Code Geass: Colorless Memories
Stage 12: Meeting with Kyoto
"You desire it…You wish to have…don't you? That is why you seek strength…Very well, I shall give you a piece of my power along with permission to...But in exchange for this gift you must…is that clear? Not only that, but you must be willing to accept the responsibilities and the consequences of your actions from here on…How you use this power is completely up to you…So, what will you choose to do…?"
After classes were finished for the day I steadily headed for my room out in the clubhouse. I wasn't able to concentrate on any of my classes at all today. Actually, I haven't really been to focus on anything lately. At least not ever since what happened at Narita. I was too busy thinking about things I couldn't comprehend nor were they things that a textbook could provide answers for. Not only that, but since then I've been having dreams about a voice saying things to me. It was the same voice that told me to 'watch out' and that 'I mustn't' something. However, none of the dreams ever made sense because I only heard half of their sentences, so I wasn't for sure what they were trying to tell me or say.
I was at a loss for what I should do.
When I got to my room I noticed that there was something on my bed. I went over there and saw a peculiar black colored phone along with a note. I began to read what the note said.
"This special phone is for you Rai. From now you will be able to contact anyone in the Black Knights including myself. Make sure you destroy this note whenever you are finished reading it.
From, Zero
So, Zero got me a phone huh. Well wasn't that nice of him. But I have to wonder, how did Zero even manage to get on school grounds without being seen and even more so managed to get into my room. Most of the time I have it locked up. Sometimes I think Zero has too many ways of getting around. Oh well, maybe I should go hang out at the Black Knights hideout to help get my mind off things for a while.
I placed the phone into my pocket and put my black knights uniform into a bag so no one would see it.
I then went out to the hideout but after spending some time I found that there wasn't really much for me to do there. All I saw were people working and fixing damaged equipment or I only saw new recruits gossiping. After I started to regret coming here today I was about to leave when I heard someone call out to me.
"How does it feel being an ally of justice?"
I turned around and saw that it was Zero greeting me with a question. I decided to respond back with an answer.
"You judge evil regardless of whether it'd be a Britannian or an Eleven. The popularity this gives you with the people is certainly good. However, will the day come when all this leads to Britannia's defeat, I wonder?"
"If we simply used power to get what we want, we would be no different from Britannia's tyranny. We are doing this because we are people who have the power to rebel. As such, we have to use it in such a way that everyone will understand it as justice."
"Hmm…I think I understand."
"I thought you would."
It was too troublesome to think too deeply about it.
"In any case, I guess I will try to do my best…As an ally of justice, right?"
"Please do so. I expect much from you. Now, please come to my office. There are some things I wish to discuss with you about."
Zero then turned around and coaxed me to follow him with his right hand. I decided to go him and we both entered his personal office.
Once inside, Zero then sat down on his chair and offered me a seat next to C.C. who was here as well but I declined and decided to just stand. I didn't really feel like sitting next to her.
"What did you need me for?" I asked him.
"It's nothing big. I just wanted to personally hear your account of the last battle." Zero responded.
"Oh, you mean the battle at Narita?" I said with indifference. I would rather forget about that.
"We were surprised at how well you battled with only one knightmare. You managed to survive and return despite the odds." C.C. was the one who spoke this time.
"Rai, you have done well. Thanks to your efforts, we managed to reduce the possible damage to the Black Knights by roughly forty percent." Zero proudly said.
"Oh, I was only thinking of doing my best…That's all." I truthfully answered as I began to rub my hand against the back of my head.
"There is no need for you to be modest. You managed to defeat your enemies, attract their attention, and allowed our main army to break through by taking on the role of being a diversion. You piloting abilities are excellent, but I also highly value your good judgment. I seem to have unexpectedly obtained an excellent subordinate. I am quite grateful to Kallen for bringing you to me." Zero said as he brought his arms together in a grandiose manner.
"Did you call me here just to say this?'
