A few minutes passed after I finished my transmission to Guilford, and soon enough, I saw the Garlion piloted by Echidna flying toward us.
"Captain, apologies for the wait."
"Don't worry about it. Now, regarding our next move: it's been decided that we will welcome Cornelia into Shadow Mirror. I want to manage the logistics of that—specifically, the time dilation between here and the White Star. Can we do something about it?"
That was the issue. Welcoming Cornelia into Shadow Mirror was fine, but we had to address the time discrepancy between this Code Geass world and the White Star, which resides in the dimensional gap. If we didn't, there was a risk that while Cornelia was on the White Star, R2 would begin and the Evil Emperor Lelouch would make his debut before we knew it.
However, Echidna answered my concern effortlessly.
"I believe there was a research project regarding the Link Device intended to stabilize the space between the target coordinates and the White Star. If that has been completed, the time dilation issue should be resolved."
Echidna gave me a detailed explanation, though I didn't really grasp the complicated theory behind it. Essentially, it seems we can establish a fixed "corridor" of sorts between this world and the White Star. By using that, anyone could travel freely to this world without needing the Aguiyeus every time. As for the time dilation, that apparently occurs because the world is "released" from the connection every time we end a transfer. If the corridor remains fixed—keeping the connection open—the problem disappears.
"That's an outrageous piece of equipment."
That was my honest impression. According to Echidna, it was made possible by integrating technology acquired from the Earth Cradle, technology provided by the Inspectors, and Aerogator technology found on the White Star. …I feel like I've just glimpsed the terrifying potential of the technical team led by Lemon.
"So, how do we build this… corridor?"
"I apologize, but please consult Lady Lemon regarding the specifics. I only know the general outline that such a device was under development."
…True enough. Echidna isn't part of the technical staff. She seemed a bit flustered by the sheer scale of developments herself.
"Axel, I cannot quite grasp what you two are saying."
Cornelia frowned slightly as she asked, but considering the technological gap, it was hardly surprising. If Lloyd or Cecile were here, they might have understood to some extent.
"Right… Simply put, Echidna and I transferred here from what you might call another world… though that sounds a bit exaggerated. A parallel world."
"A parallel world? Is that… like a parallel universe?"
"Yeah. To be accurate, our base is a satellite fortress located in a place that doesn't exist in any specific world—a dimensional gap."
Cornelia listened to my words in a daze. For an inhabitant of a world where they still struggle to make Knightmare Frames fly and space development is barely untouched, this must sound like a pipe dream.
"Proof is better than debate. We're returning to our base, the White Star, right now. You'll understand whether you want to or not. Echidna, set the marker."
"Understood."
Echidna climbed out of the Garlion, set the marker just as before, and completed the camouflage sequence. In the meantime, Cornelia and I disembarked from the Growsaber, stored it in dimensional storage, and I brought out the Trinity Gain instead.
"…What a size…"
Standing over 40 meters tall. It was nearly ten times the size of an average KMF. I picked up Cornelia, who voiced her astonishment, and boarded the cockpit once more.
Fortunately, compared to the Growsaber, this cockpit was built much more spaciously. Cornelia sat on the floor of the cockpit, leaning her back against the wall.
"Echidna, are you ready?"
"Yes, ready when you are."
"Good. Link Device, activate… Normal operation confirmed. Target coordinates locked. Transfer field generation sequence initiated. Destination linked to system… OK. Transfer field generated. …Transfer!"
A cocoon of light enveloped the Trinity Gain and the Garlion. In the next instant, both machines had completed their jump to the transfer sector of the White Star.
"Cornelia, we've arrived. Welcome to the Shadow Mirror base, the White Star. We welcome your participation."
I extended a hand to Cornelia, who was still sitting on the floor. She took it without a word, squeezing it back.
"This is… the dimensional gap?"
Cornelia murmured as she looked at the image displayed on the Trinity Gain's monitor.
"Like I said earlier, to be precise, this is the transfer sector inside the satellite base White Star, located within the dimensional gap."
As per routine, I lifted Cornelia into a lateral carry and descended from the cockpit. The first thing that caught my eye was the technical staff. Then, Echidna, who had already disembarked from the Garlion. And finally, Lemon, who was wearing a beaming smile that somehow radiated an aura chilling enough to freeze one's spine.
The technical staff were keeping their distance, clearly adopting the philosophy of "let sleeping dogs lie."
"Welcome back, Axel. I heard the rough details from Echidna. So, is that who you're holding?"
"A-Ah. This is Cornelia li Britannia. She'll be joining Shadow Mirror."
"Hmm… I heard you were quite infatuated, and it seems the rumors were true."
