Throne of Glass
Part Three: To Seek Tomorrow
Chapter 41: The One Who Knocks
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New Tokyo, Yoake; 2020 ATB
The sight before him was one completely different than what he saw from this vantage in the years prior.
It wasn't just the structures he had this view of, or the room from which he observed them. But the atmosphere of this incredible city was unrecognizable from what was once called the Tokyo Settlement. Three years had passed, and in that short time, thousands of hopeful men and women came together to build the future they had dreamed of with their own hands.
And he had been entrusted with safeguarding those hopes. It was a duty he had never believed himself capable of fulfilling, and yet he was here all the same.
Clovis la Britannia, former prince of the Holy Britannian Empire, stood atop the achievements of a man who gave his life for them. This was not his accomplishment, he did not deserve the praise he was often given for simply standing where he stood. Yet all the same that was the hand he was dealt, when others had been robbed of theirs.
Clovis watched as far below, thousands of citizens of his nation, people of all origins, crowded the streets as far as he could see. Today was the day they celebrated deliverance, the day their victory was purchased with the life of the man whose visage was memorialized within the center of the city. Gathered round shoulder to shoulder, they looked up upon a statue dedicated to the martyr who should have been here instead.
He knew however, that nothing he could do would avert what had transpired, such was the cruelty of reality. Thus he only had not but the choice to move forward. That was the vow he made that lifted him from his despair. The promise to protect the bright days they shared, and offer it to as many as he could. That was the oath Clovis chose to walk himself, and perhaps one day it might carry him out of his shadow.
But even now, it still looked as daunting as though it was cast by that statue before him.
"Your Highness, it's nearly time for the celebration."
Behind him, Jeremiah Gottwald approached the Clovis. The man had remained faithful and ever loyal, even if just to the memory of his former master. Though nothing seemed to get him to acknowledge Clovis as anything other than a prince of Britannia. Disinheritance and renouncement were apparently not enough, and he considered himself in no capacity royalty any longer.
"It's quite lively this year, isn't it?" Clovis commented.
"Indeed, their morale hasn't seemed to diminish just yet." Jeremiah said, coming to stand beside the former prince.
"There is no shortage of problems to contend with." He said with a tired sigh. "But for now, we can forget them. Let's be on our way, Jeremiah."
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Surrounded by countless people, all bustling around her, Milly Ashford still felt utterly alone. Though they all wore smiling faces, and exchanged kind words, she felt none of it.
She imagined that's how he must have felt. Milly had known, even long before the ugly truth had been revealed in its fullest, that he had moved on past her. The horizon he saw, the world he envisioned, did it look anything like the one they enjoyed in this small haven he gave his life for?
While Milly had indulged in her frivolous antics at school, the boy she once considered a brother in all but name had tirelessly worked to drag them all up to that same view.
Surely, that must have been a lonely endeavor.
Before her was a great monument to his name, though it was not nearly enough to give proper thanks. It pained her, to think that he would only ever be remembered by a name that was never even his own. But perhaps Allen Ashford was the man he wanted to be. In the years she had known him, he had become quite an admirable man. Though it took three years of reflection to finally understand that.
Allen Ashford. The guiding sun of Yoake.
Milly read the plaque and the foot of the memorial, and offered it a sorrowful smile.
"I'm still trying, so maybe one day I'll reach the heights you saw, Lelouch." Milly said to herself. "Say hello to Nunnally for me."
With those words, the president of Ashford Enterprises departed.
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Temple Tower, Pendragon; 2020 ATB
A young woman walked with a confidant stride down the cold and foreboding hallways deep within the earth. This was a place none wished to be, its depths whispered about in fearful reminders that there was a hell on earth. For any who found themselves within its walls, would never see the sun again.
Despite that infamy, Kallen Stadtfeld looked forward to these visits more than anything. It could be said it was her reason for living, to a degree. Enough that she sold out everything that she had once fought for to be here. It helped that she was allowed to leave, she supposed. Princess Cornelia wouldn't be too happy if she did not return for whatever reason.
A single day every month. In exchange, Kallen offered herself to Britannia, the very evil she had once fought to destroy.
Her reasons for such were simple: as long as they used her, they would not use him. That was the agreement she made with Cornelia. And the emperor cared only for results. So she delivered those results.
An elevator took her to the deepest depths of Temple Tower, to an area of especially damned occupants. Her journey there however was a simple one. Visitors here were exceedingly rare, yet Kallen made frequent and consistent appearances. All the keepers here recognized her right away, and did not halt her progress.
