Lie and Seek

by draconichero21

On Planet Earth, there are multiple superpowers that oversee the global populace, most prominently are those that follow the Church of Seiros: Adrestia, Faerghus, Leicester, and Britannia. A chance meeting interlocks the fate of Lelouch and Edelgard, unknowingly putting the fate of mankind in their very ambitious hands.

7. In Search of Clarity

(A/N: Aaaaaand…Now…

*Edge of Dawn plays*

The sun sweeps over the horizon as dawn breaks and the day begins

Reach for my hand

A white bird flutters over the horizon, gazing at Garreg Mach with its beady little eyes

I'll soar away

Edelgard, with her back to a tower, standing on a battlement, watches it go by

Into the Dawn, oh I wish I could stay

Edelgard closes her eyes as night falls and Lelouch opens them, his back to a building in abyss, face covered by the Zero Matrix helmet

Here in cherished halls

At different times of day, both stroll forward

In peaceful days

Edelgard heads for a staircase going down as Lelouch for an elevator going up.

I fear the edge of dawn, knowing time betrays

Edelgard heads down the staircase as Zero gets in the elevator and it closes.

Betrays

The sun sweeps across the sky as it sets, only to rise again

Months on a calendar rip away until the year 2022

The monastery is shown in flames as a sweep across the planet brings the Northern Atlantic Archipelago into view. An older Lelouch and Edelgard clash sword to axe

Faint lights pass through colored glass, in this beloved place

The world glitches, showing the past of Edelgard with a practice axe and Lelouch a sword, wood hitting wood, mirroring the movements of their future selves.

Byleth watches from the sidelines with a smile.

Silver shines

Byleth steps forward from out of the shade and into the sunlight

The world dines, a smile on each face

Byleth looks towards the direction of the blowing wind. The wind reaches the dining hall, where Raphael sits at a table with Ignatz, Leonie and Lysithea. He is chowing down into a big, double fried poultry leg. Ignatz turns away from where his friend is sitting as if something strange happened from what he can see.

Joy surrounds, comfort abounds

Lysithea falls out of her chair, getting mad at Claude who's laughing because the chair she sat in had a sawed down leg.

And I can feel I'm breaking free

Meanwhile Suzaku prays to the altar of the Goddess, clad in his knight gear, on one knee.

For just this moment lost in time, I am finally me

Now night time, Edelgard walks with one hand on a wall, a shadow of a being in armor seems to haunt her as she clutches at her chest, as if wounded from the inside.

Yet still I hide behind this mask that I have become

That I have become

The image burns away, replaced by the image of the Flame Emperor standing alone in a throne room, the lights off.

My blackened heart

The throne room catches fire

Scorched by flames

A scantily clad woman with orange hair and purple skin leaps up, now the focus of what can be seen, doing a backflip as she smirks wickedly

a force I can't run from

Two ominous shadows loom behind this woman

Suddenly its daylight as Edelgard is running with axe in hand with Petra and Ferdinand behind her

Lelouch runs angled towards her on a collision path, Oldrin and Kallen at his back

Suddenly he and Edelgard leap at each other…

I look to you

…But it is revealed the target is Dimitri. They are on a big, wide open field with real weapons.

Like a red rose

Dimitri deflects both of their attacks with his lance.

Seeking the sun

Lelouch smirks wickedly as he raises a hand to perform a magic attack

No matter where it goes!

But suddenly arrows fall and Lelouch has to dodge, turning he sees Claude with one eye closed and waggling a finger of dismissal at his actions.

Edelgard and Dimitri continue to clash

I long to stay

The two continue to clash axe to lance

Where the light dwells

A whistle is blown from nearby from Byleth's lips

The three lords, and Lelouch, look up to her as she holds a "time-out" gesture

To guard against the cold that I know so well

The group walk together with Byleth's arms around Lelouch and Edelgard as Edelgard takes one last look behind her to see a bird fly past the back of her shoulder as it lands on a discarded, damaged mask of the Flame Emperor next to a dastardly looking lance stuck in the ground that appears to have cracked it.

FIRE EMBLEM: THREE HOUSES X CODE GEASS

LIE AND SEEK

)

---

EPISODE 7

Afternoon of the 28th Day of the Harpstring Moon

Among the Blue Lion house, Ashe Ubert was a rather carefree person. Despite his desire to become a knight, the horrors of battle and war hadn't really affected him in any meaningful way. The adopted son of Lord Lonato Gaspard, Ashe didn't have the noble responsibilities of other members of his house. He wasn't a crown prince like Dimitri, nor close to his highness the way Sylvain, Ingrid and Felix were. He wasn't personally hired by Dimitri the way Dedue was. And he didn't have a luxurious education at the School of Sorcery, the way Annette and Mercedes had.

That only left Leila Malcal and, compared to her, Ashe considered himself quite ordinary. She was a scholar, choosing knighthood as a way to escape familial obligations. To Ashe, she was inspiring, a woman capable of many talents and skills any military would be jealous to have. Not that military women weren't capable of those things—Princess Cornelia of Britannia was living proof of that—but to Ashe, it put a world of difference between himself and someone like Leila.

Still, he got along with his classmates just fine. They were friendly to him and he was friendly to them. With that said, because Ashe appreciated the simpler pleasures in life, he often found himself out in town going shopping for bargains.

"Let's see," he said, looking at his list. "I already got potatoes for tonight's stew for our little cookout we're planning on the camp ground." He checked it and something else off. "I got rice." He looked at his list, checking items off. "Oh, I just need chili powder and hot sauce and I'm all done."

These ingredients were not being used in the same dish. However, getting good ingredients had been a duty Ashe volunteered for. Some things you could only get at the open Roman Market, like the Arab market in Leicester.

As he reminded himself of this, Ashe pondered aloud, "Come to think of it, at once point Adrestia had claim to what history calls the Arabian lands. Did the church base this market off of that or was it here first? I wonder…"

Shrugging, Ashe proceeded with his shopping, only to see a mildly familiar face browsing a snack stand.

"Oh, well look who it is," Ashe said and walked up to the person he recognized. "Hello, Kallen," he said, chuckling amicably, "Fancy seeing you out here."

Kallen looked at the gray haired, green-eyed boy before her. "Oh! You're…Ashe, right? Ashe Ubert? From the Blue Lions?"

"Oh! You remembered my name. I don't stand out much so from someone of your caliber, I really appreciate being recognizable," Ashe said.

"Someone of…my caliber?" Kallen asked, more confused than offended.

"Oh, well, you're so strong and courageous. Felix can't stop talking about how strong you are and how much he wants to spar with you again. Even Ingrid thinks your achievements are incredible. You have top marks in a lot of athletic records this year. Top five in a lot of categories if I'm not mistaken."

"O-Oh, really?" Kallen questioned. She knew she was good, but that good. "I hadn't been paying attention to the rankings. I'm not exactly here for…extracurriculars."

"You know, that actually ties into something I've always wanted to ask you," Ashe responded.

"What's that?"

"Why did you switch houses?" Ashe inquired. "You started here as a Violet Tiger, right? But by the time of the expedition last moon, you'd already become a Green Pheasant."

"Well, I am half-Japanese," Kallen responded sternly.

"I understand that, but a lot of your classmates from Ashford Academy are in the Violet Tigers, aren't they? It's just…if our positions were reversed, I don't know if I could wave goodbye to so many familiar faces," Ashe said.

Kallen sighed internally. She could tell Ashe meant well. "Gimme a sec," she said, "Okay?"

"Oh! Sure."

Kallen proceeded with a purchase from the market and then broke open the box to munch on the snack. She bade Ashe follow her as she walked away so as not to be in the way of others bustling through the marketplace. Ashe did so unquestionably.

She finished chewing the biscuit she'd taken a bite out of and spoke, "I feel more at home with my Japanese heritage than my Britannian one, especially with how Britannians look down on others."

"Don't most nobility look down on commoners?" Ashe asked.

"It's worse in Britannia. If you don't have the status, you may as well not even be on the census," Kallen remarked coldly.

"That's…harsh," Ashe remarked, a little startled.

"I'm not wrong though," Kallen said.

Kallen knew she had to be careful with this conversation. She couldn't let Ashe know there was more to it. Originally, Green Pheasant house wasn't supposed to have Tamaki, Sugiyama, Inoue and Ohgi. However, when it turned out Kaguya wasn't going to have anyone supporting her from her inner circle, and the JLF proper didn't have anyone in the age range for the Officer's Academy, word went out to those still resisting occupation by the church. That was how Kallen had gotten caught flat footed that her friends in her late brother's resistance group had even shown up. But if she spoke aloud that this was all infiltration, the church would probably have them all killed, or worse.

"I don't know a lot about Japanese culture, actually," Ashe said. "It's the only culture allowed to attend the Officer's Academy that doesn't currently possess anyone with a crest. And as a nation occupied under the church, only what's considered Neo-Japan has actually embraced it. I hear it's a bit of a struggle."

