fat man at his 50s. He greeted Lelouch and Clovis profusely.
"It is an honor to finally meet you." Lelouch and the Consul shook hands.
Actually, the Consul had met Lelouch before. It was just that he couldn't remember it.
The company was led to a banquet hall richly ornamented in the Chinese style. Dinner was also Chinese cuisine, adjusted to Britannian taste, nothing too extraordinary nor bizarre.
During the banquet, the Consul was very jovial to two royals, although he seemed only interested in his personal gains than bilateral cooperation between Britannia and China. Lelouch felt less guilty about what he is going to do, which will ruin the man's career.
Now post-meal tea was about to be served. Lelouch eyed the surroundings and the people. The Consul was still trying to coax Clovis into his behalf. Knowing Clovis, Lelouch knew Clovis was feigning interest but ignoring most of the dialogues. He was looking at the paintings in the room, but clearly unimpressed.
One of the servers approached and served them tea. Lelouch recognized the man. He made his move.
"Excuse me, consul. I must commend the servers for their impeccable services. Are they consulate staffs?"
Consul thought over for a moment if it would be better for him to lie and take the credit. But he decided it is better to tell the truth. "No. They are hiring help for this day, from local...Japanese." The Consul tried his best not to provoke Britannians. Apparently, the Federation still recognizes Japanese government in exile as a legitimate one. "We don't retain much personnel here at the Consulate. But, I am glad you like their services. I hired each one of them after an interview and directed them myself." He didn't forget to add something to add to his credit. Yes, he hired them himself, didn't he? Although he couldn't quite remember...
"I see." Lelouch waved to the man who just served him a tea. "It must be tiresome to do all those work. As a token of my appreciation for your fine services, I want you to drink this." Lelouch passed him over the cup. "It must be quite refreshing. It really possesses a unique aroma."
Clovis rolled his eyes. 'How typical. Can't Lelouch stop being so altruistic just for one day?'
The server startled at Lelouch's words. "...I don't think that is appropriate, sir."
"I must insist. Drink. Now." Lelouch ordered with a firm and serious voice.
Everyone in the room sensed something was off. And now, the server was visibly shaking with panic.
Lelouch ordered the guards. "Seize him."
The rest of the meeting was canceled as they found deadly poison among the man's belongings after a thorough investigation.
Lelouch entered Clovis' office after interrogating the assassin. The room was even darker than the interrogation room he just left. Clovis was sitting behind his desk, furious.
"So? Found anything useful?" Viceroy asked his brother.
"Other employees were just unfortunate innocent bystanders. The assassin, well, he is denying every accusation against him, saying that he doesn't remember anything. Other than that, there is nothing much to say. He is an addict who is suffering heavy withdrawal effect of refrain. Considering that, it is possible he was hallucinating during the entire attempt."
"Hardly believable." Viceroy scoffed. "Don't say you buy that."
Lelouch nodded as an agreement. "Even if what he said was true, a simple drug addict cannot infiltrate the Chinese Consulate that easily. Unfortunately, after the long interrogation, he became unconscious, and I doubt we can extract any more information from him. He seems to know nothing more than he already revealed to us."
"This is unacceptable!" Clovis banged his desk with a clenched fist. "An assassination attempt against the members of the imperial family! Whoever plotted this assassination will pay dearly."
"About the conspirator, there are several possible suspects who might be behind this." Lelouch continued his briefing. "First, there are Elevens, obviously. However, if they truly plotted the assassination, they must have sent a trained assassin, not some random junkie you can found in a back alley. Also, they more likely have used explosive or guns to assure to kill and announced that it's their doing. I am skeptical that they are behind this. And of course, we can rule out a lone attempt by a crazed addict."
"I really should do something about those drugs. Anyway, who's next?"
"Then there are Chinese. It is possible that the faction which opposes the Federation's current diplomatic stance towards us might have caused this. Or one of the ambitious warlords."
