Chapter 198

"What's this rare commodity from the Federation called, Whip wine?"

Rival placed the bottle on the coffee table, then gave Lelouch a thumbs-up and grinned.

"Deer penis. It'll definitely make you stamina—ouch!"

Before she could finish speaking, President Milly kicked her aside.

Although Shirley didn't understand what the Federation's whip was, she did understand the word "wine." Ignoring the reason for the president's uncle-like smile, she put one hand on her hip and scolded, "Rival, you bastard, Lelouch really did learn bad things from you!"

A chaotic scene ensued.

After the student council members arrived, Nunnally's silvery laughter never stopped.

Even Lelouch emotions felt much lighter.

Having a lively and interesting friend is not bad.

Let's get back to the main topic.

"Oh, so Shirley is starting to get interested in military and political matters too?"

Completely oblivious to Lelouch and Kallen's sudden freeze, Rival stroked his chin and asked, "If you don't like strong-willed governors like Princess Cornelia or Princess Vera, are you interested in the pitiful type like Vice Governor Euphemia?"

"Hey, Rival... keep your voice down, this is too insolent."

Nina lowered her voice.

"Well, it's okay, just think of it as a survey. Nina, who do you support more? Speaking of which, didn't you recently apply for new research funding? Your simulation reaction project, which you've been pushing forward, even received an official research grant. I haven't congratulated you yet. Are you going to Moscow for an interview?"

"Hmm. I didn't expect to receive a stipend either. Perhaps Princess Vera's talent attraction and incentive policies are indeed quite comprehensive. I am planning to visit European Britannia."

Perhaps because she was talking about her area of expertise, Nina became unusually talkative.

"The achievements they have made in scientific research, technological progress, and industrial development are evident to the world."

"Since it's already being used on a large scale for military purposes, we should be able to find a way to solve Nunnally's blindness and disability with prosthetics. It's just that... Nunnally's body is too weak to compare with those strong soldiers. And it's equivalent to amputation surgery, so it depends on whether Nunnally Lelouch can accept it."

"If I had to choose, Princess Euphemia is very kind and approachable, while Princess Vera is unattainable yet very reliable, and also the most academically accomplished among the princes and princesses..."

Nina was struggling to decide.

The former stepped forward during the 'Lake Kawaguchi Incident' to shelter tourists who were being held hostage by Lieutenant Colonel Kusakabe of the Japanese Liberation Front, including herself, Shirley, and President Milly.

The latter was someone she had long admired. He was not only a military and political leader, but also one of the most renowned genius scientists among the current second-generation royals, the 'Lamp Goddess' of Britannia.

It was also thanks to the exchange troops dispatched by Princess Vera to District 11.

When the Lake Kawaguchi Incident occurred, the cybernetic special forces unit approached underwater and secretly infiltrated the Kawaguchiko Hotel. Just as Princess Euphemia stepped forward to reveal her identity after being chosen by the terrorists as the next to be executed, they took action, either subduing or controlling all the terrorists from District 11 present, and arrested Lieutenant Colonel Kusakabe, the leader and a remnant of the former Remnants of the old Japanese military.

The swift and decisive execution by firing squad, the brutal beating of the terrorists who had been so arrogant just moments before, and the calm and reassuring announcement after everything was over. "Citizens of Britannia, it's alright, you are safe. We are the Special Exchange Force of the District 11 of European Britannia."

Indeed, even Nina couldn't help but feel a twisted sense of pleasure welling up inside her.

Watching those who bullied her being assaulted by even more violent individuals in even more cruel ways was truly exhilarating!

The only regret is that ZERO, that slippery guy, piggybacked on my popularity.

She was very grateful to Princess Euphemia for standing up for her.

At the same time, based on her own interests and future development plans, and with a focus on the development of cutting-edge technology in European Britannia, her longing for the Third Princess, which she had already aspired to, has become even stronger.

"Alright, alright. Nina, there's no need to get so hung up on this and insist on taking sides in the election."