Eventually, after several minutes of walking through heavily secured passages, she arrived at her destination. The maximum security wing where the Empire's most heinous of criminals and other problems were shoved so very far under the rug.
"One last check, Lady Stadtfeld." The overseer did stop her though, as was customary. They had done this dozens of times, and like always, Kallen complied without issue.
After determining she carried nothing dangerous that had somehow managed to slip past the initial security gates, Kallen was allowed entry into the wing. She was escorted to the elevator in the center of a vast, circular room. This shaft took her to the cell level, where each was along the perimeter of the room, with the only way out being the elevator she came in. And a seemingly bottomless pit stood between them. The bridge that spanned that gap was lowered for her, so she used it to cross to her chosen cell. Number Eleven. Deliberate irony on more than one count.
Kallen stopped before the cell, its single occupant perched himself upon the plain bed frame. He was, like always, engrossed in a book. Each visit, she was permitted to give him one. She recalled the last one she had left him being The Count of Monte Cristo. It appeared to be his current novel of choice, but by now, he had quite the collection stacked in the corner of the tiny room.
Sharp amethyst eyes scanned the pages, absorbed by the tale they told. Although she remembered a different color, that royal violet suited him far better. As did the long since returned raven hair that he kept tied up. He hadn't cut it since arriving here, and of course, he hadn't dyed it either.
Clearing her throat, Kallen called out to him. "Hello there, Lelouch."
The man's eyes stopped, glancing up beyond the pages. "Ah, Kallen." He spoke with a smooth voice, deceiving in its tone. "I hadn't realized what day it was. What a pleasant surprise."
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Ashford Event Hall; 2020 ATB
Clovis arrived to the bustling of preparations for a more private party in honor of their deliverer. Yoake was still home to no small number of influential individuals. And rapid growth led to opportunities for new players to join the game. One of those players was a man standing to the side, watching the preparations underway.
"Mr. Sawasaki, you're quite early I see." Clovis approached the man with Jeremiah in tow.
The Japanese man gave him a paper-thin smile. "Chancellor Clovis." His gaze regarded the others around them. "I was merely observing these fine fellows. And of course awaiting any opportunity to converse with those who might arrive, such as yourself."
With finely crafted grace, Clovis offered a charismatic expression that expertly hid his disdain. "Well here I am, Mr. Sawasaki."
The title of Chancellor he held was currently one of supreme authority. It was Lelouch's design to maintain complete control of the new government and military following Yoake's establishment. Under the pretense of ensuring their safety, it was without question that he be that authority. At least, that was meant to be a temporary measure. Five years following that self-appointment, the many citizens of differing backgrounds were to be given the right to select a new leader. The purpose for such an act was to prove he was indisputably head of the nation. Clovis, of course, was perfectly able to contend for that spot for another term, as Lelouch would have as well. But whereas his predecessor undoubtedly would have secured that position, Clovis' was far more precarious.
The man before him was at the forefront threatening that position. A member of old Japan's government, likely the only remaining to claim that background, Sawasaki possessed sizable support with the Japanese populace that could not be ignored. Clovis however had no intention of handing any degree of power to him whatsoever. Even as the two of them conversed amicably in public, the former prince did not trust Sawasaki in the slightest.
He had no way of proving it, partly thanks to the liberal method for Japanese to acquire legitimate citizenship; but Sawasaki's whereabouts the last seven years before turning up as a legal citizen of Yoake were highly suspicious. From what Sayoko was able to gather, it was likely he had strong ties to the Chinese Federation. He certainly wasn't in Area Eleven during the duration of the occupation. What that meant for Yoake should Sawasaki acquire more authority…well, Clovis had no intention of allowing that.
Sawasaki wasn't the only internal threat though. Former Duke Calares had accumulated influence of his own among the Britannian populace. Though most of the nobility, and many of the more zealous commoners fled, some still stayed either out of necessity or personal reasons. Clovis, being Britannian himself, attracted the more liberal minded of his nationality, but Calares represented those who disagreed with the equality he attempted to enforce.
Those two men personified the two halves he had to merge together. Though Lelouch had mixed them well enough, like oil and water they began to split.
"I hear your efforts in India have finally born fruit." Sawasaki commented after several minutes of more meaningless platitudes.
"That's correct." Clovis answered. "I hope to share our success tonight. After all, it's a significant milestone for our nation, and the legacy we must uphold."