"So you suspect Chinese are the culprit?"
"We can't rule out the possibility. However, I think they would be more tactful if they truly are behind this."
"I happen to agree with you. The Consul seemed oblivious to what was happening, and they will lose more than what they will gain." Clovis seemed unsatisfied. "However, even if they aren't behind this, they should pay for their lousy security. But the more important thing is, who had done it, then?"
"Well...there is a third suspect, but I think you won't like it."
"Spill. Now."
"Maybe one of our own is behind this. The imperial family."
"You don't say." However, contrary to his words, Clovis' expression remained unchanged like he was already expecting it.
"Oh, it is a distinct possibility." Sub-viceroy said as he eased his tension looking at viceroy's attitude. "To eliminate us out of the picture, but most likely, to undermine our power base. If the war were to break out between the Empire and China, Area 11 would become the battlefield."
"I see your point. So it didn't matter whether it succeeds or not."
Lelouch nodded.
"So, any suggestions on what should we do against whoever did this?"
"For now? Nothing. There is no proof to blame anyone. It is all just speculation based on circumstantial evidence. All we can do now is negotiation with the Chinese Federation. I already silenced the media, and Chinese will stay quiet if they have any senses."
"What if the mastermind reveals the secret, overthrow the negotiation?"
"Then we will know who is behind this."
"I guess you are right." Clovis admitted he could do nothing but let it go. "Then we should make the most out of the current situation."
The Chinese Federation reacted immediately to the ordeal. The Consul was summoned back to Luoyang, and they also agreed to Lelouch and Clovis' demand to elevate the Consulate to the Consulate General. A new Consul general was none other than one of the High Eunuchs. Privately, the Federation promised to redouble their effort to crack down narcotic smugglers to Area 11 as well.
The Federation was more than happy to sweep the matter under the rug. It will strike a massive blow to national prestige if the thing leaks out. Not to mention it will give the Empire casus belli for them. The entire affair was kept in secret between the Federation government and the viceroyalty of Area 11, and only the results of their negotiations were reported back to the Britannian homeland. So, to Schneizel, prime minister of the Holy Britannian Empire, the report was all of a sudden. Although it was pretty much evident who was behind this.
"Why would Lelouch do this?"
Kanon Maldini, Schneizel's most trusted subordinate, agreed to his analogy. Considering the importance of Area 11, it was rather late for Chinese to make such a move. The only difference between then and now was the new sub-viceroy. And, knowing Lelouch, Kanon also knew manipulating one of the world's superpower to one's whim is within Lelouch's caliber.
"Perhaps he wanted to present his influence to the court that Chinese are supporting him?"
However, Schneizel thought differently.
"No. He has more than enough capability to run for the throne himself. Not to mention the emperor who is crowned by the foreign power will not be accepted by the public."
Schneizel kept his calm appearance, but inwardly, he kept thinking of possible motives.
'Lelouch, what are you thinking?'
Whatever his brother was scheming, he must know. Although Schneizel genuinely liked him, of all his brothers and sisters, Lelouch was the most dangerous one. Schneizel was busy, preparing for the upcoming war against EU, but he simply cannot let it slide.
"Keep me informed of any further developments."
"Yes, your highness."
Author's Note: Technically, Lelouch is a prince, so indeed one of the imperial family is the culprit. Hehe.
Chinese Federation is a decentralized state. That's the impression I got from General Cao and India, at least. That state will be one of the things that will drive the story in part 3 and 4 if I ever manage to write that far.
It has been a while. The thing is, I was busy. I was sick, caught up the work I couldn't do while I was sick, fixed my computer, prepared to move to a new place and so on.
Sorry for the last chapter's mistakes. It was rushed. I may look for a beta, but I will be unavailable from mid of February to the end of March, so whether I do or do not it will have to wait. I will try to upload as many chapters as possible before that. As a first step, the next chapter will be uploaded within a day.