Is it Wrong to Try to Enforce Peace and Gentleness into the World?

by Reiki27

Zero Requiem worked perfectly, in fact, it worked too well, so much that a reward was given to Lelouch. Sadly (or not) Reward does not reduce Sentence, nor Sentence reduces Reward - he will still be exiled, but he may bring another one...or two...or three. Now a Short-Story timeskip. Warning: Lelouch x C.C. x Kallen x Monica x D.S.; Chapter 4-5 they reunite. Cover using Paint.

2. Chapter 01 - Year One - Arrival

'Chapter 01 – Year One' was made because I wanted to give a taste of the life in Danmachi, else it would simply be a Code Geass fic since the Danmachi flavor of the previous Oneshot was lacking.

It was formerly called 'Chapter Two – The Other Side of the Mirror.' And initially was how Lelouch did those things that were mentioned in the previous Oneshot, through I kinda fucked myself there since It was to highlight how awesome Lelouch was, though when it was time to 'show, not tell' things got difficult to me.

In the end, there was no time to write everything, the Two-Shot was too big and became two... and then two again.

The Falna system is closer to Sage of Eyes version than Cannon's – posted on Spacebattles under a spoiler tag – it is also inspired by some other Fate and Danmachi fanfics out there since the Cannon version is... well, the Author just made it to show how amazing Bell is – at least, that's how I read it.

(Edit) Finn's [Pallum Spirit], and Bell's [Liaris Freese] and [Argonaut] follow this recipe.

In resume, while Bell is not nerfed, everyone became stronger thanks to the Gaea Update.

(Edit) Bell is totally getting nerfed on this fic, because from in the Cannon, Author said it will end in a year of storyline – basically, from the moment he gets Falna, after a year, the story is supposed to end – In my head, he will reach Level Nine, and probably Level Ten in the final battle becoming a God and ascend, then descend to have Bell's Familia with an open end of waifu and harem. The Dungeon has at least 70 Floors from what the author has said, so my guess is 72, since there is an important number, in this case, the number of Demons in the Lesser Key of Salomon.

Also.

(Lelouch came to Orario 5 years before Cannon, however, for him and Fallen One to arrive they needed permission from Ouranos… however, D.S. talked with Gaea, Ouranos' Wife, and in exchange for an upgrade to the Falna System they gained asylum, plus other things.

For better visualization, here are Events that occur 6-5 years before Cannon, the info comes from Danmachi Wiki, long story short, this year a lot of things happen according to the Timeline.)

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6 years before Cannon.

- The Evilus executives incite Olivas Act to cause the Nightmare on the 27th floor in an attempt to fake their deaths.

- However, Finn saw through their plan and led a group of adventurers from the Freya and Ganesha Familias to attack the Evilus bases.

- Bete becomes Level Three.

- The Vidar Familia leave Orario after they failed their recent dungeon expedition.

- Bete joins the Loki Familia.

- Ais becomes Level Four.

5 years before Cannon; Keep in mind that Lelouch will appear at the beginning of the '5 years before Cannon', right after Eina and Misha join the guild.

- Eina and Misha join the Guild.

- Ryuu goes on a rampage over the death of her fellow members, causing Evilus to be destroyed.

- Ryuu, Lunoire, and Chloe are employed at the Hostess of Fertility.

- Haruhime is disowned by her father and is later bought by the Ishtar Familia.

- Tione and Tiona arrive in Orario and join the Loki Familia after losing to Finn and Gareth.

- Tiona and Tione become Level Four.

Now you see this and add a Lelouch vi Britannia into the mix, that just completed a Perfect Zero Requiem, was judged, exiled, and rewarded by God themselves and the people of the Future, in a world that power is tangible and the strong rule but the weak can rise, a world where magic and skills answers to one's desire, personality, and accomplishments…well.

Yeah, too much similar to how Fate works, but you can't say they aren't related, Skills and Spells answer too much personal to one's desire and backstory and inspiration.

From an Exiled Prince to the Emperor of the World, he accomplished and desired plenty of legends and myths.

Because of the Gaea Update news, cannon events were delayed by a year since everyone, even Evilus, was waiting for it.

Note: All semblances with the music video - Shrek 2 Soundtrack 14. Jennifer Saunders - Holding Out For a Hero – is purely coincidence and recommended background music!

Through, if you wish, listening to 'Yoshiwara Lament' with English subs works as well, I always through this music fits Haruhime's arc, either the author felt inspired, or is a thematic common in Japan, I know something similar occurs on Gintama.

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Warning! Danmachi possesses their own language and measurement, information taken from the Danmachi/Glossary.

Unit of Measurement:

Celches – probably centimeters.

Meders – probably meters.

Language:

Koine - The lingua franca in Orario. In the anime, this is written as a fictional alphabet cipher of English.

Locations:

Tenkai – The world of the Gods.

Deusdia – Another name for the world of the gods(?)

Gekai – The Gods' name for the human world.

Pantheon – Guild headquarters.

Warning! I don't know how to write politics. I want to make Lelouch make some deals and show that he has experience on it, but it... sucks, really sucks, like battle scenes from wuxia novels where one screams 'Die!' and the other 'Break for me!', shouting overly complicated secret techniques names that everyone knows, and both attacks hit mid-air and explode and the strongest win and one do seven steps backward while the other does five.

Feel cringy? Yeah, I felt it when I re-read the two 'deals' Lelouch makes this 'Year One', though I think the other 'deal' is in the second part of this chapter. To be posted in a few days.

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Proofread: Grammarly + Re-read.

Edit: 23/December/2021 – This chapter was posted on this day.

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Chapter 01 – Year One – Arrival.

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Falna is a blessing of the Gods, but also a contract between a Divine and a Mortal; a God and a Servant.

But such contracts changed as time passed, and as Gods' desires to possess' family grew, this contract became a bond between the Gods and their new family.

Therefore, Mortals that serve a God are called members of said God Familia, and why the Gods, in turn, call their Servants, Children.

Lelouch vi Britannia on 'Records of Orario - Day 32'

(Sealed Imperial Records on Accounts of Gargoyle Division Spymaster [REDACTED])

/-/ * /-/

'18:32... time to close.' She thought as a sideways glance at the magic-powered clock stuck on the guild wall told her it was time to stop and leave.

Finishing the current transaction, she put a 'closed' plaque, without looking at the person next in line, and expertly ignoring the rants and curses sent her way.

"Wait! Fannet-san! Please go out with me!"

Once upon a time she would have relented and helped 'at least to finish the line', but she had been doing this job for years, and with time came experience.

"Stop screaming, bastard! I was next in line!"

Adventurers are all the same, if you give them a hand, they will demand the arm... something that the newbies still didn't learn... looking at the side she saw that one of the newbies, a half-elf called Eina Tulle, with shoulder-length brown hair and bespectacled emerald eyes, still operated her exchange booth, and showed no signs of stopping.

"Fuck-off! Fannet would never go out with a Level One newbie like you, even more, a Pallum like ya! She needs to go out with a True Warrior, like me!"

'Add -san on my surname, we are not close.' She thought while turning her back on them, aware of the gazes being thrown on her behind, only being partially blocked by her tail.

Then she learned that ignoring them was the best option, keeping polite and completely formal helped evade misunderstandings, smiling would mean be flogged with love letters – for those unsurprisingly few Adventurers that knew how to read – to other annoyances and bad flirt that the Goddesses genius labeled 'sexual harassment'.

From her peripheral vision, she saw that some of her older colleagues were doing the same, with the more experienced Adventurers doing something similar – looking for the counters manned by the younger Guild Employers.

And finding Tulle-san.

Seeing the opportunity, the Adventurers that still did not exchange their earnings flowed the counter, and in no time, shouting and fighting will break out.

On the other hand, the other newbie was smarter, Rose could not see the distinctive pink hair anywhere, she recalled seeing the short human girl temporarily closing her counter to advise her first newbie in the private booths... and it was still 'Temporarily Closed' instead of 'CLOSED'.

Meaning, she either left the 'Temporary Closed' tag and left, or... did not come back yet.

Rose narrowed her eyes, seeing the lights on the Guild Advising Booth #11 still on 'Occupied'.

'The Guild Advising Booths should have been closed half an hour ago... I thought she was lazy, but Flott-san is unexpected hard-working... or maybe not, her Adventurer has a devilish charm on him, like an Ice King character from my favorite Ninjas of Love vol- *ahem* new human girl, you will learn that while as Guild Employees we have a lot of contact with the Adventurers, this does not give us the right to have a lot of 'contact', having a relationship with one will only bring you sorrow...one day, they will lose something, be it a limb, a friend, or their lives – and then nothing will be the same.'

With a sigh, forcibly calmed herself down least [Beastification] activated... oh, it partially did.

A look behind her saw her previously pristine and well-groomed tail now a bit off, looking at the current busy Tulle-san and the Advising Booth still in use with Flott-san inside, she left.

'Let them experience the worst, and the best, for a while at least till I finish combing.'

Leaving the room, she entered the Guild Employee Only Area as she waited for her fellow Guild Employees, picking up her personal brush she slowly started grooming her red tail as time passed, chatted a bit with the other employees till finally the duo she was expecting appeared.

"Eina ~ ~ ~ how was your first time with an Adventurer? Mine was really nice, Lelouch was very attentive and cool with me, being patient and gentle even when I was nervous~~" the missing newbie's voice echoed in the room as Misha Flott entered.

The small human could be considered a tall Pallum, with her barely 150 celches height, as she hugged the other newbie, the half-elf girl Eina Tulle... who spluttered her tea as her entire face blushed, the tips of her ears as red as Rose's prized fur.

"M-Misha! Wh-what were you doing in- inside the meeting box! you have been inside for almost two hours!" Tulle-san asked as Flott-san simply laughed.

"Why, Eina! We were talking! It was the first time I advised an adventurer, he asked a lot of hard questions about monsters' movement patterns and some complex questions about Excelia and Stats, so I just gave him permission pass to enter the Pantheon's Library and done! Then we spend the gossiping, about which Familia's are stronger, or most problematic, about the races and their cultures since he lived in a place with only Humans and a bunch of other interesting things! See Eina! The many hours I spend gossip- er, studying about people made me a much better Guild Adviser" Flott-san proudly boosted, making a pose that the Gods call 'Idol Pose', by closing one eye and making a 'two' sign with the other and raising one leg backward.

