"A gem is not perfected without rubbing, nor a man perfected without trials."
- Chinese Proverb

Chapter XXIII: Chimes at Midnight

The Mausoleum
Duchy of Jiangsu, Area 22 (China), Britannian Empire
July 20, 2025

Of all of the Chinese Federation's past crimes and atrocities, Tianzi disdainfully mused, this had to be the most ironic. What had originally began as a perversion of Chinese cultural lineage of the highest order now served as the Motherland's last great fortress against foreign tyranny, as well as the last safe haven for the former Chairwoman. On one hand, it appalled her that she had been forced to take up sanctuary in such a place; a once sacred dwelling that, following the Revolution so long ago, had been desecrated and warped into a den meant for war and destruction. On the other, she understood it was the only place left on the mainland that she could be, as it was both strategically secure and the only compromise Xingke, who originally wished for her to remain on Penglai, would allow.

That place was the Mausoleum, or as it had been referred to long ago, the Mausoleum of Eighty-Eight Emperors. Built within an unnamed mountain during the early years of the Ming Dynasty, the Mausoleum had begun as a single tomb for the Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, but over time had become the official burial grounds for all Chinese rulers. For hundreds of years since their inception, Chinese Emperors and their families had been specially preserved and entombed here, their physical bodies set to rest while their true essences returned to their rightful place in the Heavens. Or at least that's what the legends had claimed.

And then came the Revolution and, like everything else, it all changed. As with nearly all historical sites tied to China's past empire, the communists wasted no time in desecrating the holy site, destroying all the tombs and burning the mummified bodies they once contained all while their treasures were randomly taken by Mao Zedong's followers. After that event, the Mausoleum's ruins stood by for several more years, until Mao, in his endless paranoia of again losing Chinese land to invaders, had the Mausoleum reconstructed into another of the CLA's many underground bases as well as an alternate shelter for the Chairman and the State Council in the wake of an invasion. And alongside with the rest of the former Chairman's "accomplishments", the Mausoleum fell into obscurity when Mao died unceremoniously, only to be brought back to attention when the CLA went rogue in the wake of Britannia's occupation.

And so it was now. What had once served as a highly decorated and overly glorified gravesite now served as Tianzi's safe haven after Xiaopei's fall. Alongside being Xingke's new headquarters, and by extension, Zero's.

Dispelling that line of thought, she at last made her way to the Mausoleum's observation area, a small enclave at the summit of the mountain that gave a spectacular view of the surrounding. And as she half-expected, a certain man dressed in a mask and cape was present, looking out over the horizon as a man deep in contemplation.

"I thought you would be up here," Tianzi greeted cordially as she moved up next to him, her own eyes on the horizon. "Beautiful, isn't it?"

"Indeed," Lelouch replied. Unlike the desolated Xiaopei, Jiangsu still had a fair abundance of grassland in it, to the point of possessing actual beauty. "It may not be much, but I consider irrigable land a sign of hope," he explained. "After all, how can a country thrive if it cannot provide?"

Nodding at the idea, Tianzi then found herself considering that one word. "Hope," she repeated with slight melancholy. "That's certainly something we could use more of right now."

Lelouch knew exactly what she meant, but did not respond. As such, Tianzi let out a sigh and continued. "It's ironic," she said. "For the last seven years, I almost believed this war would never end," she stated, her melancholy ever present. "That my children and my grandchildren would eventually be forced to take up revolution."

As she looked up into the sky, her sharp eyes could just make out the silhouettes of the Sanzuwus flying combat air patrol over the area. With all that had been happening over the last few days, the CLA could no longer take any chances with base security. "And now here I am, looking toward the horizon," she said. "Knowing that everything will be decided in only a few days' time."

Indeed, a few days was likely all that was left now, as the seven year "revolution" had gone from bad to worse since Xiaopei. What had once been a stalemate between the Chinese and Britannians had now turned into a full on defensive war, one that the CLA was, slowly but surely, losing. With the Owl of Britannia having isolated nearly all CLA cells within Area 22 and beyond, the imperialists had spent the last two weeks tracking down and eliminating said cells, one after another, while all attempts to halt their advance ended in complete destruction.

Grimness began to well within Tianzi as she recalled her earlier meeting with the Xingke and the other CLA commanders. From the figures they had given, over twenty percent of the CLA had been wiped out, with the latest to be destroyed being cells in Guizhou, Chongqing, Gansu and Yunnan. Many more had been destroyed before that, and additional numbers were coming in with each hour, with the Britannians seemingly accelerating after each victory. In fact, it seemed the Britannians only became further emboldened with each cell's destruction, such that the speed and frequency of their attacks were increasing as well.

Just as you had forewarned. Tianzi thought toward the man beside her, but didn't say aloud. She could still hardly believe it was happening, even though she herself had considered the possibility.

It was then Zero spoke again. "It was an inevitable conclusion," he said. "Whether this war last years or even decades, eventually Britannia would have triumphed with its sheer strength."

"Which has been long established," Tianzi replied sourly, before catching herself. In spite of Zero's words, she knew he wasn't trying to rub the point in. As such, she offered a small smile. "I don't suppose victory is in any way certain."

Lelouch lowered his head a little at that. "There are no certainties in war, Your Excellency," he replied. "However, I still believe, in spite of all that is against us, ultimate victory is still achievable."

Tianzi dared to hope on that. "As in China at last being free of the imperialists?" she questioned.

Lelouch nodded. "As in China being free," he said. "Rest assured, if victory is obtained, there will be no more stalemate and no settlement," he explained, quietly taking a breath. "Either we free all of China in one fell swoop, or we lose it entirely."

Tianzi nodded grimly at the idea, before readopting her small smile. "Well, if the great Demon King says as such, then who am I to question?" she exclaimed, before looking down a little. "At the very least it will all finally end."

Again Lelouch made no reply to that, even though he knew what Tianzi was truly thinking. Instead, he waited for her to speak up again. "On that end, how are you and your troops holding up?" she asked, before taking on an apologetic expression. "I know the stigma from Xiaopei still remains, but..."

"It's alright," Lelouch replied. "I'm well used to being an outcast, even among my allies," he stated, managing to keep the sting out of his voice. "And as for my troops, they too are used to being looked upon as pariahs." he explained factually, now trying to sound reassuring. "After all, we are the Black Knights."

Tianzi couldn't help but bite her lip on that, all the while sympathy began to well up inside her toward the one beside her and his black uniformed soldiers. Though he had ultimately won at Xiaopei, Zero's near defeat had only isolated him and his followers from CLA camaraderie further; yes, they were obviously still present, and her generals and regular troops tolerated that presence - with or without her direct orders - but the fact was the CLA no longer regarded the Black Knights as worthwhile allies. If anything, most of them had taken to Xingke's earlier camp, with the army of Japanese and Britannian exiles being considered too large a risk to fight alongside. The very least detractors looked upon them as pariahs that the CLA couldn't get rid of as of yet, while the very worst considered them as much their enemies as the Britannians.

Needless to say, it sickened Tianzi that the Black Knights were getting such treatment. For one thing, it had been by her personal request that Zero had committed the Black Knights to battle, the first of many details that her troops seemed to overlook. Second, regardless of what occurred during the battle itself, it had all been to save Xingke and the rest of the garrison from certain death, with the Black Knights themselves losing a fair number of their own for that purpose. And third, had the Black Knights not been involved at all, she had little doubt Xingke and his forces would have been wiped out to the last man, regardless of whether they managed to get the landships operating or not. After all, that had, much to her still present anger, been Xingke's intentions to begin with.

She sighed at the whole idea. As the westerners liked to say, the road to hell was paved with good intentions. In that regard, wasn't that what Mao Zedong had held when he brought about communist China?

"For what it's worth, I'm still thankful you stepped in when you did," she said, her voice now holding complete gratitude. "If you hadn't, I fear General Li and the others at Xiaopei would have died needlessly."

Lelouch drew in another breath at that. "I fear most of them did, Your Excellency."

"I know," Tianzi replied sadly. "But you saved those that you could, which is more than what would have otherwise happened."

Again she looked down in thought. "And though I would have rather seen every man and woman, whether CLA or Black Knight, return from Xiaopei, I take solace in there being survivors entirely," she finished with. "It is the only way that the memories of those who perished may live on past this war."

Hearing that statement, Lelouch couldn't help but recall the Devastation and its aftermath. Only ten thousand Japanese and Britannians had survived it, but they had indeed lived on carrying the legacies of those who died there. And while there was no way Xiaopei could ever compare, Lelouch could truly see the Chinese pilots who survived carrying on the memories and legacies of their comrades. Just as the Black Knights would do the same for their own.

You truly are a worthy leader for your people, Your Excellency. he thought as watched the former Chairwoman look back over the horizon. Though the question remains: how long will you stay as such?

Tianzi's head seemed to perk up on that. "Did you say something Zero?" she inquired.

Nearly stuttering on that, Lelouch shook his head. "No Your Excellency, I did not."

"Oh." Tianzi said, before looking back toward the view. She then let out a sigh as she remembered exactly what was happening out there. "You think there will be survivors out there as well? Amidst all that's happening now?"

Lelouch bit his lip on that. "I can't say Your Excellency," he replied. "While I would like to think some will manage to flee, I'm sorry to say the Knight of Two has no reason to take prisoners at this point." he explained. "Alongside that, Sir Johann has obviously directed his forces to whittle down the CLA as much as possible..."

"So that we will have that fewer troops to fight them during Akatsuki," Tianzi summarized.

Reluctantly, Lelouch nodded in confirmation. "My own soldiers are out there however, and they will intervene as much as they can." he said. "In fact, forces from the Third Army have recently done so in Sichuan."

Tianzi considered that. "Sichuan..." she repeated, taking some visible reassurance on that. At least the Britannians weren't going completely unchallenged.

All the same however, she couldn't help but feel another, more prominent nagging feeling reach up in side of her. "You know Zero, as a leader, I can't help but feel envious toward you," she quietly confessed. "Even in times as these, you have the power to affect change."

"As do you, Your Excellency," Lelouch replied.

Smiling sadly, Tianzi shook her head. "No, I myself don't have that power. Or any real power." she explained. "I am merely a figurehead; one who inspires others to affect change in her name, but not one who can do so herself."

She sighed, her smile dying away. "I'm afraid I'm little different from the puppet Chairwoman I once was," she said, with the barest traces of shame reaching through her voice. "And who I fear I may become once more."

That caused Lelouch to gulp underneath his mask. If he hadn't known any better, he could have sworn that had been directed at him. Even so, he replied. "With respect Your Excellency, I see otherwise."

When the Chairwoman looked back up on that, Lelouch added. "In fact, if you really were the powerless child you believe yourself to be, neither I nor the Black Knights would be here now, supporting your reascension."

Tianzi opened her mouth to inquire on that, but before she could utter a word, Lelouch's mask beeped in his ears, signaling it was receiving a communiqué. Holding up his hand to stop the former Chairwoman, Lelouch watched as a vidwindow with Minami's image appeared. "Yes Colonel, what is it?"

"We just received a signal from Yomi," Minami explained. "The Prime Minister wishes to speak with you immediately."

Lelouch raised a responding eyebrow. What could Kaguya have wanted at this time? Probably a situation report concerning Johann's purge. "Very well, I'm on my way," he explained before signing off and looking back over to Tianzi. "I'm afraid something has come up Your Excellency," he said. "With your permission..."

"I understand," Tianzi replied, knowing better than to question. Instead, she renewed her smile and gave small bow. "Until we speak again Zero."

With a responding nod, Lelouch turned and made his way out, leaving the former Chairwoman alone to gaze into the distance. All while certain feelings continued to weigh down upon her.


"Confirmed sir. We've lost all forces in Tianjin," the operator stated in a grave tone. Though it had been carried over in a whisper meant for Li alone, the silent atmosphere of the Mausoleum's command center meant that the news was overheard by everyone else. The resulting effect on morale was not unlike a spontaneous winter in mid-year. "The final remnants went offline just now."

With solemn finality, Li closed his eyes and gave a small nod, accepting the information in the same manner he had with all previous. Looking back up at the large map on the center's main monitor, he saw that the Tianjin province, or Duchy of Tianjin as it was now, had already been cleared of the red dots that marked the locations of CLA cells. Yet another former province of the Chinese Federation had fallen under complete control of the imperialists. One in a very large and ever growing number.

Indeed, as Li's eyes scanned over the map of Area 22, he saw that a fair portion of the original red dots, which had once lined out across the entire land, had vanished over the last few weeks. At this point, almost forty percent of the CLA's forces in the Area had been wiped away, and in another week that percentage would reach over half. Li cursed the Britannians' efficiency in that; what had begun as a war had now become an extermination campaign.

Extermination. Li immediately recalled how that word had been used before, to justify the assault on Mumbai. That in itself brought the image of Rakshata Chawla and her claim that many looked upon the Chinese's current predicament as divine retribution. He immediately dismissed the thought and moved away from the operator's station, ignoring the sound of the Lieutenant breathing a sigh of relief as the general passed on.

Moving through the line, he eventually made his way to Zhou, who was standing in the rear of the center, observing the main monitor herself. Outside of a bandaged rolled across her forehead, the fellow general and CLA Vice Commander appeared as picturesque as any non-token Chinese female commander could hope. "What do you think?" he inquired as he stood by her.

The responding expression was a grim one. "I think we're looking at the end, General." she replied quietly. "Now that they can isolate our cells, there really is no way to hold them back any longer."