"It's a lot more than a struggle," Kallen snapped.

"O-Oh, s-sorry, like I said, I…don't really know a lot," Ashe said.

Kallen sighed. "No, I'm sorry for snapping," she apologized. She shook the box she was holding so that a biscuit was reachable from the edges. She smiled. "If you want to know a little bit more about Japanese culture. You could do worse than starting with food."

"Oh! Uh, thank you!" Ashe exclaimed, appreciating the gesture.

He reached out and bit into it. After the first crunchy bite, the dough just kind of melted in his mouth and left behind a sweet, white fudge filling.

"Oh! It's delicious! Thank you, Kallen."

"Shiroi Koibito," Kallen said. "They were and still are my favorite snack. I was surprised to find out Rome sells them on the open market."

Ashe chuckled happily. "I know the feeling. I was surprised how many Faerghusian products you would think you can't get anywhere else are sold in Rome like it's a common commodity. But, I guess, if you stop and think about it, Rome really is the world's center. Everything is probably bought, sold and traded here."

Everything, huh? Kallen thought, mind elsewhere.

"Kallen?" Ashe asked, gazing up at her, concerned.

"Huh? Oh. Sorry. You were saying?" Kallen asked.

"Are you okay? You spaced out for a sec," Ashe said.

"Just…got a lot on my mind, school stuff, mostly," she said. That last part was a lie, but Ashe didn't need to know that.

"Say, if you've got time, do you think you could teach me a bit more about Japanese culture?" Ashe asked. "If the food's this good, the rest of the culture has to be at least halfway decent," he said in a joking manner.

Kallen smiled. "You know, I don't think I would mind that at all. Come find me after dinnertime any day you want to learn more, I'm usually at the training ground until close to midnight, but a break every once in a while doesn't sound so bad."

"I would love to train with you too, actually," Ashe said. "You're expertise with an axe is something I'd love to learn from. It's the only other weapon I'm good with besides a rifle."

"Well, I'm not the best teacher, but a friendly spar would be all right. And maybe we could learn from each other. I'm more intuition over technique. Ohgi always keeps telling me that while that works well for me on the battlefield, theory and technique are important at Garreg Mach, which is my grades aren't the best."

"Oh, if you need help studying, I'm pretty hand."

What is this guy? A gift from Izanagi? Kallen thought sarcastically. He seemed…too nice. She smiled. She kind of liked that about him though. "I wouldn't mind that at all, Ashe." She stuck her hand out. "Friends?"

Ashe laughed, shaking her hand. "Friends."

---

Afternoon of the 29th Day of the Harpstring Moon

After classes let out for the day, Shirley Fennette had a minor headache, but not because she was in pain or anything. No, this was a more…metaphorical headache.

Ever since she'd seen Rhea's anger aboard Clovis's bunker, she hadn't been able to scrub that image from her mind. Aside from Marrybell, who got scolded, nobody had really heard her speech to Clovis. From what she heard, everyone was simply told to pull back. Byleth gave the best account. She and Suzaku were about to defend a bunch of civilians from Clovis's forces when they all just started retreating. From what she could tell, she was the only one to have seen that scornful look in the Archbishop's eyes.

When it came to the faith of the Church of Seiros, Shirley was very devout. She drew strength from the Goddess and the church's teachings. The stories of Saint Seiros gave her joy as a child, and the scriptures themselves gave her a deep appreciation of the four saints. But…she always believed that the Church of Seiros was all about understanding each other, that Rhea was a kind, gentle person who, while stern in her ways, wouldn't condemn someone like some of the rumors she'd been hearing.

Normally, Shirley wouldn't put stock into any rumors that painted someone in a negative light. However, these rumors were particularly worrying. While it was unassailably true that Clovis had been locked away, pending a final sentencing from the church, people were gossiping that the church wasn't feeding him properly. Something about him only getting two meals a day, a slab of barely medium cooked—and often dried out—meat and a scoop of mashed potatoes if that. That didn't sit well with Shirley's vision of the church.

So, after some, albeit reluctantly, snooping around, she found herself knocking on the office door of one Director Seteth.

"Yes? Come in," Seteth's voice came from inside the office. While the door was open, it opened in such a manner that it blocked Seteth's view of anyone coming in if they weren't far enough into the room.

Upon Shirley entering, Seteth was surprised. "Oh, Miss Fennette," he said. "Is something the matter? I wasn't expecting you."

Shirley looked several shades of guilty as she put her hands together down by her pelvis and cast her head at her thumbs. "Sorry to bother you, Director. But I just…I'm having some doubts and…well…"

"Is Professor Byleth unable to aid you in a meaningful capacity?" The question was more a matter of principle than to suggest Shirley was bothering him.

"It's about the Archbishop. Professor Byleth hasn't been here very long and when I spoke to Professor Manuela she said that if anyone knew her grace well, it would be you," Shirley said.

"Has something happened?" Seteth asked. He sounded greatly concerned. "Oh. Please. Sit."

Shirley sat down in front of his desk. She couldn't bring her head up to meet his gaze.

"Rest assured if the Archbishop has made you feel uncomfortable, I will have a stern word with her. While she is the head of the faith, Garreg Mach's Officer's Academy is first and foremost my domain. I would never want students to feel unwelcome or uncomfortable here, especially if it was something Rhea did."

Shirley swallowed. "I wouldn't say I'm uncomfortable. I'm more…is…is Lady Rhea okay?" Shirley asked.

"Okay? You make it sound like you think her unwell," Seteth stated, sounding a bit shocked. While that was certainly possible, nothing had happened to his mind that put up a red flag or sent up alarm bells that Rhea wasn't doing well.

"It's just…" Shirley took a deep breath. She proceeded to tell Seteth the whole story. "During our mission this moon, I was on the bridge when Prince Clovis was about to order the attack on civilians. I…I had my rifle at the ready. I was having second thoughts. I didn't consider myself a hero, but…" Shirley stopped and gripped her dress. This was hard for her to talk about to anyone, let alone someone who may have Rhea's interests more in mind rather than her own, despite his reassurances. She took another deep breath. "Lady Rhea…I'd never seen her so angry before. I always thought the church was about peace and harmony, but the way her grace talked to Prince Clovis it…it scared me."

Seteth's face changed from shock to a smile. "I see. I think I'm beginning to understand." His smile faded and his face grew stern. "The wrath of the Archbishop can be frightening. I've known Rhea a long time. I know how she can be when pushed too far."

"Was there no other way to end that conflict?" Shirley asked. "I think the world of Lady Rhea, but…when I saw her harshly speaking to Prince Clovis, it felt like I was listening to the words of a snarling beast, not the successor of a saint."

"I see," Seteth said, eyes closed. He opened them and smiled. "Perhaps I can help." His smile faded again and he spoke seriously. "Are you familiar with the Book of Nemesis?"

Shirley finally picked her head up. "Um, I mean…what proper Seirosian isn't?" Shirley asked. "It tells the famous battle at the Tailtean Plains where Saint Seiros defeated the Traitor King Nemesis, Charlemagne and the 12 Paladins."

"Ah yes," Seteth said, beaming with pride. "The famous story of Saint Seiros's victory, one of the many cornerstones of the faith itself." The smile dissipated. "However, while the masterfully woven narrative by the accounts of Saint Cichol are the draw, many forget the passages that come right before it." He began to quote the scriptures. "And lo, though the Goddess would not condone war, Saint Seiros knew that her sins would be pardoned. For in the eyes of the Goddess, while anger was frowned upon, war could become holy when evil was smote. When justice was carried out, all could be forgiven. Anger did not last once peace took its place. And though Saint Seiros drew her sword, trembling with rage, none could see the tears she was shedding on the inside."

Shirley gazed directly at Seteth. "What chapter is that from?"

"I believe it's towards the beginning. It has been quite some time since I've read the scriptures in full," Seteth told Shirley.

"I'll have to give it another read," Shirley said. "So…" she put her hands together in prayer, "The archbishop was simply masking her tears with anger. When faced with injustice…she simply couldn't bring herself to show weakness until the situation became peaceful."

"That's it exactly," Seteth said with a smile. He then spoke much more seriously. "If it would mean much to you, I could persuade the Archbishop offer a heartfelt apology for scaring you. I know Rhea would not want the students that look up to her to think her a monster. She's very particular about her image."

Shirley fanned herself, bright red. "Oh! No! P-Please! A private apology from Lady Rhea! I think I'd faint. Ahahahaha…haaaaa…" She swallowed and the blush faded. She began to get up. "Thank you for your time, director." She stood behind the chair. "Honestly, when I decided to come to Garreg Mach, I was just following my friends." She smiled. She looked over the moon as she recalled the past. "When my mother and I broke the news to my father after a long day of work, he…he hugged me, very tightly. He told me he was so proud of me. He said he thought I would make an amazing knight." She blushed a little as she made eye contact with Seteth, drumming her fingers on the back chair cushion. "My family is very devout, you see." She beamed. "I've never missed a holiday and I go to services every weekend. I was actually really fortunate that I was still able to offer a prayer and a service on Saint Macuil day despite my dispatch to Neo-Japan." She went back to staring down at the chair. "My dad…he told me that…he didn't want anything to happen to me, that he dreaded that I might get myself hurt, but that…he believed that I would one day make a fine knight if I applied myself. He told me that if I wanted to put my life in the hands of the Goddess every day for the rest of my life, that he would support me."

