"Oh, so you're Axel Almar, then?"
As we were preparing for deployment under Cornelia's orders, a handsome blond man appeared. He had a graceful smile and an affable demeanor. And his intellect surpassed even Lelouch's. Hearing only that, there would be no man more capable. However, this man's eyes held a void. Was it because I was a psychic that I noticed, or because I possessed knowledge of the original story?
"Yeah. And you are?"
"You impertinent fellow!"
The one who rebuked me was a balding, portly middle-aged man… no, already elderly perhaps? General Bartley. Right, if the battle of Shikinejima and Kaminejima was over, it wouldn't be strange for this man to be Schneizel's aide.
"Forgive him, Brother. Axel has always been a mercenary, traversing various countries. His manner of speaking is as you see."
I couldn't help but frown slightly at Cornelia, who was bowing her head to Schneizel beside me.
But, the next moment.
"No, don't mind it. It's the first time I've been spoken to in such a manner, so it's rather refreshing."
Yes, that sharpness was what made this man so formidable. His current magnanimous attitude was likely due to him noticing my momentary frown.
Honestly, I'm not good with this type of man. In terms of pure combat power, I feel I'm second to none, and I genuinely believe I possess that ability. But opponents like this won't even let you get to combat. If Lemon were here, the situation might be a little different… No, Lemon's true calling is a scientist. Even if she's better at these kinds of battles than me, she probably wouldn't be on Schneizel's level. …If Windel were here, he might have been able to contend with Schneizel on equal or better terms.
No, Windel isn't here anymore. And imagine if Windel, waiting in the afterlife, knew I was thinking such things. He'd probably scoff at me.
"Is that so? Then I'll continue with this attitude."
"My Lord! Such insolence…"
"Don't worry, Bartley. How many people do you think speak to a Britannian royal in such a way?"
"My Lord…"
Bartley sighed and turned his gaze towards me. My image of him was of an ordinary man, but his eyes were surprisingly sharp.
"Axel, you said. Be grateful for my Lord's benevolence."
"Bartley! …I apologize, Axel-kun. As your brother, I would be pleased if you continued to lend your strength to Cornelia."
I grasped the outstretched hand. Even shaking hands like this, I couldn't feel any emotion. This was Schneizel el Britannia, huh.
"Cornelia, regarding Kyushu…"
"Yes, I will quell it immediately."
"That too, but would you mind leaving Dalton to assist me here?"
"Dalton? …If you insist, Brother. Dalton!"
Cornelia nodded at Schneizel's words and called for Dalton.
Dalton had been giving instructions to his subordinates, but he immediately came over when called.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"Indeed. I was going to take you to Kyushu, but my brother wishes to use you as an aide here. Is that alright?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
Hearing Dalton's reply, Schneizel smiled.
"Thank you both."
"Oh, and Dalton. If you're staying here, please be careful not to let Euphemia act on her own. While it was a personal matter during Suzaku Kururugi's investiture, this is a national issue. If Euphemia makes a strange move at a time like this, I don't know what might happen."
"Yes, I'll be careful."
"Yes, indeed. I'll keep an eye on it too."
Schneizel and Dalton both nodded at Cornelia's words.
"Also, regarding the operation to recapture Kyushu… the sole and greatest reason the Chinese Federation is meddling in Area 11 is Atsushi Sawazaki. If we eliminate him, the Chinese Federation will lose its justification for intervening in Area 11. Therefore, I'd like the Special Corps' Lancelot to strike at the enemy's center. What do you think?"
"Brother, that would be—!"
"No, please don't misunderstand. I'm not trying to slight Cornelia. If the Special Corps pushes forward, it can also be used as a decoy against the Chinese Federation. In that opening, Cornelia, your forces will land in Kyushu and strike the enemy's center. Furthermore, the Avalon has the Blaze Luminous defense system, and the development of the Float Unit, which allows the Lancelot to fly, has been completed. With this, I believe a surprise attack on the enemy's central area is possible, don't you? …Though, Axel-kun's unit apparently could fly even before the Float Unit was developed."
"Brother."
Cornelia interrupted Schneizel's words. Since she had forbidden inquiries into the Guren in her name, that wouldn't change, even if it was her brother.
"Ah, yes, you did say not to inquire about his unit. My apologies, I didn't mean it that way."
"No, don't mind it. More importantly, if my unit can fly, should I also participate in the Special Corps' unit?"
If things proceeded as in the original story, the Lancelot would be driven to the brink of destruction in enemy territory, running out of energy fillers. Fortunately, Zero's Gawain came as reinforcements and resupplied it with spare energy fillers, so it managed. But with the Guren, the operation could proceed much more safely.
My thought was easily rejected by Schneizel.
"No, I'd like you to act alongside Cornelia as usual. To land in Kyushu, we absolutely need naval forces, particularly around Portmann. If your unit, which can fly like the Lancelot, were there, the casualties would be reduced. Is that alright?"
