A/N: Once again, thanks to Jameyofthemegacomos for his work on this chapter. Of course, thanks to everyone who had reviewed, followed, and favorited the chapter.
The poll on my profile has been closed and replaced with a new one for the time being. I'll explain that one at the end of the chapter. The results stood at 52 votes, with 34 for yes, and 18 for no.
We shall see the result as I go ahead with my plan, but know that it doesn't decide if Eristia joins Lelouch's harem or not. However, her joining or not will have an effect on her fate later in the story.
Now to answer some reviews that I couldn't respond to them via PMs.
Guest: Actually, Asura is under consideration to join the harem, but Jameyofthemegacosmos has been against the idea of wanting to keep with her "Canon" husband. However, I have kept her an available option, with her real goals hidden from the others, beyond maybe teasing the others a little about it. She will be featured in the coming harem poll much later in the story against other harem candidates to narrow them down. The winners would win the chances for more opportunities to gain entry into the harem, but as of this time, know that Asura is a contender.
I do wish to remind everyone that the harem will be limited to a max of ten. Jameyofthemegacosmos wants me to shoot for twelve, to match the number of enemy Apostles. However, I decided to wait and see if I can make that number work, but it would allow me to add some more MGE cast members since I may just add Kallen and C.C. by default.
Everyone else who doesn't make it into the harem, rest assured Jameyofthemegacosmos, and I have been contemplating pairings for the other female characters.
Blackving: Vermut's status we'll get to later on in the story, and so shall we visit the god's reactions about Zero. Levin's reaction is also coming in chapter nineteen.
What happens to a monster girl that has the mana that purifies humans. Well, it doesn't harm them or anything that could change their forms. But since Lelouch has the best traits of an Incubus (a very durable body, greater strength, agility, immunity to diseases. His mind is immune to mental effects, so his inhibitions are not tampered with. Lelouch can still give his spiritual energy to monster girls during sex. It will provide them with richer and more dense mana greater than they would get from a Hero. But the exchange of energy will increase both of their life spans. Once his harem is formed, the energy exchanged between all of those involved will likely ensure that Lelouch and his harem members will live for tens of thousands of years, if not potentially indefinitely. Lelouch will also stop aging when he reaches his twenties due to the changes to his body, granting a far longer life span than a human, at least more than a thousand years.
That will likely benefit C.C. greatly since she won't have to watch anyone she cares about growing old and dying.
Anyway, now that those are taken care of, let's move on with the chapter.
Chapter 17
New Lives
"Ugh…"
Opening her eyes, Eristia found herself gazing up at a brown ceiling, but her vision was blurred. However, she also felt a sharp pain in her head. Her memory and thoughts were a mess, but they were trying to reorganize while recalling what happened. Slowly her blurred vision cleared, and she soon saw the brown ceiling was a wooden ceiling of a house. Moving her head, Eristia looked around, but she saw nothing out of the ordinary. The house was a simple one with a dresser, a small table, and a mirror near a door.
"Where am I," Eristia said weakly, "Yuriy…where are you?"
Finding the strength to sit up, Eristia realized something was different.
Eristia looked down at herself, her eyes widening when she saw her appearance. Her armored gauntlets had been replaced with black leather gloves that covered her arm close to her shoulders, where they ended with red trims and red eye-like gems on the dorsals. Looking down at her body, Eristia noticed the same gems on her collar bone, and her outfit had drastically changed overall. She found her appearance was more revealing, showing off her cleavage while taking note of her larger breasts. Even her hips and thighs seemed fuller than before, making her appear more devilishly seductive.
Climbing out of bed to use the mirror, Eristia noticed the rest of her appearance.
The corset and skirt she had worn previously had been replaced with a black and blue version. Her metal greaves had also been replaced with thigh-long black high-heeled boots with red trim near their edges. Arriving at the mirror, Eristia was stunned to see black horns on top of her head and a red tail and red wings sticking out of her back. Eristia's blue eyes were also blood red. The only other thing that didn't change was her light blue barret, save for the upside cross and eye-like emblem that replaced the Chief God's cross.
Most shocking of all was how calm Eristia was about her changed appearance.
Why? Because she had chosen to become a monster, or more precisely, a Succubus.
"I remember now," Eristia muttered as she touched her cheek. "It was on the final stretch of our journey for the artifact."
Eristia staggered backward from what she saw had been a large sword on a pedestal. The chamber Eristia and Yuriy were walking in was possibly part of some underground chapel. It was assumed to be the case because of the angelic statue behind the pedestal. However, vines and vegetation were growing everywhere.
"Lady Eristia, are you alright?"
"I am fine," Eristia said, but her voice was shaken, and she was visibly sweating.
"With all due respect, my lady, you are not," Yuriy pleaded. "You are sweating feverishly, and it has only gotten worse. You are not well."
"I don't feel sick, but…"
"Maybe, but something is wrong for sure!"
-Calm yourself; your friend is physically okay. However, I am to blame for her state.-
"Who was that?" Yuriy said in alarm, but Eristia recognized the voice.
"It's you, the one speaking to me since we entered this place."
-You are correct; I have been guiding you to me this whole time.-
"You said you were to blame for her state. Is this some curse?" Yuriy demanded.
-I apologize for the misunderstanding, but her physical state is the result of the visions I have been feeding her. Her protection and power as a Hero would've inhibited me. Still, the night you spent outside before entering allowed me an avenue to enter and read her heart, learning all about Eristia.-
"Visions?!"
Eristia blushed bright red. She realized the voice she had been hearing had been the source for all of the dreams and visions she experienced becoming a Monster Girl.
-Yes, because my purpose is to present different possibilities to someone seeking me. Then my second purpose is to reveal the truth.-
"The truth?" Eristia asked, but this time both she and Yuriy began experiencing a vision together.
Instead of another vision of Eristia monsterizing again, this was a memory from long ago. The duo witnessed a young Eristia as a child sitting under a tree in tears. Then to Eristia's surprised, she noticed a young Yuriy approach her.
"I knew I find you here," the young Yuriy said.
"The nuns sent you to find me, didn't they?"
Yuriy nodded in response.
"They know you have heard the Chief God's voice, so that means you can be a great hero," Yuriy offered in both admiration and comfort.
"But we could never see each other again," Eristia offered sadly. "You were my only friend here."
"I know being here wasn't easy, but you worked hard and studied more intensely than anyone else. You earned this chance to prove everyone otherwise," the young boy explained.
The present Eristia looked away from the scene, clearly uncomfortable. In reality, she was a bastard child born between the head of the Vitral Family and a mistress, causing her to be abandoned at an orphanage. The nuns and some of the other children looked down upon her because of this. They regarded Eristia as a child born of sin. However, Yuriy was perhaps the sole exception and treated her kindly.
"Maybe, but I don't know if we can see each other again."
"Then let's promise we will after you become a great hero."
The young Eristia looked up at Yuriy's hand before accepting it with a smile.
"You forgot about this day, didn't you," The present Yuriy asked, noticing the expression on Eristia's face.
"Yes and no," Eristia replied before the scene before the pair changed.
"Forget that foolish promise," a man said firmly to a frightened Eristia.
"I understand, sir," Eristia replied meekly before the imposing man who loomed over her.
