(A/N: When I first started this long, arduous project, I thought I would get bored with it like I do with so many fanfics, or my enthusiasm would peter out or something. But, here I am, slugging away some 40 chapters later. Thank you all so much for your support because it keeps me going! And though the names and faces that review change with the passage of time, good writing is eternal. We are so close to the Battle of the Eagle and Lion, a milestone for this story if there ever was one. But for now…let's see what's going on in Fraldarius territory)
26th Day of the Wyvern Moon
As Felix stood around, waiting for the Ashen Wolves in the hangar, he was approached by Dimitri.
"Felix, a word before you set off," Dimitri requested.
Felix groaned. "What do you want, boar? I'm pressed for time."
"I understand that. Rodrigue already told me what's going on, said he gave you ultimate authority to ask for assistance. Why then, have you neglected the aid of your own countrymen?"
"Because then I'd have to be paired up with you, that's why," Felix fired at him. "And I'd really rather not. Not only does the situation not call for a dashing prince running to the people's rescue, time and again you have proven you are not that, not anymore. You're a beast, an animal that enjoys senseless slaughter, as long as something else gives you the excuse to do it!"
"Even so, Faerghus is my home. As future king, I would like to at least accompany you, speak with Rodrigue, let him know that I stand with him."
"And I'm telling you not only is that not necessary, I. Don't. Want. It," Felix snarled.
"Is there a problem, gentlemen?"
Dimitri whipped around at the sound of an electronically distorted voice. "YOU!" He growled and whirled around to stick an energy spear in Zero's face.
"So…this is the thanks I get for helping out the Duscur people. I thought you would be overjoyed to see me," Zero remarked.
"No one asked you to get involved at Duscur, you cur! You and your lying tongue! I shall rip that helmet off and cut out your lying tongue before I beat you to death with it!" Dimitri shouted.
Much to his shock, Zero activated his Absolute Zero HLKMF, but only did so to grasp hold of Dimitri's energy spear and lower it down and away from him. "By all means, continue to lob threats at an academy professor. Seteth and Rhea will love the report."
"YOU BASTAAAAAARD!" Dimitri roared and actually thrust forward at Zero who pivoted around him, evading the strike as the impact of the lance not only shook the ground but damaged the metal flooring beneath.
"I hope Faerghus's coffers can pay for that damage," Zero remarked. "Is this the future of Faerghus? A blood crazed boar with no concern for what is right, only concern for his own semblance of heroism and villainy?"
Dimitri withheld the desire to strangle Zero and instead glared at Felix. "Felix, what is the meaning of this. You cannot allow this man to go into Faerghus unchecked. After what happened with Viscount Kleiman, aren't you the least bit worried about your own father?!"
"Don't compare me with yourself," Felix shot back. "I have neither the desire, not the patience to discuss it."
Dimitri glared more fiercely. "Unbelievable."
"Prince Dimitri, I can understand your distaste for me. My methods are shrewd, my allies even shrewder. But I have the best of intentions," Zero told him.
"Your intentions are a world of chaos, and so long as I draw breath, I will not see it come to pass!" Dimitri shouted.
"The archbishop believes otherwise, at least for the time being. If you have a problem with my presence, take it up with her," Zero told him.
"That…you…" Dimitri turned off his weapon. "Fine. I shall. Wait. Here."
"Oh isn't that just so egotistical of you to put your own needs before the needs of your people," Felix quipped contemptuously. "Bandit attacks and mage activity resembling the black robed folk that attacked the Mausoleum are ravaging my father's lands as we speak. Telling us to wait means more lives lost, Boar!"
"We have some time. My pack has yet to arrive and I am inviting Ms. Nevrand to join us, given she cooperates with my house. If his highness wishes to consult the director or the archbishop on the matter, I will not stop him."
Felix sighed. "You do know this is just going to make things harder for us."
"I am hoping that by acknowledging your concerns, Prince, you see that I don't have to be your enemy."
Dimitri glared, but, conceding to Zero's point a tad, decided to leave to go talk to Rhea, or Seteth if the former was unavailable.
"You have quite the steeled nerves," Felix complimented.
"Comes with practice," Zero remarked.
"Heh," Felix chuckled.
When Dimitri returned, he wasn't alone. Ingrid, Sylvain, Dedue, Annette, Mercedes and Leila were with him.
"The archbishop has heard my concerns, and authorized the Blue Lion house to accompany this mission."
"Of course she did," Felix lamented.
"Hey, don't look so down, Felix. It could be worse. Better for the citizens this way, yeah?" Sylvain asked.
"Hmph, been a while since you've said anything remotely sincere. Personally though, if you distanced yourselves all from the Boar, I wouldn't object to any of you coming along."
"Oh, Felix. That's not very nice," Mercedes said, sympathetic to Dimitri's feelings.
"The archbishop has spoken. As such, I will placate her intentions," Zero stated.
"What's got you so soft?" Felix asked. "I thought you weren't afraid of the archbishop or her decisions."
"Diplomacy is a tool before violence," Zero stated. "The archbishop and I have our differences, but for now, I accept her clemency."
"Meaning you have no intention of ceding to it entirely," Dimitri grumbled.
"Prince Dimitri, let me ask you something. What makes righteousness? Is it the act itself, or the scholars who debate for decades long after your grandchildren will be buried?" Zero asked.
"It is the act itself. An act is right because you know it to be right, set forth by the morals instilled in us since we were young," Dimitri replied without hesitating.
"And this is where you and I disagree. For I would act in a manner befitting for generations long after I'm buried." He raised his hands to the air, fanning out his cape, "Step on a thousand feet, and burn a dozen bridges, if it meant that those who come after us can eat and sheltered without fear of those who would see them hungry and sleep in the dust."
"Such actions can still be accomplished without violence or senseless law-breaking! This is exactly why I would not have you on my country's soil!" Dimitri shot back.
"Prince," Zero responded, dropping the name that came after, "You have a lot to learn about the commonfolk and how to help them."
"I have spent years among the commonfolk so I can better understand their suffering! I've talked with beggars about my uncle's reign! I've helped build churches, and feed the hungry that are suffering all around! Do not go painting me with a brush as Viscount Kleiman before you brainwashed him!"
"Viscount Kleiman saw reason after I explained the situation to him."
"He would never. Not in that span of time. You may have everyone fooled, but one of these days, I will rip that mask from your face and expose you for the fraud that you are!" Dimitri shouted.
"Then by all means," Zero said, spreading his arms in a manner that left himself open to attack. "Try me!"
Dimitri rushed forward, hand outstretched to grab and crunch Zero's helmet. However, what stopped him, and what Zero anticipated, was that someone would get in his way. The vigilante had expected, at bare minimum, Felix. However, the person who actually got in the way was still within the top five of those present: Mercedes von Martritz.
"Get out of the way, Mercedes!" Dimitri demanded.
"Prince Dimitri," she said with a frown. "I'm surprised at you. You and Zero both want the same thing, to help others. Can't you put aside petty grudges of how to do right or wrong just to accomplish the same goal?"
"That's…arrrgh!"
"The thing that actually causes people to suffer the most is senseless bickering over how to accomplish the very task both you and Zero want for the common people. Imagine there's a single loaf of bread to go around. Arguing over who gets it still leaves everyone involved hungry," she berated as politely as possible.
"Mercedes, if you have an interest in changing houses, the Ashen Wolves welcome you," Zero responded, pleased with her stance.
Mercedes turned around, bowing slightly with gallantry. She chuckled. "Ohohoho, Zero. You're going to make me blush."
"I…kind of get both perspectives, really," Annette said. "But…taking shortcuts can often have unforeseen consequences. Sure, I think what Zero managed to accomplish for the Duscurian people is really great, but…what if Viscount Kleiman suddenly passes away and someone inherits his lands?" She frowned. "A lot of people still don't like the Duscur people. Er, not that present company isn't welcome here," she stuttered, wide-eyed.
"It's all right, Annette," Dedue responded. "I know you mean well."
"R-right," she stuttered, clearing her throat before continuing, "But like, what's going to happen when another noble decides that they don't like how things are." She went back to frowning. "As long as public opinion doesn't change, it's just a band-aid over a larger wound. Discrimination doesn't just vanish."