Seteth smiled with pride. "Your father is a good man."

Shirley smiled back. She looked at the director. "Did your father say much about your decision to serve the Goddess, Director?"

Seteth thought how best to answer. He was quite for several seconds that seemed to drag. "I…actually never knew my father. It was just my mother and my siblings growing up. Mother, if father was ever in the picture, never spoke of him." He smiled. "However, I imagine, as my mother does, that he and my mother are proud of my decisions in life. I doubt they would shame my actions."

Shirley smiled more, putting a hand on her chest. "Thank you for hearing me out, Director. It means a lot."

"Not a worry at all, Miss Fennette. It is my duty to offer my best to the students here. The teachings of Seiros teach us to always lend an outstretched hand and a steady back to those who are lost and stumbling. Though I do not speak on behalf of the cloth directly, I am adjacent enough to it that the teachings are well woven into my mindset."

Shirley beamed a little and nodded. "You're an excellent Director," she said. "A-Anyway, I should get going. Don't want to miss dinner."

"Have a wonderful evening, Miss Fennette," Seteth said and watched Shirley leave. He then turned his attention to a picture on his desk. It was a portrait more than a photograph. Little had changed of Seteth since it was drawn, though his hair was much more vibrant than now. In the picture, Seteth was shown holding a small child in his arms, swaddled. The child was asleep, but Seteth couldn't be happier in the picture. He then nodded, smile fading, and returned to his important, yet boring and tedious work.

---

Morning of the 30th Day of the Harpstring Moon

The Holy Empire of Britannia

Pendragon

Across the Atlantic, a man with blond hair in his late twenties sat at a pristine desk in a fancy office. He had the highest of tech computers upon it and very few non-essential items. It was very professional and businesslike. This was the office of Second Prince Schneizel el Britannia. As always, he began his duties as normal: with a stack of paperwork. He signed his name where appropriate and then put the paper—or stack of papers—on the appropriate pile. Often he would open a holographic display on some sort of hard light tablet to examine a news story, or an email, only to put it down.

He was just about to reach for his morning coffee to take a sip when the door was flung open. He looked up to see a rather miffed woman with purple hair and eyes standing before him. She was dressed in a maroon Britannian military uniform with a white, ruffled cape adorned to her shoulders. She was armed, but that hardly bothered Schneizel. He knew this woman. She would never shoot him in his own office.

"Dearest sister," Schneizel said, addressing her with a smile. "I did not expect you, and so bright and early too. It's not every day I get an unsolicited visit from the esteemed Second Princess Cornelia li Britannia. Coffee?" he asked, gesturing to the maker across the room. "Kanon went with a custom blend this morning."

Cornelia didn't seem to be in the mood for cheeriness. Her dour expression suggested she was anything but happy. "Clovis's sentence was just announced. It's all over the news."

"Oh? Has it? I've been stuck signing paperwork so I haven't been watching the news," Schneizel said calmly.

"Brother! I've heard what people are saying, that you allowed Archbishop Rhea to take custody of Clovis without a fight! What were you thinking? We had every right to litigate this! The church may have extra-judiciary rights in some cases, but given what was happening—"

"Shhshhshsh," Schneizel said, putting a finger to his lips, "Lower your voice, sister. It's quite early." Schneizel then went for his coffee mug and took a slow sip. "Oh. Yes. You should definitely have some. This is exquisite."

"I'll pass," Cornelia said sourly.

"A shame. You're missing out," Schneizel said. He put down his coffee mug and with his other hand put down his pent. He then put his elbows on his desk and placed his hands lazily atop each other in front of his face, left hand over right. "I understand you're upset, Cornelia, but there was very little I could do."

Cornelia pounded a fist on Schneizel's desk. "That's ridiculous!"

"When I gave the Archbishop approval to shut down Clovis's operation, details came flooding in to me after he was detained. He pointed weapons at Marrybell, Cornelia. My decision to allow the church to take him into custody and sentence him was obvious after that."

Cornelia gasped. She hadn't heard that. The media was only blasting that Clovis had been arrested for treason against Rome. A lot of crucial details known only by people that were there had not been broadcast.

"Oldrin Zevon corroborated Marrybell's story. They were both standing right there. Even Sir Jeremiah Gottwald admitted to following Clovis's orders under such. I cooperated with the church during their entire investigation, Cornelia. I was not happy to learn what our brother was capable of."

Schneizel opened a small box on his desk containing chess pieces. He pulled out only the white king and began fiddling with it in the fingers of his right hand.

"But…that's not Clovis. That's not our brother, Schneizel!" Cornelia exclaimed. "Have you heard from him? Have you even heard his side of the story at all!"

Schneizel shook his head. "As far as I'm concerned Cornelia, what we have in this family is of the utmost importance." He slammed the king on the table near Cornelia's hand. "Loyalty. And the minute that loyalty is squandered, is the moment you are no longer part of this family. No matter Clovis's reasons, no matter what he was after, nothing justifies having his men point a gun at our Marrybell."

Cornelia backed away from Schneizel's desk. "Clovis would not have done this without a reason."

"You're fighting so hard for someone that turned his back on the Empire. Where was this fire when Lelouch was being shipped out?" Schneizel asked.

Cornelia balled her fists. "I did wrong by Lelouch. I didn't try hard enough for him. But I didn't have the social standing then that I do now. And it was his majesty's order."

"If you had acted defiantly," Schneizel said, picking the chess piece back up, "It would have been you and Euphemia out on the streets next."

Cornelia bristled. Schneizel saw right through her excuses.

"Even the son of Lady Marianne is second fiddle to your own sister. But that's just common sense," Schneizel said. He stopped fiddling with the chess piece and clutched it. He leaned back in his chair and examined the piece as he held it up to the light, as if believing it was somehow see through and counterfeit. "Loyalty is not even throughout this family. It comes in stages. I do not blame you, nor am I trying to guilt you into putting Euphemia first. You did what you had to do." He put the chess piece away and sat up straight. "I will never know what it's like to have a younger sibling that shares my mother's blood. In that respect, I always envied you, Lelouch and Clovis."

Cornelia gasped. That was right. Clovis had a younger sister too. She'd nearly forgotten.

Things were silent for a while, sans Schneizel swallowing the coffee that he was sipping and the hum of the lights being on.

The Prime Minister of Britannia put the mug down. "In two moons, the Blue Sea Moon, it will be the Rite of Rebirth. Have you ever attended the ceremony, Cornelia?"

Cornelia blinked, surprised by the question. "Er. No. I either didn't have the option to leave the Empire, or I was too busy out in the field putting down rebellions."

"I've always wanted to go," Schneizel said. "Perhaps we could make it a family trip, you, myself and Euphemia. I'm sure she would love to see Archbishop Rhea at her most radiant."

Cornelia smiled. It was to hide the pain of what had happened to Clovis, but if she could find herself at Garreg Mach, perhaps she could speak with Clovis. His sentence was life imprisonment. She had the standing of a Britannian general, it wouldn't be too much to ask to speak with him just once, right? Right?!

"Brother, I would be honored to go with Euphemia and you to see the Rite of Rebirth."

Schneizel grinned. "Then I shall make arrangements immediately. Now then, is there…anything else?"

Cornelia shook her head. "No, brother." She bowed as she left. "Thank you for seeing me on such short notice."

"It is no trouble," Schneizel said as Cornelia turned and began to walk out the door. "I always have time for you, Cornelia. Always."

---

Evening of the 31st of the Garland Moon

As Milly exited the lecture hall, she could scarcely believe two whole months had flown by since her last day at Ashford. She'd left their a queen, now residing here middle of the road. She should have been queen, but then the Empire decided to send Marrybell and her entourage. Not that Milly resented them. The Glinda Knights were very nice people. Marrybell reminded her a lot of Lelouch even. Plus, having Sokkia around gave Milly the female equivalent of a "Yes, Man" for some of her crazier ideas, even if Marrybell almost immediately vetoed them. So much for taking pictures of the new professor in a bikini and making a mint with them.

As Milly wandered the school grounds, wondering if she should eat out at a local Roman diner or get free food from the dining hall, she was approached by someone.

The first words out of their mouth to her were a suave, "Hey, Milly. You're looking ravishing as always."

Milly turned to be met with a man with full head of spikey red hair and a calm looking disposition. This was the Blue Lions Sylvain Jose Gautier of House Gautier, one of its most prestigious noble families.

"Ah, Sylvain," Milly said, putting a hand on her hip. "Still posturing that gentlemanly swagger I see."