"Don't you see, the compassionate Chief God has given you a chance," the man in white robes of a priest proclaimed. "You need to repay that kindness,"
"I understand, but how?"
"It's simple; you must cast away your filthy life up until now. You must be selfless," Priest Noscrim replied before entering into a long rant. "That would make you use your sublime duty, not for the Chief God or the Order, but your own gains. And you must not doubt. That would mean your faith and devotion in the Chief God and the Order was incomplete. Do not squander this chance to be cleansed and reborn. Unselfish service and devotion will make you a true hero. That is what the Chief god wants. Without that, your life means nothing. You're just the child of an affair. Your birth itself is the product of sin."
"I shall, sir," Eristia replied weakly.
Yuriy was stunned by what he had just witnessed.
"How is Priest Noscrim involved?"
"My father wanted to ensure I would be purified during training, so he turned to Priest Noscrim. In exchange for some favors, he said he would help," Eristia answered. "I realized if we couldn't be together as we promised, I decided to commit myself to become a Hero. So I killed whatever the Order pointed me to without question."
"I see, so it was the training they put you through."
"I barely had any time to myself, but yes, it was brutal."
-Now that you know the truth, now you must decide. I shall see you at the end.-
The shared vision ended with Eristia and Yuriy standing together near the empty pedestal.
"So, what now?"
"We keep going," Eristia replied, resolved to see this quest through to the end. "Not out of duty as a hero. Because I want to."
"But you might not be human by the end," Yuriy said, fearing what the outcome of this quest would likely be.
"I know, but…I…"
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know what to do with everything I just learned. Remembering our childhood with you and," Eristia struggled with some internal turmoil.
"It's about Zero," Yuriy deduced, earning a nod from Eristia.
"I don't know if I love him or not," Eristia admitted. "But I did respect him for his intellect, his combat skills, and the weapons he has. At the same time, I was jealous."
"Jealous?"
"I was jealous because he just came out of nowhere. He accomplished things no veteran Hero could've done and rose through the ranks of the Order. He didn't come from a family like Wilmarina, or at least as far as I know. Yet, I envied his achievements, his power, his resolve."
"You wanted to be just like him? That's why you accepted the marriage proposal?"
"I wanted to get closer to him so that I could learn more about him," Eristia admitted. "But the more I wanted to know about him, the more I did yearn him."
"I see," Yuriy said, seemingly saddened.
"Don't be like that. There could be something for us since Zero isn't here, but there is one thing that bothers me."
"What is it?"
"How did Zero lose to someone like Druella? I know he isn't someone who would run from a fight, but I couldn't believe what I heard so…"
"I don't blame you," Yuriy admitted with a nod. "I confess I would like to know, as well."
"Then why don't I help answer that question then?"
Yuriy and Eristia were shocked at the voice when they turned around to see Druella approaching them.
"I may not like fighting, but if it helps you make peace with your feelings, I'll let you test yourself against me!"
"You, why are you HERE?!"
"Are you here for the artifact?" Yuriy demanded as Eristia gestured for him to get behind her.
"Why would I be concerned about something that isn't a threat to me? Druella pointed out in a matter-of-fact tone with both hands on her hips. "Besides, did you think I would've left something that could threaten me just lay around in some ruins? Furthermore, you should all recognize what is in these ruins isn't exactly what the Order was hoping to find here."
Yuriy was silent, but he knew Druella had an excellent point.
"So I can fight you," Eristia said, readying her sword. "Fine!"
"Oh my, you are fired up for this," Druella said in surprise as Eristia rushed her.
Like Lelouch's fight against Druella, the Lilim's Oath of Pleasure spell rendered all of Eristia's attacks harmless. Even more infuriating when Druella impassively stood still, but Eristia kept attacking until she wore herself out. Eristia was knocked to the floor by a sneck attack from a conjured tentacle of dark matter. Followed up by Druella swiftly disarmed her before she leveled Eristia's sword at her throat.
"Now, this is where I would've turned you into a monster, but I won't," Druella said before returning Erisita's sword to her.
Yuriy stood in silent shock at how Eristia could not harm the Lilim, but Eristia wasn't angry. The young Heroine now understood why Zero fled the Theocracy. He was unable to hurt her, but at the same time, she felt inferior to Zero.
How was he able to hold his own against her, let alone escape?!
"I hope that gives you some measure of peace, but I can assure you Zero was no coward," Druella revealed. "He fled back to his world when he realized he couldn't win."
"His world?" Eristia asked, clearly surprised.
"I was quite surprised too," Druella smirked. "That man is full of surprises. Hence why I came running here when I heard from a frightened Succubus that Zero's finance was here."
In turn, Eristia shot Yuriy an annoyed look.
"I am sorry," Yuriy said to his friend.
"Anyway, you have nothing to fear from me. I will not interfere in your quest for what you seek," Druella replied with a hand wave. "However, I only ask that you would indulge me later and tell me all you know about Zero. It's clear you have a lot on your mind, young lady, so I'll give you time alone."
"Wait," Eristia called out, but Druella teleported away.
"She must've been following us," Yuriy commented.
"And whose fault is that?"
"I said, I am sorry!"
"Next time, be careful what you tell people," Eristia said, clearly annoyed.
The pair continued onward, heading deeper into the ruins, but throughout the trek, Eristia was torn. Her old childhood memories rekindled affection for Yuriy since he has stood by her side this whole time. At the same time, she was conflicted about her feelings of Zero, born of both admiration and jealously of him. Now the revelations that Zero did fight Druella but was unable to beat her. Yet, he was able to escape her by fleeing to another world.
Even more questions about the masked man flooded her mind complicating matters.
How can I fall in love with Yuriy when I just remembered our childhood together? It's all happening too fast for me to process.
Eristia knew she needed time to sort through her thoughts, but she was determined to finish this quest. Not after having come so far already, so Eristia sought to complete her quest.
Sometime later, the pair, at long last, reached a large chamber with a glowing magic circle drawn upon the floor. It surrounded a bright pillar of light where a black sword could be seen. Instead of a holy sword like the Order was expecting to find here, the pair found a blade demonic in origin with red runes inscribed upon the blade. The hilt had a red gem-like eye in the center, but its appearance was a black longsword.
"What kind of sword is that?"
-I am called The Magic Sword Derkleim.-
"This is your true form then I assume?"
-Yes, and I was gifted to a human woman who lived in these ruins long ago. Through me, she gained the truth she sought.-
"Gifted, by who?" Yuriy asked.
"By me," Druella answered, making her presence known. "That sword was of my creation."
"But why leave it here?!" Yuriy asked while Eristia was focused on the sword before her.
"I didn't leave it here," Druella replied, folding her arms. "My friend, a former magician of the Lesceite Royal Court, did. She came to these ruins long ago after fleeing Lesceite. Although the monsters living her alarmed her, they didn't trouble her."
"So, what happened?" Yuriy asked, wanting to know more.
"A lot of time passed, and she and the monsters living here became close friends like amicable neighbors. She studied the ruins as a hobby. Overall, she preferred the company of monsters to the scheming backstabbing politics of Lesceite. She grew worried about her new friends being attacked, and when the Order sent men and a hero to clean out the monsters."
"What happened then? Did you arrive?"
