"Lelouch"-Speech

'What'-Thoughts

"{Live}"-Geass Command

"Stop"-Loudspeaker

"Report"-Radio

Chapter 31: Return to Japan

Ashford Academy, 8:51 P.M.

Cornelia li Britannia

C.C. stood in front of her, eyes widened in shock. Cornelia had just given C.C. her ultimatum. If, by the end of the rebellion, C.C. still wants to kill herself, she would take her Code.

'If I must be the one who takes on Lelouch's burden,' Cornelia thought darkly, 'Then I shall do so gladly.'

C.C. narrowed her eyes. "You? Want to make a contract?"

"Is that so unbelievable?"

"Considering you love your siblings just as much as Lelouch does, yes. I doubt that you would be willing to take on that same burden."

"Consider this: Lelouch would find it a loss if you were to leave us, but he wouldn't put every effort into finding you. He'd be concerned, but he'd also know that he has a rebellion to run. Me, on the other hand, I do not wish to lose an ally if it isn't necessary."

"Hmph, so I'm just an asset to you."

"Don't twist my words, witch. You know what I mean. Now, we can discuss the finer points all day, but, at the end of it, Lelouch is unlikely to accept your Code, and you will then leave us. I am offering to take your Code, so long as you adhere to certain conditions."

"Such as staying and waiting until you and Lelouch complete your mission."

"Until we finish our rebellion, yes."

"And what if you die before your rebellion can succeed?"

"A genuine obstacle, just as much an obstacle as giving you a reason to live. I shall take both challenges in stride."

C.C. narrowed her eyes, her right hand slightly twitching. Cornelia made a very good point. They should've died several times by now, yet they stubbornly refuse to do so. C.C. raised her hand, mere inches from Cornelia's.

"But…" Cornelia moved her hand away from C.C.'s, but still outstretched.

"I knew it wouldn't be so easy."

"Easy? Never. However, this has just occurred to me. Your connection to your other Contractors. You said you can communicate with them under specific circumstances."

"Yes."

"If we accept this deal, I want to know that there'll be no betrayals, nothing that compromises the objectives that Lelouch wants."

"Lelouch? Not yours?"

"While Lelouch's goals may align with my own, that doesn't mean they are the same. After all, I do not intend to tell Lelouch that I have acquired a Geass. Not yet, at least."

C.C. merely raised an eyebrow.

"If I tell Lelouch, then he'll want to know why, and any reason I give, he'll immediately know I'm lying. I don't want him to know of our deal."

"Like how Lelouch hid his deal with Selene?" C.C. smirked.

"His deal put his sisters at risk. I'm only putting myself at risk here. Regardless, I want to have faith that you will not go against Lelouch. So…you will sever any and all connections to your Contractors, with the exceptions of Lelouch and I."

If C.C. was surprised, she didn't show it. For nearly twenty seconds, neither made a move. Cornelia wanted C.C. to make the decision herself, but she wasn't afraid to put her down and throw her in a cell if she refused the deal. She may be…she wants to say 'friends'...with Marianne, but she didn't know where Marianne stood in all this. Not anymore.

C.C. then raised her hand and, just before touching Cornelia's, she spoke.

"Are you prepared for this?"

'Interesting word choice.' "The question, really, is are you ready to commit?"

C.C. merely gripped Cornelia's hand, then everything went white. Cornelia was floating in a black void. Dark red tendrils, almost like electricity, spiraled around her and from her body. Then, she was sent flying, through…something. The best she could surmise is that it was a tunnel of sorts, with what she assumed was blood veins, but, upon quick inspection, looked more like the veins of a neural network.

'Is this what Lelouch saw?!' Cornelia thought nervously as everything went white once more. She saw two black spheres, and a sun rising from the top one. As it began clearing, it showed the orbs were actually planets, though their architecture was alien to her.

"Be warned," C.C.'s voice called out, seemingly everywhere and nowhere, "This power will make you inhuman to all around you. Upon accepting this gift, you will also accept its conditions, and grant me my wish." Cornelia was once more back in the tunnel, now seeing what she assumed were stars fast approaching her. "The Power of the King will isolate you, forever. This is your last chance. Do you accept this power?"

Cornelia's eyes widened in fear at her surroundings, but, as she passed by the stars, a single memory played back to her. The moment she stood between Charles and Euphie. It gave her clarity, as she was reminded of her resolve for her siblings "You know my answer. I accept your contract!"