"Posturing?" Sylvain asked, looking hurt. "What could you mean by that?" He gave a smile to the blonde. "I am a gentleman, thank you."

"Oh yes, I'm sure the three girls I saw beating you up in the courtyard yesterday just had a misunderstanding when they called her a heartbreaker," Milly said with a chuckle.

"Yeowch. You've got claws I didn't know about," Sylvain said, laughing a little. "But I kind of like that about you. Come on, what do you say we drop a little bit of the animosity and grab some grub. My treat."

"Dinner on your dime? I didn't know today was a day that ended in Y," Milly responded with a smile.

Sylvain laughed. "Oh come on, I don't always ask a girl out, just the really pretty ones."

"Really? Because I heard you made eyes at a scarecrow once," Milly said, chuckling.

Sylvain groaned, staring at his feat. "Dammit, Ingrid."

Milly laughed. "But hey, dinner with a classmate sounds like fun. Your dime of course, right?"

"Oh, yeah! Of course!" Sylvain said, putting up that gentlemanly smile. "Wanna go right now?"

Milly offered her hand. "The so-called gentleman will take the lady's hand."

Sylvain took Milly's hand. She had a very strong grip for a woman of her daintiness. She skipped as he strolled out of Garreg Mach's main gate.

"You know, Milly, I know I'm not exactly special either. Word travels of your exploits too," Sylvain commented.

"My exploits?" Milly asked. "It's not nice to slander a lady, you know." She batted her eyelashes innocently.

"Riiiight, like Felix would lie to me about you asking him to model a speedo for you for, in his words, quoting you "totally wholesome swimsuit calendar"," Sylvain said.

"Ahahahaha, busted," Milly said. "Can't blame a girl for having hobbies."

"Hey, I would've done it for free is all I'm saying," Sylvain said, with a laugh.

"That so? So how far have you gotten with a girl exactly?" Milly got right in front of Sylvain and pushed her chest into him, hands on his chest, fingers on his collarbone. "Perhaps to the bedroom…or maybe…" her fingers ran up to his shoulders. "Just the lips?" She pursed her glossy lips, drawing Sylvain's vision towards them.

Sylvain suddenly backed away, startled.

Milly doubled over laughing. "Oh wow. You talk a big game, but the moment a girl shows intimate interest you get cold feet."

Sylvain was more surprised than Milly. "N-No," he stuttered, trying to save face. "I-I don't have a problem with women at all."

"Oh, Sylvain, I'm just teasing," Milly said, only to link arms with him and pull his arm alongside her ample chest. "What's the matter? I've heard girls crawl all over you."

At this, Sylvain actively pushed Milly away. "Hey, maybe I don't want girls crawling all over me, ever think of that?"

Milly smiled. "And that's the most honest thing you've said to me since we started this conversation."

Sylvain was a bit stunned. Milly saw right through him. Additionally, Sylvain saw right into her. He could see how her smile…didn't come up all the way. What was she hiding? Pain? Fear? Either way, he knew that smile…because it was his smile. "So…what's your story?"

"Oh, you know, the usual. Prim and proper girl needs rich husband to secure family's future. Already pre-engaged in an arrangement once I graduate. At least Garreg Mach lets me delay the inevitable," Milly said without a smile.

"Bummer," Sylvain said, showing sincere sympathy. "Well, you can't just hitch to me."

"That's a shame, you seem like you'd be good company," Milly said with a smirk.

"Are…you still teasing me?" Sylvain asked.

"I'll let you figure that one out, handsome," Milly said with a wink. "So…dinner still? Now that we're both dropping the act a little?"

Sylvain smiled. "You know what, Milly? Yeah, I would like dinner. And…if it's all the same, can this not be a treat out?"

Milly smiled at Sylvain being honest with himself. "Sylvain, I think I'm going to like getting to know the real you."

---

1st Day of the Garland Moon

For Nunnally Eisner—aka Nunnally vi Britannia incognito—being able to only see and to walk when she was training in the Royal Miracle gave her…conflicting feelings.

"Hiyah! Eeeyah! Hoooyah!" She exclaimed, punching and kicking at hard light targets.

For seven years…for seven long years, she hadn't been able to meet her brother's eyes, nor stand shoulder to shoulder to him.

"Uuuugah! Aaaaaaggggha! Heeeeyaaaaaah!" She threw herself at different, sturdier targets, using the interface and will of her HLKMF to emit electric energy from her limbs.

She saw a flash of light on the training ground "New Record 2:43"

Nunnally walked over to the terminal and pulled out her student ID from it. She then dismissed the Royal Miracle and felt around for her wheelchair before pulling herself into it.

She then heard a familiar boisterous voice. "Whoa! Nunnally! That was you doin' all that hoppin around? I thought it was like Caspar or Petra or Leonie or someone. That was amazing!"

Nunnally's head whipped in the direction of the voice. "Oh! Hello, Raphael!" She exclaimed, happy to hear a friendly voice. "Yes, surprise, right?"

"I'll say. I didn't know you were so good at HLKMF combat. We should train together some time," Raphael said.

"Yes, that would be fun," Nunnally said. "I can see and I can walk all on my own in the Royal Miracle." She frowned as she put her hands in her lap. "It's…frustrating going back to not being able to see or walk on my own though. I wish I could at least see."

"Yeah, guess that must be tough, huh?" Raphael asked, showing sympathy.

"I've made the most of it," Nunnally said, shaking her head.

"How'd you end up like this anyway?" Raphael asked.

Nunnally wasn't really sure how to respond. She and Lelouch had discussed the matter and she knew how to respond. Still, Raphael was so kind. She didn't want to mistrust him, but…she understood what would happen if people found her and her brother.

"I don't want to talk about it," Nunnally said.

Raphael sounded even more sympathetic. "I see. Must've been a real bummer of a day," he said. He then flipped his tune. "Well, you know what gets me to feel better when I'm down? Meat! Lots of it! Whatdya say to some barbecue ribs at the dining hall?"

"Oh! Yes! Finger food! My favorite!" Nunnally exclaimed. She began to push her wheelchair forward, only for the wheel to tumble over a rock and rock the entire wheelchair. Nunnally froze in shock, only for the Wheelchair to come to an abrupt stop. Reaching out her hands, she felt a pair of very strong arms grabbing the chair. "R-Raphael."

He pulled his arms away, taking them off the chair. "You okay?"

"Y-yes, I'm fine. Just a bit startled," she said.

"I know all about stopping carts and whatnot. I'm really good with flatbeds too."

Nunnally giggled. "I'll bet. Well, I'm fine now, so thank you."

"Sure you don't want help to the dining hall?" Raphael asked.

"Oh? Would you? I mean, I'm more than capable of getting there myself, but I don't find it demeaning when people help me if they ask first. It just makes me happy knowing I'm surrounded by such kind people."

"Sure. Can't be any different than pushing a wheelbarrow or a lawnmower," Raphael said.

"I might be a bit light for someone as strong as you," Nunnally said.

"Don't worry, if you almost go flying, I'll just carry you," Raphael said. "You look about as heavy as my little sis, so it shouldn't be a problem."

Raphael then began to push the wheelchair towards the dining hall and out of the training hall.

"You have a little sister too, Raphael?" Nunnally asked.

"Sure do! Her name's Maya. You kind of remind me of her a little. You both try so hard to make an impression on the world," Raphael said with a friendly laugh.

"Oh, I'm not training for the world. I'm training to make my big brother proud of me," Nunnally said.

"To make Lelouch proud of you? I thought he was always proud of you," Raphael said.

"Oh, um…it's more like…" Nunnally fumbled for the right words. "I…I don't want big brother to always have to worry about me," she said, playing with her fingers. "He's always putting my needs first, but I'm always concerned that he's not living his life to the fullest because he's so worried about me."

"Nah, don't let it get to you," Raphael said. "Big brothers worry about and spoil their little sisters. That's their job. It's a lifetime employment and there are no days off." He then laughed heartily. "But you don't get to quit and every day is an adventure."

Nunnally laughed. "You're such a good person, Raphael. It's a shame we're not in the same class."

"Hey, being in the same class doesn't mean we can't be friends," Raphael said.

Nunnally gasped. "You know, you're absolutely right! Let's be friends, Raphael." She held out her pinky. "Pinky promise?"

Raphael linked pinkies with Nunnally. "Pinky promise." After unlinking fingers he said. "Now let's go get some ribs!"

"Yay!" Nunnally exclaimed and the two headed top speed for the dining hall.

---

Late Afternoon of the 2nd Day of the Garland Moon

While Suzaku Kururugi had now been deployed on two missions outside the monastery, his primary job was monastery security first and foremost. Most days, he was assigned as security during afternoon church services. Additionally, his post was frequently the northwestern gate. It gave him the perfect line of sight to Rhea leading the service. She was radiant like a star, a light in a shadowy world, the closest the people of this generation had to a Goddess in mortal form.