"No, but something unexpected happened. The Hero triggered an old magic circle that stripped the Hero of his strength, forcing the Order to retreat," Druella replied. "Studying the circle, my friend discovered what these ruins have initially been. This place was built to house the disgraced Heroes and Heroines of the Order of the Chief God. That magic circle you avoided at the beginning is called The Curse of Reversed Blessing. It was designed to deal with rebellious Heroes, but my friend could not reproduce it as a means of defense against the Order. I visited soon after once I heard of her thanks to her dealings with traveling Gyoubu Danuki traders."
"Then you gave her the sword then?"
"That's right after a long chat between us," Druella nodded. "She asked a lot of questions."
"What does the sword do?"
"I gave her the sword after we talked about her reasons for not becoming a monster. I told her becoming a monster would cure her of the disease plaguing her body. As a researcher, she wanted to find the best solution independently and not accept one suggested. The sword infused with my power allowed her to conduct extensive research. It was to help her determine the ideal form of monster to become by granting her visions of experiencing life as a different type."
"Wait then those visions Eristia have been having," Yuriy realized while Druella nodded.
"Yes, she experienced a transformation into a monster. Judging from how flustered she looks, I wager she must've experienced more than a hundred visions," Druella replied with a grin. "I am impressed she was still able to carry on because they became more intense the closer she got to the sword."
"Then," Yuriy said as she turned around to see Eristia standing before the pillar, looking at the sword.
"ERISTIA," Yuriy said, but as she attempted to run to her, Druella conjured some dark matter tentacles to restrain him.
"Why don't we let Eristia choose," Druella said as she pulled Yuriy back.
"Relax, Yuriy," Eristia calmly said while smiling at the sword. "Just as the Order couldn't erase my feelings of you, I'll still be me, even if I am not human anymore."
"Eristia, do you realize what will happen?"
"I do, and I have learned to enjoy it."
"That doesn't sound like you!"
"I have been through a lot these last few days, but I understand now. Yet, I realize that I understand so little about the world," Eristia admitted. "Maybe that is why Wilmarina seemed sad when no one was looking. She seemingly had everything she could want, but yet not the one thing she wanted most. I do not want to live as she did. I want to be true to myself, so I'll become something no longer chained to the Order or this empty life they made me live."
"And this is why so many heroes and heroines turned against the Theocracy," Druella happily announced. "They could never live their lives as they wanted. They were tired of living as puppets and pawns to the political games of others."
"That's right. I want to live a life of my choice for once. Not for the Chief God or anyone in the Order, but for me."
"When you grasp the sword, bear your heart's desire to it, and it will do the rest," Druella instructed.
Yuriy felt so helplessly, but he could do little to stop Eristia.
Sighing in registration, "I'll follow you whenever your choice takes you."
"Thank you for everything, Yuriy, and let's see if I love you. Or Zero."
"Huh," both Druella and Yuriy said together.
Seconds later, Eristia took hold of the sword as its power began surging through her body.
-Tell me what you desire?-
I wish to become a Succubus. So change me! Into a succubus so lewd, the man I love will desire me, and I can love him without restrain. Free me of this indecision and the chains that tied me down to this empty life, help be free so I at last know who should I devote myself!
The sword seemed hesitant, but it responded.
-I shall grant your wish!-
Darkness enveloped Eristia's body, but she felt no fear, and the embrace was comfortable. Yet as her body began to change, a sharp pain pierced Eristia mind, causing the cocoon of Dark Matter to start to swell like a balloon.
Druella was the first to realize something was amiss.
No, this shouldn't be happening.
The Lilim looked to Yuriy before realizing what was happening.
Her heart cannot decide who she loves, so is it impeding her transformation?
Creating more tentacles of dark matter, Druella reached out with them to connect to the cocoon that consumed Eristia's body. Druella began funneling more of her power to Eristia to help fuel the transformation and hopefully help resolve her heart's indecision. The cocoon grew in size until, like a balloon, it pops, unleashing an explosion of demonic mana. Druella had to shield her eyes from the blinding flash. She shielded Yuriy from the explosion, but the blast was enough to cause parts of the ceiling to come crashing down.
This room is unstable, but I have never seen anything like that happen before!
Druella surveyed the area and found the room in shambles. The sword laid on the ground, but sent flying towards the back of the room was Eristia, newly transformed into a Succubus. Noticing Eristia was unconscious, Druella approached the recently reborn Succubus to check her pulse.
"Is Eristia okay?"
"She is alive but unconscious," Druella said before picking up an unconscious Eristia. "I'll take you both back to Lescatie, where I'll ask the Medical Sabbath to examine her."
Using a tentacle of dark matter to retrieve the sword, Druella used a spell to teleport herself, Yuriy, and an unconscious Eristia back to Lescatie.
However, once they were gone, another Eristia crawled out from the rubble that had fallen from the ceiling. The collapsing stone did little to harm Eristia's newly transformed body. The freshly born Succubus was suffering from a literal splitting headache, unaware of what had just happened. Her legs weak, and her vision blurred, Eristia managed to stumble out of the room before the chamber collapsed.
I don't know what happened, but someone must've found me after I had passed out.
Eristia mind was clear, and her full memory of what had happened returned. She remembered transforming, but after that headache that consumed her…nothing.
"What happened? Where are Druella and Yuriy?"
"They have gone back to Lescatie with the other you," a voice in Eristia's mind answered.
The voice was different from the voice of the sword that had led her but startled Eristia nonetheless.
"Who are you? What do you mean by the other me?"
"Allow me to introduce myself; I am Asura Mythra of the city of Queen Diana," Asura said, speaking to Eristia through magic from her home. "In all of my years, I have never seen what I just saw happen to you."
"What do you mean?"
"First, allow me to explain that Mamamo Mana acts upon your desire, and your heart was unable to decide who you loved more. You loved both men equally for one reason or another, but in your rush to resolve this issue, this happened."
"Are you saying I somehow wished for this?"
"Yes, in fact, Druella indirectly helped you. Thanks to all of the power she funneled to your transformation, it divided your body into two. You are now separate individuals, more like twins who are identical in every way except for one difference."
Eristia realized the one difference between her and the other Eristia.
"My heart longs for Zero, and yet I remember Yuriy fondly."
"Your desire to resolve your heart's indecision led to your body, soul, and mind to be divided into two separate individuals."
"Is that normal for my situation? Has it happened before?"
"No, it hasn't, and even I must say I was surprised when I observed what happened."
"Observed? Have you been spying on me?"
"Yes," Asura admitted. "I wanted to know if you would be the right person to ask for a task I need your help with."
"What kind of task?"
"It's in regards to Zero, but let's have this conversation at my home in Court Alf, on the island of Diana," Asura offered. "It would be best to have this conversation in a more private atmosphere, and I am sure you are probably tired of having voices in your head."
"I suppose, but…"
"Furthermore, you are about to have some visitors."
"Huh?"
As if on cue, the door to the room suddenly opened, followed by a tearful busty Holstaur wearing a plain brown and white dress with a yellow bow on her head. Like members of her kind, she had small white curved horns on her head. Her hair was a mix of blonde and black, matching the fur of her legs and tail. Naturally, she had hooves in the place of feet.
"Oh my, she's awake!" The Holstaur remarked in surprise upon seeing Eristia was awake. "Doctor, come here, please!"