Everything turned white once more, as Cornelia was brought back to the Ashford rooftop. C.C. stood in front of her, an eyebrow raised, but her smugness remained. Cornelia pulled out her phone, then looked at the reflective surface. Her normally purple left eye was now a tinge of pink, and, around the pupil, was the familiar red crane of the Geass symbol.

"Congratulations. Our Contract has been formed."

"And~" Cornelia began, but then felt like she was about to pass out. He placed her hand on the parapet.

"I'd be careful. First time is always a bit disorienting."

"I don't recall Lelouch having issues."

"Well, adrenaline can certainly help, and he had plenty of it with a dozen men about to shoot him."

Cornelia shook her head. She could feel the Geass, and it felt…alien, to her. Like nothing she could describe.

"What is my Geass?"

"That I do not know. You must discover that yourself."

Cornelia turned to C.C., Geass still active, and looked around.

'Nothing appears different. I don't feel any different.' Cornelia at C.C. noticing her hair was blowing in the wind. 'Wait. Why can't I feel the wind? Come to think of it, I distinctly remember it being cold up here, but I don't feel the cold.' Cornelia looked at her arms, not noticing anything of usual.

"Something wrong." C.C. stated as opposed to asking, as she guessed that Cornelia was confused.

"Was I that obvious? I can't feel anything?"

"Anything?"

"Nothing."

"Hmm, it seems one of the effects of your Geass may be cutting off of outside senses, such as feeling the wind. However, we don't know what other factors there are."

"So I'm just going to experiment until I know what I have?"

"Is that too hard of a challenge?"

"Please. I was able to handle Nonette's antics back in Britannia. This won't take long. However, you need to keep your end of the bargain now."

C.C. stared at her, then placed a hand to her forehead. The Code symbol glowed red, and C.C. closed her eyes. After a moment, the sigil returned to its natural color, the hair obscuring it. C.C. looked light headed, and leaned against the parapet.

"It's done?"

"Yes? Anything more you have need for me, Witch?"

"Hmph, if anyone deserves that title, it might be you. But I have no further questions."

"Good, because I'd like you to answer something…You knew it was Marianne?"

'It seems C.C. looked into my memories.' "Yes."

"Do you intend to tell Lelouch?"

Cornelia put a hand on the parapet, but kept her gaze on C.C.. "No. Not right now, at least."

C.C. raised her eyebrows, "And your reasoning?"

"Lelouch already has to deal with this rebellion. To learn that his mother has been alive for all these years, and not once did she come to us. How do you think he'll react? Finding Marianne's killers is one of the core reasons Lelouch and I started the Black Knights. No, he cannot be told, not until we are in a position of strength."

"Hmm. Given how much you respected Marianne, I'm surprised you didn't even consider giving an olive branch."

"Seven years…Whatever Marianne is doing, it constitutes letting her children believe she was dead for seven years, and leaving them in a warzone. I need to know what she's doing."

"And you expect me to answer those questions."

"Actually, no."

C.C. widened her eyes in shock.

"Whatever deal you made with Marianne, it clearly is still in effect. You may have severed the connection, but I highly doubt you haven't thrown Marianne off the table. As such, I'll simply find out myself what she's doing. If you decide to play coy with me, I'll simply work with it."

"So, your plan is to simply go on like nothing happened, and hope that you discover what Marianne's plan is?"

"No. I fully expect the answers to come to me as Lelouch drives Britannia up the wall."

C.C. smirked. "Interesting. Maybe you will prove to be entertaining, after all."

"And that would mean?"

C.C. merely turned around. "Perhaps I'll let you figure it out."

Cornelia merely glared at C.C. as she left the rooftop. She looked over the parapet, looking over the school grounds.

'I now have a Geass, I know Marianne's alive, and I might end up killing C.C. when this rebellion's over…And I don't intend to tell Lelouch, or anyone, of this.'

"Dear god," Cornelia deadpanned, "I'm turning into Lelouch."

She didn't know which hell was worse. Dealing with C.C. more closely, or turning into her brother.

September 27, Unknown Location, Unknown Time

Charles zi Britannia

"She did what?" Charles exclaimed to what appeared to be a young girl with pink hair and red eyes. Anya Alstreim, the current Knight of Six.

"I'm telling you," Anya replied, her voice mixed with the voice of Marianne vi Britannia, "That C.C. has just severed the connection with me. I can no longer contact her."

"Why would she do that?"

"I don't know. I felt her begin the severing process and, when I tried to contact her, she refused to respond. However, she felt…regret. Almost like she didn't want to do it."