After services, she would always offer him a smile, as if thanking him for his service, before collecting her scriptures and being escorted by members of the Holy Knights to her office. At this, Suzaku would begin checking the pews for any lost or left behind items. Money was considered a donation to the Goddess if it was dropped, but material items had to be returned to their original owners.

However, while he was browsing of the pews, a man called out to him. "Excuse me. Suzaku, correct?"

Suzaku stood up and turned to see a man with purple hair and an extremely long nose, a rose corsage sitting above his heart on his uniform.

"Oh, yes. Can I help you?"

"Yes, you most certainly can indeed. Ah, but first, allow me to introduce myself. I am Lorenz Hellman Gloucester, of House Gloucester, at your service."

Suzaku bowed. "Ah, a nobleman." He stood up. "How may I assist you, my lord?"

"Ah, excellent. Your demeanor is precisely why I wanted to chat," Lorenz said, candidly enough. "You see, it is my understanding that, before you were a knight you were…" he put his hand to his head, trying to perfectly recall the details, "The prime minister's son if I'm not mistaken, yes?"

"That's correct. I see you've been doing your research," Suzaku said with a smile.

"You are the most prominent knight in service to the Church of Seiros to come out of Neo-Japan. Top of your class if I'm not mistaken. House leader too, if I'm not mistaken," Lorenz remarked, smiling back.

"All of that is correct, yes," Suzaku stated.

"All the more reason I must clear the air," Lorenz said. "You see, Leicester does not have centralized government. Our belief in personal freedom over total power is what helped found the Alliance. Yet, both Britannia and Adrestia have Prime Ministers," the confused Lorenz now shook his head, "Yet neither of these titles are…elected, they are nobility, same as any other title." He gestured with his whole hand towards Suzaku. "Before it was made a vassal by Rome, Neo-Japan was the only nation that held free and fair elections, a greater democracy than even the Leicester Alliance. But, you also had an Empress passed down by blood. So, I am…uncertain how to file you within my own peace of mind: nobleman, or commoner."

"Ah, I believe I can clear the air on that. I'm no nobleman, Lorenz, just a knight doing his duty," Suzaku said with a bow. "As you said, Japan believes in free and fair elections. All of our positions of power are elected from the Prime Ministership to the diet building and even the courts. My father ran for office and the people liked him enough to put him in power."

Lorenz looked perplexed. "The people chose their nobles? Sorry, leaders. My apologies, this is all very new to me."

Suzaku laughed. "Yes, Japan is very different from the rest of the world."

"And that makes my position…all the more vexing," Lorenz stated.

"Vexing?" Suzaku questioned, now slightly confused himself.

"You see…my father instilled a belief in me about the proper way to conduct warfare between nobles and commoners on the same side. And, in addition, what a nobleman must do in their relationship with knights," Lorenz said.

"Mmmhmm, go on," Suzaku said, now sounding very intrigued.

"It's like this, you see," Lorenz said. "A nobleman's duty is to protect the commonfolk while, in turn, the commonfolk must, in turn, pay the nobles their taxes for their own protection. To have a commoner protect a noble is just hearsay. A knight's duty is in service to their lord as well, yet that too has its own boundaries." Lorenz frowned. "I cannot condone the idea of a mere commoner thinking himself needing to throw his life away for a noble. That simply won't do."

"Oh, I think I'm starting to get the picture," Suzaku said. "Perhaps this is simply a difference in culture." Suzaku then began to launch into a professional explanation. "In the days of old, feudal Samurai showed the utmost loyalty to their daimyo. Be they nobility or a commoner who worked their way up the ranks, it didn't matter. To live and die by the sword is the code of the samurai. A knight of Seiros is kind of like that. And, if it may help you, think of our elected positions as…temporary nobles. If you do not work hard to keep your noble status, the people won't re-elect you."

"Temporary nobles?" Lorenz sounded quite shocked. "My word! Japan must be so confused if they think nobles are just some…some…title they commodity they can trade around like it's the stock market!" He shook his head. "No! This will not do! I must report to my father at once! Still, I thank you for clearing the matter up. If it is a difference of culture, I cannot protest your servitude to the cause. As a knight, I believe you are in fine servitude to Lady Rhea and the church, therefore, I shall treat you as I would any other knight." He smiled as he gave a grand gesture to the young Japanese man. "Have a wonderous day, Sir Suzaku." Lorenz then left in a hurry.

And I thought Lelouch was insufferable the first time I met him, Suzaku thought. "Still," he thought aloud, "I should keep an eye on Lorenz. Wouldn't want a high-ranking Gloucester noble to land himself in trouble."

---

Mid-morning 3rd Day of the Garland Moon

"Hiyah!" The whir of energy swords against training targets accompanied Oldrin Zevon's battle shout. Finishing her maneuver and satisfied with her work, she took a break, wiping her brow of sweat. During this moment, Byleth approached.

"Oh! Professor. I didn't know you were watching," Oldrin said.

"I just arrived," Byleth said in her usual monotone.

"In that case, would you spar with me?" Oldrin asked. "You're handy with an energy sword yourself, are you not?"

Byleth nodded.

"Excellent!" Oldrin exclaimed. "Then show me what you can do, professor!" Oldrin grabbed practice swords and threw one to Byleth and held two in her own hands. "Don't hold back."

Many people asking the Ashen Demon not to hold back would have been five minutes away from entering the infirmary. Not Oldrin Zevon though. A master of the sword herself, she lasted quite a bit longer than that before ultimately throwing in the towel.

"Enough! Enough!" Oldrin exclaimed, staggering back. "I yield! I cannot best you." She took a knee, using one practice sword to prop her up.

"You're pretty good," Byleth said with a smile and a nod.

Oldrin panted, catching her breath before standing up and speaking. She left the training swords on the ground as she fanned out her skirt. "Yes, well, the Zevon family are the best swordswomen in all the Britannian Empire. So it is only natural."

Byleth cocked her head to the side, looking confused.

"Oh? You don't know about the Zevon family? I thought being so well-traveled you'd know all the noble houses," Oldrin said.

Byleth shook her head.

Oldrin nodded and gave a brief explanation. "The Zevon family has served the royal family for countless generations, dating back to the Empire's founding. We have always acted as the…Black Ops of the family. My uncle, Oiagros Zevon, is currently head of the house, the first man to actually be in charge. When he took charge, I left home because of…reasons and found myself in Mary's care. Together, we founded the Glinda Knights to fight terrorism."

"I see," Byleth said with a nod.

"Say, Professor, I know that, as a PMC, money is everything to you, but you…like…haven't taken jobs to help terrorists, have you? If you have, be honest, but know that I will never forgive you," Oldrin said sternly.

"How do you define terrorism?" Byleth asked.

Oldrin sounded surprised. "How do I define it?" She cocked her head to the side and pressed her knuckles to her cheek, pondering it. "Well…I guess…a terrorist is someone who disturbs the peace and tries to overthrow the government. Someone who hates the people you love so much that they would hurt them in the name of fear."

"Couldn't some terrorists say the same about corrupt nobles?" Byleth asked.

"Eh?" Oldrin sounded even more surprised now.

"Think about it," Byleth said to her. "What if you weren't a noble? If you were a commoner and nobility was oppressing you, would you not be angry with them?"

Oldrin was surprised how quickly Byleth turned this around. She then violently shook her head. "N-No! Professor! You can't justify terrorism!"

"I'm not," Byleth said, shaking her head.

"Yes, you are! You're giving me these doubts and you're trying to make me think terrorism isn't as evil as it actually is," Oldrin complained.

Byleth frowned. "That's not what I'm doing at all."

"Terrorism is evil! Plain and simple! A terrorist is a terrorist!"

"Oldrin, please calm down," Byleth requested.

Oldrin did, but only because at the end of the day, Byleth was still her superior.

"I'm not saying terrorists aren't evil, but I am saying that some terrorists might be fighting for a noble cause. There's nuance to everything," Byleth told her. "Think of how Faerghus and the Alliance were founded as an example."

Oldrin gasped. She could not refute it. Byleth had an excellent point. Faerghus and Leicester had both been founded via rebellion against the homeland.

"What's the founding of a new nation if not people we used to call terrorists founding their own nation. There are people who deserve to be called terrorists," Byleth told Oldrin. "But just because someone opposes your lifestyle, that doesn't automatically qualify them."

Oldrin had to admit, Byleth was absolutely right in what she was saying. "…I have a lot to think about now, Professor."

"Take your time," Byleth told her.

Oldrin bowed to Byleth as low as was appropriate without overdoing it. "I am proud to call you my teacher."

Byleth smiled. "And I am proud to call you my student."

Oldrin looked Byleth in the eye as she smiled. "Thank you, Professor."

---

Morning of the 4th Day of the Garland Moon

While today was a day off, Dimitri had been asked by Professor Hannemann to gather everyone around the lecture hall. The Blue Lions' request for the month had just come in and Hannemann didn't want it to wait.

