Lelouch stared in the mirror at his outfit, a white military-style long coat adorned with gold accents and intricate embroidery, symbolizing his elevated status as the Emperor. The coat has a high collar, epaulets with a gold shoulder fringe, and a red inner lining. Underneath the coat, Lelouch wears a black, high-collared shirt with gold trimmings, matching white trousers, and black knee-high boots with gold embellishments.

"Lelouch-sama, what do you think?" Reinhard asked

Lelouch smiled, "Reinhard, as I said previously, there is no need for formalities. The Sage Council giving me a week to prepare for the Royal Selection is intriguing."

"I'm sorry I couldn't allow more time for you to prepare, but the fact you already have been preparing makes me feel that finding you was fate."

Lelouch turned around and asked, "What do you define fate as, Reinhard?"

"That's a difficult question to answer. A guiding force that controls our outcome perhaps."

Fate is nothing more than a word we use to explain situations or occasions we cannot explain. You are Reinhard the Sword Saint, so justifying your existence as fate makes sense, but using that word to excuse or accept whatever outcome would be an excuse. We can defy fate if we can. Living itself would be meaningless."

Reinhard looked down, "You may be correct, but it's harder than it seems. Very few people have the qualifications or ability to do so."

"You are similar to me. Manipulated and controlled by the Kingdom to do as your told. For myself, I was neglected, but I only see that as a benefit as the entire Royal family is now dead. When I become King, knights that follow orders blindly or do not question their rule will be stripped of their titles. The corruption and lingering effects of the demi-human war will be resolved, and the Witch Cult will be eradicated. Those are not claims, but what I will do within the two years before the Royal Selection ends."

Reinhard's eyes widened at his words regarding a knight, "Lelouch, what is a knight?"

"A knight serves the people of their nation. One who can make decisions and choices regardless of if it contradicts their orders or not. A knight who blindly follows any order they receive is the catalyst to the justification of the killing of the innocent as the knight can justify their cause as their orders received by the Kingdom." Lelouch paused, "But that is only a small issue in this Kingdom. Neglecting having a King and expecting the subjects of the Kingdom to believe in their nation without having a leader who moves first is why Lugunica is collapsing. Many would say the dragon or yourself is our protection but fail to see the meaning of a nation collapsing. If the subjects are separated to the point they no longer identify themselves with the same ideology, culture, and philosophy that makes the society united, then the nation will fall. I aim to prevent that from occurring now and for the rest of the Kingdom's future."

Reinhard wasn't sure how to respond. He had high hopes for Lelouch but now was confident that he could change the Kingdom as he had failed to do.

A voice ranged, "Lelouch, I did everything you asked. All the villages in the Astrea domain now have homes that are just as you asked."

Lelouch turned and saw Tia looking at him, "You did good, Tia. That will be my first accomplishment, given only a week to prepare. The Spirit of Nature is now restored. However, I do not want the Kingdom to know your ability. Many who would find out would want to use your ability for their own selfish gain."

Tia smiled, "That's why I'm only listening to you. You said you'd not allow anyone to do what happened to me so long ago, and I trust you."

Reinhard asked, "Lelouch, I knew that Tia was a Great Spirit but Spirit of Nature?"

"Tia's old name was Zarestia. She is known as an evil spirit in Kararagi, however. I am only informing you of this, Reinhard. To others, this spirit is nothing more than Lelouch, the fifth Royal Selection candidates spirit. I will not allow anyone, including the Kingdom, to claim her as the nations use the presence of Great Spirits as a military asset."

Reinhard blinked, "I will put my full faith in you. It seems you have a talent for defying fate already."

"I forgot to mention I would like to help your father to restore the Astrea domain completely as he is the Lord for this area, and Tia already has found something strange regarding Lousana's condition."

"Lelouch, I don't know how to respond. I never asked or implied you to do anything for the Astra domain, but what do you mean by the strange condition?" Reinhard asked worriedly.

Tia explained, "An illness does not cause her suspended animation state. Her body is being maintained in a suspended state, not aging either. The only guess I have is either a witch was responsible, or it was a failed soul ritual. Humans are so disgusting."

Lelouch sighed, "Any ideas on how to cure it?"

