Though her status and rank afforded her access to a range of services and vices that would make even the most corrupt nobleman drool with envy, the Second Princess of the Britannian Empire chose to refrain from such activities for 3 simple reasons.
The first one being was that her rank and position demanded that she remained vigilant and battle worthy during nearly every hour of every day. The history of their nation clearly showed what happened to those who allowed their senses to dull, whether it was substance induced or otherwise. Which meant that unlike the majority of her siblings, who used their positions to indulge in all sorts of pleasures that the commoners could only dream of, she would only partake in the odd glass of wine outside of a meal setting.
The second reason, and the one that only a select few knew about, was that her tolerance and experience in indulging in such activities was abysmally low. It was only a miracle that Nonette hadn't spread the story on how she had gotten drunk from 2 cups of punch during the private celebration ceremony Lady Marianne had thrown during her graduation from the acamdey. And despite the suspicion that her drink had been spiked by the lime haired demon with something a little more potent, she had no desire to validate this theory lest the Knight of Nine prove to be more insufferable than usual.
And lastly, and perhaps the most important reason for her abstinence, was because she wanted to serve as a role model for her innocent and impressionable sister.
While she doubted that Euphie would ever seek to serve the Empire in the same manner that she herself had chosen, that did not mean that she wished for her to exhibit the same type of hedonistic lifestyle that most of their siblings enjoyed.
And since she highly doubted that her precious sister would ever develop the same sort of conniving intelligence their elder half brother possessed, the youngest member of the Li Britannia family would have to more or less remain under her shadow in order to protect her from the influence of others who lacked the willingness to lay down their lives in her defence.
Which was also why, barely a day after her failure to free Area 11 from the poison of it's decadent past, as well as the sadly hypnotic persuasion of a sadly growing anarchist movement, the Second Princess of the Britannian Empire resisted the strongest temptation to drink she had ever felt as she prepared herself for a conversation that would probably test both her patience, and her ability to toe the line between familial and professional concern.
Especially since it appeared that Euphie was completely unaware for the reason for her summons.
"You sent for me sister"?
Allowing a tired, but nevertheless genuine smile to grace her features as the pinkette entered the room, Cornelia gestured for her to sit down before answering her question.
"Yes I did Euphie. I would have done this earlier, but sadly...things have been pretty hectic".
Her words earning an understanding nod from her younger sibling, the purple haired princess allowed her expression to show the tiniest bit of dread as Euphie reminded her of something she wished she could have delegated to her subordinates.
"I understand sister. The paperwork for governing an area, especially one that requires the...skills of your army, must be quite overwhelming. Maybe you can ask Brother Schneizel to let you borrow his assistant for a few weeks. I don't know how he does it, but that man is always so energetic despite our brother's work load".
Though agreeing with Euphie's assessment of their sibling's aide de campe, this piece of advice nevertheless brought a small frown to Cornelia's face as it highlighted her sister's naivety.
For while they were on relatively good terms with their capable sibling, Schneizel was the very definition of a political animal. Which meant that he would be willing to give up, even temporarily, one of his prized assets. And even if he was, the price for doing so would be hard for her to pay.
If Euphie couldn't see that when her predominantly military sibling could, then it was a clear sign that she had made the right move in not waiting any longer to hold this conversation.
"You bring up an interesting point Euphie, and it ties in to what I wanted to talk about. Since the task of...removing the desirable elements from Area 11 is taking far greater effort than I had orginally predicted, I think its time we discuss the nature of your security".
And as she expected, Euphie's rebellious nature came out at the mention of further restricting her freedom.
"I don't think that's necessary sister. I hardly leave the Palace, and when I do, you make sure that I am escorted by a small army. I can hardly see what else you can do to keep me safe".
Sighing in the face of her sister's less than pleasant mood, but knowing that it was necessary to ensure her safety, Cornelia reached for the drawer that contained the list of those she deemed to be suitable for her designs.
Only to be interrupted by the sudden arrival of one of her lower ranking subordinates.
"Apologises your highness, but there is an urgent message from Pendragon for you".
Frowning at this news, for she had somewhat suspected that she would have to explain her less than successful efforts sooner or later, Cornelia shot what she hoped was an apologetic look to her younger sibling.
"I'm sorry Euphie. We'll have to continue this conversation later".
Receiving a grudging nod from the pink haired princess, Cornelia turned towards the messenger with her usual regal expression, only to experience the rare, but all to familiar feelings of panic as he spoke the words she had never wanted to hear.
"Apologises Princess Cornelia. But its not you the Emperor wishes to speak to. It's Princess Euphemia".
...