Flott-san put her tongue out while winking, and Rose swore that those pink eyes glowed like stars for a moment, such pose is incredibly popular with the males nearby.

She doesn't know why such poses have this effect, must be a secret technique from the Gods or something like that.

Acknowledging the Gods' wisdom once again in her heart, she continued listening to the talk.

"I am incredibly envious of your Adventurer, Misha. Hackard-chan didn't even listen to me! She simply took the Guild issued weapons for new adventurers, picking a longsword of all things and forgoing armor altogether, before rushing to the Dungeon! You see, she is a thin short girl with an unyielding personality, and I think we didn't get along at all." Tulle-san said with a sigh and shoulders slumped, and Rose internally nodded, but for other reasons.

She read the file of Maris Hackard, a Human female, 15 years old, no previous training, thin and malnourished, 160 celches of heigh, no weapons or armor of her own, and her goal is gaining enough strength for vengeance.

"Well, I think Lelouch and I will get along just fine~~ he came from a place that doesn't use the honorifics the Gods brought when they descended, so he let me call him by his first name! through is still embarrassing calling a man without honorifics, he called me Misha without even blushing! Not cute at all! He only raised his eyebrows when I tried to tease him! And then, he had the most entrancing iliac eyes I've ever seen, like, I blinked and then we were already one hour past the meeting box time!" Flott continued enthusiastically talking to her friend, but Rose instantly recognized the name.

Lelouch Lamperouge, a Human male, age 19, has swordsmanship, knife, and hand-to-hand training, possesses an athletic and trained body, 180 celches of heigh, carried a long sword, and the goal is to simply study the dungeon.

There is also a special note included: He appeared wearing a black and gold outfit worth of kings and emperors, stitched with real gold, with purple clothi and sold his golden earrings to the Guild and brought the subsided newbie armor and gear kit available, and his sword appears ornamental, with the golden wings and a red jewel in the guard ii.

'A Noble...or even Royalty, him dying on Orario would be problematic, thankfully only the Guild Employers saw him as a noble, and he didn't insist on using that ornamental sword and instead took a guild issued saber, knives, and buckler, plus armor – this was a surprise, the Guild-Issued Armory were all made by novice blacksmiths and donated, but also lending thus they are all smelly, few bother picking up armor because of that, and I do not remember the last time someone took a helmet.'

'But well, who knows what the problematic Souma Familia members would do if they saw a Level One carrying things like gold and rubies, seeing someone decked with Guild Gear would do the opposite in attracting attention, the first things Adventurers do when they get enough stats is forgoing armor because 'it is heavy' and 'smelly' after all. Trusting their Endurance Stat...no, its Defense Stat now, too much.'

"Misha, you are being irresponsible! While everyone can enter the library, only those with a permission pass can take out books, if he loses or damages it, half of the cost will go to you as the referee. You have to make sure to keep your personal feelings out of work, what if-" Tulle criticizes Flott-san, and Rose would agree... if he was really a normal adventurer.

Clearly, Lelouch Lamperouge – or whatever his real name is – is a noble playing Adventurer, and while some nobles are worse than the worst Adventurer's, Lamperouge appeared courteous and amiable based on Flott's description.

Meaning, he will seduce take Flott-san's purity and innocence, before leaving her to another, like a common noble or adventurer... or maybe, if she is lucky... nay.

Impossible. Such delusions should remain in her smut... ahem, adult literature.

"-and the clothes he wears are more expensive than hundreds of books, so no worries about that part. But a shame that he refused to go to the Dungeon before reading the entirety of the library, I wanted to see how strong he is, and if he could partner with yours, so our Adventurers would be partners!" Flott-san said with excitement, through such information made Rose question why he took the newbie gear in the first place, before simply chalking up being an Adventurer and they were all weird.

"That sounds good, maybe he will be able to make Maris-chan at least research before entering the Dungeon..."

"And when one of us is unavailable, the other can help!"

"...and that's your true motive, you just want to slack off!"

"But Eina~~~ Lelouch asks a lot of difficult questions! I don't think even the Guild Scholars can answer him, plus, he said that he would only enter the Dungeon after memorizing the entirety of the Upper Floors! There is no way I can help with it."

This caught Rose's interest.

"Really?" she asked, making the two newbie guild employers find out that they were the center of the attention, but ignoring the slight blushing duo she continued "This is the first time I have heard of a new Adventurer that would rather read books and map the floors before even stepping inside the Dungeon, they generally go with members of the same Familia or only after getting lost once."

Or lose something that couldn't be regained.

'And is also not another brat seeking for money, fame, power, or women, he wrote that he had martial training beforehand, and has a good head on his shoulders...ah.'

"I am envious, Flott-san" Rose bluntly said.

"Eh? Thanks! But, why?" Flott-san said cluelessly while Tulle-san sighed at the side.

"Your first assigned Adventurer... Lamperouge-sam- san" she almost put -sama, forgetting that Lelouch is clearly a noble or even royalty that is hiding his roots, after all the one that guided him was Royman Mardeel, the Guild Head himself, from the Room of Prayer where Ouranos-kamisama and Gaea-kamisama are located! She did not even see him entering the Pantheon, since if the Guild Head escorted him out, then he surely escorted him in, right?

And that is a mystery, Ouranos-kamisama hardly talks with other Gods, and she didn't know if he ever talked to mortals, but for this Lelouch Lamperouge, Royman even personally opened an account on the Guild Bank on the name of Britannia Familia, a recently descended Goddess.

'Royman-san said that this Goddess is important... either she is close with Ouranos-kamisama or... Britannia-Kamisama is one of the Gods that aided Gaea-kamisama developed the new Falna update! That's why the Guild is aiding her to nurture her Familia!'

"Eh, what about Lelouch-san?" Flott-san said while tilting her head.

"He is cautious and trained, has resources to support himself without risk, and he is someone that is not one to die early or easily – in fact, his only weakness is being the sole member of a Familia, so you should find Adventurers that will support and aid him," Rose said with a nod to Tully-san, making Flott-san eagerly nod.

"One more thing, Flott-san."

"What?"

"An Adviser should not use the private rooms to flirt or have sexual intercourse with their assigned Adventurer," Rose said with all the subtlety of an [Minotaur] in a pottery shop, making Tulle-san cough and Flott-san blush and stutter.

"There are plenty of places that could be used instead, such as all inns that belong to Freya Familia have soundproofed rooms, but if you want to be discreet, there is always the Hostess of Fertility, as the owner is Mama Mia, the former captain of the Freya Familia."

"Wawawa~~!" Flott-san did some incomprehensible noises as her entire face and ear became as red as tomatoes as she waved her arms like a chicken trying to fly.

"And is not recommended dating Adventurers!" Rose said with all her firmness, breaking her apathetic mask. "He will promise you that he will be careful and not take risks, and once he strikes rich, he will leave the life of an Adventurer behind and marry you, and you will wait and wait and wait, but he will never return!"

Rose ignored the looks between Flott-san and Tulle-san, she knows she is right, one day they will understand.

"Then one by one they will disappear, and never come back, you will have to realize newbies!" Rose pointed to the duo "the only way an Adventurer quit his job on his, is either through trauma, through crippling injuries, or, through a body bag. Understand?!"

And with that said, everyone became quiet.

...Rose coughed and looked to the side, before finishing.

"And don't forget to drink protection medicine and clean up the mess if you do it in the Guild's Meeting Box."

"We were not snogging!" a blushing Flott-san said, before grumbling something suspiciously like 'Even if I wanted...'

"B-by the way, Fannett-senpai, is true that Vidar Familia left Orario?" Tulle-san asked as a form of changing topics, and Rose accepted the attempt to clean the awkwardness and silence.

"Yes, they finally left Orario after Vidar-kamisama received the new Falna Update, there were rumors that they would leave Orario directly after the incident, but then the news about the update came to all the Gods and thus he waited... through one of their members stayed joined Loki Familia," Rose explained.

With the new topic, the other guild employers also said their piece, and a new round of gossiping began.

Some said that this is the calm before the storm, because as soon as Ouranos-kamisama used Arcanum to give notice to all Gods about the new Falna update, and even the Evilus laid low for a year.

'The calm ended now that the know Gods realized that it requires them in meeting with Gaea-kamisama herself, and there is no way that the Gods from Evilus will be allowed to receive the new update and things will become hectic again…' Though Rose, as one of the senior members of the Guild she knew that the Guild noticed the new influx of people and inconsistency in the Magic Stones reports, meaning that someone is selling Magic Stones through means outside the Guild.

'I only hope that this will not be another situation where Ouranos-sama has to interfere, like when Zeus and Hera Familias were expelled... however, if it happens, then the one in danger is the Astraea Familia, as Astraea-sama personally sent Erebus back to Tenkai.'

/-/ * /-/

'Falna – the Blessing of Gods... why is so reminiscent of a Video Game? Does Heaven have such mortal forms of entertainment? Possibly, if my arrival to this universe is an indication, then is not impossible that Gods can interact, or at least observe other universes, this then explains why people speak with Japanese honorifics, yet, written as an alternative alphabet cipher of Britannian called Koine, that is also the name of the language spoken by the Ancient Greeks on my world, but is the Lingua Franca of Orario.'

Lelouch thought that such a confusing clash of names and cultures could only be made by a madman or eccentric – which the Gods apparently all are, one way or another.

'[Strength], [Endurance], [Dexterity], [Agility], and [Magic] – it seems that all these books will require actualization. Gaea Update changes their names to a closer translation of what these Basic Abilities actually do, [Attack], [Defense], [Utility], [Speed], and [Magic]... now, those stats are equal to a pre-Area 11 Japanese RPG.'

With a chuckle, he thought on the poor scribe that will have to translate all books in the Pantheon – the Guild's Headquarters – while putting another book in the ever-growing pile on the wooden table of books that are now considered obsolete.

