Chapter 12
The Rigor of Temperance
"Alright, Suzaku, are you ready?" Cécile's voice sounded over the radio.
"Yes, Captain," Suzaku answered.
The youth was seated in a rather specialized chair, modeled slightly after the interior of a knightmare's cockpit but taking into account his lack of feeling in his lower extremities. Other differences included the armatures strapped to his actual arms, since those still worked, and the translucent visor he wore over his eyes. The biggest divergence however had to be the cabling that connected to his back and the base of his skull, cabling that plugged into the neuro-link implants that had been surgically installed within his body.
As had been explained to him, the neuro-link interface worked by hooking onto the nerves embedded within his spine and reading the electrical impulses that were transmitted along them, and then translating them into commands to be executed by a mechanical system. Two rounds of surgery had been necessary to connect the interfaces to his nerves, after which Suzaku underwent a battery of tests to make sure the system was not misfiring and jumbling up his brain's signals. After that they proceeded with simplistic tests with simulated appendages, as much for calibrating the interpretation of his nerve signals as Cécile explained as to give him some practice before he started trying to manipulate something physical that could end up banging into things. And the first actual robotic arm they did let him play around with was a small thing, no more than maybe half a meter fully extended, so there was minimal chance of him doing any damage. Not that Suzaku did not try really, really hard what with the flaying about he did for the first minute or so before he managed to calm his nerves and focus. The initial excitement was of course solely because of his enthusiasm about actually managing to make something move with his thoughts. Probably.
Today's test would demand greater discipline however, seeing as they were having him, not exactly try to move an actual knightmare, but a scale model of a mech's legs. Just the legs, and the legs were also mounted on a metal frame and placed on a large conveyer system that served as a treadmill. Even if Suzaku had been recruited to help test a control scheme for next generation knightmares, it was not like they were going to jump straight to the end goal and put him into the cockpit, figuratively. There were multiple steps in between, all to ensure he did not suffer a fatal stroke when connected to the knightmare's control systems, or he did not end up falling over and damaging the multi-billion pound prototype that even now stood immobile in its bay.
"Commencing test run," Cécile announced. "Specialist, please attempt to lift the right leg."
One other change as a consequence of his reassignment had actually been a promotion, moving Suzaku up from the lowly grade of private second-class to specialist. It was a nice touch on behalf of Camelot, and even if he was not an officer, the slightly better pay and benefits were appreciated. Not that Suzaku had much that he cared to spend it on, besides some slightly better food.
Brushing aside such thoughts, Suzaku focused and imagined his own right leg rising. From his own monitors, he could see the robotic leg down in the testing chamber lifting up in accordance with his intentions.
"Put the foot down now," Cécile ordered.
Suzaku obeyed, and was gratified to see the leg do exactly that. The motion was repeated with the left leg, then back to the right, then both simultaneously with only the frame supporting the weight. A few cheers and even clapping could be heard over the radio and Suzaku could not help but smile in turn. After all the weeks of hard work, they were starting to see something measurably concrete as the fruits of their labor.
An hour or so later, after they had put the mounted legs through its paces with everything from walking to running to even a bit of jumping, Suzaku was disconnected from the control chair and sent to freshen up. That much the youth could still do on his own, even when bound to a wheelchair, albeit more slowly than in the past. When he emerged from the locker room, to his surprise he found Cécile waiting outside for him.
"Captain! Umm, were you waiting long?"
"Not overly," Cécile said with a gentle smile. "Besides, it's my job to make sure you aren't suffering from any side effects from interfacing with the link."
"I'm fine, ma'am," Suzaku assured her.
"We'll see about that," Cécile said, getting behind the wheelchair and starting to push.
"Umm, I can do that myself," Suzaku began.
"Humor me, Specialist," Cécile said. Once we've done a diagnostic and physical and confirmed that you aren't reacting negatively from the implants, I'll stop with the smothering."
"Yes ma'am," Suzaku said meekly.
Suzaku was far from a weak-willed individual. Indeed when pressed on matters that touched upon his beliefs, the youth could be incredibly stubborn, almost zealously so. But to those that showed him consideration, even kindness, he seemed to often freeze up and not quite know how to respond. Was it because of something that happened in his childhood? Or was he naturally clumsy when it came to such compassion, especially when directed at him from a woman? There was plenty of fodder for those amused by the plight of others. Probably less so for Suzaku himself.
Still, Cécile's attention was far from unwelcome. The woman had assured him that they would take all possible precautions to make sure he would be safe while acting as a test pilot. As far as Suzaku could tell, Cécile had diligently followed through with that promise, despite Lloyd's urging that they progress faster. Which raised a curious question in his thoughts.
"Captain?" Suzaku called out, tilting his head back slightly and only barely catching a glimpse of Cécile's face before hurriedly turning his gaze back down.
"Hmm?" Cécile at least did not seem to notice.
"May I ask a question?"
"I don't see why not," Cécile responded, tilting her head quizzically.
Suzaku's lips thinned. "Well, I wouldn't want to make presumptions."
The woman chuckled. "Ask, and if you are, I'll let you know and not answer. Fair?"