"Gather round, students," the aging man said, "I have our mission for the month." He had a grim expression on his face. "Although I imagine some of you present will not be happy to hear it."

"Whatever it is, Professor," Ingrid said, raising and clenching her fists. "We're ready."

Hannemann nodded. "We've received word that Lord Lonato Gaspard has begun a rebellion against the Church of Seiros. He is has begun rallying his own people and is crossing through eastern Faerghus, setting fire to any church he happens to pass through. Sources say he is marching his army towards Rome."

"Then he'll not so much a lay a foot at the edge of our territory," Felix said. "Fraldarius and Gautier territory sits in most of Eastern Faerghus. My father and the Margrave will not let a rebellion like this pass through."

"I imagine if things were so simple, we wouldn't be having this conversation," Dimitri pointed out.

"Quite right you are, my boy," Hannemann said. "The Church is worried that Lord Lonato may be intending to link up with the Chinese Federation, which exists outside their jurisdiction and then they plan to launch an offensive against Rome itself. We will be tracking Lord Lonato's movements and leaving most of the heavy lifting to the Feudal Lords. We will be making sure, when the time is right, that no stragglers arrive at the Chinese border in Faerghus."

"Vill ve be taking 'ostages or simply killing anything that tries to cross?" Leila asked, curious.

"I believe we will receive more instruction when the situation gets closer," Hannemann said.

"Actually, I believe I can take it from here, Professor."

Into the lecture hall strode a tall, confident looking woman in all white garb. She had dark skin and blonde hair and piercing blue eyes.

"Thunder Catherine," Dimitri said, taken aback, recognizing her.

"My lady," Ingrid said, bowing, star struck.

"Peh," Felix scoffed, turning his head, having little respect for suck up knights like her.

"Ah, Miss Catherine," Hannemann said with a wide smile that made his mustache twitch, "It is good to see you. Your absence in these walls has been felt by many."

"Oof, and don't I know it," Catherine said. "But that's what happens when you're rubbing shoulders with Princess Cornelia of Britannia."

"Oh my," Hannemann gasped, surprised. "I did not realize you'd been asked to deal with such serious business."

"There were some disputes of territory in the Caribbean and Southern Britannia," Catherine explained. She folded her arms and turned her head one way and then the other to indicate she wanted to address all present. "Let's just say I don't plan to make an enemy of her any time soon." She smirked jovially. "I love a woman who can kick my ass, but not in a bullet in my head kind of way."

"I was under the impression you were the strongest knight in all of Rome," Ingrid said in shocked wonderment. "Is Princess Cornelia really so strong."

Catherine laughed. "Oh. No. I could absolutely take her, but she could really give me a run for my money. If I'm not careful and we were enemies, I get the feeling she'd have a shot at killing me."

"You shouldn't say that kind of thing so casually," Annette said, concerned. "This is your life we're talking about."

Catherine laughed louder. "Ah, sorry, little lady. Didn't mean to scare you."

"Would you care to tell us more about Lonato's rebellion, Catherine?" Mercedes requested earnestly.

Ashe sighed, getting a gnawing feeling in his gut. Lonato…why? …And why didn't you tell me?

"Well, what have you heard?" Catherine asked. "Let's compare notes."

---

That Afternoon…

Lelouch had just concluded a meal when he was preparing to head for Abyss for the rest of the day. However, he then noticed that the area was far livelier than usual.

That's odd, the Rite of Rebirth isn't until next month. It's too soon for this many people to be in good spirits. Faced with little information, Lelouch turned to the person he could trust most to be a wealth of information.

"Greetings, Lelouch! Nothing to report!" The gatekeeper exclaimed happily. "Although, say, have you heard of Thunder Catherine?"

"Who hasn't?" Lelouch asked with a smirk.

"Well, she's just come back to Rome so everyone's in good spirits. If the Holy Knights of Seiros are the cream of the crop, then she's the cream of the cream."

I see, so that's it. Thunder Catherine's back from the frontlines. But…Rhea wouldn't call her back unless something important was happening. "Do you know why she was called back?" Lelouch asked.

"Well apparently there's this big rebellion going on in Faerghus headed up by Lord Lonato Gaspard. I've heard Blue Lion house has been asked to take care of it," the Gatekeeper responded.

Blue Lion house? Ashe is being turned on his own adoptive father? Granted, the rebellion is taking place in Faerghus. They know the area, but even so…would Adrestia or even Britannia not have been a better unit to deploy? I should look into this.

Lelouch passed a note to the Gatekeeper, merely nodding to him as he hurried along. This was big. This was the kind of situation he'd been waiting for, and his house wasn't even being asked to deal with it. No, the Violet Tigers had been given the much more mundane task of playing trade security at a Leicester harbor in Southern Pacific waters. Alois would be going along with them.

Lelouch quickened his pace, but not to Abyss. No, he made for the cathedral first. He had to speak with a certain someone to see how they were doing before he made his bigger move. While Lelouch was not the biggest socialite, he still had a good read on people and what people would do. This allowed him to easily predict his target's location. In a front pew on the left side of the cathedral, sat a very sad looking Ashe Ubert.

Lelouch sat next to him. "Credit for your thoughts?" he asked.

Ashe snapped out of his doldrums. "Oh. Lelouch!" Ashe exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard about the rebellion. News is spreading. I figured you would be feeling…conflicted." Lelouch did his best to look as sympathetic as possible. "I thought maybe you could use someone to talk to, or at the very least vent."

Ashe sighed deeply. "Lonato…I don't understand why he would do something like this. He's not responding to my calls and even my siblings said they're home alone."

He's cut Ashe off? Lelouch thought. Now Lelouch was deathly confused. He had figured Ashe may have had at least some inclination as to Lonato's behavior, but for Ashe to be completely out of the loop…

No…it's not outside the realm of possibility. That just changes the objective, or perhaps paints Lonato's character in a different light. "You were adopted by him, correct?" Lelouch asked.

"Yes, that's correct. I used to live at Castle Gaspard with my two younger siblings and my older adoptive brother Christophe."

Now that was a name Lelouch knew. Christophe Gaspard, a former Holy Knight of Seiros and formerly working alongside Thunder Catherine. He died in servitude to the church. That's the official story anyway. But I'm not the sort of man that believes the official story without proof.

Lelouch listened to Ashe continue. "I was on my own, actually. Had to do some things I'm not proud of just to survive. But…one day I broke into a mansion. I was just going into the library, looking for anything that looked valuable when I saw a book with a pristine, riveted spine. I thought perhaps it was a rare printing and it could sell for a mint. I wasn't prepared to find Lonato asleep in his own library. I must admit, I was quite spooked. However…he didn't stop me. Instead…he actually asked me to take a seat and offered me cookies and milk. It was pretty awkward at first, but we just started talking. Before I knew it, he was asking my siblings and me to come live in his house."

So he took pity on Ashe after hearing his story, Lelouch thought.

"Lonato has always treated me as if I were his real son," Ashe said. "It didn't matter to him that I kept his last name, even Christophe treated me like part of the family. Lonato always cut back on taxes when the economy was down to help the people and within Gaspard territory, employee wages at the lowest level were always his priority."

A man of the people then. I could understand if his rebellion was aimed at the throne of Faerghus, but he's heading for Rome to attack the Church. That seems a bit strange, Lelouch thought.

"I'm worried, Lelouch," Ashe said. "I've heard how the church has been treating Prince Clovis. I…I don't want to lose Lonato, or see him treated like that. I couldn't bear the weight of that tragedy."

"So what will you do?" Lelouch asked. "You're being asked to meet him on the field of battle as an enemy."

"…I don't know," Ashe said weakly. "But…" he said with much more stern eyes. "I feel like if I don't meet him on the field of battle, I won't understand his reasons. I just don't want to see him ruin everything he stands for!"

When Lelouch first sat down, he had done so simply to gather intel. But now he wasn't seeing Ashe as a mouthpiece of information. Now he was seeing Ashe Ubert as a person. He was an honest youth looking to prove himself, to be even half the knight Christophe Gaspard was. And now, the person that had given him that dream was being hypocritical towards everything he instilled in Ashe. While Lelouch couldn't say he knew exactly what Ashe was going through, he did know what it was like to have his whole world thrown into chaos.

Lelouch could see the gory sight of his mother's body as it bled upon the Ares Villa staircase as if it happened yesterday. He could see his father's anger, and the dismayed look of his siblings as he was forced into an airplane and all contact ripped away from him. And, until Lelouch met Jeralt, he'd lost himself to anger, to revenge.

Ashe was different though, and Lelouch could see that. Ashe had no intention of letting the chaos of his personal turmoil turn him into a cynic. He wanted answers, just as Lelouch wanted answers, but he wasn't using that as an excuse to stop being a bad person.

Well, then again, you, for the foreseeable future still have a roof over your head, and a future, Lelouch thought. He stood up. "Ashe, don't lose sight of who you are." He began to walk away. "The world needs men like you in it serving as a knight or a soldier. Stay vigilant and never give in to despair."

