"Become emperor..."
The emperor was still on the throne, and barring anything unexpected, the one to inherit it after he abdicated would be Odysseus, the first in line.
Failing that, Schneizel still came after him.
To put it bluntly, under normal circumstances, Ask would never get his turn, no matter how outstanding he was.
So his purpose in saying this at a time like this was...
Rebellion?!
Even Suzaku Kururugi, whose thoughts had been entirely occupied with Euphemia, was stunned by Ask's words.
He cautiously ventured a question:
"Your Highness, are you... serious?"
"Heh."
Ask chuckled without answering directly:
"The emperor spends all day absorbed in dangerous research. He holds office but neglects his duties, and is no longer fit to lead a superpower. He paid no attention to the unrest in Area 11, nor does he intend to stop the years-long war with the Island Nation, even though a single order from him could bring peace to most regions."
"I intend to replace him."
"Euphemia's Island Nation Special Zone was a good proposal. Although it failed this time, as long as we pin everything on the 'Black Knights,' we can still win back some public support and try again."
Those words were actually a hint to Suzaku: once Ask became emperor, he would push for the establishment of the Island Nation Special Zone.
"So, will you lend me your strength?"
After hearing this "reasonable" explanation, Suzaku Kururugi calmed down.
The more he followed Ask's line of reasoning, the more he realized how unfit the emperor was.
He could not help entertaining a deeply disrespectful thought: if someone as kind and gentle as Ask led Britannia, would the world become a better place?
Suzaku Kururugi did not know, but he felt that at least the Island Nation could have peace.