Chapter 196
The beautiful young man on his sickbed looked like someone featured on a fashion magazine cover.
"Snort!"
Kallen awkwardly turned to the side, a blush creeping across her face.
"It's good that you know! From now on, you don't need to hide it from me anymore!"
What kind of hidden tsundere trait is this?
Lelouch was slightly taken aback.
When Black Knights, she was Kallen Kouzuki; when she was at the Ashford Academy, she was the noble young lady Kallen Shutenfeldt. Besides the contrast of her feigned illness and weakness, her Imperial Guard captain and ace pilot of the Black Knights also had this side.
Before he could continue, she said, "Hey, brother, let's put things on hold with Sister Kallen for now. Eat well and get plenty of nutrition to recover."
Nunnally's light and soft voice came through, seemingly pleased to hear about her brother's emotional affairs.
Sakiko pushed Nunnally's wheelchair over, setting up a low table on the bed and transferring the tray from Nunnally's lap to the table. The maid smiled and said gently, "This is a token of Miss Nunnally's appreciation. Young Master Lelouch, please eat. Soon, it will be President Milly and Miss Shirley's turn to have their meal."
"And there's Rival. He said he'd bring him something 'you know,' something to help him regain his energy. Hmm, what is that?"
Then, as if remembering something, Nunnally said in a reproachful tone, "Really, brother, you can't have affairs or be unfaithful. Sister Shirley, Sister Kallen, and that sister who likes pizza, that's already three..."
"That guy, Rival ..."
Upon hearing this, Lelouch began to feel a headache coming on.
It's both painful and joyful.
Only here, when he can shed the burden of being a prince of revenge, remove the mask of ZERO, and return to school and home, will he find some friends who will smile at him, their heartfelt smiles washing away the gloom and bloodshed brought from the blood-stained battlefield.
"Thank you, Nunnally, Sakiko."
Lelouch smiled and scooped up a spoonful of soup.
The rich soup glides over the tongue, its flavor mellow and its texture silky, bringing unparalleled enjoyment—a feeling of happiness and satisfaction, as if physical pain were no longer a problem.
Lelouch felt a surge of heat coursing through his body, which invigorated his weary spirit.
That is his reason for fighting.
Unfortunately, the heartwarming moments were destined to be short-lived, beep beep beep—
The sound of the television being turned on.
"I guess you'll be interested in this news, Lelouch."
CC, who was sitting on the sofa with her knees drawn up to her chest, putting a slice of sausage and cheese pizza into her mouth, said without turning her head, "A live broadcast facing the District 11... not just the concession area, but covering the slums, mountains, and residential areas of the entire Japanese Archipelago."
"Live streaming?"
Lelouch's gaze sharpened.
"Is that Cornelia... Governor?"
That shouldn't be the case. The Black Knights' offensive suffered heavy losses last time, and the mainstream media and official media in District 11 had already reported on it. Given Cornelia's straightforward and fiery personality, she would never exaggerate her achievements and report it a second time.
"It's European Britannia."
C. C.'s voice drifted over, and turning to the side, the Forest Witch, who wielded the Code, gave Lelouch a reprimand and warning in her golden eyes, "Do you still remember the Area 11 Special Task Force formed by the Third Princess Vera?"
"Your good friend is among them, and they are said to have fought well. Although many died, they achieved considerable merit, and at least the Third Princess is very satisfied. On the Eastern Europe front, European Britannia has just won a resounding blitzkrieg, with the EU suffering heavy losses. The northern front has advanced to Königsberg in East Prussia, where a military parade and medal-awarding ceremony are being held."
"Lelouch, tell me, who is this award ceremony specifically for?"
CC rested her chin on her hand with a playful expression.
This question caused Lelouch's expression to change.
191
Chapter 191 There's a cow!
"Is the woman eating pizza Suzaku? What was the news report about...?"
"Homage to Her Princess Vera!!!"
Just as Nunnally instinctively inquired about her childhood friend, a loud shout from the loudspeaker interrupted her, drawing everyone's attention to the television screen.
[UTC+9 (District 11): 17/06]
[East Prussian Local Time (UTC+2): 10/06]
And flowing information entries:
——ATB2017—— Königsberg Victory Parade—— Her Highness Vera Inspects the Imperial Army—— Awarding of Medals——
"This is a victory for European Britannia and Vera Highness Vera, a victory for District 11 and Her Highness Cornelia, and a glorious victory for all the people of the Empire. Whether it is the overconfident Black Knights or the blustering EU Alliance, they will all be reduced to dust under the iron heel of the Empire. This is the trend of the times, and the future belongs to Britannia!"
"All Hail Britannia!"
As the news anchor spoke with pride and elation, the live broadcast then appeared on the television screen.
The flags of the Gryphon and the Pterodactyl fluttered in the wind.
"All Hail Vera!"
"All Hail Vera!!"
"All Hail Vera!!!"×N.
A deafening roar, like Tsunami.
At this moment, the City Hall Square in the northeast of Kneipkhov Island in the city center was a moving torrent of flags and armored vehicles.
A large amount of military equipment is being assembled by the troops.
On the city's central avenue, there's no need to elaborate on the basic light and heavy weaponry such as tanks, military vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles, and self-propelled artillery, along with the elite mechanized infantry. However, in this world, the Knightmare armored cavalry is the most eye-catching military unit with the highest average status and treatment.
That's the prevailing trend.
With so many years of inertia, even Vera, who knew the drawbacks, couldn't change the trend overnight.
Rows of Knightmare armored cavalry stood in orderly rows on the square, each belonging to its respective knightly order.
The fifth-generation fighter [Sutherland Kai] was the most numerous, followed by the sixth-generation fighter [Gloucester], while the seventh-generation fighter [Vincent Early Production Prototype] was the least numerous.