"I actually have to agree with that, Annette. At any time the Duscurian people could be attacked," Felix said, nodding his head. "But it's up to cooler heads to prevail and policies to be put in place. But, we are children talking about what could be. Instead of discussing politics, as much as I can't stand my father, I do understand people inconvenienced by bandits and terrorists. What's keeping your men, Zero?"
"Sorry for the wait, had an unexpected guest drop down the elevator as we were about to come up," Yuri said, showing up with the Ashen Wolves. "Also Shady Lady here was being a tad uncooperative."
"This battle will take place in the sunlight, will it not?" Constance asked, gloomy as all get out. "In that case, I am best off left behind."
"Coco really made a fuss about coming along," Hapi pointed out.
"It's good that you did, Constance, I have an experiment to try with you on the flight over," Zero told her.
"I am not worthy of even a microsecond of your time, Zero. Instead of wasting your time on making me useful, I do believe that time would be better served figuring out how to make me your meat shield for our enemies."
Zero put his fingertips to his helmet in a way that, were it off, he would be a palm away from covering his face. "What's this unexpected guest?"
"Huh? Oh, sorry," Balthus said, realizing he was standing in front of the person that had followed them, obstructing Zero's view. Said unexpected guest turned out to be Shez.
"Getting lost again, are we, Miss Lamperouge?" Zero asked.
Shez groaned. "Guilty as charged. Not my fault this place is so huge and confusing sometimes."
"You'd think after living her for so many moons you'd get used to it," Yuri stated. "Guess not."
"What?" Shez defended. "It's no different from going to brush your hair and grabbing your tooth brush instead."
"Um, no. Those are very different acts of absentmindedness," Yuri disagreed, frowning, and then added, "…Have you done that?"
"Uh, well," Shez began, looking for any excuse to change the subject, judging from the look on her face.
"Since you're already here, Miss Lamperouge, I imagine this means you intend to come along?" Zero asked.
"I mean, kicking butt's kind of my whole thing. I don't mind if you'll have me. I learn better on a battlefield than with a text book."
Of that I have no doubt. "Very well, as Professor of the Ashen Wolves, I hereby temporarily conscript you on this assignment."
"Glad to be of service," Shez said with a grin, gently pumping her fist.
"I see that the Blue Lions are here," Shamir pointed out. "Is Professor Hannemann not coming?"
"Professor Hannemann has classes to teach," Dimitri stated. "The archbishop only approved myself and up to eight other students. Naturally, I picked those I am closest with."
Shamir nodded, accepting this explanation.
"Kind of feels like only Professor Byleth, Princess Cornelia and Zero ever seem to go with their students on adventures," Sylvain chuckled.
"I feel like that is a matter of priority rather than choice," Dimitri commented.
"Save your speculations for the trip. If we're all here, we're going," Zero said. "Shamir, help with head count."
"Roger."
The flight to Fraldarius territory would only be a little over two hours with the transport that Rodrigue's men had brought. Rather than allow the Neverland to land, using provided transport meant landing in an official Fraldarius airport and fast tracking through customs. There were pros and cons to both actions and, judging from things Felix had said to Zero as the transport took off, the issue wasn't so out of hand that local and territorial level law enforcement couldn't handle it.
Judging from a quick conversation with Felix, it sounded like the reason for request for extra muscle was purely to put the problem down where it stood. Rodrigue lacked authority to force the current regent of Faerghus, Rufus Thierry Blaiddyd, to provide him with top level support. So, rather than get bogged down in red tape, he turned to Felix to hand pick some allies.
"I'm honestly shocked my father okayed you as my selection of choice," Felix stated. "Stay on your guard, Zero. I wouldn't be surprised if he instantly tried to hold you hostage and make you pay for your crimes against Faerghus on charges of domestic terrorism. Much like the boar, father always did like to keep things neat and orderly. However well-intentioned you did aid in two separate rebellions on Faerghusian soil."
"Should it come to that, Shamir will mediate on the church's behalf," Zero pointed out. "By the way, Felix, that nickname you have for his highness, the boar, where does it come from?"
Felix sighed. "Well, I suppose I don't mind telling you. It's not a huge secret. Two years ago, an uprising occurred in Faerghus, as uprisings often do in large kingdoms and empires. It was the first time I, or his highness ever set foot on a battlefield proper, let alone side by side. The things I saw him do, well, let's just say no prince should ever be seen doing them. Headless corpses caused by him crunching the faces in. Whole torsos sliced in half as the organs spilled out over the floor. And through it all…he laughed. He kept going on and on about how the dead would have their revenge. By the end, he was covered in the blood of the enemy. Every part of him from his skin to his uniform dripped with blood. And the way he moved was…animalistic, like a boar charging through the woods, goring whatever it could on its tusks and chomping down whatever its teeth could smash through." Felix looked pale by the end of his explanation.
"I always thought you loved a good battle yourself. Your constantly challenging others to spars."
"I fight battle because it is the best way to live and to know how to survive. Chivalry is dead and glory is for the egocentric," Felix spat. "Sometimes the only way people can learn lessons is from a sword or gun to the face. That's just the reality we live in. The boar is different. He doesn't care about right or wrong when he gets like that. Point him at an enemy group and the only thing you'll get in return is a river of blood. At least when I'm finished, the spouses and children of the fallen will be able to identify the corpses. Battle is a means to an end for me, not for substituting my next meal. If you're weak, you die. If you're strong, you live. That's why, once I graduate the academy, I won't be returning home."
For once, Lelouch was at a loss for philosophy. Felix was a man shaped by his experiences, the loss of his brother, the callousness of a father and friend interested in glory over reason. Yet at the same time, he understood just how broken the world was. This was a man only interested in today and tomorrow, not five or even six days later. It was a hollow life, but Lelouch felt it difficult to disparage without coming across as a hypocrite. Still…
"Does that mean, should I win the Battle of the Eagle and Lion, you would consider joining the Ashen Wolves. Perhaps you have no interest in the future of the world I aim to shape, but if your desires is to live a long life, then clearly you would benefit from joining the strongest, the Black Knights in this case?" Zero asked.
"Why do you think I asked you to help in this endeavor? I have every intention to see your leadership both as an ally up close and as an enemy at the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. That will help me decide just what kind of man you are." He tilted the sheathe to his energy sword. "If you're worthy to have my blade."
"Then I shall aim not to disappoint. Only a fool would turn down skill such as yours Felix Hugo Fraldarius."
"Flattery won't win you any points, but I shall take your interest in me at face value. I look forward to working with you Zero, and facing you at Gronder Field. If nothing else, I believe it will help me forge my own path. Whether or not that path is following you, well, that remains to be seen."
Zero nodded. I think I understand the political climate of Faerghus a little better. Unlike Adrestia, marred by corruption, Britannia, steeped in conquest, or Leicester, ruined by dysfunction, Faerghus is full of good people continuously plagued by those with ill intent. However, so long as Duke Rodrigue remains a pillar of strength for the kingdom, I imagine its future will be bright. Prince Dimitri on the other hand, Zero thought, watching Felix walk away as Dimitri was on the bridge further down that direction, the way Felix describes him is concerning. The Tragedy of Duscur, and the loss of his father, clearly have taken their toll on him. Unlike Edelgard, who knows exactly what she wants out of life, and has already set her sights on the future, Dimitri is stuck in the past. And that will spell the end of his kingdom if he cannot overcome his own demons. He chuckled audibly. "Heh." Listen to me, I can't even grapple with my own loss and here I am telling others how to live. He sighed. I need to get out of this costume for a few minutes.
Zero found himself a private room to be Lelouch for as he gathered his wits about him, taking a long, hard look at the mirror in the process. Once he was ready, he soldiered onward to look for someone he absolutely had to talk to before the group landed: Constance von Nuvelle.
With the House Fraldarius transport at cruising altitude now, the sun was high in the sky. All Zero needed to do was find Constance and bring her to a part of the ship illuminated by direct sunlight. He started with the least sunny parts of the ship, ultimately finding her in engineering where very little natural light was emanating.
"Admiring the machinery, Constance?" Zero asked, sneaking up on her.
"Ah! Zero! Do not startle me like that! That is so improper!" Constance chided.
"Good, you appear to be back to your usual self. Come along then, I have something I wish to test on you," Zero said.
"Ah, now?"
"It is necessary," Zero emphasized.
"Er, very well then."
Constance followed Zero to luxury suite on the transport where the curtains could be drawn to block sunlight.