Charles turned, contemplating what he was told.

'Is she abandoning Ragnarok?'

"Charles…This might not be good. Do you think that Lelouch and Cornelia discovered C.C. was talking to me."

"That…is a possibility. Highly likely, too. If discovered, they'd likely want her to sever all connections, in an effort to maintain her loyalty."

"Then does that mean that they know I'm alive."

Charles shook his head. "No. It's likely that they only know that she was talking to someone. If they discovered it was you, they'd likely want to keep the connection intact, so that they might talk to you."

"I don't know," Anya/Marianne crossed her arms under her chest, "Nelly can be extremely paranoid when it comes to her siblings, especially Euphy."

"Yes, but remember that she was the captain of your guard for a reason."

"True."

"But, how do you wish to proceed, dear?"

Bringing a hand to her chin, Anya/Marianne took a moment to contemplate. "The destruction of the Thought Elevator alone wouldn't be enough, but her severing the connection? It does warrant concern. However, I have faith in C.C.. What is it the Europeans say? First time it's happenstance, second time it's coincidence, but third time is enemy action?"

"So you intend to wait, and, if C.C. does something that puts doubt on her again…?"

"Then we'll have no choice but to respond. Make sure your tramp of a brother doesn't do something egregious until then, okay dear?"

September 29th, The Nest, 11:09 A.M.

Zero

"Welcome back, Zero." Ohgi said as Zero stepped off the truck in the Staging Area. After he left Tsar Taigun no's main base of operations, it took three whole days to safely make it back to Japan undetected. Without a safe way to communicate between them and the Nest, the Black Knights would use their northernmost outpost as their comm line, and will bounce off the Ikaruga to the Russian base. For now, General Zhokov was to be on standby until further notice. Tohdoh, with Chiba and Asahina standing behind him, and Ohgi were waiting for them when they got back, but Celaeno was surprisingly absent.

"It's good to be back, Ohgi. How have things been while we were gone?"

"Are you leaving an open toolbox out here!?" Robbinson exclaimed, which prompted three idle workers to jump in shock, close said toolbox, then, for no outward reason, of course, leave the area. "I leave for three days, and you guys think it's a vacation."

"I doubt an open toolbox warranted that reaction," Tohdohinterected, "When they spent the past hour tuning the Sutherland."

"Oh, I agree," Robbinson happily retorted, "But it keeps them on their toes."

The group started walking, leaving Robbinson to work in the Staging Area.

"Well," Ohgi continued, "So far, our relief supplies have been reduced by fifty percent during the time you were gone, thirty percent in the past day alone."

"The Britannians are starting to tighten restrictions," Tohdoh added, "They know the relief supplies from the B.R.O. are from us, and they've grown tired of letting it go unchecked."

"Unfortunate, but not surprising," Zero replied, "We knew they'd eventually do this. Estimates on how long before complete haltage?"

"We're still guessing, but, currently, we're looking at a week before they're stopped completely."

"Best or worst?"

"At worst."

"Very well. Anything else."

"Yes. Reports say the Black King is on the move."

Zero halted in his steps. The Black King was the moniker given to the crime lord of Japan. He first cropped up two years after the fall of Japan, and is now the 'ruler' of Japan's criminal underworld. It's unfortunate, but, early on in the construction of the Nest, they had to…procure materials from the Black King, something that wasn't cheap, including some of the turrets that protected the Nest. However, after such time, it was unlikely that the Black King remembers who he sold them to.

"I need details, Ohgi."

"Right. All we know is that his people are doing something here in Japan, specifically the industrial section."

"That bastard," Asahina commented, "He's tainted our people for too long."

"Calm yourself, Captain," Tohdoh retorted, "I agree with your sentiment, but we can't rush in."

"Unfortunately," Zero added, "We won't be able to act upon it without further intel. Any good news?"

"GAH!" Chiba cried out in pain, which prompted everyone to turn. On her heel was~

"Arthur?" Zero exclaimed in confusion. Arthur was currently biting down on Chiba's heel, said woman raising heel and staring in anger at the cat.

"You know this cat?" Tohdoh questioned, "He's been around the base for the past few days."

"He's Euphie Levett's cat. How he got down here, though, I don't know?"

"Sir," Ohgi replied, "Given where we are located, are there vents that lead down into the Nest?"

"There are," Zero leaned down to Arthur's level, "And they're just large enough for a certain pest to climb through."