"Yes, I understand. Then Axel will act with me."
Cornelia nodded at Schneizel's words. Was she believing that the attack would succeed with just the Special Corps, or was she anticipating the Black Knights' interference? Observing Schneizel's expression, I couldn't tell which. But somehow, I felt it was the latter.
"Then, I will promptly prepare for deployment, so I'll take my leave."
"Indeed. I leave Kyushu to you. I will do my best to ensure everyone can live peacefully in this Tokyo Settlement."
"Leave it to me."
Saying that, Cornelia turned her back to Schneizel. …In the original story, she would fawn over Schneizel, or rather, blush when praised, but given the current situation, I don't think that's the case now.
"Well then, Axel-kun. May I ask you to look after Cornelia?"
"Yeah. After all, I'm apparently part of Cornelia's direct unit. No matter what happens, I'll protect Cornelia."
"How reassuring. I'm counting on you."
Saying that, I turned my back to the smiling Schneizel and followed Cornelia.
"…Bad luck."
I muttered aloud in the command center of the Britannian landing craft. We were undertaking a landing operation in Kyushu, yet we were exposed to a storm. Due to the terrible weather, like a typhoon, my Guren was unable to deploy. If I went above the rain clouds, the weather wouldn't matter, but then I couldn't provide support for Portmann. I even suggested plunging into enemy territory with the Guren myself, but it was rejected on the grounds that it would negate the Special Corps' diversion.
"The destruction of the land transportation network with Honshu was a severe blow. If there was a bridge, we wouldn't have had to conduct a landing operation in this rain."
"Indeed. But they must have thought of that much from the beginning. After all, they're allied with local terrorists here."
Cornelia replied to my words with a bitter expression.
"Was the previous Refrain-fueled suicide attack also a prelude or something leading to this?"
Cornelia nodded at Guilford's voice.
"Probably. Or perhaps the attack itself had no particular meaning. Refrain's distribution route might have connected these Kyushu terrorists with Sawazaki and the Chinese Federation."
"I see. That would explain the good coordination between Sawazaki and the terrorists this time."
"Indeed. This bad weather is troublesome, but we can't wait for it to calm down. As my brother said, the Special Corps must have already taken action. Deploy the Portmanns!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Following Cornelia's orders, Portmanns were launched one after another from this flagship landing craft and the surrounding landing craft. The rocking of the landing craft was severe due to the storm, but true to being the Britannian Portmann unit, all units submerged themselves into the sea without even a hint of hesitation.
The crew operating the landing craft must have had high hopes for their valiant efforts. However, those hopes turned to disappointment a few minutes later. Shells fired from Fukuoka Base rained down into the sea, destroying a considerable number of Portmanns attempting to land in Kyushu.
"Your Highness, the damage is too great. We can't use the Guren in this weather either… we have no choice but to conduct the landing operation after the weather calms down."
"Mmm."
Cornelia groaned regretfully at Guilford's advice.
"Calm down. There's nothing we can do when the weather is this rough. Lloyd and the others must understand that too. It's better to wait until the weather calms down."
I said that to support Guilford. In reality, the Special Corps' mission is to capture Sawazaki at Fukuoka Base, but it also serves as a diversion. No, if anything, the diversion is more important. No matter how much the Lancelot is a 7th-generation KMF, it's still a single unit… and its energy, the Energy Fillers, are finite. If it were a perpetual motion engine like the Gefjun Disturber, suppressing Fukuoka Base with just the Lancelot would be easy, but perpetual motion has not yet been realized in the world of Code Geass.
"…Axel has a point. And if the commander is flustered, it will transmit to the subordinates."
Cornelia gave a wry smile. Guilford, watching her, also had a faint smile on his lips.
"Besides, if it comes down to it, I can go ahead with the Guren and secure a landing zone. Our victory in this battle is unwavering no matter what."
"No, I already rejected that plan. The burden on Axel would be too great, and it's not even a diversion."
"Then we should wait for the right moment."
At my words, Cornelia simply nodded silently.
Name: Axel Almar
LV: 34
PP: 180
Melee: 242
Ranged: 260
Skill: 252
Defense: 249
Evasion: 277
Accuracy: 299
SP: 414
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Increases Slime's performance by consuming SP)
Growth Type: All-Rounder, Special
Air: S
Land: S
Sea: B
Space: S
Spirit Commands:
Accelerate: SP 4
Effort: SP 8
Concentration: SP 16
Direct Hit: SP 30
Awaken: SP 32
Love: SP 48
Skills:
EXP Up
SP Boost (SP Up Lv.9 & SP Recovery & Concentration)
Psychokinesis Lv.10
Attacker
Gunfight Lv.9
Infight Lv.9
Morale Limit Break
Geass (Gray)
???
???
???
???
???
Kills: 195
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"