"Please, miss, calm down, so I can," Dr. Greilia Little said as she entered the room. "Just sit down somewhere, and let me see..."
Greilia stared at Eristia in shock as her sentence trailed off.
"What is this? I just finished treating you at Lescatie yesterday?"
"This might sound a little crazy, but that was the other me," Eristia tried to explain what happened. "We…split off from one another."
"The other you?"
"Maybe I should explain," Asura offered, speaking to Greilia. "Dr. Little of the Medical Sabbath, correct?"
As Asura took over, Eristia realized she must be in the house belonging to the Holstaur and her husband. She and Yuriy had encountered them after dealing with the Honey Bees, and the Holstaur provided them food and drink as well as a temporary rest stop.
I guess she must've found me after what happened.
At the same time, Eristia wondered. What was her other self doing?
At that same moment at the Order Camp, where the remnants of the Order's presence in Lescatie had gathered, an attack was underway. Days before, Eristia had departed with her squire to the ruins seeking an artifact to turn the tide of a hopeless situation. Now she had returned, transformed into a Succubus wielding the magic sword Druella had created in one hand.
Eristia led a force consisting of Cursed Swords, Dark Slimes, Demons, and Succubus against the camp.
They had come expecting fierce resistance, but to Eristia's surprise, there were far fewer defenders. She could only conclude more of them had deserted the camp since she had been there last. Thus Eristia and her followers seized the base with very little resistance.
The only one left was the Bishop, whom Eristia saved for last as the cleric made his last stand in his tent.
"You traitor! The Chief God shall smite you for your betrayal, you bitch!"
Eristia regarded the man with pity. Although the Bishop was putting up a brave front, the man knew he was finished.
"I feel sorry for you, actually," Eristia said calmly. "But you should be talking to your lover. In fact, I think she would like to spend some time with you."
Stepping aside, the newly transformed Natasha entered the tent, now transformed into a Succubus.
"I'll make sure no one interrupts you two."
Standing outside on the edge of the camp watching the scene unfold, was Yuriy.
He silently watched everything, but despite Eristia loving him after her transformation. The former squire wasn't pleased with the present state of affairs. Even as an Incubus, he was deeply troubled by how quickly, after rediscovering her memories of him, Eristia speedily began an intimate relationship upon her recovery in Lescatie. Even though she encouraged the other monster girls to transform and seize men forcibly to make into their husbands, it deeply bothered him.
How can you still be the same person?
Yuriy turned away from the camp alone in his thoughts, but little did he recognize others were watching him.
"Is that our next candidate?" Endra Vendt asked his superior. "An Incubus?"
"The mirror I took from Priest Noscrim shows his considerable potential," the Cardinal explained before holding up his knife. "Even the visions of other futures I have been granted only prove it."
"Would he join us, though? Granted, it seems he has doubts about what he's become?"
The Cardinal smiled deviously.
"He will at the right time. The goddess will ensure his doubts will grow and fester until he is ripe for conversation."
"Even the Goddess has her eye on him?" Endra was both intrigued and surprised by this. "Then, his potential must be very considerable instead."
"We must let his doubts cultivate first," the Cardinal grinned evilly. "Only then will the time come for when we approach him and welcome into the fold as one of our own. Our newest Apostle."
The following morning at Ashford Academy, Wilmarina walked through its halls wearing her female student uniform. The only difference her uniform had to others was that she wore white socks, but the rest was the same.
What a hectic first day.
Wilmarina sighed at all of the attention the male students had given her. She was accustomed to receiving praise and admiration back home, but here it was different. She wasn't unaware of the fact many of them were likely interested in her looks. Still, her personality did seem to win over others, including some female students who called her cool.
At the same time, when she joined Lelouch alongside the others, she felt the glares she got from some of the female students.
I think I am beginning to understand why he probably preferred spending more time in our world than here.
The former Heroine was in deep thought when she encountered Milly in the hallway.
"Ah, there you are, Miss Noscrim," the Student Council President came up to her. "I just completed your academic schedule for this year, so you should be able to pick it up from the Headmaster this evening."
"Thank you," Wilmarina replied.
"Getting overwhelmed by all of the new attention, aren't you?" Milly noticed Wilmarina's tried expression.
"A little yes, but is this normal for new students?"
"That depends, but at least you don't have that kind of attention!"
Milly pointed to a scene right outside of the window of the hall they were standing in. Out in the courtyard, they discovered Luciana surrounded by a bunch of male students. Wilmarina could them hounding the poor girl with so many questions showing that they more than an interest in her.
"Are there any sports you like?"
"What clothes stores do you go to?"
"What part of Euro Britannia did you come from?"
"Well," Luciana did not know how to answer as the questions piled on her.
"You have a boyfriend already?"
"Why are you asking such a question? Girls can't love girls!"
"Who says anything about that!"
Wilmarina was shocked by the attention Luciana was receiving. She didn't feel jealous at all, but the Ice Flower was now worried about the others, concerned they might be overwhelmed.
"That can't be normal!"
"Not really," Milly answered, folding her arms. "I am sure part of it is her sex appeal."
"Sex appeal?" Wilmarina turned to Milly, who nodded.
"She's blonde with a very sizable bust on par with me and killer hips. So, of course, she'll attract a crowd, especially if she's single."
Wilmarina eyed Milly suspiciously, prompting the older blonde to offer a different explanation.
"What can I say? You girls sure are the talk of the class today," Milly admitted with a Cheshire Cat grin. "Who knew that Lelouch would pick up such women from where he attended."
"You're still going with that harem thing again?" Wilmarina glare at her cautiously.
"Actually, I was only talking about you," Milly noted. "Girls like you are a rare item nowadays, even in academies like this one where the nobility has control over everything. Of course, knowing Lelouch, how the two of you is something is beyond my comprehension."
"M-Me?" Wilmarina was taken aback by what Milly implied. Her cheeks blushed, embarrassed by such a compliment.
"You're so graceful and elegant, not to mention strong-willed. Above all, you're very pure at heart. Not even Shirley could compete against someone like that."
"Shirley?"
"Shirley Fenette, she's one of the Student Council members here," Milly clarified. "And boy, does she have an eye on Lelouch more than anything. She's known Lelouch ever since he attended this school."
"I see," Wilmarina replied.
"Worried?"
"No."
"So," Milly began realizing she would get much out of Wilmarina. "I have noticed the rest of your friends are doing well. I got to say through Olivie, Paula, and Alameria have been together almost all day. Are they sisters or something?"
"No, they are just very close friends who have been through a lot together," Wilmarina replied tersely, not wanting to give out much information.
Now that I think about it, I hope Alameria isn't getting swamped either.
"I can sure understand how Olivie, Paula, and Alameria could be together. They're like a gender-bent version of the Three Musketeers!"
"Three Musketeers?"
"One of my favorite stories," Milly admitted. "It's like he took them out of a fantasy book and brought them into the real world, wouldn't you say?"
"Um," Wilmarina hesitated for a moment. "Well, you aren't that far off."
"And if you were wondering, the little one, Mimil, is doing okay," Milly said, sensing Wilmarina's thoughts. "Well, at least she is getting along well with Nunnally. I heard she caused a bit of a stir whenever her other classmates and teachers were involved."
"She often was the kind of genius for sure," Wilmarina remarked before asking. "So what else did you have to share?"