Despite biting into Chiba's heel, Arthur had the gall to smile. Well, as much as a cat could smile. Zero chuckled as he grabbed Arthur, who retracted his teeth from Chiba.

"Thank you, Sir. This is the second time he's done that."

"Imagine trying to live with him. How Euphie does it, I'll never know."

"MEOW." Arthur replied, running across Zero's arm, and wrapping himself behind Zero's shoulders.

"But, you were saying, Ohgi."

"Right. Tolia and Talio may have found a way to implement the Web of Shadows."

"That is good news. When can they install it?"

"That's the thing. They'll need something called the 'Ganymede'?"

'My mother's Knightmare frame?' "What for?"

"They explained that, since more advanced Knightmares only made it worse, maybe using an older one might yield better results. Once they confirm it can work on a Knightmare~"

"They'll upgrade it from there. It'll have to wait until Friday."

"Why?" Tohdoh questioned.

"Because the Ganymede is in the care of the Ashford Family, who are planning to use it tomorrow for their yearly Ashford School Festival."

"Can't we get them to give it to us?"

"Not when it comes to Millicent Ashford. When she wants something, you'd have an easier time trying to take down a Knight of the Round."

"What does she want with it?"

Zero slumped his shoulders. "Pizza."

All four stopped in their tracks and turned to Zero. "What?" Asahina deadpanned.

"She wants to, and I quote, make the world's largest pizza."

"She intends to use a Knightmare," Tohdoh questioned, "To make a pizza?"

"Believe me, that's not the most unusual event she hosted."

"What could be more insane than using a Knightmare to make pizza?!" Chiba demanded.

"...Cross-dressing balls, swimwear events, more recently the 'Cat Induction Ceremony', do I need to go on?"

"Just how insane is this Britannian?" Asahina inquired in fear.

"As Euphie has said, she is as eccentric as a Knightmare is metallic."

'Though, seeing everyone dogpile on Cornelia to get her in a cat costume will always be one of my most treasured memories at Ashford.' "Is that all?"

"That should be, Zero."

"Good. Bring in the others, especially the Twins and Rakshata. They'll want to hear about what we discovered."

Twenty minutes later, the Dark Council, minus Euphie and Milly, along with Rakshata, were inside Zero's office, who explained what he discovered in the Russian Republic.

"Wooo!" Tamaki cheered, "Man, when the Russians decide to join the party, those Brits won't know what hit them!"

"Let's not get overzealous, Tamaki," Ohgi retorted, "From what you say, Zero, it seems that Russia may not be able to help us."

"If my concerns are validated, they may end up having to deal with an uprising from Britannian sympathizers."

"That doesn't make sense," Tamaki cried out, "What Russians would possibly sympathize with the Britannians."

"Likely the descendants of Russian nobility."

"Wait," Inoue exclaimed, "I'm not sure I understand. Doesn't Russia have its own nobles, even today."

"Yes and no, Inoue. During the French Revolution, the ideals of the Revolution spread like a wildfire. After Britannia lost the war against France, forcing them to flee to America, Napoleon Bonaparte attempted to become de facto leader of France, but was captured and swiftly executed. Afterwards, a group of conspirators, the Les Couteaux Noirs, or The Black Knives, I believe, led by Jean-Paul Marat, orchestrated many uprisings in neighboring countries. The only one to defend itself from this was Russia, and only because they were amongst the last countries targeted by the group."

"Quick correction," C.C. interjected, "They were called, Les Lames Noires, The Black Blades. Though, I am surprised that you know that Marat was the leader."

"I use 'leading' loosely, as he mainly conducted the group from his personal home in Paris."

"Why?" Tamaki questioned.

"It has no merits on the discussion, so do a little research if you're interested. Back to Russia, while many of Russia's current nobility fled to Alaska, at the time a Russian colony, the royal family decided to barter with. While the rest of Europe fell to uprisings, Russia negotiated, in secret, with the French. By the time the revolution reached Russia, the deals were already made. The Russian Royal family would be reduced to a mere figurehead family, with a Parliament maintaining rule of the country. However, this played into the royal family's hands. While they had lost power in the government, their prestige to the people did not falter. It only took a hundred years, but they slowly reworked the system to bring back nobles, with wealthy business owners becoming the new nobles. Today, there are several noble families, but their lines only begin just over a century ago."

"What happened to the nobles who fled?" Sugiyama inquired.

"Eventually absorbed into the Britannian nobility. However, I can imagine that the descendants of those nobles are waiting for any excuse to launch an invasion of Russia, retaking their homelands."