They carried combat rifles and saluted as standard-bearers, stood guard on the left and right, or passed by with the main force. The latter, in particular, were all fully armed, with guns loaded with ammunition and fuel. There were no spotless military uniforms, no red carpets, no goose-stepping, and no military band. There was only the roar of vehicle engines.
After the officers and their colleagues who had received the imperial medals from the princess returned to their posts—
"Salute!"
Organized by their respective combat units, almost simultaneously, the clanging of steel guns and the resounding thud of military boots filled the air.
Then they set off directly to the front lines of the Danzig Corridor to build a new front.
One batch after another.
"European Britannia..."
Northern Army Group on the Eastern Europe front...
A look of seriousness flashed across Kallen's face.
One can know the whole leopard from a single spot. The Black Knights' defeat a while ago was too unforgettable. Those soldiers from the Eastern Europe battlefield were too fierce.
In terms of combat skills, morale, experience, ruthlessness, and individual equipment, they are far superior to the soldiers of the District 11. Mr. Kyoshiro Tohdoh is still lying in the intensive care unit.
Moreover, I don't know if it's just my imagination, but compared to District 11, the armored units of the European Britannia not only have more gorgeous and exquisite paint and accessories, but their bodies also seem to be new models with reinforced structures and expanded sizes.
Clang! Clang! Clang clang clang—
Accompanied by the clash of lances, the crisp sound of clashing halberds echoed rhythmically.
This time it was the turn of the Area 11 Special Task Force.
"Suzaku Kururugi."
A familiar name. The voice belonged to a woman.
His tone was stern yet powerful, a cool voice that was highly recognizable to Lelouch and Nunnally.
Nunnally's brow twitched slightly.
Even though he was blind, based on the information in the news reports, Suzaku had been conscripted to the Eastern Europe theater of war. Coupled with this unfamiliar yet familiar voice, the identity of the visitor was self-evident.
Imperial Sister Vera...
Nunnally remembers the time when she lived in Aries Palace before her mother, Marianne, passed away:
Aside from Lelouch and Cornelia, who protect her, and the Euphemia sisters, only her gentle older brother Odysseus and the polite Schneizel treat her kindly.
As for Vera, Nunnally couldn't quite describe her feelings; she was certainly no stranger to her.
Unlike the hostility and aversion she felt towards her other half-brothers, although the other half-brother visited Aries less often, it was more a matter of indifference and lack of interest than hostility. She would give her gifts, tell her stories, and play games with her, but these interactions would not last long. Her childhood impression of Vera was that she was a very capable and busy person Imperial Sister, as the adults all said.
"Elder brother..."
At the same time, the squeezing sensation from her palm interrupted Nunnally's thoughts.
My brother's hand suddenly tensed up.
Lelouch's gaze turned cold.
His bloodshot eyes were fixed on the beautiful woman who appeared on the television screen as the camera zoomed in.
What a dangerous killer's face! My Imperial Sister.
Princess Vera vo Britannia, who holds supreme military and political power in European Britannia, stands majestically on the steps of the old main entrance of the town hall, surrounded by the Knights of the Round.
Gunblade armed guards stood on either side, their eyes fixed on the Knightmare pilot in white who was leading the way up the steps.
Representative of the Area 11 Special Task Force – Suzaku Kururugi.
The next moment, thud.
Thanks to the excellent signal transmission quality, even thousands of miles away in the Tokyo Concession, Lelouch and the other spectators could hear the sound of their knees rubbing against the carpet as they knelt down.
Suzaku!!!
Lelouch cried out in his heart, frustrated and disappointed.
So you were the pilot of that platinum-painted guide mech, Lancelot?!
While I am genuinely happy that my dear friend was able to survive on the Eastern Europe front by flying Britannia's new seventh-generation fighter, why this way of life? To grovel before Vera? Or even to swear allegiance?
I was clearly here first...
If it weren't for this woman interfering, he probably would have been more honest with Suzaku, and even made Suzaku Nunnally's guardian knight, because the three of them were close friends who relied on each other and shared hardships. Only in this way could he feel at ease and concentrate on fighting against the powerful Britannia Empire as ZERO.
But what did he see now?
His best friend knelt before one of his most powerful enemies!
Sitting in her wheelchair, Nunnally couldn't help but grab Lelouch's hand; she could sense her brother's unease.
At that moment, on the television, Vera moved.
Clang!
The sound of metal rubbing together.
Drawing her ceremonial sword, Vera asked, "Are you willing to swear an oath of loyalty here and fight as a knight of Britannia?"
Vera's indigo eyes gleamed with an aggressive glint befitting her strong personality. Vera gently pressed the blade in her hand against Suzaku Kururugi's shoulder, the blade facing inward. At that moment, it seemed as if she could slice open his throat at any moment if she so desired.
"Yes I do."
The boy named Suzaku Kururugi knelt on one knee, bowed his head, and answered quietly.
"Are you willing to forsake your own selfish desires and become the empire's sharp blade and sturdy shield, to fight for Britannia and protect its people?"
"Yes I do."
Knighthood?!
There was no turning back at this point in the ceremony. If Suzaku Kururugi refused, he would surely die... Lelouch's face shifted between regret, heartache, and resentment, until finally, only unspeakable anger remained.
This woman, not content with ruthlessly seizing the greatest inheritance left by her mother and the Ashford family, now she even wants to take Suzaku away from him and Nunnally?!
If it were based on ZERO's identity and stance with the Black Knights, Suzaku Kururugi would naturally refuse, and it would be best if he were forced to commit suicide, or even be killed on the spot by an enraged Vera.