"Well," Milly began with a smirk.
"Well, what?"
"We were planning to induct a new member into the Student Council today," Milly replied before another Chester Cat-like grin appeared. "But I think we're going to include more than one new member."
"Wait," Wilmarina said as realization dawned on her. "You mean you want all of us to join the Student Council!?"
"That's right! We still got plenty of seats to fill!"
Wilmarina had a suspicious feeling Milly had an ulterior motive for wanting them to join the Student Council. However, one of the things Lelouch explained was that it required all students to be part of a club. Lelouch was the Vice President of the Student Council; despite being absent much of the year, he was the Vice President for two reasons. One Lelouch was the only one best suited for the task, and most importantly, was the only person who could reign in Milly.
Still, the matter remained that Wilmarina and the others had to find a club to join, and the Student Council was likely their best option.
However, Milly offering the invitation caused the former Heroine to be on her guard.
Seemingly sensing this, Milly spoke.
"Oh, come on, don't be so defensive! We're friends now, right?"
"Maybe," Wilmarina shook her head in defeat. "So, when is this party?"
"We're thinking tomorrow, provided Lelouch can find the new member we wanted to bring in," Milly replied. "I'm sure he has an idea already."
The following morning Eristia was emerging from the ruins, followed by Dr. Greilia. After explaining what had happened with Eristia, dividing into two separate individuals, the Baphomet subjected the newly born Succubus through an extensive examination. Not only to verify Eristia was fit and healthy but to check for any differences and study this unexpected phenomenon for the sake of furthering medical knowledge.
After all, a monsterization that results in the division of a newly transformed human triggered by her inability to decide on who she loved more was rare and highly unexpected.
Furthermore, it was a situation no one had ever encountered before. So Greilia deemed it best to record the first known case. Thus she collected as much medical data as possible to use for future reference.
Eristia, on the other hand, was tried and did not enjoy the examination. She understood its importance and reluctantly agreed, but it didn't mean she had to like it.
"So how do I get to Court Alf from here?"
Walking alongside the white lab coat wearing Baphomet, Eristia had taken the time to retrieve her old sword from the ruined chamber where she had abandoned it. As far as she knew, some Order members still operated in the area. There were potentially reinforcements coming in a bid to retake the kingdom. So Eristia decided it might be best to arm herself with something similar since she wasn't used to her new Succubus body yet.
"You'll have to head to a port city to travel by ship," Dr. Little answered. "However, you might want to travel to another country that is friendly to monsters to seek passage. If anyone in the lands surrounding Lescatie saw you, it could confuse the populace."
"But I am not sure where I could go from…"
"Hiya!"
Eristia shoved Dr. Greilia out of the way before drawing her sword to deflect an attack from a woman who ambushed them from the bushes near some trees.
The Succubus deflected the attack with an impressive sword counterattack.
Their attacker backed away, assuming a fighting stance armed with a long sword, which Eristia recognized was a standard-issue blade issued to soldiers.
Squaring off against the human who attacked them, Eristia recognized the girl. She was around the same age as Eristia. The female soldier possessed a fair skin complexion with dark blue pageboy-style hair and brown eyes. Black trousers, brown boots, a blue, a gold-trimmed tunic top, and a long-sleeve white coat with gold trim made up the young woman's attire. The soldier wore some armor plating around her torso. Still, it was light and protected vital areas while avoiding hindering agility.
"I remember you," Eristia said, recognizing the girl. "You're Beatrix, the one of those who escaped Lescatie. The only member of the Order of the Ice Flower who kept their humanity who fled to our encampment!"
"DIE TRAITOR!"
Beatrix attacked with murderous rage behind her attack. Still, despite not being a hero, the girl's attacks were both fast and surprisingly strong for an average soldier.
Eristia dodged Beatrix's renewed assault forcing her to parry her sword strikes.
I know she isn't a hero, but how did she get this strong?
Beatrix's blows were staggering, although Eristia easily parried them. Had she been anything less than she was, then the former Heroine turned Succubus would've been in serious trouble. Complicating the fight was that Eristia had to worry about her wings and tail becoming a target. Forcing her to be mindful of them, knowing they could be a liability. She knew a Succubus like herself could use them as weapons, but she had little experience using them.
Adding to the issue was Beatrix's relentless assault; she barely slowed down and kept pressing her attack, trying to overwhelm Eristia with brute force.
She knows that after becoming a Succubus, a former Hero is dangerous. She needs to hit hard and fast to get any chance of winning.
Acting on the defensive, Eristia was cautious while rapidly deflecting all of Beatrix's attacks. She sought to create an opening. Unfortunately, Eristia's foe left nothing to chance but decided to use her new strength to boost her own Eristia began to fight back.
With one mighty counter swing, Eristia shoved Beatrix back, breaking the latter's attacks to allow the Succubus to go on the offensive.
Now the fight began to turn, and Eristia was currently matching Beatrix blow for blow while boosting her strength to overpower her. However, Beatrix wasn't done yet and managed to slip a strike in, cutting Eristia atop her shoulder, nearly stabbing her wing. In response, Eristia managed to deliver a deep cut along Beatrix's right thigh, hoping it would stop her.
Beatrix barely flinched, but it seemed to enrage her, further pushing her to power through the pain in her thigh to fight back more fiercely than before.
That should've been enough to stop her!
Eristia weathered another renewed assault before slipping in another strike and cutting Beatrix along her right arm, hoping that would stop her. But, much to Eristia's shock, she powered through the pain again. With no sign of any diminishment in her agility and strength.
Thankfully someone intervened as a small needle flew through the air striking Beatrix in the middle of the forehead. To both her shock and Eristia's surprise, the young woman suddenly stopped before her body began to fall to the ground. Before her face could hit the ground, Greilia stepped in, managing to grab her and gently lay down face up.
"What did you do to me, witch?!"
Eristia was intrigued by what had happened as well. Beatrix was aware of her surroundings and able to speak, judging by how her eyes were moving in both confusion and panic. The rest of the body had gone limp and wasn't moving at all.
Holding up a needle, Dr. Greilia proceeded to explain.
"It's called Anesthesia Acupuncture. It's used to help dull pain during surgical procedures. I have mastered it so I can use it to halt all body movement and dull its sense of pain. Very useful whenever I had to deal with uncooperative patients, but I hardly enjoy using it when I must. Don't worry, you're fine, and you'll suffer no ill effects from it. You'll remain immobile until I remove the needle in your forehead."
Eristia was impressed at how easily Greilia disabled Beatrix. Still, despite someone who intended to cause her harm, Greilia began checking Beatrix.
"Get your filthy hands off of me!"
Beatrix struggled desperately, but no matter what she did, her body refused to move. A mixture of fear and panic appeared on her face as she continued to struggle, despite knowing it was a futile effort.
Greilia was patting down Beatrix's thighs and arms before drawing a silver rod from her travel doctor's bag to poke the immobilized woman's abdomen and chest.
"I see, judging by your muscles and how thick they are in the thighs and abdomen, you must train every day. Far more than your standard soldier, and seeing how well they have developed, you have also been mindful to eat a well-balanced diet, that is good." Greilia said before feeling Beatrix's arms inspecting them. "However, given the strength that you displayed in that bout, you must've spent every moment you were off duty to train your body even further. In fact, given how much they have been developed, I believe you have been training your body before you even joined as a soldier, haven't you?"