"Fair," Suzaku agreed. "So, I was wondering, but you seem to be overruling Colonel Asplund a lot. Isn't he, senior to you?"
The rolling of the wheelchair did not noticeably slow, but Suzaku could feel for an instant where the push from behind slackened ever so slightly.
"I suppose it does look like I'm somehow pulling rank on the colonel," Cécile answered after a moment. "And in a way, I am. You recall that the last three test pilots all suffered severe side-effects from using the neuro-link?"
One was dead, another crippled by a stroke, and the third slightly less crippled with only the paralysis of an arm and a leg. Not exactly a ringing endorsement of the technology. Suzaku nodded.
"After the, third, incident, there arose considerable pressure to scrap the neuro-link entirely," Cécile continued. "Colonel Asplund however was adamant about continuing work on it, arguing that it was simply a matter of time and effort before it could be made safe and usable. Now the colonel is widely reputed to be a brilliant engineer, so his word also carries a great deal of weight, even with the casualties suffered thus far, so his assessment that it could be done was accepted as likely true. But it was also recognized that the colonel suffers from a certain, obsessiveness, when it comes to his work. That he doesn't always consider the costs involved. So when the final decision was made to allow Camelot to continue development of the neuro-link, I was specifically authorized to overrule him on any matters pertaining to safety."
"I see," Suzaku said with a slow nod. "That's, quite the responsibility, Captain."
"And one I arguably should have attempted to assume earlier," Cécile said firmly. "Had I protested harder earlier, we might not have lost the first pilot, or went on to cripple two more promising young men. And the colonel respects me enough that I probably could have gotten him to listen, even without formal authorization. As such, I bear equal responsibility for the conditions that the first three test pilots wound up in."
Cécile was clearly an earnest, honest woman, Suzaku recognized. And the young man found himself heartened by that fact, especially considering she was applying that same earnestness to ensuring his own safety.
"I'm glad to be in your hands, then, Captain," Suzaku said.
"And I will endeavor to make sure you will always think so," Cécile said, smiling down at the youth even if he could not see it.
The two arrived at the medical ward now and Suzaku was brought over to an examination bed. The young man was strong enough to lift himself out of the wheelchair and onto the bed, which he promptly did before anyone could try and do it for him. That elicited a chuckle from Cécile as the captain watched and waited as the attending physician began conducting the physical.
Most of the examination was mundane enough, with a collection of his biometrics like heartrate and blood pressure. A few things saw Suzaku adopt a quizzical look, like the doctor tapping his knee to get a reaction. None came, which seemed self-evident to Suzaku, but then again perhaps they were simply being thorough. They did go through a few reflex tests of his upper body after all, on his arms and of his jaw. Those all seemed to be working properly, which Suzaku took as a sign that his condition was not getting worse.
The doctor also paid considerable attention to Suzaku's bare legs, examining them closely for any discoloration. The first time he had been examined in this way, the youth had learned that it was for identifying blood clots due to decreased circulation in his immobile legs. So many things that he had not even been aware he was taking for granted now needed attention paid to. The human body might be a marvel of a biological machine, but its complexity also meant having more points of failure.
Probably the one thing Suzaku did not look forward to with these examinations was the drawing of blood. It wasn't that he was squeamish about seeing blood, he was a soldier and had seen his own spilled more than once just from basic training, but having that thin metal needle stuck into him just sent shivers down what worked of his spine. Aichmophobia was supposedly a common fear, but that offered Suzaku little comfort when he was getting stuck with a needle. The youth made sure to always be looking away from the point of injection. For some reason it helped immensely that Cécile never laughed or giggled at his discomfort, instead offering him a reassuring or comforting look instead.
"All done," the doctor said. "There do not appear to be any problems thus far. Reflexes are good, blood pressure and heartrate are both nominal. You're clear to go, Specialist."
"Thank you, Doctor," Suzaku said, lifting himself back into the wheelchair.
A noticeably less tense Cécile came over, this time letting Suzaku push himself out as she stepped alongside.
"We'll need a few days to go over the telemetry and see if there are any anomalies," Cécile said. "In the meantime, you should make sure everything is in order for your enrollment."
Suzaku blinked. "My what?"
Cécile frowned. "Did you not get the order? In light of your likely continued posting with Camelot, and in consideration of the possibility that you may need to be further promoted so that you can legally issue orders to support personnel when performing field tests, it has been determined that you will need to at least complete your secondary education so that you may meet the necessary qualifications."
The blinking continued. "Umm, what? Promotion? Secondary?"
That elicited a chuckle from Cécile. "I'm talking about school, Suzaku. The records indicate you never completed secondary before enlisting in the armed forces. And while that generally is not an impediment to enlisted, knightmare pilots are generally granted commissioned rank so that they can issue orders to their supporting personnel, much like with the air force's pilots."
"But, I'm just a test pilot," Suzaku said. "And, I'm, well, an Honorary Britannian."
"Even as a test pilot, there will likely be situations where you will be on a field deployment and need the requisite authority," Cécile said. "And as to your second point, while it is true that might cause complications in you obtaining a commission, granting you a non-commissioned rank or even a warrant should be within Camelot's means."