Li nodded grimly in agreement. There was no point in pretending otherwise. "So, it really does come down to it then..." he commented, disdain entering his voice. "One final multi-front offensive to take back China from the imperialists."

Zhou swallowed before answering that. "Indeed," she replied. "Just as Zero, and General Tohdoh, had proclaimed before."

The General let out a sharp, yet barely audible hiss at the mention of those names. As much as he detested the Black Knights and their leader, there really was no other option now. In spite of Zero's disgrace at Xiaopei, all hope now laid in his ambitious and most likely ill-fated Operation Akatsuki.

Dawn. Li thought, remembering how the Japanese title translated into Britannian. Even the name had been tailor made to emphasize China's rebirth. Which only made it all the more nauseating.

In that frame of mind, his thoughts drifted over toward the so-called Demon King himself. Li had not spoken to, nor even wished to, him since Xiaopei, and the masked man, apparently having taken the message with understanding, had kept his distance. For the moment he was leading his Black Knights in independent operations to at least slow the Britannian onslaught and keep any more Chinese citizenry from getting purged. And as sad as it was for Li to admit, they were having relative success in both objectives, regardless of CLA support.

That in itself was a crushing blow to Li's pride. Yet again he found himself relying more on foreign exiles than his own countrymen to fight this war. In fact, had the Black Knights held greater numbers alongside an adequate puppet ruler for afterward, they could have just as easily bypassed the CLA and liberated China themselves.

Fortunately, they hold neither. Li thought. Indeed, despite his displeasure at the possibility of Tianzi serving as a figurehead to a potentially corrupt regime once more, it remained that the Black Knights could not secure support from the Chinese populace in whatever government they wished to install without Her Excellency. Li drew some measure of comfort in that, as it also meant they couldn't completely forgo the CLA either.

In that regard, Li found himself giving Zero some credit. He had warned Li and the other CLA commanders of this exact possibility, and yet rather than rub their collective faces in it and force his way back into command, Zero had acknowledged the events of Xiaopei and retained his distance. Alongside, despite the huge gulf between the Black Knights and the CLA, he had yet to discount them as his allies, or much more cheat them of their rightful claim to their Motherland. By all accounts and purposes, the self-proclaimed King of Demons still intended for the CLA to fight alongside his army in the battle to come, as well as he reclaim their land in the end.

Of course, it helped that Zero didn't really need to rub their faces in it. By this point, the CLA had no choice but to follow his wishes with his multi-pronged offensive, regardless of their feelings toward him and his black shirted exiles. Much as Li refused to admit it.

That all said, Akatsuki was far from guaranteed success. Which meant Li had to take precautions. "In the next twelve hours, I want you to draw up a plan to relocate our remaining forces due west," he ordered Zhou. "As well as a method and location for a barricade line."

Zhou swallowed on that. "You know of course that will only buy us some time and nothing more," she said. "Even if we set up another defensive line like at Xiaopei, the Britannians will eventually overcome it."

"Yes I know," Li concurred. "But as you said, it will buy us time. Perhaps enough to come up with another strategy if and when this Operation Límíng fails."

"Or another retreat," Zhou pointed out. "What then Xingke? Do we fight our revolution from Pakistan and Afghanistan? Or perhaps we move into the Middle East proper and seek aid from Zulfiqar?"

Li winced at the thought. "We already have enough trouble with our immediate allies, thank you," he growled back. "Speaking of, what are they doing now?"

Zhou shrugged in response. "No idea. Since we've been giving them the proverbial cold shoulder as of late, they've been keeping their operations to themselves," she said. "Last I heard, their Second Army under General Kondo staged a raid in Liaoning." she said, her mouth folding in distaste. "One that wiped out most of the Britannian garrison there."

Li felt himself curse at that. Yet again it stung him to see the Black Knights doing better at fighting the imperialists than his forces. Even if it was for China's benefit.

I should have cut off Cao's head and offered it to the Indians when I had the chance. Li thought. Like General Hong, he too saw the missed opportunity in securing Indian, or more specifically the Chawla Design Bureau's, support for the CLA. Granted, they would still have been stuck with a conscripted army, but at least it would have been equipped with mass produced renditions of the Four Beasts and perhaps even airships.

Dismissing that line of thought as well, as there was no merit in considering the "what ifs", Li glanced toward the main screen again. It seemed an additional number of red dots had vanished. "How long will it take you to get a plan together?" he asked.

Zhou considered. "At least a day for a rough plan. Less time if I have an idea of our forces' composition following Akatsuki."

Li shook his head. "Sorry, but you're going to have to make your own numbers Xianglin," he replied sadly. "Though, considering what we will be committing in that battle, I don't think you will have too much trouble."

Seeing the point, Xianglin nodded grimly. "Very well General," she replied with a salute and then turned around.

Once she was gone, Li yet again looked toward the monitor. As he half-expected, an additional number of red dots had disappeared.


Government Bureau
Luoyang Settlement, Duchy of Henan, Area 22 (China), Britannian Empire

To paraphrase an old Britannian television show he and his sister used to watch, Johann loved it when his plans came together. Indeed, they were coming together quite well now; with the formerly hidden CLA basins located, the formerly stalemated war had become a simple process of elimination. A base was identified and isolated, Imperial forces were deployed, the Chinese were eliminated and the process started anew in another location. Rinse and repeat.

Thus it showed on the giant screen at the end of his command center, the same room that the Eunuchs had attempted to apprehend Li from seven years ago, which displayed a large map of Area 22 and the surrounding territories, all with marked CLA bases across the board. Every hour or so reports of success would come Johann's way and the red dots would recede further, allowing shades of Imperial blue to set into the newly cleared areas. Though it would still be some time before the entire map became clean of the red dots and a complete shade of blue set in, it had seen great progress over the last two weeks.

In fact, it had even gotten to the point now that he didn't have to lead the individual operations. Once proper coordinates were given, the lower level frontline commanders were more than adequate in leading and directing their units against the Chinese rabble. And as had been repeatedly proven, the average CLA conscript held no hope against a true Britannian soldier, to say nothing of their only slightly better trained officers. Britannian casualties were obviously light as a result.

In that regard, Johann couldn't help but feel his role had become less that of the Knight of Two's and more like that of a traffic cop's. He now did little more than point to certain directions for his regular army subordinates to follow, all while the real command and control fell to the unit commanders. Boring work as far as he was concerned, but it was all part of his strategy, so he endured it all the same. That and once the final offensive came about, Johann would have more than enough challenge and excitement to deal with.

If only Michael and Nena would realize this. he thought as he heard the Knight of Five give out a long, drawn out yawn from behind him.

"This sucks Johann!" Michael exclaimed at the end of his yawn. "Can't you let us off the leash already? I'm getting a headache!"

Resisting the urge to visibly cringe, Johann glanced back at his fellow Round. "For the twenty-second time and counting Michael, no," he replied. "For the moment we are to watch and wait."

"Yeah yeah, we know, we know. Gotta wait for the Big Final Push and all that," Nena exclaimed from beside the two. "But really, couldn't we still do that while slaughtering Twenty-Two vermin?"

Johann's expression darkened. "I told you never to use that term in my presence Nena."

Both Rounds quickly felt a chill wash over them. "Alright, CLA vermin," Nena stated without any hint of sarcasm, before switching over to what could be best described as anxious puppy dog eyes. "Still, can't we? Huh? Huh?"

In spite of the Knight of Eight's prodding, Johann shook his head. "Though some of us may relish it, the Knights of the Round are not meant to mop up weak rabble such as this."

"Then what about the Black Knights?" Michael entered back in, now sounding as anxious as his comrade. "Surely they're worthy of our attention."

Johann sighed at that. Though he was well aware of their presence now, the Black Knights were the only element he hadn't, and couldn't, account his strategy for. While they were obviously few in number, whether overall or simply units deployed in Area 22, there were no countermeasures against their Gefjun Disturbers, and Zero and his commanders were taking fierce advantage of it. Several installations, from Liaoning to Qinghai, had been struck by Black Knight raids, while a fair number of assaults against the CLA had been intervened against and repelled. And just as well, Zero was careful to select his targets at random, as to keep Johann from isolating a pattern in the Demon King's stratagem.

That all said however, Johann could handle the Black Knights' interloping for now. Compared to what he was inflicting against their CLA allies, their resistance was little more than a continued annoyance; though it slowed the Britannian advance somewhat, it could not hope to break it, let alone grant salvation to the beleaguered Chinese fighters. In the Knight of Two's summation, Zero was just delaying the inevitable. As he had at Xiaopei.

"Indeed they are worthy of our attention," Johann admitted. "But again for the moment, they are of little consequence."

Michael remained far from convinced. "Funny, as I recall Prince Clovis assuming something similar eight years ago at Shinjuku," he retorted. "We all know how that went."

At that, the Knight of Two turned a corner glance at his subordinate, whose eyes widened at the other Round's intensity. "I will not repeat myself, Michael," Johann stated with staunchness. "Compared to the harm we are inflicting upon the CLA, the Black Knights are little more than a nuisance at this point. Confronting them now would not only be a waste of resources, but would potentially play us into one of Zero's traps, which would have a diminishing effect on the next, far more important engagement."

The Owl of Britannia then turned his gaze away, allowing the Paladin to relax somewhat. "I promise you both that your lust for battle will be satisfied soon enough," he said in a tone that left no room for argument. "All I ask is that you retain your patience, and restraint, for a little longer."

Michael could only sniff derisively in response. As much as he wished he could take the Caius and go into the next fight, orders be damned, he knew better than to cross Johann. Even if he weren't the Knight of Two, his respect for his fellow Round, whose brilliance was such that even Sir Bismarck and the Emperor had both acknowledged it, kept him from acting out of turn. That and he knew, as always, Johann was right in the end. His bloodlust would be satisfied soon enough, and in a far greater battle than any he could take part in now.

Thus, closing his eyes in resignation, Michael decided he had enough for one day. "Whatever you say Johann," he said as he turned, his olive cloak swaying as he went. "I just hope the Black Knights and the CLA get their heads out of the ground quickly."

He then began to walk away. "Otherwise I might just break something around here for the hell of it," he stated in turn as he walked away. "Maybe a Sutherland or two…"

It took some effort, but Johann resisted the urge to shake his head at the Knight of Five's reply. More or less typical Michael, for whatever that amounted to. That said, he noticed, without turning around, that Nena also turned to walk away, but stopped in mid-step. Indicating that she had more on her mind. "Is there something else, Nena?"

Frowning at her superior's senses, Nena could only turn around and speak. "You know that, when it comes to strategy and tactics, Michael and I will always adhere to you Johann," she began. "But…"

"But?" Johann repeated.

Nena swallowed as she forced herself to speak again. "In this case, I think Michael may be right," she said. "You might be repeating Prince Clovis' mistake by not dealing with the Black Knights here and now."

Hearing that, Johann again turned, but not with the same intensity that he had displayed to Michael. Rather, his bespoke more of intrigue. "Even though the odds of encountering Zero in these attacks are less than ten percent?"

Nena nodded. "If nothing else, you would be costing Zero some of his more valuable pieces," she explained.

This time it was Johann's turn to frown as he considered the Knight of Eight's words. Indeed, had Prince Clovis and General Bartley recognized the true threat the 'terrorists' had posed at Shinjuku and dealt with them accordingly, they would have prevented Zero from gaining his little army, at least for a time. Even the interception and destruction of one particular terrorist, the future Red Dragoness, would have had catastrophic effects on what would soon become the Order of the Black Knights.

But no, Clovis and Bartley both assumed that they were fighting mere rabble at the time – which to their credit they most likely were – and went about the task of hunting down the future Black Knights with slothful indignation while concentrating more effort on the retrieval of some unknown chemical weapon, whose make and design even the Rounds were not privy to after so many years, and purging Shinjuku's Number populace along the way. The result spoke for itself; all Clovis accomplished was slaughtering hundreds if not thousands of non-combatants, while the mere rabble that had eluded him not only turned around and wiped out the bulk of his army, thus necessitating Suzaku's debut in the Lancelot, but eventually went on to form one of the most dangerous armies in existence. An army that Johann was presently deal with eight years later.

That said, the Knight of Two considered. Was he really making the same mistake here? He already knew the Black Knights had at least two skilled commanders in their muster. How many others could they have gained, especially given the number of JSDF generals that had went unaccounted for after the Second Pacific War, or the number Britannian commanders that supposedly died in the Devastation? Would directing his attention toward the Black Knights really cripple them in such a way? Such that, while they would remain a venerable threat, they would at least be considerably weakened in future engagements?

In the end, Johann shook his head, ultimately deciding he would stick to the plan. As he had told Michael, to deploy his forces now, especially against an enemy equipped with Gefjun Disturbers, would not only weaken them for the more important battle to come, but would all too likely play into Zero's hands. He could not risk that now, not when he could accomplish all of his objectives in one fell swoop later on. He need only follow his own advice and retain his patience.

"Possible, but unlikely," Johann at last replied to Nena, turning around to face the screen again. "Anything else?"

Knowing that was the Knight of Two's final answer, Nena let out a small sigh and nodded. "Nope, that's it," she replied, before stretching her arms out. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to grab a snack."

Johann himself shrugged again at the other Round's departure before facing back toward the map. By now, an additional number of red dots had been eliminated. In fact, just as Johann looked over, two additional dots had dissipated, causing another region to flash blue. As of now, the entire Duchy of Fujian was clear of CLA influence.