"Z-Zero, this is…"
"Don't get ideas in your head. This room is for convenience sake and that's all," he said. "I have something for you." He rummaged through a bag sitting on a desk and handed an object to Constance.
That something turned out to be very dark shades.
"Sunglasses?"
"These are not merely sunglasses. They're custom-made Smart Shades, trademark Anna's Emporium. Try them on."
Constance unfolded the shades and affixed them to her face. "Ah! I can barely see a thing! It's so dark in here all of a sudden! Should we not be outside for this?"
"And that, my dear Constance, is the reason we are using this room," Zero said and went for the curtains. "As it is written in the Book of Cethleann, as was said in Ancient Times, LET THERE BE LIGHT!"
Zero threw the curtains wide open in full view of Constance, letting her see the sun through the lens of the shades. Before Zero could turn around and speak, however, the results of his experiment already had their answer.
"I had a feeling this was the intent of your experiment. Such a waste of time for a cockroach like myself."
Lelouch was disappointed with these results. "I see," Zero said turning around. "So it is not merely the intensity of the sunlight that afflicts you, but the sight of the sun itself."
"Please do not trouble yourself over me, Zero. I am hardly worth it."
"That is far from the truth and you should know that by now," Zero told her. Still, to have a more intelligent conversation, he closed the curtain. Constance took off the glasses.
"I wasn't sure what it was you were planning until you handed me these, but…" she looked at the shades, "I did want this to work."
"I must make a confession. Your constant self-deprecation when you stand in the sunlight, it is too volatile and too unreliable to be of proper use at the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. The Magnificent Peacock will not last the entire fight and so I would be left with a mage whose worst enemy is herself. Trauma is a part of anyone's hardships, I know that all too well. You are the first and only I have encountered that chooses to split their trauma as though it were something to be discarded," Zero told her.
"Setting aside your lack of faith in me for just a moment," Constance said, wide-eyed, "You have suffered as well? You of all people?"
"A man does not simply decide to become a revolutionary. It is a decision brought upon by hardship that he cannot bear. Perhaps we are very much the same you and I. We both hide our truest scars from those around us. I wear a mask, and you avoid the sun," Zero told her.
"What happened to you? If that is information you wish to share, of course," Constance implored.
There would have been a time when she simply would have demanded the information out of me. How far this farce has come, Lelouch thought, referring to his masked identity. "I cannot go into detail, for fear that you may learn too much, but…I once stood near the top of nobility, sipped from its cup and knew no other life. When I lost everything, so too did I learn the world's cruelties. That if you are weak, the world discards you. I wish to burn this world down and rebirth it anew. The Ashen Wolves, no, the Black Knights, you are all more than pawns now, you are my co-conspirators."
"You promised you would restore House Nuvelle as I recall."
"And I am a man of my word," Zero told her. "I cannot speak of the plans for my accomplishments. I only ask that you can find it in you to trust me."
Constance sat on one of the beds in the room. "When you first came to the Ashen Wolves, I thought you a strange fool. Even after you captivated my heart…er…interest! My interest! I…yes, that's what I meant to say." Constance cleared her throat, doing her best to stop blushing, "Even after you captivated my interest, I believed you were still all talk. For what could a man in a mask possibly do? But…time and again, you have led us, stood by us, helped us grow. We owe you much. I feel…like I am doing something with my life, rather than waste away. However…"
"Hmm?"
"It is not as if I wish to discard the other me. She completes me. Earlier you said that my trauma was something to be discarded, but that is simply not true. I do not know what trauma befell you, Zero, but…" Constance stared at her lap, hands clasped over it, "You handle it far better than I could ever hope to. I wish not to burn my trauma, but to live with it, to grow with it. And so, I go back to, for you disparage me, simply because my other self has no spine, is an insult. As I have told you before, my talent does not wane in the sun, only my confidence. Tis an insult to think I would let you down because of such things! An insult, I say!"
"Confidence and morale can sway an entire battlefield," Zero told her. "Your other self has no drop in power, sure, but she's too cautious. I need your reckless abandon upon the field of the Eagle and Lion. I need Constance von Nuvelle. What better way to show everyone that House Nuvelle shall rise again than to laugh at the weakness of our enemies," Zero said, clenching a fist.
"Zero…you…have that much faith in me?" Constance was touched.
"I do. I have faith in every last one of you, else I would not lead you all daily. You are my flock, my wolf pack, my knights. We are a team."
Things were quiet a bit before Constance spoke up again. "It was overcast that day."
"Pardon?"
"At the market when we found Lord Shang and his men, there was a slight overcast. Not enough to block out the sun, but enough to lessen the strength of its rays. Up here in the air, above the clouds, the sunlight is much brighter. Perhaps this is not the failure we think it is. Further tests can still be done on these spectacles you have taken great pains to adorn me with. Zero, I shall not let your kindness go to waste, for I am Constance von Nuvelle.
Lelouch smirked. "I'll leave you to it."
Elsewhere on the ship, Leila and Akito were catching up.
"I did not zink we vould be teaming up on a mission together. As they say, politics zure makes strange bedfellows," Leila remarked.
"Indeed," Akito stated, staring out over one of the long stretch of windows aligning the side of the ship.
"You seem…mentally preoccupied."
Akito shook his head. "No, just…focusing. You weren't at Persian-Adrestia near Hrym territory when we sieged it. You don't know what we saw."
Leila marched up to him. "Tell me."
"It was…horrifying," Akito told her. "There…there were kids in cages. Odesse…the guy in charge he was…experimenting on them. And we ended up fighting a monster that turned out to be the late Crown Princess of Adrestia, Matilda von Hresvelg."
"So zat's why zat service was held and her death certificate updated. I mean…I didn't really bother to ask too many questions, but still…that sounds…horrible."
"A lot of people died, well…a lot of the enemy died. We didn't lose any operatives, thankfully."
Leila nodded.
Things got awkwardly quiet again.
"I've…noticed you've attended a few of Zero's lectures, since we spoke I mean," Akito said to her.
"He does have a way with words. Still, at present, Faerghus needs me. Prince Dimitri especially," Leila stated.
"Is that how you really feel?"
"W-Well…" Leila stuttered.
"Loyalty to one's country is fine, but only if it's earned. If you've no love for Faerghus, the Ashen Wolves would welcome you."
Leila shook her head. "My family would be quite angry with me if I just…abandoned Faerghus to become a drifter through life."
"So it's family related. You could always ask Zero for help."
"Oh! Non! Non! Non! Non! Non! Non! I would become a pariah!" Leila gasped, covering her mouth.
Akito smirked. "You're too kind and gentle for someone who's suffering."
Leila stared at her shoelaces. "W-well…I just…I believe in people being able to reach each other. Senseless violence…I just…I don't…"
Akito put a hand on Leila's shoulder. "Standing up for what's right isn't the same as violence. Sometimes people can't understand each other, won't understand each other. "But…you saw what happened in Kleiman territory. Zero believes in diplomacy if he thinks it's a viable tactic. I get how you feel, every bandit could easily be a resident in Abyss, a lowlife given a new lease on life. But…think about it for a minute. Zero stands for the people who have had it rough. He wants them to join. We don't fire the first shot, but we'll definitely fire the last.
"Agartha's a different situation though," Akito continued. "They don't believe in anything other than genocide. Kronya might be willing to help us, but we don't yet know how many of her kind are willing to break for peace. So, we have to fight. I'm sure Zero will make the right decision. The guy's an expert in tactics, be they verbal or physical."
"I suppose…" Leila still didn't sound convinced.
"Then, watch us today. Fight with us. I know Prince Dimitri is being a bit obstinate, but I think if he and Zero cooperate, a lot of good will be done today."
"Ha! You don't know Prince Dimitri zen! He would sooner see Zero's head ripped from his shoulders."
"Then I'll have to commit regicide I guess," Akito responded casually.
Leila was so startled she backed up half a step, covering her mouth again. "Akito!"
"Zero may be no lord. He owns no territory and he has no estates. But…he is the equivalent of my liege. I would follow that guy to Hell and back if it meant fixing the world we live in. He's inspired us. All of us."
"Still…regicide?"
"Like Kronya, I am Zero's blade," Akito stated. "I'll defend him from anyone. Course, I won't attack anyone he tells me to attack. I'm not crazy like Kronya."
"You're a good man, Akito Hyuga," Leila said with a smile. "Zat loyalty is something many lords would envy in a subordinate."
