Posting this out of order, since it was originally intended to come before Suzaku's emo chapter XD. Sorry for the lateness.

Chapter 13.207 Faith

"Are you sure about this, Toudou-san? Can we really trust that kid?"

"What're you talking about Chiba? After all the things Zero have done for us in the past, how could we doubt him now after he finally comes clean to us about his true identity? And the kid's gone through enough by himself!"

"Urabe! Shut your trap! Just because it was easy for you to still have faith on that prince, doesn't mean the rest of us are thinking the same thing."

"And didn't you hear what he said earlier? The kid didn't say that he's continuing the fight against Britannia. If I didn't know better, it looks more like he's joining Britannia's side! Isn't that why that Knight of One was by his side?"

"But don't you think it's good? Up until now, Zero had shown that he understood our plight and struggles. Wouldn't having him in Britannia prove advantageous for us?"

"But what about that Geass thing?"

"Toudou-san, what do you think about it? What other things you've talked about with them at the meeting room?"

If he had to be completely honest to himself, he couldn't be sure what to decide. The things that he's heard from Lelouch, as well as that outrageous plan by the Emperor; to be fair... it was not something that he ever expected to happen. All these intrigues and political fighting, it was not something that he understands well. Not to mention that it was something that he's not sure that he was adequate enough to deal with. If it was just to fight battles and defeat his enemies, he could always do that easily. Fighting... as long as he knew what enemy to fight and defeat, was easier.

If Kirihara-sama was still alive, what would he do? That person would have known what to do.

Toudou pressed the side of his head as he started to feel a headache coming. Lelouch vi Britannia. If he recalled right, he remembered the young prince to be such a headstrong kid. Back when the kid and his sister was sent to the Kururugi household. Even with the supposed escorts sent by the Britannia with them, the young prince had resolved to do everything on his own. Without help. As if mistrusting everyone around him, even when those people were from his own. And that includes matters that he didn't think a typical royalty would have wanted to deal by themselves. Hard to forget such things when he used to hear Suzaku talked about the siblings whenever their usual kendo lessons started.

And Toudou still remembered the few times when Suzaku tried to get the young prince to practice alongside him. In which, the effort most likely be in vain. Lelouch had been such a weak-bodied child back then. Such a frail child wouldn't have been able to withstand the harsh training for too long.

Yet now, that same child had been able to raise a personal army that managed to cause Britannia some concern. And at this very moment, even bold enough to try to take control of the very country that once abandoned him and his sister!

Should he really take the risk and place his bets on the boy?

"Could I really trust you again this time?"

He asked that question before, after Ohgi and that other Britannian lady left to make their decision. The kid's answer took him by surprise.

"It's fine if you don't. As long as I had your support and aid, and everyone agreed to follow what I ask you all to do, I'm fine with not being trusted completely. In the end, all that mattered was to achieve the goal."

"Does that goal include Japan's independence?"

Lelouch easily nodded at that.

"Of course. But that should also apply to the rest of the Areas that fell to Britannia's control. In short, a world where my sister could live in without worrying about useless things like titles, rank... even the fight for the throne. As long as I can have that, all is fine by me."

"You said that you're fine about not being trusted, how should that make me feel better? How would I know that this isn't another ploy by your father?"

Lelouch had given him an odd look then.

"That's an interesting scenario, isn't it? Who's to say that my father wasn't manipulating me still at this moment? Even then, what do you have to lose? If we could take the battle away from the people who didn't need to have to deal with it and still get to achieve what we aimed for, would you still grasp onto it?"

Lelouch's words at the time made sense, as much as he hated to admit it. Since it's true. If it was possible for them to continue the fight to free their country without having to involve the innocent Japanese civilians who may get caught in between, wouldn't that be a better option to take?

He thought of the previous things that Zero have done to establish the distinguishing trait that the Order was not just like any other terrorist group. The set of codes that he'd set up, to not just spreading chaos all over the country... but to actually try to make things better for the people of Japan.

"You said that you've never used your power to force people to obey you. Don't tell me to completely buy that kind of bullshit."

"But it's true. Aside from Kallen, whom I wanted to find out her connection with the terrorist she used to be part of, Villetta, who I ordered to turn over her Knightmare to me... as well as Jeremiah, who I used to allow me to safely rescue Suzaku; no other person here has ever been under the control of my Geass. Or do I have to list out to you every single time I've ever used my Geass on others?"

"There was no meaning, to forcefully make people serve you mindlessly. A victory gained from that would just be an empty achievement."

Toudou thought about the sad look the kid wore as he said that. That wasn't the look of someone who would treat the people who followed them as mere pawns. The look that he saw on that kid, made him think of the looks of past great rulers of the past. The look of one who viewed their royal titles and power as a responsibility and a holy burden, not something that should be abused.

Someone like that... even if it was a former royalty from a country that once robbed Japan of its own freedom and authority, should be trustworthy enough in his eyes. Toudou Kyoshiro frowned.

Suppose this means he already had the answer—a proper one—to give to that child.

Part of the exchange in this chapter was originally written for Vero Nihil Verius chapter before it had to be taken out due to it being too long. Well, since it turned out that I only needed to have Ougi to be openly confrontational towards Lulu (in support of Viletta), I might as well move Toudou's part behind closed doors. And it did turn out well. Since I wanted to gain Toudou's trust properly.

And about time I'm including the rest of the Four Holy Knights in this series.