Despite that great success however, Johann couldn't help but feel a certain foreboding when he looked over that shade of blue. Yet another step toward the breach...


Black Knights mobile battleship Izumo
Duchy of Jiangsu, Area 22 (China), Britannian Empire

With an almost uncharacteristic solemnity, Kallen moved past the doorway into what could best be described as, alongside the chapel, the Izumo's sacred ground. As such, in spite of its rather modest background, it was to be treated with due reverence.

The reason why soon became clear enough, as her eyes gazed out over the spans and depicted dozens of wooden coffins lined out in even rows, the flag of Japan, or Nisshoki, placed over each and every one of them. Originally this area of the ship had been a supply bay, but following the Battle of the Bering Strait, which outside of Pearl Harbor had accounted for the most Black Knights lost in a single battle to this point, it had been decided that the bay would be utilized for memorial purposes. Wooden coffins had been provided and kept in steady supply aboard the ship, in turn laid out after battles for the comrades of those deceased to make their final farewell. After the period of mourning was passed, the coffins would be shipped back to Ryukyu, where they would be looked over by the friends and families of the dead, before at last being deposited within the ruins of Japan itself. The flags, in turn, would be presented to said friends and families as a symbol of their loved ones' services, to both Japan and the Black Knights.

Needless to say, the latest dead were those Black Knights who perished at Xiaopei. While the number of Black Knight casualties was obviously lower than those at Pearl Harbor, there was still a fair number of coffins within the bay; men and women that had died saving the Chinese soldiers at Xiaopei from certain death, all in the name of restoring the Chinese Federation and taking one step closer to Lelouch's envisioned new world. Men and women that would never again see their friends and families, nor the rebirth of their nation whenever that came to pass.

In that regard, Kallen couldn't help but stiffen as the Chinese current attitude toward the Black Knights came to light. That, in spite of the fact the sacrifice of these men and women, most of the CLA viewed the near defeat at Xiaopei as completely due to the failure of Lelouch's trap, while the resulting casualties on their end were due to the Black Knights failing to defend their isolated forces properly, or even competently. This in itself had transitioned to the CLA's treatment of the Black Knights as of late, in which at the very best they tolerated their presence, but generally thought very little of their "comrades" and alliance.

Ungrateful bastards. Kallen sneered as she walked between the rows. As far as she was concerned, the chicoms were damned lucky that none of her pilots had perished at Xiaopei, otherwise she would have personally raised enough hell on them to make their last seven years of war look outright peaceful. Just as they were lucky that they were vital to Lelouch's plans, otherwise they could all rot as far as she and the other Black Knights were concerned. It was like the aftermath of the Orange Incident all over again, except now with an entire army of ungrateful jerks rather than just one extremely misguided youth.

Even so, she didn't let that bitterness overwhelm her. In war, one rarely got to choose his or her allies outside of convenience, and this one such occasion. Besides, in spite whatever snobbish disposition they had, the Chinese were still endorsing Operation Akatsuki, and by extension Lelouch's plans for the future. Granted they had little choice in the matter given all that was happening now, but it still counted for something.

"Major?" a voice suddenly spoke up from the entrance, holding some measure of surprise.

At that, Kallen looked and saw Alfred and Charmelle having just walked through the entryway. "Sorry," Charmelle spoke up for both of them. "We just didn't expect anyone to be here."

Kallen shrugged. "Just felt the need to pay my respects," she said, only then noticing the items in their hands: two black boxes and two bottles, those of Coca-Cola and Jack Daniel's respectively. Knowing that both of her subordinates outright detested that brand of whiskey, such that Alfred had compared it to goat piss on one occasion, Kallen quickly surmised why they had come. "I take it that's why you're here too?"

Nodding, Alfred gestured toward one of the coffins. The name at the based read as Captain Zectole Vignal Jr. and that he had been assigned to Chigusa's Kyosha Squadron. The associating picture depicted a Britannian man around his mid-twenties with short reddish brown hair and hawk-like eyes, dressed proudly in a Black Knights uniform.

Again it didn't take much for Kallen to understand. "He fought in the Black Rebellion, didn't he?" she inquired, her tone now much more melancholy.

"That he did Major," Charmelle stated as she and Alfred moved over to the coffin. Once they were there, both set to work with Charmelle opening one box and taking out three Old Fashioned glasses from a set of five while Alfred opened his own, which turned out to be a miniature cooler, and began depositing three ice cubes in each glass.

"He was originally an infantrymen assigned to the 17th Regiment, but transferred to a knightmare unit right before the Black Rebellion," Alfred explained as he poured whiskey into each glass. "He was a pretty good devicer too; managed to survive all the way to Operation Nero's execution, and even took on one of the Four Holy Swords during the final bout."

Charmelle then entered back in as Alfred began mixing in the coke. "He later became an instructor at Ginowan, at least until Colonel Ohgi took him in," she explained as Alfred at last handed her a glass, which she sniffed before winkling her nose in distaste. "Had poor taste in drinks unfortunately."

Nodding her thanks when Alfred handed her a glass, Kallen couldn't help but look down sadly in response. Of the ten thousand that had survived the Devastation, only a select number of them had been Imperial soldiers, and even less of them had been the knightmare pilots that had defended the government bureau. Both the resulting explosions and Tohdoh's prior assault had ensured very few would survive that phase of the rebellion. "Did he have a family?" she asked.

Alfred nodded. "Took part in the rescue operations afterward and ended up marrying one of the survivors he found," he explained, smiling sadly at the memory of Zectole desperately pulling a young Japanese girl dressed in a tattered sailor fuku from the ruins of her high school. "A third year high schooler by the name of Honoka Sakurai," he continued before sniffing his own drink, his nose wrinkling in the same manner as Charmelle's. "Pervert had a fetish for sailor fukus."

Kallen shrugged in response. Following the Devastation, it hadn't been uncommon for the younger survivors, specifically boys and girls that were only nearing their twenties, to marry after recovery. A lot of social taboos had died away with Japan, especially in the wake of entire families being lost and those remaining wanting to make new ones. "Children?"

Charmelle sighed. "Two, with a third on the way," she said just as sadly. "As Alfred explained, the pervert had a uniform fetish."

"Alongside the aforementioned poor taste in drinks," Alfred stated, before raising his glass. "To Zectole," he started, causing Charmelle and Kallen to both raise their glasses as well. "May your glass be ever full, may the roof over your head be always strong, and may you be in Heaven half an hour before the Devil knows you're dead."

With that the three took their drinks and almost immediately gagged, followed by almost synchronized coughing. Britannian whiskey mixed in with carbonated soda did not make for smoothest of combinations. "Good lord!" Alfred let out. "How the hell could he drink this crap?"

"He was from Memphis," Charmelle admonished as she wiped her mouth with her uniform sleeve. "Bad whiskey is practically a religion down there."

Kallen could only shake her head in an effort to straighten herself. I'm going to have one hell of a migraine later on. she thought with a cringe. "Yet another reason Britannia is going to lose to us," she commented, causing Alfred and Charmelle to look back at her curiously. "Its soldiers won't have enough brain cells to go between them."

At that, the former Britannian pilots blinked their eyes before turning to look at each other, seemingly in confusion. And then, as the humor behind the joke suddenly dawned on them, both Alfred and Charmelle erupted into fits of laughter. "That may be Major," Alfred admitted amidst his bout. "That may very well be."

A smile broke out on Kallen's lips as she watched the two laugh. To this day it struck as the ultimate irony; for all of the hatred she held toward Britannians in her youth, here she was now, standing in front two Britannians toasting to a third's safe passage to the afterlife.

Along that line, it helped less that, outside of Ohgi, the other initial members of the Black Knights and most definitely Lelouch and C.C., the two before her were arguably the closest friends and confidants she had at this point. Even within Zero Squadron, Kallen recognized she had deeper camaraderie with Alfred and Charmelle than with the other pilots, such that she indeed thought of them as friends rather than simple comrades or subordinates. Something that would have completely sickened her younger self, just as her early days at Ashford Academy had done.

I've really come a long way, haven't I? Kallen thought as the laughter began to die down, causing the three to simply smile heartily between each other.


Just as she did every evening when not engaged in battle, C.C. made her way to the Izumo's chapel for her nightly prayers. The chaplain was engaged in other activities at this time - namely in rebuilding morale with his fellow Black Knights - so C.C. expected to have the chapel completely to herself. She preferred it this way; after all, she had outlived both the chaplain and the entire congregation by several hundred years, and all throughout she had seen Christianity take many forms throughout the ages. As such, she found modern services awkward and out of place for her, if not outright alien to the faith she had carried since time long forgotten.

Besides, she had spent centuries giving her prayers and songs of worship to the Lord in her own solitude, and not once had the Lord ever objected. Why would he now? Especially when she had spent the last hundred years or so wanting nothing to do with him?

With this in mind, C.C. entered the chapel, expecting the usual silence and tranquility to greet her. Much to her initial disappointment however, there was in fact a sound coming from the altar; specifically the sound of a quiet prayer being made. Stifling an inward curse, C.C., decided to simply wait her turn and entered anyway. At the same time however, she couldn't help but wonder who exactly had come into the house of the Lord at this hour, and so, while remaining quiet as to not disturb the prayer, drew closer.

Soon enough, she came to see the newcomer's identity, and upon doing so felt her disappointment subside, allowing acceptance and sympathy to take its place. Out of every man and woman of proclaimed faith aboard the Izumo, C.C. could attest that none held as much conviction for the Lord's love and guidance as the one before her. Nor as much spiritual pain and anguish.

Kneeling before the altar in a form not unlike that of the various saints depicted upon the surrounding stained glass images, Nagisa Chiba continued to speak her prayer. If she was aware of the immortal "witch's" entrance, then she didn't show it, instead concentrating on her prayer. Respecting this, C.C. stood back and listened intently as her fellow Black Knight continued, quickly becoming impressed as she realized Chiba was not only reciting one of the most ancient prayers made, but in a very certain language. One that was neither Britannian nor Japanese.

"...A custodia matutina usque ad noctem: speret Israel in Domino. Quia apud Dominum misericordia: et copiosa apud eum redemptio. Et ipse redimet Israel, ex omnibus iniquitatibus eius. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum."

And then at last, Chiba completed the prayer. "Amen."

"It has been a long time since I last heard that prayer," C.C. commented as the prayer at last came to an end.

Smiling in turn, Chiba crossed herself and rose. "The feeling is mutual," she said as she stood back to her full height. "The last time I recited it was eight years ago..." she said, her smile disappearing. "When I lost the first home and family I ever had."

Upon Chiba turning to face the immortal, C.C. noted that the colonel's hands were clasped around a certain object: a worn silver cross that bore the word "AGNES" across its front. Chiba, in turn, replaced the cross into her uniform pocket before addressing her compatriot further. "But obviously you didn't come here to discuss that," she said, stepping away from the altar and gesturing for C.C. to go on. "Please."

Nodding in thanks, C.C. moved before the altar and knelt, beginning her own prayer while Chiba stood by and observed. This was a bit of a break in tradition, at least as far as C.C. was concerned; where she came from, the time of prayer was supposed to be between Lord and servant and no one else. However, for certain reasons, she considered Chiba one of the few exceptions to that doctrine. "Ô bon et très doux Jésus, me voici agenouillé en ta sainte présence. Je te prie et te conjure, avec toute la ferveur de mon âme, de daigner graver dans mon coeur de vifs sentiments de foi..."

For her part, Chiba could only marvel as the woman many had compared to a witch prayed to the most high. True to her nature, there was something ancient about C.C.'s words; something that harkened back to a time long past that Chiba couldn't even begin to fathom. And yet all the same, it was apparent that C.C., for whatever dispositions she held, maintained the deepest adherence to their creator Chiba had ever seen in another.

"...d'espérance et de charité, un vrai repentir de mes péchés et une volonté très ferme de m'en corriger, tandis qu'avec un grand amour et une grande compassion je considère et contemple en esprit tes cinq plaies, ayant devant les yeux les paroles que déjà le prophète David te faisait dire de toi-mê, ô bon Jésus : Ils ont percé mes mains et mes pieds; ils ont compté tous mes os."

And with that, C.C. herself finished. "Au nom du Père, du Fils, et du Saint-Esprit. Amen."

"Do you always pray in French?" Chiba inquired as C.C.'s rose up. Part of her wanted to ask if French was the immortal's first language - she seemed very fluent in it, perhaps even more so than Britannian or Japanese - but she resisted the temptation.

As usual with such questions, C.C. gave off an enigmatic smile. "Old habit," she replied, knowing Chiba was really wanting to know. "One of the few things that have stayed with me over the last few centuries."

Chiba nodded, understanding that was the best answer she would get. She then looked up toward the stained glass image above the altar; the one that depicted Christ himself rising toward the Heavens. "Sometimes I wonder what he must think of all this..." she exclaimed in thought. "Of Zero, the Black Knights and what we are trying to do with his creation. The world he himself died to save."

She eventually found herself shaking her head. "I really can't see him approving of any of it," she stated sadly. "Not our army, nor our methods."

C.C. thought about that. "While he definitely doesn't approve of our methods - he was, after all, the type to turn the other cheek - I would like to think that He at least understands our reasons," she said. "After all, he lived during a time in which his people were under oppression by a certain other empire."

The Black Knight squadron commander thought about that with a frown. "Yet he advocated giving to Caesar what was rightfully Caesar's."