It was President Milly who noticed Nina's predicament. She chuckled and patted the girl's slender shoulder, leaning closer and saying in a rather ambiguous tone, "Hehe, why can't we have them all? Is there any need to compete or compare the Third Princess and the Fourth Princess?"

As if struck by a sudden enlightenment, Nina nodded emphatically.

Yes, this isn't about choosing sides. Princess Vera the third princess, and Princess Euphemia the fourth princess. In the eyes of many people both inside and outside the empire, is there any need to compare them or force a choice? Is it even possible for the latter to challenge the former?

"Wow, the president's heart is definitely that of an old man. But if our choices really work, Euphemia of love and peace, Vera of war and conquest, who will truly be the future of Britannia and make the world a better place?"

Shirley's expression suddenly became sentimental.

When will these human tragedies end?

She looked at the big screen again.

The streets were dilapidated. A group of soldiers in blue uniforms, marching in the opposite direction from the Britannia army, were heading from west to east towards the prisoner-of-war camp on the Neman River. These defeated EU prisoners of war looked silent, tired, wounded, slumped, and expressionless. In contrast to the vigorous army marching from east to west, they seemed like a mob.

Lelouch simply scooped up the soup in silence.

Soon, the patients came and went quickly, knowing that the patient needed to rest, and the room fell silent again.

No one will let the war happening thousands of miles away on TV affect their lives. They can just indulge in a little melancholy and move on. Those things are too far removed from their lives.

Apart from.

"Are you still regretting it, Lelouch?"

CC returned, her voice faint and lingering.

"Regarding the matter of involving your friend's father. Also, that brat Nina, she passed the online assessment of the European Britannia and is about to go to Moscow. She will most likely encounter your formidable enemy there. Shouldn't you try assassinating her using Geass?"

"Shut up."

"You once said to the deceased Kirihara (head of the Six Houses of Kyoto): 'Indecisive,' 'I will embark on the Path of Asura.' But you are the one who is truly indecisive. Do you still think this is just a game, a game of chess?"

"Shut up!"

"You've killed many people so far, with your own hands, or at your instigation, using Geass to twist people's will and souls. They also had families, lovers, and friends. You can't possibly say you feel nothing about it, can you? Your awareness doesn't seem to be as profound as you claim..."

I said shut up!

Lelouch's handsome face was now filled with suppressed rage.

"Of course I'm prepared, and I'll prove you wrong! Nina is my and Nunnally's friend, and I would never use Geass on a friend—"

"What about Suzaku Kururugi?"

"It's different! I'm letting him live!"

"Oh, you know the correct way to use Geass, don't you?"

CC remained nonchalant.

"Why are you so self-censoring when using Geass elsewhere, kid? You only get one chance to use it. Your Obsessive-compulsive disorder really needs to be addressed."

"Do you mean I should use Geass to enslave Japanese suicide squad, or seize the opportunity to control the lower and middle-ranking officials of the Britannian Governor-General's Office and do something to shake Cornelia's rule over District 11?"

"I didn't say that; you made it all up yourself. You're an accomplice."

Königsberg.

The continuous roar of the armored engine had been going on for more than half an hour.

As Vera pinned the last battle medal on the chest of the battle-scarred soldier, the accompanying photographers dutifully pressed the shutter button frantically, while the cheers of the passing soldiers reached a new peak before finally subsiding.

The victory parade has ended.

"Call..."

With a long sigh of relief, the broadcast ended. Vera stood on the towering steps of the city hall, stretching her slightly stiff wrists.

To make such a public image project work well is also a lot of hard work.

Names and tools should not be given to others.

The ceremony is most effective when she performs it in person.

He stood there like a pine tree for more than half an hour, drawing and sheathing the ceremonial sword, bestowing honors and titles, with a perfectly measured, encouraging smile, his lips practically worn out...

But Vera enjoyed it.