Kallen scoffed, "Bastards."

"Quite. Now, back on topic."

"Finally," Rakshata sighed, "Was wondering how long it would take before we could discuss that. Have to say, this material conversion device is certainly interesting. Taking atoms and rewriting them on a subatomic level. I'm surprised the base wasn't discovered when something went wrong in the testing stages and they blew it sky high."

"Considering it happened by accident," Celaeno retorted, "They got extremely lucky."

"Yep, yep, yep!" Tolia exclaimed, "The thing is certainly a battlefield game changer. An instant air force, and a constantly adapting AI!? Honestly glad they decided to scrap the AI-only pilot idea. Don't want to deal with that!"

"Yes, but," Talio retorted, "It's also a massive target. Wherever it's deployed, we have to make sure it can't be hampered by Knightmares or Anti-Air defences. This thing was designed to face Glasgows, remember."

"Very true, Talio," Zero agreed, "This vessel is two generations late, but don't discount the effect it can have. The sheer size alone would make the average soldier take a step back."

"So," Kallen commented, "How long before we can get into a full rebellion? Our raids are certainly helping, but~"

"It's hard to determine. We need to reach a breaking point. If we launched a rebellion now, there would certainly be some Japanese that wish to help us. However, it wouldn't be as large as it needs to be. There needs to be such an uprising that, when we make our move on Tokyo, Britannia cannot call for reinforcements from the surrounding areas."

Several of the Dark Council exclaimed at the idea of attacking Tokyo first.

"Tokyo is the center of Britannia operations here in Japan, and the Viceroy Palace is one of the most heavily defended places here. Taking it down first, before they have a chance to dig in, will give us the greatest chance of taking Japan before an effective response can arrive from the Britannian Homeland."

"Damn," Tamaki commented, rubbing the back of his head, "We're really going for gold, aren't we?"

"Celaeno, can you coordinate with Diethard and Tohdoh about which locations would be best to target? Compare it to our group's previous ideas, and see if they work."

"That can easily be arranged."

"Now, I do believe that's it for this meeting. Kallen's school will be having its yearly festival this Thursday. It's the only time of the year where Ashford is consistently open to the public. If you wish to participate, I will not hold it against you. Just be on alert. Ashford may not care if you're Japanese during today, but authorities, if they have your name and face on record, may get involved."

After several affirmatives, Celaeno pulled out a black watch, with a red lotus inside the glass case.

"Kallen," Celaeno commented, tossing the watch to her, "Figured it was about time you got your own."

"Finally! Was getting tired of having to wait until one of you wanted to enter the Nest."

"You're all dismissed."

As the Black Knights began filing out of the office, C.C. approached Celaeno.

"When will be a good time." C.C. asked her.

"There's something I need to finish here. Maybe an hour."

"Fine. By the way, when will I get a watch?"

"When I can figure out a design for it that either doesn't have pizza on it."

C.C. pouted, then walked out of the office.

"What does she want?" Zero questioned.

"Only minor concerns, not worth a second thought."

"When it comes to C.C., minor isn't possible."

"True. Mainly it concerned what conditions the person needs to be in to be able to communicate with her."

"Oh?"

"However, I doubt you'd want to be in a coma."

"Fair enough. Is there something you want to discuss?"

"Yes. It concerns Milly's parents."

September 29th, Ashford Academy, 7:52 A.M.

Lelouch

Lelouch looked over from the parapet of the Lamperouge manor, seeing the festivities propped up. In two hours, the Ashford School Festival will begin. People from all over Tokyo will come. Before, he and his sisters had to either remain indoors, or take roles that kept them as far from the open as possible, due to Clovis's photogenic memory. However, now they'd be able to enjoy it much more openly.

'Schneizel may be clever, but I doubt he'd remember exactly what we looked like, or that we'd hide with the Ashfords. He may give this festival a passing glance, but nothing more.'

"Your Highness," a voice called out from behind him, "Everything is in place."

Lelouch turned, seeing Jeremiah approaching.

"Any suspicions from my brothers?"

"None. Lord Ashford gave a complimentary call to the Viceroy, so as to ensure that they don't look too deeply into Ashford's faculty."

"Clever. I wish I had thought of that."

"And…what of Lady Lanicros and Lord Ashford's son?"

Lelouch frowned, his eyes narrowing in anger. When he heard of Selene's murder attempt, he was honestly surprised that she would do something even more idiotic, even when the only thing that required her to get back into nobility would be patience. However, Reuben's reveal of having bought all of Selene's contacts was certainly a surprise. So, he simply Geassed them to be compliant to Reuben's orders. "Those two have been thoroughly disposed of. By the end of the day they'll be on their way to the Philippines, and out of our hair."