C.C. allowed a sly grin to reach her lips. "The key word is rightfully," she pointed out. "As pacifistic as he was, being the incarnation of the kind, loving God we all believe in, he was not so weak or foolish as to claim giving into outside aggression would solve anything," her grin took a knowing tone there. "Even he had to brandish the whip at some points."

"True," Chiba replied, still looking at the image. "Though he used that whip in a different way from what either of us would have done."

C.C. considered that. "The overall message was the same regardless," she said, also looking back at the image. "In fact, I would dare say what he and his apostles did then really was little different than what Zero and we, his Black Knights, are doing now," she said. "His was also a revolution mounted against a world full of sin and inequity, even if it was by far different means than what we're employing."

Chiba let out a soft chuckle at the notion. "Only you would have the blasphemous gall to compare Zero to the one true Messiah," she exclaimed, her tone speaking of amusement rather than offense. "As well as claim that his crusade is the same as his mission."

C.C. responded with a laugh of her own. "I'm an immortal witch, remember? I'm supposed to be 'blasphemous'," she proclaimed, looking back at the image again. "Besides, the Lord and I have an understanding in that area."

"And that is?" Chiba questioned, curious.

Again C.C. smiled. This time cryptically. "As long as I follow him and work in his mysterious ways, he has to put up with my banter," she explained. "And that includes perceived slights to his divinity."

C.C. then looked away somewhat, her smile taking on a sadder tone. "We've had that understanding for a long time," she said, in a near whisper. "As far back as when I was a mere peasant girl tending to her father's garden..."

Instinctively, Chiba opened her mouth to inquire on that further, but quickly stopped herself. It was something that she didn't think the immortal wished to elaborate on further. Instead, she moved back on topic. "What do you think he would do...?" she asked with certain hesitance. "If he were the one leading us now?"

This time, C.C. frowned as she thought. "If he were here now, we wouldn't be fighting at all," she explained, this time giving off a warmer smile. "Because he would have brought all of humanity together long before any of this could come about, just as he had done with Jews and Gentiles so long ago."

Sighing, C.C. continued. "Still, it is what it is," she said, her tone now one of hope. "He may not be leading us directly, but, as much as this would chafe against our mortal leader, I believe he is leading us from on high."

She then shrugged at the idea. "Though to what end is anyone's guess."

Nodding at this, Chiba looked across the chapel to another stained glass image; one that was markedly different from the one before her. Rather than an image of Christ rising to the heavens following his resurrection, this one showed two great armies, one of angels and one of demons, confronting one another over a solitary hill...


Laying back against his pillow, Kaname Ohgi was content to simply let his eyes stare out into the darkness while his body continued to relax from the previous session. It had likely been an hour or two now, perhaps even longer, but Ohgi didn't care. Here in his personal quarters, the world and its long list of wars and conflicts remained shut out and almost forgotten, and the only thing that truly mattered laid beside him, sound asleep against his shoulder. Ironically with her hand resting upon the very spot she had fired a bullet into eight years ago.

Feeling her stir next to him, her hand wandering up to his chest, Ohgi couldn't help but smile subconsciously as he glanced toward his wife's sleeping face. Even now he still couldn't stop thinking of her as the amnesiac, soft-spoken Britannian woman he had saved in Yokosuka. And though many changes had occurred since that time, from her regaining her memories as a Britannian knightmare pilot to her hair now being in a far shortened bobcut, the face he looked upon was the same face as back then; the complexion of a woman with a soft, kind heart. Ohgi smile deepened at this; her being asleep was the only other time, beside when she was around their children, that he could see that last lingering remnant of the original Chigusa within the hardened warrior once known as Viletta Nu.

As had been standard since Pearl Harbor, the Ohgis had taken great advantage of the brief pause in the Black Knights' crusade against Britannia. Whenever they weren't engaged in battle or performing their respective responsibilities, husband and wife were with one another in the most intimate means possible, and the present time was no different. Their reasoning was also more or less standard; either one of them could be dead anywhere from an hour later to the end of the war, and so they would celebrate whatever time they had left to the fullest. It also helped that, despite whatever regulation had been drafted to prevent it, such rendezvous were undoubtedly practiced throughout the Black Knights' ranks, and that so long as everything remained discreet and did not hinder one's duties, it was universally ignored.

Then again, we're nothing like a conventional army anyway. Ohgi thought as he continued to look into the dark, his thoughts turning slightly sour at the notion. Indeed, a conventional army would not have had someone like him, a former high school teacher turned revolutionary, as its second in command. Not when there were far more capable men to perform the job, up to and including one of the greatest maritime commanders his former nation had ever seen.

As if subconsciously responding to his thoughts, Chigusa let out a contented sigh as she slowly awakened. Now conscious, even if slightly, she pulled herself closer to her husband. "I don't know what you're thinking of right now, General," she muttered as she closed her eyes again, apparently trying to fall back asleep. "But whatever it is, it can wait for a few more hours."

Ohgi chuckled as he reached his own arm over, stroking his wife's cheek. "We've been married too long Chigusa," he replied softly. "If you can really feel my thoughts through my body."

Chigusa's responding laugh was a little more direct, despite remaining soft. "Kaname, my love, the whole Order feels it when you think too much, with or without physical contact," opening her eyes again, she made a mock glare. "And if you ever hope to have another one of these 'performance evaluations', General, it better be the latter."

Ohgi simply smiled. "Rest assured, Colonel, you're the only one I will ever grant that privilege to," he replied. "I might not be a real General, but I do know where my real loyalties lie."

Though Ohgi meant it as flirting, Chigusa's chiding expression turned serious at that. She then closed her eyes again, this time agitated. "Kaname, you've been wearing a uniform with flag markings for eight years now," she stated factually. "When are you going to finally admit you are, in fact, a real General?"

Now it was Ohgi's turn to frown. "Probably when I'm the last able bodied commander the Black Knights have," he replied. "God forbid that ever happens."

Sighing, he turned back to the darkness. "I'm just not the kind of leader Zero or Kondo are. Hell, I'm not even the leader Naoto was," he said. "I only know so much about fighting a war, and most of it doesn't compare to what real generals know and understand."

Chigusa resisted the urge to shake her head. They had gone over this before. "Fine, you're not exactly Alexander the Great. Or in your case, Oda Nobunaga," she shot back. "But that doesn't make you any less of a leader, Kaname. After all, you were the one who kept the Black Knights going all these years."

Ohgi shook his head slightly. "I was just following the script C.C. gave me," he said. "And Tohdoh, Kondo and the others were the ones behind the reorganization."

"Those are all beside the point," Chigusa countered. "The fact is you followed C.C.'s script spectacularly and kept the Black Knights together during our darkest time," she admonished. "Not many people, especially those without military background, are able to do that."

She then smiled proudly. "And as for the reorganization, I heard you also had a hand in it."

Ohgi knew what she was getting at. "Not as much as the others," he spoke despondently.

The colonel's brows only furrowed further; she hated it when her husband acted this way. As such, she tried a different approach. "Despite what they say in the history books, Kaname, not every general has to be up there with George Washington or Napoleon Bonaparte," she said. "Sometimes being a good leader as opposed to a 'great leader' is good enough."

Ohgi looked over with a raised eyebrow. "Is that supposed to make me feel...?" he was about to ask, but was silenced when his wife placed a finger against his lips.

"You're a good leader Kaname," she reiterated, being both forceful and reassuring. "Not one of the 'greats' like Zero, Kondo or Tohdoh, but a good leader regardless."

She then took on a softer tone. "You may not be able to perform 'Miracles', but then, that isn't your role," she explained. "While Zero may be directing the war effort, yours is to keep the army organized and moving, something that you've been doing and doing well since before the Black Knights even existed."

Chigusa allowed a sly grin to move over her lips. "After all, as gifted a leader as Naoto Kouzuki was, you were the one who kept his little band together even after he died," she said. "Just as you were the one who ensured Zero's tactics were properly executed at Shinjuku and beyond..."

"Except we almost lost as Shinjuku," Ohgi countered.

"Because the Lancelot showed up at the last minute, yes," Chigusa replied. "But that's beside the point. The fact is, as much as Shinjuku is credited as Zero's first victory, you were the one who ensured your band followed and executed his plan flawlessly," she smirked. "Just as a proper Vice Commander is meant to do."

She then laid back, staring into the open air. "For every general that leads a war, there is always a lower general who manages the army proper. History seldom remembers them compared to the former, but rest assured they are there, and their efforts in organization and management are never missed," she said. "As much as Zero likes to claim 'an army will not move without its king', it is actually a bishop that ensures the army moves at all."

She then turned once more, reaching her arm across her husband yet again. "And that, my love, is what you're best at," she said, then smiling knowingly. "And even then, I believe you'll yet have your time in the sun."

At that, Ohgi could not find it himself to reply. Though he still had his doubts about himself, he at least felt that there was a certain truth to his wife's words; surely everything she said held warrant, given her own military experience as well as her previous status as Jeremiah Gottwald's own sub-commander. Or at least, he wanted to believe there was a certain truth.

Though Chigusa noticed the indecision remaining in her husband, she decided it was enough. At the very least he considered her words. Besides, she could think of better things for her husband to do than wallow in his self-doubt. Far better things.

"Now then..." she murmured as her hand wandering downward from Ohgi's chest, a mischievous grin coming across her lips. "Shall we continue where we left off General?" she whispered hintingly as her hand found its target. "Despite our last evaluation, I believe we still have much ground to cover."

Exhaling sharply at the contact, Ohgi suddenly felt his prior thoughts become overridden with resurgent desire. Indeed, he had more important things to do than embrace his self-pity.

"So we do, Colonel," Ohgi replied, a matching grin crossing his own lips as he looked into Chigusa's now twinkling eyes. "So we do."

From there, he reached his arms around his wife and subordinate once more, drawing her into a deep and heated kiss. One that was gladly returned.


"To Akatsuki," Tohdoh stated upon raising his bottle, causing Senba to do the same. "And the Black Knights' first liberation."

"To a free and reborn China," Senba added. With that, both Black Knights tapped their bottles together, the glass making a distinct klinking sound, and took their respective drinks. Once they finished, Senba nodded appreciatively as he looked over his bottle.

"It's been a very long time since I drank one of these," he said, brushing his finger across the red and gold banner. "And I still find it hard to believe."

Tohdoh smiled back. "That the Chinese actually make good beer?" he said, looking over the banner on his own bottle, which read 'Tsingtao'.

Senba laughed. "That the Chinese actually make any beer, period," he replied. "Next thing you know, the Indians will be making vodka and we'll be distilling gin back in Ryukyu."

Tohdoh nodded in agreement. "I myself am surprised the communists allowed it to continue," he replied. "After all, didn't they once proclaim that any 'true' communist nation would have no need of alcohol, because the peasants would be sated enough by the state itself?"

Senba laughed again. "That only lasted until three factors came about," he said, pulling up his fingers. "One, the beer in question is a pale lager style that originated in Europe, specifically in Karl Marx's home state of Germany. The Tsingtao Brewery itself was started by German immigrants."

He then folded down one finger. "Two, Tsingtao was a real moneymaker at the time, and China needed every economic advantage it could get," he said, taking another drink of his beer. "In fact, beer was one of the only three worthwhile exports China had before it formally industrialized," he then conspiringly added. "The other two were narcotics and prostitutes."

"And three?" Tohdoh pressed on.

"And three," Senba replied, smiling as he folded down his second finger. "Mao Zedong himself held a love for the brand," he replied, then folding his third and last finger. "And his followers knew better than to say 'no' to their 'All Knowing Father of the Nation'."

"Heh," Tohdoh exclaimed as he took another sip of his own beer. Somehow it figured. "I suppose we should be grateful for that. If it weren't for his patronage, the CLA would never have adopted it as their favored drink and they wouldn't have it in such abundance that they'd allow us to have some."

"More like we should be grateful the Britannians for keeping the brewery open," Senba pointed out. "So that they could continue to supply the CLA underground."

Tohdoh snickered. "And let's not forget Calares for being so inept as to not use the Tsingtao supply routes to track and isolate the CLA cells," he added. "I certainly would have."

"Oh?" Senba inquired with a somewhat drunken grin. "The legendary Tohdoh of Miracles can't utilize simple battlefield intuition to find the den of his enemies?"

Tohdoh replied with a grin, a more devious one, of his own. "Battlefield intuition is unnecessary in this circumstance. If you really wish to search out the enemy in the most efficient way possible, simply follow the alcohol," he replied, looking over his bottle again. "And if you really want to hurt the enemy, then cut off that particular supply chain."

Yet again Senba laughed, this time more staunchly. "There's a first in this campaign: words of strategic wisdom that didn't come from Sun Tzu," he let out. "And as a bonus, they make far more sense than anything that overrated bastard ever wrote."

Shifting his bottle around, Tohdoh looked on a little more somberly. "If only it were that easy in this operation..." he muttered regretfully.

"Indeed," Senba nodded in agreement. Both warriors knew what laid ahead of them. "Still, it could be a lot worse."

With some hesitance, Tohdoh asked. "How so?"

The much older man considered. "Well for one thing, we could be going in before the necessary preparations have been made," he exclaimed. "Instead, as standard with Zero, everything is in place and ready for our arrival. The final curtain as it were."

"Yes, he is that thorough isn't he?" Tohdoh replied with a sly grin. That brought to memory the Battle of Yokosuka, but Tohdoh ignored it. It didn't bother him as much as it used to. "Of course, that only means there are more things that can go wrong."

Senba instantly raised an eyebrow. "Are you doubting Zero, Kyoshiro?" he inquired. "That isn't like you."