Pulling her hands away, Greilia reached into her bag for tools to begin treating Beatrix's wounds.
"But on the other hand, I would be careful about pushing your body too hard like that. It could lead to heart problems later in life if you are not mindful of the stress you are putting on your body. I admire your dedication to fitness and strengthening your body. Still, it could become an issue later in life if you do not get proper rest."
"What?"
"Other than the cut on your arm and thigh, I found no other signs of injury during my examination of you," Greilia replied impassively. "However…"
The Baphomet leaned forward using a small tool to examine Beatrix's eye while using one hand to force the eyelids open.
"I see, so you have barely slept in the last few days. You must better care of your body with proper rest," Greilia scolded. "In fact, despite your impressive pain tolerance, had you continued the fight, you could've lost a lot of blood. That could've had dangerous consequences for you even if you had prevailed."
Beatrix was completely confused as the Baphomet tended her wounds.
"Why do you help me?"
"Because I am a doctor, and healing people, regardless if they are human or not, is my duty," Greilia replied calmly and professionally. "I shall not turn away anyone even if they had threatened me."
"But you're going to do to me what those monsters did to everyone in Lescatie!?"
"I shall not allow it. You are a patient in my care, and I know those like you fear becoming a monster girl. I shall not do anything that makes my patients uncomfortable," Greilia said sternly before turning to Eristia. "I hope you have no plans to turn her?"
"No, and I don't think I am certain I know how anyway," Eristia sheathed her sword. "But if we release her, she will try to kill us, and she'll likely end up a monster like me the longer she stays in this country."
"You have a point," Greilia acknowledged with a nod as she moved to work on mending Beatrix's thigh. "If she remains here, she is in danger of being forcibly changed into a Monster Girl by the Radical Faction who have taken over this land. It will be even worse if Princess Druella should catch her."
"The Order won't give up this land easily."
"No, they won't," Greilia said in agreement. "It's foolish as it will cause others to suffer forced monsterization. The Radical Faction claims it beneficial, but as a doctor, I feel otherwise. Becoming a monster does indeed grant one with a far stronger body and more durable than a human while immune to almost all disease and longer life. Still, the effects on the body and mind shouldn't be easily dismissed."
"What do you mean?" Beatrix asked, having calmed down.
"Aside from obvious physical changes, the mental changes can have a big effect on the mind of those transforming. As a doctor, I highly advise those wishing to become monsters to properly prepare for the transition from human and into what species they desire to become. Thereby, the effects on the mind are minimized and with little chance of undesired personality changes occurring."
"Like I was," Eristia commented.
"Yes and no," Greilia replied as she finished up on Beatrix before checking her one more time to locate any injuries she might've missed. "A common sensation with becoming a monster is the feeling of liberation that follows after each transformation. Any other mental changes depend on the monster they become. Still, we have observed big differences between those unwilling and those willing. In your case, while you were willing, your mind was not very stable, was it? How do you explain why you split into two? Your mind was repeatably assaulted by visions of transforming into a different monster girl and having intercourse with the man you loved. You experienced them as if they were happening for real, even if they were only visions or dreams."
"Well, and I endured them since I arrived at these ruins," Eristia admitted. "We were here for more than a day."
"Yes, and you mentioned you had memories of your friend whom you promised to be together, correct?"
Eristia nodded.
"I see, so no wonder your psyche was such a mess, and I am beginning to see what caused the split. The mana of monster girls responds to our desires. The stronger the desire, the more potent the effect?"
"What do you mean?"
"Because of the changes that Lady Lilith has made to demonic mana, as some like to call it, responds strongly to our desires. For example, suppose a monster desires it. In that case, she can alter her body and internal organs to better adapt and suit her husband for intercourse. The same thing is possible for an Incubus to alter their appearance, body, and age as they see fit," Greilia explained. "In your case, what happened was that your desire for Zero and the desire for the other boy you longed for were so strong neither desire could overcome the other. So to resolve this, you were split in half."
"It's still unbelievable that something like that could happen."
"I know, and not even I would've considered it possible. However, once you see more monsters, I think you might grasp just how potent our mana can be if a desire is powerful enough."
Listening to their conversation Beatrix finally spoke.
"Why did you betray us? What visions?"
"That's a long story," Eristia admitted. "I am surprised you have calmed down so quickly through give how much you wanted to kill me."
Beatrix tried to look away, but she couldn't turn her head.
"I was just so angry when I saw you. It was just like what happened when Lescatie fell."
Eristia eyes narrowed, knowing what probably had set Beatrix off.
"Yes, I recall you telling me."
On the night Lescatie fell, Beatrix had been with her company led by Captain Steiner. They were part of the Ice Flower Order and made up of two hundred men and women. They had been near the main gate when word of Druella's forces approaching the wall was sounded. Given their proximity, they had responded and hurried to the wall to provide support if needed.
But to their shock, someone had opened the gates for the monsters to swarm into the city.
Leading them was a man with a stocky build despite his young age, but he had earned the rank of captain and command over his unit of soldiers. He wore polished armor as expected of knights with blue eyes and black hair with a sun-tanned complexion.
"Captain!" Beatrix called out as she stood with her fellow soldiers.
"Who opened the gate!?" Steiner roared before seeing the horde of monster girls rushing into the city. "I want everyone into formation now; we hold the line!"
The tide came, and Steiner and his men, Beatrix included, held them back. Despite fighting fiercely, the enemy had them badly outnumbered and in danger of being overwhelmed. More of their men fell to the Monster Girls, most of them defeated and dragged away. After minutes that felt like hours of desperate fighting, only Steiner, Beatrix, and two dozen soldiers were left.
They held the line as best as possible, but they couldn't keep the line without the Heroes to help them.
"Beatrix, you need to go to the castle and get reinforcements!"
"No, sir! I won't leave you behind!" Beatrix snapped, parrying an attack from a Dark Warrior.
Captain Steiner headbutted his enemy to give him time to issue orders to his comrade.
"You're the fastest runner among us and the only one who has a chance of making it to the castle. The longer we go without reinforcements, the more likely the monsters will claim us!"
"I," Beatrix said as she glanced around.
The battle was going poorly for them, and without reinforcements, they would lose.
"Now GO!" Steiner demanded as he intervened in Beatrix's fight so she could escape. "Get to the Castle now before we fall!"
Beatrix was hesitant, mostly since Steiner was a close friend. They had known each other since childhood, and he had always protected her from bullies…until an incident saw him seriously hurt, driving her to become the one who defended him. As a result, she trained her body and learned how to wield a sword long before joining the military.
Before this evening, Beatrix was being considered for a promotion due to her impressive fighting skills.
Their friendship remained, if not strained. It was because of Beatrix's single-minded dedication to becoming strong enough to protect rather than be protected. There were other complications too, but Beatrix didn't relent in her training and was among the best soldiers the Holy Ice Flower had.
"Please do not fall, any of you!" Beatrix begged with tears in her eyes before she ran towards the castle.
The rest of her comrades did their best to clear a path allowing Beatrix a chance to make a mad dash for the castle. Along the way, she was forced to discard parts of her armor to lighten her load so she could run faster. Despite being drenched in sweat and breathing hard, Beatrix arrived at the castle after minutes of running through the city.