"Zero's earned it."
More awkward silence followed.
"So uh…dinner again…the day before the Eagle and Lion. Er, maybe we could watch a movie if we're on the same transport. Or…or chess! I've been learning how to play. We'll have our student tablets!"
Leila smiled. "I vould like that."
Ingrid found Dimitri up on the blast deck—a viewing deck for relaxation and recreation when an airship was at hovering altitudes and was covered by a hard explosive resistant glass dome during high-speed travel—seemingly in an argument with is own thoughts. She couldn't hear him, but as she approached, she could feel his anger with the way arms were pulled up above his chest and the way his head was tilted down slightly.
"Your highness…is everything all right?"
Dimitri turned around. Instead of a smile, Ingrid received a tired exhale. "Oh, it's you Ingrid. Something I can help you with?"
"No, not particularly. I thought you were the one who needed help. You've been on edge ever since you came to fetch me and the others from the classroom. I understand Zero to be an aggravating factor, but—"
"He is more than an aggravating factor! He is an abomination. He claims to stand for righteous and the helpless, yet he is nothing more than a hypocrite! His methods have included guerilla warfare with the church and supporting open rebellion! How many died in the attack at the monastery? Granted, Catherine and Princess Cornelia were scolded for it as I understand, but the point stands! And he went on an unauthorized assault in Persian-Adrestia and got praised for it? Rules are not meant to be broken Ingrid! They are the code by which we live!"
Ingrid stood there, wide-eyed, soaking in Dimitri's anger. "Uh, permit me to question just to clarify, but it sounds like you're more upset about Zero's methods than the results."
"Damn the results!" Dimitri shouted, hanging his head, shaking it, shoulders slumped. "The world is going to turn into unbridled chaos if this keeps up! He isn't helping anyone, he's fanning the flames of war! And yet the church is giving him a free pass! I'm not concerned about the immediate future, Ingrid! I'm concerned about the greater implications! What if we keep trusting this man and one day, when he holds all the power, he swallows us up and discards anyone he doesn't like, or doesn't fit in with his perfect world. Revolutionaries don't have the public's best interest at heart, they serve only their own egos!"
"And so one violent act deserves another?" Ingrid asked.
"I…urrrgh," Dimitri growled. "Point well taken." He took a deep breath, calming down as best he could. "I just…I look at Zero and all I see are flames. I see another Tragedy of Duscur in the making. One day, I feel as though he is going to raze hell and not just us, but the citizenry will suffer for it. You can't see his face, so it's impossible to know what he's thinking. We can only take his word and…it's terrifying, knowing he could be lying. The fact that he disguises his voice doesn't help. His inflection cannot even be inferred. I dread what may happen and if these are his methods when he is playing it safe, what happens when he grows bolder? What happens when he has risen his army and points it at the church's heart or, worse, Faerghus's. What if I unmask him one day and behind that mask is someone I know, even at an acquaintance level? It…it would be another nightmare on top of all the others."
"I…suppose I never really thought about it as deeply as you have. I see Zero and I see something else entirely. I see the makings of a historic figure, one scholars will write about and embellish." She paused as she let herself get lost in fantasy, head tilting up to the sky. She closed her eyes. "The Black Knights…" she stayed in fantasy for a moment before opening them. "Historically, Black Knights were shown as both committing just and unjust deeds. Today, they could often be described as anti-heroes, or anti-villains, depending on their morals. Zero evokes that image, right down to his aesthetics."
"Why are you praising him, Ingrid? I thought you of all people would—"
"I…I know," Ingrid said, coming down to Earth. "Glenn would probably be furious with me if he saw me praising a vigilante. He probably would agree with you, given how much he stood for honor, loyalty, bravery, and chivalry. But…if it can even be believed that Zero stands for the helpless." She sighed, slumping her shoulders. "Perhaps I, too, can be saved."
"What do you mean?" Dimitri asked, only for his phone to ring. He took it out of his pocket. It was a video call request. Caller ID: Princess Euphemia.
Curious, Ingrid leaned over Dimitri's dominant arm slightly, seeing the caller ID.
Dimitri answered. "Good morning, Princess. Is everything all right?"
Euphemia was in her dorm room, the little black cat that had been adopted by Bernadetta—Artoria, was perched on her bed in full view of the angle she had the phone.
"Mrrrrowwwwrrrr," the cat meowed, stretching its jaw, and closing it, before licking its right paw.
"And good morning to you too, Artoria," Dimitri chuckled.
"I'm all right, Dimitri," Euphemia said. "I was actually worried about you. Everyone said you left this morning unexpectedly."
"Ah, that. Nothing to worry about. Just some trouble back home. I'll be back before dinner, I imagine."
"So does that mean we're still on for tonight?" Euphemia asked.
Dimitri blushed, realizing Ingrid was just outside the view of his camera range. "Princess…I am…with company."
Ingrid leaned into view. "Greetings, Princess Euphemia."
"Oh! Hello, Ingrid! A fine morning to you too!" She stroked Artoria's head as the cat snuggled into her, purring loudly. "You should have said something. I would have greeted you too."
"Ah, that's all right. I didn't mean to eavesdrop on his highness's private conversation. I know you two are close, but dinner…"
Dimitri cleared his throat.
"Ah, my apologies. Overstepping," Ingrid stated, backing up slightly.
"Well, as long as you come back safe, that's all that matters," Euphemia said with a smile.
"I do believe that's in the cards," Dimitri said, only to sigh.
"What's the matter?" Euphemia asked.
Ingrid answered first, realizing Dimitri was a bit tongue tied as seconds ticked by. "His highness got into an altercation with Zero at the hangar. We're actually keeping an eye on him, since he believes Zero to have ill intent for Faerghus."
"Zero, hmm? I see," Euphemia said, tilting her head up. She had both hands free now, the phone obviously propped up against something.
"Permit me, if I may ask, Princess, but…please tell me you don't actually approve of Zero's actions," Dimitri stated.
"Well, strictly speaking no. I'm with my sister. Zero is a menace to society."
Dimitri breathed a sight of relief.
"However…I don't think he's guaranteed to stay that way," she said.
"You can't be serious."
Euphemia shook her head firmly. She was quite serious, it seemed.
"He pointed a gun at you," Dimitri reminded her.
"I believe in the church's belief," Euphemia said as Artoria now began licking her right hand whenever Euphemia idled stroking her for too long. "I think Zero can be turned into a force for good. And I think, once he has, he won't need to hide any longer."
Dimitri sighed again, but broke out into a smile. "Your compassion and idealism truly knows no bounds, Princess."
Euphemia smiled as Artoria settled into her lap. "Try to get along with Zero, Dimitri. If he becomes a valiant hero and ceases being a vigilante, Faerghus may one day need his intelligence and strength."
Dimitri laughed. "Perhaps it might. Very well, I concede." The ship shifted downward. "Ah, I do believe we will be arriving in Faerghus shortly. I can feel the ship shifting into its descent. Have a pleasant day, Princess."
"You as well," Euphemia said and ended the call.
As Dimitri put his phone in his pocket, Ingrid was too curious not to ask, "So, you and Princess Euphemia, when did that start?"
Dimitri exhaled extensively, groaning simultaneously. "Please don't tell anyone. Not even Princess Cornelia knows."
"Your highness, fraternizing with foreign royalty is a serious matter. Please tell me you two—"
"Do I look like Sylvain to you?" Dimitri quipped, defensively.
"No, but you haven't exactly been the best lady's man either. Gallant, sure, but never guarded," Ingrid reminded him. "That energy of hers is contagious. And, well…I don't recall the last time I saw you look so genuinely happy."
Dimitri sighed. "It…started back at the mess at Lake Kawaguchi. We've been sharing meals frequently since. I do think she fancies me, yes."
"And? Do you fancy her?"
"…Not enough to approach her sister about the subject. I'd like to at least make it to my coronation."
Ingrid laughed nervously. "So…you do, in fact, like her then?"
"I do believe so, yes. She is…a calming presence." Now it was his turn to gaze at the sky, lost in fantasy. "One I have never encountered before."
"Must be nice to find someone you love," Ingrid said with a smile.
"Love? No! I er…um…it's…it's just…a fancy. That's it! Romantic love? Out of the question!"