Suzaku was aware enough of the difference between a commissioned officer versus a non-commissioned officer to grasp that much at least, even if his understanding extended no further than NCOs were always outranked by commissioned officers. And he could even recall a few Japanese that managed to reach NCO rank, rare as they were. A warrant though was beyond his understanding, since it never really entered his awareness. Not that that was likely to matter in the immediate term.
"And there is also His Eminence's position on the Honorary Britannian system and its limitations," Cécile added.
To that Suzaku did not know whether he should be glad or not. Arguably Cardinal Lamperouge's stated intent to dismantle the Honorary Britannian system and replace it with something that granted full recognition to the Japanese people was a very good thing, but it was not as if that dismantling and replacement had happened already. And even when it did, it was not as if people's attitudes would change overnight. If the path to Suzaku becoming an actual officer was somehow cleared in the process though, the young man could not decide whether he was ready for that sort of responsibility.
As if sensing Suzaku's unease, Cécile placed a hand on his shoulder. Such contact was rather foreign to the Japanese mindset and Suzaku barely managed to avoid jerking. Looking up however, he found the touch to be, not uncomfortable, and almost as comforting as Cécile likely meant it to be.
"That all is however for the future," Cécile said. "There is after all still much to do in the present."
To that Suzaku nodded. "You're right. So, where will I be attending secondary, Captain?"
"Ashford Academy," came the answer.
The momentary relief disappeared as Suzaku stared wide-eyed at Cécile. Ashford Academy was considered one of the most prestigious schools in Japan, which made the fact that it accepted Japanese students even before the changing of the viceroy all the more impressive. Along with that prestige was however an equally impressive tuition fee, which Suzaku did not even need to know the exact amount to know it was way beyond his means.
"Your fees are being handled by Camelot," Cécile said as if reading his thoughts. "And your entry has been secured by a recommendation from Cardinal Lamperouge himself. He is apparently personal friends with the Lady Ashford, the current head girl at the school, and acquainted with Marquess Ashford, the formal headmaster."
Suzaku actually felt his breath catch in his chest at hearing that. Cécile gave his shoulder another squeeze.
"I have been assured that the academy will make every effort to accommodate your situation, Suzaku. So you can relax, and just enjoy your chance at a school life."
The air started flowing slightly better and Suzaku took a deep breath. He could only offer a weak smile to Cécile.
"I'll try."
On her return to Tokyo, Kaguya held in her hands another sealed envelope, this one addressed to the Cardinal Lamperouge instead of being penned by him. Again she had refrained from trying to discern the contents, even as her curiosity ate at her. Patience however was something instilled within Kaguya from a young age, and the girl understood that some things were more important than her own self-satisfaction. Things like the fate of her people. Upon her arrival at the viceroy's palace, Kaguya was promptly shown into Lelouch's presence.
"You return to Tokyo once more, Miss Sumeragi," the cardinal greeted. "I hope all this travel is not proving too arduous?"
"The comfort I am afforded allows me to make the journey in relative leisure, Your Eminence," Kaguya said with a simple smile, then presented the envelope. "I am here today to deliver Mr. Kirihara's response to your letter. He also asked that you finish reading it in my presence, on account of certain matters that he believes my input may be necessary afterward."
Lelouch did not accept the letter directly, instead the fair-haired woman at his side took it from Kaguya and looked it over before setting it before the cardinal. From a drawer, Lelouch withdrew an actual knife with which he sliced open the seal on the letter. He unfolded the single sheet of paper and his eyes darted back and forth as he scanned its contents. Time seemed to slow to a crawl for Kaguya as she waited for Lelouch to finish reading. As it was, she arguably did not have to wait too long, even if it felt like an eternity had passed by the time Lelouch set the letter down.
"Interesting," Lelouch said.
Kaguya blinked. How was she to interpret that? Was that a good interesting or a bad interesting? Her anticipation strained against the composure she fought to maintain.
"May I presume, based on your previous remark, that you have time to discuss a few matters now?"
Kaguya nodded. "Of course."
Not that that was much hint as to what those matters might be, as Lelouch refrained from showing her the letter. Instead the cardinal leaned back into his seat and clasped his hands together.
"Tell me, Miss Sumeragi. How is your education conducted?"
That caused the girl to blink in mild confusion. "I'm, sorry? Your Eminence?"
"Your education," Lelouch repeated. "Surely your guardians are seeing to it that you are being properly schooled."
Still uncertain as to relevance any of this was to Kirihara's letter, Kaguya answered cautiously.
"I attend a preparatory school in Kyoto," she said, "one whose curriculum has been certified by the occupational authority as adhering to Britannian standards."
Lelouch tilted his head. "Is that all?"
Kaguya's lips thinned. Anyone else asking that, she would have suspected some sort of trap. Then again it could still be the case with the cardinal. That felt unlikely though, if only because that sort of crass scheming seemed beneath the man.
"I also have private tutors that educate me in topics relating to my heritage," Kaguya finally answered.
Lelouch nodded, as if having expected that. "And what topics would those be?"