That's due to the Gaea Update and its many changes, some minor ones for Adventurers, such as all Basic Abilities starting at 1 instead of 0 were already making many scholars talk and curse at each other, some interpretation as all sentient beings had a hint, a spark, of Divinity and the new Update, was able to gather this little amount and transform into a single unit, and whatever heretical thoughts this brought.

Through this theory had merit, however, as talks about how raising their stats by one or two points more than before the update is ever-present, though some others think is just the new motivation about new, never-seem before [Skills], [Development Abilities], and [Spells] (Previous called [Magic]) appearing on the Falna of the recently leveled Adventurers.

Most Adventurers, however, talked about the instant benefits the Gaea Update brought – sometimes called the Core Development Ability, to Zeroeth Ability, to some non-imaginative names such as first-first Development Ability, or, as accurate it is, the Level One Development Ability.

But since it's a mouthful, how personal, and how useful it is, the Development Ability gained at Level One has been nicknamed Gaea's Blessing, much to the annoyance of his goddess.

Through the real developer was D.S.

'Apart from Gaea's Blessing, this new update ensures that one will always gain a Development Ability when Leveling Up, instead of may or may not chance of receiving one at Level Two and beyond – I heard that there is a Level Four Adventurer that was never able to gain a Development Ability, even while doing the best to clear the know conditions such as receiving poison or killing a large number of Monsters in a short period over and over.'

Previously, the first time an Adventurer entered in contact with an [Development Ability] was at Level Two, sometimes even Level Three if one is unlucky or didn't meet any conditions. And the chances of it appearing every level following the first aren't 100%.

Now, however, at Level One, the moment one received Falna for the very first time (after the Update, and updating as well), one will receive a [Development Ability].

And that's not all, Adventurers at higher levels that didn't receive a [Development Ability] on one of their Levels Ups, also received something, meaning, after the update, the amount of [Development Abilities] one has is always equal to the number of Levels one has.

This completely changed things, making all Adventurers stronger either by a small or big amount – it is said that even Ottar, the strongest Level Seven adventurer, had only 5 Development Abilities before the Update, in truth, he had a [Skill] that gave him two [Development Abilities] as long certain conditions are met, and now, he can reach a scary amount of 9 as long all conditions are met.

From what Lelouch perceived after reading countless tomes with all [Development Abilities] and their powers and how they probably appeared, he could guess that, in this Game-like world, they can be considered an achievement of sorts.

Resisting a lot of poison? Abnormal Resistance; using a lot of [Spells]? Mage; has a history of swimming and fighting underwater? Diving; fleeing a lot? Escape.

Through the poor Level Four Adventurer without Development Abilities shows that it is not always true, and he believes that this universe is closely linked to the myths and legends of Earth, Ottar, the strongest Adventurer of Orario is clearly a reference to the protégé of Freya.

The highest Leveled Pallun, Finn Deimne has roots in Celtic Myths, he published some of his [Skills] and [Spells] as a way to show that Palluns can be strong, the spell [Tir na Nog] is from the Celtic Otherworld.

He probably has a Skill or Spell related to the greatest Celtic figure Scáthach, or perhaps Cú Chulainn.

Through this place is still weird, he found out that the Gods in this universe aren't related as they do not have parents or children, for example, the Captain of Demeter Familia is called Persephone.

"This place is confusing...right, Development Abilities..." Lelouch continued reading the tome.

[Development Abilities] are rewards for Adventurers for achieving something, for their actions – the Goddess of his Familia, the one that helped to make the Gaea Update, didn't confirm nor deny, but she also mentioned that the differences between [Development Abilities] and [Skills] became clearer, and so the way they are gained – through he gaining special privileges was a given, as this is some sort of reward or vacation for him. As expected of the exchange of allowing him to live peacefully in this world for the chance of making Adventurers stronger, and thus increasing the chances of beating the Dungeon.

'Mine is quite useful due to meddling Gods, and, a quite fitting name for someone like me that lived most of my life under a mask, so much that I became the mask – I guess that while [Development Abilities] gained at Level Two and beyond varies depending on your actions as an Adventurer, the one gained at Level One is based on how you lived, with also influence of the God that gave the Falna for the very first time – the God's Myths and Legends with an Adventurer backstory, creating the Level One Development Ability'

From the point of view of an outsider, those with rich Backstory gained a personalized Gaea Update, while those that are tabula rasa received Development Abilities related to their God's Myths and Legends.

Lelouch hummed in understanding, and a mix of satisfaction and disappointment, all his Level One Falna Slots were filled, with 1 Development Ability, 3 Spells, and 2 Skills, this means that he only needs to fill his Falna with Excelia and increase his stats to Level Up, thus gaining a new Development Ability and two more Skills Slots.

His satisfaction comes from a perfectionist side of him, he already achieved and filled slots that most Adventurers couldn't, such as Spells and Skills, however, another part of him, the part that desires future and progress, is annoyed at the limits of Falna, of mere 3 Spell Slots sounded really limited – through this was easily shrugged off, as he had experience in having a Geass, a single Geass but able to change the world.

When Lelouch was the Emperor, he used and abused his Geass to the limits, studied with the help of Rakshata Chawla, Lloyd Asplund, and Cécile Croomy, and discovered that while his Geass was simple in execution, it had the potential for growth and sheer versatileness based on things such as concepts.

Things he thought absolute were broken, such as range increased as he used his Geass, and even the limit of one Geass per person with the help of Jeremiah Gottwald's Geass Canceler was sidestepped.

His Geass could remove other Geass, and his order was absolute, he learned that he could order someone to resist Geass of others, as long his Geass was stronger than the other party, and even gift talents to others.

Such as ordering Cécile Croomy to be good at cooking, her meals were still weird, but palatable, something that made Lloyd worship him as a God... before his assistant beat him.

Or, curing mental diseases and disorders, Alzheimer's for example, a single order made those old and amnesic remember their past, against all rule or reason, their brains are still atrophied, but they could recall what is not stored in their biological brains.

This left them to believe that his Geass affected something higher than the physical as they speculated, and beyond science as they knew, and proved that part of a person's memories was stored in another place, in another dimension – most likely C's World or something similar.

Things that Lelouch didn't care about, but now, it made him wonder if spells are truly 'Vancian Magic' as he initially through with his Geass, with simple rules and limitations and doing the same thing like a gun, and exact effects that prevent one from either tunning it down or tunning it up.

'Nine Hell was able to bypass this limitation of 3 Spells through a Skill, and Elves can use congenital magic through numerous rituals, bypassing the 3 Spell Slot limitation, I have also heard that Spirits aided mortals before Gods descended, with the greatest of them, Albert Waldstein, with the aid of a Spirit, was able to defeat the One-Eyed Black Dragon, a Monster of the same power as the Behemoth and Leviathan – Walking Calamities that caused the downfall of Zeus and Hera Familias, who at the time had a Level Eight and a Level Nine adventurer at the head.'

Lelouch frowned as he rubbed his nose, his thoughts were all over the place, a side effect of being burned out.

Closing the book and putting it in the pile, he takes a small pocket mirror, made of the strongest material he could think back on the World of C, the design he took from a pocket make-up mirror he brought for Nunnally with his pocket money – instead of make-up, there was a photograph that was never taken, but instead imagined – back to when she was full of energy and loved to climb on trees and buildings, play hide and seek, and...

"... it's been a day ever since I have come to this new world, nay, universe. And I am constantly talking to a mirror in hopes of my words reaching back... my wife, family, and friends" he did not say home, not when he was exiled "From my research, [Skills] is truly miraculous and reality-defying, thus while improbable, illogical, and requiring faith rather than logic, it could be possible for some to be hearing me... I-"

Lelouch closed and pocketed the mirror, before opening the closed book as he paid attention to the steps coming to the library.

And with a loud bang, the wooden doors opened, and Lelouch saw the woman, the Goddess of his Familia walking to him.

"Found you, now stop it." said the Goddess Britannia, walking barefooted and wearing only a white dress and a golden belt, with the Geass Symbol on the buckle, long black and pink hair reaching her waist (longer compared to her sibling of his home-universe), and pink eyes glowing with power like all other Gods he saw, like the Geasslight but without a Geass symbol, she was truly a stunning sight deserving the moniker of a Goddess.

Even though she was walking carrying a round shield, and a trident whose point resembled, scratch that, the trident point is a clear copy of the sigil he made for the Black Knights.

"Stop what?" he asked with raised eyebrows, normally this woman acted... abnormally, like calling him Master or Sir or Your Majesty when around people, sometimes kneeling or speaking double entendre that are borderline sexual assaults.

Scratch that, they were clearly sexual harassment.

"You are… channeling your Emperor side too much, thankfully the library is empty, try to act as when you were Lamperouge." She said with exasperation, looking at the sides as if confirming her words.

"Come again?"

"This world has magic, Lelouch, it also has Gods that walk on the mortal world, those are beings that come and are born from a place similar to the World of C, thus the manipulation of reality and domains is something natural to them," Britannia spoke as she looked at him, and instantly he felt a change, as if he was a child again and looking down on him was his father.

Lelouch narrowed his eyes, he was not the same arrogant and weak-willed child, he was Lelouch vi Britannia, the Demon Emperor, the First Zero, he destroyed the world and molded it as he liked, no one will look down on him, and-

"What... are you doing?" He asked the Goddess Britannia, that was panting as if she finished a marathon or... a look at her chest said it all.

Huffing and puffing, she cleaned some saliva from her lips and coughed, like nothing happened, as if he could not see the proud peaks on her chest.

"This! This world has magic Lelouch, and while extremely faint, it can be compared to the World of C in some terms, here, things like Killing Intent are tangible and not only a feeling like in your world, it can kill weak-willed individuals, Fighting Spirit¸ can make someone stronger, and even move a body that is biologically dead, or limbs that are physically unable to move," Britannia said slowly, making Lelouch blink, so Suzaku wasn't spurting bullshit when he mentioned that some things in Japanese Animation... right, Anime, existed?

But then again, he did some unreasonable things like failing from the top of the throne room and breaking several halberds from the imperial guards with a kick.