Ingrid laughed, not sure if her liege's denial was caused by nerves, fear, sincerity, or a combination of all three. "I understand how it must feel, to be drawn towards foreign royalty. Honestly, Princess Euphemia would be good for Faerghus, if everything worked out. You yourself for Britannia."
"Yes, I imagine both economically and diplomatically, Faerghus's situation would improve. But…that's just it, Ingrid. I haven't yet set aside my feelings for what's best for Faerghus. Princess Euphemia has a positive influence on me, sure, but are my feelings entirely genuine? Until I am certain of this, I refuse to take advantage of her. She's too gentle, and I break gentle things quite easily, I might remind you."
"Yes, the over two dozen pieces of training equipment can surely attest to that," Ingrid exhaled.
"Attention all passengers, we are about to begin a sharp descent into port! Please find yourself a comfortable seat to buckle into below the main deck and await departure!"
"Guess that's our cue," Ingrid said.
"Indeed. Shall we be off?"
Ingrid nodded and the two headed to prepare to greet Felix's father at the airport.
Upon getting off the transport at the private port, Duke Fraldarius had multiple vehicles ready to transport Felix's selected helpers. The man himself was there to greet the expedient travelers, properly groomed from his longish hair, down to his thin horseshoe mustache.
"Felix! Good to see you in good health! I know I just spoke with you on the phone, but it is always better to see you in person," Rodrigue addressed his son with a smile.
"Don't hug me," Felix told him, backing up, hand raised in protest.
Rodrigue laughed. "You never change." He then turned his attention to his other guests.
"Ah! Your highness!" Rodrigue said, taking note of Dimitri first. "Good to see you."
"You needn't bow, Rodrigue," Dimitri told him. "I am here as a student, not as royalty."
"Ahaha, you are your father's son, without question," Rodrigue laughed. He then shifted his attention from Dimitri to Zero. "And you must be the mysterious Zero. I see quite a lot about you on TV. It is a conflicting feeling, meeting you in person, knowing Felix has faith in you of all people as his first choice to defend my countrymen."
"I fully comprehend the hesitance given the last two times I was in Faerghus, I was taking potshots at your countrymen, not aiding them," Zero commented.
Rodrigue actually found the statement amusing enough to laugh. "Quite the cheeky fellow, I see. You know, when Felix sought my approval selecting you for help, I'll admit, I almost told him to select someone else. But, I sat on it, gave it some thought, and I actually am quite curious to see how you'll perform."
"Oh?" Zero responded, intrigued.
"To reiterate what I hope Felix has told you, my land is being overrun by bandits and those fellows in the black robes now slithering everywhere across the globe. My own personal army is faring just fine quelling the incidents when they crop up, but I am hoping to definitively put the issue down."
Just as we suspected, Lelouch thought. Then, as Zero said aloud, "If your concern is that I will conscript bandits to rise up and turn against you, you needn't worry. I am interested in eliminating the corrupted strong from bullying the helpless weak. Bandits are not weak. They are imbeciles believing they can make a difference by rioting. And, from my own research and reports from the Savage Mockingbird, I know Fraldarius territory in Faerghus to be well managed. If there is an issue with the people's treatment, it would be due to oversight, like with Count Gloucester, not malice."
Rodrigue laughed. "And here I thought I would have to defend myself from a knife in the back."
"You still might," Dimitri chimed in. "Don't let your guard down, Rodrigue."
"Dimitri, I am many things, and a good father is one of them. If Felix believes Zero will get the job done, I'm more than willing to give it a try. He will one day be the head of House Fraldarius. And, if this was a poor decision, then it is with my parenting for allowing Felix to misjudge Zero's character," Rodrigue stated.
"You say that as if you trust Zero," Dimitri stated.
"For now. As I said, I want to see Zero for myself up close, to separate fact from fiction. You will not believe the slander job that gets thrown at Viscount Kleiman these days," Rodrigue remarked.
That would be Diethard's handiwork most likely, Lelouch thought.
"Support for the Duscur people is actually increasing, believe it or not, even within my own territory." He looked at Zero. "All because of you. It's almost as if you've cast a spell on the populace."
Zero scoffed, "If such a spell existed, you'd be acutely aware of it."
Rodrigue laughed. "I see verbal barbing is among your talents. Come! Fraldarius territory awaits!"
The trip to Castle Fraldarius was mostly uneventful. Zero sat and listened with Yuri and a few others to some of Rodrigue's classic stories about the days between him and King Lambert. The more Lelouch heard, the more he began to shape a positive opinion of Faerghus under Lambert's rule.
If the Tragedy of Duscur was not caused by the Duscur people, it was likely caused by a third party. Britannia? Possible, given we're closer to Fhirdiad than most think. But most likely… his gaze landed on Kronya who just looked perplexed at the helmet to eye contact.
Upon exiting the vehicles, the group rolled up to House Fraldarius in all of its magnificent glory. Lelouch was reminded of his time spent at Ares Villa. It was just as extravagant and full of evergreen shrubbery. Of course, snow also coated the landscape given how cold the area could get this time of year.
However, all of the Ashen Wolves instantly became on guard when a familiar face traipsed out of the front door and down the master outdoor staircase. "Ah! Duke Rodrigue, you've returned!"
"Ah! Lord Shaing! Have you a report for me?"
Instantly Zero, Balthus, Yuri, Shamir, and Akito all got in front of Rodrigue as though he needed protection.
"Is…something the matter?" Rodrigue asked, confused.
"Duke Fraldarius, I recommend staying behind me. This man is your enemy!" Zero exclaimed.
"I…beg your pardon?" Rodrigue was very confused.
"Shin Hyuga-Shaing!" Zero declared. "I did not think our second meeting would be like this. I thought you long in Thales's clutches!"
Shin smiled at Zero. "I haven't the faintest idea what you mean. Have we met?"
"Don't play dumb!" Shamir snapped, aiming her rifle at his head. "Move wrong and I pull the trigger."
The nobleman raised his hands in surrender.
"You have a lot to answer for," Zero declared contemptuously. "Now d—"
Zero was cut off by Rodrigue pushing past him and Shamir towards Shin, waving his hands in front of the group to defend the nobleman. "Zero, has there been some altercation between you and Lord Shaing I should know about. My apologies. Had I known you two were not on speaking terms for some reason, I would have asked one of you to leave so as not to cause unrest."
"Oh we've met before. Don't tell me you've forgotten Kyushu, Shaing!" Zero shouted.
"Kyushu…" Shaing stroked his chin. "No, can't say that I have. And I do believe this is our first time meeting."
Scumbag! Lelouch cursed under his breath. And how's he pulling this off?!
Shamir nudged him slightly. Her face said it all. Play it cool for now and they could pick it apart later.
Zero gestured for the others to stand down. "You'll have to forgive me. Perhaps you have an imposter claiming to be you that I fought at Kyushu."
"Yes, indeed," Shaing responded with a smug grin.
Akito was not fooled, though Shin didn't seem to offer even the slightest acknowledgement of his brother's presence. Not until Akito spoke up, "Brother."
"Ahhhhhh, Akito. You're here as well. Excellent, simply marvelous. Perhaps we should sit together at dinner."
It's like he's not even the same person, Akito thought, only to shake the thought from his head. No, I can see it on his lips. It's just an act.
"Ah, dearest apologies for all the ruckus," Duke Fraldarius said. "For those of you that aren't aware, allow me to introduce Lord Shin Hyuga-Shaing, adopted son and current head of House Shaing, a lesser noble house under my banner."
"As I recall, it was House Shaing, years ago that helped bridge peaceful trade between Britannia's northwestern region and Faerghus's northeastern region," Yuri spoke up.
"With a little help from House Gautier, yes," Rodrigue confirmed with a nod.
"That was well before any of our times, of course," Shin said with a bow.
"That's all well and good, but we have a job to do," Zero stated.
"We can discuss everything in my study after a hearty meal. An army marches on its stomach after all," Rodrigue replied.
"That fits neatly in matters I need to take care of now that I'm on the ground. I will see you in your study after a meal," Zero said and headed up the stairs to go inside, following Rodrigue and Shin. I could Geass one or both of them, but not with so many witnesses. My Geass works best when used covertly, and I would rather not give anyone here a reason to suspect I have some form of hypnotism. And I don't need another situation like Flayn.