"A wide variety," Kaguya said, doing her best to calm her hammering heart. "Calligraphy, tea ceremony, flower arranging, even basic language and literature are not precluded."
"None of which are touched upon by the preparatory school you attend," Lelouch said.
"No, Your Eminence," Kaguya confirmed with a shake of her head.
Lelouch tapped his fingers together in thought. "The others I can mostly envision, but what sort of basic language tutelage is necessary?"
"Well, perhaps not basic," Kaguya corrected. "The Japanese language however has a few formal variants that are distinct from the common vernacular. Collectively we refer to it as keigo, which translates into respectful language. There are many rules associated with keigo, ranging from different grammatical forms, pronoun choice, and even word choice."
"That does not sound like something applicable to day to day usage," Lelouch remarked.
Kaguya gave a slight, wry smile. "That may surprise you, Your Eminence."
The cardinal's eyes flickered briefly before he gave a nod.
"Due to your station as the head of House Sumeragi, you would be expected to maintain a certain level of etiquette even when speaking to other members of your household," Lelouch surmised.
Kaguya blinked. "Umm, yes, Your Eminence."
While that was indeed what the girl's previous remark hinted at, Kaguya had not expected Lelouch to pick out the inference with such speed and accuracy.
"What other situations would warrant the usage of keigo?" Lelouch asked.
"When I interact with other members of the NAC," Kaguya managed a prompt response, "or in business settings where I speak with the professional managers that run my family's company, or those from other companies that wish to do business with us."
"I see," the cardinal said thoughtfully. "Was keigo something that the Japanese education system taught in general?"
"To a degree," Kaguya responded carefully. "I'm afraid I have no personal memory of it, since my understanding is it is a topic covered in later years, and then nowhere to the rigor that I have been tutored in."
"I see," the cardinal said again. "Beyond keigo specifically, I presume that any other language instruction comes from whatever literature you are tutored in?"
"Umm, again, only to a degree," Kaguya said. "Is Your Eminence aware of the distinction between Classical and modern Japanese?"
"Beyond the fact that the former is an archaic form of the language no longer in usage," Lelouch said, "not really."
Kaguya nodded. "For the most part, that understanding is sufficient. Classical Japanese is no longer in common usage, but it still fills certainly ceremonial roles, and it is a subject of academic interest due to the large body of literature written in it. My own education in Classical Japanese is related to some of those ceremonial roles, and as part of that education some of the literature I am tutored in are those classical texts in their original forms."
"Ceremonial roles," Lelouch said. "You refer to the Sumeragi family's relations to the old Japanese imperial family."
Kaguya kept her eyes steady as she returned Lelouch's gaze levelly. "Yes, Your Eminence."
Upon the Britannian conquest of Japan, one of the first things the Empire did was to execute every single person in the immediate nuclear family that would have a credible claim to the Japanese throne. That included the emperor, his sons, and even his grandsons. The wives were spared because none of them actually stood in the line of inheritance, while the daughters and granddaughters, those still alive at least, were also spared because the imperial inheritance law at the time did not permit women to inherit either. The ultimate result of Britannia's actions was the effective destruction of the main patrilineal succession to the Japanese throne, with no legal, as far as the final state of Japanese law was considered, claimant to that throne.
Of course the main nuclear family of the emperor were not the only ones that could claim a familial relation to the imperial bloodline. In the past there had been cadet branches that could have hypothetically provided an heir should the mainline house not produce any sons, but those that were not outright extinct by this point kept a very low profile in light of Britannia's rather thorough purge of anyone with such a claim.
Interestingly enough, despite its technical relation to the imperial family, the House of Sumeragi was never such a cadet branch. Indeed the original point of relation between the deiminated imperial family and the Sumeragi was an ancient emperor from so long ago that the two families were for all intents and purposes entirely different lines of genetic descent. Even so, the Sumeragi family's claims about imperial descent were generally accepted to be true, possibly helped by the fact that the house was indeed an old one that managed to preserve, with only a few gabs, records detailing its genealogy. It also probably helped that Kaguya's own mother had been an imperial princess outright before officially leaving the imperial family to marry. These two lineages combined meant Kaguya arguably had a fairly strong claim to the Japanese throne, ceremonial though it may be, assuming one could set aside the original laws that excluded women from inheriting.
This all being the case, Kaguya's admission that she was being schooled in Classical Japanese for ceremonial reasons was also an admission of a desire to preserve certain trappings associated with that lineage. It could even be construed as an implicit claim on her family's legacy, the Japanese throne. Revealing this to anyone in the Britannian government could be dangerous in the extreme, given what happened to her male relatives. Except before Kaguya's departure from Kyoto, Kirihara had given her very firm instructions to answer Lelouch's questions fully and honestly, likely in anticipation of the cardinal's reaction to the responding letter. Kaguya's answers were thus arguably a calculated risk, even if a very severe one.
"If this keigo was only taught in passing in Japanese schools," Lelouch continued, "then is it safe to presume that education in Classical Japanese would have been even sparser?"
Kaguya blinked, the tension building within her not so much releasing so petering out.