Outstanding. Simply outstanding.
When first approached by Doctor Stobier to fund the creation of his weapon, my first impression was to give him my refusal.
Not because I didn't wish for my nation to possess a weapon that would guarantee the Reich's ability to destroy any country that dared opposed it. But because with the resources it would take to construct it, I would have been able to triple, if not quadruple, the size of not only the Kriegsmarine, but also field enough knightmares and aircraft to outnumber the combined forces of the Britannian Empire and the Chinese Federation.
However, thanks to the Reich's expanding industrial base, the development of new technology, and the discovery of new sources of raw material, Project Gotterdammerung was able to begin a mere year after it had first been brought to me.
And considering the scale of the project, it was clear that the 3 years had not been wasted.
Something which the moustached doctor eagerly pointed out to me as we walked along the nearly sealed upper levels of the facility.
"As you can see Chancellor, despite our initial difficulties, we are on schedule. Within the next 3 months, 2 if we can expand our industrial facilities, the construction of the vessel's hull and inner chambers will be completed. Which means that we can now focus on installing the necessary hardware to make it operational".
Allowing myself a moment to admire the seemingly endless sky of darkened steel, though I knew that there were sections that had yet to be filled, I allowed a pleased expression to develop across my face as I gave my opinion.
"Very impressive Doctor. Especially since most of your work force had, shall we say…expressed less than pleasant feelings towards the change in leadership. I trust you've taken that into account during the construction process"?
Allowing a hint of warning to enter my tone as I mentioned this small, but potentially crucial flaw in using forced labor to construct what would probably be the largest man made weapon in history, I nodded with approval as Stobier gave me his answer.
"Rest assured Chancellor that both I and General Dornberger have taken this into consideration during the construction process. The work force knows the consequences of failure, whether it be purposeful or accidental. And for the majority of them, their role in this project is coming to an end anyway. The installation of the Gotterdammerung's flight and weapons systems, not to mention its defensive units, need personnel with more specialized training, not to mention loyalty, to ensure they are done in an efficient manner. Which means that as soon as it's completed, there will be no hidden flaws to exploit".
Humoring the man with a smile, for this was not the first time I had come across academic's who believed their designs were invincible, I made a mental note to have the ISD keep a closer eye on the development of MY weapon before I moved on to a more entertaining topic than those who had been condemned to do what they would not do willingly.
"Excellent Doctor. I trust that the initial issues with the ship's primary weapons have also been addressed? Because considering the nature of our enemy, 1 volley every 45 minutes is kind of…disappointing. Despite the destructive power it possesses per blast".
My words managing to cause the aged scientist to flinch in embarrassment, for it was perhaps the one part of the project that continued to thwart his vision, I fought the urge to grin as the man I had chosen to provide oversight for this project provided the answer I sought.
"Last time we tested it, the reload rate for the cannons had gone from one volley every 30 minutes to one every 18. I remain confident that by the time the weapon is operational, we will have it reduced to less than 10 minutes between volleys".
Nodding my head in approval to show that I was pleased with this information, for while the 900mm cannons where impractical for rapid firing, the size and nature of their shells would ensure massive amounts of damage, I briefly played with the idea of informing them about my latest developing weapon before deciding against it.
For not only did my scientists lack enough understanding about the weapon they sought to create, their simply wasn't enough time to modify my existing superweapon without delaying its deployment.
However, that didn't mean I couldn't pose a theoretical question.
But sadly, just as I formulated the perfect question that would keep my fellow Germans from suspecting the presence of a new weapon, our little conference was broken up by something that set even me on edge.
A frightened ISD officer.
"Ex,,,excuse me Chancellor Krueger. Bu…but Director Richter is deman…..I mean requesting you make contact at once".
Eyebrow raising at this message, for it was not often that Karina chose to use her subordinates to carry out messages that were urgent in nature, I kept my expression neutral as I nodded my head.
"Very well. General, I will be commandeering your office for the mom..".
"I…I'm sorry sir. But Director Richter was quite adamant that you meet her in person".
Frowning at the interruption, though truthfully I was more concerned as to what could have been so important for my childhood friend to request such a thing, I directed an apologetic nod towards the 2 men before following the relieved female blackshirt towards the plane the would take me to Saint Petersburg.
Doing my best to ignore the sudden chill that went up my spine that had nothing to do with the artic air.
…..
Cheerfully whistling as he rested on his makeshift chair, and keeping his hand relatively close to his hidden pistol, Mao found it very hard to maintain his collected demeanor as his Geass picked up the less than pleasant thoughts of the his rather amusing successor.