Tohdoh shook his head. "Of course not," he replied. "Quite the contrary, I find this one of his better, if not outright more poetic, plans," he then took another sip before continuing. "The problem is it was made when we believed our main opposition to be Calares."

"As opposed to the Knight of Two," Senba summarized.

"Exactly," Tohdoh replied. "And as demonstrated in the last battle, Johann Ernst is as intelligent and as observant as his moniker."

Tohdoh then lowered his voice to a conspiring whisper. "Who knows what will happen if he is, in fact, aware of Zero's identity," he stated. "Or much more, Geass."

Senba actually shivered at the thought. "I'd hate to imagine," he replied, taking a swig of beer himself. "Still, for all accounts and purposes, he appears to be aware of neither. If he had been, he would have realized who he was really fighting at Xiaopei."

"Or he simply pretended to be unaware," Tohdoh pointed out.

"Possible but doubtful," Senba replied assuredly. "Even if he was pretending otherwise, our dear fukuro would still have proceeded far more cautiously against Zero," he pointed out. "Anyone aware of Geass would have, you and I included."

Tohdoh nodded. "Perhaps," he acquiesced, deciding not to think along that line any more. Even after all this time, Geass was still something of a taboo subject. "All the same however, this battle will be very close."

Senba chuckled a little at that. "Story of our lives Kyoshiro," he replied as he took another sip. "We've been fighting one close battle after another for fifteen years now."

"Most of which we've lost," Tohdoh pointed out.

"Unfortunately," Senba admitted. "Still, you and I can agree that this battle is little different than those we've fought before," he then eyed his protégé with a hinting glance. "Really, how will this be any different from Itsukushima?"

"Or the Black Rebellion," Tohdoh added in a hinting tone.

Senba caught the message. "Aside from the fact the Britannians can't perform a Devastation here."

"Sure they could," Tohdoh countered. "That was Argus' secondary purpose: to turn on the cities under its guard in case the enemy breaks through the gate. And if not Argus, what would prevent the Britannians from simply performing an air bombardment?"

Yet again Senba's responding grin was wry. "I would think the answer was obvious."

Tohdoh nodded as he caught the point in turn. "I don't know Senba. I guess I've had my fill of close battles over the years," he stated, responding with his own wry grin. "They are, as Julius Caesar once exemplified, the ultimate form of gambling," he added. "And you know how I feel about gambling."

Senba only smiled at this. "Then you're in the wrong line of work Kyoshiro, because war, by its very nature, is true gambling," he elaborated. "Generals like yourself are the players, lesser soldiers like myself are the cards or die, and things like land, people and freedom are the stakes."

Now it was Senba's turn to look solemn. "Every time you go out there and take lead, you are effectively gambling our cause and our lives on a game that has no certain outcome. Granted, every now and then a sure bet comes along in which the other side doesn't have a prayer, but most of the time you have as much chance of winning the hand as the Britannians or whoever else we fight."

Taking another drink, Tohdoh visibly gulped his beer. He had never considered it like that before. Now who's espousing his own Art of War? he thought bit didn't say aloud. "And Zero?" he inquired. "Would you claim him a gambler as well?"

Senba laughed again. "Hell yes! There has never been a truer gambler outside of New Verwood," he exclaimed, referring to the "gambling capital" of Britannia. "The only thing that makes Zero different is that he rigs the game from the start, so that victory is all the more certain if not guaranteed."

"Heh," Tohdoh replied, nodding at the idea. After taking another sip, he considered. "Let's hope that will be enough here," he said. "Because we're throwing out most of our chips on this hand Senba."

"Indeed Kyoshiro," Senba stated. "But again, this isn't any game any of us - you, me, Zero or the others - haven't faced before," he then leaned back relaxingly. "And in all honesty, I think we have some fairly good odds with this one."

Before Senba could say another word, the distinct buzzing sound of his quarter's comm. system rang from overhead. "Tohdoh here," Tohdoh answered as soon as he tapped the switch.

"Forgive my disturbing you General," Asahina replied from the other end. "But General Hong has requested a meeting with you in regards to Akatsuki."

Tohdoh considered that, then nodded. "Very well then," he replied, putting down his beer and standing up. He was sober enough. "Inform the General that I will be there in a few minutes' time. Tohdoh out."

With that, Tohdoh turned off the comm. circuit, then picking up his cap and straightening his uniform. A few moments later, he was once more the ideal image of a Black Knight General. "There will be some of that left when I get back, yes?"

Senba's responding grin was wry. "Probably not," he replied, before waving the general off like he were sending him to school. "Be sure to play nice with the little commie now Kyoshiro," the older man said. "We wouldn't want a repeat of your first meeting."

"Don't worry about that Senba," Tohdoh replied knowingly, against his own uncertainty. "I'm sure General Hong will be more receptive this time."

With that, Tohdoh exited the room and began his march toward the awaiting meeting place. For his part, Senba simply continued to drink his beer in peace.


Another day, another brawl. Rai casually thought as he moved down the corridor. As usual, it had begun as a peaceful mealtime between members of Zero Squadron and his Raiden Squadron. Though the two units were rather adversarial toward each other, with the calmer and more "standard military" Raidens being a natural opposition to the rowdy and virulent Zeros, a combination of probability and the fact Rai had been a member of the latter usually ensured that the two units ate alongside one another. From there, some comment would be made that would anger one of the Zeros members or disturb and upset one of the Raidens, and a heated argument would break out. One that Rai, Kallen and the more sane members of either unit would spend the next hour or so calming down.

This time however, the events were a little different. This time, it had been the Chinese who had sparked the ensuing conflict. Specifically members of a Chinese knightmare unit who had given their blunt opinions on Zero's performance during the Battle of Xiaopei, followed by their comments on Zero's performance in bed. Rai didn't know if they had done it intentionally, knowing that members of Zero's personal vanguard and several other Black Knights were present, but he had seen the results; the Reis had all but exploded, and even the much calmer Raidens had become visibly angered. From there, the heated argument only lasted a few quips and name calls before turning into an actual physical brawl. One that Rai, who had felt the Chinese more than deserved a serious beat down, was content to sit back and watch.

Knowing that it would not be long before Black Knight and Chinese security personnel showed up, Rai, upon finishing his meal, had decided to slip out unnoticed while he still could. He wasn't worried about his pilots; last he saw of them they were outright dominating the Chinese conscripts alongside their Zero Squadron brethren, and when the security forces did show up, they would all have a sudden and massive case of amnesia, all while the hapless CLA pilots were carted out to the Mausoleum's medical ward. And as for Rai himself, he would say he would discipline his men as he saw fit. Overall, nothing out of the ordinary.

That all said, Rai had bigger concerns at this point. He had a call to make, and he was already running late. His contact wouldn't appreciate that in the least.

Returning to the Izumo, Rai quickly entered his quarters and locked the door behind him. Then, after taking a moment to inhale, he proceeded to sit down in a nearby chair while withdrawing a certain device from his uniform. One that was not Black Knights standard issue, to say nothing of any form of conventional technology.

Tapping the button on the switch, he waited until a holographic image - one that was completely shrouded but still unmistakably human - appeared at its center. "You're late Adonis," the voice on from the other side, which was very much mechanical and filtered sounding, observed. "That is unlike you."

"My apologies," Rai replied to the image. "I was held up by an issue regarding our Chinese 'allies'," he let out a breath. "Why Zero chooses to associate with these scum I will never know. Strategic interests aside of course."

Even with the distorted image, Rai could imagine his contact's lips folding into a smirk. "Even the one true messiah associated himself with the likes of tax collectors, fishermen and prostitutes. All of whom were what many considered the lowest form of life during His time," the contact said. "But that is not what you've contacted me for."

"Indeed," Rai replied, turning serious. "The final preparations are being made as we speak," he replied. "The dawn is coming upon us."

The contact appeared to take this with interest. "Excellent," came the reply. "It's about time that little part of the war concluded."

"Even if it means Britannia's total defeat?" Rai inquired.

"A small price to pay, as the saying goes," the contact answered. "It was never intended for Britannia to hold onto that region of the world, at least not at this time. Besides, it is far more imperative that Zero and the Black Knights continue advancing as they have."

"That is assuming we succeed here," Rai commented.

This time, Rai felt the contact's eyebrow raise. "You doubt your chances?"

Rai replied with a small grin. "Let's just say Zero has a very bad habit of getting in over his head," he replied with a knowing glance. "Something he has yet to grow out of."

"And likely never will," the contact concluded. "I'm sorry to say it runs in his lineage."

No, really? Rai thought as he continued. "Regardless, things look pretty grim on our end," he replied. "Even with Zero's plan, as well thought out as it is, we will only have a narrow window toward victory."

He then narrowed his gaze toward the image. "In fact, it may come to the point you will have to intervene," he said. "As much as you hate doing things that way."

The other side seemed to consider that. "Strange. I recall placing you there specifically for that purpose Adonis," the contact said. "To intervene on my behalf."

Rai shrugged. "There's only so much I can do here," he exclaimed. "Major Rai Sumeragi isn't exactly high up in the Black Knights' command structure. Nor does he have any sort of influence upon said command structure."

The contact didn't miss the emphasis on Rai's rank. "No I suppose not," the contact answered. "Even so, I do not think there is anything to worry about," came a more sardonic toned reply. "You may not have complete faith in Zero, but I certainly do."

The contact then declared. "He will succeed where all others have failed. You and I included."

Rai smiled at this. "Well, if you declare it thus, then that's how it shall be," he replied, before turning serious again. "Even so, there is another matter..."

"Yes," the contact agreed. "The secret that lays underneath the Vermillion Forbidden Palace."

Rai nodded grimly. "Should I intervene there?" he asked. "Because if and when we do take back Luoyang, it will not be long before the Black Knights discover it."

The contact seemed to consider, but decided otherwise. "No, that won't be necessary," the contact replied. "Zero and his compatriots will deduce nothing from it."

"No," Rai agreed. "But a certain other party might use it to their advantage..."

"That will be summarily dealt with should it occur," the contact replied. "In the meantime however, continue as you have 'Major'," the contact ordered with a smile. "I look forward to news of the Black Knights' triumph, alongside the Chinese Federation's rebirth."

Rai nodded. "As you command," he said, smile returning to his lips. "I will contact you again once Akatsuki has concluded."

"Very well," the contact answered. "Until then Adonis."

With that, the image cut out and the device disengaged, with Rai returning it into his uniform. After that, the white-haired ace simply sat by and enjoyed the silence for a few moments longer.


Government Bureau
Luoyang Settlement, Duchy of Henan, Area 22 (China), Britannian Empire

Crimson cloak shuffling against the passing air, Johann quietly moved down the corridor toward his assigned quarters. By this point, the day was nearly over and the majority of operations against the CLA had been concluded, thus allowing the Knight of Two a brief period of respite that he sorely needed. Not so much from his duties of course, but rather from his two fellow Rounds; as much as Michael and Nena were dear comrades to him, their combined antics and whining over being kept out of the fight had long worn thin against his nerves. Thus after sending them on their way and with a stern warning not to cause any problems, Johann had decided now was the time to retire for the evening.

As he continued to move down the path toward his respite, the Knight of Two quietly ook note of the dimming twilight that shone through the windows next to him. With night slowly descending upon Area 22 and the sun settling down in the west, it was only natural for twilight to be cast across the land, such that it had reached the virtual center point of the Area. A small, almost completely unnoticeable smile crossing his lips, the Knight of Two couldn't help but feel a certain serenity from that light. For some reason it had always brought him a calming peace when he was in need, and now, standing at the brink as he was, he needed it more than ever.

Unfortunately however, that peace was not to last, much to Johann's dismay. Standing at the side of the corridor and directly in his path, Calares leaned against the wall, his arms crossed and a deep scowl written across his face. Johann adopted a frown in return, already figuring out what the Governor-General of Area 22 was about to confront him on. And as stung as he still was, it wouldn't be about Xiaopei. "Viceroy Calares," Johann greeted cordially, or at least as cordial as he could manage with his usual demeanor. "I trust you have been keeping up with our progress against the CLA?"

"You bastard," Calares snarled back with pure hate. "You won't waste any opportunity to humiliate me, will you?"

Johann merely sighed. "In spite of prior occurrences, I assure you Viceroy that nothing could be further from the truth," he said. "I have far more pressing duties and concerns than to continuously make you out as a fool and ignoramus, which you do well by yourself anyway."

The Knight of Two then attempted to move past the Viceroy, but the much larger man moved to stand in his way. Looming over the much younger knight in the red cloak, Calares was now the personification of rage. "Argus," he growled. "The order came from you, didn't it?"

Again sighing, Johann nodded. "Correct," he replied. "I am the one who ordered its deactivation."

"Why!?" Calares demanded, almost violently. "We will need it for the coming battle!"

"Not necessarily," Johann countered. "Given the nature of the Black Knight and CLA offensive as well as our conventional defensive power, our regular forces will be more than sufficient in holding the line."

"Except we shouldn't need even bother with our 'conventional' defensive power!" Calares continued to protest. "Argus would literally sweep the Black Knights from the skies and the CLA from the field! It is the perfect defense...!"

"Indeed it is," Johann agreed, much to Calares' surprise. "Argus is by far the ideal defense system, the Ultimate Shield as it were. It has complete coverage over its defensive zone, enough firepower to destroy both advancing forces as well as the cities it has been established in, and no weakness or openings in its layout."