"My understanding is that it was covered in an introductory manner," the girl answered.
Lelouch nodded, though what sort of insight the cardinal was gaining from all these questions Kaguya could not begin to fathom.
"Are there any specific classical texts that you have been tutored in?"
The seeming randomness in which Lelouch jumped from topic to topic did not help.
"Genji Monogatari," Kaguya answered. "That was the first major text I was given instruction in, though the initial version was a modern Japanese translation."
An eyebrow quirked upwards. "Translation?"
"It would not be much of an exaggeration to suggest that modern Japanese and Classical Japanese are two different languages that share some commonality in the writing system," Kaguya said. "Most Japanese these days would have considerable difficulty in making sense of something written in Classical Japanese. Furthermore, Genji was written in the Heian period, and while Classical Japanese is certainly based on the form used in that time period, by the time of the transition away from it, it had also picked up other influences from the various other time periods, so Genji is arguably written in an even more archaic form of Japanese than Classical."
"Interesting," Lelouch said. "And you mentioned initial version. I take it then that you have also delved into the Classical version, archaic or not?"
"Yes, Your Eminence," Kaguya said with a slight shrug. "It is, very slow going."
Lelouch gave a snort. "I can imagine. Are there any other seminal works of Japanese literature on the same tier as Genji?"
"There are arguably several," Kaguya answered. "Heike Monogatari, Ise Monogtari, and Taketori Monogatari are three other exemplars of this genre of Classical Japanese literature."
"Monogatari," Lelouch repeated the word. "I presume it means something specific?"
"The literal meaning is story or tale," Kaguya said, "though in Japanese it can also refer to the particular literary form in traditional Japanese literature."
"Ah. Makes sense. And have you read all of these tales? Even if only in their modern Japanese form?"
"I have, Your Eminence."
"Then would you mind indulging me?" Lelouch asked. "Pick one that you personally enjoyed above the rest, and tell me of how it goes?"
Of all the things that might result from her delivery of Kirihara's response, telling an old Japanese tale to the cardinal was not one of the results Kaguya had imagined. Indeed the girl was thoroughly confused as to what could have possibly prompted this line of questioning in the first place. Still, the cardinal seemed to be doing all this for a reason, and her instincts told her how well she responded to his expectations would have longstanding ramifications.
"If there is one that I prefer over the others, I suppose it would be the Taketori Monogatari," Kaguya responded slowly, then more softly. "It was a tale oft told to me by my mother, as it served as an inspiration for my own name."
Lelouch's expression did not noticeably change, but there was a genuine earnestness in his voice.
"I would not impose upon you, Miss Sumeragi."
Kaguya found a smile naturally crossing her own face. "It is not imposition, Your Eminence. The memories that are brought to mind, I find great comfort in them."
Lelouch nodded but remained otherwise silent, an indication for Kaguya to continue. The girl did so after taking a deep breath.
"One day, when out in the forest, an old bamboo cutter came across a shining stalk of bamboo. Upon cutting it open, he finds an infant the size of his thumb resting within. The old mand his wife, childless as they are, decide to adopt the child as their own daughter, and name her Nayotake no Kaguya-hime."
The edge of Lelouch's lips quirked upward at the prompt appearance of Kaguya's name in the narrative.
"After having adopted the girl, every time the old man cut a bamboo stalk, he would find a small nugget of gold inside," Kaguya continued. "The family grows rich as a result, and Kaguya herself, in three months' time, grows from a small baby into an adult woman of extraordinary beauty. Despite her father's efforts to hide her away, news of Kaguya's beauty spreads all throughout Japan and many suitors come calling."
The present Kaguya was more girl than woman, but the way she carried herself conveyed a certain dignity that held much promise for the future.
"Amongst these suitors are five nobles, whom eventually persuade the old man to direct Kaguya to choose amongst them. Kaguya however is uninterested in marriage and so devises an impossible task for each one, agreeing to marry whomever is able to bring her the object she requests. The first is asked to bring the begging bow of the Buddha, the second a jeweled branch from the island of Horai. The third, a robe made from the pelt of a Chinese fire-rat, the fourth, a colored jewel from a dragon's back. The last, a cowry shell born from a swallow."
Lelouch's face took on a somewhat stupefied look at that last bit, something that Kaguya could not help but giggle at.
"Yes, the last one is as ludicrous as it sounds," she said.
"I suppose that's why Kaguya devised it as an impossible task," the cardinal remarked.
Even if he was not addressing her, Kaguya still felt something flutter at hearing Lelouch utter her name. She quickly resumed the tale.
"The first noble, realizing the impossibility of his task, presents a fake stone bowl, but his deception is revealed when the bow fails to glow with holy light. The second presents a branch crafted by the finest artisans in Japan, but is similarly exposed when a messenger arrives at Kaguya's residence to collect the payment owed. The third merchant is himself deceived by merchants from China, and the robe he buys burns when set on fire. The fourth sets out to sea to find a dragon, but turns back when confronted by a storm. The fifth and last searches high and low for the shell, and eventually falls from a great height when trying to peer into a swallow's nest."