Her tone was icy. My telekinesis was screaming that this was dangerous… or at least, I felt like it was.
"Well, fine. Let's start with introductions. I am Lemon Browning. I'm in charge of the technical division here at Shadow Mirror."
She paused there, then directed a meaningful gaze straight at me.
"And I am the lover of Axel, the man currently holding you."
Cornelia twitched in reaction to those provocative words. I only noticed because I was holding her.
"In that case, despite my current state, allow me to introduce myself. I am Cornelia li Britannia. The woman who has dedicated her body and soul to Axel."
This time, Lemon twitched at Cornelia's words. The atmosphere she wore was already approaching absolute zero.
"Hey, Cornelia! What on earth are you—mmgh!?"
My attempt to protest was cut short. A left hand wrapped around the back of my neck, forcibly pulling my head down, and my mouth was sealed by Cornelia's lips.
...
Thirty seconds must have passed with our lips locked. The technical staff, who had frozen at the spectacle, began to buzz with whispers. Lemon, also frozen, watched us with a smile that could freeze hell over.
When our lips finally parted, Cornelia spoke boldly.
"Axel, you told me to become yours. And I accepted that deal in the name of Cornelia li Britannia. That means I am your woman."
"No, that was…"
"Is that not so?"
Cornelia looked into my face with an expression that was somehow heartbreakingly fragile. I found myself stammering. It is an undeniable fact that I am attracted to Cornelia as a man. That was likely the reason I couldn't voice a definitive rejection.
It was Lemon who spoke up, as if to rescue me from my predicament.
"First, let's treat those injuries. We can't have a detailed conversation with you in that state."
As if waiting for Lemon's signal, a Mass-Produced W unit brought over a stretcher.
"Place her on that. From a cursory glance, if we use the White Star's medical equipment, she should be fully healed by tomorrow."
"You say these wounds will heal by tomorrow?"
Cornelia couldn't help but interject, even as she was being loaded onto the stretcher. Relieved by her energetic response, I watched as she was carried away.
Now then, first things first.
"Lemon, I left a marker in Cornelia's world. I heard there's a device that prevents a time lag with the other side."
"Yes, I heard from Echidna. The Gate is ready. All that's left is to transfer back to that world and install it."
Not a passage, but a Gate. A fitting name, I suppose.
"I'm leaving the Gate installation to Echidna. Is that alright?"
"Yes. Can she depart immediately?"
"Let's see… Look, it seems preparations are already OK."
I followed Lemon's gaze and saw a massive container being transported in.
"Is the Gate inside that?"
"Yes. Though it's not as exaggerated as it sounds. It's a hybrid system: a Mass-Produced System XN with its standard spatial transfer functions removed, combined with a link system to Lykeios, a marker system, and a communications suite. It allows for limited dimensional transfer between it and Lykeios. We call it the Gate."
…No, I feel like that is plenty exaggerated.
"Then, Lady Lemon, I will transfer to the other world immediately."
"Yes, please do."
"Understood. Captain Axel, just in case, I will be borrowing the Trinity Gain."
"Yeah, go ahead. Also, you should consult Guilford regarding where to install the Gate. If you tell him it's a request from me and Cornelia, he won't treat you poorly."
"Guilford… The man you were close with, Captain. Understood."
Echidna saluted both me and Lemon, boarded the Trinity Gain, and transferred back to the other world carrying the container with the Gate.
"Now then, Axel? There are many things… truly many things I want to ask you… You don't mind, do you?"
…I feel like this is one of those situations.
Axel attempted to run away.
But he was blocked.
One cannot escape from the Great Demon Lord.
It felt exactly like that.
What should I do? I pondered for a few seconds, but my conclusion came quickly.
"Yeah. There were a lot of things I wanted to talk to you about, too."
I raised the white flag and chose unconditional surrender.
Name: Axel Almer
LV: 35
PP: 485
Stats:
Melee: 246
Shooting: 264
Skill: 256
Defense: 253
Evasion: 281
Accuracy: 303
SP: 422
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Consumes SP to upgrade slime performance)
Growth Type: Versatile/Special
Terrain Adaptation:
Air: S
Land: S
Sea: B
Space: S
Spirit Commands:
Accel (SP 4)
Gain (SP 8)
Focus (SP 16)
Direct Attack (SP 30)
Awake (SP 32)
Love (SP 48)
Skills:
EXP Up
SP Boost (SP Up Lv.9 & SP Regen & Concentration)
Telekinesis Lv.10
Attacker
Gunfight Lv.9
In-fight Lv.9
Break Will Limit
Geass (Gray)
???
???
???
???
???
Kill Count: 254
-------------------------------
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!"