"Lelouch, I am the Spirit of Nature. I would infuse healing magic around her, and the soul or whatever spell was inflicted would reverse in time. But it will take time, probably a month at least. But more importantly, I would suggest finding whoever was responsible for doing it. Unlike what most people believe, thousands of years ago, humans were more accustomed to magic than in the current time. Back then, there were no Divine Protections, so humans had to rely on magic alone to deal with Witch and their own conflicts."

Lelouch smiled, "You'll have to speak to Heinkel, and I'd need Reinhard's permission before you start the restoration process. Tia Heinkel may be rude, but his wife was in that state, and it seems that someone was responsible for putting her in that condition now."

Reinhard stated, "I do not mind either way. You will have to speak to Heinkel."

Tia walked up to Reinhard, "I'm only doing this for Lelouch, but whichever human was responsible for this, I'd think you'd want justice for what happened."

"Tia, not everything is black and white. However, I agree that we should attempt to find the culprit responsible regardless of whether it's for justice. Reinhard was born with strength that could threaten nations, if not the world. If a nation relies on its knights and military to follow orders blindly, they will take great caution in forming you into a weapon. Remove one's morality by making them believe they are a monster, then direct them that their only path is to be a weapon for the Kingdom."

Reinhard tried to speak but couldn't as Lelouch's words started to make him think about all the issues and problems in his life and for his family. Tia left to find Heinkel, which left Reinhard standing silently with Lelouch.

Lelouch sighed, "As you know, I possess a Divine Protection which would make me a national threat if found as well. The Kingdom being threatened by people born with specific powers only shows that the Kingdom does not believe the subjects are loyal to Lugunica. We live in a time when a Witch Cult and powers may go beyond what we even understand."

Lelouch pulled something from his pocket, "The Royal Selection will be interesting. Please verify this with the Sage Council, but I intend to still run in the Selection despite my privilege to the throne."

Reinhard looked at Lelouch's evidence, and his eyes widened, "I will be sure to inform them."

Heinkel saw Tia walking towards him, "Please tell me there's good news?"

Tia smiled, "Well, I talked with Lelouch, and I can start the process of healing your wife. It will take time, probably a month, for the process to be completed. If you're ready, I can start it now."

Heinkel's eyes started to tear, "Yes, follow me. Tia, you are giving me hope for a cure that I've had many times in the past, but nothing ever worked. I had the best medic in the Kingdom, and countless others and nothing ever worked."

Tia put her hand on his shoulder, "The condition your wife is in is the only reason I can help. Healing magic requires the user to have a fondness for humans which I do not. But the cause of your wife's current state is what Od Laguna hates. It will take time, but it will work, and Lelouch desires to find the person responsible for causing this as well."

Heinkel and Tia walked to Lousana's room. Tia formed countless small blue bubble-shaped magic around her as the room began to have a calming and naturing effect.

Tia frowned, "Humans are so despicable. Who would do something like this? Why I just can't understand them."

Heinkel eyebrows furrowed, "I can't understand it either. It was foolish of me to believe at all that this was a naturally caused illness. Lelouch said he wants to find the culprit, right?"

"Yeah, not sure how he will, but most of the things he says I don't even understand."

Heinkel directed Tia as they walked down the mansion's stairs, where they found Reinhard and Lelouch sitting on chairs now in the living area. The two sat down as Heinkel prepared to speak to his son and Lelouch, the fifth candidate.

Heinkel looked at his son, "Reinhard, I don't have much to say other than you chose a good candidate to have us sponsor."

Reinhard nodded, "I'm sorry, but he was the one to come to find me."

"Then that's even better." Heinkel got up as he spoke, "Son, when Lousana wakes up, we can finally be a family again."

Reinhard felt hopeful as he replied, "I look forward to when that day comes, father."

As Heinkel left, Lelouch asked, "Tia can you check my magical affinity?"

Tia nodded, checked, and tapped his palm, "You have an elemental affinity for yin."

Lelouch considered, "That would be the ideal element for me to possess. I'm not exactly the direct combat type but more of a commander or leader, but if I must fight, I will."

Reinhard stated, "I am your knight. I don't want you to feel the need to be able to perform well in combat."