Ashe gaped at Lelouch's back. "Lelouch…" He made a sour face as if he'd just swallowed pure lemon juice and then stood up. With a fist slamming into his chest, Ashe declared, "I won't! I'll stay vigilant and become a knight!"

With a crafty smirk, Lelouch said without turning around. "Well, do your best."

---

It didn't take Lelouch a long time at all to make his way down to Abyss in the Zero Matrix. He was stopped by the Abyss Keeper.

"Hey! You! I got something to report!" he exclaimed. "They say in the Holy Empire of Britannia that the Gemini Villa was vacated by the la Britannias. Apparently Lady Gabrielle became inconsolable after Prince Clovis wasn't being brought home and had to be committed to an asylum for her mental health. No one knows what's become of the other heiress to the villa Lila la Britannia."

Gemini Villa's switching hands? I wasn't expecting that. Guess I'll have to keep an eye out for Lila though. I never knew much about her back in Britannia. I would hate to see her make landfall here. It could be trouble, but the fact that her presence is unknown means Britannia can't even declare her legally dead or a traitor. That doesn't sit well with me.

Britannia was willing to slander or make false statements about anyone if it furthered their propaganda. Lelouch's premature death declaration was one such example. For Lila to simply be declared missing in action rather than dead or having turned on Britannia meant that something was going on that made things politically difficult to declare her such. And the person who had the biggest access to something like that was, of course, Lelouch's older brother Schneizel.

What are you planning? Lelouch thought.

"Apparently," The Abyss Keeper continued, "There's debate in the Britannian Homeland over who should inherit Clovis's position as Ambassador to Neo-Japan: Second Princess Cornelia or First Princess Guinevere. If you want my personal opinion, I think First Princess Guinevere should take over. She's gorgeous."

Lelouch was thankful he wore a helmet so as not to show the expression on his face.

"What? Don't look at me like that! Even lowly guards like me have dreams and aspirations."

After passing by the Abyss Keeper, Lelouch made for the classroom of the Ashen Wolves, only to be stopped by a man with long brown hair in a red robe.

"Ah, Zero," he said. "I was wondering if I might catch you face to face."

"You have me at a disadvantage."

"I am Aelfric, Abyss's caretaker. In some respects I was an on again off again teacher for the Ashen Wolves before you showed up," Aelfric said.

"Apologies for stealing your job," Zero replied, the distortion in his voice making it difficult to tell if he was being serious or not.

"No. No apology necessary," Aelfric said, holding up a hand, shaking his head. "I've never seen my flock so lively before. You have my thanks."

Lelouch studied Aelfric carefully. There was something about this man that seemed…fake in a way, but Lelouch couldn't place his finger on it exactly. He was too calm. It reminded him of Schneizel for all the wrong reasons.

"Then I shall take your gratitude at face value," Zero responded. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a big announcement to make."

"Well then, I shant keep you. Good day to you, Zero," Aelfric said and walked away.

Zero felt fortunate that the Ashen Wolves were all present in the classroom. That meant that he didn't have to fetch anyone. Zero began his entrance by leaping onto a pair of desks at the far end of the room by the chalkboard.

"Member of Ashen Wolf house!" Zero declared, throwing his arms into the air. "I bring to you our next big mission!"

"Mission?" Yukiya Naruse, the young man always with a game console in his hands, said. He was also the pilot of the Cosmic Gyro. "Maybe you've forgotten Zero, but even though we're the Ashen Wolves, we're kind of the Black Sheep of the Church."

Zero held his left hand out in front of him as if cupping a goblet. "Those who would spurn a missive are not proponents of safety, only of laziness!"

Another student leaned back, resting his tall, messy brown hair against his hands. He was the pilot of the Howling Timberwolf, Ryo Sayama. "Jeez, what are you, some kind of poet?"

Zero stood on one desk now, covering himself with his cape. "As a teacher of life, I consider myself a scholar in all manner of important subjects."

"Well heck, don't keep us in suspense, out with it," a girl with strawberry red hair and dark skin said with an enthusiastic nod. This was Hapi, the pilot of the Demonic Hellcat.

Zero turned his attention to Yuri. "Word from the surface has come about Lonato's rebellion against the church."

"And I say more power to 'em," Yuri said. "Even if Garreg Mach goes down, we're still here."

"I couldn't agree more," Zero said. "But Lonato's rebellion has zero chance of success. Therefore, I have a mission to the eight of you."

The blonde and purple haired girl gasped, aghast. "Ah! Are you suggesting we aid in a rebellion against the church? The sheer barbarity of the idea!" This was Constance von Nuvelle of House Nuvelle, proud pilot of the Magnificent Peacock.

"Should it come to that, yes. I do envision lending Lonato our aid. However, before we can consider such a proposition, reconnaissance will need to be done," Zero said, "What I presently know about Lonato would make his rebellion make sense…if the target was the empty throne of Faerghus."

"Ah," Yuri said with a smirk, "I see our teacher has done their homework. So, you want us innocent boys and girls to go scampering off into the world and research Lonato."

"I imagine much of the research could be done from within Abyss, but I am not opposed to taking a ship or two, if one can be procured, to do research in Faerghus territory," Zero stated.

"No worries. Abyss has access to its own special hangar," Yuri stated.

"Ahhhhh! We could take the Neverland!" Constance exclaimed.

"The Neverland?" Zero inquired.

A large man with hulking muscles that seemed to give Raphael a run for his money stood up. He had coifed black hair. This was Balthus von Albrecht, the pilot of the Rolling Thunder. "That's our flagship, pal. Yuri here's been preppin' the Ashen Wolves in case we ever get sent out as a forward unit on the Church's behalf."

"There's always a chance that one day the Monastery could come under siege," Yuri said. "When that happens, the Ashen Wolves need to be ready. We're extremely expendable after all."

"And that's why I keep telling you, we should be prepared to turn on the church, not help them." Zero looked over to a girl with black hair and pinkish purple eyes. Her name was Ayano Kosaka. She was the pilot of the Starlight Shinobi.

"If we turn our backs on the Church we will have absolutely nowhere to run if the people rebelling against it don't win," A man with black hair said cynically. He was currently polishing the scabbard on an old-style katana, the blade still sheathed. This was Akito Hyuga, the pilot of the Wyvern Revenant. "And even if the rebels do win, there's no guarantee we'd have a new place to call home. But if we follow the church, we'll always have something."

"There's always the third option of just skipping the battle altogether," Hapi said.

"Why'd you wanna do that? Who doesn't love a good fight?" Balthus asked, laughing.

"People who want their heads attached to their shoulders," Yuri said, shaking his head in dismay. He looked at Zero. "Say this does come down to us offering Lonato aid, what then?"

"Then we pick our battlefield carefully. We would be facing the Blue Lion house and Thunder Catherine," Zero stated.

"Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait," Yukiya said, shocked, sweating, "You want us to potentially offer aid to a man that's caught the church's ire so much they're sending Thunder Catherine to deal with him?"

"That was what I implied, yes," Zero responded.

"Sorry, but that's too tall of an order," Yukiya said. "This is a suicide mission. You're going to get us all killed!"

"And you'd be right, if the battle against Thunder Catherine was even the objective," Zero said.

"What do you mean?" Yukiya asked.

Yuri seemed to get it. "You're after the much bigger prize. You're not after the who, you're after the why. Lonato's rebellion makes little sense and so we, scuttling around behind the scenes, are going to uncover the truth. It's devious, crafty, and full of mortal danger, which is precisely why I like it."

"And this is why you're house leader, Yuri," Zero stated.

Yuri chuckled sinisterly. "Well, I do aim to please." He turned his attention to Yukiya. "Don't worry, nobody's dying on my watch, least of all you guys."

"You'd better hope so or I'll haunt you until you're 90," Yukiya responded with a smug smirk.

"Well let's hope I've been executed by then," Yuri quipped in response.

"Does anyone have any additional questions?" Zero asked.

Nobody said anything of note.

"Good then. Ashen Wolves, dismissed!" Zero exclaimed and then left.

However, while waiting for the elevator, he was approached by someone. That someone was Constance. "Zero, I know you are quite busy, but a moment of your time," she said.

Zero checked his phone. "I can spare a few minutes I suppose."

"Excellent, then I shall be as upfront and direct as possible. Why do you hide your face from us?" Constance asked.

Lelouch had to give Constance credit. Her discretion to not call him out in front of the entire house was appreciated.

"Hmm? Can a man not hide his face? I thought that was common in Abyss," Zero responded.

"Were you staying down here, I would not be most curious, but as you frequently switch between the surface and coming down to Abyss, I must profess that I was not born yesterday," Constance said, furrowing her brow. "You could not stay upon the surface world and completely hide your face. Perhaps your eyes, like a noble attending a ball with an opera mask, but you do not even show us so much as a hair upon your head, which means you have an identity well-known to the public, yet you hide it from us."

Lelouch had to give Constance further credit. She was a sharp one.