"Yes, Ashford was reliant upon India when they first rebuilt their company weren't they? It must have been difficult for him to see them fall to Britannia, even while attempting to aid their revolution." The Japanese man said, the constant sickening grin he always wore still plastered on. Whereas Lelouch once possessed an unmatched charismatic and disarming demeanor; this man always came across as revolting at best. The smile on his face was painfully fake, it fooled nobody.
Clovis often wondered if he once wore a similar disposition. He hoped he no longer did.
"We had, unfortunately, too few resources available at the time to ensure India's freedom. Which is why we now are obligated to fight to ensure they now have that right." Clovis spoke with passion. Knowing what actually happened to their once allies only strengthened his resolve."Yoake is a beacon for the future, a land of true equality and prosperity we must share with as many as we can. It is the duty Allen wished to carry himself. I hope you understand what it means to try to carry that mantle, Sawasaki."
Clovis knew however, he did not.
"Of course, Allen Ashford was a remarkable man, and an inspiration to us all." Sawasaki spoke with pomp flourish. "His legacy deserves to endure in this place, and spread all across the world."
Clovis really did wonder how a man whose lies were so transparent made a career of politics. He supposed in a way it made him painfully honest, since you knew he always meant the opposite of what he said.
"You don't know half of it. If I could have traded my life for his, I'd have done it a hundred times over." Clovis told him. "They took a truly incomparable man from us."
Yoake had been his dream. And Clovis would not let anyone harm it. From within, or without.
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Pendragon; 2020 ATB
Schneizel gazed out the window of his personal car upon the imposing structures of Britannia's capital. From the dozens of noble properties to the grand Imperial Palace, Pendragon was the epitome of Britannian dominance over nature and all mankind.
Yet a portion of that grandeur had been eradicated, replaced by a defiant monument to change. In the time since that rebellion Schneizel had not been allowed to forget that impossible feat his brother achieved. Even though Clovis has taken it upon himself to fulfill the role he left behind, no matter how unfit he was; Lelouch had left him an outrageously advantageous hand to play. His little brother knew full well the position Britannia was in, and not only exploited it, but shifted it in his favor. All at the expense of India.
And now, Clovis was directing his little corner of the world to expand beyond their borders; reclaiming what they had given up. On top of that, the emperor finally exhausted his patience, and had demanded Schneizel do something about his treasonous son across the ocean. His efforts to covertly dismantle what seemed to be an impossible miracle seemed to be fruitless. Though it obviously wasn't his intention, Allen Ashford's martyrdom became an integral component to preserving the cohesion of what should have been incompatible groups.
"Kanon, put in a call to Calares." He spoke, eyes on the structure they were heading toward. A menacing building that stood apart from the splendor of the capital.
He was not made to wait terribly long before the Duke answered him, halfway across the world though he was. "Prime Minister, apologies, I wasn't in a private setting."
"That's quite alright. I just need to confirm your current situation again." He told the man.
"Well, it's as you previously heard." The 'former' Duke answered. "I have gathered a sizable support base, not even including the agents you've sent here. But the fact still remains that the Eleven population simply outnumbers us. And irritably, Clovis actually has plenty of support among Britannians here as well. I beg your forgiveness, your highness, but I need more time to produce meaningful results. We've been working with the commoners to-"
"I'm afraid His Majesty has decided that we have not any more time to offer." He interrupted. "It isn't how I wanted to proceed, but frankly it isn't up to me. If this goes on any longer, then our war with the EU will come to a grinding halt. Without the sakuradite Yoake provides, we cannot continue."
Schneizel sighed, there really wasn't an elegant solution to this. "Therefore we must ensure Area Eleven is once again under imperial control. No matter what."
"I…see. I'll do what I can in the meantime. Perhaps there will still be a windfall, Clovis has dedicated a lot of attention to liberating India, and I've looked into sabotaging that locally." Calares said.
"Do what you can then. Whatever short term gains you can muster." In truth, Schneizel hadn't ever expected Calares to actually seize any meaningful power away from Clovis. But the idea had been to destabilize his power base enough that the natural rift present would open big enough to swallow him.
His brother however had become far more adept at statecraft than he had been almost a decade ago.
"That's all the time I have, good luck to you, Calares."
His destination now loomed over them, much more ominous up close. He hadn't the reason to ever come here personally before. Though he had sent more than a few here himself.
"Let's go, Kanon."