"That is true, but we are going against many different groups. For one, I suspect the Kingdom will attempt to derail my progression indirectly. Not to mention my goals will require my presence. I can defend myself with Yin magic, which is more useful than offensive magic. Currently, our camp is quite small. Perhaps I will ally with a candidate if they meet my requirements."

"What would those requirements be?"

"My speech will consist of my goals while also alerting internal and external enemies of my existence. I also believe the dragon covenant has gone on far too long, and the dragon failed to help the pathetic Royal family. My grudge against the dead will not stop me from stating that it was a complete failure of the dragon that is supposed to help us in times of need. I will also attack the Sage Council for the economic polarization the Royal Selection itself causes."

Reinhard asked, "What exactly do you intend on stating you will accomplish?"

"Transform the slums into a functioning and welcomed part of the Capital, completing transforming it within two years to the point it will look the same as the other areas of the Capital. I will eradicate the three demon beasts and the Witch Cult. Lastly, I will condemn the covenant with the dragon and remark a new era for the Kingdom is needed."

Tia's eyes dilated, "Lelouch if you do all of that, you'll probably actually dawn a new era in the cycle of this world itself."

Reinhard sighed, "Those are ambitious goals. The Witch Cult is extremely difficult to track, and no Sin Archbishop or great demon beast has been killed in four hundred years."

Lelouch considered Tia's meaning: "A Sage, Sword Saint, and Dragon sealed Satella four hundred years ago. Since then, no Sin Archbishop nor great demon beast has been killed. Assuming that one is killed, I wouldn't be surprised if this is the dawn of the era that may end similarly to four centuries ago."

The three continued their discussion as Reinhard couldn't fathom how Lelouch would achieve everything he stated, but he had hoped he could. Lelouch was skeptical of countless things in the Kingdom and was ready to make his first step toward achieving his goal. The next day came, and it was time to go to the Capital.

"So this is the day of the Royal Selection?" Tia asks as they walk around the Capital streets.

Lelouch nods, "Yeah, this will be interesting. I look forward to seeing what the other candidates have prepared."

Tia teases, "Is this just like a game for you?"

He rests his chin on his hand, "Not a game but a challenge."

As they walk, many give Lelouch glares or stare as his outfit is that of a King. They continue until Tia smells the scent of miasma.

Tia whispers to Lelouch, "That raven-hair boy reeks of witch miasma."

Lelouch smiles, "intriguing, and he appears to be the knight for the half-elf candidate."

Lelouch walks as Reinhard stays next to him to the left, and Tia is directly next to him.

"What are the names of those three?" Lelouch asks.

"Emilia-sama, one of the five candidates, Subaru, and Julius, one of the strongest knights within the Kingdom," Reinhard replies as they continue to walk in their direction.

Lelouch walks by the three as he hears, "Reinhard, it's good to see you. I presume the fifth candidate accompanies you?"

The three stop and Reinhard responds, "Julius, it's good to see you as well. May I introduce you to Lelouch-sama?"

Julius respectfully introduces himself, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lelouch-sama."

"Thank you. The pleasure is mine as well. Reinhard speaks highly of you." Lelouch replies with his hand out as Julius accepts, and the two shake hands.

"Wait, the fifth candidate?" Subaru asks, now staring at Reinhard and Lelouch.

Reinhard confirms, "Yes, Subaru. This is Lelouch-sama."

Subaru stares at Lelouch with confusion as he wears an outfit he can only equate to what a King would wear.

"Subaru, I need to go retrieve something from the knight's chamber. How about you stay here?" Emilia suggests.

Seeing two candidates close to breaking a rule, Julius walks with Emilia, "My apologies for the brief introduction Lelouch-sama."

Subaru mumbles, "That annoying jerk."

"I presume that you are Emilia's knight?" Lelouch asks, making eye contact with him.

Subaru sees the man dressed as a king, assuming that confirms, "Yeah, I am."

Lelouch smiles, "May I ask you a question then? What does it mean to be a knight?"

Subaru eyes look up as he thinks of a response, "To protect your– the person that you there to protect."