Imperial Guards – whose armaments were the best of the best.

"And I was... sending this Killing Intent, or a version of it?" Lelouch asked, already getting an idea of what is happening.

"Indeed, you were exercising your Presence like what you did in your times as the Emperor, and while this is not bad per see, Gods naturally do that, that's how mortals instantly perceive when one is a Deity even when we are technically mortals apart from being ageless. Strong Adventurers can also do the same though, but... well, your presence is strong, akin to a God who rules over an entire Pantheon, yet you are still Level One. Thankfully you have that [Development Ability], but when you take off your mask, showing your true self..."

"Then my [Development Ability] is disabled... I see," Lelouch controlled himself to not touch the pocket mirror, he is not comfortable with his Goddess to display anything short of confidence after all.

"Your eyes also glow, however, this is something that normally can only be felt but not visualized, though you are an exception in more ways than one, strong Adventurers at Level Seven and above can see, but so Spirits and Gods."

"...Geasslight?"

"Exactly, Geass is a power from the World of C, you can think of it as a Divine Ability in terms of powers and origins ... you should also prevent doing that inside the Dungeon, Lelouch, it is a secret shared only between the Gods, but as you are my Master you have a right to know some things – the Dungeon is alive and showing the Presence of a God on its domain isn't wise. Even if is not Divinity, who knows if it will send out a Black Monster." Goddess Britannia said as she caressed her neck, where a pink Geass Scar is located.

'Black Monster? I have to research more it seems.'

"I...shall be careful, and you have my thanks for the warning," Lelouch replied with a slight nod.

"Well, it could be nothing, since Presence is not always a sign of a God, you know? Elves and Spirits also display a version of it, do you know why?" Goddess Britannia said as if she was awkward from receiving thanks.

"...the only thing in common is that they are said to be the two races most loved by the Gods and that they have extremely high affinity to Magic Arts."

"Exactly!" Goddess Britannia said, standing up and putting one leg on the chair, letting the long dress slide to the side, showing her tights and...making him sight as he did not need to know that she was going commando, then pointing at him she said with a serious tone "Magic Affinity does exist in your past world, though it is called affinity to Geass, a power that is in and itself a form of magic, that's why some can have powerful Geass, while others are weak and have many restrictions, and why some suffer backlashes, or why they can't control... I am certain that the reason you and Nunnally have such high affinity is that both have been conceived in the World of C, this makes part of you Magic itself, like Elves and Spirits."

Lelouch looked at his hands.

"Magic...huh... well, but couldn't it have been because of other reasons? Such as me having a Geass, or that for a while I had an inactive Code, or even because D.S. did something? Or, as I hate to admit, luck or Genetics."

"...Well, it could be, but your sister Nunnally does have a high potential for Geass, the one from my home universe was able to send herself and few others to the past... and well, due to timeline divergencies, and having two of me, well..., you know the rest," Britannia said while appearing feeling extremely awkward, her confidence all but gone as she tried to cover herself, and caressing her arm as a form of nervous tick.

Lelouch's gaze didn't diminish, however, as he indeed knew, and couldn't help but be annoyed at the being in front of him that caused so many problems to an alternate version of his Zero Requiem.

'It will take a long time till you can earn my forgiveness, Oh, Fallen Goddess, though be assured, as I reckon that it will be faster than how long it will take for me to forgive myself – if such time ever come.'

...

Seeing the Goddess sleeping on the bed next to him, Lelouch opened the windows to the moon and skies, a sight that astonished him:

'No light pollution as well, and unlike medieval cities where there were feces on the streets this one is well sanitated due to the Gods influences, I am liking this place more and more.' He thought while sitting in the window while nursing a glass of wine while looking at the moon.

He finally understood why it was an overused trope in movies and theaters, the semblance of this moon as the one from Earth is uncanny, and through his naked eyes they were the same, maybe this one was brighter but...didn't matter. He couldn't help but think of those he left behind, that they were looking at the same moon.

'Better sleep...' he looked at the simple bed and was glad that he booked the best room, he did read about how inns in the late medieval era were filled with mice and – he shook his head – this inn is clean, safe, and near the Dungeon, recommended by one of the senior Guild Employee, something about being soundproof and well protected by a former Level Five sounded perfect for him.

Oh, they did have money, a substantial amount kept safe in the Guild's Bank exchanged from the numerous gems he brought, where he also stored other precious items, be it of monetarily, sentimental, or scientific value, plus the ammo. At first, he wanted to buy the cheapest home on the outskirts of Orario as soon as he left the Pantheon due to the Presence he exerted unconsciously.

However, the solution was surprisingly simple – when he acted as a Lelouch Lamperouge the heavy Presence disappeared and even made him look like a mortal without Falna.

To do that, he had ironically to put himself at risk of being exposed, however, he had years of experience doing that, and... unexpected, there was no demerit of people discovering if is exposed.

Rather, because he is trying to hide, but not being bothered in living frugally, added another layer to his false persona: A Noble, or even Prince of another country, with great affinity (or possessing) magic as its common for those of royal bloodline. The best part is that it is all true.

Only a noble would use a high-class Inn as home after all.

"Home, huh... I guess this is my new home, better to get used to it, clean some things..." his eyes sharpened.

One of the greatest differences between Gekai and Earth is that here, in Orario at least, power is tangible in the form of Falna, and thus fairer.

Lelouch dislikes it.

Because this is the kind of World that the Britannian Empire under Charles preached – even if Lelouch understood that the former Emperor did not actually believe in Social Darwinism, it was made to incite Britannians to fight and act under his orders, all to capture the Thought Elevators and kill God – and while power took another shape and form, it existed.

However, it changed from 'Only the strong can survive' to 'The weak cannot rise'.

On the other hand, he loves Orario, because here, even the weak and powerless can become strong as long they are willing to fight – and have tools and training, and above all support.

[Spell]sand [Skill]s are miraculous like that, physical power can be gained with killing Monsters, but Will can manifest into wonderful, and powerful, shapes and flavors.

One example is his sister, she was physically weak, unable to see, unable to move, always dependent, and with poor health.

Yet, her will was strong, she honed her perception to discern sound steps like one would recognize faces, she even manage to break Charles' Geass on her own, and even resisted his for a long time – those that could resist his Geass, even for a while, were all...

A mischievous laugher, a lock of pink hair.

Lelouch closed his eyes.

Were all great and wonderful people. Not even Schneizel managed to make a token form of resistance.

'Therefore, I give the weak and willing a way to become strong, as long they are worth it, as a way of redemption.'

For whom, or for what...

In the past, he started his crusade for Nunnally, and then, for the deaths he caused and lives he saved, for the dreams he gathered.

Responsibility for one's actions.

Touching his chest, feeling the pocket mirror.

"This time... it will be for myself, for my future... for our future."

/-/ * /-/

Lelouch would be the first one to admit that he is not talented in fighting, he spend years inside the Knightmare Simulators he brought from the extra gambling money he had and not needed for their livelihood and Nunnally's treatment, and yet, he was only able to block Suzaku's kick once when they first met after a long time and managed to endure a few blows from the Lancelot.

Indeed, Lancelot was the 7th Knightmare and Suzaku is one of the best Knightmare Pilots in history, and Lelouch used a Sutherland.

However, it was a prototype without any weapons, and Suzaku never used a Knightmare before, he read the instruction manual, not even a Knightmare Simulator, and he was injured from a shot.

As impressive and powerful Britannia's medical capabilities were, and how impressive Suzaku's martial arts training made him, it only showed the disparage between a genius and a normal person.

In terms of fighting, he is normal, and his physical body was beyond terrible, even Milli could outrun him while wearing high heels much to his shame, and endless mocking of his wife.

What he has, however, is a powerful brain that could be called a supercomputer, a strategic mindset that took down nations, and planning that conquered the entire world, and now, an augmented body. The Serum didn't only improve his physical body, and even though with a healthy body came a healthy mind, his mental capabilities made a large leap forward as well.

He still doesn't have talent in fighting, and thus –

Lelouch lunged forward, his form impeccable, his posture graceful yet precise, as his saber accurately hit the carotid artery of the Kobold, the dog-headed monster's fur resisted being punctured but was enough to stop the charge of the 3rd Floor Monster.

He is ambidextrous, thus while using his left or right hands is meaningless against Monsters, it is also true that most people are right-handed, thus carry their weapons on their right, and if they use shields they carry in their left.

This means that most are used in fighting right-handed weapon users – even him – and when they try to fight something new or different, mistakes are bound to be made.

'So, my physical, mortal limits are the third floor? It seems that I truly have to remove my shirt for that perverted Goddess, receive a Status Update for the first time...' Lelouch thought as he slashed towards the neck of the creature one more time.

The Kobold roared, or tried with its damaged windpipe, and jumped with open arms, Lelouch saw the scene, there was a hint of blood on the neck.

'Even if I pierce it, I don't think I can instant-kill this Monster, thus it will fall on me, and even if I kill it, the requirements for a monster to disappear into ashes is uncertain, but is related to damage, either through Attack Stat, or Level, or Weapon.'

Thus, Lelouch decided to abandon this opportunity by jumping to the left side, the monster saw it and tried to claw his face – only to be met with a buckler on the wrist, and another stab on the neck.

Disengaging, almost like a dance, at the same time he slashed at the armpit and back of the knee of the Monster with fast and precise movements.

This time, the blade slashed the skin of the monster easily.

'Such a weird creature, it has the body of a humanoid male, albeit taller and bulkier, except for the fur that covers the top of the upper chest, part of the shoulders, the neck, the head, the entire back, waist down and ending above the knees.'

'It has elongated phalanges on both palm and feet, giving the impression of elongated fingers and large feet, no nails, only claws, and while appears as a human male, it has no genitalia, there are few records of the internal organs of monsters, most likely because it requires vivisection, but they still need to eat, to drink, and to breath but have no waste released.'

