The world was about to change. And the ones who would change it could be counted on one hand.
The one called the Demon King...
The one known as the Witch...
The one hailed as a hero...
The one who rebelled against everything...
Their story begins here.
Looking back on the past, the things one could reach out and touch would likely feel foreign and painful.
Such is the complexity of human nature.
To overthrow the enemy's regime, to shift the world's balance... for this purpose, the flames of war ignite now.
Staggering slightly as he stood, Natsume was steadied by Roku, who kindly came to his aid. Even with enhanced physical prowess, the mental toll of his first real battle was hard to shake.
Killing, fighting... for a former shut-in like Natsume, making it this far was already an achievement.
Roku watched a shell fly overhead and pointed.
"Are those explosives really that powerful? Humans really are creatures who love war, huh?"
Natsume raised an eyebrow, "Aren't you human?"
"I don't know. What am I? What can I be? I don't understand any of that. The only thing I know for sure is that I have to help Natsume achieve something in this battle."
"How kind of you, Miss Flat-Chest."
"One-Yang Finger!"
"Gahh–! My eyes! You actually used Chinese kung fu?!" Clutching his face, Natsume crouched down.
Roku had dealt more damage to his HP than any enemy so far.
Exhaling sharply, Natsume started toward the garden's exit. Since he'd eliminated the soldiers who'd caught him peeping, there was no risk of being recognized now.
The moment he stepped out, he saw troops rushing toward the frontlines, Knightmare Frames powering up, and anti-air missiles launching into the sky.
In the distance, Guilford's Knightmare stood guard near an armored vehicle, likely the command center.
No one paid Natsume any attention. Even if they noticed his Honorary Britannian uniform, no one bothered to approach.
'Typical...'
In this era, most soldiers in Area 11 were sent to high-risk zones as cannon fodder. The fact that Suzaku had survived this long was a miracle in itself.
Natsume headed for the command center. Overhead, missiles were intercepted, and the area was reinforced with quake-resistant frames, making it safer than the rest of the battlefield.
Natsume spoke out, "I request an audience with Her Highness Cornelia!"
"Hm?" Guilford's Knightmare shifted slightly, his voice crackling through the speakers:
~...Now is not the time for the likes of you. Her Highness bears the responsibility of leading us to victory, and I guard her back. An Honorary Britannian like you would only waste her time...~
"Is that so? Your loyalty and stance are commendable."
~...Leave. A mere private has no business here...~
Natsume shrugged.
If he could get inside, he could try coercing Cornelia into surrender, using that to join the Black Knights and meet C.C. But since that wasn't an option…
Even if he forced his way in, without a Knightmare Frame, fighting Guilford's machine bare-handed was suicide.
Just then, a communicator on his belt buzzed. Frowning, Natsume lifted it to his ear.
<...Private Kururugi? Respond if you can hear me. This is urgent...>
"Who is this?"
<...You don't remember me? I'm Cécile Croomy, Special Vanguard Division...>
"Ah, right. My apologies, Lieutenant Cécile."
There was a pause before Cécile continued:
<...The Japan Liberation Front has launched a surprise attack on the Area 11 government offices. To protect the Viceroy, we'd like you to– >
"Pilot a Knightmare Frame?"
<...Correct. While Her Highness Cornelia does not approve of you operating one, given the circumstances, every bit of firepower helps...>
<...Yoohoo! It's me, Lloyd Asplund! So, Private Kururugi, how about another round of combat? Revel in the thrill of slaughter! Wah– Hey, stop pushing me!>
Lloyd's voice vanished as Cecile cut in:
<...The seventh-generation Knightmare Frame, (the Lancelot) I believe only you can wield it effectively. So...>
"I'll be right there."
<...Eh? Really?>
"No problem." In fact, this was exactly the opportunity Natsume needed.
Memorizing the coordinates Cecile provided, Natsume headed for the exit. But as the battle intensified, the path was littered with craters and fallen soldiers.
The enemies were the 'Japan Liberation Front' and the 'Black Knights', and 'Zero' was undoubtedly Lelouch. His goal was likely to strike first, eliminating Cornelia before Britannia could mobilize.
'But he's moving too soon...'
Natsume doubted the Japan Liberation Front fully trusted Lelouch yet.
Even after the hostage incident showcased his brilliance, gaining their allegiance wouldn't be easy.
For now, Natsume would have to engage in combat and try to make contact.
But since they were enemies, any approach would be met with hostility.
'What a pain...'
Picking up speed, Natsume weaved through the chaos toward the side streets.
Cécile had said the 'Lancelot' was stored in an underground parking lot 500 meters left of the exit...
The fact that it had been transported here already spoke volumes about the Special Vanguard Division's efficiency.