"You have a problem with that?"
"Well, there are other things I could be doing instead of listening to you praising me."
"Like walking around an endless maze looking for your memories?" C.C. joked around with me.
"Huh, what do you mean by that?" I said as I turned towards her.
"Just ignore her. Still, the data of your piloting abilities, by itself, certainly verifies your words on the matter." Zero said as he brushed C.C.'s comment away.
Zero then made a nearby screen display the data of my battle's development from his computer.
"You were constantly taking the initiative, causing disturbances, and defeating as many as you could. Even Britannia's soldiers weren't able to make you easily go down." C.C. praised me.
"That is an overstatement of my deeds. The movements of Cornelia's soldiers were magnificent. I cannot in any way be compared to them." I calmly answered.
"Besides…You guys don't even know what happened to me after that…I couldn't do anything…" I silently thought to myself as I looked away and shot a glance at the floor.
As I did that I didn't noticed that for a second C.C. shifted her eyes and glared at me.
"The difference in knightmare frames was also great. If you had been given a frame of equal quality, I truly believe your respective abilities would have shown."
Zero's words right now were flattering towards me. I just shrugged my shoulders in response.
"Oh yes, that's right…there is something else I wanted to talk to you about."
"Which is…?"
"I've gotten into contact with Kyoto." Zero said.
"You mean the group who recently been giving supplies to us?"
"Yes, that's right. It appears they want to meet with me in person tomorrow. Are they inviting us in order to ascertain what kind of people we are? Rai, if you were in Kyoto's position, how would you face me?"
"Let me think…If I were in the other party's position, I would first make someone remove your mask. Who wouldn't be interested in seeing that?"
"That's right…I agree as well, naturally. Of course, there is no way I can comply with such a demand."
Even though Zero was the leader of the Black Knights, his true face has never been revealed to any of us. It was unlikely that he will show it to Kyoto.
"It is unfortunate having a face that can't be shown, huh?"
"Yes, it sure is. Oh yes, there is something I would like to ask you before I let you go. How do the Black Knights appear to you?"
I think I should speak honestly here.
"Speaking in terms of the organization itself, it still has some ways to go. After all, this group is nothing more than a miscellaneous collection of various people."
"What a coincidence. I was thinking the exact same thing. But soon, I will turn this group into a true fighting army. I promise you that. Well, you are excused now."
And with that I bowed my head and left the room. I then headed out for the hanger to see what was going on there. After walking randomly for a while I suddenly noticed that right in front of me was the Guren Mk-II, with its damaged right arm. It was Kallen's personal unit. I heard from some other members that during the battle at Narita the Guren fought against a white knightmare that have been giving the Black Knights trouble for some time now. In the middle of the fight Kallen's frame fell off a cliff that collapsed and that was how the arm got damaged. Still, an original Japanese knightmare, with a special feature called the radiation wave. But the engineering and technology behind it was so sophisticated that the model wasn't suitable for mass production.
"What's wrong…Is it the Guren that you want?"
I suddenly saw C.C. appear from behind the Guren's leg. She began teasing me with her words.
"When you think of the Burai, its performance is so poor that it can't even be compared to this thing." C.C. continued on.
"Yeah, that's true."
"How about it? If you want it so much, I could negotiate with Zero and get him to give it to you."
"R-Really…?"
Certainly, it was an appealing idea. If I had this knightmare I would definitely be able to fight more effectively. The Guren was definitely a desirable knightmare. But it was Kallen's unit. I couldn't just take it away from her.
"This unit is the so called pride of Japan, as it is, having had all Japanese engineering at its finest focused on building it. Kallen, who has the determination to change Japan, is more suitable for it than me."
I could say that I knew that much.
"Then, is the reason for your desire of a new knightmare because you think that you wouldn't be able to stand up against that White Knightmare with just a Burai? Or maybe it's actually because…"
"Or because what?"