Lelouch puts his hand on Subaru's shoulder, "Allow me to give you some advice. A knight serves the people of their nation. One who can make decisions and choices regardless of whether it contradicts their orders."

Subaru completely mistakes what Lelouch says, "You're right. I can be her knight even if she doesn't want me to be. It's so I can protect her."

Lelouch concludes what Subaru meant, and before he could correct him, Subaru ran towards a scream from an alleyway.

Reinhard sighs, "I don't believe Subaru understood what you meant."

"I could see he speaks from experience of some sort. But regardless, let's continue. I rather not deal with another candidate or her knight." Lelouch says as the two begin to continue walking.

The three then run into another camp as Lelouch gets annoyed by this rule about candidates being unable to speak to each other.

"Reinhard, let's head directly to the Castle to prepare."

The three arrive, and Lelouch is the first candidate to enter and take a spot in the area where the candidates will stand. He observes the audience arriving being knights and noblemen. As time passes, the second candidate arrives, and Crusch stands next to Lelouch. The third arrival is Anastasia, and the fourth is Priscilla, directly followed by Emilia. He sees the raven-haired boy walking in with Priscilla and sitting down next to Reinhard, which makes him regret ever telling him what a knight means.

"-Everyone, everyone has come together. From now on, the members of the Sage Association will enter."

The Sage Council entered as they took seats above and behind where the candidates stood. They began introducing the ceremony, which included the fact that the Royal Selection was delayed due to the fifth candidate not being found. Lelouch stared into the crowd, seeing Subaru and Reinhard talking with a knight with a helmet covering his face. The nobles looked at Emilia disgusted, as Lelouch was not surprised. After the five candidates showed their insignias, Lelouch was tired of the banter.

Lelouch spoke with a tone that commanded authority, "I believe we all know the situation and matters that are transpiring. As thus being the fifth candidate who delayed the Royal Selection, I see no value in delaying it further with information we already are aware of."

Marcos stared at the boy in annoyance, but Anastasia quickly followed, "I agree this is a waste of my time, and my time cannot be wasted."

Crusch agreed, "This has been delayed long enough."

Lelouch signaled to Reinhard as he stepped on the stage, "I am both humbled and honored to present Lelouch Lugunica, who I believe will be the future King."

Everyone's eyes widened as noblemen began to speak, "Lelouch Lugunica? He has no resemblance to the Royal family. What kind of joke is this?"

Milkotov spoke loudly, "The fifth candidate for the Royal Selection, Lelouch Lugunica, has been confirmed by myself to be legitimate. However, the Dragon Tablet was informed to continue the Royal Selection, and Lelouch agreed. His heritage is legitimate."

All the candidates stared at Lelouch in either worry, annoyance, or confusion. Prisella was the first to speak, "Then why did you make us all come here and waste our time if he's the heir to the throne?"

Lelouch told all within the castle, "As stated, I both agreed and believed in continuing the Royal Selection regardless. I do not believe that one shall gain the throne to the Kingdom based on nothing but being born as the heir. The Kingdom needs a King chosen by the people and based on their merit of being a King whose subjects admire and respect. By doing this, I am setting an example for the future of this Kingdom."

Crusch looked confused, "You don't have any physical traits known in the Royal family. How is that so?"

Felix spoke, "Crusch-sama nya, that might be sensitive."

"My apologies, I will not ask any further," Crusch said to Lelouch, realizing it might be more sensitive than she thought.

Lelouch spoke, "This Kingdom is on the verge of falling apart. Lacking a King for so long and expecting the subjects of the Kingdom to trust the legitimacy of the group controlling the nation is yet another failure. The Dragon, who is stated to protect the Kingdom, failed to do so but now is choosing candidates to become King." Lelouch directed his hands as he spoke, "I will not speak on what I will accomplish when I become King but rather during the time given for the candidates to prove their merit. I, Lelouch Lugunica, will solve the economic issues in the slums and various parts of the Kingdom. I will eradicate the three demon beasts who terrorized the world for four centuries and the Witch Cult. I shall establish better policies and relations to mend the lingering effects of the demi-human conflict. Lastly, I intend to find those within the Kingdom responsible for engineering various situations, including the Royal Family's death."