Calares opened his mouth to speak again, but Johann only continued. "And that is precisely why I will not utilize it," he stated firmly. "Not here in Area 22 nor upon any other battlefield."

If Calares was enraged before, then the Knight of Two's statement incensed him to the point of pure white near-aggression. "You...!" Calares barely managed to mumble out loud. "How can you do this...!?"

Sighing again, Johann decided it was best to explain before the Viceroy cracked a blood vessel. "I trust you're aware of what has been happening with the Project Argus membership, yes?"

Realizing exactly what the Knight of Two meant, Calares visibly calmed down, but kept a firm glare upon his adversary. "I've read the reports," he replied, looking down somewhat. "And I find their fates truly regretful, but such are conditions of war and the CLA's barbarity..."

He then refocused his glare upon the Round. "But that hardly explains your decision."

If Johann had a more developed sense of humor, he would have laughed at Calares' exclamations. "You're mistaken, Viceroy, if you truly believe the CLA to be responsible for their murders..." Johann stated. "As opposed to a certain other Chinese group that's much closer to us, and wears a similar uniform."

Calares' eyebrow raised considerably at that, knowing exactly what Johann was referring to. "Not that I don't believe them capable Sir Johann, but what makes you so sure they..." he said, glancing around slightly to see if there really was any Guoanbu agents around them. "...were the ones responsible?"

"I didn't say they were responsible," Johann replied. "But I do believe the atrocities were committed by their hand."

"Then who is responsible?" Calares demanded. "That little shit minister of theirs, Ling Yun?"

"Possibly," Johann replied. "He did have the proper authority to at least give the orders."

Calares noticed the past tense there. "Did?"

"His body was found less than twenty-four hours ago," Johann clarified. "Death was ruled a combination of dysentery and self-castration."

Calares sniffed at that. Though he found the news rather odd if not outright suspicious, it was still a fitting end for the little rapist. "Couldn't have happened to a better man," he dryly stated, before returning to the main subject. "But again, how does it affect your...?"

This time Johann held off from sighing. "If you can't figure it out for yourself, Viceroy, then I do not see why I should bother explaining to you," the Knight of Two replied. "Suffice to say however, until a proper investigation has been made, Argus will remain offline."

Johann then added before Calares could demand. "This decision is final."

Calares quickly returned to a simmer. "Impudent wretch," he growled, fists trembling at his sides. "I don't care if you are one of His Majesty's chosen. I swear you will regret this...!"

"I sincerely doubt it," Johann replied factually, not at all intimidated. It was like watching a defanged lion growl in anger. "Now if you'll please excuse me..."

"Ah, just who I wanted to see!" a new, far higher pitched voice quickly sounded from nearby. Feeling the first vestiges of annoyance begin to emerge, Johann looked on as Zhao Hao hurried over to where he was standing, the Chinese Duke seeming to waddle as he moved his girth. "I was hoping for a moment of your time, Sir Johann."

"What's the matter Zhao Hao?" Calares inquired, his hatred redirected. "Did the CLA sabotage your bathroom scale?" he snidely asked. "And by 'sabotage', I mean make it give the actual readings again?"

"Funny you should mention the CLA Calares," Zhao Hao smugly retorted. "From what I understand, they will no longer be a problem, or an existence, in the future." the Eunuch's beady eyes gleamed as he watched Calares glower from the sting. "All thanks to Sir Johann doing in only a few weeks what you couldn't do in seven years."

"Gentlemen," Johann spoke up, not wishing to have a fight develop. "In case either of you failed to take note, I have neither the time nor the patience to observe your petty bickering," he stated with a distinct edge behind his voice; one that neither Calares nor Zhao Hao failed to notice.

Once he saw that no more insults would be exchanged, he looked toward Zhao Hao. "Now, Your Grace," he began courteously. "What can I do for you?"

Zhao Hao's pudgy lips formed into a smile at the Round's respectful address. "I have heard your primary mission here is to retake Tianzi," Zhao Hao summarized. "Is this true?"

Johann nodded. "That is the directive from His Majesty, yes."

"Good, good," Zhao replied with a little more satisfaction than either Johann or Calares would have liked. "And what of General Li? Is he to be captured as well?"

"I'm afraid His Majesty find's General Li's fate completely inconsequential," Johann replied.

"I figured," Zhao Hao pressed on. "But even so, you could capture him as well, yes?"

"What the hell is this about...?" Calares demanded, only to be completely ignored.

Seeing no reason to say otherwise, Johann answered. "It is within my power to capture General Li, yes," he explained. "That is, assuming..."

"Splendid!" Zhao Hao exclaimed, almost giddily. "In that case, I have a personal request..."

At that, both Johann and Calares picked up on the newfound malevolence underneath the former Premier's voice. "I'm listening," Johann acknowledged in monotone, once again already guessing what Zhao Hao was going to ask.

Another smile, this time far more vicious, coming across Zhao Hao's lips, the Eunuch presented his request. "Once you have captured Tianzi, and possibly General Li along with her..." he stated. "I ask that you turn both of them over to me for at least twenty-four hours."

Literally feeling Calares' eyes widen in horror from beside him, Johann could only ask. "May I inquire as to why, Your Grace?"

The Duke of Henan's smile only deepened at that. "Let's just say I have unfinished business with both of them, Sir Johann..." he said, reaching his gloved hands up for the Knight of Two to see.

This time, Calares' rage was only matched by his horror and disgust. "You sick son of a bitch!" he barked.

"Oh don't be so pitiful Calares," Zhao Hao waved him off, addressing the Viceroy as if he were making a fuss over nothing. "After all those two and their band of brigands have put us through, they're lucky it will only be twenty-four hours as opposed to a month or year."

Johann was about to reply that he hadn't agreed to the request, but Calares cut him off. "You really feel no shame toward your actions, do you Zhao Hao!?" he bellowed. "After all the things you've done to this land and its people, after all the lives you personally ruined...!"

Zhao Hao's eyes only gleamed at the accusations. "While I do admit to looking forward to the latter act with Tianzi..." he said, again holding up his arms. "I think even you can agree that I am more than justified in this case Calares."

This only caused Calares to blanch further. "There is nothing justifiable about you and your sickness Zhao Hao!" he nearly roared. "Li was right to cut off your hands!" If only he had gone a little further...

That caused another thought to occur with Calares. "And speaking of Li, what do you want him for anyway!?" he growled. "You already have one vile 'pastime'! Don't tell me you have another!"

"Hardly," Zhao Hao stated venomously in turn, easily put off by the mere insinuation. That was Gao Hai's preference anyway. "Rather, I intend to do unto Li exactly what he had done to me so long ago," he said, flexing his right hand. "With the very same sword that he used then..."

Yet again that malevolent smile returned. "And after that," he added. "I intend for him to watch..."

That was it as far as Calares was concerned. He no longer cared about the man's title, his arrangement with Prince Schneizel nor his authority over Area 22; as far as he was concerned, Zhao Hao was a mad, diseased animal that needed to put down immediately. Thus, without thinking any further, Calares' hand launched toward his sidearm, intending to do exactly what Li should have done long ago.

So concentrated on his newfound task that he failed to notice Johann reach his own hand out, only becoming aware once the Knight of Two's gloved left hand clasped onto his wrist, stopping him from drawing his Browning. Calares' gaze immediately drew back to the Knight of Two, shock and confusion within his eyes now; even he hadn't thought the Round would be so low as to defend Zhao Hao. For his part, Johann simply held his hand onto Calares wrist while his own emotionless eyes bore into the Viceroy's enraged ones. It was only when Calares stopped attempting to draw his weapon did Johann finally let go.

With that taken care of, Johann turned back to Zhao Hao, who was now looking quite smug in response to the whole scene, and took two steps toward him. Once Johann saw he had Zhao Hao's complete attention, undoubtedly under the belief the Knight of Two would acquiesce to his wishes, Johann began to speak. "I'm afraid I cannot fulfill that request, Your Grace."

Smugness disappearing like a cloud of smoke, the first vestiges of anger began to enter Zhao Hao's eyes. "Why?" he demanded. "It is perfectly reasonable..."

"Quite the contrary," Johann corrected. "First, His Majesty's orders are specific: Tianzi is to be taken to Britannia alive if possible, dead if necessary," he stated. "In the case of the former, she is to be taken unharmed and unspoiled."

Zhao Hao attempted to protest, but Johann continued. "Second, for all intents and purposes, Tianzi is recognized as the consort of Prince Odysseus, thereby establishing her as a Princess of the realm," he explained. "Under penalty of death, no harm may be dealt to any member of the Imperial Family, regardless of the rank and status of the aggressor."

Suddenly realizing what was happening, it was now Calares' turn to appear smug as Johann explained further. "And third, under the Articles of War set down by Emperor Theseus and the Code of the Round Table, no act of barbarity is to be permitted and honor and chivalry are to be upheld in all forms and circumstances," he then concluded with. "All that to say, I cannot and will not turn Tianzi over to you or any other party, nor allow her to suffer any physical or mental harm. The same applies to General Li should he be captured."

"You ingrate," Zhao Hao hissed, now appearing as enraged as Calares had been not a few moments ago.

And just like with Calares, Johann remained unperturbed. "You may contest these obligations as much as you wish to His Majesty or anyone else who would listen," he said. "But I doubt you will get far with such demands."

Zhao Hao's hands curled into fists, their skeletal fingers clicking against the leather gloves as they did. "Do not talk down to me, boy!" Zhao Hao glowered. "I am the Duke of Henan, as recognized by Prince Schneizel himself! And you will follow my command or...!"

The self-proclaimed Duke froze midsentence as Johann's eyes suddenly flashed and narrowed upon him, in the manner an owl glaring down an upstart rodent. In spite of his still present anger, Zhao Hao suddenly felt very small and very isolated, all the while the knight in front of him began emit a cold aura of vehemence. This was emphasized even further when Johann began to speak once more.

"The Knights of the Round answer to His Imperial Majesty, and His Imperial Majesty alone," Johann stated, his voice even more even than it was before, yet emitting a threatening tone. "Not even His Imperial Highness Prince Schneizel may command us, even less those who invoke his name so brazenly."

The Knight of Two then stepped forward again, until he was face to face with the former Premier, who squirmed under knight's owl-like gaze. "And even if that weren't so, Your Grace," Johann continued, his voice now almost a whisper yet retaining its force of will. "I would never lower myself into subservience to one as heinously unworthy as you."

Such was the power behind Johann's declaration that Zhao Hao actually flinched from its subtle tremor. For all the jeers he had endured over the years from Calares and others like him, never had he felt so insulted than by the Knight of Two's words. No, it didn't make him feel ashamed of himself in the least, but it did make him feel stung and stung deep. And with that sting, his rage only intensified.

Metallic hands clenching and unclenching with distinct clicking noises, Zhao Hao found himself gazing back into the Owl's eyes, this time with vehemence of his own. It was clear what he wanted to do to the upstart Round, and a part of him felt that he could actually do it; that he could reach up and wrap his metal hands around the Knight of Two's neck and clench down. Yes the Rounds were supposed to be elite warriors both in and out of their knightmares, but surely at this close range the Knight of Two would not be able to react in time. That Zhao Hao could repay his insult with instant death.

That being said however, the more rational side of Zhao Hao's mind recalled the penalty of attacking a Round, which was also instant death. As much Zhao Hao wanted to snap Johann's neck, this was easily countered with the knowledge that he would not live for much longer after; that eventually he would be taken and executed on the crime of high treason against the Crown. Such was the fate of those who attempted harm against the Emperor's chosen warriors, and Zhao Hao did well to keep himself in check with that knowledge, even if only a little.

"Go ahead Zhao Hao," Calares jeered challengingly, smile across his lips as he watched the conflicting emotions run across the former Premier's face. "It will be the last thing you ever do."

A sharp breath of air escaping his nostrils, Zhao Hao at last decided that the price was far too high for his liking. Thus, with a final, if token, glare of warning, Zhao Hao at last turned around and stormed out. A few moments later, the Premier had disappeared down the corridor to parts unknown.

That at last resolved, Johann himself turned around and returned to his original trek toward his quarters. Where a long deserved rest awaited him.

Before he made it a fair distance however, Calares spoke up again. "You have my compliments and my respect, Sir Johann," the Viceroy said, causing the Round to halt yet again. "In spite of our present disagreements, I take solace in my knowledge that the Knight of Two is indeed a man of honor and principle."

Without turning around, Johann replied. "I am the second chosen of His Majesty's knights and an executor of Britannia, Viceroy Calares," he said, his voice returned to its usual monotone. "If I do not adhere to honor and principle, then who else will do so?"

Thus with one final sway of his red cloak, Johann again took his leave, this time departing entirely. Calares himself took a moment to watch him leave, before moving away as well.


The Mausoleum
Duchy of Jiangsu, Area 22 (China), Britannian Empire
July 21, 2025

The beeping sound of Li's watch - a Britannian model he had taken from an Imperial Army officer who no longer needed it - indicated that it was now midnight, the standard time in which he turned in for the evening. However, Li's attention was so focused upon the screen in front of him that barely noticed the alarm, and even when he did he subconsciously deactivated it. He couldn't sleep now anyway; even if he had wanted to, there was just too much for the CLA general to do that he couldn't leave to subordinates.