What was this woman hinting at now, or was she just messing with me again?
"Oh, it was nothing. Even if you don't have a machine to pilot now, don't slack around. For now, I will tell Zero that you only want the newest model."
"Uh yes, please do. I want to be able to fight better next time."
"Hmph…Don't expect too much. What you get will depend on Kyoto. And don't worry, you will become stronger…much stronger…in due time."
"Huh…?"
Leaving me with those words, C.C. left the hangar and headed for Zero's office. Once again, I was left speechless by that woman's words and their meanings about whatever she was hinting at. I then noticed that it was getting late so I decided to leave and go home.
The next morning as soon as I got up I received a phone call from Zero. Apparently, he wanted me to help him with something. Since I didn't have classes today I decided to go assist him with whatever he needed. I hurriedly got my things together and arrived at the hideout to present myself. After entering Zero's room, he welcomed me in.
"Rai, I want you to come with me on my visit to Kyoto."
"If it's to go along with the rest of the executive members to the meeting then…"
"No, I want you to help me make some preparations before the actual meeting."
"Do I assume that strategic operation is also a secret from the rest of the executive members?"
"Something like that…It is something that I need to do myself, but just in case I want you there to assist me. I need a quick-witted person like you who can withdraw by himself as soon as the business is completed."
"You overestimate me too much."
"You shouldn't say that. You are quite the useful person. I have an eye for these things."
"Is that so?"
It would be rash to think that he is relying on me already. Rather, this is a test for me.
We went to the meeting place with the contact from Kyoto. When Zero and I arrived he convinced the contact very easily and we snuck into the bowels of the NAC's Mt. Fuji Plant from within the car. This time, it was serving as the location for the meeting between the leading figures of Kyoto and the Black Knights. The "NAC" is the economic group in Area 11 that cooperates with Britannia. In reality it was Kyoto, the organization that supported all the resistance groups in Area 11. I then decided to quietly talk with Zero while we were inside the building.
"Nevertheless, how did you talk that guy into it?"
"What are you talking about?"
"I mean that contact guy who guided us here. He accepted us so readily…"
"I had already talked him into letting us pass beforehand. I have co-operators everywhere in Area 11."
"I see…"
Really…somehow it didn't make sense. If that was true, then why was it kept secret from the rest of the Black Knights executives? Still, everything until now had happened too smoothly for it to just be sudden behavior on the contact's part. I felt as if Zero was trying to cover up something that happened in that time.
"But this is as far as my preparations go. If they see any intruders from this point on, they will shoot first without asking questions."
"You don't have to worry about that. I had a similar exercise like that last week up in the mountains…" I silently said under my breath.
"So, what should I do…What's my task?" I continued to say.
"I'm going to hijack and board one of the knightmares guarding the meeting place. In order to do that, I need you to take care of the security system's surveillance while I act by using these."
Zero then handed me a key along with some capsules.
"You mean by knocking them out with sleeping gas?"
"That's right…You catch on quickly."
Zero then took out a map. Sketched in detail on it were the Mt. Fuji plant's interior design and surveillance network.
"Having already snuck inside, it should be easy for us to achieve our objective. The problem is…"
"After that whether I can successfully run away or not afterwards will be dependent on my so-called quick wittedness right?"
"That is correct."
"What about you? You say that you will be going to the meeting place aboard a knightmare, but…"
"That won't be a problem. All the conditions will have been cleared then."
"More of your preparations, is it?"
"Well, something like that. Now, let's begin. Wait for my signal."
Acting separately from Zero, I figured out a blind spot in the surveillance network based on the base map. Nonetheless, Zero's actual actions couldn't be hidden from the sensors. Even if he can manage to cut his way through with his onsite preparations, I would have to gain control of the surveillance's control room at that precise moment in order for him to succeed. Putting on the clothes of one of the plant's workers over my Black Knights uniform just in case, I waited for Zero's signal. After he sent the signal, I hastily set out on my mission.