And thus ending those efforts to win Kaguya's hand, and setting the stage for her next courtier.
"It is not long that the Emperor himself hears of Kaguya and comes to see her, falling in love immediately. When he asks for her hand, he is not set an impossible task, but Kaguya still declines, explaining that as she is not from this land, she cannot return to the palace with him. The two exchange letters after parting and the Emperor presses his suit, but Kaguya continues to decline even after three years. During the summer of that third year however, Kaguya becomes despondent whenever she witnesses the full moon. At first she cannot even answer her worried parents' concerns, but eventually Kaguya recalls that she is not from this world and must return to her people on the moon. The gold that had been gifted her parents over the years was meant to help them care for her as she grew, and the day would soon come when she would take her leave."
A certainly melancholic turn, the story was taking. Lelouch listened intently, remaining serenely composed nonetheless.
"As the day of her return approached, the Emperor sent his guard to protect Kaguya from the moon's people, but when an embassy of the heavenly beings arrives at the bamboo cutter's house, the guards are blinded by their divine light. Despite her love for her friends and family on Earth, Kaguya has no choice but to return to her people. She writes letters of apology to her parents and the Emperor, and leaves her parents her robes as a memento. And with the letter to the Emperor, she includes a small quantity of the elixir of immortality. Upon handing the letter and gift to one of the Emperor's guards, a feathered robe is placed upon her shoulders, and all attachment that she held for her Earthly relations are swept away. Kaguya returns to the Lunar Capital, leaving her foster parents in tears."
It was at this moment that Kaguya took a deep breath to recompose herself, perhaps remembering her own situation. In her case however, it was she that was left in tears with the all too early departure of her own parents.
"Kaguya's foster parents soon become bedridden with sorrow," the girl eventually continued. "The Emperor receives Kaguya's final letter and gift, and is himself grief-stricken with her departure. He asks of his servants, 'Which mountain is closest to the Heavens?' And one answers, 'That would be the great mountain of Suruga Province.' The Emperor then pens a letter of his own in response, and sends his guards with it and the elixir to the mountain summit to burn both, in the hope that his words would reach the faraway Kaguya, for the Emperor could not bear to forever a life separate from her. And the mountain upon which the elixir and letter were burnt came to be called Mount Fuji, in reference to the term for immortality, Fushi."
Having concluded the tale, Kaguya let out a relieved sigh and sank back into her seat. The cardinal regarded her with a gentle, thoughtful expression before speaking.
"A well-spoken rendition," he declared. "I could very well believe the tale was even meant to be told orally by how well it flowed from your tongue."
Kaguya smiled slightly at the compliment. "Indeed, many of these tales were conveyed orally in the past. And arguably I owe much thanks to my tutors with regard to my performance."
"Your teachers can only teach," Lelouch said. "It is your own person that must do the learning, Kaguya."
That, was a very deliberate shift, Kaguya immediately picked up. Whereas in their previous encounter the cardinal had maintained a respectful, even distant posture, he now seemed prepared to address her by given name despite understanding the degree of intimacy that conveyed in Japanese. It seemed she had won a modicum of approval from the man, something that Kaguya found gratifying. Even if they arrived at this point in a very circumspect manner.
"How long will you be remaining in Tokyo?" Lelouch asked.
Kaguya quickly shifted mental gears. "That remains to be seen, Your Eminence. I have no pressing matters requiring my presence back in Kyoto, so I could arguably extend my stay for the foreseeable future."
Lelouch nodded. "There are a few preparations that I need to make, a few people I need to speak with, but might I impose upon you to remain in Tokyo for the next week or so? I expect I will have need to call upon you fairly soon."
Kaguya bowed her head. "That would be no imposition at all, Your Eminence."
"Excellent."
Lelouch rose, and Kaguya did likewise, taking that as a signal that she was about to be dismissed.
"My secretary will contact you with the necessary arrangements. Until then, please excuse me, Kaguya. I'm afraid I have some judicial matters to attend to now."
With a polite curtsey, Kaguya responded. "Of course, Your Eminence. Until next time."
In the end, six of the officers on trial elected to follow Kewell's example and issue a challenge to Lelouch. The disgraced knight was not sure whether he should be heartened to have so many comrades in arms, or regretful that so many others had followed him in his folly. In either case, it was too late to have second thoughts. And it was not as if he could count on the others wearing the cardinal down, seeing as it was made clear that as the first to challenge Lelouch, Kewell would be expected to fight the first duel. Not that Kewell would ever admit to contemplating such a cowardly means to victory, openly at least.
As Kewell was led out onto the roof of the viceroy's palace, the man felt a slight unease at the whole situation. Instead of being escorted by members of the military or even the gendarmerie, the soldiers guarding him and his fellows all wore the colors of Eden Vital. While intellectually Kewell had been aware that the Order possessed armed guards and the like, like many others the former knight presumed such soldiers to be merely decorative. That was clearly a mistake, and Kewell could not help but worry what other mistakes might reveal themselves when all was said and done.