'The furless part of his skin is akin to leather or hide, but the fur is something else, I reckon is even bulletproof against Black Knight's issued pistol, through a Britannian Pistol will blow a large exit wound.' He analyzed, idly remembering the scene when Clovis' Royal Guards were ordered to kill themselves by his first order, the amount of blood expelled could only be explained by the forbidden kind of ammo that uses Sakuradite for extra lethality and damage, and being made to expand upon contact, this way, even a shoot on the leg or arm would cause several internal lacerations, that would lead to crippling or death since it would be hard to stitch.

The Kobold kneeled and groaned, making Lelouch tilt his head at this behavior, of pain, even though they are merely machinery made of energy – or so it seems.

'Monsters seems to be constructs of energy, maybe magic, maybe something else, such as the Miasma theory as the scholars guess, this means that physical attacks by themselves aren't that effective, [Falna] gives an [Adventurer] an invisible metaphysical edge in the form of a [Attack Stat], this doesn't seem to make an Adventurer physically stronger, instead, is like their strength is worth more, a punch weighing 200 Kg would end up 'carrying' more.'

[Falna] acts like a multiplayer, having a lot of [Stats] is good, but 0 multiplied by 1000, is still 0.

'So that's why Pallum and Humans are considered the weakest races. If a Dwarf and a Pallum have the same amount of [Attack] stat, the physically stronger Dwarf would deal more damage to a monster, Amazoness have little to none innate magic, so even if multiplied, it wouldn't be worth much... the interesting thing is, this increase in damage can be done indirectly. Such as a High-Level Adventurer and a Low-Level Adventurer carrying the same Crossbow, the one with more Stats would deal more damage. The Theory of Conceptual Power has merit, it explains why some [Skills] can have weird effects, such as 'Increased Damage When Attacking From Behind', the concept itself carries over the reality.'

'This means that Bullets can scale as well, good to know.' Lelouch thought as he dodged another attack and cut the tendons of the Monster.

With a roar, the Kobold kneeled again.

'Stats are indeed impressive...it truly seems that I have reached the limits of my mortal body and experiences, now I just need to keep track of how each stat point correlates to increase in effect, does it multiplies or adds? Are they linear or parabolic?' He eagerly thought to dissect the system and abuse it, he will play by the rules...his own rules.

A group of Goblins and a single Kobold appeared, Lelouch hesitantly touched his eye but decided not to – [Spells] are a trump card that he plans to leave no witnesses.

The Goblins were the first to rush at him, and a plan started formulating on his mind.

'Beforehand, end the injured one.'

'Then, first, cause a distraction.'

'Don't let them encircle, clean and fast kill, if unable, cripple or bleed, aim at the legs, do not experiment, fight without holding back physically without revealing any cards, if not possible, then [Potions] if need, then[Magic Sword] and finally [Spells].'

Lelouch pierced the [Magic Crystal] of the injured Kobold near him, instantly turning it to ashes, and sadly, leaving a piece of [Drop] on the ground.

Normally he would be happy to have more money for resources or be able to study the item, but Humans – and it appears that other Races as well – are greedy, and inside a place like the [Dungeon] where not even his corpse would be left behind, better be cautious of any and all interactions.

The Goblins reached first, he noticed, through the Kobold crouched to jump.

Entering in a stance, Lelouch lunged forwards, his left arm carrying the fragile guild-issued Saber, accurately piercing the carotid artery of the Goblin, through Lelouch frowned as he felt it hitting the cervical vertebrae.

'This will damage the blade, minus one point.'

Lelouch then twisted the blade while removing it with an exaggerated tug to the side.

'First, distract target.'

The saber through the side of the Goblin's neck, and then towards the jumping Kobold, sending a trail of blood on the eyes of a dog-headed monster, it didn't stop its charges, but it reflexive closed its mouth and covered the eyes.

'Eyes hit, Perfect, plus one score'

'Then, discombobulate.'

Lelouch used the buckler to punch the snout, one of the most sensible parts of an animal like a dog, 'Weirdly, I always thought that kobold were lizardmen, but, oh well.'

'Wrist damaged, minus two points, Cause: Buckler's strap became loose, disregard one point, keep one due to not foresee this circumstance. New Note, recommended buying a proper buckler.'

Using the newbie gear allows him to be overlooked, not even those that pick up on newbies for their Magic Stones seek to rob him, obviously, the first thing he did is send to clean and repair it to a newbie Blacksmith, but with a request to not polish, rather, make it look older.

His true armor is an overcoat jacket made of Gnome Leather, a brown cloth made with the power of Spirits, the Gnome said that it protected against Earth-based attacks, be it from magic, or, surprisingly, from materials from the earth, such as metals, shockwaves, and even gravity, that appears to be a branch of Earth Magic.

He dyed the brown cloth with a dark red, and styled after his favorite jacket that he always used in casual wear, one gifted by Nunnally, and...after... after it was dyed with Shirley's blood he decided that he could not use something casual again – he could not.

It was Zero, and then, Demon Emperor.

The ideal armor for a Level One, even Level Two, however, is extremely expensive, making it not worth, at all. And one he wears casually as Lelouch Lamperouge.

Since it's a powerful armor, it reduces the Excelia he gains.

But that's alright, he is not here to adventure, but to conquer – and this is just the scouting phase.

Holding a wince, Lelouch disengaged while using the same loose shield to push a goblin away.

'Kobold is Angry and confused, lack of visual target, Prediction: It will try to attack blindly by following sound cues – evade it – bonus points in using another Monster as a shield.'

Lelouch sidestepped to the right side, enabling the goblin to stand between the Kobold and him, smirking under his Corinthian helmet, he used the saber as a drumstick and hit the metal buckler twice.

The change was instantaneous, the Kobold attacked without care, as soon as it hit the goblin, it opened its maws and crushed the head of the small monster like a watermelon, before twisting like wild dogs and wolves, making Lelouch slightly surprised.

'New Note: Kobold's behavior pattern changes if senses are unavailable. More animalistic and organic.'

'New Note: Kobold's Bite Force is fully capable of tearing a Human Mortal's limb away.'

'New Note: Buy Armguards.'

'Enemy Ally Kill; more than perfect, plus three points.'

'Question: Does this count as an Adventurer kill and affect Excelia gain?'

'New Note: Goblins, when outnumbering the target, encircle, this also occurs when the other monster is from a different Monster race.'

Lelouch kicked the last approaching goblin towards the Kobold, and sound made the Kobold spit the monster it was eating and attack the other approaching its food, doing a swift kill.

'Enemy Ally Kill, more than perfect, plus three points. Minus one point for the scratches of the Goblin's nails.'

'New Note: Buy greaves.'

'New Note: Kobold became stronger by just eating a single Goblin's [Magic Stone], showing signs of animalistic tendencies and stop cooperating with other Dungeon Monsters, a [Irregular].'

'Fine for creating an Irregular is great but not crippling, however, the attention and negativity would carry for a long time. Must kill the Monster, or if not possible, silence the witness.'

Lelouch half-crouched, as he prepared for a lunge, aiming at the neck, a standard fencing movement honed to perfection.

Lelouch does not have fighting talent, and no matter how much he was beaten or defeated, he could not understand fighting concepts such as Kallen's instincts and Suzaku's talents, no 'Formless Like Water', 'Stanceless Stance', 'Empty Mind Closed Fist', 'Fast as The Wind', 'Stable as The Earth', and 'Explosive as Fire'.

Even Britannia's fighting ideologies were not spared, though it made more sense than Japanese Martial Arts.

In a way, he could not understand – and thus, he didn't.

When jumping or kicking, with a Knightmare or their bodies, Kallen, Suzaku, and Jeremiah used a mix of instincts and experience to use their technique to deal the best amount of damage.

Lelouch simply didn't – he couldn't 'feel' what the best angle to deflect a sword was, he didn't 'feel' the power of his enemy through their 'warrior spirit', he didn't 'see' a path or a way to victory.

Rather, Lelouch calculated.

Instead of trusting something he could not perceive or accept such as 'feelings', he analyzed, seeing the path of the blade, and estimated all options he could take within a single second.

'Prediction: Will not pierce the neck. Aim at the Magic Stone. If Hit, Win'

'Prediction: Target will likely attack with claws, diagonal downward swing, great chance it focusses on my attacking arm, if Target uses right arm, aim at the armpit, then right punch with Buckler on following targets based on availability: [Magic Stone], Snout, Solar Plexus. Keep in mind the loose straps.'

'Alternative: If Target uses left arm, block wrist with Buckler, chances of misstep occurring due to lose strap, use the forearm to block and expect to break it, kick on the [Magic Stone] while use force to disengage, roll, and drink healing potion if required, or take the small Magic Sword hidden. if no misstep occurs, use pierce the [Magic Stone].'

'Note: If I block at 135° rather than 45°, I can get close enough to use knees to kick, chances of damaging the [Magic Stone] increase, but the danger of betting bitten increase exponentially... denied, the danger is too great.'

'Alternative: if the target uses both arms, crouch, and roll. New prediction required.'

'Alternative:...'

Like chess, he made plans for all contingencies he could think, while still leaving room for the unexpected that often occur on the battlefield as there are no rules, simultaneously thinking over 21 plans – a large step forward compared to when he fought against Mao, doing 7 plans simultaneously in chess.

Lelouch prepared to attack, and lunged forward, the Kobold did an action that he did not expect, it instead used both arms to protect the nose and eyes, while the other covered the neck.

'Is it learning? Regaining instincts. Fear of pain.'

Without hesitation, Lelouch pierced its chest, the skin blocked for a single instant before giving in, but that single instant was enough for the Kobold to react, instinctively trying to get away, making the blade miss the [Magic Crystal] if only barely.

'Disengage or Continue? Disengaging will prevent being hit, and less likely chances of losing weapon, Continuing has extremely high chances of ending the fighting without higher consumption of stamina. Note: there is a third party here. Saving Stamina is recommended.'

Lelouch continued piercing the blade, trying to twist it to break the Magic Stone and cause greater damage, however, it wasn't enough to kill the Kobold with his lack of [Attack] stats, because frankly, he has 1 on every stat since he never updated.

Without hesitation, he let go of the saber, evading his head from being bitten off.