I casually combed down the various hallways as I made my way to the control room. I made sure to make myself look as natural as possible by making it look like I was patrol for them. Even so, it was still nerve-wracking for me. One wrong step and my cover would be completely exposed.
Thankfully though I was able to make it to the surveillance room without arousing too much trouble. I then brought out the keys Zero gave me and then thought something for a moment.
"Still, how in the world did Zero manage to acquire these keys…Ah, whatever…"
I then inserted the key into the door and found it fitted in perfectly. Next, I turned the key slowly and silently cracked the door open. I peered inside and noticed that none of them noticed my actions yet. Instead, they were all staring at the screens in front of them with bored expression on their faces.
"Good, now all I have to do is…"
I then took a small capsule and tossed it into the room. As soon as I saw it land and go off I quickly closed the door. After that I immediately heard people yelling and screaming on the other side of the door. Soon enough everything became silent on the other side.
I decided to open up the door again and I saw that the smoke created from the capsule was slowly subsiding. I advanced into the room and saw all the guards and workers inside were now all snoozing thanks to the gas capsule. I then checked the surveillance monitors and sure enough I the image of Zero entering the knightmare hangar appeared on the screen. It seems like I made it just in time. After that I received a message from Zero.
"I am finished here. You can withdraw now." Zero said on his communicator.
"Yes, I understand."
"Hmm…You have done well. Better than I expected. I will be cutting off communications for a while. Make sure to get away successfully."
"Roger that."
Okay, now it was time for the hard part, getting out of here. The first thing I did though was close the door to the control room and locked it back up. After that I took out the map for the building. As the center for the security guards, this place was within the very depths of the plant. Would I be able to get out without causing any uproars; I wonder? After carefully choosing the most lightly guarded route, I successfully passed through several passages. However, just as I was getting sure I was going to get out safely I suddenly came across a pair of security guards. They both looked at me for a moment before nodding to each other and then came up to confront me.
"Hey, who are you, are you new here or something?" One of them asked me.
"Huh, oh uh…Yeah, I am. I just recently got assigned here." I replied back.
"I see…So, where is your partner?"
"My…partner?" I asked the question back with a confused look.
When I did that the one who asked the question formed a grin on his face while the other one slowly placed his hand in his pocket, probably getting ready to pull out his weapon.
"Yeah, that's right. We always go out on patrols in groups of two. Even newbies should know that. Also, there has been some intel going around and saying that there might be an intruder in the plant. Say, you wouldn't happen know anything about this intruder now, would you?!"
He looked straight at me when he said that. Crap, this isn't good. I have to come up with something fast, and I need to do it smoothly too. After hesitating for a moment I looked behind the pair of guards and noticed a three way cross intersection down the hallway. A plan suddenly formed in my mind.
"W-Wait a moment…Give me a second to explain myself! I have certified identification on me. Just let me show you first and then everything will be clear."
I then reached my hand into my pocket and grabbed something. I then held it clutched in my hand for a few moments.
"Well, let us see it already!" The guards shouted impatiently.
"Very well…Here it is!"
I replied as I raised my hand in the air and then threw a capsule on the ground. Immediately after that I held my left hand over my mouth and quickly shoved my way past the guards who were currently disorganized by the sudden smoke that appeared from the capsule and was covering the area.
Once I approached the intersection I turned around and noticed that one of the guards was already on the floor passed out. The other one though jumped out of the smog and charged towards me while beginning to pull his weapon out of his pocket.
"Identification my ass…I am going to get ya, you little!" The guard angrily shouted.
I responded by pulling my capsule out and flung it on the floor in front of me, while making sure the smoke will cover the intersection. I then chose a pathway and scurried down the hallway to my right.