Standing in Mausoleum's General Staff meeting area, Li continued to gaze up toward the main monitor, where the offensive plans for Operation Akatsuki were prominently displayed. As Zero had elaborated before, it was a multi-offensive operation that saw the CLA, and their Black Knight supporters, moving against most if not all of China's key administrative centers. Luoyang, Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Hong Kong, Macau, Anqing, Bengbu, Chizou, and many more were lined out across the map, with red arrows and lines representing Zero's intended advancement of the CLA and yellow arrows and lines representing the Black Knights going against blue arrows and lines representing the Britannian defenders.

The various attacks would be carried out from the land by the CLA and the air by the Black Knights, while any coastal cities would be additionally attacked by either group's naval forces. Each attack plan implemented strategies that were tailor-made for that particular city, as well as the surrounding terrain and topography, while the CLA and Black Knight forces were each distributed and arranged in the most advantageous manner possible. All of which was as delicately detailed and described as possible, such that even those who did not understand strategy nor tactics could at least grasp Operation Akatsuki at its most basic levels.

For Li, who himself was a master strategist and tactician, it was outright artful. As much as he chafed against Zero and his army of black clothed exiles, even he had to admit Akatsuki was well put together. In fact, it was likely the most ambitious and well-constructed military operation to ever be enacted on Chinese soil in modern times. An operation whose scope and significance would surpass anything the CLA could have conceived, with or without Li own input. An operation whose designation was as fitting as its purpose: to end a war once and for all.

Of course, no plan, no matter how well made, was ever perfect, and that was why Li was doing what he was doing now, further emphasized by his tapping a datapad and causing one of the CLA lines to change in formation. In one of the very few interactions he had held with Zero since Xiaopei, the masked revolutionary had personally requested Li to go over Akatsuki and act as an editor of sorts; to pick up any potential flaws that Zero himself might have missed in his planning and to make the proper corrections. And as much as Li wanted nothing to do with the Demon King and his schemes, he knew that there was no room to maneuver at this point; that China's fate depended squarely on Akatsuki, just as the lives of Li's soldiers depended upon its design. As such, Li was where he was now.

And yet for all the corrections and small additions Li made to Akatsuki, he could not shake the feeling that Zero was still hiding certain parts of the operation from him. Yes, much of it was arrayed before him, but as Li continued to look it over, he found that certain parts were missing, like lost pieces of a puzzle. The most prominent of these was, of course, Argus; for all that Zero had lined out in his plans, Li found no counter for it. Granted, a part of Li believed Zero had intended to use the Shenque's baryon field system to disable Argus, as Li had done many times before, but even if the baryon field were still operational - the Shenque had long been refurbished, but its baryon field system remained inoperable - it would have only covered the assault on Luoyang. In fact, no matter how much Li looked over the plans, he could not find any notes even regarding Argus, even though Zero was more than aware of it.

Argus is indeed the perfect defense system. Li recalled Zero explain to the other CLA commanders during an earlier meeting when the matter was brought up. And that is precisely its critical flaw.

Naturally, Zero had not bothered to explain what exactly he meant by that, much less how he intended to dealt with Argus. Much to the exasperation of Li and the others. "With friends like these..." Li muttered as he made another rearrangement, this time on a Black Knight line.

Another sound soon entered his ears, this time being the door opening and closing. Li glowered at this. "Whatever it is, it can wait at least twelve more hours," Li stated, expecting it to be Zhou or Hong having come to inform him of something.

"My my, such audacity. And in the presence of your Chairwoman," came an all too familiar voice replied, immediately snapping Li back to reality. The General then abruptly turned around to face Tianzi. "Apparently overfocus and sleep deprivation have lessened your sense of decorum, General."

Li couldn't remember the last time he nearly tripped over himself trying to reply to someone. "Forgive me Your Excellency," he sounded off, nearly stammering. "I...!"

Tianzi laughed lightly. It was one of the few times she ever caught Li so off guard. "At ease Xingke. I'm just having some fun at your expense," she said as she came up beside him, looking over the display herself. "So, this is Límíng in all of its glory."

"Yes Your Excellency," Li replied. If he was discomforted by Tianzi being there, he did well not to show it. "The instrument of the Motherland's salvation...or its final hour."

Tianzi sniffed in bemusement. "Your confidence is reassuring as always," she replied dryly, her eyes continuing to scan the display. After a few moments, they centered upon Luoyang and remained there for some time.

Li was quick to notice this. "Your Excellency?"

"I was just reminiscing," Tianzi replied. "Seven years ago I would have given anything to get out of that city and into the outside world," she explained. "And now here I am, about to engage in battle just to get back inside it."

A sad smile formed upon her lips. "Yet another irony among so many."

Li nodded in agreement. "Indeed Your Excellency," he said, attempting to ignore the discomfort that was growing inside him.

Tianzi noticed this, but chose to ignore it for the moment. "Still, it will only be a temporary inconvenience," she said, this time taking on a hopeful smile. "As I'm still holding you to your promise Xingke."

Resisting the urge to swallow, Li asked. "Which one, Your Excellency?"

"After this is all over," she replied. "You would take me to see the outside world," she explained, her smile warming as she added. "Just you and I."

Li chuckled in response. "I don't remember that last part being part of the promise..."

This didn't deter Tianzi in the least. "Well then, consider it a command from your Chairwoman," she shot back. "As well as something for both of us to survive for."

Survive. Li repeated the word, feeling his gut twist toward it. He knew what he had to do, as much as it damned him. "Your Excellency..." he began, returning to his dutiful tone. "I've made an arrangement with the Black Knights."

Though he wasn't sure how, Tianzi immediately caught onto what Li was about to tell her. Much to her dread. "Whatever it is," Tianzi replied, her voice becoming harder somewhat. "I'm sure it can..."

"Your Excellency, please," Li interrupted, knowing that he couldn't back down now. When Tianzi complied, he went on. "Before Akatsuki begins..." he said, again resisting the urge to swallow. "General Ohgi has agreed to have you transported to the Black Knights' main basin, codenamed Yomi," he said, taking a short breath. "There, you will be granted asylum until Akatsuki's conclusion."

All at once, the pleasantness on Tianzi's face vanished like a mirage. Only to be replaced with the same displeasure she had held at Xiaopei. "You're sending me away again?" she let out, anger slowly bubbling to the surface. "At this very time?"

And just like at Xiaopei, Li remained stalwart. "The timing is precisely why I am sending you away Your Excellency," he said. "After the battle, China will..."

Li never finished his sentence, as the feeling of pain surging from his cheek and the sound of flesh impacting flesh filled his consciousness. Moving back a step to stablize himself as he reeled from the shock, Li looked up, eyes widening, to see that Tianzi, pigeon blood eyes now clouded with rage and tears, had struck him once again. Only this time, as evidenced by the severe bruising around the knuckles of her right hand, itself enclosed into a fist, she hadn't merely slapped him.

"Do not use that excuse with me here and now, Xingke!" Tianzi roared. "You and I both know that isn't why you're sending me away!"

This time allowing himself to swallow, Li maintained his front. "But it's the truth Your Excellency," he continued. "So long as you survive, China will..."

"Liar!" Tianzi screamed accusingly, instantly silencing Li. "The moment I step into that transport I forfeit both my credibility and my claim to the Chairmanship," she stated. "Yes I may yet be reinstalled, but no one, not even my own people, would willingly follow a Chairwoman who fled on the eve of the final battle!" she was nearly shouting now. "I would be seen as no different from the Puppet Chairwoman I once was, and still may yet become!"

Li could not keep himself from wincing at her words; they were almost as painful than the punch itself. Tianzi only pressed on. "Just come out and say Xingke," she glowered. "You're sending me away because you expect to lose this battle, and the war with it," she stated. "Despite all of Zero's assurances, you believe Akatsuki is doomed to fail, and that you and the rest of the CLA will be fighting a hopeless battle!"

"Your Excellency..." Li tried to state otherwise, only to again be interrupted by the sound and feeling Tianzi's fist smashing against his cheek. As fit as he was and as physically frail as Tianzi was by comparison, Li still felt great pain from the punch.

Her knuckles now bloodied from the impact, Tianzi withdrew her hand, subconsciously grasping her left one over it to soothe the pain; much to Li's despair, her attacks had probably hurt her more than they had hurt him. Despite that however, only fury remained on Tianzi's face. "Not this time Xingke!" she declared. "I will not be sent away like a refugee, not when the fate of our nation is about to be decided!"

Brushing against the bruise against his cheek, Li silently closed his eyes. There was no turning back now. "Yes..." he murmured in a near whisper. "Yes you will..."

At that, it was Tianzi's turn to widen her eyes. And though she maintained her anger, a slight semblance of uncertainty now entered them. "What was that, General?" she hissed in return.

Rather than respond to her words, Li raised himself back up, moving to his full height. The picturesque image of a General of the Chinese Liberation Army, one that easily dwarfed the Chairwoman he served.

"You will board that shuttle," he said, his voice now far more forceful. "And you, and you alone, will be transported to Yomi, so that if and when the worst comes about, you will continue to live on in whatever peace can be provided from this damned world and its thrice damned wars."

In spite of Li not raising his voice, the force behind it was such that Tianzi actually recoiled from its power. "And you will do so if I have to throw you onto that shuttle myself and seal the door behind me, Your Excellency," Li, his voice still low yet retaining authority. "No, Jiang Lihua."

If Li's earlier declarations hadn't driven the point home for Tianzi, then his usage of her real name certainly did. It was only then she realized the truth; that Li really didn't believe he would return.

"You can't do this General!" Tianzi countered. Compared to her earlier disposition, she now felt completely weak and helpless.

Li only let out a cruel laugh at this. "I can and I will, with force if I have to," he stated. "I will not have you die here, Lihua."

Again her real name rang in her ears, causing further tears to well from Tianzi's eyes. "I am the Son of Heaven and the last Chairwoman of the Chinese Federation!" she shouted back defiantly. "My body and soul are of this land and its people!"

"You were a puppet ruler," Li countered, again refusing to back down. By now he was far past the point of caring what Tianzi thought of him. "Installed with neither power nor authority, so that evil men could squander this same land and same people."

If Tianzi was stung by Li's words, she refused to show it. "Even so, I cannot run. I will not run," she said. "If this is to be our last stand for freedom and liberty, then so be it. I too will be part of it, and meet whatever fate lays ahead for our Motherland...!"

"Motherland?" Li repeated astoundingly as he recalled her earlier accusation of political indoctrination at Xiaopei. For the briefest of moments, his calm facade slipped. "All 'our Motherland' has done for you is bind you and force you into a hopeless existence and service to unworthy men!" he declared, his own anger toward the subject bleeding out into each word. "It has given you nothing but pain and tragedy!"

"You're wrong!" Tianzi shouted back. With clear desperation in her eyes, she then replied in a near whisper. "It has given me you."

This time, Li wasn't so resolute; for a brief moment, he felt his resolve crack from that single declaration, as well as his facade threaten to break with it. As such, he forced himself to turn away, to not look into her eyes. Once more, he could not fail now. "My decision stands regardless."

Adopting as cold a visage as he could, Li pressed on against the now visibly cornered Chairwoman. "You may hate me as much as you wish, but nothing will change," he said. "You will be on that transport, and you will depart China before the eve of battle..."

He then added with finality. "And, when this is all over, you will at last see the outside world," he declared, before looking away. "Exactly as I had promised."

Breath hitching in her lungs, Tianzi, understanding those last few words completely, suddenly felt her heart run cold and an imaginary pain run through her body, one that the sting in her right hand could never compare to. It was only then she realized that it was hopeless; that Li would not hear her words nor sway to her will. Not this time.

Knowing that the message had been effectively sent, Li at last turned back to face display. "If there is nothing else, then I wish to continue with my duties," he said, maintaining his cold front. "Good evening, Your Excellency."

The words fire in her ears, Tianzi felt her bottom lip curl as she stifled to hold back her tears. Without so much as a verbal acknowledgment, she turned around and stormed out of the briefing room, moving as fast as he dress would allow her to. The door then shut behind her in the same automatic manner as before, but to Li himself, it might as well had been slammed as the Chairwoman departed.

Letting out a breath of resignation, Li then went back to going over Akatsuki, taking in whatever information he could and making whatever changes he felt necessary. However, after a few minutes of this, Li felt another pain begin to emerge from his chest. An all too familiar pain that had absolutely nothing to do with his broken heart.

No, not now! he thought as he felt himself drop the datapad and clasp his hands against his chest. Moments later, he felt his chest tighten as he elicited a sharp, violent cough, blood trickling down from his lips while his legs threatened to give way from under him. Just barely did he managed to remain standing, even as more coughs began to emerge.

Feeling himself stumble about as he forced himself around the coughs, Li forced himself toward the door, himself exiting soon after.


Once again Tianzi entered the Mausoleum's observation deck, moving out of the elevator as soon as the doors opened. This time however she didn't bother to lament over the Chinese Federation's history or past crimes, nor the spectacular view that the deck offered. This time she had only one thought and one feeling weighing upon her mind, just as she felt her still present tears weigh upon her face.

She barely made it to viewing glass before she finally broke down and fell to her knees, allowing the tears flow out entirely. Never in her life had she felt the way she did now. Even when her father had died and left her at the mercy of the State Council, she had managed to maintain her bearing, albeit only to a fair degree, and continue on as China's new Chairwoman. Even when she had been set up to marry Prince Odysseus, a much older man who - in spite of his kindness and gentleness to her - presented a life of servitude to another land, she had only shed the least amount of tears while holding herself up high. And even when she had been forced to flee from Luoyang and leave her nation in the hands of Zhao Hao and his compatriots, she had stood firm, retaining both her composure and her focus when it seemed like the world around her had fallen to Hell's deepest realm.