"Are you not afraid that they'll try something once they get there?"

"No. His orders were to take no actions that, from their perspective, would endanger me or my siblings. Selene is at least smart enough to know that we would be in more danger if she revealed us, so she'll never make a move against me. Now, perhaps, down the line, she'll find a loophole, but that will likely be circumstantial."

"Of course, your Highness."

"As I've told you before, Jeremiah, I'm no longer a Prince."

"Even so, you shall always be my Lord."

Lelouch rolled his eyes. "Speaking of royalty, how did my dear sisters respond to your arrival?"

"Cornelia was the first, and was certainly surprised at my arrival. She half expected you to keep me in the military as a spy."

"Given how much ruckus you caused with the fake spy~"

"Which I apologize for."

"It would be more of a hassle to keep you there than to simply transfer you to Ashford."

"Speaking of which, I've noticed that Cornelia has been with a green haired woman recently."

"C.C.. She's the one who gave me this Geass. Strange…why would she be with C.C. all of a sudden."

'These past few weeks C.C. had been distancing herself. I was almost concerned that C.C. was preparing to leave. Now, in the past twenty twenty four hours, she's interacted with Cornelia alone more than the entire time she's been here.'

"Do you think that C.C. has given her a Geass."

Lelouch's eyebrows raised in curiosity. 'That's a possibility. However, if she did, why didn't she tell me.' "If she has, and has not told me, then there must be a reason. If she hasn't, then her sudden interest in my sister is for another reason. Either way, I don't intend to question further. If she's keeping it quiet, there must be a reason. After all, I kept the deal I made with Selene a secret. It would be hypocritical of me to judge her for doing the same thing."

"But your deal put yourself in danger."

"And I highly doubt that Cornelia, whatever she's doing with C.C. is on that scale. But, back to my sisters."

"Oh! As for Euphemia, she happily greeted me before hugging me."

"Hmph, you were always the kindest to Euphie and Nunnally. Even got Euphie out of an…unfortunately entanglement with Carine. And Nunnally?"

"Her memory is as sharp as ever, as she remembered the incident back in Florida…and Euphie decided to recount it…infront of all your friends."

Both held a moment of silence before shuddering. Milly would surely be making orange related pranks on them for many months to come.

Viceroy Palace

General Bartley

"General Bartley," Prince Pollux exclaimed, "I hope that, whatever it is you wanted, it's important enough to have me reschedule a meeting with Area 18's administration."

"I apologize, your Highness. However, Prince Schneizel has informed me that Lord Jeremiah has been discharged."

"Yes. Due to a mole within our ranks, Zero offered a deal. Remove Lord Jeremiah from the military, and he'd remove the mole. It's unfortunate, but we've had no luck finding the spy, so I had no choice."

"Yes, well, normally I wouldn't have done this, but, with Lord Jeremiah's departure, I figured that you might have need for a replacement."

"Replacement?"

The sound of heavy footsteps came behind Bartley, who continued on.

"We're still working on fine tuning him, but he insisted that field work would get the best results, and he's driven to prove his worth. Especially in Lord Jeremiah's absence."

Knocking was heard at the door, to which Prince Pollux called form them to enter. When the door opened, Prince Pollux's jaw was slightly lower than before, his eyes in shock. The individual was wearing a blue Knightmare body suit reminiscent of the Purebloods. However, there were metal cybernetic parts that seemed to almost crawl around his left eye, extending to the side of his head.

"Experiment 29-01." General Bartley proudly declared. The man in question knelt before the Prince.

"Captain Kewell Soersi, returning to duty, your Highness."

Author's Notes: Getting the story more streamline now. Cornelia has a Geass, but has only discovered a side effect of what it could be. The Ashford School Festival is just on the horizon, and...things will get interesting, as Kewell has returned.

This chapter and the next are going to be much shorter than usual chapters. The reason for this is that I'm trying something different. Before, I eventually got into a structure of making the chapters feel like they were actual episodes that you'd watch if this was a show. However, I'm not sure if that method is working anymore for me. Usually I ended up padding the word count just to make the chapters longer. Hopefully this method might feel better, as it means that chapters from this may come out sooner.

As always, leave a review, fav/follow, and I'll see you all next time.

NEXT UPDATE: SOR: Return Volume 1, AND [REDACTED]