Fortunately, Zero was able to corral Shamir, Akito and Yuri into the study whilst everyone else got settled. Balthus guarded the door so no one else could get in or eavesdrop. Shamir made a quick call to Catherine to get the full story as to how Shin was still out in the open.
"Got it. I'll let him know," Shamir said and hung up.
"So, how much did we drop the ball?" Yuri asked, having picked up on a few tidbits during the conversation.
"Practically all of it. Because we weren't under scrutiny back then, the full report of what exactly happened wasn't documented by the knights. And because Catherine didn't have a body to recover, officially, Lord Shaing's involvement was never confirmed, so information was never sent back to Faerghus. As far as anyone is concerned, the official story is that Baron von Ochs died in an altercation between our organization and the Agarthans over the possession of a hero's relic. And that last part isn't even public knowledge. The official word is that the good baron hired us and died in the ensuing conflict."
Zero sighed, grasping the side of his helmet. "So in the end, Shin Hyuga-Shaing got to walk away without accountability."
"That's the size of it, yeah," Shamir huffed, dismayed.
"It's fine. It means we can settle it this time," Akito said. "Right, Zero?"
"Indeed," Zero responded, standing upright, arms down. "If Shin Hyuga-Shaing is here, then Bias can't be far behind. And he's likely involved in the attacks on Rodrigue's territory. If he hasn't already assassinated the man or begun to poison him, he must have some other objective."
"I have a pretty good idea on that, actually," Shamir responded quickly.
"Let me guess, House Fraldarius's relic, the Aegis Shield, right?" Yuri asked.
Shamir nodded. "Shin probably expects to be the grand savior and sweep in and snatch the relic out from under Rodrigue's nose, or maybe as a thank you for all the help. But now, Felix has gotten involved and asked us to help."
"Which means he'll likely drop the façade soon. We just have to hasten that moment," Zero responded.
"I'll start by going covert and seeing what I can dig up," Shamir volunteered. "That's my strong suit, after all."
"Well, Catherine's not here, so I say it falls on me to back you up. Besides, information is my business," Yuri quipped.
"Good. I'm used to annoying quips while I work anyway. It'll be like nothing's changed."
Yuri laughed hysterically. "Yeah, I can already tell this is gonna be one hell of a show."
"What do you want me to do, Zero?" Akito asked.
"For now, stay on your guard and maybe stick to your brother like glue with someone you trust. I recommend Hapi or Kronya. Either one of them can get you out of a bad situation in a pinch," Zero instructed.
Akito nodded. "What about Leila from the Blue Lions?"
"That might actually work better and feel more natural. If you have that much faith in her, by all means."
Akito nodded.
Shin Hyuga-Shaing, I am going to expose you for the corrupt power hungry madman you are. Just you wait! Zero swore.
As everyone sat down at the banquet hall, Rodrigue happened to notice one very conspicuous absence.
"Is Zero not joining us?" he questioned.
"He said he was going to eat in the study," Yuri stated. "That helmet doesn't really lend itself to proper eating."
"That's a shame. I would have accommodated him in any manner he so chose," Rodrigue stated. "Within reason, of course."
"Your hospitality is boundless, Lord Rodrigue," Dimitri said, wiping his mouth with a napkin as he put down his fork. The prime rib on his plate was well carved into. "Still, I feel as if you are coddling Zero simply because he's a guest."
"Should I not? Zero has not attacked my lands, nor meant my people harm. At Magdred Way, he was more interested in aligning with Lonato because their goals aligned. The only reason Faerghusian citizens were even in harms way was because all of you were helping the church."
"That's…" Dimitri tried to counter.
However, Rodrigue continued. "Viscount Kleiman's territory was fought by his ranks, but that is on the other side of the country. And, last I checked, you are in support of Duscurian rights, given present company." Rodrigue made direct eye contact with Dedue.
"His highness is also against open rebellion for it brings nothing but filled graves and unnecessary bloodshed," Dedue spoke up.
"Still, my point is, I consider Zero less a terrorist and more…a mercenary in a strained sense. He fights for what he believes in, disloyal to anyone but his own morals."
"More like his own ego," Sylvain joked. He got dirty looks from several Ashen Wolves.
"Zero has already promised to help restore House Nuvelle to its former glory!" Constance declared.
"Is that right now?" Rodrigue questioned. "Then that would make you Constance von Nuvelle, its sole survivor, would it not?"
"It would indeed!" Constance declared, soaking up the recognition.
"Why would Zero make that kind of promise? Does it benefit him in some way?" Annette questioned.
"I think it shows that Zero stands for the helpless. Constance, you've been badly hurt over the years because you lost your family. It's no wonder you follow Zero, given how much he supports your vision," Mercedes stated.
"But of course!" Constance exclaimed.
"A mysterious man who stands up for the helpless and downtrodden. It's almost romantic in a way," Mercedes giggled.
"Huh? Romantic? You sure about that Mercie?" Annette questioned.
Sylvain laughed. "I didn't know bad boys were your type."
"Not all of them. I just happen to like those that are virtuous," Mercedes further specified. "Fighting for what's right without caring about the consequences is noble when you think about it."
"But how can he be trusted to know what is right and what is wrong, that's the part where I find myself having a distaste for him. If he is beholden to nobody but himself, who holds him accountable?" Dimitri questioned. "You earlier likened him to a mercenary, Lord Rodrigue, but good mercenaries can be held accountable. Contracts are upheld by the laws that govern the lands and mercenaries can always be counted on to fulfill their obligations. Zero has no obligations to anyone but himself. He has accepted no coin for his deeds. He spews pretty speeches and then sets fire to anything he doesn't like. It's barbaric!"
"Hello pot. This is the kettle. You're black," Felix spoke with disgust in his voice.
"If that is meant as a verbal barb at my willingness to commit violence against Faerghus's enemies, so be it! But at least when I stand for what's right, I know that it is in servitude to my people and they will hold me accountable!"
"You honestly think I'd follow that guy if he was going to lead us to our deaths or make us enemies of mankind or something?" Yuri asked pointedly. "Zero's one thing, but what exactly do you think the Ashen Wolves are, Prince Dimitri? We're wolves, not sheep."
Dimitri sighed, almost growling even, but Yuri made a fair point.
"Look, I get it. We're going around doing shady stuff, stepping on toes, staying off the books, and descending into the night to rock the boat a little. It's dirty, scummy work, but as anyone will tell you, someone's gotta do it. You think when you become king you won't have to resort to dirty tactics?" Yuri asked.
"The need for thievery and the use of underhanded trickery has no business in a well-established, prospering kingdom."
Yuri guffawed. "Yeah. Okay. We'll see how long you last with that attitude."
Shamir then suddenly sat up. "Pardon, but as I have finished eating, I'll be excusing myself. Never been the social type."
"Oh, by all means. The Castle is yours to your heart's content, so long as you mind your manners. I don't pay my house guards thrice the usual going rate for nothing."
"Trust me, I'm not interested in lifting things that aren't nailed down, or stealing state secrets," Shamir responded flatly. "I might be getting paid by Zero, but I'd get an earful from Lady Rhea and Catherine if I made a mess in Faerghus."
"I'll join you in a bit maybe," Yuri said, gazing around the room. "I quite like the social climate around here."
"Suit yourself," Shamir stated, and left the room.
In the study, the door barred by two maids under Geass, Zero ate with only C.C. for company.
"No pizza?" she questioned when she saw the tray of food he'd escorted back. "I'm thoroughly disappointed."
"You won't find junk food at the highest level of fine dining," Lelouch returned.
C.C. pouted audibly.
We had almost two hours before the meal began. If the food was poisoned, or otherwise drugged, C.C. might be immortal, but she's still human. Clearly Rodrigue means us no harm. Lelouch thought as he paced the room on occasion, eating little by little rather than sitting down.
Lelouch had yet to cross off the possibility that Rodrigue was being impersonated and he and Shin were in cahoots.
The fact that Lord Shaing is here cannot be coincidence. Sure, he had no idea we were coming, but he's in league with Thales. That's undeniable. So why show his face here at the estate? If he wanted to assassinate Rodrigue and take the relic, the man's guard is down considerably. Even I could slip by unscathed with my Geass if all I wanted was the relic.
"You're going to give yourself a stomach ache, pacing about like that while snacking," C.C. warned him like a fussy mother.
Lelouch stopped near dead center in the room, hand cupped around his jaw. Unless the relic is just a bonus.
His mind flashed back to Matilda.