I had a sixty-six percent chance that the guard would choose one of the other two hallways. I entered a nearby door and crouched down for a moment to try and hear his footsteps. Soon I heard his footsteps heading straight in my direction. I felt troubled for a moment as the footsteps got closer but right when they were at my door they went past and continued on down. I took a moment to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Lucky for him he chose the right hallway…Lucky for me though he didn't open up the door."
I stood back up and then looked at the pathway before me. Zero already had a suggested escape route already lined out for me but it looks like there are going to be guards swarming in that direction now. Trying to escape that way has become increasingly difficult. For the time being, I should look for an alternate escape route.
(Third Person View)
While Rai was trying to figure a way out of the place Zero, Kallen, Ohgi and Tamaki arrived at the meeting place with Kyoto. When they got there they saw a figure sitting behind a tinted glass with two guards standing on opposite sides of the glass.
"I apologize for not showing my face but Zero, your face is hidden as well. Unfortunately, I can't allow this. To trust you, I must know who you are. Therefore, you will show me your face!" The man said as he pointed his cane outward signaling four Burai units to appear.
They all had their assault rifle aimed at Zero and the others. Kallen stepped out in front of Zero with her arm stretched out in front of him.
"Please wait, Zero has given us power and victory. That should be…"
The man suddenly shouted out to silence her.
"Silence…Which one of you is Ohgi?"
"That's me." Ohgi said as he stepped forward.
"You will remove Zero's mask." The man ordered.
Ohgi hesitated at first but then firmly walked over to Zero.
"I'm sorry Zero…but we need a reason to put our faith in you too. So help us to put our trust in you."
Ohgi then removed Zero's mask but all three of them were surprised to see C.C.'s face under the mask.
"A woman is Zero!" Tamaki blurted out.
"C.C., are you really Zero?" Ohgi asked her.
"That's impossible! She's always standing next to Zero whenever they are together." Kallen protested.
"You there, girl, is this true?" The man asked C.C.
"It's true, I am not Zero."
"So, you are not Japanese?"
"Correct, clan chief of Kyoto…Taizo Kirihara."
The two guards then became surprised when they heard that.
"Anyone who can identify him must die!" One of them said as he pulled his gun out.
"Especially someone who isn't Japanese!" The other said as he ordered the Burais to attack.
"Hey, hold on…I am not part of this!" Tamaki screamed as he put his hands up.
One of the Burai then attacked two Burais with its Slash Harkens and knocked the Burai right next to it down with its Stun Tonfa. The Burai then moved over to where Kirihara was sitting.
"You are soft, and your methods and thinking are outdated. That is why you will never win." Zero said as he came out from the cockpit of the Burai.
"W-When did you…" The guard then pointed his gun at Zero but the other guard stopped him from firing.
"Hold on…he can fire at us with that remote. Everyone stay back, don't make a move!" The other guard said as he noticed that Zero had his finger on top of a remote.
Zero then walked over to where Kirihara and the guards were at.
"Taizo Kirihara…founder of Kirihara Industry which has a monopoly on Sakuradite mining. Formerly a key actor of the Kururugi Regime. However, when Japan fell you dodged the tribunals by collaborating with the colonial rulers. Commonly known as Kirihara the Traitor. In reality you are one of the leaders of the six houses of Kyoto who support resistance groups throughout Japan. A double agent, how cliché."
"Show some respect you swine!" One of the guards shouted.
"Stop!" Kirihara ordered.
"It is as you guessed though…I am not Japanese!"
Kallen, Ohgi and Tamaki were surprised to hear that detail.
"Is he serious…no wonder he never showed his face." Tamaki commented.
"If you are not Japanese then why do you fight for Japan…What is it you want?" Kirihara asked Zero.
"The destruction of Britannia." Zero calmly answered.
"And so do you believe that this is possible…That you can do it?"
"I can because I must. I have reasons which compel me to do it. I'm glad I am dealing with you." Zero then took his mask off and revealed himself as Lelouch in front of Kirihara. Kallen and the others couldn't see him though. Kirihara was surprised to see Lelouch's face.