'Prediction: The Monster will try to remove the weapon, the monster has shown signs of being right-handed, thus, take the long knife from the back of the shield with left-hand, the moment the Monster remove the saber, it will be open for a strike, use Buckler to-' He prepared for the next strike, before he stopped, because he saw something...incredible, but in the bad sense.

The hidden witness appeared, prepared to attack, and kill, however, all fears of being an Adventurer-killer disappeared.

Because his 'savior' or 'potential cicada', was a little girl, perhaps 14 or less, wearing leather armor and carrying a two-handed longsword, her blue hair was tied into pigtails and she still had some baby fat.

Through what made him disregard her as a potential enemy, was simply...how terrible she moved.

This third party jumped from the hiding place, drawing back the blade, like a baseball bat, while screaming 'Surprise Attack!' like a pre-war Japan TV-Show – making the ambush fail spectacularly.

The girl swung her blade mid-air, and overextended, almost falling forward, all while closing the eyes whilst striking – all sorts of newbie mistakes that would get one killed.

Lelouch's common sense told him that such a move would fail to even cut one green bamboo if pilled in a roll, or, knockdown wet tatami instead of cutting it, they screamed at him to save the girl.

His prediction, however, told another story, no matter how ridiculous it appeared, from the info gathered told him that this girl had higher [Stats] and thus, was more capable.

And indeed, the prediction was correct, this move that was akin to a grow-up to spinning his arm a hundred times before doing a haymaker punch, and somehow against all rule and reason, said childish punch managed to break a reinforced steel door, or a Knightmare.

Ridiculous and unnatural, yet it happened in front of him.

'Kallen can probably max her Stats in less than a year even if she does not receive an Excelia boost Skill.'

The sword, even if the technique was terrible at its worst and amateur as its best, cut through the bulletproof fur with great ease and enormous power.

Lelouch did what any sensible person would do in this situation, he rolled to the side while picking up his saber, and warily pointed at the newcomer, while his right hand went towards his back, clenching his [Magic Sword] in the form of a dagger.

"Er...hi? My name is Maris Hackard, but you can call me senpai!"

/-/ * /-/

[['- - - Hero!']]

[['Zero-sama!']]

[['Z-ro']]

[['Dem-on, Savi-']]

Lelouch clenched his teeth under the [Spell] transformations effect, every time he used it, he started hearing things, echoes, distress, call for help – Britannia had only smirked and told him that this is what a God experiences, and that he should simply ignore those voices, or simply not bring the mirror with him.

Lelouch obviously refused both options, he would control the Skill as he did with the Geass.

'The (Order of the Black Knights [The Man of Miracles]) Skill is simply too useful, it passives boost my stamina and vitality, allowing me to fight without rest, and when I wear a mask it enables me to transform prayers and faith my 'mask' receives into Excelia Booster, apart from the first time I updated my stats, a daily regular Dungeon Dive gives me between 10~20 overall increase of Stats update, if I use the [Spell] to become Zero, I can gain up to 100~200 overall increase, since I am killing Monsters of a much higher Stats than me, and that the Faith of Zero is ridiculously strong.'

An average adventurer daily receives around 10 points of overall stat increase when they 'adventure', even less if they don't push themselves and stay safe, Lelouch is pushing himself, fighting enemies stronger than him through techniques and items, this results in a greater amount of stats, but even then, an increase of 10 times is incredible – and that's with a Spirit Tier Skill, he shudders to think of what a Divine Tier Skill is capable of, maybe a single Dungeon dive is capable of increasing 600~1200 Overall Stats when they push themselves, and even if they just go safely, they gain around 30~60 Overall Stats.

'D.S. said that there is a Hero on this world, destined to save it, If I see an Adventurer capable of reaching Level Two and Three in less than a year, it is probably it.' He thought while patting his pocket – or the place where it should be.

Instead, only the sound of metal touching metal echoed, and he sighed.

'When combined with my [Mirror of Samsara (Gate of Akashi) – Skill], that enables me to talk using mirrors regardless of distance and universes, I can hear the plea and faith of the followers of the church of Zero, even if an echo of an echo... the power of prayers is truly strong.' Lelouch mused as he leaped from building to building in search of targets to administer justice.

'No, I am searching for more people to try my Curse Spell that imitates Geass' he thought with a frown, before focusing on what he knew and understood about his spell.

[Unholy Miracle] is a Spirit-Tier Spell, it acted like his Geass but...It was heavily downgraded, in exchange he could do it multiple times on the same person and could even affect animals and Monsters. Instead of a "Power of Absolute Obedience", it became a "Curse of Mental Enslavement".

It controlled minds, but the ones controlled could resist the higher their Magic Stat and own Willpower was, they also recalled their time under control, apparently still conscious but unable to control their bodies.

The Mind cost was enormous and almost useless, however, the versatility increases a lot, he could cast it with a mental command and without looking into the eyes of the target – as long he could sense or perceive the target by visual or physical or even magical means, through digital means is still unknown.

Through as long certain conditions were met, the cost decreased, be it Mind or Sacrifice, such as completing the chant or looking into the eyes of his target.

To use a Curse, one has to sacrifice something, in his case, his target will temporarily lose 10% of Basic Abilities, and the one that will have to bear this cost will be him.

For example, a Level One adventurer with an 800 Attack and Defense, 600 Speed and Utility, and 0 Magic, will be easily controlled by him, however, the Sacrifice will be 'Temporary lose 80 Attack and Defense, and 60 Speed and Utility for as long the Curse is active'.

Half of it if their eyes met while casting the Curse.

The Target will also be aware they are being controlled and can fight back, consuming his Mind – however, if the target accepts being cursed, their Mind and Sacrifice cost would be halved again, and if said target is himself or his Servants, the cost is halved yet again.

As for why one would accept being cursed – he still doesn't know – though it does have its upsides since what he used to train non-stop.

However, when he asked Britannia she just smiled, saying that he was thinking of it as a Geass instead of a Curse or Spell.

'Unholy Miracle... I can understand the Unholy part, but Miracle? A better name would have been Eyes of Mind Control or Curse of Bewitching, even Mystic Eyes of Enchantment... Compulsion, Hypnosis, Obedience... why, Miracle?'

He thought about his story and life, he did think that Geass is like a wish, and Britannia did say that desires and wishes influence Falna.

'Hmm, this world already has a savior, if so, do his Skills and Spells reflect his desires to be a hero?' He thought, trying to predict said hero powers before his senses started tingling.

[['h—p']]

[['Where are the good guys? And where are all the Kami-sama?']]

[['I do—-t die.']]

His body moved before he could think, jumping towards the roof of a building with a power and speed several times higher than what a newbie Level One should have.

Through feats of acrobatics that were only reserved for Ace Pilots, he moved through the maze known as Daedalus Street without sound, not even breaking the fragile and old roof tiles while his 180 centimeters body – no, it was 190 centimeters due to his [Spell] transforming him into 'Zero' – decked in metal armor.

Soon, he reached the source of the pleas that echoed on his mind, Lelouch had to grith his teeth to prevent himself from breaking through the door and ordering all evildoers to surrender or die.

'T-this, how dangerous, so this is the side-effect of decrease in Sanity? It makes my Ego as Zero several times stronger, akin to method acting side-effects.' Lelouch tsked.

'So that's why this [Spell] is considered a [Curse], huh? Well, the powers are beyond satisfactory.'

Lelouch, no, Zero, jumped to the building next to the hangar he was hearing, he came here to test himself against other Adventurers and debut his name as Zero after all.

'Ah, planning ambushes on abandoned warehouses... how nostalgic.' He thought as he reigned Zero's Ego, now that he is aware, it is easy to control it, easier than controlling his own Geass.

Through Lelouch noticed that Zero's Ego is an amalgamation of his own ideals of Zero, and the prayers of countless believers, yet, still nothing compared to the amount of stress of preventing his Geass from flaring up without contact lenses or pleading GOD to not stop the march of time.

However, it is much subtler, and as the [Spell] constantly consumes Mind, his willpower will also weaken as result, and the Ego of Zero will become stronger, for now, it is merely a voice on the back of his head that he can control at will, but, on certain moments, it will flare up and he will act like Zero.

He'd been using this Zero Transformation [Spell] for two months, and even today he used to kill Monsters of deeper floors without any repercussion.

'The decrease in Sanity... is not permanent, but it requires a long time to heal... maybe I should take Britannia's offer? C.C. did allow me to... take a mistress...damn, ever since I tasted the pleasure of flesh my lust only grew stronger, something I inherited from Charles apart from the iliac eyes? I recon that like the Geass and thus Curse, I can control it but at some times it will flare...'

/-/ * /-/

Sanjouno Haruhime crouched and hugged herself near the edge of her little cage.

Compared to the other children, she was being treated better, with her own private cage, she was still wearing her orange kimono, through now, it was dirty, with hints of purple due to some wine spilled unto her by a drunk smuggler.

One that is dead, since he almost 'ruined her price'.

While only 11 years old, she comes from a noble family in the Far East, she is considered well-read and thus, knows what her fate will be as soon as she heard the place that brought her.

Indigo Flower – An (in)famous brother specialized in Far East girls, one that the Pallum that 'took her away' mentioned in selling her at.

The wind and rain outside was like a mirror for her soul and mind, clouded, raining, cold – and as the flashes of light and drums of thunder echoed, she flinched, she always hated the loud sounds of storms, due to her sensitive ears, the cold that comes from storms made her little feet hurt, and inside this cage, she could only silent whimper, least she displeases the group of slavers that found her after finally surviving the Pallum slaver and the Monsters on her way to Orario.

Turning and tossing, hugging herself and trying to find a position where she could be kept comfortable and warm, she read of heroes saving princesses and damsels in distress, yet, the more she waits, the more she thinks that a hero would not save her, and then – she saw another flash of light before thunder echoed.

"!"

As a Renard, while her physical capabilities are even weaker than Humans, her senses are considered strong even amongst other Demi-Humans, but even then, she almost thought she was daydreaming from hunger and despair.

A tall armored figure appeared, with a black and red cape flowing through the wind and rain, the helmet was weird, with a crow above it, she almost thought it was a Monster, but she realizes it could be a crystal or expensive glass used.