While he had to admit that the former royal had some excellent qualities when it came to a contractor, intelligence and the ability to rob people of free will was nothing to sneeze at, it was the latter part of the prince's personalities that made him see why his beloved C.C. had chosen to shack up with him.
The brat was just too amusing.
From his rather pathetic physical abilities, to his belief that an entire nation should suffer just because his daddy had been a bit too harsh with his parenting style. The exiled prince was a twisted mess of self entitlement and comedy all wrapped into one.
Especially when one took the time to analyse the nature of the relationship he had with his sisters.
Sadly however, there was one thing about the boy that he would be sure to correct.
C.C. was his, and his alone.
However, thanks to his ability to read minds, it appeared that while the physically lacking prince was against the idea of treating with people who he didn't have an advantage over, he was willing to accept, albeit grudgingly, C.C.'s decision to hand herself over to him.
Oh of course he had thrown a tantrum like the spoiled brat he was. Even going so far as to try and use his Geass to order her to stay.
But the green haired goddess had made her decision. Though sadly she had been unable to convince the yet to be abandoned again royal to stay at home and wait for him to fulfil his end of the bargain.
Which he had every intention of fulfilling, if only because he was in such a good mood at C.C.'s hassle free retrieval. Not to mention the look of the prince's face when he put a bullet through the silver haired woman's skull.
But sadly, he couldn't dwell overly long on this soon to be occurrence as the love of his life, and her physically underdeveloped escort arrived.
Smoothing his hair in what he thought to be a gesture of gentlemanly charm, and fighting the very real urge to comment at the less than pleasant thoughts that swirled in the teenager's head, Mao proceeded to greet the love of his life.
"Hello C.C. I'm so glad to see yo…".
Confused as to why he no longer possessed the ability to form words, the albino man managed to raise his eyes towards the dress wearing immortal, before the pain, both physical and emotional, overwhelmed him.
Clutching his hands to his gushing throat, all the while maintaining his attention on the small weapon that had served to highlight just how little the green haired beauty thought of him, the last thing Mao heard before his vision blackened was the thoughts of the man who currently enjoyed her favors.
"Will this be my fate if I ever lose control of my power"?.
…..
Though she retained her usual expression as she watched the life leave her former contractor, inwardly C.C. was lamenting that she had been forced to do this.
Not because of guilt. Though she recognized that Mao's fall into madness had been her doing, both in granting him the power then abandoning him once it became clear that he would be unable to fulfil her wish.
But because this little scene disgustingly reminded her of yet another scene between contractor and code bearer.
The only difference was that the person who was responsible for giving the power of Geass was still alive, while the one who had abused the power to the state of permanent activation was dead.
And while there was much about herself that she was less than pleased with, having a reminder that she was the same as the woman that had betrayed her was something that she could do without.
Fortunantly, her current contractor managed to snap her out of her internal musings as he once again proved his intelligence.
"So that's why you wouldn't tell me what you had planned? Just like me, he was unable to use his Geass on you. Which meant that any plan you had would have been discovered if you shared it with another. While I appreciate the thought process C.C., I am still a bit upset over it".
Golden eyes narrowing at the last part of his statement, for to her it seemed like he was once again allowing his argoance take hold of hum, the green haired immortal found herself surprised by his explanation.
"You said that we are partners. And while you are insufferable, lazy, and at times far too blunt for my liking, I value our partnership. So please, should something like this ever happen again, at least tell me you have a plan instead of leaving me in the dark. You don't have to give me details, but I would to at least know that you can trust me to believe in you".
Stunned by the boy's confession, for it was probably the first time she had seen him show vulnerability to anyone besides his sister and that friend of his, C.C. managed to convey her answer with a simple nod before turning towards the makeshift seat her former contractor had been using before their arrival.
She still had no idea what Lelouch intended to do with the woman who had come dangerously close to exposing most of his secrets, but she would support him.
If only because she knew that he would be more willing to overlook/accept the increased spending that she would do over the course of the week.
For one of the benefits of her immortality was that no matter what was done to her body, it would always return to the physical state it had been in when she had obtained her code.
Which meant she could consume as much Pizza Hut as she wanted without having to worry about her figure.
…
Though no one would ever accuse him of cowardice, for his record during the Great War had shown him to be willing to risk his life time and time again in the service of his country, Hans Landa knew full well that his recent methods in conducting his duties had been born out of self preservation.
He had been surprised when he had been presented with what appeared to be a genuine offer of peace from the Emperor. But that surprise had quickly morphed into shock, and more than a little fear at the chosen method Charles Di Britannia had used to achieve this goal.