"It has been a long time, Lord Kirihara."
"You…is it really you? It has been eight years since that family received you as a hostage."
"Yes, and I appreciate you taking care of me then."
"If I hadn't come tonight were you planning to take a messenger as hostage?"
"Not at all…I came to ask for your help. That is all I am seeking from you."
"So the flower planted eight years ago has finally bloomed." The man then laughed in joy about who he was dealing with now and then called out to Ohgi.
"Ohgi!" Kirihara yelled out.
"Yes, what is it Kirihara?" Ohgi asked.
"This man is a true enemy of Britannia. His face must remain hidden for vital reasons. I urge you to follow Zero and I guarantee that if you do we will assist you generously with intelligence and strategic support.
"We thank you." Ohgi answered.
"I am truly thankful to you Lord Kirihara. And about that knightmare I asked for…"
"It is on its way right now along with its creator. They will be at your hideout any day now."
"Good, and there is one last thing I need you for." Zero then walked over to Kirihara and handed him a tube that contained a blood sample.
"Whose blood is this?" Kirihara questioned Zero.
"It belongs to a very useful subordinate of mine. I need to know whose family he belongs to. With the resources and technology you have it shouldn't be hard to find results."
"I see, I will make it gets done…but Zero, are you planning to embark on the path of blood?"
"Indeed, if that is my destiny." Zero said as he put his mask back on.
(First Person View)
I cautiously went further inside the room. Looking around once again, I saw that the room had a simple yet fairly nice appearance. Was it used for visiting guests? It had a large living room, with a huge window that displayed a view of the massive Sakuradite plant that covered Mt. Fuji's slopes. There was one person there looking out the window. A dark haired girl, wearing a traditional kimono that was reminiscent to that of a shrine maiden.
"What's going on? Things seem a little noisy out there…"
The girl must have heard me coming because she then turned around and found me standing in the room.
"Oh, and who are you?" The girl asked me.
What should I do now? I been spotted again and I don't have any more sleeping capsules on me.
"Ah, that collar…I know! You are one of the Black Knights, aren't you?"
Seeing this as an opportunity I took action.
"Huh…oh, uh, yes. Yes I am."
She seemed to have seen underneath my work clothes and noticed my Black Knights uniform.
"Then you must be here because of today's meeting, right? Could it be that you are an envoy from Zero-sama?"
Zero-sama? If I remember correctly, Kallen told me that you use the word sama when you highly respect someone. She also seems to know about the Black Knights and Zero. Moreover, she seems to have a favorable disposition towards them, based on her words and tone.
"That's right; I am just a low ranking member though, so I am not anything that special."
Since she also knows about the meeting, she must be connected to Kyoto somehow. Is she perhaps a relative of the Six Houses of Kyoto?
"Zero-sama knew that I would be here, didn't he? As expected of the Black Knights."
"Huh…uh, yes…Zero sends his best regards."
"Really…That makes me so happy. That's right, how is the Guren Mk-II? The one who first arranged it to be sent to the Black Knights was me! Oh yeah, I also talked that elder, Kirihara, into giving the Black Knights another machine just like it. I hope they will find a suitable pilot to operate it."
"Is that so…"
The sight of the girl chatting away happily as her stance and expression kept changing constantly was admirable. She didn't really look like a person who would possess such great influence but I guess appearances don't matter.
"But it's too bad. If possible, I wanted to attend the meeting and see Zero-sama's countenance as his future wife…"
"What…?!"
Had Zero really made arrangements to that extent? Or was this talk of marriage just an expectation from Kyoto's side?
"But, you only needed to simply come see me. After all, I am a big fan of the Black Knights."
"Thank you for your support of the Black Knights." I said as I made a short bow.
"The Black Knights are only our hope. Also, after being scattered at Narita, the Japanese Liberation Front needs time to rebuild. Please keep doing your best from now on as well!"