"Discretion is necessary," Zero responded. "Abyss's seedier underbelly is a place where my exposed identity could cause me trouble on the surface."

"I see, so then you must be someone very important on the surface," Constance said with a nod.

"I'll leave that proposal to your imagination," Zero said. "Will that be all?" he asked, wanting out of this conversation.

"Hold just a moment! Teacher or no, I am nobility and shall dismiss you when I am through with you," Constance said, swiping her arm across the air.

"I've looked into House Nuvelle and its standing," Zero said. "You are as noble as the late Lelouch vi Britannia during his exile."

"AH!" Constance yelped, accosted. "You offend me, good sir! The late Lelouch vi Britannia was kicked out of his noble house. I hold all claims to the land which House Nuvelle once stood upon. Once I have accumulated enough money to reclaim the land from the nature that has stolen it, I shall once again live as a noblewoman worthy of recognition of her future majesty, Lady Edelgard von Hresvelg."

Zero didn't really know what to say to that, so he said nothing.

"Be aware, Zero, that though you may teach us, I and several of my classmates will unmask you one day out of sheer curiosity," Constance said.

In one quick motion, Zero had taken hold of Constance's hand, placing it upon the hard light of his helmet. The sudden pull had swept Constance nearly off her feet, her back supported by Zero's free hand.

"Oh," Constance cooed. It was the position she was in and not the mask staring back at her that had her blushing and feeling faint, as though she was being courted.

"I am not a man, nor am I a woman, Constance von Nuvelle. I am Zero, the miracle worker. I am neither flesh, nor am I blood. I am an idea." He moved his hand in order to snake his fingers into her palm. "To unmask me would mean to end that idea, that ideal. And should I become unmasked, Constance von Nuvelle, then House Nuvelle would never stand again. I am what's propping you up now," he said, pushing his hand firmly into her back. "And were I to disappear, so would your own dream."

Constance blushed a little more, only to become too embarrassed to remain in this position. She got out of Zero's grip and stood firmly on her own two feet. "D-Do not think so highly of yourself," she stuttered, blush not yet completely erased. "I do not require such aid to make my dreams a reality. But…I…understand your feelings on the matter, Zero," Constance said, smiling despite the fact that she was still blushing. "I do believe that us working together shall restore the glory of House Nuvelle. Therefore, you have my full support be it my magic or my piloting skills via the Magnificent Peacock. AHAHAHA!"

"Good, I expect great things from you, Constance. At present, your magic is probably the most potent weapon, not including an HLKMF, that the Ashen Wolves have."

Constance found herself tongue tied, sweating a little. After a moment to compose herself, she stuttered, still blushing, "F-flattery will get you nowhere, P-Professor Zero, e-even if it's true. And it is. I shall eagerly be awaiting your next lesson."

"Then, until we meet again!" Zero exclaimed and stepped into the elevator, disappearing from view.

---

That Night…

Boom!

Click! Chunk! Ka-chitk! Chunk!

Boom!

Click! Chunk! Ka-chitk! Chunk!

Boom!

Click! Chunk! Ka-chitk! Chunk!

Ashe Ubert stood alone in the training ground, firing and reloading his trusty rifle. Fate had given him a poor roll of the dice, but he was going to own up to it. He would not sit idly by and be ill-prepared for a confrontation with the adoptive father he loved so much.

Boom!

Boom!

Ashe was certain he'd only fired once. He lowered his rifle and turned to see Kallen Kozuki standing nearby. She smiled at him. He smiled back. Words didn't need to be exchanged. The two then stood in the training yard, firing side by side at targets. No matter what would come, Ashe knew, this friendship would endure.

And with the next shot from his rifle, he tore a hole through the bullseye.

---

On the top floor of a tower contained within Garreg Mach, the Flame Emperor stood within its walls, their back to the stonework, no one able to spot them from the windows as they took out a mobile phone.

The figure from their last phone call after the destruction of the Iron King's Thief appeared once again. "So, Lord Lonato has rebelled."

"Yes," the Flame Emperor responded. "Everything is as we've set in motion."

"Then there is nothing to be concerned about," Lord Arundel responded. "What of Prince Clovis?"

"I had an ally of mine check his condition the other day. It appears the church plans to keep him alive, probably because killing him would be difficult to justify. I doubt we can make use of him without causing a stir. However, killing him would be counterintuitive to our plans as well," The Flame Emperor said.

"And the Rite?"

"Word is that Princess Cornelia plans to attend and will likely be bringing the Glaston Knights with her. Infiltration will be tricky," The Flame Emperor stated.

"Could we—"

"Let me stop you right there. The very idea that one of our own could masquerade as Princess Cornelia is a fool's endeavor," The Flame Emperor said with a shake of their head. "And that's assuming you could even capture her at all. It is no different than saying we could replace Thunder Catherine or the untamed Shamir Nevrand."

"Hmm, disappointing, but a fair assessment I suppose," Lord Arundel responded. "Do keep an eye out for someone replaceable, would you? Kronya is complaining how she was robbed of her opportunity to play the role we had agreed upon."

"I cannot be held accountable for actions the Glinda Knights took independently," The Flame Emperor stated.

"No, of course not," Lord Arundel responded, "Assuming, of course, that those actions were, in fact, independent."

Neither Emperor nor Lord spoke for close to a minute.

"The longer I stay here, the longer I risk being exposed," The Flame Emperor stated. "I bid you a good night."

"And a good night to you as well, my magnificent Flame Emperor," Lord Arundel said and ended the call.

At this, the HLKMF that was the Flame Emperor's appearance willfully dissipated, starting from the boots on up, revealing red leggings, and, eventually a head of long, white hair.

"Yes, a good night to you, my uncle," Edelgard spat with venom as she stood alone in the tower, "And one day may that rest you take be in a coffin…"

…Where the maggots feast upon your bones.

---

(A/N: (snaps fingers)

*Yuukyou Seishn Ka plays*

Ikedomo Kemonomichi Shishi yo tora yo to hoe

Edelgard sits alone on a crate, overlooking the pond at the Monastery

Akane sasu sora no cantata ni mahoroba

She turns her head as someone approaches.

Yuushuu no kodoku ni amayou seishun wa

That someone is Dimitri and he stands next to her by the crate as the two gaze at what could be sunset or sunrise.

Yowasa to ikari ga sugata nake teki desu ka

Elsewhere, Zero stands facing the Ashen Wolves with his hand holding a piece of chalk, tapping it to the board.

Chichi yo mada ware wa

But of course, the Ashen Wolves are being rowdy and some aren't even paying attention. At the very least Ayano is egregiously annoyed that Ryo is trying to copy off her notes. Constance, Yuri, Hapi and Akito are all paying close attention.

Onore wo shirigatashi

Sakidatsu anira no

At this same time, Kallen is preparing to load a rifle at the training ground.

Mienai senaka wo oeba

In the background behind her, Ingrid is yelling at Sylvain, pointing to Sokkia who is sticking her tongue out at him.

Mayoi no hitoyo ni

Myoujou wa izanau

Shi shite owarnaru

The statues of the four saints are currently being wiped clean by Ferdinand and Bernadetta, but the latter is tripping over the soap bucket

Yume wo kogaredomo

Tashika na kimi koso waga inochi

Byleth carries a sleeping Nunnally across the Monastery on her back, while Shez chases after them both for reasons unknown.

Reppu no kouya de

Seteth sits in his office doing paperwork

Chou yo hana yo to iki

A little girl with green hair that looks vaguely like him peeks around the corner, wondering if she can interrupt him from his work

Tokoshie no haru ni sakisou maboroshi

Kondaku no junketsu

Oldrin Zevon stands over a table in the dining hall, barking angrily at Felix

Kono mi wa yogoretemo

They appear to be arguing over whether knights, soldiers or PMCs are better and appear to have dragged poor Marika into their debate to judge.

Kokoro no nishiki wo shinjiteite kudasai

Haha yo kesshite ware wa namida wo misene domo

All of these images are shown to be spread out as photos in a picture book of some kind as a steady hand closes it.

Ashimoto no

The owner is revealed to be Jeralt Eisner who, with a steady hand, picks up the book and puts it on a shelf.

Kusa ni tsuyu wa kiemosede

Jeralt takes one last look at his office as he smiles, turns out the light and walks away…

…Well…what do you think? Someone suggested I try to do an "Anime opening" style for the fic so I went ahead and added an ending on top of that? Should I keep it? Should I nix it for next chapter? I worked really hard on this. I'll decline to talk about the plot, but I hope you're all having a good time. I have a vague major idea of the direction the plot is headed in but everything else is kind of winged, which is rare for me. Normally I plan things out down to the last detail. … …Oh! Very important! Don't take any scene you saw in this chapter as confirmation of a pairing/ship. Men and women can interact without shipping goggles on, but hey I know that won't convince some of you XD. Until next time though, as always, from all of me, to all of you, let your hearts stay human and your wrath draconic. Ja ne!)