And yet, for all of her force of will and resilience, it was only now that she give in. It was only now that the tears flowed from her eyes chaotically and uncontrollably, to the point where she felt neither the will nor the strength to contain them. It was only now, as Li's words continued to echo throughout her memory, that she felt true despair and hopelessness. For herself, her country, her people and him. And, above all else, her inability to save any of them. Or to even fight for their salvation.

Indeed it was the first time in her life that she felt truly cold and alone. And, in spite of her original status and her earlier lamentations to Zero, completely powerless.

That all said however, she wasn't so overwhelmed that she didn't detect the presence of another entering the deck. "Who's there!?" she snapped as she stood back up, her crimson colored eyes regaining their fire for just another moment.

With fair temperance, Kallen emerged from the shadows and into full view. "Forgive me, Your Excellency," she replied solemnly. "But I saw you running here, and I wanted to make sure you were okay."

For some reason, Tianzi felt more relieved that it was a Black Knight, and one that she had no quarrel with, that had seen her rather than one her subordinates. Even so, while she couldn't quite understand it, something told her Major Kouzuki's presence was not a coincidence. "You heard everything..." she let out in low accusation. "Didn't you?"

Naturally, Kallen feigned confusion. "I don't understand what you..."

"I do not have the stomach for obvious lies, Major Kouzuki," Tianzi snapped once more. The Major's hesitation was all the indication she needed. "I don't know how you did it, but you heard every word of it."

Sighing, Kallen relented. It wasn't like the Chairwoman had figured out how. "Yes," she confirmed. "I did."

Nodding in appreciation, Tianzi smiled in irony. "It must have been quite the spectacle," she said. "The Chairwoman of the Chinese Federation arguing with her most trusted general and advisor."

Slowly, Kallen moved to stand beside her. "It wasn't anything I haven't seen before, Your Excellency."

"Oh?" Tianzi inquired. "Don't tell me Zero has similar problems with his own officers."

Kallen smiled flatly in turn. "Only one," she replied in half-confession.

Tianzi understood, and decided that was all she needed to know. "It wasn't General Li's words that stung the most, Major," she stated. "Nor is it even his sending me away like a war orphan while men and women prepare to fight and die in my name."

She sighed. "It was my inability to change General Li's mind," she said. "That, no matter what I said, the end would still be the same. Li would still believe the battle already lost, and he would still send me away."

Again she took on a sad smile. "Powerlessness," she stated. "That has always been my curse Major, ever since I was a child," she confessed. "No matter what I did, no matter what words I used or how hard I tried to fight, I could not change anything."

Tianzi let out a sharp, derisive laugh. "It's only logical if you think about it," she admonished. "After all, I am not a warrior like you, nor am I a strategist or tactician like Zero. And while I have some understanding of politics and administration, I'm nothing compared to the likes of Prince Schneizel or President Kessler."

Tears began to well up in her eyes again, but this time Tianzi held them back. "I'm just an icon, a figurehead. Whether as the Chairwoman of this country or the face of this revolution, it's all the same," she said, disdain now entering her tone. "All I can do is rely on others like General Li to instill the change I myself am powerless to make."

"And yet," Kallen pointed out. "It is still in your name and vision that they fight for."

Tianzi wasn't sure to make of that. "That is the function of an icon, yes: to inspire others to act in its image," she replied. "Otherwise it holds no real power."

Kallen only smiled at this. "With respect, Your Excellency, I disagree entirely," she said. "In my experience, it is those who inspire that are the most powerful of all."

Before Tianzi could argue this, Kallen pressed on. "I'm going to let you in on a little secret that very few outside the Black Knights know," she said. "Zero was not always as strong as he is today."

Tianzi blinked at this, her interest clearly piqued. Kallen only smiled in turn. "Quite the contrary, Zero was actually a veritable weakling in the beginning," she explained. "He could neither pilot a knightmare well, nor could he hold his own in a fight. And while he was a skilled tactician even then, he was easily outdone by unforeseen shifts in the battle, namely whenever the Lancelot appeared."

Her smile deepened at the memories. "He was very clumsy, and often made mistakes in the most unthinkable ways possible," she said. "And as renowned as he is for his 'miracles', even those were not incapable of backfiring. Not as spectacularly as at Xiaopei of course, but still enough that they ended up doing more harm to our side than good."

Once more Tianzi opened her mouth to inquire further, and once more Kallen spoke before she did. "However, for all of those flaws and weaknesses, there was but one strength Zero possessed that made all the difference," she said. "The power to inspire."

She was quick to recall a certain memory there. "The Battle of Narita was a good example of it," she said. "We were on the mountain summit when the battle started, and the Britannians had already surrounded us and the JLF. Any escape route we had before was cut off, and all we had to fight with was the Guren, roughly a dozen Burais and some infantry," she said. "Needless to say, many of us lost hope from the onset."

Yet again she smiled at the memory. And Tianzi was quick to notice its certain warmth. "Even Zero admitted that it would take a miracle to save us, and this was before we knew miracles were his specialty," she explained. "But that wasn't what drove us to fight."

When she saw Tianzi inquiring eyes, Kallen nodded. "One of our members gave into despair and attempted to draw his gun on Zero, only for Zero to beat him in said draw," she explained. "However, instead of firing, Zero twirled his gun around, like he was going to hand it over, and then declared if any of us believed we could win without him, then we were free to shoot him then and there."

Despite the grimness of the story, Tianzi couldn't help but smile at this herself. "That does sound like him," she admitted. "From what I've seen of him since our first meeting, he struck me as a man who loved to gamble."

Kallen nodded in agreement. "That he is," she replied. "Obviously, nobody stepped forward to take the shot. And that was precisely when Zero delivered his ultimatum," she repeated. "'Since you joined the Black Knights, you've had only two choices: you may either live with me... or you may perish with me.'"

The ace then drove the point in. "That single line didn't exactly inspire hope that we may yet win," she admitted. "But it wasn't designed to."

Again Tianzi's curiousness shone as Kallen elaborated. "What it did was inspire us to fight. To go against an army many times our size, and led by one of Britannia's greatest generals," she said. "Because if Zero was willing to fight in spite of the odds, and much more, rest his hope of survival upon us, then how could we not fight alongside him?"

A thought occurred to Tianzi on that. "Yet as I recall," she said. "The Battle of Narita was one of your defeats."

Again Kallen nodded, this time in confirmation. "It wasn't our finest hour," she replied. "But that isn't the point."

She continued. "If it hadn't been for Zero, none of us would have been willing to step off that summit," she said. "The most we would have done was huddled into a defensive line and tried to hold back the Britannians if and when they approached. If not outright surrender altogether."

The ace then summarized. "With only a single sentence, he inspired us to fight," she said. "Not to win, nor even to hope. But to fight."

Tianzi seemed to consider that, as her gaze shifted away from the ace in thought. It was at that point Kallen made her play. "You too have that power, Your Excellency," she said, regaining Tianzi's attention. "Yes you are not a warrior, nor a strategist or tactician, but you don't need to be any of those things."

Kallen's gaze turned determined as she said. "All you need is to be willing to fight for your cause, your vision. To put yourself on the line alongside those who fight for you," she said. "If the King does not lead, how can he expect his subordinates to follow?"

At that, Tianzi's own eyes shown with determination as well. Kallen smiled. Her words had reached her. She looked ahead over the horizon. "You and the CLA now stand upon the summit," she said. "The Britannians, led by one of their greatest commanders, have surrounded you and are advancing upward. All while your troops are quickly losing hope."

She smiled again, this time knowingly. "You know what you must do."

Tianzi nodded, smiling in turn. "Indeed I do, Major," she confirmed, looking toward the horizon as well. Her smile then turned into a devious smirk. "And as a bonus, it will only serve to antagonize Li."

Kallen chuckled at this. "I take it that is something you enjoy, Your Excellency?"

"You have no idea," she replied dryly.

Much to her surprise, the Black Knight retorted. "Once more with respect, Your Excellency, I believe I know exactly what you mean," she said. "After all..."

Looking down slightly, such that her hair obscured her eyes, Kallen at last declared. "We both fell in love with stubborn men."

Smirk instantly disappearing, Tianzi turned around, her eyes widened with amazement. In turn, Kallen looked toward her once more, facing her amazement with the same warm smile she had held when recounting her previous story. Alongside a set of soft, glistening blue eyes.

Upon this, Tianzi could not keep herself from smiling back in turn. "Yes," she gladly acknowledged. "Yes we did."


With as much strength as he could muster, Li all but threw himself past the doorway to his quarters, from which he moved toward a certain cabinet. By now the coughing and the wheezing had grown considerably worse, while the taste of blood filled his mouth and pain, pure and unrelenting, filled his chest. He had barely held it together by the time he had reached his quarters, while being most fortunate not to have encountered anyone within the corridors. He wouldn't have known what to do if Tianzi or the Tianshou had seen him in his current condition.

Once he reached the cabinet, Li's hand extended out, nearly clawing the handle as it pulled out a certain drawer, in which laid a certain case. Withdraw the case, he placed it at the top of the cabinet and opened it, revealing a syringe gun and a set of vials. Carefully he pulled out the gun, upon installing one of the vials and undoing his uniform collar, placed the gun against his neck and pulled the trigger. Instantly Li felt the vial's contents enter through the injector and into his body, where it spread over his neck and chest cavity like a raging flood, the side effect eliciting a feeling of cool inside his body. Moments in, the liquid stabilized, and, slowly but efficiently, he felt the pain and rasping subside.

After that, Li stood by for a few more moments, content to simply breath normally again. All while reaching his hand up and wiping the blood off from his lips, from which he looked down at the red liquid with a feeling of morbidity.

"It's getting worse, isn't it?" an all too familiar voice spoke from behind him.

Turning around, Li watched as Zero, caped and masked as usual, stepped out of the shadows and into full view of the CLA general. Despite his current condition, as well as his bewilderment at how the Black Knights leader could have gained the codes to his quarters, Li laughed derisively. It was an appropriate image for the Demon King.

Regardless however, Li answered. "Yes, it is," he confirmed. "The episodes are becoming more frequent, which means that vaccines are losing their effect."

Behind his mask, Lelouch continued to observe the CLA general. "Tuberculosis," he said. "An infectious disease caused by mycobacteria, which may affect any part of the body but is most commonly associated to the lungs," he summarized. "A rampant disease among the destitute nations of the world."

Sighing, Li nodded. "I contracted it when I was still living on the streets of Beijing," he said. "Had I remained there, I likely would have died early on, but fate and Jiang Jintao had other plans for me."

He looked down somewhat, sad smile across his lips. There was no point in hiding it. "Since then I've only been able to keep it at bay through doctors and vaccines..." he lamented. "But eventually, whether tomorrow or years from now, it will kill me."

"I take it Her Excellency doesn't know of your condition?" Lelouch inquired.

Li looked back up at that. Had Zero somehow been able to gleam the earlier argument. Something told him it was likely, and that again, there was no point in hiding anything. "No, she doesn't," he confessed. "And I've gone well out of my way to ensure that."

Letting out a breath he had subconsciously been holding, the Chinese general confessed. "That is why I cannot return her feelings," he said. "No matter how much I may yearn to."

Lelouch couldn't help but feel a chord be struck within him on that. He knew that feeling all too well.

At that, Li regained his usual demeanor toward the masked man. "But that's not why you're here, is it?" he spoke disdainfully. "Have you come to claim my soul, O Demon King? Or perhaps you intend to bargain for it in exchange for some service...?"

Lelouch laughed at this. "Neither I'm afraid, General Li," he replied. "Though your soul would make a most worthwhile addition to my collection, I hold no such interest in obtaining it."

Before Li could question, Lelouch answered. "Quite the contrary in fact. I not only want you to retain your soul," he said. "But also to go on living."

Li blinked at this, then laughed himself. "That by itself almost makes me wish for death," he said, smiling at the irony. "Better to die now than to live as your slave."

Lelouch smiled in return. "It is not I you will live for, General," he said. "But rather Her Excellency."

Li's bemusement instantly faded as Lelouch continued. "Just as you have been doing since Jiang Jintao first fished you up from your original fate."

Hearing this, the Chinese General felt his hand drift closer to his sword. "What do you intend for her?" he growled.

Again Lelouch laughed, this time more villainously. "You already know my intentions for her," he said. "To become the Chairwoman of a reformed Chinese Federation. In which she will live up to her name as a kind and just ruler."

Li was quick to notice the 'will' in that sentence, rather than 'would'. "If you're even considering making her your slave instead..."

"Hardly," Lelouch waved him off. "I have no wish to make her the Puppet Chairwoman once more, just as I have no wish for China to be made into a vassal state," he said. "Again to the contrary, I wish for Her Excellency to be the strong leader of a growing, flourishing China, in which all may live in peace and prosperity."

Li almost didn't want to believe Zero's words, yet something told him that the Demon King was, in fact, speaking the truth. That he really was out to see China reborn into a rich and prosperous nation, led by a kind and just Chairwoman.

Even so, Li still felt something amiss. Which was when Zero spoke again. "However, in spite of her present self, I have no guarantee that she will live up to my expectations. The Son of Heaven of today may not be the Son of Heaven that leads the Chinese Federation tomorrow."

Then, with a menacing grin folding over his lips, Lelouch at last declared. "Which is precisely where you come in."

At that, Li watched in bewilderment as the left side of Zero's mask receded and revealed a single eye. One aglow with a strange red sigil.