In a boundless space, Emperor Charles, the ninety-eighth emperor of Britannia, stood at the edge of a platform, gazing at a temple bathed in twilight.
Only a single stairway connected the temple to the platform. Beneath it, clouds and mist shrouded a bottomless abyss.
Steady footsteps sounded behind him. A Britannian soldier approached and quietly said something that prompted Charles to ask in surprise:
"Schneizel and Ask?"
"Yes. How would you like us to deal with them?"
"Leave them alone."
Charles gave a cold laugh and replied imperiously:
"If they have the confidence, they are welcome to challenge me."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The soldier withdrew.
On the other side of the platform, a child with long blond hair leaned against a pillar, quietly listening to their conversation.
Upon hearing that familiar name, the child frowned and muttered:
"Marianne's eldest son..."
An involuntary trace of disgust crept into the words as the child headed toward the passage leading off the platform.
Charles noticed this detail as well.
He glanced over without betraying any reaction.
He knew better than anyone what this "child" intended to do, but he had no intention of intervening.
He said nothing and did nothing, letting events take their course.
To him, the "temple" before his eyes was what truly mattered.
Inside the Geass Ruins stood a massive stone door carved with strange symbols.
No amount of brute force could push it open.
Using explosives, however, risked causing irreparable damage to the Geass Ruins.
They were not searching for some One Piece treasure. They were here to study the Geass Ruins themselves.
Before the door stood a golden, pyramid-shaped stone monument. Perhaps it was the "key" to opening the door.
"The Thought Elevator..."
Earl Lloyd sighed, then shook his head.
"Unfortunately, this isn't my area of