The brief silence was within the Castle. Every other candidate that had a speech prepared Lelouch already claimed to accomplish. Anastasia decided to speak next, doubting that he could live up to what he claimed as Julius stood forward.

"My name is Anastasia Hoshin, and despite the claims made by Lelouch, I have shown my ability to generate income and wealth. I have prior accomplishments, and I doubt the claims made by Lelouch can be fulfilled."

When Anastasia returned, she saw a grin on Lelouch's face. The second one to speak was Priscilla Barielle.

"I have shown my capabilities by transforming my domain, which was impoverished and sick, into a city where all have benefitted from what I have done. When I become ruler, my luck will guide the Kingdom. Lelouch's claims were idiotic and empty, which will be his downfall."

Lelouch smile grew as Priscella returned, and Crusch spoke next.

"I will not comment on Lelouch's speech as my opinion was similar. If I become King, I will remove the Dragon convent that the Kingdom has relied on for far too long. When the dragon was needed to save the Royal family, we did not receive the help agreed to by the covenant."

Crusch returned as Lelouch was confused by her speech, "That was a respectable speech. Sharing the same opinion as another candidate does not mean you must change your speech."

Crusch looked into his eyes, "Thank you?"

The final candidate to speak was Emilia, and as she stepped to the stage, many nobles antagonized her based on her appearance. Due to Lelouch's advice that Subaru misinterpreted, he stood up as the following knights did as she prepared to speak.

"All of you are being rude to her because of her appearance. Shut up. I am Emilia-tan's knight and will not stand for this." Subaru declared loudly.

Emilia stared, "...why? I told you not to embarrass me."

Julius stood, "You claim you are a knight, but what have you done to earn that title?"

Subaru gritted his teeth, "What do you know? Born into a family and get to be a knight."

"I suggest we spar since you claim to be a knight," Julius remarked.

Lelouch felt guilty and spoke, "If strength is justice, then is powerlessness a crime? Subaru, I apologize for not elaborating on what I meant when I explained what a knight means. But you are not a knight. Knights motivated by love can easily fall victim to that love turning into hatred if that knight was to lose that person. I agree you are not a knight, but I don't see the reason for any violence occurring."

Subaru argued, "But a knight should want to protect who they care for."

Lelouch thought about Tia talking about the time before the Great Calamity and saw a parallel in what he was seeing, "It's intriguing this parallel I'm seeing. I will not further comment, Subaru. Your choice is up to you."

Subaru was lost and annoyed as he sat silently back down on the chair with the other knights as Julius returned as well.

Emilia continued, "I want equality for all. That is my goal."

Her speech was short as she wasn't sure what to say. When she returned, she couldn't help but wonder why Lelouch assisted Subaru as she thought Julius would spar him. Reinhard smiled at Lelouch for preventing a conflict. The five candidates finished their speeches as Anastia and Prisella hated Lelouch, and Crusch had similar opinions, so they had an idea of what to do. Emilia was confused but somewhat thankful for him preventing Subaru from escalating the situation further. Lelouch was awaiting the person sent to assassinate him when he spotted him with the group of knights with armor that covered his identity. He held out a projectile weapon.

'Tia now.'

In moments, Tia blocked the tiny projectile with poison aimed at Lelouch's neck. Only a few in the Castle could even see what happened as the attack and defense moved faster than the human eye could see.

Reinhard quickly detained the culprit as he planned to question him later, "This is what I was referring to when I stated internal conflict. Without a King, the order of power becomes corrupted, and I can only question who hired that man to assassinate me."

Priscilla, Anastasia, and Emilia begin to leave as the Royal Selection concludes. Lelouch remained to wonder why Crusch did not follow.

Crusch thought about the situation, and Lelouch's opinions were similar to hers, "Would you want to form an alliance?"

"It seems the other candidates all hate me, as I expected. However, you seem to not. I must deal with the assassin and gain information on who sent him, but after that, I'll be willing to negotiate an alliance with you." Lelouch stated.

"Alright, you can come to the Inn I'm staying at for the next few days within the Capital to treat Subaru's gate." She said, handing him a piece of paper with the location.

"I'll be sure to come when I finish the current matter."