No! Don't tell me-!
His thoughts were interrupted by his phone going off. Shamir was calling.
He answered. "This is Zero."
"I think I might have found something of note. There's an escape tunnel that diverts in two directions. One heads out of here, as you might expect, but the other…well it looks like it was dug out recently. There's not even lightning hung up."
"Don't do anything rash and be careful. C.C. and I are on my way," Lelouch told her and donned the mantle. "We're cutting lunch short. Follow me."
C.C. nodded finished stuffing into her mouth what was on her plate and then left the room with her co-conspirator, the maids being released from Zero's Geass at the sight of him.
On his way to Shamir's location, Zero texted Yuri: Buy time.
Yuri, seeing this alert on his phone, nodded at the message and then said loud enough to be heard, "So, who here knows the latest about the price of tea in China?"
Oblivious to Yuri's stall tactics, and now drawn in to the line of questioning, the members of Zero's unit, and the Blue Lions, being hosted by Rodrigue, continued to chit-chat as Zero and C.C. met up with Shamir. She shined a flashlight down the unfinished tunnel.
"What do you think? Should we wait for the others?"
"No, let's go in and catch the enemy unaware. Keep that light lit though," Zero told her.
Shamir nodded.
The trio proceeded down the tunnel, finding it empty out into a room illuminated not by lamps, but strange crystals. Zero took the sights in while Shamir ran her finger over the stones nearby. "Not a lot of dust. Construction was done recently."
"Why just this area and not the tunnel?" C.C. questioned.
"Probably to dissuade people from coming here. We walked quite a distance to get here."
Suddenly, a footstep echoed, and others followed.
The group turned their heads and Shamir noticed there were actually two tunnels leading in here.
"Someone's coming," She pointed out.
"Do we hide?" C.C. questioned.
"No, let's ambush. It could be an Agarthan here to check up on things," Zero stated.
Zero and C.C. positioned themselves near the entrance way while Shamir got under the desk and loaded her rifle, ready to shoot as soon as she could get a good look at the target. Orange boots came into view to Shamir long before its owner stepped into the room. Shamir locked in, ready to fire the minute she could.
Rather than use magic in an enclosed space, Zero had his energy sword ready. As soon as the next footstep didn't echo, he came out from his position and moved to attack, only to stop mid-strike.
"Whoa!"
Zero had nearly struck an unsuspecting Shez in the chest.
Shamir sighed, getting up from the floor.
"Zero? Shamir? Oh and uh…"
"C.C."
"Right. Uh…what are you all…?"
"That should be my question," Zero said, putting away his sword. "What are you doing here?"
"I uh…got lost looking for the bathroom. Rodrigue said it was down the hall and on my right and so…"
"You should've gotten an escort," Shamir teased.
"Oh ha ha," Shez remarked, dismayed.
"Still, it's good that she's here. Not knowing what we could be stumbling into, we could use the extra muscle," Zero commented.
"What is this place anyway?" Shez asked.
"We were about to investigate that when we heard your footsteps," Shamir said.
"Looks like a small private study, if you ask me. Nobles use these kinds of things all the time. I've seen 'em before, being a merc and all."
"Rodrigue's private study, you think?" C.C. questioned.
"Not impossible. Let's look around."
Besides the locked cabinets, the most conspicuous thing in the small room was a dusty tome laying on the desk.
Zero flipped through it, noting the dates at the top. "It's a journal. Quite an old one for a place constructed so recently."
"What's it say?"
"Not sure. It's in Greek. And while my translating ability isn't rusty, it's not rapid fire either. Hold a moment."
He started with the first entry and then gasped. "That's…"
"What's wrong?"
Zero showed her the first page. "Look at the date."
The date read April 17th, 746atb.
"April? The Gregorian calendar?" Shamir questioned.
"You know of it?" Zero questioned.
"Dagda used to use it before Britannia steamrolled in," Shamir pointed out. "I know the church prefers the Seirosian moons to Gregorian months."
"Such a strange way of counting days, if you ask me, the moon doesn't even last thirty-one days. It's like the first archbishop had such a distaste for anything not related to Seirosian politics she tried to wipe out all traces that played counter to it," C.C. scoffed.
"Either way, April…that's the Great Tree Moon, correct?" Zero asked.
Shamir nodded.
Zero read aloud, "April 17th, 746atb. Emperor Constantine has a meeting today with our Emperor. We all wait with bated breath for the news." He turned the page.
"June…that's the Garland Moon, the 19th. Same year. Our Emperor has returned. Glory be to Agartha and its capital Shambhala. They Byzantines have accepted us as their own. From today on, humanity will truly prosper."
"Agartha?" Shamir questioned.
"It mentioned Shambhalla too, Kronya's home," C.C. stated.
Zero flipped through a few pages, reading silently to himself.
"Hey, don't read quietly," Shez criticized.
"It's just more of the same, going on about the Byzantine relations with Agarthan citizens," Zero said. "It's just the ramblings of one person. It goes on and on until…aha! Here we go! April 12th, 780 atb. A miracle has occurred in Rome. People claim that a god has descended. News has spread all the way here to Byzantine and Agartha. This god has piqued the interest of many, including the Emperor."
"780…that's almost before the dawn of the Seirosian church," Shamir stated.
Zero turned the page. "September, that's the Horsebow moon, the 20th, 781atb. This is no god of ours. That…thing is not a god. Her children are not human! We will not give our home to them! I hear whispers even among the Byzantines of defection and also war. The Lombards and even some franks believe in this false god. We will eradicate it. Death! Death to all who dare spit on the existence of our true savior!"
"The Byzantines were Christian, weren't they? Now a dying religion as I understand it," Shamir stated.
"The church has it out for them, likely due to a bitter age-old feud," Zero stated. He continued reading. "There's no date here, just a year 801atb. Charlemagne has fallen. The world will enter a new era bereft of hope. God has forsaken us and our lands. War will soon come to Agartha, to Byzantine. But I will not stop fighting. I have been tasked with taking up arms. That false god brought magic to this world and we shall kill her and her children with their own weapons and ideas. A perfect death. Glory to Emperor Epimenidies."
Shez heard Arval gasp.
You okay?
"I am…not sure. But…I feel like I know that name from somewhere. Why does it…fill me with such nostalgia? This journal with…such sadness."
"The next entry has no date," Zero stated. "Our emperor has fallen. There is no hope for this world."
"They lost the war as I recall. Adrestia was founded not long after Charlemagne fell and the Church of Seiros was established in Rome," Shamir stated. "At least, according to historians."
"We're holding history in our hands," Zero said, shutting the bindings of the parchment over his finger so he wouldn't lose his place.
"Well don't stop now, keep reading!" Shez encouraged.
Zero continued. "There's a large jump here from one page to the next, although judging from the tears, I imagine a lot of pages were ripped out. This one reads November, the Red Wolf moon, 1100atb. I have been granted the title of sage. Though Solon oversees all of our research, I am head of magic. It is my job to take this wicked power and abuse it, make it our own. We already have the Javelins of Light at our disposal. I look forward to seeing what else we can create from the teachings of that false god and use it to reclaim our place in humanity."
Zero turned the page. "These are just research notes," he said, going through multiple pages. "Magic formulas, even. It sounds like whoever wrote this journal was head of Agarthan magical research."
"I'm greatly concerned about something they said in there," C.C. stated. "They made it sound as if magic was not born within humans, but a gift from the goddess."
"Is that not what the church teaches?" Shamir asked.
"The church makes it sound as if the Goddess existed for a long time, but this text paints a different picture entirely, as though the fate of humanity was changed," C.C. replied, shaking her head.
Zero began rapid fire flipping through the pages.
"Hey! Slow down! What if you miss something important?" Shez asked him.
"I'm looking for a signature. Whoever did this has lived for far longer than should be humanly possible." He looked at C.C. "Friend of yours?"
"Hardly?"
"Huh? You've lived a long time?" Shez asked.
C.C. remained silent, not responding to the question.
Suddenly, a picture fell out. Shez picked it up. She almost dropped it when she saw it, gasping.
Zero, curious, picked it up. A woman was depicted in with short, curly hair, and a complexion as pale as a ghost. She had turquoise hair and gleaming yellow eyes. She was standing next to what appeared to be a sewing machine.
"That's…that's not possible," Shez remarked, staring at the photo.