The garden spread across the palace roof was supposed to have been designed by the Prince Clovis and modeled after the Imperial Aries Villa, the very same estate that was home to the Empress Marianne and her children before her murder. That the Cardinal Lamperouge was electing to conduct the duels here was almost certainly intentional in the sort of tone and message he wanted conveyed, but Kewell found himself having some difficulty discerning what that message to be.
Right on time, the cardinal emerged from another entrance up onto the roof, accompanied by those five young women again. If Lelouch was at all nervous about potentially meeting his end this day, the cardinal's expression did not reveal it. For some reason that caused a flicker of irritation to ignite within Kewell. Looking the young man over, Kewell could not discern any reason for why the cardinal would be so nonchalant. He did not look especially muscular or well-built, indeed Lelouch was on the lanky side. Kewell on the other hand was confident in his own physical prowess, and even in his skill with a sword. As a captain, he was still a fairly junior officer, so still had a good chunk of his prime to look forward to. The cardinal might be younger, but in this instance that should not present any sort of significant disadvantage.
The bigger unknown was the extent of Lelouch's skills with a sword. Prior to this duel, Kewell would have dismissed any nothing of a priest like the cardinal possessing any degree of martial prowess. The former knight still had no concrete indication one way or another as to whether Lelouch knew how to properly use a sword, but he could not dismiss that out of hand anymore, not when being wrong would see him skewered on the cardinal's blade. That said, the cardinal was still wearing his formal dress instead of something a bit more practical. He was also not carrying his own weapon, that responsibility seemed to fall to the raven-haired woman trailing after him, though upon closer examination she seemed to be holding more than one sword. It was decidedly a mixed bag of signals.
At the edge of the designated dueling grounds, Lelouch shed his outer cape and handed it to one of his attendants. He then took one of the swords presented to him by another, leaving the scabbard in her hands. Kewell grimaced. There was a saying, whosever draws his sword against the prince must throw the scabbard away. To raise one's blade against one's own sovereign was an act of rebellion, to which there could be no forgiveness or mercy. A ruler must crush beyond any measure of doubt any possibility that such disobedience would be tolerated, and thus would hold nothing in reserve to ensure the death of such a traitor. Lelouch may not be a prince anymore, but he was still of imperial lineage. He clearly regarded Kewell's actions as treasonous that day, and intended to make the former knight answer for it. And Kewell, he would be given no chance for parlay or pardon. The only thing he could do was make Lelouch work for the kill, or by some miracle succeed in killing the cardinal himself.
The sword now drawn was a long, straight blade, tapered to a sharp point but also possessed of a glistening edge. Having at least a passing familiarity with swords, Kewell recognized it as a spadroon, a weapon that if he recalled correctly the Empress Marianne was said to favor as well. The cardinal likely did not choose the weapon merely for show. As both men stepped onto the grounds, Kewell tightened his grip on his own sword, a more conventional curved officer's saber. Stepping forward to join them was another man that Kewell recognized, albeit with much less joy now.
"Gentlemen," Jeremiah said, apparently having been selected to officiate the duels. "Before the duel commences, I offer one final chance to allow both sides to reconcile their differences without the shedding of blood."
A formality though it may be, Kewell found it hard not to snort in disdain. Backing out now would not see his neck saved, he would only end up in front of a firing squad instead. At least this way he would go down fighting.
"My charge remains, that I have been slandered by accusations of unbecoming conduct," Kewell declared, "and I would demand satisfaction no less than a total withdrawal and apology for those accusations."
"I decline to rescind the charges or overrule the convictions," Lelouch responded with far greater bluntness.
"Then we shall find the truth of this matter with our swords," Kewell stated.
"So be it," Jeremiah said, with a degree of reluctance that almost heartened Kewell. "Gentlemen, take your places."
All three took several paces back, with Lelouch and Kewell raising their swords into ready stances.
"On your guard, begin!"
Kewell launched himself into an attack immediately, to ensure Lelouch had no chance to seize the initiative. He lunged forward, bring his sword across in a downward diagonal slash. The attack was easy enough to parry, so Kewell was not actually expecting it to carry him to victory, it was meant merely to pressure the cardinal a bit. To his surprise, Lelouch did not take even a single step back. Instead the cardinal's blade flashed upward, batting Kewell's sword aside and using the impact to bounce back into a thrust aimed straight for his heat. Kewell jerked aside, just barely avoiding getting skewered, but the motion threw his posture off and he was forced to shuffle to the side to regain his balance.
The cardinal however was not done yet, having angled his blade so the edge was facing Kewell, and thus easily converted his thrust into a horizontal slash to follow after the retreating man. Bringing his own sword down, Kewell managed to block the slash, but found himself being outright pushed by the strength of the cardinal's sword arm. Without any other choice, Kewell leapt back to open the distance up between the two of them. To his immense relief, their blades disengaged without Lelouch following up with yet another attack.
Less than a minute had elapsed since the start of the duel, but Kewell was already breathing hard and sweating profusely. He was already well answered on just how proficient the Cardinal Lamperouge was with a blade, and that answer strongly hinted at his own demise by that blade this day. It seemed mildly ludicrous that a priest would be so skilled with a weapon, but then again it had also seemed inconceivable that a priest could undo in a matter of mere hours all the effort the Purists had poured into Area 11 over the past six years. Whether it was because of Eden Vital, or because the priest in question happened to be Lelouch Lamperouge, Kewell could not as yet determine. The disgraced knight was however leaning strongly towards the latter, a position further bolstered as Lelouch went on the offensive.