But the journey wasn't smooth. Five Britannian Knightmares were advancing toward the frontlines, the residential district before the government offices, now ablaze from the fighting.
The flames illuminated the night...
'Is this the liberation and happiness those people sought?'
War brought death to the Japanese and to the Britannians. Yet even their sacrifices changed nothing.
As Roku said, humans were truly strange creatures.
Then–
*BOOM!*
A deafening explosion erupted fifty meters ahead. A Knightmare took a direct hit, its frame detonating in a fiery burst, scattering shrapnel like deadly rain.
The shockwave knocked Natsume back, but he twisted midair and landed smoothly before breaking into a sprint.
The moment he took his next step–
*CRASH!*
A building beside him collapsed as a Knightmare was hurled into it. A Britannian machine's cockpit had been impaled by a steel blade, its exposed wiring sparking before the entire unit convulsed and died.
The attacker yanked the sword free and leaped aside. Less than a second later–
*BOOM!*
Another explosion rocked the battlefield.
Amid the smoke and rubble, standing atop the wreckage, was a Knightmare... a seventh-generation model...
Its right arm was a massive silver claw (a standard weapon mount).
The pilot sat in a forward-leaning position.
The claw (known as the 'Radiant Wave Surger') used high-frequency pulses to destroy enemies from the inside.
It also had a smoke dispersal unit at the rear.
Without a doubt, this was Kallen Kozuki's machine, the 'Guren Mk-II'.
'Already here?' Ducking behind a boulder, Natsume assessed the situation.
'The smart move is to detour. Being spotted means death...'
"There!"
'Spotted...' he sighed internally.
The Guren turned, its claw-mounted gun barrel locking onto his position.
"Hey! Anyone gonna engage?!"
The Britannian Knightmares were forming a perimeter, but none dared attack, likely terrified after witnessing the Guren's prowess.
Natsume clicked his tongue. The concrete slab shielding him wouldn't last. Once it shattered, he'd be riddled with bullets.
Grabbing a shard of glass, he caught a blurred reflection of the Guren closing in.
"Nothing to use here? Wait–"
A soldier's corpse lay nearby, two grenades still strapped to his belt.
'These'll do...'
In one swift motion, Natsume rolled to the side, snatched the grenades and the soldier's pistol, then pressed against the wall, and waited.
*Crack!*
The slab above him shattered, rubble raining down. Forced to move, he bolted.
The moment he stepped into the open–
*TRRRR-TAT-TAT-TAT!*
...Bullets whizzed past...
"Just a normal human, huh?"
Instead of retreating, Natsume sprinted toward the Guren.
Perhaps caught off guard, the machine ceased firing and instead swung its claw down to crush him.
*Bang-Bang-Bang!*
Natsume emptied the pistol into the cockpit's armor, sparks flying.
He knew that it was useless.
"Hah!"
Dodging the claw by a hair, he rolled between the Guren's legs and lodged a grenade in the joint of its leg armor.
*Thud!*
Before he could celebrate, pain exploded in his left shoulder, not from the Guren, but from a Britannian Knightmare's stray bullets.
The impact aggravated his existing wounds, sending him crashing to the ground.
'Gotta move!'
The Guren's foot stomped down. Natsume barely rolled aside, only for a Britannian missile's shockwave to send him slamming into debris.
'Of course...' Even if those soldiers saw him, his Honorary Britannian uniform marked him as expendable.
Caught between two threats, he barely scrambled to safety just as–
*Boom!*
...The grenade detonated.
The Guren's left leg buckled, forcing it to brace against a building. With its claw, it deflected an incoming missile back at the Britannians.
One Knightmare took the hit, staggering back.
Seizing the opening, the Guren unleashed a barrage, obliterating it.
Clutching his bleeding shoulder, Natsume stood just as the Guren's cockpit turned toward him.
Their eyes seemed to meet through the metal.
"She remembers me?" Being remembered by Kallen Kozuki wasn't bad.
Wincing, Natsume turned to leave–
*Whoosh!*
A sudden attack came from the side, not aimed at him, but at the Guren.
A shell struck its right flank, smoke billowing. The momentary distraction cost the Guren, its weight crushing the building behind it.
Then a second shell (this one armor-piercing) streaked toward the cockpit.
'A direct hit could be fatal...'
"Tch!" Natsume pulled the pin and hurled his last grenade at the Guren's feet.
*Boom!*
The explosion altered the shell's trajectory, making it graze the Guren's waist before obliterating a nearby house.
Seizing the chance, the Guren forced itself upright. Even with a damaged leg, its pilot (Kallen) was skilled enough to destroy the remaining four Knightmares, the "Red Reaper" once again dominating the battlefield.
Natsume sighed, 'In a game, this would've been a flag-raising moment...'