Hence the reason why he had chosen to use a messenger to alert the Richter of this development instead of delivering it in person.
For while his position was highly valued by the Chancellor, that appreciation would likely be insufficient enough to keep him from being harmed during those intital moments after the scariest woman in Europe read the terms of the Emperor's offer.
Which was why he would hold onto the letter that was perhaps even more interesting, not mention more dangerous, than the one that had been penned by the Emperor himself.
For not only did it reveal that there was perhaps a traitor within the ranks of the imperial court, but it also contained information that would undoubtedly trigger the more irrational side of the man responsible for saving Europe from both it's external enemies, and it's internal ones.
And while Chancellor Krueger had far greater control over his blood lust than his sadistic right hand, Landa suspected that if he were to read this letter, his control would probably slip.
He still suspected that it might be a forgery of some kind, for what it proposed had already been disproved by his agents, but considering the source of the information, it was possible that his men had been less than successful.
And despite already knowing what he said, the Austrian officer found his eyes moving across the written words of a man who he had never heard of.
To Chancellor Friedrich Krueger.
You don't know me, but despite the antagonistic relationship our countries share, I admire you for the simple reason that you share a burning hatred for the woman that had gone from commoner to Empress.
I suspect that you greatly appreciated my efforts in….removing her from her position. Though I also suspect that you would have prefered to perform the dirty deed yourself.
But as a means of making amends, I hope you will accept my offer to correspond along more….direct channels in order to ensure that the memory of that horrid woman remains dead and buried.
For while the Empress might have died that day, her offspring sadly remain among the living.
Hopefully you and I together can find a way to correct this grievous oversight.
Sincerely Vincent Vandal.
….
AAAAANNNNND THAT'S ANOTHER CHAPTER DONE XD.
R.I.P. Mao. I'm sure few people will be terribly saddened at your passing. Decided to keep his fate more or less the same as canon (i.e. being shot by C.C.) but since this is an au story, there are differences. I.e. C.C. deciding to put up with Lelouch as she tried her plan. And actually carrying it out this time instead of allowing herself to be caught off guard.
As for the Li Britannian sisters…also steadily moving towards the fulfillment of my vision for their role in this story.
And finally…..got to see SOME aspects of the Reich's super weapon. As well as the note V.V. sent to get into contact with the Reich's leadership. Will expand on that in future chapters, but finally revealing some points that I had intended from the beginning lol.
And now, to answer/reconfirm/respond to some answers/reviews that were posed to me by my faithful readers.
...
Fortitude501: Jet/stuka development
Answer: Rest assured, I am working towards it. Have yet to finalize design (i.e. choose which series to incoportae) but your headed in the right direction.
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Chancellor ZVE
Question: Who exactly was Commandant Beria again? Seems like an unimportant character from an earlier chapter so I'm not really expecting an answer.
Answer: Fortitude501 already answered this, but will nevertheless answer again, albeit in a more blunt fashion. Lavrentiy Pavlovich Beria was a Gulag warden in my story, and in real life, he was Joseph Stalin's pedophile Himmler.
Question: When the offensive begins on Operation Reclamation, will the Middle Eastern Federation get to have their chance in the spotlight to avenge all their defeats at the hands of the Britannian "infidels" and liberate the rest of their former nation? I'm not asking about the Euro-Britannian front as I'm guessing that any details might contain spoilers, so the MEF which were the easily forgettable pushovers from canon seemed like the better choice to ask. We never hear much from Africa, either in canon or in this story so far, so that seems pointless to ask about, unless you are also putting plot importance on the African front too?
Answer: Can't say too much about the Middle East right now since I have yet to fully flesh out that plot line, but the plans for Africa will be addressed soon. However, what I can say is that IF the MEF somehow re-establish themselves as a nation, it's relationship with the Reich will be similar to the one between the Ottoman Empire and Imperial Germany.
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Fuhrer of Europe
Thoughts on the Chinese Federation and the battle of fukuoka base.
I fully heatedly agree with you regarding the Black Knights missing an opportunity there. Lelouch seemed more concerned with PR than achieving military victory. And I support the opinion that Chinese governance of Japan would very much be as unpleasant as the Empire's. Personally I'm viewing it like trading Nazi occupation to Soviet Occupation.
As for your thoughts regarding Rolo's death, you are correct, though the correct cause of death is blood loss, not lead poisoning lol.
Also apologize for the disfigurement of the earlier chapter, copying from Microsoft word to fanfic seemed to have caused some issues…most annoying being loss of segment/perspective dividers.
Anyways, hopefully you all enjoyed this chapter.
Til next time.
Heil Europa.