The cardinal moved with phenomenal speed, closing the distance between the two of them in the blink of an eye. Less than, as it was only Kewell's reflexes that saved the man from being bisected. He tried to emulate the cardinal's previous maneuver, to parry the strike and then follow on with a counterattack, but Lelouch pressed his blade in so hard that Kewell was straining just to keep it from drawing his blood even so. Then with a mighty shove, Lelouch broke the deadlock by wrenching Kewell's sword aside, though the follow on slash came slowly enough that the man was able to block once more. This time the two blades did bounce, though there was no reprieve in the brief contact as Lelouch began slashing away at a maddening pace. Kewell's hand stung from the impact of each blow, even as he fell back step by step. Finally a loud crack sounded, and the man screamed as Lelouch's blade sliced through flesh. It was a shallow cut, having just nicked Kewell's cheeks. The pain however was quite intense and Kewell spent a moment or so pressing a hand against it before realizing the blade of his sword had been snapped in two.
Panting, Kewell, stared at Lelouch, a mixture of shock and even fear shining in his eyes. The cardinal returned the gaze levelly, then glanced over his shoulder.
"Sancia, if you would."
The raven-haired woman stepped forward with one of the cardinal's blades, another spadroon, and drew it. When she was before Kewell, she presented it to him pommel first. Kewell looked at her, and then at Lelouch.
"I have no intention of striking down a disarmed man," Lelouch said bluntly, "unless that is the fate he himself wishes."
Kewell immediately understood Lelouch's meaning, not that the understanding was of any consolation. The cardinal really did intend to kill him this day, and it was pretty clear, weapon or not, Kewell stood no chance against Lelouch. He could not even attempt to surrender, not unless he wanted to die so ignominiously without even a weapon in his hand. With a pained wheeze, he reached out and took the blade. The woman, Sancia, promptly stepped back. Lelouch even waited for Kewell to seemingly catch his breath. And then the duel resumed.
Lelouch, Kewell quickly determined, had been holding back before. Whether he had been testing the disgraced knight or merely toying with him, that Kewell did not know. Now though, the cardinal launched a flurry of attacks with blinding speed and inhuman strength. Every parry Kewell just barely managed was either brushed aside or broken through, every attack that he tried to launch himself came too slow, serving only to open himself up to an attack by the cardinal before he even needed to bother trying to defend. More blood dripped down Kewell's form as he suffered wound after wound, none as yet fatal. Indeed the shallowness of each cut seemed to indicate the cardinal was not trying to inflict a debilitating wound, at least not one that did not finish the duel outright. It was arguably Kewell's own stubbornness, and more than a dash of luck, that saw the fight prolonged. But the former knight's stamina was waning even as the cardinal did not seemed winded in the least. It was, unnatural.
Gasping for breath and having trouble even following the cardinal's movements, Kewell's eyelids closed just a fraction of a moment longer than they absolutely needed. A wet thud sounded, and the next when the man's eyes opened he saw Lelouch upon him, sword buried deep into his chest. Kewell gasped, blood leaking from his lips in the process. It was a clean thrust, one that went straight through his heart. The man tried to reach out and grab hold of Lelouch's hand, but his strength failed him and his knees buckled. Guiding the man down, Lelouch laid Kewell upon the ground. He released the sword, letting it remain embedded within the man's chest.
Jeremiah hurried over and knelt down. With what little strength he had left, Kewell looked up at the man he once considered a mentor and friend.
"T-tell my sister," he whispered. "Tell her, I was alright."
"I will," Jeremiah assured him, extending one last service to a man he too once thought of as a dear friend and comrade.
The light left Kewell's still open eyes. Jeremiah reached out, checking for a pulse. When he found none, he closed the man's eyes and rose.
"Mr. Soresi has fallen," he declared. "The winner is His Eminence the Cardinal Lamperouge."
Lelouch bowed his head in a brief nod, then reached down to pick up the loaner sword given to Kewell. He turned to face the other duelists, all of whom had ashen expressions.
"I am afraid I have no other spare swords to lend out," he said. "You gentlemen will need to ensure you handle your own swords with greater care. Now, who is next?"
End of Chapter 12
I wonder how many readers realize just what Lelouch was doing during his meeting with Kaguya.
The canon Lelouch was not terribly athletic. My version is far more so as a consequence of his training and conditioning to prepare his body to wield a geass. Combined with the augmentations installed in him and he's basically as strong and fast as Kallen or Suzaku was in canon. Of his entourage, Sancia and Lucretia are equal in ability. Alice and Anya are both faster but not stronger, while Dalque is the reverse. One can imagine how strong Kallen will be when she gets back.
Another Kallen scene is coming up next chapter. I expect it will provide for a lot of fodder for readers, especially considering who Kallen will be talking with.
I'm not sure under what context Monica is being brought up?