"Sure thing, I will do my best to live up to your expectations."
"Oh yeah, that's right. I never told you my name didn't I? My name is Kaguya…Kaguya Sumeragi."
"Kaguya…Sumeragi…Ugh…"
Whenever I heard her name a jolt suddenly went through me and I started to feel pain in my head. It was just like those other times all over again. I feel to my knees and cried out in pain as I started to see a new vision. This time it was a sunny and clear day along with an image of an open field. In that field were two people, a woman and a young girl. The woman had long black hair and was wearing a Japanese style of clothing. The girl had a hairstyle similar to Kaguya's except her hair was pink and was shorter while she was wearing a kimono. The biggest thing I noticed was that they were both happy with a smile on both of their faces and the young girl was holding an origami shaped like a cherry blossom. As I began to wonder who they were my vision returned to normal and I saw Kaguya standing right in front of me.
"Hey, mister Black Knight soldier, are you okay?" She said with a worried look on her face.
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine. I just had a bad headache is all."
"Oh, is that all…hey, now that I have a closer look at your face, I feel like I seen you somewhere before!"
"Huh…what do you mean?"
"I don't know…I know that I haven't met you in person before but I am pretty sure I saw your face on a picture or maybe on television at one time.
Before we could discuss this any further my phone started to ring and it was Zero again. I answered the call to see what he wanted.
"Rai, what is your situation?"
"I am still inside the plant."
"What…What are you…Never mind, I suppose that is an appropriate decision. Everything has been taken care of over here. The rest of us are returning to base. You should get out of there and return to us as well. Kallen is starting to worry about you."
"What, I never said anything like that!" I heard Kallen say on the other end of the line.
"Is that so…I better get back there quickly then." I answered with a chuckle.
"And here I thought you already escaped…You sure are an interesting guy." Zero chuckled as he hanged up.
"That voice…that was Zero-sama's wasn't it?" Kaguya excitingly said.
"Yes, he seems to have finished things without any problems. I have to go now too."
"Then in that case I will guide you out of here. As long as you are with me, the guards won't think twice about harming you." Kaguya offered.
"Oh, well in case I will accept your offer."
Kaguya then grabbed my hand and started to guide me out of this place even though I knew I was going to look silly holding Kaguya's hand like that. Oh well, whatever keeps me alive I guess.
As we were walking along we passed by some guards but they would just ignored us or say hello to Kaguya. They didn't seem to notice or care about me even though I was only wearing my Black Knights uniform at this point. We eventually got outside and then she showed me a hidden underground tunnel that I could use to get back to the ghettos.
"You can use that tunnel to get back to your organization. Please take care of yourself mister Black Knight soldier."
"Yeah, you take care of yourself as well. Now, if you will excuse me."
She then waved her hand goodbye as I disappeared into the tunnels. After wondering around in the tunnels for a while I eventually arrived back in the ghettos. I then went to the hideout and entered the lounge where Zero was waiting.
"Well done…You remained in the plant in such circumstances, even after I had completed my own task?"
"No, I was just lucky. It was only by chance that I got out alive."
"However, this result only came about from an accumulation of accurate judgment in each situation. Because you also assumed the worst case scenario every time. You are so brilliant it is almost frightening. Just what kind of secret method did you use…?"
"Oh, I didn't do anything special."
The meeting with the leaders of Kyoto seemed to have succeeded without trouble. With this, it seemed that the Black Knights will be getting more abundant support from them now. Zero may have praised my skill, but when I thought of Zero's actions then, he was the one so brilliant it was frightening. Still, I'm just relieved it's over with.
And yet, at the same time I another clue about me past. Sure, it means nothing to me right now because I have no clue what it means at moment. It's just another thing to add to my list of things I don't understand about myself. Still, I wonder how many times I have to suffer through terrible experiences and see vague visions before I find the answers I need. Was I even allowed to find the truth?
Moving on to the next Stage…