Having never commanded an army or personally managed a household, the wondrous feeling of having thousands upon thousands of people in one's grasp, with their futures and destinies in one's hands, is hard to describe in words.

"Give."

The Knight of the 9th, Nonette, tossed him a bottle of mineral water with a grin.

Thanks.

After gulping down most of the bottle, Vera asked as she walked down the steps, "Where is Xia Yingge of the Order of Saint Michael?"

A communications officer immediately replied, "Your Highness, Lord Shangering has led his troops to the Neman River and is currently crossing it."

"The fortified hub city of Daugavpils, which protects the southern flank of my Northern Army Group, is currently garrisoned by Lord Manfredi of the Order of Saint Michael against reinforcements from the EU Belarus sector."

What is the situation in the Lithuanian war zone?

Vera asked again.

"Following Foch's death, the morale of the EU coalition forces in the Baltic region has collapsed. Our troops are advancing unimpeded. A portion of the Imperial Guard, in conjunction with several infantry units, has now encircled Vilnius, the capital of the EU Lithuanian war zone. The city will fall soon!"

"Mao Qiqing reported that the Southern Army Group's offensive was difficult but progressing Kyiv. Pétain learning that Foch had died in battle and that Joffre of the EU Warsaw Eastern Command was unable to provide reinforcements and clear the northern salient, Pétain's will to hold out in Kiev had begun to waver."

"Very good. Let Mao Qiqing maintain the pace. Not too fast, not too slow."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Vera stood with her hands behind her back. "The politically significant Siege of Königsberg is complete. Nonette, come with me back to Saint Petersburg."

"Oh, you're just going back like this?"

Nonette crossed his arms and joked, "I thought you were going to beat Berlin."

"It's enough to take back the ancestral land myself. I have no interest in stealing credit from my subordinates."

Vera waved her hand.

"Now it's up to the EU to make their move. First, contain Pétain in the Ukrainian war zone. Order Minister Shin Hyuga Shingo Danzig front of East Prussia. I'll temporarily assign the Area 11 Special Task Force to him, so he can give full play to his abilities and show me what he's capable of."

When she spoke of her abilities, a crimson light flashed in Vera's indigo eyes, which were gazing at the EU POW corps.

It's one thing to steal Shin Hyuga Shingo's Geass ability.

[Love's Farewell]: A Geass that hints at death to a loved one. The ability to activate requires the recipient to be in love with the target...

Wow, that's incredible.

She asked herself if she could do that level of love.

She wouldn't take it even if I offered it to her; she's just taking up a slot.

Let's just wait for that rare Blue Geass owner from the EU to come knocking on our door.

"Lelouch von Blaisgogh".

Meanwhile, in Western Europe.

A castle in a corner of the Autonomous State of Germany, Weisswolf Castle, codenamed White Wolf City Base.

This is the headquarters of the W-ZERO unit.

"Target Vera vo Britannia just held a victory parade and prisoner-of-war procession in Königsberg... Yes, yes, I understand. I understand the difficulties of the Committee of Forty, and I understand the public's sensitivity and concern about casualty rates. Yes, General Smilas, I will expedite the training of the W-ZERO forces."

Dudu.

After hanging up, the blonde girl with light purple eyes slowly put down the receiver, lowered her eyes, and remained silent for a long time.

"There's simply not enough training time. This time, it'll be a case of some going and some returning..."

She murmured sadly.

193

Chapter 193: Teammates are thieves and convicts, enemies are innocent children.

White Wolf City Base.

Now.

Inside the neoclassical castle that serves as the headquarters of the W-ZERO forces, amidst intense training and adjustments, a comprehensive training ground is being used.

"... Here is the news. The Committee of Forty, today responds to the questions of Britannia's victory parade in Königsberg and the strategic question of abandoning the Baltic states. Although we have lost General Foch and many other outstanding war heroes, the lives of many more soldiers and the property of many civilians were saved under Britannia's iron grip... This is a victory, a manifestation of the Spirit of the Great Revolution..."