Zero looked at the back. The date read 1847. He flipped for an entry that mentioned the photo.
"June 29th, 1847atb. Bias took my photo. She's a charming young lady, that one. She'll do great things for the Agarthan Empire. It's been over a millennium since the world changed forever. I hardly recognize it. Despite my smile, it may be time to give up. We cannot force the world to return to how it was. Though the children of the goddess now inherit this Earth, I believe co-existence is the path to the future, but my fellow Agarthans would cry heresy if they ever said it to my face."
"Huh? It's not Bias's journal?" Shez questioned.
"That was the impression I got at the start," Shamir remarked.
"So why is it here?" C.C. questioned.
Zero looked for a short entry, thinking ahead of where this was going. "August, that's the Verdant Rain Moon, the 27th, 1862. I have left the Agarthan Empire. That's all it says. But then…July, that's the Blue Sea Moon, the 11th. 1892. I met a child of the Goddess for the first time in centuries. He has fair skin, and light hair. But…he is not my enemy. He seems no different from us in Byzantine. He speaks of piety, but it is not his defining trait. He travels a lot. Apparently a new region, splintered from Faerghus, called Leicester, was developed whilst I lived underground. It is almost a century old now. Another nation, Britannia, lives far across the sea where Agartha never reached. I think I will travel with this man and see this new world."
"Shez, are you all right? You're sweating," Shamir said to her.
"It's just…that woman…she looks a lot like my adoptive mother," Shez stated. "But…it can't be her. It just can't be."
Zero kept reading. He summarized a few entries. "This woman, an Agarthan, traveled with a human, a Seirosian. It appears they fell in love, had a child…" he speed read a few more entries, "And settled down in Leicester. As the entries go on, she starts writing more in modern Leicesterian languages. It's easier to translate."
"July 18th, 1908. Bias, if only you could understand. We were wrong to fight the goddess. Our sins can never be washed away. I almost died today. Bias tried to kill me and my unborn child. What have my people become? Our savior would never want this. If you are listening, o' lord, save my people from themselves, they know not their own sins."
Zero turned the page and then flipped through them. "The next few entries talk about life with her husband and child, but…the writer caught an illness or something. Her penmanship gets shaky and she talks about her body reaching its limit." He turned the page again. "The next entry has no date. It just reads: I inherited my mother's journal. I must find Shambhala and learn all I can."
He flipped through the rest of the journal. "No dates are listed anymore. …No, they're torn out."
"Torn out?" Shez questioned.
"Either that or someone sliced a part of the pages but didn't slice through the binding," Zero commented. "I'll read the next entry. …Huh?"
"What? What's it say?"
"I…inherited my mother's journal. That's all it says."
"A granddaughter?" Shez questioned. She gasped. "Wait! Zero! Go to the last entry! Please!"
Zero nodded. "I've left Agartha. My family's legacy is its will and I am its sole proprietor. What was once a noble, downtrodden kingdom has become a corrupt hellscape full of spiteful people, hellbent on genocide. I've taken their ultimate weapon and I've returned to my grandfather's roots. They won't find it. I'll turn it against them. To hell with Epimenides! To hell with Thales and his idiotic plans! May it all one day burn to the ground!"
Zero took a moment to soak that in. "That's it. That's all it says."
"They mentioned some kind of weapon."
Shez looked puzzled and a bit disturbed.
"Do you think Bias is looking for this Ultimate weapon?" Shamir questioned.
"If so, why in Faerghus? The family's roots are in Leicester," Zero pointed out.
Shez exhaled, as if she wasn't sure what to say, or as if she didn't know what would happen if the words came out of her mouth.
Arval was just as perplexed, if not a little horrified.
Shez, absentmindedly stepped forward and her foot touched something metal. She looked down. Her foot was touching carpet. However, moving it away revealed a metal grate with a lock latch.
Shamir and Zero nodded at each other and the former bent down to pick the lock. Once open, each member of the party climbed down, descending into who knew where, Zero leaving the journal where they found it, having no place to put it.
Shamir, the first one down, touched on solid ground and took out her flashlight. The group came face to face with a factory of some kind, built under the ground and seemed to have tubes of some kind that were rising up into the surface.
"A factory?" C.C. questioned.
"It's made with Agarthan technology. Looks similar to Odesse's lab."
Shez gasped. "Zero. Look."
Dead ahead sat rows upon rows of Nuckelavee units.
"This is…"
"An army!" a voice echoed before a familiar face appeared before the group.
"Bias!" Shamir shouted, recognizing her.
"Now how did the four of you wander in here?" She questioned. "I knew we had some unwanted guests, but I didn't think you'd find my factory. Unfortunately, now that you've seen it, I cannot afford to let you leave here alive!" Bias took out a pitch black HLKMF crystal and utilized it. Her frame became covered in ebon armor with a demonic skull head and a staff with two glowing ends for releasing magical blasts. The frame floated into the air and then zapped two Nuckelavee units, almost animating them in some way, causing them to activate and attack the group. This was an HLKMF devised by an elder member of the Agarthan Empire. Codename: Phantom Sorceress.
"C.C. I know you can float, so get out of here and get the others, stat!" Zero declared. "We're too far below the ground for comms."
"What about you?" C.C. questioned.
"I'll be fine," Zero said and activated the Absolute Zero just as Shez activated the Leviathan of Destiny, while Shamir equipped the Jungle Artemis.
"You won't escape!" Bias shouted, firing a blast of magic at C.C. The woman countered with a blast of her own, causing a midair explosion. She then floated backwards towards the ladder.
"Don't you dare die on me!" she shouted. "You have to fulfill your contract."
"Don't worry, I have my own reasons to stay alive," Zero told her. "Now get going!"
C.C. nodded. As she floated away, Bias tried to attack her, but her magic attacks were shot by Shamir's Jungle Artemis. The two Nuckelavee units attacked, only for Shez to shred them with the Leviathan of Destiny.
"You beast! How dare you bare your fangs at us! Thales gave you our army, and this is how you repay us! Traitorous scum! This is why beast can never be trusted!" Bias shouted. "All they do is lie!"
She activated more Nuckelavee units as Shez and Shamir fought them off. Zero engaged Bias herself in direct combat.
"I read the journal your friend and her descendants held onto. She saw the error of Agartha's ways. You clearly wish to bury the truth! Agartha feeds lies to its own people! Your citizenry is tired, fractured! Yet you would carry on a war long since lost!"
"SILENCE!" Bias shouted as her Miasma attack collided with Zeroes. "What would you know? You weren't there! You don't understand our pain! Our lord, our livelihood! It was all stolen from us! It is all that blasphemous archbishop's fault! Her and her god forsaken church!" She attacked Zero again, but he countered, matching her magic power with his own. "Why do you defy us? The church is your enemy is it not? Work with us, or has that witch Rhea honeyed you with her LIES?!"
"Rhea can lie all she wants! But this isn't about her! This is about your ill intended plans for Faerghus. I thought I made myself clear at Lake Kawaguchi! I will not allow the strong to be trampled by the weak! Agartha and Byzantine may have been that way long ago, but that was long ago! Today, all I see is a witch trying to murder people with war machines! And I will not allow that! For I am Zero! The Black Knight of Justice! The Hero to all!"
(A/N: Welp! We've stepped in it now, huh? FE vets probably already know the twists in the myth that I've concocted but casuals are probably scratching their heads or just giggling in not knowing what's happening, but liking it anyway.
Also, in preparation for this chapter, I found out that Agartha is a real life myth that is a sub-myth in the Hollow Earth Theory. …Godzilla crossover with Three Houses when?
Jokes aside, thanks to everyone for your continued support. Next chapter is already done. It just needs some fine tuning. And, until next time, from all of me, to all of you, let your hearts stay human and your wrath draconic. Ja ne!)
SPECIAL THANKS to my Patrons ShawnH, Nier 99, and Wizard Aro. If you'd like to support my work, consider subscribing. I don't offer much, but I would like to turn fanfiction into a job if possible, or at least to help me scrape by while I look for a new one, as I am presently unemployed. Thanks everyone for your continued support as readers. Just your comments and love for my work is enough to keep me doing this in my spare time! Please don't forget to share this fic with others as awareness not only drives more traffic to it, but enriches the lives of others. Plus, the larger the fanbase I have, the better my novel coming out later this year will sell! Hate to plug, but I gotta eat, and I will see you all next time!