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New Dehli Outskirts, Disputed Area 19; 2020 ATB
Cornelia absolutely loathed being here. Even if float technology had rendered the terrain a moot point, the memory of it certainly didn't go away. And it was here she suffered genuine humiliation for the first time.
It didn't help that the second time around, she did not fare much better.
The growth of their war machines had been exponential. And though knightmares still remained the spearhead of their military, they had since taken to the skies.
Ashford-Lelouch, had pioneered the possibility. Leaving Britannia to frustratingly catch up in the wake of their devastating defeat three years prior. Though Cornelia's forces were now mostly airborne, Yoake's own standard had not stagnated. And so, to her endless dismay, the princess' foes remained just out of reach.
Perhaps one of the most important moves her brother played, was ensuring his side had the most brilliant minds at his disposal.
Indeed, his allies were all quite capable, enough to carry on without him. Despite such devastating betrayal.
Clovis had done commendable work leading in their brother's stead. And he had recently directed efforts to once again drag India to the forefront of conflict. Namely, the territory under Britannian control: Area Nineteen. Slightly less than half of what had been India was seized by the Chinese Federation, becoming a disciplinary zone of the eastern superpower. Cornelia imagined they were watching this struggle with keen interest, waiting for an opportunity to pounce. Because unlike the rest of the world, the Chinese actually did have difficulty keeping up with the rapid development of arms. Even the EU had been making steady advances to bridge the gap.
So, thanks to the volatility of the situation, and the threat their foes possessed, Cornelia once again found herself in this place. Fighting for the first time in recent imperial history, a defensive war against a foreign power.
She observed the city of New Dehli for the vantage of her Logres-class battleship. Britannia had come a long way in producing airships such as this one. And while they certainly had more of them than Yoake, their dreadnought Mirai was still undisputedly dominant in the skies. And by now, it was not the only vessel in their fleet.
Three Hōfuku-class airships were suspended above the city, which as of two days ago, fell out of imperial control. She might have had with her four more Logres, and almost a dozen Caerleons; but she was infuriatingly outmatched by these three and their six escort Kibō corvettes.
That little island nation had, in three short years, become a formidable influence on the world stage.
Her phone buzzed, prompting the princess to frown. That was her personal device. She could count the number of people with access to it on one hand, and half of them were with her now.
Her apprehension only grew when the number could not be identified. Hesitantly, she brought the phone to her ear.
"Yes? This is Cornelia." She spoke.
"Hello there, Cornelia." came a distorted voice. Altered just so that she could not identify it. "I hope you are doing well."
"Who is this? How did you contact me?" She demanded.
"You are still outside New Dehli right now, aren't you?" The voice asked, ignoring her questions.
"What does that matter to you? What is it you want?" She allowed her irritation to clearly bleed in her tone. The Chief General was not amused.
"Apologies, I'll be frank. I strongly suggest you do not attack the city tonight."
"Why not? You're not exactly giving much to go off here." She growled at the mystery man's toying words.
"It's in your best interest, you'll have to trust me on that."
"Trust you? I don't even know who you are!" She was in no mood for this.
The voice laughed. "Have a little faith, Nelly."
She froze, even after the call ended. The last person to ever call her that was locked away, far from here. It could not have been him. But then who? Surely not Clovis, that wasn't like him.
But the bigger question now was, did she trust his warning?
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Schneizel was finally face to face with the man himself and found he was experiencing an odd mix of emotions.
Perhaps it was the way he carried himself, the deceptive frivolity, and nonchalance. Like he had not a care in the world beyond this tiny room. It thoroughly shattered the image Schneizel had crafted for him. The man who he had considered an equal, a true man above men.
To see him like this was…distasteful.
"Well, another guest on the same day. And the Prime Minister at that!" His expression was calculated, a narrow smile and piercing eyes. Eyes like their fathers. Something to actually be jealous of.
"Lelouch." He greeted the man on the other side of the inescapable cell. "I have to say, it pains me to see you like this. It doesn't suit you."
"Well I have to say I rather enjoy it." Lelouch said with a carefree grin. "It's quite…liberating. No worries, no scheming, fighting or plotting. No betrayal."
"Yet no victories, no grand achievements, no purpose." He countered. "You were once far greater than this."
"What is greatness, Schneizel? What purpose is there that is greater than any other?" The imprisoned man reached for the book he had open. "I find contentment in spending my days reading the greatest literature ever written. Perhaps that is my purpose, Schneizel."