Tragically an unexpected scene greeted her when she reached the castle.
Beatrix saw members of the royal guard and other soldiers fleeing the castle. To her horror led her to realize their stronghold had been seized from the inside.
How was the castle taken?
Her horror only grew when she saw in the distance soldiers trying to defend a street against the advancing monster girls. But she didn't see the monsters she and her comrades were fighting at the gate. No, they were once Heroes. The blood drained from Beatrix's face as she recognized some noteworthy Heroes having joined the monsters.
We were betrayed from within? By our own Heroes?
Panic gripped her heart, but unable to find the reinforcements, Beatrix reluctantly returned to the main gate. She was cautious and kept to shadows while avoiding combat against Monster Girls. Still, as time passed, their numbers strangely lessened. Not questioning her good fortune, but the dread of what happened to her comrades only grew.
Upon arriving at the Main Gate, she found it eerily empty, not a soul in sight.
On the verge of tears and filled with regret, Beatrix heard the sounds of monster girls cheering, telling her Lescatie had fallen. Unable to think straight, Beatrix instinctively turned and ran out through the main gate making for the forests to escape the now conquered city.
She ran through the night until dawn, where she finally broke down into tears near a small pond.
Beatrix couldn't recall how much time she had spent in mourning for her lost comrades. Eventually, she came across other survivors from the Order joined by the kingdom's last Hero.
"So, you came to this place seeking the artifact when I didn't return," Eristia said after she had finished explaining what had happened within the ruins. "You wanted the artifact to get revenge for the loss of your friends."
"Yes," Beatrix replied. "Then I saw you as a monster, having betrayed us just like those other Heroes."
"I don't blame you for reacting as you did. I was just angry and maybe not thinking straight at the time," Eristia.
"Should we let her go?" Dr. Greilia asked.
"She'll be back at square one. If she rejoins the Order, it could raise questions that could put her into deep trouble with them," Eristia said before Asura's voice intervened.
"Actually, the Order Camp has fallen; your other self has seen to that," Asura said, speaking to Eristia telepathically. "It was also helped by more soldiers deserting, so the camp fell very easily."
"What?" Eristia said in surprise. "That's a bigger problem now."
"What happened?" Beatrix asked, noticing a change in Eristia's expression.
"The Order Camp has fallen. If we send you back, they'll wonder why you survived. Or, at worst, you'll just be part of another doomed effort to retake the kingdom and end up a monster.
Beatrix seemed surprised, but her expression cued her in that she had suspected something like that would happen.
"You knew the camp was in danger?" Dr. Greilia remarked.
"No, but I feared it. That was all the more reason I decided to follow after you. I wasn't blind to the fact we were losing soldiers every night, all of them deserting what they believed was a lost cause."
"And yet I think you know trying to retake the kingdom is impossible. I am wrong?"
Beatrix didn't answer, but the way she moved her eyes gave Eristia her answer.
"So now, what do we do with her?" Dr. Little suggested. "Maybe I could have her dropped off at a monster friendly nation where she can live."
"I don't think I can. I lost everything when Lescatie fell, all of my friends, and," Beatrix let her sentence trail off.
"Young lady," Asura said, speaking directly to Beatrix. "I have a proposal for you. I think you might be interested in it. But first, tell me how much you know about Zero?"
"My captain and my comrades have served under him. I never knew him personally, but my superior spoke very highly of him, and we all appreciated how he led us into battle," Beatrix replied. "I knew Lady Wilmarina; she had taken me under her wing when she noticed my fighting skills."
"I see," Asura replied, sensing a golden opportunity. "Then you might be interested in my offer, which requires you to remain human."
The following afternoon back at Ashford Academy, Lelouch and Luciana were walking through the academy's courtyard. Seeing that no one was around, Lelouch and Luciana spoke to one another while looking for a student Milly wanted them to find.
"How are you holding up?" Lelouch asked as the two walked side by side. "Wilmarina told me you attracted quite a crowd,"
"Ugh, don't remind me," Luciana replied with a look of annoyance. "Is this how it is in schools on Earth?"
"To some degree, but with some differences depending on the location."
"I hear you have a lot of admirers among the female students. How do you deal with them?" Luciana asked, hoping Lelouch had some secret to keeping such admirers at bay.
Lelouch contemplated an answer.
"I just try to keep them at arm's length, but I feel it has the opposite effect."
I think you are right, Luciana thought as she recalled how both Koyoi and Wilmarina had their eyes on Lelouch. Although she wanted to say something to alert Lelouch, she held back. A part of her felt he should figure it out on his own, but beyond that, she wasn't sure if he should be told or not.
"Anyway, we're looking for Kallen, right?"
"Yes, her name is Kallen Stadtfeld. The only daughter of the Stadtfeld Family, one of Area 11's most well-known members of the nobility."
"Doesn't that name sound like the name of the girl piloting that machine in Shinjuku? I heard the resistance fighters refer to her by the name Kallen a few times?"
"It could be a coincidence," Lelouch said, but he seemed doubtful. "I say that because I heard she has barely attended school due to being born with a fragile constitution that has kept her out of class a lot. She cannot even take part in sports."
"So, the same name but a different person, I guess."
"I suppose, but…"
Lelouch was forced to stop when some girls came running by.
"What was that about?" Luciana asked, confused.
"Apparently, a bee freaked them out," Lelouch answered with a deadpanned expression.
"A bee? Really?"
"Other than maybe armed humans and wild animals, there aren't many threats here," Lelouch shrugged his shoulders.
The pair turned a corner where they spotted the girl. Kallen wore the same uniform as the other female students, except she wore her hair down instead of spiky.
"I guess she couldn't run off," Luciana said, noticing the bee flying around Kallen.
"She isn't reacting much but seems a little slow, I suppose."
On the one hand, he was worried if someone like Kallen would be alright with the Student Council, worried Milly might be too much for her.
But suddenly, the pair saw something unexpected.
Kallen cut down the bee with a swift slice using her fingernails in a sudden change from an impassive and slow-moving girl. Then, which became more shocking as they approached, they watched Kallen get angry and snap at the bee.
"God, I hate this!" Kallen munched on a sandwich in anger. "I'm sick of acting like a damn invalid!"
I take that back. There is no doubt that she is the same person.
Kallen noticed Lelouch and Luciana, who immediately looked at her oddly, seemingly surprised by her outburst. Despite having been caught red-handed acting differently, Kallen tried to play it cool.
"Uh, I can help you?"
"I have some questions for you," Lelouch asked, activating his Geass once he was sure no one was around.
"Already using that power?" Luciana said with a sigh before burying her face in her palm.
"Were you the one piloting the Glasgow in Shinjuku?" Lelouch inquired before Kallen compiled and answered.
"Yes."
"But why terrorism?"
"Because I'm Japanese, though I'm also a Britannian."
"A half-breed," Lelouch widened while Luciana was just as surprised.
"Half-breed, just like Primera."
"Almost, just between to different nationalities," Lelouch clarified before continuing. "But why go so far?"
"It's because I want to see my homeland free, but most of all, it's to honor my brother's memory."
"I see," Lelouch said as he deduced the exact meaning behind her words.