But as the thunder echoed, the figure disappeared, as if a dream.

"Could it be... a hero?"

"No, a Demon King." Someone whispered behind her.

"What?" She asked as she turned to the same figure she saw on the window, a tall and imposing figure for sure, one that would make her scream – yet the tone of the voice was...gentle, and young.

Then, the world exploded.

Haruhime could only scream and crouch down, using her little hands to cover her sensitive ears, yet she stubbornly kept watching the masked figure, standing proud and tall as all the windows broke and the door of the hangar exploded as violet dust enveloped the entire building.

"I, am Zero!" He shouted, his voice loud and clear, and looking up.

"And, I come to answers the cries of the weak and downtrodden, thus, you, oh, the strong and oppressive – shall die!" Haruhime perceived that the voice... was different, older, bolder as if it was another person, and as the words 'die' came out of his helmet, she shuddered at the ruthlessness intoned, even her father didn't have such determination when ordering the execution.

"Who the fuck are ya- ARGH!" someone screamed, as a black whip pierced his chest, the blood gurgling scream was just the first of many, as several whips piercing through several of the slavers, through some noticeably evaded, while others couldn't be pierced due to their though bodies or armor.

Haruhime watched with sheer astonishment as the armored figure fought the several figures with pure hand-to-hand combat, utilizing techniques and martial arts clearly from the Far East in origins, and more specifically, all its islands and kingdoms!

"3 Level Ones and 1 Level Two Adventurers...huh" he muttered, this time, Haruhime had to focus her everything to hear it, and indeed, the voice was gentle again.

"Tsk, girls, his hits are only at Level Two, but his armor is too damn strong! Use blunt attacks, or grappling!" said a woman with dark skin, an Amazones, Haruhime blushed by the fact that this woman's clothes covered less than her own intimate cloths!

"Heh! Never expected the day I would use bed tactics in the battlefield." Said another Amazon, spitting blood to the side, showing her bloodied face. While the others grunted in acknowledgment as the Amazons formed a semi-circle around her hero.

"Amazons in such numbers, as I suspected, Ishtar Familia is involved in slavery business." He whispered as she did her best to hear what he was saying, it was also with him mentioning it now that Haruhime realized that all survivors were Amazons, while the rest were males of several races.

"Tsk, it's not illegal, the Guild has no power here... however, killing members of the Ishtar Familia, you will...!"

They were screaming whispering. Yet she couldn't hear...her eyes were tired.

She couldn't help but let a yawn as her vision blurred.

Zero-sama talked but it was too low for her to hear...no, her senses were dulling... it wasn't whispered but...

The last thing she saw, was the masked man, Zero-sama, fighting the Amazoness in close quarters while the black whip aided, shooting like spears and arrows.

...

When she woke up, she saw a familiar face – the disappeared young lady of the Gojouno Clan was at her side.

Haruhime explained her story, and when someone from the Guild asked for the name, Haruhime hesitated slightly but complied, the name was an alias, and he was wearing a mask.

"His name is Zero."

/-/ * /-/

"My name is Lelouch Lamperouge."

Lelouch said it with a calm smile under the watchful eyes of the strongest Adventurers from Astraea Familia, one of the strongest Familia of Orario, only behind Freya's and Loki's, and tied with Ganesha's Familia.

Astraea has more high-Leveled Adventurers, but Ganesha has is the biggest in terms of numbers, even compared to other Familias in Orario.

"Aren't you a little young to take care of an orphanage?" the pink-haired Pallum asked with suspicion, idly playing with the knife of their table, making his bodyguard unconsciously play with her fingers, something that wasn't overlooked by the Pallums companions...and Mia Grand.

"EY! if ye break th' buird yer aff tae pay, if yi'll waant tae rammy, dae it ootdoorsiii!" Mia Grand shouted from the counter, making everyone still a little before they relaxed.

"She means that breaking the table will add to your tab, and to fight outside," a small waitress that made Lelouch inwardly frown at the idea of a child working said to them,

"Through its weird to see Mama Mia speaking with her Dwarven accent unless she is angry" She muttered as she left, Lelouch glanced at a trail of light grey hair before focusing on the girls in front of him, who started eating their own sweets.

No one would dare to cause trouble inside the Hostess of Fertility, that's why he asked them to meet here.

"Hmph" the Pallum girl grudgingly used her knife to cut her apple, she was still holding it like a weapon instead of cutlery while maintaining eye contact, making him smile wryly at that.

Normally he wouldn't be affected by her behavior, however... the pink hair resembled his dead sister's Euphemia too much, even though he managed to talk with her in the World of C and earn her forgiveness, he did not forgive himself.

"I am the owner, not its caretaker, the Goddess of my Familia is the one that takes care of the children for most of the time."

"Britannia, right?" the beauty in kimono asked demurely putting her hands and covering her mouth as she put a 'surprised and worried' expression that send alarm bells to his mind, "and you really think it is alright for someone like her to stay near kids?"

To prove her point, definitely intentionally, said goddess sitting at his left, was eating the dessert the spoon with slow and long licks as she looked at directly into his eyes while...moaning.

He also noticed that the kimono-clad adventurer covered her face with her long sleeve in a very high-class ojou-sama manner, however, he noticed that she was blushing at that.

Huh, so this perverted goddess is not teasing him this time, at least he is not the goal, instead is the kimono-clad beauty that resembles his Kaguya too much, even their names are similar, through with how the Japanese language works, they are not written the same way, this one writes as 'Bright' (輝) + 'Night' (夜), the Vice-Captain of Astraea Familia her strength must be Level Four, minimum.

The Kaguya he knew was 'Shinto Music' (神楽) (kagu) and "Question Mark" (耶) (ya) – through it was hard to not keep seeing the semblances.

"Just the other day she was bragging to our Goddess, Astraea-sama, about how you managed to bring Britannia to her knees with your devious nature, fuck Britannia in the ass with your tactics, of how you destroyed Britannia from the back in the bed, and how- it was wonderful," Kaguya said with a mischievous smile, making his eye twitch.

He was wrong, she was like Milly, acting all prim a proper while doing a lewd joke at his expense...rather, a lot of girls he knew did that.

Yes, being embarrassed and countering it, make everyone else embarrassed as well, he is familiar with this behavior... sadly, the one on his left does that as well.

Ignoring the redhead captain and the blond-haired elf that was stuttering, he just massaged the bridge of his nose as his Goddess acted as expected.

Through instead of upping the sexual innuendos, she did something...different.

"Ah~~" Lelouch was confused for a moment but ate the treat she spoonfeeds him, he learned that if he doesn't she would have her vengeance, in the form of touching his cheek with the spoon or dropping its contents on his clothes, something he did not want right now.

"Kyaa~~"

Unexpectedly, Kaguya showed a large reaction to this scene, with her hands clasping her cheeks together.

A romantic, huh.

"These rumors are a misunderstanding, Gojouno-san, Britannia doesn't speak in third person, and Britannia is also the name of the place where I am from, one where I didn't part in good ways."

The woman from 'local Japan' or Eastern Asia equivalent just nodded and did not ask questions – seems like she has tact, making her impression of her increase a lot.

"Onii-san, are you from the Far East?" she asked suddenly "Gojouno is my surname."

Ah. So that's the mistake.

Family name first, first name last – something that only happens in the Far East culture.

"No, but I can say I have experiences with the culture, but I was never there. I do know how to make some of the foods."

"Oh? Really? That's sometimes harder than knowing the language..." she muttered "It's been a long time ever since I ate real food. What a girl needs to do to have some good time"

She asked flirtatiously, but Lelouch only sighed.

"I can make some of the simpler foods as long I have the ingredients and tools, such as Takoyaki, Yakisoba, and Ramen." These were the foods Nunnally liked the most, so obviously, he needed to know how to make them.

"Kaiseki, or... Nantaimori"

Lelouch coughed, and looked at the girl that had an impish expression, and looking at him like a delicious meal.

The worst thing is: when Kallen asked for him to do it on her birthday he accepted without much fanfare, the year he governed as the Demon Emperor was filled with all forms of indecency.

Naked body sushi was often mentioned by Tamaki, and seeing Kallen doing it for him sounded...amazing.

Only, he did not realize that 'Nyo' was for the female body, and 'Nan' was for the male body, so when C.C. appeared and stripped him down and placed lots of sushi for him, he was obviously surprised and embarrassed.

"Oh! We should make it, Lelouch! Or if you prefer, Nyotaimori where I became naked!" Britannia loudly proclaimed, making this situation even worse.

Ignoring the gazes directed at him, he glared at the girl.

"I see that you were lying~~," Kaguya said with a smug tone "Wakamezake is only performed by the high Royal Court of the Far East, that's not something a nobody can experience or even know and let us not speak of kaiseki."

"I can know of Food Play without experiencing it, and Kaiseki is a traditional multi-course dinner" he replied diplomatically "And I never said I am a nobody."

"Heh, I think we both know you aren't simple, Lelouch-sama." She smiled widely "normally when a beautiful girl calls them with -sama suffix they show some change, but you...are used to it, right? being called a nobody irked you, your eyes betrayed you!"

Lelouch's eye twitched, he forgot that this is a place where things like 'Killing Intent' existed.

"Are you sure you are not from an ancient and noble family that runs a nation from the shadows, with a bunch of senile old men as the heads?" he said with a sigh, this girl, she really resembles Kaguya Sumeragi.

"Tsk." She said, making him smile "I don't know what you are talking about, if I was someone like that, Astraea-sama would never accept me with her righteous personality and divinity that can judge someone with her mere gaze."

Such acute political, instantly realizing that talking about their past on the table and politics could influence how people view Astraea and Astraea Familia.

"Are you sure your surname isn't Sumeragi?"

"Of course not! One is Gojouno Kaguya, my nickname is Bellflower of Great Harmony showing how graceful and ladylike I am" Kaguya said with a smirk "Do not forget that Lelouch Lamperouge."