Sure, his ultimate target was C.C., but before the final boss, he needed some buildup, like a mini-boss or two.
His communicator buzzed...
Expecting Cecile, Natsume answered immediately, only to hear an unfamiliar voice.
<...Why… did you save me?>
'Hacked comms?'
Not surprising, since this wasn't a Special Division-exclusive line.
Natsume cleared his throat, "Sorry, the subscriber you dialed is currently out of service. Please–"
<...Don't screw with me. This isn't a phone call...>
"Sorry."
<...Why do you keep apologizing?>
'Why indeed?'
"Because… I dunno. When dealing with girls, isn't apologizing first the gentlemanly thing? By the way, ever heard of the 'suspension bridge effect'?"
<...What's that? No wait– I'm asking why you saved me...>
"Are you… the red Knightmare's pilot?"
<...Yes. You're Britannian, so– >
He'd guessed as much, but now he was sure, "Nah, that was a mistake."
<...A… mistake?>
"Yeah. I was aiming for your cleavage."
<...Pervert–!>
The line went dead.
'Note to self: Girls don't like dirty jokes... (Except one)'
Watching the Guren retreat into another battlefield, Natsume knew his own battle was just beginning.
Breaking into a run, he reached the parking lot, prioritizing two things: treating his wounds and finding the Lancelot.
Leaning against a pillar, he heard the elevator hum to life. Holding his breath, he watched as the doors opened, revealing two familiar faces.
Lloyd Asplund and Cecile Croomy.
"Private Kururugi?" Cecile rushed over while digging through her bag for medical supplies.
Lloyd stopped her, "No need to waste time here. Once Private Kururugi boards the Lancelot, its bio-repair system will handle the rest. Right, Private?"
"Right..." Natsume nodded.
He had no idea how it worked, but agreeing was easier.
Cecile hesitated but was ushered away by Lloyd to prepare the Lancelot.
Lloyd continued, "So, Private Kururugi… still chasing that dream?"
"Dream?"
"Or am I wrong? To change this nation from within, to free Japan and bring peace to all, isn't that a dream?"
"…"
"Happiness is built upon misfortune. The Black Knights rising in this era might just be the start of that misfortune." Lloyd laughed. No, He cackled, "Dreams exist to be shattered. Only then can they be rebuilt, no?"
"You're spouting nonsense again." Cecile cut in, typing at a terminal before nodding to Natsume, "The seventh-generation Knightmare (Lancelot) is prepped for launch."
Lloyd continued, "Then go, Private Kururugi. I look forward to seeing you slaughter the enemy–"
"Step aside, please." Pushing Lloyd away, Cecile guided Natsume into the Lancelot, briefing him before sending him off.
Though he'd never piloted it before, his body moved on instinct. The machine felt like an extension of himself.
"Kururugi Suzaku, launching!"
The white Knightmare shot out of the parking lot, its frame stark against the battlefield.
Natsume's eyes locked onto his target...
Through the Lancelot's high-precision sensors, he spotted two figures on a rooftop a kilometer away; the masked Zero, and beside him, the 'Witch'.
Lelouch's presence meant he was confident of victory.
Weaving through enemy fire, Natsume charged.
A swing of Lancelot's sword bisected an armored vehicle. A kick sent a Knightmare flying.
For a mechanical beast like the Lancelot, a kilometer was mere seconds away.
But at the 100-meter mark–
*Whoosh!*
The Guren intercepted him.
At the same time, a broadcast echoed through the comms.
~...You're that white Knightmare from before...~
'Lelouch's voice...'
~...What the Black Knights seek is beyond your understanding. Retreat now, before you're destroyed...~
'Trying to preserve me for later use?'
Natsume guessed Lelouch saw 'Suzaku' as a potential pawn. Hence the offer to withdraw.
But if he left now, he'd never get close to C.C. No progress. No completion.
'To make C.C. blush... To fulfill the mission... To–'
"To embrace bromance!"
"Hey!!!" Exclaimed the annoyed Natsume.
Roku materialized in the cockpit, "Conquer Lelouch! Live happily ever after! That way, Zhang Yan can rest in peace!"
"Hard pass!!! And who the hell is Zhang Yan?! Is he dead?!"
"Tch. No questions. Just fight! 'Rule #1: A true scholar can charm a loli with his pen!' Let's hunt for lolis in the Black Knights! Sound good?"
"Good my foot! Stop screwing around!"
"Ooooh! Here it comes! The battle begins! Ahhh! Is this a bromance alliance?! A yuri squad?! No... it's the Guren! But love conquers all!"
Amid Roku's nonsensical rambling, Natsume (the false 'Kururugi Suzaku') faced the Witch and the Demon King.
The battle began...
~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~
~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ ~~ ~
The Lancelot...