"No. I don't believe it is." He answered bluntly. "Not you anyway."
Lelouch chuckled, tossing the book aside. "Then what is my purpose, dear brother?"
"To challenge the world. To take it for your own to shape how you see fit." Schneizel replied with fervor. "Yours was a purpose above anyone else. You've abandoned that, to live…like this."
He openly laughed now. "Are you implying I have a choice in the matter? I'm only making the best of the hand I was dealt. And I've found it isn't all that bad."
Schneizel allowed himself a small smirk. "And what if you did have a choice then?" He asked. Lelouch raised an eyebrow. "I came here for a reason."
"What would that be?" The younger brother leaned forward.
"A chance for revenge. And not just against those who betrayed you, but against him as well." Schneizel revealed. "I can offer you something no one else can, something I know you want very badly: the emperor's head."
Lelouch let out a loud sigh, shaking his head. "You really don't understand. It's not about that, I long since gave that up."
His eyes narrowed, offering a glimpse of the true man still lurking. "You have nothing you can offer me."
"Your freedom is not enough? I can get you out of here, with virtually no strings attached." The prime minister added.
The younger man only gave him an amused look in response. Schneizel sighed himself. "His Majesty has demanded of me to put an end to the little nation you built. It no longer amuses him, he's had enough. You should know that while Clovis has done commendable work these last few years, it would take a second miracle to withstand yet another full scale invasion. One I don't think he is capable of producing."
His eyes drifted to the book his brother had left beside him. How ironic the title was. Or perhaps not. "The world is moving on without you. Are you really okay with that?"
"It moves on no matter how hard we try. Time marches on. Best you remember that as well, Schneizel." He replied.
The two stared at each other a moment in deathly silence before Schneizel clicked his tongue. "Fine then. Rot away if you're so content to."
He promptly turned to leave, before a parting word stopped him.
"Oh, why don't you listen in on Clovis' speech later? I'm sure it will be interesting to you."
He was going to do so anyway, though he wasn't sure why Lelouch would call any attention to it.
He continued to march out of the cell, feeling uncharacteristic frustration he could not explain.
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Ashford Event Hall; 2020 ATB
Clovis stood before a sizable crowd gathered in one of Ashford's many contributions to their was hardly the first time he had done this, in fact it was probably his most well practiced skill. He was always a man adept at captivating an audience. Today was no different.
"People of Yoake, my fellows of this wonderful nation. I stand before you on this Day of Deliverence to share with you truly inspirational news." He began, speaking to those before him, the thousands still outside, and many more across the nation and even the world beyond. "I am truly honored to stand before you today, as your leader. Though I know I could never hope to replace Allen Ashford, I do all I can each day to love up to the unfathomable void he left behind. He was an irreplaceable inspiration to me, and to us all. Without his noble ambitions, and implacable resolve, we would not be where we are."
He placed a hand upon his chest. "Thus it is our duty to carry out his will, and bring his dream to all the world. And today, we celebrate taking the first step toward that ideal. India, a country that proved invaluable to the Ashfords, was lost despite our efforts to aid in their uprising. So, we decided to begin by repaying their sacrifice. And I can say with great pride, that as of now New Dehli, the capital city of India, had been liberated to stand with us in this new age!"
Clovis was met with a chorus of clapping and cheering. He nodded in approval. "The road before us is long, and full of many hardships. But together I know we can overcome them. And now, it is my pleasure to introduce our first ally in our struggle."
He stepped to the side, gesturing to the massive screen behind him as it flared to life. It revealed an elderly man standing outside, behind him were Yoake's airships prominently standing watch above the city. "I am overjoyed to be standing here today. Three years ago, we attempted to break free of the oppressive Chinese Federation, only to find ourselves subject to the tyranny of another monstrous empire. And now, not only are we free, we have the opportunity to-"
The man's speech stopped, and he turned around away from the camera. Behind him, far in the distance, a blinding pink light spread throughout the city. It stretched out, consuming everything in its path. Unstoppable, inescapable, indiscriminate.
The light hungrily reached out, until it swallowed all that could be seen.
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Happy new year yall. Boy did it take me a minute to get this out. Rewriting chapter 1 took a lot more work than I initially expected, but that is complete and updated. Plus a small revision in this chapter somehow ended up restructuring the entire last part of the story. I quite like the changes I made, and it definitely fixed the pieces I was never happy with.
So I am very excited to get this final part underway.