So, she had a brother who died fighting as a resistance fighter. They must've been close to pushing her to join a resistance group herself.
"Do you have a phone separate that you use to contact your associates you worked within Shinjuku?"
"Yes."
"Could you give me the phone number and phone number for your main contact with the Shinjuku Group?"
"Of course," Kallen replied before Lelouch used a piece of paper to write down the numbers.
Once he pocketed the info, Lelouch closed his eye, deactivating his power.
"I am done."
Kallen was released from Lelouch's Geass. The former prince recognized those under it don't recall what they have done while under its influence. He had noticed it with Clovis, so that side effect was an unexpected benefit.
"Uh, can I help you?"
"Yes, I am Lelouch Lamperouge of the Student Council. I was asked to fetch you on behalf of the Student Council President Milly Ashford," Lelouch answered professionally.
"Why?"
"It's because the school besides the Student Council will be a good fit for you. It considers your health problems and the fact that all students must be part of a club. There isn't much work other than some paper and planning events."
If not for the fact attending a club was a requirement at Ashford Academy, Kallen would've said no.
"But I don't know if I would be that useful," Kallen offered.
"Well, as I said, there is only paperwork and some planning for events. Otherwise, it consumes very little time. You could easily conduct them from home and just email them to Milly or me," Lelouch offered to encourage Kallen to join. "Not to mention having some more capable help of reigning the President would be a great help through."
"I heard she had some crazy ideas," Kallen admitted wondering if she really should try to find another club.
She knew other clubs and their activities would complicate her being able to help Ohgi and the others.
But it sounds like I wouldn't need to be there all of the time. This gig could be useful.
"Besides, you won't be the only new member. I wouldn't worry about the workload too much."
Okay, that might make things easier.
"You could meet them. We're holding a party in the Student Council Clubhouse for the new members. You are invited if you want to come; in fact, Luciana here is one of the new members."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Luciana greeted.
"You as well," Kallen said with a smile returning the greeting.
Accepting their invitation, Lelouch and Luciana led Kallen to the Student Council Clubhouse, where the rest of the Council gathered for a welcome party. Milly had organized preparing food and tables for everyone.
However, by the time they arrive, something happened, no one saw coming.
"I never knew this building existed," Kallen remarked as they entered.
"It's a clubhouse the school uses for formal events, and it holds the meeting room for the Student Council, of course."
"Hey Lelouch, what's going on?" Luciana asked, pointing to everyone gathered around a large television.
"Hey guys, we're back," Lelouch said while wondering what had happened.
"Lelouch, you need to see this," Wilmarina said, looking away from the television.
"It's awful, brother," Nunnally said sadly. "Prince Clovis has been killed."
Nunnally knew as well as Lelouch that Clovis was alive and held captive. However, Lelouch planned to release him once he saw how the government would respond to his disappearance.
Luciana, Kallen, and Lelouch approached the television to watch the news report.
"When did this air?"
"Just a few minutes ago," Milly answered. "General Bartley announced Prince Clovis was murdered,"
"We interrupt this broadcast with breaking news," a female newscaster announced. "The man suspected as the murderer has been captured. According to this report, the suspect is an honorary Britannian. Private Suzaku Kururugi, a former Eleven, and Honorary Britannian. I repeat, Suzaku Kururugi arrested for murder."
Lelouch watched in stunned silence as he saw Suzaku hauled away before a camera by two armed soldiers.
The former prince was expecting someone to be scapegoated, but Suzaku was the last person he would've expected.
I guess I'll need to intervene.
A/N: Despite all of his careful planning, an unexpected situation has been tossed upon his lap.
Now he needs to save Suzaku, but this time from General Bartley instead of Jeremiah. Oh boy, imagine what will happen once Lelouch reveals Clovis is alive. I discussed the possibilities of what this reveal would cause politically. What I can say for sure is that the military will not take this lying down. It will be a colossal embarrassment for them for sure, and Jeremiah will be feeling thankful he didn't take part.
A prince getting killed is one thing, but a prince kidnapped, and the government declared him dead when Clovis's body wasn't found, that will not look good for Bartley.
Anyway, there are now two Eristia Virtia's walking around; one deeply in love with Zero, and the other loves Yuriy. Another notable difference is that thanks to Druella likely training the other Eristia. The other one has been taught how to use new powers, and how to please her Yuriy led to some other differences.
How will the one outside of Druella's influence grow, especially when Yuriy clearly questioning everything happening around him.
But as I mentioned at the top of the page, the possibility of the other Eristia joining Lelouch's harem is still up in the air. Especially since Lelouch and the other girls might not react well to Eristia's choices, but it's worth noting, as Dr. Greilia explained, Eristia's mind was a huge mess. Regardless of splitting the two into separate characters, I wanted to explore the toll enduring the kind of visions the Magic Sword fed into Eristia's mind. She sought it, unaware of its true nature until it was too late.
As for Dr. Greilia, her involvement in the matter could mean Lelouch could get support from the Medical Sabbath. Since that would allow Lelouch to obtain trained medical professionals more easily to fill needed roles in the Black Knights and help train others to fill those roles. This is because the Medical Sabbath members are trained in all forms of medical treatment, including non-magical methods.
Second, to last, we have introduced a new character I have named Beatrix. She was the nameless main character of the short story, "Until she Falls," of Fallen Maidens. You can find her translated story on the Monster Girl Encyclopedia wiki, along with an image of what she looks like. I would search under Fallen Maidens Book I, and you should find it. Otherwise, I have direct links for her image and the story within my Code Geass Crossover R&D forum under Code Geass and Monster Girl Encyclopedia Crossover topic. Just go to page twelve and locate my last post on that page near the bottom to find the links that will need to be reassembled.
I don't think I have to warn any of you of what kind of content to expect since Druella is involved. Still, I had provided the links to discuss the character and iron her out more.
Although I haven't considered her for the harem, I'll consider Beatrix if there is enough interest among readers or desire for her to be given a shot. That may include adding her in the next poll. If anything, I plan on having her join Luciana and C.C.'s group to discuss Lelouch's "personal life." Maybe encourage Lelouch to embrace his feelings, given those she lost when Lesceite fell.
Finally, the new poll on my profile page, which isn't a harem poll to be exact, but instead, decides who goes to Earth.
Granted, those who go to Earth will have more chances to earn a spot in Lelouch's harem, but other choices on the poll, I added some new Monster Girls. Some were created between Jameyofthemegacosmos and me and made with others pitching ideas for some. Others like the Greenworm may provide comical relief with her big eater tendencies and trouble for Lelouch in a funny way.
Now the poll is meant to cut those we are considering in half. Still, as a reminder, even if a Diva wins, they will have to return to their islands to fulfill their duties and to avoid suspicion.
Now others who could win the poll and go to Earth could have a shot at becoming Lelouch's lover, but we are still a long way off from the harem forming. I should note there will be other characters going by default, like Dr. Greilia, who could help provide Lelouch with medics and training. But, others not mentioned yet, might help prevent a violent confrontation when they arrive on the island once Mizuko unknowingly opens the door.
Who else is going will be revealed in coming chapters, so a big group is going. That is why once the poll is concluded, I'll likely cut down the numbers even more, depending on how the other chapters play out.
Anyway, that should be it, I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, and I thank you in advance for any feedback.