"Yamato Rindou huh...but it could also be read as Dragon of Yamato, and..." he said with a smile, making the girl's eye twitch, a Dragon is a powerful creature, but has nothing to do with grace after all "...And this isn't an Orphanage, but a Combat School, I hired several ex-adventurers as combat instructors, Britannia teaches them how to read and write in Koine since as a Goddess she can understand all forms of language, though now I am employing some other Gods and Goddess that want to support their small Familia – in exchange of their service, their Familia Members can learn from here for free."

And it was a wonderful system.

Fertility Gods pay in foodstuff, Gods of knowledge want to be teachers, and War Gods want to be combat instructors – Lage and Medium Familia definitely look down on this but is a good deal for Small Familia or those Gods without Children.

"Gods make a contract with the Guild, allowing them to pay only when one of their Children reaches Level Two, with half of their overhaul directly from the Guild Exchange Counter till their debts and fees are paid – that's where the problem came from, the simpler Adventurers don't even know how to read and write, let alone understand how a bank and contract works." He said nodding to Kaguya.

"I see, so that's why you contracted our Familia, as the Goddess of Justice, Astraea-sama also aids to solve conflicts between two Familia." The Captain, the redhead called Alise spoke, eager to have the new topic it seems.

"Indeed, we are having problems with Gods and Adventurers that do not want to pay, and...of Climbers," Lelouch said with some disdain, one that the girls mirrored.

Climbers are a term of Adventurers that enter Small Familia and jump to Medium or High as soon as they can. It made him recall the traitorous Black Knights.

"But isn't the name of your organization Blackguard Order?" the Pallum whose name he didn't know spoke, surprising him with the intensity of her voice this time, and from the way she intoned blackguard, he guesses that loyalty is important to her.

"I am not expecting them to be loyal, this is a School, not a...what they are called here, a Sect, or Institution, we train orphans and newbies to fight and return from the Dungeon, many enter in hopes of catching the eye of Large and Medium Familia, as will leave as soon as possible – while I don't really care about them afterward, the fact that they think they can leave their debit behind disgusts me, all debts must be paid, be it the good, or the bad." Lelouch proclaimed.

"I see, and I expect that such things are in the contract, but the Guild cannot enforce it on Large Guilds, something that Astraea Family can, and will do it," Kaguya said with a glint, she is sharp, this girl. "However, the price you are paying us for acting as mediator will surely be many times higher than the ones you will gain from enforcing the contract, or simply ignoring it."

"It's not about Money," Britannia said from his left, she was smirking from ear to ear, probably a reference of something he didn't know – she does that a lot, sometimes speaking phrases that sound cool "It is about sending a message."

She puffed her chest and laughed, and with a nod to herself continued eating the pie in front of her.

"..."

"Well, she is not wrong, even though I think she said that for different reasons," Lelouch said with a sigh "No trainee entered Level Two or was recruited by a Large Familia, so the guild can enforce it, however, I want the Astraea Family to do it to show that the contract is legit and fair and that I can and will enforce it – instead of paying to mediate, is more like I am paying to borrow the name of your Familia."

"Hmm... Astraea-sama must see the contract, but if everything is right, we can act as mediators to everyone, through" the captain narrowed her eyes "Astraea is the Goddess of Justice, and this can, and will, apply for you in case you cross the line."

"I know, but that's exactly why I want to contract your Familia." Lelouch smiled "You won't find anything wrong with me."

Alise and the Elf whose name he didn't know nodded, however Kaguya and the pink-haired Pallum narrowed their eyes.

As expected, they saw through his half-truths. He didn't say that he is not hiding anything, just that they won't find it. But it does not matter, they truly will not find anything wrong with him, Lelouch Lamperouge is legit, borderline Philanthropist, if wasn't the fact that he is ruthless on ensuring punishments and crimes around... his territory, he would appear to be one, is rare, all for their goal of ensuring the protection of his Blackguard Order, of course.

Weirdly, not not, him running some sort of Yakuza-slash-Gang-slash-Syndicate resemble more running an Empire rather than running the Order of Black Knights, and perhaps the United Federation of Nations.

"We will see," the Pallum said, Lelouch just smiled. It is indeed weird being the Noble with underground dealings this time, though not as weird as becoming the Emperor of Britannia after being 'killed' as Zero.

"Dear customers, would you like to order?" said someone from behind him, and instantly his bodyguard moved.

One part of his mind noticed that, unlike other high-leveled Adventurers, his bodyguard didn't break the ground or leave a gust of wind as she moved, a sign of high Utility stat that can control Speed stat and Attack stat to perfection.

The other parts were doing their best to hold any and all reaction as his bodyguard raised her fists and looked at the waitress, a new one, probably employed today.

"Rollo, I didn't know you retired from your old job." His bodyguard said and Lelouch used this chance to appraise the newcomer, and probably an assassin.

'Nickname: Rollo(Ro + Ro / ロロ). True Name: Unknown. She is an assassin that takes requests to kill up to Level Four targets, and as long is not protected by First Class Adventurers, yet her price range is low enough that even Level Three Assassins are paid higher. I wanted to recruit her, but she doesn't accept nobles' money, and is generally employed by families that suffered under the hands of nobles and or Adventurers.'

"Faust. Left your bounty-hunter job to suck it up to trafficking noble?" the Assassin said with a snarl as she grasped a long knife that gleamed under the light.

Oh? Someone is badmouthing him? He didn't know there are rumors of such nature in the underworld, better deal with it fast before more 'heroes of justice' try to fight him.

The atmosphere was thick, yet Lelouch simply drank ale – shame that this place did not serve tea.

"Chloe! Go back to yooehr job!" Mia Grand roared from the kitchen, making the adventurer jump in the air with her tail and ears straight.

"Y-yes! Mamma Mia!" she said as she rushed away.

Huh, like a scared cat.

Part of him wanted to simply kill this assassin, however, her nickname caught him off guard.

An assassin called Rollo (ロロ) – the coincidence made him recall the one he hated and loved like a brother.

'Acting through my emotions...not fitting for a former Demon Emperor, or maybe, because of it? I started the rebellion because of emotions, of both love and hate, instead of rationality.'

And it is not like he could kill her as long she was employed by Mia Grand, a Level Six Adventurer – however, this is also the solution to his problems.

After everyone calmed down, he looked at his guests.

"So, you see, these are one of the reasons I want to employ your Familia, my actions stepped on many toes of Nobles and rich Merchants whose hands reach the more lawless area such as the Daedalus district, maybe even Evilus" That was an exaggeration, the chances existed, true, but they were minimal.

They did have cahoots with Evilus, however, they were probably one of the middlemen of this large organization, but that means nothing and proved nothing. When he was Zero, he used several routes and middlemen to hide his operations' main base, even Britannia and OSI couldn't find him, at least till he was captured and his memories...

Anyway, they were probably middlemen, like how a stall that sells food to a myriad of customers, gangs are generally allowed to exist because of that.

"Evilus?" the Elf that remained quiet till now spoke, surprising him.

"It is farfetched, if know, but I forbid the selling and buying of many drugs and the prostitution of minors in my territory," eyebrows were raised at that since those that call Territory are generally gangs, and here he is admitting he is one of the underground rulers, "and Daedalus Street is a perfect place for smugglers of goods, such as people, through the sewers, me creating a territory right in the main entrance made these smugglings bothersome enough to use violence and bribes to send me away"

It was true, however, these smugglings were made by some small gangs here and there, and some smaller Familia An organization as big as Evilus through should have their own channels instead of relying on the sewers or aboveground.

"I see" the elf nodded and said no more.

Lelouch smiled, and internally he was excited, Astraea Familia would remove those gangsters and perhaps small Familia, catching attention and beating the bush, while he would wait for the side.

Then kill all the remaining, and make it look like an internal gang war.

That's an oversimplification, obviously, but he could push things forward and claim further promote his aboveground business, even open that Pizzeria and other money-laundering methods.

'Lelouch Lamperouge' would then say that the life of an adventurer isn't fit for him and start generating money and semi-retire, creating an alibi for Zero who would start delving into the Dungeon as an apparent Level Two.

The Magic Stones would be used to empower the facilities, and the Drops would be stored for when his Wives return or like long-term stable wealth or sold to the small Familia here that have aspiring crafters in their midst.

The paperwork would be a pain, but nothing compared to running an Empire or a Revolution, and that was before the Serum.

Even if Astraea Familia does not accept he can do that, though it will take more time, and... his contacts in the underworld told him that some things were moving, buying all Magic Crystals in the black market, together with weapons and poisons, and ingredients he recognized as one used to make Cursed Bait.

It would make the underworld calm down and hinder their plans while giving him for him to grow in strength – and even if people discover that this was incited by him, this would only serve to increase the positive feelings he receives from the populace, strengthening his (Man of Miracles [Zero]) Skill passive effect.

It was perfect.

Author's Notes:

This was supposed to be the second part of the Two-shot, but as I was writing... I found out that I could only put so much in less than 40 pages, so I decided to make it a short story, and this one would be 'Year One – Adjustment', and I would realize another being 'Year Two – Underground' where Lelouch would make the pizza and get in contact with Artemis and shit.

...and yeah.

I have written too much, and I felt it was a shame to simply cut some parts, so I cut this 'Year One' chapter into two parts, and now the previous 'Insert Off-chapter battle scene here' are proper battle scenes.

And plenty of info dump because... I don't know, I have a bad habit of doing that, err... treat it as Worldbuilding.

That's because I don't know how to use Lampshade right and I have to close every plot hole with an info dump.

Part Two is complete, but now I am adding some battle scenes that were previous off-screen, I do want to post the rest this year still, through the next feel days will be busy for me.

i Lelouch's Wedding Clothes that he appears on the Guild are based on 'Lelouch Resurrection Outfit' that he uses in the after-credits of the Lelouch Resurrection Movie.

ii The Ornamental Sword described is the 'Sword of Emperor Lelouch' that he uses for dramatics, and then, be killed by it.

iii"Ey! If you breath something you will have to pay, if you want to fight, do it outside!" I used an online translator to imitate Dwarf-speech. Originally it would appear that Mama Mia start to speak with less...accent as the years passes.